a horse looks on as Empress Bellisant stands empty-handed in the forest, while a bear and King Pippin respectively take her two new-born sons, Orson and Valentine. 
Pepin  
Orson  
Valentine    

The Famous HISTORY OF VALENTINE AND ORSON.  
BEING The two only Sons of the Emperor of GREECE.  
Deciphering their wonderful Births, their Valiant Achievements, their Heroical Minds, and their Noble Enterprises.  
Drawn up in a short Volume, on purpose to give the better satisfaction to them that desire to hear and know the truth in few words.  
Written by LAURENCE PRICE.  
This little Book such virtues doth contain,  
Hardly the like in all the World again.  
LONDON, Printed for William Whitwood, at the sign of the Bell in Duck Lane. 1673.   

The Famous HISTORY OF Valentine and Orson.  

Chap. I. How the Lady Bellisant, sister to King Pepin, was solemnly married to the Emperor of Greece, and how they departed towards Constantinople.  
THere Lived a worthy and renowned King in the famous Kingdom of France, called King Pepin, who had one only sister, whose name was fair Bellisant; this beautiful Lady was no less virtuous than comely, nor no less 〈◊〉 then prudent, than both. She 〈◊〉 ●●●ly beloved of all sorts of people: the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 loved her for her Clemency, the Gentry loved her for her fidelity, the Commons loved her for her sweet behaviour, and the poor loved her for her Charity.  
The same of this gallant Lady resounded not only through the Principal Povinces of France, but through all the whole world; from one end to the other; so that to this Lady came many a Princely Potentate, hoping to gain her good will in Marriage. Amongst the rest of her noble and renowned Suppliants, came the high and mighty Emperor of Greece, who after many days spent in the Court of France, achieved the beauteous Lady's love; and with the consent of her Brother and all the Nobility, he took her to wife; where a long and spacious time was spent in feasting and merriment, to solemnize the Royal and Nuptial bonds of Matrimony, which were made between the Emperor and fair Bellisant, Sister to the King of France.  
But now behold what came to pass on the sudden: There came a Post sent from Constantinople, to certify the Emperor, that there was like to be● great insurrection and combustion in many of his Provinces, except his Highness would be pleased to make a speedy return to his own Country, thereby to pacify the outrages of the people, and renew a settled peace.  
The Emperor and his friends having taken the matter into their consideration, how that Divisions might be a means to raise mutinies, and mutinies to raise seditions, and seditions to raise civil wars, and that civil wars might bring ruin and destruction, both on himself and all his adherents for ever: Therefore he rather choosing to forsake his pleasures in France, than to endanger the ruin of his own Kingdom, took leave of his Brother the King of France, and the rest of the Princes and Nobles of his Court; he prepared himself with his fair Bride, for their journey unto their Court at Constántinople.  
Their departure caused great heaviness at the Court, insomuch that there was never more sorrowful hearts, grieved minds, and weeping eyes than at that time, for the departure of that modest and well governed Lady, who with her Lord in short space arrived at their desired Haven.   

Chap. II. Of the treachery Practised by the Archpriest of Constantinople, against the fair Empress Bellisant.  
NO sooner was the Emperor, and his fair Empress arrived at the Port of Constantinople, but they were entertained with as much joy and Solemnity, as if the Gods themselves had descended from Olymphus, to give welcome for those long looked for Guests: and for a congratulation they prepared all manner of dainty fare, all manner of rare Music, and all sorts of rich Ornaments fit for their wearing.  
Many Kings, Princes, Lords, and Ladies came from other Countries, and presented many Rich and costly Gifts to the royal and beautiful Empress, the Lady Bellisant; and happy were they that could have so much Favour, as to kiss her Princely hand.  
But as Morpheus and Venus distracteth and troubleth Lovesick persons, whether they sleep or wake, so doth Fortune and envy act their parts of cruelty and tyranny amongst the chief Monarches and Princes, as may appear by those Golden Pair of Turtles, the Emperor and his loving Mate. In that Court of great Magnificence there lived a supposed Religious man, whose title was Archpriest, or Archbishop: but he proved himself to be an Arch-Traitor, as you shall presently hear.  
This Archpriest was a great Favourite to the Emperor, and so well thought of in the Emperor's Court among the Nobility, that whatsoever he said was a Law: For if there was any one had any business with the Emperor, they could not get admittance without the Archpriests consent: Which the Empress Bellisant perceiving, thinking him to be a just and upright man, afforded him the like respect as others did, and oftentimes in secret would reveal her mind unto him.  
Upon a time it came to pass, they being all alone together, he being filled with lust and carnal desire, burst forth in these words unto her.  
Most beauteous, fair and comely Lady, I your humble and devoted Servant, with all the respects belonging to such a noble personage as you are, desire the grant of one boon unto, which if you perform, I am a living man, if you deny, you are a dead woman.  
The Lady hearing him say so, answered him in this manner;  
Sir, I am as yet but a stranger in this Empire, but yet will I afford you any thing that is mine to give, so far forth as reason doth require, and that my Princely Husband gives way to.  
Then Madam, quoth he, this it is, I desire your love, insomuch that I may embrace the sweet and pleasant enjoyments of your love, and to do with you according to my will.  
When the Lady heard him talk; and finding him to be lustful minded, she spoke unto him in this manner.  
O thou dissembling hypocrite, thou false and faithless tyrant, thou blood sucking traitor, thou perjured villain, how canst thou for shame ask such a question of me? Didst thou not once swear to be true to thy Lord and Master, and wilt thou now go about to ravish his espoused Wife? Depart from me, and for the fault thou wouldst have committed ask God forgiveness, and keep thine own counsel, and I will no further speak of it. When the wicked wretch had received his denial, he presently departed the Room, vowing to be avenged of the Lady: and so having laid a platform of mischief in readiness to work his design, went to the Emperor, and spoke unto him in this sort.  
O my Noble Lord and Master I that have been all times well known to yourself your true and faithful servant, and beloved of all men for my loyalty to your Highness, I am now with grief of heart enforced to reveal a secret unto you, which is of great concernment: and this it is,  
The Lady Bellisant your wife, which you thought to be so virtuous, chaste, and honest, is known and found to be otherwise; For why, she hath conspired your Death, acted Treason against your person, and the Child which is now in her Womb is of another man's begetting: and therefore Noble Sir, I think there is no better course to be taken, than to send her away to France, from whence she came, and that suddenly and privily, that the world may not take notice of what is done.  
When the Emperor had heard this strange Relation from the false dissembling Arch-traitor, his wrath was so much inflamed, that he had neither the Patience nor power to forbear, but presently ran into the Room where his harmless Lady was sitting all alone in her solitary dumps: So taking his advantage, ran streightwaies unto her, and taking hold of her hair, pulled her to the ground, beat her on the face with his Fists, and stamped upon her with his feet, insomuch that the blood issued out from her Nose and mouth so violently, that the like was hardly ever seen.  
But at last, when he had tired himself with abusing this Lady, he stood panting for breath, thinking to have gone to her again.  
Mean while she was recovered upon her knees; and as she was kneeling, she spoke to him saying,  
O my dear Lord, what is the reason that without cause you deal thus cruelly with me? I desire you, my good Lord, to spare me my life; if not for my own sake, yet let it be done for the Infant's sake which is yet unborn.  
Well quoth the Emperor, I will spare thee thy Life, but this shall be thy doom, that thou shalt for ever be banished from my presence, and be sent to thy brother in France; with a writing upon thy breast, for all that look on thee to read, how that for thy disloyalty to thy Husband, for thy Treacherous plots devised, and for the acting the part of a Strumpet, thou art banished the Royal Court of Constantinople; and therefore prepare thyself to night to be gone to morrow, for here is no longer time for you to abide.   

Chap. III. How the Empress Bellisant, being banished by the Emperor, traveled into France, and the strange births of Valentine and Orson.  
NOW when morning was come, the distressed Lady Bellisant was set on horseback, according to the Emperor's command, having no other company to go along with her, but one man which was her servant, and came out of France with her. Now mark what happened to them in their journey: for the Proverb saith that one Swallow doth not make a Summer, neither doth one misery go by itself.  
As they were passing through a huge and spacious Forest, the Lady found herself grievously distressed: and being great with Child, alighted from her horse, and sent her servant to seek some woman to help her in her extremity, she sitting the whilst under the boughs of a tree. The Gentleman with diligence made all the haste he could possibly do, but before he returned back again the Lady was delivered of two Sons, of which an ugly she-Bear coming along, caught one of them up, and ran away with ●im, carrying him to her D●n, to be a prey ●or her young ones. The Lady pursued the bear to recover her son, but in vain, she being also so weak, that she could not return ●o the place where she had left her other Son. ●n the mean time, the King having that day been on hunting, chanced to find him, taking him up and putting him to nurse, calling his name Valentine; Of whom you shall hear more hereafter, in the subsequent discourse of his History.  
The Bear (as by providence it came to pass) never devoured the child that she carried to her Den, nor had her whelps any power at all to do it any harm, so that as the Bears young ones did suck her, she gave suck ●o the child also, till such time that he became ●ble to shift for himself. And when he came ●o be of the age of a man, he had humane sense ●ike a man, but had not the speech nor use of ●ny language at all, and was all overgrown with hair like unto a Bear, because he had ●uckt of the Bear's milk, he was also as wild ●s any savage beast that was in the Forest, ●nd did so many strange exploits, destroying of men and women, that none durst come near the place where he was.  
The other brother was brought up in the Court of France, by the means of King Pepin, which was his own Uncle, although unknown to them both; and they called his name Valentine, and the wild man's name they called Orson.   

Chap. IU. How Valentine conquered Orson, and brought him to the Royal Court of his Uncle King Pepin.  
THis Valentine was of such a Noble and heroic courage, and gallant behaviour, that he was known to be the chiefest and ablest man at Arms that was in all the noted Court of France, and would encounter any man that came to oppose him.  
This Valentine hearing the strange reports of Orson, how he overcame and conquered all that ever came near him, resolved on a time to try his valour, courage and magnanimity, and venture his life with the wild man Orson, not thinking he had been his brother.  
And thus being courageously mounted on horseback, (rich and gallantly clad in Armour bright, with a most excellent sword by his side) he road to the spacious Forest, to find out the wild man, which he quickly did; and upon his near and sudden approach, he found him prepared for the Combat, and ready to encounter him; for indeed Orson never went unprovided of his great Weapon, which was a mighty Club, made of an Oaken tree: with which at the first salute he gave Valentine's Horse such a bang on the Nose; that he beat out his brains; and then was Valentine bound to fight for his life, for to fly it was in vain.  
Thus was the Combat with great courage renewed, and Valentine with his sword and Orson with his Club fought along time, and drew much blood of one another: But at the last Valentine through skill and policy vanquished Orson, who was far more stronger than himself: and having obtained an absolute conquest, immediately after brought him bound to the King of France, where many strange and wonderful atchivements were performed by those two Noble brothers.   

Chap. V How Valentine and Orson went to assist the the Duke of Aquitain: where Orson conquered the Green Knight.  
VAlentine and Orson remaining in the Court, there arrived a messenger from the Duke of Aquitain; who bring admitted into the King's presence, said as followeth: Most Mighty King, my Master the Duke of Aquitain, intreateth your Majesty to commiserate the sad condition of him and his country, being invaded by a Pagan, called the Green Knight, upon no other cause but to take away his only daughter, the fair Lady Fezon, which he hath sworn to effect, unless by some worthy Christian Knight he be vanquished within forty days: many have already adventured against him, all which he hath overcome, and hanged upon Trees. My master therefore humbly craves your Majesty's assistance in this extremity. The King hearing this, promised him aid, and the messenger departed.  
The next day the King, with many hardy Knights amongst whom was Valentine, who also caused Orson to go with him, being naked, except an iron Jacket, which Valentine had caused to be made for him, set forward towards Aquitain, where the Duke entertained them as befitted such Royal personages, declaring all the deeds which the Green Knight had done, and the conquests he had made.  
Valentine hearing this, determined to try the might of this Champion: So arming himself, he road to his Tent. The Green Knight seeing him, presently mounted his steed, and between them began a most cruel Combat, both giving and receiving many wounds; at length the Green Knight said, Knight, thy valour causeth me to pity thee, therefore I advise thee to give over: For none can overcome me but the son of a King who never sucked the breast of a Woman, now if thou art such a one thou mayst overcome me, if not, thy fight is vain. Notwithstanding Valentine continued the fight till night parted them, and both betook themselves to rest.  
Valentine considering the Green Knights words, and that himself had sucked the breasts of a woman, determined to send Orson to try his fortune with the Green Knight: So the next day Valentine put his armour upon Orson, who being mounted, rod to the Green Knight, between whom began a most fierce combat, Orson giving him many wounds, which he immediately healed with Balsam that he had about him for that purpose.  
Orson seeing this, thought it in vain to use his sword any longer, sigh he could heal himself so quickly; and casting it away, he betook himself to his Nails, where with he so rend his armour, and wounded his flesh, that he was constrained to fall, and submit himself to the mercy of the conqueror. The King, Valentine, and the Duke being joyful of this victory, went to the Green Knight, who immediately relinquished all his former pretensions, consenting to become a Christian, and be baptised. So after some few days spent in mirth and triumph, the King, Valentine and all the Noble Peers of France, solemnly took their leaves of the Duke, and his fair Daughter the Lady Fezon, and returned again to the Court.   

Chap. VI How the Treason of the Archpriest was discovered, and how the Emperor re-called the Lady Bellisant from banishment.  
HAving thus presented you with the disloyal proceed of the Archtraitor, I shall now return to speak of what became of him, who so perfidiously sowed the seed of sedition between the Emperor and the Lady Bellisant.  
The Archpriest persisting still in this wicked quality, always acting and plotting Treason against one or other, he thought at last to have been made Emperor himself: But it came to pass, that by a miraculous means his treachery was found out, and he arraigned for treason, who having the sentence of Death pronounced against him, confessed. That he had been a most horrible forsworn and perjured Villain, and that he had been a means to divide the Emperor from his gracious and faithful Lady, and how that all the things that were laid to her charge were false.  
This and many other of his faults he openly confessed before the Emperor and the rest of his Noble Lords: but as the Old Proverb saith, For his open Confession he had open Punishment: being adjudged for to ride upon a bare ridged Horse, with his face towards the Horse tail, then to be set three days with his Ears fast nailed to the Pillory and then his body to be taken and thrown into a Cauldron of boiling Lead, which was a just reward for a forsworn Traitor. And afterwards the Emperor sent for his Queen and settled her in her Royal Throne of dignity again, where they lived many happy years in joy and tranquillity. And as for their two valiant Sons, Valentine and Orson, they became the bravest men at Arms that ever Christendom afforded: They conquered Giants, subdued Saracens, overcame Cities, destroyed Castles, and fought many famous and renowned battles against the Enemies of Christendom, insomuch that the whole world admired at their courageous enterprises and fortunate success.  
FINIS.