HEre beginneth the volume entitled and named the recueil of the histories of Troy/ composed and drawn out of diverse books of Latin in to French by the right venerable person and worshipful man. Raoul le Feure. Priest and chaplain unto the right noble glorious and mighty Prince in his time Philip Duke of Bourgogne of Braband etc. In the year of the incarnation of our lord god a thousand four hundred sixty and four/ And translated and drawn out of French in to English by William Caxton mercer of the city of London/ at the commandment of the right high mighty and virtuous Princess his redoubted lady. Margarete by the grace of god. Duchess of Bourgogne of Lotryk of Braband etc./ which said translation and work was begun in Brugis in the county of Flanders the first day of March the year of the incarnation of our said lord god a thousand four hundred sixty and eight/ And ended and finished in the holy city of Colen the xix day of September the year of our said lord god a thousand four hundred sixty and eleven etc..  
And on that other side of this leaf followeth the prologue   

When I remember that every man is bounden by the commandment & council of the wise man to eschew sloth and idleness which is mother and nourisher of vices and aught to put myself unto virtuous ocupation and business/ then I having no great charge of ocupation following the said council/ took a French book and red therein many strange and marvelous histories where in I had great pleasure and delight/ as well for the novelty of the same as for the fair language of French./ which was in prose so well and compendiously set and written/ which me thought I understood the sentence and substance of every matter/ And for so much as this book was new and late made and drawn in to French/ and never had seen it in our English tongue/ I thought in myself it should be a good business to translate it in to our English/ to th'end that it might be had as well in the royalme of England as in other lands/ and also for to pass therewith the time. and thus concluded in myself to begin this said work/ And forthwith took pen and ink and began boldly to run forth as blind bayard in this present work which is named the recueil of the Trojan histories And afterward when I remembered myself of my simpleness and unperfectness that I had in both languages/ that is to weet in French & in English for in france was I never/ and was born & learned mine English in Kent in the wield where I doubt not is spoken as broad and rude English as is in any place of England & have continued by the space of/ thirty. Year for the most part in the contres of Braband. flandres Holland and Zealand and thus when all these things came to fore me after that I had made and written a five or six quire I fell in despair of this work and purposed no more to have continued therein and though quire layed a part and in two year after laboured no more in this work And was fully/ in will to have left it. Till on a time it fortuned that the right high excellent and right virtuous Princes my right redoubted lady mylady Margarete by the grace of god sister unto the King of England and of france. my sovereign lord Duchess of Bourgogne of lotryk. of brabant. of Limburg. and of luxenburgh Countess of Flanders of artoys & of Bourgogne Palatine of Heinaud of Holland of Zealand and of namur marquess of the holy empire. lady of Fryse of salius and of mechlyn sent for me to speak with her good grace of diverse matters among the which I let her highness have knowledge of the foresaid beginning of this work which anon commanded me to show the said .v. or vi quire to her said grace and when she had seen them. Anon she found a default in mine English which she commanded me to amend and more over commanded me straightly to continue and make an end of the residue then not translated. Whose dreadful commandment I durst in no wise disobey because I am a servant unto her said grace and receive of her yearly fee and other many good and great benefits. and also hope many more to receive of her highness but forthwith went and laboured in the said translation after my simple and pour cunning also nigh as I can following mine author meekly beseeching the bounteous highness of my said lady that of her benevolence lift to accept & take in 'gree this simple & rude work here following. and if there be any thing written or said to her pleasure. I shall think my labour well employed and where as there is default. that she arette it to the simpleness of my cunning which is full small in this behalf and require & pray all them that shall read this said work to correct it & to hold me excused of the rude & simple translation And thus I end my prologue...   

HEre followeth the prologue of that worshipful man Raoul le feure which was author of this present book in the French tongue:  
When I behold & know the opinion of the men nourished in any singular histories of Troy and see and behold also that of then to make a recueil or gathering together. I indign have received the commandment of the right noble and right virtuous Prince. Philippe by the grace of the maker of all graces. Duc of Bourgogne of Lotryk of Braband and of Lymbourgh. Earl of Flanders of Artoys and of Bourgogne. Palatine of Heinaud of Holland of Jeland and of namur. Marquis of the holy empire Lord of Frise of salyns and of mechlyn. Certes I find enough for to think on for of the histories whereof I will make the recueil. All the world speaketh of them by books translated out of latin in to fresh a great deal less then I ne shall treat And some there be that reply a gain their particular books wherefore I fear me to write more than her books make mention. But when I consider poised & weigh the dreadful commandment of the foresaid redoubted Prince which is cause of this work not for to correct the books late solemnly translated. but only for to augment I yield me obeisant. and for th'eschewing of the less evil that I may. I shall make three books. Which put in one. Shall take for name the recueil of the Trojan histories. In the first book I shall treat of Saturn and of Jupiter. and of the beginning and coming up of Troy. and of the feats of. perseus. In the second book I shall treat of the labours of hercules. Rehearsing by two times how he destroyed Troy and in the third book I shall treat of the last and general destruction of Troy by the Greeks. by cause of the ravishing of dame Helen wife of menelaus. and I shall put to the feats and great prowesses of worthy hector and of his brethren. Which been worthy and dign of great memory and also I shall treat of the marvelous adventures and perils of the sea that came unto the Greeks in their returning. And of the death of the noble King Agamemnon that was Duke of the host And of the great fortunes of King Ulixes and of his marvelous death so I require and supply him that is cause of this work And all them that shall read it for t'eschew idleness. that so rudely have put my pen unto the histories afore named. that it please them not only have regard unto my poor conceit. but also to the obscure and dark abysm or swallow where I have gathered them together. by obeisance And under all right humble corrections..   

The beginning of this book showeth the genealogy of Saturn and of the paction and promise that he made to his brother Titan. and how he took war mortal again Jupiter his owen sone..  
WHat time all the Children of Noah were spread by the Climates. Reigns and strange habitations of the world By the general division of tongues made at the foundation of the tower of babilon in though days that the world was of gold And that the men in thoo days were steadfast & poising as mountains and Rude as stones and beasts. Enhancing their great courages fouling and showing their great conceits And that the enemy of man Induced maliciously to practic towns cities and castles to make sceptres and diadems and to forge and make the cursed sect of gods Among the possessors of the isle of crete there was a rich man enhanced full of covetise happy of adventurous enterprise & right rich of the grace of fortune some men called this man Celion & some men Uranus he was lawful son of Ether son of demorgorgon the old dweller of the caves of Arcady and first beginner of the false paynims gods This Uranus had to his wife his own sister called vesca He lived gloriously with her & had possession of the most part of the isle of crete & abounded prosperously in worldly goods in increasing his natural appetites first in increasing and ampliation of worldly lordship and signory and secondly in lineage & was marvelous rich he had two sons that is to weet Titan & Saturn and two daughters that one was called Cybele and that other Ceres of whom shall be made mention here after & he had many other sons & daughters of whom I make no mention for as much as they be out of my purposes what shall I rehearse more of the glory of this Uranus he had all thing as he would and was fortunate and nothing went against him his goods multiplied his children grew and increased but Titan the eldest son was foul. Evil favoured. and counterfeit And Saturn was marvelously fair and amiable for which 'cause vesca the mother loved much better Saturn than tytan And that by nature for naturally the mothers love better her fair children than her fowl wherefore Saturn was nourished most in the lap of his mother And tytan was put out and in manner banished And when Saturn was great what for his beauty and for his cunning and science and other virtues he gate the whole love of all the people..  
In this time it was so that whatsoever man practicked or fond any things profitable for the common w●lehe was recommended solemnly and called and named a god after their foolish and dark custom Saturn was named a god for in his youth by his cunning he was the first finder to give instruction of earing and labouring the earth and of sowing and reaping the corns And this invention was applied to Saturn with divine reverence. With love upon love not only anent vesca and Uranus and his kinsmen but above measure against all the people of crete and of the marches and countries lying by and there about And thus his name arose and was renowned that from all places men and children nobles and villains came to his school for to learn.  
In these days that Saturn began thus to flower & was xx. Year of age and his brother xl Uranos their father by a sickness that he had died and departed out of this world leaving his wife Vesca endowed largely of possessions. his death was noyous and sorrowful to Vesca his wife. Which caused her to weep out of measure and his sons and daughters also they did his obsequy reverently in abounding of great and bitter sorrow. the obsequy done there weeping and sorrow yet during vesca saw that Titan her eldest son pretended to have and enjoy the succession of his father she on a day called her dear son Saturn with Titan and other of the country and there rehearsed & said unto them that her young son Saturn should succeed and have the heritages of her husband Titan hearing the will of his mother redoubled his sorrow and caused him to weep great plenty of tears and kneeled to fore his mother humbly and said in this wise mother I am right infortunate when ye will that my right patrimony be put from me And that naturally me aught to have by right should be given fro me and yet because that I am not so well form of memberss as my brother Saturn is which sorrow is to me passing noyous ye will put from me my fortune and birth which ye may not do by lawful reason I am your first son ye have nourished me with the substance of your blood as your child born in your belly ix months Also I am he that first dwelled and inhabited your feminine chambers None to fore me took there any seizing when I took that though ye gaf me your due love and sorted to me the succession of your heritages then whence cometh this that ye now subvert and destroy that nature hath once joined and given me. Every mother is bounden to hold the conservation of the right of her child Alas mother ye will make me bastard fro my right Am I a bastard was not Uranus my father. am not y he that ye were so glad fore what time ye felt first that I was conceived in the lawful bede of my father your husband. am I not he that ye bare and gave me suck of your breasts and often times kiss me that is to say in my tender days what time my memberss were soft and tender. Ha' mother acquit you against me as ye beholden and bounden by right and knowledge ye that I am Titan and for as much as I am less & not so well addressed as my brother Saturn for so much ye aught the more desire my promotion & furthering  
When dame vesca heard her son tytan speak so sadly and profoundly she had pity on him yet the pity was not of so high virtue that might surmount the great love that was rooted between her and Saturn. and then she said to tytan her son Titan my son I forsake not that thou tookest thy substance between my sides. & by me were brought in to this world and know verily that I love the entirely and that I desire thy weal but it is so clear and evident in every man's sight that for the default. Lothliness. and abomination of thy memberss thou art not a man sufficient for to defend thy fathers heritages with great labour & pain for if it happened that any man would make war thou were not able to resist him what wouldest thou that I should do thy brother hath the love of all the people for his beauty & his virtuous manners And every man holdeth him in reverence and the in derision & scorn. be thou content thou shall lack no thing And if thou lack. Speak to me and I shall remedy it but speak never no more to me for the heritage for Saturn shall obtain by the favour of his wisdom meekness and benignity & also be cause the common wis judgeth him and seethe that he shall once by the man of whom his life shall shine gloriously..  
Titan was sore troubled of the words of his mother and he began to change colours and wax red having suspicion to Saturn that he had contrived this matter against him whereupon he drew him apart to him and said Saturn th'envy that thou hast to reign above me hath now engendered in my heart thy mortal mischief whereof the hate shall endure unto the mortal separation of thy life and of mine & of my children Thou knowest well that I am the eldest son of our father Uranus how art thou so hardy and presumptuous tenhause thy self above me by conspired imagination I will that thou know verily that like as thou hast conspired in my temporal damage semblably I shall conspire to thy eternal damage and hurt and name me from hence forth thy mortal enemy when Saturn heard these brenning and inflamed menaces of his brother tytan he excused himself and answered that he never thought in his life to come to the succession of their father ner never had imagined ner conspired it then vesca their mother Cybele and Ceres took the words fro Saturn and said to Titan that his threatening to Saturn was for naught for he should reign and be lord and master. Titan full of felony and more angry than he was tofore said plainly that he should not suffer it Saturn had a great part of the people that assisted him and gave him favour And tytan also had other on his side which began to murmur that one party against that other all the company was sore troubled and began to thrust in and employed them to sense the noise and to accord tytan notwithstanding if it was hard to do for alway he would have run upon Saturn if he had not be hold and ●etted alway in the end the wise men showed titan by great reason that he was the more feeble and that Saturn was more in the favour of the people and that he would moder himself a little and said that he should agreed and grant the reign to Saturn by condition That if he married. he should be bounden to put to death all his Children males that should be begotten of his s●ed if he any had for the weal of both parties Vesca with her daughters and the ancient wise people accorded to Titan this condition And laboured so to Saturn that they brought them to the temple of their god Mars that was in the city of Oson whereof was lord a mighty man called Mellyseus and that a fore the image of god mars Saturn swore that if him happed to marry And that he had any children males he should slay them all and thus was Titan content that his brother should enjoy the land of Crete and the peace was made between them both..  

¶ How Saturn was crowned first King of Crete & how he fond first diverse science where fore the people held him in great honour as a god.  
AFter the treaty made of the peace of Titan and Saturn Titan syhe in himself that he might not worshipfully abide and dwell being under his younger brother had liefer go and search his adventures in other places than to be thrall to his younger brother. he took his wife his children & friends. and departed at alaventure in diverse places/ where he fond fortune so good and happy. that by arms and strength he made himself King of many diverse royalmes. Which he departed unto his children And commised & ordained certain espies to espy and wait if his brother Saturn married himself & if his wife brought forth men children and whether he put them to death. During these said things. Saturn dwelled with his mother and his sisters Cybele and Ceres. And began to reign with so great magnificence that they of the country seeing their neighbours by them did do make and ordain Kings to reign on them. of such as were noble and virtuous. Assembled together on a day and made Saturn King upon them & upon their synes And crowned him with great glory with a crown of lawrer with great joy/ Saturn anon took & accepted this royal honour and worship and took the sceptre in his hand & bore the crown on his head & reigned murely inducing his people to live honestly & to love vertu. and 〈◊〉 a naked sword to be born afore him in sign of justice. he did justice on malefactors and enhanced them that were good. he did do build a city which he named Crete because the isle bare the said name and was the first inhabitor & dweller. and when he had founded the city he ordained his palace & dwelling place in the middle their of in example as the heart is in the mids of the body to minister to the memberss so he would ensign & minister his people. & after this he chose an hundred & four wise men which he instituted and ordained counselors and governors of his royalme & then they of Crete seeing the right great wisdom of their King. Assembled together diverse times & named him a god and yet more they founded unto him a temple. an altar & an idol bearing in that one hand a sickle in signifiance that he destroyed the vices in such wise as the sickle cutteth herbs & destroyeth the weeds. And in that other hand he held a serpent that boat his tail for as much as Saturn said that every man should bite the tail of the serpent that is to say that every man should fear and flee the evil end. For the end oft-times is venomous as the tail of a serpent And that appeareth yet daily by the end of many evil disposed and envenomed men.  
By the moyen of these things the renomee of King Saturn grew And the world was that time of gold. that is for to say it was much better and more abundant in the days of man's life and in plenty of fruits of the earth then in any other time after The poets by this colour compared the world at that time to gold which is most precious of all metals/ how well diverse men say that Saturn was the first man that found the manner to melt metal and to affine gold and made his vessel & utensils of his house of diverse metal. And under this colour they figured at that time the worlds to been of gold/ then began the men by the doctrine of Saturn to use and were gold to mine the rocks/ to persshe the mountains perilous/ to haunt the thorny deserts/ to fight and adaunt the orgulous serpents/ the fires dragons/ the deadly griffons the monstruous beasts/ and to spread a brood their worldly engines. By these exercites was then Saturn the furbisher and beginner of the style/ to learn men to take all these beasts/ And first found the manner of shooting and drawing of the bow/ Of this gold made Saturn his house. his chambers and halls to shine by marvelous working/ He was strong and hardy// and he had no fear ne doubt of no serpent of the mountain ner of no monster of desert ner of beast dwelling in caves. He knew the veins of gold in the earth and could decern them from veins of silver He edified rich things of gold joyous unto the eye sight/ and hoot and courageous to the heart/ for at that time the courages by perdurable fire chafing the affections of man in manner of a contagious heat so singularly that after alway that they coveted/ they desired to accomplish. In this time of the golden world the creatures lived and endured greatly and long. And all the world laboured in edification of science and cunning of virtue/ And that time were the men more virtuous in bodily edifying than ever they were since/ among all other Saturn was never idle after that he had ones laboured the corns In erynge and sawing/ He malt and fined gold and metals and induced and taught his men to draw the bow and shoot/ He himself found first the bow and the manner to go and sail by the sea and to row with little boots by the rivage and took his owen pleasure for to endoctrine and teach his people in all these things and he had great abundance of worldly goods/ reserved only he durst not marry: and that he had sworn to put to death all the men children that should come of his seed/ whereof he was ofttime annoyed and had great displeasure etc..   

¶ How Saturn went to Delphos and had answer how he should have a son that should chase him out of his royalme/ And how he married him to his sister Cybele etc.  
When Saturn saw his palace flourish and shine of gold and saw his people obey him/ saw his goldsmiths and workers break the mountains with her pikes and Instruments. Saw his mariners cut the wawes of the sea with their oars. Saw his disciples learn and labour the earth. Saw his Archers shoot with her arrows and smote and took the birds dwelling in the high trees and fleeing by the air/ He might embrace great glory and enhance in high his throne and his felicity/ but on that other side when he remembered the trait made between him and his brother Titan he was like unto the peacock that is proud of the fair feathers diversly fair coloured which he spreaded round as a wheel and with all only look of his feet he loseth all his joy Saturn in like wise by this treaty lost all his joy his glory & his plaisance. he was long time leading this life now joyous now sorrowful growing alway and increasing his royalme and daily thought & poised in himself if he might marry or not for no thing in the world he would false his oath/ he was just & true in deed & in word nevertheless. nature moved him & cited him to have generation and to come to company of woman And this moving was at all times refreshed and renewed by a continual sight that he had daily in a passing fair maid. that is to weet his sister Cybele which he saw continually in whom was no default of all the goods of nature appertaining to woman She was out of measure right humble in speaking wise in her works honest in conversation & flowering in all virtues. and fo● this cause Saturn beheld her oft-times. And so happened on a time as he beheld her affairs and works/ he cast his eyen on her virtues that pleased him so greatly. that in the end he was desirous of her love whereof his mother vesca had great joy and pleasure. and she perceiving of the desire of Saturn. Gave him courage & will to marry him and so laboured and solicited the marriage so effectually that with great worship and triumph Saturn spoused & wedded Cybele his sister after their usage and she was the first Queen of Crete. he lying with her payeng-in this wise the dew debt of marriage that at th'end of ix months Cybele had a son which Saturn did do put to death acquitting himself of the oath that he had made unto his brother tytan And of this son Boccace maketh no mention. but they lay together again and Cybele conceived then of the seed of Saturn another son with a daughter that by space of time appeared great in the mothers belly..  
IN this time when the law of nature was in his vigour and strength the men married with her sisters. and in especial the paynims if they were not content and had suffisance of one wife they might take more with out reproach when Saturn knew that his wife was with child the second time. the death of his first son came to fore him and said in himself that he would that his wife had been barren Tho he began to be full of diverse fantasies and of sorrowful thoughts and desired to know what should befall of the fruit of the womb of Cybele He went himself forth in to the isle of delphos unto the Oracle of the god Apollo that gave answer to the people that they demanded of things that should after fall and happen And then when he had done his sacrifice and made his prayer The pressed of the temple put him in to a ꝑcloos under the altar of the foresaid idol And there he heard a great whirling wind that troubled him and all his wit and understanding that he was in manner of a spasm or a swoon by which he fill to ground And after that when he arose him thought that the god Apollo appeared unto him with a dreadful face & said thus to him. Saturn what moveth the to will to know thine evil destiny Thou hast engendered a son that shall take from the the diadem of Crete and shall banish the out of thy royalme And shall be with out peer above all people the most fortunate man that ever was borne in Grece after these words Saturn came again to himself and remembered him of this evil prophecy that touched the bottom of his heart and so sore annoyed and right pensive he went out of the oracle with a troubled heart and all bare of gladness and all oppressed and environed with wanhope came to his folk and departed thence and went to ship and when he was in his ship he hinge down his head which he held not up till he came to Crete. and when he had his head so inclined he began to think and be pensive And after many right sorrowful sighs engendered in the root of melancholy said in this wise. Alas Saturn pour King what availeth me the dignity to be the first King of Crete. wat profitten me the divine reverences. ner what good do me my science when I feel me in the putting a back of fortune O fortune soon turning frail and variable & ploing to every wind like a rosier at lest areste that the wheel that turneth without end may speak to me Saturn the inventor and finder of the common weal And if thou wilt not leanly me thy clear & laughing visage at the lest leave me thy large ears Thou hast give me triumph and glory of crown and now thou sufferest me to fall fro this great was ship the god's witness it And what is this thou hast consented my prosperity and now conspirest my mendicity my fall and shameful end. and intendest that I shall be named the unhappy Saturn if all my life hath been nourished in happiness. & the end unhappy and woeful I shall be called & said unhappy And all● my happy fortunes and ewres shall torn more to reproach and shame than to praising or to any worship O fortune in what thing have I offended. have I fought again thee. or have I done any folly again the magnificence of the gods have I rebelled or offended the airs. the worlds. the heavens the planets. the sun. the moan. the earth. the seas what have I done or trespassed. Tell me O my god where art thou. hast thou envy to me be cause that I have been in th'oracle of the foresaid god Apollo He hath showed unto me the ruin of my sceptre the frushing and breaking of my diadem the troubling of the clearness of my reign. the enhancing of my child And the putting me out of my royalme that shall precede of his insurrection. alas what remedy to this great sorrow that I have. I have slain one of my son's where fore I have great and bitter sorrow and have concluded in myself that never here after will so cruelly spill the life of my children for to die with them After this conclusion I must of very force and sore against my will return and continue in my first unnatural cruelty. For if my son that now is in the womb of my wife be suffered to live he shall exile me & put me out of my royalme and down of my throne which shall be to me right hard and peisant to bear and suffer patiently And therefore it is better I slay him Alas and if I sle him than it seemeth me I should resist the will of the gods which peradventure will raise him again And that should be worse for then I should not only be called an homicide and manslayer but a unnatural murderer. not of a giant nor of a strange man of another land but of a right little Child issued of my proper veins bones and flesh. that after the prenostication of the goddess is pre-elect and chosen to be the greatest lord of Greece and sovereign of all the Kings in his time.  
SAturne thus feeling him in great sorrow & trouble and alway worse & worse as afore is said began to change his colour & wax pale full of melancholy & of fantasies & could not appease his unfortune his most privy men & they that were most familiar with him durst not approach unto him seeing his sorrowful manner they were discomfort in his desolation sorrowful with his sorrow. & angry with his anger he was in short time so greth perturbed and so impressed with so eager impresion of sorrow that his face was like unto ashen or as he had be dead alway after many thoughts he opened his mouth & spoke all softly. I slay myself by melancholy & am aman greatly abused I have made an oath unto my brother Titan that I shall put all my children male to death that shall come of my flesh peraventure the gods will not suffer that I shall be for sworn. and have let me have knowledge by my god Apollo that my wife hath conceived a son that shall put me out of my royalme to that end that I should slay him for as much as I had concluded in myself to have broken mine oath & have spared the lives of my children. For as much as it is so I shall no longer spare them if it happen that my son be borne a live. Certain he shall be put to death. For it is better that he die a child. than he should wax a man and wax rebel against me. and enhance himself above me by his malice insurrection or other wise..  
IN this will this sorrowful Saturn returned in to his house continuing in this estate and sorrowful sighs and melancholious fantasies in such wise that Cybele durst not come in to his presence nor could not get of him a joyous sight wherefore he gate him a surname of sorrow And was named Saturn the trist or sorrowful. and it was so that when he had be in his house certain space. and saw the day approach that his wife should be delivered of child for to execute his sorrowful courage he called his wife and said/ dame it is so apparent that shortly thou shalt be delivered of the fruit of thy womb if thou be delivered of a son I comman the upon pain of death. that thou slay him. and that thou send me his heart And when Cybele heard these words and this rigorous and innatural volunty and will anon she fell to the ground a swoon. For her legs failed her And in the relieving of the swoon she kneeled to fore the feet of Saturn and said on this wise/ sire haste thou no shame that will be husband of a woman murdering her owen child I the require of mercy and grace. Beseeching the to have regard that I am thy wife and have the heart of a woman and not of a tyrant or a murderer Dame answered Saturn require me no more of thing touching this matter it is judged by a foreseen and counterpoise sentence that if thou have a son he shall be dead. for I have promised & sworn so to my brother Titan And above this I have answer of the god Apollo that in thy womb is a son that shall cast me out of this royalme And therefore s●e that at his birth he be dead. as dear as thou lovest thy life & also as I have said send me his heart meddled with win that I may drink it And how sire answered Cybele knowest not thou that I am a woman and by proper and singular inclination I have a very love to small children and must give them to eat & souke O weenest thou that I have an heart so diverse as for to soil my hands with the blood of my son I pray and require the to revoke thy sentence and be piteous to thy wife & generation Thou art wise after the judgement of thy people in this party thou showest thyself not good for be thy oath thou art not bounden ner holden to slay thy son how well it is troth that all oaths made again good manners aught not to be holden for to slay thy son it is a. villain case and contrary to honour. Reason. Pity. Equity and justice it is sin against nature. Against virtue and against all good manners then thy oath for to slay thy son is nought. and thou oughtest annul it thou that art King. and that upon pain of death defendest thy people to make murder or homicide. by this thou that art mirror and example to other oughtest to be content and appease thyself And me seemeth on that other side that thou interpretest and construest evil the sentence of god Apollo saying that I have in my womb a son that shall put the out of thy kingdom for by this it aught to be understand that the son that I bear shall overlive the and put the so out of thy kingdom. that is to say in thy sepulture the day that thou shalt depart out of this world And if this may not appease the if it so happen that I have a son. thou Mayst do him to be kept in a strong tower And there to set such ward upon him that he shall never be of power to enhance himself again thee.  
SAturne had though the heart passing great. that for semblable compassion Vesca the mother Cybele and Ceres wept and gave out great plenty of tears And in like wise all the assistentes that were in the place wept out of measure abundantly. yet nevertheless it might not soft nor attemper the hard commandment of King Saturn But in conclusion he said to Cybele that she should no more procure the respite of the life of his son. but he should be dead & she also with him if she did not his commandment. With this sorrowful conclusion Cybele departed from thence all in a trance half dead casting abroad her arms & hands with great excess of tears that ran like a river from her tender eyen. Entered in to a tour. her mother that desolate lady followed her she being in her chamber forfrushed and all distempered of sorrow began to travail anon & was delivered of a daughter and of a son. the daughter was born to fore the son And was sent by Ceres and born to nourish in to the city of Perthemye and was named Juno And the son began to laugh at coming out of his mothers womb and was named Jupiter ...  
When Cybele and vesca saw the child laugh their tears began to grow double. and they had not taken great regard & heed to the child what time Cybele all angry and corrupt with wanhope with a sigh & feeble spirit said to her mother. Ha' my mother what piteous case shall this be now give me a sharp cutting knife and I shall murder my son by innatural error again my will And after this villains deed for my absolution of the great sin I shall murder myself also. & this is mine opinion for after so cruel a deed & work notwithstanding any excusation I will never longer live The mother of Cybele was tho all be wept and greth dismayed when she heard the air of the tender mouth of her daughter redound in her ears of so hard a cruelty. she being all afraid said to her. my daughter what thinkest thou to do. art thou enraged out of thy wit or foolish My mother answered Cybele ye verily. I am verily as ye say. enraged out of my wit and foolish. and yet more I am furious and wood. make me no longer to languish. Give me the cursed mortal knife forged in an evil hour for of force me must obey the King. Saturn your right well-beloved son my right redoubted husband that hath commandment over me. and will shamely put me to death if I accomplish not and fulfil his commandment in the death of his son which he hath charged me to slay.  
AMone as vesca considered that her daughter said and in the error that she was in. she took the child that was in her arms & plucked it from her by force And alway the child laughed when Cybele sigh her son in the arms of her mother as a woman araged and out of her wit she began to cry that she should slay the child or give it her again. or else she would arise out of her bed and go plain to King Saturn After these words Vesca delivered the child to a damosel of the house that only was there with them. & bade her that she should go slay the child in the presence of Saturn or in some other place out of their sight The power damosel excused her. and Vesca gave her in commandment and charged her with great menaces that she should go forth and take the child and the knife and slay hy● And so by the commandment of these two ladies she took the knife many times and put it to the throat of the child for to cut it asunder and alway the noble child laughed at the knife And when the damosel saw this that it was innocent she might not find in her heart to do it any harm. In this sorrow and in this pain and variation Vesca. Cybele and the damosel were a long time Now they judged him to death and put the knife to his throat. and suddenly the damosel revoked it and swear that she would never be prosecutoress of one so fair a child & thus then began all three to weep & sob bewailing the child by so great affection that it was pity to here After this when they had long wept & sobbed & bewailed the tender weeping & pain of Cybele they began a little to attemper their heart And began to return to motherly pity Cybele called her that held the child & required her piteously that she would give her. her son to kiss & hold in her arms. Promitting that she would do him none harm The damosel that wist not what should fall delivered her. her tender child And then when Cybele beheld her child with her face all bewept & all distempered with tears she kissed his laughing mouth more than an c times and came again to her nature knowledging her since and began to say My child I had been well infortunate if I had taken thy life from thee I have contended thy death. my right sweet son Alas shall I persecute the after the will of thy father King Saturn. It is his commandment. & I own him obeisance if I obey the culp and sin is due to him. If I obey not I make myself culpable of death. a what is this shalt thou die by my hands. by the hands of thy proper mother ha' shall thy mother be thy martyrer. Shall thy mother be thine enemy bitter & mortal adversary for doubt of death. I wot not what to say but woley or woley not thou art my son. Every mother loveth her child. how may I hate the it is much better that I die than thou. I have lived long enough. and thou art now first borne verily thou shalt not die at this time. I shall save thy life or I shall die for thy health. Requiring the god's m●●●y of the evil will that I had against thee.   

How Saturn had commanded to slay Jupiter that was new born & how his mother Cybele sent him to King Melliseus where he was nourished.  
The right sorrowful lady after this came better to herself and took heart to her & kissed her child that alway laughed. and vesca beheld her countenance all new. & sat down on the bed side where her daughter lay. there they two began to speak together of Saturn and of the fortune of this child and that he had been in great adventure And promised that one unto that other that they would save the child unto her power After this promise in the end of diverse purposes they concluded to send this child secretly unto the two daughters of King Melliseus. the which vesca had nourished in her young age Of these two daughters that one was named Almache and that other Mellisee This conclusion fully finished & taken. Vesca lap and word the child as it aught to be And delivered it unto a damosel being there present with all things and gave her charge to bear it secretly unto Almache and Mellisee The good damosel enterprised the said charge and departed out of Crete with the child at all adventure And so worshipfully guided her that she brought the child leaving in safety to the city of Oson which she presented to Almache and Mellisee. Rehearsing how vesca had sent him to them for the great love and trust that she had in them And how Saturn had commanded that his mother should slay it.  
Anon as these two damosels saw the child and understood how Saturn had judged it to death. they received it with pity and in favour of vesca. And promised to nourish it in the secretest and best wise that they might And forthwith the same hour they bore the child unto a mountains that was nigh to the Cite where in dwelled their nurse in a deep hole of a cave which was richly entailed and carven with chisel & other diverse instrumentis And then they sent again the damosel that brought the child in to Crete In this manner was the life of the child saved Almache and mellisee nourished the child with the milk of a goat fortune was to him more propice and helping than nature. what shall I say in the beginning when he was put in the cave as his nurses on a day saw him weep and cry by his proper inclination of childhood be cause he should not be heard. they took tr●●pes tympany and cymbals and made them to sown so greatly that a great multitude of bees fleeing about the mountain heard their sound. and with this swoon entered in to the cave and took an whole by the child fleeing about him with out any grief or harm doing to the child. and yet more they made there honey where of the child eat and was nourished from thence forth which was a marvelous thing alway for t'achieve the matter beginning of the damosel that had born this child thither when she came again she rehearsed to dame Cybele and vesca all her besoigne & work. and gave them a right great comfort touching the child then the two Ladies by meur deliberation took and abbeste which is a precious stone & braided it in to powder and after that they meddled it with win in a cup of gold. and dame vesca bare it to her son Saturn & she abounding in bitter tears all bewept said to him My son thy wife hath sent to the this drink know thou verily that she this day hath rendered. & yelden the fruit of her womb a son and a daughter she hath sent the daughter to nourish in to the city of Parthemy but in the obeying of thy straight commandment we have defeated the son & put him to death/ of whom the body the flesh & the little tender bones been now turned in to ashes And she hath sent here to thee. the right noble heart tempered in win which I present to thee. to th'end that thou do thy pleasure And be no more in doubt by thy son to be put out of thy royalme.  
ANon as Saturn heard the piteous words of his mother understanding the new tidings that she said & showed him. he began to frown and sasid in this manner O pity without pity Ne aught not my heart be terrible angry. and restrained with pressures of sorrow when it is force that to mine heart this present heart issued of his blood and roots be given in meet and pasture for to staunch the discovenable hunger of mine inhonest desire these words accomplished Saturn was greatly displeased and full of renewing of sorrow. drank the drink. Weening that it had been as his mother had done him to understand And after went in to his chamber. and there began to be greatly in melancholy And after that fo●thon he purposed and trowed to abstain himself to pay his wife the dew debt of marriage but as there is no sorrow that ne over passeth. by space of time he forgot this sorrow And lie with his wife engendered an other son. Which she saved like as Jupiter was saved. how well that Saturn charged her to put him to death And this child was born to Athens. where he was kept and nourished & named Neptune yet after this he lay with his wife & engendered an other son & a daughter. Which at time covenable were born and departed from their mother but at this time she told not of her son but hide it from Saturn which son was named Pluto & she did it to keep in the parties of Thessaly that afterward was named hell. and for to content her husband Saturn when she was delivered of these two children she sent to him her daughter which was called glanta and she died in her tender years And thus of all these generations Saturn supposed that non had be reserved but Juno his daughter to whom he went oft-times to visit in Parthemy where he did it to be nourished with many noble virgins of her age. and also many ancient gentlewomen to induce and teach them gentleness and virtue but of all them I will a while tarry now & also of Jupiter. neptune and pluto and now I will show how dardanus put his brother Iasius to death for covetise to reign in the city of Corinth. and how he departid out of Corinth & how he set the first stone in the city of Dardan which afterward was named Troy   

¶ How after the death of King Coryntheus of Corinth his two sons dardanus and Iasius strove who of them should have the kingdom and how dardanus slew his brother iasius by treason wherefore he most depart out of the country.  
IN this time when crete begins to be a royalme and a kingdom and was in possession of their first King the same wise in the city of Corinth which stant in naples reigned Corynthus their first King. and corinthus had to his wife one of the daughters of King Atlas of Libya named Electra. they reigned together and achieved prosperously their life/ they left after them two sons whereof that one was named dardanus and that other Iasius. some say that this dardanus was son of Jupiter but Boccace trowed he was lawful son of Corynthus as it appeareth in the sixth book of the genealogy of gods Dardanus then and Iasius after the death of their father Corynthus and of her mother Electra would succeed in the royalme & in no wise they could accord Dardanus had an high & hautain courage and Iasius in like wise. they argued and strove together that one against that other often times of this matter. and conspired and made secretly menaces under covert in such wise that Dardanus on a day assembled all the people that he could get for to be spring & destroy his brother iasius & his friends which were though assembled in a secret place for to treat the peace and to see how they might content & please Dardanus  
When Iasius saw his brother come all in arms. all his blood began to change. & seeing that his brother was esmoved & full of evil will deeming that this matter should torn to great mischief. he ascried and said Alas what availeth for to speak and council & seek means of peace between my brother & me. we been betrayed. lo here is my brother that cometh upon us all in arms. Each man save himself that may With these words Dardanus came in to the consistory smote his brother unto the death & said Iasius thou Mayst not abstain thyself from thy machinations Thou hast enhanced thyself against me. but now I shall make an end of the Iasius fill down dead among the feet of his friends And their Clothes were all besprent & be bled of his blood when the friends of Iasius saw this tyranny they saved themself as well as they could to their power and fled from thence all araged then Dardanus returned to the rial palace and the friends of Iasius gathered them and went to arms and made a noise and murmur so great that in a little space all the city was strongly troubled for the death of Iasius. Which was greatly in the grace and favour of all the people of Corinth. For when they heard rehearsed the death of Iasius they took great sorrow and menaced dardanus to death. and forthwith in effect they assembled by great routs in the streets & said one to that other Alas now is dead the love of corynthyeus that had more amity & love to the common weal than dardanus. Let us go and avenge his death Go we & punish the malefactor. Let us no longer tarry we shall do a meritory work who that ever doth injustice & tyranny is not worthy to be chief & head of clemence ner of justice. If we suffer a murderer to reign upon us. Never shall there good come there of. Where the head is seek or evil the memberss may not be hole ner good. dardanus hath slain his brother iasius wrongfully. It is vraysemblable that h● shall slay us after his will. let us take from him his puissance. and let us show that we be men destroyerss of vices and enemies unto all them that seeken and engenderen tyranny in her courages..  
such were the clamours of the corynthyeus by such noise and semblable clamours they chafed themself and in the end assembled in one place. and were full of ardent appetite to correct the malefactor dardanus. and his complices In this tempest & swelling furor they went to the palace where dardanus had put himself for refuge but they found the yates' shut and could not enter in to it wherefore they assieged the place making a great noise and so great tempest that dardanus was abashed. and anon he assembled his friends and asked them their council They answered and said that he and they were in great adventure and peril and that the people so moved might not lightly be appeased. and for this they said him save thyself and us also with thee. thou hast slain thy brother. Iasius whom the people loved in cruelly for his benignity. the trespass is great. Since it is so done the best weigh aught to be taken we council the that thou leave this palace. and find manner to issue out and we shall follow the and go with the and search our adventures in other lands for it shall be great pain by possibility ever to content and appease this people. how well that it is so that the Coryntheus be terrible to all them that they have in hate and in despite.  
DArdanus hearing these words began to sigh and considered that he most depart from his Cite by his misfeat culp and desert he smote himself on the breast and said ha' fortune unsteadfast what is me befall My hands been foul and filthed with the blood of my lawful brother. the insurrection and the rebellion of my people hanging to fore mine eyen it is force that I flee for to save my life. & purpose to live of ravin & theft. What mischance what evil hap is this. Since it is so I yield me fugitive and shall go my way at alaventure be it. When the friends of dardanus had understand that he was concluded and purposed to save his life. they joined to him & appointed together that the next morn in the first creaking of the day they would depart from the palace. & take th'adventure to pass by their enemies say that if they might escape they should go to the rivage of the sea and take the kings barge. and all they swore to help and accompany each other unto the death The night passed the day appeared. and then dardanus that had not rested that night to his pleasure but had watched with his armed men and were ready to take th'adventure that the goddies and fortune would give and send them issued out of the palace & found the most part of his enemies a sleep he thrusted among the villains & passed forth with little resistance. that notwithstanding the waking of the coryntheus he came to his ryal ship & took the sea & saved themself. Whereof the Coryntheus had great sorrow  
When dardanus saw that he was so quit of the furor of the Coryntheus he went sailing by the sea and descended first at the port of the city of Samos being in Trache. and there victualed him and went to see again. and arrived in Asia in a quarter where the land was joining to the sea of Hellespont. and finding this land right good & fruitful for to inhabit. he made there his habitation And there set the first stone of a right great city that he began and after achieved This city was that time named Dardan after the name of dardanus but afterward it was called Troy. dardanus peopled & filled his city with men and women which he gate by sweetness and fair promises. and that other part he conquered by force theft & pillery. he made himself King of Dardan & diked the city about with great ditches After long time he passed out of this world and died. and left a son of his wife Calydon that was second King of Dardan This King was named Erutonius and reigned seven & forty year in augmenting and increasing his city and people And at last consummed the end of his years. and reigned after him Troos his son This Troos was the third King of Dardan and was a strong man fires and hardy in arms. and increased greatly his signory and his crown in so much as the Dardanians said that there was no King but Troos. and named them Trojans And thus was Troyes enhanced more than all the royalmes of Grece so highly that the King Tantalus of Phrygia had great envy. and gave his heart & courage how he might annul and put down the name of Tros that was his neighbour and began t'essay to bring it down as here after shall be said.   

¶ Of the great were that was moved between the Pelagians & the Epirians and how King lichaon of pelage was destroyed by Jupiter. by cause of a man put to him to hostage. Which King lichaon did do roast..  
The wise & subtle virgin Minerva as saint Austin rehearseth showed herself in this time by the stagne or river called triton by the greatness and subtilty of her engine. For she found the manner to forge & make arms. and to this purpose Ovid rehearseth that she had fought again a giant named Pallas and slew him by the flood of triton In the same time that the arms were founden And the sciences of Minerva were practicked by all the world a fires descension engendered between the Epirians and the Pelagians that after were named Arcadians And here of maketh mention Boccace in the fourth book of the genealogy of gods. Among the Pelagians reigned that time a King named lichaon Elder son of Titan the Epirians then enterprised upon the Pelagians and so made that a right great noise arose and sourded for which cause they assailed each other by feet of arms so felonous and asper that booth parties suffered many fowl mortal showers then the wise men of Epire saw this war so dissolute. and that they of their party had injustly and unrightfully attamed and begun this war. they knowledged their fault & went to the King lychaon bearing branches of olive in signifiance of peace and love. and him required that he would condescend to accord and peace of both peoples Lichaon considering that his people had as much lost as won by this dissension. and that battles were perilous Accorded to th'Epirians the peace by condition. that they should deliver him one of thyr most noble men such as he would demand for to be his servant a space of time in token that they had unrightfully engendered this dissension The Epirians consented this condition and delivered to King lychaon in servitude the most noble man among them and thus ended the war.  
The term and the time drew over the th'Epirians served King lichaon his due time. and then when the time was expired the Epirians assembled them together and by deliberation of council sent an ambassade to lichaon for to treat the deliverance of th'Epirian these ambassadors departed from Epire and came to Pillage & showed to the King how their man had served as long as he was bounden and required him that he would render and deliver him and ratify the peace. to that end that ever after that they might be the more friends together. When lichaon that was hard of courage fires & evil unto all men and also unto his owen people understood the words and requests of the Epirians he had great sorrow and anger in him self and said to them with his mouth thinking contrary with his heart. that on the morn he would feast them and have them to dinner and then he should do like as they had demanded with these words the Epirians departed joyously fro the presence of King lichaon. and on the morn they came to the feast that was richly ordained and made for them in great plenteousness which was right fair at the beginning. and in the end right foul and abominable. for when it came to the performing of the feast. the King lichaon rose from the table & went unto the kitchen and there took the body of th'Epirian his servant that he had murdered the same night. and all roasted and sudden brought it in a great platter to the feast and presented it to th'Epirians saying. lo here is th'Epirian that hath served me which was cause of the eschewing of the ruin and perdition of Epirian. I said yesterday that I should deliver him this day take him who so will I discharge me and put my hands from him and will him no more.  
all they that though were present as well his servants as strangers Aswell Epirians as Pelagians had anon great horror when they heard and understood the words of King Lychaon and had great shame & furor to behold so hontous and abominable work and outrageous sin. and were so troubled that the blood went fro their faces and laid their hands afore their eyen. as they that abhorred to behold the poor martyr Epirian And there was no man wist what to say of the infamy of the King lychaon uneath. When the King saw them so troubled and that every man began to frown and grudge a part. he left them & went from thence unto his chamber And then every man rose fro the table abhorring & eschewing the scent and savour of the dead man And would have departed and gone their way all confuse. ne had been Jupiter the son of Saturn which the Epirians had brought with them in their legation and ambassade for as much as he was a fair child. able & gentle For then when he saw that every man drew a part his way. he put himself in the mids of epirians & began his glorious enterprises and said to them in this wise. O what is this. where is the blood of the Epirians Are they banned out of hardiness. be they exiled out of valour and of honest. Which be the Epirians that by force will expose themself to the vengeamnce of so foul & horrible deed This case is not to be born And the terriblety of the tyramnt lichaon is not to be redoubted when it blevyth unpunished. ye see thate the Pelagians make semblant that they be evil paid with him he must be punished. I say as for me y● shall never have pleasure in my life till I see him refrained of his tyranny..  
WHat time the Epirians had conceived the great courage of Jupiter that was so young of age. they thanked their gods of that/ that they had brought him with them and said to him all with one wis. Child blessed be the womb that bore the And blessed be the gods that foreseeing this injure and wrong to us and hath so inspired us for to bring the with us we had been now with out courage hardiness and will to do well and had not been so hardy to have taken any term of vengeance. Thy words have awaked and inverted our spirits which were dead and asleep and passed by the counterpoised infamy of the tyrant lichaon. Thy hardiness hath made us hardy. thy valiance hath made us valiant and lovers of valiance and thy wisdom hath enlumined us in this cause thou shall be conductor and leader of this work and commander and we shall obey unto the etc.:..  
IVpiter answered and said worshipful Lords and sirs I am not wise enough for to receive the honour that ye do me/ ner my tender years shall not accept it. Alway by form of council humbled under all correction/ I will well say to you that. that me thinketh expedient for to be done/ if ye find no man say better then ye shall do be my council and advice ye shall take this pour Epirian in the same estate that he is delivered to you and bear him unto the common place of this city. For it is this day sabbath and holiday▪ the Pelagians been there in great number and multitude passing their time with diverse plays and esbatements/ then ye shall show this poor dead man for it is said that the King is not well beloved with his own people for his unmanly works/ this misfeat and trespass is passing foul and piteous anon as they shall know what he hath done by this foul work. ye shall well see if they shall take in this sin pleasure or displeasure.. if pleasure. Then it were abuse and folly for to speak thereof for this present time any more. but must seek remedy and return to Epire. if they take displeasure. ye may plainly discover your courages and provoke and call them to purge this crime that is so cursed And I ween that they shall right lighly intend to us and for none amity that is between him and them he shall not domine ner reign upon them by tyranny. For he is not their natural lord but he is the son of Titan brother of Saturn & is not King by election but by force.  
all they that heard Jupiter thus speak marveled greatly of him And accorded them to his council in such wise that no man contraried it ner again said it And so suddenly they took the murdered Epirian & bore him to the common place And there they showed him openly in every man's sight when the Pelagians saw this dead man of whom the skin was scorched the flesh roasted the sinews shrunken. and that the bones appeared by the jointures they assembled all about him in great number and casting her eyen upon him they had so great horror abomination and abashment that her hearts trembled plained each to other and many went away for compassion wept and araged trembled for anger And other took dust and powder and casted in to the air in sign of sorrow cutting their clothes and saying and lifting her hands on high O gods almighty what people been these Epirians have they roasted a man's body And have brought it to fore us. what mean they Are we eater of man's flesh/ or they bring it to us to show the cruelty of their courage. or they come for to eat this dead man among us for to fear us with all:.  
IVpiter there being awaiting & laying his ears and seeing with his eyen the manner of the Pelagians & their countenances. Conceiving that they condescended in the contemnation and enmity of him that wrought this piteous work. When he had heard their reasons & had seen their wonderings. he addressed himself among them and said in this wise. O ye men of pelage that ye esmarvel you of this unmanly & unnatural work/ have ye not enough learned & know the tyrannies of your King lichaon he hath murdered this man/ and this man is the Epirian that was delivered to him at the traytte of the peace of you and of us for to serve him. lo this is the guerdon and reward that he hath done to him. he hath tyrannized right evil and hath done him evil for good O what great infamy is to you. that the people & folk of every other city/ have regning on them Kings of noble men and virtuous and they be crowned by elections for their virtuous deeds/ ye be different fro them & all of another nature/ A Tyrant is your King a murderer an injust man A sinner worthy of Infamous death/ and unworthy for to be left a live upon the earth consider ye consider under whose hand ye be and how nigh ye find yourself in malady and parcel of death. When the head acheth all the other memberss suffren pain. Then ye may not be whole and/ sound/ What shall we now do. Think ye & council ye us we come to you for refuge. & demand you how we aught to do and behave us against one that is so fowl a King as is lichaon tell us the very troth if ye confess the troth & that ye be lovers of reason justice and of equity ye shall jug and condemn him. ye shall leye your hands and puissances in correction of him and ye shall be depesshid of his malice.  
AMon as the Pelagians understood of Jupiter that lichaon their King had commised this villains crime Also that he had presented to the eryepins the body of their friend so dead they being at table. they condemned his sin and murmured against him saying that they would no more be governed and nourished under the rod of so perverse and unfamous a tyrant And saiden to the Epirians that they would abide by them and put them in their abandon. With these words Jupiter put him self among the Epirians and by his hardiness admonished them to conspire again their King. With which conspiration accorded all they of the city And the words of Jupiter were so agreeable to them and his manners that they put in his hand the death & destruction of their King lichaon And to th'end that he should trust and have affiance in them they sent for their arms and habiliments of war and armed them After they assembled about Jupiter and said to him that he should be their captain and her conductor for t'achieve this said work..  
IVpiter being joyous of so great an honour and worship excused himself but his excusations had no place the Epirians and the Pelagians ordained & constituted him head over them. And he constituted in this dignity set his people in ordre/ And after did them to March toward the palace. They had not long gone on the way when they sigh King lychaon issue out of his palace with great company of his friends all armed as they that had been advertised of the said conspiration made against lychaon. Feeling that his enemies came for t'assail him. For to show himself a man of fierce courage came a 'gainst them weening presumptuously for to have overcomen them. And anon as they began t'approach. they escried each other to the death with out other council. And strongly esmoved they assembled to battle that was right marvelously sharp. Lychaon secretly and lad his people/ in order against Jupiter/ They meddled them hastily together with little strife of words and with great strife of horyons and strokes. The strife cost much/ but in especial to lychaon. For his people were less in puissance and might. Then the men of Jupiter/ which were strong of great enterprise that they fought and smote upon the Pelagians and cast them down now here now there so fiercely and so dismeasurably that none might abide that was afore them. Among all other Jupiter did wonder and marvels by his well doing he put lychaon in a passing great error and noyance. And in this great annoy he sued passing fast for to have come run upon him. But when the false tyrant saw him come and he saw that Jupiter set his strokes so mightily. that all them that he araught were smitten down to the earth and confounded. Then all his heart began to fail him/ And went him that other side and he had not long abiden there when that Jupiter had vanquished and overthrown the Pelagians And made them to flee from the place to fore him. like as it had been the thunder or tempest..  
IN this manner when lychaon saw his complices and fellowship in such extremity he fled himself not as a King. but as a poor man out of comfort and hope so desolate that he durst take none of his complices with him to help him away nor to comfort him. he doubted Jupiter as the death. he so fleeing a way as said is durst not enter his palace. but issued out of the city and went unto a great forest that was nigh by. and from thence forth he was a brigant and a thief And for this cause the poets feign that he was turned in to a wolf That is to say he lived as a wolf of preys and robberies alway to purpose of this mutation Leoncius rehearseth that Lichaon so fleeing as said is supposed to be sued after of Jupiter and be put to death put himself in a river or a great lake and there saved himself. Feeling that the water of that river had a singular property. that is to weet that the men that putteth themself in the water should be turned in to wolves for the term of ix year And the ix. Year expired if they would put themself in the water after that again they should recoveer again their first likeness And so it might well be done. for lychaon put himself in to the water and was transumed to a wolf by the space of abovesaid. and lived of theft and pillery in the woods and forests waiting oftentimes how the Pelagians governed themself And in the end when he had accomplished his penance He returned in to the river and took again his man's form & knowledging that the city of pelage might never be recovered. and then he returned pour and meschant unto his father Titan/ of whom I shall tarry a little. And shall tell how Jupiter began to be amorous on Calisto daughter of the said Lichaon etc.::.   

¶ How Jupiter after the discomfiture of King Lichaon transformed himself in guise of a religious woman of the goddess deane for the love of calisto daughter of the said lichaon and did with her his will::.  
AFter the discomfiture of King lichaon which was transformed in guise of a wolf and began to be a ravisher of the substance of men of the country. Eater of her children and murderer of wild beasts that he oft time assailed by rage of hunger which constrained him to cherish & keep his miserable life/ when the Epirians sigh that Jupiter had vanquished their enemies And that he abode master in the place/ they brought him with great joy and glory to the palace Andrea sought long lichaon/ first in the place where the battle had be. And after that in the chambers of the palace/ but they found him not quick nor deed ner could here no tidings of him/ and it happened that as Jupiter sought him thus from chamber to chamber/ he found in the highest tower the daughter of the King lichaon named Calisto/ which was passing fair young and fresh of colour/ the damosel bewept right sorowfully the loss of her father which she had all newly understand/ when Jupiter saw her so desolate and discomforted. he set him down by her & said/ damosel comfort yourself & speak to me and sense your weeping Alas sire said the damosel how should I recomfort myself the Epirians han slain the King my father. Aught I to take consolation in this ruin. Aught I not be angry. Aught mine heart be with out sorrow. my stomach with out sighes and mine eyen with out weeping an. C. thousand infortunes traverse my body and corrump me And I see me so pour a gentle damosel daughter of a King. that I desire more the death than life and am more in wanhope than in hope..  
When Jupiter knew by the words of this damosel that she was daughter of King lychaon he had more great pity of her than he had before for as much as she was daughter of the King and said to her Damosel appease your heart. I wot well that it is force that nature acquit himself. but ye aught to consider the inordinate works of your father which ye are bounden to bewail. he was less reasonable man then a King aught to be. he is not dead he hath put himself in some place secret to save himself his sins were to infamous. and who shall beplain & sorrow him The gods & fortune have suffered the rabaisshement & casting down of his pride & of his tyrannies it is a rightwise thing that ye take & have patience in his rightwise adversity. For his demerits give you cause to take patience where as nature inclineth you to unpatience And ye aught not be impatient for his reprehension and casting down. For like wise it is so that the loss of a tyrant turneth all a country to joy O then comfort yourself▪ damosel the outrageous sins ner the unmanly furors of your father nor his shameful deeds shall no thing be damnable unto you ner torn to you prejudice. nor no man shall missay ner do to you. ner attouche you in any manner wise I you assure certainly etc.::..  
Sire answered the maid I thank you of your courtesies and of the fair words/ which ye proffer and say unto me I wot well that my poverty hath made me indign and unworthy/ but when I see that the Infortune of my father is irrecoverable & that his infelicity hath no recurrence/ I renounce the world and pray you that it please you to treat for me unto the Epirians that I might go yield myself in to the religion of dame Deane the noble virgin/ daughter of the wise Jupiter sometime King of Actique and born in this land/ where upon aught to be remembered. that right anciently issued out of Pillage a wise noble man. named Jupiter/ of whom Boccace maketh mention in the first book of the genealogy of gods/ which Jupiter was King of Actique/ for as much as he Introduced the people to honest laws and did first do ordain and hallow marriage. For to fore that time the Acticians married them not/ but used women in common. And of this Jupiter came a daughter named Diane. the which willing t'abide in the state of virginity made a cloister in the wood of Arcady where she assembled many virgins that passed her time with hunting and chasing the wild beasts. For to torn to purpose this noble virgin deane lived the same time of the subversion of the reign of lychaon/ when Jupiter understood of calisto that she would yield her self with the virgin. he beheld her and said unto her And how damosel be ye so despaired for a little tribulation that toucheth not your person ye be young and fair among none of you that so go in to religion may grow no fruit of children advise you well it were better that ye abode among the worldly people that emplenish the world Many women and also men enter in to religion in their youth that repent them in their age sire said Calisto tempt me no more if there be any gentleness in you receive the prayer and request of one so desolate & infortunate gentle woman more desirous of the health of my soul than of temporal pleasures during these devices Jupiter beheld with out ceasing this damosel & could not enough complain her beauty. for as much as she would in to religion with great pain when he had heard her answers and had seen how sweetly she had taken it and would not be turned fro her will he said to h●● that her request should be accomplished then he called the Epirians and required them that they would be content to suffer this virgin enter in to religion What shall I say the Epirians put the request in the will of Jupiter And Jupiter did so much that she was conduit and led in to the religion of virgins After he searched all the palace of King lichaon. and made th'Epirians to seize his richesses And there Jupiter abode a certain time with so great worship that the Pelagians and the Epirians would have crowned him to been their King but he would never consent there to as he that considered over his young age/ and the variations of fortune. And said that it availeth more to a man/ and is to him more sure to be made King in his old age than in his youth for the diverse perils that may fall. Alway he accorded that he would be captain of the royalme And was a man of great justice sweet and debonair unto all manner people etc.::.  
THis was the first coming up of this right noble Child. when he had submised to his pleasance the Pelagians/ he buried th'Epirian that lichaon had murdered as it is said afore. And did his obsequy solemnly And after he did do burn in to ashen the Pelagians that had been slain in the help of lichaon. And after that he sent word and did all these things to be known and showed to the Epirians that were left at home in Epire as to the King Melliseus. Whereof all the Epirians. And the King melliseus gave thankings unto their gods. But for as much as I must tell all after this he gaf not his heart and courage so much to accomplish these things. but that otherwhile he gaf himself to remember and to think on the beauty that he had seen in the religious Calisto whereof the sparkles of love environed strongly his heart/ in such wise that day and night he wished hire in his arms. And repented him that he had consented that she went in to religion. And so laboured in this manner that his rest in the night was taken from him and was bastard fro the franchise of her courage. & so increased he to love and desire this virgin. & for to see her he made his pass time to haunt the woods & continually to hunt the wild beasts in the forest with dame deane. Whereof fortune and adventure suffered otherwhile that he recountered & met the maid Calisto. And when he had ones seen her that day he was all enjoyed And if he saw her not. he had abundance of many thoughts that ran readily in his intendment. I may not alday tarry on this matter. he thought enough how he might come to the grace of this religious Calisto And all thoughts reduced and brought in to on he concluded on a day in himself that he would put him in the habit of a religious woman & would go in to the cloister of dame diane. Feigning to be a woman and requiring to be received with the virgins.  
THis conclusion taken and ratified in Jupiter by many deliberations in diverse days he did do make his woman's clothing by a secret workman. Which promised him to keep his secrets when his clothing was made./ he assembled th'Epirians in an evening & took his leave of them for a certain time saying that he would go alone for to do certain secret things. Epirians were all dismayed and desolate when they heard th'intention of Jupiter And prayed to the gods that they would conduit and speed him in his journey. Requiring him instantly that he would return shortly again to them. And he promised them that he so would Andrea then he with drew him in to his chamber and took the keys of the great gate. and on the morn betimes when he was arrayed and adubbed in the vesture & clothing of a maid. he departed from thence alone and entered in to the wood & so exploited that he came to the habitation of the religious maidens  
IVpiter had yet no beard and was white and fair coloured in the visage/ when he came in to the religion he knocked at the gate. And then came to him a passing fair maid named Atalanta that after was wife unto the King Meleager of Achaia. And she demanded him what he would. Jupiter answered Noble virgin Alas I am a pour woman of a noble house I have avowed to the gods my virginity. I pray you that ye will present me unto the lady of this place. to th'end that I might serve the gods and be of the number of the other virgins. and if it please the gods I shall deserve it anent you. Atalanta moved of compassion in the maid. accorded him his request. And presented him to dame Deane. Jupiter spoke also sweetly and demurely. and made so humble and feminine manners. that he seemed properly to be a maid. Diane beheld him well and long. And said that she had never seen so fair a maid ner so great and then welcomed him and received him then Jupiter thanked dame diane of her grace and Atalanta of her courtesy. and had good hoop in his enterprise when he saw himself so soon received without knowing. Then Jupiter began to learn spin and to work in the silk and to do the exercites of maidens And it became him as well as he had been a maid/ he was humble and of solitary conversation. he laboured with his hands. with his eyen and his heart. with his hands he made corporal works. with his eyen he beheld ofttime secretly the beauty of Calisto. And with his heart imagining and edifying how and by what mean he might beguile and deceive Calisto And oft times conversed & fellowship with her etc.  
His heart was alway in right great pain otherwhile he was moved with great heaviness. and otherwhile in comfort and hope to speed well and wist not what to say ner do. for as much as shame and dread were more in him than hardiness. what shall I say more. he was long in this pain. more doubteous and shamefast than hardy. but in the end he adventured himself And finding on a day Calisto beside a well where she refreshed her as she that was weary that had run long with dame deane chasing then & hunting a wild best ●he sat him down by her and said My sister Calisto I me yield to the and to thy grace. I am a man & nothing woman thy beauty hath overcomen my courage for to come to the point where we be now. I have clothid me like a woman and a maid. Alas I require the that thou receive me unto thy love so shall we live together in the religion And we shall take our deducts and pleasances. a man hath nothing in this world but his life. They that have more than that. they be so much more eurous and happy. Thou hast withdrawn the hither for displeasure. and losest thy flourishing youth. Calisto I can not enough complain ner bewail this damage. I may not praise the enough/ I have been so desirous to find the in secret place/ that the force of my will hath been mescried. and that I have enterprised this adventure hoping in fortune that she shall give me grace and suffer our Youths to be used together secretly for we may commune together that one with that other with out knowing of any parson not only in the chambers but also in the bushes of this wood O my sister take heed what I say. And as I received and exhaunced late thy prayer/ I pray the receive and exhaunce my request with out disdain of him that thou mayst see. is very lover of the etc.:.  
When Calisto had heard Jupiter and knew that he was a man. she was all afraid/ and roose up weening to have fled. but she might not. For Jupiter held her fast by her clothing and made her to sit down by him. Clipping her about the neck and kissing her by force. so much that Calisto escried and said. O Jupiter what folly is this. Weenest thou that I am so to be overcome of thy flattering words. I had much liefer that the earth would open and swallow me in to his womb. My sister answered Jupiter there is no remedy that may let that my will be accomplished. ye shall do my will and pleasure be it be force or be it by love. with this word Calisto began to cry with all her might And Jupiter began to accomplish his pleasure of her there was neither man ner woman there abouts that heard it. how well the Cry of Calisto was great. Notwithstanding Jupiter did his will of his body and knew her fleshly and engendered on her a son. After he comforted her and promised to help her in all things. And to take her to his wife if she would return to the world with him. But his fair speech ne his promises might not comfort her nor for no thing that he could do or say. he could not come in to the grace of Calisto. And alway she swore great oaths that she would complain unto her Masters Deianeira. And made so much that Jupiter departed from her all displeased for her displeasure. and so went by the woods thinking what was him befall and also what he had to do..   

¶ How Calisto for as much as she was with child the goddess diane put her out of the order and of her company..  
AT this time began to rise in th'intendment of Jupiter many thoughts. and for the better he concluded in himself to return again in to Pillage fro whence he came fro. And then how well that he was displeased for the enforcing of his lady dame Calisto by love. He departed fro the wood and so exploited that he was on the morn among th'Epirians in his first habit. When th'Epirians saw Jupiter comen again. they made him right great cheer and great honour And the same day Jupiter feigned him that he would go on hunting. and so went and found the manner to speak with Calisto and required her that she would be his love. but she in no wise would assent to him. He returned from the chase so annoyed that for to pass his melancholy he departed out of the country the fourth day following after that he had ordained there folk that governed the people. And returned in to the house of King Melliseus who him received as his son. and there dwelled a long time with out adventures whereof any mention is made. And also Calisto dwelled in peace a while. When she heard tell and understood that Jupiter was gone she was passing joyous for she had him liefer far than nigh alway the time passed the fruit of her womb grew And the days came that diane and Atalanta with other virgins apperceived that she was with child wherefore they assembled all in her Chapitre and called Calisto And then spoke deane to her and said. Calisto my daughter thou hast done fornication with some man this fornication is not excusable/ The virgins of this place be sorry of thy sin. and have abomination of thy shame. For this cause it is force that thou depart out of this house/ thou shalt be no longer their fellow. thou hast made thyself worthy to depart by the breaking and losing of thy virginity. take thine a ray & gear and go thy weigh in to some place where thou Mayst be delivered of the fruit that resteth in thee/ for thou shalt no longer be here with in etc.::.  
When Calisto heard the goddess Deane. And knew that she said troth. Great tears fill from her eyen. and weeping by great abundance excused her upon Jupiter rehearsing of the mischief and adventure that she had. Deane and the maidens had great marvel of Jupiter that had them so deceived. Calisto cried her mercy right humbly. And many times offered herself to the punition of the maidens. this not withstanding how well that she was hold excused. they received her not to mercy/ She was condemned to go out of the cloister/ And so much went the matter forth. that the poor religious woman departed fro thence all bewept & so shamed that she would not go to no town. Cite. ner house/ but in to a deep cave that she had seen afore time in the wood And first she made her provision of herbs & roots for as much as the winter was coming. after she entered in to the cave. And there she held her also long time as the bear holdeth him in his den. Wherefore the Arcadians feign that she was turned in to a bear. And it is not to be forgotten that during this time she was delivered of a son which she named Archas. This child was great and huge of memberss. Calisto nourished him among the wild beasts with roots with fruits & herbs. and of the proper meats and preys that the cruel and terrible beasts liveden with. And there was no best that did him any harm. ner none was so hardy to do him any grievance. And he was so cruel and fires that at the age of seven year as his mother angered or troubled him on a day. he lift up himself against here and would have slain her. in so much that Calisto was constrained to flee to fore him by the bushes and yet more to issue out of the wood & to go to Jupiter which at that time was in the city of Pellage..  
Arcas pursued Calisto his mother unto he came with in the city. and so forth entered after her in to the palace and held in his two hands great round stones. When Calisto entered in to the palace by adventure she encountered and met with Jupiter whom she knew And she kneeled down on the earth to fore him and required him with affrayed spirit. that he would do her justice of her son that would slay her Jupiter that nothing knew calisto for as much as she was evil clothid and half wild and savage. beheld the child and made him to be taken. And after he demanded calisto what she was Sire said she I am Calisto that for thy sin I was long since banished out of my religion. I have had this child of thy seed. such as thou seest is thy son/ I have nourished him seven year in the forest among wild beasts. he now would slay me for as much as I have angered him. I pray the save my life/ when Jupiter heed these words of calisto he was right glad and joyous for it was said that she was dead. And comforted her the best wise he could/ after that he called Archas & made the peace between him and his mother/ and did do cloth him and retained him in his palace And forthon the same Archas governed him so weal and so wisely that at the prayer and request of the Pelagians Archas was made King of the country etc.::.   

¶ How Titan assailed by war his brother Saturn for as much as he had not put to death all his Children males etc.::.  
IN this time that the young Archas was Crowned King of Pellage and that he named the city Arcady after his name. the King Saturn was so great and so puissant. that for to ample and increase the splendour of his nativity. he named himself Saturn son of heaven and of earth. but then as he began to study how and by what manner he might enhance the resplendour of his felicity by divine mysteries fortune turned her back to him ward. And as there ne is nothing in earth that may abide & endure So it happened that Titan was all ascertained that the Queen Cybele had diverse men children that she did do keep secretly & so had saved their life/ Boccace the recounteth this history in the four book of the genealogy of gods saith not by what mean Titan knew this thing alway or by suspicion or by envy that he had of the glory of saturn his brother or by secret advertisement. Under this colour he determined in his courage that he would assail Saturn by arms And for this cause he did assemble on a day all his sons. and them required that they would aid and help him to get the land of Crete saying that he would make war again Saturn his brother and that by right and just title he had good cause. for he had not put to death diverse men children that his wife Cybele had conceived of his seed like as he had promised and sworn.  
THe children of Titan that one was Lychaon that at this time was no longer wolf ner King of Arcady. another had to name Typhon and was King of Sicily and of Cypress. the third was called Briareus & was King of nericos. the four was named Ceon and was King of the isle of Cea. the fifth was named Aegea King of the sea Aegea and of the isle desert. and the sixth was named Epaphus King of plipheros. When they had heard the will of their father that had purveyed for them all these royalmes that he had conquered after his departing out of crete. they desiring to please him and coveting the recoverance of their ancient heritage's that was tho of great renome said to him as by one wis that they were ready to accomplish his good pleasure & to go in to Crete with armed hand and sworen that they should constrain Saturn to seek and fetch his sons and them persecute with his hand unto the death..  
The old Titan had in his heart great joy when he beheld the free and great courages of his sons. And there they promised and swear together that they all should employ them to the recoverance of their heritages. After which comuration/ they ordained in such wise that they gathered them together at the port of Sicily. And sent unto their lordships to assemble men of arms & of war. They went and made such diligence. and so exploited that there were assembled great Armour and harness and much people at said port. And when the day was comen/ they so desired to labour this matter that they departed from Sicily with a great host and took the sea and so made their journeys with out adventure that in few days they sailed unto Crete And there at the port arrived and took land. And then entering fiercely in to land they destroyed and wasted all afore them so cruelly and continued in their war so mortally that they came unto the city of Crete where King Saturn dwelled and was resident/ and then Saturn was advertised of their coming and descent. And then Titan that might no further pass with out battle or assault/ sent to Saturn a letter whereof the tenor followeth. Saturn englutted of worldly honneur & covetise of glory. for as much as thou art occupier of the signory that by right langeth to me titan thy lord & elder brother/ furthermore be cause that thou art falsely perjured. for thy wife hath diverse men children that thou hast not put to death in like wise as thou were bounden/ know that I am come to take possession of thy kingdom not appertaining to the but to me/ wherefore come to mercy and meek thyself to grace. Or else make the sure of thy parson. For if it be possible for me I shall come and have reason of thee.  
When Saturn had red this letter as a man all esbayed sent for his wife Cybele and took her a part. and conjured and charged her to say the troth and tell him what she had done with his children. With this charge the power lady changed colour and seeing that she was constrained to say the truth she said. Sir thou knowest that I am a woman. the heart of a woman naturally doth works of pity had not I have been in nature an abominable monster if I should have devoured with my hand the children of my womb. where is that mother that shall murder her children. Certes my hand was never manslayer ner never shall be. I have erred again thy commandment in the favour of nature. And since it must needs be said I had liefer to be murdered than a murderer. and to be named piteous then cruel. For murder is cruelty appertaining to unreasonable beasts and to tyrants And pity is naturally appertaining to women. And therefore I confess to have born three sons conceived of thy seed. Which I have do be nourished secretly but demand me no further or where they be. they shall live as long as it pleaseth fortune. Will Titan or not. and there is no death whereof any woman may be tormented with. that shall make the places to be discovered where they be..  
SAturne hearing these words of his wife was so esbayed that he witted not what to answer. Not withstanding for the better he assembled all the wise men of his city. And to them said My brethren and friends what is best to be done. Titan my brother hath begun war in this royalme/ my wife hath confessed that she hath received of me three sons which she hath nourished in strange land under the colour that I should not slay them. Titan assaileth me/ what shall we done. Sire answered the wise men/ where force is enhanced by over great presumption. There must be craft to conduit wisely to put the hand to withstand it/ Thou hast a strong city and fulfilled with great people. thou art wise for to govern them. put thyself in arms. and take no regard to the quarrel of titan. a man is not worthy to be a King/ but if it be by his virtue and gentle manners Crete was never royalme but now tytan hath been all his live inclined to vices and is enveloped in sin. in which purpose he maintaineth to come to thy crown/ if he enhance himself. thou must rebash and put him down this is the remedy help thyself and we shall help thee/ he that fleeth causeth his enemy to chasse him. thus now it may not be fled. but it must be withstand and to give arrest to our enemy. And that right courageously. For that a man may do this day. Let him not put it over till to morrow. Arm the then well and surely/ And assail from thy city thine enemies. If thou so do/ thou showest thy courage to be enhanced greatly and not lightly to be overcomen by them. And so thou mayst attemper somewhat their pride and presumption if thou maintain otherwise thyself/ and let them take their rest/ that shall be matter and cause for to encourage them. Upon which they shall inflame themself hoping to come to their above. Which shall be to the more harming than valuable. For courage and hope oft times men say make men to attain to great and high victories. Notwithstanding thou art King thy will be accomplished and fulfilled..  
SAturne answered and said. Brethren and friends it were great shame to us and to our 〈◊〉 we suffered it to be dissipate and destroyed. It is force that the war be begun and open. Every man dispose him to save his worship Titan assaileth mine honour. and requireth my dishonour. Since it is force that of this matter the arms and war be judges we shall arm us this hour and pursue thentertainment of the right good adventure that of fortune is come to us. And my heart telleth me that also suddenly as our enemies been entered in to this land. also suddenly we shall make them to go and issue out again. with this answer all the wise and noble men of Crete took great pleasure then Saturn gave the answer to the messenger of tytan And said to him. If tytan return not with in two hours that he would come and take the battle against him. With this answer the messenger returned to tytan and said to him th'intention of Saturn. Titan swore then that he would never return backward till he had attended and abiden the battle Saturn was a man of great valour and high will when the messenger of tytan was departed. he made sown to arms. at which sown the young and old adubbed them & made them ready. What shall I make long process in short time they were ready at the point And when Saturn saw that his enemies made no● semblant to move. he went & ascended in to his Chare for in this time the Kings went to battle in Chares After he issued out of his city and ranged his people about him/ and anon after he did do March them against Titan etc.:::::.  
FRom as far as the Titans saw the Saturnians come. they were right glade and made themself the greatest cheer of the world. And moved themself joyously against them and with a great cry/ they had great shields of tree/ maces and pole-axes and gisarmes of strange fashions. and they were all on foot. Reserved Titan and his sons. Which as rings had their curs and Chares in which they were brought and carried not by the force of horse but by the puissance of men/ they approached so nigh that they came to fighting and began to work/ then the archers of King Saturn began to draw & shoot And made the Titans to arrest and stand also long as their shot dured and slow and hurt many of them when the shot failed. the Titans that had great sorrow for to be so served of the Saturnians/ esmoved himself again And swore that one to that other that they would be avenged And came for to fight hand one hand in which they employed them so eagerly that of the noise and din that their axes and gisarmes smote upon their shields it seemed as it had been thunder/ At then countering then the battle was right fell/ Lychaon. Aegea. Creon. typhon. and encheladus were in the first front/ there was many a shield broken for the weight of the clubs & pole-axes & many heeds broken Ceon & Typhoon at the beginning maintained himself right valiantly & conduit her folk all with in the battle by the rigour of their strokes in so much that whom they met of the Saturnians they beat them down. by their well doing they were known and doubted of their enemies in so much that Saturn made his Chare to be ld out of the weigh for the great bruit & noise that they made about them. there was great effusion of blood. for the Titans enforced them to have endured in their bruit and cry. And the Saturnians with Saturn put them in pain for to abate it and break it And so the coming of Saturn was cause of prowess upon prowess & of many one deed. and intended one and other so acertainly to the work that the most part of that day they made great strife with out that none might enjoy him for victory ne trouble for discomfiture. but in the end when the Titans saw the sun decline as covetous of glory and of worship At one cry that Titan made upon Saturn. Lychaon and Aegea with many other enclosed about them. he being disparkled. his char broken by force of poleaxes and gave him many wounds and finally they took him And brought many of the Saturnians to death and overthrew them in discomfiture. and that worse is they were so discouraged when they understood that Saturn was taken that they lost the vigours and strength of their hearts and the mights of their arms. And turned their backs and fled all destroyed. that the Titans entered with them in to the city and took it and wan it with out any resistance beating down the people and with great murder of men women and of small Children..  
AT this time men might see the ladies & matrons of Crete take the dust and cast it in to the air and run by the streets now here and now there all disheveled with her here hanging about her hedes casting a far their attire/ and their little Children crying after them the wise men of the town seemed out of their wit. the city was so troubled that they might no more/ among all other Cybele vesca and Ceres made great sorrow semblably with out ceasing/ for Titan that never loved them. Came tho in to the palace. and put in prison Saturn and his wife/ And swore they should never depart thence till they had put to death all her sons that were come of them And furthermore Titan did him do crown King of Crete/ so ne availed not the Infinite prayers and orisons that dame vesca made to tytan in the compassion of her son Saturn and of Cybele for their deliverance/ nor the fair speaking of Ceres ne the tears moved of charity. were of no value the more prayers that they made unto Titan/ the more found they him uncourteous fellow and malgracious/ He did do execute and put to death all them that held or were appertaining to the party of Saturn/ And by the space of four days vexed and troubled Crete in robbing and shedding the blood of the citizens/ And he ne persecuted only the men. but also women and children and took their goods and departed among them that held on his party/ then when Vesca saw all these things happen in the city And that her son titan governed him so maliciously and alway worse and worse with out any compassion on the people/ She came to the prison where Saturn and Cybele were and said to them with a mouth widing dolorous sighs. Alas my children what shall ye do. what shall come of you. how shall ye be saved the land of crete is not only drowned by the tears and weeping of your best friends. but with their blood & with the blood of their wives and children. And the heart of tytan is so terrible harded and endured that ye shall die here in miserable pain. or ye must put your sons to death. Since it is so it is better that they be put to death and that ye send to seek them. When for your life is none other remedy  
The anger of Cybele was right asper and sharp to here the sorrowful tidings in so much that her heart failed Saturn and her mother thought on her when she was come again to herself she escried and said. Ha' my mother what say ye to us. Have we so great pain for to keep our Children and that we should this our abandon them to the death shall I do treason to my children that begin to flourish in right clear fame. that shall never be if it please the goods I have well liefer have regard to my semblant Jupiter my son hath a great name and hath won the love of the Pelagians. and of th'Epirians. all the world praiseth him and holdeth him one of the valiants men of the world. he is my son I shall send to him and let him have knowledge of the misery that I am in. by the damosel that bore him unto the mountain of Orchomene and shall require him of socours. and I hope that he is a man of so high courage and so eurous coming up that he shall succour her. that hath done him that merit that is worthy to have his socours And that saved him in his tender days. and my heart telleth me that he shall the troubling of Crete. And thanked the damosel And after that he turned him unto the King. and said to him. Sire ye may now know & understand what I am and of what house As this damosel witnesseth my father and my mother been in the hands of their enemies/ I pray you in their faveur that ye will help me to succour them/ And that we go hastily oppressing him that hath oppressed them/ and I have a singular hope and trust in fortune that she shall help us fair son answered Melliseus know that I have more of affection in the recurrence of thy lineage then I can show or make semblant/ And in sign of this I promise to help the as much as in me is possible/ And then Jupiter assured the damosel and swore unto her that he would put him in arms against titan and bad her return unto Saturn and Cybele and to comfort them in hope of right short succour/ The damosel departed from thence with the words of Jupiter and returned in to Crete/ And told unto Saturn and Cybele all that she had done/ anon after the damosel was departed/ Jupiter sent for Archas his son hastily with the Arcadians/ And also sent for the Epirians and the Parthemians with them of the Cite of Angel All these people loved Jupiter with great love and came at his commandment in great number of men of war Jupiter welcomed them as well as he could/ and told them the cause why he had sent for them. And told them that he was soon unto King Saturn After these things he did do be made ready all thing that was necessary unto his host/ And so they departed fro the city of Oson with right a fair company same ignorance and will that thou know that thou art the first son and heir of the King Saturn and of dame Cybele. The King Saturn thy father as every man knoweth had long since made an oath unto his brother Titan that he should slay all his children males that should come of his seed for which cause the day of thy nativity he commanded that thou shouldest be put to death. but thy mother had pity of thee. And for to save thy life she sent the secretly unto this house. Giving thy father Saturn to understand that she had do persecution on thee And so for to eschew the furor of thy father. thou hast been here nourished all thy days And knowest not thyself what thou were. and now thou art in certain what joy is this to the certainly great And thou oughtest to go joyously unto thy father and mother presenting thyself unto her grace if it were not that after these tidings of joy which I must needs show unto the Jupiter other tidings. and that is this Thy mother that hath saved thee. thy uncle Titan holdeth her in prison with Saturn. for that. that she hath do nourish thee/ and he hath overcome & vanquished thy father in battle all newly and take from him his royalme. and yet more he will do them die/ wherefore they pray and require the that thou have pity of them and that thou wilt employ the to go & deliver them of the danger that they be in at this day.  
THe King melliseus and Jupiter hearing these tidings of the damosel marveled them right greatly. And Jupiter was right joyous when he had understand that he was son of King Saturn/ and on that otherside he was sore vexed of receive by this tiding a right great joy in knowledging the place of his nativity/ for more greater joy he may not have ner come to him/ than to know that he is the first son of the ancient house of Crete/ And this shall torn to him a sovereign gladness when he shall see that he is required to come and make the recoverance of his father and mother and of his country:.   

¶ How Jupiter with aid of King Melliseus of epire delivered Saturn his father & Cybele his mother out of the prison of tytan/ & how he slew tytan in battle:.  
When Saturn and vesca heard Cybele so speak Vesca said that her advise was right good/ And Saturn was all esbayed. for he thought that Jupiter that he had seen at diverse times with King melliseus should in no wise be his son/ uneath he could believe it and give faith unto the words of Cybele And said if Jupiter would succour him he were the man to do it/ and that he was content that Cybele should send to seche him as she had said. Then Cybele sent for the damosel that knew all the guiding of Jupiter and gave her the charge to go unto him and to furnish the works. The damosel joyous of this ambassade departed secretly. and tarried not till she came unto the house of Melliseus/ And finding there Jupiter with the King. After the reverence made she addressed her Orison to Jupiter & said to him/ Jupiter esioye the and be glad I bring to the tidings of gladness/ nevertheless among other sorrows. Fortune that hath hold the long time Ignorant and not knowing the place of thy right noble nativity/ hath now certainly suffered the discoverture & knowledge of tha● of men of arme● unto the number of six thousand fighting men And so well sped that in short time he brought them upon a mile nigh the city of Crete:.  
And there jupiter would tarry upon the top of a mountain/ and called to him his son Archas that that time ne had but xiij year of age but he was right wise and well bespoken/ And gave him in charge that he should go in to Crete to give summons unto the King Titan that he go out of the city/ And desquare to him his father Saturn with his mother Cybele/ the young Archas that was hardy and had his heart high enhanced with the word of his father went unto crete to the King Titan to whom he did him to be presented and said unto him these words that follow Titan I come unto the in th'obeisance of my father jupiter first son of King Saturn that thou holdest in captivity/ he hath been advertised of thoppression that thou hast done in the person of his father & of his mother and the death of her sons/ he signifieth the by me that he is son of Saturn/ and that he is as much thine enemy as thou to his sons art enemy upon which I the someone as legate ones. Twice. Thrice/ that thou yield this city unto his father King Saturn/ And that as hastily as thou hast entered therein in like wise that thou depart child answered titan thou tellest me tidings that been full of pleasures and of exultation by the which I know by thy words that Saturn hath a son yet living for by this moyen I see clearly/ and also seethe all the world that by good and just quarrel I am made King of this city/ Late jupiter thy father know that I doubt him not/ Nor set nothing at all of his coming/ And also that I will no thing do after his commandment/ Titan said Archas for as much as thou abidest in this will/ I will no more at this time occupy thee. Make good watch Jupiter is here by that tarrieth for none other cause but Answer fro the for to do his devoir to recover his city etc.::.  
WIth this word departed Archas fro the presence of Titan and returned again unto his father when jupiter heard the answer of tytan/ he was full of gladness/ for he desired no thing but for to be in arms/ And concluded with his people. that on the morn he should assault the city/ in case that Titan furnished not them of battle/ anon were their tents made of bows and leaves and her tabernacles/ the Osonians. the Arcadians & the Epirians lay upon the green verdure. and made her host to watch/ Titan was then in crete. And it is to weet when Archas was departed fro his presence/ he assembled all his sons. and told them these tidings which were to them pleasant and agreeable. For they desired nothing but strife & debate. And assured himself to have victory of Jupiter as well as they had of Saturn. In the same hour they sent four spies to espy the number of their enemies. And made ready their harness. these spies went so far that they saw the host of Jupiter/ and made their report to tytan of the place where his enemies were & of what number of people they be/ after the report of the said spies. titan concluded for as much as his enemies were but a mile from the Cite. that they should make them ready and go to battle against them on the morn early. the night passed fast/ the day came on And then about the sun rising Titan mounted upon his Chare that was right rich and made his Titans to range in battle And left an hundred with in the city for to keep it from rebellion or fro treason/ and took all the other with him under his conduit and of his sons and his espies etc.::.  
IVpiter that was not idle had the same hour set all his men in ordinance/ And had then brought all his folk in a fair plain hoping of battle And thus tytan had not far riden that he ne saw the host of jupiter/ for this plain was all disconuerte on all sides/ and from as far as each might see other/ each of them full of joy enforced them to make shouts and cries And by great desire they marched that one against that other unto the coming and smiting of strokes then jupiter put himself in the front of the battle & having his bow in his hand and his arrows by him by his shooting began a meddling that was right fires for on that one side and the other there were right good archers/ and many casters of polished stones that failed never and that was cause of death of many/ when the shot and casting of stones failed they began to go together with spears and though began a mortal fighting hand of hand that was so sharp that of the breaking of the spears and of the shields it resouned unto the walls of Crete/ and came to the ears of Saturn and of Cybele the noise whereof they began to rejoy for they had a very hope that Jupiter should obtain the victory against Titan/ This hour vesca went up upon a high tower that she might see unto the field and there she saw the fighting of the battle/ Tho held Jupiter his glaive in his hand & his shield in that other and with his glaive he smote in to the thickest of his enemies/ and with his shield he saved himself from their strokes. And with one struck of his glaive he departed the body of encheladus one of the sons of tytan and cast him on the ground at the feet of the Titans that were right sorry for the death of her fellow Jupiter assailed them right sharply. And one cried slay slay/ but he that so cried was slain anon by th● hands of Jupiter that destroyed the blood of his adversaries he was strong. Fierce/ young and boisterous and of asper enterprise. He defended him vigorously as a lion. Mightily as an elephant and eagerly as a tiger And ne intended only unto the defence of body. but to save and rescue all them that were in apparel under his warrant/ he did marvelous on all sides. The noise and bruit double and redoubled about him. The titans began to overthrow by great routs that one fill on his shoulders that other on his shield/ & he charged so sore upon them that his strokes might not be sustained of men. they were so strong and puissant etc.::  
This battle was felonous & hard at beginning for both the two parties/ and there were many of Titans of th'Arcadians & of th'Epirians hurt dead & cast under foot. Archas was there accompanied of fifty Arcadians commised unto th' guard of his body for as much as he was young/ & yet he made & put himself m right good devoir to employ himself to the arms/ melliseus failed not/ ner Titan lichaon Aegea & the other side also/ each man did his best that he might/ I can not say how many men were dead on the ground/ ne how often times that one gate upon that other but ye shall understand that there was none comparable unto Jupiter in strength in conduit ner in prowess/ there was no thing to him impossible. he overcame the overcomers/ he slow the slayers/ he ' smote down the Smiters. he put himself so forth and in so many places in the battle of the Titans that in a destrait he came & found tytan in his char. that confounded the Epirians by stones and round plummets that he cast on them And cried titan tytan for as much as he thought that he fought well when Jupiter knew that tytan was there he drew toward him. and as titan advanced his arm for to smite upon one Epirian. Jupiter hanced his sword. and discharged so sore upon his arm that he smote it of and departed it fro his body/ whereof he had great joy and cried Jupiter jupiter And tytan so hurt had great sorrow that he fill a down with in his Chare::  
AT this point the Epirians began to courage themself/ and the Titans were discouraged Lychaon and Aegea were there fast by where they saw her faders arm flee in to the field they began t'assail jupiter as men despaired/ & so began a new meddling where much blood was spilled but notwithstanding the fiercety of lichaon that had Jupiter long time in hate. for as much as he had taken from him his lordship Jupiter intended so eagerly to put tytan at utterance that he broke his char in to pieces by the help of the Epirians. And that with the sword that he smote of his arm/ he departed the life from the body of the unhappy tytan by a mortal struck that he gave unto ● his heart. and then gave he his intent and prowess to persecute Lychaon and Aegea that had given to him many strokes and horions. and adressing his sword upon the head of lychaon that the sword went to his heart. Whereof Aegea had so great sorrow and dread. that he fled and saved him from the tempest which tempest ran so upon the Titans so unmeasurably that all were put to death and to flight in to the fields. Some here and some there reserved one of the sons of titan named typhon. that seeing the discomfiture came unto Jupiter and said. Jupiter see here thine enemy. Flee not after them that flee. It shall be unto the more honourable to fight against me. that defieth thee. Then to run after the fugitives. Never yet was I founden fleeing tofore mine enemies ner yet I shall not: thou hast slain Titan my father. and my brother is slain and vanquished by force and strength And so behoveth then this royalme must be thine or mine. and now let us see who shall do best/ if I may I shall vanquish the: and if I overcome the certainly thou shalt not die by glaive ne sword/ but by the water of the flood that runneth all red and died by the blood of my kin. to th'end that thou drink of the blood that thou hast made run out of her bodies/ whereof I have a great annoyance to endure it. For by the course of nature me aught to take displeasure and annoy. And also to torn to great despite the displeasure that thou hast done to me etc.::.   

¶ How Jupiter vanquished in the field Typhon and cast him in the river etc.::.::.  
THis typhon was great and full of orgueil and pride/ when he had said all that lay on his heart/ Jupiter that had then behold and understand answered to him/ vassal hast thou no knowledge what reason and right the gods and fortune done for me/ thou art strong of memberss and proceedeth fro the heart more outrageous than wise alway for as much as thou demandest battle. thou art welcome/ make the ready shortly/ & do the best that thou canst. & haste the for the case requireth it with this word Typhon smote. Jupiter so rudely upon the head of his shield that he bore away a great quarter And made Jupiter to stoop with the right leg/ there were there by many Epirians/ that seeing Jupiter so smitten ran and came for to rescue him/ but Jupiter would not suffer them that they should help him in any manner/ but bad Melliseus and Archas that they should follow the chaas of them that fled And then he began to assail typhon by great virtue and force in such wise that he gaf him many wounds in his body And thus began the battle of typhon and Jupiter they were both strong & able in the craft of arms they charged one upon that other dolorously and eagerly/ it is no need that I declare how many strokes that one gave unto that other/ but I must tell how Jupiter so fought & smote his enemy that he took from him his sword and his shield And when he was in that point/ he charged him upon his shoulders by force of his arms/ And bore him to the river that was all died with the blood of dead men:. And there he did him die miserably casting him in to the flood: the head under for as much as he had menaced Jupiter of such death. what shall I say more of this battle After the death of typhon Jupiter went again to the pursuit of his enemies unto the sun began t'incline in to the West and sued on by great slaughter/ but in process of time when he saw that Titan and the more part of his sons were dead. And that the rest of their people were so feeble and so dispersed by the fields/ that they might never arise again. he swooned the retreat and reassemble his folk the best wise he might/ and after he took the right way to the city having great joy and exultation of his victory. And he ne had tarried long that four citizens of Crete came unto him and told him that all they of the party of tytan were fled and that they had taken out of prison his father/.   

¶ How Jupiter and Saturn reconciled them together/ & how Jupiter by commandment of his father went for to destroy the King Apollo of Paphos. and of the medicine of Esculapius etc.:.  
IVpiter received these citizens and their tidings in right great gladness/ and desiring with all his heart to be with his father & mother did so much that he entered in to crete/ Saturn & Cybele with vesca were at the gate/ which received him honourably & brought him unto the palace. where he was feasted with the King melleseus & archas in such fashion that it might be no better/ At the coming of Jupiter many tears were wept for joy by dame Cybele and vesca. Cybele kissed and beclipped often times her son. And all they of the country came thither in to the palace for to feast and worship Jupiter and also they gave him many great yefts/ And it is not to be forgotten how Saturn reconciled himself unto him and gave him estate as to his son. During these things the body of titan was searched among the dead bodies by commandment of Saturn. and there was made for him his obsequy solemn as it appertaineth to a King/ semblably and unto his sons that were found dead in the battle all the sons of tytan were not perished and dead in the battle for among all other Jopetus and Briareus were left a live and fled That is to weet Briareus in to an isle of Greece named Neptune And Japetus fled in to a party of Libya/ where he inhabited himself And brought with him three sons that he had by his wife. Whereof the eldest was named Atlas the second had his name Hesperus And the third named himself Prometheus. Atlas dwelled in Libya. and hesperus reigned in Spain. And were both vanquished by hercules as it shall be said in the second book  
FOR to hold on our purpose. When Saturn and Jupiter had done the obsequies of the Titans. Tidings came to Jupiter that Apollo King of Paphos had received party of them that fled fro the battle of Titans/ This said Apollo had made alliances unto Saturn and was son of Jupiter of Actique. When Jupiter & Saturn heard these tidings. Anon Saturn required Jupiter that he would help to take vengeance of Apollo that was his ally. and that he should destroy his enemies: At the request of Saturn Jupiter enterprised the war: and in all haste he went and besieged the city of Paphos and took it with assault. and put to utterance and destruction all the fugitive that he could find/ and yet above that he despoiled Apollo of all his richesses and of his lordships so nakedly that he departed fro Paphos not as King. but as a pour beggar/ ●nd fortune was to him so contrary. that he was constrained to keep the sheep of King Ametus of Thessaly In this pace some men say that in the time that Jupiter began to mount in his reign and to embrace honour/ Aesculapius son of Apollo which was right expert in medicine. and searching on a day his adventures as he went by a wood side he saw from far where an herdsman with his little horn fought against a basilisk. that of his nature slew the people only with his sight/ when Aesculapius saw this. he was greatly esmarveled and tarried/ and he had not long abiden. but that the herdsman had overcome the basilisk/ and constrained him to withdraw him upon a rock that was there nigh by. Esculapius was all esbayed with this thing that he wis●● not what to say. For him thought it was Impossible for a man to overcome one so mortal a beast/ then when time that the basilisk was withdrawn upon the said Rock/ Aesculapius went him hastily unto the herdsman. And finding that he had upon his head a chaplet or garland made of many diverse herbs and of flowers. He judged incontinent that in this foresaid chaplet was an herb of such virtue that kept him from the death and also from the subtle venom of the basilisk. Then he did so much that the herdsman or shepherd gaf him his chaplet or garland as innocent: And then the said herdsman went again for t'assail the basilisk/ and then suddenly of one proper sight of his eyen the pour shepherd fill dead unto the earth etc..::.  
Esculapius was then well assured that he had well thought that in the chaplet was an herb that sufficed to withstand again the malicious intoxication of thenuenymous eyen of the best/ & with the said chaplet he went to the rock. And fought so against the basilisk that he slew him whereof he had so great joy/ that a heart intending to worship might have no more/ when he had thus done he went unto the herdman and having pity on him/ he took all the herbs one after an other whereof the chaplet was made. And put them divisably each by himself in his mouth. And finally he touched only the leaves of the virtuous herb/ and so bruised it upon his mouth. that suddenly he rose from death to life/ O marvelous virtue of herb/ men read that by this same herb Ipolitus which came unto his death. by the mean of his stepmother that accused him falsely. afterward was raised to life again/ & after that he had be long dead and drawn by bushes egghes mountains and thorns/ when his body was found that they that found him laid him in a meadow upon a plant of herbs like unto the herb/ whereof is spoken tofore by virtue of the which his wounds were healed and his life was given and yield unto him again.:.  
For to hold on the matter when esculapius had raised the herdman or shepherd/ he took the herb and the basilisk and bare them unto the city of Paphos telling his adventure. and from then forth he raised men fro death to life by virtue of the herb and fought and overcame basilisks/ And for this cause he gate him so high a name/ that Jupiter was a glutted of his glory/ and took war against him and slew him. Whereof his father Apollo took so great sorrow in himself/ that he enterprised the war against Jupiter/ but Jupiter overcame him and constrained him to such an extremity/ that for to hide his name/ he went and served the King ametus of Thessaly as is said tofore. And thus when Jupiter had vanquished Apollo by that one manner or by that other he returned in to Crete with great glory/ And found there Neptune and Pluto his brethren and Juno his sister that made him great cheer. This Juno was the most beauteous woman and fairest maid that was in all the country/ after the return of Jupiter she conversed with him certain space of time/ alway they discovered not their courages at this time. and by process of time returned Juno in to Paphos with the other virgins with which she had be nourished and their abode in many thoughts and desires/ And ne made never other prayers unto the gods. but that only they would give her grace for to be wife unto her brother/ And it is not to be forgotten that if she was strongly set in the love of her brother Jupiter/ as much or more was Jupiter firmly set in the love of her/ for for to see her only after that he had sent home all his men of war in her owen countries/ And that he had established his father Saturn in his signory and lordship. Under the Colour of devotion he went oft times in to the city of Parthemy. and took pleasure to be with her etc.::.   

¶ How Jupiter with great joy spoused his sister Juno. And how the King Saturn began a war again Jupiter his son etc.::  
alway as Jupiter was busy to solicit thus the virgin Juno in the city of Parthemy for to have the better occasion to abide there he edified a temple. And did it to be dedified unto his mother Cybele. And at last did do make an image or statue of a woman in royal attire that gave meet unto many small images of lytil children in remembrance that she had saved the life to her children/ And when this temple was perfect and made unto the dedication. Saturn and Cybele together came thither with all the nobles of the country. and there made a great solemnity that dured fifteen days in plain gladness. And at this great feast and gladness failed not Jupiter ner Juno. For about the end of this solemnity the nobles of the country treated their marriage. And the pressed of the temple of Cybele assured and trouthed them together. and anon after in the same temple their espousals were made and celebrated with so great glory joy and triumph that it is not possible to be rehearsed And Jupiter and Juno lay together/ and engendered a daughter that they named hebe. The Parthemians for memory of this marriage founded there a temple where in they set the simulacre of Juno in habit of a maid that married her And alway after that same day that Jupiter wedded Juno./ they made in that temple an anniversary & a great feast which was hold in manner of a wedding/ After all these things then Saturn returned in to Crete/ Pluto returned in to a party of Thessaly where he founded the city of Helle whereof shall be spoken in the second book/ and Neptune returned unto Athens/ where the Athenians made him King as well for his virtues as for that he was son of Saturn/ at that time the most renowned King of the world::.  
IN these days when Saturn saw him quite of tytan and of his generations/ And that he saw his children mount from low places into reigns and high chairs/ certain all his sorrows vanished a way/ and then began the clearness of his reign to be peaceable/ All doubts all dreads all suspicions were put a way/ he had of the goods of fortune as much as he would/ None was then so hardy that durst conspire against his domination/ he found himself in peace general/ and it is to be supposed and levied considered the reigns of his time and that he was in so great peace and tranquillity. that he might have finished and ended his days in the same/ if he himself had not put him to the war/ for he had Jupiter his son unto his help/ at that time the most able in arms that was in all the world/ And long time when Saturn saw him thus in pease/ it happened on a day when it came unto his mind. that his god Apollo had prenosticked that this Jupiter should put him out of his royalme/ suddenly there began to engender in him a mortal hate against Jupiter that had done unto him so many good deeds/ And also seeing that every man held him in love. and was busy to please him. he adjusted faith and gave credence unto his cursed prognostication. And so suffered himself to be enveloped with so great a folly that he could never draw it out after: And then he returned unto his ancient sorrows and fantasies in such wise that they appeared outward etc.:.  
When they of Crete saw Saturn so troubled the most prive of his secret council employed them to comfort him. but it helped naugh nor they could not get from his mouth the cause of such melancholy. Unto the time that he had determined in his heart that he should persecute unto the death his son Jupiter And then he did do assemble his Princes and his councillors. and said to them/ I Charge and adjure you all by the names of all our glorious gods that ye say to me the troth and advice/ what thing shall or aught a King to do with a man that he doubteth by a divine answer that hath be said to him/ that this man shall put him out of his reign and kingdom/ when they of Crete had understand the charge and adjuration of the King. they assembled himself at a council And there they ordained and took one that for all that other should have charge to give this answer/ sire the council know that long since had an answer of your god containing that ye had engendered a son that should put you out of your reign. And that dame Cybele at that time was desyverid of Jupiter/ The council prayeth you. that ye will take heed. how what time ye were deprived of your crown and had lost it/ he delivered you and made you quit of all your enemies/ if the cause of your Charge and adjuration touch not this matter The council is of opinion/ that if the King have puissance and might over him that he doubteth/ and that he have cause evident/ A King then aught to keep him sure from that man for the dangers::.  
CErtes said Saturn thadvice of the council is reasonable enough/ and for as much as I must declare you and say you what I mean/ I am the King that I speak of/ And the man that I doubt/ is Jupiter my son/ that I fear and dread much more than the death In so much that I may not endure ner take rest for him. For sleeping I dream that he riseth against me/ and assailleth me in arms with great multitude of Arcadians & of Epirians. and resteth vanquer & victorious over me/ And waking I have all weigh mine ears open for to harken and espy/ if he be about to come on me with men of arms/ and thus I can have no solace. Player ner rest/ and am a man lost/ this considered I will that he be dead. and I take the culp and sin upon me/ and I will that ye know that I am your King and that ye to me own obeisance/ and for that I command you upon pain of death/ that there be not one man that is so hardy to withsay any thing contrary to my will/ And that each of you be to morn found ready in arms to fore this palace for to succour & serve me in this work which is the greatest thing that ever shall come to me:.   

¶ owe they of Crete when they had heard the commandment of Saturn were sore troubled & sorry/ and how they moved himself against Jupiter his son:.  
When they of Crete had heard the resolution of Saturn they were greatly abashed. for they knew well that Saturn took this matter greatly to his heart. and that he was a terrible man to offend. And so they knew that wrongfully he willed the death of his son Jupiter that had restored him to his lordship by his prowess & valiance/ Many there were that went in to an other kingdom because they would not be with the father against the son ner with the son against the father/ but there was noman that durst be so hardy to reply again Saturn ner say that he did evil/ for they dread more his ire than to offend justice. what shall I say after the commandment of Saturn/ each man withdrew him unto his house full of great and bitter sorrow in heart. And there was not one man but he had his face charged with great grief and peasant annoyance etc.::.  
The day then drew over/ And on the morn Saturn armed himself & swooned trumpets unto arms. They of crete arose this morning And many there were of them that knew thintentionintention of Saturn. And also there were many that marveled of that/ that the King would do & could find no reason wherefore he made this army. For all Crete was in peace And all the Titans were disparkled and put in to destruction perdurable/ among all other Cybele witted not what to think seeing that Saturn sent not after Jupiter She demanded him oftentimes whether he would go. and for what reason that he took not Jupiter with him in his company. Jupiter was at that time in Parthemy with his wife Juno/ when Saturn had heard the demand of his wife Cybele/ all his blood began to change. and said to her that all in time she should know the place where he would go to Cybele was wise and subtle. When she heard the answer of the King/ and saw incontinent the fashion her heart gave her that he had some evil will. and had suspicion that he would do harm to Jupiter/ wherefore she went in to her chamber right pensive. and at all adventure she sent hastily in to Parthemy and signified to Jupiter that he should depart hastily thence and that she imagined that Saturn his father would do him displeasure/ for he made right great assemble of men of arms. and there was no man that would tell the cause wherefore::.   

¶ How King Saturn with all his great host came to fore the Cyte of Arcady against Jupiter his son:.  
it is to suppose that Jupiter had the heart right difficile when he had received these tidings fro his mother cybele. and how well that she warned him by supposing/ as she that wist not verily the will of the King/ alway when he considered that he was not sent fore unto this army he doubted him and departed thence/ and said to his wife Juno that he would go unto Arcady concluding in himself that by this move he should see the conduit of his father and to what place he employed his army/ but he was not far on his way/ when he rested upon a mountains and looked behind/ him that he saw the city of Parthemy/ that anon was environed and full of men of arms of King Saturn/ that gave to him a great proof of th'advertisement of his mother/ And for to see what way he intended. he tarried still on the mountains having his eyen alway unto the city. And anon he saw his father Saturn mount in to his Chare And all his arm issue out at the same gate where he came fro and took the same way that he had taken. And that gaf him verily to understand and know that his father sought him. and so departed from this mountain and went him to Arcady and told unto his son and to the Arcadians the cause wherefore he was come & prayed them that they would garnish them of good armours to the end to defend their city if it be need etc.:..  
THe Arcadians at the request of Jupiter made ready their arms and their city/ and sent out espies upon the way And anon after they were come from the palace/ the espies affirmed to Jupiter and Archas that they had seen the champaigns and the ways of Arcady all full of men of arms anon was cried in the city in the name of their sovereign lord Jupiter that every man should make good watch and keep his ward/ with this cry the Arcadians armed them with helms & arms of leader And went upon the walls and towers having in their hands axes./ swords. Gisarmes. Glaives and maces And they had not long tarried there. When they saw come from far two men of Crete which came to the gate and asked of the porters if Jupiter were with June The porter when he understood what they asked answered them that Jupiter was in the city/ and if they had to do with him they should find him in the palace. where he passed the time with his son Archas/ and that he was newly come in to the town to visit him. When they of Crete heard this they were sore troubled. For they sought him that they would not find/ notwithstanding they went in and passed forth up to the palace/ And there finding Jupiter with the nobles of Arcady after the reverence made that one of them spoke and said. Sire we seek the/ & we have no will to find the/ for we come against our will to execute a commission by the which may sooner come ruin and trouble than peace Saturn thy father commandeth the that thou alone come speak with him he hath sought them all the places of Parthemy/ his daughter Juno thy wife not thinking evil. hath ascertained him that thou art come hither/ he is comen after the in arms/ And we know not what he thinketh to do/ he was never so angry ne triste ne so fires as he is now we been his servants/ force hath constrained us in his obeisance. and after this we give the day to appear in person to fore him this same hour all excusations ceasing etc.:..  
When Jupiter had retained and well put in his mind the adjournment with his eyen full of tears made his answer and said thus I marvel me of the right strange conduit of my father/ and peraventure it is not with out great cause his royalme is in peace/ And I have put and set him again in his royalme. And now he hath put himself in arms without my knowledge. And since sendeth for me that I should alone come speak with him/ And that is to strange a thing unto me. And he governeth him not as he aught to do/ for me aught to praise them that have deserved it and be of value. I have availed him as much as his royalme is worth he hath othertime sent for me to make war/ I wot never now what evil will he hath or may have to me. but here he is come with his army where he hath no thing to do notwithstanding he is come & demandeth no thing but me alonely All thing Counted & debated I have not intention for to obey his commandment how well that he is my father for as much as the suspicion is to much apparent/ but I am content if he have to do with me to serve him & to come to him by condition that I shall be accompanied of all my friends that I can get & none otherwise::.  
The two commisaires with this word returned unto Saturn and told him th'intention of Jupiter/ Saturn took right impatiently the Answer of Jupiter and approached unto Arcady and besieged it with great oaths making his avow unto his gods. that if he may have Jupiter he with his hands would make sacrifice of him. And then he sent of his most wise men and said to them. that in fell menaces they should go someone the King Archas// and the Arcadians to yield and deliver him Jupiter/ Declaring openly that he were more his enemy than his son The wise men departed from the host at the commandment of Saturn/ and did so her devoir to someone the Arcadians and said to the King & people of Arcady we be come unto you for as much as ye sustain Jupiter whom the King Saturn holdeth for his enemy. ● if ye deliver him unto Saturn ye shall be his friends And if not/ he doth you to weet that ye do keep you with good watch and ward/ for he hath not in the world greater enemies than you etc.::.  
By this mandment knew Jupiter that he was himself for whom saturn made his army. The Arcadians assembled to council with out Jupiter and spoke of this matter/ and made answer to the wise men of Crete/ containing how they were bounden to serve Jupiter/ and how they would keep him and live and die with him against all men above all other/ when the wise men had their answer returned unto Saturn and told him the answer of th'Arcadians/ anon hastily sore achafed be inflaming of great ire. he commanded that the city should be assailed/ And anon went to arms they of Crete in such wise/ and approached the walls and mural/ that th'Arcadians saw their enemies approach anon they swooned to arms and came to the affray & put them to defend their walls by great courage/ though was drawn & shot many an arrow/ & many a stone cast and many beaten & hurt as well with in as without gennes bombards ne great artillery was none in this time in the royalmes/ alway they of the city had well the craft to cast upon their enemies brenning brands & oils & waters boiling with ashes/ & for to do thus Jupiter had induced & taught th'Arcadians people men & women that when they of crete came most strong to th'assault and supposed to have entered the city they were charged with fire. Oils and scalding waters/ that force constrained them to go a back with great loss of people/ And they sounded the retreat/ Saturn then taking the most sorrow of the world what for that he might not furnish his pleasure as for that by the walls lay more than four. C. of his men dead And so returned in to his tent after th'assault passing sorrowful and desolate. And had so great annoy at his heart that he might neither eat ner drink. but this notwithstanding he thought right well on his hurt people and went to their tents. and did do minister medicines unto them that were hurt etc.::.   

¶ How Jupiter sent his ambassadors to his father Saturn for peace. And how Saturn would here ner intend to peace etc.::.  
The Arcadians were passing joyous when they saw and took heed how they of Crete ceased with shame their assault/ after th'assault and the retreat of both sides alway that Saturn intended to hele and give medicines unto his hurt men. th'Arcadians assembled a council And by great deliberation they sent seven of their honourable counselors in ambassade unto Saturn/ of whom that one spoke and said/ Saturn thou knowest & oughtest to know that every King aught t'intend to live in peace/ for the most fair thing of the world is peace peace nourisheth profit by peace are nourished men and children/ towns and cities are unied and knit together by charity. and annexed by amorous communication. by peace the royalmes profitten in decoration and building fair houses In labour and earing the earth and in length of life/ By peace the man's bodies been hole and quy●te. And it is that thing that causeth a man to demand sovereignty. O Saturn it seemeth that thou reckest not of this good virtue/ for regning in peace and tranquillity their is no King ner Prince that dare show him against thee/ Thou hast not only troubled thy royalme/ thou art abuser of war for to have peace a man aught to put him and dispose him to the war/ thou dost all otherwise. Ne seest not that thy son Jupiter hath delivered the from the bonds of thine other enemies. And hath set thy diadem in a severte of peace where thou might not do without him/ Ne seest thou not for to make him war/ thou ne mayst have peace/ And that thou destroyest and breakest this peace/ Ne seest thou not that this is thy son/ Ne seest thou not that thou art a monster in nature/ The fathers naturally love their children/ the same wise rude and brute beasts keep and hold this condition of nature/ Thou seekest and wouldest destroy the blood of thy son/ And from whence cometh this disnatural appetite/ might it not satisfy to thine appetite and o●de error the goodness & weal that thou hast received late in raising/ been thine interior rancours permanent shall thy fantasies never cease/ shalt thou be in Age less & simpler then a child/ the more that men grow in age/ the more be they wise/ Thou hast less knowledge now/ than thou hadst in thy perilous youth and fro whence cometh this default/ is this by the heavenly Influence/ if it be thus/ where is reason where is equity/ where is the love of the father to the son/ knowest thou not that ne had Jupiter thy son been/ thou hadst been yet in great darkness languishing/ I signify the as advocate of Jupiter that he loveth the as his owen father/ And furthermore I pray the/ that thou wilt be in peace. And if thou will him no good yet at the lest will him no harm ner encumbrance::.  
I should be soon vanquished answered Saturn if th'experience of the life of Jupiter came not to my sight See I not how he enhanceth himself the most he can see I not how the people by his fair and blandish words own him more favour than me/ see I not that he fleeth from me. If he be not culpable wherefore fleeth he/ he shall say to the people that he is Innocent Say ye that he hath no thing done against me/ I wot never how th'Arcadians understand. but if I may once set my hand on them. There was never so great mischief as shall come unto Arcady. And I have not th'intention to depart from this place till I have put in perdurable reign this city rebel against me and my commandments sire answered the Arcadians since that fair speech may not refrain thy passing great Ire●●nto thy war be war/ keep the well from us and us from the/ since the matter shall take his course in this party god speed the right and fortune/ we shall not long draw the festue it is concluded that th'Arcadians and Jupiter shall issue to morn out of the city. And if they find any that assail them. they will defend their lives This word accomplished Saturn turned his back to th'Arcadians shaking his head/ And th'Arcadians returned in to their city and reherred and told from the beginning to the ending all that they had founden And by there report it was confirmed that the day following they should issue out of the city in such wise as they had purposed among them etc.::.  
IVpiter had great displeasure in himself of that he saw that his father was so grieved and would not be content/ yet notwithstanding he doubted not so much that he ne took courage to him. and said he was more holden to keep his life than to obey the evil will of his father/ that hated him at his birth. This night passed over/ anon after that the sun cleared & light the air/ about the third hour of the day Archas Jupiter and the men of war of the Cite went them in to the field in good ordinance. and then they were not so soon issued of the gates/ that they ne were seen of the Saturnians that waited after them by the commandment of Saturn. and so began each again other a great bruit and noise that it resounded unto the mountains and walls. And then they began t'assail th'Arcadians by shot & stones so certainly that when Jupiter saw that there was none other remedy but to fight/ he put him forth formest in the front tofore/ and so began to smite on them that sought him crying with an high wis. lo here is Jupiter/ each man do to him what he may  
And thus began the dolorous battle of Saturn and Jupiter/ there was the father against the son and the son against the father/ there lost nature her fair and recommended properties. The father sought the blood that he had engendered. And promised great yefts unto them that might take him/ The battle was rigorous & hard. And then wrought and fought well Jupiter and Archas. and sovereignly the noble Jupiter employed so hardly his sword tempered with steel that he smote down shields & helms and cut of heeds and arms/ and there was no man might resist his prows invincible. he made to tremble the most hardiest that were there/ he made resort & to go aback them that had advanced themself more than they had power and virtue. he broke the wings of the battle And in their most strength he entered and encountered many times Saturn his father/ and was well in his power and puissance to grieve him. but how well that Saturn cast on him and gave him great strokes and grievous horions. yet he would never smite again but said to him oft times. Alas my father wherefore seekest thou th'effusion of my blood. I am thy son and thy servant. Thou hast no cause to persecute me/ I shall not employ mine hand upon thee.. but beware and take no fiance in the Arcadians. For if they may have and get the in her power thou shalt find in them little pity ne mercy etc.::.  
SAturne notwithstanding these fair words would never refrain his Ire but smote ever up on Jupiter also fiercely as he might/ Jupiter of all his strokes took non heed and set little there by And how well that he had conscience to fight & smite his father/ yet alway he turned his strokes and had no conscience to occupy his trenchant sword upon them of Crete. so firmly that every struck with out fault was died with new blood. And for to do so he enforced himself to show it to Saturn that he fought against him in vain. and that to him was no thing impossible. In all these things Saturn took no regard ner ensample. The cry was great about Jupiter/ the arms were greatly exercised. the ground was all covered with th'effusion of blood. And the dead bodies lay one upon an other beheaded and smitten in pieces/ O right hard and sore battle/ Saturn was so enveloped in his obstination that the blood of his men witting his arms by the course of the large wounds that Jupiter made unto them might not moder his ire ner heart/ And his eyen were so blind in his Ire that he saw naught his right evident damage. where he sought the proper Moyen by which he was put out of his royalme that he doubted and against which he intended to resist and eschew with his might:.   

¶ how Jupiter vanquished the battle against Saturn his father/ and Saturn fled by the sea::.  
IN this battle Jupiter saved often times Saturn among the glaives of th'Arcadians/ & did good against evil/ many of them of crete fought against heart knowing that Saturn had moved & was cause of the war And how well they put their hands to work/ yet alway the variation that they had among them was cause of the loss of right great number of people/ & they doubted Jupiter & they had no power to withstand & fight/ in such wise as they would have done if they had had or felt her quarrel good/ And by this manner was the battle demeaned to the great prejudice of the Saturnians/ Jupiter put himself in devoir unto his father/ And oft times cried in his ear that he should withdraw him ere the battle went worse or be lost▪ And withstood his strokes a great while/ awaiting that he would conform and convert himself fro his evil opinion. But then at last when Jupiter took heed and saw that he would in no wise here him/ He opened and displayed his virtue and the great might of his arms and of his sword. and made such affray unto his adversaries. Breaking their helms and hewing their harness. not in manner of a man having alday sustained the feat And great strokes and peisant of the Saturnians/ but in the manner of a Champion fresh & new of whom the strokes redoubled:..  
THus then it seemed unto the Saturnians that in multiplying of horions & strokes the strength and puissance of Jupiter began to nourish and grow. His well doing and valiance gave unto th'Arcadians strength upon strength. And unto his enemies great loss of blood and also of life. There was the ground bedewed with new blood. there were the dead bodies covered with new dead men. There was the Chare of Saturn smitten in to pieces. Saturn held a long while the battle. also long as his might would endure and in no wise would flee/ but in conclusion when his men saw that the thing went for them alway from evil in to worse. they began to flee And turned the back and fled/ And then Saturn turned and fled also in like wise. Tho they were followed in the chase so asperly and deadly. that some were slain in the way And some saved himself now here and now there/ And among all other Saturn was so nigh pursued by Archas and some of th'Arcadians that he had no leisure to return in to Crete. but was driven by force till he came unto a port of the sea that was there by. where he saved himself by moyen of a ship that he there found/ And there he went unto the sea with some of them that fled so sore grieved and annoyed that he might not speak etc.::.  
THus this battle ended of the father and the son/ when Archs saw that Saturn was saved in the sea/ he returned to Jupiter his father that assembled again his people and told him these tidings/ And also more over he assembled his council for to wete what Jupiter should do/ and they of the council were all of the opinion that Jupiter should go in to Crete. and that they would make him King saying that the gods had showed clearly that they would that he should succeed as King in the royalme/ whereof his father was fled fro and also for so much as they had then no head To this council accorded Jupiter/ and went to Crete/ by space of time where he was received for King/ for the citizens durst not againsay it for as much as they wist never where Saturn was become/ And how well that Cybele and vesca made great sorrow for the Infortune of Saturn alway they turned their sorrow in to gladness at the coronation of Jupiter. and sent after Juno/ And then began Jupiter to reign in desirybuing and departing unto the Arcadians the treasures of his father/ whereof they had great joy and gladness/ and for this cause say the poets. that Jupiter gelded his father and cast his genitors in to the sea. of whom was engendered Venus'/ That is to say that he casted the treasures of his father in to the belies of his men/ whereof engendered all delectation which is compared and likened unto venus etc.   

¶ how Acrisius had a daughter named danes/ the which he did do shut in a tower for as much as he had an Answer that she should have a son the which should torn him in to a stone etc.::.  
IN these days when Jupiter of Crete flourished in honour strength prowess ●nd valiance. In the city of Argos reigned the right mighty King Acrisius/ that his daughter Danes did do be shut and kept in a tour/ for to know the genealogy of this King Acrisius in this party it is to be noted that of Jupiter born of Arcady and of a damosel named Isis came a son named Epaphus. This epaphus engendered a son and a daughter the son was named belus and reigned in a party of Egypte: And the daughter had to name Libya. and dwelled in Africa where she conceived a son named Busiris that was an unhuman tyrant. as shall be said here after in the deeds of hercules/ Belus then engendered two sons. Danaus and Aegistus. danaus had fifty daughters. and Aegistus had as many sons. And these sons and daughters were conjoined together by marriage weening Aegistus right well to have married his sons but he was deceived of his weening. For danaus for envy and covetise to have the succession. Made that by his daughters traitorously should be murdered all thirty sons of the said Aegistus the first night of their espousals as they slept. & all they consented in this foul horrible crime & sin/ except oon alone named ypermestra. Which had a steadfast heart of pity. For when she should have persecuted her husband linceus she saved him his life mercifully. And also conceived of his seed a son that was named Abas. that after was King of Argos/ And he engendered the King Acrisius whereof is made mention in the beginning of this chapter/ These were the parents and progenitors of King Acrisius. he was right puissant in richesse/ But he named himself pour. For he had no children but one daughter only which was named Danes/ but for to have a son/ he went day by day in to temples and oracles of the gods/ And there made many prayers and sacrifices enough fastings alms & other suffrages/ Alle these things might not help ner bring to exaudition the accomplishment of his desire/ His wife came unto her barren years And then he was out of all hope to have any child male/ and then he comforted him in danes his daughter/ And set his love so greatly in her/ that he had no pleasance but only to behold her/ and that he purposed that never noman shod have her ner wed her but if he were the most noble and valiant man of the world/ but for as much as in this world is no thing perdurable/ This love was of little enduring. and that by the purchase of the King Acrisius/ for as the love that he had in danes grew in ampliation of natural jealousy// he went him in to th'oracle of god Belus his old grandfather/ And searching what should be the destiny of his daughter/ he did him to be answered that of her should come a son that should torn him in to stone etc.:::::.  
By this answer Acrisius began to fall from the great love that he had in his daughter/ he returned sorrowful and pensive in to his house and became all melancholic with out taking joy ne pleasure in any thing that he saw. his daughter was then young. he saw her often times. otherwhile in cruelty and some time in pity/ the remorse of that that he trowed to be transformed in to stone by him that by destiny should be born of his daughter/ moved him to a cruelty in such wise that often times he determined that he would put her to death And so to spill his blood to the end for to remedy his Infortune/ but when he had take in his hand the glaive wherewith he weened to slay her/ Nature began to meddle and put him between both. And of this cruelty he made him to condescend to pity. and to put a way his glaive. and to let the shedding of her blood. that was come of his own blood the which should come to the succession of his crown which his ancient progenitors had ordained tofore etc.::.  
For to say the verity this King Acrisius from thence forth took his rest traverse of many sighs. he could not be assured. his daughter grew and became a woman she was passing fair and right well addressed/ many Kings & great earthly Lords desired to have her in marriage and would endow her with noble crowns. but the King Acrisius refused all them that required her And imagined that his daughter for her great beauty might be taken away and ravished. by which she might by adventure have a son that should torn him in to stone. And to the end to eschew this parcel & danger/ he thought that he would make a tower the strongest of the world And that in the same tower should his daughter 〈◊〉 closed and shut during her life with out coming of any man to her/ for he was so jealous of her that he believed her not well when he saw her/ In the end he sent for workmen and forgers of steel and of copper from all parties. And brought them unto a strong place all environed with waters where was no entry but in one place etc.:::::..  
When he had brought thither all his workmen he said to them that he would have a tower made all of copper with a gate departed from the tower for to put In four & twenty men of arms for to keep the tower if it were need/ the workmen bargained with the King Acrisius to make the tower and the gate/ they set on hand to the work/ the tower was made by process of time And then when all was achieved. Acrisius brought/ thither his daughter with out letting her know his intention. And also soon as she was in the tower he said to her/ My only daughter it is comen unto my knowledge/ that in searching thy prosperity to my god belus/ I have been advertised that of the shall come a son which shall convert & torn me in to stone ● Thou knowest that every man naturally coveteth and desireth th'enduring to live in his life/ I love the passing well/ and no thing in the world so much safe my life/ But certain my life toucheth more ner to my heart/ than thy love/ wherefore I seeking and requiring the remedies against mine predestinate Infortune/ I would never give the in marriage to any man that hath required or desired thee.. Also to th'end that generation descend not of thy body/ And that thou shouldest have no knowledge of man during my life/ I have do forged this tower of copper/ and will that thou be closed and shut therein. And that no man see the/ I pray the my daughter accord the unto my will and desire. And take patience in this place for to pass thy time. I shall do accompany the with many noble virgins. And shall give unto the all that/ that thou canst or mayst think etc.:.  
When the noble damosel Danes understood the will of her father she beheld the tower of copper for to keep her shut fast therein. And further she considered that she should never marry during the life of her father the King. she was sore troubled in these things. And by great bitterness and sorrowful heart began to weep and said/ Alas my father am I born under so unhappy constellation for to be a martyress and prisoner/ not in the end of mine years. but in my young time Not in a prison of stone or of cement but in a tower of copper & laton in such wise as I should dwell therein perpetually My father what hast thou thought. thou interpretest evil the sentence of the god belus saying that of me shall be born a son that shall torn them to stone. For by this sentence. Aught none other thing be understand. but that I shall have a son that shall reign after thee.. And shall torn them to stone. That is to say that he shall put the in to thy sepulchre.. behold then what simplesse shall it be to the to hold me thus infirmed and shut in this tower My daughter answered Acrisius thou interpretest the prenostication of our god belus after that the liketh to thy joy and profit it lieth me sore on my heart if thou have a son/ he shall put me to death and that is my judgement/ ne withsay no more against me I am thy father/ Lord and master over the/ thou shalt abide here either by love or otherwise/ At this conclusion when danes saw that she might not content her fearful father/ as wise and sage as she was she agreed and accorded to do his pleasure/ saying it with the mouth and not with the heart/ And then the King sent for virgins and also old matrons in all the royalme about/ And delivered his daughter unto them for to accompany serve and keep/ and made them all to be shut and closed/ After he took leave of them commanding upon pain of death/ that they ne suffered any man to come and speak with his daughter without his witting and knowledge/ when he had thus done he returned in to the city of Argos. and assembled forty strong women/ which he gaf wages & solde and sent them to keep the gate and the entry of the tower And then arose the renomee of these things in so great a sound & noise that all Greece was full of the marvels and there was no King ne Prince/ that ne complained the loss of the youth of fair danes then holden & named the most fair of all the greekesses/ daughter of the King etc.::::   

¶ How Jupiter in guise of a messenger brought unto the tower of Darrain to the damosels and to danes many jewels feigning that he came from Jupiter::.  
By this tower & by this moyen Acrisius thought to overcome his predestinate Infortune/ and was well cased that his daughter was in so sure a place/ Alle the world spake of her and of her tour by compassion they complained her/ it was so much spoken of this case that Jupiter had his ears full thereof. And not only his ears but also and his heart. For in hearing the recommendation of thexcessiveexcessive perfection of this virgin Danes. he was amorous of her so greatly and desirously like as the marriage of him and Juno had be consumed. And then he began with all his heart to think how and when and in what manner he might come to see this damosel danes. And so much he thought & studied in this matter/ that there was none other thing that he would here of ner no devices of his men. Save only of them that spoke of the prison of danes And he spoke gladly and devised with good will coveting Instantly to be with her/ And that as well in the presence of Juno as other wise. Which said many times. that he would that the gods would give him grace and power to bring this damosel danes out of the tour etc.::  
By this mean & these devices Juno was in doubt and began to feel the first sparkles of jealousy casting infinite curses and maledictions upon danes/ and upon all them that had sown these tidings to fore her husband not only in covert and in her stomach/ but more openly in the presence of her husband showing evidently that she had th'attaint of jealousy. This notwithstanding jupiter ne was the less desirous for to see danes then he was to fore/ the maledictions ne curses might not let ne withdraw his affections/ which grew more and more. In the end he found himself so surmounted that there was no more continence founden. And that in the definition to devise intentions and conclusions he concluded to go unto the guardian and keepers of the damosel danes and that he would bear unto them so largely & so many ouches of gold & jewels with money of gold that he would torn them with his yefts to accord to him & let him enter in to the tower of danes/ then he sent for the jewellers that were wont to serve his father Saturn And made them make the most rich bagues and ouches that were ever seen or thought when the workmen me had made a party// Jupiter took them and charged him with all/ And evil clothed like as he had been a servant alone departed from crete and drew him to Argos the most secretly that he might/ and so went and came seeking the tower of darayn. Which he found in an evening & saw the walls shining and came unto the gate where he found many of the matrons sitting at the door for recreation etc.::.  
When Jupiter was comen he salued the matrons and said unto them. Noble dames the good night come to you// what tower is this that is so noble & of so strong fashion. Fair son said the eldest of them. ye be not of this country for as much as ye know not the name of this tour/ know ye certainly that it is named the tower of Darrain/ and this is the proper place that the King Acrisius hath do make for to keep his daughter the virgin danes/ which is accomplished of all virtues and honourable manners that her like is not in all this world/ But the pour maid is so much infortunate/ that her father acrisius holdeth her in this tower shut for that he had an answer of his gods that of his daughter danes should be born a child that should torn him in to stone This is the cause wherefore we been and keep her that no man ne converse with her in no fashion And her father is the King Acrisius which is so sore smeton to the heart with jealousy that if he knew of your being here. he would send to destroy you. And therefore withdraw you and goth forth on your way. Jupiter hearing the answer of the woman gave no regard unto her words. Saving his ears/ for he employed his eyen unto the regard of the tour/ And seeing that it was impregnable for any assault As well for the strength of the place where it was founded on. as for that it was nigh the city of Argos which was right strong/ he considered in himself that for to come and see this maid he could not obtain but by the moyen of these women. And then thus answered to the old woman. I thank you of your good advertisement I am much beholden unto you/ but I shall yet say more unto you. If it please you. I am sent unto the damosels of this place fro the right mighty King Jupiter of Crete for to deliver to them certain presents on his behalf. Wherefore I pray you that it please you to give me assistance anent them/ when the old matron understood of Jupiter and that he brought presents unto the damosels she answered him that he was right welcome/ And made him to enter in to a little chamber which was by the gate for to speak therein to her friends when they came to visit them. And then she went in to the chamber of danes. and there assembled all the women of the place and said unto them. My fellows the King Jupiter of Crete greeteth you well by one of his servants/ whom I have put in to the chambret of the gate/ he hath said to me that he hath brought certain presents. See ye now whether ye will receive them or not and what I shall answer to the messenger etc.::.  
THe damosels were right joyous and glad when they heard these tidings and took their council together/ and concluded that they would take and receive these presents of the King Jupiter/ then they descended in to the chambrete and feasted the messenger which did them reverence. and said to them. Ladies and damosels your renomee is so great that it hath moved the King Jupiter to desire your love/ In sign of which he hath sent to you of his jewels. and prayeth you to receive them in thank And that he recommendeth him unto the right noble grace of your masters the kings daughter/ with these words Jupiter opened his sack of leather wherein were his jewels and delivered them unto the damosels when they had received them and seen them what they were/ they were all abashed for to see things so precious and said that they would go and show them to their mistress/ And forthwith they went up in to the tower and showed their present unto danes/ signifying her that the King Jupiter recommended him unto her noble grace/ Also soon as this noble virgin had seen these jewels/ She said that it must needs be that Jupiter was rich & large and that the gift that he had yeven was more of value than all the royalme of Argos/ and also that she would that the man that had brought these jewels were feasted as it appertaineth and also thanked in her name. Then the damosels by the commandment of danes went to feast the messenger of King Jupiter the best wise that they might the most part of the night in meet and drink/ And then came the aged woman that had first spoken with him and said to him. My son the maiden danes thanketh the King Jupiter of the courtesy that it hath pleased him to do to her damosels. And she taketh herself greatly beholden to him and to you that have taken the pain to bring them/ if there may please you any thing here in. spare not this house::  
DAme answered Jupiter ye do me to much honour that one half/ if there be any thing in crete to your pleasure. Axe ye it/ and certainly ye shall be served with good heart. And then they talked so long that it was time to withdraw him Jupiter took leave of the damosels & concluded that he would return in to his country on the morn early. what shall I say more jupiter took this night as much rest as he might. and had the heart so surprised that he awoke more than he needed for the hour was not come for that he attended for to speak to danes/ He returned secretly in to Crete And did do make new jewels much more rich and more precious than the other were for to go a gain and present to the damosels/ and as soon as was to him possible. he gathered together as many as would charge an horse. After this on a morning early he jaded an horse with these jewels. and without witting of any person/ with the same he so laboured that without adventure he came unto to the tour/ And there assembled the damosels & did them reverence and said to them/ Ladies and damosels the King Jupiter hath you so in his grace that knowing by the report of me what feast and joy ye made late of his jewels/ he hath sent unto you/ and in his name I present to you these jewels that I have now brought/ praying that the present may be acceptable & agreeable/ and that it plaise you to do so much unto your mistress ● that I might a little speak with her for to advertise her if it plaise her of certain secret things that touch her/ & whereof I am charged by Jupiter:.   

¶ How Jupiter in the guise of a messenger with many jewels came the second time to see danes/ and how he spoke & gave her in knowledge what he was and how he lay with her the same night::.  
When Jupiter had achieved his purpose/ he displayed his merceries/ and when the matrons had understand of Jupiter that he desired to have grace to speak with danes/ They went unto the maid by the counsel of the old woman for to have her opinion/ & coming with them the old woman she had the words for them all/ And said my daughter the King Jupiter hath sent hither the burden of a horse of the most fairest jewels that ever ye saw/ Certes it is a triumph to see them/ notwithstanding we durst not receive them for as much as the messenger requireth to speak with you/ which is us defended by your father/ See what we shall do. we been greatly beholden unto the King Jupiter of his courtesies. but when we behold the straight commandment of your father. we wite never what to do. When the maiden danes had heard the words and the tidings of the old woman She was right pensive. but not for that she ne spared not to say that. that her heart judged her And thus answered. My mother ye know well and it needeth not to tell you. that he that doth show love and courtesy. Aught to be then kid by semblable. The King Jupiter as ye have to me said hath oft times done for us. the first good cometh from him. me thinketh under all corrections. that we may well suffer him speak with me/ it is a little thing of his servant or varlet. the King my father shall never know it/ it is no need that he know all that shall fall. but first show to him. How it is defended you upon the life that no man speak with me. And make him promise and swear that he shall keep this thing secret etc.::.  
THe damosels and the old woman joyous of th'answer of the maid went down from the tower unto the gate. And finding Jupiter busy to display and unbind his jewels/ the old woman said unto him/ fair son the King Jupiter hath founden more grace here in this place anent the maid danes then all the men in the world. Nevertheless ye aught to know that upon pain of death. It is to you defended and to other by us. And we been also defended upon the same pain by the King Acrisius. that we shall let no man living speak with her/ The commandment of the King is so great. And your request is not little Certes we dare not bring you unto her all thing considered. for if it were known with out fault we should be all put in to the fire. And peradventure if ye were founden here with in by the King that cometh often times hither he would put you to death/ wherefore we pray you that it please you to excuse us against your master/ By the comprising of this answer Jupiter found naught that he sought/ And then he held him more ner in despair than he did in hope. but he remembered that a beggar should not go away for ones warning/ And said unto the old woman to the beginning of her answer/ Dame ye do well if ye fear and dread the King/ which is to me no marvel/ All way his commandment is not so straight/ but that ye may enlarge it if ye will/ he hath defended that none shall speak with her/ The King Jupiter requireth that his servant may say to her certain things secret touching her honour/ ye shall do that pleaseth you but in troth if ye accord him his request/ the accord shall not be prejudiciable to you in any thing. For the King Jupiter is no pletar and knoweth so much of the world/ that unto you he had not sent me if he had not found me secret/ And thus if ye would do to him any pleasure ye have none excusation reasonable/ None knoweth hereof but ye and I/ if I speak unto the maid by your consent/ who shall accuse us/ it shall not be ye for the matter toucheth you/ And it shall not be. I nor the King Jupiter/ for certainly we had liefer die in sorrowful death and also abide indefamable pain etc.::::::..  
FAir sone answered the old woman/ ye speak so sweetly/ that we may not/ ner can give unto you the refuse of your request we dare well affy and trust in you. Alas dame answered Jupiter doubt ye/ when I shall fault against you or any other// I be smitten with the thunder and tempest I would veritably that ye had the prerogative to know the human thoughts to the end that in judging of my courage by your judgement were the maid assured not to have by my cause any inconvenience/ with these words Jupiter drew to his will the old woman and all the damosels as well by his subtle language as by his richesses/ for short process the old woman accorded to Jupiter that he shall have the grace to speak with the maid. And brought him to fore her with all his presents/ Jupiter had then more joy than I can writ And when he was thus above in the tower of Darrain in beholding the ample beauty of danes his joy doubled/ & he knew her lightly by her beauty. And made unto her reverence saying. Right noble & right accomplished damosel the King Jupiter salueth you by me. And sendeth unto the women of this house of such goods as fortune hath given to him. If it be your pleasure they shall receive them. And after I shall say unto you certain things secret which the King Jupiter your servant hath charged me to say unto you. My friend answered danes safe your honour the King Jupiter is not my servant/ but I myself am beholden to him and am his servant/ And thank him of the largesses that seemeth as he had rained gold in this place. It is right agreeable to me that the women of this tower have your present/ And it pleaseth me well also to here your charge. to th'end that King Jupiter say not that I were unkind etc.::.  
THe matrons and the damosels were present at this answer/ Jupiter delivered unto them his jewels which they received with great gladness/ After that. danes took the messenger by the hand and ld him a part unto the beds side where she made him to lean by her/ And then when Jupiter found him so alone with danes/ he said unto her/ right noble damosel/ I shall no more call you damosel but lady. For ye are my lady and my only mistress which have mastered mine heart/ and also have overcome me under the sown and bruit of your glorious loos and name/ for to advertise you verily I am Jupiter/ of whom now I have spoken to you at the presentation of the jewels/ And it is troth that it is not long sithen when I was in my royalme/ for to here reported the manner how your father held you shut in this tower with little good that may accord unto your honour/ as well as for to get your thank and grace. as for pity where with I was moved/ I have delibered in my heart to employ myself unto your deliverance and also for to get your grace/ and for to execute this deliberation/ I have taken party of my treasures & am come hither to present them unto your damosels/ and so departed and of new am comen again in hope to have your love/ and whereof I am well content and thank mercy & fortune Alas madame if I am so hardy as for to have put myself in thaventureadventure of my life for to show the great love that I have in you/ excuse me. If I have enterprised thing so high that I ne me hold worthy to touch it but in the affiance of fortune & in so much as she will me favour in this party/ madame then in the consideration of my words. ye may see my life as my death And ye only may lighly make the judgement if your humility condescend in the knowledge of pity that I have had of you/ disposing myself in to the danger/ where I might be sure. I am now nigh the jeopardy which ye may save And if not I yield me your prisoner Certes the shining resplendishor of your renowned beauty. Whereof the dead passeth the renome and the triumph of your Incompared excellence hath enrached mine heart And hath brought me hither in to the prison of your will. Alas madame behold and see with your eyen full of sweetness and of clemence me which seethe not at this time/ but languish in f●ute of rest in continual travail in furies redoubled & in sighs upon sighs which may not be purveyed of remedy but by your benignity & amorous purveyance.  
AT the beginning of the first recommendation that was made of you in my presence. And at the point that I enterprised to deliver you out of this tour/ I held me
              self right eurous and happy be cause of so high an enterprise. but seeing the perils where I find only myself since/ I wot never what I may say of myself. For by month upon month. Week upon week And day upon day your name hath had domination on me. And oft times hath constrained me to be ravished and yet more in a trance be desire to speak to you. and to imagine how I should come to the point where I now am. And not only in this. but also to find mercy in you. And I pray & require you right humbly that the amorous gift of mercy ye will to me accord/ and thus doing ye shall do mercy to yourself and have pity of your young days which ye have consented to lose/ by the foolish fantasies of the King your father/ ye know well that his life during he shall not suffer you to be married to any man. It is possible that your father shall live as long as ye/ for he is strong of memberss hard and boistous/ Also ye aught conceive if ye will believe me/ that your life hath no wealth ne pleasance only/ the pleasances come unto the people by the sight and by beholding of diverse things/ the women singularly have their principal plaisus in her husbands & in her generation and lignyes ye ne may come here to/ but if ye have mercy on yourself/ Is it not in your conceit and knowledge that no man hath but his life in this world/ for as much as ye obey and complaise the foolish commandment of your father the King Acrisius/ ye shall be a woman lost being in this place/ it is not possible to take and have patience/ This is to hard a thing unto a young heart to be put in prison without demerit/ I know the human affections and understand that naturally every creature loveth his profit to fore the profit of an other/ This is against your prosperity and utility that ye be shut here with inn/ how may ye have love unto him which is cause of two evils. the less evil is to cheese syn that ye feel you condemned here unto the end of the days of your father/ doubt ye not but his end is oft desired to his mischief for your sake. and his mischief may not ye do be done without great charge of conscience/ me thinketh that better it were for you in diverse fashions to find manner to issue and go out of this place/ and to take to husband some man noble & puissant/ that would enterprise to carry you away secreth for to be his wife in his country/ by this moyen ye shall be delivered fro the pain/ where ye be in/ ye should eschew the death of your father/ And less evil ye should do in fleeing his foolish commandment then to abide in the point where he hath put you/ Madame alas think ye hereon for your honour and health as I have said you I am your servant/ and if it please you to depart from this place/ ye shall find no man readier then I am for to keep you and conduit I give myself unto your noble commandments for to furnish your will to my power/ as he that beareth alway the remembrance of you in the most deepest place of my mind In sleeping I see you and waking I think on you I have had never rest in myself ner never shall have but if it please you that my fortune my destiny my hap or unhap come of you/ if ye take me unto your mercy/ and that I find grace anent you I shall be the most happiest of all happy & if ye do otherwise/ it may be said that among all unhappy none shall go to fore me/ but when such fortune shall come to me by your rigour I shall take it in patience for the Noblesse that I see in you alway I require you that my heart be not prived ne put from your heart. For as much as it toucheth me/ Alle the tongues of. men can not say ner express the quantity of the love that I have in you/ no more than they can pronounce by proper names/ all the stars of heaven/ by this love I am alway in thoughts labourous. In sighs anguishous and oft times in great fear and doubt And at this hour I wot never whether I live or not/ how well me thinketh I am here for to receive absolution or mortal sentence these things considered alas will not ye have him in your grace That for to deserve your love & mercy hath abandoned and adventured his life as ye may see/ leaving his royal estate for the better to keep his case secret/ unto an heart well understanding few words sufficen/ For conclusion I pray you to give your heart unto him. that hath given his unto you. and that ye purvey from hence forth for the loss where ye now be inn after the common judgement  
WIth this Jupiter held his peace and kept silence and intended his ears for to hear what should be th'answer of danes/ The right noble damosel when she had heard his purpo●s. Which she had sore noted And when she saw that he had given her place to speak/ how well she was right assured. she changed colour & said to him/ sire King alas know ye well what should be the renome that should believe with me. If I should believe your council/ what should the people say. madame answered Jupiter/ the worst that they may say shall be that men shall name you disobeisant unto the foolish commandment of your father/ which as all the world knoweth that he ho●●eth you foolily in his prison here fast shut in/ And if ye will thus help yourself & steel yourself away/ men should b●t laugh for your youth should excuse your feat. and ye should be renowned to have d●n this fet by great wisdom/ A sire said danes ye ween to deceive me by your fair & sweet words/ I know the speakings of the Argians & also I know that I am bound to obey my father/ & furthermore I am not so ignorant but that I would well have some noble man to my husband but that mine honour were saved/ and also that more is I knowledge that I am greatly beholden to him that hath departed here with in so largely of his treasures and jewels/ and in likewise unto you if it be truth that ye be he that ye say that ye are/ but when I have all known and understanden And seen visibly that thargiens'Argians should defame me to perpetuity And that my father should have sent me where mine honour should strongly be defouled and put under foot. And also that I have none other knowledge of you/ but by your proper declaration I will in no wise abuse you. ner ye shall have no disturbance for my cause but I pray you to think on other part and that ye late and suffer me only with my fellowship and friends etc..:.  
MAdame answered Jupiter be ye in doubt of me that I am not Jupiter King of crete if I be other all the gods confound me and the thunders fall on me/ the swallow of the sea receive me. And that I be given to meet unto the most venomous beasts of the world. O madame put no suspicion in my feat. as I have said to you. I am comen to you not in royal astate/ but in simple array/ for to conduit my things more secretly/ yet at the lest/ at this first time accord ye my request/ take ye day of advise/ and that to morn I may speak ones to you. and ye shall council you well this night.  
THe noble maid danes had then the blood esmoved that with great pain she wist not what to do she durst not behold Jupiter. For shame smote her in the eyen. This not withstanding her heart commanded her to see what man he was/ And whether he had the cheer of a noble man or of a King At hardest she took day of advice/ And accorded to him that she would speak again to him on the morn/ After this/ she did the tables to be covered by the damosels And said that she would feast the messenger of King Jupiter/ The damosels hearing that answered that they all were much bounden to feast him and to make him great cheer/ and showed to her their richesses that they had/ all arrow in the chamber/ whereof the walls shone and were bright/ what shall I say more the damosels arrayed with the jewels of Jupiter/ garnished the tables with meet/ Danes & Jupiter were set that one against that other/ the service was great and rich and had enough to eat/ how well that Jupiter ne danes gave little for'rs of eating/ Jupiter eat less bodily than spiritually/ he was in trances in doubtances and fears he had an answer by which he could not gloze no thing to his profit save only that he hoped that danes should discover it unto the damosels in such wise as the young maidens been of custom to discover that on to that other/ & that when any require them of love that they should be in favour to him the more for his yefts/ In this estate was the King Jupiter for his part/ The damosels beheld him enough and said/ that he had not the maintain of a yeoman or of a servant// but of a man of right noble and great fashion/ And above all other danes to whom Jupiter had given cause to be pensive/ cast her eyen upon Jupiter upon his countenance upon his fashion upon his beauty/ And then her seemed that he had said troth/ as well then as in the night following she began to feel the sparkles of love/ and seeing his richesses that he had given in the house/ she varied to give to him her heart and her love of this variation to which her heart inclined/ she was right ascertained and firmly/ that her engine her intendment were interlarded of abundant thoughts Many noble men had required her love afore time that she was shut in the tour/ and could never torn her heart ner 'cause to sigh and think for her requests The only words of Jupiter were so eurous and happy that constrained her to exaudition and perfect pensiveness/ breaking all doubts and contrary opinions   

¶ How Jupiter came from his chamber by night and say in the tower of darrain with the damosel danes on the which he engendered/ the noble Perseus.  
SO long dured the feasting of Jupiter that it was our and time to withdraw then danes took leave of Jupiter and did do convey him in to a secret chamber by her damosels when Jupiter was departed she entered in to her chamber accompanied only with the old woman that was her mistress which had charge on her above all other/ and as soon as the old woman had her privily in her chamber/ as she that was malicious said to her/ my daughter tell me of your tidings/ I must needs know what thing this messenger hath said to you/ Dame answered danes. Will ye weet ye said the old woman/ then answered danes/ he must come himself and make the raiport/ For he hath said to me so many things that the tenth part is not in my mind/ My daughter said the old woman I think well he is not comen hither with out cause what hath he said/ if ye have not all in mind/ tell me at lest/ that abideth and resteth in your mind/ Dame answered danes ye know well that never I mistrusted you/ And that the secretness of mine heart to you hath alway been open/ I will now make no new customs/ For to short this matter/ he that nameth him servant of Jupiter/ is Jupiter himself by his rapport and hath made great oaths that he hath do made these presents and yefts for to speak to me/ In deed he hath showed to me how I lose here my time// And hath required me to be his wife to which I have not yet consented/ but I have taken day for to give an answer to morn hoping to take your council/ And therefore I pray you that ye me council in that I have to do and what answer he shall have of me/ ye know how I have suffered his yefts to be received he must be contented by some manner/ by fair speech or other wise.  
THis old woman had been other time in the house of King melliseus and there had seen Jupiter in the time of his return of his conquest of Arcady/ and had in pertye knowledge of him since the first day that he came thither/ this notwithstanding she doubted of his person for as much as men otherwhile been like one to an other And she had alway her eye on him when then she had understand by danes that had told her that he was Jupiter/ she was sure that it was he in his person/ and had great joy saying/ my daughter certainly I know him that we speak and devise of long time passed/ And for his person I assure you/ it is he/ that hath done you to understand of/ but unto the regard for to council you/ if ye take him unto your husband I can say none other wise to you/ but that he is one of the most valiantest men of the world and that his enterprises been right high// and if I had a daughter the most best mannered of the world/ there is no man leaving that I would give her sooner unto than to him/ ●yf it pleased him to take her/ ye see that not withstanding his simple array that he is a goodly man he is noble/ he is rich/ he is wise/ he is a King/ ye feel in yourself your courage/ if ye will use and observe the commandment of your father/ ye may not with him hold consistory ne parliament/ if ye will absent you from this place by good moyens there is no man but Jupiter that may help you// I council you neither that one ne that other/ cheese ye and take the best way etc..  
A My mother said danes how should I cheese myself. There is in me neither wit ne intendment to take that I should cheese. ne for to discern the good from the evil. and as for me I shall put it all in to your deliberation. and will that ye know that out of this tower would I fain be mine honour saved and the honour saved of my fellowship. With this came In to them all the damosels of the house and said to her that they had made right good cheer to their guest. and thus failed the secret devices of danes and of the aged woman. the damosels went and fet their jewels. newly presented to them and departed them each after her portion saying that to King Jupiter was none like/ but that he was among all other the most large and the most honourable King of Kings.  
THe maid danes took great pleasure with all these things// when the damosels had parted among them her jewels of gold with great joy/ they brought danes to bed/ And departed from her chamber which they left open by forgetting/ as they that had set all her mind and intendments on her richesses/ And so went to their beds in to their chambers/ Jupiter lying in his bed at this hour found himself so surmounted with covetise of love. That he was constrained to arise And to look out at a window to behold if the day approached lifting his eyen again the stars of the heaven/ And was ravished in his heart by the remembrance of fair danes and said/ O noble danes that hath more beauty than the star shining/ And that ye shine by sovereign clearness/ Alas where be ye this hour/ the pain that I endure for your cause/ ye knew not the great jeopardy and the perilous paas that I have put me in. to attain your love/ unkindness. may she have place in you. with disdain rigour and fierceness/ which been mine enemies envenomed with mortal venom/ O danes remember yourself of me/ And thou fortune that haste succoured me in all mine affairs/ so coure me in this present need.  
WIth this word his complaint cessed/ and gave his intendment to many sharp thoughts that pierced his heart right pensively/ This thought was great and touching a right adventurous enterprise all accounted & abated he determined in himself to assay if he might come unto the end of his thought/ and arrayed and clothed himself and went out of his chamber unto the tour/ where he saw the door open to his seeming And finding truth that it was open he went up as softly as he could that he should not be heard/ ● and came so far that he came to the chamber of danes whereof the door was open In which chamber was a lamp brenning/ Jupiter all full of gladness put his head in to the chamber to behold if the damosels had been with danes/ and when he had beholden that there were none but that danes was alone in her bed/ he adventured him to go unto her where he fond her sleeping and awoke her by kissing etc..  
DAnes was so sore abashed when she felt herself so kissed/ that she crept with in the bed. Jupiter nighed near so far that he discovered her face for to speak to her/ whereof she being a frayed opened her eyen and when she wist that it was Jupiter/ ● and was alone by her bed side/ she made a right great shriek and cry/ when Jupiter heard this cry he was not right well assured/ nevertheless he pursued his adventure turning her to him ward and comforting her by his sweet speaking/ he declared to her in the end that it was force that she must be his wife promitting to come and to fetch her in short time/ and so long he held her in such devices/ that he unclothed himself/ and that in speaking to here he sprang in to the bed and say by her side. how well that she with said and withstood it with all her might than said the maid that she was betrayed And weeping tenderly she wend to have fled and did her best to have gone away But Jupiter took good heed/ And at the leap that she supposed to make caught and held her by the arm/ And made her to lie down again And beclipped her and kissed her again/ And so appeased her in such fashion that she left her weeping And on the morning when he rose up from her he left her with child with a young son/ what shall I say more jupiter by this hardiesse achieved his feat and gate his will on fair danes And made the peace of his offence The night passed over And the day came/ that Jupiter must need arise and depart from her/ and then by necessity constraining himself for to keep the honour of danes he arose And took his habiliments trussed together and returned in to his chamber where he went to bed and slept so fast and surely that he awoke not till the hour and time to go to dinner.  
AT this hour danes asked where was the messenger of King Jupiter and said that she would eat with him/ and that they should bring him up in to the tower secretly/ with the word of danes two damosels went down of the tower in to the chamber of Jupiter/ And finding him a sleep awoke him/ whereof he was hontous and ashamed/ For the sun was that time mounted high/ And then he a rose and arrayed him fastly when he wist that danes had sent for him to come speak with here/ And so came to her/ which began to wax red and to lose her maintain and countenance when she saw him. After the reverence made they went and eat together and made great cheer alway danes was a shamed and was strongly surprised for the case that was was happened to her & she might not abstain to set her eyen on the beauty of Jupiter/ which also failed not on his side to behold her by so ardent desire/ that the eyen of that one and that other pierced each other often times// In this beholding they passed part of the time of the dinner// when they had taken their refection/ ● Jupiter and danes drew them a part and helden a long parliament of their work/ And was concluded between them that Jupiter should go in to his country and that he should return thither with a certain number of people for to take a way the fair danes/ and with this conclusion Jupiter departed and returned in to crete leaving danes in the tour/ of whom I will tarry for this present & return to speak how Tantalus the King of Phrygia fought against the Trojans/ and had battle against them which was the first that ever was in Troy.   

¶ How the King Tantalus of Phrygia assailed by battle the King Troos of Troy// and how Ilion and Ganymedes his sons discomfited him in battle/  
When then the King troos had named his city Troy and was mounted and enhanced in so high renome/ That the Kings his neighbours as to his regard were put in little reverence and less glory/ Many thus losing their honours/ by his right great worship/ began to murmur against him in feat and in thought/ and among all other the King tantalus of Phrygia son of th'Arcadian Jupiter King of Actique took in right great despite th'excellence of troos and conspired against him and made a great assemble of men of arms/ and so departed out of his royalme in intention to destroy and spill the King Troos and his city of Troy/ This tantalus had a son in his company named pelops/ And also he left a son at home named thyestes for as much as he was young/ And this thyestes had a son sins named philistenes the father of menelaus that reigned in the time of the third destruction of Troy/ For to return to our purpose/ then Tantalus exploited in such wise that he conducted and brought his host upon the territory of Troy/ And did do smite down and destroy all thing that was in their puissance unto plain destruction/ whereof the cry and clamours of them that fled was so great/ that in short time the King Troos was advertised/ whereof he was not afraid For he had the city well garnished of people/ Also he made ready to resist his adversaries/ and that by such diligence/ that when he had heard the tidings in the morning/ In four ours after he issued out of Troy with xxx thousand fighting men and drew unto the place where the Phrygians were entered.  
THis noble King Tros had in his company two sons of whom the eldest was called Ilion to whom came down from heaven the palladius And the younger was called Ganymedes/ These two sons valiant and hardy comen in to the field and required their father Troos to depart his arm in two And that he would grant to them his vanward for to prove their might upon their enemies/ Troos considering that by separation of his people/ they that were fouled or put a back might be succoured when it should come to strokes/ accorded the request to his ij. Sons/ and took unto them twelve thousand of fighting men/ Ilion and Ganymedes thanked the King/ troos their father/ and took leave at him/ and went forth with her fighting men in such wise that they were a mile to fore the battle of the King. and so the King/ troos sued the battle of his two sons Ilion and Ganymedes/ And he had riders between both commised for to report to the King tros when his sons had founden. tantalus their enemy/ and also the two noble sons had tofore them their diverse espies and waytars that were sent out in to diverse places to see and to discover the state the puissance & th'ordinance of their enemies which found them about the evening. and anon after they returned unto Ilion and Ganymedes & bade them to make cheer/ and that they had seen the enemies of Troy in a certain place that they named/ and that there they had seen them lodged/ And that they might well be numbered by estimation about xxx thousand fighting men.  
OF these tidings had the Trojans great joy/ it was that time about midnight and they were lodged in the end of a valley/ Ilion and Ganymedes anon the same hour assembled all the noble men of their company/ & told them what the espies had reported/ and they demanded of them council. all were of opinion that they should suffer their host rest yet a good hour. and after that they should break their fast a little and lightly/ to th'end to have the better and longer her breath/ and also to be the more courageous and also to 'cause them to be the better awaked. and this don they should depart for to go assail their enemies/ This opinion seemed god unto the five sons of the King/ And they signified their intention by the riders unto their father Troos/ After this they withdrew them to take a little their rest and gave charge unto them that kept the watch ● to awake them when they saw her time/ And so they had but little rested when they were awaked and called/ And that each man should take his arms and follow on/ This Troyans' obeyed and know well it was time to make ready lightly. They were never so joyous as there were when they knew that they should go to battle/ They eat and drunk attemperately full of one good will. They garnished them with their arms/ And showed that one to that other how they would fight in the battle and confound their enemies/ and menaced them of an evil recounter for them.  
IT this hour the moan shone right clear/ By which shining and light Ilion and Ganymedes put their people in array in fair ordinance when they had take the short refection they began to March toward them and put himself to fore all other they came so nigh by moan light and by her guides that they were heard of them that kept watch of their enemies that they sought/ the which fled unto the tents of King Tantalus and awoke him and told him that the Trojans were come t'assail him. And that they had seen them in great number/ But Tantalus believed not lightly his watch and deferred his arising more than need was/ he had not long abiden but the Trojans came upon his oft and smote down right upon the Phrygian so dismeasurably/ that the redounding of her strokes came & fill in to the ears of tantalus/ which arose and sprang on his feet terribly afraid/ with this affray were awaked all the Phrygians in general some by mortal wounds and some by their cries and some smitten anguishously unto the death. In coming on thus the Trojans damaged greatly their enemies/ and the more be cause many of them were not garnished with their arms. Which were smitten down by the glaives of the Trojans/ there were beaten down labouring mortally aglutting in her blood This not withstanding how well that the coming on of the Trojans was sharp. and that Ilion and Ganymedes approved himself sharply in their work Tantalus and his son pelops recueiled her people that withdrew them/ about her tent & gathered them together/ and then when they found them in number suffisant for to enter in to battle/ Tantalus cried Phrygia Phrygia/ and after he did do March his people against the Trojans that all beat down to fore them in the place where they were arrived/ and then began the noise great/ For on all sides were cries made and at the joining the tempest was horrible that it seemed that the world should end in the same place.  
Ganymedes and pelops encountered together & full of great courages they fought together so sore and hard that a great while by the ensigns that were seen upon her heeds and upon her arms they were like that one to slay that other/ and that one had slain that other ne had tantalus and Ilion have been by/ For tantalus smote upon Ganymedes/ and Ilion smote pelops and the Trojans & Phrygians meddled that on with that other And there began the slaughter and tuytion/ And there was fighting showed as champions/ In showing each man his vertum and his prowess so strongly for as much as they saw the moan go down and decline/ And yet was not the day comen when they found on the morn the place all covered with blood. heeds arms and of men dead/ but the number of the Phrygians that there were put to outrance was much greater ten against one than of them of Troy/ What shall I say all so long as the moan gave his light/ there was no fault on that on side ner on that other/ each man did his part The moan put him in a dark cloud And anon it wax dark and that the meddle began to cease/ And the retreat was cried the Phrygians with drew them at the cry of tantalus/ And the Trojans at the cry of Ilion and Ganymedes/ And there was none but had gladly abiden the end of this skirmish and tempest.   

¶ How the King Tros chased in battle the King tantalus and how the King Saturn came by see sailing to the port of troyes and how the King troos received him worshipfully.  
AFter this foresaid battle when Tantalus was withdrawn he began to cast his eyen upon his people which were all on an hill for to wete how they were of number & how they had born himself/ And how much people he had lost. he had lost/ and went all a bout them with his son pelops/ and him seemed well that his puissance was made less then he had hoped whereof he had in his heart a right great and sharp displeasure/ and visiting his host in this fashion the day began to arise and in the dawning/ two things appeared and came to the knowledge of the people of tantalus/ oon was the great loss of his people. and that other was the battle of King troos that they saw from far discovered & approach Certes when tantalus considered his evident damage and saw that his enemies be cause of the socours that came to them were more strong than he was/ he found not in the resolution of his emprise but despair and shameful end/ and all discomforted he called his son and his principal friends and demanded them what was best to do/ They counseled him that he should intend to save himself and said to him/ if he abode and attended the Trojans that should be cause of his destruction and of all them that were left of his people etc..  
When tantalus understood this council and knew that his profit stood and was in his shameful end and flight/ and above that/ that he ne might abash and put down the name of troyes/ he took himself by the beard that was long by impatience and said smiting himself with his fist/ O cursed envy/ thou promettesst me late to put Troy under my feet. and hast made me to rise presumptuously against her. Now see I well the contrary/ and that by me Troy shall flower and that more is by my cause her name shall grow and shall be enhanced And that all Kings shall tremble to fore her in my regard and beholding O false traitoress fortune accursed be thou that I ever believed on the/ These words finished he said to his son and to other his council and made his people to withdraw a little and a little finally he commanded that each man should save himself/ and then they put them all to flight/ Ilium and Ganymedes took heed and ran after and chase them out of the territory of Troy with great occasion and slaughter of people of the Phrygians/ And after that they had chased them. they said that they had done them shame enough And left work and returned and came anon and met the King tros her father that sued them which had great joy/ when he saw that they had quit them so well upon his enemies by the good conduit of his two sons.  
THe joy then that Tros made to Ilion and Ganymedes after the battle was great and of good love/ Tros brought them again unto Troy with great worship/ the Trojans men and women received them worshipfully/ And blessed the womb that had born them And the breasts that gave them suck/ The two noble sons of the King of whom the names were born in to all the marches there abouts with so great a bruit and noise that not only the neighbours of troyes came to make alliance with King tros and the Trojans but their came also Kings of many far countries of the est which could not magnify enough the puissance of the King and of the city of Troy etc..  
IN these days when troyes showed the rays of her puissance & noblesse by the universal world/ Saturn late King of crete sailed by the seas with little company Not as King and possessor of the royalme. but as banished and dispurveyed of all land and country so clean that he had no place to withdraw him to/ ner wist never whether to go but only by deserts and by the abysms of the sea when he had be in this point a great while thinking with out end how he might persecute his son Jupiter/ Fortune brought him in to the sea of Hellespont and then beholding about him he espied and saw Troyes which was a city passing fair and rich and of marvelous greatness// And then what for to take him a little rest as for to put away his melancholy and for to revictual his ship and people he sailed and rowed unto the city and descended at the port when the Trojans had seen the ship of Saturn/ that was better and more of value than all the ships that they had ever seen/ the master of the ships of troyes. Went hastily unto the King troos & said/ ●ire ●●ioye yourself and make ready your house// I assure you that there is come right now unto your port the most rich ship that ever was seen on the sea/ and me seemeth this considered that in so noble a ship must be some noble or great earthly lord that cometh unto you etc..  
Anon as King troos heard these tidings of the master mariner he desired to see so fair a ship/ and accompanied with his two sons went for to see at the port and to feast them of the strange ship/ This King troos was courteous and honourable/ when he came unto the port he found that Saturn made ready his ship & disposed him for to go unto the city/ And seeing the ship he marveled much For the utensils that were with in were richly made/ And furthermore Saturn & his fellowship were Armed and had no mariners he beheld her conduit at his coming & knew that they were men of war right well in point/ he thought in himself at beginning for to arm himself & to send for the Trojans But afterward when he had seen her little number & that no ship followed ner sued these strangers fro no cost he changed his purpose & thought And approached unto the ship and called Saturn that most best was arrayed above the other & asked him what he sought he and his fellows and from what nation they were of and came fro/ And Saturn answered to him and said sire how well I know not at what port I am arrived/ For as much as my heart judgeth me that ye be courteous of your nature/ I will he'll ner cover no thing touching your inquest/ I was late King of Crete named Saturn/ now I ●e am but Saturn/ for my son hath put me out sorrowfully that of all my riches of all my people and of all my goods temporals me is not left but this only ship that ye may see/ wherefore I pray you and require that it please you to address me to some lord of this country/ to the end that I may require licence and congee to enter in to his lordship and to take that/ That shall be necessary competently to the life of me and of my fellowship etc..  
then King troos heard the case of Saturn comprised in brief words he said to him by compassion/ King Saturn ye be well come in to the house of troyes/ In truth I have great annoyance in me
              self of your first annoyance for your glorious renomee and for the goodness that is in you. as oft times I have heard recounted but with this annoyance two things gladdeth and joyeth mine heart/ that one descending of th'accomplishment of desire/ for I have desired many days for to see you/ and this desire is now accomplished in me/ and that other proceedeth of hope. and in this party I say to you that I King of this country have intention to comfort and to council you to my power and also to give you so good aid that ye shall correct your son and shall punish his person in such wise as it shall appertain for his offence/ Saturn began to sigh and to take a little comfort of the great proffer and good cheer that the King troos made to him/ and he thanked him of so high and ample offers/ and at the going out of his ship he beclipped him in his arms and kissed his hand/ What shall I say the King troos brought him in his palace with all his men and feasted them as it appertained for the love of Saturn/ In like wise the people being advertised of Saturn that it was he that found the manner of labouring of the earth of melting of metals & of sailing and rowing by the sea made so great and plain feast at his coming that they could no more do at that time/ during this feasting when Saturn felt him in the grace of the Trojans/ On a day he called the King troos and his two sons/ and addressed his words saying/ lords of Troy ye have done so much for me/ that I may never deserve it/ for as I have said to you. my son is enhanced and lift up above me/ And hath taken from me my royalme. I require you as much as I may that ye will council me what thing is most convenient to me/ And how I shall suffer and bear the injury done to me etc..  
My brother answered the King troos/ This is against nature to a son/ himself to rebel against his father/ the sin and chrism is foul and worthy of reprehension/ For every son is bounden by all laws to serve. Worship. Dread and obey his father/ And it is no reason that any man should approve or hold with a son disobeisant/ your son is of this condition cursed and right evil// And I am of th'opinion that ye shall not acquit you well/ but if ye to your power to mastery & overcome his evil manners/ And to the end that ye shall not excuse your evident harms and losses/ when ye will I shall deliver you my son Ganymedes accompanied with xx thousand Trojans that shall succour you. Unto the death Or they shall set you again in your royal tribunal Saturn was all as recomforted when he knew the love that the King Troos showed to him/ And after many thankings took conclusion that he would return in to crete with Ganymedes/ And would begin again the piteous war of him and of his son/ And following this conclusion from then forth on/ he did do appoint the shipping of Troy/:. the shipping of Troy/ and all things appertaining/ and gathered together men of arms with great puissance by the Introduction of Ganymedes/ and when all th'assembly had mustered and were gathered together/ he took leave of the King troos and of Ilion/ and went to the sea and shipped all his main and knowing the situations of the countries by the seas/ he addressed his host in to the sea of Aegea/ where as was Aegeus son of tytan the great pirate which durst not have to do with them in no wise/ and fro this see of Aegea/ he did so much by diverse journeys that he came and arrived at the first port and haven of crete.   

¶ How Saturn by the aid of Ganymedes and of the Trojans returned in to crete to fight against Jupiter/ where he was overcome and vanquished and Ganymedes taken.  
AT that our that Saturn arrived in crete the sun was turned in to the west and on the heaven began to appear the stars. saturn knew the port/ and took land hoping to enter the country secretly and went a little weigh/ and there lodged his people in a place convenient and did them rest/ eat and drink by the space of five ours/ and then he awoke the host and made the Trojans arm them and enter in to the royalme but they were not far gone/ but anon after the sun rising & approaching a straight passage the espies and scourers came unto Saturn and Ganymedes hastily/ and told them that they had seen the King Jupiter right strongly accompanied which kept the passage/ upon this paas it is to weet that when Jupiter was departed fro danes and fro the tour darrain and was come in to Crete and desiring to accomplish his promise anent danes/ he did do Assemble his men of war/ concluding in himself that faithfully he would go fetch the fair danes And bring her unto his country by force of arms. what shall I say more/ his army was all ready/ And came the same night where on the morn he hoped to have departed/ but as he was in his bed that night in his city of Parthemy tidings came to him of the arriving of the Troyans'/ wherefore he was constrained by force to change his purpose/ whereof he was right sorry and passing heavy marvelously/ This notwithstanding suddenly as these tidings were freshly brought unto him/ he arose And took his men of arms that he had assembled/ And hastily brought them unto the straight whereof above is written/ And there abode his enemies as wise and well advised. And it is not to be forgotten that in this army among his men was the King of mollose which had late founden the industry and craft to tame and break horses for to be riden. And to ride them/ And was come he and his men for to serve the King Jupiter for his good renomee accompanied of an hundred men that ran as the wind. And for this cause they were called centaurs/ And these centaurs were also terrible and cruel that they ne doubted the puissance of King ne of non other what some ever they were.  
FOr then to return to the matter entamed/ when Saturn knew that the passage was kept and that Jupiter was then advertised of his coming he did do tarry his host & said unto them/ my children it behoveth that this morning/ ye so do in crete your devoir/ not only in mustering and showing your courages/ but above that/ that ye be redoubted and dread like the thunder/ assure yourself of our quarrel Jupiter mine enemy is here where he abideth our coming to the battle ordained/ if we will come to the above of our enterprise/ it is need that we draw thither/ see what ye will say/ then thus answered Ganymedes we been comen in to crete for to correct your son/ and to set you again in your siege. we shall do that we may do by our power and furnish and fight freely without doubtance or fear/ and unto the end that no reproach be imposed unto us. I shall send & someone your son first or any sword be drawn or struck smitten to th'end that he yield him unto your obeisance And that he come and amend his misdeeds/ and then Ganymedes did do come his Trojans by consent of Saturn & set them in ordinance of battle/ and when he had so done he sent one of his ancient knights a noble man unto Jupiter and gave him charge to make the summation such as is said to fore/ The Trojan departed from the host at commandment of Ganymedes/ and did so much that he was presented tofore Jupiter and said to him/ Jupiter thou oughtest know/ that every son oweth obeisance unto his father. thou dost contrary to these things and showest that thou art not son of a King/ but of perdition. For thou despisest thy father. In stead of reverence thou hast him in hate/ and thou makest him war where thou shouldest hold him in love/ and thou puttest him to great dishonour and thyself where thou art hold and bounden to do him worship/ O Jupiter who shall give the absolution of thy life dwelling in venom/ who shall excuse thy sin/ Thou art enemy of thy father/ the case is so grievous that their is no mercy ne excusation/ but if it depart fro the natural clemence of thy father/ behold Jupiter behold the end of thine insurrection/ Alle law positive And all law written condemn the unto the death And curse and anathematize thee/ it is great pity thou art a goodly young man/ know that thy reign may not long dure/ And that thou shalt more shortly be punished than thou weenest peradventure at this time For Ganymede one of the 'sons of Troy is here by in the help of Saturn thy father with. twenty thousand. fighting men which so meaneth the by me that thou return in to the mercy of thy father And yield him his royalme all excusations set a part.  
Messenger answered Jupiter/ if I were suchon as ye say/ with just reason ye and other might give sentences and condemnations upon me/ me aught here both parti●e. And I trow if Ganymede of whom ye have spoken/ had heard mine excuse he would not be mine enemy. I answer you that I love my father Saturn in as much as he is my father. But I say you on that other part/ that he hath often times willed to put me to death he showing himself my mortal adversary and no thing father. For every father naturally loveth his son. And After that regard I shall keep me from him as from mine enemy/ And will well that the Troyans' know if they come and assail me that I shall defend me with all my puissance etc..  
WIth this answer returned the said Trojan unto Saturn and Ganymedes and said unto them what he had founden/ Saturn and Ganymedes swore then the death of Jupiter/ and approached so nigh the straight that they came with in bow shot that one nigh unto the other/ and fro as far as they saw echon other they made great cries & shouts Jupiter had set his puissance in two wings/ whereof he was chief in the formest/ and Ixion & his centaurs were governors of the second/ when Jupiter had seen that there was no weigh but for to meddle he said he would begin the battle/ and after that he had encouraged his people/ he pricked his horse forth/ and then happened and befell a marvelous thing/ For from the high clouds above came down an eagle upon his head/ and after began to flee about him making him feast and cheer/ and not departed ner left him during the battle.  
BY the fleeing of this eagle Jupiter and his people took in them an hope of good adventure. And Saturn and the Trojans fill in a fear and doubt that could not come out of their conceits/ what shall I say more when Jupiter saw the conduit of the eagle he had a great joy in his heart/ and as a man well assured in his body/ he entered among th'archers of the Trojans that shot thick on him/ and running as tempest passed by their arrows/ and tarried not for resistance of shot till he came among the men of arms of the Trojans.  
THe Trojans had never seen man on horse back to fore/ and when they saw Jupiter/ they had went he had been half man and half horse/ and there were some that fled his coming and some abode and fought valiantly against him then began the battle of that day They of Crete followed Jupiter with great noise of tabors trumps and clarions And began to meddle with the Trojans/ they did her devoirs on both sides Jupiter bore to the ground many Troyans' And well employed his horse on which he road/ Ganymedes and Saturn on that other side failed not/ alway Jupiter proved himself in arms the as most expert above all other/ And abandoned his body and life unto fiercety of his enemies and there was no man that durst have to do with him or abide him But he was slain and put under foot by the trenching and smiting of his sword  
Cruel and fires was this battle. the Troyans' were without fear And did great prowesses and manly by the conduit of Saturn And of Ganymedes Saturn met Jupiter often times as he that sought great strokes but Jupiter that knew him well/ would never abide him/ saying that he would never set hand on his person/ but fled his death unto his powers This notwithstanding he sought the death of his helpers And made no sparing of their harness ne arms of leather/ of their heads ne of their lives of young ne of old of valiant ne of hardy/ it was to him all one he bowed neither to one side ner to other for stroke of glaive/ of mace ne of gisarme/ he had oft remembrance of the fair danes/ And desiring to be quit of his enemies for to intend her deliverance like as he had promised unto her. He smote of heeds and arms. Unto him was nothing impossible At every At every struck he died his glaive with new blood and the eagle flaw alway about him now low now high/ whereof the Trojans had great despite in himself etc..  
Ganymedes the noble Trojan was of little stature/ alway notwithstanding he was of more greater courage than any other/ and vigorously he fought again them of crete/ as he that intended nothing but to get worship and honour/ what shall I say they fought thus together in this point from the morrow till even/ without that any of both parties obtained any winning or loss/ and then Saturn withdrew his people on that one side. And Jupiter returned with the King Ixion and the centaurs/ and yet followed him alleweyd the eagle▪ and sat upon his tent/ which was made of bows and green rushes/ for at that time tents & pavilions of cloyth were not had ne used/ how be it the making of linen cloth/ and of cloth of gold and of silk was founden afore this time In this night they of Troy and they of crete made great cheer in their tents and lodges And disposed them to begin again on the morn the labour of arms/ hoping all to have the better and victory/ the hurt men were dressed and the harness broken was made again and amended/ they spoke enough of the prowesses of one & other/ but sovereignly they held their devices of the eagle/ and spoke so much of him that Jupiter that same night took a piece of crimson satin containing a yard and an half square/ and made therein the remembrance of an eagle of gold and set it on a spear and made a banner/ saying that he would bear that banner in all battles ever after. And that he understood by the eagle that it was a token to him that he should abide victorious of his enemies And that he should be sovereign King of Crete like as the eagle is King of all fowls.   

¶ How Jupiter discomfited again King Saturn in battle and how Saturn was put to flight by see.  
such were the devices of King Jupiter in this night/ the which he passed the most joyously that he could/ And visited the hurt men and comforted them And concluded with ixion that the day following the centaurs should have the battle And they that had fought the day afore should rest them. After this he slept on the green And rested him unto the time that the centaurs put them in array And went to horse back And so did Jupiter for he had liefer died than have been idle At this time Saturn slept not/ ner was no more lachesse found in him and Ganymede than was in Jupiter/ they were sure that they should be met with all and assailed of their enemies again. They adubbed & arrayed them the best wise they could And about the sun rising they ranged and went unto the host of Jupiter/ encouraging each other to smite and fight and assail their mortal enemies hardily for to avenge the blood of their fellows that were dead in the battle the day before.  
FOr to make short/ then the Troyans' were strongly achafed by appetite of vengeance/ And were the first on the field/ whereof they had great joy in her hearts And made a right great cry But this joy was anon unto them abashed and done. For suddenly as Jupiter and the centaurs heard their cry they took the banner with the eagle of gold their spears and their shields/ and with a joyous son of trumps clarions and tabors pricked forth their horse which redounded in to the air and reiming as they that held not of heaven ne of earth upon their enemies began to fight/ certes when the Trojans saw the centaurs mounted on horseback running as the wind they were so afeard and afraid that they had wend never to have seen light day/ how well they took courage and abode them/ and the centaurs fought so mightily among them that each one of them bare to the earth a Trojan with the point of his spear and among other Ganymedes was born down to the earth among them/ and some were hurt a part and some relieved of hurting/ and some without hurt/ when Ganymedes felt himself among the horse feet/ he was in his heart terrible angry/ and said that he would be shortly avenged/ anon he arose lightly and took his sword and seeing the centaur that had smitten him down doing marvelous arms among a great main of his folk/ that mightily withstood his unmeasurable strokes/ he gave unto him so great a struck as he was leaning on the right side to have smitten a Trojan that he gaf him a great wound/ by which he was so astonied that he drew him down of his horse/ and he himself leap up in to the sadel/ This centaur was named Aeson and was young & was afterward father of Jason that conquered the golden flees/ when then he had received the struck that Ganymedes had given him he made a cry so great that ten centaurs came running And defended him fro the press And casting down one and other beat down the Trojans And cast them down. And sparpled their blood that all the place was died red/ And that they fond Aeson and Ganymede that one nigh that other And seeing Ganymede that he approved himself to conduit and govern his horse And seeing their fellow put down from his horse/ they were passingly surprised with great ire/ And by mortal ire they escried Ganymede unto death the Trojans approached/ they being there fought manly again the centaurs And the centaurs casting and smiting on Ganymede the Trojans did their power to defend him And put himself in jeopard of death for him For many of them were slain And many that were sore hurt.  
THese centaurs were strong huge great and loathly/ the Trojans had more of courage than of body In this place Ganymede showed enough of prowess And of valour And well defended him awhile But in the end Fortune was to him adverse in such wise that after he had suffered many assault And that he had seen put and cast to ground more then a thousand Trojans/ he beheld that other side and saw Saturn torn at plain discomfiture After he saw that his Trojans let him to be put aback and to be put to death without turning or fighting again And all break/ And turn the back/ Also them that were about him gave it up and fled/ And then knowing this discomfiture that he had no remedy ner recoverance. And that he alone might not bear ne abide the battle put himself to flight/ and fled after the other and sustained as well as he might the pursuit that the centaurs made upon his men/ and in the end he guided them unto the port where their shipping was.  
SAturne then all dyspayed entered in to his ship with great loss of Trojans/ and Ganymedes entered in to an other/ right angry and so displeasant that I can not rehearse/ at the entry of the ships/ oon party of the Trojans that were left were perished in the sea/ another party perished by sword and that other took shipping// Jupiter and Ixion thanked their gods greatly of this victory/ and concluded together that they would yet pursue their enemies by the sea. for as much as they were yet great in number And Ixion said that it was expedient to bring them to plain utterance for as much as they had fortune with them/ and to the end that they should never reassemble against them/ Jupiter accorded this pursuit greatly annoyed for him seemed that he tarried to long/ And yet should tarry more if he entered in to the sea/ that he might not be with danes at the day that he had promised her/ This not withstanding hoping alway to excuse him unto her he made him ready hastily to go to the pursuit of his enemies and sent for his mariners and after went in to a temple that was there by dedified unto the god Mars.   

¶ How Jupiter after he had sacrified the eagle pursued the Trojans and of the strong battle that he had against Ganymedes.  
IVpiter was not so soon in the temple but the eagle entered also and set him on the altar. when Jupiter saw that/ after many thoughts he took the eagle and made sacrifice And anon after came tidings that his mariners were ready then he went out of the temple and recommended him unto god Mars and came to his mariners that had made all thing ready/ And so went to see accompanied wit● the centaurs And of two thousand. of his men of Crete And sailed after his enemies that he desired/ For the Trojans fled of force and made all the sail they could/ In these two days Jupiter often times wished him with the fair danes/ And thought that his long tarrying should be noyous unto her/ when then the two days were passed/ the day following at three of the clock/ they of crete and they of Troy began to meet to guiders upon the sea They of Troy were in great sorrow/ and they of crete in great joy/ At this time Saturn was not with the Trojans as he that durst not return with them for his shame that was befall and was all discomfit in himself and in despair. And passed by the wawes of the sea drawing in to the East/ when Ganymedes had espied the ships of Crete fro far/ he had supposed first that it had be Saturn. And tarried a while at Avere. but in process of time when Ganymedes saw the ships coming by great force near/ And saw the banner of King Jupiter appear/ by which he understood verily that it was Jupiter and his enemies And no thing Saturn that he abode.  
When was Ganymedes sore troubled & called his fellowship & showed them the banner with the golden eagle And asked them what was best to do They answered to him and said that Saturne had abandoned them and given it over/ and that they aught not to abide and tarry/ but only every man to save himself/ Ganymedes would fain abiden the battle/ for to prove/ if they were as fortunate & happy on the sea as they were a land/ but when he knew the will of the Trojans// that desired nothing but rest/ made to draw up anchors and sail forth fleeing and withdrawing from them of crete also much as in them was possible/ Jupiter and his centaurs then seeing the Trojans lying at anchor/ began to array and dub them with their harness/ and when they saw their enemies take up their anchors/ they began to shout and follow/ the pursuit was strong and dured three days and three nights/ and in the morning of the fourth day/ Ganymedes and his fellows espied land/ and that was Troy that they saw/ they drew to the port with great joy/ that soon was intermeddled with sorrow/ For when they had taken land they beheld and saw that their enemies followeden them and came to the port all arrayed and ready to battle/ This shame and loss smote unto the heart of Ganymedes in such fashion/ that he escried and said in this wise unto his men.  
My brethren and my fellows fortune hath done to us a grace/ by which we been brought and conduct hither/ But this grace is to us little profit as we may plainly conceive/ lo here is the King Jupiter which hath done to us so great shame as for to chasse us unto our owen territory/ and what shame shall be to him that will now flee/ and more over who is he that now will not hold the bridle by the teeth/ Now behoveth not to flee/ But now it behoveth to fight. this is force and necessity for to venge his losses and his blood and for to recover worship. We been in our owen country/ if we avenge us not. we shall torn in to perpetual dishonour For socours we may not fail/ For now the Trojans been upon the walls And gone up on the high Edifices of the city. that behold our landing. And some there be that make them ready to well come us. And who that now is not well couraged. never far he well/ let every man enforce the virtue of his strength/ For as for me. for to be hewn in pieces I shall no more flee. I pray you that ye take courage and abide with me.  
TWo things happened whiles he spoke and showed these remonstrances unto his fellows. the Trojans were advertised of the coming of their men. And of the descending and landing of their adversaries/ And disposed them to resist and withstand them/ And Jupiter and his men approached the port/ And with that Ganymede left warning his fellows And ran unto the port holding in his hand a strong spear/ his fellows took exemple in his right high courage and followed him/ then began the both parties to make their cries that went up in to the air. Jupiter and his centaurs enforced them to take land/ Ganymedes and the Trojans enforced them to defend and to put them fro the land/ great and sore strokes were given/ Many of them were perished in the sea/ And Many there were that her blood was shed on the land/ But Jupiter that had no fellow in the place gate land in a little space. and sustained the feats of the skirmish by help of some of the centaurs/ that he made Ganymedes to resort aback to his fellowship/ and so exploited by the hewing of his trenchant sword that he made all his men to take land/ and had lightly put Ganymedes and his men to outrance. If out of troyes ne had comen out the King Troos and Ilion with a great multitude of people that ran unto the rescue and help of the valiant Ganymedes/ that for to save his men offered and put his body to impossible travail and labour.  
THe King troos and Ilion then made their course out of Troy in right fair ordinance/ and exposed them to bear party of the travail of their blood/ Jupiter with Ixion and the centaurs let then them that he esteemed vanquished and overcome And addressed them against King troos and Ilion and them that followed them/ how well that they had been feebled by the air and being on the sea which little prou●●ited them. the centaurs were great & huge/ and strong as elephants hard as lions and eager as tigers at this time the weather was fair and clear the sun shone fair when they began to meddle/ it was a fair thing to see the recounters/ and a good noise to here the cries/ there was many a spear truncheoned. and many an arrow shot and many a staff and guys arm broken/ helms enough frushed and many skins of lions bears and horses smitten and torn in to pieces/ This tros and Ilion were right asper and fires in the rescous of Ganymedes/ Jupiter and Ixion were valiant and desirous to get honour And so fought and smote on the Trojans on the right side and on the left side that afore them was no resistance ne ray holden etc..  
THe banner of the eagle of gold was alway in the most strength of the battle// the King Troos that had never seen banner used in battle was greatly marveled what it should signify. And oft times he hardied himself to fight again them that held it/ And would fain have put it down and smitten it in to pieces/ But alway he found there so great strokes and so well set/ that he was fain to go as far back as he came nigh/ he was valiant of his body And well knew the craft of war/ Jupiter approved him many times and fought with him in many places/ And noted him in his mind for a notable man/ there was in him no fear ne dread ne also in his sons Ilion and Ganymede they yielded unto arms the devoirs/ They did worship to their bodies And to their puissance/ without end they wrought and fought with their enemies making their glaives red in the blood of the Trojans/ they followed with great force in such wise that they fought all that day otherwhile afore and sometime behind. And it was so in the end that when the sun began to go down Ganymedes thinking on his great loss and desiring to recoveer his worship/ took a terrible and mighty Axe and inflamed of right noble courage fought on the banner of the eagle of gold where was the most strength & smote down on that one side & other so dismeasurably that his axe changed lightly colour and cried with an high wis troyes troyes.  
IVpiter had all way an eye on the banner/ when he heard the cry of Ganymedes and saw his exploit he knew him/ ● whereof he had great joy/ for he sought no man but him/ he gave over the place where he was in and joyously addressed him unto him and said. O valiant Trojan thou hast showed thy prowess all this day/ And now thou manifestest and showest thyself by great feats of arms and of great bruit/ Thou art only he that I seek among the valiants of Troy/ Not only that I presume me more valiant in arms than thou/ but for as much as thou art he that haste assailed crete/ and that I have pursued the hither/ Thou hast assailed and fought with me/ puissance against puissance and now let us fight body against body/ and he take it that may get it.  
Ganymedes with this word lift up his axe. and casting his eyen on Jupiter and of that he had heard made him this answer/ Happy and ●wreus King of crete I know now that thou art worthy to have grace of fortune and that thou art more wise than strong/ Thou seest that fortune is with the/ nevertheless thou enhancest not thyself above me I allow and praise them as much as thou dost worship and honour to thine enemy and dispraise him not/ but imaginest that he hath courage at his heart/ knew thou that thou dost thyself honour and worship/ For for to misprize and blame another man/ no man aught to advance himself/ I would that it pleased the gods that thy father Saturn which is beleft on the sea were now here/ for it is mine intent that by his help we should have reason of the And I shall come there to if it be to me possible/ for I should be recovered of all my hurts & losses if I might adaunt and overcome the/ And without more words Ganymede late flee his axe and smote on Jupiter/ Jupiter covered him with his shield/ which was smitten in two pieces by the cutting of his axe/ And then Jupiter inverted himself ● that all that day had sustained and spared the poise and the feats of arms. And commanded his folk that they should let him alone with Ganymede for as much as he was alone/ In this place he approved himself against the Axe of Ganymede/ and employing the steel of his sword the most best wise that in him was possible.  
THus began the battle of the two champions of Crete and of Troy they were both right expert to do the feat of arms their cries were high and fires/ they smote each other fiercely and eagerly/ the fire sprang out of their helms by the might of their strokes/ but when fortune was on the party of Jupiter/ What might Ganymede do. His strokes were great And gave unto Ganymede many wounds/ And in deed he took from him his axe by the mean of a great wound that he had in the right arm/ And might have put him to death if he had would. But for to make short process/ when he had taken his weepen from him he had pity of him And saved his life/ And did do take him to four him to four centaurs. and anon after it began wax dark/ for the night took from the day his light/ wherefore it behoved them to take rest and leave the feet of arms/ And so the Trojans withdrew them in to their city and they of crete unto the port of the sea.   

¶ How the King troos and Ilion his son made great sorrow for Ganymedes for they wist not where he was becomen/ And how Jupiter went to the sea for to go to Argos.  
When troos and Ilion were withdrawn/ they abode at gate unto the time that all the Trojans were comen again in to the city/ as they that knew not where Ganymedes was becomen/ whom they sore desired for to have founden/ all they that were in the battle of Trojans were entered And there was no man that could tell the King tros where his son Ganymedes was/ or whether he was a live or dead/ And when he saw that he had no more men left in the field he returned in to his palace sorrowing & greatly annoyed/ and sent for them that were comen again fro crete/ And inquired of them of all the tidings. And what they had done with his son/ As touching his son they answered that in the evening he was in the press among his enemies but they wist not what was comen of him/ And as touching of the tidings of crete they told him/ how they had sped in their journey against them and how the eagle appeared unto Jupiter/ And how they were overcomen by the strength of the centaurs/ And how they wist not where Saturn was becomen.  
THese tidings gave unto the King troos sorrow upon sorrow and to Ilion also. And the tears fill down fro their eyes/ And in especial Ilion wept sore bewailing his brother in this manner. Alas my brother alas Ganymedes/ where is beleft the glory of troyes by the malheureux & unhappy Saturn/ which hath failed them thy need At the left if thou hadst comen again we together should have put us in devoir to have avenged thy loss. we should have assayed our bodies by fraternal love for to have recovered thine honour/ how is it Art thou perished by apparel what hard doleance and sorrow is the befall/ for to say all/ thy misadventure and mishap is to prejudiciable unto the house of Troy/ Ilium fair son answered Troos for one adversity it behoveth not to be abashed in the war for none adventure but to have ferme courage/ war giveth this day victory to one and on the morn taketh it away and giveth it to another Andrea so putteth each out. A virtuous and a manly man unto his singular death aught not to be effrayed/ if Ganymede be dead in the battle or if he be taken/ what remedy/ it is then expedient either to avenge his death or to succour him. but our enemies been in little number/ we shall to morn fight with them again And let the gods do their wills of us/ And I shall not discourage me otherwise.  
A lion And the nobles of Troy comforted them in the words of King Troos/ and confirmed his will for to go on the morn to assail their enemies/ whiles these things were in comening in the city/ Jupiter was in the field and made great cheer with Ixion and the centaurs and being set at supper upon the ground all about a great stone. Jupiter sent for to fetch Ganymedes/ And made him to soup with them. Ganymedes was sore moved and had in his heart great trouble/ how well he took lightly refection with them/ For he felt right great ache and smart in his wounds/ And there recommended Jupiter him saying that he was the valiantst man that ever was seen among the most valiantst of Troy's// and for as much as he is in my mercy/ and that it is he/ that late with my father descended in crete/ where he had gladly planted his name in worship if fortune would have suffered him I shall no more war tofore troyes/ but I/ shall enter again to morn in to the sea/ and I will go and put in execution a thing that lieth me now sore at the heart/ And will well that ye know that I have intention to go unto the royalme of Argos unto the tower of darrain/ for to deliver according to my promise out of the same tower the fair danes/ whom the King Acrisius holdeth fast shut in without any reason/ This conclusion pleased to King Ixion and to the centaurs for as much as they had heard spoken of the strength of the tower darrain/ And they thought well that the Argians might not hold again their strength/ when then they had eaten/ they entered in to their ships/ And thought among other things on the wounds of them that were hurt// and also of Ganymedes// and then afterward they layed them down on the straw to sleep & about two ours tofore day they disanchored them & departed so secretly that the Trojan had no knowledge thereof And on the morn betimes when King tros and Ilion issued out of troyes to battle ranged in good ordinance they found no man to have a do with all/ ner they could not see ner perceive their enemies on no cost of the sea/ they had so far sailed fro the port by that time that they were out of sight Thus they had great sorrow marvelously/ And came unto the place where the battle had been and buried the dead men/ but now I will tarry of them and of Jupiter And will return unto the history of danes.   

¶ How the King acrisius when he saw his daughter danes great with child he sent her in to exile and put her in a little vessel in the sea at the adventure of fortune etc.  
THe noble damosel danes abode with child of the seed of Jupiter as it is said tofore After that Jupiter was returned in to his country she abode passing long in hoop that he should return to by strength of people and should lead her in to his royalme as he unto her had promised/ In this hope she mounted oft times unto the high windows of the tour/ And casting her eyen now hither and now thither upon the mountains ways and streets for to await if he came or might see his men of arms and his people of war/ And without end she had alway her ears open to hearken if she might here the trumps tabors or clarions/ This hope dured long unto the last day that Jupiter had promised & sore she complained in this time his abiding & said unto herself that he would come/ but But certes when even was comen of the day that he had set/ and he was not comen ner heard no tiding of him/ And when she saw that he came not/ and that the fruit of her belly appeared she went down fro the window of the high tour/ And all ravished of despair. Entered alone in to her chamber/ And there she began to behold her belly/ and said a power belly I may no longer hide the/ I have covered the unto this time hoping the coming of Jupiter/ the day is come and passed that he should have comen/ there is no tiding of him. Alas and he hath also forgotten me. where art thou Jupiter. Art thou dead or a live. If thou be dead speak to me in spirit in excusing the of thy default/ tell me what I shall do with thy seed. And if thou be a live what right evil adventure holdeth the/ art thou weary of me. of danes of her that thou enforcest by raining gold. of her that thou so much desiredest. Alas thou promisest me thy love and gavest it unto me And I received the gift in good// and gave unto the mine heart in like case and yet more than thou weenest. And what shall this be Jupiter my love and friend. art thou of the nature of false men as hypocrites that pain them to deceive pour women and let them in dishonour Alas thou art one verily/ thou haste brought me in perdurable shame and hast abandoned and given me over. O malheureux man. O false liar be thou cursed with thy richesses/ And accursed be the our that ever I saw the// I am ever by the put to shame/ And by the mine end approacheth I may no longer hide thy works. where shall my child become/ every man shall see and know my trespass. Alas my father shall put me to death I may not fail of it/ for as for death it shall not grieve/ save for the fruit that I bear/ yet shall I keep it as well as myself at all adventure come what may come thereof etc..  
IN these and semblable words danes passed over this night without sleeping or rest/ fro then forth on she began to be all melancholious. And took this so sore to heart that she fill in to a right grievous malady when the maidens that no thing knew of this case saw her so evil disposed/ they signified it unto the King Acrisius/ And then came the King to visit his daughter/ And betook her unto the Cure of his physicians and medicines And demanded them what malady she had/ They answered him in the presence of danes that she was great with child/ and that in short time she should be delivered/ Danes answered that they failed to say the truth/ And that she had never known man And denied her case as much as in her was possible hoping alway to live. For she knew well that her father would damn her to death/ if he knew that she were with child/ and of this all the maidens of the house strived against the masters saying that they had well and surely kept the tower that no man save the King had spoken to her/ but if he were come invisible/ since that they had received her in to her governance. Whereof the King was greatly abashed and sore wondered.  
When the King heard these debates and saw the state of his daughter he was sore troubled. For by experience he saw well And seemed that danes was with child/ he trowed and believed better the physicians/ than the excusations of the maidens and of his daughter/ And for to know the truth he sent all the maidens of the place in to prison to Argos/ and betook danes in keeping to other women/ And commanded them upon pain of death that they should tell him if she were or happened to be delivered of child or nay with in certain time/ when danes saw her in these terms she began to fall in to weeping/ the King accrisius fro this day forth came every day to know how she did/ she wept without ceasing/ she spoke not but unto her heart/ And she bewailed her love and complained on fortune sorrowfully/ But when she had laboured long in these weepings and that her fair eyen were made great and red about xx days to fore the time of her childing she began remember the cause why she was put in to the tour/ And that the gods had prenosticked that she should have a son that should be King of Argos in this remembrance she was comforted a little/ and when the time came of ix months she brought forth a passing fair son which the Ladies and women received and named him persons/ And after that signified it unto the King/ but at birth of this child she excused and put out of blame all the damosels/ and said that they were all Innocentes of her case.  
Anon then as the King acrisius knew the verity of his daughter/ And that she had a fair son/ he had in his heart more of sorrow than of joy/ And condemned her to death in deed. and commanded to two of his mariners. that they should take the mother & her child And put them in a little boot them both alone And that they should carry them far in to the high see/ that after should never man see them ner have knowledge of them/ The mariners durst not refuse the commandment of the King/ But by his commandment they went unto the tower darrain and took danes & her son perseus And said unto the damosel all that/ that they had charge to do/ praying her humbly that she would pardon them/ and this was about midnight when danes understood that she should be cast in to the sea & her son with her/ she had hope for to escape fro this peril by the mean of the fortune of her son/ this notwithstanding the tre●es ran down from her eyen And weeping tenderly she took leave of the Ladies & damosels that had her in keeping/ And let her be carried upon the sea making complaint & piteous bewailings  
When the mariners had brought her upon the sea they left her in a little boot & put in her lap perseus her fair son/ And as hastily as they might they conduit her in to the high see without meet or drink & without steer or governail & gave her over to all winds/ then was there many a tear wept among the mariners & danes & perseus the young child the mariners bewailed by very compassion that they had to see such a damosel abandoned to peril of death danes wept in conceiving the rigour of her father/ and the fault that Jupiter had done to her/ and also for the peril which she might not resist/ and Perseus wept for the blowing of the wind and for the gross air of the sea/ that his tenderness might not well suffer to endure In this fashion the mariners returned to Argos/ and the right discomforted damosel danes went forth upon the wawes of the sea at the gree and will of the winds/ the wawes were right fearful & left them in to the air as mountains the winds blew by great storms/ the little boot was born and cast upon the wawes/ And often times danes went and supposed to have perished/ but she had alway hope in fortune. And so well it happened that in this adversity she was cast in to the sea of Apulia or naples/ And there she was founden by adventure of a fisher/ that for pity and charity took her in to his ship and her son and brought her a land for as much as it was great need.  
AT this time the noble danes was as a dead body And half gone/ when the mariner had brought her a land she took a ring of gold that she bore on her finger and gave it to the good man praying him that he would bring her in to some house where she might warm and chafe her with her child for he was nigh dead for cold and was all in a trance. The mariner took the gold ring & brought the damosel and the little child in to his house/ and made to them a good fire and brought them meet and drink/ as soon as perseus felt the air of the fire his heart came to him again and began to laugh on his mother/ when she saw that/ all her sorrows turned to naught & she took hope to her fortune she adubbed and arrayed her son her colour came again she eat and drank. what shall I say the fisher beheld her/ and then seeing in her so much beauty that like to her he saw never noon/ he went him unto the court of the King of naples/ and told him his adventure/ preising so certainly her beauty that the King sent hastily for to fetch her/ This King was named pilonnus and was son to the ancient Jupiter/ And when danes was come to fore him suddenly he wax Amorous of her. And demanded her name/ her country and the cause why that she was adventured on the sea/ At beginning she excused herself of all these things to tell/ And began to weep/ when the King saw that he comforted her and said to her that he would take her to his wife for her beauty/ And spoke so fair to her and so graciously. That she told him all her life/ how she was daughter of ●he King Acrisius/ and how she was shut in the tower And how Jupiter had deceived her/ and how her father had put her in the sea/ what shall I say more/ when the King Pylonus heard all these fortunes of the damosel/ he had pity of her And wedded her with great honour And did do nourish perseus/ And gate on her a son which was named danus/ but of this matter I will tarry and torn again to the history of Jupiter etc..   

¶ How Jupiter returning fro troyes by see encountered the great thief Aegea which he fought with and over came and of the tidings that he had of danes whereof he was passing sorrowful.  
When Jupiter was departed fro troyes as afore is said he made his mariners to sail and row with all diligence for to withdraw fro the port And for to approach crete/ for he knew well that the time of his promise made to danes was expired And that displeased him greatly that he might not amend it his mariners then did all that they could do by the space of a day natural but that day past/ there rose a tempest in the sea so terrible and out of measure that it bare many ships with their apparel under water broke their sterns and helms/ and drowned all the ships reserved only that ship where Jupiter was in/ wherefore he wept outrageously/ this tempest dured two days and two nights/ they saw not that time on the heaven sun ne moan ne stars// Jupiter and they that were with him wend never better have died how well they escaped the death. And took land on the third day when the tempest was ceasedd no thing in crete ner in the sea of Europe. But in the ocean so far that they knew not the language of them that inhabited the port where they came to anchor.  
When Jupiter and his people saw the diversity of the people dwelling in this port and their manner of living they knew that they were far from their region and then was Jupiter discomforted in such wise/ that he wished that he had not be there ner come on the sea for as much as he knew well that he might not accomplish his promise made unto danes his love/ he made many great bewailings touching this matter and more than I can say/ And also complained his men that he had lost in the storm and torment as well as he complained the default of his promise/ how well when his fellows that is to weet Ixion and the centaurs and Ganymedes had refreshed them and victualed them and had well put all things in point and had taken all things necessary for their ship/ they disanchored and departed fro this port and took their way in to the East/ And so exploited day by day and month upon month that they entered in to the sea Aegea/ but they had not long sailed when Aegea the great thief and robber. Which held at his will all this see/ disanchored fro the port of the isle of desert/ And accompanied with six galleys and with a thousand men of arms came tofore Jupiter appareling them to battle in intention for to have destroyed them.  
When Jupiter and the centaurs saw the conduit of the thief/ they knew lightly that they might not fail of battle/ And saying each to other that they should defend them unto the death/ they had not long hold parliament among them but they garnished them with their arms and they displayed the banner with the eagle of gold And in the displaying they made a great joy as they had been in paradise At this time Ganymedes had his wound healed/ when he saw that each man adubbed him to fight safe he which was prisoner/ he came And kneeled down on his knees tofore Jupiter and required him right humbly that he would command to deliver him his harness for to help to his worship and also to defend his life promitting to do his true devoir/ Jupiter took up Ganymede when he saw him so meek himself/ And began to set his love on him in such wise that it endured unto the death/ And that more he made that his harness and arms were yolden to him/ saying that fro then forth they shall be brethren and fellows in arms and Ganymedes answered to him that he would alway abide and dwell his servant.  
Among these devices Aegea and his galleys aboarded the ship of Jupiter and escried them to death Aegea was in the front afore as captain/ Jupiter beheld him and knew him by his arms that he bore/ and yet ere any struck was smitten he escried him and said thief and very robber and pirate how darest thou escry to death him that made the tremble and i'll to fore him at the battle of Crete under the regard of his sword died and made red with the blood of the unhappy Titans/ behold and see me I am Jupiter the mortal enemy of all thy lineage/ Thou in like wise art mine enemy/ and now art come to battle against me/ it may be well said that we shall run each upon other by great felony And that this recounter shall be right damageable for the or for me/ And let the gods do their pleasure.  
When Aegea understood that Jupiter had said to him/ And that he was the destroyer of his lineage/ he had the heart so surmounted of ire and impatience that he could not answer one word And grinding with the teeth he began to smite so hard toward Jupiter/ that if the struck of the axe that he held had been addressed/ there had never be remedy of his life/ but Jupiter knew the feat of the war/ and when he saw the struck come/ he avoided it/ And hanced his glaive and charged it upon Aegea so surely that he could not avoid the struck that was so peisant/ That he was so astonied that he made him fall down upon the planks of the galley/ then made the pirates and thieves a great cry and fill upon Jupiter & his fellows Ganymedes held his axe in his hands and was not then idle/ he did and wrought valiantly after his puissance/ And so did the centaurs the skirmish was great/ And many were dead/ not of the party of Jupiter/ But of the party of the pirates/ And so laboured the centaurs that they died their galleys with the blood of their enemies/ And that the pirates how well they were ten against one could not ner might not abide to fore them etc..  
THus began the mortal battle of the pirates and of the centaurs/ when that one galley had fought as long as they might/ Another came on/ Thus Jupiter and Ganymedes had enough to do to fight/ And they failed not. for the more they smote the more displeasure had the pirates/ each of their strokes was the death of a pirate/ In process of time Aegea came a gain to the meddle dismayed and fulfilled with impatience/ he put him in press to fight in the most strength. All despaired to win all or to lose all. At this point the battle was so terrible and so mortal that all the galleys closed the ship of Jupiter. And smote on it/ but this was to her unhap and ill far for the most part of them were slain And then Ganymede and Jupiter entered in to the galley of King Aegea. where they fought so sore on that one side and that other of envy who should do best/ That of all them that were with in/ was not left one man but he was slain or cast in to the sea reserved only Aegea which Jupiter took with his hand & bond him with an hundred chains of iron etc..  
OF these chains of iron Aegea had Accustom for to bind his prisoners unto the time they had done his will/ when the pirates saw the mischief that ran upon them/ And that her master was overcomen and bounden with the chains that he was wont to torment his prisoners with all/ they intended to save themself/ And withdrew them from the ship of Jupiter/ saying that they had fought with all/ were no men but devils/ and that they were unhappy that came unto her hands// Jupiter had but one ship the pirates sparkled abroad one here & another there/ And when the centaurs saw that they said to Jupiter that it aught to suffice to have this victory and his enemy/ And that it was no need to make pursuit after the unhappy thieves/ Jupiter accorded the same and entered again in to his ship with Ganymedes and Aegea/ and after made his mariners to take her course again/ And alway he had in his memory danes/ it needeth not to make long devices of these bewailings and journeys & other adventures/ he was a year long sailing by the sea/ And in the end of the year he arrived in his royalme & there found four hundred horse which they of crete presented him to his byenvenue.  
THe Queen Juno his wife made him great cheer for she loved him with all her heart/ she feasted him and them that presented to him the horses/ And he put in prison Aegea/ And let Ganymedes go free where he would they loved then together ever after as two brethren/ when Jupiter had been there three days he took four hundred of his men of the most puissant/ And made them noble/ And after made them knights giving to each of them one of his horses. And taught them and informed them the feat of arms after the discipline of Ixion and of the centaurs And then when he had done this he assembled a thousand pietons or footmen and two hundred Archers. And in the company of them of the centaurs And of the knights he departed fro Crete fifteen days after his return/ And sent not for pluto ne for neptune And took his way unto the city of Argos in intention to have ravished the fair Danes/ But he had not far gone when he encountered and met one of the citizens of Argos a noble man And a worshipful that recounted and told to him all the life of Danes for as much as he demanded him tidings/ And assured him on his life that the King Acrisius had cast her on the sea/ For as much as she had brought forth a little son against his commandment.  
When Jupiter heard the case and the infortunne of Danes/ he began to sorrow and sigh sore. The sweet came in to his visage And the tears in to his eyen he called Ganymedes and Ixion And told them that his voyage was broken And that the King Acrisius had cast her in to the sea for whom he made this army/ Ganymedes and Ixion comforted him the best wise they could Andrea brought him again to Crete he held him there solitarily a while And say by his wife Juno/ And Juno and her aunt Ceres made him good cheer often times And so oft came Ceres that ones she asked the cause of his sorrow/ He beheld the beauty of her/ And that she was alone did so did so much to her that he had to do with her/ and knew her fleshly/ and that she conceived of his seed a daughter/ and after he determined in his will that he would go in to Sicil and conquer the country willing alway to occupy himself in any exercites and took leave of the King Ixion and of the centaurs/ his shipping was ready he went to the sea & came in to Sicil and conquered it with the isle of Lemnos/ And when he had so done he went in to Italy/ And descended in to the house of King janus/ which received him and made him great cheer/ and told him that his father Saturn was come newly for to dwell thereby/ And that he was sovereignly loved of all the people for as much as he taught them to labour the wines & corns  
All the blood changed in Jupiter when he heard that Janus spoke to him of his father Saturn. how well he went for to see him/ and saw him and found his father making and founding a new city in the place where now stant the capitol of rome/ And in such wise he submitted him to his father/ that Saturn took him to his grace/ and made peace with him/ And also accorded to him that he should enjoy fro then forth on his royalme of crete at the accord and making of this peace were the King Janus and the King evander/ and they dwelled that on nigh that other/ that is to wete Janus in a city called laurence/ And evander in a city being nigh the mount. Aventine And so was the King Italus of Syracuse that made in this time a new city named albe upon the river of Tiber/ Alle these Kings made great cheer of the peace of the father and the son/ And thus Jupiter abiding there/ he acquainted him with the wife of King evander named Nericos for as much as she was right expert in the science of negromancy and in charms and sorts/ And so he learned this science/ Jupiter after this took leave of her and of his father Saturn and of his neighbours/ And left there Saturn/ that was there married again unto a woman called philiris of whom he had a son called picus that was father of King famus husband of the Queen fatua of whom hercules was Amorous as it shall be said in the second book/ And returned in to Crete And their fond that his wife was delivered of his son vulcan/ And that his acquainted amity Ceres was delivered of his daughter named proserpine/ whereof Juno was right evil pleased and content/ And complained to Jupiter of the dishonour that he had done to her/ but Jupiter set naught there by but laughed/ And was more joyous of his daughter than of his son/ For his daughter was marvelously fair and Vulcan his son was foul and courbbackyd/ how well for to live in peace with Juno he married Ceres unto a noble man named siccam and gave to them the royalme of Sicily and the city of siracuse/ And sent them for to dwell there with proserpina/ And it was not long after that he sent his son Vulcan in to the isle of Lemnos/ whom he betook to govern to three men called Berroute sceropes and pyragmon/ And these three men kept him so well that he came to cage and that he was a man of right enhanced courage and learned all sciences in especial negromancy geomancy and promancie. And made many marvelous things that be not for to believe wherefore I will tarry now of him and of Jupiter/ And I will treat of his son perseus for as much as of him came Alcmena.   

¶ How the Queen Medusa came to Athenes to worship in the temple the goddess pallas/ And how the King neptunus wax Amorous of her and how she deceived him.  
IN this time when Jupiter dwelled peaceably King of crete/ and that his son Vulcan waxed and learned the craft of negromancy// In the land of Hesperia/ passed out of this world a King named porcus a man of right great enterprise/ which the Hesperians called god of the sea of Spain anciently named Hesperia as said is/ This King left three daughters that had not but one eye as the poets say. that is to say that her principal charge was unto the vanities of the world/ And therefore they were called gorgons that is to say cultiveresses or labourers of the earth for as much as they intended unto vices that beheld earthly things Of these daughters one was named Medusa that other Euryale and the third scenno/ Medusa that was the eldest of that other succeeded in th'empire and in the royalme. And the poets say that she had heed of a serpent/ giving by this to understand that she was sovereignly wise and subtle/ After the death of King porcus this Medusa governed highly her royalme and held pirates and men of war/ And in her beginning she took and haunted the sea of Europe in feat and with right great triumph descended on aday at the port of Athens/ and sent unto the King Nemee to require him that he would grant unto her that she might enter in to his city for to worship in the temple the goddess pallas/ which was newly made Neptune did great honour unto the messengers of Medusa/ and Accorded unto her that she should enter in to his city & in to the temple/ foreseen that she should have none with her save her damosels/ when Medusa heard the answer of King Neptune/ she concluded that she would go in to the temple/ whereof was a great renomee & was accompaniedd with many damosels so richly arrayed that it was a triumph for to see/ she entered in to the temple and in to the city And there she turned in to stones not only the men that beheld her but Also the women & among all other specially a Queen that was named Ida.  
BY this it is to understand that this Medusa was so of excellent beauty and was so passing rich. that all they that beheld her/ gave himself over perfectly to covet her beauty and her richesses/ And therefore write the poets that they were turned in to stones. For they that dispose them and give them to the delices of this world been likened and compared unto hard stones/ whereof may no good come Thus then Medusa entering in to Athenes converted and turned many men in to stones in so much that Neptunus' heard these tidings And desiring to see this Queen he went him in to the temple where she was in contemplation/ And he had not long behold her/ when he felt him so covetous of her and of her love that he said to himself that she should be his wife. And that she should never escape him.  
THis Medusa was long space in contemplation this during neptune desired her beauty more and more/ and his heart judged in him that he should come to his intention/ but anon after that his heart had made this judgement/ he a little debated considering the excellence of her another judgement traversed and ●ourded in his intendment that constrained him to say these words that follow/ alas in what matter in what sorrow & in what right great and inflaming pain been they that been brenning in love by long space of time/ that I that now begin/ find me in somany sighs and pain/ that I wot never how I may in time come unto this lady for to require her to be my wife/ she is shining in all beauty and in right abundant richesses/ this is that me lacketh/ she beholdeth me among other while in her prayers/ it may happen well that love may torn her heart for to make th'alliance of her and me/ and what is this/ men say that love hurteth no man/ but if it be be his eyen/ if the eyen be not made for to see/ I shall say that my desire shall hap well/ where am I/ where I am I put me out where is my heart where is my desire/ I wot never what I think/ And my thought may be abusion And mine abuse/ may well be reversed/ mine eyen peradventure ween to see that they see not/ mine ears imagine to here and yet they been deaf/ I find myself in a great plain & vain attaint/ and yet more in a superfluous error more than any man may have/ For when I see this lady more excellent than the other in beauty and richesses/ reason telleth me that she is not comen hither for me/ And when I behold that she is alone without men in my city who shall again say my will. I shall require her to be my wife after that she hath done her devotion/ And if she accord to my request my work shall do well And if she gainsay and with stand it then I must use force and authority royal.  
THus when Neptune came to this conclusion Medusa arose fro her contemplation And looked right fair Neptune went to her And did her reverence/ And after prayed her that she would go to his royal palace for to refresh her Medusa thanked him of his courtesy And said that she might not well tarry there at that time/ when neptune understood that she was in will to return without to arrest her in his house ne in his city he was sore displeased in his heart/ alway he held manner And drew her a part and said unto her changing colour. Madame I am sorry that ye refuse to take patience in my house/ I am King of this city/ The gods have not given to me so much hap/ that I have yet any wife any lady or damosel/ it is so now happened that the gods and fortune hath inspired you to come hither Certes it is so now that your right high beauty that perished the eye of my heart/ And hath made me so covetous of you that I give unto you. Heart. body. and goods/ And all that a lover may give unto his love and lady or any king may give/ wherefore I pray you that ye will descend unto my palace/ to the end that I may have communication more secretly there/ And tell unto you the right great love that I have in you.  
Anon as Medusa understood the requests of the King she began to frown and not willing to be other wise/ she answered to him. Sire King if it were so that mine heart desired acquaintance and communication of one man more than of an other in truth if I so found me/ I should hold myself right happy finding myself in the grace of your eyen/ but the matter goth with me all otherwise/ I love the men as much one as an other/ I have intention to abide and continue in my virginity/ ye be a King ye have given to me safeconduct to achieve my pilgrimage I require you that ye hold you pleased and that ye do in such wise as ye had never seen me/ Dame said neptune how shall I do that ye say/ when my heart is all given unto you/ sire answered Medusa it behoveth first to know and after that to love I have told you higher that I have intention to abide a virgin/ what may it profit you to say that ye have given me your heart/ these been but lost words. Dame said neptune the diamond shineth not till it be polished/ ye were never peradventure desired ne required of love more than now/ wherefore ye have no more love in one man than in an other/ wherefore ye must understand that the hauntyse maketh love/ And if ye come with me I make no doubts and sojourn that your will shall change And that ye shall take alliance with me sire answered Medusa my will is unchangeable/ notwithstanding said neptune it must change/ And abash you not. Sire answered. Medusa I see no thing that giveth me cause of enbaysshement. For I feel my heart farm and stable in his operations/ ye be a King and have given me safeconduct for to furnish my devotion at the temple of the goddess of your city/ reason and honour should govern your courage/ Dame said neptune if your beauty surmounted not the beauty of other women I should consent anon your return but when I conceive you form in so high degree of nature/ that nothing lacketh in you/ And further when I see that the great goddess pallas hath inspired you to this my city/ Reason may have no place And how it be by love or by force/ ye shall be my wife/ For I had liefer die And run in to all the dishonours of the world then for to fail to have your alliance.  
When Medusa that was wise had understand the words of Neptune and saw well that he was outrageously achafed of her Amorous desire/ and that she might not escape his puissance for her beauty/ but if it were by any adventure then she changed her hair in to colours/ that is to say that where force reigned she wrought by subtilty And said unto the King sire I know that ye be a great and puissant lord/ and that love hath moved you by force to take me to your wife since your pleasure is such I am content to do all in such wise as ye have demanded/ and that this same day be made the marriage of you and me/ but for more solemnly to hallow the feast of our espousals I require you of two things First that I may return unto the port to my people for to array and dress me with my triumphant richesses/ for I ne may employ to more great & glory than this day of my marriage And secondly that ye will do array and address the Ladies of this city for to receive me as it appertaineth For I will well that ye know that in all the remnant of Ladies of the world/ ye shall not find any that have more movable goods ne richesses than I have  
NEptune was then as one all ravished in joy when he heard this answer of Medusa/ he thanked her of her sweet words And agreed to her to do in such wise as she had devised/ And anon sent again this Medusa unto her galleys hoping that she would return again to be his wife/ but when she by the subtlety of her wit was rendered again at the port/ where neptune had no puissance In stead for to return to the city/ she did do disanchor all her ships And let sail fall and in all haste withdrew them fro the port And in stead to array her in vestiments nuptial she took her arms and made all her men to arm them/ And thus she escaped fro neptune which was in great sorrow marvelously/ And in great Anger said that she had heed of a serpent/ And that her hairs were turned in to colewers to the end to hide more graciously the malice of her and the manner how she had deceived and beguiled him etc..  
THus then escaped Medusa the hands of neptune by the mien of her head serpentine/ And neptune abode converted and turned in to stone/ that is to say in earthly affections of richesses of Medusa/ And went not after her for as much as her puissance surmounted much all the puissance of Athens/ Of this thing ran the renomee through all Greece/ And the beauty of Medusa was so recommended. that of though parties went all day many knights adventuring their lives/ And many of them were turned in to stones and many lost their treasures innumerable/ enforcing them by arms to conquer this lady/ which withstood all way here assaults and assailing. And all way abode vainqueress of them/ Medusa set naught by King ne prince that would have her to wife She was all set to get and gather the treasures of the world/ if her father had been strongly covetous/ yet was she more covetous/ And she comen again fro Athens in to her royalme After she had put under in subjection the Greeks that exposed them against her as said is. she so mounted in to the ●●pe swallow of covetise and avarice that she made war unto all her neigbours. And daunted them/ and constrained them to pay her yearly great tributes/ whereby her estate and name arose and was so greet/ that the bruit thereof ran in to many far regions And among other in to the city of naples where reigned the King pilonne as afore is said.  
IN this time that the renomee of Medusa was in his bruit. Perseus son of danes and of Jupiter was in the verdure of his beginning and tempryens strength/ And daily required his mother and the King that they would give him leave to search his adventures when then Pylonus heard speak of the hautesse of Medusa of her rapines and of her avarice/ he beheld that his son in law should do a virtuous work/ if he might correct her/ told to perseus that he would send him thither Perseus thanked him and said he would employ thereto all his puissance then the King Pylon sent for men of arms and made ready thirty galleys for th'exercite of perseus/ when all was ready/ he called to him on aday perseus. And dubbed him knight for the order of chivalry began that time to be used in all the world it was ordained that that same day perseus should go to the sea/ ¶ And when the King had accomplished all the ceremony to the case required in the paynims wise Perseus took leave of the King Pylon And of his mother danes & of the damosels And right joyously entered in to his galley/ After they disanchor and departed fro the port of naples with great bruit of tabors & trumps/ And with banner splayed sailed in to the high see/ it was a good and a fair sight to see his department there was many a tear wept/ every body loved perseus for so much as he was humble and debonair/ The Apulians departed never as long as they might see him/ And then after they returned home praying unto the gods that good and right happy might be the fortune of perseus/ And the noble knight went by the sea and by the ports without adventure/ what shall I say/ he so exploited that he came in to Afrique that was named Libya at that time/ And there would have refreshed him at a port beside the straight of Gibraltar/ where as was King Atlas the great astrologian/ but this King put him fro landing at this port/ And came in arms against him and showed fro far sign that he would keep his country with the sword/ then perseus which would not there employ his army withdrew him fro the port in intention to avenge him another time of that rudesse if fortune would help him/ he passed the straight and sought so long the royalme of Medusa/ that anon after he found it and had very tidings by certain merchants/ that he found labouring on the sea. that told him that she and her sisters sojourned in a city which stood on the rivage.  
great was the joy of perseus when he understood these tidings/ his folk had great need of victual/ he called them all & said that they should make them ready and arm them/ for they were nigh the place that they sought/ and then as they sailed alway forth about three ours tofore the even they saw the city where Medusa was inn/ And more over they saw Medusa and her sisters with great number of men of war that ranged them on the port so richly arrayed and in point that it was marvel to see. When perseus saw this he divided his army in three equal battles/ each of ten galleys and ordained and put in captains of war. And wisely informed them how to nigh and approach the port. And after he put himself in the first battle And the poets say that the goddess pallas gave to him then a shield of crystal/ that is to understand that he approached right wisely the port that was upon the great see of Spain And that he conducted himself by such prudence. That is likened to crystal/ That he came and fought hand of hand the puissance of Medusa. And that shining the right clear shield of his prudence in receiving and giving infinite strokes he gate land and constrained Medusa to return in to her city by force by force of arms and by prowess/ and with great discipline and fighting of his soldiers/ At that time the head of serpent of Medusa might not wythstonde his first fortunes. For she that was accustomed to put under foot and overcome all them that exposed them in arms against her. At this time was put to th'extremity/ where she had put other to.   

¶ How perseus vanquished in battle the Queen Medusa and she fled in to her city.  
such was the entry of the war that was between perseus and Medusa where the gorgons fortunate/ which Medusa had cherished in right high degree/ fill down fro the wheel of fortune/ which wheel had consented that the prudence of perseus should be cause of her humiling & meeking/ This notwithstanding Medusa took courage in herself and re-entered in to her city/ And gave charge to one of her men to go unto her enemies and to inquire of them who was chief and captain of them/ And what thing he sought in her country/ The Hesperians at commandment of Medusa departed fro the city And came to the host of the Apulians that intended for to log them that night/ he did so much that he came to perseus that took his refection upon a table that he had made of a great stone of marble and said to him in this wise. Sire the vainqueress of men hath sent me to thee for to inquire what thing thou wilt do in her country to the end that she may know what she hath to do/ messenger answered perseus I have intention to franchise and make free the men fro the servitude that thy mistress holdeth them in/ And to make her that hath but one eye/ that she convert & torn men no more in to stones And that her richesses shall be no more the causes of the loss and perdition of knights which would have her in marriage/ For against her malice of the serpent I shall be armed with prudence/ and will well that she know that to morn without longer delay I shall give assault unto her city/ In case she come not against me in battle.  
WIth this answer the Hesperian returned unto Medusa and recounted unto her all that he had heard/ Medusa assembled then all her men of war and said to them/ it is not marvel though I have mine heart anguishous when after that I have vanquished great companies of men of arms that I see that shamefully we been gone a back and withdrawn in to this city by the prowess of an handful of men/ O what anguish is this to them that have been in custom to overcome and to triumph in all manner wars/ where been the high enterprises by which we have made all the seas occidental to fear and dread us. Where been the glaives that had been yolden to us of the Kings our tributaries/ where been the arms and strengths that hath made to tremble the mountains and rocks of Libya where be they that this day have taken feet for prowess/ dread for hardiness dishonour for honour At lest sin this thing is so governed it behoveth to pass the best wise we may/ but now it behoveth also that every man courage and virtue himself. And that to morn it be recovered that by us this day is lost/ The enemies of this city have done us to understand and know that to morn they will give us assault/ If we ne furnish them of battle. And how it be also that they been travailed of the air of the sea/ it is much better that we furnish them of battle at this time then we should abide longer our enemies been strangers. here heath our triumph or our mortal misadventure/ if we overcome them it shall be a memory of us far and nigh in all honour/ if the case go contrary we shall run with the loss of our lives in to derision and mockery of all peoples/ And what is this shall the blood be spread a brood of them/ that have made the ground red of the blood of other. Shall the honour be wasted and lost And also the name that we have gotten with so great labour/ Alle the world taketh courage and hope/ these two things been also covenable in war/ as the arms And without them shall never man attain to the crown of victory/ A then take heart to you/ and dispose your harness and arms/ to morn shall be the day that ye must need do shine your deeds the best wise ye may and for to keep your renomees and your titles of honourable prowess.  
DAme answered one of their captains it is great damage/ that ye ne were a man/ For if it had be so/ it is so apparent that ye should have subjuged and put under all the monarchy of men/ As ye say/ we must needs keep hour renome/ if fortune hath been to us this day froward/ to morn she shall torn to profit/ the wounds and hurts that been made in our worship and blood we most bear it and take it in gree. And our prowess and honour shall to morn put us to fore the shame/ we shall esuert●e us Conne not ye rise so early that we might be on the front of them well a rayed & appareled for to labour for the prosperity of your request/ when Medusa heard the good will of her captain/ to whom consented all the other/ she was right joyous/ and concluded with them that she with all her puissance should bespring and assail her enemies at midnight in hope to come upon them unwares This conclusion thought good unto all/ And each man withdrew for to take her rest & for to make ready his harness Medusa slept not much this night as she that had the heart alway great/ and sore charged with appetite of vengeance/ And at midnight then she swooned to arms/ and made them to be ready & adubbed. she took her banners that were right rich/ her men were diligent enough to arm them for of that craft they were well induced/ And when they were ready & assembled to fore the palace rial/ Medusa & her sisters issued out of the gate in rich astate/ and giving good morrow to her folk/ with as little noise as she might she divided them in two companies whereof she made one company to depart by one of the yates of the city/ and she herself conducted that other by the gate that was against the port or haven etc..  
AT this time the air was pure and net/ And the stars twinkled/ And the moan shone and put away the darkness of the night according to her celestial office/ when Medusa was in the fields she went after the rivage of the sea/ And supposed to have taken perseus and his folk but she failed. For as soon as she issued out of her city/ it was perceived of the watchmen of the host of perseus. And they signified their coming to perseus and his men that slept in her harness And thus when she approached unto her enemies/ and had supposed to have distempered them// she found them arrayed and ranged in good ordinance of battle/ whereof there arose a right great cry of both parties/ And with this cry there engendered a great skirmish/ so eager and fires/ that it was need unto all/ to put forth her prowesses and their strengths/ there was many man cast down dead upon the sand/ there was many a sword died red with blood/ there came on the second battle of Medusa making great bruit in joining of the battle. And then had they of naples strong party for to mastery etc.  
IN this tempest perseus gave him to no rest▪ he had alway his eyen open/ his ears bent to here/ his arms enhanced to smite/ he was quick and in his green youth/ his sword trenched and cutted despairly/ he smote no man ne shield but he all to frushed it and slew down right/ Medusa that alway put her in the most strength and frays/ and most press by mighty great courage/ for to entertain & to hold together her men/ seeing often times the appertisements and the noble feats of arms of her enemy perseus/ had great sorrow/ For his only conduit held the Apulians in estate and array/ And there was none that might resist his strength/ or at lest that had might for to resist him/ This thing turned to great displeasure to Medusa/ alway she bore this displeasure and used her prowess the best wise she might/ she did great damage to her enemies/ And smote down here and there so valiantly that she seemed much better to be a man than a woman/ And better become her to brandish a sword than to spin or torn a spindle.   

¶ How perseus in this battle slew the mighty sister of Medusa and vanquished the battle.  
THis skirmish then dured long with great beating down of men of arms and of knights Thenvy that Medusa had of well doing of perseus gave to her arms more force and strength that nature had given her/ she was full of malice/ And she could keep her well fro the sword of perseus/ And all way she was environed of the best men she had. what shall I make long Count they fought in this fashion unto the day without that any wist to whom me should give the victory/ but then like as the sun began to spread and show his beams and rays/ In semblable wise perseus began to show the rays of his prudence/ And brandished his sword And seeing on that one side the banner royal he smote in to the press. And drew to that part casting men down dead on the sands more then an hundred/ This banner was square four foot made of crimson satin/ And in the mids was an image painted whereof the body was a figure and fashion of a woman and the head was of a serpent etc..  
Medusa was never far fro this banner/ for as much as she drew her alway thither to for rescuse/ when perseus was comen thither with great suit of his folk he cried perseus perseus. And lifting his sword that was tempered with blood from on end to that other/ it happened that the first struck that he gave in this place fill upon one of the sisters of Medusa so terribly that she confounded dead with a great wound beginning on her head down to her stomach/ then they of naples smote on the Hesperians with all her puissance/ Tho smote perseus endlong and overthwart on the right side and on the left side/ his strokes were so mortal that they afraid not only the most feeble of his enemies but all the most strongest and also the assured Medusa.  
great was the occision/ In this point Medusa enforced her power to withstand the great force of perseus/ This notwithstanding she that a fore times had overcomen the men was then overcomen/ And having late the courage lift up and the heart more fires than any man/ she was vanquished of despair/ for the only chivalrous conduit of perseus that had broken her banner/ that had smitten her men in pieces party slain with his sword and party fled. And that he had not only made red his sword and right hand with her blood/ but the sea by small gutters was made red of the warm blood/ in which Medusa lost her ferocity/ Alle her presumption all her strength and all her vigour so evil went and all the work on her side. that when she had seen her banner destroyed/ when she had seen the most victorious of her knights confounded by tempest of death/ when she saw her men of arms leave the battle and flee tofore perseus as to fore the image of death/ finally she saw all her puissance torn in to destruction general/ whereof the end was that each man gave it over/ And every man that might save himself saved him by caves And bushes/ here one and there an other so sore afraid that it was a piteous thing to here their cries And many saved them in the city and many were slain in the fleeing/ of perseus and his men.   

¶ How perseus conquered Medusa and her city And smote of her head And how he went to fight against the King Atlas of septe a mighty and puissant giant etc.  
Perseus' at this discomfiture pursued Medusa fleeing in to her city and entered in with her and the most part of his people with him. That failed him never to put to death all the men defensible that they found to th'end that no insurrection should be against them/ but they spared the blood of women And little children by the commandment of perseus. And among the other as perseus had found Medusa that was put in a cistern/ he had pity of her/ how be it he smote of her head/ in such fashion that the blood that issued out engendered pegasus the fleeing horse. by the head that perseus smote of/ of Medusa is understand that he took from her her royalme And deprived her of it/ And banished her pour and naked/ And by the fleeing horse that was engendered of the blood/ issued fro her head/ is understand that of her richesses issuing of that royalme he founded and made a ship named Pegasus/ that is as much to say/ as good renomee And this ship was likened unto an horse fleeing/ For as much as the good renomee of perseus was then born fro region to region/ in such wise/ as upon an horse fleeing And for as much as perseus went in this ship in diverse countries where he gate him a great name.  
BY this fashion then perseus conquered the head of Medusa/ and did do make Pegasus the most swift ship that was in all the world And abode there certain number of days seeking and searching the treasures of Medusa & the richesses in which she and her sisters had set her intention and her heart There found perseus stones precious and things marvelous/ when his ship was made he filled it with precious bagues and jewels And leaving in this city men for to govern it and conduit/ he went to the sea and took for his arms/ the arms of Medusa/ And rested not till he came to the port of the city/ where reigned Atlas/ saying that he would put him under and subjuge him afore ere he returned in to his country.  
This city had to name septe/ Atlas knew well the arms of Medusa and fro as far as he saw Pegasus the ship he knew the arms that were therein/ then he thought that Medusa had be vanquished of these strangers and doubted sore their coming/ this notwithstanding he did put his men in arms/ And bewailed much phylotes his brother otherwise named Hesperus that kept the garden with apples of gold with his daughters when his folk were armed he ranged them upon the port in good ordinance And anon after came to the port & there livered assault full of diverse and sharp fiercety/ Atlas was young. strong of body and puissant of people/ he defended him valiantly And kept the port with the point of his sword so well that by this assault/ Perseus' conquered no thing on him in two days that the assault dured/ but that was more by the strong nature of the port than by the strength of the sword of King Atlas  
then when perseus saw that he had not folk enough for to take this port/ he withdrew him in to high see & sent in to naples unto the King pilonnus half the treasures of Medusa signifying to him his high adventure/ And requiring him that he would send him a thousand soldiers/ the King and Danes had great joy of these tidings/ And at the request of perseus assembled fifteen hundred fighting men which they sent in to Libya with their proper son danus whom they ordained chief and captain of that army/ when perseus saw come these fifteen hundred fighting men/ fro as far as he had espied them in the sea he knew that it was his succour that came to him. and took his horse volant/ And went to meet them/ And found there danus his brother/ to whom he made the most great cheer of the world/ And entered in to his ship/ And there abode all that day feasting him/ And after when it came to the night he commanded his mariners that they should row and sail toward septe/ and they said to him that on the morn they would deliver him at the port/ with that the mariners put them in devoir to do their craft so well that after the night was passed about the sun rising they showed to perseus the haven and port of septe.  
then was Perseus full of great gladness and called danus and said to him my brother/ We been now comen to the port where thou shalt get this day honour & worship/ if it please the gods. For if the good adventure help us/ the honour shall appertain unto thee to fore me/ that durst not embrace alone by my puissance/ A then in the name of all our gods let us employ here the head of Medusa/ it is mine advice at this time that she shall do torn in to stones all them of this region/ That is to understand that by the & thy men that by the mean of the richesses of Medusa be comen hither/ they of this city set to fore us/ shall be constrained to abandon and give over their port/ And flee between the walls of stones of their city/ My brother answered danus I have good hoop and trust in fortune that she shall be thy help/ but for the honour and worship of this work it shall not torn to my profit/ but unto thine that art sechar of so honourable a work/ And I desire no thing in this party but the name of a soldier For at thy souldees environed only of the love of our fraternity I come for to serve the/ and if the richesses of Medusa had not comen in to naples/ with thy right good fame these warriors had not comen in to Libya/ then for conclusion it is to conceive/ if in this work be honour that it torn in to thy glory and loange/ but this notwithstanding I shall not fail thee/ but for thy love & worship I shall expose to the assault all that I may and hold of nature And I pray the to dub and make me knight.  
WIth this word Perseus drew out his sword and after gave to danus the order of knighthood and sin commanded that each man should garnish him of his armours/ And then made display banners standards & pennons/ and other recognisances and knowledgings/ After did do sown his trumpets Clarions and tabors And then after ranged all his galleys/ And them set in right fair and good ordinance did so much that he came to the port/ which was all full and environed with Libyans that were ready to cast on them spears darts and stones. For they of that country were right experient of the war/ And also to aboard this port there was a right great bruit And a right grievous assemble/ Perseus' was in Pegasus and assailed the Libyans at on end. And danus was in another galley and assailed them in like wise/ And they put them both in the most danger of the assault they had great shields and large where with they covered them/ They dread no struck of glaive ne sword ne of stone they put himself in to the mids of the port/ And there they gaf the assault where many were dead on that one party and on that other plenty of fighters in such wise that at th'entry there were many Apulians confounded and put a back. For they were then hoot and asper but after this when they had gotten land/ Perseus' and danus began to smite so dismeasurably upon the Libyans that they beat them down without remedy now here now there at right side and at lift side all made red with their blood/ Also Perseus' gave so great a struck with his glaive unto Atlas/ that purposed to have come broken the passage/ that never after Atlas had no hope/ ne durst not come among the strokes/ how well that he was great strong and puissant.  
SO much covetous of victory were perseus & danus and they of naples/ the Libyans had not be accustomed to find so fires and mortal arms as them of perseus/ the King Atlas wist not what to say he encouraged his people the best wise he could/ this notwithstanding he saw them beaten down of his enemies without number and without measure/ and saw further that they of naples wan alway And when he had seen all this/ and also beheld that these men had vanquished the Queen Medusa/ he judged in himself that he was not puissant enough to resist their strength/ and the hardness of this battle should be to him more damageous than valuable/ so swooned he the retreat & fled not in to his city/ but in to a right high mountains that was thereby/ And therefore say the poets that Atlas by the sight of the head of Medusa was turned in to a mountain// And fro then forth on was this hill called Atlas and yet endureth the name unto this day/ And for as much as Atlas saved him there among the stones/ he founded since a castle where he dwelled unto the time of hercules.   

¶ How Perseus turned the King Atlas in to a stone And how the Queen auria wife of King pricus wax amorous of the knight Bellerophon that refused her. Whereof after he had much pain.  
When perseus and danus saw Atlas and all his folk put to flight First he chased them unto the mountain/ where they were turned in to stones/ dying with their blood caves/ busshous ways and paths And secondly when he had put them unto utterance/ as much as they could they drew to the city whereof the yates were not shut ner kept with noman And entering therein they ne found but a little number of matrons and young children which made a terrible great sorrow/ Alle the young men and women were fled unto the fields and had abandoned their city with their folk and goods/ when perseus and danus were with in/ and saw that it was all abandoned to them and her people/ Alle that they found/ they passed that night with great joy and gladness and making great cheer thanking their gods of their victory That they had given to them. And on the morn perseus made to beat down the gates of this city. After he commanded that every man should take his butin And when they were laden with all. Perseus and danus went to the sea in to her galleys. And so sailed forth leaving Atlas in the mountains where he gave him unto the study of the science of astronomy.  
IN this time Jupiter made alliance with King Troos by the moyen of Ganymede And in sign of love and friendship he gave unto Ilion a vigue of gold which was set in the palace of Ilion as it shall be said in the third book/ and it was not long after the King troos consumed the course & end of his reign/ and his obsequy was hallowed & made solemnly at Troy in great abundance of tears/ and then Ilion was crowned King of this city/ where he lived peaceably in ampliation & increasing of signory and lordship/ and wedded a noble lady of the city of whom he received a son named laomedon/ And for as much as I find not that Ilion did any thing after his coronation ner made other thing save that he achieved & made his palace of Ilion/ I shall speak henceforth of laomedon his son that reigned after him. And here I shall leave the feats of this Ilion/ and yet ere I write of laomedon I shall pursue my matter of perseus/ and for to come thereto I shall racount an history that fill after that perseus had turned King Atlas in to a mountains.  
IN this time then that perseus began to give his life unto right dign ocuures and works of noble fame. Accrisius belfather of this perseus and natural father of danes/ was put out of his kingdom and royalme & of all ●he signory of Argos by a conspiration that Pricus his brother made against him And there was left unto acrisius of all his royalme no more but only the tower of Darrain whereto he fled for refuge/ This acrisius and pricus were natural sons of abas lawful son of linceus that was only left a live of the fifty sons of Aegistus by the mercy of his wife ypermestra daughter of danaus.  
PRicus then having usurped fro his brother Acrisius the signory of the royalme of Argos had a wife named aurea/ that was so nourished That of custom gave no charge but to abound in delices/ and on a day she beheld among her servants one so well accomplished a knight that nature had no thing forgotten in him touching his body/ of whom she was enamoured/ she was young And her husband pricus was ancient in his works and conditions And much less desired the carnal desires then his wife did/ how well they were both right nigh of oon age/ This knight thus beloved had to name Bellerophon. When Aurea had put her study to love this knight/ she solicited him with her eyen & of semblants drawing him to delight & voluptuousity/ but the true knight that had his heart farm and stable which perceived well her countenance/ dissimuled & feigned that he was blind in this party And in the end when the lady saw that by semblant ne sign amorous that she showed/ he employed him not once for to please her/ but fled her company The most evil wise that she might she intended to torn her love in to hate/ and her fair countenances in to fiercety so envenomed that for to make him die/ she accused him to fore her husband the King pricus/ saying that he would have enforced her & required justice Instantly.  
AT this accusation made/ Bellerophon was present And sore abashed & surprised at the beginning/ but in hearing the lady speak at long he assured himself & excused him/ saying madame never please it unto the gods/ that for to cover mine honour/ I do discover the disworship & fault of another/ let never man advance himself to defame another this knowing I shall say the truth & if there be any man that worthily may prove that against me/ and overcome the little noblesse of my heart I shall remit in judgement of all noble men the residue of my days Alas lady & fro whence is comen this abusion for to impose on me that I should have willed to enforce you when or in what place was this don or where been the witnesses of the cry that ye made at the afray where been the proves that shall say that ever in my life I was with you alone/ it giveth me marvel fro what heart departed this dishonour that ye note in me/ & for what cause it is imagined against me for I will well that all the world know/ that I have served you truly & loyally And that I never thought dishonour unto you ne unto the King/ to whom I pray that he will take and make information upon my living & to understand in like wise yours And if it can be proved and appear that I have trespassed that I may be punished. but I pray also that if I be found Innocent/ that I may have light absolution.  
SIre said the lady that strongly was obstinate in her error// I make me party against him/ if then I accuse him it is truth/ it ought not to demand witnesses of his folly/ In this case I am worth two witnesses/ For all the world knoweth that when any ill man will dishonour a woman he called no witnesses ne no proves thereto/ and doth his damnable will the most secretly that in him is possible And so wend Bellerophon to have done with me whereof I require sentence and judgement of him/ with this word Pricus assembled his council/ And it was judged that the lady should be believed and that Bellerophon should be culpable of death then spoke pricus to Bellerophon and said/ fair son thou knowest & feelest that I have loved and nourished the lovingly thou understandest the accusation of thy lady/ the case is so foul/ that it may not be purged by denying/ For if it were so the evil boys and garsons should alday dishonour as many of our women as they could find/ In this case the Ladies have a prerogative for to be believed/ And need not to bring forth witnesses/ And for as much as thy mistress hath vanquished the and required judgement of thy trespass/ thou art condemned to die/ but for as much as a fore this time I have had great love unto the And that I know the a valiant man of thy body/ I shall release and attemper this sentence in this wise/ that thou shalt go fight against the chimera of Sicily And if thou Mayst adaunt her and mastery/ I give the thy life and give the plain absolution of all/ moienant that never after thou replique ne rehearse this trespass.  
SIre answered Bellerophon sin that fortune consent that I be attaint of any infelicity/ And that the privilege of the Lady's domine and go above reason I had much liefer to be vanquished by wrong cause & evil/ then by just and good cause And thank you of the moderation of your judgement. And make vow here in your presence that in all haste I shall go in to Sicily to prove me against the chimera And shall see if fortune shall help me to get again the life which she had made me lose by your judgement/ then the noble knight departed and took leave of the King/ of Ladies and damosels/ took also his armours And goods And made covenant and bargained with certain mariners to bring him to Sicily/ when they were accorded he went to the sea with little company/ And he was evil at ease at his heart when he saw that fortune was to him so diverse/ how well he comforted himself in his good quarrel/ And sailing on a day on the sea of hellespont his mariners looked in to the West And saw come a right great float of ships of war which discomforted them so sorrowfully that it was wonder/ And they awoke Bellerophon that/ that time slept/ And said that they were dead and lost.  
Bellerophon comforted his mariners the best wise he could/ And told them that discomfort could not help them/ and thus speaking a galley of advantage went out afore his fellows and fleeing on the sea like unto a bird addressed her unto the ship where in was Bellerophon And aboarded it. and who that will demand what the name was of the galley. And what men were their inn// I shall say him that this was Pegasus and that perseus was therewithin seeing that he might speak to the mariners that carried Bellerophon to Sicil/ Axed and demanded them what they were an in to what region they would go/ when Bellerophon heard perseus speak/ he beheld his maintain and countenance and judged in himself that he was of a good house/ and said to him/ Certes sire I have much great joy of that I see that the ship and mariners been so well addressed and in so good recounter as your is/ For ye seem well a knight of noble feats/ And so I shall you say my case after that ye have made your arynge/ At first point then where ye have inquired what we be/ know ye that in Argos we have take our birth/ And as to the second I answer you that we have intention to go straight in to Sicily/ to the which I am constrained by the rigour of a mortal judgement cast upon me at th'instance of a lady called Aurea that injustly and untruly hath complained upon me saying that I would have enforced her/ This lady that I speak of is wife to the King pricus/ which newly and freshly hath banished and excelled his brother Acrisius out of his royalme/ And this King for to please and satisfy the accusation of his wife. hath condemned me to death/ releasing alway an hope. For the good and the agreeable services that I have done to him he had accorded me to live/ if so be it please the gods that I may by possibility vanquish & overcome a chimera that is in Sicily/ unto the which ● go for to assay me/ so I pray you that in our Infortune we be not let by you neither by none of your company.  
valiant knight answered perseus as it is true that the heart of a noble man taketh pity and compassion in the distress and passion of his semblable/ the record of your case hath pierced mine heart of a charitable misericord & pity/ by which ye may surely understand not to have by us any impeachment upon your infortunate life/ and for as much as the hearts of them that would be endured at calling to the craft of arms singularly delighten them in adventures of great poise and weight to enhance them/ I shall accompany you for two causes/ the first is to expose myself to the dissipation and destruction of the chimera if it ●●ppen that ye adaunt her not/ which I not presuppose. And the second is for after the chimera vanquished I may be guided by you unto the royalme of Argos. For fro now forth I will be enemy unto the King pricus in the favour of the father of my mother the King Acrisius And for to let you have more greater knowledge of this matter ● I tell you that I am son of danes That same properly that she conceived in the tower darrain of the seed of Jupiter/ and that same in person that King Acrisius made cast in to the sea but this notwithstanding I shall take no vengeance on his demerits/ but for the honour of the blood and of the womb of whom I am issued/ I shall do him socours and aid/ And pray you that ye will be my fellow and brother of arms. And that ye will come in to my galley/ And send home again your mariners in to her contres if it please you.  
When Bellerophon heard the good words and Answer of perseus he made alliances with him and entered in to his galley And gave leave to his mariners and accompanied him with perseus and danus that for love of him took their way unto Sicily where they arrived by space of time & took land/ And that same day Bellerophon Armed him desiring to find the chimera and took leave of perseus in such wise as he that put him in peril of death/ The poets writ that this chimera had the head of a lion womb of a chieure and tail of a serpent/ but for truth it was a mountain Inhabitable that had in his height above a passing great cave of lions// and in the middle of the hill it was full of chieures Andrea at the foot beneath it was advironed and set round about with serpents/ These lions and serpents were passing damageable and noyous unto the country about and nigh/ when Bellerophon then saw the mountain he went thither/ and perseus and danus followed him they had not long Marched/ when they saw and beheld more then a thousand little serpents with many great dragon's// of whom some arrested about Bellerophon and cast out of their venom/ and the other passed forth and come running upon perseus and danus/ which had promised to Bellerophon that they should there do no feat ne enterprise of arms/ but if it were by constraint and in defending their bodies.  
Anon as these three valiant knights saw these cursed beasts/ they took their swords and smote upon and many beheaded of them/ but with this they had great pain and travail For these beasts were cruel and full of orgueil And hardied them eagerly to them/ And if they had not been well garnished with habiliments of war/ they had there sooner have found death than life Bellerophon went alway afore And smote down right and heded and smote in to pieces many/ Perseus ne his brother danus fought not but to the beasts only that came upon them/ when Bellerophon had a little holden the stour and the battle against this vermin and that he had founden more asper and more biting/ For the point and the edge of his sword was made terribly blunt and smote against her hard scales and skins/ then leap down and out of her holes the chieures and the lions and came down for t'assail the knight in so great number that he was all environed with them etc..  
SOme of these beasts escaped fro him & came to Perseus and gave him new ocupation for to employ his strength and prowess/ the lions leap about the neck of Bellerophon some time in such number that in no part he might be seen/ alway by his ability he could well save himself/ but he had never escaped there came so much vermin upon him there & bestaill & on Perseus and danus which reach and assailed them/ if he had not won a rock upon which he gate up with great pain and right great sweet of his body for to go upon this rock/ there was but one straight way/ then sued him the lions and with them the other beasts/ And held them on the way of the rock and at the foot roaring and making great noise about him so terribly that perseus & danus had non other hope for the knight but that it had been his last day/ For he had so many beasts about him that it was likely that the edge and cutting of his sword might not long dure without it had been worn or broken/ then the lions that might not touch his body/ boot the stones And araced them with their claws/ the serpents flew up in to the air/ And lift up their bodies upon their tails and cast fire and smoke out of their throats unto the rock/ And the most hardiest of the lions one after that other ranged them in battle against him and showed her teeth receiving his strokes sore set/ And they fled not but abode as beasts familiar and sore covetous of man's blood in whom reigned sovereign fiercety as much as in any wild best of the world at that time.  
Hard and marvelous was this battle/ as perseus and danus beheld & thought in what fashion they might succour Bellerophon/ the noble knight defended him to his power/ And beheld how he might save him fro this peril/ he cast his eyen upon a great stone that hinge over the weigh of the rock where upon he was mounted/ and then he thought if he might make that stone to fall down that he should slay the most part of these beasts then he began a little and a little to wag the stone and to seek the jointures that held it/ and so much laboured that in the end he made it to fall upon the lion's serpents and chienres in such wise that in the falling he made all the rock to tremble and feared in general these unhappy beasts that they were there forfrushed like as the thunder had run upon them/ And yet that more is of the tumbling down/ it made the rock that Bellerophon stood on so shake that he tumbled down thereon/ And was so astonied that he wist never whether it were day or night.  
THe stone was great/ And brought down many stones with him/ Perseus' and danus at the beginning wend that all the mountain had tumbled down/ And were not well assured in himself. This notwithstanding they beheld plainly the end. And seeing after the noise and tempest that their fellow lay upright reversed upon the top of the rock They had supposed that he had been dead/ then they made great sorrow And were displeasant And approached the rock/ where they found the beasts lying under the stones dead And they went up on the mountain/ And then knew that Bellerophon was not dead/ whereof they recovered great joy And ceasing their sorrow. They took the knight between their arms And perseus demanded him how it stood with him and how he felt himself etc..   

¶ How perseus vanquished the monster of the sea. And exposed himself again him for the love of Andromeda etc.  
Perseus' and danus awaited gladly the answer of Bellerophon/ And they held him for the most best accomplished knight that ever they saw/ what shall I make long process of this matter Perseus & danus searched this mountain/ And went in to the caves of the beasts/ but they found none/ And alway sat Bellerophon upon the rock For he might not go for the frushing and bruising of his foot/ And then as the two knights had circled and gone about the hill/ they returned to Bellerophon and then perseus said to him/ My brother oh how well art thou now worthy to have of me praising and loange/ thou haste this day done a good and an holy work by thy worthy conduit/ thou hast gotten unto thy name the crown of glorious fame Thou haste passed the straight way and passage of Infortune fro whence thou art issued cler as the sun/ And not only thou hast laboured for thy weal and utility/ but for the weal & profit of this region/ For thou hast slain the wards of the serpents and the porters of the lions that kept this country Inhabitable/ which shall fro hence forward be inhabited and occupied with people/ Bellerophon was all a shamed when he heard the glory that perseus gave unto him by meekness and humility that was in him And answered if there be any worship in this work that it shall torn as well unto them as to him/ And they began to praise echon other/ and they eat upon this hill that same night after they had made sacrifice unto their god's/ And thither came all the Apulians where they made great cheer/ since they took all the skins of the lions/ and the heeds of the serpents that were dead in sign of victory and charged them in their galleys And they bore with them in to their galley Bellerophon which might not go And finally they went unto the sea And sailed & rowed toward the port of Athens which was nigh by/ but when they wend to have drawn unto this port/ suddenly there rose a tempest on the sea so great and hideous/ that they were constrained to abandon them unto the wind. and passed forth by the haven and their fortune was such that they were brought in to Syria/ upon the sea of Palestine. And brought them in to the port and haven of Joppen/ Where reigned Amon and in Palestine reigned cephus and Phyneus etc..  
THe same time that perseus arrived there by this tempest/ the port was so full of men & women and children/ that it seemed that all the world had be assembled/ perseus came thither alone for his folk were disparkled upon the sea/ some here and some there in their galleys/ when the Syrians saw him arrive by force of the wind/ they assembled a great number about his horse volant/ And the King Amon seeing that it was charged with the hedes of lions// he was sore abashed And for to know fro whence was that galley comen he inquired who was the master/ at which inquisition answered perseus/ And demanded of the King courteously in what country he was arrived/ the King told him that he was in Syria/ And that the royalme appertained to him when perseus knew that he spoke to the King/ he said/ sire I am descended unto this port by the disposition of fortune/ Also my men been sore travailed by the tempest of the sea/ that hath been long troublous unto them/ I require and pray the that thou be content/ that I and they may come a land here for to refresh us/ And if it happen in time coming that thou or any of thine have to do of semblable courtesy in naples which is the place of our domination/ I promise the by the parole and word of a noble man/ that the merit and thank shall be rendered unto the/ the King answered/ noble knight there been so many explorators now adays sailing by the reigns and countries/ that a man may not well know to whom he may affy and trust/ this notwithstanding I see well by your fashion/ that I trow that ye will not give us to understand other thing then truth/ I abandon to you all my country/ And pray you. that ye will come and take patience in my house/ And furthermore I council you/ that ye depart and come out of your ship/ For if ye abide there long ye shall be in great peril/ For as much as we know certainly/ that in to this port shall come anon a monster of the sea that shall devour a right fair virgin and maid/ which is here by/ bounden upon a stone for the crime of her mother and by my sentence/ And if ye tarry here till his coming/ it is to doubt that it shall be the worse for you/ Boccace in the genealogy of the gods ne toucheth otherwise the cause why this maid was thus exposed to the monster/ wherefore I pass over and who demandeth the name of this maid Boccace saith that she was named Andromadas.  
When perseus had understonden that there was bounden this maid/ he desired to see her/ for the marvelous judgement that was given upon her/ and arrayed him with rich vestments and clothes/ and sin issued out of the galley/ And took out also Bellerophon which might not yet sustain himself/ and after he went unto Andromeda/ There were her parents & cousins in great number which laboured in sorrow and great plenty of tears/ when perseus saw this maiden that was passing fair in her degree/ which never saw her like ne pareil he had pity of her and said to himself that if he might he would deliver her fro this peril. Then he called her friends and said unto them in the presence of Amon/ I have certainly great pity and compassion of this so fair a damosel/ And also am esbayed how the gods suffer and endure that she is so fortuned in her tender years/ if it so happened that she might find any knight or noble man/ that would unbind her And for charity expose his body against the monster for the love of her should she be quite/ They answered ye/ A then said perseus if I would for her sake adventure myself in this work/ And if it so fortuned that I had the grace to overcome and surmount the monster and for to put him to utterance/ shall ye be content that the maid be my wife/ They answered yet ye/ And I promise you said perseus and swear/ That she hath founden in me a knight that shall put his body and life in jeopardy for her etc..  
WIth this word perseus sent to fetch his arms. And after went to the damosel and unbound her from the stone/ And delivered her to her friends and kinsmen/ saint Augustin in the book of the city of god rehearseth that yet in the same port is the stone that Andromeda was bounden upon/ that they of Joppen keep for a sign and memory of the victory that perseus had of the monster/ Alle they that were there marveled greatly of the enterprise of the knight/ and knowing the monster/ they juddged him dead/ allowing his hardiness that they seemed that it was to great/ Oon and other spoke of this matter/ Perseus Armed him joyously/ when he was armed he came to Andromeda and kissed her taking leave of her/ and said fair maid pray ye unto the gods for your champion/ that for your love submitteth himself unto the peril of death To the end that by your only suffragies I may come unto the right stock of love/ And that we together in joy be joined in marriage which I buy at the price of my life/ Noble knight answered the maid/ I am more beholden to you/ than to all my kinsmen and friends know ye that if my suffrages may obtain anent the gods/ ye shall return safe fro this enterprise. Then perseus went him to fore the stone/ And Andromeda kneeled with great humility with both her knees upon the earth in provoking her gods unto the help of her champion/ And there were many matrons upon the bank of the sea that for compassion put them with her in contemplation/ and by this example of them all the Syrians began to pray for the prosperity of the knight/ reserved only the King phineus' which prayed for his death/ And that for this cause for as much as to fore the judgement given on Andromeda/ he had fianced and trothplight her/ so had he well willed that the monster had devoured perseus to the end that the marriage of him and of her might have been ended what shall I say more when perseus had so put himself forth by the stone/ he beheld toward the sea and held in his hand a good glaive and passing strong/ and he ne had not long seen the situation and taken leisure to see the place/ when there sprang out of a swallow or an abysm of the sea a monster so great and so horrible/ and so dreadful that it seemed that he had be made for to destroy all the world/ he was rough & went on four feet like a beast/ And his form was so disfigured that none wist whereto he might be likened/ when then the Syrians saw him put out his head of the swallow. There was none so well assured but he ne trembled for fear. And many were so afraid that they fled in to their houses and re-entered in to their city. This notwithstanding perseus as soon as he saw him sourdre. He ran to him as hardy and right well assured and smote him with the point of his glaive so appoint upon the right eye that on that side he made him blind. Whereof the monster felt so great pain that he came out of the sea with open mouth and wend to have swallowed perseus/ And perseus went aback a little/ And put his glaive between his jaws in to his throat so far forth/ That he could not draw it out again/ And so of force it abode in his throat more than four foot.  
TT the second struck the monster made a marvelous cry lifting up his head & weening to have cast out the truncheon of the glaive which abode in his throat. But it would not be/ alway the monster assailed perseus and wend to have swallowed him in to his throat/ And perseus alway roof at him with his sword and put him at defence and smote alway at his throat and about nigh his other eye/ And so well intended the work that after he had given him many wounds he made him on the lift eye like as he did of the right eye/ And then as the monster went here and there/ And made many wentes without seeing and knowing where he went pursuing his adventure Perseus gaf him many wounds/ searching his heart. And at last he found it/ And finally he adressed so that he pierced the heart of which struck he made him to fall down dead.   

¶ How phyneus would have had Andromeda/ And how Perseus answered him that she should be his wife  
PAssing joyous and esbayed were the Syrians when they saw the good fortune of perseus. And saiden one to another that such a knight aught be praised above all other men The King Amon took great pleasure to see his conduit/ And seeing the monster labouring in his death he went down to him embracing him and said/ sire the gods govern thy fortune/ And since they have received the in her favour and grace there is none that may annoy the/ In a good hour were thou here arrived demand what thou wilt And I shall do the have it/ sire answered perseus/ I have preserved fro death the damosel/ I desire none other thing but her/ O valiant knight said phineus' that was there awaiting thou thinkest to glorify thyself for to have gotten in an half day more honour/ than an other knight shall get in an hundred year/ And greatly thou oughtest be recommended/ foreseen that the beauty of this maid deceive the not/ know thou that I have trothplight her/ and by right she aught to be my wife Many days been gone and expired that in the presence of our Bishop we promised to take each other in marriage/ This infortune is after comen to her/ Thou haste relieved her/ And wilsst therefore have her/ The beginning is fair/ but the end is fowl And if it so hap that thou do me wrong/ I let the wete that I shall not suffer it For in this country I am a King and have great puissance all the glory that thou haste gotten/ shall be quenched/ wherefore I pray the/ that thou forbear in this case/ And that thou suffer me to take that is mine. And take thou that/ that longeth to thee..  
during these words perseus beheld toward the sea and saw fro far his galleys coming that one after that other adressing them toward th●s port/ whereof he had right great joy. And said unto phyneus. King I make no doubt that thy power be great in this country. but know thou right well that I know no man living that shall 'cause me to leave that longeth to me/ when I was comen hither I found this maid condemned unto death/ At that time she was all abandoned to the death I have saved her/ I say to the that she is mine and thou oughtest to have no regard to any promise that she hath made to the or to any other/ and so I have intention that she shall be my wife And if thou wilt debate and fight for her assemble thy power and make the ready in thy battle/ Loo here come my galleys ready for to receive thee.. And if I hau. not people I now/ yet I have in my coffers the most part of the treasures of Medusa for to send for men of arms in all places where I may get them.  
When phineus' considered this answer & knew that he was the knight that had vanquished Medusa/ whereof that the renome was great and run throughout the world/ he could none otherwise answer to perseus but that he might do his pleasure. All the knights of Andromeda were angry with phineus' for his folly And made him so ashamed that he departed thence/ And went in to the city/ After they went to behold the monster/ And then came sailing and rowing the Apulians unto the port/ And they comen brought perseus & Andromeda in to Joppen with great triumph/ and yet that more is/ perseus and Andromeda espoused each other that same day and say together And the solemnity dured of their wedding xx days/ during this time the syrians came to the port daily for to see and behold this monster/ Plunius rehearseth that of this monster was born to rome a boon of xl foot long also great as an oliphant/ let them then that read this history search how great and huge this monster was/ when only one of his bones was so great/ the Romans for a great marvel have and keep that bone What shall I say more at the end and expiration of this feast of the wedding of perseus and Andromeda. Perseus took leave of the Syrians/ And garnished his galleys with victuals departed fro Joppen And went to the sea leading with him his wife Andromeda/ And fortune was to him so good that in a little time he passed the seas of syrie/ And came to land at the port and haven of thebes/ where he was received courteously of King Creon that then reigned a young child.   

¶ How perseus restablished in his royalme the King Acrisius And how he slow the King by evil adventure.  
IN thebes refreshed them these Apulians & made alliance with the King After they departed fro thence. And took their way by land toward Argos under and by the conduit of Bellerophon that then was whole and healed of his foot which knew well the country/ when Bellerophon had guided them so nigh Argos that in an hour they might run to fore the gates He signified it unto perseus And then perseus made his host to tarry in a valley And sent danus unto the King pryeus to summon him that he should yield the royalme unto King Acrisius Danus went to Argos. And accomplished the summation. The King pricus answered to him that he was King And that he would hold that he held. And menaced perseus unto the death if he depart not fro the country hastily/ Danus returned unto the host of perseus with this answer and made to him the report ● Perseus then hoped that King Pricus would come to him and give him battle and had thereof right great joy and pleasure/ For he desired nothing in the world more than to be in arms And for to intend and take heed unto his works/ He ordained that night that he should depart his battle in three. Whereof he gave charge of the first battle to Bellerophon which required & desired of him the vanward with right great Instance/ And he himself held the second battle/ And to Danus he betook the third/ And And thus when he began to set forth Bellerophon on his way/ he had not far gone when he saw fro far the King pricus that knew of their coming by his espies And had set his battle arranged by good ordinance.  
Bellerophon had with him but two thousand fighting men/ when the King pricus saw him come with so little a company/ he supposed that it had be Perseus/ And wend to have had all won afore the hand by advantage/ And maa● his people to move against them of which hastily began a cruel and hard battle/ And of this battle was pricus right joyous at th'assembly/ And well employed his arms and his sword and did marvels/ but at that time that he supposed by force to have abiden victorious and vanquer of his enemies/ he cast his eyen toward thebes and saw perseus and his battle that discovered and showed himself/ whereof his fortune was such/ that in the beholding the head of Medusa which he bore painted in his shield of crystal/ that he and all his folk in a moment were turned in to stones That is to say that he and all his main had lost their strengths and courages/ And that they might no more lift their swords than might statues or images And then pricus fled And all they that flee might/ some in to the city and some in to the fields at all adventure. Perseus' deigned not to follow the chase be cause of their power conduit/ And thus pricus escaped the death And abandoned and gave over the country/ And went with them that fled in to Calydonia/ where he was afterward put to death by hercules/ And perseus went in to the city of Argos/ whereof the yates were open/ And With out any men that made any defence when he was in the city he made an edict upon capital pain that none be so hardy to do any force ne violence/ After that he sent to seek his giant father Acrisius. And told to him who he was And so delivered to him again his city and his royalme etc..  
OF this courtesy Acrisius held himself greatly beholden unto perseus and a●id him and inquired of his daughter danes and of their adventures. Perseus told him all that he knew. And then Acrisius was right sore displeasant of that rudeness that he had done And for to amend all He adopted perseus in to his son. And gaf him the full power to govern the city And he himself withdrew him in to the tower of darrayn/ And then sent again unto naples danus his brother/ with whom went Bellerophon And he gave unto them and to their company great treasures at their department. Perseus' sent many Argians in to li●ye. And made them to inhabit the country. And thus abode perseus in Argos with his wife Andromeda of whom he gate many Children That is to wete scelenus. blache Demon Erecteus and Gorgophon which all became men. And took wives yet regning the King Acrisius And among all other gorgophon had one wife/ Of whom he had two sons Alceus and Electrion Alceus engendered Amphitryon And electrion engendered Alcmena of whom came hercules/ what shall I make long process of the feats and of the generations of this Perseus He governed passing well the royalme. And loved much the King Acrisius/ But there fill an hard fortune unto him in the end/ For as he went on a night alone unto the tower of darrain in will to visit the King/ The guards and keepers of the tower knew him not and fill upon him & hurt him/ when he felt him smitten/ he put himself to defence/ The noise wax great/ the King heard the bruit and came running down for to depart the meddle/ And thrusted in to the press in such wise that perseus knew him not/ And with his glaive so smote him that he slew him and all the porters with him And anon after when he came in And found him dead/ he remembered and thought he had put him to death after the prenostication of the gods. And made great sorrow/ And did do ordain his obsequy right solemnly/ And at this obsequy happened for to be there Jupiter and his son vulcan// which at that time practicked together the science of magic and necromancy etc..  
AT this time vulcan forged and smote the thunders unto Jupiter/ That is to say that he moved himself by smiting and tempesting by fire and sword the royalmes of their neighbours And the poets say and make many fables of him whereof needeth to make no mention at this time. Perseus then did great honour and worship unto his father Jupiter And in like wise did Jupiter unto perseus/ And each told other and rehearsed of their adventures/ but when th'obsequy was done of King Acrisius. And Jupiter beheld and saw perseus so heavy that he could have no joy/ he returned in to crete unto his wife Juno And there he exercised himself in the science of magic. And then when perseus found himself alone in Argos and saw that he might recover there no joy/ he departed fro thence and went unto the city of Mycenae but he reigned there not long for as much as the death of Acrisius renewed all weigh & could not put it out of his mind And so departed thence and withdrew him with a great host in to orient/ where he gate and conquered by arms a great country which he named pierce after his name And there founded the city called persepolis after that he had vanquished and put to death liber pater which made him war And then when he had so done he purveyed for his children in such wise that his two sons Alceus and electrion with Amphitryon and ●●●umena dwelled in thebes/ and bachedemon reigned in pierce Erecteus upon the red see and seclenus in ●uicenes/ But of all them I will tarry at this time And shall speak only of Amphitryon & Alcmena that loved so well together That they took day that one to wed that other/ And the cause that moved me to write of this two Is for as much as of Alcmena came hercules which first destroyed Troy etc..   

¶ How Jupiter lay with Alcmena And how Queen Juno sent two serpents for to slay hercules/ And how hercules strangled the two serpents.  
IN this time when Jupiter came again in to crete. And that he with vulcan his son & Juno practicked by their study the science of magic after that/ that vulcan had forged the thunders of Jupiter Amphitryon wedded the fair Alcmena in the city of the●●s with great honour & also with a great cōraignye of kings Queens & of Ladies/ the feast of these espousals was great Jupiter the King of crete/ and the Queen Juno were there during the feast/ Jupiter continually beheld Alcmena for her great beauty Alcmena was the most fair woman that ever was seen all his delectation/ and all his busy cure was in beholding the Ladies/ he desired nothing but for to be alway among the ladies And alway had the eye upon them/ but in effect he beheld Alcmena moste in especial In whom he had a sovereign pleasure/ In the great abundance of his sight And so sore fixed his eyen in her excellence/ that his heart began to meddle in such wise that he was Amorous and covetous of her love/ In this covetise and desire he let pass the solemnity of the wedding And returned in to crete/ but he had not long sojourned there when the said covetise moved so certainly in him/ That on a day he began to speak of Alcmena in the presence of Juno. And said unto Ganymede his squire. Ganymedes what seemeth you of the beauty of Alcmena. Sire said the squire me thinketh she shineth in all manner excellence of a lady. And that for to comprise all her virtues/ there is no King so great/ but that he might well seem to be of alliance of one that is of less beauty then she is.  
When the Queen Juno understood that Jupiter held his devices of Alcmena/ At that same time she was sore moved with new jealousy For she had often times been jealous of Jupiter. And thought in herself that if she might she would do slay and put to death Alcmena After these devices Jupiter felt himself sore surprised and surmounted of the covetise of love. And for to over master it and to let it pass he took his bow and his arrows in intention to go to the wood for to slay some wild best And went forth accompanied only of Ganymede/ but assoon as he was issued out of the gate/ there came and recountered him one of the knights of thebes/ that did reverence unto the King and said to him/ that the King Creon of thebes sent him unto him and required him that he would aid and help him to war against the King of Thelleboye/ That had trespassed again him when the King Jupiter had heard the message of the knight he was right joyous of the request of the King of Thebes/ And took the knight by the hand and brought him to his palace/ And there feasted him and made him good cheer/ And after he said that with right good heart and will he would succour and help the King Creon in his war/ The knight of thebes with this Answer took leave of King Jupiter/ And returned unto thebes/ Where th'apparel and ordinance was made to go unto thelleboye/ it was not long after that the King Jupiter made his army And hasted him as much as he might. that shortly he might come to the house of thebes where he hoped to find Alcmena/ when all thing was ready he took his way And so sped him in his journey that he came to thebes where he was right honourably and worshipfully received of the King the Queen and of the ladies The King Jupiter at his coming forgot not to look// if he might see Alcmena/ But he saw her not/ where of he was in great pain/ And wist not what to do And he looked after Amphitryon/ But he could nowhere see him// whereof he was more abashed than he was afore In this abashment he approached to King Creon And demanded of him where Amphitryon was the King creon answered him that he should hastily come and that he assembled his men of arms at the castle of arciancie which he had given him This castle stood between thebes and Athens upon the river And was a passing fair place and strong Anon as Jupiter had understand that King creon had given Arciancie to Amphitryon/ he imagined sone that Alcmena was in that place/ And was in will to have gone to that place/ ne had been that he dread the talking of the people And also he feared to make Amphytrion jealous/ This considered the King Jupiter & abode in thebes not well pleased for as much as he might not see Alcmena/ And passed there the time the best wise he could till Amphitryon. and other were comen then departed fro thebes the king creon And went for to say siege to the city of thelleboye accompanied with King Jupiter and many other. during the siege they of the city assailed oft time by battle again their enemies/ but they of Thebes had all way so good fortune That in the end they of thelleboye yielded them of all points in the will of King creon. and thus when the King of thebes had overcomen and subjuged the city he returned unto his country with great joy etc..  
When Amphitryon saw that her enemies were overcomen And that there was no more peril. He had great desire to go see his wife Alcmena And for to dispose him the more sooner to be with her He departed fro the host with leave of the King accompanied of a squire only/ when King Jupiter saw Amphytrion so depart upon his way/ he began to think and advise him of a great subtlety for to come to his intent/ And he departed fro the host with Ganymede only/ And as soon as he was in the field on the way they two together/ Jupiter entered in to devices with Ganymede/ And said to him Ganymedes I have great affiance in you and more than in any man that liveth wherefore I shall tell you privily a thing secret which I shall accomplish as me seemeth// which ye must hold & keep secret truth it is that I am Amorous terribly of dame Alcmena/ By no manner in the world I may not forget her ne put her fro my desire. how well she knoweth not the pain that for her love aboundeth in me/ for I never was so hardy to discover to her my case/ ner never durst show it her/ for as much as I know her wise chaste and virtuous/ this considered thinking on this thing & work/ I find me full of abusion And confess my folly/ how well I am in a manner despair now/ for I had supposed to have founden the faith of love in Alcmena/ ne had been the sudden departing of Amphytrion which yet giveth me in manner an hope/ For at the time that I saw him depart fro the host for to go see his wife in the company of his squire/ I imagined that in all hast I would go unto Arciancie by a more ner & shorter way For I know the passage long since. And that I would transfigure myself in the form of Amphytrion And you in the form of his squire for to go unto Alcmena and to make her understand that I were Amphitryon/ Ganymedes upon this intention and purpose/ I am comen on the way to go thither with you/ we must needs win upon Amphitryon on this way a night and a day/ and therefore let us go now merrily/ Me thinketh that love shall help me/ And when Alcmena shall see me transumed in to the form of Amphitryon/ And you as his squire she shall not be so wise to perceive mine enchantment.  
Ganymedes harkened right diligently the will and purpose of Jupiter and promised him that he shall employ him in this work as much as in him is possible And so they rood with good will and great desire the more short way/ and in riding and going Jupiter disposed him in his enchantments/ he sped him so that he arrived in an evening at the castle of arciancie/ when he was there arrived/ he transfigured himself and Ganymede in such wise as he had afore purposed/ And then at the same hour that Alcmena slept/ And that each man was abed they came to the castle and so knocked at the gate that they awoke the porter/ The porter came to the window. And looked down beneath and saw Jupiter and Ganymede by the moan light/ him thought and seemed that it was Amphitryon and his squire/ wherefore he opened the gate and received them in such wise as he should have done his lord Amphitryon/ After brought him unto the door of the chamber where Alcmena slept/ And awoke her. Saying that her lord was comen/ After he returned to keep the gate by commandment of Jupiter And Alcmena opened her chamber unto Jupiter/ which entered in with great joy And at th'entry into this chamber/ Jupiter and Alcmena took each other in arms and kissed/ weening Alcmena that it had been Amphitryon/ and when they were so beclipped each in others arms Alcmena demanded him fro whence he came Jupiter answered and said he came fro thelleboye/ and that after the giving over of the town and yielding of their enemies/ he departed fro the host for the love of her accompanied only of his squire/ to come the hastilier to her/ then Alcmena was well content of the words of Jupiter And asked him if he would eat or drink/ Jupiter answered that he would no thing but go to bed with here/ what shall I say more he lay with her and had that he desired/ The King Jupiter had never so great joy in himself/ And going to bedward bad Ganymede that he should go to the chamber door and abide there without and so Ganymede departed fro the chamber/ and Jupiter approached to Alcmena by great love And so compleased her in love in as much as his power might extend In this wise and by this fashion came Jupiter unto the secrets and joy of love In deducing himself with this lady. That him seemed expedient for to enchant all them that were in the place And then he slept with Alcmena And after he arose/ And came to Ganymede which kept the watch at the door. And told him that for to conduit this work secretly he must enchant all them of that place in such wise that they should not awake unto the coming of Amphitryon. And he would that he should go to the gate to await if Amphitryon came And if it happen he said that he came by day light. I shall deliver to you a powder that ye shall cast in the air against him. and this powder hath such virtue that shall keep Amphytrion fro approaching this place also long as the day endureth And then when it is night And he knock at the gate. ye shall come to me And then we shall open the gate and bring him to his wife/ And after that we shall return fro hence etc..  
THe King Jupiter with these words wrought in his science and made his charms and sorts in such wise that all they that were in the place might not awake/ without defeating of his chantment/ when he had so do he transumed Ganymede in to the likeness of the porter and commised him to keep the gate/ After he returned in to the chamber of Alcmena And shut fast the windows/ that no light might come in. And after he went to bed and say with the lady and awoke her and there made all the residue of the night & all the day following taking his pleasure with her/ so acertainly that he engendered on her a right fair son conceived under the reign of the best constellation of heaven// In the end when King Jupiter had be with her a night and a day/ about the hour when the sun goth down in to the occident/ And that him seemed that Amphitryon should come/ he made by his science Alcmena for to sleep. After he rose up & made himself in the form of one of the servants of the place/ And he had not long tarried after/ That Amphitryon and his squire came knock at the gate/ it was then night. When Ganymede heard him knock/ he came to the gate and opened it/ Amphitryon wend that it had been his porter He salued him And he demanded him where his wife was/ The valiant porter said to him that she slept/ And so brought him unto her chamber/ And Jupiter so going charmed him that he had no desire to eat ne to drink/ when he was comen in to the chamber he awoke Alcmena/ That was all abashed when she saw Amphitryon/ she had supposed for truth that she had seen him a good while tofore/ and she groped about her in the bed. And wend ●he had dreamed And when she had groped and tasted about her in the bed And that she found no person there/ then was she more abashed than she was afore/ notwithstanding she arose and came unto Amphitryon saying to herself that she had supposed to have seen him afore/ And that he was comen/ how well she made great cheer to her husband saying to him that she had all the night dreamed of his coming/ After they devised of many things. Finally he went to bed with her/ And lay with her that same hour. of whom Alcmena conceived yet a son of Amphitryon/ Jupiter and Ganymedes departed then fro the castle/ And there left all them sleeping that were with in the place/ that none awoke till it was on the morn. they had wend that they had slept but one night. But they slept a day and two nights. And this work was achieved so secretly that never person could espy it/ By this manner the fair Alcmena conceived two sons that one of Jupiter & that other of Amphitryon/ By space of time the fruit of her womb began to appear the tidings were born all about And also in to Crete and came to the ears of King Jupiter and of Queen Juno The King Jupiter this hearing Was passing joyous & glad in the presence of Juno He beheld Ganymede & began to wax red And after showed right a good semblant and gave praising to the gods for the conception of Alcmena And spoke much good of her That the jealousy of this old Queen/ renewed and freshed and planted in her heart a right mortal envy upon Alcmena.  
WIth the renewing of this envy the Queen Juno concluded in her courage meddled with the multipliance of jealousy that she would slay and do die Alcmena by enchantment of sorcery For in that craft she was an experient mistress/ O old cursed woman/ she held her then musing in her heart her cursed jealous thought And laid her ears to here Jupiter speak of Alcmena without any thing to reply again. But finally when she knew that the time of childing of Alcmena approached/ she departed fro crete secretly all alone and said to Jupiter and did him to understand that she would go disguised in certain secret pilgrimages And went her forth unto Arciancie/ where was a temple standing right nigh the castle and was made in the remembrance of the goddess Deianeira. This old Queen then entered in to this temple no thing for devotion that was in her/ but for to espy if any person came fro the castle for t'inquire of the state of Alcmena/ she was disfigured by her craft/ This craft used after simon magus in the time of saint peter/ And of th'Emperor Nero/ when she had been there a little. Galantys that governed Alcmena was there long in orisons and prayers to fore the representation of the goddess/ At th'end when she had done/ she arose fro her contemplation/ And wend to have returned. But this old Queen came against her and salued her. And for to come unto her purpose she said to her faintly dame I am all abashed/ wherefore answered Galantys/ for as much said she as I am not in certain where I am. Love said galantise ye be at the castle of Arciancie For this temple is of the appurtenants of the castle and standeth between thebes and Athenes Dame said the old Juno I trow that this is the place that Amphitryon and dame Alcmena dwell/ ye say troth said Galantys And how far they said Juno/ right well said Galantys my lord Amphitryon is in good point/ and my lady Alcmena is ready to bring forth a child/ she abideth ner awaiteth longer day ne term/ And therefore I may no longer tarry it is time that I return to her/ to the gods I commit you.  
GAlantys with this word went her to Alcmena which began to travail and feel the pain of childing And the false old Queen abode in the temple in intention to do die and slay Alcmena in such wise as she had purposed then in the stead of saying of orisons/ she began to make certain fiendly & devilish works/ this done she made her legs to cross on over that other And sat in that wise and then the same moment & time that she had so do Alcmena by the strength of the sorcery began the same wise her legs to cross on over the other & sat in the same manner as the old Juno did/ In such wise that there was no man ne woman that might make her do otherwise The power Alcmena felt than the most asper & sharp throws of the world For her fruit would come out And she might not in no wise for as much as her legs & thighs were so crossed on over that other/ she cried & plained piteously/ and was in right grievous martyrdom The midwives could no remedy/ she was three days holden in this point alway her legs crossed on over an other/ during these three days galantys. And the Ladies and women on after an other came in to the temple of Deianeira for to 〈◊〉 pray for the deliverance of Alcmena/ And alway they found there the old Queen sit with her legs crossed and oon over an other/ but they found her never in one semblance and likeness/ For at each a time she transfigured her in diverse likeness and figures of beasts or of women to th'end that they should not perceive her ner her craft/ how well she could not so transform herself but that galantys that oft came in to the temple took heed of her/ which found alway there a beast or a woman sit in the manner that Alcmena sat in her chamber. Alcmena had been then three days in pain/ At the forth day when then galantys wax melancholy and angry of that she saw in the temple she assembled the women and said to them. Certain fair dames it must needs be that the pain that my lady Alcmena suffereth cometh of some sorcery and witchcraft/ for all the pain that she hath cometh of that/ that she may not depart her legs and unfold them/ This is mine imagination. And I am of advice to purvey soon for it/ For I have seen in the temple at all times that I have been there more than three days a woman or a beast with legs crossed or folden as my lady hath hairs/ me seemeth for troth that it is some evil creature/ which willeth evil will to my lady and that by her sorts constraineth her to sit so as she doth/ if it be so I shall deceive her/ For one of you and I shall go in to the temple feigning right joyous and glad cheer/ And shall thank the goddess Deianeira saying all a high that my lady is delivered of a fair son And then when that creature that alway is there & changeth her in diverse forms have heard our praising/ if it be so that she will any ill to my lady. I doubt not but she shall lose countenance And that all troubled she shall depart weening to have failed of her chantment/ and then if it be troth that I suppose. My lady may have some manner of allegiance of her pain etc..  
THe women during these words remembered them what they had seen in the temple the woman & beasts that galantis spoke of/ And were of opinion that galantis should do like as she had purposed/ then galantis and one of the women departed fro the chamber and went to the temple And entering therein they saw on the one side where the false old Queen sat as she was wont to do and had transformed her in to the guise and form of a cow/ They passed forth by/ well assured without making of any semblant of sorrow or other thing save only of joy/ and when they were comen to fore the altar they kneeled down and joined her hands together and said. Diana sovereign goddess thy name be praised in heaven and in earth For thou haste given this our to my lady Alcmena and suffered her to bring forth in to this world the most fairest child of the world/ with these words they roose up and returned again. And as they went they saw the cow suddenly depart out of the temple and ran upon the fields/ And in the same time & Instant Alcmena arose/ and was delivered of two fair sons/ ere galantis and her fellow were comen in to the Chambre.  
When galantis was comen unto Alcmena and found there two fair sons which she had brought forth/ she was full of joy of that/ that she had beguiled and deceived the false old Juno/ she told then unto the Ladies and to Alcmena how she had seen the cow And how she was departed fro the temple/ And assured them that it was some evil person/ And that she had hold Alcmena in this danger by sorcery The Ladies sent after to espy the cow/ but they heard never after tidings of her how well alway they joyed in the nativity of these two sons/ of these twain that one of them was great and right fair by great excellence And that other was little and feeble The great child was the first that was born and was named hercules And that other had to name Ypicleus/ Hercules as some say was the son of Jupiter and well resembled and was like unto him. And Ypicleus was the son of Amphitryon/ the tidings of this nativity anon ran all about/ and all they that heard speak thereof made joy and were glad thereof/ reserved Juno/ For she had never joy in her heart after that she heard in the temple that Alcmena had made and brought forth a son/ she departed then fro the temple as said is in form of a cow/ despiting in her heart the goddess diane And was so troubled that she had neither wit ne understanding And thus sorrowing when she was a little withdrawn fro the temple she took again her own form of a woman. And went upon the mountain of Olympus/ there she wax pensive And began to think her adventure after she smote herself on the breast with her fift and said/ what availeth me to be born of the royal blood of Saturn/ what availeth me my patrimony of the world of gold/ what availeth me the diadem of crete/ ne what availed me the sciences of the world that I have learned by great study & labour when the goddesses been against and contrary unto me in all thing. The King my husband recketh not/ ner setteth naught by me/ no more in mine old days than he did in my youth He hath every day a new lady/ O what destiny/ fortune wilt thou never torn thy wheel Shall I alway suffer my tribulations & this pain. Certes when thou favourist me not And that I behold that of all my desires. There is not one that may attain to effect/ Alle shame and vergoyne redoubleth in me. And that I am so put in despair/ That mine Infortune must needs be cause of shorting and lessing the natural course of my days/ with these words she beheld the earth & not the heaven And thought a while And after that said And am I not well infortunate and born in an evil hour My craft and sort availeth not against mine enemy Alcmena I have failed anent her/ but certes. I shall prove myself against her son/ to th'end that his mother may be my fellow and hold me company to make sorrow For I shall do slay her son. And by this mean for that she is a woman and mother I shall give her cause of Anger annoy/ and displeasance.  
accursed old virago conspiring then against the power Innocent imagined that she should take two serpents charmed and conjured in the death of the son of her enemy/ and that she would some night put in to her chamber to the end that they should strangle him/ with this conclusion▪ she departed fro the mountain And returned in to crete There being she so laboured by her science. That she did do assemble on a day secretly all the serpents of the country. she was alone and well understood and knew this merchandise/ when she had assembled them all/ she chasse two the most felonst and most envenomed/ and put them in her lap and bare them home/ and after awaited aday when King Jupiter was gone in a far voyage/ and then feigning yet that she would go on some pilgrimage/ she departed alone fro crete/ And did so much that in disguised figure she came in to the castle of Arcyancye/ The King Aegeus of Athenes and the King Eristeus of Attica were at that time comen in the castle to make good cheer/ it was in the evening when Juno entered/ when she was with in she made herself invisible by her craft/ And sought fast about to find the chamber where as was the son of Alcmena/ she sought so long that she came to the door of the chamber/ where there was a window open/ she went to the window and looked in/ And in the beholding she saw two nurses and two sons/ whereof she was all abashed and began to think. Thus as she was pensive. Alcmena came for to see her sons. And feasted them in such fashion that the old Juno conceived and knew that both two were her sons/ whereof she had great joy/ For she concluded in her falls and evil courage that she would do strangle both two by the serpents etc..  
Alcmena departed fro the chamber by space of time. And Juno let the night wax dark. The nurses laid the children in her cradles to sleep. and they slept And after they laid himself down and ●lepte leaving a lamp brenning in her chamber. Then when they were a sleep at that time that Juno would accomplish her work/ she opened her lap and made to leap out the two serpents charmed & enchanted in the death of the ii children & put them by an hole in to the chamber/ when the venomous beasts were within they lift up their heeds/ and smelling the two children addressed them unto them giving the first assault unto Ypicleus in such wise that they strangled him & there murdered him/ After the death of Ypicleus these two serpents came unto the cradle of hercules that was awaked that same time/ when the serpents were comen to the cradle/ they put them/ oon on that one side & that other on that other side/ And mounted upon the cradle but this was to their evil case/ For as soon as they went up hercules perceived them and was a feared be cause they were fires and dreadful He then esuertued himself and took out his arms in such might and puissance that he broke the bonds in which he was wrapped and swaddled in and so did that he had his arms and his hands at large/ And then when the serpents ran upon him. He put them a back by natural strength and force many times/ And fought with them with his fists right long but finally when hercules saw that the serpents oppressed him more and more and ceasedd not to assail him/ He took in each hand one making a great cry/ And held them so fast and sore/ that he strangled both two etc..  
THe nurses awoke at the cry that hercules made And arose up hastily & went to the cradles for to see their children/ And they found ypycleus deed. and they found that hercules held yet the two serpents in his hands/ suddenly as they saw that marvel they cried piteously/ with that Juno the false witch and sorceress that all had seen fled her way sore troubled and terrible angry of that/ that the serpents had not wrought and achieved her purpose as well in hercules as they had done in ypicleus And Amphitryon with Alcmena awoke & came in to the chamber where the nurses were which made sorrowful and piteous cries And entering therein they saw hercules at one side yet holding the serpents/ And at that other side they beheld ypicleus all swollen of venom and dead/ then the profound sorrows came and ran to the bottom of her hearts/ Alcmena began to cry and weep by natural pity/ Amphitryon was all afraid/ many damosels and other folk came in to the chamber which all were afeard to take away the serpents for fear of anguish. And there was none so hardy that durst approach to hercules for the serpents that he held in his hands which were swollen of the venom alway hercules made no heavy ner worse cheer/ but laughed to one and other And was there in this state so long that the medicines and surgeons camen. and by their science took fro his hands these venomous beasts/ when Amphitryon saw hercules delivered fro the serpents/ He recomforted Alcmena that was nigh deed for sorrow And made do burn and bury ypicleus all they that were there had passing great marvel of the puissance and strength of hercules that was so young a child. And that he had fought against the serpent's/ and by excessive strength and might had strangled them.  
THe night passed in the fashion and manner that I have rehearsed/ on the morn by time Amphytrion would show and manifest this marvelous and glorious victory/ he did do take hercules and made him to be born to Athens in to the temple of the god Mars with the two serpents/ and he in person went accompanied of King Eristeus/ The false old witch Juno followed a far after in a dissimuled figure & state. When Amphitryon was comen in to the temple he sent for King Aegeus And assembled the people And after he took hercules presenting him unto the god Mars. Thanking him of the victory that he had sent to hercules against the serpents. After this he lift him up and showed hercules unto the people recounting and telling to them his marvelous adventure. And then thus when hercules was showed and put in the common regard and sight of the people/ And that every man gaf him laud and praising/ The false old Juno being in the press with other/ After that she had long seen the noble child/ That in all his memberss he resembled and was like to King Jupiter for to put Amphytrion in jealousy of his wife And for to make him to have hercules in suspicion/ she said unto them that were about her/ Certes Amphitryon is a very fool when he weeneth and thinketh that hercules be his son behold the memberss of King Jupiter/ And the memberss of this child/ ye shall find no difference/ This child and Jupiter been both of one semblance/ And have like figures & shape/ what that any man saith This child is the son of Jupiter and of non other. When this old Juno had sown this cursed words. she withdrew her apart out of the press and took an other figure/ to th'end that she should not be known. And then these words were sown a brood and told forth of them that heard them in such wise/ that a great murmur sourded and arose upon Amphitryon/ And it was reported to him/ that men said that hercules was son of King Jupiter for truth and each man said so by advertisement of the old Juno/ when Amphitryon heard these new tidings/ he began to behold the child. And in the beholding him thought verily that this child had holy the very semblance and likeness of King Jupiter. And then began to enter in to his heart a right great doleance and sorrow and thus after entered in to jealousy. Alway he held manner and made as good countenance as he might and could/ For to eschew the slander. And anon after that the people were withdrawn he called the King Eristeus and prayed him that he would do nourish hercules/ saying that never after he would see him And that he believed firmly that he was the son of Jupiter Eristeus comforted Amphitryon the best wise he could/ weening to him to have put this jealousy out of his mind/ but he could not/ what shall I make long rehearsal Eristeus emprised to keep and nourish hercules/ and made him to be born in to his house Amphitryon returned unto where he found Alcmena sore discomforted for these tidings which she had received/ And much excused her against Amphitryon/ and the false old Queen Juno went unto crete/ of whom I shall tarry and shall come to speak of the first adventures of hercules.   

¶ How hercules began to olympiads and how he wax amorous of Megaera the daughter of the King of Thebes And how he showed his strength in all manner of games And appertises.  
THese tidings of this first adventure of hercules was anon spread by all the provinces of Greece/ Some saiden he was a bastard and the son of Jupiter/ And so recounted plant in his first comedy/ And other sustain that he was the very son of Amphytrion And so recounteth Boccace in his book of the genealogy of gods/ how well/ whose son that ever he was/ Eristeus had him in keeping And did him to be nourished hardly and not tenderly without the city of Attica/ For the Kings and the citizens and dwellers in towns/ In this time made her children for to be nourished out of good towns/ And made them for to lie upon the bore earth all naked for to be more strong without entering in to cities unto the time that they had puissance & strength to haunt arms Lycurgus had ordained this law and many other that follow First he ordained that the people should obey to their prince And that the prince should be firm in justice and live soberly And that merchants should do their merchandise giving one aware for an other without any money/ And that each man should avenge him openly/ And that a young man should have in a year but one gown/ and that one man should not be more gallant ner quaint than an other/ and that no man should renew wrong passed And that men of arms should have no wives to th'end that they might be more sharp & fires in the war And for to content her fragility human. he ordained that nigh the hosts should be certain women commune in places called fornyces/ whereof cometh fornication These were the laws that the Greeks used in the time of the beginning and up coming of hercules For then to come again to my purpose/ hercules was nourished in an house that stood in the plain fields/ and was often times put out in to the rain and wind. And lay the most part of that time upon the earth without any other bed/ he lay ofter so then upon hay or dried straw In this nourishing he wax and grew in all beauty. Strength. and prudence/ he was humble. Courteous and gentle all good manners began to grow and shine in him/ he was sober in eating and in drinking/ he slept gladly on the fields/ he shot and drew the bow daily/ when the King Aegeus of Athenes had heard spoken of him he made to be nourished with him his son that was named theseus/ Hercules and Theseus were both of one Age And loved right well together Theseus was strong and mighty and a fair child and had wit enough/ But hercules passed And shone as far above him as the sun shineth above the stars when he was seven year old he exercised wrestling and overthrew And cast the greatest and the strongest that came to him. Not one and one at ones/ but .v. or vi or as many as he might set on his hands And did so great feats of strength/ that out of thebes of Athenes and of Attica daily came men/ women and children for to see him The more and elder he grew/ the more enforced his strength/ when he was x. year old their might no man stand ne abide in his hand At xiii year of his Age/ he began to do and sue the arms And of his proper motion he thought that he would go upon the mount Olympus/ And there he would abide and answer all manner men thither coming by the space of xx days And to receive them/ In arms or in wrestling or at any proof or assay of strength. And for to come to th'effect of his enterprise. He awaited a day when Eristeus came for to see him/ And said to him/ sire ye have nourished me unto this time like as I were your own son/ if fortune were to me as contrary as nature I knowledge that I should be the most infortunate child that ever was born/ Some say that I am son to Jupiter/ And other say of Amphitryon how be it I have no father but you only/ That do me to be nourished with your substance/ wherefore I draw me unto you as to my father/ And advertise you how that I am purposed for to be on the mount of Olympus in as hasty time as I goodly may/ And there I shall abide all them that thither shall come xx days during full/ For to furnish them at the spear. At sword/ at wrestling/ and at running/ alway foreseen that it be by your licence and leave. And that it please you of your courtesy to give to him that shall do best some price/ to th'end for to move the hearts of noble men unto valiance that they might attain to worship/ Eristeus answered and said hercules fair son ye can require me of no thing that is honest and worshipful but I shall be thereto agreeable ye be young. how well ye be strong and puissant. And I wot well there is no man that may endure against you. Since it is so that ye have the william. I am right well content that ye show the proof. And the strength of your youth/ and for to conduit and bring this enterprise unto your worship/ I shall array you as richly as if ye were my proper son. My father answered hercules I thank you of this grace and kindness/ sin it is so your pleasure/ it behoveth you to cheese a man of great understanding and of authority that shall go unto all the royalmes of these Marches for to show unto the kings Princes and gentle men the will and enterprise that I have taken. Fair son said eristeus ye say truth/ ye shall make your lres containing your intention And send them to me/ And then when I have received them I shall do so good diligence That ye of reason shall be content.  
AFter these devices and many other the King Eristeus went home & hercules took ink and parchment// and set him to write the letters of the form of his paas/ which he would make And contained in this wise greeting be to all Kings. princes. Knights. Gentle men. Ladies and damosels/ fro the esquire unknown and well fortuned/ we let you have knowledge that the first day of the month of may next following/ the esquire unknown shall be on the mount of olympus for to dispose him in habiliments convenient unto arms at the pleasure of the goddess and fortune/ and for to receive all them that been of noble house and name/ that will and shall come thither by the manner that followeth/ In the beginning the first three days he shall hold a paas of wrestling/ And he that shall do best by the judgement of the judges thereto commised shall win an elephant of sin gold/ the fourth day he shall run a furlong or a stade against all them that will run/ And he that best runneth shall win a courser leaving/ At the fift and sixth days he shall shoot with the hand bow/ First at the most straight and nigh. And after at the most far/ And he that shooteth most straight and nigh shall win a glove of gold/ And he that is best at far shall have a bow and a sheet of arrows/ At the seventh day he shall cast the stone against all men. And he that best doth there at. shall have a rich diamond. At the eight day and other following unto the fifteen. He shall do arms. And if any will prove himself one alone against him he shall be received foreseen that during the first six days he shall come and present him unto the judges And he that so doth best shall have a rich sword And if it hap that they that shall come to this feast will tourney together in manner of a battle in jousting with courteous rochettis and fighting with swords Rabatnes/ The judges shall ordain captains such as them shall seem convenient/ And who that best doth in this exercite shall win a chaplet of lawrer all these things to fore written the said esquire unknown promitteth to accomplish And prayeth unto all noble men ladies and damosels that they will vouchsafe to come and see th'assembly of noblesse which shall be performed by the pleasure of the immortal god's/ which will give to the receivers of this mandment multipliance of honour and increasing of good fortune etc..  
When hercules had written this mandment & grossed it up he sent it to Eristeus which read it And him seemed that the invention of the author and maker was good and right dign to be put in memory And called on of his knights and gave him the charge and office to go publish this mandment in the courts of all the Kings of Greece/ The knight emprised with right good heart to do the said office And this was the first officer of arms that ever was/ he went to Athenes. Thebes. Argos. Lacedemon. Arcady. Achaia. perelye. Magnify. Crete. Ephesus. Pepos. Triopolye & Thessaly/ And all about he published the mandment without declaring who he was that should keep the paas/ They that heard speak of the squire unknown and understood his high enterprise judged him that this came of a noble courage/ And that he might not fail to get honour and worship/ The knight for to furnish this voyage had four months term to accomplish it/ during this time hercules disposed him for to furnish his paas/ And so did the Kings and noble men for to come thither/ What shall I make long process. When the even to fore the first day of the paas was comen/ The King Eristeus brought hercules upon the mount of olympus/ And fro all parties came thither so many of noble men/ Ladies of damosels that the number might not be esteemed/ the mount was full on all sides/ In this night there was great bruit and noise of one and other for to make their tents and lodges of bows and leaves and their tabernacles And it aught not to be forgotten when the even was comen/ the knight that had published the mandment assembled in a common tent all the Kings that were comen thither And required them in the name & on the behalf of the esquire unknown/ That they would cheese among them/ such as should be judges and give the price/ when the Kings that were there had heard and understand the request of the noble esquire/ They thanked him/ And they chess three Kings for to be their judges/ That is to weet the King of Thebes called Creon The King of Argos named Gorgophon. And the King of Myrons named Aeson which was father to Jason. They were wise and ripe/ They enterprised the office with a good heart. And that night passed over with great joy/ For they assembled in a tent/ which was made for to dance/ And the Kings with the knights young and old went thither And thus began the feast which endured to midnight in dances and in songs  
THe King Jupiter and Amphitryon were not at this assemble by the counsel of King Eristeus which let them have knowledge secretly. That hercules was he that should hold and keep the paas/ for to eschew all words & language that might sourdre or rise upon the cause of the nativity of hercules/ For Amphytrion on that on side believed not that he was his son And/ Jupiter on that other side said that he appertaineth not to him/ he sent them word that they might do no better then not for to come to this solemnity/ which was most special thing & the most new that ever was spoken of at that time The first day of may at the hour what time the sun cast his heat upon the earth/ hercules did do sown a trump for to make the Ladies to go up in to the scaffolds & places And anon after/ they being mounted & set Hercules leap out of his tent in habiliments to wrestle And came in to the mids of the place or field making reverence unto the judges. Kings and to the Ladies/ he was then xiiii year old full accomplished. Anon as he had done the reverence The knight officer of arms Made a cry and said/ high and excellent judges we let you have knowledge with all Kings. Knights/ and gentle men of arms/ Ladies and damosels That here is the esquire unknown/ comparant in his person upon the mount of olympus And presenteth himself for to furnish the contenu of his mandment by order and after the manner that the chapters make mention/ wherefore if there be any man that will prove and assay him at wrestling Late him come & he shall be received etc..  
Theseus' of Athens at the end of this cry/ and at the commandment of the King Aegeus his father entered then in to the field/ he was a passing fair child and a gente At his coming he salued hercules And said to him master of all abilities corporal/ I am come hither no thing of presumption but for to learn/ whereof I have need/ and therefore I recommend me unto your grace/ My brother theseus answered hercules I may more learn of you/ than ye of me/ wherefore let us put us in pain to win the price/ it must be begunnen at on end These words accomplished the two noble esquires approached & seized each other/ Theseus employed his puissance/ And hercules suffered him to do as much as he would or could/ without showing and putting out his virtue and might again to him. And so they shaken and lugged each other/ but finally hercules cast theseus/ the most softly and favourably that he could/ whereof the laughter was great among the Ladies and damosels/ Theseus' then departed fro the place. And went among the Ladies and damosels/ praying them that they would take it in gree. That he had done/ then came unto the pass many young esquires of whom I know not the names/ And they laboured and travailed largely for to get honour and worship. But their labour profited little unto them. as to the regard of the price/ For hercules cast and put to the earth all them that came. And the wrestling dured four ours continually/ At the last at the request of the Ladies the judges made the wrestling to cease for that day/ Be cause that they seemed that hercules was young/ And that he had achieved a great work etc..  
When hercules had understand that the judges had made cease the wrestling he was right sorrowful/ For in his wrestling he had a singular pleasure/ The judges with Eristeus came to him And made him do on his Clothes and array him. After they brought him in the common hall where as the Ladies were dancing and singing joyously/ And said to him that he must dance and sing like as other did Hercules excused him sore/ His excuse might not avail/ He was set on the dance in the hand of a right fair damosel Named Megaera of young age/ but she was right well addressed of wit and understanding she was daughter of King Creon// when hercules saw him in the hand of one so noble a damosel. He was sore abashed and shamed/ The damosel on that other side was also shamefast. For as she had seen hercules wrestle/ she had set all her love on him. And they wist not/ none of them both what to say. how be it in stead of words/ they used privy and covert regards hercules caught a singular pleasure to behold and see the damosel/ And the more near the damosel was to hercules the more her heart she set on him what shall I say/ love in this night submised and constrained them to love each other without speaking/ their beauty was cause thereof/ men should not have founden in all Greece two so fair children ne better accomplished they were enough beholden and seen/ And in especial hercules for his prowess And every man marveled of him and of his conduit.  
BY space of time then/ hercules was brought fro the feast in to his tent/ his tent ne the tents of the Kings & of the ladies were not made but of branches leaves and of herbs giving good odour and savour/ it was not known to make tents of cloth ne of silk. Hercules passed this night more intending to think on the beauty of Megaera then for to sleep The day following at our competent he came unto the paas And there were many young men strong and deliver And the strongest of all Greece/ But hercules with one arm threw and cast them/ And that day and the day following he cast and put to the earth more then three hundred/ And there could not so many come to him but he cast them down and put them under// without any chafing himself ne grieving/ At that time he gate a right great glory & honour there. Megaera often times beheld him. And in like wise did the Ladies and damosels And many there were that set their love in him/ and thus he passed the paas of the wrestling to his worship all three days At the fourth day he assembled all them that were come thither for to run/ And he made them that were most feeble to ride upon the best coursers that were in Greece/ And after he showed them the furlong or stady/ And made them to move and run And he ran after the horse and men But he passed all them that ran And without taking once his breath he ran the furlong/ And came thereto to fore all the riders & runners. Whereof he was greatly praised and had a great laud. and some men say that he ran also swiftly as an heart Of this course that hercules made all the world wondered/ And held it for a marvelous thing/ And wrote it in her books among other things worthy to be put in memory.  
AT the fifth and sixth days following/ hercules took his bow and his arrows And went in to the place that was ordained for to shoot in with the bow The Ladies and the damosels were there/ Hercules and many other shot at most straight and next the mark/ but shot by shot as to the regard of the nighest/ he shot alway in a little ring of gold And as for shooting a far/ he passed the farthest on the field xxiiii stredes his bow was so great that it was the charge & burden of a man/ not man could bend it but himself it was a pleasure to see him/ he gate great loose and bruit the two days And yet gate he more the day following/ which was the seventh day of the pace For when it came to the casting of the stone a far/ oon after another then he cast it in employing his strength in such wise that he passed vi pace further then any man that at that time employed him in the exercite then they that were comen to this feast cried with a high voys. the squire unknown is neither the son of Amphytrion ne the son of Jupiter/ but he is the son of god of nature which hath garnished him with double force & redoubled an hundred fold/ In his innocency he vanquished the serpents And in his youth he surmounteth in wit. force and valiance all the world/ blessed be the womb that conceived him and bore him for to glorify Grece/ For certes the time shall come once that he shall be the glory of the Greeks and their triumph And well shall help them if they have need.  
such were the words of the Kings of the Ladies and of the damosels of the nobles and of the valiants each man praised him in his guise/ The fair Megaera heard gladly the loos and praising that men gaf him/ but yet she saw him more gladly do his feats and valiances And it is no marvel though she saw him gladly & gaf her to behold him For in hercules was/ that was not in other/ his beauty surmounteth the measure to the portion & quantity of his force and strength/ what shall I say after that each man that cast would the stone had done/ he went in to the common tent/ where many an amorous man was with his lady/ and there he began to put himself forth a little/ And devise with one and other. And well became him/ For he had a right high and a cler understanding Megaera and hercules in this evening often times beheld each other secretly/ hear regards met and smote each other/ other while And then of force they changed colour/ In this changing of colour/ there was not a vain but he was moved And by this moving grew amorous desires in abundance of profound sighs/ which were nourished in the abysms & botoms of their hearts  
Among all other things for to speed the matter The Kings and the ancient knights assembled them in council For as much as they had many young knights that were comen and had abiden fro the beginning of the feast for to do arms against hercules/ The puissance and strength of hercules was well considered in this council/ And for as much as it was very semblable that no man might dure against him/ it was ordained that he should do no arms particular And that the days that were yet to comen of the contenu of the feast fro two days to two days they should tourney in manner of a battle/ whereof should be captains two Kings that were there That is to wete tandarus that was father of menelaus husband of the fair Helen/ And Ixion that was King of thessaly. These two Kings emprised with a good will this charge And it was ordained that hercules should let them tourney unto the time that the one party were at worse And that then he might help that party so suffering/ unto the time that he had brought them to their above This ordinance was showed in the tent by thofficer of arms/ What shall I make long Count/ They that were afore named for to fight And do arms man for man against hercules were right joyous of this new ordinance/ The feast then cess And oon and other withdrew them unto on the morn till they came to the fields for to begin the first tourney/ And there were well five hundred squires/ And three hundred knights all Armed as for to go in to battle. reserved that her swords were rabatnes & not sharp and that her spears had rochets of tree or of wood The King tandarus And the King Ixion were richly arrayed and well horsed And Armed well with choir boullye/ and ran in the most hardest place of this assembly/ there were no more but an hundred knights a horse back For the horse at that time were but little known ner used all they on horse back and they a foot were parted in two companies like in number/ that one of these companies was delivered to tandarus/ And that other to Ixion/ And when tandarus and Ixion had all that they ought to have/ they that had horses at the sound of the trump were ready for to just/ and ran one against an other so courageously that they troubled all the air with dust and powder that rose by their horse feet/ At the recounter each met with other often times/ And there were some overthrown under the horse And some reversed and turned up so down at cooping/ and some there were that broke their spears knightly and chivalrously For there was plenty of valiant knights/ but at the point when the knights on horse back had done their feat And that they set her hand on her swords the pietons or footmen began to renew the tourney with so great bruit and noise that all the mount redounded/ on that one side and that other there were many spears broken and shields unjoined/ They foined with her spears eagerly/ their strokes and foins were great each man showed the quantity of his force/ it was joyous to see. the spears flew in the air by pieces/ there were great cries/ None spared other/ ancient ne young. The ancient beat and fought with the young/ The young men by great courage learned and sued the old men when their spears were broken they took their swords whereof began a new stour joyous & pleasant in forging their helms and hewing on the shields so courageously And in especial they of the party of Ixion/ that they of the party of King tandarus were constrained to cry hercules unto the rescous etc..  
When hercules heard that they cried after him/ he was passing joyous/ For it was noyous to him to be idle and to see other labour He was nigh by the tourney/ beholding them that did best He had his sword in his fift/ At the cry that they that were put to the worse made He went unto their aid and help/ And began to tourney on the side where were the greatest strokes given/ so pleasantly that hi● was joy to behold. The King Ixion came against him for to sustain his feats and to hold together his folk But certes to his byenvenue hercules smote him on the shield in such wise that all a stonied he bore him to the earth and down of his horse/ Tho began there a great shout and laughter/ As well on as other began to intend to the rescue of King Ixion/ Hercules put himself in to the press. And made ranges on all sides so great that tandarus and his folk recovered and entered in to the battle of their counterparty/ At that time began again the tourney strong & sharp They that right now fled/ took heart. force and virtue to them again by the well-doing of hercules/ and recovered vigour & strength Hercules of all them that were there was take heed of/ his strokes surmounted all other with out measure/ he brought again tandarus to his above with little labour finally he did so great prowess that day and in the days following that he was recommended above all the men of the world/ what shall I make long process of the tourney and of the pass temps of this feast/ there were three great tourneys and notable At each tourney as soon as it happened that one party was put a back and to the worse/ Hercules by his well doing recovered them & put them up above again/ not man took heed but to his glory every man said well of him at dances at feasts every man loved him/ each man him worshipped/ there was no tongue of noble ne of villain but that gave him laud and praising/ whereof the conclusion was such that all the prizes abode with him And also there were given to him many gifts of the Kings that were there/ The days of this solemnity drew over the last night/ the Kings and the Ladies and nobles assembled in the common tent/ And of one common accord they would that fro year to year they and their heirs should hold and renew the feast that hercules had begun and stablished For they said that it was the most honourable pass temps that ever was made in Greece/ and named the feast olympiad/ by cause of the mount olympus. And they had it so recommended that fro thence forth/ they noted their mandments & their letters perdurable of the year of the first olympiad/ In such wise as we say the year of thin carnation These things ordained given and promised/ th'officer of arms of hercules thanked all them that were comen to this olympiad After that/ each took leave of other and departed on the morn. And thus finished and ended this feast etc..   

¶ How hercules failed by the sea in to Hesperia. And how he vanquished the isle with the muttons or sheep And vanquished philotes And slew his fellow.  
AT the departing hercules passeth lightly the withdrawing & departing of all them that were there reserved the departing of Megaera/ he knew not the malady of love unto the time that he saw her depart in to her country/ Megaera went unto thebes/ and hercules drew him to Athens/ right pensive & thinking much on his lady And sore desiring to see her went in the company of Eristeus unto Athens where they feasted them four days long At the fourth day tidings came That unto the port & haven were comen strange folk by fortune. Which were clothed in right pleasant robes & garments when the King Eristeus heard these tidings/ He sent anon for to fetch these strangers to him/ and asked them fro whence they were They answered him that they were of the occident & of the region of Hesperia/ where is the region of Hesperia said Eristeus And what manner country is it. Verily answered one of them I trow that in all the world is no better country. For there is abundance of all things that is necessary to man's life And I can well tell to you That in the places of our conversation. And where we have our hauntyse. There been many isles lying about the farthest parties of Maurce be yond Ampolesy Where grow all the best things that men can think And there is a King named philotes/ fair son of a King named Atlas. Which been of the generation of Greeks And it is not to be unremembered that the King phylotes accompanied with the daughters of King Atlas fond late an isle right pleasant/ as was his adventure This isle is all plain without mountain or valley/ it is in such wise as is a garden all green. And there been there in so many sheep and muttons that it is marvel/ which been kept & cherished there also diligently as they were of fyn gold/ Of these muttons that I speak of/ we have our robes & gowns made we and they that may have them must buy them at great pris of gold/ we eat the flesh and cloth us with the skins And know ye for certain that in to this isle is but one entry/ And he entereth not there in that would For the King philotes and an other giant which been wise and subtle and marvelously strong alway keep th'entry of the isle And alway that one waketh/ while that other sleepeth/ Certes said Eristeus by that/ that I understand of you the isle that ye speak of is of great excellence/ This philotes that ye make mention of/ what man is this King philotes The stranger answered and said that he is the most redoubted and dread King of the parties occidental. He is a giant that by his force and strength hath conquered the isle with the sheep. And hath put out them that dwelled and were inhabited there afore/ he is so strong that it is but let a go that he said if he might find a man more strong & puissant than he is/ he would never after bear arms to fight in battle during the life of that other etc..  
THe King Aegeus then gave leave to the strangers to depart fro his presence and commanded that noman should give them impeachment in her returning toward their country. And they went and departed. Eristeus abode with Aegeus. And eristeus came to hercules and theseus/ And wished by a great desire to have of the muttons saying to them that he would that it cost him as much gold as a payr muttons weigh and that he had a ram and an ewe for to engender in his country/ In that time were no sheep in Greece when hercules had heard the desire of King Eristeus/ suddenly he said to him sire ye have desired here to have a payr of muttons appertening to the daughters of Atlas by the conquest and arms of the strong giant philotes I promise you here for troth upon my gentilesse/ That fro this day three weeks/ I shall depart by water or by land for to fetch and gete them And that I shall never return in to Greece unto the time that I have founden the isle and that I shall oppose myself against the giants that keepeth it/ And shall assay if I can get the isle upon them like as philotes hath gotten it upon other when the King Eristeus had understand the enterprise that hercules made/ he was passing sorry For he loved hercules as much as he had been his owen son/ he reprised him fro that high enterprise/ weening to have broken it but hercules answered so wisely and so ripely that eristeus was content to suffer him to go unto this adventure. And theseus with him.  
THe renomee of this viage was spread anon in all the country/ Aegeus and Eristeus made ready for their two sons a right good galley and well garnished it of all manner things The galley & all other habiliments were all ready in good time At the end of three weeks They went to the sea And with them right many noble Greeks And rowed so forth till they came in to the high see. where they sailed and rowed many days without finding of any adventure to speak/ For at that time the sea was but little used neither of thieves ne yet of merchants/ what shall I say/ their patron in process of time brought them in to Hesperia that afterward was named Spain And there sought so long the isle with the sheep/ that at last arrived there/ at the paas/ The giant that was commised to keep the entry and the ward of the isle slept not at that time/ when the Greeks descended But issued out of his house And came all Armed unto the straight passage/ where might no man gone up but one at ones And he cried to the Greeks/ sires what seek you here/ Hercules answered we seek the muttons that been in this isle for to carry some of them in to Greece. The giant answered have ye money I now/ if ye have so ye shall have I now/ how said hercules shall we not have them otherwise/ no said the giant then said hercules/ at the lest let us have them at the pris that ye have gotten them/ how said the giant/ the King phylotes hath conquered with his sword the isle and the muttons Hercules answered mine intention is in like wise to conquer the isle upon him/ if ye will defend it/ haste you ye must have the battle against me/ or else let me the isle that I may do there in my will.  
Anon as the giant had understand the conclusion of hercules/ he made him ready to defend the paas. And blew a great horn that was there hanging on a tree. At sounding of the horn the daughters of Atlas awaked philotes. And told him that some were there for to get the paa●/ and that the giant had blown the horn/ Philotes with the words roose up and armed him and came to the paas And found that hercules by force had put a back his giant That reserved philotes was the most subtle man of arms of all Hesperia He was sore abashed and began to sigh/ But this notwithstanding he had not long sojourned there when hercules smote the giant but on the right shoulder by such strength and virtue that the shield of the giant was fall fro him and his arms all to frushed And his glaive entered so far in to his body unto his heart that he smote him down dead at his feet.  
When philotes saw his giant dead/ He came unto hercules for to defend the pass saying that he would avenge his giant if he might/ Hercules had great joy when he saw philotes come to the paas And said to him King thou art well come/ I have now joy in my heart since I shall prove myself against the/ men say/ there is no struck but of the master now let us see how we shall work together. well and happy be he/ that well shall do and prove himself. Philotes in the hearing of these words came unto the paas & held a great bourdon with which he smote sore upon the shield of hercules and made him to disavail a paas/ whereof philotes began to laugh/ And thought for to have smitten yet hercules with that bourdon/ which was a shamed of that other struck/ he kept him well and awaited so that in the smiting he caught it & reached it out of his fists/ and casted it in to the sea/ then was philotes all abashed of the force of hercules/ when he had lost his bourdon he took his sword & came for to fight with hercules/ philotes was at advantage/ For hercules was under him/ they assailed that one that other right ardently and well they kept them both two/ In this day they fought without ceasing also long as the day endured/ The night came one that they must rest/ They lay there both two upon the paas They slept no thing/ for it was no time/ both two kept the watch They endured it well for they were accustomed for to wake Thus waking philotes had many words unto hercules and demanded fro whence he was. And hercules told him the truth After they spoke of their battle And at the seeking and purchase of philotes They promised each to other That if any of them were vanquished/ he that were vanquished and overcomen for to save his life/ should be holden to serve truly the vainquer all his life during etc..  
during these devices and promises. The day star That the poets call aurora begins to arise in his reign. The air was clear and net. The stars shone At this hour hercules cast his eyen among the stars. And seeing there Aurora shine above all other/ he began to remember his lady Megaera Alas Madame where be ye now/ I would it pleased the gods that ye remembered as well me as I remember you. In truth the light of this star eschafeth the Amorous fire/ whereof I was late seized by thadmynystrationadministration of your beauty/ ye be also far shining in beauty above the maidens of Greece as this aurora shineth above all the other stars/ of whom the number is so great that no man can tell. O noble Megaera the right clear star/ your remembrance enlumineth mine heart like as this star enlumineth the heaven. And me thinketh that by this remembrance when I come to the battle I shall prevail the better/ wherefore I promit you if fortune help me like as I desire ye shall have your part of all that I shall conquer etc..  
THe night drew over the day began at the point of the sun rising hercules was all esjoyed of the sovenance and remembrance that he had had of his lady. And took his sword and said to philotes// we have sojourned long enough/ Lo it is day And the sun riseth/ it is better that we exercite arms now then when the rays of the sun been greater. Late us take this time ere the great heat come and let each of us do his power/ Philotes that was all ready was right joyous when he heard hercules/ For him thought that he should soon and in little space speed his matter. And said to him. Hercules I am ready. And was since yesterday to achieve this battle. Keep you as well as ye can/ ye have slain my giant the most subtle man that was in all the occident. Whereof I have great displeasure. But at the lest since his death may not be recovered by death of a man/ I shall put me in pain and devoir/ to have a new soldier. And that shall be ye. or else my sword and fortune shall fail me/ Shall I so said hercules and if your sword and fortune fail you/ What tidings. By my gentleness said philotes that befall me never. And if my malheur and misadventure run upon me/ then must I needs by your servant by condition/ that I shall never after enter in to battle at my emprise/ Ne emprise of non other during your life/ Ne for you ne for other I shall ne●er fight/ but if it be/ myself defendant without other words the two champions approached each other and smote together so sadly and sore that the place redounded of her strokes In a little while they had detrenched her shields by great quarters/ philotes might not fail to smite on hercules/ but his strokes were nothing so great but that hercules might bear them well enough without grief or suffering great damage.  
THus began the battle again of the two giants Hercules was high as a giant/ he was right asper in arms/ he did much pain to get the paas/ but yet he might never attain to smite philotes a plain struck for as much as philotes was above on the pace/ which containeth well two cubits of height. When hercules saw and knew that philotes kept his paas without abasing or adventuring to come down He thought subtilely that he would fain himself weary And little and little after he began to smite more feebly than he did afore/ After that he recoiled himself and smote fro far as he had failed and been weary/ the Greeks afeard and wend he might no more/ and than philotes sprang down fro the paas weening to have put him to utterance/ but then when hercules saw him to fore him And that one was no more higher than that other Hercules came to his place again And gave so great a struck to philotes that he made him recoil and go a back more than four foot Philotes was than all abashed/ And repented him that he descended fro the paas/ but that was for naught for the repenting might not avail. Then he took courage and enhanced his sword and smote hercules on the lift arm so hard that he gaf him a wound that the blood sprang out/ when hercules saw the arms of philotes besprent with his blood/ he made none other countenance but that he would suddenly be avenged of the struck In giving to philotes three strokes whereof of the first he broke his helm and smote him on the head/ And of the second he gaf him a great wound on the right shoulder And with the third struck he made his sword to flee out of his fists/ And then he caught him in his arms and after long wrestling he cast him to the earth/ In such wise that philotes yielded him servant unto hercules And promised him to serve him truly all the residue of his life And that he would bear his arms After him in all place where he should go/ Hercules received to mercy phylotes. And then called theseus and his fellowship They came and were right glad and joyous of the victory that he had done. Then hercules Philotes And all the other went in to the isle where they found the daughters of Atlas greatly discomfited for the death of the giant/ and for as much as hercules had also conquered phylotes their warden/ Hercules & phylotes comforted the daughters the best wise they could And there the Greeks refreshed them the space of three days/ The fourth day he took xxx rams & xxx ewes/ and brought them Into their ship After that they went to the sea without any harm doing in the isle for the love of the damosels/ they departed thence and went to the sea/ accompanied of phylotes which was conquered by hercules as said is/ and after loved well hercules & truly served him ever after/ but of their journeys I shall tarry for this time/ And shall speak of a monster of the sea that the gods sent to Troy for to devour the fair Exiona daughter to King laomedon   

¶ How hercules fought at the port of Troy against a monster of the sea for the daughter of King laomedon.  
IN that time as Boccace rehearseth in his genealogy of gods in the third chapter of the sixth book/ Laomedon the King of Troy was busy to wall and mure his city with mures and towers to the end to make it more strong/ he was not well garnished of treasures ne of money for to accomplish his desire/ he went unto the temple of the god of the sun & of the sea That were passing rich And took all the money that he could find/ promitting to pay it again at a certain day & time set/ by the moyen of this money he closed and fortified the city of Troy with mures & towers/ The work was costly/ how be it in little time he achieved it And it was not long after that the work was finished but the day came in which laomedon should pay and render unto the temples of the gods the money that he had taken and borrowed At which day. The priests of the temples came unto laomedon and demanded him if he would render the oblations and offerings that he had taken out of the temple Laomedon deigned not to speak to the priests but sent them word shamefully that they should return & keep her temples wherefore he was afterward sore punished/ For in the same night after that he would not here the priests The great winds be 'gan to rise & move that on against that other and caused the sea to rise in such wise that it entered and followed in to the town so far that it filled the streets full of water & drowned a great part of the town above this in eight days following the sun shone so ardently and gave so great heat that the people durst not go in the air by day time And that dried the superfluity of the abundance of the water of the sea that was left/ whereof rose a corrupt and a mortal vapour that infected all the city whereof engendered so great a pestilence that the most part of the Trojans were smitten to death by the great Influence of the corrupt air.  
BY this pestilence they of Troy fill in great desolation The citizens men and women/ young and old died without speaking suddenly/ the father could not ner might not help his child in necessity/ ner the child the father at that time reigned in troyes neither love ne charity For each man that might save himself fleed a way for fear of this mortality/ and gave over and left the city/ And went to dwell in the fields/ And among all other the King laomedon seeing the destruction of his royalme went in to the isle of delphos unto the temple of the god Apollo/ for to have the council of the god touching the health of his city/ with laomedon went the most noble and the most puissant men of Troy. When they were comen unto the temple/ They put them in contemplation and devotion to fore the idol. And the devil that was there in answered them & said. The money which was taken out of the temples/ and not rendered and paid again/ Is cause of the malady and vengeance of Troy/ And I do all the Trojans to wete that never shall Troy be quit of this malady unto the time that the said city purvey to appease the gods/ In this wise That is to weet that every month they must cheese one of the virgins and maidens which must be set on the side for to be devoured by a monster that the gods shall send thither And the said virgins shall be chosen by lot or adventure. And in this wise must the city do for t'great the gods perpetually/ unto the time that they find one man that by his arms and his might shall overcome the said monster etc..  
AFter these words and answer laomedon and the Trojans assembled to council upon this matter And concluded that for the common weal and health of Troy/ They would put her virgins in the jeopardy and adventure to the servitude of the monster without any exception or reserving/ then they returned unto Troy/ and took their virgins and cast lot among them And on her that the lot fill/ was taken and brought to the sea side. And anon after was seen comen out of the abysms or swallow of the sea so great a tempest that the sea arose and was troubled The see brought this monster And a right great flood of water lift up the monster by times out of the sea/ he was as great as a balene or a hulk. And then he took the virgin and swallowed her in/ And went a way again in to the sea And fro then forth the pestilence ceased/ thus was troyes delivered of their sickness and malady by the oblations of her virgins that were offered unto the monster fro month to month/ And thus as said is. her virgins were devoured/ it happened that in the end of the month that the sort or lot fill on one of the daughters of King laomedon named exiona/ This daughter was young and fair and well-beloved of all the people when this lot was fallen on her/ she was not only bewailed and sorrowed of King laomedon her father and of his son Priant and of her sister Antigone and of her cousins and allies/ But of all the people men women and children/ notwithstanding their weeping ner the good renomee of her could not save her For for the common weal and health of them all/ She was put in thaventureadventure of the monster/ The noble virgin was ready for t'obey. The King laomedon brought her upon the sea side accompanied of noble●/ Ladies/ and damosels with great suit of Trojans ●●●●goys and merchants/ all they made sorrow for her an● ●●wlayned and bewailed her/ what shall I say/ At the point that she was thus brought thither/ Hercules at adventure arrived at this port of Troy with his muttons/ and he willing to refresh him there made to cast his anchors out/ and going out and taking land he beheld on that one side and saw the Trojans weeping and bewailing exiona in casting a brood her arms/ and wringing their hands that he had pity to see it/ And desiring to know what them ailed put himself in to the press/ & saw there where they bond the fair Exiona in the rout attired of royal adornments all discoloured and full of tears as she that abode no thing but the death Hercules moved with compassion on the damosel. Addressed his language unto King laomedon for as much as him seemed that above all them that were in the place he was a man of authority And demanded him wherefore that the damosel was there bound/ laomedon casted his eyen all bewept on him/ And was all abashed to see his greatness and his beauty nevertheless he answered him what art thou that art so hardy to demand me of mine Infortune/ which is to all common in Troy sire said hercules I am a stronger/ and I love the worship and honour of Ladies. And there ne is thing that I might do for them/ but I would do it unto my power/ and for as much as I see this damosel thus entreated/ In the favour of all Ladies I have asked of you the cause and I will know it or put myself in adventure for to die with her/ And there for I demand yet again what Trespass or sin hath she done/ that these men thus bind her My son answered laomedon I see well that ye be ignorant and know not the terms and the cause/ wherefore this damosel my daughter is here abandoned. There is no man but he may well know it. For she shall die for the salute and health of Troy And I shall tell you how we be comen thereto/ The gods of the sea and of the sun hath enmachyned a●d grieved Troy with a right great pestilence. That took his beginning of a surabundance of the sea/ whereof the streets of Troy were full in every place of water After this deluge and flood the time was marvelously hoot & outrageously By the great heat of the sun this see was dried up. Of this dryness or drought engendered a vapour infect And of this vapour ensued a pestilence. And for to resist this pestilence I have been in the oracle of the god Apollo Where I have had answer that for t'appease the gods and to cease the pestilence/ The gods of the sun and of the sea will that fro month to month be taken in Troy of the virgins by sort or lot for to be exposed and offered in this place unto a monster of the sea/ The Trojans were content to fulfil the will of the gods and I with them/ we have casted our lots upon our virgins/ whereof many been swallowed and englutted by the monster And now the sort or lot is fall on my daughter will she or not/ she must needs obey and appease the gods/ After her shall come another/ there is no remedy/ And this shall dure upon the virgins of troyes perpetually/ For it is the destiny that Troy shall never be quite of this right hard servitude and thraldom/ unto the time that they have found a man that alone shall vanquish and overcome the foresaid monster by his puissance and prowess/ which shall be Impossible How be it that it is true that all the men of the greatest city of the world can not find manner to vanquish him he is so great & dreadful/ And for these things considered demand me no more My daughter shall die for the common weal of the place of her nativity// She was born in a good hour/ when the gods will/ That by lot and this fortune she be to them offered sire answered hercules/ truly I ween that under heaven is no city so bond and thrall as yours is. How be it it aught to be understand that the gods will not suffer/ That this malediction shall hold and endure perdurably/ ye must live in hope/ if fortune and the gods will do me that grace that I might vanquish and overcome the monster and make Troy free of this servitude what reward would ye give me/ Truly said laomedon I trow not that it be possible that ye should vanquish the monster Who is he that shall expose him to so great a folly/ hercules answered/ unto a valiant heart is no thing impossible/ if I triumph upon the monster & save thy daughter what reward shall I have/ laomedon answered/ if thou Mayst do that thou saist/ I have two horses the best that been in all the world/ which I love as well as half my royalme/ I shall give them to the as to the best knight of knights and as to the most hardiest of hardy. Sire said hercules. It is enough to me and sufficeth to have the two horses. Late me alone with your daughter. I have a trust and hope that this day I shall labour for the weal of Troy. And that I shall franchise and make free the virgins and maidens of that city But I pray you if there be in your city any great bar of iron or of metal. That ye will send for to fetch it to me for to defend me with all.  
THe King laomedon and the Trojans were all abashed when they saw th'emprise that hercules had made And at the words of hercules the King remembered him of a great club of iron that lay at the entry of his palace of Ilion that was so heavy that the strongest man of Troy had enough to do to lay it on his shoulder he sent for it and presented it to hercules And hercules lift it up as it had been a little glaive Philotes and theseus were present at all these things Hercules took leave at them and at the press and recommanded him unto their prayers/ and forth with all the sea began to roar terribly Laomedon and the Ladies and they that were there took leave of Exiona and at hercules. And recommended them unto the mercy of the gods/ and went upon the downs for to see the end/ Thus abode Exiona alone and all despaired upon the gravel with hercules/ then hercules kneeled down on his knees upon the gravel turning his face unto the orient. and made his prayers unto the god that made the monsters & terrible beasts requiring him that he would give him force strength and virtue of power for to deliver Exiona from her Infortune of the monster/ This orison accomplished hercules entered in to a little boot/ where Exiona was in. And anon after the sea roaring more and more grew & arose in such wise that the boot floated and was lift up & born by diverse wawes following this in a great troubling of wind when the sea was risen in great abundance of waters hercules & the Trojans saw coming the great horrible & unmeasurable monster/ bringing with him a tempest so terrible that it seemed that all the monsters of hell had been with him he made the wawes to redouble asperly/ he lift him up above the water & put out his Mosel unto his shoulders/ that of the swallowing in of the water/ sprang out of his gills great floods of the sea/ That mounted so high that it seemed that it had been a goulffre that had pierced the clouds/ For to say the very truth of this monster/ he was so horrible and so fearful that only for to look on and behold/ The most hardy and assured of Troy trembled for fear as a leaf on a tree/ This notwithstanding hercules was no thing afeard/ alway he comforted Exiona that fill down as dead. He took his club. The monster came by the boot and cast his Mosel unto Exiona weening to have swallowed her in/ as he had done the other virgins afore/ Hercules kept her/ For he smote him so acertainly upon the muzzle that he gaf him a right great wound so sore and heavy to bear That he made him to go a back and recoil in to the bottom of the sea/ then in the falling of the monster in to the sea/ the wawes a roos high in to the air/ whereof hercules and Exiona were all wet of the washing and springing of the wawes/ their boot was born with the wawes upon a bank of sand where the sea was so low/ that the monster might not well swim with his ease unto them/ The monster alway swam ●fter them and coming nigh to them lift up his head/ and in the lifting up there issued out of his throat so great abundance of water of the sea That the boot was full of water and sank in such wise that hercules was in the sea unto the great of his thighs And Exiona stood in the water unto her middle etc..  
Anon as hercules saw him in this adventure. he had great displeasure in himself moore for the pain and despair that Exiona had then for the dread that he himself had The King laomedon Theseus Philotes and all the other supposed than that hercules and the damosel without rescue had been devoured of the monster. The monster then seeking his prey. Leap again against Exiona with a terrible waw Hercules had his club ready on his neck. And awaited no thing but the monster desiring to avenge him of the displeasure that he had/ And that he would have done him discharged his club on his head so mightily that the bar entered therein and the blood sprang out/ then was the monster more wood upon hercules/ he cessed the assault of the damosel And assailed hercules. And alway as he lift his head out of the water/ he disgorged upon the valiant champion great floods of the sea/ but this notwithstanding he could not do so much harm unto hercules/ but that hercules did much worse to him Hercules sued him with his club/ and made him to rebonte in to the bottom of the sea/ by the peisant weight of his strokes.  
THe battle endured long between hercules and the monster// if the monster might once have touched hercules/ he would at on gulp have englutted or swallowed him in/ He had a wide and a great throat out of measure he made great noise & bruit. He was ardant in exercising his office alway hercules fought with him boistously/ And held the virgin by him And what thing that ever the monster did He could not so suddenly lift up his head out of the water/ But that with one struck of his club he was rebouted alway unto the bottom of the sea/ What shall I say hercules was oft times in peril for to be drowned The peril was great and more than I can rehearse Fortune was with him and the damosel/ he fought and beat the monster valiantly/ And so exploited in smiting continually on his muzzle and on his head that the sea withdrew And took fro him the spirit of life and all to frushed his brain vanquished him and slow him/ And after when the sea was withdrawn & far ebbed/ he took Exiona by the hand & brought her upon the dyke & delivered her unto her father the King laomedon.   

¶ How Laomedon shut hercules out of Troy And how hercules swore that he would avenge him.  
When the King laomedon saw his daughter thus delivered fro the monster & troyes made quite of the servage of the pestilence/ he inclined and thanked profoundly hercules After he descended unto the sea side accompanied of hercules theseus philotes And of the Trojans & went for to see and behold the monster that was so great/ that three hundred horses might not move him fro the place where he was/ Oon and other took heed for to see the strokes that hercules gave him And they could not see all/ but in that they saw they marveled For hercules had broken bones That it seemed not possible to break/ and they had founden the head hurt in so many places. That with great pain they could not know whether he had heed or none Of this high and increable victory the Trojans enjoyed them marvelously And had hercules more in grace than any man in the world. when they had seen and behold the monster enough they departed thence and brought hercules in to Troy/ They came not so soon unto the dycque but they found Exiona new clothed with new array and vestments. And as for hercules all that he had upon him was weet and nothing dry The King laomedon would have had him to have changed his habits and would have give him new but the valiant squire refused it all/ saying that he had been well accustomed not for to be alway well at his case/ In this estate then laomedon brought hercules in to Troy unto the castle of Ilion and his Greeks with him and feasted them as it appertained Hercules and his Greeks were four days triumphant in Ilion during these four days the Trojans went out in great routs for to see the monster/ and gave so great loose and praising to hercules That laomedon had envy there at/ doubting him that the people would love better hercules than him/ He sent hercules and his folk out of the town for to hunt And as soon as they were out of Troy/ He drew up the bridge and shut the yates against him/ when hercules wend for to have entered. Laomedon spoke to him and said to him fro far/ that he had mened by conspiration the city against him And that he would no more receive him in to the town/ hercules was passing wroth when he understood th'accusation of laomedon And answered him/ that never in his live he had taught any villainy to him/ wherein he charged and offered himself to prove by battle in the field and to adventure his body again xxx other/ that would say or maintain the contrary/ which offer laomedon would not receive/ then hercules required him/ that at the lest he would deliver him his horses that he had promised him for the victory of the monster Laomedon answered that he would none deliver him/ wherefore said hercules Laomedon answered & said/ for as much as it is my will and pleaseth me so to do/ ha' false & untrue King said hercules/ thou withholdest me the price and reward of my labour/ and thou yieldest me evil for good/ I swear to the by the puissance of all my gods/ that as I have delivered Troy perpetually by my club of the monster of the sea and consequently fro the sword of pestilence. Semblably and in like wise by the same club I shall yield and render unto Troy the pestilence of death and of war if the gods give me the grace/ And I have intention for to make the Trojans say that they were happy that been dead in the time of the pestilence that is passed etc..  
Hercules' full of great ire departed with these words and left there the King laomedon that set little store of that he had said to him/ For he trusted and put all his affiance in the strength of the walls of his city/ and him thought that no man might noye ner grieve him And then hercules went again to his ship and mounted in to the sea with his club & his sheep and his fellow theseus/ Philotes held himself well happy for to have been vanquished of one so valiant a man as hercules was & he emprised the office for to bear his harness in all places where he went. What shall I say from Troy unto thebes fill nothing worthy to be put in memory that is of record In the end he arrived in Greece And knew by some certain man there That King Eristeus was in thebes whereof he had great joy For him thought he saw his lady Megaera/ which he desired to see by great desire/ he went unto thebes where he was solemnly received of the King Creon which had him in great chertee for his valiance Oon and other came and welcomed him he sent his sheep and muttons unto the King Eristeus by philotes Philotes himself told and recounted how hercules had conquered them and him also And how he had slain his giant at the pass Of these tidings was the King Eristeus passing joyous. And so were all they that were there or heard speak of it/ every man glorified hercules Ladies and damosels came and welcomed him among all other Megaera failed not/ she came to hercules and welcomed him. And well became her to feast & make him cheer. For she was wise and of good manner And certes her coming gave more solace unto hercules then all the lovings & praisings that were then given to him/ how well all the world praised and exalted him by this voyage above all the Greeks/ and the sheep were so desired/ that Kings bought them for the weight of gold/ wherefore the historiographers & poets put this conquest in perpetual memory. Writing among his deeds in this wise/ Sustulit mala aurea/ that is as much to say as he bore away the muttons of gold/ For as much as they were esteemed at price of the weight of gold/ For mala in Greek is as much to say as sheep in English or muttons in French/ and so racounteth Boccace in his genealogy of gods/ And so approveth varro which writeth in like wise in his book de Agricultura.  
BY this conquest the name of hercules began to flee in height and in excellence The poets have feigned upon this history That the daughters of Atlas had a garden kept night and day of a serpent waking Wherein grew Apples of gold And that hercules slew this serpent And gathered and bore away the Apples By this garden is understand the isle/ By the serpent waking/ the subtle giant commised to keep it that alway woke at the paas And by the Apples of gold been understand the sheep/ esteemed to the valour of the weight of fyn gold/ After then the presentation made to Eristeus of this sheep or muttons as each man marveled of the prowess of hercules Philotes adjusted and gave to his vainquer hercules praising above praising and loange and lo●s above loose and honour above honour/ For hearing Kings and Princes. Ladies and damosels seeing that hercules held his peace whereof he ought and might embrace honour and worship he declared fro point to point his adventure not creable/ of the monster of Troy's. And showed the club wherewith he had put him to death After that he rehearsed the honour and grace that he had gotten in Troy And the wrong that laomedon had done to him And said so much thereof That they enterprised all to go and war upon the King laomedon for to take vengeance of the wrong that he had done to hercules etc..   

¶ How hercules had battle against the King laomedon And how he vanquished and destroyed Troy the first time etc.  
it is not possible that my pen can write the grace and excellent renome that hercules gate in Greece at his coming fro Troy/ The Kings & the princes reputed himself happy and eurous for to have their reign in his time Amphitryon his father putative began to have him in grace/ And came in to thebes to him/ His mother Alcmena came also/ and certes she failed not to have largesses of joy/ when she might set her eyen to see her son/ which was so greatly renowned. The noble lady had not seen him in long time afore. she saw him triumph in honour in valiance and in prowess all the annoys. Griefs. and displeasures that she had for him/ be cause that he was named the son of Jupiter/ whereof she held herself Innocent were all forgotten and put in oubliance The feast was great in thebes for the love of hercules Men spoke not but of him and of his prowess Creon Eristeus Aegeus Amphitryon & many other assembled them together And made their musters and assembles for to go unto Troy. By space of time their exercite was ready And then they took their leave. And hercules was made capitain of this army/ he went to the sea accompanied of the Kings abovesaid and ten thousand men all chosen for the nonce At the time covenable the mariners disanchored And went to sail They failed so long by their course with out adventure or letting that yet during their victuals they came on a day in to phrygia unto a port of a city named Larissa being nigh to tenadon/ This city was of the demesne of Troy/ For which cause the Greeks assailed it and took it by force of arms/ And after that rifled it and took all that was therm And when they had so spoiled it They went to tenadon which was a gentlemanly city They assailed it and took it as they did the city of Larissa and they put therm the fire & burned it that the air was enflamed in such wise that it was seen in Troy how the city brende Thassault of tenadon dured not long For as much as the Trojans were not advertised of her coming when then they saw the air so inflamed for to see fro what place the flame came They mounted and went up on the high edifices of Ilion and seeing toward tenadon saw that the city was all on a fire whereof they that saw it were right sorry and greatly abashed above this they looked in to the sea And espied then there the float of the Greeks whereof they were more abashed than they were afore. And than without any more longer tarrying they descended and went down in to the hall of King laomedon/ And said to him/ Alas sire what is best to be done/ The Greeks come upon us with right a great float we have seen them and know them. The strong hercules menaceth you for to destroy your city/ Certes I believe it is he For for the beginning of the feast he hath brent tenadon/ And that is that causeth the air be full of fire etc..  
THe King laomedon hearing this tiding/ began to sigh and to taste the punition and trespass that he had commised and done against hercules. This notwithstanding for to give courage unto his men and to his son Priant that was that time of the cage of xx year. he did do sown to arms And adubbed him with arms showed a right fires and hardy semblant This don he Armed Priant his son that never had been in battle afore and dubbed him knight After he took him by the hand and issued out of Ilion/ In issuing out he met many Trojans that told him that at his port were descended many Greeks that had destroyed tenadon And but if he hasted him/ They should soon take land Laomedon without speaking any word passed forth by them that had brought him this tiding And came to a place that was there by Ilion where he found more then xx thousand Trojans ready armed/ and seeing them he began to joy in himself And called the Principals and said to them Lords ye been renowned in all the world by the high prowesses of your antecessors afore that Troy was walled they defended it with the sword against their enemies The renowned King Jupiter of Crete could not get this city Ne the Thesalonyque by their war might never subdue this city it is now happened this day that a new assemble of enemies come upon this city as men say They have put the fire in tenadon Late us go receive them courageously And let us make of them like as our faders have made with other etc..  
When the Trojans had heard these words of their King They answered all/ that they would live and die with him for the weal of the city and that they had intention to keep it in his honour and for to do grow their ancient glory/ without holding of long process/ The King laomedon did then do display all his banners After issued out of Troy setting and ranging his men in good ordinance And then as he began to conduit and lead them forth suddenly he heard at the port a passing great noise & bruit of trumpets clarions and tabors of the Greeks/ anon his blood began to chafe/ then his hair of his head began to stand up/ he knew that they were his enemies/ And as soon as they knew the Greeks without holding of any order ne measure/ they moved them & began to run to the port one to fore an other/ when they approached the port they espied the Greeks that descended with great puissance/ then they escried them unto the death and ran upon them asperly/ the Greeks were furnished of good armours & put them to defence/ And began to skirmish that one that other so dismeasurably/ that in thabordingaboarding and meeting there were many dead & hurt/ hercules was there among the Greeks he began to meddle sharply among the Trojans/ he had his club/ certes he feasted them in such wise that the most strongest of his enemies durst not abide him/ he fought fiercely in desire of vengement in covetise of worship & for to get him a name/ In forcing his hand he showed to the Trojans his club/ and made them to feel the weight thereof/ and the strength of his Arm And he wrought so highly and did so valiantly that they that saw him doubted him more than the/ death And saiden that one unto that other/ behold hercules. but approach him not/ it were folly all that he areacheth he sleeth and forfrusheth/ we do evil to fight against him This is the franchiser of the terrible servage and thraldom of Troy/ how shall we resist his club/ when the mortal monsters been by the same put to utterance etc..  
such were the words of the Trojans/ hercules fought against them fiercely/ he was farm and stable/ he went afore all/ the Greeks followed him and took a pleasure to behold him. The Cry was great about him ● what shall I say he fought unto the night and never cessed unto the going down of the sun/ and the Trojans swooned the retreat and they departed both parties/ laomedon put his sword in to his sheath which was all bloody with Greeks blood. And in like wise did Priant his sun. They re-entered in to their city. After the skirmish they concluded that one the morn they would furnish their enemies of battle And the Greeks lodged them in the Champagne and made good cheer For they had lost but little of her people at her coming a land This night passed over/ when the day appeared the Trojans & the Greeks each in his manner made them ready to the battle/ many of the Trojans would gladly have broken this battle. And prayed unto King laomedon that he would render and deliver to hercules the horses that he aught to him/ laomedon would not do it. But answered that he doubted no thing his enemies/ he had then well thirty thousand of fighting men all ready/ of these thirty thousand he made two battles one of twenty thousand and that he lad himself And that other of therty thousand he made Priant captain/ this done he issued out of troyes with his xx thousand fighting men and came upon the fields entering unto the Greeks etc..  
When the Greeks espied coming King laomedon They were full of joy As they that were ready for to receive them at the points of their spears and with hewing of their swords/ they had made of their host four battles In the first was hercules And in the second was Amphitryon and Theseus And in the third was the King Creon/ And in the fourth was Eristeus/ Hercules then that had the first battle marched when it was time against the King laomedon. And he had four ancient knights well adressed in the feat of arms that set & conducted his folk in array and ordinance/ They marched so nigh that one that other with great noise of trumps and tabors/ that the Archers and Arblasters began the battle/ After that that hercules had summoned laomedon to pay him that he had promised him and that laomedon had made refuse thereof/ The Greeks were garnished with stronger bows and shot than the Trojans were/ by that moyen they slow largely of their enemies/ And sovereignly hercules bore him so well that of xl Arrows that he shot one After an other he slew xl of his enemies such as he would cheese without failing.  
Hercules' was at that time the best Archier and the most just that was in all Greece/ and also in all the world/ he & his men as said is cast man● of the Trojans to the ground by their shot/ when the shot failed hercules delivered his bow unto philotes that bore his harness and took a glaive strong and sure/ when it came to glaives and breaking and foining with spears hercules that was alway in the first front leap against the King laomedon that was departed fro his host afore all other/ for as much as he rood upon one of the horses that he had promised to hercules And running one against that other as swiftly as they had flown in the air/ met and smote each other so sore that their spears broke in pieces which sprang about them. Hercules passed forth and smote among the Trojans And laomedon in like wise entered in to the host of the Greeks. They began to handle their swords and to hew each upon his enemies then arose there a marvelous noise. They that had spears and shields employed them for to join. The fighting was great. The strokes were hard The battle was general/ for of that one party & that other many men were distressed and beaten alway the Greeks were most boisterous and most hard in arms And more valiant than the Trojans And better held them together than they of the battle of King laomedon/ Hercules wrought and besoyngnerd fast with the sword that he had conquered philotes. At every struck and every pace. He defeated a Trojan And smote of her heeds & arms in great abundance/ That it seemed that they that he touched had not be Armed. Laomedon was on that other side That feigned not/ but bare him right well upon his horse And ran fro range to range among the Greeks. He had no rest/ he conducted his people knightly/ his people were great in number/ he approached their enemies so asp rely that they enclosed them And then was the tuysion and slaughter so great that on all sides a man should not have seen but blood & hedes & arms flee in the place and the field etc..  
then theseus and Amphytrion beheld the battle of hercules so enclosed with the Trojans they moved them and came to his help ere he had need At their coming they made a right great bruit/ They thrusted & couched their glaives upon the Trojans which were to far advanced/ and joined to them with such prowess that they smote down the most stable & strongest and went so far among them & made them that were so far comen to resort again and go aback by force and strength In this going a back and recueiling the host of laomedon was all afraid and abashed/ The three swords of Hercules of Theseus and of Amphitryon were seen flambousshing above all other in well doing In short space they began to vanquish and overcome their enemies/ and should have brought them to utterance and shame/ when that the young Priam with his xxx thousand appeared to come to the journey making so great a noise that all the ground trembled/ Andrea gaf a marvelous sown/ and they that were upon the walls and edifices of Troy made with all a great cry/ Hercules theseus and Amphitryon beholding Priam coming and the puissance of Troy set their people in array & in ranges went with a great suit of Greeks against them for to sustain her feats/ Theseus' was the first and espied Priam that set and couched his spear against him And that he came with a great courage mounted upon the second horse of King laomedon his father And seized with so great might upon theseus that he bore him to the ground turned up so down brosing him upon his shield Theseus relieved him right angry of this fall entered among the Trojans smiting and hewing on them with his sword in such furor that he smote of the heeds of more then of xxx Trojans/ ere he cess/ the bruit and noise was great about him/ The Trojans would have venged them of his sword. But their power was not so great they had work enough to save himself. many Greeks came in to the aid and help of Theseus. And then they began to renew the battle.  
AT this time and at this recounter Hercules and Amphitryon were nothing idle They were on oh side/ and theseus on an other At meeting there was many a man hurt and slain. Priam did marvels unto the Greeks at the beginning/ he bore him so valiantly among his enemies/ That he found no man that did him any thing that displeased him. He made his sword for to taste strongly the blood of his adversaries then as he was in this point/ he heard about hercules a right high and a right piercing cry of his people crying Troy Troy In despair for to have prevailed/ and then Priant weening to have helped/ And to smite down dead all them that were afore him ran unto the rescous to his maladventure For as soon as he was comen tofore hercules/ And hercules saw him so on horse back/ He remembered him that it was he that had overthrown theseus to the ground And said that he would avenge him And enhanced his sword and smote Priant so rudely upon his helm that he was all astonied And that his sword slode down on the horse neck and entered in so far that they fill down both Priant and the horse.  
When Priam was so overthrown horse and man/ And also so estoned that he wist not where he was/ hercules was advertised that it was Priant son of the King laomedon/ And had pity of him And took him prisoner And did do send him out of the battle/ The Trojans seeing this were sore and strongly troubled and for the rescue of him they moved themself and encouraged so terribly that hercules might not sustain all the feats of the battle. And that the Greeks were constrained to lose place The King Creon then displayed his banner and his battle And in like wise did Eristeus & they put them in two wings one on that right side and that other on the lift side/ And they came running in upon the Trojans with so great noise & so great tempest that all the Trojans felt well their coming/ For at that time they wist not where to intend/ They were so smitten afore & behind so sore that they lost the rout of Priant/ and wist not where he became etc..  
AT this entermetomg and feats laomedon was out of the press/ And refreshed him/ he heard say that his son Priant was taken. Wherefore he was passing sorrowful and had so great pain that the sweet came to his heart & fro thence in to all his members/ and went himself again to battle half out of his mind/ the battle was then fell & envenomed/ and most hard fighting/ but for to augment and increase the overgreat sorrow of this laomedon/ he found that his folk had the worse & loss and less fought On that other side he saw the horyons and strokes of the Greeks so great and so dismeasurable that his men were disranged And th'arrays broken And charged with so heavy strokes of the heavy glaives that they went and turned a back and began to flee/ And then when it came to the discomfiture Laomedon abode not with the last but entered again in to his city as hastily as he might The Greeks followed the Trojans asperly and so nigh that they entered in with them with great effusion of blood Hercules was the first that won the gate And as for the Greeks he was portier and put in all them that were of his knowledge/ many Trojans passed by the cutting of his sword/ And many fleed away by the fields and bushes/ what shall I say when laomedon saw that by force his city was taken and put in the hands and governance of the Greeks Right sore discomforted and all in despair he took his daughters Exiona and Antigone And his most precious jewels and bagues/ and fled away privily thinking that his enemies should make there a right great destruction and pilling as they did For when hercules had put his men within the city he abandoned to rob and pill Thus the Trojans were persecuted The canellies were tempered with their blood the houses were beaten down/ And the great richesses were put in to preys And of all the goods of the city there was left nothing hole but the palace of Ilion where the Ladies and the maidens were withdrawn Hercules would in no wise destroy this palace. For as much as the Ladies made to him a request for to spare it At this prise hercules sought long laomedon in the palace of Ilion And in all places of the city/ But he could here no tidings of him/ wherefore he was sore displeasant And when he had beaten down the walls. that had been made with the money of the gods/ he departed thence and returned in to Greece with great glory And in this wise was Troy destroyed the first time. Wherefore I shall thus now make an end of this first book/ And shall begin the second book/ where shall be showed how Troy was re-edified/ And how it was destroyed the second time. And how Priam araised it and made it again/ In continuing the noble labours of hercules now new begun etc..   
Thus endeth the first book of the recueil or gathering together of the histories of Troy.   

¶ heir beginneth the second book of the recueil of the histories of Troy/ that speaketh of the prowesses of the strong Hercules and of his death etc.::.  

¶ how hercules fought against three lions in the forest of nemee. and how he slew them and took their skins or hides etc.::.  
IN the first book is begunnen the feats & prowess of the strong and puissant giant hercules. And how he destroyed first the city of Troy upon King Laomedon after which feat and conquest he returned in to Grece. where he held him a certain space of time with out doing of any thing that is found by writing/ But then as the old Juno by her evil & cursed envy gave her to imagine and think how she might make hercules to be destroyed & die/ tidings came in to Crete that in the forest of Naulus were comen many lions And among all other there was one that was sixteen palm of height that destroyed and wasted all the country. And this Juno had war against Eristeus. and then for to have acquaintance of hercules & under feigned colour of good love for to send him in to the claws of this lion. she made peace with cristens. and send for him to come in to Crete for to confirm the peace Eristeus that thought no thing but well went in to Crete and brought with him hercules/ the pe●● was made. Juno acquainted her with hercules/ they came to speak of the lions in the forest of nemee etc.:. And so much spoke Juno and accounted of them. that she said to hercules that it were well his feat for to get him honour and worship/ as for to go unto the forest of nemee and for to employ him to conquer though lions hercules weening that Juno had counseled him for to go and assail the lions for his worship and profit/ enterprised for to go in to the forest/ Juno required him if that he went that when he had vanquished the lions he should return unto her/ hercules promised her that he would so do/ After he departed fro crete/ and first he went in to thebes for to see megera/ and for to make his harness & arms to a point when the Ladies of thebes knew that hercules would go against the lions of nemee/ all they complained his youth & they thought that he should die there/ for the lions were cruel & terrible Megaera above all other was passing sorrowful/ and required the ladies that they would pray euristeus that he would keep hercules fro going unto so dangerous a voyage/ The Ladies accomplished the request of Megaera. And had wend to have broken the voyage of hercules by the mien of curisteus/ but they might in no wise let his purpose/ For hercules answered to euristeus & unto the Ladies/ that it was the first emprise that he had taken in hand at request of any Lady/ and for as much as the Queen Juno had made him to do it/ he had Intention for to accomplish it by the pleasure of the gods & of fortune:.  
Hercules' was great in heart & in courage exalted in honour he had liefer have died than to have done a thing whereof should follow any dishonour/ when his arms were ready he adubbed him/ after he took leave of King creon. of euristeus. of Amphytrion of the Ladies & of the damosels accompanied only of philotes which would never leave him/ he departed fro thebes And so sped him in his journey that he came unto the forest of nemee which stood not ser from Argos/ In approaching this forest he went two days with out finding beasts or men unto the time that he entering in to the forest found a pastor or a herdsman named melorcus/ this herdsman was mounted upon a great tree/ when that he saw hercules enter in to the wood. he escried him saying/ sire ye be dead if ye go any further/ return lightly. for the fires lions will eat you. or else come hither up to me upon this tree/ hercules hearing the words of molorcus looked upon the tree. Demanded him what he was. Alas said the pastor I am the most pour man of all other/ the lions of this forest at their coming have eaten a great heard of beasts that I have nourished here by. Above that they have eaten all my family and main And they have all devoured save me alone which have by adventure a great while saved myself upon this tree where I eat no thing else but leaves and acorns. And dare not descend and come down for fear of three lions which been here by/ which will soon assail you but if ye depart and flee etc.::.  
THe pastor finishing his words/ there came leeping out of a bush the three lions. and marched against hercules roaring and crying And opening her eyen by so great felony. that it seemed that they would have through pierced hercules with her fell sight. The great lion came first/ his hair standing up. he was as high as an elephant and great after the avenant And his head was twice so great as the head of a bull. hercules seeing them come took his glaive and his club that philotes bore/ Philotes notwithstanding his prowess/ was so sore afeard that he went upon the tree unto the herdsman. Hercules set his club unto a tree/ and took his glaive fast between his fists/ the lions at the approaching brayed in her throats/ hercules smote one of them between the eyen/ and bore him down to the earth that he sat upon his buttocks. The great lion wend then to have sprungen upon hercules and to have taken him in his claws And made a terrible leap/ when hercules saw and knew his intent/ he turned fro him and smote at the third lion which was light and peert/ And conducted his glaive so right & so firmly in to his throat that he wrought him to the heart what some ever resistance that he made in biting the glaive/ and left it within his body in such wise that he fill down dead/ when the two lions saw her fellow so arrayed/ they set her claws on the earth/ and howled so irously that it seemed that the thunder had sprung out of her stomachs/ All the forest denned thereof/ hercules took his sword. the two lions approached of new again/ and ran upon him with her paws and hurt him so dismeasurably/ that they loosed his armours and her nails entering in to his flesh/ they drew them out all died with his blood::.  
Hercules' had the heart sore troubled when he felt his wounds that the lions had made/ he hanced his sword & smote on one & other/ but the great lion had his skin so hard/ that his sword might no more enter therm than it might on a great steady/ Thus began the battle of the lions & of hercules/ the little lion was passing eager and fierce he launched him forth oft times against hercules. And alway wend to have hurt him with his claws that cutted like a razor but he launched so oft that it was to his evil health and ease that hercules among after many strokes/ he made to depart from his body the right leg right nigh by the shoulder and smote him down by the feet of that other lion that lay dead etc.::  
When hercules saw that he was delivered/ of the two evil beasts. And that he had no more to do but with the great lion. he began to have an hope of good fortune/ he had joy in himself of the battle. Which was strong to sustain/ for the great lion gaf him great strokes with his paws. And put him oft times in peril of death/ the sword of hercules might never enter in to the skin of the best it was so hard. the lion took his sword between his teeth and his nails that with great pain he pulled and reached it from him. Finally when he had long fought with his sword. And knew well that thereby he might raise no blood of the lion. he would assay if his club were to him more profitable. than he took it/ And the first struck that the lion came up on him./ he gave him a struck with his club so great on his mouth that all his teeth broke and fill out to fore him. the lion feeling the stroke made a great and marvelous howling. he hanced his paws and wend to have pulled down hercules/ but he fled the coming of the lion And the lion fill to ground of the great fierceness & failing that he made And when hercules saw that he was fallen. he leap upon him/ & beat him and held him with his hands about the throat so dismeasurably that he brought his jaws out of her places or out of joint/ and made his eyen to flee out of his head and strangled him and so slew him:.  
IN doing this feat or work hercules showed a singular hardiness & an Increable force/ he estrangled with his hands the lion with the skin so hard that no glaive ne sword might enter ner do any harm/ he put him to death by excessive valiance/ And when he had so done he went to that other that lived yet/ and all to brake and tare him as if it had been a little lamb/ After he called philotes and the pastor or herdman that were marvelously joyous and glad of so high a victory/ and hercules found the manner for to slay the lions and take of her skins by the help of the herdman/ when they had slain them it was night/ hercules demanded the herdsman if there was any house or logging there by where he might have meet and drink/ the herdsman brought him to his house where they found provision of meet & drink/ wherewith the good man failed hercules to his power/ and him seemed that he was in paradise And thus hercules passed the day & the night/ and forgot not to think on his wounds that were fell and smarted that little or naught he slept that night/ this notwithstanding when the day appeared he took leave of the herdsman & so departed/ & took his journey for to go in to crete for to show to the Queen Juno the three lion skins & for to thank her of her good advertisement.   

¶ How Juno sent hercules in to Egypt for to be slain of the tyrant Busiris and how hercules slew the tyrant against the hoop and will of Juno:.  
IN this time reigned in Egipte the King Busiris the son of the Queen of Libya/ the land of Egypt was dry and not fertile but barren. Busiris for to remedy this called his clerks that helden the sense of Zorastes. and asked of them what he might do for the health of his royalme/ They counseled them with the gods and had answer that they must sacrify unto them man's blood. When Busiris that naturally was evil And that had never done good heard this answer. he began to tyrannize himself that was a tyrant afore. and began first on his people. Taking and plucking fro the mothers here little children and fro the men their wives. and fro the wives her husbands in brenning & fowling the temples of Egypt with their blood/ For these homicides & slaughter the drought ceased not. but augmentid & wax more the clerks demanded her goods the cause why they had no dews of water ner rain fro above/ they answered that they would not have the just and true blood of Egypt. but the strange blood which they should take & make sacrifice thereof/ the gods by this answer would have in sacrifice the blood of Busiris. For he was strange in virtuous policy & far fro all good. And the clerks understood that they would have the blood of strangers/ Busiris advertised of this answer cessed to persecute the blood of Egypt/ & turned his glaive upon the blood of strangers/ and made an edict & statute that no stranger should enter in to his city/ but he should be sacrified to his gods. and that he would do slay all the estrangers that he might get. By this edict & by this damnable custom many estrangers nobles and other were put in sacrifice and had their blood shed in Egypt/ among all other one noble man of crete of the lineage of Juno perished in this Infortune by the sword of Busiris/ the tidings came in to crete and there was made for him a great sorrow/ As this sorrow was in his most course hercules & philotes came unto Queen Juno/ they fond her charged with tears of weeping in her city/ At that time there were an hundred cities in Crete/ And the King Jupiter held him no more with Juno for many causes and reasons/ when then hercules was returned unto this lady Juno his stepmother/ he made to her the reverence/ after he showed to her the skins of the lions that he had slain/ And thanked her of the high adventure that she had ensigned him etc.:.  
THe cursed stepmother for the return of hercules augmenting her sorrow upon new sorrow/ received and feasted hercules/ and made to him faintly the greatest cheer that she could/ it was upon the point to go to dinner/ she made him to dine & eat with her/ In eating after diverse devices of the lions she thought and remembered how she might make hercules for to die/ she might no better do than to send him in to Egypt/ at that time she concluded in herself that she would send him in to Egypt if she might/ for to so do/ she changed the propose of the lions/ and said to hercules/ your coming again in safety is to me so recomendable that your name shall be put in perpetual loving & praising among the most worthy & best of the world/ for ye have done many fair enterprises & feats/ In your young childhod ye made all the world to wonder and marvel of the victory of the serpents by you enstrangled After ye have made your sword to brandish in the occident in Phrygia & vow newly in Nemee/ thaventuresadventures of these places have given to you right much honour and worship/ whereof I have right great joy. For each person aught to be glad & enjoy in the well doing of another Andrea in especial of a noble man. And specially when that he putteth him in pain to valiantness. Every person is holden and bounden to council him unto his worship and weal/ wherefore when it so is that ye enuertue yourself fro day to day. and seek the perils of the sea and the false dangers of the earth. to th'end for to surmount all them/ I advertise you that in Egypte is a tyrant that sacrifyeth all strangers that come in to his country without rescruing noble man or villain. so then me seemeth if fortune will help you for to go and conquer him. that ye should get great honour and worship to you and yours. and health and profit to all the nations of the world. Madame answered hercules I am not ner never shall be in all my live of such recommendation as ye say & report. Notwithstanding for as much as I have great desire for to do works that may be to the pleasure of the people & for their health and weal/ I promit you. and swear that to morn without any other delay/ I shall put me in devoir on the way for to go in to Egypt/ And I shall never return again in to my country unto the time that I have seen the tyrant And if he lay or put hand on me for to sacrifice me/ I have intention that he shall not do it with out smiting of strokes// Juno hearing th'enterprise of hercules had in her heart passing great joy/ that day they passed in many devices/ hercules took the skins of the lions and delivered to certain workmen for to make of them a garment in manner of armour to arm him with all/ On the morn he took leave of his stepmother & departed fro crete/ and so long journeyed on the way with philotes without finding of any adventure whereof any memory is had/ that on a day he came to the gate of the city of Memphis that was in Egypt where the tyrant Busiris held his residence.  
When hercules was comen nigh unto the gate he took his club that philotes bore/ he left philotes there and entered himself in to the city/ he had not been long there/ ner far gone but Busiris which was advertised of his coming by his espies came against him with many of his complices. and without speaking of any word ran upon him/ hercules was all well assured/ he knew the tyrant by his mayntien and by the signs that was told him/ he lift up his club when he saw him come/ and as the tyrant would have smitten him with his glaive without any word speaking. he smote the tyrant with his club upon the right side so dismeasurably that not only he bore him unto the earth/ but also he broke all his ribs of his body/ And so arrayed him that he might never relieve himself after/ The Egyptians seeing Busiris so overthrown/ some ran to him for to relieve him which they could not do for he was to heavy/ And the other assailed hercules. Then was the city all moved Hercules right joyous that he had so beaten the tyrant began to learn the Egyptians to know his club/ he slew many of them. And the remnant he made to flee. his strokes were so heavy and peisant that the complices of Busiris that were accustomed to shed man's blood. had their blood shed & sparkled abroad And could not ner might not remedy their mischance that was so great/ that hercules filled all the place of dead bodies. And after long battle he found himself alone. For their was none so hardy that durst be seen to fore him. The peoples and the commonty of the Egyptians gave no charge of the rescous of their King/ when they saw him beaten. All they hated him and saw the battle fro far by great routs/ when then hercules had so much done. that he found no man to fight with him. he set down his club. And addressed him unto a great company of Egyptians that stood there And assured them that he would no thing done unto them. and asked what people they were that had assailed him. They answered him kneeling on their knees that they were manslayers hangmen and people of vicious and evil living. And that their King that he had first beaten down was the worst of them all. And had purposed to have put him to death as a stranger for to make sacrifice unto the gods. And they prayed him. that he would sacrifyce their said King/ Hercules granted their petition and accorded it unto the people. And anon took this cursed tyrant Busiris that lived yet and bore him upon his shoulder unto the temple which the Egyptians showed to him the false tyrant cried after help terribly. but his cry availed him not. The Egyptians cried unto hercules sacrifice sacrifice him// when hercules came in to the temple he sacrificed him after that he had showed to him his cursed & evil life/ And then when the fire was put unto the sacrifice/ it began to rain/ and the great drought began to fail/ whereof the Egyptians were so joyous that none could specify/ they song lovings & praising to hercules they brought him unto the palace and philotes also/ which had all seen and they ordained & constituted hercules King over them/ which he refused/ but he ordained judges for to govern them After he departed & returned unto the Queen Juno. Which had great sorrow/ And to King Creon which had great joy for to here told & recounted his prowesses:   

¶ How hercules espoused Megaera and how he was made knight in thebes etc.:.  
IN such wise as the young wine by the labour and business of the labourer groweth in height & his bows spread a brood full of fruit/ semblably hercules by virtue labouring in him grew in verdure of well doing and in fruit of noblesse/ his works his bows his branches then began to spread a brood & to mount and rise fro royaume to royalme/ the secret conspirations of Juno and her cursed envies might not hurt ner minish the virtue of hercules/ the more that she weened to abash and hurt him. the more she was cause of his enhancement/ if he were puissant and strong of body/ he was yet more strong of virtue for it was set in him as the precious stone is in gold/ and as the odour is in the flower/ And as the ray or sun beam is in the sun/ he was beloved of Kings. of Princes. of Ladies. of damosels. of nobles and of villains. In especial Megaera the daughter of King Creon loved him/ Certes she was not deceived. for hercules loved her also. And was never hour but he thought on her. how well they durst none of them speak to other of this matter. they were ashamed to discover that/ whereof they had hope to have honour and worship. they beheld each other/ And oft they bewailed and complained to themself. And desired the day that they might take each other by marriage. And so much they wished after that day that at last it came. For on a morrow tide as hercules was gone unto the wood for to take a wild best/ he remembered him of his lady. And began to speak and say to him self softly. Shall I be alway in pain Shall mine heart never be eased but alway languishing in love/ I see one and other In great joy with her loves and Ladies. And I wot never how to come to the point of one only that I have chosen above all other/ And how to achieve my purpose I wot never how to begin. I dare not speak to her/ ner I have not yet required her of love. ner I have not assayed if she would condescend. Shall I speak to her/ I wot never/ if I speak to her and then she refuse me/ I shall fall in despair. I shall die for sorrow of melancholy and displeasure I shall never dare come after in noble assembly a foot. Alas what pain. all considered one time must come that I speak to her. If all her friends were of one accord for to give her to me in marriage. And she were not content ner pleased all were lost/ the most jeopardy is to have her good will and grace for with out her grace I may naught do. Then it is necessity I seek and require if I may have her good will/ since it so is/ for if I sleep thus and speak not I shall never achieve ner come to my purpose:.  
Hercules' farm in his purpose esprised and inflamed of great desire departed from the wood and abandoned the wild best and gave it over for to come unto Megaera/ thinking how and by what words he might come and show to her/ that lay on his heart/ he went so far that he came unto the garden of the palace where she was with many Ladies and damosels/ he made to them the reverences/ After he espied the time that he might speak to Megaera. And he wax so pensive that it was marvel/ he intermetted no thing to devise with the Ladies/ but he drew him a part in to the garden/ when the Ladies beheld him so pensive/ diverse of them came to him & talked with him. to put him from his thoughts & pensiveness. but they could not. and at last Megaera came to him. assoon as hercules saw her come to him he began to sigh & came again her/ and she said to him/ hercules why are ye so pensive/ put away fro you such melancholy/ And tell me of your tidings I pray you/ lady answered hercules I thank you of your good visitation. And since it pleaseth you to here of my tidings & to know I shall say to you a part/ ●first I advertise you that the cause that I am brought & put in the abysm or swallow of pensiveness & sighs that is this day comen unto me/ is by your contemplation/ for as I went to the wood to hunt the remembrance of your right noble beauty continually being in mine imagination came in to me/ & made me enter in to a secret debate that is to weet if I should alway live unguerdoned and unrewarded of love. And also if I durst say to you that I have set mine heart and love in you. Madame this debate was great/ but in the end I concluded to come unto you for to know the conclusion of my fortune whether it be death or life/ In this deliberation thinking how I might speed unto you. I am in this point and party/ where your coming hath put me out of a right great thought and pensiveness/ for I wist never how to come to the point for to speak with you apart. as I may now do. Then for to employ the time/ I say to you for truth. that since the time of my olympiad. I have desired you night and day. And at that time put mine heart in your servitude. Concluding to love you perdurably. Madame I know and wilt well that I have enterprised thing that I am indign and not worthy/ this notwithstanding I abide your mercy and require you that it please you to receive me in to your grace in such wise that shortly I may see the day of our marriage etc.::  
When Megaera understood the words of her love hercules she was in her heart rejoiced with great solace/ notwithstanding she was ashamed And all shamefast she answered/ Helas hercules by what fortune find I me in the grace of so gentle a man as ye be/ your excessive prows your glorious labours your resplendent virtues been so much of value that ye are worthy to have to wife the flower of Ladies and the choice. with these words many damosels came there unto them/ that caused them to sense their devices of love. And saiden to Megaera that it was time to withdraw her for to go dine Megaera sorrowful of so hasty departing/ & that she had no more space to devise with her love/ ne might not achieve her purpose/ by constraint she took leave of hercules & went in to the hall/ all refectioned of love/ And hercules abode in the garden all glad and joyous of the sweet answer that he had received etc.:.  
When the Ladies then had left hercules in the garden/ also soon as they were gone/ hercules assembled Euristeus & Amphytrion/ and said to them that he had great desire and will to be married/ and prayed them that they would go to King Creon to know if he would give him his daughter Megaera. They spoke to King creon of this marriage/ the King heard them speak right gladly/ for the matter pleased him/ And answered that he might nowhere better bestow his daughter/ than to the most noble man of the world hercules/ whom he loved as his owen son/ which was so valiant & so noble & had no fellow like unto him and that he was content to give to him his daughter And with her all that he would demand Euristeus and Amphytrion thanked the King of his courteous answer Megra & hercules were sent fore/ the King made them to trothplight each other with great joy of both parties/ After this in process of time the day of the & marriage was hallowed with glory. Triumph honour & joy/ what shall I say they lay gether with out more adventure/ and lived together right honestly:.  
Anon after the solemnity of this marriage. hercules came to King creon & prayed him that he would adub & make him knight/ for as much as they of the royalme of Ionia were comen unto him. & had chosen him for to be King of their city for his good renomee. The King Creon joyous of that/ that he was chosen for to be King of ycome. Answered that he would accomplish his desire. but he would that this should be done at a certain day assigned/ saying that then he would make a right noble feast where men should joust and tourney. And that he would do come thither all the Kings and the Princes of Grece/ hercules Accorded and agreed the council of the King And then the King sent his messengers unto all the Kings of Greece. And prayed them to be at the chivalry and dubbing knight of a noble man/ that shall hold a pace at a day named and set for to furnish all them that shall come to the jousts. The Renome of this foresaid feast was anon borne and known unto all the reigns of Greece/ The apparel and ordinance was great in thebes Oon & other disposed them for to be there. The time passed and the day came/ many a King and knight were comen at that time to thebes. Theseus and Jason the son of King Aeson were there among all other/ the Kings made great bruit and great pomps about ten of the clock to fore none the King Creon went in to the place that was ordained and arrayed for the jousts. at a corner in the same place was a tent/ In this tent was Hercules all alone. that same time the Ladies and damosels went and mounted upon the scaffolds/ the jousters came in to the place. No man knew ne wist not who was this new knight. what shall I say when the King Creon saw that the knights were comen in on all sides and that the Ladies were gone up on the scaffolds/ he sent for hercules & made him knight after their statutes/ and then hercules mounted upon his horse/ took his spear & his shield/ And escried them that were there to th'end that each man should do his devoir/ And then one & other that desired to have worship took her spears and ran against hercules/ And began a jousts that was right hoot & sharp/ Their spears were strong and broke not lightly/ but they met often times/ and some overthrown & smitten down of her horses/ They that might not just against hercules Assayed each other/ like to like/ Jason and theseus jousted oft times against hercules/ and pirothus son of King Ixion in like wise/ Alle they that I name maintained them right valiantly/ notwithstanding above all other hercules abode all men/ and no man might abide his strokes but he bore them all down/ reserved Jason// which encountered him diverse times & gave him many great strokes/ hercules bore down theseus to the earth and pirothus & well thirty strong knights/ he did so much that no man abode on the place but Jason & he And then he left and ceased the jousts for the valiance that hercules found in Jason/ and ever after he had a special love to him// and took acquaintance of him and feasted him & made him great cheer::.  
AT the end of this jousts/ knights Ladies & damosels went unto the palace/ there was hercules made King of yconye/ the feast was great and rich more than I can rehearse/ the strangers were greatly feasted and highly thanked in common/ what shall I make long process/ when all the feast was passed with honour and glory of hercules And was no more to do whereof any memory is for to say/ Pirothus prayed all them that were there to be at his wedding in Thessalonique at a certain day named each man promised him to go thither and be there ate/ every man took leave of hercules when time was come of departing. And each man returned in to his country and place/ And they could not enough marvel of the glory abounding & appearing to abound. Grow flourish. & fructify in hercules/ which was so courteous and humble. And that for the grace that he had in temporal honour and worship. he was so virtuous that he was not the more proud ne enhanced himself/ but the more meeked and lowed himself::.   

¶ How the centaurs ravished Hypodame at the wedding of Pirothus. And how Hercules recovered her again and vanquished in battle the centaurs:.  
For to continue our matter/ then when hercules saw approach the day of the wedding of pirothus. he disposed him to go thither/ by space of time he went forth on his way and took philotes with him/ And at alaventure took with him his armours of the skin of the lion. When Megaera saw him depart. she was sore troubled for his departing/ & for that/ that he took his armours with him/ for she thought if hercules had heard speak of any adventure he would go thither & put him in devoir to assay himself again it with great sighs she looked after him as far as she might/ praying to the gods that they would bring him shortly again/ hercules & phylotes went forth in to the country also much as they might they exploited so her journey that they came in to Thessalonique/ where they were received with great joy of pirothus and of his friends/ they found there a right great assemble of noble men. Ladies and damosels/ Theseus' and Jason were there/ the friends of Jason would that Jason should be made knight/ And for to do that// they presented him to hercules which gave him the order of knighthood/ And hercules said that he had seen in him a good beginning of a noble man/ and if he may live he shall attain once to things right high and noble among other things the day of wedding came. the city was all full of noblesse/ the centaurs were there/ they were an hundred giants armed that ran as the wind/ which the King Ixion had ordained in these sail/ of whom some dwelled in mollose and the other in Aphyte a city of Epire/ whereof was Queen Hypodame the Lady and bride of the wedding/ there were many Kings and Princes of whom I have not the names. The Queen Hypodame and pirothus were wedded together after their law/ when the time of dinner was come they set the Lady in the hall/ where was made a general feast/ In this feast all the world was amply served of all manner good wines and good meats/ In especial the centaurs made passing good cheer/ And drunk so much of the strong wines/ that the principal capitain of all named Euricus and some of the other had words together and troubled the feast/ In this trouble they fought together/ and cast each on other pots. Platters. Wines and meats so terribly that many of them were hurt and dead. Then anon was the hall full of noise Euricus and thirty of his giants issued out of the pr●es and went to fetch her harness and armours when they were armed they entered in to the hall and not content of the trouble that they had made how well that hercules and the other intended to appease them that slew each other/ they took the Queen ypodame and bore her out and ravished her and fled away with her/ when the ladies saw this great outrage/ they escried all affrayed/ th'affray was so great that hercules. Jason. pirothus & theseus ran unto them And when they knew that the centaurs had ravished the lady/ at few words they went and armed them anon etc.::.  
Hercules' did on the skin of the lion and took his sword his bow & his arrows. And then went after the giants without abiding of any other company or person. the giants were withdrawn under a tree/ and there they ranged them in battle. as they that wist well and surely that the first that should come to them should be hercules. they hated hercules secretly. And they had envy of his glory. they swore all the death of hercules/ and then when they were in these terms and devices/ Euricus espied fro far hercules. and showed him to his fellowship hercules was all alone and came not apace softly as a man. but he came running as lightly and also swiftly as the heart runneth in the valley And seemed▪ that he flaw in the air/ the swiftness of hercules ne abashed ne afraid not the centaurs. they were well four score. And they were all of great courages They took then their glaives. Poleaxes. Swords and other habiliments of war/ And some of the strongest of them went against hercules/ on that other side assoon as hercules approached so nigh as he might shoot at them/ he bent his bow and with an arrow he smote a centaur named gryneus in such wise that the arrow pierced the head entering by the visage and nailed & attached his head unto a tree that stood by hind him. with the second arrow he smote another giant named petreus in the breast through his armour that it went through his body/ with the third he hurt Dorilla a terrible giant & nailed his hand unto his visage for when the giant saw the struck come he held up his hand to fore his visage/ & the arrow entered with so great might as afore is said and made the hand to be attached to his visage of which struck he was dead/ he shot many more arrows then also long as he had any/ and he shot none. but if he hurt or slew one of the giants/ when his shot was failed/ the giants strongly esmoved of that they had seen her fellows die by the shot of hercules/ they escried upon hercules and they environed him on all sides/ Cilarus. pheotones. nessus/ Michames. astilo lodeum. and piseon. were the first that smote upon hercules with her glaives/ hercules took his sword and came again pheotones that had a great axe so great that it was a man's burden/ Pheotones anon lift up his great axe and wend to have smitten a mighty struck upon hercules But hercules that knew enough of the war turned him from the struck/ And so the great axe fill down to the ground/ And then suddenly hercules caught that great axe and plucked it out of his hands/ and forthwith gaf him a struck with all so great that he smote of his right arm with the shoulder etc.::.  
such was the beginning of the battle of hercules & of the centaurs. Cilarus smote then hercules behind with all his might/ piseon and ledeum smote him also all at one time. Notwithstanding hercules astonied not once therefore/ but in returning to cilarus he gaf him a struck with the axe so firmly on his helm that it entered in to his body that he confounded the giant to the earth. And so he served in like wise piseon and ledeum. Jason and theseus put them then in the battle. And well proved her youth/ at their coming for to give them heart and courage. hercules thrusted in to the greatest pr●es of the giants And so wrought with the axe. that they cursed phiotones that had brought it thither And all them that had forged it. In beating and smiting down to fore them. hercules began then to seek Hypodame. he found her all be wept right beside and nigh Euricus/ then he spoke to euricus and said to him. thou evil glutton thou haste this day troubled the feast and the lady of my friend pirothus. And now anon I shall trouble thine spirit. with this word he discharged the axe and smote with all euricus in such wise on the head that he fill down dead/ unto the great enbassement of the other giants. For in beholding the Axe died with the blood of curious their captain. they were all abashed. Then began hercules to smite more and more upon the giants/ their was none than so sure. but he was afeard ner none so farm but he ●e began to hide him and tremble for fear/ his strokes were not sustainable/ he put his enemies out of array/ and unto flight/ finally with the help of Jason of theseus & of pirothus that were marvelously valiant they vanquished & chased them unto a river/ where that twelve of them saved them in passing and swimming over/ And all the remnant of them were persecuted unto the death/ reserved lyncus that hercules held prisoner/ for as much as at the discomfiture. he prayed him of mercy. and yielded him unto him/ Thus were the centaurs destroyed more by the strength & hand of hercules than by any other/ when hercules had so done that there were no more of the centaurs upon the place/ he and his fellows returned unto Hypodame/ And brought her again unto the city with great triumph/ what shall I say the Ladies recovered joy by the recurrence of Hypodame/ and recommenced and began again the feast that dured after eight days right great and sumptuous etc.::.   

¶ How pluto ravished Proserpina/ And how Orpheus went for her in to hell/ and how the Queen Sera came unto the wedding of pirothus and how theseus and pyrothus fought with Cerberus' porter of the said hell etc.::.  
IN this time that is to weet a little to fore the wedding of pirothus as pluto the King of Molosse son of Saturn and brother of Jupiter sailed and went by See seeking his adventures/ And so long he sailed that he arrived in Sicily/ And that he found there nigh by the rivage a right great assembly of Sicilians that hallowed the feast of her gods. When pluto saw this feast. he did do arm xx of his fellowship under their robes and garments. And went in this manner for to see the feast/ for to wete if he might find any prey/ this pluto was the greatest thief and the most lecherous man of all the world And had with him a giant named Cerberus. Enough alike unto pluto of conditions and of courage/ but he was much more stronger and puissant of body. All the other were great as giants. and had learned to do no thing else but for to do harm and evil And could none other wise do/ when then the Sicilians saw pluto come and his fellows they supposed that it had be some of their neighbours that came for to see their plays and esbatements for as much as they came clothed in their garments and saw none of their armour ne harness And they enforced them to sing & dance/ but certes their songs and their dances were not perdurable ner dured not long. for in coming unto them there. The King pluto cast his eyen a side and saw there the Queen of that marches that beheld the feast. And by her/ her daughter that made a chaplet of flowers. The mother was named Sera And the daughter was called Proserpine and was married unto a noble man named Orpheus that sat beside her and played on the harp/ This Proserpina was passing marvelous fair. Anon as pluto had seen her he desired and coveted her And advertised his folk secretly of her/ And after came nigh and by her And felt himself so surmounted in covetise of her beauty. that he set hands on her And laid her on his back and bare her a way::.  
When Orpheus and Sera saw proserpine so ravished they escried piteously & anguishously upon pluto/ with this cry the Sicilians left their feast and ran after pluto in great number men & women hoping to have rescued proserpine/ but when cerberus and his complices saw the murmur/ they drew out their swords & showed their arms and smote upon them that approached them and slaying them largely/ recueiled and went unto the port maugre the Sicilians & orpheus/ they guided pluto in to his ship and after they entered/ and then disanchor & carried a way proserpine/ The Sicilians were then dispurvey of arms/ they could not withstand the ravishment of proserpine/ At the departing fro the port was made the most asper do●ill & sorrow that could be/ Proserpine wept sore on that on side & piteously/ and cried right high and loud/ Sera on that other side with the Sicilians made no scarcity of tears/ and certes orpheus failed not to furnish his tears with profound sighs/ for he loved proserpine/ And she loved him also/ At the departing their hearts were put in a hard & grievous distress/ so hard anguish that proserpine fill down a swoon/ and orpheus was so ravished with anger/ that he returned in to his palace when he had lost the sight of proserpine/ And held him close in his chamber with out speech two days:.  
AT the end of two days sera came to visit orpheus that would neither eat ne drink/ and said to him that she knew well the ravisher of her daughter/ & that it was pluto the King of melose/ & that he dwelled ma party of Thessaly in a low and base Cite that was called hell for as much as this isle. King pluto and his complices did so much harm and evil. that they were compared and likened unto devils and their Cite was named Helle. when Orpheus understood that Proserpina was in hell he took a little hope in himself and eat & drank. and made a vow that he would never rest in place unto the time that he had been in hell for to see proserpine. After that he had eaten he sent for his mariners And bad them to make ready a ship. When the ship was garnished of all that it behooved. after the leave and congee taken of the Queen sera. In habit disguised he entered alone in to his ship with his harp. And made his mariners to sail forth on the sea. in such wise that they arrived at one of the ports of Thessaly. Orpheus went there a land. & after commanded his mariners that they should abide him in the same place. Unto a certain time that he named. After he departed and went fro country to country so long for to speed his matter/ that he came to the gate of hell which Cerberus kept. And there he began to play on his harp right sweet & melodiously.  
When Cerberus heard the sown of the harp. he lift up his head on high. and came out of the gate. for to know who was he that played so melodiously And by the sun of the harp he fond Orpheus. And thinking that pluto would gladly hear him. for to rejoy Proserpina that alway wept he made him enter in to the city. And brought him before the King. Orpheus then began to play again on his harp/ when the King pluto had heard him/ he took therein great pleasure/ and so did all they that were there by him/ then pluto sent for to seek Proserpina/ when she was come & heard him play with his harp by his play she knew well that it was her husband she was sore abashed/ and if she had sore wept to fore/ she wept much more after/ Pluto was sorry for the sorrow that proserpine made/ and said to orpheus/ that if he could so play with his harp that the lady should cease of her weeping/ that he would give him that he would ask of him Orpheus promised and made him sure that he would do it/ And pluto swore to him that he would hold & keep his promise if he so did/ And then orpheus setted & entuned his harp and played diverse songs/ ● so sweetly/ that the Infernal cerberus & many fill a sleep/ and also proserpine by the mean of certain tokens and signs that orpheus made with his eyen/ made her to cease of her weeping:  
When pluto saw proserpine so ceasing her weeping he was passing joyous/ he awoke then cerberus & the other that slept/ After he spoke to orpheus and said to him that he had so well harped that no man could do better/ And that he would that he should demand some thing/ And he would give it him with out any fault. Orpheus' hearing the words of pluto/ had a great debate in himself for to know what thing he might best demand/ In the end he said to him/ sire I am orpheus the husband of this Lady/ that for her love I have enterprised to come hither in this adventure/ I pray and require you that ye will give and render her again to me. that I may bring her again unto her mother that dieth for sorrow/ when pluto had heard the request that orpheus had made/ he was passing angry/ and also esmayed of the hardiness that orpheus had done. how be it/ he answered to him. Orpheus ye have demanded of me▪ Proserpina/ she is the lady that I most love of all the world/ nevertheless for to accomplish the promise that I have made to you/ I give her unto you by condition that ye bring her out of this city without looking or beholding after or behind you And if it happen that ye once look behind you ye shall lose her Of this answer orpheus was content. And him seemed that his wife was as good as recovered or won he and Proserpina passed over that night in good hope/ when the morn was comen/ pluto delivered Proserpina unto orpheus by the condition afore rehearsed orpheus and Proserpina took leave of King pluto and thanked him/ since they went on their way/ but he had not gone half way to the gate. When orpheus privily looked behind him. for to see if any man followed him And then he found at his heel's Cerberus that took Proserpina away fro him And yielded and delivered her again unto the King etc.:..  
Orpheus' seeing that by his unhappiness had lost his wife/ began to curse the day that he was born. And came after and followed Proserpina and began again to harp and to offer great gifts for to recover her again/ but it was said to him for conclusion that he should never have her again. And also that if he had used the feat of arms as he had the strings of the harp/ he should by arms have died/ with this conclusion orpheus departed fro hell full of sorrow & anguish. and returned in to Sicil unto the Queen sera telling to her his adventure. The Queen ascertained that her daughter was in hell/ as she that was advertised that in Thessaly should be hallowed the feast of the wedding of pirothus/ and that there were many knights of great name/ she went to the sea/ and came so appoint to Thessalonique that the feast yet endured In approaching the city. on an after none as pirothus and theseus were in the fields/ they met her/ Her exercite was great/ Theseus' & pirothus salued her/ And she salued & greeted them again// and after asked them the state of the feast of the wedding/ They told and recounted her all. After she demanded of them if there were there no knights of great name and high enterprises when they understood that she inquired so far/ they would weet what she was and demanded her name I am said this lady Ceres of Sicily/ then spoke theseus and said madame ye be well come/ for what occasion demand ye if in the feast been any knights of enterprise I can well say to you that there be truly/ but not withstanding that I so advertise you/ I pray you and also require that ye tell and advertise unto us the cause why ye have so demanded etc.:.  
Sire said the lady since it pleaseth you t'inquire of mine estate so far/ know ye for certain that I have made to you my demand for as much as pluto the King of hell hath ravished my daughter Proserpine by which I am hurt unto the death. And so I would fain find some knight that by his courtesy would employ him for to get her again And yield her to me. And for to assail the cursed tyrant. Which I pray the gods may be dampened and confounded perdurably for his demerits wherefore I pray you if ye know any that to me be propice that it please you for charity for to address me unto him. Madame answered Theseus be ye no more busy to find such a knight as ye seek. For in the favour of all ladies I shall be your knight in this work And promise you upon mine honour// that I shall transport me in to hell. And the King pluto shall never have peace with me unto the time that he hath restored your daughter etc.:  
When pirothus heard th'enterprise of theseus he began to break his words and said to him. My brother what think ye to do. When ye enterprise for to go in to hell. ye know not the terms ner the situation of that place. Hell standeth behind the Inner see between mountains and rocks so high that the citizens that dwell there in been in continual umber and shadow. And the Entre is so strong that it is impossible to come with in the city. but if the porter consent. for here to fore time many have gone thither that been there left and bleven/ there goth no man thither that ever cometh again. It is right an hell And each man nameth it hell as well for the situation thereof in so dark and tenebrous a place/ as for the inhumanity and terribility of the habitants and indwellers. that alway watch and wait to do evil and displeasure to all the world/ Theseus' answered unto pirothus and said/ there is no thing impossible unto a valiant heart/ The King pluto is cruel and strong his folk and people tyrannize/ His city standeth in a country environed with mortal perils/ notwithstanding certes the doubtance and fear of these things shall never rebut ne withdraw my courage/ but that I shall do my devoir to achieve this emprise/ And shall die in the pain/ or shall have reproach/ showing to all manner knights/ that a man to keep his honour and worship aught not to doubt any peril what that ever it be/ etc.:.  
When pyrothus had heard the noble answer of theseus/ he allowed it greatly and said to him that his words were to him right agreeable & so acceptable/ that he would hold him company in this adventure/ The Queen Ceres thanked the two-knights/ they brought her into the city and in to the palace/ She was there received and feasted as it appertained/ thaventureadventure of her daughter was told/ And th'enterprise of the two knights/ By the report of this adventure and of th'enterprise that theseus and pyrothus had made/ Alle the feast was troubled a gain on a new/ among all other Hypodame considering that her husband that was so newly married unto her would go in this perilous voyage of hell// her heart began to give out weeping of tears/ And might give no solace ne comfort unto her eyen what shall I say the feast ended in great sorrow/- Jason and hercules would gladly have gone with theseus & pirothus/ & spoke thereof to them/ but they would not suffer them/ then departed hercules and entered in to a ship as he would have gone in to his country. Each man in like wise departed. And also theseus and pirothus took their way for to go unto hell// & then about their departing whereof hercules was advertised hercules made for to conduit his ship unto the marches of hell/ And there descended a land alone. Concluding in himself that he would go after pirothus and theseus his loyal and true fellow. And betook to philotes the charge for to bring lyncus unto thebes And for to put him there in prison unto his returning and coming again. after he departed/ And philotes shipped in the sea. where he had a dolorous adventure. as it shall be said here after/ but at this time I must tarry of that matter/ And shall recount of hercules how he went in to hell etc.::.   

¶ How hercules found pirothus dead at the yates of hell And Theseus in danger and how hercules vanquished Cerberus. And how he conquered Proserpina upon pluto etc.:..  
IN this paas it aught be said that when theseus and pirothus were departed fro Thessalonique for to go and assay if they might recover the fair Proserpina they did so much that by their diligence in short time they arrived in the valley where was Proserpina/ In the valley full of sins and cursedness. Pirothus that knew the country fond the strait way that went to the city/ and entered first therein/ this way was so straight that there might no man but one alone gone neither on the right side neither on the lift side/ the rocks were so high. that no man might go on neither side// when they had passed this way they found a rock entailed and cut in to stairs or grease made and hewed out with chisels/ And then they saw beneath low Helle as a city strong environed with waters that fill down impetuously and fir full fro the rocks and made a terrible noise and roaring/ for they fill from right high in to a low swallow or abysm in the earth/ This city was all enclosed with mountains/ for to speak properly it was a right hell/ And it had no more but one entre and one gate/ for than to come down to the gate pirothus and theseus descended down by the degrees made in the rock/ then in the descending suddenly they saw spring fro the gate a great giant out of measure/ that had an head marvelously misshapen/ fierce black and ugly/ He had his nose high and wide/ his chin long/ his teeth great as horse teeth/ His eyen great like unto an ox/ His ears hanging like as an hound/ His shoulders large and brood. His belly swollen and great bolned. his legs and his thighs were passing strongly boned and mighty. This terrible giant was Cerberus. Whereof is touched and rehearsed above. The poets named him the hound with three heeds. Considering his right grievous and unhappy living which is replied and likened unto three singular vices. That is to weet to pride. to avarice. And to luxury or lechery. by pride he glorified himself and enhanced him above all the men of the world for his force and strength for he was so strong that no man might withstand him: By avarice and covetise he had an appetite insatiable for to gather together treasures. And took and bore away all that he might have or could find By luxury there was noman living of more fowl life than he was. For he had never done other thing in all his life than for to fowl and ravish women and maidens. Ladies & damosels And so by good right the poets named him an hound with three heeds. For he was fowl as an hound that liveth in multiplication of sins and doth his felicity/ O grievous felicity/ when theseus and pirothus had espied this enemy cerberus come unto them all armed making the wheel in Marching proudly unto them. Pirothus said to theseus. My brother behold what enemy this is/ he that putteth him in such perils for the love of Ladies setteth but little of his life/ us behoveth now to live or die. Let us now achieve joyously our emprise To th'end that ye think not that I had liefer die then to have reproach I shall be the first that shall begin the battle. theseus had no space ne leisure to answer/ for Cerberus came to them and escried them saying. what seeken these fellows in hell/ we come said theseus for to seek Proserpina. whom pluto hath taken away fro the Queen Sera. we shall never return in to our country. Unto the time we bring her with us Truly answered Cerberus when ye shall return in to your country/ ye shall render & yield again Proserpina but I shall defend you the return. And this day I shall present unto Proserpina my glaive died in your blood. And here ye shall be buried. ye shall never see Proserpina. ner come more nearer than ye be now/ with these words he enhanced his glaive And gave so great a struck to theseus upon his shield that he bore away thereof an half quarter etc.:.  
When pirothus saw his fellow smitten he took his glaive and smote cerberus on that one side Theseus smote him on that other side/ and they gave him two right great strokes so great that they made cerberus to be esmoved so sore that he began the battle so dismeasurably that he all to frushed and broke their shields & their harness/ and also made his glaive to be died with their noble blood as he had afore said/ The battle was hard & mortal at the beginning/ theseus and pirothus received many wounds/ by asper strokes/ their arms were all to hewn & broken/ The battle endured long/ And pirothus did right well in advancing himself// but cerberus smote upon him so dismeasurably/ that after many wounds given to him he all to burst his helm and cleaved his head in two pieces unto the stomach etc.:.  
then theseus saw his fellow die/ he enhanced his glaive by great anger and smote cerberus so firmly that he made him avail & go a back two pace. cerberus would avenge him of this struck & smote upon theseus a struck by so great force. that if the noble knight had not turned a back cerberus had born & smitten him unto the earth. This struck of cerberus fill upon the earth & entered therein/ and theseus smote again upon his enemy which had the heart so great/ that he began to roar as an old lion/ And smote theseus so fiercely with his sword that he all to broke his shield/ and all to frushed his helm/ that he was all astonied of the struck/ But alway theseus abode in his place and then cerberus should have brought him unto utterance following the evil adventure of pirothus. If that fortune had not brought thither hercules which came so appoint to the rescue that theseus knew not how to save him. At this point then that theseus was so astonied/ hercules that was departed fro the sea/ as said is came unto the stairs that were cut and made in the rock. And beholding theseus all covered with blood And pirothus deed. he began to descend down crying to theseus that he should not be afeard ner take no dread/ when cerberus saw and heard hercules he began to rebruyre and roar and assailed theseus asperly for to be quite of him. Theseus might no more/ how well that he was recomforted with the voys of hercules he began to run now here & now there tofore cerberus:..  
SO much then hasted hercules for to go down the stairs or degrees In entering the place as hastily as he might he escried to cerberus and said to him. Tyrant cruel let the knight run and come to me/ Thou hast put to death upon the earth my good friend pirothus. Whereof I am sorry certain. And if I may I shall take vengeance on the for him Cerberus hearing the sentence of hercules Ran no more after theseus. but tarried and beheld hercules with a fierce look and answered to him/ so weeneth he to avenge his shame that so believeth/ I have devoured thy fellow unto the death And but if thou exceed him in ●restier of arms and in bodily strength an hundred fold double it is folly to the to come hither/ for I am Cerberus the porter of hell that of record of my name all the world trembleth. thus ending his answer/ hercules was at the foot of the rock. he had his club upon his shoulder/ cerberus came against him/ they smote each other rudely/ and thus they began a right hard battle/ And then theseus that was passing weary sat at one side by out of the way And rested him in drying & cleansing his wounds of the blood that had comen out of them:.  
Hercules' beheld then on that one side & seeing theseus purging & cleansing his profound and great wounds/ he began to employ the excess of his strength and might by such marvel/ that of a struck that he gaf him upon his helm upon the right side that he made him to bow and lout under his club and to kneel to the ground with his lift knee and at the second struck in pursuing him hastily he made his sword to flee out of his hands and that he made him to fall on his arms to the ground/ ● & with the third struck as cerberus wend to have relieved him and gotten his sword/ hercules smote him upon the body that he made his head to hurtle again a great stone that was there by/ after that he sprang upon him and bond his legs with the strength and force of his hands/ maugre the giant// he tare of the helm of his head and would have slain him/ but theseus prayed him that he would not put him to death there/ And that he would bring him in to Thessalonique for to die by the sentence of the Queen ypodame etc.:.  
Cerberus' was not then put to death at the request of theseus/ notwithstanding hercules bond his hands behind his back/ and after he made him arise and took him by the beard and made him gone up an high on the rock And there he laid him down And bound his feet his hands & his neck together in such wise that he might not ner durst not remove/ when he had done so/ he went down and entered in to the gate of hell and leaving there theseus/ he went so far that he found the palace of King pluto and that he came in to the same hall where pluto was with Proserpina. All they that were there marveled of him when they saw him entered. for they knew nothing of the overcoming of cerberus. as they that left all the charge and keeping of their city with cerberus/ with out to have any doubt or suspicion/ And also they were so far from the gate/ that they might not here of the battle. ner knew no thing what was befall to their porter/ then when hercules had found pluto and Proserpina. he had great joy and knew be tokens & ensigns of them there being that it was he he addressed him to pluto and said. Pluto by thy malice Sicily is now all full of weeping of tears for the ravishing of this lady. Which hast not willed to yield and render again to her husband Orpheus I wot never what pleasure thou haste therein. but I shall say to the/ that thou shalt receive great displeasure in following the evil adventure of Cerberus whom I have vanquished and overcome etc.::.  
With this word hercules lift up his club and gave such a struck to pluto that he overthrew him to the earth/ that he ne moved neither hand ne foot. When he had so beaten pluto weening that he had be dead. he assailed all them that were there that made great murmur & put them all to death lightly with his club in the presence of Proserpina which trembled for fear/ then he comforted Proserpina & said to her/ that he was come unto that place for to deliver her/ and for to bring her again to her mother/ and that she should sew and follow him hardly/ Proserpine assured her & was comforted with the words of hercules and followed him etc.:.  
Hercules' opened the hall & went out and Proserpina with him/ After he addressed him unto the gate of the palace/ And it happened him that he fond there a right great company of citizens that were advertised of this affray and they ran upon him dismeasurably escrying him to death/ when hercules saw that/ he said to Proserpina that she should draw her a part/ After that he enhanced and lift up his club/ And began to meddle with his enemies right virtuously and by so high prowess that he covered all th'entry of the palace with these miserable tyrants that he slew smote down & all forfrushed them And put to death more than four hundred/ finally he wrought so that the other fled & gave it over/ and then when he saw his evil willers dead & disparc●ed he took Proserpina by the hand & lad her out of the gate of the city.  
Theseus' that abode & tarried at this gate as said is/ was greatly rejoiced when he saw hercules come again with Proserpina he arose & wait again them/ and salued the lady/ And presented to hercules a chain of adamant iron/ that he had found at the gate and many prisoners bounden that cerberus had bounden with all/ hercules unbound the prisoners & took the chain and bond Creberus with all/ And when he had buried pirothus he departed from this hell And took his way with Proserpina. theseus and cerberus. And without great adventure for to specify made so his journeys that he arrived in Thessalonique And delivered Proserpina to the Queen Sera/ and to ypodane he presented cerberus. Rehearsing to her and the Ladies how he had slain pirothus. Hypodame demeaned so great sorrow for the death of Pirothous that for to recount and tell/ it is not possible. All they of Thessaly semblably made great morning and sorrow and sore bewailed their lord/ what shall I say for to contrevenge his death/ Hypodame did do bind cerberus to a stake in the theatre of the city. And there young and old noyed and pined him three days long continually/ drawing him by the beard and scratch him in the visage and after slew him inhumanly and horribly. And then when hercules and theseus. sera and Proserpina had tarried there a certain space of time in comforting ypodane. they took leave together And hercules went accompanied of theseus toward the city of thebes/ but of him I will now tarry and shall come to speak of the adventures of lyncus etc.::.   

¶ How Andromadas delivered lincus of his enemies And how he slew in battle the King Creon and took the city of thebes etc.:.  
When philotes had received in to his guard and keeping lyncus And hercules was gone to the socours of Theseus and pirothus as afore is said. the mariners took their ship and went to the sea/ And failed all that day without finding of any adventure/ But on the morn by time in the morning/ fortune that alway turneth without any resting brought to them a great ship that drew his course unto the same place that they came fro/ Of this ship or galley was capitain and chief Andromadas King of Calcide/ This Andromeda was cousin unto lyncus/ when he had espied the ship where lincus was inn/ he made to vyre his galley a board And said that he would know what people were therein/ In approaching the ship of thebes/ lyncus beheld the galley of Andromeda and knew it by th'ensigns and tokens that it bare/ In this knowledge Andromeda spoke and demanded of the mariners to whom the ship belongeth/ anon as lincus saw and heard Andromeda/ he broke th'answer of the mariners/ And escried to him all on high/ Andromadas lo here thy friend lyncus. If thou give me no socours and help me thou Mayst lose a great friend in me. For I am a prisoner/ And hercules hath sent me in to Thebes etc.::..  
Andromeda hearing lyncus had great anger for he loved well lyncus. And escried them that brought him and said to him that they were all comen unto their death. And also that they were under his ward. Philotes and his folk were garnished with their arms and harness and made them all ready for to defend himself. And with little language they of Calcyde assailed phylotes. And philotes and his folk employed them at their defence The battle was great and hard. but the malheur and mishap turned in such wise upon the fellows of philotes that they were all slain and dead Andromadas had two. C. men in his company. all robbers and thieves of the sea/ These thieves and robbers smote hard and fiercely upon philotes and all to hew his arms. Working and giving to him many wounds and he buried many of them in the sea. but the strong resistance profited them but little. for in the end he was taken and bound. and lyncus was delivered and unbounden of the bonds of hercules etc.::.  
LIncus had great joy of his deliverance. he thanked his good friend Andromeda. After this he told him how he was take. and how hercules had dissipate and destroyed the centaurs. And among other he named many of his friends that were dead/ whereof Andromadas had so great ire and such displeasure that he swore incontinent that he would avenge it. And that as hercules had slain his friends in like wise he would destroy his cousins and kinsmen/ lincus took great pleasure to understand the oath of Andromeda which would venge the death of his kinsmen. he said to him that hercules was gone in to hell And after demanded him how he would avenge him upon the friends of hercules. And there upon they were long thinking. In the end when they had long take advice. Andromadas concluded that he would go assail the city of thebes/ and if he might get it by assault he would do slay the King Creon and all them of his blood etc.::.  
With this conclusion came thither all the galleys of Andromeda which followed in whom he had eight thousand fighting men/ Andromadas made them to torn toward thebes/ And also hastily as he might he entered in to the royalme In wasting and destroying the country by fire and by sword so terribly that the tidings came unto the King Creon when the King Creon knew the coming of the King Andromeda/ And that without defiance he made him war/ He swooned to arms and assembled a great puissance/ And knowing that Andromadas was comen in to a certain place/ he issued out of thebes all armed/ and brought his people upon his enemies/ that had great joy of their coming/ And then they set them in ordinance again them in such wise that they came to smiting of strokes/ the cries and noise was great on both sides/ glaives. Swords. Darts. Gisarmes. Arrows and poleaxes were put forth and set awork/ Many nobles were beaten down and dead/ Lyncus and Andromadas wrought mortally/ the King Creon and Amphitryon failed not/ there was blood largely shed on that one side and on that other/ And the battle was so felonous and asper then: that in little while after Andromadas and his people gate and wan upon them of thebes And constrained them to recueil and for to go a back whereof the King Creon had right great sorrow. And weening for to have put his men again in array/ put himself in to the greatest press of the battle where he wrought mortally/ And made so great slaughter and beating down of his enemies/ that lyncus and Andromadas heard the affray/ And so then they came thither & as lincus saw the King Creon do marvels of arms. he gaf him three strokes with his sword one after an other/ And with the fourth struck he all to broke his helm from his head and slew him. Whereof they of thebes were so afraid. and despaired. that they were put in discomfiture. and fled/ which fleeing Amphitryon might not remedy. how be it that he was strong and of great courage etc..:.  
OF this evil adventure thebes was right hastily advertised. Megaera was gone up. Upon one of the high towers of the palace/ & saw and beheld the battle/ from that place she saw them of thebes slain without remedy. and also torn their backs. the token of the beating down of the King her father And the recognisances of the slaughter of other made her to ascry and said/ fortune fortune what mischief/ where is hercules. Alas where hast thou brought him/ Alas that he is not here for to defend the meats of his nativity and for to keep his wife full of annoy And for to put his hand and shoulders for to bear the great feats & deeds of this battle. when she had said this. she fill a swoon And so lay a great while. Nevertheless the King Andromadas and lincus followed hastily them of thebes that they entered the Cite with them. And for as much as the thebans were with out head and put out of array/ And that Amphytrion had so many wounds upon him that all his memberss failed at this work. The unhappy lyncus and Andromadas took the city/ and slew all them that might bear arms/ reserved Amphitryon whom they found not in the heat. After they went up in to the palace and there they found Megaera & Amphytrion in great desolation with many Ladies and damosels:  
AS soon then as lincus had espied Megaera/ she was so fair & pleasant that he became amorous of her/ and came to her & said/ lady weep no more hercules the bastard son of Jupiter is gone in to hell & there he is dead/ ye have been wife of a man gotten in adultery/ from hence forth ye shall be fellow & wife of a man legitime & born in lawful marriage/ for I shall wed you. And shall do you more good & pleasure than ever ye had. Megra answered falls traitor weenest thou that I be so foolish as to gift faith & believe to the words of the homicide of my father & to the enemy of my Lord hercules know thou that I am his wife And that I shall never have other husband but him. he is no bastard/ but son of my lord Amphytrion/ and the most noble man that is in all the world/ Lady answered lincus I am King of this city/ ye be now at my commandment/ will ye or will ye not/ I shall do my will of you/ but I shall put it in respite & in my sufferance till to morn/ After these words lincus scent Megaera in to a tour/ and made her to be kept there/ After he sent philotes in to a low prison/ And Amphytrion in to another prison/ And finding there in servage & misery Priant the son of King laomedon/ he had pity of him and sent him again to Troy's where he was after received with great joy of the Trojans etc...   

¶ How hercules entered in to Thebes in unknown habit/ And how he put to death the giant lyncus and his complices and his wife Megaera etc.::.  
BY the glaive of lyncus then and of Andromeda Thebes was troubled dolorously. Lyncus exercised there many tyrannies and wickednesses In this Infortune Andromadas departed and went to do his things. Leaving there lincus with four hundred men of war for to keep the city and to hold it in his obeisance. Thus was taken the vengeance of the centaurs. In the time of this vengeance. the Queen Juno came in to thebes and had great joy when she found it in desolation and full of widows and orphelins. and in the enemies hands of hercules/ then were great the tears and lamentations of Megaera Amphitryon was nigh her that understood all her doleances and comforted her/ Lincus came many times unto her in to the prison And required her sweetly to have her love. And in the most fairest manner/ alway his sweet and fair words availed not. Afore he fond her constant and farm. and alway keeping in rigour her chastity. And gaf him many virtuous answers whereof followeth one. Which was the last/ Lincus thou hast now the hand strong. and hast bruised thebes. Fortune and ill hap have given unto thee.. the tyranny. Whereof thou hast enriched thyself with vices▪ thou hast furthermore the puissance for to commit in me murder/ but thy power ne thy sins been not so strong ne of might for to make my virtue to bow ne to fold. Megaera alway bewailed hercules. She bewailed him so much on a day that she became all ravished and in a trance And that same day hercules that was departed from Thessalonique a good while tofore made so his journeys that he entered in to the royalme of thebes accompanied with many noblemen/ And entering in to these marches he found the country all destroyed/ And he had not gone far/ when it was told him how lincus was Lords of thebes/ And how he had slain in battle the King Creon and how he had imprisoned Megaera etc.:.  
when hercules had received these tidings. he was emplenished with great anger/ and said that he would avenge him if he might/ then he clad him above his armours with a mantle & disguised himself as much as he might/ when he had so done. he left there his fellows. And entered himself in to Thebess unknown and passed through the gate & bore him so well that the porters let him pass forth/ and in like wise entered in to the palace/ At the entry of the palace a soldier came to hercules & demanded him what he sought there/ hercules cast a way his mantel a far and took his sword that was strong/ And without any word he gaf so great a struck to the soldier that was not armed. that he cleft his head fro the highest part down to the ground. Many other soldiers that were there by seeing the struck/ cried and afraid ran to their axes and clubs/ And some were of them that advanced himself for to take hercules/ but hercules smote of their heeds and beat them down. And then began to rise a great bruit & so great a noise that lincus heard it/ And weening that it had been his porters that afraid. he came running down all unarmed for to make peace/ assoon as hercules apperceived and saw him coming out of the hall/ he drew unto him with his sword hanced in his hand crying hercules hercules. and smote him so that he cut of the right arm and with the struck he fill down to ground. And after he smote upon one and other that had no helms on her heeds ne hauber●s on her backs. and then they knew that it was hercules/ he slew them so largely that of the blood that ran down was made a right great rushing as it had been a river etc.:.  
Among these things the damosels of Megaera issued out of the palace And went in to the streets crying with high and clear wy● that hercules was comen again and that he had slain lincus/ by these cries all the Cite was moved. the good men old and young the widows wives and maidens ran unto arms by great courage. and assailed all abouts the men of lincus. there was a terrible battle gathered together of the women against their enemies/ In a little while all the city was troubled when hercules had put to death all them that he found in the close of the palace reserved lyncus which he put in the guard and keeping of the Queen Juno and of many damosels that came unto him. he sprang upon the streets And showed his sword and smote down right on all sides in skirmish so mortally the men of lyncus all a bout where he might find them. that by the help of them of thebes he made them all to pass the trenching and cutting of his sword. And then was thebes all rejoiced And hercules returned into the palace unto the place where the ladies kept lyncus. Then hercules scent for to break up the door of the chamber where Megaera was in. For as much as they could not find the keys/ for they that kept her were dead Megaera then full of gladness came unto her lord/ hercules arose up to her and would have embraced her & kissed her/ but ●●ncus that thought on no thing but for to do evil/ by the secret introduction of Juno turned him fro it/ saying hercules late be my concubine I have take my fleshly desires with her/ she is of mine acquaintance And the most luxurious lady that ever I was acquainted with all  
When Megaera heard the right great injury and wrong that the traitor charged her with/ she fill backward for anger furious without saying of any word. hercules was all full of anger & hoot and full of great ire/ weening that lincus had said troth/ he smote of the head of lincus. And with the same sword that he had slain the traitor/ he put to death Megaera which was with child/ how be it the chronics ●o Spain tell that hercules slew not his wife/ but that he put her in to a religion that he ordained in thebes in the temple of Deianeira/ In renouncing her company. and that this was the first religion that ever was in thebes. These things accomplished in that one manner or in that other/ hercules took out of prison Amphitryon and philotes. and departed from thence all annoyed and sore gr●uyd at that time and long after that he spoke not. And went his way at all adventure accompanied only of theseus and philotes with great. Bewailing of them of thebes/ which then after his departing crowned upon them Laius the son of King Agenor of Assyry for as much as he had wedded the daughter of King Creon named Jocasta etc.::::.   

¶ How hercules put to death the King laomedon And destroyed Troy the second time.  
Hercules' theseus and philotes departed from thebes and went in to many diverse lands seeking their adventures. And passing by Licie where hercules was made King/ on a day they came in to Minerva unto the palace of King Aeson where Jason was. Which had then emprised for to sail to the isle of Colchos/ Andrea made his things ready/ when hercules had be feasted of Jason and of Duke pelleus and that he knew of th'enterprise that Jason would go & conquer the flees of gold/ he vowed and promised that he would accompany him. And if fortune would be with him he would adventure to bring his emprise unto an end/ what shall I make long process Jason and hercules made ready a right good ship/ and went to the sea And renewed not her victual till they came to the port of Troy's. But yet they renewed not them at this port/ for the King Laomedon was then in Troy which had fortified marvelously the city again. And knowing that there was descended at his port a ship full of Greeks/ he sent down a a man that commanded them rudely that they should depart thence and that he was enemy unto the Greeks/ Jason as capitain of the army answered courteously the messenger of King laomedon. and prayed him that he might have victual for his money/ the messenger answered him that he should none have there but if they gate it with the sword/ then hercules might no longer tarry but swore to the Trojan that if he might return from the voyage that he had emprised/ that he should yet once again destroy Troy's and that he should not leave one stone upon another/ with this conclusion hercules and Jason departed fro troyes/ And by fortune they were brought to the port of Lemnos/ whereof was a woman lady and Queen named ysiphyle/ which wax amorous of Jason/ as it is contained in the history of Jason/ In this port of Lemnos hercules was advertised that there by was a King named Phyneus which suffered him to be governed of an avaricious woman/ Phyneus had been married to another woman tofore/ and had by her two sons. These two sons were unrightfully by their stepmother put in exile/ for to say very truth this second wife/ was corrumped with avarice/ that she took fro the King his richesse and held greater estate than he/ when then hercules had knowledge hereof/ he went and spoke to the King phyneus and to the Queen/ And showed unto them their vices in so good manner and fashion/ that the two children were repelled fro their exile/ and that the King held his estate royal. Then returned hercules in to Lemnos And took the sea with Jason and went in to the isle of Colchos. where Jason by the learning and industry of Medea conquered the sheep with the flees of gold which he bore with him in to Greece/ then hercules recommended strongly Jason among his parents and friends/ And told them of the right great unkindness of the King laomedon. And how that he had sworn for to destroy troyes for the rudeness that the King laomedon had done unto them/ They swore all together with hercules the destruction of Troy's and concluded the day of their department and after made ready their ships and all that was necessary for them/ And then hercules held so well his hand in their exercite. that at the day concluded among them. they entered in to the sea/ And did so much that they descended at the port of troyes with so great an host that laomedon durst not defend them the port  
IAson was at that time in a far strange country. Hercules had with him many noble men And among all other there were with him the King thelamomax the Duke Nestor. Castor. pollux. theseus and many Kings and dukes/ At the descent of this port/ which was of strong entry. hercules that nothing doubted his enemies/ made to sown and blow up trumps and tabors/ and made so great noys and bruit/ that the walls of troyes and of the palace redounded thereof and that laomedon seeing out at one of his windows the host of his enemies. was right a great while in a thought whether he might go to battle again them or non/ it happened him that as he was thus pensive that he beheld toward the market place he saw there more than thirty thousand Armed men. Which inflamed his heart in such wise that he went and did him do arm And all his thoughts and pensees put apart came to his people. whom he warned and desired them to do her part and devoir/ And after himself trusting in fortune/ issued out in to the field in battle arranged by good ordinance/ And how well he supposed that hercules was in the army descended at the port. whom he doubted. he marched unto his enemies which joyed of his coming/ And then began the Trojans and the Greeks a right hot skirmish/ with so great occision & manslaughter/ that at the joining there was many a man dead & hurt/ hercules ne failed not to smite and trouble his enemies/ he cast his eyen on high and saw the banner royal of Troy. he fought and smote down on the right side and on the lift side And with his club he smote down dismeasurably that he came to the banner/ And finding there laomedon that did there marvels of arms upon the Greeks/ he smote him with his club often times upon his helm in such wise that he might not save him And that he embarred his club with in his head and brain/ that with the struck he slew him among plenty of Greeks lying dead on the sand ●endyng there the end of his life/ After he smote upon them that bore the banner and slow them/ And all to rent the banner/ And then were the Trojans all discomforted and cried/ Late us flee. Let us flee/ And with this cry that was Impetuous they began to recueil and go back unto the city/ weening to save themself/ But the Greeks conveyed them with the points of their swords and cuttings of their sharp glaives so mortally/ that in slaying and killing the most part like as the tempest had run among them/ They took the city so troubled with the death of the King laomedon that there was none or right little defence among them/ In entering in to the gate of Troy's/ Telamon was the first man/ And hercules was the second/ And then hercules found well that he did right high chivalries/ Priam was not at that time in troyes/ But he was gone in to the orient by the commandment of King laomedon after his return fro thebes/ What shall I say. Fortune having cast down the King Laomedon as said is by the strong hand of hercules/ above that/ she put in troyes hercules and his people which brought them all to the hewing of her swords/ they entered in to Ilion and pilled it/ and after did do cry h●uok upon all the treasures of troyes. In like wise they took Exiona the daughter of the King. whom hercules gave unto Telamon requiring him to take her for as much as he was the first that entered the city/ And when they had taken all that they found good in Troy. For final vengeance hercules beat down the tours and edifices/ and put the fire therein in such wise. that there abode not a stone upon an nother etc.::.   

¶ How hercules and Affer assailed by battle the giant Antheon and how they vanquished him in battle the first time etc.:::::.  
AFter this general destruction of Troy/ when the Greeks were departed and hercules had left them/ The Greeks returned in to Greece with great glory. And hercules went by the sea seeking his adventures accompanied of theseus and philotes And it happened him. that he arrived at the port of Alexandre/ he found in this port a right great arme●/ when the capitain of th'army saw him come to anchor/ he knew by the ensign of hercules/ that it was hercules. And that he had heard him recommended above all manner men what some ever they were/ And so then he came unto him all full of joy/ and said to him/ Lord of noblesse/ and treasure of virtue. Among the people most mighty/ and among the Kings most resplendent in all glorious virtue/ I salue you/ and you require that I may be your servant & friend/ And this saying he was on his knees tofore hercules and in sign of humility he kissed the earth/ when hercules saw the salutation & the manner of the doing of this man/ he took him by the hand/ And lifting him up fro the ground salued him/ and after demanded of him his name/ and to whom that army belonged that he saw there/ he answered him that he was named Affer son of madyam the son of habraham/ and that in that army was none other captain ne chief but himself and that the Egyptians had ordained him Duke & leader of this host/ for to go in to Libya for to destroy the country in vengeance of the evil and harms that the tyrant Busiris that was of Libya had done to them in such wise as he well knew etc.:.  
When hercules had received the name and the affairs of affer/ he took him for his friend. and said to him that he would accompany him to conquer Libya/ Affer thanked him and brought him in to a right rich ship where he failed him as much as to him was possible/ They had not long abiden there/ but they went unto the sea with great gladness/ for the Egyptians were so joyous and so glad to have hercules with them/ that they thought and believed verily that there might none mishap ne evil come to them/ Hercules found in the said ship of Affer/ the wife and also the daughter of Affer this daughter had to name Echee. She was one the most fair damosel of all the world and young and fresh/ By the daily sight of her/ hercules became amorous of her And required her to be his wife Echee answered that of herself she might not accord to his demand/ but she said. If fortune give me so great a grace that I might be your wife/ Ischold have more cause to thank the gods ● than any wife living hercules was right well content with the damosel and by her introduction called Affer/ and required him that he would give to him his daughter to be his wife Affer thanked hercules of that he vouched safe to demand his daughter he that was the most excellent of nobles/ and said to him that he should take her and do with her his will & pleasure// hercules esmoved and wedded echee. by the consent of affer/ and lay gether paying the due debt of marriage in such wise that echee conceived of the seed of hercules// what shall I make long process/ hercules & affer sailed so long that they found the port of Libya. where now standeth cartage/ and there they arrived and took land. In a night which was clear/ and after they entered hastily in to the country. and besieged the city of Libya without resistance or gainsaying etc.::.  
IN this city was then a great giant named Antheon great above measure of other giants. the most strong and the most conquering that was in all the parties of europe and Libya/ Cyrene. Trypolyn. Montaigne and all the isles inhabited in this contres unto the isles fortunate/ this King then advertised of the coming of the Egyptians was passing angry and swore that never none of them should return again in to Egypt/ assoon then as he might he did do his men arm them & issued out of the city with a great company of Libyans/ And had so great haste to run upon the Egyptians that he set no ordinance among his people whereof he took great harm/ for when he came to the battle he found that hercules had ranged his people and set them in two battles/ of which he ld and conducted the first battle/ it happened so that they of the said fellowship of hercules by force of shot maintained himself so valiantly and with strokes that they brought to death more than fifteen hundred Libyans. When the shot failed Antheon sprang in to the greatest press as the most valiant And supposed well to have skirmished his enemies/ but anon as hercules saw him come. he seized his club and put him forth afore/ And gave him so great a struck that he made his head to bow on the lift side/ Antheon had his sword lift up for to have smitten hercules when he received the struck that hercules gave him by which his struck was broken/ nevertheless he said between his teeth that he would avenge him/ he lift up his sword again and smote hercules so dismeasurably that with the struck he broke his shield/ then knew hercules that the giant was a man of great strength/ this notwithstanding he smote him the second time with his club And thus hercules and Antheon gave each other great strokes that there came between them the two parties. Libyans & Egyptians/ there was great noise of clinking of swords and swooning of the shields and helms that were broken/ and hauberks that were dismailed shields quartered and glaives broken/ there was the blood largely shed on both parties/ hercules & antheon were departed by force of the press/ Antheon by great ire smote without ceasing upon the fires Egyptians/ hercules forfrushed the helms largely with his club and made of the Libyans all his pleasure/ and brought so many to death with his club/ that in little space he passed through out the puissance of King antheon many times/ and that in his way he covered the earth and the way that he held all with dead Libyans/ This first skirmish was strong and damgeable to antheon. For again one Aegyptian that he slew with his glaive/ hercules made die with his club ten Libyans about hercules was no thing but blood/ hercules made the mountains redound of the cries/ the ranges to tremble. the Libyans to flee and go a back/ & win little gain/ what shall I say more also long as the day endured he held the battle in vigour/ and about the even as affer and theseus came to the medley. he inverted himself in such fashion against antheon. that he made him flee all charged with horions and strokes and then in like wise fled all the Libyans::.   

¶ How hercules took the King Atlas. and how he began to study the science of astronomy and the seven sciences liberal etc.::.  
when hercules saw the libyans torn in to flight/ he did do sown the retreat for as much as it was late/ and with great glory returned in to the place that he had chosen for to hold his siege/ his wife Echee came against him with open arms and beclipped and kissed him/ she halp to unarm him & brought him fresh water for to refresh his visage/ And there was made right good cheer of all the Egyptians/ At th'opposite of this right good cheer the Libyans were in their city and made great sorrow/ for they had well lost thirty thousand men. Sovereignly Antheon demeaned simple cheer for he had god● cause. For hercules had so beaten him with his club that he might not sustain himself/ but went with great pain to bed. And with sorrow sent for his medicines and surgeons. Which came and visited him and found him all to brosid And said to him that it would be well a month or they could hele him. Antheon considering his case sent and desired of the Egyptians truce for a month. Offering to them for to send them daily certain number of bestial And a right great quantity of victual/ Hercules agreed and granted him this truce be cause of the victual/ then he made out his mandments and 〈◊〉 unto all the Kings▪ and Princes that were his tributaries/ And also unto his neighbours praying them that they would come and succour him with all their men of arms the most hasty wise that they might/ This truce so made hercules began to remember then/ that to fore time he had heard philotes speak of a King that reigned there by named Atlas/ And that he was the most wise man and cunningest of all the world/ And furthermore that he dwelt in a castle standing on the top of a right high mountains named Atlas after the name of the same King In this remembrance hercules being covetous of the science of Atlas called philotes and said to him/ that he would go in to the royalme of King Atlas/ And that his intent was to seek there his adventure/ Philotes answered and said that he could well lead and bring him in to that royalme for he knew the country/ then hercules called affer & theseus and charged them that they should alway make good watch/ And after took leave of them and of his wife saying that he would hastily return/ this done he and three mariners with philotes went unto the sea In a galley subtile and light/ and sailed and rowed in to the sea mediterrane/ they had good wind and ready and fortune was good to them/ In little while they came unto the straight of Gibraltar/ And then philotes showed unto hercules the mountain & castle where as Atlas was abiding::.  
When hercules saw the mountain and the castle he went and took land joyously/ after he took his club and commanded philotes and his mariners for to abide him there/ after that he went toward the mountain. and it happened that he met with a man that descended down fro the hill/ and he addressed him toward the said man for to here some tidings/ and demanded him fro whence he came/ he said I come from the castle that ye may see yonder a high/ whither go ye said hercules. Unto the city of Marce answered the stranger/ the King Atlas to whom I am servant. hath sent me thither for to publish his commandment unto the citizens that within six days they be garnished with their harness & arms for to accompany him to go unto the war of the great King of Libya. Which hath required instantly to have his socours/ wherefore if ye will serve him in this army. & be his soldier/ go up & ye shall find him in his castle studying the science of astronomy The servant of King Atlas with these words went forth on his way. and hercules went up in to the mountain & came to the gate of the castle/ where he found four knights that demanded him what he would have hercules answered that his will was for to speak to the King for certain matters that touched him/ The four knights not thinking but good brought hercules within a great hall where in were all the men of King Atlas assaying them with swords and axes for as much as they had heard say that they should go to the war/ And they were all armed etc.::.  
When these knights had brought thither hercules/ they gave knowledge unto the King that a strange giant asked after him And would not tell them the cause why/ then Atlas went down and found hercules armed with his skin of the lion/ And asked him what he was/ then he answered & said I am hercules that have conquered philotes and the garden with the sheep of thy daughters/ I am come now hither for to conquer the with thy sciences. So behoveth the that thou do to me obeisance/ And give over to help the great Antheon mine enemy and that thou come with me/ And if thou wilt not so do/ arm the hastily and defend the with arms of that I demand thee/ for if thou wilt not assent thereto by love/ I shall make the accord it by force/ Atlas was strongly discouraged/ when he knew by the mouth of hercules that it was he that had late conquered philotes & had slain his giant his fellow. taken his sheep/ and also newly had assailed by war Antheon to whom he had promised to give socours/ & also considered that he would that he should yield him to him/ the heart began in him to sweet for anger and pride. And by great felony said to him O thou presumptuous hercules how art thou so hardy to come alone to fore me. thou that I may not love know thou that I have had many a displeasure by thine outrage/ for philotes was my right great friend. And now thou art come to renew this displeasance and wilt that I should yield me unto thee.. That is not mine intention etc.::..  
Atlas with these words went in to a chamber there fast by and commanded that every man should arm him. as they did/ hercules had alway his eye upon him. to the end that he should not escape him. When he was armed he came against hercules and escried him to the death/ after gave him a struck with his glaive fiercely. with the cry and with the struck all they of the fortress assailed hercules/ then hercules put himself to defence mightily by the rigour of his club/ And with twelve strokes he slew twelve of his enemies/ After he hurted & wounded many other and spared long the blood of Atlas. but in the end for as much as Atlas gaf great strokes to hercules/ Hercules smote him upon the helm without employing of all his strength/ and gave him a wound in the head that all astonied he bore him to the earth. from then forth on they of the fortress durst no more assail hercules/ ner they adventured them not for to rescue ne to relieve Atlas. but fled thence out of the castle/ and hercules abode there alone with Atlas and the dead bodies. So in the end when hercules saw that they had given it over/ he took Atlas and made him to cry him mercy After he went in to his study & took all his books which he laded upon a camel and after returned unto Atlas & constrained him to follow him. And when hercules had done in the castle all his pleasure he departed accompanied with Atlas & with his books And brought him down unto the sea side to the place where philotes abode him etc.:  
When philotes saw hercules come with Atlas and his books/ he had great joy/ & made know leech & acquaintance with Atlas which was so sorrowful that he might not speak/ and then they entered in to her galley & went unto the sea/ Atlas was sorrowful & woe begun of the wound that he had in the head/ hercules required him Instantly that he would teach him his science/ Atlas would in no wise do it in the beginning of his sorrow/ but when he had conversed & tarried with hercules/ what for the bounty that he saw in him as for the introduction of philotes/ which affirmed that hercules was the most noble & virtuous man t●at ever had been/ he began to teach him all his sciences/ wherein he learned and profited by quick and sharp engine in such wise that he comprised all/ And that afterward he became the best philosopher and the most perfit astronomian of all the world/ Thus studying then hercules returned with great ho●our in to the oofte of Affer/ And found at his coming that his wife had brought forth a fair son/ which the Egyptians had crowned King of Egypt where he reigned afterward and was called dedoum etc.:.  
then Affer saw Atlas and knew how hercules had vanquished and conquered him he marveled much of his prowess which was so great/ and of his wisdom that attained to so high things/ hercules put all his engine & study to connescyence./ In the meanwhile a little and a little the time passed/ and Antheon assembled a right great host/ and was all heeled of his wounds/ And then the truce failed and supped. whereof the Egyptians had great joy. For yet they hoped to have victory of her enemies. And the Libyans hoped to avenge them of the shame that hercules had made them receive/ when then the truce were expired the day following hercules made ready his battles of that one side/ And antheon ordained his on that other side/ Antheon made three battles. the first of twelve thousand fighting men the second of xx thousand/ and the third battle of xxx thousand. he ordained himself King and chief of the first battle/ In the second he ordained the King of Getulia. and in the third the King of Cothulia. And then when he had right well set them in array and ranged them in a morning he made to March joyously against his enemies/ and demanded no thing but their coming on. and to see the hour when that hercules would charge on them etc.:.   

¶ How hercules assembled his battle against Antheon King of the Libyans. the which he put to flight & slew the King of Cothulie:.  
Hercules' had made of his folk two battles whereof he conducted and led the first/ Affer and theseus conducted and guided that other when then he saw the Libyans March which made the greatest bruit and noise of the world/ he went forth afore and his company followed/ then began the trumpets to sown & tabors to make great voice the cry was great/ they began sharply the battle whereof hercules & antheon made the assay by a swift course And with sharp swords smote so sore together/ that Antheon broke his glaive. And the iron of the glaive of hercules pierced the shield of Antheon and his arms on his right side by which he had a wound whereout sprang the blood. Antheon wend to have died for sorrow when he felt the struck. and saw that his glaive had but little done to hercules/ he took then his sword. and hercules took his also And smote each other so hard that hercules bare antheon unto the earth with one struck/ And had slain him. ne had the Libyans have been which ran upon hercules on all sides And they delivered to him one so great assault that he wist not to whom he might attend. Then hercules employed his sword upon the Libyans/ The Egyptians assembled them eagerly upon their enemies/ Antheon relieved himself all ashamed of his fall. Applied all his puissance and strength for to avenge him not upon hercules but upon them of his party/ Thus Antheon smote on that one side and hercules on that other/ Antheon fought by great fiercety and anger. And hercules by prowess. The fierceness of Antheon was great. but the prowess of hercules was so excessively great that the Libyans fled him as the death/ And where they saw him they trembled for great fear/ At this battle to fore the sword of hercules all bloody. Then the great routs of the Libyans were right sore afraid And kept none array/ he smote of heeds and laid them down to the earth/ his folk that were disroyed by antheon he gathered together again. he made such work that the Libyans had the worse and that antheon sent hastily to the King of Cothulia that he should come to his help etc.::.  
THe King of Cothulia that at the sending of antheon departed/ weening to come to the medley But when Affer and theseus saw him move they went against him. and letted him of his way And there began the stour so great and so mortal that theseus and Affer slew the King of Cothulia beat down his banners/ his recognisances and his cotulyens/ And smote so sore the iron upon their bodies that they went aback and were constrained to cry after help/ the King of Getulia seeing this evil adventure came unto the rescue and found the Cothulians all discomfited. At his coming the cries. the noise. the tempest/ the strokes began to renew/ many valiance and many a prowess were showed there/ Many showed there their virtue & strength and many were slain there/ Theseus did there marvels. but alway the Getulians held them together and fought against theseus by the space of three hours/ and fit but few of their people unto the time that hercules brought them of the battle of King Antheon to discomfiture/ and made them to flee to save himself with the Getulians/ that then discouraged himself in such wise that after they had seen the battle of King antheon disranged and broken they might not lift up their arms to defend them but were slain a little and a little/ And finally they were brought to so straight meats and bounds that they wist never where to save them. And then they fled out of the place/ sparkled by the fields & champaigns. with out leaders conductors and captains/ And then hercules put him forth in the press all afore among them that fled first of the Libyans that he came to the gate of the city with them/ And there he began to smite so dismeasurably that he put to death the Libyans fleeing thither and the porters & them that would resist him Also he made the Egyptians to enter in to the town/ And Antheon seeing fortune against him in all points fled not in to his palace ne accompanied as a King but at large in to the fields in the conduit of four Moors only that after brought him in to Moryane:.   

¶ How hercules fought again. Against King Antheon and put him unto the death etc.:.  
By this manner hercules and the Egyptians entered in to Libya and subjuged it by force of arms/ And Antheon was fled in to Mauritaine. where he assembled new folk hastily/ They of Libya put them all in the mercy of hercules/ when hercules had thus daunted them of Libya. And their neighbours seeking Antheon. he made Affer King And named it after him Africa. And said that he fought not for his singular profit and covetise/ but for liberality and for to enhance virtue/ O most valiant and noble hercules. there was never man born among the paynims more large. more noble ne more virtuous/ he would not be King of all the world He was liberal and employed his conquests right well and wisely. and also gave his yefts advisedly when he had made Affer King/ he inquired what laws they held and established among them the sacrament of marriage/ for at that time the women were there all common/ & when it happened that the women had children. they gave them to the men after their phisonomies/ and thus telleth Aristotle in his politics above this sacrament hercules ordained unto the Africans that they should hold the laws of Greece/ and by right mure and ripe conduct made the Africans live reasonably and virtuously/ and above all other things he made them have the order of marriage in great reverence/ when hercules had ordained all this/ tidings came to him that Antheon was come again to Chasse him with many morions that followed him. Then he returned upon antheon and upon the morions/ and there smote them down with his club so mortally that he made it red with their blood and slew them all and put them to flight so cruelly that antheon abode alone against hercules and fought against him body to body by great strength and gave him many strokes hard to bear/ But hercules gave to him so many and so largely that the giant wist never how to save him/ and wend to have fled/ but hercules that ran also swiftly as an horse ran afer-him. and embraced him in his arms with all his might/ and lift him up in the air and bore him unto the host of the Mauritaines/ and when he came nigh them/ he cast him down despitously to the earth that all to bruised and forfrushed abode there dead antheon/ and his death turned unto the Moors so great abashment that they lost all their strength & puissance/ and were slain by great excess without remedy/ they lost there the King Antheon the King of moritane. the King of tingye & many other Kings & the honour of the battle. and in the end they fled/ in which flight was taken & subjuged to the signory of Africa the city of mauritaine:.   

¶ How hercules and Theseus fought together against the two damosels of Scythia etc.:.  
IN remembrance of this victory/ hercules did do make in the field the statue or image of a man sleeping in the place where he had put to death antheon And there under he did do bury the body of antheon/ And anon as the image which was made of the boon of an elephant was set up there/ the neck of the image began to sown like as it had been a man sleeping wherefore the mores had afterward the sepulchre in great reverence And worshipped the idol. After this statue thus accomplished by hercules/ he went by tyngie & Ampolesy & by many other countries and conquered all the country that now is called Africa. and gave all to affer/ and affer returned in to Libya. and there he found Echee his wife dead by a grievous sickness/ he took and made sorrow so great that it was marvel. Then for to forget this sorrow. he took leave of King affer and the Egyptians. and had supposed to have departed thence. but as he was in taking leave. a damosel strangely arrayed came unto him and said/ lord of Libya the Queen of fithie Ladies of Egypt of Calydonian and of Asia have sent me unto you/ which ladies have late conquered the said countries in taking vengeance of the Infortune of their husbands now late dead: And abandoned their country by cause of the great outrage that vexoses King of Egypt made in fithee And for as much as ye be of the lineage of the Egyptians/ they send to you that ye submit you unto their obeisance for to do with you that. that shall please them/ or else that ye come against them in battle or else for to eschew th'effusion of blood they let you weet that they have good right to subjuge you and that if there be among you two knights that again two of them wool do arms at utterance/ they shall deliver to you two Ladies in place covenable by condition/ that if the Ladies vanquish and overcome you/ ye shall be holden as vanquished/ and be at their commandment/ And if your men overcome the Ladies/ they shall be reputed as overcomen. and shall be subjects unto you etc.:.  
Hercules' hearing this mandment & message of the Ladies answered unto the messenger/ damosel since that the Ladies of fithee been so chevaulerenses that they have conquered the great royalmes of Egypt of capadoce and of Asia/ they been sore for to doubt/ nevertheless for to eschew th'effusion of blood & for to defend the Africans fro their servage ye shall return unto them and say/ that the battle of the two knights against two ladies is accorded and agreed unto them for to be done to morn by the condition that ye have said. Then hercules affer and many other swore and promised to hold these things/ and did great honour and reverence unto the damosel::  
THe damosel having done her message as said is/ returned unto the Ladies/ which were entered a great way in Africa/ & told to them word for word the answer of hercules. The overest or mistress of all these ladies was named Synope And had two sisters so expert and strong in arms that they dread no knight of the world/ that one was named Menalippe & that other Hippolyte/ anon as these ladies had received these tidings of the Africans they had great joy/ And holding opinion that Africa was won by the strength of Hippolyte and Menalippe/ which did marvels in arms/ they ordained that they should fight with the two knights. And so for to do they made ready Hippolyte and Menalippe. Which were on the morn ready upon the fields:.  
AT the hour that was ordained/ hercules & theseus sitting on two strong horses with great suit of Africans. rood into the place that the ladies had chosen for to do arms/ There were the two ladies abiding in a fair place armed & well mounted on good steeds And by them were the ladies in great number/ Also soon then as hercules & theseus had espied the two damosels. they made them that followed to stand & come no near/ And sent unto the damosels to weet what they would do/ The damosels answered that they abode the two knights & that they were ready to do arms again them under the conditions of their quarrel/ And if they were come they should come forth..  
Hercules' and theseus with this answer took their spears/ and spurred their horses and made sign unto the damosels/ and they garnished of shields & of spears ran again them so chivalrously that it seemed that they ne held of heaven ne of earth And that at the coping of their sharp spears the strokes were so huge & great on both sides that Hippolyte and theseus bore each other unto the earth/ and in like wise did Menalippe and hercules/ the Africans marveled much to see the two Princes so born down/ and yet the Ladies of Sythea marveled much more of the damosels etc.::.  
When the knights of the one side and the damosels of that other found themself lying one the earth/ Shame and vergoyne smote them unto their hearts nevertheless each of them relieved them lightly and by great courage took their swords. and approached each other/ and charging and smiting that one upon that other so readily that the arms of the Ladies and of the knights felt the strokes/ Hippolyte pursued her man theseus/ And Menalippe held her unto hercules/ The strokes of Hippolyte were great and did great grief unto theseus/ theseus enforced himself strongly to avenge him. and might not well come to his purpose/ hercules put under and overcome Menalippe lightly with his sword and put her in his mercy but Hippolyte maintained her force so mightily against theseus/ that she had put him to utterance ne had hercules had been that said to him/ brother what shall this be/ where is the prowess of theseus. shall that be daunted by the chivalry of a damosel/ if it be so. Certainly all men shall have shame of your dishonour:.  
these words began to quicken and to wake again the blood of theseus that was afore a sleep/ and light the courage in such wise that he recovered a new force and strength/ and put him forth and began to smite by such prowess that he made the damosel recreant/ and took fro here/ her sword/ And surmounted her/ whereof the Ladies were right doleant & sorrowful and in especial the Queen Sinophe/ which then sent to hercules her arms in token that she was vanquished/ praying him. that he would yield again & render the two damosels/ And hercules took the arms of the Queen. and sent to her Menalippe and made the peace with her for the Africans by condition that she should give Hippolyte in marriage to theseus which was amorous of Hippolyte/ So then the wedding was made in Africa with great honour & worship/ And then the Ladies hearing tell the marvelous feats and deeds of hercules. Praised him all/ And held them happy and eurous to be vanquished of him:.   

¶ How hercules began to wax amorous of Deianira And how achelous & hercules had battle that one against that other/ and how achelous was vanquished.  
AFter the conquest of these ladies. Theseus took leave of hercules and of affer and returned in to his country for to bring home his lady/ And hercules went to the sea for to go in to Calcedon which lieth in th'opposite of Achaia and of Arcady for to see a fair lady by excellent beauty/ that he had heard greatly recommended by a Chalcedonian that was in his company he did so much what by see and by land/ that he came in to Chalcedon/ The King of that place had to name Oeneus and had two daughters that one named Deianeira/ And that other Gorge/ Deianeira was the fairest. And that was she that hercules came for to see. When Oeneus had understanding & knowledge that hercules came in to his country. he had great joy/ And went against him & received him in embracing so honourably as was to him possible/ In entering in to his palace the Queen and his two daughters gorge and Deianeira welcomed hercules/ incontinent as hercules cast his eyen upon Deianeira that was the most fairest thing that ever he saw/ And that by on desire right deep was enracined and rooted in the most hold place of his heart/ he felt himself ravished marvelously. This desire entered in to hercules all full of rays of love and entered in to his heart also suddenly as the rays of the sun pass through the glass etc.::.  
Deianeira had so much beauty & was so well accomplished/ and so relused & shoes among the Ladies that to her/ might be made no comparison/ not alonely in beauty/ but with that in wisdom and bounty. She was the most precious treasure of Calcedon/ and there came many Ladies and damosels and other/ his neighbours were all amorous of her/ and sovereignly the King Achelous that was strong and puissant/ This King had great signory and Marched on the royalme of Calcedon/ when then hercules had been there a space in passing the time joyously and in beholding the conduct of Deianeira/ it happened on a day that the messenger of King Achelous came to Oeneus and said to him. that achelous demanded of him if he would give him his daughter/ and if he would not give her to him at this time/ he would molest and grieve his country & would make him war Of this mandment Oeneus was strongly troubled and answered the messenger that on the morn he would give him an answer/ All that day oeneus was pensive and simple and abode alone/ and for to pass his melancholy he came to hercules/ when hercules saw him so pensive/ he conjured him in such wise that he should tell him the cause of his pensiveness/ which told him and said. Lord hercules since it pleaseth you to know of mine annoyance and grief/ I shall anon tell you the cause/ there is here by a King my neighbour named Achelous great and fires and proud/ which by many times hath required of me to have to his wife Deianeira my daughter/ I have not been in will to accord the marriage/ for as much as I know this King a man of right evil life. And for this cause I have had many menaces of him. And also this day his messenger is yet comen again to me and hath said to me that if I give him not my daughter at this time. that he will make me war/ Certes hercules if ye see me pensive/ Hyt cometh to me by this occasion. For I have not yet given him his answer/ But I must give it him to morn/ nevertheless I have concluded in myself that I will not give unto him my daughter/ And then when I see verily that by the refuse of my daughter it must needs be that the war be open between the foresaid King Achelous and me I know well that I am displeased. for war is the eternal exilement of the country/ perdition and waste of the people and of goods etc..  
SIre said hercules it is force unto a man that he take and bear all that fortune will. As ye say war is not increasing of people but diminution alway by that hole it behoveth to pass/ Hyt is expedient that a man rejoice his right. Right comforteth the courage of a man. And also the courage of a man comforted bringeth him oft times to glorious victory/ A best rural disgarnished of reasonable engine fighteth for his hole and nest with his claws with his feet teeth and with his beck/ what shall a man sensible and endowed with intendment & reason do if any assault and namely in his owen land and territory come/ Nature will and ensigneth that where corporal force faileth/ vigour and virtue of courage worken/ and that they fight for their country Take courage then in your right/ and late say your intent unto your enemies▪ ye have received me worshipfully/ and in my receiving these tidings been come I shall help you if it be need/ and I suppose if achelous assail you he shall repent him::.  
By these words the King Oeneus comforted himself greatly/ the day drew over/ On the morn oeneus called the messenger of achelous and said to him. that he come no more to demand his daughter/ and that he was not advised to give her to his master/ & furthermore if he moved war against him for this cause. he had Intention to defend him unto the death of the last man of all his people. The messenger returned with these words and told them to achelous and all that he found. Achelous was evil content with King oeneus/ & as he that was over much smitten with the love of Deianeira. began to assemble his men of arms in intention to make war on King oeneus. and to take fro him his daughter/ hercules was then in Calcedon and oft times he was with Deianeira in gracious devices. he found her so well addressed in all honest manners. that all day he was the most part with her And in the night he did not but dream and think on her/ how be it he said no thing to her that touched his amorous desires/ willing first to show there his power in arms/ it happened on a day he opened a window that was on the garden of Deianeira And casting his eyen a down he saw Deianeira that sat upon a green place accompanied of many Ladies and damosels/ then he set all his intendment to contemplate thexcessiveexcessive beauty of her/ After he desired her/ And in coveting & desiring he said. O Deianeira that have not the prerogation to know the hearts and the thoughts of the men/ if I should say to you the tenth part of the love & desires that I have in you/ ye might not believe it/ I have gone many a country. and seen many a royalme. and many a treasure I have desired & many a thing. But of all for to come to mine above/ I was never in so great thought as I am for to get your grace:.  
THe same hour that hercules spoke by himself/ Deianeira was not idle. She that had hercules in her mind and remembrance in her heart than being rich with the points of love sown between variations of hope and despair/ was esprised in all her veins with the heat of fire that brenneth amorous hearts/ the fire brenning was strong & right hard to quench the right piercing sparkle/ she laid her down upon the grass/ And began to say in her engine/ Alas hercules what shall deianira do she may not come and attain unto your love/ I was wont not long since not deign to behold the men/ & then said. that never prince ne King should have my love/ now I am all of another nature/ and ne desire other thing but that I might be your wife/ I had supposed to have remained and continued a stable virgine/ and only disdaineuse of the men again the requests and admonitions of the Ladies/ These been now well other tidings/ with these words she ceased a little and began to think on many other things/ At this point as she thought on hercules. and hercules on her tidings came thither that Achelous came thither for t'assiege the city by land and by see/ and that he was right nigh by/ for these tidings arose in the palace a right great murmur/ that came to the ears of hercules and of Deianira. their spirits were traversed in such fashion that hercules left to behold Deianira/ and the damosel left to think on hercules. and both two went unto the King oeneus:.  
Anon as hercules came unto the King/ and that the King saw him. he went against him and said to him that his enemies were right nigh the city/ hercules answered joyously/ that it behoveth to go feast them. and that he do put his people in arms/ at the answer of hercules the King did dosowne to arms/ and with the sown all Calcedon was moved and each man adubbed him. Hercules and his Greeks were ready in a little space/ The Calcedonians assembled by great companies in the palace/ when they were assembled the King and hercules brought them in to the field/ and hercules put them in ordinance/ that done he did them March/ and so exploited the Calcedonians & Greeks on an after dinner/ that they came & fond their enemies and approached them so nigh that there was nothing to do but to smite and say on/ hercules had made two battles/ oon and the first of his people/ and that other of the Calcedonians when they came to the point to mete. Hercules went to the Calcedonians and in the presence of the King said to them/ lo here ye may see your enemies that set little by you for they been come in to your lordship to assail you I pray you that the great outrage of them abate ne minish your courages/ ye ought here to have the fiercety of a lion the puissance of an elephant and appetite of a griffon for to deliver you without end fro the enmity of King Achelous. in keeping your country. your domination. your honour/ your treasures. your wives. your children. and that more is your lives be ye than envious to do well/ be ye aglutted with desire of vengeance/ be ye covetous to get worship and glory/ if ye esuertue not yourself at this time/ ye may not have but mendicity or servitude or death/ for your enemies shall do unto you all the evil of the world/ if they have victory over you. These words wrought in the hearts of the Calcedonians and gave to them courage marvelously/ And all full of one right good will desired the meddles/ when hercules had achieved his exhortation he went to the battle/ for it was at the point to fight. Then were there great cries on that one side & on that other/ tabors. Trumpets. clarions. Horns & business began to sown. Knights began to move at th'entry of the battle. hercules and the Greeks shot & drew largely upon their enemies/ And made achelous all abashed for as much as he hoped not to have found so great resistance with the Calcedonians then they casted her eyen upon the banner of hercules/ & seeing the great lion that was painted therm/ they began to imagine that there might be hercules of whom was spoken through out all the world for his virtues and his strength::.  
When they were thus imagining the shot failed with great occision of them of the party of Achelous/ when the shot was so failed hercules took his sword/ and furrowed among them of Achaia. that were in the first front of the battle of achelous/ and there made an hole so great that the Calcedonians and Iconian wan upon them at the first joining/ and ma●e that other party to recoil and go a back. Whereof achelous had great sorrow/ and he took to him xx knights which were chosen and came and reng●● with them there. where hercules defrayed and broke the battle of Achaians/ There he approved his courage Amorous this strong giant. and his chivalry so valiantly that the Greeks entering tarried and abode/ and also hercules. For they died their swords and the earth with their blood. and beat down many Yconians. And there was the strife so great that men might see nothing else but heeds and arms flee in to the field. hercules smote no struck but it cost to achelous the death of a man. Achelous in like wise struck for struck smote down one of his enemies The residue of their folk did the best they could/ now before now behind. and yet might never th'Achaians confound and put aback their adversaries how be it they were alway four against one and th●y Chonians also might not prevail upon the Achaians fo● as much as they were in great number. And they had alway fresh people and new/ In this manner the two puissances fought together more than four ours/ love wrought sore there in hercules & in achelous. Both two made their swords to flourish covered with blood/ they met oft times and smote each other/ but never durst achelous abide to fore the sword of hercules for the horrible strokes that he saw hercules give/ but he putted him in the press as soon as he had smitten him or had grieved him:.  
IN this battle hercules did wonders & marvels. Oeneus took a great pleasure to behold him. And th'Achaians had therein displeasure/ for they that seyghe him were no more assured to escape the death/ than he that feeleth the sword in his neck in the hand of a tyrant. There received no man a struck of him but he abode in the place he made so great slaughter that no man can well writ In the end King oeneus with all his Calcedonians came to the battle/ In his coming the Achaians received loss upon loss & peril upon peril. The King oeneus made many of his enemies to die/ hercules showed his puissance more and more/ By his well doing he put th'Achaians all out of array. and after in to flight/ And the loss of the field turned greatly unto the damage of King Achelous. For hercules chassed him hountously in to his ships and made him to lose twelve thousand Achaians etc...   

¶ How hercules put to utterance the King Achelous And how he espoused Deianira etc.:.  
AFter this victory when hercules saw that the King Achelous saved himself by the sea/ He called the King oeneus and said to him that he would pursue his enemy/ and that he would deliver the world of him. and after took two hundred of his chosen men. and took leave of the King oeneus and went to the sea/ following after Achelous recommending him to gorge and to Deianeira. In this night oeneus after the departing of hercules returned in to Calcedon/ and told his wife and his daughters the high prows that hercules had done in the battle/ and how he had chased his enemies/ and how he was gone after with two hundred men. The Ladies gorge and Deianira were right joyous of the victory/ but it annoyed them sore that hercules with so little a company pursued achelous/ and above all other Deianira was greatly annoyed and grieved of th'emprise of hercules so sore that she went in to her chamber and was constrained to weep and not to have joy in heart ●●to the return of hercules/ for to return unto the purpose of hercules/ when he was put unto the pursued of achelous as said is he entered in to his royalme. and sued him so nigh that he was constrained to withdraw him in a right strong castle standing by the sea/ hercules assieged achelous in this castle/ when achelous saw that hercules pursued him with so little company as with two hundred men only/ he called his friends and his conductors/ and among other things told them that it was shame to them to suffer to be assieged with so little number of people. They answered that he had said truth/ And concluded that the same hour they would issue out and raise and break the siege/ and forthwith they swooned to arms with short council/ it was not long after that they issued out of the castle/ hercules espied them and knew that they came to the battle/ he set his men in array/ After he went alone tofore unto his enemies as he that doubted of no thing/ when Achelous saw him come he began to make a great sigh/ And escried his people upon him/ saying that it was he with the club that had chased him out of Calcedon/ and promised great yefts unto them that best furnished him with strokes/ but when his folk knew that it was hercules/ they made courtesy each to other for to go afore And trembling as the leaf on the tree they durst not abide the weight of the club/ but without smiting of any struck turned their backs & fled unto the castle.  
Achelous' seeing the pour conduit of his folk And the dread and fear that they had of hercules/ wend he should have died for sorrow/ went and entered again with them in to the castle. And hercules returned with his people laughing of the pour guiding of his enemies/ Hercules began then to think on Deianira. And Achelous began to imagine how he might adamage the Calcedonians. he had there one of his captains that said unto him. Sire ye know well that your strength may not compare unto the strength of your enemies/ we been ten against one but that may no thing help us. For alonely the club of the mighty giant that is with them is enough for to bury us all and also for to destroy your royalme. Consider ye then since it is so that open puissance and plain discovert strength at eye may not be used at this tyme. It is expedient to imagine some subtlety for to grieve the Calcedonians/ and it is mine advice that there shall be made a great flaming light in the sea such as I shall well devise/ that by that moyen they that have besieged us may been deceived lightly. This flaming light must be by night/ and it shall be great and impetuous we shall make it secretly/ anon as our enemies shall see it they shall leap out of their tents. and they shall go unto the sea for to see that marvel/ peraventure without any arms/ for they dread ne fear us not. And then we shall spring on them and shall find them disgarnished and unpurveyed of their arms. and consequently it may ensue that of them all we shall make a notable deliverance etc.:.  
When Achelous heard this council/ it seemed to him good/ and would that it were put in effect in such wise as he had devised. The deviser did do make an hundred torches. Which were achieved in fifteen days/ during these fifteen days hercules assailed many times the castle. where achelous was in/ but he might never do no thing thereto for the fortress stood upon the sea and in a strong country/ & might not be gotten by assault/ And achelous might have no socours fro no part/ for between this castle and Achaia was a great country/ when the fifteen days were passed and the torches were made/ on a night when it was peaceable of wind & of storm They that conducted the torches issued out of the castle four of them unto the haven where as was left but one little boot which was a ground. and had not in long time afore be put to the sea/ And if ye demand where the ships were become that Achelous brought to this port/ I say you that hercules had do take them and sent them in to the sea/ to th'intent that Achelous should not escape him ner take away the ships by night/ The Achaians then comen to this little boot lying on the ground. did so much that they brought it a float on the sea also secretly as they could. and entered therein with all/ that to them was necessary/ And the King Achelous put himself in a bushment with a thousand of his men In a place nigh where as him seemed that the Calcedonians would go out for to see the light that should be made. Then when they that were in the s●e knew that it was time to light their torches they set them a fire/ And set them round a bout the masre where in were made as many holes as were torches/ And so as they had imagined they did/ anon the knights that kept the watch of the host of hercules saw it. And all sore a marveled of this light awoke hercules and his fellows. and showed them the light and clarity etc.:.  
Anon as hercules saw the resplendishor of the torches/ he would know what it was/ And then he approached the rive of the sea & his fellowship with him./ he had not been long there/ when the King Achelous did do light an hundred torches that he had purveyed. and after he sprang out of his ambushment with his thousand men/ and ran upon hercules and assailed him & all his men fiercely/ But when hercules saw them discover/ he set his people in ordinance the best wise he might. by the light of the stars/ and received his enemies freely whereof began a right dolorous battle/ for that one smote on that other right felonously/ and there were many wounded and deed/ the skirmish was great/ Achelous' wend to skirmish/ but he was skirmished himself unto th'effusion of his blood/ for hercules among all other smote him on the helm/ that he foundered & gave him a wound on his head that the blood rushed out/ and more over he took him. and delivered him to twelve of his men to keep/ there were great cries and great abundance of strokes of swords/ then were the torches quenched and put out by the impetuosity of the smiting on the Achaians which desired strongly for to rescue their King/ they abandoned their lives in the heat/ But when their torches were quenched little & a little they began to cool them and withdrew them for they saw not a drop/ when they were withdrawn/ hercules assembled his folk and said to them that he would go assay if he might take the castle in this trouble/ And that they should follow him hardily and fiercely/ and anon after he saw his enemies return unto the castle/ he ran after and retained them And put himself in the thickest of them. and smiting with his club on the right side and on the lift side that he made a right large place and way/ and by thi● way he lad his people unto the gate of the castle/ where he entered with them that fled/ and there made so great occision of his enemies that with little resistance that same night he put to death twelve hindered and the other fled in to the city of Patras fro whence they were/ In this battle and in the battle that had been in Calcedon/ Alle the men of Achaia were slain/ reserved about a four hundred which saved them by fleeing/ for Achelous' had taken all his men with him/ His country and his city of Patras was all destroyed/ when hercules had taken the castle After he went in to the country and in to the city of Patras/ And entering in all places without any resistance/ he translated this royalme in to the hand of King Oeneus/ And he abode not long after that he had subdued this royalme but he departed & returned in to Chalcedon as hastily as he might for to see Deianeira/ And there he was received with so great glory. Joy & triumph that noman can rehearse ne writ. The poets escrive & writ this conquest that hercules made upon achelous/ feigning that Achelous fought first in guise of a man. and that then he was vanquished/ After he changed himself in guise of a serpent/ this is to understand in subtyllesse and in malice as he did in assailing hercules by night finally he fought in the guise of a bull/ And that hercules broke his one horn/ That is to understand that at the last Achelous was fires as a bull/ for he died well nigh for pride and sorrow that he was taken/ And that hercules broke his horn/ that is to understand that he broke his royalme and destroyed it:.   

¶ How Nessus ravished Deianeira fro hercules when he passed with her over the river/ And how hercules slew Nessus with an arrow.  
great was the feast then. that the King Oeneus made for the victories that hercules had achieved upon King Achelous'/ afore he doubted him passing sore Hercules at his coming presented to him Achelous and his royalme and said to him that he should have it with out any refuse/ The King oeneus sent King achelous in exile/ And held himself greatly bounden and beholden to hercules whom he honoured marvelously/ then hercules took to his heart again the right amorous regards. and also in likewise did Deianira. she had sovereign joy to see hercules/ and desired none other thing but for to see him/ what shall I make long process/ when hercules had been there a space/ he required King Oeneus that he would give him his daughter to wife/ Oeneus with right good will agreed and accorded to him/ and Deianira consented with better will/ The wedding was solemnized pompously and solemnly. and went to bed and say together/ And soon after when hercules saw that his father in law had his royalme in peace he took leave of the King oeneus and departed fro Chalcedon with Deianeira and his people for to go by land in to his royalme of yconye/ hercules had alway in his journey Deianira by him. he loved her sore and had great solace in her beauty/ and if he had not studied with Atlas/ he could not have abstained him for to behold her beauty/ In passing the time pleasantly in the manner that folk do that been new married. hercules journeyed so far that he came to a quarter of Thessaly/ where as the river of hebenus runneth/ and arrived on this river/ which was deep and brood running impetuously. and had neither bridge ne plank to pass over/ But there was a centaur named Nessus that practicked there his life by the mean of a little boot In the which he sad the people over the river etc.:.  
When hercules had found this passenger Nessus he came to him and demanded him how he and his folk might pass the river/ Nessus' that knew hercules since the time that he had vanquished his fellows at the wedding of pyrothus answered to him that he might not pass the river but by his little boot And if he would pass// he would with a good will do him the pleasure to set him over/ Hercules thanked nessus/ And for as much as he saw that the boot was but little And that the time was disposed to rain/ he would that Deianira and her damosels should pass first/ Deianeira and her maidens entered in to the boot/ when they were therein/ Nessus' rowed And in the rowing he beheld Deianira/ And he saw her so much that her beauty deceived him. For as soon as he was come over on that other side/ ● he took Deianira/ and said that she should be his wife// And then in the ravishing of her he took her on his shoulders and bare her a way/ wherefore Deianira & her damosels made great cries/ And hercules seeing that the old giant bore away Deianeira. Which he would resist to his power/ bend his bow and shot an arrow upon the giant with so great might and cunning/ that he smote him on the right side unto the heart. And gaf him the deaths wound: Thee bow of hercules was so great and strong that no man could bend it but himself/ how be it that nessus by his wound that hercules gave him began to feel thappchingapproach of the death & to suffer sharp anguish/ alway he ran a great while after unto a valley. where he overthrew. and considering that his life had no rescous/ he employed the end of his life to imagine how he might do displeasure to hercules/ & remembered that he had terrible poison upon him & mortal/ And said to Deianira by great malice/ Lady the love of you hath caused me to receive the death/ which me displeaseth not so sore/ as doth that cruel hercules shall rejoice you/ which are worthy to have a worthy man/ hercules is no true husband/ but the untruest to his wife that ever was/ and for as much as I have singular pity of you/ and that your beauty constraineth me to do you pleasure/ I shall give you here a precious thing/ and having such vertu/ that if ye boil it with one of the shirts of hercules with the blood that runneth out of my wound/ and if then ye give the shirt to hercules and that he were it/ he shall never after love other woman ner lady but you::.  
And with these words the giant took the poison and tempered it with his blood and wound it in a linen cloth and gave it to Deianira/ The foolish Deianira adjusting credence to the giant took the poison/ the giant charged her that no man should touch it bore/ saying that then it should lose his virtue after the touching. and with that he gaf up his ghost and died piteously/ And Deianira escaped fro his hands. Purposing that she would keep that poison secretly at alaventure for to help herself/ if it were need/ In the mean while that these things befell between Deianira and the giant/ hercules was not at hearts ease for Deianira/ he was in great distress when he saw nessus hear away his wife/ assoon as he had smitten him on the right side with his arrow as said is/ he unclothed and despoilled himself/ and cast his gown his harness and his club over the water by great strength And after he start in to the water/ and swam over unto that other side/ And then as he did on his arrayment again/ Deianeira accompanied with her damosels that followed her came again to the river garnished with the cursed poison/ when hercules saw Deianeira return/ he imagined anon that he had slain the giant/ And went against her and demanded where the traitor was/ Deianeira answered not at the first to this demand/ but said to him/ Alas my lord in what peril have I been. what oppression what destruction of joy hath distrained mine heart/ The tracks of mine arms where yet is seen the print of the hands of the giant show in what displeasure I have been. The cursed glutton giant bore me unto the depth of a deep valley. where the death proceeding of the struck of your arrow made him to fall down. And he would never let me go unto the last sigh of death. Certes I have suffered a great jeopardy/ but thanking be to the gods/ since I have found you again. And know ye verily that I am avenged of mine enemy. whom I have seen deep miserably/ whereof I am all rejoyed & glad again:.   

¶ How hercules fought against the serpent of Ovid of learn and slew him etc.:.  
Deianeira & hercules kissed each other by right great love/ After hercules went in to the place where the giant lay dead. and for as much as he fond him prived of his life/ he let him lie there to the beasts & to the birds and took his arrow that lay by him And this was the arrow that Achilles was slain with after in the temple of phoebus in troy for the love of Polyxena/ then hercules & Deianeira came again to the river &/ hercules set over his men and went fro that place in to the city of learn/ The King of this city did great honour to hercules and received him as honourably as he might and could/ among diverse devices hercules demanded him of his tidings/ the King answered and said that he knew none other/ but that in a great palus there dwelled and abode a monster half man and half serpent that wasted and destroyed all his royalme by common murder/ for he said that all the men women and children that this monster can find he sleeth them with his tail that is envenomed and with his hand armed/ he devoureth and destroyeth them with his teeth/ and there escapeth none And so it behoveth that this country be desert/ for the labourers ne merchants dare not go by the country less accompanied than two hundred men/ And if they be less the monster assaileth them and destroyeth them like as he hath done many other etc.::.  
Hercules' was passing glad and joyous of these tidings and said to the King. Sire I have laboured yet hitherto for the common weal of many royalmes/ yet have I the will to persevere and to do the works of virtue/ know ye then since that I am here arrived/ that I shall do somewhat for the weal of this country/ like as I have done for many other/ and I have intention for to put me in devoir to morn on the way toward the monster/ and for to abide thaventureadventure for to vanquish him or to be vanquished of him/ This monster was called Hydra for as much as he dwelled in the waters/ when Deianira heard th'enterprise of hercules that he would go alone abandon himself in so great peril she began to weep & make so great sorrow/ that no man might pease her/ ner make her stint her weeping/ hercules comforted her the best wise he could/ Atlas & philotes comforted her in likewise. and showed to her the right high and glorious deeds of hercules/ for to give her hope in his adventure All that might not help ner avail/ she loved hercules with all her heart with all her might & puissance She required him with her eyen charged full of tears that he would abstain him fro so high an enterprise/ saying that it was no wisdom a man to expose himself to so evident terrible dangers/ And that the gods had sent the monster in to the country for to corrige and chastise the people/ alway how be it that hercules was sore ardent in the love of her/ yet her tears that she wept ne her prayers ne her remonstrances might not 'cause hercules to break his purpose for to achieve his adventure/ But on the morn early adubbed him. And departed fro learn and took his way toward the palus where as was the monster:.  
This palus was long and three mile in compass as the chronics of Spain rehearse And all environed with fountains that sprang out of the high mountains/ In mids of this palus was a great lake or pond/ wherein dwelled the Hydra on dry land/ when then hercules was come to this palus/ The Hydra that never slept with both eyes and that had alway the neck stretched on high & the ears open. had anon espied him and suddenly came against him running by a great radeur/ hercules abode when he espied the marvelous monster and had great pleasure to see him/ he was ten foot of height/ and as long a tail/ he was fowl & covered with hair/ he had the body armed/ & in his right hand held a naked glaive/ and in the lift hand he bore a shield/ hercules thus beholding him suffered him to come to him. Then the monster spoke to him and said pour giant whither ghost thou/ behold this glaive sharp on both sides cutting/ yet was there never man that heard me speak/ but he died by the point of this glaive/ for as much as I am the most wise creature that ever nature made/ and that I am accustomed to make a question to such men as I find/ and them destroy if they can not answer thereto. and for as much as I ne find in my royalme/ but people as beasts &/ without intendment/ I have therefore destroyed their blood and so shall I do thine if thou canst not assoil a sophism that I shall make to thee.. O thou man serpentine said hercules/ thine eloquence. thy prudence. thy cruel glaive foul and pollute of infinites homicides make me no thing abashed ne discourage me/ I seek the and am comen hither for to destroy thee.. And I shall not assoil only one of thy sophisms/ but as many as thou canst think/ and will well that thou know that if by force of thy sophisms and fallacious arguments thou make me Innocent/ I shall do unto the like as thou wouldest do to me/ and if it hap that thy science may not overcome me/ yet will I well that thou defend the with arms. and that thou keep thy life as well as thou canst etc.::.  
With these words the monster made unto hercules seven sophisms one after an other so fallacious and foe subtle/ that when hercules had given solution to one/ the monster replied by seven arguments/ alway hercules that was full of philosophy and expert in all science. Answered so solemnly to all his fallacious arguments that he surmounted him/ And for this cause the poets feign that this Hydra had seven heeds as it appeareth in the first tragedy of seneca// and sayen that when hercules had smitten of one of his heeds. that seven other heeds came again in the same place// In the end then for to pursue this matter when hercules had so disputed against the serpent that he yielded him to hercules in such wise as he witted not what to say/ then hercules said to him: Serpent inhuman we have fought long enough with the tongue/ Take thy glaive I may no longer withhold my hand for smiting upon thee▪ And assay if thou art as subtle in arms as thou art subtle in language. Pour fool said the serpent which was full of pride/ knowest not thou that by my party serpentine I have infected all this contr●/ and I shall this day drink thy blood and devour thy body wherefore make good watch/ and keep the well:  
WIth out more words hercules enhanced his glaive for to have smitten his adversary. but he could not so sore haste him but the serpent gave him first two strokes one with his glaive and that other with his tail/ wherewith he had almost smitten him down to the ground/ alway hercules abode standing/ And with his sword that he had enhanced he smote the monster upon the helm by such strength that he all to frushed the helm & made him a wound in his head of this struck that the serpent felt he was full of furor and with his glaive smote hercules the second time upon the helm with so great might that the sparkles & the fire flew out/ And the helm was broken/ Hercules that never tofore had received so great a stroke/ escried him that he would avenge it/ And smote him rightyrously/ their strokes were great and mortal/ they smote each other long/ and they were both two of great courage/ But when fortune had enough cherished them both/ she turned against the serpent so certainly/ that after many strokes hercules smote his trenching sword with in the helm in to his head and bare him down dead unto the earth.  
Hercules' had great joy when he saw the monster put to utterance/ he went for to fetch the King of learn/ Deianeira/ & his folk/ & brought them for to see this monster/ when he had showed them the monster/ he made a great fire/ and light it/ and made sacrifice unto the gods. And by the fire he consumed the monster Hydra/ wherefore there were given to him great and right high lovings & thankings. And was brought in to the city of learn with great glory of Ladies & of damosels▪ which conveyed him unto the Kings palace singing melodiously. Deianeira then joyed greatly in the triumphant victory▪ of her noble husband. When hercules had abiden there a while/ he departed & went to athenes' where theseus received him gloriously. Then hercules and Atlas held school in Athens/ for as much as they of Athens were quick of engine and of wit/ and gave them all to learn science & there they were a great while introducing & informing them of Athenes in philosophy & in astronomy. And singularly In astronomy hercules profited in such wise/ that the students said that he sustained & bore the heaven on his shoulders O noble and virtuous man/ when he had vaqued there and studied so long that his doctrine had given light unto the Athenians/ he departed fro thence with great bemening and brought his wife unto the city of Lycia And then he was so greatly renowned/ that fro all the royalmes of Greece there came daily to him noble men and other/ for to profit in virtue. in noblesse/ in honour in arms. in philosophy. in astronomy and in all other perfection etc.:.   

¶ How hercules went in to Spain & how he fought in the sea against King Geryon & vanquished him and how he took the city of Megida and entered therein:.  
IN the time that hercules flourished in virtue And that his name was born from royalme to royalme by glorious renomee/ as rehearse the chronics of Spain. There was a King of the city of Megida that standeth upon the river of Gaudiana which began to make his name to have great bruit by so many malefices and tyrannies that no man could tell the third part. This tyrant had to name Geryon/ He was King of Analusia/ and Destremadure and also of the mountains of Galicia and of portyngale/ The poets faignen of this tyrant that he had three heeds/ for as much as he had two brethren great giants the which were all of one nature and of one complexion. And that they were so unied together that all that/ that oon would/ that other would/ And they were never in discord. Geryon was the worst of them all/ he did do make a temple in the city of megida/ and ordained there/ that all they that were noble should have her image and sepulture/ and that men should make there the remembrances of all the men of name/ that he should slay/ to the end that there should be a memory of them in time coming/ what shall I say of his deeds/ he and his brethren tyrannized not all only upon the estrangers/ but also upon his neighbours. And had pity on noman In such wise that they gate them an evil name. And that the Africans whom they persecuted more than any other/ went for to complain to hercules by the commandment of affer/ as to the sovereign destroyer of tyrants and of monsters/ And prayed & required him greatly/ that he would deliver them of this tribulation.  
When hercules understood the complaint of the Africans/ and was advertised of the tyrannies that geryon and his brethren made/ he enterprised for to go in Hesperia/ and promised to the Africans that they should have right shortly tidings of him And after asked them of the estate of King affer/ And when they had told all that they knew they returned with great joy in to their country. Hercules fro then forth on disposed him for to go in to Hesperia wherefore his wife Deianeira made great sorrow The renomee of this viage was anon spread in all the country. In short time there came more men of arms in to Lycia for to serve hercules then he sent fore/ he was so good large and wise. And also so valiant and so free that he gaf alway all his conquests/ wherefore every man would follow him And good cause why/ for no man followed him ne served him/ but that he rewarded and amended him in all high manner and fashion. When then his exercite was ready/ he took leave of his wife Deianeira/ And departed out of the royalme of Lycia. Many a tear was made at his departing as well of Deianira as of his scholars that learned of him/ Theseus' and hispan. Atlas and phylotes were with him. During this voyage he studied oft times with Atlas/ And was never idle/ without any adventure that aught to be remembered/ he arrived in Africa/ where he found affe/ which received him worshipfully/ fro Africa hercules passed by the straight of Gibraltar/ And went in to gades. that now we call Galicia And peopled the country. for as much as he found there good land/ and delivered this people for to govern unto a noble man named Philistenes This philistenes as Boccace rehearseth in the genealogy of gods was son of phenys King of phenyce/ And this phenys was son of King Agenor son of King belus/ Philistenes then reigned in Galicia. and was after named the priest of hercules/ for as much as when hercules had vanquished the tyrants of Hesperia. he founded there a temple which he held after in great reverence/ alway as hercules peopled and inhabited this land/ he did do make pillars or columns high and marvelous great. And set them upon the sea/ And upon every pillar or column he did do make an image of hard stone in the semblance and likeness of a knight like unto hercules all clad with the skin of a lion And there was one of the images that held a table wherein was written with letters of gold/ pass no further for to seek land/ ne go for to conquer further any royalmes in the West/ for thou shall find no more land etc.:  
The noble hercules went then in to the country/ where as standeth now the city of Seville which was not then founded/ And found by his science that there should be founded a city of great renome/ wherefore in memory thereof he edified in that place a pillar of hard stones/ and thereupon set an image holding in his hand written that said/ that there should be made one of the greatest cities of the world/ this land of galyse appertained to geryon/ But then when hercules had made this pillar above said and set it where as now standeth Seville/ he had great will for to begin to build the city/ for the country was passing good and commodious/ But Atlas by the science of astronomy counseled him contrary/ showing him by certain signs that it was destiny that another should make the city/ And therefore nigh the pillar/ he did do make a column of white marble/ upon which stood the image of hercules great and rich/ that held one hand against the orient wherein was written here hath been hercules/ And with the other hand he showed the writing that. that other image held:.  
THese things accomplished hercules departed fro thence/ And left to inhabit and keep the country eight hundred men of his of the country of Scythia that were strong and expert in arms/ And with good will abode there for the bounty of the country. Then went hercules by the rivage of the sea in to the last and furthermost party of Europe And sailed so far that he entered in to the river of guadiana where as the tyrant Geryon dwelled and abode in the city of megida/ The same time that hercules entered in to the river. Geryon went up in to the top of an high tower where he might see all about the country for to see if any person came. Upon whom he might exercite his tyranny. He had not been long there when he beheld upon the river and saw the army of hercules. And seeing this army/ he had great joy. For him seemed well that in all haste he should subdue and overcome them. With out other delay he assembled his complices and swooned to arms/ In a little while all his men were ready and garnished with their arms came unto him for to know what he would/ Geryon was then all armed. and ready for to go & enter in to the battle He declared to his people his intention. after he entered in to his galleys as hastily as he might/ and went fro megida in approaching the Greeks/ Thus rowing forth it happened him that he met a little boot/ And fro as far as he saw it come/ he went against it & arrested it. In this boot were no more but two mariners & Hispan Geryon then called hispan & demanded him whither he went & what he was/ Certes sire answered hispan I am a greek/ and have intention to go unto the King Geryon/ that is now in his city of megida for to accomplish a message that I am charged with/ messenger said the King if ye seek Geryon/ ye need for to go no further forth. For I am he to whom ye speak unto. Sire answered hispan since that ye be he to whom my message appertaineth/ I let you have knowledge and were/ in the name of the virtuous hercules that he is enemy of your vices/ And for to correct your great and right abominable trespasses and sins/ he is descended in to your domination messenger answered geryon/ how is hercules so presumptuous as for to come upon me for to intend to correct my vices/ he wot little with whom he hath to do/ go to him and tell him/ that he shall not so late find me/ but that it shall be to soon for his health/ And that I shall feast him in such wise ere he escape me/ as I have been accustomed to feast strangers:.  
Hispan departed with these words. and returned unto hercules also hastily as he might/ and told to him word for word that geryon had said to him/ and more over he said that he should meet with him right soon all priest and ready for to begin the battle/ when Hispan had furnished his message The galleys of King geryon appeared and were seen fro far/ Hercules and the Greeks had great joy and began a right great shouting in swooning trumpets. Business and tabors/ Geryon and his folk seeing & hearing their enemies/ semblably they began to shout and to make a marvelous bruit/ The air was then smitten with a right great and a joyous noise/ In this bruit & in this noise. The two hosts approached each other/ At the approaching were not spared darts ne round stones ne arrows. They of Hesperia had abundance of darts which they used and cast them on the Greeks as it had been rain/ The cries redoubled on that one side and on that other/ there were many dead and hurt. They were all men of war. Each man bore him valiantly And among all other hercules having alway the bow in hand slew as many of his enemies as he shot arrows. The shot dured long/ when it failed they fought hand on hand Tho began the battle eager and hard/ Geryon showed himself a man. Boisterous and well expert in arms & put to death many Greeks but against one that he slew hercules slew ten of the Hesperians etc.:.  
AT the joining that the galleys made there were many hurt & strokes given/ hercules took his club. and in smiting one of the galleys/ that wend to have hurthd & boarded his. he smote with so great force. that he made it to founder and that the water came In suddenly that the most part of them that were in that galley were drowned & perished without struck smiting. After this hercules came to an ●ther galley. and there did he marvels of arms all they that he reached with his club were dead or sore hurt/ Some he smote the brains out of the head. And other he brack legs & arms. It seemed the thunder with him/ he did so much that each man fled fro him. and there was no man that withstood him ner durst abide him: when he saw this he put him forth to search the great affrays/ He leap fro galley to galley/ And made so great occisions. that his people by his good ensample abounded in valour of courage & of puissance/ And the Hesperians diminished & lassed And also they had so much damage. that all thing went against them And then Geryon considering. that he might not but lose and that fortune was enemy unto him He swooned the retreat/ And so left the battle.   

¶ how Geryon assailed hercules the second time tofore megida. and how hercules slew his brethren and vanquished his battles/ And constrained geryon to flee etc.:  
then hercules saw his enemies attend to withdraw them/ he swooned the retreat also for as much as it was nigh even And also for as much as he had enclosed the galleys of geryon in such wise as they might not return to his city without passing by him/ when the two hosts were withdrawn. Geryon in the darkest of all the night shipped and went in to the sea/ And went to the city of valeryte whereof one of his brethren was King/ And put him there in safety in intention to make the greatest army that he could for to come upon hercules Hercules after the retreat he anchored his galleys upon the river of gaudiana/ And passed there that night/ On the morn when he saw that Geryon and his folk were fled & were not upon the sea with in kenning he rowed up unto the city of megida. There he took land and assailed fiercely the city/ Thassault was eager and sharp/ And defended them well the megydains/ but they were so disgarnished of men of war that they might not hold it/ but opened the town to the Greeks and yielded them all in the will of hercules. Thus was hercules lord and master of the principal city that Geryon had/ he entered in to it and the Greeks with him. There had they good days/ the city was well garnished with victual since they departed out of Greece. they found nowhere so good fortune/ What shall I say/ hercules held him there a space of time searching in what place he might find Geryon/ During this time he went unto the temple. for to thank the gods/ In this temple were many sepultures garnished of right marvelous histories. Among all other there was one passing rich/ for the remembrance of Geryon was there. as of a King of fyn gold and was environed with xxx kings whose heeds were smitten of. Hercules' abode at this sepulture and demanded of the citizens whereof served the statues and images so rich A citizen said to him that there were the sepultures of the noble men of their royalme. And that the King Geryon had brought up that custom to make these sepulchres. for to have remembrance of them that were valiant in arms. Furthermore said that same man as soon as in this country a man put any noble man to death/ then he doth do make a remembrance of that dead man on his sepulture: And for as much as King geryon in his time hath slain thirty Kings. he hath do make this sepulture that ye see in intention to be buried here in the end of his days/ when hercules had heard this that the citizen said/ he answered that he held himself happy. that he had so escaped the sword of such a tyrant. that had put so many Kings to death/ And made his orisons and his prayers unto the gods After this he returned to the palace/ And there came unto him the messenger of King geryon/ that by the authority and power of his master commanded him to wide the city and the royalme. or else to make good watch/ Hercules answered that he was entered in to the royalme and also in to the city with strength of arms. And that he would not go out thereof unto the time that one had taken from him his sword and arms by force of arms/ or unto the time that he had put all the country in his obeisance.  
THe messenger returned fro megida with this answer unto Geryon. And told him that hercules had answered to him/ Geryon was with his two brethren/ they took the words of hercules impatiently/ And swore that they would avenge them/ for to make short work they went to the sea with a right great exercite of men of arms they rowed and failed with all the strength they might unto megida/ the wind and fortune suffered them in few days to come and arrive at the port of megida/ And hercules that was advertised of their coming suffered them to take land/ And let them rest that day that they came there/ they were well thirty thousand men/ That time that they came a land it was late/ when they saw that the Greeks made no defence at their landing/ they said one to an other that they durst not come & assail them/ And weening all to have won of advantage/ And thereupon concluded that on the morn they would assail the city right early upon this conclusion Geryon and his brethren pouruered them of things appertaining to the assault/ And menaced greatly hercules and the Greeks for to slay them villainously/ Hercules & his Greeks were then in megida thinking on their things/ not only in the intention for to defend them fro their enemy/ but for to issue out the next day following and for to assail them by battle as soon as the night were passed then a little to fore the sonnne rising on the morn/ hercules made two battles/ In the first he put a thousand fighting men And enterprised to conduit them. In the second he put the residue of his army And made theseus captain of them After this when he had right well ranged his people and set them in right good ordinance He admonished them to do well her devoir/ And had intention to say them certain things. but he might not furnish them/ for that same time Geryon & his brethren and their folk made their approaches to assail the city And made so great a bruit and noise that all about it redounded etc..  
When hercules heard this bruit/ he did do open the gate. for to behold & see what new thing was there. And at the issue out he saw his enemies that hasted them to come unto the mural & walls with ladders & other habiliments propice & necessary to make an assault/ then he began to laugh in himself And bad his men to follow him/ & he went alway forth for to begin the skirmish And assoon as the porter had open the yates/ Hercules marched unto the Hesperians bringing his club with him. Geryon saw hercules come fro far// he knew him by his skin of the lion & by his club/ And showed him to his brethren. that sore marveled of him be cause he came alone upon them. so here is our mortal adversary said Geryon. he is full of over much pride/ and little setteth by us. Late us assail him all three & destroy him it is time/ all the gold of the world shall not save him/ Hercules with these words came so nigh the three giants/ that he might well speak unto them: And escried them and said/ ye evil tyrants. leye down your engines appertaining to assault/ it is now no time to assail the city but it behoveth you to dispose you to enter in to battle/ The battle is ready/ begin at me and I at you And let us fight together till more come// with this words he enhanced his club. and discharged the stroke so sore upon one of the three brethren that cast his shield to fore the struck/ that all astonied he bore him to the earth/ when Geryon and his other brother saw her brother so born down and beaten/ they smote with their glaives upon hercules by great maltalent And so employed her strength that they broke part of his arms with these two strokes of the glaives hercules received more than an hundred darts upon his body/ how be it the glaives ne the darts were not so hard tempered that they might pierce. Enter ne hurt the arms of hercules/ Ne hercules left not to work with his club/ but he lift it up on height at that time And employed it upon the second brother of Geryon so acertainly that coming down fro the coppr of the helm/ he all to frushed and bruised him. and smote him down to the ground right as an hard and great rock had fall on his head etc..  
Geryon was all afraid for to see so great a struck/ with a wood. irous and fires heart he escried upon hercules And gave him so great a struck upon his helm with his sword. that he made the fire spring out/ but the helm was so hard that the sword might not enter/ then was hercules environed with his enemies/ he was smitten in many a place upon his body/ the Hesperians desired sore to see her swords and glaives red with the blood of hercules/ but hercules put him to defence/ joyous of that he might employ his strength upon them And when he proved him thu● upon one and other/ And would suffer none come near/ then his arm and club might areach/ And that his enemies more and more came about him. Ma●on that was nephew of Ulixes issued out of megida with the thousand men of the battle of hercules/ And seeing so great a people about hercules and were ascertained that he fought there. He and his people addressed them thitherward in bringing so great a bruit and setting on so valiantly. that in breaking down all a fore them. Came & found hercules that he had slain more then six hundred of his enemies/ And that he marched up on non other thing. They that bore ladders and other engines were constrained to cast them down to the ground and to go to the battle. the battle was there felonous and hard/ And there were knights enough he slain. Geryon proved himself terribly. his brother that was first beaten. after that he was born out of the press came unto the field again. And in his coming he made a great place among the Greeks. he was strong and puissant/ And bore a right heavy gisarme that the cutting was three great foot long. He did marvels with this gisarme. And beat down so many of the Greeks. that the noise arose greatly about him And this noise flew to the ears of hercules. Then left hercules them that he fought with. And drew unto the noise that proceeded by cause of the giant/ assoon as he saw the giant/ that did with the Greeks as he would/ He was not well content with that gisarme. And he enhanced his club & smote the giant upon the shoulder employing his strength in such manner/ that the shoulder & the side he all to brake & bore him down to the ground not fully dead. but in worse estate then dead/ for he might not relieve him. And must needs die under the feet of the men of arms right miserably:.  
AT this time Theseus and Hispan with the residue of the Greeks came unto the battle right joyously/ they found their enemies without array and without conduit/ they forayed amongs them plainly/ they slew so many that all the place was convert/ Hispan and theseus cleft the heeds of many knights unto the teeth/ they were right expert in the feat of arms/ At their coming they made their enemies to recoil/ And won upon them with so good fortune/ that by their cause and well doing/ Geryon lost more then thirty thousand men. In short time the battle was such a bout hercules/ that his enemies wist never where to save them. And that Geryon advertised of the death of the second brother// turned the back and flew unto the sea/ blowing his horn// when the Hesperians heard the horn/ anon they intended suddenly to put them to flight/ they that might save themself saved them without delay Hercules theseus and hispan with a bout twelve hundred Greeks followed them swiftly they entered in to some of their ships. and pursued Geryon. but they had not mariners so ready as the other had/ wherefore they were a little tarried/ how be it as far as they might see hercules pursued them only with his twelve hundred men.   

¶ How hercules pursued geryon. And how he went and vanquished him. and put him to the death at the port of the Coroigne.  
THus finished the battle for this day to the great damage & dishonour of Geryon And all to the honour and profit of hercules. Malion abode in megida by th'ordinance of hercules for to keep the Greeks that abode there and for to take the despoil of their enemies/ Hercules on that other side sailed and rowed after Geryon. Geryon perceived him and was afeard & fled all that ever he might/ The flight dured three days/ Geryon had good mariners/ they kept them sovereignly fro the aboarding on the ship of hercules/ And they sailed by the sea mediterrane fro rivage to rivage/ fro flood to flood. now afore & now behind But the end was such that on the fourth day. they were constrained to abide hercules at the battle upon the sea. or descend to land at the Couronge in Galicia For to flee alway the death whereof they were in doubt they left the sea and took the land at a port imagining that they should well defend them against hercules for they were ten against one. Anon as they had take land at the port of the Coroigne/ they took & ranged them about the port for to defend the rivage/ which was strong for to take/ And then Geryon warned his men saying/ lo now is here the our or the day that we must die or overcome our enemies. Fortune hath done to us the worst she can. She was wont to make all estrangers to tremble to fore our glaives. Now she maketh us to tremble to fore a right little number of people/ Alas what shame is this/ truly the shame is great & we aught to have right great reproof so to do/ since we be in this point there is no way but for to avenge this shame/ if we avenge us at this time/ we shall recover our worship and honour/ In our feat heath right good hoop. for fortune hath brought us in to a right good port/ and me seemeth that she will raise us a gain & make us vanquers of our adversaries/ let us now defend the port. Avenge we our blood. avenge we our sorrow. Avenge we our damage/ it must needs be done etc.:.  
IN the mean while that Geryon encouraged thus his folk. Hercules and his fellowship rowed so nigh the port. that they were come to strokes smiting. The Hesperians cast upon hercules then round stones. Darts with sharp irons on the end. Spears and glaives. Against this the Greeks took their shields and covered them and put them in devoir for to win the port. But the casting of the Hesperians was so mortal. that it constrained their enemies to abide and not to approach the port. They had at this port great abundance of stones. The Hesperians kept well the entry more than three ours that the Greeks could find no way ne fashion to remedy it/ At the end of three ours hercules right sorrowful to see his men tarried so/ he thought that he would enter in to a little boot. and adventure himself alone to win the port then he that doubted no struck of any mortal man entered in to the little boot. And steered it himself with help of the wind that he had at his advantage and pulled up the sail/ And putting all in adventure/ as fast as he might he brought the boot unto the port where he came by his hardiness/ but this was at such time as he received more then a thousand strokes with stones/ And that his sail that stood over end by force of the wind/ was smitten full of holes and the cords broken the mast overthrown. & the boot well nigh filled with stones/ notwithstanding all these things hercules blemished not at all fro his enterprise/ he passed by all the strokes of his enemies. He did so much that he took land And that he put him among the Hesperians. and there he began to smite with his club on the right side and on the lift side endlong & overthwart in such abundance of prowess that all the place was red of their blood & of their brains/ Theseus and hispan and fifty of the Greeks best armed by the example of hercules took a light boot and adventured himself to win the port/ Hercules was right at the mouth of the port/ he saw theseus come And for to make him have passage he ran hither & thither/ And did so great hurt to the Hesperians/ that without great danger/ they took land and sprang out of the boot. Then was th'assault boot and boiling. Geryon came to the descent of theseus and well three hundred of his men that followed him/ Alle they smote and laid upon the Greeks. of the thirty they slew ten. When theseus and hispan saw that their hearts began to sweet/ They encouraged himself And pierced th'assembly of geryon: against one man that was slain of theirs they slew fifty of the Hesperians And there they used so her prowesses/ that they did there the greatest marvels of the world by arms:.  
GEryon died for sorrow of that he might not come to his above of the Greeks He and his men were eager as tigers infamished. The Greeks were right farm and strong as elephants/ Their strokes were great they ne doubted death ne sword but put all in adventure/ The battle was strong/ the Greeks received many a wound/ alway theseus & hispan by their marvelous prowesses saved them fro the death/ And made them pass by the great press where as was hercules. Hercules that left not to smite/ had great gladness in himself when he saw theseus and hispan and their forty fellows/ their coming cost to Geryon the death of a thousand men and more. For hercules for to encourage his men and for to be to them an ensample of well doing/ he adjusted to his deeds strength upon strength and prowess upon prowess confounding his enemies so dreadfully and terribly/ drawing them toward the sea. that they that saw him ● would well that they had been in their mothers wombs/ And that in fleeing they were in haste distressed they beat each other in the sea/ And so they slew each other themself then was Geryon smitten to the heart with great ire meddled with impatience/ he put himself in the press/ And smote not only upon hercules/ but upon the fellows of theseus/ he smote the first upon the helm that he cleft his head unto the teeth. After he assailed another and bore him to the earth so astonied that he wist never where he was/ Consequently he delivered there a right great assault suddenly to the Greeks. that he died his sword with their blood. and that the Greeks were constrained to make a right great cry for to have socours:  
AT this point the Greeks that were left in the galleys/ entered in to the port & took land lightly/ when then hercules and his folk heard the cry that his men made/ he ran thither to the rescue/ and made about them a new noise great and anguishous Geryon knew anon that the noise came be cause of hercules. For he saw him come and smite in the thickest of the press/ for to save himself then he took his folk and feasted them in encouraging and had there so great pain/ that for one struck that hercules gave him with his club by adventure/ he was constrained to depart fro the press. and to withdraw him a part with them that were weary/ for to take his breath: Geryon brought to his extremity. Cast his eyen upon the meddle & fighting & saw the Greeks mount upon the port And expose them unto the battle/ After he saw how they brought many of his men to utterance. and that he might not resist it/ All his losses came to fore his eyen. And then he began to sigh and said with a dolorous heart alas what is the mutability of fortune. and what shall be the end of my days/ flatteress fortune what hast thou thought/ All the honours that thou hast given unto me here to fore/ redound now to my shame. When thou hast sent & parted to me so many goods/ wherefore hast thou sent to me hercules this is the enemy of all my glory now all quenched/ & fro a shining name hath brought me unto a name all full of darkness At lest if thou hast given him suffisance/ let him not come after me by his horrible deeds all my veins be remplished with fevers. Mine heart murdereth in esboiling of ire/ O what great unhap since it must needs be that I be infortunate/ I shall verily die of the club that I have seen my brethren die of/ or I shall take vengeance/ Geryon all out of his wit with these words put him in the press crying geryon. geryon. for to make his men to courage himself Thus crying and seeking hercules he put to death many Greeks/ he was all furious his glaive was died with the blood of his enemies/ In the end he came unto hercules And with his sword so died he smote him sore. hercules was all weary. For without ceasing he had hold the battle by the space of four ours And had received upon his arms so many strokes that no man could tell. This notwithstanding he fled not at all Geryon but came to him joyously And fought against him with so great force that all they that saw it marveled/ And that after many strokes smitten of Geryon and of hercules/ Hercules smote him one struck so great that he all to frushed Geryon and smote out the brain of his head and smote the helm upon his shoulders that he fill down dead among the dead men in such wise arrayed that he abode there dead:.   

¶ How Hercules founded the city of the Coroigne upon the tomb of Geryon:.  
such was the end of the unhappy life of Geryon the tyrant/ he died in like wise as the two brethren did by the club of hercules/ when the Hesperians saw him brought to that sorrow as for to taste the bitter morsel of death/ all left their arms all they escried sorowfully the death of Geryon. And fill all in desperance/ that oon let him to be slain and that other fled by deserts by mountains by rivage of the sea And turned all in discomfiture/ when hercules had espied them so disrayed/ he thanked the gods/ And began for to pursue his enemies/ The pursuit dured unto the even. The Greeks filled the fields the mountains/ And the rivage of the sea with the blood of them that fled/ when the night was come hercules & the Greeks withdrew them in to their galleys And eat and drank such as they had and made joyous cheer The hurt men were remembered and comforted them in their victory/ the weary men forgot the labour that they had done. They rested them after their travail. and passed the night over/ when it was day on the morn hercules issued out of his galley/ And beholding the port. Him seemed that a city should stand well there And said that he would make one there/ And concluded to begin it/ He sent unto all places where he wist that any people were there abouts. And gave to each man in knowledge that he was in will to make a city there And that the first person that would come for to put hand thereto should have the domination This thing was known in all Galicia/ Many came thither. but a woman named coroigne was the first that came And therefore hercules gave unto her the domination and made to begin the city & named it coroigne/ In remembrance of the victory that he had there/ upon the body of Geryon he founded a tour/ And by his art composed and made a lamp brenning continually day & night without putting of any thing thereto. Which burned afterward by the space of three hundred year/ more over upon the summit or top of the tour/ he made an image of copre looking in to the sea and gave him in his hand a mirror having such virtue. that if it happened that any men of war were on the sea in intention to do any harm to the city/ suddenly their host and their coming should appear in this said mirror And that dured unto the time of Nabugodonosor that was advertised of the property of the mirror/ filled his galleys with white things and green bows and leaves/ that it seemed a wood and that in the mirror ne appeared none other thing but a wood wherefore the Coroignians not knowing but that her mirror showed to them garnished not them with men of arms. like as they had been accustomed to do when their enemies came/ And thus Nabugodonosor took the city in a morning and destroyed the mirror and the lamp/ when then this tower was made. hercules made then to come thither all the maidens of the country Andrea did them do make a solemn feast in the remembrance of the death of Geryon/ And after he departed frothence. and went unto megida where were presented to him an hundred oxen the fairest of the world.   

¶ How hercules assailed the King Cacus and had battle against him. and overcame him/ And how cacus began to tyrannize in Italy etc.:.  
AFter this conquest as hercules intended to people & inhabit this new country/ tidings came to him. that in the city of Cartagene/ A King and giant reigned named Cacus which was passing evil and full of tyranny/ and had slain by his cursedness the Kings of Arragon and of Navarre. their wives & their children And possessed her signories and also held in subjection all the country in to Italy: Hercules received right joyously these tidings/ and said that by the pleasure of the gods he shall assay if he may take vengeance of the death of the Kings of arragon and of Navarre/ then he disposed him unto this works. and having an appetite to correct the King cacus/ as soon as his exercite might be ready. he went unto the royalme of Castille. Where as was the King cacus in the city of cartagene. that stood beside a mountain named monchaio. And passed by many royalmes that did him obeisance. for his virtuous renomee: but when he came to approach cartagene. the King cacus came against him with disobeisance. and in arms for he had been advertised of his coming: And as he entered in to the frontiers. he sent unto him one of his knights that said to him these words that follow Hercules open tyrant that haste the heart greater then thy body And that thou wouldest assail the heavens for to conquer: if the gods had given the wings for to flee as the birds have: if thou seek peace and love unto the King cacus thy semblable in complexion and fortune. I salue the in his name/ and if thou come otherwise unto him as his enemy/ I the defy in his name. And in no wise be thou so hardy to enter in to his country. And if thou enter. Know thou that thou shalt find in cacus and in the Castilians one so hard an encounter that of the evil adventure shall no man of thy company be quite etc..  
A night answered hercules what some ever ye be ye show not that ye have the heart of noblesse/ for it is foul to all men. and in especial to a noble man to missay or speak evil of another man: ye have called me an open and a tyrant public And also ye have compared me unto the tyrant cacus/ I answer you to this article. that I am no tyrant/ But a destroyer of tyrants/ And therefore ye shall return again unto Cacus And signify to him that I have intention for to show what hate we have unto tyrants/ And that in few days he may prove upon us the hard encounter/ whereof I have now received the menaces/ With this answer the Castilian departed fro the presence of hercules. and returned unto the King cacus/ And told him word for word what hercules had said to him/ when Cacus had heard all this/ he was all abashed/ notwithstanding that he was a strong giant and a puissant/ and that he had never founden a man stronger than he was himself/ for the renome of hercules was then so great by the universal world/ that the most strong the most assured in arms and most happy/ doubted him and trembled hearing speak of his deeds/ how be it cacus took courage in himself/ And in musing the abashment In the presence of his nobles he said/ blessed be these next hasty days that nature and fortune shall bring to us/ for to make the proof of our force and strength So behoveth that Castille and Sicily show th'excess of their arms for to defend the King cacus fro the claws of his enemies/ And it is of necessity semblably that the King cacus for his people display and put forth the abysm of his strength Now forth on my brethren and friends we been comen to the war. The Greeks come upon castile without any quarrel/ let us go against them and fight for our country/ the birds fight that one against that other for her nests. and the dumb beasts for her caverns Nature introduceth them so for to do/ if we have the same nature. the time is come that we ought so to do etc.:.  
When the Castilians and the Aragonoys that were there heard cacus so speak they praised greatly his courage And answered all by one wis/ that they were ready to assail their enemies. With this answer the King cacus did dislodge his host that he had there on the fields/ And went forth against hercules the straightest way that he could/ The King cacus then put on the way desiring sore to find hercules. Hercules on that other side came then against cacus/ they went so long that one against that other. that soon after they saw each other nigh a place where hercules founded after a city which was named Terracene. assoon as they saw each other they began to make great joy And to make shouts & cries/ After they ranged them in ordinance of battle and marched that one against that other/ hotly and sharply. that they filled the air suddenly with shot of arrows cast of stones and of darts. At the beginning of this battle the Castilians bore them valiantly And there were money of their party slain. More by hardiness then for dread. For they put them to far forth And they doubted not the shot of the Greeks/ that shot on them so sore and so thick that all the ground was made red of their blood. And that the chastelains which were so far gone and sore chafed must need resort back again to their fellows. When the King Cacus saw his folk so sore bestead & so hard. that they recoiled fro the shot of the Greeks/ he had great sorrow in his heart And witted never where to intend for to entertain & hold his battle/ Some fled/ and other recueiled and went aback And other fill down to the earth dead or sore hurt/ The battle dured long in this point alway to the sorrow of King cacus/ but in the end the shot of the Greeks failed/ And the Castilians with cacus recovered new strength in this manner/ that they came to fight hand of hand with swords/ And that they shed and spread largely the blood of them of tire and of an●one which were in the first front of the battle of hercules  
THe noise arose great there/ there were many shields broken and many skins of lions cut in pieces. There as cacus approached it seemed that the tempest was/ he was great. Strong and fires and outrageous in smiting/ each of his strokes was the death of a Greek/ In the end. he did so much that the cries of them that were a bout him mounted so high in the air/ that the chastelains had well wend to have won all. And began to make joy for their good fortune in escrying the Greeks to the death. But even in like wise as a right clear day is otherwhile troubled by an adventurous black cloud/ semblably by the alonely coming of hercules that came then to the rescue All her joy was troubled and turned in to mortal loss. For the mortal arm of hercules inverted then so terribly that he beat down the chastelains like as a mower with a sith beat down the grass in a meadow/ when cacus saw hercules so founder and beat down his men All the blood in him changed. Then his blood so moved and as a courageous man presented himself to fore the front of hercules And smote him with his glaive so sore and hard that he cleft his shield in two parts The chastelains seeing the shield of hercules flee by pieces thought anon that cacus had slain and put to death hercules/ and then made a cry for joy/ but it dured not long/ for hercules lift up his arms with his club And smote cacus upon the comble of his helm by such strength/ that it seemed to cacus that he saw an hundred thousand candles. or that he had be smitten down with the greatest rock of Spain. This notwithstanding cacus abode standing in his place/ and escried hercules unto the death/ & smote him with all his might At this assailing the Castilians hoping in the fortune of cacus: all they assailed hercules/ Hercules was gone so far among his enemies. that he was alone from all his company/ when he heard that cacus escried him to death And saw that the chastelains assailed him and came to him fro all sides. He had his heart all filled with solas/ and abandoned the durety & hardness of his skin of the lion to the swords of them all/ without revenging him save only against cacus. Thus began the battle between hercules & cacus. their strokes were great and fearful without measure. Cacus fought in the spirit of a tyrant chafed. and desired sore to overcome hercules for to tyrannize & triumph above him/ Hercules fought in a virtuous heart founded and nourished in virtue/ and as enemy of vices/ he assailed this vicious King/ both two were great & fierce and strong of great courages/ But certes when they had both tasted enough each other/ at long the strokes of hercules were so great and so peisant. that the shoulders of cacus ne his head might not bear ne had the puissance to sustain them So the end was such that after their battle had dured two ours. Cacus left him for he might no more suffer him but fled and went his way etc..  
When hercules saw that cacus fled/ he deigned not to follow after/ This notwithstanding for to have the victory of this journey he began to hew on the chastelains. Aragonoys and such other as he might find/ for he left no man a live to fore him young ne old. Feeble ne strong. Hispan & the other of his side made her feats of arms to flourish and shine. The battle was sharp then/ the Greeks doubled and redoubled their strokes and slew many of their enemies/ In the end when cacus had take his breath. he put him again in to medley at one side where his folk fled and made them to tarry. Smiting and beating the Greeks more terribly than he had done tofore whereof the cries arose so high there that hercules then fighting on an other side heard the cry And then he ran thither at all adventure And anon as he espied cacus he went a fore him and broke the press and smote down so sore/ that cacus knew hercules/ but he durst not abide him. but fled again with evil hap And then the Greeks made a cry and a joyous noise. that all the chastelains fled. some here & some there to the great hurt and loss of cacus/ for of all his people. There left no more but fifty which saved himself upon the mount of Monchayo which stood there by. But that was with great effusion of blood of them of castile. that wend to have mounted up with the other/ that seemed that there had been a great spring of blood. that the caverns in the valley were replenished with blood/ how be it cacus for to flee well/ saved himself and thirty of his men upon the mountain as the chronicles of Spain rehearse/ when he was above & in sure place/ he returned and saw down to the foot of the hill/ He saw there so many chastelains. that without number were dead or in danger for to die/ he had great sorrow then at his heart not for pity/ but for despite And for the danger that he saw ready where by he must pass. Anon after he saw fro far in the champaign and each quarter and place there all covert of them of his party & of their blood. Also he saw them that fled taken & brought to the pestilence of the other/ These terms considered. the desolation of his domination and the punition of his tyranny was to him all evident ● he taught then that hercules should lightly conquer all the country. For they obeyed him by tyranny and not by natural love/ this notwithstanding. he despaired not. how well that he saw all the puissance of his men destroyed by the club of hercules And knew that he might no more reign in that country/ for all was dead in the battle/ but then he returned unto his science And thus as sorrowful as he was he entered in to a house that he had there But first he commised twelve of his men to keep the passage of this mount which was also straight & narrow that there might go up but one man at ones  
When then hercules and his men had put to death all their enemies/ Hercules would assail the rock. And began to mount and go upon the degrees or stairs/ but then suddenly they that kept the paas/ cast upon him great stones/ In so great j that of force he was constrained to descend/ when hercules saw that he must withdraw him/ he obeyed fortune/ but notwithstanding he made there avow that he would never depart fro the foot of the rock unto the time that he had constrained cacus to descend and come down by famine or other wise/ This avow made. hercules came unto the foot of the hill/ where the occision and slaughter had been And made the place to be made clean and purged of the dead bodies and of the blood of them that there lay dead/ After he did do make his tent of bows and leaves And his bed of fresh grass And commanded that each man should log there At that time the night came and the day failed. The Greeks were weary of that that they had all day laboured in arms And would fain have rest. and made good cheer of that they had. And after that they had ordained and set their watch. as well for to keep the host as for to keep the rock. that cacus come not down/ they laid them down upon the grass in such wise as they were accustomed when they were in war/ and so slept and passed that night:.  
IN the morn hercules departed his host in twain And sent hispan with one of them in to arragon and nauarre/ And he abode there with the other/ Hispan in the name of hercules was joyously received of the Navarroys & of the Aragonoys/ And they made to him all obeisance. Knowledging hercules to be their lord and the most virtuous Prince that was in the West/ when hispan had all subdued as said is he returned unto hercules/ Hercules lay yet still to fore Monchaio And there held cacus in such subjection that he might not issue/ Cacus and his folk were then in great mischief of victual And they witted not what to eat ne to drink/ they deferred as long as they might/ hoping that hercules should annoy him to be there so long/ But in the end when their victual failed/ and they saw that they must needs adventure himself to come down/ Cacus by his science made certain secret things to go down in to their stomachs And after put thereto the fire and taught all the other to do so And then suddenly as they felt the fire issue out of their mouths and the fume & smoke in such abundance that it seemed all on a light fire/ then by the council of cacus. they adventured himself to descend a down in running & casting fire and fume so Impetuousement/ that hercules and the Greeks wend that it had been an orage of lightening of the heaven And had brent the mountain So they made him place/ for it was a thing for to make men asore bashed/ And thus they escaped the danger of hercules at that time. For during all that day the rock was full of smoke and fume that cacus had made/ And the smoke was so material. that it seemed tenebres or darkness.  
When cacus and his folk were thus escaped and passed the host of hercules and of the Greeks/ Hercules was then the most wise Clerk that was in the world. And that all his passe-temps he employed in study he took his books And began to practise how and by what reason he was descended from the rock/ he red and turned many leaves/ But all thing well considered he found not that this fume came of natural thing/ whereof he had great marvel/ then he sent for Atlas that alway was lodged behind the host for to be solitary. When Atlas was come he showed him the smoke and fume that yet dured/ then he told of the lightning that was passed by the host/ And demanded him his opinion/ Atlas knew incontinent the fume/ and answered to hercules/ Certes my son thou art more sharp in science than i for mine age may not attain to so high things as thy youth/ How be it for as much as I know the growing of this thing long time past. I shall tell the/ that I shall say/ thou shall find true as I suppose Thou shalt understand that this fume is a thing artificial and made by the craft of Vulcan that was father of cacus/ which was an excellent master in this science/ And was the inventor thereof. He made certain mountains in Sicily to burn▪ and shall alway continually burn unto the end of the world. Cacus which can the art and craft of his father/ hath made this fume: And for to escape fro thy hands. he is descended with his fellowship in the form of a lightning or tempest/ And thus thy strength is deceived by his science.  
When hercules understood this that Atlas had said to him. He was greatly es marveled of the science of cacus/ and might not believe it/ then for to know the truth/ he took his club/ And went up through the smoke or fume. Unto the top of the rock. Seeking cacus/ but he found there neither best ne man: then he returned unto Atlas. And laughing confessed to him that he had said troth. And said that he would make no pursued after him/ for as much as he was so gentlemanly escaped/ This day they passed over in speaking and communing of Cacus and of his father Vulcan/ The day following when the smoke and fume was gone and vanquished away Hercules began to behold the country/ And saw that it was commodious and fertile. And to the end that there should ever be remembrance and memory of him He founded there a city/ which he named Teracone/ for as much as he gaf this country to the son of the King of Ancone/ And there he made him dwell with his people and with them of tire. Hercules after this foundation went to the city of Salamanque/ and for as much as it was well inhabited and peopled He would make there a solemn estudy. And did do make there in the earth a great round whole in manner of an estudy And he set there in the seven sciences liberal with many other books. After he made them of the country to come thither for to study/ but they were so rude and dull. that their wits could not comprised any cunning of science/ And then for as much as hercules would depart on his voyage. And would also that this study were maintained. He did do make an image or statue of gold unto his semblance and likeness. Which he did do set up on height in the mids of his study upon a pillar. And made so by his craft and art/ that all they that came to fore this image for to have declaration of any science. To all purposes And of all sciences the image answered and ensigned and taught the scholars and students/ in such wise as it had been hercules in his propre person/ The renomee of this study was great in all the country And this estudy dured after unto the time that saint Jaques converted Spain unto the Christian faith. from salamanque hercules departed and went in to Catalonia/ And founded there the city of Barcelona/ which is a right good city/ And finally when he had accomplished all these things. He sent Atlas home again in to his country/ but he held by him all his writers. For he loved books above all the richesse of the world. After he would give leave unto philotes for to return unto his country. But philotes refused his congee and leave And said to him that he would serve him all his life/ And that he reputed his felicity more great to be in his service/ than for to govern the country that fortune had put in his hand. Hercules after this called hispan and said to him. Hispan I know thy wit and thy valiance. I have found the alway wise and true. Thou art a man of authority & well known in these marches. I make and constitute the King over all this country/ And give unto the none other charge but to love virtue and to ensue honour & worship/ when Hispan heard the gift that hercules made to him He fill down at his feet. and thanked him And after excused him of so great worship/ But hercules said to him that he would that it should be so/ And delivered to him certain number of people of his fellowship for to screw him. After he made him to depart with great sighs and sorrow/ And Hispan went then by all the countries that hercules had conquered there upon geryon and upon cacus. And fro then forthon the country was named Spain after his name whereof I will now tarry of this conquest of Spain/ And shall come to speak of the arms that hercules did in Lombardy and of the death of Cacus.   

¶ How Hercules fought against the eleven giants of Cremona And how he vanquished them.  
THere been now the Kings. the Emperors. the soldans and the Princes that men may speak of the virtuous liberality of them. semblable or like unto that of hercules/ The men at this day fight one against another And make conquests enough/ but they attribute them unto their singular profit. They resemble not unto hercules/ ● that never fought but for the common weal of the world/ O noble Hercules/ for to follow and pursue my matter. When he made hispan King of all the region of Hesperia/ that now is named espaygne. He sent for his Oxen his kine and calves And after departed fro Barcelona and took his way unto Lombardy. He went so long on his journey that he came nigh unto the city of Cremona/ which is but a day journey fro Melane. There were then in this city xi giants great out of measure/ These xi. Giants were all brethren And sons of Neleo the son of Saturn/ And they called himself all Kings of this city. They held all estate royal/ how be it their renomee were but small and little/ And for that cause they were thieves and robbed their neighbours And made them alday war. When then they knew that hercules approached their city anon they assembled their council together/ And demanded that one/ that other/ if they should suffer hercules for to enter in to their city/ Alle were of one opinion that they should not receive him/ And that they would send unto him one of them which was named Nestor that he should not enter in to Cremona/ but if he first had vanquished in battle the xi brethren/ Nestor at the commandment of the giants departed fro Cremona & went unto hercules. whom he found with his little army but three mile fro Cremona. Then he spoke to hercules & said to him sire I have ten brethren Kings of Cremona/ that have sent me unto the for as much as they be advertised that thou interest in to their domination And charge the by me. that they will give unto the no passage of Cremona. but if thou first overcome them one after an other in battle/ And therefore cheese whether thou wilt have the battle or else to return again and leave this voyage/ I advertise the that they be all giants more great and more puissant than I am/ sire knight answered hercules I have taken my way for to pass by Cremona/ Late the giants know that hercules hath intention to speak to them more ner/ as he that dreadeth not ne feareth their accustomed tyrannies/ which I must deliver the world of by feat of arms And for as much as to the end that they presume not that I have any doubt or dread of them in any manerlye shall say to them that I will not fight with them ten. One after another/ but all at once together and you with them/ if ye will accompany you with them. And for to do so they shall find me ready to morn early by the morrow:.  
Hercules' with these words made his people to abide and rest there for that night/ And Nestor returned to his brethren and said to them/ My brethren I have spoken to hercules and have exposed to him your commandment/ he hath answered to me of a right high and plain courage that he will fight with us to morn Not one after another/ but with us all at once/ And for to speak plainly of him He hath the semblant of a man to be virtuous in arms and garnished with prowess he is a Prince mure & of great conduit/ Dispose you well it behoveth to furnish him the battle. Certes the battle shall be perilous. For he is mightily membered and as great as one of us/ but me thinketh that he may not compare ne prevail against us xi/ and that he may not escape fro our forces/ but that we shall pierce him with our glaives whatsoever force or strength is in him. The giants so hearing him praise hercules. had great marvel of him And might not believe nestor of that/ that he had reported that he would fight with all together at once. For there was none of them all. but he thought himself strong enough for hercules. Then they asked of Nestor. And demanded him if he were sure to have well understand that/ that hercules said unto him that he would fight against them all at once/ Nestor answered ye/ And that he had heard him say it in his proper person. With this answer they concluded that on the morn they should arm them all/ And that they would go to the field for to fight against hercules if he came against them. Oon of the giants said then unto his brethren. To morn shall be the day of our glory and worship/ We shall vanquish. the vanquisher of the monsters: Late us make good cheer/ brother answered Nestor there in is no doubt but that we shall overcome and bring to utterance him that ye speak of/ but so much shall our glory be the less that we shall be xi against one. well said that other if in fighting against us xi we shall have the less honour/ let us every man fight for himself. Brother answered nestor if ye had seen and heard him as I have/ ye should not be so hardy as ye show semblant/ he is all another man than ye ween/ keep you at the offer that he hath made at the left it is better to have the most profit & less honour in such a case/ In these devices they passed all that day/ After they went to rest/ when the hour was come on the morn early/ they arose and adubbed them the best wise they could. After they sent one of their men unto hercules for to wete if he would say any thing/ But assoon as the messenger issued out of the gate. the first thing that he saw. was a giant armed marvelously. the messenger abode then & advised him a little After he had advised him he went unto the giant armed. And asked him what he was/ I am hercules said the giant/ what will ye say or have/ said the messenger/ I will say said hercules that the giants of Cremona have no cause for to let me the passage of their city And for as much as they did me to wete yesterday that if I would have passage/ it behoved me to vanquish them one after another in the field by battle I am comen hither in hope to win the paas. And ne demand other thing but for to see them in arms for to fight with them all together at once to th'end to have sooner done. Wherefore I pray you to go to them/ and signify to them my coming. And that they haste them:.  
The messenger with these words returned unto the giants And told them what he had found when the giants knew that hercules was all ready in the field they all took their glaives & their habiliments of war/ And departed fro the city/ adressing them against hercules. Hercules was then alone in the place. The men & women of Cremona went upon the wallis and towers for to see the battle And philotes with other noble men of the Greeks were upon an hill far enough fro the place where hercules was abiding the giants Certes it was a fair fight to see the coming of the xi giants. they were all well appoint and well garnished of helms enriched with gold and stones They were great & strong all of one measure. they were bearded and had fires countenances they came on & Marched sharply. And by asper courage when they came nigh to hercules upon half a bow shot/ they escried him all to death. and made a cry so great that the walls of the city resounded After they ran against the assured Prince like as they had been ●yons Hercules hearing these cries and seeing their course on foot firmly he abode them lifting up his club over his head/ when it came to th'assembly. It seemed well that the giants should have all to frushed him with their glaives. For they smote upon him so dismeasurably that their truncheons & the pieces flew in to the air/ Their strokes were great/ hercules suffered them & beheld what power they had But when they had made their assays upon him/ hercules made his assay upon them And with his club smote one of the giants upon his helm. that he all to frushed not only his helm but also his head that he fill down suddenly dead/ when the other ten giants saw that her brother was so dead of one struck. they had great sorrow and their blood was strongly moved. Nature admonished them to take vengeance. They did that in them was/ And assailed eagerly on all sides hercules. And thus began the battle between hercules & the giants Hercules ne dread not/ struck of glaive/ of spear. ne of poleaxe. his skin of the lion was hard and strong his strength was stable/ his club bore all And so it was need/ great were the strokes that they gaf each other. The giants did all their might. and gave strokes enough to hercules. but they could never pierce the skin of the lion it was so hard/ But yet was his club more harder/ The giants marveled of the constance and puissance of hercules. assoon as hercules lift up his club for to smite on them. His enemies that were subtle leap a side. and other while broke his strokes/ how be it he did so much that in less then an our he slew four of them and the other seven fought afterward by such vigour/ that the more he smote them with his club/ the more mortal he found them and fires etc.:.  
THe battle was terrible and hard. For the giants were strong and well had used the métier of arms And great pain had they to save them. and to avenge the blood of their brethren and for to have worship of the battle. And they said that they were infortunate when they might not over come one man alone. ne mate him. In fighting they helped & comforted each other and they had all good courage/ But what profited them the great number of brethren. and what availed them their courageous strokes when they were approaching their death/ Hercules was alway hercules. He rejoiced him in the float of his enemies/ He comforted himself in fortune/ fortune helped him he did marvels on all sides. Well could he fight// & well defended he him All that he did was well done. All that the other did and brassid was naught worth. Notwithstanding they were mighty and hardy/ But the luck & good hap of hercules was not to be broken. ne his club could not be destroyed. But he triumphed & more was his puissance to sustain the furors of his adversaries. Then their might was to charge him with their strokes. O marvelous strength & might of a man His puissance was not of a man but of an elephant His skin of the lion seemed that it had been tempered with quick and hard steel/ his body seemed more constant against the cutting glaives of all his evil willers/ than is an andue●d or a steady against the strokes of many hammers or marteaul●/ There was no struck of his enemy that him grieved/ he took great pleasure in the battle seeing himself among so many giants. He was greatly rejoiced And there was no thing him grieving but the declining of the day/ which began to fail/ At this hour when the sun withheld her rays and turned in to the West/ hercules would make an end and speed his battle/ The giants began to cease for to smite. For fro the morning unto the evening they had fought without any ceasing. And hercules inverted himself in such wise that smiting upon one and other being about him hard and sharply. Whereof it befell so that of some he enfoundred and frushed helms and heeds And of the other he broke the arms and sides marvelously and gave so many great strokes that finally he beat down/ & all to frushed them all/ reserved nestor which fled away when he saw the discomfiture/ and therm did he wisely. For all his brethren were there slain by the hand of hercules etc..  
then they of Cremona saw their Lords dead/ they had soon made an end of their weeping and sorrow. for they had been to them hard and troublous At the end of this battle they assembled to council/ when they saw that hercules had won the battle. And concluded together/ that they would yield them to hercules and put them in his mercy/ With this conclusion they issued out of the gates in great number. And came unto hercules which was thoo vainquer of his enemies/ first they kneeled to fore him down to the ground. Secondly they prayed and required of him mercy: And thirdly they abandoned to him their ●yte and their goods/ and said to him that they would hold him for lord during their life/ hercules that was piteous and gentle unto them that were meek and humbled themself/ received the Cremonians in to his grace and made them to rise and stand up. And after sent for them of his host/ when they were come he brought them in to Cremona. where great joy was made unto them. For they were glad of the death of the giants. And there ne was man. woman. ne child/ that ne thanked the gods:.  
By this manner was hercules King of Cremona and enriched with new title of victory/ The first night that he entered in to this city he rested him & his people: And also were they well refreshed and right well feasted and served of victual/ On the morn he did do bring in to the city the bodies of the giants that were dead And did do bury them worshipfully/ And since founded upon them a right great tower & high: And upon the tower he set xi images or statues of metal after the fashion of the giants that he had slain in remembrance of his victory:.  
AFter the edification of this tour/ Hercules left in Cremona folk for to govern them And departed thence for to go further forth in to the country/ He studied alway and was never idle/ he studied so much that he could make the fire artificial as well as cacus/ and found the remedies against the same What by arms as by his science he gate a right great loose & p●●y●yng in Italy. He went in to many places And overall where he came or went/ me did him honour and reverence. What shall I make long process/ without great adventure. he went so far that he came unto a city standing nigh the mount Aventine. where reigned a King named Evander/ which received him solemnly. It is to weet that when Cacus fled fro monchay● as said is unto this mount. He came in to take all displeasant to have lost his signory then he gaf leave to depart fro him to all his servants and all despaired alone he went to the mount Aventine in an evening/ Where he ●as constrained to withdraw him thither for he doubted much hercules. When he was comen above on this hill/ he found there a great cave And there he went in without supper And then he began to be discomforted greatly & bitterly and said Alas now am I exiled & banished out of all my signories & lordship is Now have I no socours ne comfort of person/ I dare not name me King. where I was wont by my name make Kings to tremble. Alas all is turned and reversed I have no thing to eat/ ner wot not where to log but if it be with the beasts. O pour King. where is any man so unhappy as I/ I am so infortunate and unhappy. that I dare not be seen ne beknown. with these words he laid him down upon the bore ground. and laid a stone under his head. And with right great pain fill a sleep which dured not long for his veins were strongly moved. his heart was not quiet And his body was right evil sustained. Anon then he awoke and went out of the cave for to look if it were nigh day. for the night annoyed him and was him to long/ But when he was comen in to the air he saw no day appear. ne stars ne moan shine. but he found it all dark and tenebres thick and great And saw all the region of the air covered with clouds/ whereof he was greatly annoyed and grieved. Then he went in to the cave again not in to the deepest but at the mouth thereof/ And there sorrowful and pensive abode without any more sleeping till it was day.  
When the day appeared cacus issued again out of the cave. and went up unto the top of the hill. and began to behold and see the country about/ The country seemed to him good and fair for to live there. After great pensiveness and many thoughts/ he concluded in himself that he would abide there unto the time that his Infortune cessed. and would live there of preys/ ravin and theft/ After he bethought him. that he would go to the King pryeus of Calydonia/ which was his cousin. and for to have company to lead his wife with that he had chosen/ he would axe and demand in marriage one of his daughters/ With this conclusion he departed fro the mount Aventine and took the way unto Calydonia he went so long that he came thither/ Some say that Calydonia is the country that we call now Calabria. When cacus was come to Calydon the King Pricus received him as it appertained to a King/ for as much as he knew him & was of his lineage/ And after demanded him of his tidings Cacus began to sigh. When he saw that he must tell his mishap. And then told him & recounted fro the beginning to th'end how hercules had taken from him his royalmes And how he had been besieged/ & how he was escaped/ And for as much as I dare not abide in mine owen country/ I am comen hither unto you for refuge and to tell & Count my sorrows/ And I have intention to hold me on the mount Aventine in a cavern that is there unto time that mine enemy hercules shall depart fro mine heritage And I will keep me there so secret that no man in the world shall have knowledge thereof/ to th'end that hercules know it not/ for as much as he hath me in great hate/ and he hath more greater hap & fortune in arms than I have/ And if he knew that I were in any place I am certain that he would come thither for to destroy me. This considered I have chosen this cavern for to hide me as I have said. But for so much as I have more sorrow in feeling. than my taste requireth it is so that the eyen of a man being in great trouble. Rejoicen in the visage and sight of a woman: for the woman is the gladness & comfort of a man I require you and pray you that ye will give me to wife one of your daughters/ And if it please you so to do/ certes ye shall do to me a great pleasure and the most case that I may have for this present time. The King Pricus answered and said Cacus ye been comen and extract of high gentleness. and have great lordship and signory in Hesperia/ if fortune were again you this day. your highness aught not therefore be unknown/ At this day I have four daughters. of whom that one is named Iole. Take whom it pleaseth you reserved Iole: for I will not yet marry her/ And if ye have any will to make any army against hercules. Tell it me plainly and I shall succour you as a true friend. Cacus was right well content with the answer of the King/ and thanked him saying that he wold make none army for this season. but he would pass his time in the cave like as he had purposed and concluded. Then the three daughters of King Pricus were sent fore. and cacus chess one of them which he wedded and after lay with her/ and abode there two days/ At th'end of two days/ he would depart and took leave of the King. The King would have delivered to him ten knights & ten squires for to have conveyed him. but he refused them and would none/ then he would have delivered to him certain ladies and damosels/ but of all them he took none. Save the two sisters of his wife. Which would by force go with him/ Thus then he departed fro Calydon. Accompanied with three sisters/ he was all way sorrowful and pensive/ And fro then forth on thus being in impatience of his unhap. and casting out of royalty/ he began to run out. And bathed his Axe in the blood of the men women and Children that he met and put them all to death etc..  
CAcus began to exercise the works of furor and of tyranny/ in going unto the mount Aventine. Anon as he was come he entered in to the cave the best wise he could with his wives. And the most secretly And of this place he made a nest of theft and a pit of sins/ for the first night/ that he had lodged his wives/ he went him in to the village that stood there fast by. And beheld the fairest house. Wherein he entered by a window that was open. And slew all them that was therein: and after took all the goods as much as he might bear upon his shoulders and bare them in to the cave/ where as were his wives.   

¶ How Cacus stolen away the Oxen & kine longing to hercules/ And how hercules fought with him therefore and slew him:.  
IN the morn cacus found a right great stone of marble// which he took and bore it unto his cave/ And made therewith his door. The most part of the time Cacus held him in his cave/ And went never out but when he would do harm or evil. When he went into the fields as said is. he slew all them that he met: He robbed every man/ he defouled women/ he brent houses and towns And shortly made and did so much harm in Italy/ that they that passed in the country supposed to be behated of the gods. And could not know whereof ne fro when● came these persecutions that Cacus made unto them. for to return then to our purpose of hercules he came unto the city of King Evander in the time that cacus bedewed Italy with blood of men. And filled his cave of continual stolen goods. After the coming of hercules and of his men of arms/ his beefs or Oxen were brought in to the city be 'cause the King Evander should seen them. The King took great pleasure to behold and see them: for they were high and passing fair After that the King had seen them/ hercules demanded him/ whether he might send for to pasture them for that night// In troth sire said evander/ if ye will believe my council ye shall let them abide in this city And not to send them in to the fields/ wherefore said hercules. Evander answered and said for as much as when we send out our beasts/ We know not where they become. They been stolen and driven away And we can not know who been the robbers/ our servants been murdered/ the houses been brent. the people that should labour in the field been slain. the women and maidens been villained and put to shame. And we can not remedy it. For we can not have knowledge of the actors ne doers thereof. Wherefore some men say and will maintain. that they been the gods that thus punish us for our sins. Wherefore I pray you let your beasts abide in this city to th'end that they been not robbed. ●yre said hercules ye recount and tell to me a great marvel. I believe well that though things that ye say been veritable. But this notwithstanding since that the gods have saved them unto this day. they shall keep them yet if it please them. For if they will have them▪ also well they will take them in the city as in the fields And if there be a robber or thief in the country that will take them away/ I suppose I shall find him And shall make Italy quite of him: With these words hercules sent his beasts in to the pasture/ and there left them without any keepers/ the day passed over the night came/ In this night cacus issued out of his cave/ And went in to the country for to pill and rob if he might find any prey. Thus as he that is unhappy seeketh evil/ In the end he is paid at once for his trespasses. The unhappy adventure brought him in to the meadow. where as pastured the oxen and kine of hercules/ it was nigh the morning/ he had with him his three wives/ assoon as he saw the beasts by the light of the moan that shone clear/ he knew them anon he was all abashed. and his blood changed in his visage/ and not without cause. For suddenly all his sorrows began to rise in him and came to the quickness of the heart. that he could not speak. His wives seeing that he spoke no word/ And that he beheld the beasts/ As all awondered. came to him And demanded him what he had/ Alas answered Cacus since it is so that ye must needs know/ I tell you for certainty that all the sorrow of the world ariseth in my stomach: and environ mine heart. For I see here the Oxen of the triumph of mine enemy Hercules And in beholding them. so renew in me the losses that I have had by him. and the honours & worships that he hath made me for to lose/ And also the royalmes that he hath taken away fro me/ And the great misery that I am now in/ He must needs be here by in some place. Cursed be his coming: for I wot never what to do but in sign of vengeance I shall slay his oxen and his kine.  
When the three sisters had heard that Cacus so sorrowed. they counseled him that he should not slay the beasts. Saying that if he slew them. hercules should lose no thing. for he should eat them it were better said his wife that ye take and lead away as many as ye may And bring them in to our cave. For fie ye do so. hercules shall have damage and displeasure/ And ye shall have pleasure and profit/ Cacus believed that this wife said to him. yet he looked in the meadow all abouts if any man had been there to keep them. but he found no man ne woman. And then he came to the beasts. And took eight of the best that he could cheese four oxen and four kine After he bond them together with a cord by the tails/ And put the cord about his neck/ and drew them so in that manner unto his cave/ how well that the beasts resisted strongly to go backward in that manner/ Cacus brought in this many ere reculing & going backward all though beasts that he stole/ to th'end that no man should follow him by the tracks of the feet of the beasts:.  
When he had put in his cave the beasts of hercules as said is. he shut the door so well/ that a man should never have known ne perceived that there had been any door. Then weening that he had been sure he laid him down and slept/ ● anon after the sun rising. and that it was day/ hercules that desired much to here tidings of his beasts arose up/ and did so much that the King Evander brought him unto the place where as his oxen and kine were when they were comen in to the meadow/ hercules found that him lacked four oxen & as many kine. Wherefore he was sore troubled. And for to know if the gods had taken them. or any thieves had stolen them. He commanded that they should espy all about the meadow/ And see if the tracks or th'imprints of the feet of the beasts might be seen or known. At his commandment one and other began to seche/ Some there were that beheld toward the mount Aventine. And found the paas and foot of the oxen. but them thought that by that pace that the beasts were descended fro the mount for to come in to the meadow/ when all they had sought long/ And saw that they found no thing they made their report unto hercules and said to him. that they could not perceive on no side where these oxen were issued out/ And that on no side they could find none ensigns ne tokens of beasts going out of the pasture/ But right well said one I have found the paas & feet of certain oxen and kine that been descended from this mountain in to this meadow/ when hercules heard say that fro the mountain were comen oxen in to the meadow. He called evander/ And demanded him what people dwelled on the mountain: Evander said to him that there on ne dwelled man ne best. And that the mountains was Inhabited/ Hercules would go to see the paas/ and went thither/ And him thought well that thither might have passed eight great beasts in that night/ For the traces of the feet were great and new/ then he would wete where they were become/ But he found well that the foot of the beasts took their end there as they pastured/ He was then right sore esmarvaled for as much as there were no strange beasts. And began to think/ when he had a little thought he beheld the mount. he said it must needs be that the gods have ravished my oxen/ or else that there is a thief in this mountain. that is come and hath stolen them/ And hath led them away reculing backward. But for as much as I have less suspicion to the gods then upon the thief/ I shall never depart from hence unto the time that I have searched this mountain from one side to an other. For my heart judgeth me that the beasts been here etc.:.  
WIth this conclusion hercules did do take diverse calves that were there and made them to fast till none. This while during he sent for his harness and arms by philotes. and adubbed & made him ready to fight/ anon after midday as the calves began to cry and bleat for hunger he did then them to be brought about the mountains. Then as they passed by the place where the cave was and cried. it happened that the kine that were in the cave heard them/ And answered crying so loud that the sown passed by the hooks of the cave. and came to the ears of the calves and also of hercules and of other/ when hercules heard the cry of his kine. He abode there. his calves began to cry again. But his kine cried no more. for cacus by the force of their cries was awaked. And as he that alway doubted for to be accused roose up and cut the throats of the kine. The calves then naturally knowing their mothers cried sore loud and brayed as they that desired the milk for to live by/ how be it they could not so loud cry/ that her mothers answered them. Hereof marveled much hercules. Then he approached the mount and went unto the place where him seemed that he had heard the kine. And was there well three ours seeking if he could find any hole or cave or reduit/ But how be it that he passed many times the entry of the cave/ he could never perceive it Some said that the bruit and braying that they had heard of the kine. Was comen of Illusion/ The other said that hercules lost his labour and pain And prayed him to leave to seek any more/ for they thought it not recoverable. In the end when hercules had heard one and other and saw that he might not come to the end of his desire. In a great anger he took in both arms a great tree that grew there/ And shaken it three times with so great force/ that at the third time he overthrew it rote and all in such wise that the root that came out of the earth made a right great large hole so profound and deep// that the bottom of the cave was s●en plainly:.  
When hercules saw the great hole that the root of the tree had made. He was right joyous and glad/ and said. Truly it is here that the great thief dwelleth/ I must see if he be here and what merchants inhabit in this place/ In saying these words hercules bowed down his head and beheld on the one side of the cave where he saw cacus. assoon as he saw the thief He knew him anon/ whereof he was more joyous than he was to fear and escried him/ Cacus I see thee/ Thou haste to fore this time troubled the royalmes of Hesperia by Innumerable delicts and great sins that thou madest openly and apert. This was the cause of the perdition of thy signory/ Now thou troublest the Italians by tyrannies hid & unknown/ I know thy life/ Thou Mayst not deny it ne forsake it/ it behoveth that thou die therefore And that I make the Italians frank and free of thine horrible & odious thefts. O cursed man if thy crowns. thy diadems. thy sceptres. thy bruits/ thy royal men might not succour thee/ why then and wherefore art thou wrapped in sins And amendest thee not ne correct the for the pugnition that thou hast suffered/ but yet in the stead and place that thou shouldest dispose th● to that/ that appertaineth to a King & a Prince/ thou haste been a thief/ In stead to do justice thou haste been a murderer/ and a putter in of fire to burn villages and houses And where thou shouldest have kept and saved women. thou hast defouled them and done them villainy. O caitiff King/ without conjuring or pining of the/ certes I see well that thou art he that the Italians know not that thou hast persecuted them. Thy malice hath been great and thy subtlety/ when unto this day thou were never accused. And hast done a great thing. But it is not so great/ ner hast not so hid the but thou art right nigh peril for thou shalt yield to me again my oxen. And finally thou shalt put me to death/ or thou shalt die by my hand. And thou shalt not escape by running ne by thy subtle fires.  
When Cacus understood this sentence/ he was strongly afraid. Nevertheless he lift up his head And seeing that he was found by hercules the man of the world that he most hated/ he said to him/ Alas hercules man all corrumped with covetise. what cursed fortune hath made the to draw out the tree whereof the profound and deep roots hath discovered the reposayll of King Cacus late regning/ But now prived fro reigning & banished fro all worldly prosperity. Sufficeth not to the/ that I may have the chertee of my natural goods. When thou hast taken all away fro me. And that it is force that I live of robbery and prey/ whereof the culp and sin aught to redound upon the/ Why sufferest thou not me to live & draw forth the residue of my power life/ among the stones among the rocks. and among the worms of the earth. Consider now what thou haste do to this King/ And seek him no more. thou haste hurted and grieved him enough/ Hercules answered/ Cacus if thou were in the abysms of wretchedness and miseries. thy demerits will accuse thee/ And I am right sorry and dolant to see a King in so hontous and shameful estate. But when thou canst not Aourne thy days passed ne these present with one only good deed What remedy/ thou hast daily exercised tyranny as well in prosperity as in adversity. I wot well that thou art the new persecutor of the Italians/ And that thy hand is all foul of their blood. I seek the not/ ne the Italians can say no thing of thee.. And for as much as they complain not of thee.. to their prejudice. This tree hath spoken for them. And by his roots he hath discovered thine ambush: So behoveth it that thou cheese. whether thou wilt come and fight with me here in the air/ at large. or else that I come and assail the there with inn: for if it be to me possible I shall deliver the world of thy tyrannies etc.  
By this answer cacus knew that there was no respite in his feet/ then he supposed to save him as he had done afore time And made by his craft so great a smoke and fume/ that it seemed come out of the hole that the tree had made/ that it had been a right pit of hell. And this fume was larded with flames brenning as marvel. For this fume hercules abandoned never cacus/ but leap in to the cave in the middle of the flames and fume as he that was master of this craft/ and was anon purveyed of remedies that thereto appertained/ And went him plainly and assailed Cacus in such wise as he felt no fume ne impeachment. And then he gaf him so great a struck upon the helm with his club/ that he made him to hurtle his head against one of the walls of the cave. Cacus with the receive of this strooke. Let the fume disgorge out of his stomach. Seeing that by that manner he could not escape. And took his right great axe that stood by him for to defend him with/ Hercules suffered him to take his axe. Cacus smote upon him for the cave was not large. they fought long therm. Unto the rescous of cacus came the three sisters that made great sorrow And casted stones upon hercules in great abundance And wept bitterly. These three damosels loved sore well cacus. Hercules & cacus fought more than a long hour without ceasing At the end of the hour. they were both so sore chafed that they must rest them then cacus took in him a great pride. For he was strong of body And him seemed when he rested that hercules was not so strong as he had been afore times. And that he might never vanquish him/ for as much as he had not overcome him at the beginning/ By this presumption he demanded of hercules if he would achieve the battle without the cave/ Hercules answered that he was content. With this answer cacus took away the stone that shut the cave and went out. And in going out after him. hercules espied his kine that were dead in a Corner/ And his oxen that were bounden by the muzzles unto a pillar/ he was sorry when he saw his kine in that point. Nevertheless he passed forth and pursued cacus/ that reached out his arms And made him ready/ And said to him. thou cursed thief thou haste done to me great displeasure to have slain my kine/ ye cursed thief thou thyself answered cacus/ yet haste thou done to me more displeasure/ to have slain my men and taken away my royalmes. thou art only culpable of the evil that I have done and of the death of thy kine/ I would it pleased the gods that I had the as well in my mercy. as I had them. be thou sure that thou shouldest never take away royalme fro no man And now let us achieve our battle: At these words Hercules and Cacus smote each other right sore and by great felony/ their strokes cleaved to their harness and swooned. At this swooning the King Evander & the Greeks came to the battle for to see it. Which they made to fore th'entry of the cave: Where as we● the three sisters passing desolate: Cacus enforced him with all his puissance. For he saw it was time thoo or never to show and put forth all that he might He handled his axe right mightily And well was him need so to do. He was hard & boisterous. he gaf many a struck to hercules. And him seemed otherwhile that he should confound him unto the deep abysm of the earth/ But hercules on his side failed not if he had strong party against him. He was also strong at avenant and more strong certain than was good for the health of cacus/ he smote never cacus but he turned the eyen in his head. or made him to stoop or kneel on that one side or that other or go aback shamefully/ This battle by long during annoyed the beholders they sought each other and tasted hard on both sides finally they did so much that it was need to rest them And that all their body's sweat all abouts/ then hercules saw that yet was not the prise given/ And that the night approached he had great shame in himself/ that he had hold so long battle. Then he began to seche cacus so nigh/ and redoubled his strokes by such vigour upon cacus so fiercely. that at last he bore him down to the ground all astonied And made him to lose his axe And since took of his helm. The three sisters fled then in to a forest named Octa all full of tears and of cries. Many Greeks would have gone after. But hercules made them to return. After he called the King Evander and his folk and said to the King sire lo here is he that was wont to trouble the Italians. by secret murders/ convert thefts/ & unknown defouling of women. Give no more suspicion to the gods/ Lo here is the minister and door of these trespasses/ I have intention to punish him. Not only after his desert. but unto the death:.  
EVander answered to hercules and said/ Prince excellent & worthy above ally worthy excessively And the most best accomplished of all men flourishing in arms. What reverence is to the due/ that is not only human reverence/ But that reverence that is of divine nature/ I believe assuredly that thou art a god/ or the son of a god/ or else a man deified. Thou in especial haste seen more in a moment. than all the eyen in general of all the Italians have seen. not only in one year. but in an hundred year. O the son of noble men and the stock of reluysing and shining of glorious feats & deeds/ how may we thank the and give the laud for the desert of this great work/ Thou by bright and shining labour hast discumbered us of darkness and haste given us light of clearness. thou haste more achieved than the great turbs and all the assemblies and men of arms of Italians should have con do. And haste gotten more triumph in chastising of this giant passing terrible. Then we the con give reward. Truly if thou be not a god. Thou haste of the gods their singular grace/ I promise to the in remembrance of this labour/ to do edify a solemn temple in my city where thou shalt have an altar/ And upon the altar shall be thy representation of fyn gold. And the representation of this tyrant/ in showing how thou hast vanquished him to th'end that our heirs and successors in time coming may have thereof knowledge:.  
during these words Cacus relieved him that was astonied of the struck that he had receyu●d And wend to have fled. But hercules ran after & retained him And embraced him in his arms so hard that he might not move And brought him again And bore him unto a deep pit that was in the ca●e where he had cast in all ordures and filth/ hercules came unto this fowl pit that the Greeks had founden And planted cacus there inn. his head downward from on high unto the ordure beneath/ then the Italians came about the pit and cast so many stones upon him that he died there miserably. Such was the end of the pour King Cacus. he died in an whole full of ordure and of stinking filth. When the King Evander saw that he was dead by the consent of hercules he did him be drawn out of the pit. And did him be born in to his city. where as hercules was received so triumphantly that no man can rehearse. The feast was great that night in the palace of King evander/ And passed it with great joy/ On the morn the King evander made to set forth the body in the common regard and sight of all the people. And afterward ordained certain folk thereto propice and necessary to do carry & show this miserable corpse or body in all the cities where he had done harm. And for to Count and rehearse to them his life: What shall I make long rehearsal/ when the body was showed in the city of King Evander They that had the governance thereof bore it in to diverse places. And all way they praised hercules/ In the novelty of this victory the King Evander made to begin the temple that he had promised to hercules And required hercules that he would abide there in that country unto the time/ that his temple should be full made and performed/ hercules beheld that the King Evander did do labour in his temple with all diligence and agreed to his request/ for as much as him seemed that the temple should be shortly made/ And some books say that long time afore the god Mars had promised to hercules that there should be a temple made unto him and for that cause he was come in to Italy/ for to wete if his destiny should hap or not And when the Italians heard recount the birth of hercules/ they believed better that he was the son of god Jupiter than of Amphitryon:.   

¶ How the Queen of laurence enamoured on hercules/ And how the King Pricus came in to Italy with a great host and send to defy hercules.  
THe glorious feats of hercules were greatly recommended in Italy/ as well for that he had vanquished the giants of Cremona as for the death of cacus/ So great was his renomee that during the edification of his temple/ all manner people came thither for to see him. And made to him divine honour naming him the son of god Jupiter/ the Kings & the Lords came to him for to give him yefts and rich presents. Among all other the Queen of Laurence came thither fro her city with many Chares and chariots charged and laden with many jewels and presented them to hercules: Hercules received in to his grace this Queen and her presents And thanked her greatly/ This Queen had to name Facua. And was wife of the King. Fanus son of the King pricus the son of Saturn. She was young fresh. Tender and replete of lustiness. She had not seen King fanus her husband in four year. For he was gone in to a far country And was not in all this time come again/ So it happened since that she first began to take heed and behold hercules and advise him well/ she began to desire his conversation And she began to love him so sore & acertainly/ that she could not torn her eyen ner her thought upon none other thing but upon hercules/ In the beholding and seeing him. she said in her heart/ that he was the most welfaring man and upright without comparison that ever she saw. and that of right me should give him laud and praising/ saying more over that her seemed that all her heart was inverted with the fire of his love/ many pensees & thoughts fill then in her intendment. Now awaked and quickened with a joyous spirit And eft soon all pensive/ she passed the first day that she came in this manner with hercules/ when she was withdrawn for to rest/ she laid her down on a bed all clothid And there she began to imagine the beauty of hercules by so ardent desires/ that she could not abstain her fro weeping And sore wished after him. Whereof the end was such. that after many an imagination about the grey morning/ she began to say unto herself/ O fortune what man/ what prince what King hast thou brought in to this country/ 'tis is not a King like other/ This is an image singular & like as the gods had made him by nature to exceed and triumph above all her other subtle works and labours. All glory shineth in him not only by his proygne prowess. but by his simple and sacred perfection corporal/ to which may be made no comparison O clear image among the nobles/ who is she that seeing his eyen/ that of one only fight shall not have her heart through pierced/ who is she that shall not covet and desire his grace/ The most erorcus of all happy Well fortuned shall she be▪ that may get his good will/ she is humble. Fair/ pleasant and laughing/ he is a treasure/ O dear treasure like as the gold passeth all other manner metals semblably he passeth all other works of nature in all Prosperity. how then shall I not love him. As long as I shall live his name shall remain written in my memory And his beauty shall not be forgotten. but remain for a sovenance eternal.  
great were then the praisings that facua said of hercules She forgot anon the King fanus and put him all in oubliance for the love of hercules/ She was there a certain space of time. and alway thought on hercules. Hercules that thought no thing on her made unto her no semblant ne sign of love How be it he devised oft time with her And with the wife of the King evander named Carment/ the more he devised with them the more was facua in great pain by th'eschafing of love/ Some time she lost her manner and countenance. But certain she covered it and hide it so well that no man took heed of it. Then when she had been there eight days in bearing such grievous pain/ and she saw that hercules could not see the love that she had to him. For to come to the end of her desire/ she came on a day to hercules. And humbly required him. that he would come and take the patience of her house for to pass the time. Whiles the King Evander performed his temple/ Hercules accorded and agreed unto her request/ whereof she had right great joy in herself. They then disposed them for to go unto Laurence/ they took leave then of the King Evander and of the Queen/ And took their way/ Thus then going hercules was alway by the side of facua they devised of many things by the way. And alway facua had her amorous eyen fixed on the regard of hercules/ that at last hercules begins to take heed/ and said to her all soft. Lady ye do me great worship to bring me in to your house. Alas sire answered facua I do to you no thing but pain. how well I have not the power to feast you and make you cheer as I fain would. Lady said hercules the good cheer that ye do to me. is to me agreeable/ that fro hence forth ye bind mine heart for to will fulfil your will in such wise that there is no thing that ye will/ but I shall accomplish it at your commandment after my power. as to the most best accomplished lady that is in the occident/ Facua with these words began to smile and answered sire I have nothing done for you. and ye are not so beholden to me as ye say. how be it I thank you for your good word And thereof I hold me right eurous and happy. that the most eurous man of all men deigneth to accompany one so pour a lady as I am. Lady answered hercules I shall not take that to my profit that I am the most eurous of men. For there been many better addressed than I am. But certes the more ye speak the more ye make me your subject. And since ye do to me so great honour I require you as much as I may that I may be your knight And that ye take power over me to command me to do your will and pleasure/ sire said facua will ye that it be so. lady answered hercules alas ye/ I shall not command you said facua/ but I shall give you over me as much of signory and lordship as it shall please you to take. Hercules with that same word would fain have kissed the lady And had done it ne had been the worship of her/ which he would keep. They had enough of other devices/ from that day forth hercules intended to please the lady more than he had done tofore And shortly he acquainted so with her and she with him. that they lay together secretly. And he begat on her a son that afterward was named Latin/ which was afterward of great government.  
during these things/ whiles that hercules and facua had this good time in laurence. Tidings came that the King fanus was coming/ facua that then began first to joy in the love of hercules/ was passing sorry and heavy. When she heard these tidings. For she had strongly fixed her heart in hercules. Suddenly the tears mounted up in to her eyen. And all bewept she came in to a chamber where as hercules was She took him apart and said to him. Alas my love I trow I shall die for sorrow. Lady said hercules wherefore: for so much said she as my husband the King fanus cometh home/ it is four year a go since I heard of him I had supposed he had been dead: but he is not His herbegeours & fourriers been comen tofore and say that he shall soup herein this day/ Alas what evil adventure is this/ we must needs now depart. And our communication shall fail. with this word the lady embraced hercules & fill down a swoon in his lap/ Hercules took her up & comforted her the best wi●e he could And said to her that since it is so that she was married/ that it was reason that she abode still with her husband/ What somever hercules said unto the lady she could not keep her from weeping ne bewailing her love/ their bewailings were great. In the end she went in to her chamber And dried her eyen and broke her annoyous courage as much as she could/ In arraying and appareling her in such wise as she had been joyous and glad of the coming of her husband. that came soon after and entered in to his city with great bruit.  
Hercules' and facua went against the King fanus. When the King fanus saw hercules/ he did to him as much honour and worship as he could do/ for as much as he had heard say and was advertised of the arms that he had do against the giants of Cremona. and against cacus. And thanked him for so much as he was come in to his city/ for conclusion hercules abode there four days after that fanus was comen home/ on the fifth day he considered that he might no more enjoy in his love/ And that he did nothing there but lose his time/ he took leave of the King fanus and of the Queen facua. And returned unto the house of the King Evander/ where he held him and abode unto the time that his temple was made and accomplished. About the consummation of this temple An herald of Calydon came unto hercules and signified to him that the King Pricus came against him with a great puissance of men of arms. for to avenge the blood of cacus his cousin. And imposed to hercules that he had without cause & cruelly put to death one so noble a King as cacus was/ And yet said to him more that if he would sustain the contrary. that on the morn early. he should find the King Pricus in the same place where the blood of King cacus was shed And there by mortal battle by puissance against puissance he would prove it true that he said.  
When hercules had well heard/ that the King pricus had signified to him/ He had his heart all full of joy. And answered to the herald that the death that he had made cacus to die was a work of justice. And that upon that quarrel/ he would furnish by battle the King pricus at the our and place that he had said/ After this answer thus made Hercules gave unto the herald his gown that he ware/ And did him to be feasted right well saying that he had brought him tidings of plaisance/ when the herald had had good cheer and well feasted as hercules had commanded He returned unto the King Pricus And told him that hercules had answered to him. and that he should have on the morn the battle. The King pricus that supposed to have all won by advantage for he had in his host more then thirty thousand men. thanked the gods of these tidings. And came & lodged him the same night nigh unto the mount Aventine/ upon the river of Tiber/ He made him ready for to do his battle. And semblably did hercules/ each man on his side thought on his works. The night passed over/ And then on the morn as soon as it began to daw the King Pricus and hercules began to sown their great tabors And with that sown their men put them in arms to a point. And after ranged them in battle: And so they came both parties as well that one as that other in the same place where the blood of King cacus had been shed etc.:.   

¶ How hercules fought against the King Pricus in battle and how he fled in to his city. where hercules alone slew him and many more with him.  
About five of the clock in the morning/ Hercules and pricus assembled at the battle/ fro as far as pricus saw hercules he made a marvelous cry/ With this cry all the Calydonians began to run against hercules and made so great bruit/ that it seemed that there was not people enough in all the world for them. But certain like as a small rain abateth or layeth down a great wind/ In like wise hercules alone laid down their over great booste and bruit for assoon as he saw his enemies run against him about a quarter of a mile/ he departed fro his battle that was well set in ordinance. And after that he had commanded his folk that they should not haste for no thing/ He began to run against the Calydonians so swiftly not like an horse/ but like an heart that no man might overtake. The King Evander was all abashed for to see in hercules so great legerity & swiftness/ Pricus and the Calidonians when they saw him move from the host. they had supposed that it had been an horse or some other best/ In the end when hercules was come nigh to them by the space of a bow shoot/ they knew that it was hercules. where of they were sore abashed of his coming. Pricus escried his men upon him/ They shot arrows and casted darts and spears upon hercules against all the parties of his body nevertheless they could never pierce ne enter in to the skin of the lion/ ne he never rested till he had parfurnysshid his course And put him among his enemies so mightily that confounding all to fore him like as a tempest or thunder/ he went in to the mids of the host there as was the chief banner of the King Pricus.  
Hercules' abode and rested there. and began to smite and leye on upon that one side & that other And to die his sword with the blood of the Calydonians/ his sword was so heavy that noman might sustain it it forfrushed all that it arought. It made the place red/ where as the blood of cacus was shed/ of blood upon blood and of dead men upon dead. Then was not the shame & death of King cacus venged. but augmentid upon the persons of his friends in abundance of slaughter and of occision. The cry arose greatly about hercules/ he broke and all to rent the banners and the recognisances of the Calydonians and of her conductors/ there was there none so hardy but he withdrew. And there was there none so well assured but he was afeard & trembled/ All the best and hardiest fled a fore him. Then he made as he would with his enemies. Theseus' Evander and other came then unto the battle. At the recounter there was many a spear broken many an hauberk and many an helm broken and many a knight smitten in pieces. The Calydonians were in great number/ And there were many of them strong and mighty/ The battle was right strong and mighty and fierce/ The King Pricus put him forth afore upon the Greeks/ And wrought with his hand right chivalrously: And hercules and theseus did worthily and dign of memory/ they ran fro range to range/ And they disranged their enemies/ They hardied and encouraged their men. And showed to them how they should do. their feats and deeds were so great that it is impossible to recount and tell. And that in little time they put their enemies in despair/ What shall I say all the discomfiture was in the Calidonians/ for by force of arms they abode upon the field the most part. And then when the King pricus saw that his people might no more fight. And that he lost on all sides And that fortune was against him in all points. After that he had sore laboured and that he had need of rest/ he withdrew him out of the press And swooned the retreat/ And with the sown all the Calydonians turned the back and fled after the King Pricus:.  
When hercules saw that the Calidonians withdrew them. He made in semblable wise his Greeks to withdraw them. Not for any need that they had/ but for to show to their enemies that they would well that they rest them. In this wise the battle cess weening to hercules that the Calydonians should reassemble on the morn when they had rested them They withdrew them some here and some there. the day passed the night came on/ then the King Pricus assembled his folk And showed unto them their loss And the strength and might of the Greeks and in especial of hercules/ After he said to them. that they might no thing conquer upon them. And that they could no wiselier do than to withdraw them and to return in to their country. The Calidonians that dread hercules more than the death or tempest or thunder of the heaven had great joy when they understood the will of King pricus/ And answered all with one accord that they were ready to put them on the way/ With this answer they were concluded that they should leave their tents their carts and Armours. for to go lightly and more secretly/ After this they took their way after their conclusion. Pace by paas they went their way without making bruit or noise/ And did so much this night that on the morn they were far fro hercules After this on the morn when hercules had espied that they were fled. He and his men pursued after swiftly/ how be it they could not overtake them/ for to speed the matter. the King pricus returned in to Calydonia/ Hercules pursued him in to his city which was strong of wallis And assieged him. During this siege there was never Calydonian that durst come out Hercules oft time assaulted the city. but he lost his time/ finally when he saw that he could gete ne win upon his enemies He called his Greeks and said to them. That man that ne adventureth winneth no thing/ We sojourn here without doing any thing dign of memory/ our enemies comen not out upon us/ but if we fetch them we shall never have end. Sortly we must all win or lose/ wherefore I am advised that I shall disguise me/ And that I will go unto the gate And let the porters understand that I have an errand unto the King/ And here upon if I may enter/ I will go unto the King/ and I shall so do if it be to me possible that he shall never assault me more in battle. And if it happen that I may so do as I have devised to you/ I will that ye assail the city assoon as I shall be with Inn●● to th'end that the Calydonians may have to do with you as well as with me/ And that I have them not all ationes upon me.  
Theseus' and Evander understood well what that hercules would do/ they answered that they were ready to obey all his commandments And that they would assault the city after his saying/ then hercules arrayed him like as he had been an ambassador. Theseus and the Greeks disposed them for to make the assault/ when all was ready hercules departed and came & knocked on the gate of Calydonia/ The porters looked out at a little window to see who knocked there/ and seeing that there was but one man in a long gown/ they opened to him the gate & asked him what he would have/ hercules answered that he sought the King/ and what would ye with him said one of the porters/ certes said hercules I would fain speak unto his person/ And saying these words the porters saw that hercules was armed under his gown/ and then at few words they escried up on him. and tasted him before and behind saying that he was a traitor and that he was comen to espy the city/ when hercules saw him so seized of the porters/ He was there he would be and had great joy which he covered under simple countenance/ and made at the beginning semblant that he would have fled a way and escaped/ But he employed so little of his strength. that the porters brought him unto the King pricus/ which sat in the hall with his daughters & his Princes. And made to him the present. Saying sire lo here is a traitor. that is entered in to your city for to espy your puissance/ We have taken him. he said that he would speak unto your person/ how well he is armed under this mantel as ye may see. It is a right evil token. For a man desiring to speak to a King. Should in no wise be armed privily ner a covert/  
When the King understood thaccusaconnaccusation of the porters. Whiles they spoke he beheld hercules/ and knew him. He was so sore afeard that he witted not what to say. Hercules then esvertued himself And put himself out of the holding of the porters. Casting them down to the ground so hard & so grievously that they never after might relieve himself/ when the Calydonians that were in the hall saw him so evil entreat the porters they escried hercules unto the death and assailed him on all sides. His gown was then anon rent of▪ In coming on he received many a struck/ And alway he defended him without displaying of his puissance and of his strength/ as he that awaited the tidings of the assault that was nigh/ The affray was great in the hall and in the city on all parties/ the Calydonians ran unto the palace for to assail hercules The King pricus adubbed him and came with other unto this affray/ then was hercules assailed fiercely. But certes this assault cost dear enough unto the King for to his bien venue hercules approached unto the tabernacle/ that stood upon four great bars of iron. Whereof he took that one And beat down the tabernacle/ After he lift up his arm with the bar/ And smote the King pricus so dismeasurably upon the cup of his helm that not withstanding his strong harness and armours: He all to frushed him down to the earth. And smote him so sore frushed and bruised that he fill dounded between his two porters.  
AT this time the cry arose great among the Calydonians. Not alonely there but also in the city for he that made the watch swooned to arms for as much as the Greeks assailed hastily the walls Caledony was then terribly troubled. The Calidonians wist not where to intend/ whether to hercules or to the assault. All was full of heeds armed as well in the palace as upon the wallis. After this that hercules had slain the King pricus. he began to smite upon his enemies. his strokes were great At each struck he slew two or three/ shortly he bore him there so knightly that in little while he covered all the pavement of the palace with dead bodies of the Calydonians/ lying one up on an other/ without that any man might adamage his armour/ The Calidonians were of great courage/ & had great shame of that/ they might not overcome hercules. that alone had done upon them so great an emprise. They assailed him by great appetite And cast upon him darts and sharp glaives. His arms and his shoulders bore all/ And he did so great things with his bar And gave so great strokes that none of them might resist his strength. The pour Calidonians came thither by great courage & desire for to venge the death of their King/ Hercules put so many to death. that he wist nowhere to set his foot but upon Calidonians. Tofore the gate of the palace was a piteous noise of weepings and of cries that women and children made/ In the end when the Calidonians knew and perceived the virtue and strength of hercules and that they laboured in vain/ they ceasedd to assail him and fled/ then hercules issued out of the palace with his bar all covered with blood: assoon as the Calidonians saw him they escried upon him passing/ they assailed him on an new/ they cast stones and darts upon him. they shot arrows on him abundantly/ as they that were purveyed and awaited on his passage/ In this assault hercules had much to suffer. Alway in receiving more strokes then can be numbered He passed the watch that awaited for to have slain him. And rested never till he came unto the gate..  
THe Calydonians ran then after him as men without dread of death. And strongly swollen with pride and ire/ began on an new to smite upon his shoulders and upon his back. When hercules saw that/ he turned his face unto his evil willers And smote upon them with his bar on the right side and on the lift side so readily/ that he died his bar with new blood/ and maugre his enemy he beat them down and all to frushed them to fore him. He made them to recoil and go aback more than forty pace. And after came to the gate And the Calidonians sued him again. but ere they came upon him he all to brack and bruised and to frushed the locks and the wickets and doors of the gate that the Greeks assailed with all their puissance. and beat down the draw bridge/ After he called the assailants and they came unto him And with little resistance they entered the city/ which was at that time with great occision of the Calidonians that would not yield them ne put them to mercy unto the time that they saw their streets and houses full of dead bodies etc..   

¶ How hercules was enamoured on Iole the daughter of King pricus/ and how he required her of love and how she accorded unto him:.  
BY this manner was the King pricus slain and his city taken by hercules after the tution and slaughter/ when the Calidonians had humbled them. hercules & theseus went unto the palace/ And they came thither so a point/ that they found the daughters of King pricus with their Ladies and damosels seeking the King among the dead bodies/ There were so many dead bodies that they could not find ne know him that they sought. Hercules at his coming began to behold one & other/ And sovereignly among all other he cast his eyen upon Iole the daughter of the King/ for as much as she was excellently resplendissant in beauty that in all the world was none like unto her/ when he had a little seen her by a secret commandment of love He drew him unto her/ weening for to have comforted her/ anon as the right desolate damosel saw hercules approaching unto her/ she trembled for dread and fled unto her chamber. The Ladies & the damosels followed her And among them so did hercules. What shall I say. he entered in to the chamber where she was And sat down by h●r ● she wend for to have risen for to have gone out of the way but he held her by her clothes and said unto her/ Lady ye may not flee my company/ Iole spoke then & said O miserable tyrant what seekest thou me now for to trouble me more. Thou hast slain my father/ let that suffice the Madame answered hercules if the King pricus be dead. It is reason that he be not much bewailed ne bewept. For he weening for to avenge the death of the tyrant cacus. Came not long since for to assail me in Italy. Saying that I had unrightfully & with out 'cause slain him/ In sustaining the contrary I fought with him upon this quarrel. the battle was not ended ne put to utterance at that time: for he withdrew him with his people and came in to this city. and I have pursued him hastily/ how well I could not overtake him. When I saw that/ I laid my siege about this city He would not come to achieve the battle during my siege/ I have this day willed to have an end. Fortune hath been on my side and hath put you in my puissance Certes it must needs be that without any remedy ye be my lady and my love. For in seeing your singular beauty. Love hath constrained me to be yours/ then I pray you as affectuously as I may or can/ that ye cease your sorrow and that ye receive me as your friend and love. the more ye weep the less ye get & win continual tears or weepings ne perdurable sighs may never raise your father again.  
THe fair Iole with these words was so oppressed of hoot & contrary imaginations that her heart failed her/ it was a piteous thing to behold/ her friend hercules would have taken her up and sustained between his arms. But a wise lady that had alway governed her/ came to him and said to him kneeling on her knees/ sire I pray you in the name of all the gods. that ye will cease to speak to this pour damosel for this time: She hath this day lost her father/ Hyt must needs be that nature acquit her/ ye may do with her your owen pleasure/ let her a little abide in her melancholy/ Alle shall be well if it please the gods as well for you as for her/ At the request of the Lady Hercules was content to let her go for that time/ he recommended Iole unto the gods and went unto theseus for to pass his time. But to the end that Iole should not go away ne/ escape/ he ordained twelve Greeks to keep her and commanded upon pain of death that they should suffer no woman issue out of the chamber without witting whether they went. In this night hercules did the dead bodies to be had out of the palace and the place to be made clean. And also he ordained that the body of the King pricus should be put in sepulture. When these things were accomplished/ hercules & theseus with their men of arms made good cheer of such as they there found/ And Iole was never out of the remembrance of hercules/ Iole certainly at this time was so discomforted that it can not be recountid. The lady that had her in governance travailed right sore for to comfort and cheer her/ then when hercules had left her in the chamber as said is And she had many words to her/ and among all other she said to her My daughter ye weep to much. Ha' madame said Iole. how may I less do/ when shall I have cause to weep and to wail if I have none now. My father is dead. I have lost him that most loved me of all the world/ I may lose no more ne no greater thing. Aught not than my heart to be angry and sorrowful. My daughter said the lady I know well that ye have the most apparent occasion of sorrow that any woman may have. But when it must needs be that ye pass by this Infortune what profiten you your grievous weepings. There may no thing proceed of them but augmentation of melancholy/ And hurting & appairing of your praised beauty/ ye be now fallen in the hand of this Prince. This is a man worthy and noble above all other/ he loveth you/ ye aught to thank the gods and to give them prcisyngiss of this grace. For this is to you an ewer and an hap in your mishap if ye will believe me. ye should put all this sufferance. Better it is to suffer one evil than two. Me thinketh ye ought consider your estate. And if ye consider it well ye should pain you for to forget it: Madame said Iole/ Alas and how may that be. that I should have love. or affinity or hauntyse unto him that hath done to me so much harm/ He hath not taken only fro me a knight ne an unclean cousin/ but mine owen proper father Late none speak to me more thereof. He is and shall be my mortal enemy as long as I live. and as long as he shall live he shall have no more of me for prayer promise ne for menace..  
My daughter said the lady make ye not yourself bond/ where as ye be free. The feats and deeds of love been subtle and sudden: love is alway in his secret throne. that can do none other thing/ but humbly and meek the hard hearts. And bow the strong: So hard ne so strong an heart is not among the human Creatures. But that it is right soon humbled and meeked when that it is his pleasure there is no tower so high. but it may be beaten down by subtle mine/ neither is no wind so great ne so rigorous but it attempered/ there is no night so dark but that it is surmounted with the day. ye hate hercules now. If ye have a while haunted him and have had communication with him. peraventure ye shall love him better/ than ever ye loved your father your mother or any other of your lineage/ And that I may prove by myself. For I had my husband in so great hate first ere we assembled/ that I would fain have seen him die a shameful death. Suddenly when we had begun to converse one with another/ I loved him so certainly that if he had not been with me day and night/ I had went I should have died for sorrow and annoy/ My daughter such been the towers of love. Oft times me saith/ that after great hate cometh great love. The glory of hercules is so clear/ that your heart aught to be enlumined/ the conquest that he hath made in this city shall be for you a singular preparation of all good/ would ye attain to a more greater weal/ than for to be fellow or love of him that is the dompter of Kings the most best well faring man. and the most triumphant in arms. For to him is no thing impossible/ he hath conquered the most part of the universal world O my daughter rejoice you in fortune. Shut not the door to prosperity that cometh to you/ it is to be believed that the desolation of this city hath been devised and ordained by the parliament of the gods. in faueur of you. that are the parement and none like unto you of all the daughters of the Kings for to give you in marriage unto this man.  
BY these words the fair Iole had her stomach enterprised of large imaginations. She rose up fro that part. And entered in to her gardero be// where as was the presentation of the goddess Deianeira/ when she was comen thither// she kneeled down in great humility to fore the image. And in abounding of sighs & weeping as sore as she had done any time of the day tofore she said: goddess of virgins what shall do thy right simple ancille and hand maid. Alas elumine my hope. Behold mine affliction. poised mine unhap. Send thine eyen in to the secret of mine heart/ and see the sorrow that I bear. And in the faveur of virgins keep my body and preserve from the hand of him that would that I should be his wife. After that he hath engendered in me the Rote of mortal hate. Which is not possible to be annulled as nature judgeth in me. Afore it is not possible that I may love mine enemy. Consequently and it is troth that the hate that I have against this tyrant hercules shall be perdurable etc..  
IN tayse prayers and lamentations iole abode unto the perfoundeur of the night. Cursing hercules say that she had liefer to die than to have any love in him. Thus disdaining the love of hercules. without meet or drink she passed the night. The day following hercules returned unto her/ And on a new prayed her that she would be his wife/ saying without respite that she must needs agree thereto She was right sore displeasant of this request and excused her in many fashions that were to long to rehearse at this time/ But at the end of the prayers and requests of hercules/ love inspired in such wise the damosel/ that she understood well that hercules was issued of the Rote of noble father & mother/ that she accorded to do his pleasure. What shall I more say Iole communiqued than with hercules as his wife they lay together & acquainted each with other/ love than enrooted in their hearts. her two wills were locked and put in one will/ Hercules forgot Deianira And Iole forgot the death of her father/ And so much she enamoured on hercules. that she might rest in no place but that she must be alway him. O marvelous thing. the rancour & the hate that Iole had yesterday unto hercules. is now suddenly turned in to love Infallible. For to speed the matter during yet the first days of the love of hercules and Iole. At the prayer of Iole/ hercules gave her sisters in marriage to certain knights of the Greeks/ and left them there to govern the country and the royalme of Calydonia/ After he departed from thence and brought his oxen and his kine with him. And sent again the King Evander in to his domination/ thanking him of his company. and of the honour that he had done to him.  
Evander had gladly conveyed hercules in to Greece But hercules would in no wise that he should have the travail. At last then Evander with great thankings of hercules and of his army departed And hercules with his exercite went unto the sea/ He forgot not behind him the fair Iole/ he loved her sovereignly. All day he was with her/ And she pleased him as much as she might/ doubting more to lose his love than she dread the death: As they then thus went by the sea maintaining to their power the amorous life/ Hercules recountered on a day/ nigh by an haven and a good city/ a galley of merchants/ Hercules made the galley to tarry and after called the patron. And asked of him of what country he was & fro whence he came Certes sire answered the patron of the galley/ I departed late fro the port of trace that is here by/ I see well that ye be estranger and that ye know not the peril that ye be inn. Wherefore I have pity of you and of your company And therefore I advertise you & pray you that at the next haven ye shall find that in no wise ye tarry there/ for no thing that may befall you/ for also truly as ye be here. If ye go thither ye shall take harm/ for there is a King a tyrant the most cruel that is in all the world named Diomedes that holdeth under him ten thousand thieves. And that he maketh war anent all them that he may find and hath a custom that he putteth men to ransom such as it pleaseth him And if they that he putteth to such misery/ pay their ransom. he lateth them go quite. And with that money and substance he nourisheth his thieves and his horses. And if they may not furnish their ransom He himself smiteth them in to morsels and giveth them to his horses for to eat and devour/ But there is one thing good for you. For this morning he is gone to the Chasse for to hunt in a forest which is a four mile from trace. And with him there been an hundred of the strongest thieves that he hath. And this know I veritably for I have seen them depart not passing three ours a go etc.:   

¶ How hercules fought against Diomedes in the forest of trace and how he made his horse to eat him.  
Hercules' hearing the words that the patron of the galley said to him and rehearsing the life of diomedes./ was passing joyous in his heart/ more than he had since the death of the thief cacus. he had in him that virtue/ that where he might know monster or tyrant or any men empeaching the common weal/ thither he went And such tyrants he destroyed And to th'end that men should not say that he did such works for covetise. he would never hold ne retain to his proper use no thing of their goods/ But all that he conquered in such wise he gave it unto noble men And praised no thing but virtue/ He would not make his signory to grow ne to amass and take to himself royalme upon royalme. He was content of that/ that nature had given him. And alway he would labour for the common weal/ O noble heart/ O right well addressed courage/ O tresuertuous paynim there was none like to him of all them/ that were afore him ne after him. For to hold on and entretieve my matter/ when the patron had advertised him as afore is said. that the tyrant Diomedes was gone an hunting in to the forest. with his hundred thieves. He did so much that the patron showed him the situation of the forest And by what way and manner he might soonest come thither/ After this he gave leave to the patron to go his way. That done he called his mariners/ and made them to seche the place. After he assembled the Greeks and told them that he would that they should abide him there. And that he himself without delay would go in to the forest. that the patron had ensigned him to seek diomedes saying that he would never return in to Greece unto the time that he had delivered the country of this tyrant/ Iole began then to weep/ when she heard th'enterprise of hercules and prayed him tenderly weeping. that he would leave and depart him of the adventure in so great peril/ Hercules took no reward ne heed to her prayers. He delivered to philotes his bow and his club. And entered in to a little galley subtle and light/ which he conducted by the help of phylotes right nigh the place where he would be/ And took land a two bow shot far fro the forest. And in setting foot a land/ he heard the bruit and noise of the Chasse. He had thereof great joy/ And said that he was well addressed/ He took his club/ and left his bow with philotes. After he entered in to the forest/ He had not far ranged in the forest. When he found diomedes & his hundred thieves. Diomedes was the first that fro far espied hercules/ he knew that he was an stranger/ And escried him and said. Giant what is that thou seekest in this forest. Hercules answered what art thou. Diomedes said I am the King of trace/ thou art entered in to my domination without my leave/ it displeaseth me/ thou must be my prisoner/ wherefore yield the to me/ Hercules said then. King since thou art diomedes the King of trace. thou art sans fault ● the tyrant that I seek. And therefore I am not of th'intention to yield me without struck smiting/ And also to an evil thief/ know thou that I shall defend me with this club. with which I have been accustomed to destroy the monsters/ And am in hope this day to make thy horses eat and devour thy body like as thou haste taught and used them to eat thy prisoners:.  
When diomedes heard the answer of hercules/ he took a right great axe that one of his thieves bare after him. And he life it up escrying hercules unto the death and discharged so hard. that if Hercules had not turned the struck with his club/ he had been in great peril: Diomedes was of the greatness and stature of hercules. And had largely strength and puissance/ when hercules had received the struck/ he enhanced his club and failed not to smite diomedes. For he gave him such a struck upon the stomach and so heavy. that he turned him up so down from his horse. and lay all astonied in the field/ then his hundred thieves moved them and assailed hercules on all sides. Some of them there were that redressed diomedes and set him again upon his horse/ the other late flee upon hercules largely arrows & darts And some broke their glaives upon him. All these things impair no thing the arms of hercules. His hauberk ●nd his helm were of fyn steel forged and tempered hard. The frode there among them like a mountains/ when he had suffered the first envaye and assault of the thieves. for to show to them to whom they fought He moved upon them & smote down right on all sides by such virtue. that suddenly he made the pieces of them flee in to the wood And smote them down of their horses. Diomedes was at that time raised. and with great furor and maletalent/ with many of his complices came unto the rescous of his thieves that hercules governed as he would. And whiles that some assailed him be for●/ he came behind & smote him with his axe upon his helm/ the struck was great the fire sprang out. Diomedes had well wend to have murdered hercules// how well hercules moved not for the struck but a little bowed his head. After this then he lift up his club and smote among the thieves. And maugre them all in less then an hour he had so holden the iron to their backs/ that of the hundred he slew sixty/ And the other all to bruised and frushed and put them to flight with diomedes/ But hercules running more swiftly than an horse among all other he pursued diomedes so nigh/ that he reached him by the leg and pulled him down of his horse And cast him down against a tree unto the earth. After he took him by the body. and by vive force bore him unto the place where the battle had been. There he dishelmed him and unarmed with little resistance. For Diomedes was then all to bruised. And might not help himself/ And when he had him thus at his will/ He bond him by the feet and by the hands/ After this he assembled together twenty horses of the thieves/ that ran sparkled in the wood/ and came to diomedes & said to him. O thou cursed enemy that all thy time haste employed in tyranny: And diddest never one good deed. But all thy days hast lived in multiplying of sins & vices/ And that thou hast troubled the people by theft and preys irreparable/ And that thou hast nourished thy horses with man's flesh/ And by this cruelty thou hadst supposed to have made me to die/ Certes I shall do justice upon the And shall do to thine evil person. like as thou wouldest have done to mine. Then hercules laid the tyrant in the mids of the horses/ which had great hunger/ And they anon devoured him/ for they loved man's flesh And thus when hercules had put the tyrant to death/ he took his arms in sign of victory. and returned unto philotes that abode him.  
PHilotes had great joy when he saw hercules return. he inquired of him how he had done and how he had born him And hercules hid ne concealed no thing from him. What shall I say with great joy and gladness. they returned unto the Greeks And did do disanchor their ships And sailed for to arrive at the port or haven of trace. Then would hercules do it be known/ it was late And trace was full of the death of the King diomedes/ This notwithstanding. hercules took to philotes the arms of Diomedes And sent him in to the city for to someone them that governed it/ and for to yield it in to his hands Philotes went in to the palace of trace And made to be assembled them that then were principal in the city. When they were assembled philotes did then open to them his charge and message. and summoned the Thracians// that they should put their city in the hands of hercules/ saying that hercules was he that had put to death diomedes for his evil living. and for the love of the common weal. And that the city could do no better/ but to receive him at his coming. For he would not pill it. but he would only reduy schit to good policy/ when he had done this summation. to the end that they should believe him/ he discovered and showed unto them the arms of diomedes.  
When the Thracians had heard philotes/ and saw the arms of diomedes Some of the complices and semblable of the vocation of diomedes and thieves// were full of great furor And would have taken the arms fro philotes. The other that were wise and notable men. and that many years had desired the end of their King. Seeing his arms knew assuredly that Diomedes was dead. And full of joy answered to philotes. For as much as hercules is a King of great renomee and wisdom. And that he had done a work of great merit in the death of diomedes/ that they would receive him with good heart in to the city/ with our plenty of language/ the Thracians went unto the gate and opened it/ Philotes returned then unto hercules/ And told to him these tidings. Hercules and the Greeks went out of their galleys. and entered in to trace by space of time. The Thracians brought them unto the palace where were yet many thieves. Hercules' put all the thieves to death. not in the same night/ but during the space of ten days that he sojourned there/ He set the city in good nature of policy. He delivered it from the evil thieves. He made judges by election at the pleasure of the people/ And then when he had done all these things/ He departed fro trace with great thankings as well of the old as of the young. He mounted upon the sea. And after by succession of time with out any adventure to speak of. he did so much that he came unto his royalme of Lycia in to his palace where he was received with great joy of the inhabitants and also of the neighbours. And there he abode with the fair Iole whom he loved above all temporal goods..   

¶ How Deianeira was full of sorrow for as much as hercules loved Iole etc.  
Theseus' then after the return of hercules seeing that he would abide there And that there was no memory/ that in all the world was any monster ne tyrant. Took leave of his fellow hercules/ of Iole of philotes and of other/ And went to Athenes and to thebes. Semblably the Greeks took leave. and every man returned in to his country. and to his house recounting and telling in all the places where they went the great adventures & the glorious works of hercules. Then the renomee that runneth and fleeth by royalmes & empires as lightly as the wind/ Also lightly came it and flew unto Yconye where as Deianira sojourned/ And was said to Deianeira that hercules was returned fro Spain. With great glory and triumph And that he was descended in Lycia. Dame Deianeira for this renomee was glad. and also subject of a great and singular pleasure/ and concluded that she would go unto him. How well she was abashed of that he had not signified to her his coming. and that he had not sent for her/ Sore pensive and doubting that she should be fallen out of the grace of hercules. She made ready her exercite And in right noble estate she departed fro ycome on a day for to go in to Lycia. In process of time she came nigh unto Lycia. Then she tarried there for to attire and array her the best and most fairest wise she could or might/ And called her squire named lycas. and commanded him that he should go in to Lycia. and signify to hercules her coming. At the commandment of Deianira. Lycas went in to the city And happened him right at the gate he encountered and met a man of his knowledge a squire of hercules/ Lycas and the squire great and salued each other/ After this lycas asked of the squire and demanded him where the King was. and if he were in his palace/ ye verily said the squire// he is there I wot well and passeth the time with his lady Iole the most best addressed. and out of measure most resplendissant lady that is in all the world as great as it is. Each man alloweth her. And praiseth a thousand time more than Deianira/ Hercules hath her in so much grace. that continually they been together/ And what some ever the lady doth. It is agreeable unto hercules/ And there is no man that can say or tell the great love that they have together  
Lycas hearing these tidings of the squire. Took leave of him/ and made semblant to have late fall or left behind him some of his bagues or jewels/ For as much as he was of advise/ imagining in himself. that it was not good that he signified to hercules the coming of Deianira/ unto the time that he had advertised her of his estate. Pensive and simple then he came to Deianeira. where as she was attiring herself preciously and said to her Madame what do ye here/ wherefore answered Deianira. Therefore said lycas. Why is there any thing said Deianeira what tidings. Lycas answered hard tidings: I have heard say and tell of hercules things ●ull of such hardiness. that certes it is right grievous to me to say them unto you. How be it since that ye be come thus far/ And that ye must needs know and understand them. I tell and say to you certainly that your Lord hercules is in his palace right joyously And that he hath with him a lady. Fair by excellence Whom he loveth above all things for her beauty which is so high and great that each man marvelleth/ and that she is the most sovereign in beauty/ that ever was seen with man's eye. Behold and advise you what ye will do ere ye go any further/ this day it is force to abide and take council and advise.  
of the hearing of these tidings Deianeira was passing angry and was all bespread with a right great sorrow in all her veins/ She began to quake and tremble. Her fair hair that was addressed on her head. she all to drew it with her hands in so fell manner/ that she disattired her/ and smote herself with her fist so great a struck upon her breast/ that she fill down backward in a swoon. The ladies and the damosels that accompanied her/ shriekd and cried dolorously/ & were sore moved in her blood By space of time Deianira came to herself again/ all pale and destaynte and thinking on the sorrow that engendered in her/ And also on the sorrow that was coming to her/ she spoke and said with a feeble & low wis. Pour Deianira what shalt thou do. or whither shalt thou go. Thou that findest thyself recueiled and put a back fro the love of thy lord hercules. Alas alas is it possible that the renovelement of a lady may take away my husband/ the heart late joined unto Deianira/ shall it be disjoined by the finding of a woman of folly/ shall she make the separation. by misavise it may not be. For hercules is noble of heart & loveth virtue And if he abandon and give me over/ he shall do against virtue and noblesse/ I have affiance in him that he shall be true to me. Madame say ● lycas ye fail no thing to say that hercules is noble and full of virtue. For he hath employed all his time in virtuous things. how be it. he is a man. And hath taken in love this new woman for her beauty/ Ne affy you so much in his virtue. that your affiance beguile and deceive you/ ye know well that fortune ne entertaineth long Princes or Princesses on the top above of her wheel/ there is none yet so high. but that he ne maketh them sometime lie beneath among them that suffer. Behold and see well what ye have to do/ if ye go unto hercules And he receive you not. as he hath been accustomed/ that shall be to you a title of despair Men say that he loveth sovereignly this new lady/ Hyt is apparent that he shall set but little store of your coming/ And if ye go the lady shall be evil content/ She hath the bruit. And every man is fain to do her pleasure. There shall be no man so hardy to welcome you. for the love of her/ go not thither than/ the peril is to great/ I council you for the better that ye return in to I come/ And that ye put this things in to your sufferance// In attending and abiding that the fire and the bruit of this lady pass/ for where as hercules is all other/ than the most part of the men be/ so shall he leave this lady a little and a little etc..  
Deianeira considering that Lichas counseled her truly/ believed well this council/ And right sore weeping she returned in to I come/ when she was in the house of ycome/ then she prived her of all worldly pleasure/ and held her solitarily without going to feasts or to plays. Thus abiding in this solitude/ her grievous annoy grew more & more by so ample annoyance that she was constrained to make infinite bewailings and sighs. The continual comfort of her Ladies might give to her no solace The Innumerable devices that they made unto her ears for to make her pass the time. Might never take away hercules out of her mind She used and lived many days this life. Having alway her ear open for to know if hercules scent for her/ In the end when she had suffered enough and saw that no thing came/ and that neither man ne woman was coming to bring her tidings fro the person of hercules. She made a letter which she delivered to lycas for to bear unto hercules And charged him to deliver it to no person but to the proper hand of him that she sent it unto/ Lycas took the letter and went unto Lycia. And two mile nigh the city/ he encountered hercules in a crossway Hercules came from Arcady where he had newly slain a wild boor so great/ that there was never none seen like to him. When then lycas saw hercules. he made to him reverence And presented his letter to him in saluing him from Deianira. Hercules' wax red and changed colour when he heard speak of Deianira. He received the letter amiable/ and red it and found therein contained as here followeth:.  
Hercules' my lord the man of the world that I most desire/ I you supply that ye have recommended your true servant and indign Deianira Alas hercules alas/ Where is become the love of the time past// ye have now sojourned many days in Lycia And ye have let me have no knowledge thereof/ Certes that is to me a right dolorous Auoye to suffer and bear. For I desire not to be deified ne mount in the celestial manors with the sun/ with the moan ne with the stars/ But without rumpure or breaking of free heart I desire your solemn communication// I may fro hence forth no more fain/ it is said to me that ye have another wife than me/ Alas hercules have I made any fault against your reverence. Wherefore give ye me over and abandon me/ How may ye do so/ Men name you the man virtuous/ ye abandon me and forsake me/ That is against virtue/ how well ye do it/ I have seen the time that ye were my husband In embracing us together and kissing/ ye showed then to me semblance of solace and of joy. Now let ye her that ye loved as a pour femelette/ Alas where been the witnesses of our marriage/ Where be the eternal serements and oaths that we made that one to that other/ The men been deaf and blind. but the gods here and see. Wherefore I pray you that ye consider that ye aught to consider. And that ye hold your glory more dearer than ye do for the love of your new acquainted that maketh you to err against virtue whereof ye have so great a Renomee/ And I pray you right heartily to send to me your pleasure etc.:.  
When hercules had red from the beginning to the end the letter of Deianeira. As he yet beheld and saw it/ Iole came upon him with a three hundred damosels for to feast and make cheer to hercules. Hercules then closed the letter and returned in to Lycia holding Iole by the hand. how be it when he was in his palace/ he forgot not Deianeira. but found manner for to go in to his study And there wrote a letter/ And when it was achieved he took it to lycas for to present it to Deianeira. Lycas took the letter and returned home again to Deianeira. First he told her the tidings and of the state of Iole. After he delivered to her the letter/ containing that he recommended him unto her/ And that he had none other wife but her And that he prayed her that she should not give her to none evil thinking. but leave in hope and in patience/ as a wise lady and noble ought and is bound to do for her honour & worship/ This lettre little or naught comforted Deianeira. she was strongly attaint of jealousy/ Her sorrow redoubled and grew In this redoubling she wrote yet another letter which she sent to hercules and contained these words that follow.  
Hercules' alas and what availeth me to be the wife of so noble a husband as ye be/ your noblesse is to me more damnable than profitable. O fortune I was wont to rejoice. For all day/ I heard none other things but loanges and praisings of your prowesses and right glorious deeds and feats whereof the world was enlumined and shoes. now I must be angry & take displeasure in your works that been fowl and full of vices. Alle Greece murmureth upon you And the people say that ye were wont to be the vanquisher of all things. and wno ye been vanquished of the foolish love of Iole Alas hercules and how shall I be departed from you/ and be holden the chamberer of the caitiff Iole. She is your caitiff. For ye have slain her father/ ●and have taken her in the prise of Caledony/ how be it she hath the place of your lawful wife ● Alas have I be said well married for to be named the fair daughter of Jupiter King of the heaven & of the earth. Now shall I no more be called so/ Hyt is not alway happy to mount unto the most high estate/ for fro as much as I have mounted in height and was your fellow/ fro so far I feel me fall in to the more great peril/ O hercules if for my beauty ye took me to your wife/ I may well curse that beauty. For that is cause of the grievous shame/ that is to me all evident. For to prenostique mine harm and evil future and that is to come can not your astronomians see that/ I would I knew that/ I wot well your beauty and my beauty have brought my heart in to the straight prison of sorrow without end. And I may not Count them but for enemies/ when by them all sorrows comen to me/ The Ladies have joy in the pre-eminence of their husbands: But I have maltalent and mishap. I ne see but displeasure in my marriage/ O hercules I think all day on you/ that ye go in great perils of arms and of fierce beasts and tempests of the sea: And in the falseness of the world mine heart trembleth and hath right great fear of that I aught to have believe and hoop of wealth/ Alle that I remember in my mind and think on the day I dream on the night/ And then me thinketh verily that I see the cutting sharp swords enter in me and the heeds of the speries. and after me thinketh I see issue out of the caves of the forests and deserts/ lions and wild monsters that eat my flesh. Since the beginning of our alliance unto this day I have had all the days and nights such pains for you. and borne and suffered them. But alas all these things are but little in comparation of the pain. that I now suffer and endure/ for as much as ye maintain strange women and a woman of all folly/ May she be called the mother of your children/ of whom the sparkles of fowl renomee shall abide of you. Of this tache or vice is my pain redoubled. it pierce my soul/ I am troubled of the dishonour of your ample highness. The people say that ye are made a woman. and live after the guise and manner of a woman. And spin on the rock: where ye were wont to strangle lions with your hands ye leave the hantysse of arms/ and to be known in far countries and royalmes in showing your virtue like as ye were wont to do. for the only hauntyse of the caitiff Iole that holdeth and abuseth you: O cursed hauntyse and foul abusion speak to me hercules. If the right high and mighty men that thou hast vanquished ● as diomedes of trace. Antheon of Libya. Busiris of Egypt. Geryon of Spain. And cacus the great thief saw the thus holden to do naught/ for the beauty of a daughter that soon shall pass. What should they say/ Certes they should not repute them worthy to be vanquished of the And should show & point the with their finger/ as a man shamed and made woman living in the lap of a woman/ O how is Iole strong/ when her hands that been not worthy ne dign to thread an needle. hath taken thy club. and brandished thy sword where with thou haste put in fear all the earth/ Alas hercules have not ye sovenance that in your childhood lying in your cradle ye slew the two serpents/ ye being a child were a man And now when ye have been a man. ye are becomen a woman or a child/ This is the work of a woman to hold him alway with a woman// or it is the feat of a child/ for to enamour himself on a woman of folly/ the truth must be said ye began better then ye end/ your last deeds answer not to the first/ your labours shall never be dign ne worthy of praising ne of loose. For all the loange and praising is in the end. Who that beginneth a work where of the beginning is fair. and the end foul/ all is lost/ Certes hercules when I behold the glorious beginning that virtue made in you. And see that ye now be vicious. All my strength faileth and mine arms fall down as a woman in a spasm or a swoon and with out spirit. And it may not seem to me true that though arms that bore away by force the sheep fro the garden langing to the daughters of Atlas may fall in to so great a fault. as for to embrace and beclipped fleshly an other wife than his own: this not withstanding I am ascertained for truth. that ye hold not caitiff Iole as a caitiff/ but as your own wife: not in prison: But at her pleasure in Chambre parced And in bed curtained and hanged. not disguised and secretly as many hold her concubines: But openly and with visage open showing her right glorious to the people/ And she may so do lawfully/ for she holdeth you prisoner and caitiff/ And she hath put the gorreau about your neck by her italian subtle jugglings and japes/ whereof I have great shame in myself/ But as for the amendment/ I disculp me & can not better it. but pray to the gods that they will purvey for remedy.   

¶ How Deianeira sent to hercules a shirt envenomed And how hercules brent himself in the fire of his sacrifice/ And how Deianira slew herself when she knew that hercules was dead by the cause of her ignorance etc.  
When hercules had red this letter/ he understood well what it contained And was smitten with remorse of conscience/ By this remorse he understood that virtue was fouled in him. He was then all pensive And so much prived from pleasance that none durst come to him in a great while & space save only they that brought to him meet & drink neither Iole durst not go to him. Lycas that had brought this better was there awaiting & attending the answer long. No man could know whereof proceeded the solitude of hercules ne the cause why he withdrew him fro the people. In the end when hercules had been long pensive. and had thought upon all his affairs and that he had to do for to withdraw him and to eloign him fro Iole he departed fro his chamber on a day saying that he would go and make sacrifice to the god Apollo upon the mount named Oeneus/ And commanded and defended upon pain of death that no man should follow him reserved philotes. Of adventure as he issued out of his palace accompanied only of philotes for to go upon the mount// he met lycas/ Lycas made to him reverence. and demanded him/ if it pleased him any thing to send to Deianeira/ Hercules answered to lycas that he would go make his sacrifice to the god Apollo. And that at his return and coming again he would go unto her or else he would send unto her etc.  
WIth this word hercules and philotes passed forth and went on their pilgrimage. And lycas returned unto Deianeira. and told to her the joyous tidings that he had received of hercules/ And also what life that hercules had led since the day and the our that he had presented to him her lettre/ Deianeira all comforted of these good tidings went in to her chamber and thanked the gods & fortune anon after she began to think on her estate. And thus thinking she remembered her on the poison/ that Nessus had given her in the article of his death. And how she had shut it in one of her coffers. And forthwith incontinent she opened the coffer and took the cursed poison and one of the shirts of hercules/ And as she that imagined by the virtue of the poison to draw again to her the love of hercules like as Nessus had said unto her. She made the shirt to be boiled with the poison. And gave the charge thereof to one of her women when the shirt was boiled enough the woman took of the vassal and set it to keel. After she took out the shirt apertly And wrong it. But she could not so soon have wrong it but the fire sprang in her hands so anguishously. that as she cast it upon a perch to dry/ she fill down dead:.  
IN process of time Deianira desiring to have the shirt/ and seeing that the woman that had charge thereof. brought it not/ she went in to the chamber where the shirt had be boiled And found the woman dead/ whereof she had great marvel. Nevertheless she passed the death lightly. And by one of her damosels she made take the shirt that hinge on the perch and was dry. and commanded her that she should fold it and wind it in a kerchief/ At the commandment of Deianira the damosel folded and enveloped the shirt. But so doing she was served of the poison in such wise that she lost her speech and died anon after/ This notwithstanding Deianeira that thought on no thing but for to come to her intention took the shirt and delivered it to lycas And charged him that he should bear it to hercules. Praying him in her name that he would were it. Lycas that was ready to accomplish the will of his mistress took the charge of the dolorous shirt And departed fro thence and went unto the mountain where as hercules was And there he found him in a forest where as was the temple of diane/ Hercules had no man with him but philotes/ which made ready for him a great fire for to sacrify an heart that hercules had taken running at a course. Lycas then finding hercules in the temple/ He kneeled down low to him & said. Sire here is a shirt that your ancille and servant Deianeira sendeth unto you/ She recommendeth her humbly unto your good grace/ and prayeth you that ye will receive this present in gr●e/ as fro your wife. Hercules was joyous of these words And anon unclothed him. for to do on this cursed shirt. Saying that verily she was his wife/ And that he would for her sake were this shirt In doing on this shirt he felt a right great dolour and pain in his body/ This notwithstanding he did on his other clothes above as he that thought none evil/ when he was clothed And the shirt was chafed his pain and sorrow grew more and more then he began to think. and knew anon that his malady came of his shirt/ And feeling the pricking of the venom/ without long tarrying he took of his rob And suppose to have take of his shirt fro his back. And to ha●e rent it and diffete it. But he was not strong enough for to do so. For the shirt held so sore and cleaved so fast and terribly to his flesh and was so fasted to his skin. by the vigour of the asper poison In such wise that he tare out his flesh and bare a way certain pieces thereof when he would have taken of his shirt etc..  
Hercules' knew then. that he was hurt and wounded to the death/ the death began to fight against him. He began to resist by drawing of/ of his shirt from his body by pieces of his flesh & of his blood all might not avail/ He all to ren●e & dischired his back his thighs. his body unto his entrails and guts/ his arms his shoulders unto the bones/ His dolour and pain grew and enlarged to the utterance/ Thus as he returned by the force of his great dolorous pain/ He beheld lycas and another fellow that he had brought with him. that were all abashed of this adventure/ then he went to them and said unto lycas/ Thou cursed and unhappy man/ Wat thing hath moved the to come hither under the privy habitude of Deianira to bring me in to the chance of fortune What weenest thou. that thou hast done. Thou haste served me with a shirt intoxicate of mortal venom/ who hath Introduced the to do this. thou must needs receive thy desert/ And saying these words hercules caught by the head pour Lichas. that wist never what to say and threw him against a rock so fiercely that he to frushed & all to broke his bones. and so slew him. The fellow of lycas fled and hid him in a bush/ Philotes was so afraid that he wist not what to do At the hour that hercules was in this point much people came in to the temple. The entrails of hercules broiled. His blood boiled in all his veins the poison pierce unto his heart. his sinews shrunk and withdrew them. When he felt him in this misery And that the death hasted him by terrible battle as he that could not take away the repugnance of his virtuous force striving against the malice of venom He began to run over hill and over valley up and down in the forest. and pulled up the great trees and overthrew them. After he began to rent of his shirt with the flesh then sudden and broiled/ when he had long lad this life. he returned unto the temple/ all ascertained of the death. and lift up his hands and his eyen unto the heaven and said/ Alas Alas must it be that fortune laugh at me for this miserable destiny coming of the acusation of wood jealousy and sorcery of that woman that in the world I held and reputed most wise & most virtuous. O Deianira disnatural woman/ without wit. without shame and without honour/ with an heart of a tyrant all affamed of jealousy/ how haste thou might contrive against me this furor and treason envenomed false feminine will disnatural out of rule & out of order Thou hadst never so much honour and worship as thou now hast deserved blame/ not only for the alone. but for all the women that been or shall be ever in the world/ for if it happen that the Kings or Princes acquaint them with Ladies or damosels for the human multipliance. they shall never have credence ne affiance in their proper wives/ O Deianeira what haste thou done. The women present and they that been in the wombs of the wombs of their mothers/ all shall scratch them in the face and shall curse the without end. For the reproach by the turning upon them is infinite And the men shall have dread for to be served of the shirt etc..  
ALas Deianira what shall Chalcedon now do that glorified her in thy glory. And put and setted the in the front of their honour as a carbuncle for the parcement of her precious things/ In stead to set the in the front/ they shall cast the under feet/ And in stead to have glory of thee.. they shall have shame/ hereof they may not fail/ For by Im●itye and diverse engines And by conspired and swollen cruelty/ thou haste conspired my death/ And haste desloyed and unbounden one not recoverable Infortune/ for the and me/ and for our friends and kinsmen. O Deianira right remauldyt unhappy and most cursed serpent/ to malicious and reproachable murderers Thy false jealousy hath more power to extermine my life than have had all the monsters of the world/ By thine offence and by thy machination hid & covert wherefrom I could not keep me. I must die and pass out of this world. Since it so is I thank fortune/ And ask of the gods no vengeance of thee.. But certes to the end that it be not said/ that the vanquisher of men. be not vanquished by a woman. I shall not pass the bitter passage of death by thy mortal sorceries full of abomination. But by the fire that is net and clear. and the most excellent of the elements.  
THese dolorous and sorrowful words accomplished. Hercules took his club and cast it in the fire that was made ready for to make his sacrifice/ After he gave to philotes his bow and his arrows. And since he prayed him that he would recommend him to Iole and to his friends/ And then feeling that his life had no more for to sojourn. He took leave of philotes And then as all brent & sudden he laid him down in the fire. Lifting his hands and his eyen unto the heaven And there consommed the course of his glorious life. When philotes saw the end of his Master hercules. He brent his body in to ashen And kept these ashes in intention to bear them to the temple that the King evander had do make. After he departed fro thence and returned in to Lycia greatly discomforted And with great sours of tears he recounted to Iole and to his friends the piteous death of hercules No man could recount the great sorrow that Iole made/ And they of Lycia as well the students as the rural people. All the world fill in tears in sighs and in bewailings for his death So much abounded Iole in tears and weepings: that her heart was drowned And departed her soul from the body the bitter water of her weeping/ each body cursed and spoke shame of Deianira/ finally Deianira advertised by the fellow of lycas of the mischief that was comen by the shirt/ She fill in despair and made many piteous bewailings/ And among all other she said/ What have I do alas/ Alas what have I do. The most solemn man of men shining among the clerks/ He that traversed the strong marches the fundaments terrestre/ that bodily conversed among the men/ And spiritually among the sun the moan and the stars And that sustained the circumference of the heavens is dead. by my cause and by my culp And without my culp/ He is dead by my culp for I have send to him the shirt that hath give to him the bit of death/ But this is without my culp. for I knew no thing of the poison/ O mortal poison/ By me is he prived of his life. of whom I loved the life as much as I did mine own. He that bodily dwelled among the men here in earth And spiritually above with the sun the moan and celestial secretis. He that was fountain of science/ by whom the Athenians aroused and bedewed their wits and engines. He that made the monsters of the sea to tremble in their abysms and swallows. and destroyed the monsters of hell. He confounded the monsters of the earth. the tyrants he corrected. the orgulous and proud he humbled & meeked The humble and meek he enhanced and exalted. He that made no treasure but of virtue. He that all the nations of the world subjuged and subdued with his club/ And he that if he had would by ambition of signory might have attained to be King of the est/ of the west. of the South and of the north/ of the seas and of the mountains. of all these he might have named him King and lord by good right. If he had would. Alas alas what am I born in an unhappy time when so high and so mighty a Prince is dead by my simplesse He was the glory of the men. There was never to him none like. ne never shall be/ ought I to live after him Nay certes that shall I never do. For to the end that among the Ladies I be not showed ne pointed with the finger/ And that I fall not in to strange hand for to be punished of as much as I have of culp and blame in this death/ I shall do the vengeance to myself/ And with that she took a knife. and saying I feel myself and know that I am innocent of the death of my lord hercules. And with the point of the knife she ended her despaired life/ whereof philotes was all abashed/ and so were all they of Greece/ that long bewept and bewailed hercules: and his death And they of Athens bewailed him strongly some for his science and other for his virtues where of I will now tarry. Beseeching her that is cause of this translation out of French in to this simple and rude English/ that is to weet my right redoubted lady Margrete by the grace of god sister of my sovereign lord the King of England and of France etc. Duchess of Bourgogne and of Brabant etc. that she will receive my Rude labour in thank and in gree:.  
THus endeth the second book of the recoil of the histories of Troy's/ which books were late translated in to French out of Latin/ by the labour of the venerable person raoul le feure priest as afore is said/ And by me indign and unworthy translated in to this rude English/ by the commandment of my said redoubted lady Duchess of Bourgogne: And for as much as I suppose the said two books been not had to fore this time in our English language/ therefore I had the better will to accomplish this said work/ which work was begun in Brugis/ & continued in gaunt And finished in Coleyn In the time of the troublous world/ and of the great divisions being and reigning as well in the royalmes of England and France as in all other places universally through the world that is to weet the year of our lord a thousand four hundred lxxi. And as for the third book which treateth of the general & last destruction of Troy it needeth not to translate it in to English for as much as that worshipful & religious man dan John lidgate monk of Bury did translate it but late/ after whose work I fear to take upon me that am not worthy to bear his penner & ink horn after him. to meddle me in that work. But yet for as much as I am bound to contemplate my said Ladies good grace and also that his work is in rhyme/ And as far as I know it is not had in prose in our tongue/ And also paraventure/ he translated after some other author then this is/ And yet for as much as diverse men been of diverse desires. Some to read in rhyme and metre. and some in prose And also be cause that I have now good leisure being in Coleyn And have none other thing to do at this time In eschewing of idleness mother of all vices. I have delibered in myself for the contemplation of my said redoubted lady to take this labour in hand by the sufferance and help of almighty god/ whom I meekly supply to give me grace to accomplish it to the pleasure of her that is causer thereof and that she receive it in gree of me her faithful true & most humble servant etc..   
Thus endeth the second book.   

¶ In these two books precedent. we have by the help of god treated of the two first destructions of Troy with the noble feats and deeds of the strong and puissant Hercules. that made and did so many marvels that the engine human of all men ought to marvel. And also how he slew the King Laomedon beat down and put his city of Troy to ruin Now in the third and last book god to fo●●. we shall say how the said city was by Priamus son of the said King laomedon re-edified and repaired more strong and more puissant than ever it was before. And afterward how for the ravishment of dame Helen wife of King Menelaus of Greece. the said city was totally destroyed Priamus hector and all his sons slain with noblesse with out number. as it shall appear in the process of the chapters..  

¶ How the King Priam re-edified the city of Troy more strong than ever it was afore & of his sons and daughters. And how after many counsels he sent Antenor and Polydamas in to Greece for to remand his sister Exiona. that Ajax maintained..  
FOR to enter then in to the matter. ye have heard here tofore at the second destruction of Troy how hercules had taken prisoner Priamus' the son of King Laomedon. And had put him in prison. how be it dares of Phrygia saith that his father had sent him to move war in a strange country where he had been right long/ wherefore he was not at that discomfiture: This Priamus had espoused and wedded a much noble lady daughter of Aegipseus King of Trace/ of whom he had five sons and three daughters of great beaulte. The first of the sons was named Hector the most worthy & best knight of the world the second son was named Paris and to surname Alexander/ the which was the fairest knight of the world. and the best shooter and drawer of a bow. The third was called Deiphobus right hardy and discrete/ The fourth was named Helenus a man of great science And knew all the arts liberal. The fifth & the last was called Troilus that was one of the best knights & asper that was in his time.  
Virgil recounteth that he had two other sons by his wife/ of whom that one was named polidorus/ This poliderus was sent by King Priamus with a great foison of gold/ unto a King his friend for to have aid against the Greeks/ But this King seeing that the King Priamus was at mischief against the Greeks/ And also he being moved with covetise/ slew polidorus/ And buried him man isle of the sea. That other son was named Ganymedes/ Whom Jupiter ravished and made him his butler/ In the stead of hebe the daughter of Juno whom he put out of that said office. The eldest of the daughters of King Priamus was named Creusa which was wife unto Eneas. And this Encas was son of Anchises and of venus of munidie/ The second daughter was named Cassandra/ And was a right noble virgin/ adorned and learned with sciences. And knew things that were for to come. And the third was named Polixena that was the fairest daughter And the best formed that was known in all the world. yet above these children here to fore rehearsed. King Priam had thirty bastard sons by diverse women. that were valiant knights noble and hardy.  
When then King Priant was in a strange country occupied in the feet of war the Queen and her children were with him The tidings came to him that the King Laomedon his father was slain his city destroyed. his noble men put to death their daughters brought in servitude. and also his sister Exiona. Of these tidings he had great sorrow. And wept largely and made many lamentations. And anon incontinent he left his siege and finished his war. and returned hastily unto troyes. And when he found it so destroyed/ he began to make the most sorrow of the world and that dured long. And after he had council to make again the city/ then he began to re-edify the city so great and so strong. that he ought never to doubt his enemies. And did do close it with right high walls and with great towers of marble. the Cite was so great that the circuit was three journeys. and at the time in all the world was none so great ne none so fair ne so gently ꝙpassed.  
IN this city were six principal gates. of whom that one was named Dardan. the second tymbria. the third helyas. the fourth Cheta. the fifth troyenne and the sixth antenorides. These gates were right great and fair/ and of strong defence. And there were in the city rich palaces without number the fairest that ever were. And the fairest houses/ rich and well compassed. Also there were in many parties of the city. Diverse fair places and pleasant for the citizens to esbatre and play. In this city were men of all crafts/ And merchants that went and came fro all the parties of the world/ In the middle of the city ran a great river named Paucus which bore ships and did great profit and solace unto the habitants. When this city was thus made The King Priant did do come all the people and habitans of the country thereabouts. And made them dwell in the city And there come so many/ that their was never city better ●ourned with people and with noble men and citizens then it was. There were founden many games and plays/ as the chess play the tables and the dice and other diverse games. In the most apparent place of the city upon a rock/ the King Priant did do make his rich palace that was named Ilion/ that was one of the richest palace and strong that ever was in the world. And it was of height five hundred pace without the height of the towers/ whereof was great plenty and so high that it seemed to them that saw them fro far that they wrought unto the heaven And in this rich palace the King Priant did do make the richest hall that was at that time in all the world/ within which was his rich throne And the table where upon he eat and held his estate among his Lords and barons And all that longed thereto was of gold and of silver of precious stones and of ivory/ In this hall at one corner was an altar of gold and precious stones. Which was consecrated in the name and worship of Jupiter their god to which altar went men up twenty degrees or steps. And upon the altar was the image of Jupiter of fifteen foot of height. Alle beset and arrayed with precious stones. For in that god Jupiter was all the esperance and trust of the King Priam for to hold his reign long and in prosperity etc.:  
When he saw that he had so fair a city so strong and so well peopled and with that so rich of all goods. he began to take displeasure of the wrongs that the Greeks had done unto him And thought long how he might avenge him then he assembled on a certain day all his barons and held a rich Court. At this court Hector his eldest son was not/ for he was in the parties of Pannonia on the affairs and certain works of his father for as much as Pandelus was subject unto King Priant/ when the King Priam saw all his folk assembled and gathered to fore him/ he began to speak saying in this manner wise/ O my men and true friends that been partners of the great injuries to me done by the Greeks for so little a cause or trespass as ye know how the Greeks by their orgueil been comen in to this country/ and have slain cruelly your parentis and friends and also the mine. And how they have taken and lad a way & hold in servitude Exiona my sister/ that is so fair & noble And yet they hold her as a common woman ye know well how they have beaten down And destroyed this city overthrown the walls the palace and houses unto the fundaments And born away the great richesses whereof the city was full. And for these things me seemeth that it should be well reason that by the help of the gods that resist the orgulous and proud that we all together by a common accord should take vengeance of these injuries/ ●ye know what city we have. And how it is peopled with good men of arms and fighters/ and garnished of all goods and richesses Also ye know well the alliances that we have with many right great Lords/ that with good will. Will help us if it be need/ wherefore me seemeth that it should be good for us to avenge us of this shame/ But alway for as much as the adventures of the wars been right doubteous and dangerous/ and that no man knoweth what may come thereof/ how well that the injury be great And that they hold my sister in so great dishonour/ yet will I not begin the war. But first if ye think good/ I shall send of the most sage and prudent men that I have/ to pray and require them that they render and yield again my sister Exiona And I shall be content to pardon all the other injuries etc.:.  
When the King had thus finished his words all the asssistants allowed and praised his advise and seemed to them good. And then the King Priant called one of his Princes named Antenor. And prayed him sweetly that he would emprise this legation in to Greece/ And Antenor answered to him humbly/ that he was all ready to do his good pleasure/ then was a ship made ready And all that belonged & was convenient to bring Antenor in to Greece: he entered in to the ship & his main. & sailed so long/ that they arrived at the port of the sail/ where as was then of adventure the King Peleus. that received joyously enough Antenor/ And demanded him wherefore he was come in to though parties Antenor answered to him in this manner/ sire said he I am a messenger of the King Priam that hath sente me to you. and hath commanded me to say to you and other/ that he is well remembered of the great injuries that ye and other have done to him/ that for so little cause or occasion. Have slain his father/ destroyed his city and his people some dead and some lad in servitude. And yet that worse is to hold his sister foully in concubinage by him that holdeth her. And yet at lest he aught to have wedded her/ And for as much as ye be a man of so great wit and discretion/ the King my Lord prayeth you and warneth. that from hence forth ye cease the rage and the great slandeers that may come for this cause that all good men aught to eschew to their power. And that his sister only be delivered again to him/ And he shall pardon the overplus/ And shall holden it as thing that never had happened etc.::..  
When the King Peleus had heard Antenor so speak. he chafed him anon in great anger and ire. And began to blame the King Priam and say that his wit was to light. And after menaced Antenor/ & commanded him that he should go anon out of his land. for if he tarried long there/ he would do slay him by great torment. Antenor tarried not long after/ but entered in to his ship without taking leave. of the King Peleus. And sailed so far by the sea/ that he arrived at Salamine where the King Telamon sojourned. Then Antenor went unto him/ and exposed to him the cause of his coming in this manner. Sire said he the King Priam requireth effectuously your noblesse/ that his sister Exiona whom ye hold in your service so foully that ye would restore unto him. For it is not sitting ne turneth unto you no glory ne worship to treat so the daughter and sister of a King and that is issued of a more noble line than ye be. And in case that ye will restore to him his sister. He shall hold all things as not done as well the damages as the dishonours that by you and other have been done to him.  
When the King Telamon had heard Antenor so speak/ He began to wax passing angry And answered to him right fiercely saying. My friend said he what some ever thou be/ I have much marvel of the simpleness of thy King/ to whom I have none amity/ neither he to me. And therefore I ought not obtemper to his prayer ne request. Thy King ought to know that I and other have been there for to venge an injury/ that his father Laomedon did late to some of our friends. And for as much as I then entered first in to the city of troyes with great travail and effusion of my blood. Exiona of whom thou speakest which is right fair was given unto me for the guerdon of my victory/ for to do with her my will/ And for as much as she is so well to my play sir as she that is of great beauty and remplished with all sciences/ it is not to me so light a thing to render and deliver again thing that is so fair and avenant. Which I have conquered with so great pain and danger/ but thou shalt say to thy King that he may never recover her but by the point of the sword And as for me I repute the for a fool that ever wouldest emprise this legation wherein lieth thy great peril for thou art comen among people that strongly hate the and thy semblables/ therefore go thy way hastily out of this country. For if thou abide more here I shall make the die by cruel death etc.::.  
When Antenor heard Telamon so speak/ he entered right hastily in to his ship. And sailed so far that he arrived in Achaia where the King Castor and the King Pollux his brother sojourned/ he descended lightly from his ship and exposed to them his legation like as he had made to the other/ And the King Castor answered to him in ●rete your and said to him thus. Friend who that thou a●te I will that thou know/ that we ween not to have injuried the King Priam with out 'cause/ as it is so that the King Laomedon his father began the folly wherefore he was slain. For he wronged first certain of the most nobles of Greece// And therefore we desire more the evil will of thy King pryaunt than his good love or peace. And certes it seemeth well that he had not the in chertee when he sent the hither to do this message in this country wherefore I read see well to that thou abide not here long/ ●or if thou go not incontinent thou shalt die villainly. Then Antenor parted without leave/ and entered in to his ship. And sailed till he came to Pylon where the Duke Nestor sojourned with a great company of noble men. Antenor went unto him and said that he was messenger of King Priam. And said and accounted to him his legation in such wise as he had said to the other before/ And if the other were angry This Nestor angered himself more against Antenor and said to him/ Ha. ha'. Ill varlet/ who made the so hardy for to say such things to fore me. Certes if it were not/ that my noblesse refrained me/ I should anon do arace thy tongue out of thy head And in despite of thy King I should by force of horse do all to draw thy memberss one from an other. Go thy way hastily out of my sight. or by my gods I shall do to be done all that I have said etc..  
then Antenor was all abashed of the horrible words of du● Nestor And doubting the furor of his tyranny. Returned unto the sea/ and put him on his repair to Troy ward: And he had not been long on the sea. When a great tempest arose And the air began to wax dark and to rain and to thunder right marvelously. And to make great winds contrary/ and to wax thick mist horrible And his ship was born on the wawes one time high and another time low in great peril. And there was not a man in the said ship/ that ne supposed to die And that ne made special promises and vows to her gods And in these perils were they three days/ and on the fourth day the tempest ceasedd And the air wax all clear and became peaceable. Then they comforted himself. and sailed so far that they came to the port of Troy's/ And went them straight to their temples. to give thankings to their gods of that they had escaped so many perils as they had been inn. And after Antenor went with a great company of noble men to fore the King Priam/ And when all the barons were assembled And all the sons of the King present. Then Antenor told all by order. that he had founden in Greece. Like as it is contained here tofore. Of these tidings was King Priam sore troubd● and sorry of the opprobry and reproofs that they had done to his messenger in Greece. And then he had no more hope ne trust to recoveer his sister etc.::..   

¶ How the King Priant assembled all his barons for to know whom he might send in to Greece for to get again his sister Exiona. And how hector answered and of his good council/ And how Paris exposed to his father the vision and the promise of the goddess Venus etc.::..  
When the King Priam was thus ascertained of the hate of the Greeks. & by no fair mean he could recover his sister/ he was moved with great ire/ and thought that he would send a great navy in to Greece for to hurt and damage the Greeks// Alas King Priant tell me what misadventure is this that hath given to the so great hardiness of courage. for to cast out thyself of thy wealth and rest/ and why Mayst not refrain the first movings of thy courage/ how well that it was not in thy puissance/ yet thou oughtest to have take good council and mure/ And to have in thy mind that men say commonly/ Some man weeneth to avenge his sorrow/ And he increaseth it. Hyt had been more sewer thing to the/ to have remembered the proverb that saith/ that he that sitteth well/ let him not move. or else. he that is well at his es● let him keep him there in. All thing may be suffered. save wealth/ a man that goth upon plain ground hath no thing to stumble at. In this manner then aforesaid King Priant thought long. And after he assembled on a day all his noble men in his palace of Ilion: And said unto them/ ye know how by your council Antenor was sent in to Greece for to recover my sister Exiona. And that by fair manner/ ye know also how he is returned/ And what wrongs and opprobries he hath found: And me seemeth that the Greeks make little Count of the injuries that they have done to us/ At the lest if they by their words repent them not/ but yet they menace us more strongly than ever they did. God forbid that ever it should come unto us/ like as they menace us. But I pray the gods to give us puissance avenge us after their trespass/ And as for me/ Me seemeth that we be more puissant and strong than they are/ And also we have the most surest city And the best garnished of the world/ And also we have of great Lords right great plenty allied to us for to help and aid us at our need. And me seemeth for conclusion that we have well the puissance for to damage and hurt our enemies in many manners/ And us to defend from them. And so should it be good for to begin to show to them. what puissance we have to grieve them with all/ if ye think it good we shall send our men secretly that shall do to them great damage ere that they shall be ready for to defend them. And for that ye ought all to employ you to take vengeance of these injuries/ and that ye have no doubt for any thing. in as much as they had first victory/ for it happeth oft times that the vanquers been vanquished of them that were vanquished etc.:.  
then all they that were present allowed the advise of the King. and offered every man by himself to employ them to the same with all their power/ whereof the King Priam had great joy And after that he had thanked them/ he let every man depart and go home to their own houses/ reserved only his sons legitime and the bastards whom he held in his palace. And said to them the complaint of the Greeks with weeping tears in this manner. My sons ye have well in your memory the death of your grandfather/ the servitude of your aunt Exiona. that me holdeth by your living in manner of a common woman/ And ye be so puissant ●me seemeth that reason should ensign you. for to employ you to avenge this great injury and shame. And if this move you not thereto/ yet ye aught to do it to satisfy my will and pleasure/ for I die for sorrow and anguish to which ye aught and been bound for to remedy to your power that have do you so well be nourished and brought forth. And thou hector my right deer son/ that art the oldest of thy brethern the most wise and the most strong: I pray the first that thou emprise to put in execution this my will. And that thou be Duke and Prince of thy brethern in this work. And all the other shall obey gladly unto the And in like wise shall do all they of this royalme for the great prowess that they know in the And know that from this day forth I despoil me of all this work and put it upon the that art the most strong and asper to maintain the battles And I am ancient and old/ And may not forth on help myself so well as I was wont to do etc..  
TO these words answered Hector right soberly and sweetly saying my father/ and my right dear and sovereign lord. There is none of all your sons/ but that it seemeth to him thing human to desire vengeance of these injuries. And also to us that been of high noblesse a little injury aught to be great/ as it is so that the quality of the person groweth and minisheth so ought the quality of the injury/ And if we desire and have appetite to take vengeance of our injuries/ we forsake not ne leave the nature human. For in like wise do and usen the dumb beasts in the same manner/ and nature ensigneth and giveth them thereto. My right dear lord and father there is none of all your sons that ought more to desire the vengeance of the injury & death of our aiel or grandfather then i that am the oldest/ But I will if it please you that ye consider in this emprise not only the beginning/ but also the middle and the end/ to what thing we may come here after/ for otherwhile little profitten some things well begun that come unto an evil end. Then me thinketh that it is much more allowable to a man to abstain him for to begin things whereof the ends been dangerous/ And whereof may come more evil than good for the thing is not said eurous or happy unto the time that it come unto a good end I say not these things for any evil or cowardice. But only to the end that ye begin not a thing. And specially that thing that ye have on your heart to put it lightly in ewer. But that ye first be well counseled/ ye know well that all Africa and Europe been subjects unto the Greeks. How been they garnished of knights worthy. hardy/ and rich right marvelously. Cretes at this day the force and strenhth of us here. is not to be compared unto them in force ne in valiance. Wherefore if we begin the war against them. we might lightly come to a mischievous and shameful end/ we that been in so great rest and ease amongst our self. what will we seek for to trouble our prosperity and welfare. Exiona is not of so high prise. that it behoveth all us to put us in peril and doubt of death for her She hath been now long time there. where she is yet. It were better that she perform forth her time that I trow hath but little time to live. Then we should put us all in such perils And meekly I beseech you not to suppose in no manner/ that I say these things for cowardice But I doubt the turns of fortune/ And that under the shadow of this thing she not beat ne destroy your great signory/ And that we ne begin thing that we aught to leave for to eschew more great mischief etc.:.  
When Hector had made an end of his answer. Paris was no thing well content therewith. He stood up on his feet and said in this wise. My right dear lord I beseech you to hear me say to what end ye may come if ye begin the war against the Greeks/ How be not we garnished of so many and noble chivalry as they been. Certes that be we/ which in all the world is none that may discomfit. And therefore begin ye hardly that emprise that ye have thought/ And send of your ships and of your people to run in Greece/ And to take the people and damage the country. And if it please you to send me/ I shall do it with a good will ● and heart: For I am certain that if ye send me/ that I shall do great damage unto the Greeks. And I shall take some noble lady of Greece and bring her with me in to this royalme. And by the communtation of her/ ye may recover your sister Exiona/ And if ye will understand and know how I am certain of this thing I shall say it to you how the gods have promised it to me. It happened to me late said Paris in the time that by your commandment I was in the less Ind at the beginning of the summer/ And that upon a Friday. I went me to hunt in a forest right early And so that morning I found no thing that turned me to any pleasure/ And then after midday I found a great heart that I put to the chase so swiftly that I left all my fellowship behind and followed the heart in to the most desert place of all the forest/ which forest was named yda. And so long I followed him that I came unto a place that was passing obscure and dark. And then I saw no more the heart that I chased. I felt me sore weary and my horse also that might no further go and sweat on all sides. I light a down to the ground. and tied my horse to a tree And laid me down upon the grass and laid under my head my bow torquoys in the stead of a pillow. and anon I fill a sleep. Then came to me in a vision the god Mercury. and in his company three goddesses That is to weet Venus Pallas and Juno he left the goddesses a little fro me. and after he approached and said to me in this wise Paris I have brought here these three goddesses unto the for a great strife or tension that is fallen between them/ They have all chosen the to be juge and determine after thy will their tension or strife is such/ that they eat that other day together in a place. and then suddenly was cast among them an apple of so marvelous form of fairness and beauty that never was seen non such afore amongst them. And there was written about this foresaid apple in Greekish language be it given to the fairest. And so anon each of them would have it for any thing in the world saying each herself to be most fair: and fairer than the other And so they might not accord. Wherefore they been submised to thy judgement. And each of them promitteth the certainly a gift for thy reward that thou shalt have without fail for the judgement of the Apple/ if thou judge that Juno be the fairest/ she shall make the the most noble man of the world in magnificence/ if thou judge for pallas she shall make the the most wisest man of all the world in all sciences/ if thou judge that venus be the fairest she shall give unto the the most noble lady of Greece. When I heard Mercurius thus speak to me/ I said to him/ that I could not give true judgement/ but if I saw them all naked to fore me for to see the better the fashions of their bodies/ for to give a true judgement. And then incontinent/ mercurius did them do unclothe all naked. and then I beheld them long: And me thought all three passing fair. But yet me seemed that Venus exceeded the beauty of the other/ And therefore I judged that the Apple appertained to her/ And then venus greatly rejoiced of my judgement confirmed to me the promise that Mercury had made to me in the favour of her/ And after I awoke anon/ Vene ye then my right dear father that the god's fail of thing that they promise/ nay verily So then I say you this to the end that ye send me in to Greece. And that ye may have joy of that I shall do there etc..  
AFter Paris spoke Deiphobus in this manner. My right dear Lord if in all the works that men should begin/ men should advise in all the particularities and singular things that might hap or fall/ there should never enterprise ner no feat be done ner made by hardiness/ if the labourers should leave to ear and sow the land. for the seed that the birds recueil and gather. they should never labour And for so much right dear father let make ready for to send in to Greece of your ships ye may not believe better council than that council that Paris hath given to you for if he bring any noble lady. ye may lightly for to yield her again. Have again your sister Exiona for whom we all suffer villainy enough. After this spoke helenus the fourth son of King Priam that said thus. Ha'. Ha'. right puissant King and right sovereign dominator upon us your humble subjects. & obeisant sons. beware that covetise of vengeance put not you in such danger as lieth herein. ye know well how I know and can the science to know the things future and to come. as ye have proved many times without finding fault. the god's forbid that it never come that Paris be sent in to Greece. For know ye for certain that if he go to make any assault/ ye shall see this noble and worshipful city destroyed by the Greeks The Trojans slain and we all that been your children. And therefore deport you of these things. whereof the end shall be sorrow and great execution of right bitter death. And that ye yourself and your wife and we. we that been your sons may not escape. For truly if paris go in to Greece all these evils shall come thereof..  
When the King heard Helenus thus speak he was all abashed and began to counterpoise and think And held his peace and spoke not of a great while And so did all the other/ then arose up on his feet troilus the youngest son of King Priant And began to speak in this manner/ O noble men and hardy/ how be ye abashed for the words of this Coward pressed here/ is it not the custom of priests for to dread the battles by pusillanimity/ And for to love the delices and to fat and encrass them & fill their belies with good wines and with good meats/ Who is he that believeth that any man may know the things to come/ but if the gods show it them by revelation. Hyt is but folly for to tarry upon this or to believe such things/ if helenus afeard let him go in to the temple And sing the divine service. And let the other take vengeance of their injuries by force of arms. O right dear father and lord wherefore art thou so troubled for these words/ send thy ships in to Greece and thy knights wise and hardy/ that may render to the Greeks their injuries that they have done to us/ Alle they that heard troilus thus speak/ they allowed him saying that he had well spoken/ And thus they finished their parliament and went to dinner.  
AFter dinner the King Priant called Paris and Deiphobus/ And commanded them expressly that they should go unto the parties of Pannonia hastily to fetch and assemble knights wise and hardy for to take with them in to Greece. And then that same day Paris and Deiphobus departed from the city of Troy for to accomplish the will of their father The day following the King assembled to council. All the citizens of the city of Troy and said to them O my friends and true bourgoys/ ye know all notorily/ how the Greeks by their pride have done to us great wrongs. And Innumerable damages as it is well known in all the world/ And ye know also how they hold Exiona my sister in servitude/ wherefore I live in great sorrow/ & also ye be remembered how I have sent Antenor in to Greece that hath nothing done/ wherefore my sorrow is doubled. And for as much as by iron been cured the wounds Insanable/ I have purposed to send Paris my son with men of arms & puissance in to Greece. For to envaye and assail our enemies by strength And for to do to them great damages/ and for to assay if they might take any noble lady of Greece And her to send in to this city And that by the commutation of her/ I might get again my sister Exiona And for so much as I will not begin this thing/ but that it may come to your knowledge first. I pray you that ye say to me your advice For without you I will not proceed further therein For as much as it toucheth you all as well as me.  
When the King had thus finished his words and that each man held him still a great while then stood up a knight named pantheus. That was the son of deufrobe the philosopher And said. O right noble King as I am your true servant and vassal/ I will expose to you my courage of this work also truly as a vassal and subject oweth to council his Lord/ ye have had well in knowledge deufrobe the great philosopher my father That lived hole & sound more than nine score and ten year/ And was so wise in philosophy that he knew the science of things to come here after/ he said to me many times and affirmed for truth/ That if Paris your son went in to Greece for to take any noble lady by violence/ That this noble city should be destroyed and brent in to ashes by the Greeks and that ye and all yours should be slain cruelly/ And therefore right sage and wise King please it your noblesse to here my word and believe that the wise men have said/ And also in that thing that ye may not lose to leave/ And whereof great sorrow may ensue if ye persevere/ wherefore will ye put an ambushment upon your rest/ And to put your tranquillity under the dangerouses adventures of fortune/ leave this and depart you if it please you fro this folly/ And perfine and end your life in rest eurously/ And suffer not Paris to go in to Greece in arms And if ye wool algate send ye another then Paris/ At these words of pantheus sourded and arose great murmurs of the hearers/ Some reproved the prophecies of deufrobe the philosopher/ And some held it for mockery and fable/ And they were of the greatest number/ in so much that by the consent of the more par●●e/ Paris was commised for to go in to Greece with men of arms/ And the parliament finished each man went him home in to his house and to his place.  
When this conclusion was comen to the knowledge of cassandra the daughter of King Priant/ she began to make so great sorrow/ As she had be foolish or out of her mind. And began to cry an high saying. Ha. ha'. right noble city of Troy/ what fairy hath moved the to be brought to such perils/ for which thou shalt in short time be beaten down And thine high towers been demolished and destroyed unto the ground ha' ha' Queen hecuba for what sin hast thou deserved the death of thy children which shall be cruel and horrible/ wherefore disturn not thou paris fro going in to Greece/ which shall be cause of this evil adventure. And when she had so cried/ she went to her father the King. And with weeping drowned in tears prayed him. That he should deport him and leave his emprise. And that she wist by her science the great evils and harms that were coming by this cause/ But never for the dissuasions of hector. Ne the monitions ne warnings of cassandra the King would not change his purpose ne for helenus his sone ne for Penthesilea etc..   

¶ How Paris and Deiphobus/ Eneas Antenor and Polidamas were sent in to Greece And how they ravished Helen out of the temple of venus with many prisoners and richesses and brought them to Troy where Paris espoused the said Helen.  
AT th'entry of the month of may/ when the earth is attired and adorned with diverse flowers. Paris and Deiphobus returned fro Pannonia and brought with them three thousand knights/ ●●ght hardy and wise/ then they made ready two and twenty great ships and charged and laid in them all that was convenient for them then the King Priant called Eneas Antenor and polidamas that was the son of Antenor/ And prayed them and commanded that they should go in to Greece with Paris and Deiphobus/ And They offered himself to go with good will/ And when they were all ready and assembled for to go in to their ships/ The King Priant spoke to them in this manners it behoveth not to replique many words For ye know well enough for what cause I send you in to Greece/ And how well that I have cause for to avenge me of the wrongs that the Greeks have done to us/ alway the principal cause is to recover my sister Exiona that liveth in so great filth and misery/ And for to do so ye own to employ you/ wherefore I pray you and admonest you that ye put all your pain and diligence that I may recover my sister/ And be ye certain if ye have mester or need of socours/ I shall succour you with so great a strength that the Greeks shall not mow suffer/ And I will that in this voyage ye hold Paris my son Duc and conductor of this battle. And after him Deiphobus/ And to do by the council of Eneas and Antenor.  
AFter these words Paris and all the other took leave of the King and entered in to their ships And drew up sails/ And recommended them in the conduit of Jupiter and of Venus'/ And failed so far by the high see/ That they arrived in the parties of Greece in consteying the country/ that it happened them on a day that they met a ship in the which was one of the greatest Kings of Greece named Menelaus that went unto the city of pyre unto the Duke Nestor that had sent for him This Menelaus was brother of King Agamemnon and was married unto the Queen Helen/ That was the fairest Lady in the world that men knew of in her time And she was sister of King castor and polus that dwelled than together in the city of samestare And nourishing with them her moan their niece daughter of the said Helen/ Menelaus made a little discover his ship And to torn out of the right way/ And so that one knew not that other And the Troyans' sailed so far that they arrived in the isle of Cytharea in Greece And there they anchored their ships and went a land/ In this isle was a temple of venus passing ancient and of great beauty full of all richesses/ For as much as the habitantes also of the country had their devotion specially unto venus the goddess And solemnised her feasts each year/ and she gave to them answers of their demands then when the Trojans were arrived they hallowed the most principal feast of venus And for this cause were assembled men and women of the country thereabout/ That made great feast etc..  
When Paris knew this seest/ He took his best clothes & did them on and also the best faring and cleanliest men that he had. And went him in to the temple and entered therein by fair and sweet manner and made his oblation of gold and silver with great largesse then was Paris strongly beholden on all sides of them that were there for his beauty For he was one the fairest knight of the world and was so richly and so quaintly  clothed and abled that it gave great pleasure unto all them that beheld him. And every man desired to know what he was and whence he came. And they demanded of the Trojans that told them/ that it was Paris son of King Priam of Troy/ That was comen in to Greece by the commandment of his father. For to require amiably that they would render and yield again Exiona his sister that they had given to King Telamon/ So far went the tidings of the coming of these Trojans and of their beauty and high apparel that the Queen Helen heard speak thereof And then after the custom of women/ She had great desire to know by experience if it were truth that she heard speak of/ And disposed her to go unto the temple under the colour of devotion for to accomplish her desire. O how great folly is it unto honest women to will go often times unto the feasts and esbatements of young people/ That little or naught do there/ But muse and devise how they may come to their desires. And reck not what mischief may follow in body and in soul. The ship should never perish if it abode alway in the port/ And were not sent out in to perils of the sea/ it is a good thing and a precious jewel of a good woman that holdeth her honestly in her house. O how great damage came unto the Greeks and to the Troyans' of this that Helen went so lightly to see the Troyans'/ That aught not so to do and specially in the absence of her husband/ But as it is the custom of women to will bring their desire to the end. Helen incontinent did do make ready horse and all that was convenient for to go unto the temple. And she did them to understand that she went for devotion/ For this temple was not far fro the place that she dwelled/ when all was ready And she clothed in habit Ryall/ She rood with her company unto the isle of Cytharea/ And entered in to a vessel that brought her nigh to the temple. where she was received with great worship of them of the country as their lady/ she entered in to the temple right stately. And made there her devotion and her oblations with great largesse etc..  
When Paris knew that the Queen Helen that was wife of King Menelaus one of the most noble Kings of Greece was comen unto this temple/ He arrayed him in the most gentlemanliest wise that he could and his company And went in to the temple. For he had long time before heard speak of her great beauty. And then as he was comen and saw her/ He was greatly esprised with her love And began strongly to behold her. And to desire to see the fashion of her body That was so fair and well shapen in all things/ and in such wise that it seemed properly to them that saw her/ That nature had made her to be beholden a beseyn. For in her was no thing but that it served to increase all the beauty that might be founden in a woman/ wherefore Paris might not forbear to behold her/ saying in himself that he had never seen ne heard speak of any so fair and so well formed And as he beheld her/ In like wise Helen beheld him also many times and oft. and her seemed that he was more fairer a great deal than had been reported to her. And well said in herself that she saw never man of so great beauty/ Ne that pleased her so well to behold And so she left all her devotion and all other thoughts And gave no forhis ne reached of no thing then/ save only for to behold Paris. When Paris knew and saw this he had great joy/ and beheld her sweetly more and more and she him/ By which sight they showed enough of their desires/ that one to that other/ And thought greatly by what occasion they might speak together/ And so long they beheld each other that by semblant/ Helen made a token or sign to Paris that he approached to her/ And anon Paris sat down beside her/ whiles that the people played in the temple And spoke to her with a soft wis right sweetly and she to him/ And exposed each to other how they were surprised of the love of that one and of that other/ And how they might come to the end after her desire/ And when they had spoken enough of their hot love/ Paris took leave of her And issued out of the temple/ He and his fellowship/ And Helen sent after him her eyen also far as she might.  
When Paris was comen to his ship/ he called to him the most noble and greatest of his company/ And said to them in this manner/ My friends ye know well wherefore the King my father hath sent us in to Greece/ That is to weet for to recoveer Exiona his sister. And if we may not recoveer her that we should do damage unto the Greeks/ we may not recoveer Exiona For she is in over strong an hand And also it should be to over great danger and damage/ since it is so that the King Telamon that holdeth her and loveth her strongly/ is more puissant than we and is in his owen proper heritage/ We been no thing so puissant for to take in Greece any noble city/ the country is so full of people and of many valiant folk then me seemeth good that the fair gift and notable that the goddess hath sent unto us/ we refuse not/ we see in this isle comen to the feast the most greatest citizens/ and the temple replenished with the most noble women of this province And also the Queen Helen/ that is lady of this country and wife of King menelaus/ This temple is also full of all richesses/ if we might take them a live that been in the temple and bring them prisoners with us and take the goods that there been of gold and of silver/ we shall have conquered a great gain. And other richesses that we should go fetch in other places/ if ye seem good I am of the opinion/ that now this night we shall enter in to the temple all armed/ And that we shall take men and women and all that we shall find and bring in to our ships and principally Helen/ For if we may bring her in to Troy/ The King Priant may lightly I nowh have again his sister Exiona for her. Therefore advise you hastily what is best to be done. Whiles that it is in point And ere they escape us/ some of them blamed this thing And some allowed it/ and finally they concluded after many councils that they should do as Paris had devised.  
HOw it happened that the night was come/ and the moan was nigh gone down The Trojans armed them the most secret wise that they could And left some of them for to keep their ships/ And the other went privily unto the temple. And entered therein so armed as they were And with little defence took all them that they found in the temple and all the richesses that were therein. And Paris with his owen hand took Helen and them of their company And brought in to their ships all the best and put it in sure guard/ And after returned to the prey/ Tho began the noise passing great with in the temple of the prisoners/ And of the some that had liefer suffer to be slain. than for to be take prisoners/ the noise was heard far In such wise that they of the castle that stood thereby heard it/ And incontinent they arose and armed them and came to assail the Trojans as valiant as they were/ Tho began the meddle right fierce and mortal. But the Trojans that were four against one slew many of them And the other fled and re-entered in to their castle/ And then the Trojans took as much as they could find of good/ And bore it unto their ships. And entered in to them/ And drew up their sails And sailed so long that on the seventh day they came and arrived at the port of Troy their ships full of good prisoners and of good richesses And they abode at the port of Tenedon that was but three mile fro Troy/ And there were they received with great joy/ And then Paris sent a proper messenger unto his father the King Priant to let him have knowledge of his coming and of all that/ that he had done in Greece Of these tidings the King was greatly rejoiced and commanded in all the city to make feast solemnly for these tidings etc..  
whiles that Helen was with the other prisoners in the ship of Paris she made great sorrow/ And ●essid not to weep ne to bewail with great sighs her husband her brethren her daughter her country and her friends And was in so great sorrow/ that she left to eat and drink/ And Paris comforted her the most sweetly that he could/ but she might not suffer to forbear weeping/ & then Paris said to her in this manner/ How lady wherefore demean ye this sorrow day & night with out rest/ what man or woman is that might long endure & suffer this. Ne ween not ye that this sorrow hurteth your health. yes verily lady/ ye make to much thereof/ wherefore fro hence forth I pray you to leave And take rest/ for in this royalme ye shall lack no thing/ And no more shall though prisoners that ye will have recommended. And ye shall be the most renowned lady of this royalme and the most rich And your main that been here shall fault of no thing/ To these words answered Helen to Paris in this manner/ I know well said she that will I or will I not I must needs do as ye will since that I am your prisoner And if any good be done to me and to the prisoners/ I hope the gods shall thank and reward them that so do/ Ha. A. said Paris ne doubt you not/ For men shall do to them all that shall please you to command/ And then he took her by the hand and brought her in to a more secret place and said to her. Madame ween ye for as much as it had pleased to the gods for to suffer you to be brought by me in to this province that ye be lost And that ye shall not be more rich and more honoured than ye have been And that the royalme of Troy be not more rich then the royalme of Achaia/ yes verily that it is/ ween ye that I will maintain you dishonestly Certes nay/ but shall take you to my wife. And so shall ye be more honoured than ye have been with your husband and more praised/ For your husband is not issued out of so noble a house as I am ne so valiant. Nor he loved you never so well as I shall do/ therefore cease ye fro henceforth to make such sorrow/ And believe me of this that I have said to you/ Ha. a. said she who can abstain her fro making of sorrow being in the estate that I am in Alas this was happened me never tofore/ But since it may be none otherwise/ Sore annoyed and grieved/ I shall do that that thing that ye me require/ For as much as I have no puissance to resist it Thus was Helen recomforted a little And Paris did do please her with all his power etc..  
When the morn came be time he did do cloth her and array her the most honourably that he might And made her to sit up on a palfrey richly arrayed and adorned/ And so did he the other prisoners each after his degree/ And after he went to horseback himself and Deiphobus his brother/ Eneas. Antenor and Polydamas with great company of noble men/ And accompanied the Queen Helen/ And departed fro Tenadon/ And went to troyes ward. And there came against them without the town the King Priam with great company of noble men/ And received his children and his friends with great joy/ And after came to Helen/ And bowed right sweetly to her And did to her great joy and worship/ And when they came nigh the city they found great foison of people. That made great feast of their coming in many manners of Instrumentis of music/ And in such joy came unto the palace of King Priam/ And he himself light a down and help Helen down of her palfrey And ld her by the hand unto within the hall/ And there they made right great joy all the night through out all the city for these tidings/ And then when it came unto the morn Paris by the agreement and consent of his father took Helen to his wife And wedded her in the temple of Pallas. And therefore And therefore the feast was lengthed through out all the city And the joy that endured yet after eight days whole etc..  
When Cassandra knew for truth that Paris her brother had wedded Helen/ she began to make great sorrow to cry & bray as a woman out of her wit And said thus O unhappy Trojans wherefore rejoice ye you of the wedding of Paris. Whereof so many evils shall come and follow. And wherefore see not ye the death of yourself And of your sons that shall be slain to fore your eyen And the husbands to fore their wives with great sorrow/ Ha. A noble city of Troy's how thou shalt be destroyed and put to naught/ Ha. a unhappy mothers/ what sorrow shall ye see/ when ye shall see your little children taken and dismembered to fore you/ Ha. a hecuba caitiff and unhappy where shalt thou take the water that thou shalt weep for the death of thy children Ha. a people blind & foolish/ why send not ye incontinent Helen home again/ And yield her unto her right husband tofore that the swords of your enemies come and slay you with great sorrow/ ween ye that this Prince the husband of Helen will dwell at home without grievous vengeance/ Certes that shall be your dolorous fyn and end/ ha'. a unhappy Helen/ thou shalt do us much sorrow As cassandra said and cried thus with high voice and with great sorrow The King Priant knew h●t And did her to be taken prisoner And send to her and did do pray her that she should cease/ but she would not/ And then he commanded that she should be fast shut in prison and in irons/ where she was kept many days O what pity was it/ That the Trojans believed not this warning and admonition/ For if they had believed it/ They had eschewed the right great evils that came after unto them/ That shall be told in fables to them that will here them unto the end of the world etc..   

¶ How menelaus was sore troubled for the ravishing of Helen his wife/ And how Castor and Pollux brethren of her pursueden Paris in the sea. And of their death/ And also of the condition and manner of the Lords as well Gian as Troyans'.  
AS these things were done as said is/ Menelaus that sojourned at pyre with the Duke Nestor heard tell the truth of the prise and taking of his wife and of his people whereof he was sore angry and much abashed/ And was so dolant and sorrowful that he fill to the ground a swoon/ And then when he was come to himself again/ He began sore to complain him and demean the greatest sorrow of the world/ And above all other things he was most sorry for his wife. And bewailed her beauty and her solace/ And might by no way be comforted/ when the Duke Nestor heard say thereof he came to him hastily and comforted him the most best wise he could/ For he loved him with great love/ But Menelaus could not leave his sorrow/ But took his way unto his country/ And the Duke Nestor conveyed him with a great company of noble men.  
He sent unto the King Agamemnon his brother that he should come speak with him And also he send to castor and Pollux the brethren of Helen that they should come also to him/ And anon as they had heard the message they came unto him/ when Agamemnon saw his brother demean such sorrow and heaviness/ he said to him A my brother wherefore demeanest thou such sorrow/ suppose that the cause be just/ Always a wise man aught not to show such semblant outward. For in showing such sorrow outward it causeth his friends to be sorrowful/ And his enemies to be joyous/ And therefore fain thy sorrow & keel thy courage/ And make semblant/ as thou raughtest no thing of this that is befall. For by weeping ne by demeaning of sorrow/ thou mayst never come to honour ne vengeance But alonely by the force of the naked sword thou shalt awake thy courage/ and so shalt thou take vengeance of the harms that been done to the Thou knowest what puissance we have and what helpers and aiders we shall find for to venge us For this injury toucheth all the Kings and Princes of Greece. And assoon as we shall require them of help there shall not be one but that he shall help us with all his power And then we shall go with great puissance tofore Troy/ and we shall slay our enemies And do what we will. and shall destroy the city And if it happen that we may take Paris/ that is actor of these hurts and ills/ when shall do hang him and make him die an evil death. Cease then thy sorrow. And let us do to beknown to all the Kings & princes of Greece this injury/ And require them that they will help us for to take vengeance/ then was menelaus recomforted with the words of his brother/ And anon they sent her letters unto all the barons of Greece And at their sending they came all/ first Achilles. Patroclus Diomedes/ And many other/ And assoon as they knew wherefore they were sent fore/ They said that they would go to Troy's with all their strength for to avenge this shame and recover Helen So they chasse then Agamemnon chief and Prince of their host/ as he that was wise and prudent/ And of good council.  
HOw it happened that the King Castor And the King Pollux that weren brethren of the Queen Helen/ As soon as they heard say/ That her sister was ravished/ They entered in to their ships/ And went after the Troyans' with great company of men of arms/ For to see if they might recover her/ On the third day that they were on the sea/ there roose so a great torment in the sea/ And their with came so great a rain. And thunder. That their ships were cast by the wawes one here another there. The masts broken their sails rent/ And finally they were all perished and drowned/ That never after was none seen of them/ And the paynims say that these two brethren were translated with the gods in to the heaven or zodiac And returned in to the sign of two juments/ For as much as they were brethren germane/ And thus endeth their lives by the occasion of the prise of her sister/ Some poets feign that these brethren been translated in to two stars That is the north star and the south star which been named after them Castor and Pollux.  
IN this place declareth dares in his book the fashions of the Greeks that were tofore Troy of the most notable of them as he that saw them and beheld them many times during the truce that was often times between both parties during the siege to fore the city/ And he beginneth to speak of Helen and saith that she was so fair. That in the world no man could find no fairer woman ne better formed of all memberss Agamemnon was long and white of body/ strong of memberss and well formed/ loving labour/ discrete. hardy And passing well bespoken Menelaus was of mean stature hardy in arms and courageous/ Achilles' was of right great beauty/ blank hairs & crisp grey eyen and great/ of amiable sight/ large breasts & broad shoulders great arms/ his reins high enough/ a high man of great stature/ and had no parcel ne like to him among all the Greeks/ desiring to fight/ large in yefts And outrageous in dispense Tantalus/ was great of body and right strong/ veritable. humble. Fleeing noises if they were not just and true Ajax of great stature/ great and large in the shoulders great arms. And alway was well clothed and richly. And was of no great emprise. And spoke lightly. Telamon Ajax was a much fair knight. He had black hairs. And heard gladly song And he sang himself gladly well. He was of great prowess. And a good man of war And without pomp Ulixes was the most fair man among all the Greeks/ But he was deceivable And subtle. And said his things joyously. He was a right great liar And was so well bespoken that he had none fellow ne like to him Diomedes was great And had a broad breast and marvelous strong/ of a fires regard and sight/ false in his promises/ worthy in arms/ desirous of victory dread and redoubted/ For he was greatly injurious to his servants luxurious wherefore he suffered many pains/ The Duke Nestor was great of members and long/ and well bespoken/ discrete and profitable/ And gave alway good council/ anon and soon he was strongly angry/ And anon peasid again He was the most true friend in the world Protesilaus was fair and of fair stature right noble and light in arms Neptolonyus was great/ black hair and great eyen/ but joyous & well cheered his wynbrowes joined/ stammering in his words/ but he was wise in the law. Palamedes son of King Naulus was of right fair shape and lean/ hardy and amiable/ a good man and large. Polydaryus was passing great fat and swollen Hardy orgulous and proud/ without truth. Mathaon was of mean stature powde & hardy And that little slept by night Briseida daughter of Calchas was passing fair of mean stature/ white and meddled with red and well made/ sweet & piteous and whom many men loved for her beauty. For the love of her came the King of pierce in to the aid of the Greeks unto the siege tofore Troy.  
OF them that were within Troy/ The same Dares saith first of King Priam that he was long grizzle and fair/ And had a low wis/ right hardy. And that gladly eat early in the morning a man without dread/ And that hated flatterers/ He was veritable and good justicer And gladly he heard sing & sounds of music. And strongly loved his knights and enriched them. Of all his sons there was none so hardy as was hector the oldest son of King Priant/ This was he that passed in his time all other knights in puissance/ and was a little besgue he was great/ And had hard memberss and might suffer much pain And was much hairy and crisp/ and lisped there issued never out of Troy so strong a man ne so worthy Ne there issued never out of his mouth a villainous word. He was never weary of fighting in battle. There was never knight better beloved/ of his people than he was Paris was a passing fair knight and strong soft haired and true swift and sweet of speech tote mowthed/ well drawing a bow/ wise and hardy in battle and well assured and covetous of lordship/ Deiphobus and helenus were passing like of fashion in such wise that a man might not well know that one fro that other. And they resembled passing well the King Priant their father Deiphobus was wise and hardy marmes And helenus was a much wise clerk. troilus was great and of great courage well attempered and sore beloved of young maidens In force and gladness he resembled much to hector And was the second after him of prowess And there was not in all the royalme a more strong ne more hardy young man/ Eneas had a great body discrete marvelously in his works well bespoken and attempered in his words. Full of good council and of science cunning He had his visage joyous/ and the eyen clear and grey. And was the richest man of Troy after the King Priant in towns and castles. Antenor was long and lean And spoke much/ But he was discrete and of great industry/ And whom the King Priant loved greatly And that gladly played among his fellowship/ And was a right wise man. Polydamas his son was a goodly young man and a fair/ Hardy and of good manners/ long and leanly like his father/ brown and was strong in puissance of arms/ And of well attempered words/ The King Menon was great and a goodly knight large shoulders great arms hard in the breast and of great prowess/ And that brought many knights unto Troy/ The Queen hecuba was a rude woman and seemed better a man than a woman/ She was a noble woman passing sage debonair/ And honest and loving the works of charity/ Andromeda the wife of hector was a passing fair woman and white and that had fair eyen and fair hair/ She was among all other women right honest and attempered in her works/ Cassandra was of fair stature and clear. Round mouthed. wise. Shining eyen/ She loved virginity/ And knew much of things to come by astronomy and other sciences/ Polyxena was a much fair daughter and tender/ And was the very Raye of beauty/ In whom nature failed nothing save only that she made her mortal/ And she was the fairest maid that was in her time. And the best formed. Many more were within the town and without. During the siege. But these were the principal and greatest of name. And therefore Dares declareth the fashion of them And rehearseth not of the other.   

¶ How the kings Duke's Earls and Barons of Greece assembled all with their navy to forethe city of Athenes for to come to Troy/ And how many ships each man brought unto the help of the King Menelaus.  
When it came in to the end of February That the winter was passed the Kings and the princes of all the provinces of Greece assembled them together at the port of Athens for to go to Troy/ it is not in the mind of any man since the beginning of the world that so many ships and knights were assembled as were at that time. For first Agamemnon that was chief and Prince of all the host of the Greeks/ brought fro his royalme of michames an hundred ships full of Armed knights. The King menelaus his brother brought fro his royalme of Sparta lx ships Archelaus and prothenor fro the royalme of Boeotia fifty ships The Duke Ascalapus and the Earl helmins fro the province of orconomye thirty ships/ The King Epistrophus/ And the King sedius fro the royalme of ●o cyden thirty ships. The King Telamon of salamine fifty ships. And in his company were the Duke thent●r Duke Amphimachus the Earl Polixene and the Earl thephus And other many noble men. The ancient Duke Nestor fro his province of Pylon fifty ships. The King thoas of tholy fifty ships The King doxunois fifty ships The King Telamon chyleus six and thirty ships/ Polibetes and Amphimachus fro his province of Calydon two and thirty ships/ The King Idumeus and the King mereon of Crete four score and two ships/ The King Ulixes of trace two and thirty ships/ The Duke tynelus fro his city of Phrygis twelve ships Prothocathus and Priamus the dukes of philaca brought with them two and thirty ships/ Collesis brought four and twenty ships fro the royalme of cresome And brought King Machaon And the King ●ollydrys his son three and thirty ships/ Achilles' brought fro his noble city of phaces two and twenty ships/ The King Telephus brought fro Rhodes two & twenty ships Eruphylus fro orchomene two and thirty ships The Duke Antipus and the Duke Amphimachus of Rustican thirteen ships The King Polibetes of Rythee And the Duke Lopms his brother in law that had wedded his sister lxij ships The King Diomedes of Argos four score and two ships And had in his company Telamus and Euryalus The King Poliphebus nine ships The King Fureus threaten ships/ The King Priamus of chemenense two and thirty ships/ The King Carpenor of Carpady lij ships/ The King Theorius of breysse four and twenty ships The some of Kings and dukes that were comen thither were sixty and nine/ And there assembled at the port of Athenes twelve hundred and four and twenty ships/ without comprising the ships of Duke Palamedes the son of King Naulus That came after on/ with his estate as shall be said after etc..   

¶ How the Greeks sent Achilles unto Delphos to the god Apollo for to know ●he end of their war And how they found Calchas sent fro the Troyans' that went with them to Athenes.  
When the King and the princes weren thus assembled at the port of Athenes The King Agamemnon that was chief of all the host and taught alway to conduit this host murely/ assembled unto the council on a plain without the city all the noble men of their host And when they were all assembled about him in sieges that he had do make/ He said to them in this manner O ye noble men that by one will and volunty been here assembled in this host with so great puissance/ ye know well that it is not 〈◊〉 the mind of any man that saw ever so many noble men assembled/ For t'achieve any work/ ne so many young knights and deliver in arms for t'assail their enemies/ is not he then well out of his mind that presumeth to raise himself against us and to begin war. Verily I doubt not but one of an hundred that is in this company is suffisant enough to bring this work to an end/ for which we been all assembled. It is well known to each of you the great injuries and the great damages that the Trojans have done to us/ wherefore we have just cause to take vengeance by force of arms To the end that fro henceforth they ne other ne emprise upon us in any manner/ For if we should suffer such injuries by dissimulation/ they might yet grieve us more than they have done. And it is not the custom of the noble men of Greece/ for to let pass such wrongs in dissimulation/ and therefore it should be to us great villainy that been so many and that have assembled so great strength for to dissimule in this quarrel/ and yet that more is there is no nation in the world but that ne dreadeth our puissance save only these foolish people of Troy that by evil council have moved them against us and also have enterprised upon us. As did first the King Laomedon that injured some of our people by little occasion/ wherefore he received death for his reward/ And his city was destroyed. And his people slain/ And some brought in servitude where they been yet/ Certes it is not so difficile and hard to us that been more puissant to take vengeance on the Troyans'/ then it was to four Princes of less puissance/ That came to their above of them/ For so much then as the Troyans' know verily that we been assembled for to go upon them/ And that they been strongly garnished of men of arms against our coming and of all such as behoveth them for to defend them with/ then seemed me good if it please you/ that ere we depart fro this port here/ we send in to the isle of Delphi our special messengers for to have answer of our god Apollo of this that we will do and emprise.  
then was there none but he allowed & approved the words of Agamemnon And cheese incontinent Achilles and patroclus for to go in to this isle to here the answer of Apollo/ And anon they departed and went And came soon thither/ For the said isle is as it were in the mids of the isles of Cyclades/ where locana enffanta Apollo and Deianeira be And there was a rich temple in the which the god of the paynims was worshipped/ And gave answer to the people of such thing as they demanded of him/ This isle was first called Deloes/ That is as much to say in Greek as manifestation For as much as in this isle the paynims saw first the sun and the moan after the deluge And therefore they supposed that they had been born there of their mother For Apollo is the sun/ and diane is the moan/ In their language/ some call this isle ortygye/ for as much as the birds that men call ortiges/ in English they been quails were first seen there. The paynims gave to Apollo diverse names after the diverse operations of the sun. In this temple was a great image composed and made all of fyn gold In the worship of god Apollo/ and how well that the image was deaf and dumb/ yet alway idolatry reigned in such wise that time in the world. That the devil put him in the image and gave answers to the paynims of that things that they demanded of him And this did the devil for to abuse the foolish people/ that at that time believed that this image was very god etc..  
UPon this part the author declareth fro whence came first idolatry/ We find in historia ecclesiastica/ That when Herod's was deceived by the three Kings that returned not again to him. But worshipped our lord Ihesu criste as is contained in the gospel And after departed by an other way etc./ That Herod's purposed to have slain the child Jesus'/ and therefore the glorious virgin our lady saint marry his mother And Joseph bore him in to Egypte And as soon as our lord entered in Egypt/ Alle the idols of Egypt fill down to the earth all to broken and bruised after the prophesy of Isaiah that said thus/ Ascendet dominus in nubem levem et ingredietur egyptum & movebuntur simulacra egipti/ in demonstrant and showing that at the coming of our savour Jesus' Christ. All idolatry should have an end. And among the Jews. Ismael was the first that made idol/ And that was of earth. And promotheus made the first among the paynims and taught other the manner how to make them/ But the right beginning of idolatry came of belus King of Assyry that was father of King Nynus/ the which belus when he was dead/ his son Nynus did bury him in a rich sepulture/ And did do make an image of fyn gold to the semblant and likeness of his father for to have consolation and memory of him/ And worshipped him as his god/ And compelled his folk to worship him/ And anon an evil spirit entered within the image and gave to the people answers of their demands/ And thus by the ensample of him. The paynims made other in the worship of their friends And worshipped them And thus proceeded they in idolatry And there were none but that they had her god's propice that gave to them their answer of their demands by the engine of the enemy that so deceived them and brought to damnation by the envy that he had and yet hath upon the line human that god made for to fulfil the sieges of paradise/ from whence he was cast out for his pride in this air and darkness. And after the day of judgement to abide in hell perdurably in the company of dampened men.  
When Achilles and Patroclus were arrived in this isle of Delphi/ They went by great devotion in to the temple of Apollo and there made their oblations by great largesse/ And demanded of him answer of their affairs and works/ then Apollo answered with a low wis Achilles return to the Greeks that have sent the hither and say to them. That it is to come and shall/ happen for certain that they shall go safely to Troy/ And there they shall make many battles/ But in the tenth year they shall have victory and destroy the city/ And they shall slay the King Priam his wife and his children/ And the most great of the country. And there shall none escape save they only whom they will save/ Of this foresaid answer was Achilles passing joyous/ and it happened whiles they were yet in this temple/ That a Bishop of Troy named Calchas son of a man named thistram that was a passing wise man/ The which entered in to this temple. And he was sent also fro the King Priam for to have answer of Apollo for them of Troy. As he then had made his oblations and demands for them of Troy/ Apollo answered to him Calchas Calchas beware that thou return not a gain to Troy/ Butler go thou with Achilles unto the Greeks/ And depart never fro them for the Greeks shall have victory of the Trojans by the agreement of the gods/ And thou shalt be to them right necessary in counsel and in doctrine anon as Calchas knew Achilles that was in the temple He approached to him and made acquaintance to him/ And accompanied together by faith and oath Told each to other what the idol had said to them/ whereof Achilles had great joy. And made right great cheer and feast to Calchas And took him with him/ And s●yllyd so long that they arrived at the port of Athens safely/ and when they were issued out of her ships Achilles took calchas by the hand and presented him to the King Agamemnon and to other And told to them the truth of the answer of Apollo/ How they should have victory of the Trojans and how Apollo bade him that he should not return again to Troy but hold him with the Greeks during the war/ Of these tidings were the Greeks greatly rejoiced/ And made solemn feast and received calchas in to their company by faith and by oath and they promised him to reward him well and do him good etc..   

¶ How the Greeks with a great navy/ went and failed toward Troy/ And how they arriveden at the port of Tenedon three mile fro Troy/ which they conquered and beat down to the earth.  
AFter this feast that the Greeks had made for the good answers of Apollo Calchas went him in a morning in the company of achilles and of Patroclus unto the tent of Agamemnon/ where all the most nobles of the host were assembled/ And he salued them right courteously saying/ O noble Kings and Princes that been here assembled for vengeance of the great injuries to you done by the Trojans/ wherefore tarry ye now here After that the gods have yeven their answer/ ween ye not that the King Priam hath his espies among you/ And that whiles ye sojourn he garnisheth not his country and city with victual with horses And with other necessaries/ Is it not a great part of the summer passed/ And ye have yet no thing enterprised upon your enemies Be ware that ye been not unkind &/ Ingrate of the answer of the gods/ And that by your negligence they change not their answer in to the contrary/ there fore tarry ye no longer. But ship you and your horse and go ye to the sea. And cease not unto the time that the promises of the gods be accomplished/ And when Calchas had thus spoken/ each man said that he had well said and spoken/ And then Agamemnon sent unto all the host and commanded with a trumpet that every man should make him ready to remove/ And anon they entered in to their ships/ And disanchored and drew up their sails/ And went all unto the sea/ And they had not long sailed not passing a mile fro Athens// But the air that was to fore clear and fair/ began to wax troublous and thick/ And began a right great tempest in the sea of wind of rain and of thunder in so much that there was none so hardy but he had fear and wend to have died/ For their ships were cast by the sea that one here & that other there/ And supposed none other for certain but to have been drowned/ then said calchas to them that were with him. That the cause of this tempest was. For as much as Deianeira her goddess was wroth and angry upon them be cause they departed fro Athens and had made to her no sacrifice/ And for to appease this wrath/ it behoveth that the King Agamemnon sacrify to her with his owen hand Iphigeny his daughter a young virgin and tender of age/ And that otherwise the tempest should never cease/ And for to speed this sacrifice/ he counseled to torn the navy and to apply it to the isle of Andylle where the temple of the goddess Deianeira was etc..:.  
When the King Agamemnon understood this thing He was all married and passing sorrowful in his courage/ For he loved his daughter Iphigen by great love And on the other side he was prayed and required of all the other Kings and Princes of Greece/ That he would give none impeachment to this that was so great an emprise/ For to withstand the sacrifice/ wherefore he was vanquished by the said Princes and for the love of his country/ He took his said daughter iphigeny/ And in the presence of many great Kings and Princes sacrified her unto the goddess deane And anon the tempest ceased And the air became net and clear/ And the sea well attempered and in tranquillity and peace/ And then he went again in to his ship and all the other in like wise/ drew up their sails and sailed to fore the wind so far that they arrived at a port of the royalme of Troyes nigh unto a castle named sarabana/ Dares ne putteth determinately/ whereof that King Agamemnon made his sacrifice to Deianeira/ But Oson in the twelve the book of metamorphose saith that it was iphigeny his daughter as a 'bove his said/ And when they of the castle saw the great navy at their port They armed them and came unto the port weening to defend their land again the Greeks/ And assailed them that though were descended a land/ That were yet weary of the travail of the sea/ But the Greeks issued anon out of their ships great plente all Armed that slew them and chased them unto their castle And slew them fleeing/ And entered in to the castle with them And there put them all to death and took the prey. And after beat down the castle unto the earth/ And then re-entered in to their ships again/ And sailed so far that they arrived at the port of Tenedon/ And there then they anchored their ships etc..  
AT this port was a passing strong castle & well peopled and full of great richesses and was three mile fro troyes/ when they of the castle saw the Greeks/ they ran to arms/ and garnished their castle with good fighters/ And the other issued out and came unto the port where they found the Greeks that were then issued out of their ships all armed and great plenty/ And took all that they could find Thus began the battle between them right fierce and mortal/ And there were enough slain and deed of both parties. And many more of the Greeks then of the Trojans/ But assoon as the great strength of the Greeks were descended. The Trojans might no longer suffer ne abide but put them to flight some to the castle. And the other fled unto Troy. Then the Greeks put them & belaid the castle round about. And assailed it on all sides/ And they within defended it passing well upon the wallis And slew many by shot and by engines. But the Greeks dressed their engines all about the castle/ And set their ladders unto the walls. And went up on all sides. And they within defended them valiantly/ And made them fall down in their dyches some dead and some hurt. But the Greeks that were so great in number sent alway new folk to th'assault whereof they within were so weary/ that they recoiled and went aback fro their defences/ And then the Greeks entered by force in to the castle/ And there slew all them that they found/ without sparing of man or woman. And took and pilled all that they found that was good/ And after beat down the castle and the houses unto the earth/ And put in the fire and brent all up And after they re-entered in to their ships joyous of the gain that they had gotten in the castle.   

¶ How the Greeks sent Diomedes and Ulixes unto the King Priam for to have again Helen and the prisoners/ And of the answer that they had.  
When the Greeks had demolished and beaten down thus the castle and edifices of Tenedon and of Sarabana/ And that they refreshed them in the meadow of Tenedon/ then Agamemnon that had the charge of all the host/ And to conduit it well as a good captain aught to do/ commanded that all the butin and gain of these two castles should be brought forth And so it was done anon as he had commanded And as a wise King distributed the gain to each man after his desert and quality/ And after did do cry in all the host/ that all the noble men of the host should assemble them on the plain of Tenedon to fore the King Agamemnon/ And when they were all comen/ The King Agamemnon spoke and said in this manner/ My friends and fellows that been here now assembled for so just a cause as each of you knoweth And in so great puissance that it is and shall be tidings thereof in all the world/ alway how strong that the puissance be/ That it please the gods that it be without pride and felony/ For it is so that of the sin of pride grow all other vices/ And that the gods resist and withstand the orgulous and proud people/ And therefore we ought to put away pride fro our works. And in especial in this work here now. And use the right way/ of justice. To the end that no man may reprehend us ne blame. ye know well that we been comen thus far for to take vengeance of the injuries and wrongs that the King Priam hath done to us And we have done to him now great hurt and damage. ye may well know for truth/ That they have assembled in the city of Troy great power for to defend them against us/ And also the city is passing great and strong/ And ye know well that they been upon their proper heritage That is a thing that doubleth their force and strength/ For ye may take ensample of the crow that otherwhile defendeth well her nest again the fashion/ I ne say not these things for any doubt that I have/ But that we shall have victory/ And that we ne shall destroy their city how well that it is strong/ But only for our worship/ to the end that we be recommended to have conducted this work by great discretion and without pride/ For often times by over light and to hasty enterprise. a thing of a great poised and without mure council may come to a mischievous end/ ye know well that it is not long ago/ that the King Priam did do require us by his special messengers that we should render to him his sister Exiona/ And that by our orgueil and pride we would not deliver her again And if we had delivered and sent her home again These euylly● had never happened in the isle of Cytharea as they now been/ And the Queen Helen that is of the most noble of Greece had never be ravished ne lad away/ And also we had not enterprised the pain ne the labour/ Where we now been in And there is none of us that knoweth what shall happen to him good or evil/ And therefore if ye seem good that we might return in to our country without suffering of more pain with our honour and worship/ We shall send unto the King Priam our special messengers/ And bid him to send and renvoy to us Helen freely And that he restore to us the damages that Paris hath done in the isle of Cytharea/ For if he will so do/ our return shall be honourable/ And we may no more ask of him by right/ And if he refuse this/ We shall have two things that shall fight for us/ justice And our true quarrel And our puissance excused/ And when men shall here of our offers/ They shall give the wrong and blame to the Troyans' And to us the lose and praising/ And we shall been excused of all the damages that we shall done to them after these offers. Therefore advise you among yourself what thing ye will do.  
then were there some felons that blamed this council/ And some allowed it/ And finally they concluded to do so as Agamemnon had said/ then they Cheese for their messengers/ Diomedes and Ulixes for to go to Troy. And make their legation/ which took their horses. And went incontinent thither And came to Troy about midday And they went straight to the palace of King Priam And took their horses to keep at the gate And after went up in to the hall. And in going up they marveled them greatly of the rich work that they saw in all the palace. And specially of a tree that they saw in a plain the which was made by art mathematic marvelously. composed and of great beauty/ For the truncheon or stock beneath was no greater but of the greatness of a spear/ And was passing long and high. And above had branches of gold and of silver and leaves that spread over the palace And save a little it covered all/ And the fruit of the same tree was of diverse precious stones that gave great light and brightness And gave great solace to them that beheld it. They went so far forth that they came in to the great hall where the King Priam was accompanied with noble men/ And then without saluing the King ne the other/ Ulixes said to him in this manner.  
King Priam marvel the nothing that we have not salued the for as much as thou art our enemy mortal/ The King Agamemnon to whom we been messengers sendeth and commandeth the by us that thou renvoy and send to him the Queen Helen/ whom thou haste done to be ravished and betaken fro her husband. And that thou restore all the damages that Paris thy son hath done in Greece/ And if thou so do/ I trow thou shalt do as a wise man. And if thou do not behold what evils may come to the and to thine/ For thou shalt die an evil death and all thy men. And this noble city shall be destroyed/ when the King Priam heard Ulixes thus speak He answered In continent to Ulixes without demanding council/ I marvel me greatly of thy words that requirest of me that thing/ That a man vanquished and might not defend himself no more/ with great pain would accord to the. I believe not that the Greeks have such puissance to do that thing that thou haste said to me They require of me reparation/ And I ought to demand of them/ have not they slain my father and my brethren And lad away my sister in servitude/ whom they deign not to marry honourably/ But to hold her and maintain as a common woman/ And for to have her again I have sent to them Antenor. And would have pardoned them of the surplus. But ye know the villainies and menaces that they did to my messenger And therefore I aught not to here any thing that ye say to me/ But had liefer die villainly than to agreed your request/ And late Agamemnon know that I desire never to have peace ne love with the Greeks that have done to me so many displeasures/ And if it were not that ye been messengers I should make you die an evil death/ therefore go ye your way anon/ For I may not see you without displeasure in mine heart/ then began Diomedes to laugh for despite & said thus. Ha' King if without displeasure Mayst not see us that been but twain/ then thou shalt not be without displeasure all the days of thy life For thou shalt see fro henceforth to fore thine eyen great puissance of Greeks The which shall come to fore thy city. And shall not cease for t'assail it continually. Against whom thou Mayst not long defend the But that thou and thine finally shall receive bitter death. Therefore thou shouldest take council in thy works if thou were well advised  
then were there many Trojans that would have run upon the Greeks And drew their swords for to have slain them But the King Priant disturned them. And said to them that they should let two fools say their folly/ And that it was the nature of a fool to show folly/ And to a wise man to suffer it/ Ha. A. sire said Eneas what is that. that ye say/ men should show to a fool his folly/ And truly if h●t were not in your presence this fellow that hath spoken so foolily to fore you. Should receive his death by my hand. It appertaineth not to him to say to you such venomous words ne menaces And therefore I advise him that he go his way anon. If he cease not to speak foolily/ Diomedes that of no thing was abashed answered to Eneas and said/ what some ever thou be thou showest well by thy words that thou art right ill advised and hoot in thy words. And I desire that I may once find the in a place covenable that I may reward the for the words that thou hast said of me/ I see well that the King is well eurous & happy to have such a counsellor as thou art that counselest him to do villainy/ then Ulixes brack the words of Diomedes right wisely and prayed him to hold his peace/ And after said to King Priam we have understand all that thou haste said And we shall go and report it unto our Princes. And incontinent they went and took their horses And returned unto their host/ where they found all the nobles assembled to fore the King Agamemnon And said to them the answer of King Priam. Whereof they had great marvel And devised long together For to conduit well their works since they were ascertained of the war of the Troyans'.   

¶ How Agamemnon assembled to council the Greeks for to have victuals and how they sent Achilles and Telephus unto the royalme of M●●se where they slew the King Tentram in battle And how Telephus was made King And of the Kings that came in the aid and help of King Priam.  
AFter these things Agamemnon called his folk to council in the plain of theneden/ And said to them among all other things it behoveth us necessarily to be advised how during the siege tofore Troy our host shall be succoured of victual And therefore if ye seem good we shall send unto the royalme of mess for to have fro thence victuals continually. For it is a country right fertile & commodious And they that shall go thither shall take surety of them of the country/ That they shall not fail to send victual to the host as long as we shall be in this country This council pleased much to the Greeks/ And they cheese incontinent. Achilles and Telephus the son of hercules for to furnish this message And for to go thither with a great company of men of arms/ In that province reigned a King that had to name theutram and had long reigned in peace/ For his country was peopled of good and hardy knights. When Achilles & Telephus with three thousand knights fires and hardy were arrived in the isle of mess they issued out of their ships And descended on the land/ there came then against them the King theutram with a great company of men of foot and on horse back/ then began the battle right fiercely and at the assembly there were many knights slain on both sides And how well that the Greeks were less in number then the other were They defended them well/ But their defence had not availed them ne had been the great prowess of Achilles that did right marvels with his body. As he that was the most strong and most valiant of the Greeks For whom he araught went therefore. And there might no man endure to fo●● him. When then Achilles had espied the King theutram in the mids of his people that did great damage to his folk/ he thrusted in to the greatest press of his enemies/ and beat down to fore him all that he found unto that he came to King theutram. And he gaf him so many strokes that he all to hew his helm/ And smote him down to the ground 〈…〉 And had slain him in continent ne had Telephus ha●e been/ which put him between and prayed Achilles humbly that he would not slay him nor do 〈…〉 harm then he had/ And the King himself cried to Achilles' mercy/ then said Achilles to Telephus What moveth the of pity against our enemy mortal/ that is come to assail us by so great felony it is reason that he fall in to the pit that he had made ready for us Ha. A. sire said Telephus/ This King was right familiar with my father hercules/ And also did to me on a time great honour in this land And therefore I may not suffer to see him slain to fore mine eyen. Well then said Achilles/ take him then And do with him what thou wilt then was the battle finished And the Greeks ceasedd/ And the King Tentram was born in to his palace as dead. For Achilles had so bruised him and all to frushed him And the King prayed Achilles and Telephus/ that they would go with him The which went/ And were received with great joy and honour.  
it was not long after/ that the King thentram that was wounded to the death of the wounds that Achilles had given him/ sent for Achilles and Telephus/ and then said to them My friends I may not long live/ And then after said to Telephus/ My friend I may no longer live/ And I have no lawful heirs of my body/ to whom I may leave this royalme that I have gotten with great labour/ And had lost long since ne had been the most worthy of all worthy thy father hercules/ which waranted and was a shield to me against all them that would have taken it fro me/ And so did of faith to them that would have taken it/ when thy father by his great prowess slew them and enchased them out/ And since I have kept it peaceably no thing by my merit/ 〈◊〉 the virtue of thy father/ And since it is so that thy father hath conquered this royalme for me that have none heirs. it is well right and reason that thou be heritor of thy father And for so much as this is my last word/ I leave to the this royalme & all mine other goods where some ever they be And make the mine heritor And pray the that thou do bury me honourably as it appertaineth to a King. And as soon as he had finished these words he died/ And then Telephus and the nobles of the country did do bury him honourably/ And laid him in a much rich sepulture/ where upon was written this epitaphy/ Here lieth the King thentram Whom Achilles slew The which left his royalme to Telephus. This Telephus that afore was but a Duke/ was made King of mess And all the nobles of the country did him homage And all the people promised to him faith and service/ then Achilles did do charge his ships with victual And ordained that Telephus should abide in his new royalme/ which he did sore annoyed And he prayed him And also commanded in the name of the Greeks that he should do diligence to send unto the host of the Greeks often times victuals/ and he promised him that he so do would without any fault And then Achilles took leave of him and returned in to his ships/ And sailed so long that he and his fellowship arrived at the port of Tenedon safely where they found the host yet sojourning. And anon as he was descended. He went straight unto the tent of King Agamemnon where all the Princes and Kings were assembled/ he was received with great joy/ as he that all the host loved much for his great strength and prowess/ then Achilles told to them how he arrived at Messe and of the battle/ and how that Telephus was made King And how he had promised to furnish the host of victuals/ Of these tidings the Greeks had great joy and allowed and praised much the valiance of Achilles. And after their parliament each man went unto his pavilion/ then was Achilles received with great joy of his Myrondones that much loved him.  
IN this place here the author nameth what Kings and Princes came to the help & aid of King Priant to Troy not of all but of the most notable. first came unto their aid/ the King pandorus the King Galior & the King Adrastus with three thousand knights armed. From the province of tholoson came four Kings with five thousand knights armed the King carras the King amasius the King Nestor that was a much strong man. And the King Amphimachus Fro the royalme of Lycia came the King Glaucon with three thousand knights. And his son Sarpedon that was one of the strongest knights of the world and cousin of King Priant. From the royalme of lichaon came the King ensemus with three thousand knights right expert in arms/ from the royalme of Larissa came two Kings with fifteen hundred knights the King imstor that was a much great man And the King capidus/ from the royalme of thaborye came the King remus with three thousand knights/ and in his company came four dukes & seven Earls that were feyd with King Priant They bore in their arms the colour of azure without other sign/ and thereby was the King remus & his people known in the battle. From the royalme of trachie came the King pilex & the Duke alchamas with xi hundred knights. From the royalme of Pavonia came the King pessemus and the Duke stupex his cousin with three thousand knights right expert to joust and to shoot with the bow/ This is a much wild country of forests and mountains/ And where is but little people/ And enough of wild beasts and of birds. From the province of Boeotia came three dukes with twelve hundred knights the Duke Ansermms/ the Duke fortunus And the Duke sammus. From the royalme of burtyn where as grow good spices came two Kings brethren with a thousand knights/ the King Bootes And the King episteus. From the reign of Paphagon that is at the sun rising in the East/ full of all richesses/ came the right rich King Philomenus with three thousand knights all her shields of the hides of fishes all covered with gold and precious stones And this King was as great as a giant Fro the reign of Ethiope came the King perseus/ and the King of thiction with him/ that was right hardy and wise with three thousand knights that had in her company many a Duke and many an Earl/ and also was with them simagon the son of King thiction. From the royalme of cheres came the King Teleus and Archilogus his son that was of the affinity of King Priam and brought a thousand knights Fro the isle of Argreste came two Kings of whom I have not the names with xii hundred knights/ from the reign of Electrion that is beyond the royalme of Amazon came an ancient King right wise and discrete named Epistrophus and brought a thousand knights and a marvelous best that was called sagittary that behind the mids was an horse & to fore a man/ This best was hairy like an horse and had his eyen red as a cool/ and shot right well with a bow This best made the Greeks sore afeard And slew many of them with his bow/ Thus were in number all the knights that came in aid of King Priam two and thirty thousand without them of the royalme of Uroye and of Ind the minor/ And it is not found by writing that since the creation of the world that so many noble knights were assembled in one place And that moved the quarrel for so little occasion/ O how the Kings and Princes ought to take heed and be well advised for to move the war Also far as they might amend it by other way.   

OF the coming of Duke Palamedes And how the Greeks departed fro the port of Tenadon by the council of Diomedes and came and took land before the strong city of Troy And how the Trojans received them by battle right vigorously.  
THe Greeks were not yet parted fro Tenedon. When Palamedes the son of King Naulus came and arrived at this port of Tenedon with thirty ships full of knights Armed all noble & hardy men And of his coming the Greeks had great joy/ And had murmured afore be cause he tarried so long/ whereof he excused him by sickness that he had had/ This Palamedes was holden in great worship among the Greeks and was the second after King Agamemnon/ puissant and discrete in arms and much rich/ And at his coming he was anon chosen to be counsellor of the host. And thus were the Greeks many a day & many a night at the port of Tenedon often times assembled to council for to advise the best manner to assiege the city of Troy/ and finally after many opinions/ they held them to the council of Diomedes that was this/ now said he all ye Kings Princes and barons that been here assembled/ we aught all to have great shame and villainy. When it is a year gone since we descended here in this land/ And have not yet been tofore Troy verily in this we have given to our enemies great advantage/ since it is so that this time during they been purveyed of great aids and all her city strongly fortified and reinforced of walls and bulwarks that they have good leisure to make/ And verily them seemeth that we been not so hardy as to come unto them And therefore the more that we delay us to go thither/ the more increaseth our shame and damage/ and I trow if we had gone thither when we came first in to this country/ we should have more easily descended and taken land/ than we shall do now. For they been better garnished now than they were at that time/ of all such thing as they behooved for to defend them with// And therefore I council you that to morn be times we put us on the way in good ordinance/ And let us set the siege firmly and as hastily as we may We ought well to know that we shall not so do without great battle wherefore it behoveth each man to employ himself and to put behind all fear and dread. For by none other way we may not exploit in this work/ ne better ne more honourably by mine advice etc..  
THe council of Diomedes pleased to all the barons of the host/ and also on the morn early they re-entered in to their ships And sailed straight unto the port of Troy and brought their ships by good ordinance one after another/ In the first front they put an hundred ships right well garnished of knights and banners that waved in the wind/ And after them they put an other hundred And after all the other by order/ And they had not far sailed but that they saw the noble city of Troy/ And approached thereto as hastily as they might/ when the Trojans saw the Greeks approach the city/ They Ran to arms/ And mounted upon their horses all armed/ And went forth without ordinance unto the port/ then when the Greeks saw the Troyans' come in so great number for to defend their port/ there was none so hardy but he was a feared/ but for as much as they could not descend a land but by force of arms. They armed them incontinent/ And contended to descend and take land by force etc..  
OF the first hundred ships was chief and captain/ the King Protesilaus of philarde That did great pain and diligence to bring his ships within the port. But the wind that was strong blew them in to the port so strongly against the rivage that many of them brake and bruised and many Greeks were drowned/ And they that might take land took it/ And were anon slain by the Troyans' with great torment and in so great number/ That the ground was red of their blood Hyt is not in the mind of any man that ever any navy won land with so great mischief as did the navy of the Greeks/ After this first hundred ships the other came and arrived that followed them/ And they that were with in were garnished of great arblasters/ where with they shot and slew many of the Troyans' and constrained them to go a back. And then took the Greeks land And succoured the first that fought at great mischief then began the battle mortal/ The King Protesilaus that was descended with the first/ did right marvels with his body and slew that day of the Trojans without number. And if he alone had not been all the Greeks that were descended a land had been slain But what might his defence help/ when seven thousand Greeks fought against an hundred thousand Trojans. And I say you that for the great danger where in they felt himself/ They sold their lives dear/ abiding the socours of King Archelaus and the King prothenor/ That anon arrived/ And would the Trojans or not They descended and took land And succoured their people valiantly and began again cruel battle etc..  
AFter arrived the Duke nestor and his folk that thrusted in among her enemies right fiercely/ there was many a spear broken and many an arrow shot/ knights fill down dead on both sides the cry was so great that it was marvelous to here/ there they slew many Trojans Archelaus and prothenor. After arrived the King ascalus and the King Agalus with their ships and descended a land and assailed the Trojans by great fierceness and by force made them to recoil and go a back/ And then came to the battle great foison of new Trojans/ then began the battle more great than it had been of all the day tofore in so much that the Greeks were recoiled by force unto their ships And then arrived Ulixes with a great company of knights that thrusted anon in to the battle And the Greeks recovered land at their coming And assailed on the Trojans There made Ulixes great effusion of blood of his enemies/ And anon his ensign was known among them/ And when the King philomenus saw that Ulixes slew so their people he addressed him unto him/ And beat him down of his horse a little wounded. And Ulixes smote him again so hard that he gaf him a great wound upon his throat/ And cut a two his original vain/ And smote him as half dead/ And the Trojans ran and took him fro the Greeks/ And bore him upon his shield in to the city/ And ne had be this adventure of this King The Greeks had been discomfited/ But the Trojans intended strongly to save him/ And then arrived the King thoas and the King Agamemnon The King Menelaus and the King Telamon Ajax with all their power and descended a land and meddled them in the battle/ And brack their spears upon the Trojans. And beat down many some dead and some hurt/ At this joining were many Trojans slain.  
When the King prothesalus departed from the battle where he had been since the beginning For to take breath And when he came to the port He found all his men nigh by dead/ For whom he wept for pity/ And took again his courage for to avenge the death of his men/ And went again to the battle. And in his great ire slew many Troyans' and wounded them and smote down many of them of their horses. Then came to the battle of the party of the Trojans the King perses with great company of knights/ At the coming of the Ethiopians began the battle mortal. And had many Greeks slain & by force made them to go back And had without fail discomfited them/ ne had the worthy Palamedes son descended a land/ For at his coming the Greeks were recomforted And also Palamedes made right marvels with his hand/ And addressed him against sagamon the brother of King menon and nephew of the King of pierce/ that sore grieved the Greeks And he smote him so sore with his spear that he pierced him through out the body/ And smote him dead down to the earth And after he smote in to the great press And beat down all that he met/ And each man that knew him made him way/ And then roose a cry upon the Trojans that they might not suffer the strength of Palamedes And were recoiled by force And had been all discomfited/ But the most worthy of all worthy hector when he heard the cry upon his people/ he issued out of the city with great company of knights and entered in to the battle Armed in rich arms/ And bare in his shield of gold a lion of gules/ his strength was anon known/ among the Greeks/ And encountered and met in his coming the King Protesilaus that had not of all the day ceasedd to slay Trojans And he smote him with his sword by so great might upon his helm/ That he cleft him unto the nombril notwithstanding his Armour/ And fill down dead to the earth. And after hector thrusted in to the greatest press/ and as many Greeks as he araught with his sword he slew then each man fled fro him making him way And demanded the Greeks one of another/ what was he that so grieved them And anon they knew that it was hector the most strong man of the world and then was there none so hardy that durst abide his struck.  
then hit happened that hector went out a little for to refresh him And then the Greeks reprised courage up on the Trojans/ And this happened that day eight or ten times/ it was about the hour of evensong what time hector departed fro the battle/ And re-entered in to the city/ For the Greeks were with all discomfited And then arrived the right strong Achilles with his myrondones and entered anon in to the battle well with three thousand good knights/ That were with him And then were the Trojans on all sides beaten down and slain For against Achilles endured no man but he were beaten down to the earth or sore hurt.  
then were arrived all the navy of the Greeks/ and the knights go on a land & meddled with the other in the battle/ wherefore the Trojans had much to suffer in so far that they must needs flee in to their city and Achilles and the other slew them fleeing there was a great cry of the hurt men there was achilles all died with the blood of the Trojans that he had slain/ And there was great occision at the entry in to the city/ There saw the faders her children slain to fore her eyen And the occision and slaughter had been more great/ Ne if troilus Paris and Deiphobus with a great company fierce and new ne had comen out and issued of the city that resisted the Greeks and made th'occision to cease/ And also the night was nigh/ And each man with drew him in to his place/ The Troyans' shutted her city and did make good watch/ And Achilles with the Greeks returned to their tents with great glory/ That were not yet dressed/ But the King Agamemnon did do dress them incontinent And made each man to take place covenable after his estate. And they that had no tents ne pavilions lodged them under the leaves the best wise they could them and their horses And after anchored their ships as well as they might and took out of them all that was necessary to them Thus made the Greeks their siege this night and set it to fore the city of Troy And made marvelous great fires in the host that made it as light as it had be day/ So were they lodged nigh together and made right good watch/ how well that they had none assaults this night/ And they had all the night trumpets and minstrels great plenty That Agamemnon ordained for to comfort the host And they rested this night all Armed the best wise they could/ This was the first battle of the Greeks and of the Trojans at their coming etc..   

¶ Of the second battle tofore Troy in the which were many Kings and great barons slain by the worthy hector/ And how the Trojans had been victorious of their enemies ne had been the prayer of Telamon Ajax cousin of hector etc.  
ANd when the night was passed/ hector that had the charge of all them of the city ordained right early his battles in a great plain that was in the city And put in the first battle two thousand good knights which he betook to lead and conduit to twain of his kinsmen That is to weet to Glaucon the son of the King of key and to afiamolor his bastard brother/ And assigned to them the King Theseus of Trahie and Archilogus his brother that was wise and valiant/ and made them to issue out by the gate named Dardan that stood against the host of the Greeks/ In the second battle he put three thousand good knights & strong whom he took to conduit to the King exampitus of Phrygia & to the King Alcanus that were knights of great strength/ and recommended them to the guard of the gods/ & made them issue out after the other in good ordinance/ The third battle he be took to Troilus his brother for to conduit with three thousand knights wise and hardy/ and said to him at the departing My right dear brother the leysse of my heart putteth me in doubt of thy great hardiness wherefore I pray the that thou govern the wisely in the battle in such wise that thou enterprise not such things as thou Mayst not achieve/ and that thou put not thy body in danger of death by over much weening/ whereby thou Mightest give joy to thine enemies & ours/ Go thy way in the name of the god's that the conduit & keep fro peril and encumbrance/ Ha. a sire brother answered troilus it needeth you not to doubt of me. For I shall do that in me is/ right as ye have commanded/ and then he went forth with his company after the other And bare in his shield three lions of gold.  
HEctor put in the fourth battle three thousand knights & seven hundred/ whom he took to conduit to King huppon of Larissa/ This King huppon was most strong of all the Trojans next hector/ and had in his company a valiant knight a bastard brother of hector wise & hardy named Dimachus The .v. battle hector delivered to conduit to the King of cisayne with all his folk/ that were marvelous strong & great as giants/ And the same King bare in his shield all azure with out any difference/ And hector commised in this battle polidamas his bastard brother with this King/ and issued after the other The sixth battle led the King precemessus/ that had his people well Induced to shoot and draw the bow And went without arms to battle mounted upon good light horses And hector commised Deiphobus▪ his brother to conduit them and issued after the other/ With this battle adjusted hector all the chivalry of the royalme of Agreste under the conduit of King Esdras and of King philon This King philon had a marvelous char all of ivory of gold and of silver and of precious stones/ This char conducted two strong knights/ with these two Kings hector put epitagoren his bastard brother/ And they issued after the other The seventh battle lad Eneas And a noble admiral named enfrene And they went after the other The eight battle lad the King of pierce named perses/ And Paris was chief and captain/ And hector prayed Paris his brother that he should not assemble unto the Greeks unto the time that he came himself/ And that he would follow him anon/ The ninth battle and the last lad hector himself And ten of his bastard brethren after him And all the best knights of the city chosen/ were in this battle to the number of five thousand etc..  
then when hector was richly arrayed/ And Armed with good harness and scewre/ he mounted upon his horse named galathe/ that was one of the most great and strongest horse of the world And so Armed and mounted he rood unto the King his father And said to him right dear father retain with you a thousand and five hundred knights and all the men of foot of this city/ And hold you without to fore the sight of the Greeks And move you not But if I send you word/ to the end if we have necessity/ that ye be our refuge/ And I shall send you all way among my messengers that shall say to you the state of the battle/ And take ye good heed and guard that our enemies take not our city by cautel or treason. And the King answered to him/ My son I shall do all as thou haste to me said/ For next after the aid and help of the gods/ Thou art all my hope and trust/ And have no faith but in the virtue of thine arms and in the great discretion of thy wit And I pray to the gods right humbly that they will keep the hole and sound and preserve the fro encumbrance.  
AFter these words hector went him forth after the other/ This hector was much courageous. Strong. and victorious in battle/ and a right wise conductor of men of arms/ His shield was all of gold/ And in the middle a lion of gules And how well that he was the last that issued out of his house or of the city/ yet passed he alway all the battles and came and put himself afore in the first battle/ The women that were in the city/ And all the other went upon the walls for to behold the battles/ Th●re were the daughters of the King with the Queen Helen that had great doubt And diverse imaginations in herself.  
whiles that hector had ordained his battles. The King Agamemnon was not idle/ but ordained right early of his people six and twenty battles/ He put in the first battle Patroclus with his people and with the folk of Achilles. which was not that day in the battle/ for his wounds that he had and did do heel them in his tent This patroclus was a much noble due and rich and loved so much Achilles that they were both of one alliance In the second battle was the King men on And the King Idumeus with three thousand knights And there was with them the due of Athens with all his people The third battle led the King Achalaphus/ And his son phimenus with her people/ The fourth battle lad the King Archelaus/ And the King prothenor his brother & with them was securidam the right strong knight with all the people of Boeotia/ The fifth battle lad the King menelaus with all his people of Sparta. The sixth battle lad the King Epistrophus and the King celidus with all her people/ The seventh battle lad Telamon Ajax with all his people of salamine And he had four Earls with him/ that is to wete Theseus Amphimachus Dorius & Polidarius/ The eight led the King Thoas/ The ninth led Ajax aleus/ The tenth lad the King philotus/ The eleventh the King Idumeus and the King meron/ The twelfth the Duke nestor/ The thirteenth ld the King Exiona/ The fourteen the King Ulixes/ The fifteenth the King humerus In the sixteenth were the folk of Protesilaus much desiring to avenge the death of their lord/ The seventeenth lad the King polidarius And the King Machaon The eighteenth the King of Rhodes/ The nineteenth the ●yng sampitus And the King lidorus/ The twentieth the King ger●pulus/ The one and twentieth the King philotetes of Larissa/ The two and twentieth Diomedes The three and twentieth the King Oeneus of cypress. The four and twentieth the King Prothalus/ The fyfe and twentieth the King carpenor/ The six and twentieth and the last battle lad the King Agamemnon Emperor of all the host.  
When all the battles were ordained on that one side and on that other/ And was no thing to do but t'assemble then advanced him hector all there first And patroclus came against him as much as his horse might run/ And smote him so strongly with his spear in his shield that he pierce it through out/ but more harm did he not/ then hector assailed patroclus with his sword/ And gave him so great a struck upon his head that he cleft it in two pieces/ And Patroclus fill down dead to the ground/ when hector saw him dead he coveted his arms/ For they were right quaint and rich/ And alighted down of his horse for to take them/ But the King Menon came upon him with three thousand good knights for to defend the King Patroclus against hector/ And said to him thus/ Ha. A wolf ravishing and insatiable. Certes the behoveth to seek thy pray in some other place for here gettest thou none/ And then they assailed him on all sides/ And would have taken fro him galathee his horse/ But hector by his prowess remounted would they or not and wend to have venged him on King Menon/ But the King Glaucon and the King Theseus and Archilogus his son came with three thousand fighters/ And then hector layed on and beat down all afore him/ And the first that he met he gave so great a stroke that he slew him and after him many more he beat down and slew.  
THus began the battle on both sides And hector came again to the body of Patroclus for to have his arms/ But the King Idumeus of crete came against him with two thousand fighters/ And the King menon that had alway his eye to hector letted him and was so in the way/ that hector might not have his arms that he sore desired And suffered great pain for as much as he was on foot/ but he enforced him with all his courage/ And began to slay man and horse And to smite of heeds legs feet and arms And slew fifteen of the strongest that assailed him. In this mean while the King menon took the body of patroclus tofore him and bore it unto his tent/ as the Greeks contended to grieve hector and to take away his horse there was among them a right strong knight named creon de la plerre/ that grieved him most/ then one of the servants of hector addressed him again this Creon/ Andrea gaf him so great a stroke with his spear/ that he smote him down dead to the earth/ And after he smote down another And escried to the Trojans right loud that they should come and succour hector/ with this cry came first securabor one of the bastard brethren of hector/ and thrusted in to the greatest press so far that he came upon them that most grieved hector that had slain more then thirty of them And did so much that by force he made the Greeks to recoil And then was hector remounted upon his horse And thrusted in among them by great fiercety and slew great plenty of them for the displeasure that he might not have the arms of patroclus/ then he recountered none but he slew him/ or beat him down hurt And each man made him way and dread him etc..  
then came to the battle Menesteus the Duke of Athens and came & joined him to the battle where as Troilus was that did marvels and had with him the King Sampitus/ The King Machaon And the King Alcanus/ Tho began fierce battles Menesteus addressed him against Troilus. And there fought against him with so great force/ that he beat him down of his horse in the great press of the folk And Menesteus contended with all his strength in so much that he took him/ And ld him toward their tents with great company of knights/ then imseres of Troy escried to the Trojans that Troilus was prisoner/ And that they should be dishonoured if they suffered him to be led away/ then the King Alcanus took his spear that was right strong/ And addressed him unto them that held Troilus/ And smote the first down dead to the earth/ and smote another & sore wounded him/ and did so much by the aid of his men that Troilus was rescued And set again upon his horse And also by the help of King Sampitus that came on with all his people/ And gave so great a struck to menesteus overthwart/ That if he had not be well armed he had been slain/ And then escried Menesteus to his people and so began among them a mortal battle/ And there were many slain on that one side and on that other/ among these things Menesteus that was sorry that he had lost his prisoner/ recountered miseries/ By whom he had lost him And anon he knew him/ he addressed him to him and beat him down And the same time smote down another knight/ Tham came to the battle Huppon & hiripisus with two thousand fighters And against them came menelaus and prothenor with their folk And there began a mortal meddle etc..  
Anon after came polidamas the son of Antenor with a great company And thrusted in on that other side among his enemies/ After came the King Remus fro Troy with three thousand fighters And against them came menelaus with all his people/ the said menelaus addressed him against King Remus/ and jousted together/ And smote each other to the ground. Then addressed him polidamas and remus against the nephew of Helen a young man twenty year old/ And remus gave him so great a struck with his spear that he smote him down dead to the earth/ whereof menelaus had great sorrow/ for he loved him much And in his great ire he gaf so great a stroke to Remus with his sword That he smote him down as dead And when the King remus was so beaten down/ his men had wend that he had been dead & would have fled ne had been polidamas that retained them with great pain And did so much that they took their King so hurt as he was And bore him home in safety then the King celidus that was the most fair King of the world addressed him to polidamas and smote him with his spear But he could not remove him polidamas gave him so great a stroke with his sword that he smote him down dead to the earth/ among these things hector went and came fouling and slaying his enemies And made way to fore him in slaying of knights and beating down so far that he came upon them of salamine that the King Telamon conducted that slew many of the Trojans and beat down by his prowess/ then the King thenter gave so great a stroke with his spear to hector/ that he made him a deep wound And then hector in his great ire encountered an admiral of the Greeks and slew him cruelly with his sword. Then was hector closed with his enemies on all parties There was of the Greeks the King Theseus And he said to hector and warned him that he should go out of the battle/ And said that it were damage for all the world to lose such a knight And hector thanked him right courteously.  
IN this while Menelaus and Telamon assailed polidamas And Telamon that addressed him first smote him with his spear/ and after gave him many strokes in so much that they broke the lace of his helm and took him/ And had led him. away ne had hector have be which was not far/ that smote among them that held him and slew and hurt many of them and did so much by his valiance that he slew thirty of them And the other fled/ and left polidamas with him then there put them together the King Epistrophus The King menelaus and the King Telamon with all her people And smote in among the Troyans' by so great fiercety that they made them go a back maugre them/ notwithstanding the great prowess of hector that was with the other that did marvels in his person/ and then was his good horse galathe slain under him/ and then he defended him a foot so marvelously that there was none so hardy of the Greeks that durst approach him when his kretherns knew the right great danger that he was in/ they ran all to that part/ though was Telamon sore hurt And dinadorus one of the bastard brethren of hector gave so great a stroke to polixenus a noble man that he slew him and beat him down of a great and a strong horse whereupon he sat/ And took the stead to hector that mounted upon him in continent there were marvels of arms done by the bastards then came on Deiphobus with all his host where in he had great foison of Archers that hurted and slew great foison of Greeks/ And Deiphobus made and gave to King thenter a great wound in the visage/ Tho began the battle also mortal as it had been mall the day There was Theseus assailed of Quintelinus one of the bastard brethren of hector and of King moderus and was taken and led away/ But hector delivered him all quite for the courtesy that he had done to him a little tofore.  
then came to the battle of the party of the Greeks/ The King though as And the King Phylotas But the King Thoas addressed him against cassilanus one of the bastard brethren of hector & gave him so great a stroke that he slew him down to the earth seeing hector/ which then smote so angrily among the Greeks/ That anon he slew many/ And put them all to flight/ then came to the battle nestor with six thousand knights/ And the King Esdras and the King Phylon that did great marvels of arms came against them/ At this assemble there were many knights slain. and beaten down of that one party and of that other/ The King Philon that did right marvels in arms was enclosed with the Greeks on all sides And had be slain if Jecomas and the King esdras his father ne had delivered him fro their hands/ Hector and his brother did marvels with polidamas/ and had put all the Greeks to fight/ but menelaus & Telamon resisted them strongly then came Eneas to the battle with all his host/ And put him inn with hector and the other And by force put the Greeks to plain flight/ whereof Ajax had much great sorrow/ And also as he beheld behind him he saw the banners that came to the battle that had not yet have been there/ And there was all the flower of the chivalry of Greece then prayed h●them that fled/ that they would abide and recommence and begin new battle Ajax and Eneas encountered so hard that they fill both to the earth/ And then came philotras with three thousand knights & made the Trojans go back. and smote hector with his spear but he might not remove him/ and hector gaf him so great a stroke with his sword That he beat him sore hurt/ then came to the battle the King humerus/ and the King Ulixes with all their people and the King hamelius/ and they had well in their host ten thousand knights/ the which did the Trojans much sorrow that were much weary/ to their socours came Paris to the battle/ & in his coming smote so hard the King of Phrygia that was cousin to Ulixes that he slew him & beat him down/ whereof the Greeks had much sorrow/ And Ulixes supposed to have smitten Paris with his spear/ but he smote his horse & slew him/ and Paris fill to the earth/ then Troilus gave to Ulixes so great a stroke that he wounded him in the visage and made the blood spring out like ●s the win Kenneth out of a ton etc.. And Ulixes hurted him again/ and truly the Trojans had then fled/ ne had been the great prowess of hector and of his brethren/ For hector ne ceasedd to put himself in the greatest press here and there/ And each man that knew him made him way.  
When he saw that his people might not suffer the great strength of the Greeks/ he withdrew 〈◊〉 on a side/ And told them what injuries the Greeks had done to them/ And what they would do if they came to their above/ And then admonished and warned them to do well/ And after brought them by a valley on the right side for to assail their enemies/ There was great occision of the Greeks/ there was the King thoas assailed of the bastard brethren of hector/ For to avenge the death of cassibelanus their brother that he had slain They beat him down of his horse And razed of his helm fro his head And had slain him incontinent/ if the Duke of Athens had not come on that thrusted in among them and gave so great a stroke to one of the bastards Quintelinus that he fill down to the ground sore hurt And Paris smote the Duke with an arrow in the side/ And made him a great wound/ But the Duke that was sore hurt set not thereby but maugre them all he delivered the King thoas fro their hands/ then hector did great pain to put the Greeks unto flight/ And then the King Humerus shot an arrow unto hector And hurted him in the visage/ And hector ran upon him by so great ire that he smote him so sore upon the head that he cleft it unto the teeth and he fill down dead then with blowing of an horn came more than seven thousand Greeks for t'assail hector that defended him against them marvelously After this he went a little to his father and took three thousand knights fresh and fires and brought them to the battle/ And at their coming he made great occision of the Greeks etc..  
Ajax and hector jousted together and fought each with other/ Menelaus slew at this joining an admiral of Troy Celidones slew moles of oreb the nephew of King thoas Mandon smote out an eye of King cedonyus Sadellus slew an admiral of the Greeks/ Telamon beat margareton and sore wounded him. Famuell beat the King prothenor to the earth The King of gall jousted against menesteus But menesteus hurt him on the nose with his sword then deanor seeing his brother hurt/ addressed him to menesteus and smote him down to the earth And then ran upon him three brethren that would have slain him or taken him/ but he defended him valiantly And anon he was succoured by the King thenter/ but hector then assailed them both And without fault they had not escaped him/ ne had Ajax the strong knight have comen to the rescous/ with a thousand knights that he had in his company/ Tho came on the King of pierce with five thousand knights that Paris lad And so did all the other Trojans and made the Greeks recoil and go back by force/ Dares writeth in his book that hector slew a thousand knights only in this assault.  
Among all other things Hector encountered the King menon to fore a tent & said to him/ ha'. a evil traitor the hour is comen that thou shalt receive thy reward for that thou returnest me to take the arms of patroclus/ and then he smote him so great a struck that he fill down to the ground/ And after hector alighted down and smote of his head/ and would have taken his arms from him/ But menesteus letted him and smote upon hector overthwart by such force that he gaf him a great wound And went his way without more tarrying doubting the furor of hector then hector went out of the stowre And did do bind his wound that it bled no more▪ And after went in again in to the stour/ And slew in his coming many Greeks/ And dares saith that after he had bounden his wound/ he slew the same day a thousand knights And there was none that had courage to avenge him against him or defend/ But he put them all to flight/ And the Trojans entered in to their tents and pilled and robbed them/ and took all the best that they could find etc..  
IN this day had the Trojans had victory of all the Greeks if fortune that is diverse had will consented/ For they might have slain them all And eschewed the great evils that after came to them. Certes it is not wisdom when any man findeth his enemy in great peril and fortune/ to offer his power to deliver him thereof/ For it happeth oft times/ that he shall never recover to have his enemy in the same case/ but that fortune torn her back Thus it happened this day to the unhappy hector/ that was at the above of his enemies and might have slain them all if he had would/ for they sought no thing but for to flee/ when by great misadventure came afore him in an encounter Telamon Ajax that was son of King Telamon and Exiona And was cousin germane of hector and of his brethren which was wise & valiant/ which addressed him against hector & delivered to him a great assault And hector to him as they that were valiant both two/ and as they were fighting they spoke together And thereby hector knew that he was his cousin germane son of his aunt And then hector for courtesy embraced him in his arms and made him great cheer And offered to him to do all his pleasure if he desired any thing of him/ And prayed him that he would come to Troy with him for to see his lineage of his mother side/ But the said Telamon that intended no thing but to his advantage said that he would not go at this time/ But prayed to hector saying/ that if he loved him so much as he said/ that he would for his sake and at his Instance do cease the battle for that day/ and that the Trojans should leave the Greeks in peace/ The unhappy hector accorded to him his request. And blew an horn & made all his people to withdraw in to the city then had the Trojans begun to put fire in the ships of the Greeks and had all brent them/ Ne had hector called them fro thence/ whereof the Trojans were sorry of the repeal This was the cause wherefore the Trojans lost to have the victory/ to the which they might never after attain ne come for fortune was to them contrary And therefore Virgil saith/ Non est misericordia in bello That is to say there is no mercy in battle A man aught not to take misericorde/ But take the victory who may get it.   

¶ Of the first truce of two months demanded by the Greeks/ And of the third battle between them in the which hector bore achilles to the ground twice & after slew the King prothenor & smote him with one stroke in two parties.  
then it came on the morn betimes/ the Trojans armed them for to go & assail the Greeks But the Greeks sent by times to King Priant/ And demanded truce for two months/ and he agreed to them the said truce And then were the dead bodies gathered as well of that on party as of that other And some were buried and some brent Achilles was then sorrowful for the death of patroclus That he could not in no wise be comforted He made his body to be buried in a much rich sepulture and so did they of the other as of the King Protesilaus and other Kings and Princes that were slain. And they that were hurt and wounded/ they did do be healed during the truces/ Priam the King did do bury his bastard son cassibelanus right honourably in the temple of venus And took great sorrow for his death/ and so did all the other etc..  
When cassandra heard the dole and sorrow that the Trojans made for the death of their friends/ she escried and said O méchant Trojans make sorrow for yourself For in like wise shall it happen & come to you as it is to your friends/ that shall be the death/ Alas why ne seek ye peace of the Greeks/ to fore ere these evils come to you and ere this noble city be destroyed/ alas why ne yield you not again Helen/ that the King my father did do ravish by force/ wherefore ye shall all be destroyed among all these things/ Palamedes murmured strongly of the signory of Agamemnon/ saying that he was not worthy to have so great domination above all the other And that he himself was more worthy to have the signory of the host then Agamemnon/ and that he had not the g●●e and consent of the princes/ but only of three or four and then at that time there was no thing further proceeded  
When the truces were failed/ The King Agamemnon that had the Charge of all the host ordained right early his battles/ And gave the first to Achilles/ And the second to Diomedes. The third to Menelaus The fourth to Menesteus the Duke of Athenes And in all the other he ordained good captains and conductors/ Hector ordained his battles in like wise/ And set in the first Troilus. And in all the other he set good captains and hardy And made all the battles to issue out/ And he set himself in the front tofore/ And when Achilles saw him he ran against him/ And hector against him That they smote each other to the earth right sore. Hector remounted first and left Achilles lying on the earth/ And smote in among the other in the most greatest press And he reached no knight but he slew him or beat him down/ And went through out the battle all made red of the blood of them that he had slain/ when Achilles was remountid he thrusted in among the Troyans' in the greatest press and slew many and he went so far that he encountered hector again/ And he ran to him/ And hector to him/ But Achilles was born down to ground/ And hector would have taken his horse/ But he might not for the great socours that achilles had/ when he was remounted he assailed hector with his sword & gave so great strokes to hector/ That nigh he had beaten him/ But hector gave to him so great a stroke upon the helm That he enfoundered him & made the blood spring out of his head/ Thus was the battle mortal of the two knights/ and if they had not been departed that one or that other had be slain/ but their people departed them/ then came Diomedes to the battle and Troilus on that other side/ which smote each other to the earth/ But Diomedes remounted first. And assailed Troilus that was on foot that defended him valiantly/ and slew the horse of Diomedes But their men remounted them both/ two/ by force And began again to meddle/ And Diomedes had taken and lad away Troilus// if the Trojans had not put them in peril of death for to rescue him. And many of them were slain/ then came to the battle menelaus of the Greeks side/ And Paris on the other side And then in going and coming hector ceasedd not to slay and to beat down knights then there was a new knight named bretes that assailed him fiercely/ but hector by right great ire smote him upon the helm so great a stroke that he cleft his head unto the nombril and he fill down dead/ seeing that The King Archilogus his cousin/ And hector would have taken his horse/ But the King Archilogus defended him as much as he might/ And then hector ran upon him and smote him so hard that he smote his body in two pieces notwithstanding his harness/ The King prothenor addressed him to hector that then took no guard ne heed/ And smote him down to the earth/ And hector Remounted anon upon his horse And gave to King prothenor so great a stroke with all his might that he cleft his body in to two halves/ seeing Achilles that was his parent or cousin/ that had so great sorrow/ that he and the King Archelaus contended to avenge his death/ But the Trojans came upon with so great strength that the Greeks must needs flee And the Trojans followed them. Unto their tents And then the night came on that made them to depart And the Trojans returned in to their city.   

¶ How the Greeks held parliament how they might slay the worthy Hector/ And how they returned to the fourth battle/ In the which Paris and Menelaus encountered/ And the King thoas was brought prisoner to Troy.  
AFter this battle when the night was come. All the kings Princes and barons of the Greeks assembled at the tent of King Agamemnon. And there held they their parliament how they might slay hector/ And they said well that as long as he were a live and came to battle against them They might never vanquish the Trojans/ But he should to them do great damage/ And for to bring this thing to the end/ They required Achilles that he would take it upon him as well for his strength as for his wisdom. And Achilles enterprised gladly/ As he that wi●te that hector desired more his death/ then the death of any other/ And also hector was he/ by whom he might soonest lose his life/ After this council they went to rest till on the morn be times that they armed them. And hector was then issued out of the city with his battles well and diligently ordained/ And was himself to fore all other in the first battle/ And after him Eneas And then Paris And then Deiphobus And after him Troilus/ And after him the other following each in his order/ then joined all the Trojans together/ And were more than an hundred thousand fighting men/ Tho began the battle horrible and mortal/ Paris with them of pierce that were good knights slew with shot many Greeks and hurted them Hector encountered the King Agamemnon And beat him and wounded him sore And then achilles assailed hector And gave to him so many strokes that he broke his helm/ then Eneas 〈◊〉 Troilus came to the rescous of hector/ And Diomed came upon that addressed him to Eneas and beat him/ And said to him in mockery/ Ha. A. good counsellor that gavest council to thy King to offend and grieve me. Know thou for truth that if thou come oft in to these battles and that I may meet with the/ that thou shalt not escape without death.  
Among these things hector assailed achilles And gave to him so many strokes that he all to ●russhid and broke his helm/ And wend to have taken him But the son of guideus ran upon hector And gave him so great a stroke with his sword/ That he hurted him sore/ And hector in his ire recountered Diomedes/ And gave him so great a stroke that he beat him down to the ground/ then Troilus alighted and descended down for to fight with Diomedes a foot/ but Diomedes defended him so valiantly that it was marvel/ And beside them fought together hector & Achilles/ then came to the medley all the Kings and Princes of Greece with great company of men of arms/ And fro the party of the Trojans came all the barons that were comen to their aid/ There began marvelously the battle/ The King Agamemnon And the King Pampitus fought together/ The King Menelaus recountered Paris/ And they knew each other well/ And Menelaus smote him so hard with his spear/ That he made him a great wound and smote him down/ whereof Paris was all a shamed/ Ulixes beat the King Arastus And took his horse that was good and sent it to his tent. Polimytes ●●●ayllyd huppon the ancient and slew him 〈◊〉 and the King Archilogus fought together/ Polidamas beat Palamedes and wounded him sore/ And after mocked him by reproach/ The King Scelenus/ And the King Carras encountered together and Carras was sore beaten and wounded Philomenus beat Antenor/ Philoteas and the King Remus fought together/ the King Theseus and the King Eryalus fought together and both were sore hurt And the bastards of King Priam did marvels and slew many Greeks And hurt many Kings/ The King Telamon and the King sarpedon jousted so sore that one against that other that they fill both sore hurt and all astonied of the anguish that they had/ The King Thoas and achilles that were cousins assaileden hector/ Andrea gaf him many strokes And drew of his helm fro his head & hurted him in many places And hector gave to him so great a struck with his sword that he cut of half his nose.  
TO the rescous of hector came his bastard brethren that slew many of the Greeks & took the King Thoas & wounded & beat the King Agamemnon in such wise that he was born to his tents as dead/ and the King thoas was lad prisoner to Troy/ Menelaus contended to grieve Paris/ And Paris shot to him an arrow envenomed/ and wounded him in such wise that he was born in to his tent/ and as soon as menelaus had bound his wound he came again to the battle for to grieve Paris if he had founden him/ and he found him & assailed him But eneas put himself between them both/ For as much as Paris was unarmed for to avente him/ and so eneas ld him in to the city to the end that menelaus should not slay him/ then hector assailed menelaus. And wend to have taken him/ But there came to the rescous great plenty of chivalry of the Greeks wherefore hector might not come to his intent And then he thrusted in and smote among the other And did so much with help of his folk that the Greeks fled/ And then the night came on that made the battle to cease.   

¶ How Priam would that the King thoas that was prisoner should have been hanged And how they returned to the fifth battle/ In the which hector slew wi●h his hand three Kings And how Diomedes slew the sagittary etc.  
When it came on the morn be times the King Priant would not that they should fight that day but sent for his council/ That is to weet hector. Paris troilus and Deiphobus/ Eneas Antenor and polidamas/ And said to them/ ye know how we hold prisoner the King thoas/ That without cause that we have deserved is come for to destroy us/ And therefore me thinketh good/ That we make him die an evil death/ What say ye thereto/ ha' sire said eneas. The god forbid that your noblesse should do such a villainy/ since it is so that the King Thoas is one of the most noble Kings of Greece And that it might hap that the Greeks might take one of ours/ To whom they might do in semblable wise// whereof ye might take the greatest sorrow of the world/ So then it is better as me thinketh that ye keep right well the King thoas without misdoing to him/ that if by fortune one of ours were taken/ we might make a change and take that one for that other/ This council seemed good to hector/ But the King Priant said to them yet/ if ye do thus/ it shall seem to the Greeks that we doubt us and that we dare not put their folk to death notwithstanding I shall do by your council This council finished Eneas took Troilus and Antenor and went to see Helen/ whom they found in the great hall of Ilion with the Queen hecuba/ And many other noble Ladies where she made great sorrow And they supposed then to have comforted her/ And so did the Queen hecuba that said to her that she should take no thought ne sorrow/ And that they of the city should well defend them.  
Among these things the Greeks complained them sore of the death of their friends that the Trojans slew thus/ And held himself children that they had put them in such danger/ whereof they had well passed and been delivered if they had had good council/ And yet it happened that same night. That there came so great a wind and so great a rain that her tents were all turned up so down to the earth And seemed that the world should have ended by the great storm whereof her sorrow double when it came in the morning when the tempest was passed they armed them all through out the host And went them against the Trojans// that though were issued to battle Achilles addressed him first to huppon that was great as a giant and was King of Larissa. And he smote him so sore with a spear in the breast/ that he slew him & bore him down to the earth/ hector slew in his coming the King Athomeus/ Diomedes slew the King Antipus/ then the King Epistrophus and the King cedus assaileden hector/ And Epistrophus jousted against hector And broke his spear upon him And said to him many villains words// whereof hector was angry And in his great ire gaf him so great a struck that he slew him/ And after said to him that he should go & say his villainous words to them that were dead such as he was wont to say to living men/ then was cedeus passing sorrowful of the death of his brother And admonished a thousand knights that he had for to slay hector. And they assailed him anon & beat him of his horse/ And then they cried to King cedeus for to slay hector. And when hector apperceived that/ he gave him so great a struck That he cut of his arm whereof he fill for the anguish that he felt/ and anon hector slew him Eneas slew in his medley the King Amphimachus And there went together all the most puissant of Greeks and assailed the Trojans and slew many of them And they went by so great force that they put the Trojans in a chase in the which achilles slew the King philis/ whereof hector had great sorrow/ and in his ire he slew the King Dalpmee and the King doreus And thus by the puissance of hector The Trojans recovered the field and slew many Greeks etc..  
then issued out of Troy the King Epistrophus with three thousand knights/ and they forayed and thrusted among the Greeks That recoiled in their coming// for as much as he brought with him a sagittary the same that afore is made mention of/ This sagittary was not armed But he bore a strong bow and a turquoyse that was full of arrows/ and shot strongly/ when the knights of the Greeks saw this marvelous best/ They had no will to go forth. And they that were afore began to withhold them. And went aback among these things hector slew Polixenes the noble due that fought sore against him. And by the strength of the Troyans' and the horror of the sagittary the Greeks were recoiled unto their tents/ Hyt happened that Diomedes tofore one of the tents was assailed of the sagittary/ And had this best to fore him and the Troyans' on his back. And so behoved him there to show his puissance The sagittary had though shot an arrow to him And Diomedes that was not well assured advanced him nigh unto him/ And gave him so great a stroke with his sword the which was not armed that he slew him. And at that time it was past midday/ And then the Greeks recovered the field/ And made the Troyans' to flee/ And then intercountered Hector and Achilles And with force of their spears they fought both two And fill both to the earth/ And as achilles was first remounted/ He supposed to have lad away galathe the good horse of hector But hector escried to his folk that they should not suffer him to lead him away then they ran upon Achilles and did so much that they rescued galathe & rendered him to hector that was right glad of him At this meddle was Antenor taken & sent to their tents notwithstanding that polidamas his son did marvels of arms for to rescue him/ but he might not/ And thus they fought to great damage of that one party and of that other unto that the night departed them.   

¶ Of the truce that were between them/ After the which began battle again fro morn to even with great damage of that one party and of that other/ But the Trojans lost more than the Greeks.  
IN the morn betimes the Greeks sent diomedes and Ulixes unto the King Priam for to have truce for three months The King Priam assembled his council upon this thing/ And each man agreed save hector That said that the Greeks feigned to will bury their dead bodies/ by cautel/ And them lacked victual/ And therefore required they truce To the end that during this time that they purvey them of victual/ And we daily waste ours whereof we may soon have scarcity/ how be it he would not abide only by his intent against the opinion of so many wise men And agreed with the other And the truce were accorded for three months/ This truce during the King though as was delivered in the stead of Antenor that they held prisoner/ whom they sent to the Trojans. Calchas that by the commandment of Apollo had left the Trojans had a passing fair daughter and wise named Briseida/ Chaucer in his book that he made of troilus named her Cryseida. For which daughter he prayed to King Agamemnon and to the other princes/ that they would require the King Priant to send Briseida to him They prayed enough to King Priant at the Instance of Calchas/ But the Trojans blamed sore Calchas and called him evil and false traitor/ And worthy to die/ that had left his own land and his natural lord for to go in to the company of his mortal enemies/ alway at the petition of the Greeks the King Priant scent Briseida to her father.  
THe truce during hector went him on a day unto the tents of the Greeks/ And Achilles beheld him gladly for as much as he had never seen him unarm/ And at the request of Achilles. Hector went in to his tent/ And as they spoke together of many thing/ Achilles said to hector/ I have great pleasure to see the unarmed for as much as I had never seen the tofore/ But yet I shall have more pleasure/ when the day shall come that thou shalt die of my hand/ which thing I most desire/ For I know the to be much strong And I have often times proved it unto the effusion of my blood/ whereof I have great Anger/ And yet have I more great sorrow for as much as thou slewest Patroclus him that I most loved of the world/ then thou Mayst believe for certain that be fore this year be past his death shall be avenged upon the/ By my hand/ And also I wot well that thou desirest to slay me/ Hector answered and said Achilles if I desire thy death marvel the nothing thereof. For as much as thou deservest to be mine enemy mortal/ Thou art come in to our land for to destroy me and mine/ I will well that thou know that thy words fear me nothing at all/ But yet I have hope that with in two year if I live/ And my sword fail me not/ That thou shalt die of mine hands/ Not thou alonely but all the most greatest of the Greeks: For among you ye have enterprised a great folly And it may none otherwise come to you thereby but death/ and I am assured that thou shalt die of my hand ere I shall die by thine And if thou ween that thou be so strong that thou Mayst defend the against me/ make it so that all the barons of thine host promise and accord that we fight body against body And if it happen that thou vanquish me/ that my friends and I shall be banished out of this royalme and we shall leave it unto the Greeks/ And thereof I shall leave good pledge And herein thou Mayst profit to many other That may run in great danger if they haunt the battle/ And if it happen that I vanquish the/ make that all they of this host depart hence And suffer us to live in peace/ Achilles achafed him sore with these words And offered him to do this battle and gave to hector his gage/ which hector took and received gladly etc..  
When Agamemnon knew of this haytye and bargain/ He went him hastily unto the tent of Achilles with a great company of noble men. Which would in no wise accord ne agreed to this battle saying that they would not submit them so many noble men under the strength of one man And the Trojans saiden in like wise/ save only the King Priant that would gladly agreed for the great strength that he felt in his son hector Thus was the champ broken/ And hector departed & went again to Troy fro the Greeks.  
When troilus knew certainly that Briseida should be sent to her father he made great sorrow For she was his sovereign lady of love/ And in semblable wise Briseida loved strongly troilus. And she made also the greatest sorrow of the world for to leave her sovereign lord in love/ there was never seen so much sorrow made between two lovers at their departing/ who that list to here of all their love/ let him leave the book of Troilus that chawcer made/ wherein he shall find the story whole/ which were to long to write here/ But finally Briseida was led unto the Greeks whom they received honourably among them was diomedes that anon was inflamed with the love of Briseida/ when he saw her so fair And in riding by her side/ he showed to her all his courage And made to her many promises and specially desired her love And then when she knew the courage of diomedes/ she excused her saying that she would not agreed to him ne refuse him at that time. For her heart was not disposed at that time to answer otherwise Of this answer Diomedes had great joy. For as much as he was not refused utterly And he accompanied her unto the tent of her father. And halp her down of her horse/ And took fro her one of her gloves that she held in her hands And she suffered him sweetly/ Calchas received her with great joy And when they were in privity between them both. Briseida said to her father these and semblable words  
A A. A. my father how is thy wit failed that were wont to be so wise and the most honoured and beloved in the city of Troy And governest all that was with inn And hadst so many richesses and possessions/ And haste been traitor thou that oughtest to have kept thy richesses and defended thy country unto the death/ But thou lovest better to live in poverty and in exile among the mortal enemies of thy country. O how shall this torn to the great villainy: Certes thou shalt never get so much honour/ as thou haste gotten villainy. And thou shalt not only be blamed in thy life/ but thou shalt also after thy death and be dampened in hell. And me seemeth yet it had been better to have dwelled out of the people upon some isle of the sea/ then to dwell here in this dishonour and villainy. Weenest thou that the Greeks hold the for true & faithful/ that art openly false & untrue to thy people. Certes it was not only the god Apollo that thus abused thee/ but it was a company of devils. And as she thus spoke to her father/ she wept strongly for the displeasure that she had etc..  
HA. a. my daughter said Calchas then/ weenest thou it is a sewer thing to despite the answer of the gods/ and specially in that thyngeth at toucheth my health. I know certainly by their answers that this war shall not dure long/ that the city ne shall be destroyed. And the nobles also and the burgesses. And therefore it is better for us to be here safe/ than to be slain with them. And then finished they their parliament. The coming of Briseida pleased much to all the Greeks. And they came thither and feasted her And demanded of her tidings of Troy and of the King Priam/ and of them that were with inn. And she said unto them as much as she knew courteously. Then all the greatest that were there promised her to keep her and hold her as dear as her daughter. And then each man went in to his own tent And there was none of them but that gave to her a jewel at the departing/ and then it pleased her well to abide and dwell with the Greeks/ and forgot anon the noble city of Troy/ and the love of the noble Troilus/ O how soon is the purpose of a woman changed and turned/ certes more sooner than a man can say or think Now late had Briseida blamed her father of the vice of treason/ which she herself exercised in forgetting her country and her true friend Troilus etc..   

¶ How the Greeks & Trojans began the sixth battle that dured by the space of thirty days in which were many Kings and Princes dead of that one side and of that other/ And how diomedes smote down Troilus of his horse and scent it to Briseida his love that received it gladly etc.  
AFter the three months of truce passed/ on the morn be times the Trojans appareled them to battle/ And when hector had ordained all his battles/ he issued out first and took with him fifteen thousand fighting men. And Troilus followed him with ten thousand knights. After him came paris with three thousand fighting men and good archers and well horsed. After came Deiphobus with three thousand fighters. After him came Eneas and the other all in order so many that there were this day of the party of the Trojans more than an hundred thousand good fighting men and hardy/ Of the party of the Greeks came all there first Menelaus with seven thousand knights. and after him Diomedes with as many/ And then Achilles that ld also seven thousand the King Palu with a great multitude of knights And the other after like as they were ordained. The King Philis advanced him alther first. And hector came against him so strong that he slew him with his spear. Then there rose a great cry of his death among the Greeks. And the occision and slaughter began so great that it was an horrible sight to see as well of that one side as of that other/ The King Pampitus slew many Trojans for to venge the death of his uncle and assailed hector/ but hector gaf him so great a strooke with his sword that he slew him also. And for to avenge his death the Greeks slew many of the Trojans/ Achilles' slew many noble men/ among the which he slew the Duke biraon. and cuforbe that was a much noble man. Hector was this day sore hurt in the visage/ and bled great plenty of blood. and wist not who had done it. And therefore the Trojans recoiled unto the walls. And when hector beheld and saw upon the walls the Queen hecuba his mother and his sisters/ He had great shame. And by great ire assailed the King menon cousin of Achilles/ and gave him so many strokes with his sword upon his helm that he slew him seeing Achilles/ that wend for to have enraged and took a strong spear. and ran against hector and broke his spear upon him/ but he could not remove him. And hector gaf him with his sword so great a strooke that he made him to tumble under his horse. And said to him Achilles Achilles thou contendest to approach to me/ know that thou approachest thy death. And as Achilles would have answered to hector/ Troilus came upon between them with a great number of knights and put him in the mids of them/ And there were slain more than five hundred knights of Greece/ and were put back by force/ And menelaus came to the rescous with three thousand fighting men. And of the party of the Trojans came the King Ademon that jousted against menelaus/ and smote him and hurted him in the visage. And he and troilus took him and had led him away/ if Diomedes had not come the sooner with a great company of knights/ And fought with Troilus at his coming and smote him down and took his horse/ and sent it to Briseida. And did do say to her by his servant/ that it was Troilus horse her love/ that he had beaten him by his prowess/ and prayed her fro then forth on that she would hold him for her love and friend etc..  
Briseida had great joy of these tidings/ and said to the servant that he should say unto his lord/ that she might not hate him that with so good heart loved her/ when Diomedes knew the answer/ he was right joyous/ and thrusted in among his enemies. But the Trojans that were stronger then they/ made the Greeks to go a back and recoil unto their tents and had slain them all if the King Agamemnon had not succoured them with right great strength then began the battle horrible and mortal/ And the Greeks recovered the field. And rebowted and put the Troyans' aback unto their dyches. Then came Polydamas to the rescous with a great number and multitude of knights and did fair appertises of war then Diomedes addressed him to him/ But he was beaten of Polydamas that took the horse of Diomedes and took it to Troilus that fought a foot/ And he mounted anon there upon/ then came Achilles against Troilus whom Troilus received gladly/ and beat down Achilles/ which remounted lightly. and assailed Troilus with his sword And Troilus defended him right valiantly. Then came on hector And had at this stowre slain more than a thousand knights. but the Greeks defended Achilles/ that were so oppressed that uneath they might defend him no more/ And he had been slain or taken/ if the King Telamon and the Duke of Athens had not succoured him. And they set him again on his horse with great pain/ & then the night came on that departed them. They fought thus thirty days continually to the great damage of both parties And there were slain six of the bastard sons of the King Priant. And hector was hurt in the visage. And therefore the King Priant demanded truces of the Greeks for six months. And they were agreed and accorded to him etc..   

¶ How the Greeks and the Trojans began the seventh battle/ that dured twelve days And after began the eight battle much damageous for the Trojans. For hector was slain by achilles And were rebouted in to their city by force of their great damage.  
during the six months of the truce aforesaid hector did him to be healed of his wounds And played in the noble hall of Ilion that was/ as the history saith the most Ryall hall and fair that was in all the world. Thus during the truce the King Priant did do bury his six bastard sons each in a sepulture by himself right honourably. among all other things Diomedes suffered great my seize for the love of Briseida/ and might not eat ne rest for thinking on her/ And required her many times of her love. And she answered him right wisely giving him hope without certainty of any point/ by the which Diomedes was inflamed of all points in her love/ when the six months were passed they began to fight by the space of twelve days continually fro the morning unto the evening. And there were many slain of that one side and of that other/ And then came a great mortality among the Greeks in the host of the great heat that though was/ And therefore the King Agamemnon required Truce/ which was agreed and accorded to him etc..  
When the truce was passed the night tofore Andromeda the wife of hector that had two fair sons by him whereof that one had to name Laoamedon/ and that other Astromatas. This Andromeda saw that night a marvelous vision. And her seemed if hector went that day following to the battle he should be slain. And she that had great fear and dread of her husband weeping said to him praying him that he would not go to the battle that day whereof hector blamed his wife saying that me should not believe ne give faith to dreams// and would not abide ner tarry therefore/ when it was in the morning Andromeda went unto the King Priant and to the Queen and told to them the verity of her vision. and prayed to them with all her heart that they would do so much to hector that he should not that day go to the battle etc..  
it happened that day was fair and clear And the Trojans Armed them And Troilus issued first in to the battle/ After him Eneas/ After Paris Deiphobus Polidamas and the King sarpedon the King Epistrophus the King Croys/ and the King Philomenus/ And after all the Princes that were comen in the aid of the Trojans/ each man in good ordinance/ And the King Priant sent to hector that he should keep him well that day fro going to battle. Wherefore hector was angry and said to his wife many words reproachable/ as he that knew well that this defence came by her request/ how be it notwithstanding the defence he armed him. And when Andromeda saw him armed she took her little children and fill down to the feet of her husband and prayed him humbly/ that he would take of his arms/ but he would not do it. And then she said to him/ at the lest if ye will not have mercy on me/ so have pity of your little children that I & they die not a bitter death. or that we shall be led in servitude & bondage in to strange countries/ With this point came upon them the Queen hecuba & the Queen Helen and the sisters of hector/ And they kneeled down to fore his feet and prayed him with weeping tears/ that he would do of his harness and unarm him and come with them in to the hall. But never would he do it for her prayers. but descended from the palace thus Armed as he was And took his horse and would have gone to battle. But at the request of Andromeda the King Priant came running anon/ and took him by the bridle and said to him so many things of one and other that he made him to return/ but in no wise he would not unarm him.  
Among all these things the battle was mortal of the Greeks and of the Trojans/ Diomedes and Troilus jousted together/ And at the assemble they grieved each other/ and without fail each of them had slain other if menelaus had not come and departed them. Then the King myseres of phrygia beat menelaus and had taken him when eneas came and distroubled them. And would have slain him/ But the said Troilus delivered them and slew many Greeks. Then came the King Telamon with three thousand fighting men/ And cystid in his coming against polidamas// and put him to the worse and unhorsed him. But Troilus succoured him and made him to remount on his horse. After came Paris and achilles on the other side/ that smote among the Trojans by so great force wyth the help of his people that he put them to the flight unto the city/ And in this chase achilles slew margareton one of the bastards of King Priant.  
When hector knew that Achilles had slain margareton/ he had great sorrow And did anon do lace on his helm/ and went him to the battle that his father knew not of. And in his coming he slew two noble dukes Greeks the Duke Coryphus/ and the Duke bastidus. And he thrusted in to the greatest press of the Greeks/ and slew as many as he could areach And the Greeks fled afore him that there was none so hardy that durst abide his strokes/ And thus the Trojans returned and slew the Greeks on all sides then the Greeks took polidamas & had led him away ne had hector have been/ which delivered him & slew many Greeks. Then an admiral of Greece named Leocides assailed hector/ and hector slew hymanone.  
When Achilles saw that hector slew thus the nobles of Greece and so many other that it was marvel to behold/ he thought that if hector were not slain that the Greeks should never have victory/ and also for as much as he had slain many Kings & Princes. He ran upon him marvelously and a noble Duke of Greece with him named Polyceus/ and was come for the love of Achilles/ the which had promised to give to him his sister in marriage/ But hector slew the same Duke anon seeing Achilles then Achilles weening to avenge the death of policeus assailed hector by great ire. But hector cast to him a dart so fiercely/ and made him a wound in his thy And then Achilles issued out of the battle and did do bind his wound and took a great spear in purpose to slay hector if he might meet him. Among all these things hector had taken a much noble baron of Greece much quaintly and richly armed/ And for to lead him out of the host at his ease/ had cast his shield behind him at his back/ And had left his breast discovered and as he was in this point and took none heed of Achilles that came privily unto him and put this spear with in his body/ And Hector fill down dead/ to the ground: when the King Menon saw▪ hector dead/ He assailed Achilles by great ire. and beat him down to the ground and hurt him strongly. And his men bore him in to his tent upon his shield. Then for the death of hector were all the Trojans discomfit/ and re-entered in to their city bearing the body of hector with great sorrow and lamentation.   

¶ Of the rich sepulture of hector and of the great lamentations and weepings that the Trojans made for his death// and how Palamedes was chosen Duke and governor of the host of the Greeks:.  
When hector was dead/ and his body born in to the city/ there is no tongue that could express the sorrow that was made in the city generally of men & women And that there was none but he had liefer to have lost his owen son than him/ And they said all that from thence forth they had lost all her hope and trust of defence/ And thus they demeaned right long their sorrow/ The noble Kings and Princes bore the body unto the palace of Ilion. Then when the King Priant saw him he fill down a swoon upon the body and was as dead for sorrow that uneath they could take him away by force. There demeaned great sorrow all his brethren/ what might men say of the sorrow that his mother the Queen made/ and after his sisters. O what sorrow made his wife/ Certes there can no man express all the lamentations that there were made/ And for as much as the body might not long endure without corruption. The King Priant took council of many wise masters How they might keep the body of hector without corruption and without sepulture/ And then he did do make by their council a rich sepulture upon four pillars of gold lift up an height upon the which was made a much rich tabernacle of gold and of precious stones. And on the four corners of the tabernacle were four images of gold that had semblance of Angel. And above the tabernacle there was a great image of gold that was made after the semblance of hector And had the visage turned toward the Greeks and held a naked sword and seemed that he menaced the Greeks. And there was in the mids of the tabernacle a place wide. where the masters setted and put the body of hector in flesh and in bones yclad in his best garments and robes. And stood right up on his feet/ and might endure so a long time in that wise without corruption by certain science that the masters had set on the summit or top of the head of hector/ that is to weet a vessel/ that had an hole in the bottom/ which vessel was all full of fyn banie And that stilled and dropped in to a place above on his head/ and so spread down in to all the memberss of the body/ as well within as without/ and they filled often times the vessel with balm. And thus the body might not impair for the great virtue of this balm. And all the people that would see hector they saw him verily in like wise as he had been on live. To this sepulture the same masters made a lamp of fyn gold brenning continually without going out or quenching. And after they made a closure/ to the end that no man should approach ne go unto this tabernacle without licence or leave. And in this temple the King Priant ordained and set great plenty of priests for to pray to the gods without sessing for his son hector/ Andrea gaf to them good rents.  
Among these things the King Agamemnon assembled all the Kings & most nobles of his oft And said to them in this manner/ My friends all ye Kings Princes & barons/ We ought to render and yield thankings to the gods humbly & with devout heart/ that our right hard enemy hector have suffered to be slain by the hand of Achilles/ for as long as he was on live we had never esperance to have comen at the above of our enemies/ what may the Trojans fro hence forth hope & trust/ but only their destruction/ And we may in short time hope the victory upon them/ And for as much as achilles is strongly hurt and may not go to battle/ if ye think good whiles that he may be healed & the other also that been hurt/ of whom we have many/ and also for to bury the dead bodies/ we shall send to King Priant for to have truce for two months. The council seemed good to them. And they sent anon to the King Priant for truce/ and he accorded them for two months.  
during this truce Palamedes murmured again of the signory of Agamemnon. And as they were on a day all together/ and Palamedes spoke of this matter// the King Agamemnon answered to him as sage in the presence of all the other/ and said to him/ Palamedes weenest thou that I have great joy of the signory that was given to me at the beginning and have occupied to this present time/ how well that it was not at my request and that I have none avail ne profit thereby/ but I have great charge and break many sleeps/ to th'end that by my negligence our host go not to decline ner disworship/ And certes it had well sufficed to me to have been under the governance of an other. And I fear no man that may accuse me/ that for any evil will or negligence I have failed in any thing. And if thou gavest not thy consent to mine election/ thou darest not esmay the thereof/ for thou were not yet at that time comen with the other. but it was two year after ere thou came. And therefore if we should have abiden thy coming we had been yet at the port of Athens. And for as much as thou shalt not ween that I have joy of this office and am desiring to have this honour/ I am content that another be chosen and am ready to consent with the most wis/ when Agamemnon had thus spoken/ there was no further proceeded that day in this matter. And then at even Agamemnon did do cry in all the host that each man should be on the morn betimes to fore his tent at the parliament.  
When it came on the morning that they were all assembled/ Agamemnon said to them. My brethren & friends I have had unto this time the charge of this work with great travail for to conduit it well/ In such wise that by the sufferance of the gods I have brought it to honour unto this time. And for as much as it is leeful that an university answer not alway to one master/ But that every man employ him to the best/ to his power/ for so much then as I have conducted this host long time/ I will that we cheese another that may conduit it discreetly. When Agamemnon had finished his words/ His saying pleased to every man/ and they chose Palamedes to be their Duke & governor/ And then he went unto his tent Achilles that lay seek of his wounds was angry of the deposing of Agamemnon and said to fore all them that would here it/ that Palamedes was no thing like unto Agamemnon in wit and in discretion. And that me aught not to change him for Palamedes/ But for as much as all the people had consented/ he abode thereby also etc..   

¶ How the King Priant issued to battle for to avenge upon the Greeks the death of his son hector/ and of the prowesses that he did/ and of the anniversary of the said hector in which Achilles was esprised with the love of polixena the daughter of King Priant in such wise that he might not dure ne rest.  
When the two months of the truce were past the King Priant desiring to avenge the death of his son hector/ ordained with his owen person his battles/ and set in each battle good conductors/ and he himself went and led with him five and twenty thousand of good knights chosen of the best/ And dares saith in his book that there issued out of Troy that day an hundred and thirty thousand men/ Deiphobus was the formest & then Paris & after him came the King Priant/ and Troilus/ Eneas menon and polidamas. And went them unto the tents of the Greeks/ Palamedes had ordained his battles/ then began the battle great and mortal/ The King Priant smote down Palamedes in his coming/ and after smote in to the greatest press of the Greeks & slew many of them and beat them down/ and did so much in arms in that day that with great pain a man should believe it/ that a man so ancient and old might do that he did that day. The King sarpedon of Troy assailed King Neptolonyus/ that was a passing strong knight. And King sarpedon was born to the earth that defended him valiantly and gave so great a stroke unto King neptolonyus that he made him a great wound in his thy. Then came to the battle the King of parce that remounted the King Sarpedon with the aid of his folk. Menelaus and the Duke of Athens assaileden the King of pierce and enclosed him and his people among them/ and slew the King of pierce/ and made the Trojans to recoil by force/ There did marvels of arms the King Sarpedon.  
THe King Priant and his bastard sons that then followed him ceasedd not to slay the Greeks And there was none that day that did so much in arms as did the King Priant/ For his sorrow and his ire made his strength to grow. Then the Greeks advised them to take the way by which the Trojans should return unto their city/ They went thither in great number/ And then when the Trojans recueileden for to go into that place/ they found himself in the middle of their enemies/ though began mortal battle/ And there came upon them the King Priant with a great number of fighting men by one wing/ And Paris came a traverse with great foison of good fighters And he had great foison of Archers that slew many of the Greeks and hurted them/ And they did so well/ ●hat by force the Greeks must recoil to their tents. And the Trojans re-entered in to their city/ And the King Priant had the loos and prise of this battle. He sent to the Greeks to demand truce/ and they agreed and accorded to him/ but we find not how long this truce endured etc..  
Among these things the King Priant did do carry by land the body of the King of pierce for to be buried in his country/ Tho was the weeping and sorrow great in Troy. And in especial of Paris that loved him strongly/ during this truce the anniversary of hector approached where me should mourn fifteen days in great sorrow. And after should me hallow the great feast funeral/ as it was that time the guise and custom for Kings and Princes. And then during the truce/ the Greeks went and came in to the city safely/ And so did the Trojans unto the tents of the Greeks: then achilles had great desire to go to Troy to see the city and the feast of the anniversary of hector/ whom he had slain/ And so he went all unarmed unto the temple of Apollo where as was the sepulture of hector/ and he found there great foison of men and women that were noble and wept and made great sorrow to fore the sepulture which a man might see on all sides all hool in like wise as he was first by the virtue of the balm/ there was the Queen Hecuba/ and polixena her daughter that was passing foyre with a great company of noble Ladies/ that had all their hair spartled and hanging about their shoulders/ And demeaned right marvelous sorrow/ And how well that Polyxena made so great sorrow. yet she lost no thing of her beauty/ but seemed and showed herself so fair in all her memberss and so well coloured that nature formed never none more fairer etc..  
When Achilles had well advised and seen polixena/ He said in himself that he had never seen so fair a woman ne better formed ne made/ with that she was one of the most noble women of the world/ then was Achilles shotten with the dart of love/ that stack him to the heart so marvelously/ that he could not cease to behold her/ And the more he beheld her/ the more he desired her/ He was so asotted on her/ that he thought on none other thing. but abode in the temple unto the evening as long as the Queen was there. And when she went out he conveyed his eye upon polixena as far as he might see her/ And this was the cause and the beginning of his mischief/ In this sorrow Achilles returned unto his tent/ And when he was laid to sleep/ that night there came many things in his mind and in his thought And knew then the danger where polixena had put him inn. And thought in himself that the most strong men of the world could not ner had not mow vanquish him. And the only regard and sight of a frail maid had vanquished and overcome him And him seemed that there is no medicine of the world might hele him save she/ But he said my prayer/ my strength/ ne my richesse may no thing move her to have pity on me/ I wot never what devil hath put me in this danger to love her that hateth me so sore/ with mortal hate/ And by right good cause/ for I am comen hither for to slay her kin and cousins and now late have slain her noble brother hector/ Certes I see no remedy/ since she is the most noble and fairest of the world. And then he turned him to the wall and fill in weeping and drowned himself in tears/ and of necessity he must think how he might come to the love of Polyxena/ And so he covered and hid his courage as well as he might.   

¶ How Achilles sent his secret messenger unto hecuba the Queen of Troy for to require her daughter polixena and of the answer/ and how for the love of her the said achilles assembled the cost of the Greeks/ and counseled them to depart/ and have peace with the Trojans/  
THe night following as achilles was laid on his bed & might not sleep/ he thought that he would send be times his messenger unto the Queen hecuba for to know if he might fine with her that she would give to him her daughter polixena to wife/ And he would do so much for her/ that he would make the Greeks to raise their siege and go again in to their countries hastily. And the peace should be made between them. All thus as he thought in the night/ he put in execution and sent his true messenger unto the Queen for to require her daughter. And said to her the promises that his lord had commanded him/ when the Queen had understand the words of the messenger she answered him discretely/ how well that she hated achilles more than any man of the world: saying friend as much as is in me I am ready for to do that thing that thy master requireth of me. So say unto him that I may not do this thing alone by myself. But I shall speak to my Lord and to Paris my son. And thou shalt come the third day again/ and I shall say to the thine answer.  
When the messenger heard the Queen so speak/ he returned unto his lord and said to him all that he had found/ And thus began Achilles to have hope to come to his intent. The Queen hecuba went her anon unto the King Priant her husband where as paris was/ and told to them all that Achilles had sent to her/ And then the King hinge down his head and was so a long while without saying of any word. And after said to his wife. O how is it as me thinketh heard thing to receive in to friendship and amity/ him that hath done to me so great offence that hath taken away the light of mine eyen in slaying my deer son hector: And hath therein given hope to the Greeks to have the victory/ But alway for to eschew the most great peril/ To th'end that mine other sons lose not their life and that I may have rest in mine old days/ I me consent with you that he have that he requireth. Alway foreseen that he do first that thing that he hath promised without any deception/ Paris agreed to this thing lightly/ for as much as in the promises of Achilles was no thing spoken of the Queen Helen etc.:.  
AT the third day after/ Achilles' sent again his messenger unto the Queen/ And as soon as he came to fore her/ she said to him. I have spoken to my husband and also to my son Paris of the request and also of the promise of thy Lord/ and they be content that his request be agreed to him. But that he do first that thing/ that he hath promised. And so thou mayst say to him that he may come to the chief & end of his desire/ and that he conduit wisely and secretly this thing as much as in him is: The messenger took leave of the Queen/ and came anon to his master/ and counted to him all that the Queen had said to him. Then began Achilles strongly to think how he might perform this that he had promised to the King Priam. And that it was a grievous thing to do/ And that it was not all in his puissance. But it is a proper vice unto the foolish lovers to promise thing that is hard to bring about and difficile/ for to come to the effect of their loves/ In like wise glorified him Achilles that for his merits or for giving his aid to the Greeks he would make them to leave their siege/ And then Achilles by the council of Palamedes assembled all the Kings and noble men of the host In parliament & said to them in this manner.  
My friends that be here assembled for to bring this war to the end/ think ye not otherwhile on yourself. How by great legerity/ ● lightness and folly and for to recover the wife of menelaus we have left our countries and lands/ our wives and our children. And been comen in to this strong land/ Where we have dispended the hours foolily/ and put our bodies in danger of death and in great infinite labour/ And since we have been comen hither there been right many Kings and Princes dead/ And I myself have shed much of my blood that never should have happened if we had not begun this folly he lay●e is nothing of so great price that there behoveth to die for her so many noble men/ there been enough in the world of as noble and as fair women as she is/ of whom menelaus might have one or two if he would/ And it is not a light thing to overcome the Trojans/ as they that have a strong city and well garnished of good fighters on horse back and a foot/ and it aught to suffice to us that we have now slain hector and many other of their nobles by the which we might now return with our honour and worship And if we leave Helen/ have not we Exiona/ to whom Helen may not compare in noblesse.  
then moved them the Duke of Athens And the King thoas/ And contraried strongly to the words of Achilles/ And so did all the other and said/ That he said neither fair ne well/ whereof Achilles had great sorrow/ And commanded to his myrondones that they should not arm them no more against the Trojans And that they should not give no council ne aid unto the Greeks/ among these things victuals began to fail among the Greeks/ and they had great famine/ then assembled Palamedes all the most nobles of the host to council And by their council was the King Agamemnon sent unto the city of mess to the King Telephus/ That charged and jaded his ships with victual and came safely again in to the host of the Greeks/ where he was received with great joy. Among these things Palamedes did their ships do be repaired to the end that they might be more ready if they had need etc..   

¶ Of the death of Deiphobus the son● of King Priam And how Paris slew Palamedes/ and how the Trojans rebouted the Greeks in to their tents & set fire on their ships And how for all these things Achilles would not go to battle for the love of Polyxena.  
When the truce were passed they began to fight as they had been accustomed/ Deiphobus assailed in his doming the King Croesus of Greece/ And he addressed him to him gladly and jousted that one against that other/ But Deiphobus beat the King cressus dead down to the ground/ whereof the Greeks were sore troubled and put them to flight/ But Palamedes and Diomedes came with five and twenty thousand fighting men that resisted the Troyans'/ with them was the noble King Telamon Ajax/ that addressed him again Efronius one of the bastard sons of the King Priam/ And smote him so hard that he beat him down dead to the ground seeing Deiphobus/ that in his great furor ran upon Telamon and beat him and sore hurt him/ when Palamedes saw that stroke He took a great spear and addressed him to Deiphobus/ And smote him so hard in the breast that the spear entered in to his body and the spear broke and the truncheon abode in the body of Deiphobus/ when Paris saw his brother hurt to the death he took him & lad him unto by the gate of the city And took him to his men to keep And as Deiphobus opened his eyen & saw Paris his brother. He said to him/ brother shalt thou let me descend in to hell with out avenging of my death/ I pray the as I may that ere this truncheon betaken out of my body/ that thou do so much by thy hand that thou slay him that hath slain me/ Paris promised him that he would do his power And returned him in to the battle right angry for his brother/ And said in himself that he desired no longer to live but till he had avenged the death of his brother/ And sought Palamedes all abouts/ And found him that he fought against the King sarpedon that had assailed for to slay him and Palamedes defended him valiantly/ And in his great furor gave so great a strooke with his sword to the King sarpedon that he cut of his shoulder fro the body/ And anon King sarpedon fill down dead.  
PArys seeing the great damage that Palamedes did to them/ And also with his prowess had put the Trojans to flight/ and ceasedd not to slay and smite down alway/ he bend his strong bow And advised well Palamedes at leisure And shot to him an arrow envenomed/ And smote him in the throat/ And cut a two the master vain/ and Palamedes fill down dead to the earth. For whose death the Greeks made much sorrow & left the battle/ and went unto their tents And there held a stolen against the Trojans and defended them strongly/ then descended the Trojans a foot and entered in to some of their tents and took all that they found that good was/ then Paris and Troilus went by a side way unto the port/ and did do put fire in to her ships and brent so great plenty that men might see the flame far/ To the rescous of the ships came the King Telamon with a great company of fighters/ and began the battle horrible that there was great occision and slaughter on both sides/ And verily the ships had been all brent/ Ne had been the prowess of King Telamon that did marvels with his body/ And what some ever he did there were more than five hundred ships brent/ There was great occision of the Greeks. And many were hurt/ There was Ebes the son of the King of trace sore hurt with a spear and bare the truncheon in his body/ And in that point he went to the tent of Achilles/ where he rested him that day And had refused to go to the battle for the love that he had to Polyxena/ Ebes reproached strongly Achilles that he suffered so destroy the people of his country and to die villainously/ And that he might well help them if he would/ And as soon as he had finished his words One took out the truncheon of his body And anon he fill down dead in the presence of Achilles.  
ANon after came fro the battle one of the varlets or servants of Achilles/ And Achilles demanded him tidings. of the host/ Ha. A sire said he it is this day misshaped to our folk. For the great multitude of Trojans that been comen upon them/ And they have slain all that they could meet with/ And I trow there is not left one at home of the men of Troy/ But that every man is come to the battle/ And therefore if it please you now whiles that the Trojans been weary to come to the battle ye shall get to you perpetual memory of worship and of glory/ For by your prowess ye shall in little space have all vanquished them/ And they shall not dare defend them against you they been so weary/ never would achilles for the words of his varlet ne for the death of Ebes// change his courage. But dissimuled all that he had seen and heard for the great love that he had to Polyxena.  
Among these things the battle was right sharp And endured unto the night to the great damage of the Greeks/ And the night departed them/ yet was not Deiphobus dead/ but he drew toward his end/ And when Paris and Troilus saw him in that sorrow/ They began to cry and make great sorrow/ And then Deiphobus opened a little his eyen and demanded of Paris with a feeble voys if he were dead that had slain him/ And Paris said to him ye. Then Deiphobus did do draw out the head of the spear with the truncheon/ And anon died/ wherefore the Trojans made great sorrow/ it is no need to hold long parliament of the sorrow that the King Priam his father made ne his wife and his sisters/ For it was to much and also for the death of the King Sarpedon Of that other party the Greeks made great sorrow for the death of Palamedes And made his body to be buried worshipfully/ And as they that might not be long without an head and governor by the council of Duke nestor and of other/ Agamemnon was remised in his dignity as he was tofore.  
THe day following the Trojans early in the morning issued out of the city in good ordinance. And the Greeks came against them/ though began the battle mortal/ And there was great slaughter on both sides/ But it rained so much that day/ that the Greeks withdrew them to their tents/ And the Trojans followed after them/ But the rain was so great that they must needs leave the battle and return in to their city. On the morn betimes they began to fight/ And slew that day many barons of the Greeks and fought to the even And so they fought the space of seven days continually/ where was great occision of that one and of that other/ And for as much as the Greeks might not suffer the stench of the dead bodies/ They demanded truce for two months/ which were accorded to them by King Priant.  
during these truce the King Agamemnon sent the Duke Nestor Ulixes & Diomedes to speak to Achilles for to pray him and admonished him to come to the host for to defend them against the Trojans that slew them over marvelously/ when they were come unto him/ He received them with great joy. And then Ulixes said to him/ sire Achilles'/ ne was it not by your intention and also ours all of this host to leave our country/ And come run upon King Priam and destroy him and his by force of arms/ And beat down his city/ from whence cometh this new courage/ After so many hurts and damages as we have received in this land by the Trojans that have slain so many Kings and Princes pilled and robbed our tents and brent our ships/ And we were now in hope to have vanquished them/ After that ye by your force and valour have slain hector that was the ●●rray tutor of the Trojans and also now that Deiphobus i● deed The Trojans been therewith put under foot And then after this that ye have gotten with so great travail so great worship and so good renome/ will ye now lose all at once and suffer your people to be slain cruelly that ye have so long defended with the effusion of your blood. please it to you fro henceforth to entertain & keep your good renome/ And defend your people/ That without you may not long defend them against your enemies/ to the end that we may come to the victory by your prowess/ By the which we hope to attain and come.  
SIre Ulixes said then Achilles/ if we be come in to this land for the causes that ye have declared we may say that great folly was among us/ that for the wife of one of us/ that is to weet of sire Menelaus so many Kings and so high princes be but in peril of death/ had it not been much more wisdom for the noble Palamedes to have abiden in peace in his country/ then for to be slain here/ And other Kings and Princes in like wise/ Certes as the most great party of the world of noble men been here now assembled/ if they die here/ As many been all ready dead/ it must needs follow that the countries shall be replenished and governed by villains/ Hector that was so noble and so worthy/ is he not dead/ In like wise I may die lightly that am not so strong as he was. And therefore how much as ye require me to go to battle/ so much pain and labour lose ye For I have no more intention to put me more in danger/ Andrea love better to lose my renomee than my life. For in the end there is no prowess But it be forgotten Nestor and Diomedes contendeden enough to draw Achilles to their quarrels But they might never induce him to their purpose Ne the words of Agamemnon neither And then he said to them that they should make peace with the Trojans to fore that they were all slain etc..  
then returned these three Princes unto Agamemnon and said to him all that they had found in Achilles. And Agamemnon did it to be known to the Princes of the host/ Whom he had assembled for this cause/ And demanded of them their advice/ then stood up menelaus. Saying that it should be to us now great villainy to seek peace with the Trojans since that hector & Deiphobus been dead/ and slain/ and that for their death The Trojans repute them as vanquished/ and that with out Achilles they should well maintain the war against the Trojans/ To that answered Ulixes & nestor And said/ that it was not marvel though menelaus desired the war for affection to recover his wife/ And that Troy was not so disgarnished but that they had a new hector. That was Troilus/ that was a little less strong and worthy then hector And there was also another Deiphobus/ and that was Paris/ whom we ought to doubt as much as the other And therefore they counseled the peace And to return home again to Greece then escried the false traitor Calchas/ which was traitor to the Trojans. And said ha'. a. noble men what think ye to do against the commandment of the gods/ have not they promised to you the victory/ ● will ye now leave it Certes that should be great folly Take again courage to you/ & fight ye against the Trojans more strongly than ye have done tofore And cease not till ye have the victory that the gods have promised to you And then with the words of the said Calchas/ the Greeks took heart to them/ saying verily that they would maintain the war against the Trojans/ whether achilles help them or not & that for him they would not leave   

¶ Of many battles that were made on that one side & of that other to their both great damage/ & of certain triew● And of the death of the noble Troilus that Achilles slew against his promise/ And drew him at his horse tail through the host And how Achilles slew the King Menon etc.  
When the truce of two months were passed. They began to fight in battle right sharply. There did Troilus marvels of arms for to venge the death of his brother/ Dares saith in his book that he slew that day a thousand knights And the Greeks fled to fore him/ And the battle endured to the night that departed them/ The day following the fourteenth battle began hard and sharp/ There did Diomedes marvels of arms/ And slew many Trojans and hurt them/ And addressed him against Troilus one time that smote him so hard that he smote him down to the earth And was sore hurt/ And reproached him of the love of Briseida/ then the Greeks ran with great strength and took Diomedes up & bore him upon his shield unto his tent/ Menelaus that saw Diomedes so beaten. Addressed him against Troilus/ But Troilus that had yet his spear hole smote him so hard that he beat him down to the earth sore hurt And was born in to his tent by his men upon his shield/ then Agamemnon assembled all his strength/ And thrusted in among the Troyans' and slew many/ But Troilus came against him and smote him down of his horse/ but he was anon remounted by the help of his folk.  
THus finished the battle that day And Agamemnon sent for to have truce for six months which were agreed and Accorded by King Priam/ How be it that it seemed to some of his council that he should not accorded them so long/ among these things Briseida against the will of her father went for to see diomedes that lay sore hurt in his tent And she knew well that Troilus that was her love had so hurt him/ then returned in her courage many purposes And in the end she saw that she might never recover/ Troilus/ and therefore as soon as diomedes were hole she would give to him her love without longer tarrying.  
Among these things the King Agamemnon transported him unto the tent of Achilles in the company of Duke Nestor/ And Achilles received them with great joy/ And then Agamemnon prayed him that he would come forthon to the battle And suffer no more their people thus to be slain But achilles would never mollify his courage for his words/ How well for as much as he loved Agamemnon he agreed and consented that his men should go to battle without him. Whereof Agamemnon and nestor could him great thank. And thanked him enough/ And after returned in to their tents.  
When the truce were passed Agamemnon ordained his people to the battle and achilles sent to him his mirondones habilled & ensigned with a red sign for to be known Tho began the battle hard and sharp to the great damage of both parties There Troilus beat down the Duke of Athens & slew many of the mirondones & hurt/ and fought thus till the night departed them On the morn be times began the battle sharp & mortal The King philomenus & polidamas took the King thoas & had led him away/ ne had the mirondones have rescued him/ then troilus smote in among them & slew many & hurted them/ But they delivered to him a great assault and slew his horse and would have taken him/ when Paris and his bastard brethren smote in among them and broke them/ And remised Troilus on his horse. Then was there there a fires medley/ there slew the Myrondones emargeron one of the bastards of King Priam of Troy's/ whereof Troilus had great sorrow And by the aid of his people smote in among them and slew and hurt many/ But they defended them valiantly and held them together And Troilus ceasedd not to grieve them and to enter among them often times/ Tho came to the battle Agamemnon Menelaus Telamon Ulixes and Diomedes with all her people And began an hard medley there the Greeks did the Trojans suffer much pain/ But Troilus succoured them valiantly/ And put himself alway where as most need was and slew and beat down all that he found and did so much by his prowess that the Greeks fled unto their tents And Telamon defended them valiantly/ And made them to recover the field by his prowess/ This was the sixteenth battle in the which died many knights of both sides/ Troilus ceasedd not to grieve the Myrondones And there was none so puissant ne so strong that might dure against him/ And did so much that he remised the Greeks to flight/ And took an hundred noble men that he brought in to the city.  
When the battle was finished/ against the even/ the Myrondones returned unto the tent of Achilles/ And their was founden many of them hurt/ And there were an hundred of them dead/ whereof Achilles had much sorrow/ And it was night he went to bed/ And there he had many thoughts/ and purposed once to go to the battle for to avenge the death of his men And another time he thought on the beauty of Polyxena/ And thought that if he went/ he should lose her love for alway/ And that the King Priam and his wife should hold him a deceiver/ For he had promised them/ that he should help no more the Greeks. And how well he said in himself/ that he had sent his men in to their aid/ And in this thought achilles was many days And in so much that the day came that the seventeenth battle began much horrible/ that dured by seven days continually where in were many Greeks slain/ wherefore Agamemnon required truce/ But the Troyans' agreed no longer the truce but till they had buried their dead bodies/ And when the days were passed/ The eighteenth battle began right asper and fires/ Menelaus and Paris jousted together And beat well each other/ Polidamas and Ulixes fought together a great while/ Menesteus beat down eneas with jousting/ The King Philomenus beat Agamemnon. And had sore hurt him/ if Telamon had not come on that smote to ground Philomenus sore wounded Archilogus the son of Duke Nestor/ assailed one of the bastards of King Priam named brum/ And smote him so hard with his spear/ That he bore him down to the ground & slew him/ whereof the Trojans had great sorrow/ And above all other Troilus was angry/ that smote in among the Greeks that he had put them to flight ne had the Mirondones have been that resisted him/ And therefore Troilus smote in among them And slew so many and beat down/ and did so much much that he made the Greeks to rebout them Into their tents And descended a foot and entered in to the tents and slew them on all sides/ And there was so great a cry/ that the sown came to Achilles that rested him in his tent/ And demanded of one of his servants that was there/ what it was/ And he said to him that the Trojans had vanquished the Greeks and slew them with in their tents/ which might no more defend them/ And ween ye to be sewer here. Nay ye shall see anon more than forty thousand Trojans that shall slay you unarmed/ And at this time they have slain the most part of your Myrondones/ And they cease not to slay them And there shall not abide one a live/ But if they be succoured.  
At these words Achilles quoke for ire/ And set behind him the love of Polyxena/ And did do arm him hastily and mounted on his horse and ran out all araged as a lion And smote in among the Trojans and pershid them slew and hurt them in such wise that anon his sword was known and the blood Ran in the field all about as he went. When Troilus knew that Achilles fought with his sword he addressed him to him and gave him so great a strooke that he made him a great wound and a deep. That he must needs cease many days of coming to battle/ Troilus was hurt also of the hand of achilles But no thing so sore/ And both fill down to the ground/ And the battle dured unto the night. And on the morn they began again & endured unto the even/ And thus they fought six days continually/ wherefore there were many slain on either party/ The King Priant had great sorrow of this that Achilles against his promise was come in to the battle And wend that he had made him to understand thing that was not/ but rather for to deceive him then otherwise And reproached his wife to believe so lightly him And Polyxena sorrowed then enough. For she was pleased then to have had Achilles to her husband.  
Achilles' among other things/ ●dyde do hele his wounds/ during six months of truce that they had gotten/ which wounds Troilus had given him/ And he purposed to avenge him/ And that Troilus should die villainously by his hand/ After these things the nineteenth battle began with great occision And afore that Achilles entered in to the battle he assembled his myrondones/ And prayed them that they would intend to none other thing but to enclose Troilus and to hold him without slaying till he came And that he would not be far fro them/ And they promised him that they so do would/ And he smote in to the battle/ And of that other side came Troilus that began to slay and beat down/ ●alle them that he reach. And did so much that about midday he put the Greeks to flight/ then the myrondones that were well two thousand fighting men and had not forget the commandment of their lord/ thrusted in among the Trojans and recovered the field/ And as they held them together & sought no man but Troilus/ they found him that he fought strongly & was enclosed on all parties/ but he slew & wounded many. And as he was all alone among them and had no man to succour him/ they slew his horse/ And hurt him in many places/ And araced of his head his helm/ And his coif of iron/ And he defended him the best wise he could/ then came on Achilles when he saw Troilus all naked/ And ran upon him in a rage/ And smote of his head And cast it under the feet of the horse/ And took the body and bond it to the tail of his horse And so drew it after him through out the host/ O what villainy was it to draw so the son of so noble a King/ that was so worthy and so hardy/ Certes if any noblesse had been in Achilles/ he would not have done this villainy.  
When Paris knew that Achilles had thus villainly slain Troilus he had great sorrow and so had Eneas and polidamas/ And did great pain to recover his body/ But they might not for the great multitude of Greeks that resisted them/ On the other part the King Menon died for sorrow for the death of Troilus/ And assailed Achilles/ And said to him in reproach/ Ha. A evil traitor what cruelty hath moved the to bind to the tail of thy horse The son of so noble a Prince as the King Priam. And to draw him as he were the most villain of the world/ Certes thou shalt abid it/ And ran upon him And smote him so hard with his spear in his breast. That he made him a great wound/ And after gave him so many strokes with his sword that he beat him down to the ground/ And then was the body of Troilus recovered with great pain/ The folk of Achilles relieved their lord and set him again on his horse. And as soon as his strength came to him again/ he came again in to the stour/ And recountered the King Menon/ And assailed him strongly/ And the King Menon defended him valiantly and hurted Achilles in many places/ But there came so much people on that one side and of that other that they were departed then came the night on that departed them & made them to cease/ And they fought thus the space of seven days.  
AT the seventh day when Achilles was healed of his wounds/ desiring to avenge him of the King Menon/ said to his folk/ that if they might recounter him they should hold him in close like as they did Troilus/ then began the battle right asper/ Achilles and Menon fought together and by great felony beat down each other a foot/ then the Myrondones enclosed him and took him by force that had no man to succour him/ then achilles seeing the King menon in this danger he ran upon him and slew him with great martyr/ But menon gave him to fore many great wounds/ whereof he lay long after/ among these things menelaus and menesteus with great company of Kings and Princes and many fighting men thrusted in to the stour and put many Trojans to flight The which entered in to their city with great mischief for as much as the Greeks chassed them so nigh that they slew and hurted many of them.   

¶ How Paris by the enhortment of hecuba his mother slew achilles in the temple of Apollo & the son of due Nestor/ And how Paris and apax slew each other in battle.  
FOr the death of Troilus the King Priant his wife & his children and all the habitantes of the city made great sorrow marvelously/ And they said all. That since they had lost hector. Deiphobus and Troilus that they had from thence forthon no more hope of their life than of their death/ The King Priam demanded truce/ And it was a greed and Accorded by the Greeks/ during the which they did bury honourably the body of Troilus and the body of King Menon/ The Queen might not be appeasid ner comforted for the death of her children/ and taught in many manner wises how she might be avenged on Achilles that thus had slain her sons by cruel tyranny And finally she called Paris sore weeping & said to him secretly these words/ right dear son thou knowest how this traytte Achilles hath slain by treason foreseen thy brethren my children/ That were with the the so lace of my life/ And for as much as he hath so slain them by treason/ me seemeth good and also just and right that he be slain by treason. And I shall tell the how it shall be done/ The unhappy man hath many times required me to have to his wife my daughter Polyxena And I have given to him good esperance I have purposed to send to him my feal messenger/ And bid him come speak to me in the temple of Apollo/ And I will right dear son that thou be there in await with a good company of knights/ And then when he shall be comen that ye run upon him & slay him that he escape not with his life/ Paris answered that he would do this thing in such wise as she had devised/ And there upon he assembled twenty good knights in whom he affied him much/ And went them forth in to the temple of Apollo.  
assoon as achilles heard the messenger speak that came from the Queen hecuba/ the fool being evil counseled took with him the son of Duke nestor and went both unto the temple of Apollo And as soon as they were comen/ Paris and his knights ran upon him/ And Paris cast at him three darts wherewith he hurt him sore/ Achilles' drew out his sword that had no more Armour/ and wrapped his arm with his mantel/ and smote in among the knights right fiercely and slew seven of them/ But finally the son of Duke nestor Archilogus and Achilles were both slain with in the temple/ And anon Paris commanded that his body should be cast out to the hounds and to the birds/ But at the request of helenus/ they were put in a place to fore the temple for to be kept/ And the Troyans' had then great joy/ and said forthon they had no charge of the Greeks ne set naught by them/ when Agamemnon knew thereof he sent unto King Priam for to have the bodies for to bury them/ The King Priam made them to be delivered and were born to their tents Tho arose a great sorrow among the Greeks And said that they had all lost. The Duke Nestor might not be comforted for the death of his son And they made for Achilles a noble sepulture. And by the consentment of King Priam was laid with in the city at th'entry of the gate of timber.  
AFter these things the King Agamemnon assembled to his council all the nobles of the cost/ and showed to them/ how for the death of achilles the most part of them were discomforted and distalented of the war and therefore demanded them if it were good to leave the war or to entertain & hold it/ then was there among them diverse opinions The some allowed the war. And the other blamed it And finally they concluded all together with one accord to maintain the war/ saying if Achilles were failed/ yet for that should not fail the promises of the gods. Then stood up Ajax among them And said if Achilles were dead/ let send for his son whom the King Nycomedes his belsire nourisheth and teacheth the feat of arms/ For I trow that without him we may have no victory of the Trojans. His council seemed good And by the agreement and will of every man/ Menelaus was chosen for to go fetch Neptolonyus son of Achilles that was named other wise Pyrrus.  
Among these things when the truce were failed the xvi day of June when the days been at the longest of all the year. The Trojans began the twentieth battle against the Greeks that was right sharp and hard/ this day went Ajax by great folly to battle without arms and bare nothing but his sword/ The Trojans that had lost their best defenders were not then so hardy as they were wont to be But for to save their lives they fought mightily Paris with all the people of pierce that were the best archers slew many Greeks/ And the King Philomenus fought strongly and they of Pantheus came on that slew many Greeks and by for●e made them to Recule/ Menesteus jousted against polidamas/ And beat him right fiercely/ And ran upon him with his sword And had taken or slain him ne had the King Philomenus delivered him fro his hands/ Ajax made this day marvels of arms thus unarmed as he was. And slew many Trojans/ And was not yet hurt In the end he smote in among them of pierce that Paris lad and slew many of them and made them to torn to flight/ when Paris saw his people thus slain/ He shot to Ajax an arrow envenomed and reached him between the rack and the sides And Ajax anon felt that he was hurt to the death And he thought he would not die/ till he had avenged him on him that had slain him And did so much that he found Paris/ and said to him/ thou haste slain me with thine arrow/ But to fore that I die I shall slay the/ And also by the and for thy cause been many noble men slain/ And then gaf him so great a struck that he cut a two his visage so deep that he fill down dead/ to the earth And Ajax fill down after him The Trojans took the body of Paris with weeping tears/ and bare it unto the city and they were followed unto the gates/ The next night following. Agamemnon made the host to approach ner to the city And there pight her tents And the Trojans kept their walls day and night/ then had the Trojans no more esperance ne hope of their lives/ when they saw that all the sons of King Priant were deed And there is no tongue that can express the lamentations that the King Priant made and his wife and his daughters/ And the Queen Helen for the death of Paris/ And above all other Helen made the most greatest sorrow The King did do bury Paris in a right rich sepulture And set him in the temple of Juno honourably etc..   

¶ How the Queen Penthesilea came from Amazon with a thousand maidens to the succour of Troy/ And how she bore her valiantly/ And slew many Greeks/ And after was she slain by pyrrus the son of Achilles.  
then two months during hole/ the yates of Troy were not opened. and the Trojans did no thing but go in the city and lamented and sorrowed. And the King Agamemnon sent oft times unto the King Priant that he should send his men to battle. But the King Priant doubting his destruction would not do it for as much as he abode the socours of the Queen of Amazon/ that was then on the way for to come unto the socours of King Priant/ Amazon is a province/ where ne dwelled than but women without men. And they were induced to war and to fight. They had nigh their country an isle where the men dwelled. And they were accustomed three times in the year to go thither/ In April. may and June unto the men for to have their company/ And after they returned in to Amazon/ And they that were ensayanted & were with child/ if they bore sons/ they gave them suck certain time/ and after sent them to the faders/ And if it was a daughter/ they held it by them And did do burn of the right pap for to bear the better the spear/ and taught her the feat of arms. Of this province then was lady & Queen a much noble virgin/ and a strong fighter that had to name Penthesilea/ And she loved much hector for his good renomee/ when she knew that the Greeks had assailed troyes with so great strength/ she went thither for to succour it with a thousand virgins for the love of hector/ And when she was comen & knew that he was dead she made great sorrow/ and prayed to the King Priant that he would let her issue out to the battle against the Greeks/ and that she might show to them how her maidens could bear arms.  
AT the prayer of Penthesilea on the morn by times was the gate opened And issued out the King Philomenus with all them of Paphagon Eneas & polidamas with all their people/ the Queen Penthesilea with all her maidens/ The Greeks were anon ready and began the battle hard & sharp/ menesteus addressed him to Penthesilea/ and she to him and anon she smote menesteus to the ground and took his horse and gave him to one of her maidens. Then came Diomedes against her/ and she received him gladly. and smote him so strongly that he was turned up so down fro his horse/ And she took fro Diomedes his shield fro his neck/ and delivered it to one of her maidens/ when Telamon saw that she did such appertises of arms He addressed him against her/ and she against him. And Telamon was born down to the ground/ and had lad him in to the city/ but that diomedes came to his rescous with great defence And then she escried her maidens. that smote in among the Greeks/ by such fierté and ire that she & they turned them in to flight/ And they chassed them slaying & beating them unto their tents/ and had slain them all if diomedes had not so greatly resisted them/ that maintained the stour unto the night that departed them And the Queen Penthesilea returned in to the city with great glory/ where the King Priant received her with great joy/ and gave her many fair jewels & rich/ And him seemed well that she should avenge him of his sorrows/ They fought thus many times after/ and so long that menelaus returned fro the King Nicostrate And brought in to the host neptolonyus the son of achilles otherwise named Pyrrus.  
This Pyrrhus was received with great glory of all the Baronns of the host and above all other/ the Myrondones were passing joyous and held him for their lord. Then was delivered to Pyrrhus all the conduit of the men of arms/ And they made him knight by the hand of the noble Telamon that prayed to the gods to give him strength & courage in girding of his sword/ and that they would give him: victory and honour for to avenge the death of his father/ And two other Princes set on the spurs of gold. And the King Agamemnon gave to him all the arms of Achilles his father/ and all his other bags and jewels. And for this new knight and feast of the chivalry the Greeks made many days great gladness and joy etc..  
AFter these things came the day of fighting & the battles were ready on that one side and on that other/ Tho began the battle right hard. Pyrrhus that wad armed with the proper arms of his father recountered polidamas in his coming & had slain him with the great strokes of his sword that he gave to him. But the King Philomenus came upon & delivered him/ And then Pyrrhus smote fro his horse Philomenus/ and had led him away/ ne had they of Paphagon rescued him with great travail/ among these things the Queen Pannonia entered in to the battle with her maidens and smote in among the Myrondones/ and slew many of them. There came upon the King Telamon that smote to the ground the Queen Penthesilea/ and she gaf him so great a struck with her sword that she beat him down to the earth in like wise/ And then her maidens relieved her and set her again on her horse/ and she smote in among the myrondones/ that held the King Philomenus in great danger/ and many she slew and hurted of them when Pyrrus saw that his men were so evil entreated. He escried to them and said that they ought to have great shame that suffered them to be vanquished by women. And then he left the King Philomenus. for to defend his men against the maid/ then addressed the Queen Penthesilea nigh to pyrrus/ and reproached him of that his father had slain hector by treason/ and that all the world aught to run upon him/ Pyrrus that had so great sorrow at these words addressed him against her/ And anon she bore him down to the earth And then anon he relieved him & assailed Penthesilea with his sword/ And she him by great strength/ And then was pyrrus remounted by the aid of his Myrondones/ then came to the battle Agamemnon. Diomedes menelaus & menesteus the Duke of Athens with all their people/ And so did all the other Princes and barons.  
Among these things the King Philomenus was delivered of the myrondones and gave great thankings unto the Queen Penthesilea/ and said/ had not she have been/ he had been slain. Then came to the battle all the Trojans/ Tho began the shower sharp and mortal/ There recountered Pyrrhus Glaucon the son of Antenor and brother of Polidamas of an other mother/ And gave him so great a stroke that he slew him and fill down dead to the earth/ then addressed Penthesilea unto pyrrus/ and he to her/ And beat down each other to the earth/ But they remounted anon And began the meddle together again. Then came upon so much people of both parties that they were departed. Polidamas for to avenge the death of his brother slew that day many Greeks and hurt them. And did so much in arms he and Penthesilea that they put the Greeks to flight. Then came to the rescous pirrus/ diomedes and Telamon/ and made them that fled to abide and sustain the stour/ And so they did unto the night/ that each man went in to his place/ They fought thus every day a month longe● in which time were slain more than ten thousand fighting men of both parties/ And Penthesilea lost many of her maidens/ And when they had rested a month/ they began the battle right sharp.  
AT this assembly came one against an other of Pyrrhus and Penthesilea/ and broke their spears without falling/ but pyrrus was sore hurt And the truncheon of her spear abode with in his body/ wherefore the cry arose greatly among the Greeks/ And ran upon Penthesilea with great strength// and broke the lace of her helm And then Pyrrhus that in his great furor took none heed to his wound ne set not thereby that he had the truncheon in his body/ but assailed strongly Penthesilea/ that had though her helm broken: And she wend to have smitten him/ but Pyrrhus araught her first And gave her so great a stroke with his sword/ that he cut her arm of by the body/ whereof the said Penthesilea fill down dead/ to the earth. And Pyrrhus that was not yet content/ smote the body & cutted in two pieces And anon after for the great effusion of blood that ran fro his wound/ he fill down as dead among his people And they took him up and laid upon his shield and bare him in to his tent/ then the maidens of Penthesilea/ for to avenge the death of their Queen smote in among the Myrondones by great furor/ And slew many and hurt but it profited but little to the Trojans/ as they that were but a few against a great multitude of Greeks. And so there were slain of them of Troy that day in the battle more than ten thousand men. And the other withdrew them in to the city for to save himself. And shut & closed fast their gates/ And had no more intention to issue out to battle against their enemies etc..   

¶ How Antenor and Eneas spoke together among them for to deliver the city unto the Greeks by treason. And did it under simulation of peace/ and how the King Priant again said them with some of his bastards by great and rude words.  
THe Trojans had much great sorrow when they saw them in this mischief for they had no more hope to have any more socours from any place/ And they contended to no thing but to keep well their city/ and to garnish them well with victual/ for they feared ne dread them naught of any assault/ among these things the Greeks would have cast to the dogs the body of Penthesilee/ for as much as she had slain so many noble men of Greece/ But Pyrrus again said it for the honour and worship of noblesse. And finally they concluded that they cast it in a stagne that was nigh the city/ Anchises with his son eneas/ and Antenor with his son polidamas went to council together for to advise them/ how they might have their lives saved against the Greeks/ and their goods/ And rather then fail hereof they would betray the city: then they concluded that they should speak to King Priant. And counsel him to take a peace and a pointment with the Greeks/ In restoring of Helen to her husband and the damage that Paris did in the isle of cetharys. O if the King Priant had been so happy to have done this and had pleased the Greeks at the beginning he had saved his life and his wives. And the life of all his children. and had saved all the city and citizens. And had eschewed all the mischiefs that came to them afterward/ therefore say men in a proverb/ that the concords or peace soon taken been good. for it is an hard thing for to repease such manner damages to him that hath advantage of the war for with great pain would the Greeks have been content that were tho at their above with these offers/ for as much as they had suffered so many hurts and damages tofore Troy/ for them seemed well that they were at the point for to destroy the city and all the inhabitants/ But when the foresaid named traitors spoke not of this matter/ but to th'end that under the colour of peace they might betray the city// if other wise they might not save their lives.  
then they went them to fore the King Priant And Amphimachus one of his bastard sons And spoke there of this purpose tofore many noble men of the city/ And anon as the King Priant had heard them speak of purchasing of peace with the Greeks. He thought that they said this thing by great felony And began to sigh/ and said to them that he would be advised and take council first. And then they said to him thus/ if thou wilt here our council upon this thing/ take heed what we shall say/ And if it please the not/ use the council of other The King said that he would well here their council/ and would weet what seemed them good And said to them/ what seemeth you good. Then spoke Antenor saying/ King ye may not dissimule but that ye and yours been enveloped with your enemies/ And been here by your city desiring your death and destruction/ and ye may not issue out. And they been more then thirty Kings that desire no thing but to destroy this city & you and all them that dwell therein/ And ye may no more resist them/ and ye dare no more open your gates/ and thus we let us than be enclosed here in Me aught of two evil things cheese the less ill/ And therefore for to have peace with the Greeks if ye seem good/ We shall render Helen to menelaus her husband since that Paris is dead. And also restore the damage that Paris did to them in Greece rather then we should suffer ourself to be put to the death etc..  
AT these words arose up Amphimachus one of the bastard sons of King Priant/ And reproved strongly the words of Antenor/ and said to him/ What trust and hope may my Lord my father and we have in the/ ●syn that thou oughtest to have ferme courage unto him and this city/ And we see the thus recreant that oughtest to live and die with us/ And thou counselest now to make peace with the Greeks to our great dishonour and shame. truly tofore that the King shall do that/ there shall die twenty thousand men/ that thing that thou counselest the King cometh of treason/ Many other injurious words said Amphimachus to Antenor. And Eneas began to refrain him saying/ ye know well that we may not from hence forth go to battle against the Greeks. And we dare no more open our gates/ wherefore it behoveth us to find manner to have peace with them. Then the King Priant with great ire said to Antenor and to Eneas. Have ye not shame in yourself for to speak so to me/ ye do me die for sorrow/ for all that I have done yet hitherto/ I have done it by your council/ Antenor when thou returnest fro Greece where I had sent the for to require Exiona my sister/ counselest thou not me that I should send Paris in to Greece for to endamage the Greeks/ and I had never taken upon me for to have moved war against them/ ne had thy false council have been. Which moved me to send thither/ And thou Eneas alas when I sent the with Paris in to Greece: Were not thou principal of the council that Paris should ravish Helen and bring her in to this royalme: And thou heel pest thereto with thy person. And if thou wouldest have been contrary thereto and have letted it. Helen had never seen the walls of Troy. And now after this that they have slain all my children and have done so much damage and hurt: ye council me against honour to make peace with the Greeks that have me so cruelly destroyed. Certes your council finisheth my life with great sorrow and dishonour etc..  
OF these words was Aeneas strongly angry and wroth/ And answered to the King words sharp and poignant enough/ And departed he and Antenor from the King evil content. And when they were gone the King began to weep as he that dread that they should deliver the city in the hands of the Greeks▪/ which should slay him incontinent. Then he thought that he would do them die first/ And called to him Amphimachus and said to him. Right dear son I am thy father/ We aught to support each other/ unto the death/ I know certainly that Antenor and Eneas contenden for to slay us by the Greeks and to deliver them this city/ And therefore it should not be ill done to make them fall in to the pit that they have made ready/ to fore ere they do any such evil/ And I shall tell the in what manner/ to morn at even they shall come to council. thou shalt be ambushed here with inn/ and shalt have with the good knights/ and when they shall be comen/ thou shalt run upon them and slay them. Amphimachus answered unto him and said that he would so do with a good will/ And how well there were no more at this council but the King and his son/ yet there is no thing so secret but otherwhile it is known. Eneas knew well the truth of this thing/ And it was not known by whom he knew it. And anon he and Antenor and some other of their complices spoke forth of the treason of the city/ And there they swore each to other/ And then they said if they went more to council to the King/ that they would go with great company of men of arms/ for eneas was of the most noble of Troy and moste rich next the King/ and best of lineage. And might we●l compare to the King. And Antenor was also rich and puissant of friends in the city. And their treason was such that they would deliver the city in the hands of their enemies/ But that they and all they of their lineage should have their lives and their goods saved▪ and hereof they took good surety of the Greeks/  
Among these things the King Priant sent for Antenor and eneas to come to council▪ for to perform that thing that he had purposed. But they came with a great company of men of arms. And therefore the King sent to Amphimachus that he should leave his emprise: The day following the King sent for all the Trojans to council. And when they were assembled to fore him: Eneas stood up and admonished all them to make peace with the Greeks/ to whom all the other accorded save the King/ and then said to him eneas/ sire King wherefore consentest not thou with the other/ for will thou or will thou not We shall treat for the peace/ and shall make it maugre the/ when the King saw that his contradiction might no thing avail/ He had liefer consent him with the other/ than for to be the cause of his destruction. And then said he to eneas/ let it be made as ye shall think that it may be most expedient to the peace. and I shall hold it agreeable. Then by the council of them all/ Antenor was chosen for to go to the Greeks and treat for the peace. And then the Trojans took branches of palm in sign of peace. And went upon the walls of the city and showed the sign unto the Greeks the which showed well that they would intend to the peace. And then was Antenor availed fro the walls and let down/ and was presented to the King Agamemnon. And the King Agamemnon commised all the work to the King of Crete. Diomedes. and Ulixes/ And that all thoo things that these three Kings should besoigne with Antenor/ Alle the Greeks promised to hold it agreeable/ and swore it upon their law etc..  
When they were all four assembled/ Antenor replenished with barrat promised to them to deliver the city by treason/ for to do with it their will and pleasure/ save that they would assure to him and eneas and to their knights and parentele/ and all them that they would cheese/ And that eneas should have all his possessions without any lo●se. These three Kings of Greece swore to Antenor that th●s they would do and hold/ then said one to that other that this thing must be secret/ unto the time it be brought about// And to th'end for to keep this treason more secret. Antenor prayed to the Greeks/ that they would deliver to him the King cassilus that was a much ancient man for to go with him to Troy to th'intent that he might be the better believed/ and that he knew the will of the Trojans/ that is to weet if they would have peace with the Greeks/ And also for to say to them the will and desire of the Greeks/ And then demanded Antenor the body of Penthesilea/ which the Greeks agreed to him gladly.  
AFter these things Antenor and the King Cassilyus entered in to the city/ And did it to be known to the King their coming/ On the morn be times/ the King Priant assembled all the Trojans for to here the answer of Antenor/ the which said to the King otherwise then he had founden/ making a long sermon for to cover with his felony where he spoke long of the puissance of the Greeks & of their truth in their promises/ And how they had holden the truce that they had made lie to fore the city. And had been faithfully governed without breaking of them. And after spoke he of the feebleness of the Trojans and of the great dangers that they were inn. And in this concluded that forthon it were profitable to seek peace and that they come thereto. And said it could not be/ but if they gaf a great quantity of gold and silver unto the Greeks for to restore to them the great damages and losses that they had in the war/ And after advised the King and the other each in himself/ for to employ him in this thing without any sparing/ And for as much said Antenor as I can not know at this time all their will/ I would that ye would let Eneas go with me unto them for to know better their will and to th'end that they believed us better/ Every man allowed the words of Antenor. And then went he and Eneas unto the Greeks/ and with them the King Cassilyus.  
When the council was finished and all done/ the King Priam entered in to his chamber and began to weep right strongly as he that apperceived well the treason/ And plained sore the death of his sons and also the great damage that he bore/ And yet that worst is that he must buy his peace of them that have done to him all this damage and hurt/ and to give to them all the treasure that he had in long time gathered together// And to become pour in his old ancient days/ And yet he is not sewer of his life/ and must needs do the will of them that shall betray him. On that other side when Helen knew that Antenor should go to the Greeks/ she prayed him right effectuously that he would make her peace against menelaus her husband and that he would have pity on her/ And he promised to her that he would do his power  
When Eneas and Antenor were comen in to the host of the Greeks they treated of their treason// with the three Kings that the Greeks had committed// and there they made the peace for Helen and took good surety/ After their parliament the Greeks ordained that Diomedes and Ulixes should go with them to Troy/ And they went with them. There was great joy when they heard of their coming in to their city/ weening to the Trojans to have had the peace that they had so much desired. On the morn early by the commandment of the King Priant all the Trojans were assembled at his palace/ And then spoke Ulixes that said that the Greeks demanded two things That is to weet restitution of their damages// & great quantity of gold and silver/ And also they demanded that Amphimachus should be banished for ever out of the city of Troy/ without any trust ever to come in again/ this purchased Antenor for Amphimachus for as much as he had contraried him afore. O how it is great peril to speak lightly in time of perturbation and sedition. Then as they were all assembled in parliament/ they heard suddenly a marvelous cry/ and then Diomedes and Ulixes had great dread that the people would have slain them. And the other said that they would take these two Kings in the stead of Amphimachus to the end that he should not be banished. And alway there could no man know ●n wete from whence this noise came ne wherefore/ And therefore they departed and every man went in to his place etc.:.  
then Antenor drew a part Diomedes and Ulixes for to speak of their felony/ then said to him Ulixes wherefore tarriest thou so long & delayest to do that thou hast promised. Antenor answered and said the gods know that Eneas and I attend to none other thing/ but to do that we have promised to you. But there is a marvelous thing that impeacheth us/ and I shall say you/ what it is certain when the King Ilion founded first the palace of Ilion in this city/ he established in the name of pallas a great temple in this city. And when it was all ready and made save the tower a marvelous thing descended fro the heaven. And that stack in the wall of the temple with in the great Aroter/ And it hath been there till this time/ And none may bear it away save they that keep it/ The matter is of tree or of wood/ but there is no man that knoweth of what wood ne how it is so made But the goddess Pallas that sent it thither gave ●nto this thing a great virtue/ that is this That 〈…〉 this said thing shall be with inn the temple or within the city within the walls/ the Trojans may not lose their city ne the Kings ne the heirs/ And this is the thing that holdeth the Trojans in surety/ And therefore they may the better keep it/ and this thing hath to name palladium/ for as much as the goddess pallas sent it/ then said Diomedes if this thing be of such virtue as thou sayest/ we lose our pain. Then said Antenor that they aught no thing to esmay them/ for he and eneas attended for to fulfil the promise/ for I have but late spoken to the priest that keepeth it/ to th'end that he deliver it by stealth. And I have very trust that he shall deliver it to me for a great some of gold that I have promised him. And assoon as I shall have it/ I shall send it to you out of the city/ and then we shall perform that thing that we have promised to you. And ere ye go hence for to cover and hide our work I shall go unto the King Priant and shall do him to understand that I have spoke long to you for to know what quantity of gold ye demand/ and it was so done as Antenor had purposed.   

¶ How the traitor Antenor bought of the priest the palladium/ and gave it to Ulixes and of the horse of brass that was by the Greeks brought to the temple of Pallas being full of men of arms/ And how the city of Troy was taken and brent And the King Priam slain etc...  
When Diomedes and Ulixes were returned in to their host. Antenor went him unto the King Priant and said to him that he should assemble all his folk to council. And when they were all comen. Antenor said to them that for to come to the peace of the Greeks they must needs pay twenty thousand mar● of gold and of good poise/ and as much of silver/ And also an hundred thousand quarters of wheat. And this must be made ready with in certain term. And then when they have this/ they shall set surety to hold the peace with out any fraud or malengine. There it was ordained how this some should be levied and whiles they were busy their abouts. Antenor went to the priest that kept the palladium/ the which priest had to name Thoant/ and bare to him a great quantity of gold. And there were they two at council Antenor said to him that he should take this some of gold. Whereof he should be rich all his life/ and that he should give to him the palladium/ and that noman should know thereof/ for I have said he great fear and as much dread as thou. that any man should know thereof. And I shall send it to Ulixes/ and he shall bear the blame upon him. and every man shall say that Ulixes shall have stolen it/ and we shall be quite thereof both two etc..  
THoant the priest resisted long to the words of Antenor/ but in the end for covetise of the great some of gold that Antenor gave to him. He consented that he should take the palladium and bear it away. Then Antenor took it anon and sent it unto Ulixes/ the same night/ And after the wis ran among the people that Ulixes by his subtility had taken and born away the palladium out of Troy O what treason was this of a priest/ that loved better for covetise to betray his city/ than to leave the gold that was given him. Certes it is a foul vice in a priest the sin of covetise/ But few have been to fore this time/ and few been yet but if they been attaint therewith/ whereof it is great pity/ since it is so that avarice is mother of all vices/ whiles that the Trojans gathered together their gold and silver and put it in the temple of Myncus to keep unto the time that it was all assembled. It pleased them to offer & make sacrifice to their god Apollo/ And when they had slain many beasts for their sacrifice and had put them upon the altar/ And had set fire on them for to brenne them/ it happened that there came there two marvels/ the first was that the fire would not alight ne brenne/ for they began to make the fire more than ten times/ And alway it quenched and might never burn the sacrifice. The second miracle or marvel was when they had appointed the entrails of the beasts for their sacrifice/ A great eagle descended fro the air crying greatly and took with his feet the said entrails and bare them in to the ships of the Greeks.  
OF these two things were the Trojans sore abashed & dismayed/ And said that the gods were wroth with them. And then they demanded of cassandra/ what these things signified/ and she said to them/ that the god Apollo was wroth with them for th'effusion of the blood of Achilles that was shed wherewith his temple was defouled & violed/ this is the first// & ye must go fetch fire at the sepulture of achilles And light your sacrifice there with/ and then it shall quench no more/ And they did so/ and the sacrifice brent clear/ And for the second miracle. she said to them that for certain the treason was made of the city with the Greeks. When the Greeks heard speak of these miracles. they demanded of Calchas what it signified. And he said to them that the tradition of the city should come shortly. Among these things Calchas and Crisis the priest counseled the Greeks/ that they should make a great horse of brass. And that must be as great as might hold with in it a thousand knights armed. And they said to them that it was the pleasure of the gods. This horse made a passing wise master as Apius was. Whose name was sinon/ and he made it so subtilely that without forth no man could perceive ne see entry ne issue. But within it appeared to them that were closed there in for to issue when they would etc..  
When the horse was full made. and the thousand knights therein by the counsel of Crisis/ they prayed the King Priant that he would suffer this horse enter in to the city: and that it might be set in the temple of Pallas/ for as much as they said that they had made it in the honour of Pallas for a vow that they had made for restitution of the palladium that they had done be taken out of the same temple etc..  
Among these things the Princes that were yet in Troy/ when they saw that the King had so fowl and shamefully treated with the Greeks they went out of Troy and took their men with them And the King Philomenus lad no more with him but two hundred and thirty men and sixty maidens of Amazon that were left of a thousand that came with the Queen Penthesilea And carried the body of her with them And rood so much that they came unto their country. Then came the day that the Greeks should sweet the peace feignedly upon the plain field upon the sanctuaries. The King Priant issued out of the city and his people And swore there each party to hold the peace firmly fro then forthon/ And Diomedes swore first for the Greeks// after when they had broken the peace that they had treated with Antenor of that thing that they made after/ And therefore they maintain that they were not forsworn by that colour// And therefore me saith in a proverb/ he that sweareth by cautel or maliciously/ he by malice forsweareth himself/ After diomedes swore in like wise all the Kings and Princes of Greece. And then the King Priant and the Trojans swore in good faith as they that knew no thing of the great treason And after their oaths thus made/ The King Priant delivered Helen to menelaus her husband/ and prayed him and other Kings and Princes of Greece that they would pardon Helen without suffering to be done to her any injury or hurt/ And they promised him feignedly that they would do to her no wrong.  
then prayed the Greeks that they might set the horse of brass with in the temple of pallas/ for the restitution of palladium/ to th'end that the goddess Pallas might be to them agreeable In their return. And as the King Priant answered not thereto. Eneas and Antenor said to him that it should be well done/ And that it should be honour to the city// how be it the King Priant accorded it with evil will/ then the Greeks received the gold and silver & the wheat/ that was promised to them. And sent it and put it in to their ships/ After these things they went all in manner of procession and in devotion with their priests. And began with strength of cords to draw the horse of brass unto tofore the gate of the city/ And for as much as by the gate it might not enter in to the city/ it was so great/ therefore they broke the wall of the city in length and height in such wise as it entered with in the town And the Trojans received it with great joy. But the custom of fortune is such that great joy endeth in tristesse and in sorrow: The Trojans made joy of this horse// wherein was closed their death. and knew nothing of it: In this horse was a subtle man named sinon that bore the keys of the horse for to open it. When the Trojans were asleep and rested them in the night. And assoon as they issued out of the horse/ they gave a token of fire to them that were in the fields to the end that they should come in to the city for to put it all to destruction.  
THe same day the Greeks feigneden to go unto Tenadon: And said that they would receive Helen and set her in safety/ be cause that the people should not run upon her for the great evils and hurts that were fallen for her. And thus they departed from the port of troyes with her sails drawn up/ and came to fore the sun going down to Tenadon. Then had the Trojans great joy when they saw the Greeks depart/ And they supped that evening with great gladness/ And the Greeks as soon as they were come to Tenadon/ they armed them in the evening/ and went them stilly and privily toward Troy// when the Trojans had well supped they went to bed for to sleep/ then sinon opened the horse and went out and light his fire and showed it to them that were without/ And anon without delay/ they that were in a wait entered in to the city by the gate that was broken for to bring in the horse of brass. And the thousand knights issued out/ and where they found the Trojans they slew them in their houses/ where they slept as they that thought on no thing.  
THus entered the Greeks in to the city And slew men and women and children without sparing of any and took all that they found in their houses/ And slew so many that ere it was day they had slain more than twenty thousand/ they pilled and robbed the temples/ the cry arose much horrible of them that they slew/ when the King Priant heard the cry/ he knew anon that eneas and Antenor had betrayed him he arose anon hastily and went him in to his temple of Apollo that was within his palace/ as he that had no more esperance ne hope of his life/ And kneeled to fo●e the high altar. Cassandra fled on that other side as one that had been out of her wit in to the temple of Minerva/ weeping and demeaning great sorrow. And the other noble women abode still in the palace in weepings and in tears.  
then it came on the morn the Greeks by the conduit of Eneas and of Antenor that were open traitors unto their city and also to their King and lord. Came and entered in to the palace of Ilion where they found no defence and put to death all them that they found. Then pyrrus entered in to the temple of Apollo and found there the King Priant abiding his death/ then he ran upon him with a naked sword seeing Eneas and Antenor that guided him He slew there the King Priant tofore the high altar/ which was all bebled of his blood. The Queen hecuba and Polyxena fled and wist never whereout to go/ and happened that she met with Eneas. And then said hecuba to him in a great furor Ha A fellow traitor/ fro whence is comen to the so great cruelty/ that thou hast brought with the/ them that have slain the King Priant/ that hath done to the so much good and hath set the in magnificence: and also hast betrayed the country where thou were born/ and the city that thou oughtest to keep At the left let it suffice the And refrain the now of thy courage: and have pity of this unhappy Polyxena/ to th'end that among so many evils as thou haste done: thou mayst have grace to have done one good deed as for to save her fro death ere the Greeks slay her/ Eneas moved with pity received Polyxena in his guard and put her in a secret place.  
Among these things the King Telamon set in the temple of Minerva in keeping Andromeda the wife of hector and Cassandra whom he found there Ilion/ And put the fire in the city on all parties and brent all the noble city. Reserved only the houses of the traitors which were kept and reserved/ when the city of Troy was all brent/ the King Agamemnon assembled all the most noble of Greece in the temple of Minerva/ And when they were all assembled/ He required them of two things/ One was that they should hold her faith and troth to the traitors. And that other was that they should take advise by good manner for to depart the prey of the city/ The answer was such of the Greeks that they would hold her faith to the traitors as for the first point/ and as to the second/ every man should bring all the prey in common/ And there to depart to each man after his merit and desert/ then spoke Telamon and said that me should burn Helen// for whom so much hurt and evil was comen// and that so many worthy Kings and Princes had died fore. And there was a great murmur here upon/ that with great pain Agamemnon Ulixes & menelaus might save her/ But Ulixes with his fair language said to them so much of diverse things/ that they were content that Helen should have no harm/ And then Agamemnon did so much to all the other that for his reward the daughter of King Priant cassandra was delivered to him/ whiles that the Greeks held yet her parliament/ came to them Eneas & Antenor And advertised them how helenus had alway blamed the Trojans of th'intention that they made against the Greeks/ And counseled them to put the body of Achilles in sepulture which they would have given to the hounds/ and prayed them therefore that they would save his life And it was accorded and agreed to them. And then Andromeda and helenus prayed for the two sons of hector/ which were saved how well that pyrrus was there against and debated it a little/ but in the end he agreed it: and so the Children were respited.  
AFter this furor they ordained that all the noble women that were escaped fro death/ should go whither they would freely/ or dwell still there if it pleased them/ And after these things done/ they purposed them to depart from Troy. But the great tempest began to arise that time that endured a month hole tofore they might go to the sea/ then demanded the Greeks of Calchas the cause of this impeachment that dured so long: And he answered that the puissances Infernals were not yet opposed of th'effusion of the blood of Achilles/ that was shed in the temple of Apollo for the love of Polyxena. And for t'great the gods/ it behoveth to sacrify Polyxena for whom achilles died.  
then pyrrus inquired diligently where Polyxena was becomen/ that was cause of the death of his father/ for there was no tiding whether she was alive or dead. Agamemnon demanded of Antenor. Which said to him that he knew not where she was/ whereof he lied not. And yet for to make an end of all his evils/ he inquired so much that Polyxena was founden in prison in an old ancient tower where as she was put inn: And then he went thither/ And drew her out by force by her arms: And presented her unto the King Agamemnon. Which anon sent her to pyrrus/ the which sent her to the sepulchre of Achilles for to be slain/ And as they led her/ there ne was King ne Prince but that he had great sorrow for to see so fair a figure of a woman to be lost/ And without that she had deserved it/ And had delivered her fro the hand of pyrrus// if Calchas had not been/ that said alway that the tempest should not cease unto the time that she were dead.  
When the fair Polyxena was to fore the sepulture of Achilles// she excused her much humbly of the death of Achilles/ and said that she was much wroth and sorry of his death/ And that the Kings and Princes of Greece suffered her to die against justice and without culp or trespass/ how well that she had liefer have the death/ than to live with them that had taken away and slain all her friends/ And when she had finished her words/ Pyrrus smote her with his sword/ seeing the Queen her mother/ and slew her cruelly. And cut her all in pieces/ and cast them all about the sepulture of his father/ when hecuba the Queen saw thus her fair daughter slain/ she fill down aswoon/ And after went out of her wit and became mad. And began to run vagabond and all araged And assailed with her teeth and with her nails all that she might come by/ and casted stones and hurt many of the Greeks/ then they took her by force and lad her in to an isle And there they stoned her to death/ And thus the Queen hecuba ended and finished her life/ And the Greeks made for her a noble sepulture/ And put her body therm. And her sepulchre appeareth yet in the same isle unto this day etc..   

¶ Of the dissension that moved because of the palladium between the King Telamon & Ulixes. And how eneas and Antenor were exiled out of Troy. And how the Greeks returned and of their adventures.  
whiles that the Greeks sojourned yet at Troy And might not depart for the great tempest/ after that they had destroyed all the city/ and taken all that they found that was good. The King Telamon made his quarrel to fore the King Agamemnon for the palladium that Ulixes had/ He that had not so well deserved it as he had/ that had so many times succoured the host with victual/ and also had defended it by his great prowess/ where the host of the Greeks had been in danger to have been lost ne had he been/ And said that he had slain the King Polymestor/ to whom the King Priant had put polidorus his son And after had slain the same polidorus/ and had brought a great treasure that he found unto the host of the Greeks. And also he had slain the King of Phrygia. and brought his goods in to the host. And alleged then that he had gotten many royalmes to the signory of Greece/ and other many valiances that he had done to the honour of the Greeks: And said more over that Ulixes had in him no prowess ne valiance/ but only subtlety/ and fair speaking for to deceive men// And by him have we gotten to us great villainy/ that where we might have vanquished the Trojans by arms/ Now we have vanquished them by deceit and barate etc..  
TO these words answered Ulixes/ and said that by 〈◊〉 valiance and by his wit the Trojans 〈◊〉 vanquished/ And if he had not been// the Trojans were yet in estate and in glory in the city. And after said to Telamon/ Certes the palladium was never conquered by your prowess/ but by my wit/ And the Greeks wist never what it was ne of what virtue it is// when I did them to know thereof first by the diligence that I did thereto/ and when I knew that the city of Troy might not be taken as long as it was in the same/ I went secretly in to the city/ and did so much that it was delivered unto me. and after we took the city/ To this answered Telamon injuriously/ And Ulixes to him in like wise in so much that they became enemies mortal each to other. And Telamon menaced Ulixes to the death openly/ And alway after that this matter was well discuted/ Agamemnon and menelaus judged that the palladium should abide with Ulixes/ And some said that they made this judgement for as much as Ulixes by his fair speaking had saved fro death Helen/ that Telamon and other would have had dead/ And of this judgement they might not be content/ the most greatest part of the host said that Telamon ought better to have the palladium than Ulixes/ And therefore Telamon said to Agamemnon and menelaus many injurious words. And said unto them that he would be their mortal enemy fro then forth on/ For this said cause Agamemnon. Menelaus and Ulixes held them all three nigh together/ And had alway after with them great number and multitude of knights then it happened that on the morn early/ that Telamon was found slain in his bed// and had woun●●● in many places of his body/ whereof rose a great cry in the host and made great sorrow/ And gave all the blame unto three Kings tofore rehearsed/ Pyrrus that loved strongly the King Telamon said many injurious words to Ulixes and to the other/ then Ulixes doubted him. And the next night following he and his men entered in to their ships all secretly and went to the sea for to return homeward and left with Diomedes his friend the palladium: Pyrrus did do burn the body of Telamon and put the ashes in a rich vessel of gold for to bear with him in to his country for to bury it honourably. The hate was great between pyrrus and the King Agamemnon and his brother/ But Antenor made the peace/ And after on a day gave a dinner unto all the nobles of Greece. And did do serve them with many meats and gave to them fair yefts etc..  
Among these things the Greeks reproached Eneas that he had falsed his oath/ in that/ that he had hided Polyxena/ And for this cause they banished him out of Troy for ever/ And when Eneas saw that he might not abide there he prayed them much that they would accord and agreed that he might have the two and twenty ship is that Paris had with him in to Greece/ and they agreed to him his request And gave to him four months space for to repair them and garnish them of all that they lacked/ Antenor departed after from Troy with his good will/ and lad with him great number of Trojans/ But the history telleth not whether he would go/ Eneas hated then strongly Antenor for so much as by him he was banished out of Troy// And was in great sorrow because Antenor was not as well banished as he/ And for this cause Eneas assembled all the Trojans/ And said to them my friends and my brethren. Since that fortune hath put us in the state where we been inn/ we may not live without head and governor And if ye will do by my council ye shall cheese Antenor// and make him your King/ for he is wise enough for to govern you. This council seemed good to the Trojans/ And sent after Antenor that returned anon unto them. And assoon as he was come Eneas assembled great number of people/ for to run upon him/ as he that was most mighty in Troy/ then the Trojans prayed him that he would cease// since that the war was finished/ And that he would not begin it again/ How said Eneas should we spare one so felon a traitor/ that by his great felony hath caused to die Polyxena the fair daughter of King Priant. And by him I am banished out of Troy that should have counseled and helped you/ And now I must needs leave you. Eneas said so much to the Trojans/ that they banished Antenor for ever out of Troy And constrained him anon to go his way out of the town etc..  
antenor entered in to the sea with a great company of Trojans/ And sailed so far that he fill among men of war and pirates of the sea/ that ran upon him and slew many of his men and hurt And robbed and pilled of his ships And in the end Antenor escaped from them. and sailed so far that he arrived in a province/ named Gerbandy/ whereof the King Tetide was lord and King a just man and a debonair. In this land arrived Antenor with a few ships and rested on the side of a great isle/ that was nigh unto the port/ he saw the country fair and puissant of woods and of land and of fountains/ And there he edified a city to him and to his people/ and fortified it with wallis and good towers/ And when the Trojans knew thereof many went thither and dwelled there with Antenor/ And the city grew strongly and was full of people/ And Antenor governed him so wisely in this land/ that he was well in the grace of the King Tetide/ And was the second after the King in his royalme And named his city Cortirem erralum.  
CAssandra that was left at Troy had great sorrow for the great mischiefs that were fallen to her friends/ And ceasedd not to weep and wail/ And when she had demoved long her sorrow The Greeks demanded her of their estate in their returning home/ of which she said to them/ that they should suffer many pains and great perils ere they were come in to their country/ And after she said to Agamemnon that they of his own house should slay him So it happed to him after and to all the other like as cassandra had devised to them and said. Of the King Telamon were left two sons. of two Queens the eldest was named Hermicide of the Queen glausta And that other of the Queen Thymissa had to name Anchisatus/ These two children nourished the King Theuter as long till they were great to bear arms.  
Among these things Agamemnon and menelaus demanded congee for to return in to their lands/ And the most great of the host gave them leave sore annoyed/ for as much as they had been taken as suspect of the death of Telamon with Ulixes/ which was stolen away like a thief/ wherefore he showed well/ that he was culpable of the death. Thus these two brethren put them to the sea/ for to return home thus in th'entry of the winter/ when the sea is most dangerous/ And anon after the other Greeks entered in to the sea as fools and evil advised for the doubts of the sea/ And had her ships all charged and laden with the richesses/ whereof they had despoiled the rich city and royalme of Troy. And for the great desire that they had for to been at home in their country They began to return thus as in the mids of the winter/ And set apart all dangers and perils/ which fill unto them greatly/ And when they had sailed four days and four nights/ on the fifth day they were in the sea of Aegea/ about the hour of none came a great tempest. And surprised them suddenly with great rain and thunder/ with wind and with great wawes of the sea that casted her ships here and there in the sea/ And many broke their masts and all to rent their sails/ And when the night came which was long and dark/ the ships left each other/ in sailing to fore the wind some in one place and some in an other/ And many were brent with lightening and thunder that fill upon them/ And many were drowned and sunken into the sea. And they that were therm were dead & drowned/ and the great richesses of Troy lost/ Oyleus Ajax that had xxxii ships in this company/ had all his ships brent and perished/ And he himself by the force of his arms and legs all naked swimming came and arrived a land all swollen of the water that he had drunken/ And lay a great while upon the gravel/ more hoping the death than the life/ And anon after came other in like wise that were so saved with swimming/ which were discomfited in her malheur and unhappiness. This mischief came to this Ajax for as much as he drew cassandra out of the temple of Minerva/ And it happeth often time/ that many be punished for the sin and trespass of one man etc..   

¶ How the King naulus and cetus his son did do perish in the sea many ships of the Greeks in their return for the death of his son Palamedes and of the death of King Agamemnon/ and of th'exile of Diomedes and of his repeal by Aegea his wife etc.  
IN this time there was a King in Greece named Naulus that was much rich & puissant and his royalme stood upon the side of the sea of Greece toward the South/ In the which see were great Roches and high and many mountains and hills of sand which were right perilous. This King was father of Palamedes/ that was slain tofore Troy. And had yet a son named Cetus. There was none in Greece so rich ne so puissant a King/ Now were there some evil people there that could not be in ease with out grieving & annoying of other/ which made the said King Naulus to understand & to his son King cetus/ that Palamedes was not slain in battle so as the wis ran/ but he was slain covertly by Ulixes and diomedes/ Agamemnon & menelaus had made & contrived a false letter/ where in was contained that Palamedes would have betrayed the host of the Greeks/ whiles he was Emperor of the host/ for a great quantity of gold And they made this letter to be put by the side of a knight that was slain. And then Ulixes treated in such wise with one of the secretaries of Palamedes/ for a great some of money such as the letters contained. And this secretary by thynductioninduction of Ulixes put this some of money under the head of Palamedes whiles he slept/ And as soon as the secretary had said to Ulixes that he had done then Ulixes slew this secretary privily/ And forth with did so much that this letter came in to the hands of the Greeks/ that red it/ and were all abashed when they saw in writing the treason/ and that the some contained in the same leye under his head/ They went anon in to his tent/ and found the truth of this thing/ And would have run upon Palamedes/ But he offered him himself to defend it against whom that ever would prove it. And so there was none that durst fight against him then Ulixes did so much by his fair language that this thing was repeasid. And seemed that it was best that Palamedes should abide in his dignity.  
AFter this thing thus repeasid. Ulixes and diomedes on a day did Palamedes to understand that they knew a pit/ where in was much treasure. And that they would that he had his part/ and that they should go the night following/ when the night was come they went all three alone without more company. And there offered Palamedes for to go down in to the pit first/ and they said that they would follow. And assoon as he was within/ the other two cast stones upon him so many that they slew him/ and after returned to their tents privily. This thing said these envious men to King Nausica and to Cetus of the death of Palamedes/ And all was false/ then the King and his son began strongly to think how they might avenge them of the Greeks/ they knew well that the Greeks were in her return in the heart of the winter/ And that they must pass by his royalme. And then the King naulus did do cry in all his royalme that men should make great fires every night upon the mountains that stood by the sea side/ And this did he to th'end/ that when the Greeks should see the fire by night that they should come thither/ weening to find good haven. And if they came they should find hard rocks & mountains of sand/ And so they should not escape without death/ it was thus done as naulus had devised. And there were well two hundred ships of the Greeks broken against the rocks. And all they that were therein were drowned/ when the other ships that followed them heard the noise of the ships that so were broken and the cry of them that were drowned/ they turned on that other board & made to see ward & saved himself Of them that escaped were Agamemnon. Menelaus. diomedes & some other that shall be named here after.  
CEtus that otherwise was called Pellus had great sorrow when he knew that Agamemnon was escaped/ And then he thought long/ how he might avenge him when he should be come home & descended in his owen land/ He did do write a letter to Clytemnestra the wife of Agamemnon. And this letter contained that for certain Agamemnon her husband had espoused one of the daughters of King Priant/ and that he loved her strongly/ and brought her with him in to his country for to make her Queen. And to put out Clytemnesra or to do slay her// And therefore cetus advertised her to th'end that she might purvey for herself. Clytemnestra anon believed these letters/ and thanked cetus enough/ and thought that she would avenge her of her husband. This Clytemnestra in the absence of her husband loved a man named Aegisthus by whom she had a daughter named Erygona/ She loved more her love ●gystus/ than ever she did her husband how well he was comen of low blood/ But it is the custom of a woman that doth a miss to take one to her of less value than her husband is. She had treated with Aegistus that the first night that Agamemnon should lie with her/ he should run upon him & slay him. This thing was done in like wise as she had purposed/ And Agamemnon was slain and put in the earth/ And anon after Clytemnestra took to husband her love Aegisthus King of Moritane.  
Agamemnon thus slain had a son of this Clytemnestra that was named Orestes a young child which that calcybus his parent took in keeping And took him from his mother/ to th'end that she should not slay him. And after sent him to the King of Crete Idumeus that was his uncle. And he had great joy of him and his wife tharasis also that loved him as much as Clytemnestra her daughter that had no more children but her/ and was a fair young maid/ Thus as Cetus had written to Clytemnestra the wife of Agamemnon/ In like wise he wrote to the wife of Diomedes named Aegea/ and was daughter of the King polymytes of Arsymens/ and sister of assandrus that returned fro Troy with Diomedes his brother in law/ So it happened in their returning that they descended in the land of King Telephus/ which was evil content And went against them with a great company of men of arms and assailed them. And they defended them strongly/ and assandrus slew many of the knights of Telephus whereof he had great sorrow and was angry. And took a great spear & addressed him against assandrus by so great force/ that he smote down to the earth and slew him. Diomedes for to avenge the death of his brother in law slew many knights of Telephus. And recovered the body of assandrus with great pain and bare it in to his ship etc..  
THus died assandrus/ but it was not reported thus to Aegea his sister/ But it was said to her that Diomedes her husband had done slay him for to have all the signory of archimens whereof assandrus had that one half against his sister Aegea/ Of these tidings & of them that cetus had written/ Aegea was much wroth & angry with diomedes her husband And procured so much against her people// that they promised her that they would not receive no more Diomedes for her lord. And thus when Diomedes returned. His wife ne his folk would not receive him but banished him out of the country of Archymens for ever/ then it happed him that he arrived in salamine/ where the King theuter brother of the King Telamon was/ And this King had heard say that Diomedes was culpable of the death of his brother// with Ulixes/ and then commanded that Diomedes should be taken. But Diomedes heard hereof And fled thence/ The King demephon and the King Athamas/ when they were arrived in their lands/ were banished by semblable manner/ then they arrived in the land of Duke nestor/ which received them with great joy/ These two Kings purposed to go in to their lands with men of arms/ and take vengeance on their people/ But the Duke nestor blamed them thereof/ And counseled them that they should send first to them for to admonish and warn them for to receive them for their lords/ And promise to them great franchises and liberties/ And thus they did as nestor counseled to them/ And it was not long after but their people received them as afore is said etc..  
When Eneas was a biden at Troy for to repair his ships/ He suffered many assault of his neighbours that would have taken to prey all the remnant of the Trojans. And for as much as he might not abide there longer then his term that was assigned unto him by the Greeks/ He assembled the Trojans. And counseled them that they should send and fetch Diomed to be their King/ and said to them that he would come gladly for as much as he was put out of his country And he was wise and hardy for to defend them. They sent for to seche Diomedes/ and found him. And he came gladly and with a good will/ and found the Trojans half assieged of her neighbours. And yet was Eneas there present And appointed them to the battle against their enemies And fought many days In the which diomedes did many prowesses and slew many of their enemies and many took and many he hinge as thieves. At the fifth battle did so much of prowess that he came to the above of his enemies. and were all vanquished/ wherefore there was never after/ none of hair neighbours ner none there about them/ that durst assail the Trojans. And so they dwelled after in peace.  
Among these things the navy of Eneas was ready/ and then he entered therm and Anchises his father/ And took the sea/ with many Trojans for to go. Whither the gods would consent that they should dwell & abide. And they found many perilous adventures in the sea/ In the end they sailed in to the sea of Hellespont/ and sailed so far that they arrived in Italy and in toscanne. Of his adventures and how he arrived at Cartage/ and after in Italy/ they that will see it/ let them read Vesca in Aeneid/ and there they shall find it. When Aegea the wife of Diomedes knew that the Trojans had received Diomedes/ and that he had discomfited her enemies. She doubted that Diomedes would take vengeance on her/ then she counseled her with her people And by their council she sent for to fetch him/ And he came with a good will/ and was received with great joy/ And so in like wise the other that had exiled their Lords at their return fro Troy called them home again. And every man returned in to his signory of them that escaped fro the perils of the sea.   

¶ How Orestes son of King Agamemnon took cruel vengeance of the death of his father/ And how the King Ulixes after many diverse adventures returned to his signory and royalme.  
When Orestes the son of King Agamemnon that was/ had four & twenty year of age/ The King Idumeus that had nourished him made him knight and made a great feast of the new chivalry of Orestes. And then Orestes prayed him that he would help him with his people to take vengeance of the death of his father/ and to recover his land/ The King Idumeus delivered to him a thousand knights wise and hardy/ And Orestes assembled an other thousand in many places/ And after took his way unto Munidie/ And in going thitherward passed by the city of trasem/ whereof the King forensis was Lords that halp him with three hundred knights/ for as much as he hated Aegisthus/ by cause that he said Aegisthus had troth plight his daughter// which had left her for the love of Clytemnestra/ and so he went with Orestes for to make war to Aegistus/ And then when they set forth on their way it was at th'entry of the month of May/ when they came tofore Michames/ They that were with inn the city would not yield it unto him. Then he set siege round about it Orestes had an answer of the gods that he himself should take vengeance of his mother by his hands/ notwithstanding she was closed in the city/ Aegisteus was not then there/ but he was gone for to fetch socours and for to assemble knights for to defend his city against the coming of Orestes his enemy/ At the instigation and council of Clytemnestra his wife. And anon as Orestes knew thereof. He set great number of knights in a wait for to take him at his returning/ And then he made the city to be assailed often times/ And for as much as it was not well garnished/ Orestes took it with assault the xx day of his siege/ And committed his people to keep the yates/ to th'end that none should issue out ne enter/ And after went him to the palace royal/ and made to take his mother and set her in sure prison/ and took and did to be taken all them that he felt culpable of the death of his father/ and that had be rebel against him/ And that same day Aegistus returned with his socours. And fill in the hands of the people of Orestes that slew all his people and ●●ke him a live and brought him to Orestes/ his hands bounden behind him at his back.  
IN the morn Orestes did his mother Clytemnestra be brought to fore him all naked her hands bounden/ And assoon as he saw her/ he ran upon her with his naked sword/ and cut of her two paps/ and after slew her with his hands/ and made her to be drawn to the fields for the hounds to eat and devour and to the birds. After he did do despoil Aegistus and do draw him through the city. And after did do hang him on a fork. And in like wise he did to all them that were culpable of the death of his father/ Thus venged Orestes the death of the good King Agamemnon his father etc.:.  
Menelaus' after the great perils of the sea/ arrived in Crete/ And with him dame Helen his wife/ when he knew of the death of his brother/ And of the vengeance that the said Orestes had taken. He was evil content with his nephew that had taken so cruel vengeance on his mother/ There came to menelaus the greatest Lords of Greece for to see Helen/ for whom the Greeks had suffered so many hurts and damages/ And from Crete menelaus went and arrived at the port of michames/ And said to Orestes that he was not worthy to be King and lord for as much as he had taken so cruel vengeance on his mother/ And for to avenge this tyranny/ Menelaus assembled all the nobles of Greece at Athens/ to th'end that Orestes should be declared as prived of his signory for the cruelty that he had done against his mother/ Orestes excused him thereof// saying that/ that he had done the gods had commanded him. Then advanced him the due of Athens/ and offered for Orestes that if there were any man that would prove that Orestes had not done well/ that he would defend him/ There was none that would prove it. And therefore was Orestes assailed and restablished in his signory And bare heavy heart to his uncle menelaus for this cause But the King Idumeus came to Michames and made the peace between them both/ And then Orestes took Hermione the daughter of menelaus & of Helen to his wife Erigone the daughter of Aegistus and of Clytemnestra had so great sorrow when she saw Orestes in so great signory that she hinge and strangled herself.  
Among these things Ulixes came in to Crete with two merchants ships that he had hired/ for he had lost all his ships/ and all that was with inn them by pirates and robbers of the sea that had robbed him. And after that he was so robbed it misshaped him that he arrived in the land of King Telamon/ And there was taken and lost the residue of his goods/ And they of the country had hanged him/ but by the industry and subtlety of his wit he escaped right pour/ After that he arrived in the land of King naulus which hated him for the death of his son Palamedes/ alway he did so much by his cunning & wit/ that he escaped much poor And so he came & arrived in Crete/ The King Idumeus received him joyously enough// but he was much dismayed that he saw him so pour/ And demanded him of his adventures what they were since he departed fro Troy/ then Ulixes told him all a long many dangers and marvels. And how he had lost his men & his great richesse that he brought fro Troy/ The King Idumeus had pity on Ulixes/ And honoured him much as long as he would abide there with him/ And when he departed he gave to him two ships full of all such thing as they behoved for to go with all in to his country/ And gave to him other goods enough/ And prayed him that he would go by the royalme of Alcinous that was in his way/ And that he would see him gladly etc..  
THus departed Ulixes fro crete/ And went him to King Alcinous which received him with great joy. And heard him gladly speak/ There heard Ulixes tidings of Penelope his wife how many notable men had required her/ But she would never intend to man/ she was so much chaste. And how certain persones held party of his land against the will of his wife/ There came to Ulixes Telamotus his son and ascertained him of all things that were true/ And for that cause Ulixes prayed to Alcinous that he would accompany him unto his royalme/ with a great number of knights/ And alcinous agreed to him gladly/ They sailed so long that on a night they arrived in his country/ and entered in to the city/ and in the houses of his enemies/ and slew them all. And on the morn by day Ulixes thus accompanied entered in to his palace/ And there was received as King & lord with great joy. And above all other Penelope his wife had great joy as she that had so long desired him/ His people came fro all sides and ran for to see him that was her lord giving to him great and rich yefts. And thus was Ulixes much honoured and exalted in his royalme And then he treated so much with Alcinous that he gaf his daughter Nausicaa in marriage to Telamotus his son/ And after the great solemnity of the wedding. Alcinous went him in to his country. And Ulixes abode in his royalme in great peace.   

¶ Of the feats of pyrrus since his returning fro Troy And how Orestes the son of Agamemnon slew him in delphos for the ravishing of Hermione his wife And of more adventures etc.  
PIrrus that was the son of Achilles and of dyadamie the daughter of King Lychomedes of his mother side. This King lichomedes was son of King Acastus that lived yet at that time. And this King Acastus that was much old and ancient. hated strongly pyrrus/ But the history telleth not wherefore ne for what cause this hate came. This King Acastus had put the King Peleus out of his royalme of thessaly/ and had sent him in exile. And set espies in many places for to slay pyrrus in his return fro troyes/ Pyrrhus in his coming fro Troy passed many perils in the sea/ And cast in to the sea of the best jewels he had/ And after he arrived at Molosse/ Where he descended and did repair his ships And as he there sojourned he knew how the King Acastus had sent the King peleus his grandfather in exile// and was father of Achilles/ And how he had set his espies for to slay him. Hereof he had great sorrow & was much wroth. The King peleus wist not where to hold him for the doubt that he had of the two sons of Acastus of whom that one was named philistenes/ and that other Menalippus for fear if they found him they would slay him. Then he advised him of an old ancient edifice that was half a mile fro the city of Thessaly/ between the sea and the city/ And there was an old closure of wallis and of rocks about/ And there was no more houses as there had been in time past/ But there was cellars under the earth/ where in men might enter secretly by an hole that appeared but little for the bushes and thorns that were there etc..  
IN this place dwelled the King Peleus in abiding the returning of his nephew pyrrus from Troy/ that might avenge him of his enemies And went oft time upon the rivage of the sea/ for to see if his nephew might come/ when the ships of pyrrus were repaired/ he took his way toward Thessaly/ for to avenge him of King Acastus/ And for to do this thing more wisely he sent to Thessaly two of his secretaries that one named Crispus And that other Adrastus that were wise and subtle/ unto an high and mighty man of the city named Assandrus/ that was at that time a true friend to him and to King Peleus for to have his advise// they went thither/ And when they had heard speak Assandrus/ they returned unto pyrrus/ and told to him what they had founden. And anon pyrrus made to draw up their sails/ and failed toward Thessaly/ But a great tempest arose in the sea that dured three days/ and on the fourth day they arrived at the port of sepehadem that was but half a mile from Thessaly nigh unto the cave where Peleus held him/ then pyrrus descended a land for to rest him of the travail that he had on the sea/ And to take the air of the land/ And of adventure he went straight to the cave where as peleus was/ And by the thorns and bushes that hided from him the hole/ he fill their inn and found there his belfather peleus/ And then anon Peleus knew his nephew/ for as much as he resembled right well unto his father Achilles/ And he beclipped him about the neck and kissed him/ And exposed unto him all his malhurt and great unhappiness whereof pyrrus had great sorrow. Then they went up and went to his ships/ There came tidings that Philistenes and Menalipus the sons of King Acastus were comen for to hunt in the forest that was fast by/ then pyrrus unclothed him/ and did on an old robe all to broken and to rent/ And took his sword and said to his people that they should abide him there/ And he alone would go in to the forest. And he had not far gone/ but that he encountered the two brethren that demanded of him what he was/ and fro whence he came/ and whither he would go. He said to them that he was of Greece. and was returned fro Troy in a ship with other/ And would have gone again in to his country/ But the tempest of the sea had so travailed them that there were well five hundred persons all dead/ And that there was no man escaped but he alone by great adventure. And had drunken much water of the sea and so have lost all that I had. And I must now go beg fro door to door till I come in to my country And if ye have brought in to this forest any thing to eat/ I pray you that ye will give me thereof/ then the two brethren said to him that he should abide with them etc..  
whiles they spoke thus together/ A great heart passed to fore them/ And Menalipus put him to the chase/ And left his brother with pyrrus alone/ then it happed that Philistenes alight down of his horse for to rest him/ And assoon as he was descended/ Pyrrus ran upon him with his naked sword in his hand and slew him/ and after when Menalippus was returned Pyrrus assailed him and slew him/ Thus slew pyrrus his two uncles that were brethren of thetys the mother of Achilles his father/ and then as he returned he encountered Chinaras that was of the household of King Acastus/ at whom Pyrrhus demanded where was the King Acastus/ And he answered to him that he was there fast by and not far fro thence/ And assoon as he had so said pyrrus slew him. And after went again to his ships. And clad him with precious robes/ And returned again unto the forest/ And met with the King Acastus/ that demanded of him what he was/ I am said he one of the sons of King Priant of Troy that am prisoner to pyrrus/ Where is Pyrrhus said the King And he ensigned him toward the sea/ And as the King turned him to see thitherward/ Pyrrus drew out his sword and would have slain him/ but thetys was present and escried him and knew him saying. Ha' right dear nephew what wilt thou do/ wilt thou slay my father/ And thou haste slain my two brethren thine uncles/ And she thus saying held him by the arm where with he held his sword/ And then pyrrus answered to her the King Acastus thy father hath exiled the King peleus thine husband/ where in hath he trespassed and offended the/ if he will pardon to peleus his maltalent and evil will/ I will pardon him mine/ The King Acastus was well content And peleus came to fore him/ And the peace was made between them/ And when they were returned together with good love/ The King Acastus said to them/ I am so ancient & feeble that I may no more help myself And therefore I will discharge me of the charge and government of this royalme/ And now I have lost them that should have governed it after me/ and for as much as Pyrrhus my right dear nephew is the next heir I seize him now therein. And peleus said I give him the right and title that I have therein. And am in will that pyrrus be King: then commanded the King Acastus to all the barons of thessaly that they should make homage to pyrrus as to their King/ and they had thereof great joy and did it gladly/ And thus was Pyrrus crowned King of Thessaly. And was taken as the most redoubted King of Thessaly and of Greece/ Idumeus the King of Crete died anon after And left two sons after him. Merion and Loarca/ But loarca died soon after him/ and merion was made King. Telamotus had a son of Nausika his wife which was named Deiphobus  
Among these things the King Acastus did do bury his two sons in Thessaly by the agreement of pirrus/ it happened when that Pyrrhus was thus enhanced in high signory/ that he became amorous of Hermione the daughter of Helen that was wife of Orestes/ He did so much that he ravished her by force/ and brought her in to Thessaly/ and took her to his wife. Orestes was passing sorrowful of this thing and durst not assail Pyrrhus in his royalme and said if he might live/ he would avenge him in time and in place/ Now it happed that pyrrus went in to the isle of delph for to thank his god Apollo of this that he had taken vengeance of the death of his father Achilles: And left in his palace Andromeda the wife that was of hector// that had a little son of the said hector named Laomedon/ And left the same Andromeda with child of his works/ whereof Hermione was evil content/ And sent to menelaus her father that pyrrus had all left her/ for the love of Andromeda/ And that he should come thither and leave for no thing whiles that pyrrus was out/ for to slay Andromeda/ and her son Laomedon/ Menelaus went anon to Thessaly for to do this thing that his daughter required him. And ran upon Andromeda which took her son between her arms/ And ran in to the city requiring help of the people against Menelaus that would slay her and her child.  
THe people Armed them anon and ran upon menelaus/ And did so much that menelaus must return in to his country/ without doing of any thing there/ when Orestes knew that pyrrus was in the isle of Delphi/ He went thither and assailed pyrrus and slew him with his owen hand/ And made him to be buried there/ And anon after Orestes recovered his wife/ and brought her in to his royalme/ when pyrrus was dead/ Peleus' and Thetis took Andromeda that was with child of pyrrus/ And laomedon her little son. And sent them in to the city of Molosse. There was Andromeda delivered of a fair son/ which she named Achilleydes/ the which when he was great/ crowned his brother laomeden King of the royalme of Thessaly/ And would for the love of him that all the Trojans that were there should be fraunchised Here sai●● the history that the sister of the King menon that achilles slew tofore Troy/ and whom the King Priant did do bury beside Troilus his son/ the said sister came to Troy/ much richly arrayed. And did do open the sepulchre of her brother and took out the bones chat she found. And assoon as she had them and held them she vanished suddenly away// that never man wist where she become ne the bones that she had taken And they said that saw this that she was a goddess or daughter of a goddess.   

¶ How thelagonus son of Ulixes and of the Queen Circe came for to find his father Ulixes/ and how he slew him not witting who he was. And of the avision that came to the said Ulixes in his sleeping.  
AS Ulixes slept on a night in his bed/ He had a marvelous vision and him seemed that he saw an image of marvelous form/ and the fairest that ever was seen. And desired sore for to touch this image/ and would have embraced her/ But the image would not suffer him/ but withdrew her afterward. And after she approached and demanded of him// what wilt thou. And he answered to her I will that we be conjoined together/ and that I may know the fleshly. O said the image that thy request is hard and bitter// for our conjunction shall be unhappy. For one of us two shall die. Him seemed further that this image held a spear and that above on the head had a pencil all made with fishes much subtilely. After he saw that the image would go. And said to him at her departing. This sign signifieth the ill and destruction that shall be of us two.  
When Ulixes was awaked/ he had marvel of this dream/ And thought sore what it might signify/ He sent after his divines and sages of his royalme and demanded them what his vision might signify/ and when they had a little taken heed thereof/ they said that his owen son should slay him/ Ulixes that had great dread & fear of his son/ made him to be taken and kept surely. And after he cheese a place only and far fro people/ where he dwelled with some of his true friends. And did do fortify this place/ with high towers & closed it with water round about. And there might no man enter but by a draw bridge and a wicket/ And made that to be kept that no man should enter but they that he had brought with him/ Now it happened to Ulixes when he returned fro Troy/ that fortune brought him in to an isle where Circe's dwelled/ which there was lady/ the which knew as much of enchantments as any woman of the world. And by her art held Ulixes by her nigh a year. And Ulixes gate on her a son which she named thelagonus/ And thus in the time that Ulixes dwelled in this place that was so strong/ Telagonus his son knew not yet who was his father/ And when he was of cage for to bear arms/ He demanded often times of his mother/ who was his father and if he were alive and where he dwelled. And so long he prayed her/ that she said to him that Ulixes was his father/ and told to him where he dwelled etc..  
When thelagonus was right joyous/ And desired strongly to see his father/ he took leave of his mother And went so many journeys that he came to Achaia And when he knew where Ulixes dwelled he went thither And when he was comen on a monday in the morning to the bridge where they stood that kept it diligently// he prayed them that they would let him pass for to see Ulixes. And they would not agreed to him in no manner/ And as he prayed them/ they put him a back felonously and rudely/ whereof he was right angry and so wroth that he ran upon one of them/ and gave him so great a struck with his fist upon the canell of the neck/ that he fill down dead/ And assailed the other and cast them down of the bridge/ And they began for to cry much loud/ and when they of the castle heard the noise/ they ran to arms and came to assail thelagonus/ He advanced him to one of them/ and took his sword from him/ he did so much in a little while that he slew fifteen of them/ but they hurt him in many places/ and as the cry grew more and more/ Ulixes arose up doubting that it was Telamotus his son/ and that was issued out of prison and came where as the noise was with a dart in his hand which he cast against thelagonus when he saw his men slain/ and hurted him a little/ whom he knew not.  
THelagonus that had received the dart. Cast it against Ulixes whom he knew not/ And smote so sore between the sides that he hurted him unto the death/ and fill to the earth. And as he spoke with great pain he demanded of thelagonus what he was. For as much as then his vision came to his mind. And Telagonus demanded on that other side// who was he that spoke so to him/ And they answered him that it was Ulixes. Then began Telagonus to make the greatest sorrow of the world saying alas caitiff/ I was come to see my father// and for to live with him in joy/ & I have slain him/ And as soon as he had said so/ he fill down a swoon. And when his heart came to him again// he began to rent his gown// and to beat his visage with his fists. And fill in weeping and approached to his father and said to him/ that he was the unhappy thelagonus his son and of the Queen Circe's. And prayed to the gods that they would suffer him to die with his father etc..  
When Ulixes knew that it was his son/ He recomforted himself// and sent anon to fetch Telamotus his other son/ And he came incontinent which would have slain thelagonus/ for to avenge the death of his father// but Ulixes repeasid him. And said to him that he was his brother/ And prayed them that they would love each other/ After this Ulixes was brought in to Achaia. where he lived three days only. And his sons buried him honourably. Telamotus held the royalme of Achaia after his father. And held with him Telagonus nigh by a year and an half/ And made him knight in great honour/ and would that he should dwell with him. But for as much as his mother wrote to him often times that he should return in to his country. He did so much that he departed with great honour/ for his brother did him to have all that him behoved on the way/ and gave him many rich yefts. And departed that one from that other with weeping tears/ And thus Telagonus returned in to the isle of Aulis unto Circe's his mother/ that had much great joy of his coming. And it was not long after that Circe his mother died: And thelagonus was made King of this isle/ where In he lived sixty year in great prosperity and after died/ Telamotus reigned in Achaia sixty and ten year/ and augmented and increased his signory strongly. And when Ulixes was slain he was four score & thirteen year old.  
IN this party Dares finished his book of the siege of Troy/ And speaketh no more of their adventures. And all this that is tofore said wrote Dicte the Greek in his book/ And in all this that is contained afore written/ their two books were found according for the most party/ And Dares put in the end of his book/ that the siege endured ten year ten months and twelve days/ And the some of the Greeks that were slain at the siege tofore Troy/ was eight hundred & six thousand fighting men. And the some of the Trojans that defended them against the Greeks that were slain was six hundred and six and thirty thousand of fighting men/ and he saith furthermore that when Eneas departed from Troy by exile/ he lad with him two hundred ships/ and that Antenor lad with him five hundred Trojans/ and Eneas lad the remnant with him etc..  
AFter this reciteth Dares in his book in the last end/ by whom the most noble Kings and Princes of that one party and also of that other were slain/ And saith that Hector the Prince of the chivalry of the world slew with his hand by good and loyal feat eighteen Kings. by his only prowess without malengine/ That is to weet the King Archilogus. The King Protesilaus. The King Patroclus. The King Menon. The King Prothenor. The King Archymenus. The King Polemon. The King Epistrophus. The King Ecedius The King Doccius. The King Polixenus. The King phybus. The King Antipus. The King Lenutus/ The King Polibete. The King humerus. The King Fumus. And the King Exampitus// Paris slew Palamedes the Emperor of the host of the Greeks/ the King Achilles. And the King Ajax/ Ajax and Paris slew each other/ Eneas slew the King Amphimachus. and the King Nercus/ Achilles slew the King Cupemus. the King yponeus. the King plebeus. the King Austerus. the King Lymonyus. the King Euforbius. the King Menon/ and the King Neptolonyus. And also he slew Hector that took none heed of him/ and Troilus that his myrondones had enclosed & unarmed/ Pyrrus the son of the same Achilles slew the Queen Penthesilee/ And also he slew the noble King Priant/ whom he found unarmed and without defence as a cruel tyrant/ He slew the fair maid Polyxena and the best mannered of the world/ Diomedes slew the King Antipus. the King Escorpus/ the King prothenor/ and the King Obtyneus etc..  
THus end I this book which I have translated after mine author as nigh as god hath given me cunning to whom be given the laud & praising/ And for as much as in the writing of the same my pen is worn/ mine hand weary & not steadfast mine eyen dimmed with overmuch looking on the whit paper/ and my courage not so prove and ready to labour as it hath been/ and that age creepeth on me daily and feebleth all the body/ and also be cause I have promised to diverse gentlemen and to my friends to address to them as hastily as I might this said book/ therefore I have practised & learned at my great charge and dispense to ordain this said book in print after the manner & form as ye may here see/ and is not written with pen and ink as other books been/ to th'end that every man may have them at once/ for all the books of this story named the recoil of the histories of troyes thus imprinted as ye here see were begun in one day/ and also finished in one day/ which book I have presented to my said redoubted lady as afore is said. And she hath well accepted it/ and largely rewarded me// wherefore I beseech almighty god to reward her everlasting bliss after this life. Praying her said grace and all them that shall read this book not to disdain the simple and rude work. Neither to reply against the saying of the matters touched in this book/ though it accord not unto the translation of other which have written it/ for diverse men have made diverse books// which in all points accord not as Dictes. Dares. and Homerus for dictes & homerus as Greeks sayn and written favourably for the Greeks/ and give to them more worship than to the Trojans/ And Dares writeth otherwise then they do/ And also as for the proper names/ it is no wonder that they accord not/ for some one name in these days have diverse equivocations after the countries that they dwell in/ but all accord in conclusion the general destruction of that noble city of Troy/ And the death of so many noble Princes as Kings Duke's Earls barons. Knights and common people and the ruin irreparable of that city that never since was re-edified which may be ensample to all men during the world how dreadful and jeopardous it is to begin a war and what harms. losses. and death followeth. Therefore th'apostle saith all that is written is written to our doctrine/ which doctrine for the common weal I beseech god may be taken in such place and time as shall be most needful in increasing of peace love and charity which grant us he that suffered for the same to be crucified on the rood tree/ And say we all Amen for charity..   

Pergamon flere volo. fata danais data solo  
Solo capta dolo. capta redacta solo  
Causa mali talis. meretrix fuit exicialis  
Femina letalis. femina plena malis  
Si fueris lota. si vita sequens bona tota  
Si eris ignota. non eris absque nota  
Passa prius paridem. ꝑidis modo thesia pridem  
Es factura fidem. ne redeas in idem  
Rumor de veteri. faciet ventura timeri  
Cras poterunt fieri. turpia sicut heri  
Scena quid evadis. morti qui cetera tradis  
Cur tu non cladis. concia clade cadis  
Femina digna mori. reamatur amore priori  
Reddita victory. deliciisque thori