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..•i^' 


I 


CLARIODUS; 


METRICAL  ROMANCE : 


PRINTED   FROM  A  MANUSCRIPT  OF  THE 
SIXTEENTH  CENTURY. 


EDINBURGH: 

M.DCCC.XXX. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2007  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/clariodusmetricaOOedinuoft 


PRESENTED 

TO  THE  MEMBERS  OF 

THE    MAITLAND    CLUB 

BY 


EDWARD  PIPER. 


THE   MAITLAND   CLUR 

JULY  M.DCCC.XXX. 


^  THE  EARL  OF  GLASGOW, 

[PRESIDENT.] 

ROBERT  ADAM,  ESQ. 

ROBERT  AIRD,  ESQ. 

JOHN  BAIN,  ESQ.  [TREASURER.] 
5  JOSEPH  BAIN,  ESQ. 

ROBERT  BELL,  ESQ. 

THE  MARQUIS  OF  BUTE. 

LORD  JOHN  CAMPBELL. 

JOHN  D.  CARRICK,  ESQ. 
10  HENRY  COCKBURN,  ESQ. 

JAMES  DENNI8T0UN,  ESQ. 

JOHN  DILLON,  ESQ. 

JAMES  DOBIE,  ESQ. 

RICHARD  DUNCAN,  ESQ. 
15  JAMES  EWING,  ESQ.      [VICE-PRESIDENT.] 


THE  MAITLAND  CLUB. 


KIRKMAN  FINLAY,  ESQ. 
JOHN  FULLARTON,  ESQ. 
JAMES  HILL,  ESQ. 
LAURENCE  HILL,  ESQ. 
20  JOHN  KERR,  ESQ. 
R.  A.  KIDSTON,  ESQ. 
G.  R.  KINLOCH,  ESQ. 
DAVID  LAING,  ESQ. 
JOHN  GIBSON  LOCKHART,  ESQ. 
25  ALEXANDER  MACDONALD,  ESQ. 
WILLIAM  MACDOWALL,  ESQ. 
ANDREW  MACGEORGE,  ESQ. 
DONALD  MACINTYRE,  ESQ. 
JOHN  W.  MACKENZIE,  ESQ. 
30  ALEXANDER  MACNEILL,  ESQ. 
JAMES  MAIDMENT,  ESQ. 
JAMES  H.  MAXWELL,  ESQ. 
WILLIAM  MEIKLEHAM,  ESQ. 
WILLIAM  H.  MILLER,  ESQ. 
35  WILLIAM  MOTHERWELL,  ESQ. 
EDWARD  PIPER,  ESQ. 
ROBERT  PITCAIRN,  ESQ. 
J.  C.  PORTERFIELD,  ESQ. 
HAMILTON  PYPER,  ESQ. 
40  PHILIP  A.  RAMSAY,  ESQ. 
WILLIAM  ROBERTSON,  ESQ. 


THE  MAITLAND  CLUB. 


SIR  WALTER  SCOTT,  BARONET. 

JAMES  SMITH,  ESQ. 

JOHN  SMITH,  ESQ. 
45  JOHN  SMITH,  ESQ. 

WILLIAM  SMITH,  ESQ. 

GEORGE  SMYTHE,  ESQ. 

JOHN  STRANG,  ESQ. 

SIR  PATRICK  WALKER,  KNIGHT. 
30  JOHN  WYLIE,  ESQ.     [SECRETARY.] 


PREFACE. 


The  romances  of  chivalry,  either  in  verse  or  prose,  constituted  so 
large  a  portion  of  the  literature  of  the  middle  ages,  that,  after  innumer- 
able revolutions  in  taste  and  fashion,  they  must  still  be  regarded  as  ob- 
jects of  a  liberal  and  well-directed  curiosity.  Of  the  literary  recreations 
of  our  ancestors,  they  supply  various  and  ample  specimens  ;  and  they 
abound  with  illustrations  of  the  manners,  customs,  and  habits  of  think- 
ing, which  prevailed  during  the  respective  periods  to  which  they  be- 
long. The  early  poets  of  romance  confounded  the  manners  of  every 
preceding  age  with  those  of  their  own ;  Hector  of  Troy  they  represent 
in  all  respects  as  such  a  knight  as  Amadis  of  Gaul ;  and  their  want  of 
skill  in  history  and  chronology  thus  becomes  conducive  to  their  fidelity 
in  delineating  the  costumes  and  usages  of  their  own  times.  * 

In  the  ancient  dialect  of  this  part  of  the  island,  there  were  many 
metrical  romances  which  the  negligence  of  our  ancestors  has  suffered 


•  See  a  Memoire  ooncernant  la  Lecture  des  Anciens  Romans  de  Chevalerie,  in  M.  de  la  CurnedeSte. 
Palaye'a  BUmoires  sur  rAncienne  Clievalerie,  torn.  it.  p.  107.  edit.  Paris,  1781,  3  torn.  limo. 


u  PREFACE. 

to  perish,  and  some  curious  specimens  have  fortunately  been  rescued 
from  the  common  wreck.     Several  of  these  are  generally  known  to  the 
readers  of  Scotish  poetry,  and  a  few  others  are  speedily  to  be  recom- 
mended to  the  attention  of  those  who  love  and  preserve  antiquities. 
The  romance  of  Alexander,  of  which  only  a  single  copy,  and   that  in 
some  degree  mutilated,  is  ascertained  to  exist,  is  now  reprinting  for 
the  members  of  the  Bannatyne  Club  ;  and  the  romance  of  Clariodus, 
which  is  likewise  of  great  extent,  is  at  length  presented  to  the  members 
of  the  Maitland  Club.     It  is  printed  from  a  folio  manuscript  which  be- 
longed to  the  late  Lord  Hailes,  and  which  after  his  death  was  transferred 
to  the  Advocates  Library.     Nor  is  this  manuscript  without  some  muti- 
lations ;  it  commences  with  the  eighth  folio,  and  appears  to  want  one 
or  two  pages  at  the  conclusion.     It  seems  to  have  been  written  about 
the  year  1550,  or  somewhat  later  ;  but  the  composition  is  evidently  of 
a  much  earlier  date  than  the  transcript,  and  may  at  least  be  referred  to 
the  close  of  the  preceding  century.     The  author's  phraseology  is  more 
antiquated  than  that  of  Sir  David  Lindsay,  and  makes  a  nearer  approach 
to  the  phraseology  of  Henry  the  Minstrel.     Of  a  poet  who  has  thus 
furnished  us  with  so  extensive  a  specimen  of  the  Scotish  language  and 
versification,  we  can  scarcely  hope  to  retrieve  the  name  :  it  was  not  to 
be  expected  in  a  manuscript  curtailed  of  its  title  and  colophon  ;  nor  am 
I  aware  that  the  author  of  the  romance  is  mentioned  in  any  existing 
record  of  our  literary  history.     To  the  work  itself  we  find  an  apparent 
allusion  in  Stewart's  abridgement  of  the  Orlando  Furioso  ;  which  so  far 
preserves  the  character  of  an  original  production,  that  the  writer  has 


PREFACE.  ill 

not  rigidly  confined  himself  to  the  text  of  Ariosto,  but  has  occasionally 
introduced  new  thoughts  or  illustrations. 

And  Medor  lyk  the  knycht  Clariudns  gois, 
Qiihan  ho  did  meik  Meliades  conwoy 
From  fontan  quhair  thay  haid  conweind  rith  joy.  ** 

Clariodus,  like  many  of  the  English  romances,  is  derived  from  a 
French  original.  Mr  Tyrwhitt  is  "  inclined  to  believe  that  we  have  no 
English  romance,  prior  to  the  age  of  Chaucer,  which  is  not  a  translation 
or  imitation  of  some  earlier  French  romance  ;"  "  but  this  opinion  has  not 
been  adopted  by  other  writers  equally  conversant  with  poetical  antiqui- 
ties. The  romance  of  Horn  Child,  or,  as  it  is  otherwise  called,  the 
Geste  of  Kyng  Horn,  is  regarded  by  Bishop  Percy  as  of  genuine  En- 
glish origin  ;  and  he  infers  its  antiquity  from  the  circumstance  of  its 
abounding  with  Anglo-Saxon  idioms.  It  is  manifestly  the  production 
of  a  very  remote  age,  and,  according  to  his  estimate,  it  cannot  be  re- 


0  Ane  Abbregement  of  Roland  Frriovs,  tranilait  on  of  Aiion:  togither  vith  tvm  Rapsodies  of  the 
Avthon  lOTthfvU  braine,  and  last  ana  Schening  ort  of  trew  Felicitie ;  composit  in  Scotis  meitir  be  J. 
Stewart  of  Baldjrnnds.  MS.  4to. — This  volume,  stamped  with  the  royal  arms  and  initials,  is  transcribed 
with  a  coniiderable  degree  of  elegance,  and  is  dedicated  to  James  the  Sixth,  who  is  frequently  lauded 
with  all  the  abject  flattery  which  characterized  the  courtiers  of  that  period.  It  came  into  the  possession 
of  the  late  Duke  of  Rozburghe,  and  is  now  deposited  in  the  Advocates  Library.  Stewart's  original 
poems  HtflMj  Tery  little  fancy  or  feeling,  and  bis  versification  has  no  peculiar  merit.  His  diction  is 
geoarmlly  fseble,  and  is  often  very  pedantic  :  be  is  particularly  fond  of  French  words ;  instead  of  timid 
damsel,  he  ventures  to  adopt  such  a  phrase  as  erainlive  piiceOe.  The  author  has  sufficient  reason  to 
apologixa  for  his  "  inept  orthograpbie."  Of  orthography  there  was  indeed  no  standard  at  that  period  ; 
bnt  Stewart's  general  mode  of  spelling  is  uncouth  and  unsettled  beyond  the  common  example. 

•  Tyrwhitt 's  Kssay  on  the  Language  and  Versification  of  Chaucer,  p.  68. 


iv  PREFACE. 

ferred  to  a  later  period  than  within  a  century  after  the  conquest.  *  Mr 
Ritson  assigns  it  a  more  recent  date,  the  close  of  the  twelfth  century, 
and  contends  that  it  does  not  exhibit  a  single  vestige  of  a  more  intimate 
connexion  with  the  Saxon,  than  is  common  to  every  English  composi- 
tion of  that  period  ; '  but  the  bishop's  opinion  respecting  its  English 
origin  has  been  maintained  by  a  more  recent  writer,  intimately  acquaint- 
ed with  the  history  of  northern  poetry. '  Certain  however  it  is  that  a 
very  large  proportion  of  the  earliest  English  romances  are  either  trans- 
lations or  imitations  of  French  originals  ;  though  it  has  been  conjectur- 
ed, and  with  great  probability,  that  those  which  are  founded  on  En- 
glish history  and  tradition  may  have  been  composed  in  French  by 
natives  of  England. 

The  story  of  Clariodus  is  in  a  great  measure  English.  The  hero 
himself  is  son  to  the  earl  of  Esture,  or  the  Asturias  ;  but  his  lovely  lady 
Meliades  is  the  daughter  and  heiress  of  Philipon  king  of  England,  and 
the  most  material  incidents  and  adventures  are  connected  with  this 
court.  In  the  French  language  there  is  a  prose  romance  of  Cleriadus 
and  Meliadice,  which  was  printed,  apparently  before  the  close  of  the 
fifteenth  century.  *     In  a  letter  addressed  to  Mr  Laing,  the  meritorious 


''  Percy's  Easay  on  the  Ancient  Minatrels  in  England,  p.  Izxzi. 

°  Ritson's  Dissertation  on  Rotnance  and  Minstrelsy,  p.  xcix. 

r  "  Bishop  Percy's  assertion,  indeed,  that  it  appears  of  genuine  English  growth,  though  denied  with 
equal  confidence  and  ignorance  by  Ritson,  is  supported  by  internal  evidence  which  no  one  capable  of  un- 
derstanding it  can  reject."  (Conybeare's  Illustrations  of  Anglo-Saxon  Poetry,  p.  237,  note  by  the 
editor.  Lond.  1826,  8vo.)  See  likewise  Mr  Madden's  Introduction  to  the  Ancient  English  Romance 
of  Havelok  the  Dane,  p.  xlvi.     Lond.  1828,  4to. 

s  Cy  commence  le  Liure  de  messire  Cleriadus  filz  au  conte  Desture    £t  de  Meliadice  fille  au  roy 


PREFACE.  T 

secretary  of  the  Bannatyne  Club,  Mr  Douce  has  stated  that  the  manu- 
scripts which  he  has  examined  are  not  older  than  the  middle  of  the 
same  century,  and  that  the  printed  romance  is  only  an  abridgement. 
The  same  story  is  not  now  to  be  found  in  French  verse.  The  Scotish 
author  has  regularly  detailed  the  incidents  of  the  prose  romance,  but 
has  added  some  portion  of  poetical  embellishment.  He  makes  no  claim 
to  the  character  of  an  original  writer,  but  on  various  occasions  professes 
to  follow  the  footsteps  of  his  author. 

For  certanlie  ray  author  tellis  me  thus  .  ** 

He  not  only  refers  to  the  French  original,  but  likewise  to  a  transla- 
tion, probably  into  the  English  language  : 

Nocbt  can  luy  pen  discryve  nor  git  advance 
His  raliant  deidis  nor  his  cberalrie, 
So  far  as  might  be  reasoun  satisfie 
Him  that  in  French  hes  red  this  historic ; 
To  sik  ane  rethorik  nather  be  laud  and  glorie, 
As  unto  him  that  did  this  buik  compyle 
In  French,  illumining  with  his  goldin  style; 
And  he  that  did  it  out  of  French  translait, 
Hes  it  depaiut  of  langwage  full  ornate, 


dengleurre.  On  le«  rend  a  Paris  en  la  me  neufue  nostre  dame  a  lenseigne  uinrt  Nicolas.— This  volume, 
which  is  in  quarto  and  without  date,  contains  the  following  colophon  :  "  Cy  finist  le  romant  et  cronique 
de  Cleriadus  et  Meliadice  fille  au  roy  dangleterre.  Nonuellement  Imprime  a  Paris  pour  Pierre  sergent 
demonr&t  en  la  Rue  neufue  nostre  dame  a  lenseigne  sainct  Nicolas."  A  further  abridgement  of  this 
romance  may  be  found  in  the  Bibliolhegue  universelle  des  Romam,  Janv.  177T,  torn.  i.  p.  26. 

»  P.  ^    See  likewise  pages  1 12.  199.  214  304.  314. 345.  350.  352. 


^  PREFACE. 

And  lustie  tennis  richt  poeticall : 
Bot  I,  the  third  and  secundest  of  all, 
Can  not  so  meitter  as  tliay  pnt  in  prose  ; 
Full  oft  I  put  tlie  nettill  for  the  rose, 
And  oft  the  bindweid  for  the  lillle  qubyte.' 

From  this  passage  we  learn  that  he  followed,  not  a  metrical,  but  a 
prose  original  and  a  prose  version.  The  translator's  name  he  has  not 
sought  an  opportunity  of  mentioning  ;  hut  the  subsequent  verse  supplies 
us  with  some  information  respecting  his  quality  : 

Eik  my  Lord  sayis  in  his  translatiouu. '' 

As  the  manuscript  of  Clariodus  leaves  the  tale  somewhat  imperfect, 
it  may  not  here  be  improper  to  supply  the  most  material  deficiencies. 
The  French  romance  begins  with  stating  that  after  the  days  of  King 
Arthur  and  his  companions  of  the  Round  Table, '  how  long  after  we 


■  p.  351.  '  P.  855. 

'  It  has  been  truly  remarked  by  Dr.  Soutbey  that  the  histories  of  Arthur  and  Charlemagne  were  to 
the  poets  and  romancers  of  the  middle  ages,  what  the  histories  of  the  Trojan  and  Theban  wars  were  to 
the  poets  of  antiquity.  One  of  these  personag&s,  who  is  represented  as  the  powerful  monarch  of  Britain, 
has  made  so  conspicuous  a  figure  in  the  regions  of  romance,  that  several  modern  writers  have  expressed 
a  strong  doubt  whether  his  name  belongs  to  the  records  of  authentic  history.  Milton,  whose  imagina- 
tion was  so  deeply  impressed  with  the  romantic  tales  of  the  Round  Table,  has  remarked  that  "  who 
Arthur  was,  and  whether  ever  any  such  reign'd  in  Britain,  hath  bin  doubted  heretofore,  and  may 
again  with  good  reason."  (Hist,  of  England,  p.  132.  Lond.  1G70,  4to.)  That  the  extent  of  his  power 
and  the  glory  of  his  exploits  have  been  grossly  exaggerated,  can  indeed  admit  of  no  controversy ;  but, 
if  we  may  rely  on  the  authority  of  Welsh  antiquaries,  there  are  in  that  language  sufficient  documents  to 
ascertain  that  such  a  person  existed,  and  that  he  was  a  character  of  considerable  importance.  (Roberts's 
Sketch  of  the  early  History  of  the  Cymry,  or  Ancient  Britons,  p.  142.  Lond.  1803,  8vo.)  Geoffrey  of 
Monmouth,  who  has  exhibited  him  in  so  glaring  a  light,  professes  to  have  derived  his  materials  from 
an  ancient  British  manuscript,  which  Walter  Calenius,  archdeacon  of  Oxford,  ha&  brought  from  Anno- 


PREFACE.  vii 

are  not  informed,  there  reigned  in  England  a  worthy  king  named 
I'hilippon.  He  had  espoused  a  lady  belonging  to  a  very  high  family 
of  Gascony,  and  the  only  issue  of  their  marriage  tras  a  daughter 
named  Meliadice.  This  was  the  most  beautiful  damsel  of  her  time, 
and  she  was  instructed  in  every  thing  that  the  daughter  of  a  king  ought 
to  know  :  she  waa  withal  so  well  conditioned,  and  was  so  entirely  in- 
clined to  love  God  and  the  church,  that  it  was  a  great  pleasure  to  hear 
of  her  good  works.  The  king  was  now  far  advanced  in  years  ;  and 
although  he  had  a  brother,  Thomas  de  Langarde,  who  was  much 
younger  than  himself,  yet  as  he  could  not  intrust  any  share  of  the  go- 
vernment to  a  person  of  so  wicked  a  disposition,  he  was  obliged  to 
solicit  the  aid  of  his  friend  the  count  of  Esture,  who  speedily  obeyed 
his  summons,  and  repaired  to  England  accompanied  by  his  valiant  son 
Cleriadus.  On  their  arrival,  they  were  treated  with  all  due  honour  : 
at  the  very  first  banquet,  Cleriadus  appeared  to  great  advantage ;  he 
well  knew  how  to  mingle  in  the  dance,  and  he  sung  so  sweetly, 
that  Philippon  could  not  help  saying  to  the  count,  "  En  verite,  beau 
cousin,  ie  ne  ouys  oncques  si  bien  chanter,  ne  si  bien  a  mon  gre,  que 


rica ;  but  tbb  account  has  been  received  with  the  utmost  distrust,  and  he  has  frequently  been  suspect- 
ed of  inventing  what  he  professes  to  translate.  It  has  however  been  shewn  by  an  ingenious  and  pleasing 
writer,  the  late  Mr  Ellis,  that  there  is  no  sufficient  reason  to  infer  that  either  the  historian  or  his  friend 
the  archdeacon  waa  guilty  of  imposture  ;  and  that  there  is  in  reality  much  more  improbability  in  sup- 
posing a  series  of  fables,  intended  to  convey  an  exaggerated  opinion  of  the  national  grandeur,  to  have 
been  rather  devised  in  the  twelfth  century,  than  during  the  ignorance  and  credulity  of  an  earlier  period. 
(Specimens  of  Early  English  Metrical  Romances,  vol.  i.  p.  89.)  See  likewise  Turner's  Hist,  of  the 
Anglo-Saxons,  vol.  i.  p.  101.  and  Ritson's  Life  of  King  Arthur,  from  ancient  Historians  and  authentic 
Docomantt.    Lond.  1825,  Svo. 


viii  PREFACE. 

vostre  filz  faict."     The  count  of  Esture  was  without  delay  appointed 
the  king's  lieutenant,  and  administered  his  aflfairs  with  wisdom  and 
justice.     There  were  four  gentlemen  in  his  train,  whose  names  fre- 
quently recur  in  the  course  of  the  narrative  :    two  of  them,  Amadour 
de  Bruslant   and  Palixes,  were  his   sister's   sons ;    the    third  was  of 
Scotland,    and  was  named  Richard  de  Mataint ;    the  fourth  was  of 
Wales,  and  was  named  Guillaume    de  Forest.     In  the  mean  time, 
Cleriadus,  who  was  deeply  smitten  with  the  charms  of  Meliadice,  im- 
proved every  opportunity  of  cultivating  her  good  graces  :  sometimes 
they  played  at  chess,  sometimes  he  danced  or  sung,  or  played  on  his 
harp.     But  in  the  midst  of  this  solace,  he  found  a  brilliant  opportunity 
of  distinguishing  himself  by  his  first  deed  of  arms.     One  day,  while 
the  king  was  holding   "  court  grande  et  plaine,"  a  knight  in  complete 
armour,  and  attended  by  six  squires,  entered  the  palace,  and  delivered 
a  message  from  his  master  the  Due  de  Jennes;  setting  forth  that  during 
the  said  duke's  minority,  Philippon  had  without  cause  and  without  rea- 
son seized  the  port  of  Claire-Fontaine,  and  declaring  that  unless  he  sig- 
nified his  willingness  to  make  restitution,  he  then  defied  him  with  fire 
and  blood.     He  however  added  that  he  was  authorized  to  leave  the 
decision  of  their  claims  to  the  issue  of  a  single  combat,  and  was  ready 
to  meet  any  knight  who  might  appear  on  the  king's  behalf.     All  the 
knights  of  his  court,  to  whom  he  explained  the  justice  of  his  quarrel, 
having  declined  to  do  battle  with  the  Lombard  champion,  Cleriadus, 
who  was  then  twenty-two  years  of  age,  tendered  his  services  ;  and, 
after  being  knighted  by  the  king,  he  entered  the  lists  with  his  redoubt- 


PREFACE.  ix 

able  adversary.     And  with  this  incident  commences  the  manuf^rript  of 
the  Scotish  romance. 

The  mutilation  at  the  end  of  the  poem  appears  to  have  been  less 
considerable,  and  probably  did  not  amount  to  two  pages.  The  grand 
tournament  is  the  last  incident  mentioned  in  the  prose  romance,  which 
then  hastens  to  a  conclusion.  "  Et  eurent  le  roy  Cleriadus  et  la  royne 
Meliadice  de  beaulx  enfans,  lesquelz  furent  tous  roys  et  roynes.  Et 
faisoit  souuent  le  roy  Cleriadus  armes  pour  lamour  de  sa  bonne  amye 
Meliadice.  Et  vesquirent  long  temps  ensemble  en  toute  ioye  et  pros- 
perity, comme  vous  auez  ouy  par  cy  deuant.  Et  a  tant  se  taist  le  compte 
a  parler  deulx  et  de  leur  faictz.  Et  icy  finist  le  Romant  et  Cronique 
du  Roy  Cleriadus  et  de  Meliadice  sa  femme  ;  que  plus  nen  parle  pour 
le  present,  sinon  que  le  benoist  roy  de  gloire  vueille  auoir  mercy  deulx 
et  de  nous  quant  il  luy  plaira.     Amen." 

The  tale  seems  to  be  protracted  beyond  its  proper  limits  :  the  mar- 
riage of  Clariodus  offers  the  natural  termination,  and  all  that  follows 
may  be  considered  as  misplaced  and  superfluous.  In  the  previous  part 
of  the  work,  we  are  abundantly  regaled  with  tournaments  and  feasts  ; 
nor  was  it  expedient  to  repeat  the  same  entertainments,  after  our  curio- 
sity respecting  the  fate  of  the  principal  characters  must  have  been  so 
completely  abated.  But  the  merit  or  demerit  of  the  story  itself  belongs 
to  the  author  of  the  French  romance,  and  the  Scotish  writer  can  only 
aspire  to  the  praise  of  a  skilfiil  versifier.  With  the  exception  of  Henry 
the  Minstrel,  he  has  exhibited  a  more  lengthened  specimen  of  the 
heroic  couplet,  than  any  other  of  our  early  poets ;  and  his  versification, 

c 


X  PREFACE. 

though  occasionally  feeble,  and  perhaps  deficient  in  variety  of  phrase 
and  cadence,  is  not  destitute  of  spirit  or  character,  and  it  sometimes 
attains  to  smoothness  and  elegance.  The  following  couplet  is  easy  and 
flowing : 

Thay  hade  the  winde  so  richt  and  eike  so  faire, 
Thay  go  alse  swift  as  aigill  in  the  aire." 

In  another  passage,  he  elegantly  describes  the  song  of  the  minstrels, 
Svreit  as  the  marmaid  in  the  orient  sea. " 

The  subsequent  verse  will  gratify  the  admirers  of  alliteration  : 
And  fuire  ower  fluide  as  falcon  fair  on  flicht. <> 

The  poet's  phraseology  is  not  without  its  peculiarities.  He  occasion- 
ally introduces  Latin  and  French  words  which  retain  a  very  extraneous 
appearance.  In  the  following  couplet,  squires  are  termed  annigers, 
and  to  shew  is  to  ostend  : 

With  that  lie  gart  his  annigers  ostend 
The  creddill  of  gold,  gudlie  to  commend,  i* 

Clariodus  may  upon  the  whole  be  considered  as  a  very  readable  poem. 
It  affords  a  valuable  specimen  of  the  language  and  literature  of  our 
ancestors,  and  it  abounds  with  characteristic  illustrations  of  the  man- 
ners and  customs  peculiar  to  the  ages  of  chivalry.     The  pomp  and 

■»  P.  199.  ■  p.  340.  •  p.  368.  »  P.  80». 


PREFACE.  xi 

circtimstance  of  the  tournament,  the  mode  of  conducting  the  gorgeous 
han(|uet  of  the  feudal  court,  where  a  lady  and  a  knight  were  placed 
alternately  at  the  dyse, ''  together  with  the  minstrelsy  and  pastimes  with 
which  they  were  regaled  during  their  festivities,  are  all  presented  in 
due  order,  and  are  rendered  intelligible  and  interesting  to  the  inquisi- 
tive reader.  In  the  fourth  book,  for  example,  we  find  a  copious  detail 
of  the  ceremonies  attending  the  vow  oi  Xke  poune,  or  peacock;  an  usage 
so  remote  from  modem  manners,  that  its  first  aspect  is  not  a  little 
singular. ' 

From  some  occasional  expressions,  it  may  be  inferred  that  the  author 
intended  his  poem  for  recitation  as  well  as  reading ;  and  tat  a  period 
when  many  knights  and  barons  had  not  learned  the  letters  of  the  al- 
phabet, the  aid  of  the  professed  reciter  or  minstrel  was  indispensable. 
"  The  word  minstrel,"  as  Warton  has  remarked,  "  is  of  an  extensive 
signification,  and  is  applied  as  a  general  term  to  every  character  of  that 
species  of  men  whose  business  it  was  to  entertain,  either  with  oral  re- 
citation, music,  gesticulation,  and  singing,  or  with  a  mixture  of  all  these 
arts  united."  '  It  very  frequently  denotes  an  ordinary  musician,  and  in 
this  sense  it  is  repeatedly  used  in  the  common  version  of  the  Bible,' 


^  Ay  at  the  dyie  ane  knight  and  ladie  met. 

Clariodus,  p.  216. 
'  See  M.  de  la  Curne  de  Ste.  Palaye,  Slemoires  sur  I'Andenne  Cheralerie,  torn.  i.  p.  184. 
•  Warum's  HUt.  of  Englith  Poetry,  voL  iv.  p.  1J7.  Price's  edit. 

'  "  Bat  now  bring  me  a  minstrel.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  the  minstrel  played,  that  the  hand  of 
the  Lord  came  upon  him."  (2  Kings,  iii.  15.)  "  Jesus  came  into  the  ruler's  house,  and  saw  the  min. 
strels  and  the  people  making  a  noise."     (Matthew,  ix.  23.) 


Xll 


PREFACE. 


which  is  an  excellent  standard  for  the  contemporary  meaning  of  an 
English  word  j  but  on  other  occasions  the  term  bears  a  more  elevated 
signification,  and  a  minstrel  is  then  synonymous  with  a  poet.  An  an- 
cient Scotish  poet,  if  I  rightly  apprehend  his  meaning,  represents  harp- 
ing and  reciting  as  an  inferior  accomplishment,  and  a  talent  for  poetry 
as  the  chief  qualification  of  a  minstrel : " 

To  harpe  or  carpe,  wliarc  so  thu  gose, 

Tbomaii,  thu  sail  hafe  the  chose  sothely. 
And  he  said,  harpynge  kepe  I  none, 

Ffor  tonge  es  chefe  of  mynstralsye." 

The  recitation  of  metrical  romances  long  continued  to  afford  one  of 
the  chief  literary  recreations  among  the  higher  ranks  ;  and  to  be  able 
to  read  such  compositions,  was  no  vulgar  attainment.  This  was  one  of 
the  accomplishments  of  the  fair  Ysoude,  the  heroine  of  the  ancient 
romance  ascribed  to  Thomas  of  Erceldoune  : 


*  The  same  order  of  men  is  (till  to  be  found  in  certain  parts  of  the  world,  where  cirilization  has  made 
but  little  progress.  Among  the  Mandingo  tribes  of  Africa,  as  Major  Laing  informs  us,  the  j>U«,  or  min- 
strels, earn  their  subsistence  "  by  singing  the  mighty  deeds  and  qualifications  of  rich  men,  who,  in  their 
oiiinion,  have  no  faults.  Like  the  minstrels  of  old,  they  are  always  at  hand  to  laud  with  hj-perbolical 
praise  the  landlord  of  a  feast,  and  headman  of  a  town."  (Laing's  Travels  in  Western  Africa,  p.  132. 
Lond.  1825,  Svo.)  In  Bondoo,  Major  Gray  met  with  abundance  of  "  gouialu,  or  singing  people,  who 
in  Africa  always  flock  around  those  who  have  any  thing  to  give. — Dozens  of  them,"  he  adds,  "  would, 
at  the  same  moment,  set  up  a  sort  of  roaring  extempore  song  in  our  praise,  accompanied  by  drums  and 
a  sort  of  guitar  ;  and  we  found  it  impossible  to  get  rid  of  them  by  any  other  means  than  giving  some- 
thing."   (Gray's  Travels  in  Western  Africa,  p.  112.     l.ond.  1825,  8vo.) 

'  Thomas  off  Ersseldoune,  fytt  ii.  v.  6.  printed  in  Laing'a  Select  Remains  of  the  Ancient  popular 
Poetry  of  Scotland.     Edinb.  1822,  tto. 


PREFACE.  xiii 

The  king  had  a  doubter  dere, 

That  maiden  Y«oude*  bight, 
That  gle  was  lef  to  here, 

And  romaunce  tu  rede  aright.* 

Barbour,  the  venerable  archdeacon  of  Aberdeen,  has  recorded  a  cu- 
rious anecdote  illustrative  of  this  department  of  literary  history.  The 
good  King  Robert,  having  occasion  to  convey  himself  and  his  small 
band  of  faithful  adherents  across  Lochlomond,  could  only  procure  a 
boat  capable  of  admitting  three  people.  Bruce  and  Douglas  were  first 
ferried  over :  a  day  and  a  night  were  consumed  in  conveying  the  rest 
of  the  party  ;  and  while  they  were  gradually  mustering  on  the  banks  of 
the  lake,  the  hero  endeavoured  to  solace  his  followers  by  reading  to 
them  the  romance  of  Ferambrace. 

The  king  the  quhilis  nieryly 
Red  to  thaim  that  war  him  by, 
Romanys  off  wortht  Ferambrace, 
That  worthily  our  cummyn  was, 

Throw  the  rycht  donchty  Olywer. • 

The  gud  king  apon  this  maner 
Comfort  thaim  that  war  him  ner. 
And  maid  thaim  gamyn  &  solace. 
Till  that  bis  folk  all  passyt  was.  T 


•  Sir  Walter  Scott  has  uniformly  adopted  the  reading  of  V'sonde ;  but,  with  respect  to  the  orthography 
of  this  name,  consult  "  Gottfrieds  von  Strasaburg  Werke,  aus  den  bessten  Handschriften,  mit  Einleit- 
ung  und  Worterbuch,  herausgegeben  darch  Friedr.  Heinr.  ron  der  Hagen,"  Band  ii.  S.  237.  Breslau. 
I833,2Bde.  8ro. 

'  Sir  Tristrem,  p.  83.  edit.  Edinb.  1811,  8ro. 

'  Barbour's  Bruce,  p.  54.  Jamieson's  ediu 


xiv  PREFACE. 

The  romances  of  chivalry  appear  to  have  maintained  their  popularity 
in  Scotland  till  the  close  of  the  sixteenth  century.  The  following  ani- 
madversions occur  in  Alexander  Hume's  epistle  to  the  reader,  prefixed 
to  the  collection  of  his  sacred  poems  :  "  In  princes  courts,  in  the  houses 
of  greate  men,  and  at  the  assemblies  of  yong  gentilmen  and  yong  dame- 
sels,  the  cheife  pastime  is  to  sing  prophane  sonnets,  and  vaine  ballats  of 
loue,  or  to  rehearse  some  fabulos  faits  of  Palmerine,  Amadis,  or  other 
such  like  raueries  j  and  such  as  ather  haue  the  art  or  vaine  poetike,  of 
force  they  must  shew  themselues  cunning  followers  of  the  dissolute 
ethnike  poets,  both  in  phrase  and  substance,  or  else  they  shall  be  had 
in  no  reputation." ' 

It  must  be  satisfactory  for  the  reader  to  be  informed,  that  this  relique 
of  ancient  poetry  was  conducted  through  the  press  by  Mr  Kilgour  of 
the  Register  House,  whose  well-tried  skill  and  fidelity  afford  a  sufficient 
pledge  of  the  minute  and  scrupulous  accuracy  with  which  the  edition 
has  been  executed.  The  most  wary  copyist,  in  the  progress  of  a  tedious 
task,  is  liable  to  occasional  fits  of  negligence  or  inadvertence  ;  but  the 
manuscript  of  Clariodus  appears  to  have  been  transcribed  with  less  than 
ordinary  care  and  attention.  Many  palpable  errors,  consisting  of  omis- 
sions or  transpositions,  or  of  the  insertion  of  one  word  instead  of  an- 
other, have  been  rectified  by  the  aid  of  conjectural  criticism,  where  the 


*  Hyinnes,  or  sacred  Songs,  wherein  the  right  vse  of  Poesie  may  be  espied.  Be  Alexander  Hume. 
Wheremto  are  added,  the  Experience  of  the  Authors  youth,  and  certaine  Precepts  seniing  to  the  prac- 
tise o  f  Sanctifioation.     Edinb.  1599,  4to. 


PREFACE.  XV 

rhyme,  or  the  measure  of  the  verse,  or  the  obvious  sense  of  the 
passage,  presented  a  clear  indication  of  the  genuine  reading.  Such 
emendations  have  not  however  been  silently  introduced  :  the  words 
supplied  are  distinguished  by  being  placed  within  brackets  ;  and  at 
the  end  of  the  volume  is  inserted  a  list  of  other  alterations  admitted 
into  the  text,  together  with  the  corresponding  readings  in  the  manu- 
script. 


V 


THE    FIRST    BUIK 
OF 

CLARIODUS. 


Bright  as  ane  angell  fchyning  in  his  weid, 
With  force  of  fpeir,  upon  his  mightie  fteid  ; 
Rycht  large  of  flatour,  ftrong  and  corpolent, 
Lyke  God  of  armis  Mars  armipotent, 
Wode,  burning,  full  of  courage  and  defyre ; 
For  to  behald  he  was  ane  awfull  fyre. 
Everie  man  meinit  Sir  Clariodus ; 
Bot  main  of  all,  the  mone  was  pitious 
Of  his  four  fellow  is,  his  daith  dreiding  fore. 
10      Ane  of  them  buir  his  bricht  helme  him  before, 
Ane  uther  his  fpeir  buir  unto  the  feild, 
The  thrid  his  ax,  the  fourt  his  nobill  fcheild. 
Into  the  clofe  in  midis  of  the  palice. 
In  quhilk  devyfit  was  the  fighting  place. 
Beholding  on  the  ilairis  by  and  by 
The  King,  the  Queine,  with  mony  fair  lady. 


3  CLARIODUS. 

When  he  was  armit,  fair,  dole  and  juint, 
Upon  his  fteid  afcendit  at  all  poynt  ; 
His  lance  he  faikit  manlie  lyke  ane  knicht, 
20      As  lucent  lamp  fo  leimit  he  of  licht ; 

Manheid  at  Mars  he  neidit  naine  to  borrow  ; 

He  fchynit  as  dois  the  bricht  day-ftar  at  morrow, 

With  cirkill  of  gold  about  his  helmit  cleir, 

All  birnand  full  of  bricht  llonis  deir, 

Circumferit  with  roobies  radious, 

Betwixt  ilk  firkill  bricht  and  glorious, 

With  goldin  fchaikeris  abone  his  plumes  greine  ; 

His  ladyis  abone  all  mycht  be  feine 

Ane  courtche  of  plefance,  of  gold  all  browderit  bricht, 
30      Quhilk  waifit  lyke  ane  ftreimer  calline  licht : 

The  michtie  bardis  of  his  nobill  fteid 

Of  bricht  gold  gleimit  as  ane  gleid  : 

Of  redolent  ftonis  fchynit  his  weid  royall : 

It  was  maid  lyke  ane  thing  feleftiall 

Him  to  behold,  fo  angillyke  of  hew. 

Toward  the  Lumbard  knicht  he  did  perfew, 

Full  of  afluirit  manheid  and  defyre, 

In  thrift  of  knichtheid  birnand  lyke  a  fyre. 

As  furious  lyounis  eiger  to  the  field, 
40      Anone  quhen  ather  uther  can  behald, 

Thair  is  no  mair,  hot  loud  gois  up  the  Ibundis 

Of  filver  trumpits  and  of  clariounis  ; 

Togidder  gois  the  knichtis  in  thair  weidis, 

In  gois  thair  fpurris  in  fydis  of  thair  fteidis  ; 

Furth  gois  the  fpeiris  ftraicht  as  ony  lyne. 

Forward  they  preike  with  heartis  leonjTie  j 

As  dreidfuU  dragonis  thay  togidder  drave, 

Quhyll  baith  thair  fcheildis  in  peices  clave, 


BUIK  FIRST. 

And  baith  thair  f peiris  in  peices  brake, 

oo      The  palice  reirdit  lyke  ane  thunder  crake  : 
Abake  from  uther  they  ftakirit  with  fie  forfe, 
Quhill  at  the  grund  baith  lay  man  and  horfe. 
Clariodus  was  delyver  and  ging. 
And  up  he  ftart  without  abafing, 
And  puUit  out  his  fword  delyverly. 
The  Lumbard  knicht  ftill  efter  him  could  ly  i 
His  fute  fadly  throw  the  llirrip  geid, 
And  throw  the  feild  traillit  him  his  fteid  ; 
Quhom  foUowit  Sir  Clariodus  fo  fall, 

60      That  he  the  fteid  reingeit  at  the  laft. 
And  him  refcourfit  wounder  manfulie, 
Sapng,  Sir  Knicht,  defend  50W  hardily. 
With  fwordis  fcharp  thay  can  at  uther  dryve, 
Whill  baith  thair  helmis  bludy  war  belyve. 
Thus  war  thair  ftraikes  baith  fad  and  keine 
Betwix  thir  knichtis  wounderfuU  to  feine  ; 
As  rugend  lyounis  ramping  ferce  and  wode, 
Withoutin  mercie  fcheding  utheris  blude 
So  furiouflie,  that  ferlie  was  to  lee 

70      Undantounit  beine  thair  nobill  heartis  hee  ; 
As  foaming  boares,  in  thair  melancholie, 
Thay  bet  on  utheris  birnies  cruellie, 
So  long  induiring  without  difconfitour. 
That  ferlie  was  to  everie  creatour 
That  them  beheld  and  ftud  them  about. 
How  thay  micht  ftand  under  fie  ftraikes  ftout. 
Clariodus  lb  knichtlie  he  him  baire, 
That  everie  wicht  him  praifit  that  was  thair  ; 
Sore  movit  was  the  Lumbard  campioun, 

80      That  he,  quhilk  praifit  was  of  fie  renoun, 


4  CLARIODUS. 

So  long  alTailseit  was  with  great  fighting 
With  ane  that  was  of  age  fo  wonder  goung. 
He  raifit  up  his  forcie  arme  on  height, 
And  at  Clariodus  with  all  his  meikle  might 
Ane  ftraike  he  ettillit  right  as  he  wald  him  llo  ; 
And  he  anone  weill  neirer  him  can  go 
And  on  the  fyd  him  hit  the  richt  arme  under, 
Quhill  of  his  ribis  thrie  did  breke  in  funder  ; 
Whairof  the  wound  fo  lairg  was  and  wyde, 

90      His  bouellis  micht  be  feine  out  throw  his  fyd. 

The  Lumbard  knicht  did  with  the  ftraik  doun  fall. 
And  ly  in  foune  alfe  paill  as  ony  wall. 
To  confort  him  he  fchoup  or  he  wald  flint, 
Clariodus,  did  of  his  hewmind  hint, 
And  held  his  heid  up  foftlie  and  it  fchoke. 
And  quhen  that  he  out  of  his  fwoun  awoke. 
He  faid  thir  wordis  wounder  petioufly. 
Ha,  flour  of  knichtheid  I   I  the  mercie  cr}'. 
The  uther  faid,  If  thow  will  mercie  crave, 

100    Make  heir  ane  aith  never  to  clame  nor  have 
The  Clare  Fontane,  as  we  our  cunan  maid. 
Thow  faifing  lyfe  Clariodus  !  he  faid. 
My  lord,  he  faid,  fall  never  challinge  thairtill  ; 
Rycht  as  thow  pleifis  thy  mynd  I  fall  fulfill. 
Clariodus  is  pall  unto  the  King, 
Declairing  the  cace  in  everie  thing. 
Him  praying  for  the  knichtis  lyfe  alfo. 
The  King  in  armis  refavit  him  tho. 
Saying,  Deir  freind,  quhat  je  delyre  of  me 

110    I  thinke  of  richt  that  it  fould  grantit  be  ; 
For  faifit  is  the  honour  of  this  land, 
Rycht  be  the  noble  deidis  of  gour  hand. 


BUIK  FIRST. 

This  woundit  knicht  rycht  foftlie  up  thay  take, 

And  in  his  chalmer  gart  his  bed  be  make ; 

And  gat  him  leiches  his  woundis  for  to  fie, 

The  truftieft  that  was  in  that  cuntrie. 

Clariodus  is  to  his  chalmer  gone, 

Quhair  his  body  unermit  was  anone, 

Ane  leich  to  him  beine  fetchit  haililie, 
120    Quhilk  did  his  woundis  ryp  attentivelie, 

Him  conforting,  and  bade  him  take  gud  hart, 

For  he  belyve  wald  be  helit  of  everie  fmart. 

The  King  ane  furrit  mantill  hes  him  fend. 

And  bad  alwayes  thay  fulde  him  till  attend. 

Albeit  in  heart  noble  he  was  and  wicht. 

Out  of  his  chalmer  go  he  no  might 

For  jaiking  of  his  woundis  newe  and  greine; 

Bot  ane  fight  of  Meliades  the  fcheine 

Micht  more  him  confort,  I  dar  take  on  hand, 
ISO    Nor  all  the  leiches  into  Lumbard  land. 

Quhen  endit  was  the  battell  on  this  ways. 

All  the  lordis  bounit  hame  with  haill  advyfe. 
Oft  vifit  hes  the  King  Clariodus, 

And  eik  the  Lumbard  knycht  that  fore  woundit  was. 

Quhen  awcht  dayis  paft  war  and  gone  by, 

Meliades  hes  called  privily 

On  hir  maiflres,  faying  on  this  maneir, 

ge  know  how  Clariodus  fiill  deir 

Firft  fould  be  haldin  with  my  father  the  King, 
140    Syne  with  his  barrounis,  abone  all  uther  thing, 

lliat  for  our  faikis  in  hand  tuike  fie  battell. 

And  of  his  woundis  he  is  not  git  haill ; 

Sen  the  firft  day  that  he  his  chalmer  tuike, 

I  geid  him  not  to  vifie  nor  to  looke. 


6  CLARIODUS. 

Hir  maiftres  faid,  It  war  gour  grit  honour 
To  vifit  him  quhilk  is  of  knichtheid  flour ; 
And  now  the  tyme  is  maift  convenient, 
The  King  is  furth  with  all  his  houihald  went, 
And  he  rycht  long  thinkis  him  alone, 

150    Of  gour  cuming  he  wald  be  glaid  anone. 
Meliades,  richt  frefcli  and  weill  befeine. 
With  hir  hes  taine  twa  ladyis  frefch  and  fcheine. 
With  hir  awin  maiftres,  digne  and  verteous, 
[And]  paft  to  vifie  Sir  Clariodus  ; 
AVTiair  fcho  him  fand  with  few  in  companie. 
On  his  bed-lyd' fitting  hot  quyetlie  ; 
Ane  goune  of  claith  of  gold  his  larke  abone, 
Furrit  with  mertrix.     His  coUour  changit  lone 
At  hir  incuming,  and  he  on  fute  up  ftart, 

160    Within  his  breift  for  joye  danfit  his  heart ; 
Quhen  that  he  faw  his  ladie  moft  bening. 
For  joyfulnes  a  word  micht  not  out  bring. 
With  humbill,  fober  and  womanlie  efiFeire, 
Adoun  fcho  fat  befyd  him  in  ane  chyre. 
And  quhen  fcho  did  behald  this  luflie  knicht 
So  fair,  fo  goung,  fo  valiand  and  fo  wicht, 
Cupid,  that  lord,  with  his  fcharp  grindine  dairt 
Full  fuddanlie  hes  ftrukine  hir  to  the  heart, 
So  that  fcho  fat  hot  with  changing  hew ; 

170    The  fyre  of  heit  it  kindlit  is  of  new 

Of  luif  within  hir  breift,  birning  fo  fore, 
That  fcho  defyris  of  this  warld  no  more 
Bot  him  onlie  to  have  in  companie, 
That  under  Mars  beine  flour  of  chivalrie. 
This  war  they  wyndit  baith  in  lyk  maneir. 
As  micht  be  fein  be  thair  face  and  cheir ; 


BUIK  FIRST. 

With  luif  lo  fore  thair  ipreitis  was  bereft, 
That  not  to  fpeike  ane  word  was  left. 
Meliades,  rycht  luilie  and  bening, 

180    Said  to  the  fquyeris  and  to  the  raadinis  jing, 
Thay  jonder  moir  in  chalmer  fould  dilport, 
Whill  fcho  few  wordis  of  counfall  fould  report 
Of  inediceine  unto  the  woundit  knicht. 
On  this  maneir  than  fpake  this  goodlie  wicht, 
O  ge  my  tender  freind  Clariodus, 
Weill  auchtin  I  of  gow  to  be  joyous, 
That  to  this  regioun  brocht  hes  fie  honour  ; 
And  fpecialie,  abone  all  creatour, 
My  father  aucht  to  chereis  30W,  and  love 

190    Nlxt  God  and  fantis  into  the  hevin  above ; 
For  quhen  his  knichtis  the  battell  all  rcfuifit, 
^e  that  ar  joung  and  not  in  armis  ufit 
On  30W  it  tuik  with  munlie  countinance, 
And  Weill  mentinet  to  the  uterance. 
Clariodus  faid,  Madame,  fo  Chryft  me  fave, 
It  is  not  I  that  all  the  thanke  fould  have 
Of  this  battell  nor"  of  the  vidlorie, 
The  thanke  ane  uther  fervit  mor  nor  I, 
That  caus  was  haill  of  the  difcomfitour. 

200    Na,  faid  this  fair  and  luflie  creatour, 

Nane  uther  was  bot  je,  the  treuth  to  tell, 
Quhilk  did  the  fchame  out  of  the  court  expell  ; 
For  had  not  beine  jour  honour  and  bewtie, 
gon  knicht,  but  faill,  had  riddin  on  this  contrie, 
Quhilk  had  beine  to  this  realme  ane  lake  ; 
The  laud  is  gouris,  I  dar  that  undertake. 
Hir  anfwereit  on  this  wayis  Clariodus, 
Madam,  I  mervell  not  that  ^e  iky  thus, 


8  CLARIODUS. 

gour  noble  nurtur  and  womanheid  bening 
210    gow  fufferis  not  to  fay  no  uther  thing, 
Thais  wordis  came  of  gritt  nobilnes  ; 
Nor  was  my  deidis  of  praife  or  worthines  : 
Bot  for  to  tell  the  trewth  unfengitlie, 
Ane  uther  was  the  cans  aluterlie, 
That  vincuift  was  the  Lumbard  knicht  in  feild. 
Meliades  then  reddilie  him  beheld, 
Saying,  That  perfoun  I  wald  know  I  wife. 
Madame,  he  faid,  gif  ge  will  graunt  me  this. 
That  ge  will  me  commend  unto  that  wicht, 

220    And  fuUie  do  gour  bifllnes  and  micht. 
That  my  fervice  thay  hald  exceptabill, 
And  of  thair  hienes  digne  and  honorabill 
That  thay  will  not  my  fymplenes  conteme, 
Than  fall  I  gladlie  that  perfoun  to  gou  name. 
At  fchort,  fcho  fayis,  thair  is  no  thing  at  all 
Efter  my  micht  bot  for  gow  do  I  I'all, 
Saiving  my  honour  and  my  womanheid. 
Madame,  he  faid,  Pleis  it  gour  guidlieheid, 
ge  mane  it  fecreit  keip  and  not  difcure. 

2S0    Thairto  I  grant,  faid  icho,  I  gow  aflure. 
Madame,  he  faid,  ge  ar  Kings  dochter  deir, 
Reveill  me  not,  as  ge  have  height  me  heir  ; 
And  gif  ge  doe  gour  pouer,  as  ge  lay, 
Anents  that  perfoun,  helpe  me  mair  ge  may 
Nor  ony  that  be  levand  now  on  lyve. 
Now,  Lady  myne,  I  will  me  to  gow  Icryve, 
It  was  gour  felf,  if  I  the  truith  declaire. 
That  only  was  the  caus  of  my  weilfair  ; 
ge  war  my  ftrong  protedlour,  and  only 

240    The  caus  dreidles  of  all  my  vidlorie  : 


BUIK  FIRST.  9 


Treft  Weill,  Lady,  that  now  I  feinge  nocht ; 
For,  be  the  Lord  that  all  the  warld  hes  wrocht. 
Only  your  bewtie  and  your  womanheid 
Put  fra  my  heart  all  couardice  and  dreid  : 
I  do  mein  gour  mercie  and  gour  grace. 
For  fen  the  tyme  that  I  faw  firft  gour  face, 
I  have  30W  luifit  ouer  all  eardlie  thing  ; 
Into  my  mynd  full  oft  afldng. 
That  it  had  {land  upon  fie  ane  cace, 
250    Nane  upon  lyf  was  abill  to  gour  grace, 
Bot  be  hard  fighting  in  Gk  degree 
Sum  deids  of  armis  ordeinit  war  on  hee 
That  everie  man  for  dreid  fould  it  forfaike, 
Than  will  I  weill  I  fuld  it  wndertake. 
The  feild,  alfwith  to  win  worfchipe  or  die  ; 
For  ather  had  beine  worfchipe  unto  me 
To  wine  my  lady  quhom  I  luifit  fo, 
Or  to  be  donne  or  to  be  out  of  woe. 
Then  weill  lang  Hill  held  hir  Meliades, 
260    Syne  unto  him  fcho  fayis  on  this  wayis. 
How  may  I  trow  gour  lawis,  faying  thus  ? 
3e  have  beine  lang  into  the  court  with  ws. 
And  never  befor  fik  thing  to  me  ge  movit. 
Sum  tyme  I  wald  perlavit,  hade  ge  me  luifit. 
Madam,  quhen  I  begane  30W  for  to  luif. 
My  mynd  I  durft  not  fchaw  [gow]  for  repruife  ; 
For  I  to  30W  was  no  comparifoune, 
Sa  monie  prinfis  nobill  of  renoune 
3e  had  in  proffer,  quhom  ge  lift  to  take, 
270    And  I,  unworthie  was,  I  wndertake. 
Into  fo  heigh  ane  mater  to  proceid. 
And  se,  Madame,  the  rofe  of  luftieheid. 


10  CLARIODUS. 

Now  at  the  leift  is  bund  to  keip  fecreit ; 
Quhairfor  I  traift.  My  Hartis  Lady  fweit, 
Gif  50W  no  lift  rew  on  my  painis  fore, 
ge  will  keip  fecreit  if  ge  will  do  no  more  ; 
And  as  I  dar,  for  my  wnworthines 
I  cry  30W  mercie,  flour  of  gentilnes, 
As  I  that  fall  unto  my  lyvis  end 

280    Lawlie  30W  ferve  and  never  30W  offend. 
Advyfit  was  this  lady  quhat  to  fay, 
For  fcho  was  wyfe  and  honorabill  ay  ; 
Jit  nevertheles  luif  did  hir  fo  owercum, 
That  lang  fcho  fat  all  fpeachles  and  dumbe  j 
And  at  the  laft  fcho  {aid,  Clariodus, 
Gif  it  be  fo  that  luif  I  grant  30W  thus, 
ge  falbe  to  me  trew  and  diligent, 
Rycht  faithful],  fecreit  and  obedient. 
And  ower  all  wemen  that  3e  me  love  and  ferve 

29'o    Bot  feinseing  ay  till  the  day  3e  fterve. 
And  ever  about  to  fave  my  honour, 
And  not  for  luft  perfew  me  as  ane  lichour  ; 
Fynd  I  30W  fet  to  hurt  my  honeftie, 
Dreidles  at  30W  I  will  more  greifit  be, 
And  have  30W  in  moir  haitret  and  reproufe 
Nor  of  befor  I  had  30 w  into  luife ; 
Gif  we  guid  luif  and  trewth  to  uther  meine. 
It  fall  the  longer  left  ws  two  betweine, 
Bot  gif  we  fchap  to  crabe  our  creatour, 

300    It  fall  no  longer  profper  nor  indure  : 
Thairfor  fie  thingis  if  36  lift  to  fulfill. 
Say  on  to  me,  and  I  fall  fay  thairtill. 
Madame,  quod  he,  till  all  that  3e  have  laid 
I  me  conforme,  be  God  that  me  hes  maid. 


BUIK  FIRST.  11 


5ow  never  to  diflbbey,  nor  jit  to  grieve 
For  all  the  dayis  that  I  have  heir  to  leive ; 
Bot  ever  moir  to  folow  jowr  intent, 
Richt  as  ^e  now  give  me  commandiment. 
Than  tenderlie  the  fair  Meliades 
310     Kiflit  hir  knicht  into  maift  gudlie  wayis. 
And  freindlie  in  hir  armis  him  refavit 
Alfe  far  as  f'cho  micht  gudlie  unperlavit. 
When  all  agreit,  than  bunden  war  thir  two 
With  aithis  great,  ay  to  love  uthar  fo 
That  it  fould  left  withouttin  departing. 
Betwixt  thir  loveris,  in  ane  taikineing, 
Two  litill  channels  interchangit  they. 
In  rememberance  of  thair  trouth  for  ay. 
Of  uthars  diverfe  maters  fpak  they  fyne, 
320    Whyll  bricht  Apollo  weftwart  did  declyne  ; 
Than  raile  hir  maiflres  fra  hir  companie. 
And  laid  that  it  was  fupper  tyme  neir  by. 
Meliades  than  tuik  hir  [leave  with  wo  ;] 
Bot  git  hir  heart  micht  not  depart  him  [fro,] 
With  eafie  fichis  and  inward  behalding. 
As  for  that  tyme  they  maid  [thair]  depairting. 
Gritlie  rejofit  was  Clariodus, 
That  with  his  lady  was  comfortit  thus  j 
He  heallit  of  his  woundis  day  be  day, 
330    Quhill  all  his  painis  worne  war  cleine  away  ; 
Than  paffit  he  to  fee  the  Lumbard  knicht, 
Him  doing  comfort  oft  at  all  his  micht. 
Clariodus  in  court  I  let  dwell  ftill. 
And  of  ane  uthar  mater  fpeik  I  will. 

It  is  cumin  to  the  King  of  Spainis  eare. 
The  wonderful!  beawtie  and  the  frefch  effeir 


12  CLARIODUS. 

Of  Mandonet,  the  luftie  creatoure, 
Quhilk  dochter  was  unto  the  Earle  Eftour. 
He  thocht  he  wald  have  hir  in  mariage  j 
340    And,  with  advyle  of  his  haill  ba^ro^vnage, 
Ane  fair  ambaiTat  fchortlie  hes  he  fend. 
To  bring  this  mater  fchortlie  unto  end. 
The  meflage  buire  four  knichts,  mikle  to  pryle. 
Sir  Leonet  de  Beaulieu  wicht  and  wyfe, 
Sir  Leonet  de  Mortemer,  Sir  Ame  de  Beaufort, 
Sir  Arthur  de  la  Roye,  with  luftie  forte. 
To  Eftur  cuntrie  fought  with  diligence  ; 
Schawing  anone  thair  letters  and  credence 
Unto  the  Countes  wyfe  and  fapient, 
350    For  than  the  Earle  was  not  at  hame  prefent. 
Scho  thame  refavit  with  great  feift  and  cheir. 
With  corapanie  of  ladyis  frefch  and  cleir  j 
And  maid  them  byd,  with  mirrines  and  cherifching, 
Wpon  hir  Lord  the  Earlis  hame  cuming  ; 
Quhilk  at  his  cuming  fairlie  can  them  treit. 
And  [did]  bring  furth  his  dochter  Mandonet, 
Quhilk  [pryfit  was  for  wit  and  rare  beautie.J 
Now  fchort  into  this  mater  for  to  be. 
Sir  Leonet  hir  weddet  with  ane  ring 
360    In  the  name  only  of  his  prince  and  king. 
And  gave  to  hir  ane  full  rich  diainand. 
This  beand  donne,  Earle  Eftour,  avenand, 
Feiftit  them  gudlie  dayis  two  or  three  ; 
Syne  them  rewairdit  eftir  thair  degree. 
Returnit  ar  thir  knichtis  hame  againe 
Unto  their  mightie  king  and  foverane. 
Whom  in  the  toune  of  Walburgh  thay  fande, 
Bot  three  days  jurnay  from  Earle  Eftours  land  j 


BUIK  FIRST.  13 


Rehearfing'  all  [to  him]  both  more  and  les, 

370    How  them  entreitit  Earle  Eftours  nobilnes. 
And  how  within  a  monthis  Ipace  but  more 
Sould  be  his  wadding  day  ;  quhairfore 
He  hes  gart  warne  throw  all  his  regioun 
Baith  duikis,  earlis  and  knichtis  of  renoune, 
For  to  be  thair  againe  the  julling  day 
On  horfe  armit  redie  for  tomay. 

Clariodus,  ryding  at  his  diiport. 
He  met  his  fatheris  meffage,  with  reporte 
Of  all  thir  foirfaid  thingis  to  be  donne, 

SW    Commanding  him  that  he  fould  fpeid  him  Ibune 
Hame  to  his  cuntrie.     And  quhen  Clariodus 
Had  hard  thaife  tithingis  thay  have  ordanit  thus, 
QHe]  maid  the  meffinger  pas  to  his  In 
But  wordis  mo,  and  bald  him  clois  thairin, 
Quhill  he  anon  Ibuld  fchaw  him  his  intent. 
Clariodus  is  to  his  lady  went, 
Meliades,  and  tauld  hir  all  the  cace. 
Saying,  Madame,  for  all  my  dayis  Ipace 
Sen  that  I  am  becum  gour  fervitour  and  thrall, 

390    Ather  gour  leave  heir  hartlie  have  I  fall. 
Or  in  this  land  at  fchort  I  fall  abyde 
For  Weill  or  wo,  betyde  quhat  may  betyde ; 
For  30W,  Madam,  I  never  think  to  difpleis. 
Meliades  in  hart  had  litill  eis 
When  fcho  had  hard  Clariodus  intent ; 
Saying,  My  Knicht,  richt  weill  I  am  content 
That  waddit  beine  jour  lifter  with  the  King 
Of  Spainjie  land,  quhilk  is  ane  mightie  rigne  : 
Bot  loath  I  war,  if  otherways  micht  be, 

400    That  ge  fould  now  depairt  fo  far  fra  me  ; 


14  CLARIODUS. 

To  reafoun  git  obey  will  I  ever  mo, 
Suppofe  my  will  is  ge  not  went  me  fro  ; 
Bot  fen  it  reynes  to  worfchip  knichtheid, 
Confent  I  will,  thairfor  great  God  gow  Ipeid  ; 
5e  fall  firft  leave  alk  at  my  father  the  King, 
Syne  Ipeike  with  me  at  gour  depairting. 

Clariodus  unto  the  King  is  went. 
And  of  this  mater  tauld  him  the  intent ; 
Whairof  the  King  was  glaid,  and  faid,  Truely 
410    I  am  content,  it  is  ane  fair  allay  ; 

The  King  of  Spainge  is  ane  michtie  King, 

And  eik  we  fall  tham  have  be  that  wedding  ; 

Have  we  tham  our  freindis  that  be  in  that  countrie. 

And  this  always  cums  Weill,  as  thinkis  me. 

His  Thefawrer  he  gart  be  efter  fent. 

And  chargit  him  to  give  incontinent 

Two  thoufand  floringis  to  Clariodus, 

To  fupport  him  pafling  hameward  thus. 

He  did  the  King  rycht  fpeciallie  befeike, 
420    That  his  four  fellows  pas  micht  with  him  eike  ; 

To  quhilke  he  grantit  upon  heartlie  wyfe ; 

His  leave  he  tuike  fchortlie  to  devyfe. 

Clariodus,  rycht  as  the  day  up  cleiris, 

Adreflis  him  and  his  four  nobill  feiris. 

And  hes  gart  graith  thair  hames  at  all  poynt, 

That  in  thair  armour  thair  was  no  difjoynt. 

Clariodus  unto  his  lady  went. 

The  uterance  to  have  of  hir  intent ; 

Speiring  at  hir  quhat  coUour  he  fould  taike, 
430    Or  in  quhat  hew  he  juft  fould  for  hir  faike, 

Or  weir  in  tournay  quhile  his  hame  cuming. 

Meliades  micht  not  ane  word  out  bring 


BUIK  FIRST.  15 

Ane  Weill  long  (pace,  for  inward  paine  and  wo, 

That  he  fbuld  pairt  fo  fuddenlie  hir  fro  ; 

And  quhen  that  fcho  owercam,  than  laid  fcho  thus. 

My  beft  belovit  knicht  Clariodus, 

Uneis  my  wofull  I'preit  may  fufleine 

The  hevie  pains  now  that  in  my  breift  beine 

For  gour  depairting ;  bot,  as  I  faid  before, 
440    My  will  I  fall  conftraine  with  fighis  fore, 

Sene  with  honour  may  it  not  remeid, 

And  [sow]  to  weir  I  gif  the  cuUour  Reid, 

Jour  name  and  honour  wald  [I]  not  impair  ; 

Fair  weill  my  knicht,  and  raught  him  thair 

Ane  heart  of  gold  with  ilainis  calling  licht : 

This  lall  ge  have  in  rememberance  of  richt 

That  ge  my  heart  have  and  no  mo, 

Quhilk  in  na  maner  may  be  pairtit  gow  fro. 

This  heart  he  tuike,  and  thankis  to  hir  gold  ; 
450    And  gave  to  hir  ane  braclet  wroucht  with  gold. 

About  hir  arme  praying  hir  it  to  weir. 

Scho  kiflit  him  with  woraanlie  effeir. 

They  tuike  thair  leave  at  utheris  pitiouflie. 

With  tirie  faces,  imbracing  tenderlie  ; 

And  to  hir  ladyes  all  gude  nicht  he  laid, 

Bot  naine  he  kill  for  aith  that  he  had  maid 

To  kifle  no  lady  efter  his  lady  bricht 

Whill  that  he  hade  againe  of  hir  ane  light. 

That  nicht  he  and  his  fellows  tuk^  them  rell, 
460    And  on  the  morrow  them  to  the  way  hes  draft. 
Clariodus  in  palling  to  his  countrie 

With  his  foure  fellows,  luftie  for  to  fie, 

Thay  hapinit  in  ane  bliffuU  morrow  fcheine 

To  ryde  out  throw  ane  gudlie  forreft  greine. 


16  CLARIODUS. 

Quhilke  callit  was  the  Wode  of  Eventouris, 
In  quLilk  oftymes  walkit  knichts  of  King  Arthouris 
Eventouris  feikand,  as  the  wfe  was  than. 
Clariodus  faid,  that  we  will  everie  man 
Eventuris  feike  be  fyndrie  wayis  ryde. 

470    Anone  thay  have  depairtit  and  can  devyde. 
Clariodus,  within  a  litill  fpace, 
Ane  pitious  voice  he  hard  crying  Aleace  I 
Lamentablie,  as  it  ane  woman  ware. 
His  fteid  he  reingeit  and  raid  nar, 
And  as  he  followit  on  the  cry. 
He  faw  foure  knichtis  enarmit  richly, 
Having  [with]  them  ane  lady  wo  begone  ; 
Ane  litill  dwerflF  fall  efter  them  can  gone. 
Quhen  fcho  had  of  Clariodus  ane  fight, 

480    Scho  faid,  Have  mercie  on  me,  jentill  knicht. 
Help,  for  thy  manheid  and  for  thy  ladyis  faike. 
Me,  that  am  falllie  from  my  hufband  taike 
Be  the  handis  of  thir  knights  fellounlie, 
Quhilk  hes  him  left  woundit  cruellie 
In  poynt  of  death.     Than  laid  Clariodus, 
Fair  Lordis,  be  in  heart  piteous. 
And  be  alTchamit  fair  ladyes  to  offend  ; 
Weill  glaidliet  thair  cans  ge  aught  defend. 
Sir  Knicht,  thay  faid,  Pas  quhair  gour  erand  lyis, 

490    Jour  appetite  we  will  ferve  in  no  wayis. 
Clariodus  laid.  Heir  I  make  God  judge, 
I  fall  be  deid  or  fcho  fall  have  refuge. 
And  he  anone,  inermit  all  in  reid, 
[IThe  quhilk  his  lady  choifit  for  his  weid,] 
With  fpeir  in  hand,  he  fpurit  fail  his  Held, 
.    And  to  the  formift  knicht  hes  went  gud  Q)eid, 


BUIK  FIRST.  17 

And  to  the  erd  him  drave  fo  fafl  but  ho, 

Whill  that  his  nek  on  force  it  birft  in  two  j 

And  he  was  hurt  a  litill  throw  his  geir 
500    Be  his  fellow,  hot  haill  that  baid  his  fpeir, 

Whairwith  he  ran  upon  the  other  thrie, 

Betwix  in  quhom  beg-ane  ane  hard  mellie  : 

Ane  uther  to  the  erd  he  drave  adoun, 

His  lymh  to  frufchit,  and  he  fell  in  fwoun  j 

The  lady  and  the  dwerflf  fell  him  abone. 

And  wald  have  cuttit  his  throte  rycht  fonne. 

Clariodus,  thocht  that  he  had  mikle  adoe, 

Efpyit  hes,  and  thir  wordis  faid  them  to. 

To  be  lb  cruell  and  to  flay  ane  knicht, 
510    Madam,  it  fettis  to  na  lady  bricht. 

The  uther  twa  knichts  aflemblit  on  him  fad. 

Hard  was  the  feild  and  fell,  quhile  at  the  laft 

Clariodus  thocht  on  his  ladie  bright, 

And  at  the  thrid  knight  ilraik  with  all  his  micht, 

Whill  that  his  helme  quyte  from  his  held  he  ftraike, 

Mercie  he  afldt  then  for  Chrj'ftis  {kike. 

And  jeildit  him  his  fword  incontinent. 

The  fourt  knicht  than  maid  na  impediment, 

Bot  laid.  Sir  Knicht,  we  cum  gour  prifibneiris, 
520    And  heir  I  obleils  me  and  all  my  feiris 

At  30ur  command  to  (land  and  at  goiir  will, 

So  that  ge  lift  heir  mercie  grant  ws  till. 

Clariodus  was  woundit  in  the  fyde, 

Jit  never  geildis  quhile  they  to  mercy  cryed. 

For  rewth  hes  reftrainit  his  nobill  heart 

From  cnieltie,  and  fonne  he  did  advert 

Wnto  thir  knichtis,  and  faid.  For  your  trelpas, 

At  gone  lady  ge  fall  ga  mercie  afe 

c 


18  CLARIODUS. 

And  forgivenes  ;  and  fyne  ge  fall  me  fweir, 
3S0    On  fik  maneir  never  woman  [to  3  deir ; 

Syn  to  Great  Britane  pals  ge  fall  all  fweith, 
And  for  the  King  the  maner  all  ge  kyth  j 
Syn  to  the  faireil  lady  in  the  land  je  fpeir 
Dwalland  in  the  regioun  far  or  neir, 
And  geild  gow  to  that  lady  benigne, 
Schawing  to  hir  but  [ony]  fengeing. 
Say  that  the  Reid  Knicht  hes  gow  to  hir  fend, 
Quhilk  hartfuUie  to  hir  dois  he  commend. 
Thay  fweare  all  be  the  ordour  of  knichtheid, 

540    That  in  all  haift  this  fould  be  donne  but  dreid. 
The  lady  thankit  oft  Clariodus, 
Saying,  Moft  nobill  knicht  and  chyvalrus, 
Wyld  is  the  land,  and  ludging  heir  is  none ; 
Bot  if  ge  wald  difdaine  with  me  to  gone. 
My  duelling  place  is  at  the  forreftis  end, 
3e  gar  thir  knichtis  alfo  with  gow  wend 
My  hufbands  frindfchip  with  them  for  to  make. 
And  I  gour  woundis  dar  weill  undertake, 
For  I  in  leichcraft  have  fum  ikeill  and  tuning. 

550    Clariodus  hes  grantit  to  this  thing, 

And  gart  thir  forfaid  knichtis  with  him  ryd  ; 
He  gart  the  dweriF  with  the  flaine  knicht  abyd, 
Whill  they  lent  for  him  efterwart ;  and  lb 
Togidder  with  the  lady  can  thay  go, 
Whill  they  com  to  the  mikiil  forreft  end ; 
Then  from  hors  thay  did  thair  difcend. 
And  with  the  lady  they  enterit  in  the  place, 
Quhair  thay  refavit  war  with  grit  folace. 
The  knichtis  to  ajie  chaimer  than  thay  geid, 

560    And  laid  foft  falves  to  thair  wowndis  reid. 


BUIK  FIRST. 

Scho  brocht  hir  Lord  unto  Cloriodus, 
Gyl^eam  de  la  Weille,  worthie  and  famous  , 
Quhilk  thankit  him  of  his  great  nobilnes, 
That  did  his  wyfe  againe  to  him  redres, 
Putting  his  bodie  into  fie  eventure. 
And  fyne  had  maid  the  haill  diicomfitour  ; 
Whairfor  he  geild  him  I'elf  and  all  his  guide. 
To  him  quhilk  frindlie  in  his  quarrell  ilude. 
So,  be  the  knichts  war  to  the  fupper  fet, 

570    Clariodus  fellowis  knokit  at  the  ^et. 

For  thair  nane  uthar  harberie  was  about, 

And  of  thair  cuming  blyth  was  all  the  rowt ; 

Bot  fonne  thay  fpeirit  of  Clariodus, 

Gif  any  will  of  fik  ane  knicht  antnis, 

Quhilk  from  thame  twinit  in  the  morrow  tyde. 

Walking  alleane  out  throw  the  woodis  wyde. 

In  reid  arrayit,  baith  in  fcheild  and  Ipeir. 

The  Lord  anfuerit,  Fair  knichts  have  ge  no  feir  ; 

I  dar  Weill  fay  and  eike  thairat  abyde, 

580    War  all  the  knichtis  in  this  warld  lb  wyde, 
Boune  unto  battell  under  birneis  bricht, 
He  micht  amongs  thame  countit  be  ane  knicht ; 
Heir  he  is  ludgit  in  this  ilk  place. 
As  it  befell,  he  tauld  them  all  the  cace. 
Be  everie  knicht  hade  tauld  his  eventur. 
What  him  betydit  as  he  throw  forreft  ftire, 
Alreadie  was  the  fupper  to  tham  dicht. 
Gill^iam  de  la  Weill  fpake  with  voice  on  height, 
My  Lordis,  je  ar  all  welcum  to  this  place, 

590    Amongis  ws  tak  in  patience  Godis  grace. 
Fair  Sir,  fweitlie  laid  Clariodus, 
Methinka  it  bell,  according  war  it  thus. 


20  CLARIODUS. 

Togidder  all  to  foupe,  micht  it  30W  pleafe, 

With  gone  hurt  knicht,  micht  it  theiu  eafe  ; 

And  this  I  pray  30W  doe  for  the  luife  of  me, 

In  hope  that  we  fall  all  the  glaider  be. 

The  Lord  him  thankit  lawlie  at  his  micht, 

Saying,  Thais  wordis  come  of  ane  nobill  knicht. 

As  he  devylit,  fo  was  it  donne  all  fwyth  ; 
600    To  fupper  went  thir  lordis  glaid  and  blyth, 

And  everie  man  was  mirrie  and  joyous, 

For  gud  accordance  maid  Clariodus 

Amongis  the  knichts  with  all  his  diligence. 

And  everilke  feide  forgiven  is  and  oflFence. 

The  Lady  tuike  upon  hir  great  travell, 

Whyll  that  fcho  maid  him  of  his  woundis  haill  ; 

Then  courtellie  he  tuike  his  leave  and  wend. 

To  lord  and  lady  oft  doing  him  commend. 

To  tham  and  to  the  woundit  knightis  thre  j 
610    Syn  toward  Efture  land  the  way  tuike  he. 

When  that  the  knichtis  thrie  war  haill  and  found, 

And  haillit  fyne  of  everie  grevous  wound, 

Thay  tuike  thair  leave  at  lord  and  lady  eike, 

Them  thankit  fyne  with  myndis  myld  and  meike  ; 

And  paffit  fyne  in  Ingland  to  the  King, 

Declairing  him  the  cace  in  everie  thing. 

How  it  befell  as  ge  have  hard  beforne  ; 

And  how  they  all  oblift  war  and  fworne,  J 

To  geild  thair  bodies  to  the  faireft  wight, 
620    That  was  in  Ingland  into  manis  fight ; 

And  be  the  way  how  all  men  did  thame  wife, 

Wnto  the  guidlie  fair  Meliades. 

The  King  faid,  Freindis  have  ge  no  knowleging 

Of  him  that  lent  gow  with  fie  tyding. 


I 


BUIK  FIRST.  21 


The  knightis  faid,   No  more  of  him  we  know, 
Bot  the  Reid  Knight  he  nam  it  was  our  aw. 
The  King  did  fend  to  chalmer  for  the  Queine, 
As  alfo  for  Meliades  the  icheine, 
And  gart  the  knichts  rehearle  thair  taill  all  new. 

630    Meliades  a  litill  changit  hew. 

The  knichtis  laid,  Full  weill  it  may  be  kend, 
Jon  is  the  Lady  quhome  to  we  ar  lend. 
Anone  upon  thair  kneis  in  humbill  wyfe, 
Thay  fat  all  thre  befor  Meliades, 
And  laid,   Madam,  heir  we  ar  all,  only 
Be  the  Reid  Knicht  fent,  flour  of  chevalrie, 
To  jour  bewtie  our  bodies  for  to  jeild, 
As  we  that  vincuift  beine  with  him  in  feild  ; 
Je  doe  with  ws  Lady  as  lykis  gow  beft, 

640    gouris  we  ar,  demaine  us  as  ge  lift. 

Sumthing  abaillt  was  this  g^idlie  wicht. 
Sirs,  fcho  fayis,  I  thanke  that  gentill  knicht. 
And  ge  alfo  are  welcum  for  his  faike, 
Jour  priiTon  falbe  foft  I  wndertaike  ; 
Go  and  diiport  with  my  father  the  King, 
And  dwell  alfe  long  as  beine  to  jour  lyking ; 
Syne  as  ge  came  alfe  frelie  fall  je  wend. 
For  love  of  him  that  hes  gow  hither  fend. 
The  king  relavit  tham  on  fair  maneir, 
And  laid  to  them.  My  tender  frindis  deir, 

650    Heir  ar  je  welcum  with  me  to  remain, 
Quhen  that  ge  lift  ge  may  return  again  ; 
We  will  not  hald  gow  heir  as  priflbneiris, 
Bot  chereis  jow  as  to  jour  ftait  effeiris. 
He  gart  rewaird  tham  wonder  royallie. 
Meliades  them  treitit  gentillie. 


2^  CLARIODUS. 

And  gave  them  giftis ;  and  thay  anone 

On  lawlie  wayis  hes  taine  thair  leave  to  gone. 

And  to  thair  cuntrie  paflit,  quhair  that  thay 

660    Full  vertuouflie  leivit  thair  for  ay. 

Clariodus  hes  Iped  him  day  and  nicht, 
Whill  of  his  fatheris  caileU  he  gat  a  fyght. 
Of  his  cuming  his  frindis  was  full  blyth ; 
Thay  dreft  them  to  the  mariage  belyth. 
For  on  the  morne  thair  tryil  was  for  to  ryde. 
The  king  of  Spaine  did  on  thair  cuming  byde. 
On  morrow  as  the  day  it  waxit  licht. 
The  court  was  on  horfe  alreadie  dicht  j 
Fair  Mandonet  was  lullilie  befeine, 

670    In  clothing  as  effeirit  to  ane  queine, 

With  croune  of  gold  abune  hir  hairis  bricht 

Of  leming  flainis  calling  plealant  licht ; 

The  Earle  wes  cloathit  in  full  rich  array. 

With  him  his  Lady  frefch  as  is  the  May  : 

Bot  all  exceidit  them  Clariodus, 

In  cloath  of  gold  and  llainis  pretious. 

With  nobill  court,  this  royall  rout  furth  raid, 

Whill  thay  com  quhair  this  mightie  King  abaid. 

The  nobill  King  gart  two  Duikes  relave 

680    The  goung  Lady,  and  hir  to  chappell  have, 
Quhair  fcho  was  maryit  with  great  Iblemnitie, 
And  feaftit  with  triumph  and  royaltie  ; 
Syn  all  the  day  did  ling,  dance  and  dilport, 
The  circumllance  war  long  for  to  report. 
The  king  of  Spaine  he  had  ane  lifter  fair, 
Quhilk  Donas  height  of  coUouris  rycht  preclaire  j 
This  lady  oft  behald  Clariodus 
With  frindlie  cheir,  and  luikis  amorus, 


BUIK  FIRST.  23 

Of  manlie  having  and  knichtlie  governance 
690    Heiring  the  courte  grcatlie  him  advance, 
Quhilk  it  fa  far  into  hir  hart  can  Onke, 
Whyll  at  the  lail  of  luif  fcho  tuike  a  drinke ; 
So  biming  was  hir  heart  with  inwart  fyre, 
For  thrift  of  love,  heat  biming  defyre, 
That  fcho  wes  vexit  with  the  feveris  quyte, 
Quhairof  as  now  me  lift  not  to  indyte. 
The  day  paillt,  the  nicht  fonne  efter  went. 
On  morne  the  King  gart  cry  ane  tornament ; 

Ane  hundreth  knichts  of  Span^ie  war  ordand, 
700    Aganis  ane  hundreth  knichts  of  Eftour  land ; 

On  Spain^ie  fyd  was  Leonet  the  knight. 

And  Oliphere  de  Beaulieu  bauld  and  wigbt. 

Sir  Leyon  Dormal,   Sir  Ame  de  Beaufort, 

Thair  namis  all  it  neids  not  to  reporte : 

On  Efturis  half  was  Sir  Clariodus, 

Sir  Palexis  baith  wicht  and  chivalrus. 

Sir  Amador  de  Brufland  rycht  duchtie. 

Sir  Gilgam  de  la  Forreft  rycht  worthie. 

Sir  Richard  Maianis  of  Scottis  natioun, 
710    With  mony  uther  knichts  of  great  reaoun. 

Quhen  they  diljunit  had  was  no  delaj. 

In  knichtlie  weidis  thay  doe  thame  fel&  aray, 

And  baith  the  fydis  aflemblit  in  the  feild. 

With  fpeir  in  hand,  and  coverit  ower  with  fcheild  ; 

Againis  the  face  of  Phebus  cafting  licht. 

In  windois  lay  the  luftie  ladyis  bricht, 

DuchefLs,  counteCs  and  madanis  to  have  light, 

And  eagit  lordis  that  was  mikle  of  might ; 

The  King  of  Spaine,  and  the  Earle  Efture, 
720    And  thame  felfe  ilk  ane  on  ane  courlbur. 


24  CLARIODUS. 

With  trumpit  found  the  tornament  begane, 
Out  throw  the  feild  the  knichtis  feircely  ran  ; 
The  rafchis  of  Ipeiris  did  as  the  thunder  rare, 
Lyke  as  the  darding  rumbling  in  the  aire, 
The  horfe  feit  dinnit  with  noyis  full  loud, 
Then  all  abune  thame  raife  into  ane  cloud 
For  land  and  duft  that  thair  up  raife  on  loft. 
Of  armit  men  the  melting  was  unlbft ; 
The  fpeiris  brake,  the  horfe  togidder  drave, 

730    The  fcheildis  frufchit  and  helmes  all  to  clave  ; 
The  foirfaids  knichts  togidder  did  redound, 
Quhilk  magrie  thame  thay  fink  unto  the  ground. 
To  manis  eare  full  terribill  was  the  raird 
Of  horfe  and  hameis  rufching  to  the  eard. 
The  bairdit  ileidis  plunging  on  the  greine, 
The  awfuU  flraiks  of  knichtis  in  thair  teine. 
The  clariounis  found,  the  heraldis  voice  and  cry. 
The  cairfuU  echo  galmering  to  the  iky, 
Thefoming  fleidis  with  fweit  alfe  quhyt  as  fnaw, 

740    With  bludie  fydis  alle  foft  as  fouU  in  fchaw ; 

Gois  throw  the  preife,  quhile  that  braith  them  ferve 
Thair  is  no  mairbut  do  or  fchame  deferve. 
Clariodus  with  this  git  held  him  ftill, 
Whill  Eftures  folkis  abak  mauger  thair  will 
Conflrainit  war  ;  and  than  he  belyve 
With  all  his  force  amongs  [them]  he  could  dryve  ; 
All  gois  to  grund  befor  his  mightie  Ipeir, 
With  birning  mynd  fiirth  braiding  as  ane  beir. 
As  furious  lyoun  raiging  ferce  and  fell, 

730    So  fairis  he  of  knichtheid  floure  and  well ; 

He  drave  doune  hors  and  knichts  upon  the  greine, 
Was  nane  of  Spaingie  his  ftraik  that  micht  fuiline. 


BUIK  FIRST.  25 

They  went  abake  richt  faft  befor  his  face, 

Whair  ever  he  come  thej  lift  him  rune  a  ipeace  ; 

Throw  quhom  his  fellowis  curage  tuike  anone, 

And  ay  of  Spainje  fchope  abake  to  gone. 

So  come  thair  wnwarlie  on  Clariodus 

Ane  Count  of  Spainje,  bauld  and  chevalrus, 

Quhilk  flraike  the  bucles  of  his  fcheild  in  funder 
760    Richt  frelie,  and  raif  the  hauberk  wnder. 

His  foure  fellowis  him  drefllt  in  his  fcheild, 

And  fyne  the  Earle  he  fought  out  throw  the  feild. 

And  fbak  him  to  the  erd,  baith  horfe  and  man  ; 

Syne  throw  the  feild  efter  his  horfe  he  ran, 

And  reingeit  him,  and  to  the  Earle  him  brocht, 

Saying  to  him.  My  Lord,  I  know  50W  nocht. 

Then  leuch  the  Earle  and  faid,  Forfuith,  Sir  Knicht, 

^e  have  me  laid  to  fleip  or  it  be  nicht. 

Gude  Sir,  he  faid,  or  I  to  luging  went 
770    ^e  me  wnarmit,  contraire  my  intent. 

Among  thamfelfis  [thus]  they  can  difporte  ; 

The  tomament  war  long  for  to  report. 

Or  all  thair  nobill  deidis  for  to  declair, 

Induiring  quhile  the  fune  waftwart  did  repaire 

[And]  in  his  no6lurne  mantill  did  cheroude. 

The  trumpits  blew  to  the  retreit  fiiU  loud. 

And  with  their  voice  the  heraldis  cryit  Ho  ; 

And  everie  knicht  did  to  his  luging  go. 

And  thame  wnarmit  in  chalmeris  haiftilie, 
780    Araying  thame  againe  fiill  richlie 

In  uther  clothings,  as  did  thame  effeir  ; 

Syne  to  the  palice  went  to  thair  fuppeir. 

Foure  aigit  knichts  the  King  gart  efter  fend, 

And  foure  heraldis  that  beft  armis  kend, 

o 


26  CLARIODUS. 

And  bade  that  on  thair  trewth  it  Ibuld  be  fchawd, 
Of  tomament  quha  wan  [[maift]  praife  and  laud. 
Thay  anlweir  maid,  and  laid,  with  voice  on  height, 
Thay  have  weill  previt  everie  nobill  knicht 
As  men  of  deidis  wondour  chevalrus  ; 
7S0    Bot  all  the  praile  we  gif  Clariodus. 

Rycht  have  ge  jugit,  fayis  the  nobill  King, 
He  hes  the  fairefl  knichtis  begining 
That  ever  I  few,  and  maift  chyvalrus  curage. 
Hie  God  preferve  him  quhill  he  be  in  age. 
The  heralds  and  the  knights  he  gart  pas 
Unto  his  lifter,  the  luftie  fair  Donas  ; 
And  bad  that  fcho  fum  taikin  fair  fould  fend, 
As  he  that  hade  the  laude  and  the  commend 
And  [the]]  heigh  praife  of  the  tomament. 

800    And  fo  thay  did,  and  to  the  Lady  went. 
Scho  him  hes  fend,  wroght  full  curiouflie, 
Ane  plefent  wompill,  with  ftonis  fet  mightelie, 
Circulit  and  let  with  fubtile  work  of  gold, 
That  it  ane  guidlie  fight  was  to  behold. 
Thir  Lordis,  at  commandement  of  the  King, 
Ar  paflit  to  Clariodus  the  ging, 
Saying,  The  King  hes  underftanding  richt. 
That  jouris  beinc  the  praile  of  everie  knycht, 
That  hes  this  day  beine  in  the  tornament  j 

810    Wherefore  the  Kingis  lifter  reverent. 

With  uther  ladyes,  hes  fent  gow  ane  plelance. 
Off  thair  bewtie  to  have  rememberance. 
Clariodus  than  changit  hew  alyte. 
And  faid,  I  thank  my  ladyes  fair  and  quhyte  ; 
Bot  worthier  knjxhtis  thair  wer  the  praife  to  have. 
And  eik  moir  dingne  this  plefence  to  reflave. 


BUIK  FIRST.  «7 

Throw  the  requeiil  of  lordia  that  wer  thair, 

Keifavit  he  hes  the  wompill  ferlie  fair ; 

And  right  onone  about  his  arme  it  band, 
a20    Thanking  the  King,  right  lowlie  inclynand  : 

He  gart  reward  the  heraldis  richlie, 

With  hie  voicis  they  all  did  Larges  cry. 

When  fuppit  hade  the  frefche  Clariodus, 

The  four  auld  knichtis,  worthy  and  famous. 

With  him  to  chalmer  he  tuik  in  companie, 

And  gave  to  thame  four  clothingis  of  gold  mightie. 

And  to  the  Kingis  chalmer  went  ifeir, 

Baith  erle,  lord,  knycht  and  bacbeleir, 

Difporting  thame  with  ladyes  of  plelance, 
aso    And  with  joung  virginis  meik  of  countenance. 

The  Kingis  filler  fat  with  Clariodus, 

With  humbill  cheir,  to  whome  fcho  ipeikis  thus ; 

Clariodus,  It  dois  jow  Weill  perteine, 

To  marie  with  fome  guidlie  ladie  fcheine  ; 

For  whill  ge  are  in  this  eilait,  perfay 

Sir,  ge  be  feikand  aventuris  ay. 

I  am  (quoth  he)  of  littill  availl  or  might. 

To  have  in  mariage  ony  guidlie  wight. 

Clariodus,  fcho  laid,  full  fuith  they  tell 
840    That  layes  ane  man  that  praifis  not  him  fell  ■ 

The  moir  he  beine  to  praife  with  uther  men  ; 

Sir,  be  experience  this  of  gow  I  ken  : 

Thus  fpeikand  they  of  materis  to  and  fro, 

Quhill  it  wes  tyme  to  beddis  for  to  go. 
Indurit  long  this  feiil  with  joy  and  play, 

Whill  at  the  laft  Earle  Elhire  on  a  day. 

With  all  his  court  of  lordis  and  ladyis  fair, 

Thair  leave  hes  taine,  hameward  to  repaire  : 


28  CLARIODUS. 

Fair  Mandonet  remenit  with  the  King. 
850    [One  geir  did  fcarce  compleit  its  revolving] 

Whill  fcho  buir  him  ane  fonne  height  Clariodus 
Efter  his  eime  the  gud  Clariodus. 
Thay  luifit  ather  uther  tenderlie. 
Whom  of  moir  not  Ipeike  will  I. 

Erie  Efture  at  his  Lady  leave  hes  taine, 
And  toward  Ingland  paflit  is  againe. 
The  way  furth  ryding  with  his  companie. 
He  met  ane  Squyer  mufing  hevilie. 
The  Earle  demandit  quhy  he  forie  was. 
860    My  Lord,  he  faid,  this  is  the  verie  cans  ; 
In  the  land  of  Galice,  my  native  contrie, 
Thair  enterit  is,  that  hidious  is  to  fie, 
Ane  lyoun  llrong  and  hidious  to  behauld  ; 
Thair  is  no  living  creature  fa  bald. 
That  dar  his  will  irapunge  or  jit  refill ; 
He  hes  all  [liaill]  devorit  as  he  lift, 
And  waftit  all  the  cuntrie  up  and  doune  ; 
Is  nane  fo  bardie  dar  make  obje6lioun  ; 
And  I  am  feikand,  that  evill  beine  to  get, 
870    Ane  knicht  that  dar  his  face  againis  him  fet 
And  him  diftroy  and  vincuis  with  his  brand, 
The  quhilk,  I  traift,  no  man  dare  take  on  hand. 
Than  faid  the  Earle  fwiftlie,  I  am  woe 
That  fie  ane  nobill  prince  is  vexit  fo. 
The  Squyer  tuike  his  leave,  and  hyne  is  went. 
Clariodus  unto  his  taill  tuik  gud  tent, 
And  at  his  Father  fonne  he  alkit  leave 
The  ftrong  lyoun  in  batell  him  to  greive. 
His  father  is  dilpleafit,  and  infchew 
880    Dangeris  thairin  quhilk  he  micht  nocht  el'chew. 


BUIK  FIRST.  29 

The  uthar  with  fie  inflance  him  befought, 

That  he  him  levit  with  ane  dreidfuU  thocht. 

Clariodus  was  glaid  in  his  intent, 

And  with  his  fatheris  bliffing  furth  is  went, 

Taking  his  leave  at  all  the  companie. 

He  callit  on  Palexis  fecreitlie, 

And  laid,  Deir  Coufing,  in  Ingland  quhen  ge  wend, 

In  humbill  wayis  ge  fall  doe  me  commend 

Unto  my  Lady,  fair  Meliades  ; 
890    Unto  hir  fyne  prefent,  in  fecreit  wayis. 

This  courche  of  plefance,  faying  to  hir  plaine, 

Scho  wan  it  at  the  tornamcnt  in  Spaine. 

Depairtit  they  than  from  uthar  anone  ; 

The  Earle  of  Efture  is  to  Ingland  gone, 

^\Tiair  he  was  weill  reflavit  with  the  King 

And  all  the  court ;  hot  quhen  they  hard  telling 

The  perrellous  paflbge  of  Clariodus, 

Then  they  war  wofull,  fad  and  dolorus. 

When  Palexis  faw  tyme  convenient, 
900    Unto  the  fair  Meliades  he  went. 

Saying,  Madame,  Clariodus  the  knicht 

Oft  him  commendis  unto  gour  beawtie  bricht, 

And  hes  jow  fent  this  courtch  of  hie  plefance, 

Of  his  fervice  to  be  in  rememberance ; 

And  bad  me  [plane]  thir  wordis  to  jow  faine, 

Je  wan  it  at  the  tornament  in  Spaine. 

He  tauld  the  laif  furth  into  lang  fermoune. 

How  he  was  gaine  to  fight  with  the  lyoun. 

And  quhen  his  lady  underihide  and  knew 
910    The  dreidfuU  paflage  that  he  did  perfew, 

Scho  fell  on  groufe  upon  hir  bed  adoun 

With  vifage  wan,  and  in  a  deidlie  fwoune. 


so  CLARIODUS. 

And  quhen  that  fcho  owercam,  fcho  gave  a  cry. 

Saying,  O  [wofull]  Death  I  the  defy. 

What  may  thy  cruell  dairt  doe  me  moir  paine 

Nor  have  him  with  a  cruell  lyoun  llaine. 

Whom  I  luif  better  nor  I  do  my  lyfe  I 

Wha  lall  the  help,  Clariodus,  in  ftryfe, 

Or  th6  defend  againis  that  felloun  beaft  ? 

920    Is  this  of  luif  the  joy,  is  this  the  feaft 

That  I  fall  have  for  trewth  and  meinit  no  mile  ? 
Ah  1  fall  I  now  forgoe  my  warld  blife. 
That  fo  we  fould  depairt,  aleace,  my  knicht  1 
The  trewthfuUeft  in  love,  and  gentillefl  wight. 
Thou  was  ane  that  in  warld  ever  I  knew  ; 
The  companie  of  man  for  ever  adew, 
Efter  the  fight  of  the,  Clariodus, 
That  was  fo  gentill  and  fo  gratious. 
Palexis  was  abaiilt  grittumlie, 

930    And  mikill  rewth  had  of  this  fair  lady  ; 

He  comfortit  hir  at  all  his  power  and  micht, 
Saying,  Madam,  doe  not  jour  felf  undicht, 
For,  verelie  I  live  in  eiperance 
Of  his  returne  with  joy  and  efperance  ; 
And  gif  men  fee  50W  taking  lie  pennance, 
Thay  will  ilke  deime  that  is  not  trew  perchance. 
Thus  comfortit  he  this  Lady  in  lum  wayis, 
By  fweitteft  wordis  that  he  could  devyi'e. 
Clariodus  and  his  fellow  all  fweith 

940    In  land  of  Galice  enterit  is  belyth. 

And  tuike  thair  ludging  in  ane  fair  village 
Neir  quhair  this  beift  did  the  maifl  outrage  j 
And  as  Phebus  declynit  in  the  weft, 
Thay  foupit  them,  and  bounit  fyn  to  reft. 


BUIK  FIRST.  31 

The  heavinis  torch  upryling  reid  as  fire. 

The  birdis  fang  with  courage  and  defyre. 

Up  raife  the  mirrie  lark  with  ftevin  joyous, 

Up  raife  anone  the  frefch  Clariodus, 

And  him  full  giidlie  dreffit  in  his  weid ; 
950    He  hard  ane  mels,  and  glaidlie  could  him  fpeid 

Whill  he  com  neir  quhair  this  beaft  repairit ; 

Then  to  his  feir  his  mynd  [he]  thus  declairit. 

My  frind,  feine  battell  is  bot  aventure. 

And  feine  that  none  may  be  of  fortoune  fure, 

Gif  heir  I  fterve  be  feat  or  deftinie. 

To  frindis  me  commend  for  cheritie. 

Difcendit  is  this  Knicht,  and  left  his  fteid 

With  his  fquyer,  quha  oft  bad  God  him  fpeid. 

He  maid  ane  drofe  upon  him  devotlie, 
960    Towardis  this  beift  then  pafDt  hardilie, 

Whilk  was  the  llrongell  lyoun  and  maifl  horibill 

That  ever  to  manis  fight  was  vifible ; 

His  awfull  cluikis  was  lang  and  fquare, 

Rycht  fyd  and  felterit  hang  his  lyart  haire  ; 

Scharp  was  his  wapounis,  and  terribill  to  behald. 

His  terribilnes  cannot  weil  be  tauld  ; 

Reid  was  his  eine,  birnand  as  ane  fyre. 

He  raxit  him,  and,  ramping  in  his  ire, 

Quhen  Clariodus  did  neir  him  aproch 
970    He  rumbifchit  whill  rared  everie  roch. 

And  lape  upone  him  in  ane  rage,  all  woode. 

For  he  that  day  had  gottine  no  bluide. 

Clariodus  him  kepit  on  his  fpeir, 

The  quhilke  to  him  micht  do  bot  litill  deire. 

The  Knicht,  that  of  his  lyfe  was  in  great  doubt. 

Full  michtilie  ftrak  at  the  lyoun  ftout ; 


32  CLARIODUS. 

Bot  this  ftrong  lyoun  ftraike  at  Clariodus 
So  feircelie,  and  fo  woundoiir  furious. 
That  he  uneis  micht  defend  him  ftill ; 

980    For  with  his  cluikis,  perling  wounder  fell. 
He  reft  from  him  difpitiouilie  his  fcheild. 
And  Ikatterit  mail^es  wyd  into  the  feild. 
And  fair  him  woundit  with  his  tuikis  keine 
Whill  that  his  bluid  ran  flreimand  in  the  greine. 
The  peple  Iluide  on  hillis  and  on  height. 
Beholding  on  the  lyoun  and  the  knight ; 
Sore  war  thair  heartis  quhan  thay  law  him  bleid. 
Oft  praying  God  him  to  luckour  in  neid. 
Hard  was  the  batell,  afper,  woode  and  fell, 

990    So  long  induring  that  wounder  was  to  tell. 

Thus  faught  they  ftill  whill  it  was  neir  the  nicht  j 

Clariodus,  him  failgeing  was  the  licht. 

And  that  his  Ipeir  micht  him  no  thing  availl. 

He  drew  his  fword,  and  iharplie  did  alFaill 

This  dreidfuU  beift.     And  quhen  the  lyoun  law 

Him  with  his  fchort  fword,  he  fluid  the  weill  les  aw. 

And  lape  at  him  lyke  as  he  wald  him  ryfe. 

Clariodus  than  ftraike  at  him  bel}-ve 

Under  the  lymbe  and  upward  in  the  thie, 

1000  "Whair  with  his  fword  ane  awfuU  wound  maid  he. 
Quhen  that  this  beift  faw  furth  ftreiming  his  bluid. 
He  felt  him  hurt,  and  ran  as  he  war  wod. 
And  to  the  forreft  fwiftlie  could  he  found. 
The  fword  with  him  ftill  ftikand  in  his  wound. 
Then  wonder  wofuU  was  Clariodus, 
Quhen  with  his  fword  [he]  was  depairtit  thus ; 
And  as  he  fluid  and  fadlie  him  bethocht. 
Whither  [that]  he  fould  follow  him  or  nocht, 


I 


BUIK  FIRST.  SS 


So  come  ane  Knicht  richt  lullie  to  behold, 

1010  And  him  in  armis  tenderlie  did  fold  ; 
And  Sir,  he  faid,  [ay]  blifit  be  that  day 
That  ge  war  borne,  fa  may  I  [ever]  fay  ; 
5e  have  delyverit  me  for  ever  more 
Of  wofull  torment,  and  evill  woundis  fore. 
Clariodus,  quhen  this  ferlie  can  fee. 
He  was  abaifit,  and  faid,  Quhat  may  this  be  ? 
The  Knicht  fayis,  I  full  gow  tell  or  I  gone ; 
Bot  firft  gour  woundis  I  will  ftanch  anone. 
Alfweith  wnarmit  was  Clariodus  j 

1020  And  he  with  diverfe  herbis  vertewus 

Stemit  his  woundis,  and  ftintit  the  bleiding  ; 
Syne  faid  he  thus,  Sir  knicht,  but  failgeing, 
My  father  was  of  Portingall  ane  knicht. 
And  eke  my  mother  was  ane  lady  bricht : 
To  Wairdis  then  was  givin  grite  credence, 
Thairfor  my  mother  gart  with  diligence 
The  Waird  Sifteris  wait  quhen  I  was  borne, 
To  heir  quhat  waird  thay  fould  lay  me  beforne  ; 
Agreit  thay  war,  and  in  melancholie 

1030  Thay  wairdit  me,  gif  ane  knave  chyld  war  I, 
That  efter  I  was  fevin  jeiris  old 
To  be  tranfformit  in  ane  lyoun  bold. 
And  fo  to  be  ay  quhile  the  nobilleft  knicht 
Into  this  warld  under  the  funis  licht 
Sould  draw  my  blood  in  battell  or  in  Hour : 
I  have,  alleace,  done  evill  abone  meafoure, 
Bot  now  my  fault  moll  wickit  and  proterve 
All  finilhit  is  ;  quhairfor  whill  that  I  fterve, 
I  falbe  jouris,  evin  fo  Chryft  me  fave. 

1040  The  faireft  caflell  in  Portugall  I  have, 

£ 


34  CLARIODUS. 

And  greateft  lordl'chip  eik  in  that  cuntrie, 

As  it  is  myne,  I  geive  it  50W  alfe  frie  ; 

Sir  Porrus,  in  Portingal  thay  me  call. 

I  geive  30W  heir  ane  ring  of  gold  royall ; 

I  wald  convoy  30W  throw  the  land  glaidlie, 

Bot  I  will  not  cum  upon  horfe  quhile  I, 

For  my  trefpas,  go  pairt  of  pilgramage. 

Ather  from  uther  paflit  his  voyage. 
The  Squyer  that  was  with  Clariodus 
1050  Said  unto  him,  My  lord,  it  ftandis  thus  ; 

I  wald  anone  be  knichtit  of  gour  hand, 

I  am  ane  nobill,  je  fall  underlland. 

And  Guy  de  la  Riviere  thay  me  call, 

Lord  of  that  ilk  my  father  is  at  all. 

Clariodus  alfweith  then  maid  him  knicht ; 

Syn  on  thair  horfis  muntit  baith  on  height. 

And  to  the  feitie  went,  quhair  baith  them  met 

Full  monie  ane  man  of  micht  thair  at  the  get, 

Halfand  him  with  triumph,   laud  and  glorie, 
1060  Quhilk  great  joy  he  fand  of  his  vidlorie. 

Unto  his  Innis  dois  him  convoy ; 

Quhair  that  his  hoft  relavit  him  with  joy, 

And  had  him  unto  ane  chalmer  him  to  reft, 

^  And]  of  his  arming  doing  him  deveft. 

As  he  that  werie  was  with  hard  fighting. 

With  grivous  woundis  that  war  fore  gaiking. 

For  his  hurting  his  hoft  was  fore  adreid, 

He  caufit  him  to  fup  and  go  to  bed. 

On  morrow  the  new  maid  knicht.  Sir  Gwy,  gart  wryte 
1070  Letters  at  lenth,  in  quhilk  he  gart  indyte 

The  maner  of  the  battell,  all  at  right. 

Betwixt  the  awfuU  lyoun  and  the  knicht. 


BUIK  FIRST.  35 


And  to  the  King  of  Galice  hes  thame  fend. 
And  quhen  this  thing  was  to  his  Hienes  kend, 
Grit  glaid  he  was,  and  all  his  court  alfo  ; 
He  gart  four  knichtis  furth  them  dres,  and  go 
Clariodus  to  bring  to  his  prelence. 
The  knichtis  pafllt  with  great  diligence 
Unto  the  feitie,  quhair  they  met  Sir  Guy 

1080  The  new  maid  knicht,  and  thay  full  worthilie 
At  him  Ipeirit  quhair  was  Clariodus. 
And  he  againe  to  them  did  aniweir  thus. 
He  is  in  his  bed,  he  is  git  werilie, 
Dreidlie  thairof  je  awcht  have  none  ferlie ; 
For  had  ge  feine  hira  in  the  flour  as  I, 
Je  wald  have  littell  wounderit  thocht  he  ly : 
Bot  I  iiiU  fee  if  he  awakis  git, 
And  lyn  anone  30W  anfweir  bring  of  it. 
He  went  belyve  and  tauld  to  him  the  cace, 

1000  How  that  four  knichtis  cumin  for  him  was. 
Unto  the  Galice  King  him  for  to  bring. 
Fra  tyme  that  he  had  knowledge  of  this  thing 
Anon  he  him  drellit  in  his  weid. 
Sir  Guy  full  glaidlie  for  the  knichtis  jeid. 
And  tham  allfwyth  brings  into  his  prefence. 
Thay  helfit  him  all  four  with  reverence. 
And  fchew  to  him,  as  ge  have  hard  report. 
How  that  the  nobill  King  did  him  exort 
To  cum  to  him  withoutin  tarying. 

1 100  He  thaim  refavit  with  great  cherifching, 
Saying,  I  fall  obey  the  King  his  will, 
And  wounder  glaidlie  his  bidding  fall  fulfill. 
Syn  at  his  hoft  he  tuike  his  leave  to  wend, 
And  fudanlie  did  on  his  horfe  aflend. 


36  CLARIODUS. 

And  raid  furth  to  the  Kingis  palace  richt, 
And  from  his  horfe  anone  can  licht. 
The  knichtis  him  convoyit  to  the  King. 
The  King  wpraife  and  come  to  his  meiting. 
Clariodus  upon  his  kneis  fat  doune, 
1110  And  courteflie  did  helfe  his  Hie  Renoune. 
The  King  in  armis  hes  him  taine  aloft, 
He  thankit  him  baith  heartfuUie  and  oft 
For  flauchter  of  the  lyoun  wode  and  fell  j 
Saying  to  him,  Welcum  of  knichtheid  well. 
That  hfts  refcourfit  my  realme  with  hard  fighting, 
And  maid  hes  of  my  pepill  ranfoming  ; 
Therefor  the  third  pairt  of  my  realme  heir  I 
To  30W  and  gouris  do  give  perpetually. 
Clariodus  inclynit  to  the  King, 
1120  Thanking  his  Heenes  into  mikill  thing ; 
Thus  laying,  Sir,  ge  do  me  honor  more 
Nor  I  defervit  ever  or  could  ;  quhairfore. 
To  doe  30W  plefance  God  gif  me  grace. 
In  this  cuntrie  or  in  liirn  uther  place. 
The  King  went  to  his  denner  into  hall, 
And  on  the  forfaid  foure  knichtis  gart  call. 
And  to  ane  chalmer  Clariodus  gart  leid. 
For  git  his  woundis  war  both  greine  and  reid  ; 
He  gart  for  leiches  all  the  cuntrie  fearch, 
1 130  And  brocht  the  bell  [that J  men  did  of  reherfe, 
Quhilk  fchortlie  hes  taine  him  into  their  cuire  j 
He  haillit  him  of  his  woundis  haill  and  fure. 
And  quhen  the  King  was  fet  to  his  denneir, 
Sir  Gwy  all  haill  declairit  the  manneir 
Betwix  the  lyoun  and  Clariodus 
Of  the  ftrong  batell  wod  and  furious. 


BUIK  FIRST.  3ff. 


The  King  rycht  greatlie  wounderit  at  his  taill, 
Sa  did  the  lords  all  at  the  tabill  haill. 
I  leave  the  King  thus  fitting  at  his  tabill. 

1140       Clariodus  with  knichtis  honorable 

Was  fervit  in  his  chalmer  with  alkin  thing 

That  unto  his  ellait  was  pertining. 

So'come  to  him  ane  great  chirurgiane. 

Be  the  Kings  ordinance  his  hurts  for  to  fane. 

This  man  in  fapience  was  ane  maifter  great ; 

It  neidis  not  all  things  for  to  repeit, 

Hot  finallie  his  woundis  beine  all  feine, 

The  herbe  he  fand  that  was  laid  on  tham  greine, 

Quhairof  he  efpyit  fonne  the  vertew, 

1)50  Sayand,  the  herbis  kynd  he  weill  knew  ; 
He  laid  it  on  the  wounds  againe,  but  fabill, 
And  faid,  it  hes  beine  to  gow  profeitable ; 
I  pray  jow  be  of  comfort  gud  and  blyth. 
With  Godis  grace  ge  fall  recover  fweith, 
That  je  may  ryde,  and  on  horfe  armis  heir, 
And  for  jour  lady  breke  alfe  great  a  fpeir 
As  56  have  donne  in  tornament  befor  j 
Have  nobill  curage  and  be  glaid  thairfor  : 
Thair  ftill  into  his  bede  he  gart  him  ly, 

1160  And  dynit  thair  with  knichtis  Handing  by  : 
When  he  his  woundis  had  anoyntit  all 
With  pretious  falves  and  balmes  maift  royal  I, 
Into  his  Innis  into  the  toune  he  went. 
Richt  glaid  [then]  was  the  King  in  his  intent, 
[That]  he  remainit  in  his  companie, 
Clariodus,  [the]  flour  of  chevalrie. 
Quhen  he  had  djTiit,  fra  the  buird  he  raife, 
And  glaidlie  to  Clariodus  he  gais, 


38  CLARIODUS. 

Comfortit  him  with  wordis  tenderlie  ; 

1170  And  he  againe  him  thankit  courteflie. 

The  King  gart  fend  to  chalmer  for  the  Queine, 
And  for  hir  dochter,  and  uther  ladyis  fcheine  ; 
And  thay  ar  cuming  at  his  ordainance, 
Whome  for  to  fe  it  was  ane  great  plefance. 
Clariodus  hes  maid  great  reverence 
Unto  the  Queine,  fo  great  of  excellence, 
And  wald  have  ryfline,  hot  the  King  wald  nocht, 
So  deir  he  had  his  bed  with  bargain  bocht : 
Scho  cheriiit  him,  and  did  him  great  plefance, 

1180  His  deidis  doing  greattumlie  advance. 
And  doune  Icho  fat  upon  his  bed  fyde. 
And  with  him  fpeiking  thair  did  long  abyde. 
Then  faid  the  King  unto  Clariodus, 
If  it  micht  make  gow  mirrie  and  joyous. 
My  dochter  fall  rj'cht  glaidlie  to  gow  ling  : 
Quhairon  he  laid,  I  pray  gow  ower  all  thing 
To  fing  ane  fong  :  the  King  did  hir  command ; 
And  fcho  begane  anon  without  demand. 
And  with  ane  voice  that  plefant  was  to  heir  ; 

1 190  Of  quhois  fong  Clariodus  had  gud  cheir, 
So  Weill  fcho  fong  it  eallt  him  of  his  noy. 
Clariodus  faid  to  the  King,  Ma  foy, 
git  hard  I  never  fie  finging  to  this  day. 
Into  na  cuntrie,  of  fa  goung  ane  may ; 
For  fcho  was  git  bot  fevin  geiris  of  age, 
Thocht  nature  had  put  hir  in  fie  curage. 
Lang  tyme  remainit  thay  with  Clariodus, 
To  hold  him  out  of  thochtis  langorus. 
On  this  ways  daylie,  fchortlie  to  indyte, 

1200  Him  vifit  King,  Queine,  and  ladyis  quhyte ; 


BUIK  FIRST. 

And  llill  with  him  remainit  leichis  gud, 
WhylJ  he  was  haill  of  woundis.     To  conclude. 
Now  leave  will  I  Clariodus  heir  Hill, 
And  of  ane  uther  mater  ipeike  I  will. 

The  four  trew  fellows  of  Schir  Clariodus 
In  heartis  war  all  fad  and  dollorus 
For  langour  [that]  thay  could  get  na  tyding 
Of  him  thay  luifit  atoure  all  eardlie  thing. 
Palexis  and  his  brother  Aniadoure, 

1210  Baith  day  and  nicht  oppreffit  with  langour, 
Unto  thair  uther  two  brether  hes  thame  dreft, 
Richard  de  Maiance,  Gilgeam  de  la  Forreft, 
Saying  to  them.  We  are  accordit  thus. 
We  go  to  pas  and  feike  Clariodus, 
And  ge  two  here  to  remaine  with  the  King, 
Ay  of  the  court  to  fend  us  fum  tydeing. 
On  this  ways  beine  agreit  finallie, 
Thir  two  ar  palHt  to  the  King  in  hy, 
And  afldt  leave  to  pas  the  laid  voyage. 

1220  Thay  war  grantit  with  ane  blythe  vilage. 

Thay  tuike  thair  leave  anone  at  King  and  Queine, 

And  at  Meliades  the  luftie  lady  fcheine, 

Quha  callit  on  Palexis  fecreitlie. 

Saying,  Commend  me  oft  and  hertfullie 

Unto  Clariodus,  gif  ge  him  find, 

And  lay,  like  langour  deidlie  dois  me  bind, 

That  gif  I  hear  no  tydingis  haiililie. 

Than  daith  fall  me  devoure  but  remedie  ; 

And  in  taikin  je  lall  bide  him  take 

1230  This  heart  of  gold,  quhilk  is  of  cuUoure  blake  ; 
Bide  him  it  cuUour  alfe  quhyt  with  plefance. 
As  it  is  blake  with  ibrrow  and  pennance. 


40  CLARIODUS. 

Thay  tuike  thair  leave  and  to  thair  horfe  they  went, 
And  fpeid  them  fail  with  travell  diligent 
Whill  thay  had  paflit  the  boundis  of  Ingland, 
And  then  ftrange  cuntries  and  wyde  thay  fand, 
And  ever  efter  Clariodus  thay  fpeir, 
Bot  na  wit  gat  thay  of  him  far  nor  neir  ; 
Then  war  thay  wounder  wobegone  and  lad, 

1240  Deiming  fum  mifchance  him  happinnit  had. 

When  thay  had  fought  him  in  mony  far  cuntrie, 
Thay  happinit  in  ane  wode  with  tries  hie, 
Quhilk  for  to  pas  was  ftrange  and  perrilus, 
\^1iair  whyllume  walkit  feir  knichtis  antrus. 
Thay  two  enterit  in  at  the  forreft  fyde, 
Whair  fonne  thay  harde  ane  litill  thame  befyd 
Ane  petious  cry  lamentabill  to  heir  ; 
Then  can  Palexis  at  his  fellow  ipeir. 
Heir  ge  gone  voice  that  beine  rycht  lamentable  ? 

1260  Quhat  ever  it  be,  to  ws  it  war  meritabill 
To  fuccour  at  our  mycht  gone  creature. 
Then  fpurrit  they  with  diligence  and  cure  ; 
Then  at  the  laft  thre  knichtis  they  can  fie, 
The  quhilks,  with  hartis  full  of  crueltie, 
Ane  naikit  man  hade  bunde  rycht  fellounlie, 
Wha  ceiffit  never  mercie  for  to  cry. 
Palexis  faid,  Fair  Sirs,  be  gour  leave, 
That  man  ge  do  murther  and  mifcheve  ; 
It  is  agains  the  ordour  of  knichtheid 

1260  To  do  fa  cruell  and  fa  foule  a  deid. 

Thay  faid  anone.  The  thing  that  we  doe  heir 
ge  can  it  not  remeid  on  na  maneir. 
Quoth  Amadour,  ^e  fall  him  leave  with  us. 
Or  him  defend  with  deidis  chevalrus. 


BUIK  FIRST.  41 


Thir  knichtis  thre  withouttin  wordis  mo 
Rycht  cruellie  fet  on  the  brether  two. 
Palexis  lies  the  formill  knicht  borne  doune, 
For  he  was  Avicht  and  mekill  of  renoune, 
And  with  the  fall  his  kne  baine  brake  in  two. 

1270  Then  the  foure  knichtis  can  togider  go. 

And  two  for  two  thay  fought  full  fellounlie, 
And  ftraike  at  uthar  wonder  cruellie  : 
Bot  lang  the  battell  might  not  thus  induire, 
For  Sir  Palexis  and  worthie  Amadure 
War  bardie  knichts,  and  wounder  ftrong  in  feild 
As  ony  micht  be  helmed  wnder  fcheild  ; 
Thir  knichtis  two  behuifit  for  to  die 
Incontinent,  or  for  to  goldin  be ; 
And  quhen  they  vincuft  beine  aluterlie, 

1280  Thay  afldt  mercie  wonder  petiouilie. 

Palexis  laid,  Than  or  we  g^ant  gow  grace, 
^e  mon  all  thre  make  aith  into  this  place. 
That  our  command  je  trewlie  fall  fulfill 
Qln]  what  lb  ever  we  ordane  gow  till. 
Thay  grantit  this,  and  fwore  as  thay  than  laid  ; 
And  than  anon  thir  [twa]  brether  them  bade 
In  Ingland  pas  to  Philipon  the  King, 
And  unto  him  jeild  but  tarying  ; 
And  fay  that  Amadur  and  Palexis 

1290  ^ow  fent  unto  his  excellent  nobilnes, 
Declairing  him  without  diilimulance 
Of  this  mater  all  haill  the  circumflance. 
Thay  grantit  to  this  ordinance  all  thrie. 
The  bundine  knicht  then  gart  thay  louiit  be. 
And  gart  them  alfo  alls,  him  forgivenes. 
For  he  was  knicht  of  full  great  worthienes  : 

F 


4(i  CLARIODUS. 

And  bad  ilk  knicht  thay  fould  thair  namis  fchaur  j 
Ane  of  them  faid,  If  it  lykis  30W  for  to  knaw. 
Sir  Gault  de  le  Spyne  I  am  but  circumftance, 

1300  My  fellow  eike  height  Ame  de  Plelans, 

Cardrois  de  la  RelTe  they  call  5011  woundit  knicht  j 
In  Provence  cuntrie  beine  my  dwelling  rycht. 
My  fellow  is  of  Flanders  natioun. 
The  hurt  knicht  is  of  PoULs  regioun  ; 
Ilk  ane  of  ws  come  honour  to  conqueir. 
And  preflbners  all  caucht  as  je  lall  heir : 
Within  ane  myle  fra  hyne,  in  ane  caflell, 
Dwellis  ane  knicht  wounderfuUie  cruell, 
Quhilke  is  The  felloun  callit  but  petie  ; 

1310  Ane  wyfe  he  had  of  wounderfuU  beawtie  ; 
So  com  ane  knicht  by  rydand  upon  cace, 
And  reveft  hes  the  Lady  fair  of  face  ; 
Synlyne  all  knichtis  cumand  throw  his  land 
He  dois  them  vinquife  with  his  [[michtyj  hand, 
And  garris  them  fweir  to  do  ficlyke  as  he 
To  uther  knichts  cuming  in  his  cuntrie, 
His  lady  traifting  for  to  have  againe ; 
We  thre  hapinnit  with  bim  to  be  taine, 
Quhairfor  this  knicht  we  tuike  in  this  maneir 

1320  To  fave  our  aithes,  traift  weill  this  is  no  weir  j 
Men  callis  him  The  felloune  but  petie, 
For  fen  his  Ledie  revifcht  was,  never  he 
Did  grace  nor  petie  to  no  creatoure  ; 
And  he  is  wicht  and  hardie  over  mealour ; 
He  laikis  no  thing  langing  to  knichtheid, 
Saif  he  is  only  crwell  of  his  deid. 

Ather  from  uther  can  depairt  anone ; 
Syn  thir  thrie  knichtis  ar  to  Ingland  gone. 


BUIK  FIRST.  43 

When  they  war  weill  recoverit  of  thair  fore, 
13S0  To  Philipone  the  King  they  went  but  more  ; 

f  AndJ,  as  they  height,  they  did  them  to  him  geild, 

Schawing  how  they  owercumin  war  in  feild 

Be  Palexis  and  Amadour  in  feir  : 

So  furth  to  him  declairing  the  maneir, 

The  King  hes  them  receivit  tenderlie, 

Saying  thir  wordis  to  thame  Handing  by. 

More  am  I  holding  to  Sir  Clariodus 

And  to  his  coufings  bauld  and  chevalrus 

In  conqueis  of  my  honour  and  renoune 
1340  Nor  aU  the  knichtis  of  my  regioun. 

He  thame  feiilit  and  treitit  nobillie. 

And  thame  rewairdit  wounder  michtilie. 

Thay  tuike  thair  leave,  and  paflit  to  thair  land, 

Quhen  fo  they  hade  compleitit  thair  command. 
Palexis  now  and  Amadur  alfo 

War  fcant  two  mylis  the  Kingis  caftell  fro 

Of  Galice,  quhair  Clariodus  beine  git. 

For  fo  the  cuntrie  maid  thame  for  to  wite. 

Thay  ludgit  in  ane  toune  that  heich  was  wallit, 
1350  And  Joyous  to  name  it  was  callit. 

Thair  hoft  them  tauld  how  that  Clariodus 

Was  interteinit  in  that  cuntrie  famous. 

And  how  he  vinquill  had  the  lyoun  ftrong. 

With  all  the  proces  and  circumftancis  long  ; 

Whairof  thay  war  rycht  glaid  in  thair  intent. 

Airlie  in  morrow  thay  in  palice  went, 

Whair  they  met  with  Sir  Guy  the  new  maid  knicht. 

He  did  them  glaidlie  welcum  at  his  micht. 

From  them  he  paflit  to  Clariodus 
1360  That  was  in  chalmer,  faying  to  him  thus, 


44  -  CLARIODUS. 

Two  knichtis  at  the  get  ar  lichtit  doune. 
Rich  woundour  fair  and  gudlie  of  fafchoune  ; 
To  Ipeike  with  30W  ar  thair  defyris  maifl. 
Clariodus  than  Iped  him  furth  in  haift, 
Rycht  woundour  glaid  and  joyous  of  his  cheir. 
For  Weill  he  trowit  thay  war  his  cuffings  deir. 
When  he  tham  faw,  he  did  tham  imbrace, 
And  tenderlie  tham  kiffit  in  that  place. 
Thair  cuming  than  went  to  the  Kingis  eare, 

1370  Whairof  he  had  ane  joy,  commixt  with  feare 
That  thay  from  him  Ibuld  fetch  Clariodus, 
Whilk  in  his  eyes  femit  fo  gratious 
That  he  him  lovit  evin  as  his  awin  lyfe. 
For  the  two  knichtis  he  lent  belyve  j 
And  quhen  thay  war  brocht  to  his  prefence, 
Thay  falull  him  with  kinglie  reverence. 
And  he  refavit  tham  in  fair  maneir, 
Saying,  Welcum  ge  ar  my  frindis  deir  ; 
Sumthing  I  am  adread  into  my  heart, 

1380  That  ge  from  me  Clariodus  depairt ; 
And  if  it  be  the  cans  of  gour  cuming, 
5e  fall  my  heart  wnglaid  in  mikill  thing  ; 
3it  glaidlie  for  his  faik  I  fould  gow  love. 
That  this  regioun  hes  brocht  from  fik  unrove  ; 
His  frinds  fall  ever  welcum  be  to  me 
So  long  as  I  am  King  of  this  cuntrie. 
The  lordis  them  receavit  all  about, 
Knichts,  Ladyis  and  all  the  luilie  rout. 
Clariodus  them  tuike  in  fecreit  wayis, 

1390  And  fpeirit  all  the  maner  and  the  gyle 
Of  all  the  court  of  Ingland  how  it  ihide. 
And  of  Meliades  baith  fair  and  gude  j 


BUIK  FIRST.  45 


And  ihay  at  fchort  hes  tauld  him  [^all]  the  cace, 
Bot  I  no  thing  rehearfe  will  in  this  place 
Of  hir  luif  taikin,  quhilk  I  let  owergone. 
The  King  unto  his  denner  went  anone  ; 
And  afler  denner  to  the  feildis  went 
All  throw  ane  meid  of  flouris  redolent ; 
Enlange  ane  river  maid  thay  thair  walking, 

1400  \Vhair  I'um  did  play  and  uther  fum  did  ling. 
Sum  rowit  furth  on  galayis  on  the  fluide, 
Sum  beholding  on  the  feildis  llude, 
Sum  with  his  fellow  raillit  and  maid  Iport, 
In  joy  and  blifle  was  all  the  luilie  fort. 
The  King  hes  gart  Clariodus  with  him  go. 
Sir  Palexis  and  Amadour  alfo, 
And  with  his  knichtis  caulit  them  to  gone 
To  paftyme,  and  to  putting  of  the  ilone  : 
Bot  thay  all  uthar  knichtis  did  exceid, 

1410  To  quhilke  the  King  foberlie  tuike  heid  ; 
He  all  confident  and  held  him  Ml, 
Whais  great  wifdome  dantit  ay  his  will. 
Thir  brether  greatlie  commendit  of  the  King, 
As  he  them  thocht  lyke  in  everie  thing 
Unto  thair  Earn,  Clariodus  the  gud  ; 
It  fchew  full  Weill  that  thay  war  of  a  blude. 
Quhen  thay  had  lang  difportit  in  the  meid. 
The  King  tuike  Sir  Clariodus  and  jeid 
Unto  the  palice,  laying  to  him  thus, 

1420  Is  it  gour  will,  my  freind  Clariodus, 

That  jour  two  cufings  go  and  ie  the  Queine, 
And  my  dochter,  that  joung  of  jeiris  beine  ? 
Sir,  faid  the  Knicht,  as  lykis  to  jour  Grace. 
Then  enterit  they  anon  wnto  the  place, 


46  CLARIODUS. 

And  to  the  Queinis  prefence  fonne  thay  jeid, 
And  fcho,  of  ladyes,  full  of  woraanheid, 
Adrefit  hir  and  came  in  thair  prefence, 
Whilke  mirrour  was  of  bewtie  and  clemence ; 
With  hir  was  Cader  hir  goung  dochter  fcheine, 
1430  In  geuth  uprjrfing  wounder  fair  to  feine. 

Unto  the  nobill  princes  faid  the  King, 

Take  thir  two  knichtis  into  commoning. 

That  new  beine  cuming,  and  fchort  them  with  plefance. 

And  fcho  obeyit  with  humbill  reverence. 

With  uther  knichts  goung  ladyis  did  difport ; 

To  tell  the  fafchioun  it  war  lang  to  report. 

Still  at  thair  pleafance  they  remainit  fo 

Whill  tyme  was  cum  fupper  to  go  to. 

When  they  had  fouppit  and  maid  rycht  merrie  cheir 
1440  They  them  dilportit  on  this  fame  maneir. 

When  tyme  was  cum  to  beddis  for  to  gone, 

Then  everie  man  went  to  his  bed  anone. 

Four  knichtis  did  Clariodus  convoy 

Unto  his  chalmer,  quhair  maid  was  mekill  joy, 

And  courlis  came  of  meitis  dalicat. 

Of  michtie  wyne,  and  Ipycis  aureat. 

Lang  quhan  they  feiftit  had  in  this  maneir, 

To  bed  they  went,  baith  knicht  and  baicheleir. 

Devoydit  was  the  chalmer  fuddenly, 
1450  Clariodus  and  his  coufings  him  by  ; 

To  bed  is  went  all  fecreit  hot  them  thre  j 

Of  diverfe  thingis  fpeirit  at  them  he. 

And  thay  him  anfwerit  as  he  did  inquire. 

Then  faid  Clariodus,  My  freindis  deir, 

I  have  beine  thinkand  on  gour  mariagis, 

ge  fall  that  be  with  great  lynagis ; 


J 


BUIK  FIRST.  +7 


Amadur,  ge  lall  have  in  wadding 
The  luftie  lifter  of  the  Spanifch  King 
Of  Spainjie  land  with  30W  to  go  to  bed  ; 

1460  And  Palexis,  my  couling,  ge  lall  wed 

The  King  of  Galice  dochter  to  jour  wyfe; 
Be  now  content  or  never  in  jour  lyfe, 
It  is  not  lang  fen  ge  hir  law,  trow  I. 
Weill,  Sir,  quoth  they,  je  fport  30W  merrily, 
What  now  fay  ge  of  jour  awin  wadding. 
Quod  he.  That  fall  I  efterwart  inbring 
When  ge  beine  waddit  and  to  honour  brocht ; 
^ow  to  difpleafe  this  mater  fpeik  I  nocht. 
And  if  thairto  jour  felf  be  nocht  content, 

1470  Na  mair  thairof  to  fpeike  I  me  alTent. 
Be  this  Amador  fell  found  on  fleip. 
The  quhilk  Palexis  perfavit  and  tuike  keipe. 
And  this  unto  Clariodus  he  faid, 
Meliades,  that  frefch  luftie  goung  maid. 
As  ge  me  bad,  I  gave  the  (^hiej  pleiance, 
Declairing  hir,  with  everie  circumftance, 
The  maner  haill  and  cans  of  jour  byding  ; 
Bot  quhen  fcho  wift  that  it  was  luthfaft  thing, 
That  to  the  lyoun  je  fould  geive  battell, 

1480  Hir  bricht  cuUour  fonne  waxit  wan  and  paill ; 
Scho  founit  deidlie,  that  peitie  was  to  fee. 
In  warld  micht  no  ladie  more  dolour  drie  : 
It  war  ower  lang  to  tell  jow  all  the  cace. 
How  fcho  with  teiris  hir  beawtie  did  de&ce ; 
Receave  this  harte  of  gold  inamellit  blake, 
Scho  bad  jow  in  rememberance  it  take, 
And  it  to  make  alfe  quhyt  with  conforting 
As  it  is  blake  with  forrow  and  weiping. 


48  CLARIODUS. 

The  heart  recevit  has  Clariodus, 
1490  And  kiffit  it  weill  oft,  laying  thus, 
Maift  fair  of  wichtis,  faireft  to  praife, 
Naught  may  my  wits  all  inewgh  I'uifais 
Jour  Ladyfchipe  to  thanke  with  humbilnes 
According  to  gour  trewth  and  gentilnes  ; 
When  fall  I  doe  to  gow  la  great  plei'ance. 
As  ge  for  me  have  fufiFerit  oft  pennance  ? 
Meliades,  wald  God  now  [that]  ge  will 
That  ardant  heat,  langour  and  birning  thrift 
On  me  fo  fore  for  langing  for  gour  prefence, 
1500  Quhilke  beine  my  warldis  joy  and  fufficence. 
He  thus  regrating,  Palexis  fleipit  found 
■    When  Phebus  bricht  had  rune  his  courfe  around, 
And  fchew  his  face  into  the  orient. 
Clariodus  he  raife,  and  furth  he  went 
Unto  the  King,  laying  on  this  maneir. 
My  coulingnis  as  ge  fe  ar  cum  heir 
For  me,  that  heir  hes  maid  lang  fojorning  ; 
Now  grant  me  leave  to  pas  unto  the  King, 
Whilk  Ipeciallie  thir  knichts  hes  for  me  lend. 
1510  Woe  was  the  King  quhen  verilie  he  kend. 
That  he  no  longer  with  him  wald  abyde  ; 
Then  faid  he  thus,  Seing  it  man  fo  betyd 
That  ge  from  us  neidis  mone  depairt, 
I  gow  befeike  and  pray  with  all  my  hart 
That  ge  wald  grant  at  my  defjTe  ane  thing. 
Clariodus  faid  anon  to  the  King, 
ge  fall  me  no  tyme  pray,  hot  ay  command. 
And  I  thairto  obey  fall  but  demand. 
The  King  faid  thus,  Clariodus, 
1520  Advyfe  quhat  is  beft  and  moft  pretious 


BUIK  FIRST.  49 

In  my  realem,  and  takit  I  gow  pray ; 

For  unto  jowit  iaibe  readie  ay. 

Then,  Sir,  faid  he,  feing  it  be  jour  pleaiance. 

That  I  fall  aflce  efter  jour  ordinance. 

Heir  is  Palexis,  my  freind  and  my  coufing, 

Whom  as  myfelf  I  luif  but  fainjeing, 

I  aflte  jour  doughter  to  him  in  manage, 

If  that  ge  wald  difdaine  with  our  linage 

For  to  allay  of  gour  great  gentilnes  ; 
1530  And  I  ane  thing  fall  height  50W  heir  dreidles. 

That  he  falbe,  within  ane  geiris  fpace, 

Ane  crounit  king,  throw  help  of  Godis  grace. 

Blj'th  was  the  King  of  thir  wordis,  and  faid, 

Clariodus,  I  hald  me  weill  apayed. 

This  Knicht  anone  fat  doune  upon  his  kne, 

And  thankit  him  with  great  humilitie. 

The  King  anone  has  gart  be  brocht  the  Queine, 

And  fair  Cadar,  his  lullie  dochter  I'cheine. 

Clariodus  hes  fent  for  Palexis. 
1540  When  Amadur  and  he  cummand  was, 

The  King  faid  to  his  dochter  on  this  ways, 

Heir  ar  thrie  knichtis  mikill  for  to  praife. 

With  ane  of  them  if  je  fould  waddit  be. 

Whom  wald  je  chofe,  fay  on,  dochter,  let  fee. 

Thus  unto  hir  he  faid  in  his  bourding. 

And  fcho  to  him  hes  fo  maid  aniweiring ; 

Of  thir  knichtis  my  chofe  if  I  fould  have, 

Clariodus  I  chufe  above  the  leave, 

[Of  knichtis  bell,  fie  maik  wold  I  like  well.] 
1550  Then  luich  the  King,  and  faid,  Its  na  mervell 

Suppofe  ane  elder  woman  had  it  faid. 

When  36,  dochter,  that  beine  fo  goung  ane  maid, 

o 


50  CLARIODUS. 

Hes  chofen  him  to  be  jour  paramour. 
Clariodus  than  changit  his  cuUour. 
Now  in  this  mater  to  be  fchort, 
Seing  lang  it  war  the  proces  to  report, 
The  King  with  all  his  lordis  beine  advyfit, 
[It  was  a  thing  quhilk  gretumly  they  pryfit] 
That  Palexis  the  frefch  and  nobill  knicht 

1560  Sould  wad  anon  the  Kingis  dochter  bricht ; 
And  efter  this  ane  bifchop  gar  thay  bring, 
And  handfafl  them  but  langer  tarying. 
Clariodus  gave  hir  ane  rich  coUer 
With  gold  all  fet  and  michtie  ftonis  deir, 
Togidder  with  ane  diamond  bricht, 
At  his  depairting,  as  ane  gentill  knicht ; 
The  officeris  and  fervants  in  the  hall 
He  gave  rewardis,  and  monie  giftis  royal  I. 
The  new  maid  Knicht  forget  he  nocht, 

1570  Ane  cloath  of  gold  full  curiouflie  wrocht 
He  gave  to  him,  and  uther  giftis  mo. 
At  King  and  Queine  they  tuike  thair  leave  to  go. 
And  of  the  court  at  everie  lord  and  knicht ; 
Syn  towards  Ingland  tuike  thair  gaitis  rycbt 
With  great  triumph,  honour  and  commend. 
So  of  this  firfl  Buike  I  make  ane  end. 


THE  SECUND  BUIK 
OF 

CLARIODUS. 


Thir  Knights  ryding  towardis  their  contrie. 
Out  of  Ingland  quhen  thay  war  jomayis  thrie 
Thay  enterit  in  ane  vaill  luftie  and  greine, 
Throw  quhilk  thair  ran  ane  feimlie  river  fcheine  j 
On  it  was  maid  ane  brig  with  pilleris  wight, 
Whair  that  on  bread  ane  man  micht  pas  forth  right, 
By  quhilk  to  thame  was  no  readie  way  ; 
And  on  the  brig  alfe  fonne  as  enterit  thay, 
Ane  armit  Knicht  thay  met,  with  fpeir  in  hand, 
10      Sayand  to  them.  Fair  Siris  ge  mone  iiand. 
Or  se  ower  pas  je  fall  have  mair  adoe. 
Soberlie  faid  Clariodus  him  to. 
What  beine  the  cans  that  ge  wald  Hop  our  way  ? 
Then  faid  the  Knicht,  I  fall  it  to  gow  fey ; 
Ane  of  30W  thre  rycht  heir  man  gif  me  feild. 
And  if  that  I  him  vinquife  under  fcheild. 
Incontinent  ane  uthar  I  fell  fey. 
Or  ower  the  brig  je  fel  pas  on  na  way. 


52  CLARIODUS. 

If  that  it  may  na  uthar  wayis  be, 
20      Then,  faid  Clariodus,  cum  on  thy  way  to  me. 
Togidder  joynis  thir  knightis  of  renowne, 
Thair  melting  was  baith  hard  and  felloun, 
And  on  thair  fteidis  them  togidder  bair  j 
Thair  fpeiris  flew  in  peiflis  in  the  air  ; 
Thair  bodies  met  with  fik  ane  michtie  force, 
Quhilk  to  the  eard  this  Knicht  lent  man  and  horie. 
Clariodus  git  held  his  fadill  ftill. 
The  uther  rail'e  with  force  and  eiger  will. 
Clariodus  difcendit  from  his  fteid, 
so      And  to  this  Knicht  hardilie  he  geid. 

They  met  with  awfiill  Iwordis  fcharpe  of  fteill, 
Full  cruellie  as  can  thair  heidis  feill ; 
They  fmote  at  uther  as  bairis  wode  and  keine. 
Or  as  twa  rampand  lyounis  in  thair  teine. 
That  in  thair  breifts  furious  was  and  wode  ; 
Endlang  thair  lydis  ftreimit  doune  the  blude  ; 
The  rivar  dymit  with  thair  dints  in  ire  ; 

Heich  from  thair  helmis  the  fparkis  flew  of  fyre. 

Full  awfull  war  thir  knichtis  to  behold, 
40      With  irefuU  ftraikis  quhilk  micht  not  be  told  ; 

Ather  from  uther  feirclie  dang  the  fcheild. 

As  alfe  the  mailgeis  fcatterit  in  the  feild  ; 

They  hew  throw  helme,  throw  habergeone  and  plait, 

Whill  that  thair  Iwordis  with  bluid  war  wat. 

Falexis  than  and  Amadur  alfo 

Was  for  thair  Eame  in  heartis  wounder  woe, 

Beholding  on  the  michtie  campioun, 

Whilk  was  in  fight  alfe  feirce  as  ane  lyoun, 

Full  mikill  of  bodie  and  alfe  of  height, 
50      With  gyen  corpis  wounder  ftrong  and  wicht. 


BUIK  SECUND.  t» 

So  cruell  battell  had  they  never  feine. 

They  feamit  aa  two  dragounis  wode  and  keine  ; 

Thay  wint  thair  had  not  beine  fie  fighting  fell 

Bot  gif  it  had  beine  betwix  twa  feinds  of  hell. 

This  afper  batell  wode  and  wehement 

Wox  tham  betwine  fo  fcharpe  and  violent. 

That  long  it  might  not  indure  nor  lefl;. 

On  ather  fyd  behuifit  them  to  reft ; 

Baith  akit  was  thair  armis  and  thair  handis, 
60      Thay  ftand  abake  and  leanit  them  on  thair  brandis, 

And  up  thay  put  thair  vifouris  from  thair  face 

The  air  to  take,  and  braith  for  to  purchas. 

When  they  had  lang  tyrae  them  repofit  thus. 

We  ar  weill  reftit,  faid  Clariodus, 

Now  let  us  enter  new  to  our  combat. 

The  uther  laid.  Be  him  that  me  creat, 

Thow  may  weill  thinke  it  is  aneuch  to  the, 

It  is  ane  fill  and  fum  pairt  mair  to  me  ; 

Jit  had  I  never  half  fa  mikill  adoe ; 
70      I  the  befeike  that  firft  thow  Ichaw  me  to 

Thy  name,  that  I  afke  for  thy  knichtheid, 

Againe  or  we  to  new  battell  proceid  ; 

This  aflte  I  only  for  thy  nobilnes. 

The  uther  faid.  That  dar  I  doe  doubtles, 

Clariodus  to  name  men  dois  me  call. 

The  Knicht  then  inclynit  law  withall, 

And  fra  his  head  his  hewmund  did  unplace. 

And  be  the  point  his  fword,  with  humbill  face. 
He  tuike,  and  to  Clariodus  he  jeid, 
80      Sayand,  O  flour  of  armis  and  of  knichtheid. 

To  th6  I  3eild  me  as  to  the  worthieft  Knicht 
Of  all  this  warld,  and  to  the  gentileft  wicht ; 


54  CLARIODUS. 

And  unto  him  anone  his  fword  he  gave. 
And  faid,  My  lord  Clariodus,  relave 
My  manreid  for  now  and  ever  mair  ; 
I  knew  50W  not,  quhiik  me  repentis  lair. 
Clariodus  him  receaves  fweitlie 
Into  his  armis,  quha  thankis  him  heartfullie. 
This  Knicht  him  afldt  forgiveines 
90    That  he  of  folie  was  fa  rackles, 

To  fight  with  him  quha  rather  he  fould  ferve  ; 

Sayand,  My  lord,  greate  blame  I  do  deferve  ; 

I  have  this  long  tyme  levit  wickitlie. 

Of  my  trelpas  I  aik  God  mercie  ; 

For  throw  my  cruell  lyfe  and  tyrranie, 

Men  callis  me  The  Felloun  but  peitie. 

For  Joyfa  Ramofe  they  war  wount  me  to  call. 

The  caus  of  this  I  fall  50W  tell  at  all. 

He  fchew  him  furth  the  maner  les  and  more 

100    Of  his  lady  as  ge  have  hard  before, 

Fra  him  how  fcho  was  revifchit  be  ane  knicht. 

Clariodus  all  wnderftud  at  ryght, 

Palexis  had  tauld  him  ever  ilke  deale. 

He  laid.  Sir  Knicht,  the  caus  I  know  full  weiU, 

It  was  me  tauld  or  this  quhair  that  I  raid  ; 

Thairfor  forget  it,  fen  thair  is  no  remeid 

For  to  make  cair  for  it  or  jit  regrate, 

Alte  fair  ane  lady  ge  may  have  I  wnite. 

He  faid,  Sir,  full  fuith  it  is  that  ge  fay  ; 

110    Bot  of  gour  gentilnes  I  30W  pray 

To  go  with  me  tliis  nicht  to  my  ludging, 
For  it  is  now  rycht  lait  in  the  evining, 
And  far  alfe  to  ane  uthar  harberie  place. 
Clariodus  him  glaidlie  grauntit  hes. 


BUIK  SECUND.  dB 


Now  togidder  thir  Knichtis  went  in  feir 
Unto  this  Lordis  calleli  rchyning  cleir, 
With  courious  kirnellis  and  goldin  chainis  bricht. 
[When  the  varlotis  faw  The  Felloun  knicht] 
Then  doune  they  let  the  draw  brig  fall  anone ; 

120    And  thay  glaidlie  ar  to  the  caftell  gone, 
Whair  that  with  mikle  myrrines  and  joy 
The  Knichtis  to  ane  chalmer  thay  convoy, 
Whilk  was  arayit  wounder  pretiouflie 
With  gold,  and  filk  and  arais  full  michtie. 
When  that  the  fupper  was  alredie  dicht,  ' 

And  all  to  hall  went,  this  faid  Knicht 
Unto  Clariodus  faid  in  this  maneir, 
T«n  prilToneris  I  have  with  me  heir, 
Whilk  for  gour  laik  full  glaidlie  lalbe  fred  ; 

ISO    And  fyn  he  gart  them  to  the  hall  be  led, 
And  bad  them  fay,  Clariodus  that  he 
Them  loulit  out  of  priflbun  ranfoune  fre  j 
And  fyne  anone,  difpuilgeit  of  his  hate, 
Befor  thir  priflbneris  on  kneis  late, 
And  aflsit  thame  forgivennes  everie  knicht, 
Saying,  he  fould  amend  at  all  his  raicht. 
Thir  wordis  he  laid  fo  lamentabill, 
The  knichtis  wox  in  heartis  merciabill. 
And  him  forgave  with  tender  imbracing. 

140    Clariodus,  with  rewth  to  fe  this  thing, 
The  teiris  ower  his  cheikis  haillit  doun. 
So  pitious  was  thair  meitting  and  iermoune. 
When  this  was  done,  they  all  to  fupper  went 
Of  nobill  cheir,  quhair  nought  was  indigent  j 
Full  royallie  thay  fure  with  aboundance 
Of  everie  thing  that  might  do  them  plelance. 


56  CLARIODUS. 

In  mides  of  this  fupper  raife  this  Knicht, 
Whilke  lord  was  of  this  place,  and  palllt  rycht 
Unto  ane  clofit,  and  with  him  brocht  againe 

150    Rofe  water  cleir,  doing  thir  wordis  faine, 
I  am  callit  The  Felloun  but  pitie, 
For  all  men  fpeikis  of  my  crueltie  ; 
Now  think  I  to  leive  fo  vertouflie, 
That  my  gud  word  fall  go  alle  opinlie  : 
Thairfor  if  it  micht  pleafe  jour  Lordfchipis  all, 
From  thence  Le  Fortoun  de  Amure  ge  me  call, 
And  I  forever  renunce  all  fellonie. 
Clariodus  weill  wnderftud  the  quhy 
That  he  the  water  brocht  in  coup  of  gold, 

160    With  ane  new  name  that  he  be  baptifit  wold ; 
Whairfor  the  coup  he  held  with  hand  on  heigbt, 
And  let  the  water  fall  upon  the  Knicht, 
Sayand,  Le  Fortoun  de  Amouris  I  the  call ; 
Fra  laughter  then  ilk  ane  could  neer  devall ; 
Ane  noyis  up  raife  that  mirrie  was  to  heir. 
When  he  was  baptiilt  on  this  maneir. 
When  they  had  foupit  with  mirrines  and  joy, 
Clariodus  to  chalmer  thay  did  convoy 
And  his  two  coufingis,  quhilk  to  bed  ar  gone 

170    Whill  bricht  Phebus  on  morrow  com  anone. 
Rycht  as  Clariodus  anone  up  rofe, 
Le  Fortoun  de  Amouris  to  his  chalmer  gois. 
And  with  him  brocht  baith  harneis,  fcheild  and  fpeir. 
And  all  that  ganit  to  ane  knicht  to  weir. 
And  tham  prefentit  to  Clariodus, 
Firft  helfing  him,  than  faying  to  him  thus. 
Sir,  brokin  ar  jour  harnes  in  fum  part, 

•        Quhairfor  I  30W  befeike  with  all  my  heart 


I 


BUIK  SECUND.  57 


That  ge  wald  weir  this  hames  for  my  laike. 

180    He  thankit  him,  and  did  the  hames  taike, 
And  him  inarmit  in  it  luililie. 
And  eike  this  Fortoun  de  Amouris  nobillie 
The  ten  Knichtis  rewairdit  on  this  wyfe 
With  ten  fair  hameillls  gudlie  to  devyfe, 
And  ten  ileidis  the  befl  in  that  cuntrie. 
When  thay  rewairdit  war  on  this  degrie, 
Thay  thankit  him,  and  tuike  thair  leave  to  wend. 
Clariodus  did  on  his  horfe  afcend 
Whill  it  was  neir  awcht  houris  in  the  day, 

190    Fortoun  de  Amouris  convoyit  him  away. 
The  way  depairtit  of  thir  Knichtis  than, 
Thay  tuike  thair  leave  at  uther  everiike  man. 
Ane  reale  rob  gave  Sir  Clariodus 
To  Fortoun  de  Amouris  quhen  they  pairtit  thus. 
Ather  to  uther  did  heartlie  them  commend, 
Imbraicing  uther,  then  fra  uther  wend. 
And  the  ten  Knichtis  on  this  lame  maneir, 
Thair  leave  hes  talne,  [and]  hamwart  went  ifeir. 
Clariodus,  thus  furth  the  way  ryding, 

200    Ane  meffinger  come  in  his  [gait]  meitting 
From  fair  Meliades  his  lady  dcir, 
Whilk  was  hir  awin  varlat  Bonvaleir. 
He  was  rejofit  thairof  greatumlie. 
And  him  relavit  wounder  tenderlie. 
When  he  had  fpeirit  all  things  as  he  lill. 
He  tuike  hir  letteris  and  for  joy  tham  kill ; 
And  bad  his  couilngis  ryd  befor  fumthing, 
Whill  he  advyfit  war  with  hir  wryting. 
"  My  bell  belovit  Knicht,  and  joy  onlie, 

210    To  30W  I  me  commend  rycht  heartfullie 

H 


SS  CLARIODUS. 

Abone  all  utlier  eardlie  creature. 

As  I  that  lang  thinkis  abone  meafure, 

I  have  fent  gow  this  fecreit  meffinger 

And  varlot  of  my  chalmer  Bonvaleir 

In  proper  perfoun  with  gow  to  fpeik,  [and]  fe 

If  ge  be  blyth,  that  he  may  fay  to  me 

That  he  gow  faw,  and  with  gour  felf  infpak, 

In  mikill  thing  quhilk  will  me  glaider  make. 

Send  wird  with  him,  my  Knicht,  I  30W  befeike, 

220    Of  gour  eflait,  and  of  gour  weilfair  eike. 
I  bad  Palexis  me  to  gow  commend, 
And  eike  with  him  ane  writting  wald  have  fend 
War  not  that  alle  awtentike  beine  his  faw 
As  ony  dyt  in  letter,  as  ge  knaw. 
And  for  to  fchaw  to  gow  of  my  eftait, 
Se  have  my  hart  all  haill  gouris,  God  wait, 
ge  left  me  with  no  weilfair  nor  plefance, 
Bot  cruell  fiching,  forrow  and  pennance: 
Quhairfor  ane  thoufand  tymes  I  gow  pray, 

230    To  vifit  me  in  all  the  heaft  ge  may; 
For  I  may  never  be  in  joy  perfite 
Whill  I  gow  fe,  the  grund  of  my  delyt. 
Whairfor,  my  Knicht  and  only  paramour, 
I  have  gow  lent  ane  ballat  of  amour, 
Befeiking  gow  that  frefchlie  for  my  iaike 
ge  hald  it,  feing  I  did  it  make. 
No  more  as  now,  bot  God  that  is  above 
Keip  gow,  my  Knicht,  quhom  ower  all  I  love." 
When  this  ballet  was  red  be  Sir  Clariodus, 

240    He  was  in  heart  richt  bliffuU  and  joyous  ; 
He  cloflit  it,  and  laid  it  nixt  his  heart 
Under  his  arrae,  rejoyfing  lum  inwart  j 


BUIK  SECUND.  fS9 

Syne  haiililie  efter  his  fellowis  raid. 

Calling  to  him  Bonvaleir,  and  thus  faid, 

[Of  England  Court  the  tydingis  tell.     And  than] 

Bonvaleir  firft  at  the  King  began, 

Syne  at  the  Queine,  and  tauld  that  thay  war  glaid. 

And  fyne  at  fair  Meliades  the  maide  ; 

Syne  of  the  Court  he  tauld  of  everie  flait. 
S50        Be  they  had  fpeirit  all  it  waxit  lait ; 

And  fall  thay  raid  quhile  they  com  to  the  plane 

Quhair  they  faw  Hand  ane  fair  horfe  it  alleane 

Neir  by  ane  wode,  quhair,  throw  the  way  richt, 

Thay  raid  full  faft,  for  cumand  was  the  nicht ; 

Whair  foune  thay  hard  into  the  wode  tham  by 

Ane  cairfull  voice,  lyke  to  ane  manis  cry  : 

Unto  the  voice  they  fped  them  haillily, 

Whair  that  they  law  ane  man  bundin  ly  ; 

Twa  litill  duerfHs  was  fitting  him  neir, 
260    Upon  his  breift  thair  lat  ane  lady  cleir 

With  cruell  feir,  and  in  hir  hand  ane  knyfe, 

Saying,  Falfe  trator,  thow  Tall  lofe  thy  lyfe  ; 

Heir  fall  thou  fterve  all  only  of  my  hand. 

Me  may  thou  not  remeid  nor  [jit]  gainftand  ; 

Fals  theif,  I  fall  me  wraike  on  the  full  weill. 

This  knyfis  poynt  thy  dowbill  heart  fall  feill. 

And  eike  I  fall  thy  heart  heir  carve  in  two. 

Never  me  thow  fall-  begyle  nor  git  no  mo. 

Clariodus  difcendit  from  his  horfe  rycht  thair, 
270    Seing  this  cruell  Lady,  fa  merciles  fair ; 

He  laid,  Madame,  do  never  that  felloun  deid, 

Have  rewth  and  pitie  for  gour  womanheid  ; 

With  that  he  tuike  hir  in  his  armis  two. 

And  to  hir  Ipake  fare  monie  wirdis  mo. 


60  CLARIODUS. 

This  Lady,  birning  in  hir  crueltie. 
With  tygir  mynd,  and  attrie  face  to  fe, 
Full  tyrranlie  as  feindlie  coccatrice. 
Unto  the  Knicht  fcho  anfweirit  on  this  wyfe. 
Pas  on,  and  intromet  gow  not  with  me, 
280    For  at  gour  counlall  think  I  never  to  be, 
This  trator  falbe  dead,  or  ellis  I. 
He  faid.  Have  patience,  O  my  fair  Ladie, 
And  that  ge  ar  ane  woman  have  in  mynd. 
And  never  to  ane  man  be  fo  unkynde 
As  him  to  flay,  doing  gour  felf  defame. 
Bring  everlafting  reproch  to  gour  name. 
Scho  faid,  I  winit  ge  had  beine  ane  Knicht, 
And  ge  ane  preacher  ar  becumin  richt ; 
So  fiirth  and  in  fum  paroch  church  go  teache, 
290    For  heir  it  helpis  gow  no  thing  to  fleich. 
He  falbe  deid,  or  I  myfelf  fall  flay. 
And  quhen  Clariodus  hard  hir  fo  fay. 
For  lawghter  uneis  micht  Qhimfelf]  conteine, 
For  fcho  was  as  ane  lyoun  alfe  keine ; 
And  laid.  Madam,  this  tyme  for  my  faike 
ge  falbe  gratious  ;  I  undertaike, 
Gif  he  hes  faillit,  he  lall  to  gow  amend. 
And  his  offence  war  to  me  maid  kend. 
Sir,  fcho  faid,  I  am  this  Knichtis  wyfe, 
300    Whom  to  I  have  beine  trew  in  all  my  lyfe. 
And  him  I  have  taine  in  adulterie 
As  falfe  tratour  with  ane  far  worfe  nor  I ; 
For  Icho  is  nothing  in  comparifoun 
To  me,  nether  in  beawtie  nor  renoune  ; 
Think  ge  not  this  ane  thing  impertinat. 
That  this  faUe  tratour,  theif  and  renegat. 


BUIK  SECUND.  61 

Defaice  fould  [thus]  ane  lady  as  am  I, 

Quhilk  am  mair  nobill  of  genealogie 

Nor  he,  or  ony  of  his  parentille  ? 
310    Think  je  not  deid  he  hes  delervit  weill  ? 

Clariodus  began  to  finyll  a  litt. 

And  laid.  Lady,  in  him  lyis  all  the  wyt ; 

Bot  jit  for  worfchip  of  jour  womanheid, 

ge  fall  have  mercie  heir  of  his  mifdeid  ; 

And  in  tyme  cuming,  if  he  to  30 w  offend, 

Menteine  I  fall  gour  quarrel  and  defend. 

So  with  fair  wordis  and  with  hurabilnes, 

Relaxit  he  this  Knicht  that  bundin  wes, 

And  tham  agreit,  fchortlie  for  to  lay, 
320    Syne  wald  his  leave  have  taine  and  went  his  way; 

Bot  thay  him  prayit  that  nicht  to  remaine 

With  tham,  quhiike  he  grantit,  the  futh  to  faine. 

This  Knicht  lape  on  behind  Clariodus, 

Him  gyding  hamwart,  myrrie  and  joyous 

That  fo  had  Ikaipit  betuix  the  bow  and  ftring. 

Clariodus  laid,  How  befell  this  thing, 

That  ge  war  with  this  Lady  bundin  fo  ? 

The  trewth,  he  faid,  I  lall  not  hyd  50W  fro  ; 

Scho  fand  me  with  ane  woman  in  quyet, 
330    And  fecreit  in  hir  heart  it  buire  full  great, 

And  never  fchew  me  ane  luike  of  difplifance 

Whill  in  the  wood  it  happinit  thus  perchance 

Me  to  unarme  me,  and  ly  doune  to  lleipe  ; 

To  quhilk  fcho  and  gon  dwerfis  tuike  [gudej  keip, 

And  on  me  femblit  lleiping  as  I  lay, 

And  band  me  thus,  the  luith  if  I  gow  fay ; 

And  had  not  beine  ge  come  in  this  cace, 

I  had  bein  deid,  but  mercie  or  but  grace  : 


62  CLARIODUS. 

Whairfor  not  fufficis  my  wittis  all, 

S40    ^ow  for  to  thanke  ;  bot  heir  heicht  I  fall, 
gouris  to  be  for  terme  of  all  my  lyfe, 
That  hes  me  fuccurit  from  my  crueU  wyfe. 
So  raid  thay  furth  unto  the  Knichts  palace, 
Wher  they  recevit  war  with  great  folace  ; 
Anone  they  foupit  and  maid  rycht  myrrie  cheir. 
And  fyne  to  bedis  went  they  all  in  feir. 
ClarioduB  lay  in  bed  him  alone. 
And  quhen  his  coufingis  fleiping  war,  anone 
He  callit  Bonvaleir,  and  did  him  fay, 

350    Go  fetch  ge  me  ane  inftrument  to  play 

Fra  gone  ladie  ;  furth  went  this  Bonvaleir, 
Whilk  hes  him  brocht  ane  herp  with  ftringis  feir  ; 
■  Inke  and  paper  he  gart  him  bring  alfo, 
And  fyne  commandit  him  to  bed  to  go. 
Saying,  he  had  to  do  fum  biiUnes. 
He  paflit  furth  quhen  all  men  fleiping  was, 
And  enterit  in  ane  lullie  garth  of  flouris. 
And  tuike  his  Ladyis  ballet  of  amouris. 
And  fet  it  on  ane  note  plefant  and  richt  fweit ; 

360    And  quhen  it  was  all  finifchit  and  compleit, 
He  fang  it  with  the  harpe  rycht  myrrillie, 
To  heir  whilk  was  ane  joyous  melodie  : 
Wlien  this  was  doune  he  begane  to  wryte. 
Unto  his  ladie  as  followis  the  indyt. 

"  LoDSTAR  of  love,  and  lampe  of  lullieheid, 
Bloflbme  of  beautie,  and  rofe  of  gudliheid, 
lUuflar  lillie,  and  leime  of  my  delyt. 
To  gow,  the  faireft  flour  of  collour  quhyt, 
I  me  commend  ane  hundreth  thowland  fyis, 

370    Whom  in  my  daith  my  lyfe  and  comfort  lyis  ; 


BUIK  SECUND.  69 


iow  thanking  ofter  nor  I  can  heir  report, 
Of  3our  frefch  ballat  of  plefance  and  comfort, 
Of  jour  tender  wryting  lb  winder  fweit, 
Whilke  for  to  heir  rejofis  all  my  fpreit. 
Amadure  and  Palexis  baith  ifeir 
Into  the  court  I  lend  with  Bonvaleir, 
And  with  no  wicht  I  will  difcoverit  be, 
My  heartis  Lady,  whill  that  I  gow  I'e  : 
And  fpeciallie.  Madam,  I  gow  requyre, 
380    If  ge  will  doe  ocht  for  my  defyre, 

The  poftrum  of  your  garth  ge  gar  unclole  ; 
To  be  thair  this  nicht  is  my  purpofe. 
The  tent  hour  withouttin  ony  dread. 
To  fpeike  at  lafour  with  gour  Ladyheid, 
Whom  God  in  gud  profperitie  conferve, 
And  in  honour  quhidder  I  leif  or  fterve." 

When  endit  hade  Clariodus  this  thing. 
To  bed  he  geid  withoutin  tarying. 
At  morne  he  hard  ane  mefe  with  gud  intent ; 
390    Syn  to  the  lord  that  awcht  the  paleice  he  went. 
And  quyetlie  thir  wirdis  faid  him  to. 
For  fecreit  materis  that  I  have  adoe, 
I  wald  ane  chalmer  of  gow  borrow  heir, 
Whill  that  my  biflines  compleitit  ware. 
The  Lord  anfweirit  and  faid,  Not  ane  only, 
Bot  all  my  chalmers,  houfe  and  harberie, 
Or  then  I  war  wyld,  wode,  or  out  of  mynd, 
Confiddering  ge  have  beine  to  me  ia  kynd. 
He  thankit  him ;  fyne  to  his  chalmer  went, 
400    Saying  to  thame,  Loe  this  is  my  intent. 
To  pas  to  Denmark  I  have  maid  ane  vow. 
The  caus  quhairof  I  will  not  Ichaw  as  now. 


64  CLARIODUS. 

Perchance  heirefter  ge  may  have  witting, 
ge  two  fall  pas  in  Ingland  to  the  King, 
And  fchaw  to  him  that  I  am  haill  and  feir, 
And  of  my  jurnay  on  this  maneir ; 
Me  recommending  on  moft  humbill  wyfe, 
[And  that  full  oft,  to  fair  Meliades,] 
To  hir,  and  eik  unto  the  court  ower  all ; 
410    And  quhen  I  may  have  lafour  cum  I  fall. 
Heiring  this  taill,  thir  knichtis  war  full  wo  ; 
Bot,  for  his  great  difplealbur  dread  they  fo, 
No  thing  they  faid,  bot  rycht  at  his  command 
They  wald  obey  withouttin  mair  demand. 
Then  efter  callit  he  on  Bonvaleir, 
Saying,  Commend  me  to  my  Lady  deir. 
And  unto  hir  ge  fay  that  in  fchort  fpace, 
I  thinke  to  fe  hir  fair  and  giidlie  face  ; 
Geive  hir  this  letter  in  ane  taikining 
420    That  I  fair  weill :  and  fo,  at  thair  depairting, 
Fyifte  florings  of  gold  he  gave  him  thair ; 
And  then  Bonvaleir  tuike  [his]  leave  to  fair. 
His  coufignis  tuik  thair  leave  with  imbracing  ; 
And  in  Palexis  hand  he  did  inthring 
Ane  rich  flour  of  lullie  diamand. 
The  quhilke  bricht  was  and  illuminand  ; 
And  him  commandit  in  fecreit  wayes, 
That  he  fould  geive  it  to  Meliades. 

Bonvaleir  and  thir  nobill  Knichtis  two 
430    Thair  leave  hes  taine  hamwart  for  to  go  j 
Thir  Knichtis  two  did  on  thair  horfe  afcend, 
And  Bonvaleir  hamwart  with  them  wend. 
Thir  Knichtis,  with  this  varlot  Bonvaleir, 
In  thair  voyage  fo  foftlie  can  them  fleir 


BUIK  SECUND.  6)9, 

Whill  they  com  neir  the  cuntrie  of  Ingland. 

Bonvaleir,  to  thir  Knightis  inclynand, 

Said,  I  wald  ryd  before  war  it  gour  will. 

Thir  Knichtis  baith  confentit  him  till. 

Bonvalier  haiflit  him  on  like  wyfe 
440    That  in  fchort  tyme  into  the  toune  he  hyis. 

As  for  that  tyme  quhair  lugit  was  the  King  ; 

Anone  alfo  he  changit  his  clothing, 

As  he  had  not  beine  fra  hame  nor  abfent. 

Rycht  foune  unto  Meliades  he  went. 

And  fand  hir  in  hir  wairdrope  quyetlie, 

Playand  on  ane  hearpe  rycht  mirrilie. 

And  quhen  fcho  of  Bonvaleir  had  ane  ficht, 

Greatlie  rejofit  was  this  Lady  bricht, 

And  haitilie  I'cho  {peirit  of  his  tyding. 
450    And  then  Bonvaleir,  on  his  kneis  fitting. 

Said,  Gud  tyding  I  have  to  jow,  Madame  ; 

Clariodus  the  Knicht  of  mekle  fame 

Commending  him  unto  ^our  Ladieheid, 

And  bad  me  lay  unto  jow  but  dread 

That  in  fchort  tyme  he  fould  gour  beawtie  fee  ; 

And  heir  ar  letteris  that  he  dere6lit  me. 

And  bad  me  to  gour  Hienes  them  prefent. 

Scho  them  refavit  than  incontinent, 

And  rede  ;  bot  quhen  fcho  had  witting 
460    Of  all  his  tryiling  and  of  his  cuming, 

Thairfor  fcho  tuike  fie  comfort  and  plefiince, 

Scho  thocht  hir  heart  for  joy  begouth  to  dance  ; 

Then  faid  to  Bonvalier,   I  have  feine 

^OTir  letteris,  quhilk  fimi  centenfis  dois  conteine. 
Within  few  dayis  that  Clariodus 
Salbe  in  this  cuntrie  heir  with  ws. 

I 


66  CLARIODUS. 

Bonvalier  faid,  Madame,  fa  traiil  ge  me, 
That  he  fall  cum  quhen  he  may  readie  he  ; 
He  me  rewairdit  fa  michtilie, 

470    And  alfe  hes  gevin  me  of  gold  fa  larglie 
That  I  fall  rich  man  be  for  ever  moir, 
I  30W  requyre  that  ge  him  thank  thairfore. 
I  fall  him  thanke,  fcho  faid,  at  his  cuming. 
For  ge  have  donne  gour  pairt  in  everie  thing  j 
Go  furth  and  fetch  me  Romaryn  alfwith. 
At  hir  command  fcho  com  with  vifage  blyth, 
And  faid.  Madam,  with  me  quhat  war  gour  will  ? 
Tydings,  fcho  faid,  I  have  to  tell  30W  till ; 
The  nobill  and  worthie  Clariodus,  my  Knicht, 

480    Salbe  heir,  God  willing,  with  ws  this  nicht. 
Romaryn  anfweirit  and  laid,  God  me  lave, 
Thofe  beine  the  tydandis  faineft  I  wald  have. 
This  nicht  he  cumis,  faid  Meliades, 
At  ten  houris  but  dread  on  this  wayis, 
In  at  the  gardine  poilrum  thinkis  he 
All  privilie  to  have  his  entrie ; 
Thairfoir  I  pray  that  ge  the  poftrum  keip, 
So  that  the  tyme  [appoynted]  we  not  fleip. 
Romaryn  faid,  Madame,  not  this  onlie, 

490    To  keip  the  poflrum,  bot  I  readilie 
Wald  go  for  30W  to  the  warldis  end. 
To  bring  to  purpofe  quhilk  je  two  pretend : 
Coniidering  that,  bot  villanie  or  blame, 
gour  love  to  the  increfling  of  gour  fame. 
My  part  I  fall  fa  weill  doe  to  30W  baith. 
That  it  fall  never  retume  to  30W  no  ikaith. 
Thir  two  as  now  thay  fpike  no  more 
Fur  perfaving ;  Meliades  thairfore 


BUIK  SECUND.  9f 

Unto  hir  Ladies  went  hir  to  diiport, 
500    Fulfillit  with  all  glaidnes  and  comfort. 

To  court  then  cuming  was  [Sir]  Palexis 

And  Amadour,  quhilk  with  all  biilines 

Went  to  the  King,  quha  full  tenderlie 

Speirit  for  Clariodus,  and  quhy 

That  he  not  cam.     And  they  have  anfweir  maid, 

Saying,  This  is  the  cans  of  his  abaid. 

He  man  in  Denmark  pals  for  caufis  feir  ; 

Bot  he  will  fpeid  him  hame  foune  to  be  heir  : 

He  bad  ws  that  we  fould  him  recommend 
510    Unto  jour  Grace,  on  quhome  he  will  depend 

Abone  all  princes  aneth  the  firmament. 

The  nobill  King  in  heart  was  not  content 

That  cuming  was  not  git  Clariodus, 

And  baith  his  coufings  com  him  fra  thus. 

He  Ipeirit  at  them  uther  ty dings  new ; 

And  they  him  plainlie  all  the  maner  fchew 

Of  all  the  jufting  and  the  tornament 

Of  Spaine,  and  how  the  prail'e  and  loving  went 

All  onlie  with  Clariodus  and  no  mo. 
520    And  word  be  word  they  tauld  him  alio. 

How  that  he  manfullie  vinquift  the  lyoun. 

And  all  the  cace  they  tauld  with  lang  fermoune ; 

And  how  that  with  The  Felloun  but  petie 

He  faught,  and  gart  him  leave  his  crueltie. 

And  quhen  the  King  this  hard  ia  great  ferlie, 

He  bliflit  him  and  faid,  I  trew  fuithlie. 

That  fie  ane  Knicht  be  not  in  all  the  warld  as  he. 

Of  ftrenth,  and  nurtur,  and  magnanimitie. 

Thir  wordis  did  the  King,  and  bad  them  go 
530    Unto  the  Queine,  and  to  hir  tell  alio 


68  CLARIODUS. 

The  ferlie  thing,  quhilk  unto  him  they  fchew  ; 
To  quhom  they  went  anone,  and  did  falew 
Hir  nobilnes ;  and  fcho  maid  them  to  go 
With  hir  into  ane  garding  to  and  fro 
Whill  they  had  tauld  hir  all  the  circumftance, 
And  word  be  word  without  diflimulance  ; 
Quhilk  was  to  hir  ane  thing  maid  mervellous, 
How  that  he  micht  acheive  fie  adls  perrellous. 
Sir  Amadour  went  walking  with  the  Queine  ; 

540    And  Sir  Palexis  with  the  Ladie  fcheine, 
And  laid,  Madame,  Clariodus  the  Knicht, 
Oft  him  commendis  unto  jour  bewtie  bricht. 
And  fendis  to  gow  this  flour  of  diament ; 
Saying,  Within  few  dayis  in  verament 
He  fall  gow  fe.     Then  laid  Meliades, 
Sa  lang  from  ws  he  bydis  on  fik  wyfe, 
I  trow  the  plelance  of  his  awin  cuntrie 
Sail  gar  this  land  with  him  forgottin  be. 
Palexis  for  to  blind  fcho  faid  this  thing, 

650    For  he  nocht  will  of  Bonvaleiris  wryting. 
Palexis  laid.  For  fuith  Madam  I  trow. 
He  had  rather  die  than  forgottin  gow  ; 
Uneis  fcho  micht  from  lawghter  then  contine. 
And  thocht  that  he  knew  litill  them  betwine ; 
Bot  Weill  fcho  did  confider  his  lawtie. 
For  to  his  Fame  ane  gud  parte  keipit  he. 
Be  this  was  faid,  the  night  aprochit  neir ; 
The  King  then  dreffit  him  to  his  fuppeir ; 
For  joy  that  cuming  war  thir  knichtis,  he 

560    Sent  for  the  Queine  and  Ladies  of  beawtie, 
To  foup  with  them  that  night  into  the  hall. 
The  courfis  com  with  trumpits  found  royall ; 


BUIK  SECUND.  (» 

Rycht  nobill  cheir  they  had,  with  aboundance 
Of  dilicat  meits  and  wynis  of  plefance. 
When  they  had  foupit  and  chirit  nobillie, 

And  eftir  I'upper  danilt  mirrilie 

With  joyous  play  anone  and  gxid  difport. 

The  Queine  unto  hir  chalmer  went  at  fchort, 

And  with  hir  went  Meliades  the  bricht, 
570    Wha  ay  thocht  on  the  cuming  of  hir  Knicht. 

And  quhen  it  did  aproch  neir  the  hour, 

Scho  faid  unto  the  Ladyis  of  hir  boure 

That  Icho  was  evill  dilpolit,  and  wald  ly 

Into  hir  wairdrop  that  nicht  quyetlie. 

Hir  Ladyis  hir  convoyit  to  the  doure, 

Quhilk  Romaryn  clofit  eftir  hir  lure. 

This  Lady  langer  thocht  this  nicht  perfay 

Nor  fcho  befor  had  thocht  ane  moneth  day ; 

Whairfor  fcho  gart  Romareine  go  full  oft 
580    To  hir  poftrum  and  fet  hir  paiffis  foft;. 

That  naine  fould  hir  heir.     So,  oft  fcho  paft 

Whill  that  fcho  fand  him  (landing  at  the  lall ; 

Then  fcho  undid  the  port  full  biflilie,     , 

And  fyn  kneillit  to  him  full  humbillie, 

Sayand,  My  Lord,  ge  ar  full  welcum  heir. 

He  laid.  Grand  mercie  I  with  ane  knichtlie  cheir ; 

Bot  he  wald  not  hir  kifs  quhill  he  had  feine 

His  awin  Lady,  quhilk  he  avowit  beine. 

When  fcho  the  get  had  clofit  fikerlie 
590    They  com  togidder  befor  this  joung  Ladie. 

When  he  hir  faw  he  fat  doun  on  his  kne, 

Bot  ane  long  tyme  ane  word  not  [fay]  micht  he, 

Nor  jit  this  Lady,  for  ower  great  comforting  ; 

Full  war  thair  hearts  of  blilFull  rejollng  ; 


•;0  •  CLARIODUS. 

Ouercum  thay  was  with  love  in  everie  fyd, 
Whilk  in  thair  breiftis  was  fo  multiplied 
That  they  abaillt  lang  war  in  this  wyle. 
And  unto  him  firft  Ipake  Meliades, 
Welcum  my  Knicht,  welcum  my  fufficence, 

600    Welcum  my  warldis  joy  and  haill  plefance, 
Welcum  my  heartis  love,  Clariodus, 
Whais  lang  abfence  hes  beine  to  me  noyous. 
Then  anfweirit  he  and  laid  full  courteilie. 
My  heartis  Ladie  and  my  joy  onlie, 
How  have  ge  faime  fen  our  laft  depairting  ? 
Now  fair  I  weill,  quod  fcho,  in  everie  thing, 
Sen  ge  ar  cum,  the  cans  of  my  weilfair. 
With  that  fcho  ftrenthit  him  in  hir  armis  thair. 
And  he  alfo  did  hir  foftlie  imbrace, 

610    And  kiiHt  uther  oft  into  that  place. 

This  Knycht  then  befyd  hir  doun  fcho  fat 
Upon  ane  cufchoun  of  rich  velvat. 
Speikand  fyne  of  divers  materis  of  plefance 
Belonging  unto  loves  obfervance. 
My  paramour,  faid  fair  Meliades, 
To  me  it  is  reveaUit  in  fecreit  wyie. 
That  ge  fould  have  beine  wadit  into  Spaine  ; 
This  jeluiie  did  bote  in  me  remaine ; 
For  ever,  great  love  as  it  dois  oft  befall, 

620    Hot  jelufie  ower  love  does  dwell  at  all. 
Clariodus  faid.  Madam,  be  not  adred, 
Quhen  that  the  King  of  Bethingham  fall  gow  wed. 
The  King  of  Spainis  filler  fall  me  have. 
And  that  falbe  rycht  fuith,  fa  God  me  fave. 
And  fuith  it  was, of  Bethingam  the  King 
And  hir  freindis  had  fpokin  of  hir  wadding , 


BUIK  SECOND. 

Quhairfor  fcho  leuch,  and  faid,  ge  know  gour  fell. 
All  is  not  trew  that  eyerie  man  dois  tell. 
Amongis  them  thus  mirrilie  they  Iporte, 

630    They  thocht  the  night  to  tham  was  all  to  fchort. 
Clariodus  faid,  I  have  ane  interpryfe 
To  do  in  armis,  quhairfor  ge  mon  devyfe 
What  cullour  I  fall  weir  ;  for  if  that  I 
Be  into  reid,  then  fall  I  verily 
Be  knowin  to  all  the  court  in  everie  fteid. 
For  wait  ge  weill  that  long  I  wore  the  reid. 
Then  faid  Meliades  in  this  maneir. 
Now  it  is  Mayis  moneth  fair  and  cleir  ; 
Wharfor,  according  to  the  feafoun  fcheine, 

640    Convenient  war  that  je  fould  weir  the  greine. 
Clariodus  hir  thankit  courteflie 
Of  hir  cullour,  and  faid,  Madame,  glaidlie 
At  gour  command  that  cullour  I  fall  ufe 
For  faike  of  30W,  and  no  man  to  refufe 
In  tournament,  in  peace,  nor  git  in  weir, 
Alfe  long  as  I  jour  gudlie  cullour  beir. 
Ane  chaine  of  gold  fcho  gave  him  lang  and  fmall. 
With  love  knotis  that  caffin  war  ower  all ; 
And  bad  that  he  fould  weir  it  for  hir  faike 
650    Abone  his  geir  ;  quhilk  he  did  wndertake. 
And  he  hir  gave  ane  lullie  braflet. 
All  wrocht  with  gold  and  pretious  ftonis  fet  j 
And  for  his  faike  he  prayit  hir  to  weir  it. 
The  day  aprocht,  quhairof  they  war  eflFeirit. 
Romaryn  laid.  It  wilbe  day  alfweith, 
And  thairof  war  thir  lovers  nothing  Myth  ; 
They  tuike  thair  leave  at  uthers  imbracing, 
With  pitious  wirdis,  and  with  kifling. 


71 


72  CLARIODUS. 

With  forrowfuU  %liing,  and  with  tirie  face ; 

660    Into  thair  myndis  thinking  oft,  AUeace, 
That  ever  thay  fould  depairt  fo  fuddantlie  ; 
AlTuring  uthers  with  aithes  fikerlie 
Trewth  and  gude  love  for  ever  more  to  left. 
Depairting  fyne  with  heartis  fore  oppreft, 
To  the  poftrum  went  Clariodus, 
With  fichis  fad  and  heart  dolorus  ; 
Whom  convoyit  the  Lady  Romaryn, 
And  at  the  poftrum  did  to  him  inclyne  ; 
Whom  at  he  tuike  his  leave  richt  courteflie, 

670    And  thankit  hir  baith  oft  and  heartfuUie 
Of  all  hir  fecreit  fervice  donne  before, 
Sayand,  He  fould  think  on  it  evermore. 
Then  flickit  fcho  the  poftrum  privilie. 
And  to  hir  Ladie  com  up  haiftilie, 
Whair  fcho  hir  fand  makand  ane  pitious  mone, 
Hir  gudlie  face  with  tearis  all  wobegone 
For  forrow  of  the  fuddane  depairting 
Of  him  quhom  that  fcho  lovit  ower  all  thing. 
Bot  Romaryn  did  comfort  hir  fo  faft 

680    Whill  to  hir  bed  fcho  bounit  at  the  laft, 

Whair  fcho  lay  waiking,  and  thinking  on  her  knicht 
Whill  Phebus  fchynit  in  her  chalmer  bricht ; 
And  then  fcho  raife  and  hir  arrayit  anone. 
And  with  hir  Ladies  to  the  Queine  is  gone. 

Clariodus,  or  that  [the]  fun  up  fchyne. 
Was  at  the  forfaid  knichtis  place  againe. 
The  portar  trowit,  for  he  was  ane  valiand  knicht, 
He  had  beine  feikand  eventures  all  nicht. 
To  bed  he  went,  and  fleipit  quhile  it  was  day  ; 

690   And  fyne  he  raife  and  foune  did  him  aray. 


BUIK  SECUND.  78 


When  he  to  God  had  prayit  derotlie, 
And  dynit  eik,  he  faid  full  courtellie 
Unto  the  Lord,  Len  me  ane  fervitour 
That  can  ane  erand  doe  with  biflie  cure. 
The  Lord  him  grantit  hes  rycht  heartfiilly, 
And  callit  on  ane  fervand  neir  him  by. 
And  him  betaucht,  faying,  ^e  fall  refave 
This  gour  man  quhilk  I  in  dewtie  have  } 
For  he  is  fecreit,  wyfe  and  trew  in  all, 

700    Whairfoir  to  name  we  Diligence  him  call ; 
He  fall  gour  varlot  be  withoutin  dreid, 
If  ge  him  lift,  for  tearme  of  lyfe  pofeid. 
Clariodus  him  thankit  reverentlie  ; 
This  Diligence  he  hes  fent  haiftilie 
For  diverfe  things  that  was  convenient 
For  him  to  weir  into  [the']  tomament ; 
And  bad  him  alfe  ane  browderer  him  bring. 
And  eike  ane  armurar  that  was  cuning, 
And  diverfe  fllkis  baith  greine  and  uther  hew. 

710    This  Diligence  fiill  weill  the  waris  knew ; 
He  tuike  the  money,  and  went  on  his  erand  ; 
And  everilk  thing,  rycht  as  he  did  command. 
He  fumifchit  hes,  and  bocht  into  fchort  fjpace  ; 
And  brocht  with  him  the  workmen  to  the  place 
Whair  that  he  bade.     And  then  Clariodus 
Went  to  the  Lord  againe,  and  faid  him  thus, 
Sir,  ane  maifter  of  work  mon  ge  be  ; 
Heirefterwart  as  ge  wald.  Sir,  charge  me  ; 
Gar  put  gon  workmen  in  fum  quyet  hous, 

720    And  fe  that  they  be  verie  laborus 

Whill  thay  have  maid  ane  harnes  fair  and  fure ; 
And  bid  that  they  with  greine  fatine  it  cure, 

K 


74  CLARIODUS. 

Of  Tutabone  weill  all  broderit  with  the  floure, 
For  jonder  cumin  is  ane  good  broderour  ; 
My  uther  hames  they  may  as  patroun  taike, 
And  thay  thairby  the  meitter  fall  it  make. 
The  Knight  all  undertuike  with  diligence ; 
Bot  he  himfelf  wald  not  cum  in  prefence 
Of  tham  that  maid  his  hames,  dread  that  thay 
730    Sould  him  reveale  againe  in  the  tornay. 

He  gart  them  alfe  make  gounis  of  fatine  greine, 
For  men  and  wemen,  gudlie  for  to  feine  ; 
The  varlots  of  the  place  he  gart  aray 
Of  fatine  greine  all  of  ane  leveray, 
Imbrowderit  with  the  flour  of  Tutabon ; 
So  that  he  left  not  unrewalrdit  one. 
Clariodus  fex  virginis  fair  to  feine 
Gart  all  be  clothit  into  fatine  greine  ; 
The  joungeft  he  gart  aray  hir  luflilie 
740    With  gold  and  ftonis  winder  plefandlie  ; 
Abone  hir  treffit  hair  of  delyte 
Was  fet  ane  chaplet  all  of  pearlis  quhyt. 
And  fex  fquyeris  he  hes  gart  death  alfo 
In  greine  fatine,  with  this  Madin  to  go 
Unto  the  King.     He  teichit  hir  parqueir 
What  fcho  fould  fay,  as  efter  ge  fall  heir. 
This  Madine  richt  to  Windil'chore  is  went, 
Wher  that  the  King  as  than  was  refident. 
And  lichtit  at  the  palice  get  adoune, 
750    Whair  monie  men  rycht  gudlie  of  renoune. 
Four  awfuU  bearis  was  to  the  King  prefent, 
[With  quhilk  his  Knichts  fould  fight  incontinent.] 
Great  preafe  of  pepill  com  them  to  behold. 
This  damifell,  bot  of  fyftine  geiris  old, 


BUIK  SECUND.  75 

Went  throw  the  preile  whill  fcho  com  to  the  King, 

Whair  kneillit  doune  this  gudlie  Madine  benign  ; 

And  firft  fcho  helfit  him  and  fyne  the  Queine, 

And  then  Meliades  the  luflie  ladie  fcheine  ; 

Syne  with  he  voice  fcho  faid  before  them  all 
760    Thir  wordis,  that  rehearfe  to  gow  I  fall : 

King  Philipon,  unto  jour  Excellence 

The  Grein  Knicht  hes  me  fent  with  reverence  ; 
The  quhilk  plainlie  commandis  me  to  fay, 

Ane  tornay  fet  is  for  ane  moneth  day 

Be  him,  bot  heir  ane  litill  gow  befyde  j 
Gif  ony  Knicht,  that  dois  with  gow  abyde, 

Will  him  allay,  he  lall  refavit  be 

In  juiling,  for  thole  dayes  thinkis  he 
Them  to  allay,  if  thay  will  cum  him  till ; 
770    And  he  that  is  win  fall  be  at  the  will 
Of  him  that  ilraike  him  doun  but  let. 
To  quhat  priflbun  he  will  him  in  fet. 
The  Grein  Knicht  beiris  the  flour  of  Tutabon, 
Wha  will  aflay  let  him  cum  on  anone 
To  joyous  Mafon  not  far  gow  fro. 
Four  myllis  of  ipace  it  is  and  no  mo, 
The  Lord  of  it  Sir  Pennent  hecht  dreidles 
Of  La  Carere,  ane  knicht  of  worthines. 
When  fcho  had  laid  thir  wordis  oppinlie, 
780    The  King  and  all  the  court  had  great  ferlie 
Of  hir  language,  that  fcho,  la  goung  of  age. 
So  nobillie  compleitit  had  hir  meflage. 
Among  the  rout  great  preafe  was  hir  to  fe, 
So  Weill  arayit,  and  of  fo  great  bewtie. 
The  King  faid.  Lady,  I  have  great  joy  to  heir 
gour  fpeache  pronuncit  with  womanlie  maneir  ; 


76  CLARIODUS. 

And  for  to  fe  gour  bewtie  maift  bening, 
gour  port,  gour  cheir,  gour  Ipeach  and  gud  having  ; 
gow  and  jour  gyding  greatlie  I  commend, 
790    And  eike  the  Greine  Knicht  that  gow  heir  fend. 

We  ar  to  him  beholdin  in  great  maneir. 

That  hes  ws  fend  fo  g^atious  ane  meffinger  j 

If  that  je  pleis,  ane  quhill  ge  lall  abyd, 

Whill  I  Ipeik  with  thir  Knichtis  me  befyd  j 

Syn  ge  fall  anfweir  have  and  that  anone. 

He  with  his  Knichtis  ar  to  counfall  gone. 

Thay  war  content  and  blyth  everie  Knicht, 

Confenting  at  thair  power  and  thair  micht 

To  mak  them  redie  to  the  turnament, 
800    Whairon  accordit  thay  with  ane  confent. 

Befor  the  King  fat  doune  ane  Knicht, 

Sir  Broun  de  la  Mere  hardie  and  wicht. 

And  aikit  thair  that  he  the  formoll  day. 

To  juft  micht  enter  in  the  faid  tornay. 

The  King  him  grantit ;  and  fyne  returnit  I'weith 

Unto  this  Virgine  fo  bening  and  blyth,' 

Saying  to  the  fair  Madine,  To  the  Greine  Knicht  lay, 

He  falbe  fervit  all  out  ane  moneth  day 

At  his  defy  re,  and  thanke  him  hartfullie 
810    That  hes  ws  chargit  fo  honorabillie 

Unto  fo  nobill  ane  a6l  and  fair  difport. 

Then  he  delyverit  hes  this  Madine  at  fchort ; 

At  quhais  pafUng  into  rememberance, 

Ane  diamond  he  gave  hir  of  plelance  ; 

The  quhilke  fcho  did  refave  with  humbill  cheir, 

And  thankit  him  upon  ane  fair  maneir. 

This  luftie  Madine  returning  haiAilie, 

Hir  fquyeris  ryding  lullilie  hir  by. 


BUIK  SECUND.  77 

Syn  to  Clariodus  did  hir  dres, 
820    And  tauld  him  the  maner  mair  and  les, 

How  all  the  court  had  joy  of  hir  cuming, 

And  how  fcho  was  delyverit  with  the  King, 

And  how  that  hir  beheld  Meliades, 

Quhilk  was  the  rofe  of  everie  luilines  ; 

Abone  melbur  commending  the  bewtie 

Of  hir  that  was  fo  angill  lyke  to  fee  ; 

And  fuith  it  was  that  ilk  Meliades 

Beheld  hir  with  all  cure  and  biilnes, 

For  Weill  fcho  wift  quhairfra  fcho  was  fend, 
830    The  mair  fcho  did  unto  the  Madine  attend. 

Quhen  fcho  had  tauld  him  all  the  remanent, 

Clariodus  unto  Sir  Pennent  went, 

And  faid,  ^e  mon  ane  chalmer  gar  provide. 

That  is  of  herberie  mekill  roume  and  wyde. 

And  gar  aray  it  lullilie  and  fair. 

Perchance  in  it  fum  ftrangers  fall  repair. 

When  this  was  faid,  Clariodus  furth  went. 

And  twa  paviliouns  luftilie  gart  upftent 

Of  greine  fdk  wrocht,  and  in  ane  large  plaine, 
840    Ane  flicht  fchot  fyndrie,  the  fuith  if  I  fould  faine, 

With  lilkin  roppis  alfo  of  the  lamine  hew  ; 

Ane  for  him  felf,  quhair,  of  the  bricht  gold  new 

Inbrowderit  was  the  flour  of  Tutabone  ; 

For  his  companioun  the  uther  was  anone. 

Within  thir  twa  was  ordanit  everie  thing 

That  langit  unto  tornay  or  jufting. 

Be  all  was  put  to  poynt  and  dune  at  rycht 

The  day  was  gone,  and  cuming  was  the  nicht ; 

Clariodus  his  bodie  did  deveft, 
850    Syne  to  his  bed  he  jeid,  him  for  to  reft. 


78  CLARIODUS. 

The  mirrie  day  difplaying  in  the  morrow. 
The  glaid  foullis,  devoid  of  nichtis  forrow. 
With  fugarit  nots  making  ane  mirrie  found 
Aganis  bricht  Phebus  biyth  afcentioun, 
Whilk  with  his  afour  beamis  of  delyt 
Oppinit  on  bread  the  tender  blomea  quhyt. 
Doing  the  bloITumes  breke  in  the  fpray. 
And  everilk  bank  in  grein  dois  he  aray. 
Clariodus,  the  flour  of  Mars,  his  knichts 

860    Full  luflilie  into  his  weidis  him  dichts. 
With  knichtlie  cheir  and  curage  leoneine. 
Thinking  or  Phebus  in  the  waft  declyne, 
That  he  Ibuld  for  his  foverane  Ladyis  laike, 
With  Ipeir  in  hand,  ane  manlie  counter  make. 
When  he  ane  mels  had  hard,  and  tane  diljune. 
He  gart  four  gudlie  fquyeris  enter  foune 
Into  the  Knichtis  pailgeon,  and  that  anone 
Sould  with  him  juft  ;  to  ferve  him  thay  ar  gone  ; 
Syne  ordanit  he  two  virginis  that  war  cleir, 

870    By  the  reinjeis  to  leid  his  awin  courfeir  ; 
The  Ladie  of  the  place  his  helme  did  heir, 
Hir  following  foure  frefche  virginis  of  eflfeir ; 
The  Lord  himfelf  to  ferve  him  of  his  lance ; 
And  all  in  greine  arrayit  for  plelance  ; 
His  four  fquyers  upon  the  famine  wyle 
War  all  in  greine,  maift  gudlie  to  devyfe. 
Then  to  his  pailgeoun  went  he  fpedilie, 
Inearmit  at  all  poyntis  full  richlie. 
On  his  companioun  thair  abyding  ftill. 

880    He  had  with  him  baith  trumpit  and  clarioun  chill, 
Garring  await  if  they  faw  ony  Knicht 
Cum  from  the  Kingis  corut  enarmit  bricht. 


BUIK  SECUND.  ?» 

And  be  it  was  of  the  day  houris  ten, 
Againis  the  fune  ane  Knicht  cumand  thai  ken, 
Lucent  as  lampe  and  leming  in  his  weid. 
Withe  lance  in  hand,  upon  ane  Ihaw  quhyt  fteid  j 
Two  knichtis  him  convoyit  nobilly, 
And  gud  Sir  Amadur  raid  him  by, 
And  uther  fyve  him  for  to  ferve  at  all  j 
890    He  feimit  feirce  and  ftrong  as  ony  wall. 
When  he  aprochit  neir  the  pailgeoun, 
The  four  Iquyera  with  rycht  bening  fermoun 
Recevit  him,  and  offerit  him  entrie, 
And  prayit  him  to  licht  thair  ;  bot  he 
Wald  not  licht  doune,  bot  thankis  to  them  gold. 
Anone  quhen  thus  Clariodus  can  behold, 
Alfe  fuift  as  falcoun  he  Iprang  upon  his  fteid, 
As  glorious  angill  fchyning  in  his  weid  ; 
Fret  full  of  ftonis  radious  and  licht, 
900    All  browderit  with  gold  depaintit  full  bricht. 
Out  throw  the  greine  gudlie  to  decerne, 
Whair  ilk  gilt  mailge  glemit  as  ane  fterne  ; 
And  for  the  Lady  had  his  helme  to  beir, 
Ane  falfe  vifar  for  kening  he  did  weir  ; 
Hir  ladies  all,  as  je  have  hard  me  fay, 
Convoyit  him  furth  all  into  greine  aray. 
When  that  Sir  Broun  and  his  fellowis  beheld 
The  Greine  Knicht  cum  fo  nobillie  to  the  feild. 
Unto  his  feiris  he  faid  that  ftude  him  by, 
910    Jone  is  the  knichtlieft  licht  aluterly. 

And  the  moft  gudlie  that  ever  I  faw  with  ey ; 
And  lb  faid  all  the  reft  of  his  meinge. 
Clariodus  threw  on  his  helme  anone. 
Sir  Pennent  with  his  fpeir  is  to  him  gone. 


80  CLARIODUS. 

The  trumpits  blew  and  heraldis  ciyit  all. 
The  menftrellis  playit  with  gle  angellicall. 
Thir  Knichts  as  two  lampis  leiming  licht 
Of  aureat  fplendor  fchjmit  as  ftonis  bricht ; 
They  fmot  thair  ileidis  with  Ipuris  hardelie, 
920    And  ran  togidder  wonder  feircelie, 

Whill  that  thair  fchaftis  fcharp  and  fquaire 
Flew  all  in  peices  abone  them  in  the  aire  ; 
They  tuike  new  fpeirris  and  ran  togidder  in  feir. 
Full  knichtlie  com  thir  men  of  armis  cleir, 
Girdand  fo  fall  as  ane  fireflochtis  glance, 
Sir  Broun  on  Clariodus  brake  his  lance. 
And  he  him  hit  againe  with  fie  force 
That  he  ane  ipeir  lenth  ftrake  him  fra  his  hors. 
The  Greine  Knicht  thene  returnit  to  his  tent. 
930    Four  gudlie  fquyeris  to  Sir  Broun  ar  went, 

Sayand,  Sir  Knicht,  the  cunand  weill  je  knaw, 
ge  mon  to  prilToun  with  on  ane  law. 
Sir  Broun  anfweirit  and  laid,  Richt  weill 
gour  willis  I  fall  obey  everilk  deill. 
They  led  him  to  ane  priflbn  of  plefance, 
Be  the  Greine  Knichtis  nobill  ordinance  ; 
Quhilk  chalmer  was  arrayit  nobillie. 
With  clothes  of  gold  and  arais  full  michtie. 
The  fquyeris  faid,  ge  moft  heir  abyd, 
940    Whill  we  unto  our  lord  the  Greine  Knicht  ryd. 
The  fquyeris  com  unto  Clariodus, 
Quhilk  was  hame  rydand  mirrie  and  joyous 
Toward  the  place  of  Sir  Pennent  the  Knicht ; 
And  at  the  gettis  quhen  he  did  alicht. 
They  tauld  to  him  all  the  maner  cleir, 
How  they  demainit  had  the  priflbneir. 


BUIK  SECUND.  81 

Clariodus  unto  his  chalmer  went. 

And  him  unearmit  thair  incontinent ; 

Then  hes  he  for  Sir  Pennent  lent  belyve, 
950    Sayand,  Sir  Knicht,  ge  pas  and  eike  gour  wyfe, 

And  take  with  30W  the  fex  virginis  in  hy, 

With  other  Iquyeris  in  jour  companie, 

And  with  Sir  Broun  je  foupe  and  make  50W  biyth. 

Sir  Pennent  faid,  It  falbe  donne  alfueith. 

The  Knicht  furth  went  as  he  commandit  was, 

With  all  the  forlaidis  ladyes  more  and  les, 

And  gart  bring  furth  with  them  ches  and  tabill. 

And  inflrumentis  that  war  dele6tabill, 

With  herp,  and  lute,  and  inilruments  for  to  play ; 
960    And  in  this  chalmer,  put  in  gud  aray. 

They  enterit  foune,  and  faid  on  this  maneir. 

Sir,  the  Greine  Knicht  hes  fent  us  to  50W  heir. 

To  do  30W  plefance  and  hold  30W  companie. 

Sir  Broun  anfweirit  and  {aid,  I  traift  gif  I 

Have  no  worie  priflbun  nor  this  I  fall  not  pleine ; 

And  fo  to  tell  the  trewth  and  not  to  feine. 

The  faireft  man  of  armis  and  the  beft 

Is  the  Greine  Knicht,  and  the  I'eimlieft 

That  leives  now,  I  trow,  under  the  fone, 
970    He  feimis  nocht  lichtlie  to  be  wone. 

Sir  Pennant  laid,  And  he  is  thair  withall. 

The  gentilell  and  the  moll  liberall 

That  ever  I  knew  in  the  dayis  of  my  lyfe. 

None  lawlier  in  the  world  is  borne  of  wyfe. 

When  they  had  foupit  and  fairne  rycht  reallie, 

Sir  Pennent  tuike  his  leive  rycht  humbillie. 

And  left  with  him  four  fquyeris  that  war  wyfe, 

In  all  his  deidis  to  doe  him  fervice. 


8«  CLARIODUS. 

When  cumin  was  to  court  Sir  Amadoure, 

980    To  heir  his  tydingis  the  King  had  great  langour, 
And  bad  him  fchaw  as  he  had  hard  and  feine  ; 
And  he  him  tauld  the  veritie  all  cleine, 
Richt  as  it  was,  diilimuling  in  no  thing; 
Of  quhilk  rehearfe  great  mervell  had  the  King, 
To  Amadur  laying,  halfe  as  it  war  in  play. 
Be  of  gude  curage,  the  morne  5e  mon  allay. 
Amadur  laid,  Availl  quhat  may  availl. 
However  it  be,  the  game  I  fall  aflaill. 
The  nicht  palllt,  the  morrow  com  alfuith. 

990    Sir  Amadur,  fa  fone  as  day  could  kyth, 
Inarmit  him  and  in  the  clofe  difcendit, 
And  fand  awcht  fquyeris  that  on  him  dependit, 
With  Sir  Palexis  and  uther  knichtis  two. 
Sueith  at  the  King  he  tuike  his  leave  to  go. 
And  raid  furth  to  the  place  of  jufting. 
When  the  Greine  Knicht  had  of  him  perfaving, 
He  come  furth  cleir  enarmit  under  fcheild, 
Convoyit  with  his  Ladyis  in  the  feild ; 
Whom  on  Palexis  had  great  joy  to  behold, 

1000  And  faid,  My  brother  Amadur,  be  bold, 
For  50W  befor  ge  have  alfe  fair  ane  Knicht 
As  ever  was  cled  in  helme  or  birnie  bricht. 

When  thay  war  redie  on  ather  fyd. 
Full  manlie  can  thai  to  uther  ryd ; 
They  finot  thair  lleidis  with  Ipurris  haiililie. 
And  ran  togidder  wounder  ferfelie. 
That  baith  thair  lj)eiris  abone  tnem  flew  afiinder, 
And  baith  thair  fleidis  did  bakward  founder ; 
Thair  fquyeris  did  them  ferve  with  fpeiris  new, 

1010  And  thay  anone  raid  utheris  to  perfew, 


BUIK  SECUND.  88 

Whill  all  to  frufchit  thair  lanfis  in  the  feild, 

That  all  men  mervellit  that  about  beheld. 

Palexis  laid,  Gif  that  Clariodus 

War  in  the  land,  quhilk  is  unkend  to  us, 

I  wald  fay  fiirlie  the  Greine  Knicht  war  he, 

He  is  fo  lyke  to  him  in  all  degree. 

They  ran  at  uther  fa  withoutin  ho, 

Whill  levin  Ipeiris  brokine  war  in  two. 

Weill  knew  Clariodus,  be  his  valoure, 
1080  He  was  his  coufing,  nobill  Amadure, 

And  blyth  [he]  was  that  he  into  him  fand 

Sic  flrenth,  and  micht,  and  deidis  valiand. 

[Clariodus  then  tuike  the  auchten  Ipeir] 

Both  great  and  ftrong,  and,  in  ane  knichtlie  feir. 

He  drave  at  him  with  fik  ane  feirfiill  micht, 

All  to  the  eard  he  drave  baith  horfe  and  Knicht 

With  like  ane  force,  that  all  that  was  about 

Wint  that  he  had  beine  dead  withoutin  doubt. 

The  Greine  Knicht  raid  richt  unto  his  tent. 
1030  The  fquyeris  to  Sir  Amadur  ar  went. 

And  fpeirit  if  he  was  hurt,  and  he  laid.  Nay, 

Bot  he  ane  littil  frufchit  was  perfay. 

Thus  Amadur  [eik]  was  to  priiToune  led, 

AVhairof  Sir  Broun  was  wounder  blyth  and  glaid, 

And  faid,  Welcum,  [maiftj  gentill  Amadur, 

That  fik  compaflioun  hes  on  gour  nichbour, 

That  je  vouchfafe  to  cum  and  vifit  me. 

Then,  finyling,  faid  Sir  Amadur,  Pardie 

5e  neid  me  not  to  thanke  fo  greatumly, 
1040  For  50W  to  vifit  aganis  my  will  com  I ; 

I  ryd  heir  that  we  tak  no  grevance. 

For  of  this  julling  cum  the  uterance  ; 


84  CLARIODUS. 

I  traiil  that  we  fall  get  mo  companie. 
Or  then  I  am  diflavit  verilie. 

Clariodus  [did]  pais  to  his  ludging, 
And  him  unarmit  but  tarying, 
And  bad  Sir  Pennent  tak  his  Ladie  bricht, 
With  all  hir  madinis,  and  go  unto  the  Knicht, 
And  make  him  cheir  and  companie  weill  more 
1060  Nor  to  the  uther  Knicht  was  donne  before. 
And  they  fo  did  with  all  thair  cure  and  micht, 
He  wantit  nocht  perteinit  to  ane  knicht. 
Palexis  pad  and  fchew  unto  the  King 
As  ge  have  hard,  and  feinget  in  no  thing. 
The  King  ftudiit,  and  had  great  ferlie 
Of  the  Greine  Knicht,  and  of  his  chevalrie. 
Thus  quhen  that  Amadour  was  flrikin  doun, 
That  was  ay  praifTit  of  fie  renoune, 
Abaifit  was  this  nobill  King,  and  faid 
1060  Unto  Palexis,  3<>ii  grein  Knicht  fall  degraid 
Our  Knichtis  all,  hot  je  remeid  us  fynd ; 
Whairfor  ge  fall  no  langer  duell  behind. 
For  ay  the  mair  [that  we  thus]  vinquift  be. 
The  mair  degraidis  it  our  honeflie  ; 
Je  ar  our  comfort  nixt  Clariodus, 
Whilk  abfent  is  in  this  great  neid  from  us. 
Sir,  faid  the  nobill  and  worthie  Palexis, 
I  fall  againis  the  Grein  Knicht  me  adres. 
Although  he  war  ane  infernall  creatour 
1070  I  dar  my  bodie  againis  him  aventour 

Whidder  that  fortoun  be  my  freind  or  fa, 
Thair  fall  no  dreidour  bandis  me  him  fra  ; 
Although  he  ftraik  me  doun  I  have  no  fchame, 
For  Knichtis  that  ar  alfe  worthie  of  name 


BUIK  SECUND.  85 

Befor  his  fpeir  poynt  hes  lyine  full  law. 

What  fault  war  it  thocht  with  my  feiris  I  faw. 
At  mome  as  Phebus  luarkit  up  his  face, 

Palexis  did  his  harneis  on  him  brace, 

And  him  enarmit  lurelie  clofe  and  joynt. 
1080  When  that  he  was  all  readie  and  at  poynt. 

With  him  Sir  Giljeam  de  la  Forrefl;  raid. 

Unto  the  feild  he  dreflit  but  abaid ; 

Richard  de  Maianis,  with  uther  fquyeris  mo; 

Thus  all  on  front  unto  the  feild  thay  go. 

And  quhen  he  com  unto  the  firft  pailgeoun. 

The  foure  fquyers  to  meit  him  maid  tham  boune. 

And  him  refavit  wonder  thankfullie. 

And  treitit  him  richt  fair  honorabillie. 

He  tbankit  them,  and  wald  not  with  them  licht, 
1090  Bot  hovit  (till  abyding  the  Greine  Knicht. 

Sonne  this  was  tauld  unto  Clariodus, 

Quhilk  [glad]  was  of  his  coufing  cumand  thus  j 

For  Weill  he  knew  that  he  was  Palexis, 

Ane  Knicht  full  great  of  fame  and  worthines. 

Brother  unto  his  coufing  Amadur, 

That  valiant  was  for  to  manteine  ane  flour. 

And  was  in  armis  his  awin  fellow  deir, 

Whom  he  ever  lovit  weill  in  all  maneir ; 

And  he  againe  him  lovit  over  all  thing, 
1100  Thocht  then  he  had  of  him  no  knowledging. 

The  Greine  Knicht  aflendit  on  his  fteid, 

Bricht  as  Apollo,  fchyning  in  his  weid. 

His  Lady  him  convoyit  on  ane  Ipace, 

Upon  his  heid  he  did  his  bricht  helme  lace. 

The  Knicht,  Sir  Pennent,  raucht  to  him  a  Ipeir, 

He  fleirit  his  courfour  with  ane  knichtlie  feir. 


86  CLARIODUS. 

Gyljeam  de  la  Forreft,  and  Richard  de  Maianis, 
When  they  beheld  his  knichtlie  governance, 
Thay  faid  anone  to  nobill  Palexis, 

1110  To  doe  thy  devore  with  courage  the  adrefe, 
For  of  this  wyde  warld  aluterlie, 
gonder  rydis  the  flour  of  chevalrie  ; 
And  whofo  lift  to  fe  ane  gudlie  ficht. 
Let  him  cum  furth  and  luike  upon  son  Knicfat. 
Sir  Palexis,  that  ever  was  gud  at  neid, 
Delyverlie  he  lanfit  furth  his  fteid ; 
Nocht  better  forge  could  Deame  Natur, 
For  he  was  f'eimlie  of  corpis  and  ftatur, 
Lyk  to  his  eame  the  gud  Clariodus. 

1 120  Thir  two  aprochit  to  uther  thus. 

Up  gois  the  weirlyke  found  of  clariouns, 

Togidder  gois  thir  michtie  champiouns 

With  fpeir  fet  all  fadlie  into  the  reift ; 

With  manlie  heartis  baith  fordward  they  preill. 

And  large  alfe  faft  as  Ipuris  could  them  fpeid. 

And  they  have  met  withouttin  aw  or  dreid. 

Thair  ipeiris  flew  in  peices  in  the  aire, 

Whill  throw  the  reard  the  cludis  can  all  to  rare. 

As  it  had  beine  ane  crake  of  thunder  fell, 

1130  The  caftell  wall  redoundit  with  the  gell ; 

Baith  hurlit  bakward  thair  fteidis  with  a  grane, 
Whill  that  the  noyfe  dinlit  baith  aird  and  ftaine. 
The  rumour  raife  throw  all  the  feild  about. 
Of  the  two  Knichtis  haveing  mikill  doubt 
That  thay  fould  have  frufchit  throw  the  fteill 
With  the  ilke  dafch ;  bot  thay  recoverit  weill  : 
Alfo  of  new  two  fpeiris  have  they  hint. 
And  ran  togidder  as  ferce  fyre  and  flynt 


BUIK  SECUND.  9J 

Whill  that  the  trinlchouns  ower  thair  heidia  jeid, 
1140  And  fyr  out  foUowit  alfe  reid  as  onj  gleid  ; 

They  reftit  never  quhile  they  awcht  fpeiris  brake, 

So  them  betwine  thair  was  ay  rap  for  rap  : 

As  fearce  as  dragouns  wood  and  violent 

Thair  courfe  had  fetchit  from  the  firmament. 

And  breift  for  breift  had  met  with  all  thair  mane. 

Why II  with  thair  fetheris  coverit  was  the  plaine  ; 

So  ftrawit  was  the  feild  thir  Knichtis  under 

Of  fettering  fchafts,  and  trinfchouns  broke  in  iiinder. 

That  folkis  all  winderit  that  about  them  hovit, 
1150  That  theynocht  go  from  thair  fleidis  behovit. 

With  the  laft  counter  thay  maid  that  day. 

Than  to  himfelf  can  Palexis  fey, 

Thow  art  no  man,  for  be  thy  force  I  feill, 

Thou  art  ana  feind  forgit  into  fteill ; 

For  never  more,  fen  I  could  fit  on  horfe, 

Was  I  fo  machit  with  no  manis  force. 

The  famine  thing  thocht  Clariodus, 

And  with  ane  mynd  ferce  and  curagious 

Ane  fpeir  he  gripit  winder  great  and  wicht, 
1 160  And  with  fie  force  he  ran  upon  the  Knicht, 

He  drave  him  and  his  hors  doun  togidder, 

If  they  wer  dead  or  not,  no  man  could  tell  quhidder. 

To  grund  thay  rufchit  with  fie  ane  vehemence, 

All  throw  his  michtie  flraike  and  violence  ; 

Bot  he,  throw  Godis  grace,  full  weill  efchewit ; 

His  nobill  fquyeris  him  haifiilie  relevit. 

Upon  the  hand  he  hurt  was  a  lyt. 

Of  quhilk  but  dread  he  rekit  not  ane  myt. 

Clariodus  returnit  to  his  tent. 
1170  Foure  of  his  fquyeris  unto  Palexis  went. 


88  CLARIODUS. 

And  did  with  him  as  with  the  uther  two, 

Quhilk  full  glaidlie  fchup  with  them  to  go. 

Sir  Amadur  had  joy  and  great  blythnes, 

Quhen  that  he  faw  his  brother  Palexis  ; 

Sir  Broun  was  glaid  alfo  of  his  cuming, 

And  then  alliiith  they  fell  in  commoning 

Of  the  Greine  Knicht,   and  of  his  [greatj  valour. 

His  praife,  bewtie,  his  face,  and  his  figoure. 

Sir  Pennent  com  as  thay  war  Ipeiking  thus, 

1 180  Be  the  cunning  of  Sir  Clariodus  ; 

With  him  he  brocht  his  Lady  bricht  and  fcheine. 
With  all  the  virginis  frelchlie  cled  in  greine, 
Harping,  finging,  and  making  melodie. 
With  joyous  found  of  hevinlie  menftrellie. 
Unto  Palexis  he  maid  feift  far  more 
Nor  he  did  to  the  uther  twa  before. 
This  Ladie,  quhilke  was  ane  leich  wonder  gud, 
Hes  ftemit  of  Palexis  hand  the  blude. 
And  maid  it  to  be  haill  in  litill  fpace, 

1190  As  be  the  Greine  Knicht  fcho  commandit  was  ; 
The  quhilke  [fain]  wald  have  feine  [Sir]  Palexis, 
And  his  fellowis,  to  doe  them  glaidnes, 
Bot  for  difcovering  he  wald  not  wend 
Whill  that  his  enterpryfe  was  at  ane  end. 
The  priffoneris  remainis  into  firmance. 
They  feill  no  thing  of  forrow  nor  penance. 
Of  Palexis  went  hame  the  companie. 
And  did  the  maneir  plainlie  fertifie 
Of  all  the  jufting  word  be  word  j 

1200  Whairof  the  guid  King  thocht  bot  litill  bourd, 
That  priffoneris  his  Knichts  war  fo  caucht 
Be  lie  ane  ilranger  to  quhom  he  nothing  awcht. 


BUIK  SECUND.  89 

When  he  had  hard  that  Falexis  and  his  how 

War  baith  to  gnind  [thus]  ilrikin  with  his  force. 

He  ferliet  greatlie,  fo  did  the  court  all  haill, 

Of  the  Greine  Knicht  and  of  his  [great]  availl, 

Saying,  Gif  that  Clariodus  in  feild 

And  he  alfe  [came]  enarmit  under  fcheild, 

The  two  beft  Knichtis  in  the  warld  war  met. 
1210  The  King  faid.  Sir  Gilgeara,  do  jour  debt, 

With  him  the  morne  jour  flrenth  ge  mone  aiTay. 

Then  can  Gyljeam  de  la  Forreft  fay. 

Full  littil  or  nocht  my  ftrenth  it  may  availl 

Againis  his  micht,  quhen  Knichtis  did  alTaill 

Stronger  nor  I,  and  nobiller  [of]  renoune. 

And  faillit  not  for  to  be  Ilrikin  doune  ; 

Bot  as  my  fellowis  git  I  fall  aifay, 

And  fall  not  faill  to  do  the  bell  I  may. 

Be  he  had  anfweirit  thus  it  waxit  lait, 
1220  And  unto  bedis  went  he  and  law  eflait. 

Giljeam  de  la  Forreft  raife  up  with  the  day, 

And  at  the  King  tuike  leave  and  went  away, 

And  with  his  fquyeris  raid  to  Maibn  le  Joyous  ; 

Whom  foune  perfavit  Sir  Clariodus, 

Quhilke  finartlie  hes  donne  af  his  falfe  vifage, 

And  threw  on  him  Tiis  helmet  with  curage. 

And  with  his  michtie  Ipeir  into  his  band 

He  met  Sir  Gilgeam  fairlie  on  the  land. 

And  ftraike  him  from  [his]  horfe  without  delay  ; 
1230  And  lyne  unto  his  pailgeoun  went  his  way  : 

To  priflbun  was  he  taine,  and  that  anone  j 

His  fellowis  hamwart  to  the  King  ar  gone. 

And  tauld  how  Gilgeam  ioune  was  ftrikin  doune, 

Richt  as  ane  bairne  full  febill  of  perfoun. 

M 


90  CLARIODUS. 

The  court  greatlie  mervellit  of  this  thing. 
Of  the  Greine  Knicht  was  all  thair  comoning ; 
So  to  and  fro  thay  fpake  quhile  it  was  nicht. 
And  then  anone  to  bed  went  everilk  knicht. 
Richard  de  Maianis  nixt  did  him  perfew, 

1240  And  nixt  him  Sir  Theman  de  la  Hew, 

Syn  ftraike  he  doune  Sir  Triflrame  de  Beaufort, 
And  efter  him  Sir  Clarius  de  la  Port, 
Syne  vinquift  he  Sir  Cardron  de  la  Conge, 
And  efter  him  Sir  Leoport  de  la  Gonge  ; 
So  furth  induring  quhile  did  ane  moneth  left, 
He  counterit  with  ane  Knicht  ay  of  the  beft 
Whill  threttie  Knichtis  he  had  ftrikin  doun 
Of  tham  that  war  in  court  of  beft  renoune. 
On  this  ilk  moneth  in  the  letter  day, 

1250  The  King  inquirit  of  ane  fquyer  or  tway, 
How  the  laft  Knight  did  him  impartie. 
The  Knight  of  Eftur  lichtit  fuddanlie. 
And  did  affend  into  the  hall  anone ; 
Unto  the  King  full  glaidlie  is  he  gone. 
The  King  refavit  him  with  great  blythnes, 
And  fo  did  all  the  lordis  baith  mair  and  les  ; 
The  Queine  and  all  the  ladies  did  him  kis, 
And  him  refavit  [alle]  with  mikill  blife,         , 
As  he  quho  for  the  commoun  profile  haill 

1260  Exerceifand  juftice  had  taine  great  travell. 

The  King  him  tauld,  with  everie  circumftance. 
Of  the  Greine  Knight  the  rule  and  governance  ; 
And  all  the  maner,  as  ge  heard  before, 
How  (»n  the  morne  he  Ibuld  juft  and  no  more. 
And  quhan  the  Earle  hard  of  this  tyding. 
How  on  the  morne  that  it  ibuld  taike  ending, 


BUIK  SECUND.  91 

So  lawlie  he  inclynit  to  the  King, 

And  belbught  him  atoure  all  uther  thing 

That  he  wald  releive  him  of  his  regall  micht, 
1270  Upon  the  morne  to  fight  with  the  Greine  Knight. 

The  King  was  laith  to  grant  him  his  afking. 

For  he  the  realme  had  huill  in  his  governing. 

And  thocht,  if  [that  he]  had  beine  Ilrikia  doune 

That  nixt  himfelf  was  greatell  of  renowne. 

It  had  to  his  realme  diihonour  more 

Nor  all  the  reft  that  vinquill  war  before  : 

Bot  this  he  him  befoiight  fo  earniillie. 

That  be  na  maner  he  could  him  it  deny ; 

Bot  g^antit  him,  and  faid,  If  ge  will  ib, 
1280  My  felf  with  gow  in  companie  fall  go, 

[The  Quein,  and  alfe  the  fair  Meliades,] 

With  all  my  houfe  ;  fa  help  us  Godis  grace 

That  we  may  vinquife  upon  the  letter  day. 

His  houlhald  all  commandit  he  that  thay 

Sould  redie  make  the  morne  with  him  to  [go] 

To  Joyous  Mafon  a  litill  fpace  them  fro. 

Now  reft  I  will  to  fpeike  more  of  the  King 

Whill  I  fay  of  Clariodus  fum  thing. 
Clariodus  hes  gart  ane  varlot  go 
1290  To  Windiefchor,  to  fetch  him  Ipeiris  mo. 

This  varlot  hard  reheariing  in  the  toun. 

How  that  the  King  at  morne  fould  make  him  boune 

To  fe  the  jufting  upon  the  letter  day; 

Whairfor  he  iped  him  hame  but  mair  delay. 

And  quhen  he  com  before  Clariodus, 

He  preientit  him  the  fpeiris,  faying  thus, 

My  Lord,  I  hard  reheariing  in  the  toune. 

The  nobill  King,  with  monie  bauld  harroun. 


92  CLARIODUS. 

Sail  cum  the  morne  the  jufting  for  to  fie, 

1300  In  all  his  hee  triumph  and  royaltie  ; 

The  luftie  Queine,  and  eike  hir  dochter  fair, 
With  monie  ane  feamlie  ladie  wilbe  thair  ; 
Ane  Lord  is  cum  unto  the  court  this  night, 
He  feimes  baith  to  be  Teyfe  and  wicht, 
The  morne  quhilk  hes  taine  the  jufting  on  hand. 
The  governour  they  call  him  of  Ingland  ; 
The  King  himfelf  he  fchaipis  him  to  convoy 
With  great  triumph  of  plefance  and  of  joy. 
I  faw  the  Queine  fiirth  at  ane  windo  ly, 

1310  With  monie  ane  lady  and  damofell  hir  by. 
And  thair  I  faw  the  fair  Meliades, 
The  tender  blome  of  gouth  and  luftines, 
Difteingeand  the  reft  about  with  hir  bewtie  ; 
As  the  day  ilar  full  of  benignitie 
Surmuntis  everie  ftar  lituat 
In  the  illuminus  hevinis  ftellat 
Scho  is  the  lodftar  full  of  luftines. 
Of  womanheid  baith  ladie  and  maiftres  : 
My  Lord,  I  trow  in  trewth  had  ge  hir  I'eine, 

1320  That  fcho  fchould  greatlie  [by  gow]  praifit  beine. 
When  of  this  tyding  hard  Clariodus, 
In  breift  he  was  wonder  glaid  and  joyous, 
That  uneis  for  glaidnes  he  micht  conteine. 
Remembering  on  Meliades  the  fcheine, 
Quhilk  was  of  bewtie  the  verie  flour  and  rofe  ; 
Hir  cuming  lb  greatlie  did  him  rejofe, 
Within  his  breift  his  heart  dancit  aloft. 
Of  his  fair  fortoun  thanking  God  full  oft. 
Unto  the  varlot  for  his  gud  tydings, 

1330  He  gart  be  gevin  fortie  French  florings ; 


BUIK  SECUND.  tji) 


Srn^  gart  he  fetch  the  gud  Lord  of  that  place, 
And  of  this  thing  he  tauld  him  all  the  cace  ; 
Commanding  him  anone  to  cans  be  maid. 
For  fight  of  Lordis,  ikaffnldis  heich  and  braid 
On  ather  hulf,  quhen  the  j  lifting  fould  be, 
Hech  er  and  lower  efter  thair  degree 
Of  nobillis  and  barrouns  on  tham  fould  ftond ; 
And  efter  that  to  cover  them,  lb  ordand, 
With  leves  greine,  and  flouris  reid  and  quheit, 

1340  And  bricht  main  bloflbmis  bluming  with  delyt, 
That  na  tre  falbe  feine  for  leif  and  floure  ; 
Ouerlpred  with  Mayis  carpits  of  verdoure. 
He  ordanit  eike  two  fkaffaldis  to  be  moid 
[In  reall  ftoit,  and  all  with  purpour  claid,] 
And  fyne  orayit  with  filkis  thair  abone 
And  claith  of  gold,  as  michtie  Mars  his  throne  ; 
The  ane  he  ordanit  for  the  Kings  Majeftie, 
Ane  uther  for  the  Queinis  royaltie 
And  for  hir  dochter  Meliades  the  bricht. 

1350  He  ordanit  eike  ane  fair  hall  fould  be  dicht 
Of  tumour  warke,  owercled  with  leves  greine. 
And  brighteft  bloflbmis  that  on  bewes  beine ; 
And  bad  tham  thair  all  necelTaris  intake. 
Heir  ane  triumphand  banquet  for  to  make. 
Sir  Pennent  laid,  My  Lord,  goe  gow  repofe, 
And  I  anone  fall  follow  gour  purpofe. 
This  forfaid  Knicht  gart  fearch  all  the  cuntrie, 
And  fetchit  thair  all  workmen  that  war  ilee, 
Wrichtis,  and  maiilers  of  georaetrie, 

1S60  And  maift  pradtitioneris  of  theotrie, 

Carvors,  painters,  and  fubtilleft  devyfers. 
To  make  the  liilis  to  the  interprifers, 


94  CLARIODUS. 

Quha  in  that  land  of  cunning  was  or  pryle. 

Or  had  ane  curious  mynd  or  devyfe. 

Name  hot  it  was  in  fortrefe  or  in  touris, 

Or  in  the  hall  was  depaintit  lullie  flouris. 

Or  in  the  hinging  of  the  tapeftrie, 

Or  in  the  liftis  buildit  royallie. 

Was  never  hard,  of  fo  fchort  provifioun, 

1370  So  curious  wark  in  no  regioun. 

ClarioduB  went  to  [his]  bed  to  fleipe, 

Bot  of  his  Ladie  ever  in  mynd  tuke  keipe. 

Now  braiding  in  his  dreime  for  joy, 

And  now  elcarting  for  langour  and  for  noy  ; 

Now  numbering  foft,  now  braid  awaiking. 

Now  fiching  deip,  [and]  now  for  joy  linging. 

How  oft  in  breiftis  flitis  joy  and  blis. 

As  Weill  ge  know  that  lovers  beine  I  wile. 

Of  thame  that  loves  fervandis  beine  alway. 

1380  Into  his  bed  now  mufing  as  he  lay, 

He  thocht  if  that  his  Father  come  in  field 
Againeil  him  in  armes  under  fcheild, 
Then  that  he  wald  aluterlie  forbeir. 
And  not  tuich  his  bodie  with  ane  ^eir ; 
Bot  onlie  that  he  wald  his  helme  unlace. 
And  geild  him  to  his  Father  with  bair  faice  : 
For  certanlie  my  Author  tellis  me  thus. 
That  wounder  wyfe  was  this  Clariodus, 
Richt  juil  and  [gfude  and]  mercifull  in  heart, 

1390  Having  all  tyme  the  dreid  of  God  inwart ; 
Devote  he  was,  and  full  of  humbilnes, 
Rycht  gentill,  and  repleit  with  nobilnes ; 
Quhilke  maid  him  forwart  ay  in  all  maneir, 
And  lovit  with  the  peple  far  and  neir. 


BUIK  SECUND.  M 


Richt  SB  the  luilie  candill  matutine 
Begouth  with  criflall  vifage  for  to  fchyne, 
Befor  Aurora,  I  meine  the  Morrow  ftar, 
For  bewtie  that  clippit  is  Lucifer, 
Throw  perfmg  licht  of  quhais  beimia  Icheine, 

1400  Walknit  for  love  the  rewthfull  Philomen, 
With  angillis  voice  fing^d  befor  the  day  ; 
Clariodus,  quhilk  langer  ileipe  no  may, 
Furth  walkit  into  his  mantill  and  his  farke 
For  biilines,  to  gar  men  head  his  warke, 
Quhilk  all  that  nicht  had  not  ileipit  with  ey, 
Bot  bilfie  war  in  labour  eydentlie ; 
Craflis  men  haiftit  thair  wark  perfay, 
The  Knicht  Sir  Pennent  {landing  thame  by. 
Deviling  thingis  maifl  expedient 

1410  For  honour  of  his  Lord  armipotent. 

Quhen  that  the  worthie,  wicht  Clariodus 
About  the  lifts  ane  quhyle  had  palllt  thus, 
Seing  that  everie  thing  was  donne  aricht, 
Becaus  he  litill  ileipit  had  that  nicht. 
He  went  unto  his  chalmer  and  tuike  reil 
Quhill  that  the  prince  of  planits  him  up  dreft  ; 
The  goldin  glemes  of  gleiting  Ikyis  cleir. 
Did  hevinlie  in  the  orient  appeir ; 
Up  raife  bricht  Phebus  with  the  morrow  foft, 

1420  Up  raife  the  noife  of  birdis  upon  loft. 

Up  raife  the  nobill  King  and  eike  the  Queine, 

Up  raile  alfo  Meliades  the  Icheine, 

Up  raife  the  court,  and  did  them  all  adreiis 

In  pretious  weidis  of  great  luftines. 

The  Queine  did  hir  aray  full  richlie. 

And  hir  atyrit  full  pretioullie ; 


96  CLARIODUS. 

And  eike  the  luftie  madin  Meliades 
Into  hir  heart  could  na  mair  joy  devile 
Nor  fcho  had  for  to  go  fe  the  jufting, 

U30  To  fe  him  that  fcho  did  love  abone  all  thing, 
Quhen  of  this  paflage  fcho  was  full  alTurit, 
With  pretious  ftonis,  and  rich  pearle  and  purit, 
Scho  did  hir  frefche  and  luftilie  atyre  ; 
Hir  fchyning  hair  as  [the]  bricht  gold  vryer 
Hang  fchyning  into  gyltine  traces  cleir, 
With  croun  upon  hir  heid  baith  rich  and  deir 
Set  full  of  roobies  and  fapheiris  blew  ;•. 
Ane  fiiirer  princes  in  all  the  warld  nane  knew. 
The  Count  of  Eftur  enarmit  him  rycht  anone 

1440  At  all  pairtis,  iiive  of  his  helme  alone. 

Quhen  they  hard  mefe  and  fyne  diijunit. 
The  filver  trumpit  fyne  uptunit. 
For  hors  they  cryit :  the  King  lape  on  rycht  thair. 
All  coverit  with  his  armis  gud  and  fair  : 
The  Queine  raid  in  ane  chariot  on  height. 
All  coverit  with  ane  claith  of  gold  full  bricht 
Browderit  with  pretious  ilonis  and  pearlis  quhyt, 
Quhilk  to  behold  it  was  [ane]  great  delyte  : 
like  in  ane  chariot  raid  this  goung  Princes  ; 

1450  Of  gold  and  ftonis  great  was  the  riches 
About  hir  fchynit  frefchlie  as  the  day  ; 
Two  fnaw  quhyt  palfrayes  led  hir  ftirth  the  way. 
With  harnifching  more  nor  I  can  fchaw  ; 
For  gold  and  ftonis  micht  no  man  hir  knaw  ; 
Threttie  ladies  followit  hir  weill  befeine, 
Alfe  bricht  of  bewtie  as  thebloflume  fcheine: 
The  Count  of  Eftur  afcendit  on  his  ft«id. 
With  mony  ane  knicht  [attyrit]  in  frefch  weid. 


BUIK  SECUND.  9^. 

Quhilk  buire  his  fpeiris  and  with  him  abaid  ; 
I -MO  With  his  bricht  helme  ane  Lord  before  him  raid. 

I  let  them  pafe  rycht  glad  and  Ibberly, 

And  of  the  Greine  Knicht  [lum  thing]  fpeik  will  I. 
The  Greine  Knicht  redie  was  into  his  tent. 

The  Knicht  Sir  Pennent  ay  full  biflle  went, 

Putting  all  things  in  rule  and  governance, 

Great  policie  he  maid  at  all  plefance. 

When  he  thocht  everie  thing  was  at  poynt, 

That  from  perfectioun  thair  was  no  diljoynt. 

For  Lordis  that  war  dwelling  neir  thame  by 
1470  He  fent  for  twelf,  abuilgeit  reallie. 

For  to  refave  the  King  with  great  honour, 

Quhilk  neir  aprochit  with  court  of  great  valour. 

And  or  the  King  com  neir  the  jufting  place. 

They  micht  his  minflrellis  heir  ane  long  ipace; 

Heich  was  the  noyfe,  and  curious  was  the  found 

Of  talbert,  trumpit,  and  of  clarioun. 

Quhen  that  the  King  was  cuming  neir  the  feild. 

He  hovit  flill,  and  attentivlie  beheld 

The  gudlie  entres  raifit  upon  heicht, 
I4«0  All  browderit  and  depaintit  with  leves  bricht. 

With  gudlie  flouris  wounder  frefche  to  be  leine, 

The  blumes  quhyt,  and  the  leves  greine. 

The  variant  hewis  without  of  purpour  thine. 

With  cloath  of  gold  arayit  all  within, 

The  curious  kirnellis  ryfeing  upon  heicht 

Glittering  and  fchyning  lb  winder  fair  and  bricht. 

Great  was  the  joy  thay  had  on  everie  fyd. 

For  to  behold  the  Greine  Knicht  as  he  did  ryd. 

The  King  faid  that  it  was  the  gudlieft  ficht, 
1490  That  ever  he  law  in  eard  of  ony  wicht ; 

N 


9g  CLARIODUS. 

So  faid  the  lordis  and  knichtis  all  in  feir. 
The  nobill  Queine  and  all  the  ladies  cleir 
Great  joy  had  him  to  fe  on  fik  ane  wyfe  ; 
And  maill  of  all,  the  fair  Meliades 
Rejoiit  was  that  Knicht  for  to  behold, 
Whom  to  hir  heart  withoutin  ftraike  was  gold ; 
To  fe  him  ryd  fo  knichtlie  in  his  weid. 
That  love  hir  fa  ftreingeit  withoutin  dreid. 
That  it  ane  feikness  grew  about  hir  heart, 
1500  That  fuddant  ftart  fcho  micht  it  not  efcart 
Of  Cupidis  bow  fo  big  againis  hir  bent, 
From  quhilk  ane  hundreth  awfiiU  dartis  went 
Ilk  efter  uther,  with  woundis  greine  and  new, 
Throw  quhais  ftoundis  fcho  oft  changit  hew, 
Almaiil  hir  paflioun  infufiFerabill, 
Amongs  them  alfo  fcho  is  to  fune  abill  ; 
And  efter  that  fcho  wald  recover  a  ftound, 
And  with  fic  comfort  and  great  joy  abound, 
That  uneis  for  glaidnes  [fcho]  micht  conteine  ; 
1510  And  thus  for  love  this    lufty]  Lady  beine. 

Quhen  redie  war  thir  nobill  Knichtis  two. 
The  Kingis  herald  cryit.  Let  them  go. 
Full  haiftilie  than  rowmit  was  the  feild. 
And  to  thair  meiting  everie  man  beheld. 
The  Count  of  Eftur  com  redie  in  his  geir  : 
And  the  Greine  Knicht  anone  hes  taine  his  fpeir ; 
Bot  he  his  helme  no  way  wald  let  lace, 
Whairof  his  felow  grit  mervell  hes  ; 
The  cans  quhairof  ,\e  fall  wit  efter  foune. 
1520  Anone  the  trumpits  blew  a  mirrie  toune  ; 
The  Knichtis  baith  com  to  fo  wonder  fair, 
That  all  men  them  commendit  that  war  thair. 


BUIK  SECUND.  99 


The  Grein  Knicht  Ibftlie  did  his  courfer  rteir ; 
Bot  quhen  he  did  aproch  his  Father  neir, 
Alfweith  his  lance  fourth  of  his  reill  he  threw, 
And  from  his  heid  his  helme  he  af  drew, 
And  to  his  Father  he  hes  oflFerit  his  Ipeir, 
Saying,  with  glaidfume  viiage  and  with  faire. 
My  Lord,  I  geild  me  to  30W  but  ilraike, 

1330  So  as  ge  lift  of  me  gour  conquife  make. 
The  Count  of  Eftur  him  beholding  thus. 
And  law  it  was  his  fonne  Clariodus, 
Alfo  his  fpeir  to  grund  he  caift  him  fro. 
And  af  hes  hivit  his  helme  or  he  wald  ho, 
And  in  his  armis  heir  he  did  him  brace, 
And  tenderlie  him  kiiTit  in  that  place. 
Great  wounder  had  the  peple  all  about. 
Upon  this  thing  had  ferlie  all  the  rout  j 
Bot  quhen  they  wift  it  was  Clariodus, 

1540  The  clamour  raii'e  and  noyfe  mervellous 
Amongis  them,  over  all  baith  auld  and  ging, 
For,  certes,  they  him  lovit  over  all  thing. 
And  with  ane  clamour  ryfing  to  the  Iky, 
Vive,  Vive  Clariodus,  they  cry. 
The  Lordis  lape  from  fkaffald  heir  and  thair. 
And  maid  him  for  to  licht  with  freindlie  fair ; 
Bot  they  uneis  in  armes  micht  him  fang 
For  preife  of  peple  that  about  him  thrang. 
The  nobill  King  fo  glaid  was  this  to  feine, 

1550  For  joy  the  teiris  ran  doune  from  his  eine  ; 
Glaid  was  the  Queine,  and  all  hir  Ladies  eik  : 
Bot  maift  of  all  Meliades  the  meike, 
Litill  hir  eyis  full  plefand  was  the  ficht 
Of  him  that  was  hir  fervand  and  hir  Knicht, 


100  CLARIODUS. 

Quhilk  conqueift  had  hir  honour  and  renoune 
Over  all  uther  Knichts  but  comparifoun. 
\^Tiat  fall  I  of  hir  joyes  to  30 w  wryt  ? 
I  can  not  have  hir  gladnes  put  in  dyte. 
'    The  King  difcendit  from  his  ikaflfald  thair ; 
1560  So  <iid  the  Queine,  and  eik  hir  dochter  fair. 
Clariodus  tham  met  full  courtellie, 
And  on  his  kneis  fat  doun  full  reverentlie, 
Helfing  the  King,  quhom  he  tuike  up  alfweith 
Up  in  his  armes,  and  with  his  vifage  blyth 
Him  kiffit  i'weitlie,  and  eik  fo  did  the  Queine, 
And  fyne  Meliades  that  Lady  fcheine. 
Lordis  and  ladies  did  fo  about  him  thrill. 
Him  welcuming,  that  redlie  he  no  will 
Whom  to  anfweir  or  to  thank  in  thair  ; 
1570  Bot  ay  inclynand  with  ane  vifage  fair. 

Quhen  knicht  and  lord,  lady  and  baitcheleir 
Had  him  refavit  with  ane  frindlie  cheir, 
Richt  courtellie  the  King  he  did  befeike. 
And  fyne  the  Queine,  and  the  goung  Ladie  eik. 
To  pas  and  tham  repole  into  the  place  ; 
Thay  grantit  him,  and  went  furth  with  folace  ; 
They  enterit  in  the  place,  and  fyne  anone 
In  ane  fair  chalmer  he  maid  them  for  to  gone  ; 
The  Lord  lyne  of  the  place  he  gart  him  bring, 
1580  And  his  aquentance  thair  maid  with  the  King, 
And  with  the  Queine,  and  with  Meliades. 
When  this  was  donne,  he  faid  upon  this  wyfe 
Unto  the  King,  Sir,  moll  it  30W  eflfeiris. 
To  go  and  loufe  gon  werie  prilToneris  ; 
To  quhilk  the  King  hes  grantit  with  gud  will. 
The  Count  of  Eftur  he  gart  remaine  thair  ftill, 


BUIK  SECUND.  101 

And  eik  with  him  his  fone  Clariodus, 

To  make  the  Ladies  niirrie  and  joyous. 

He  euterit  in  the  chalmer  of  plefance, 
la'JO  Whair  that  the  priiToners  fould  dre  thair  pennance. 

Thir  nobill  Knichtis  quhen  they  faw  the  King, 

They  war  rejofit  into  mikle  thing  ; 

Thay  did  inclyne  and  did  him  reverence, 

Richt  as  effeirit  to  his  excellence. 

He  fpeirit  of  thair  falBoun  and  thair  cheir 

Sen  the  firft  tym  thay  enterit  priflbneir  ; 

And  thay  have  tauld  him  all  the  circumflance 

Of  all  thair  feifting,  and  thair  great  plefance. 

The  King  beheld  the  chalmer  then  wiflie  ; 
1600  And  feing  it  arayit  lb  richlie, 

Efpying  all  thair  playing  inftruments, 

Thair  feifting,  and  thair  plelant  abaitments, 

Thair  dancing,  fmging,  with  found  of  minftrellie, 

The  King  faid,  ^e  ar  beholdin  grittumlie 

To  the  Greine  Knicht  hes  gow  priflbned  fo, 

ge  have  felt  mair  of  glaidnes  nor  of  wo  ; 

Syne  them  befor  Clariodus  he  brocht. 

Saying  to  them.  Know  ge  the  Greine  Knicht  ocht  ? 

How  lykis  it  gow  jour  taiker,  fchaw  to  us  ? 
1610  And  quhen  they  faw  it  was  Clariodus, 

Mirrier  Knights  war  never  under  the  fone  ; 

Thair  men  micht  fe  ane  game  new  begune, 

Thay  did  inclyne  to  him  full  courteflie. 

And  he  imbracit  tham  full  tenderlie  ; 

He  kiffit  Amadur  and  alfo  Pallexis, 

Quhilk  was  his  coulings  of  fik  nobilnes. 

The  Knichts  then  deliverit  war  anone. 

The  King  then  to  the  triumph  hall  is  gone. 


102  •  CLARIODUS. 

Quhilk  browderit  was  [with]  leives  and  with  flours, 
1620  Richt  luftie  fair  and  plefant  ower  miiTours. 

The  King'commendit  it  rjcht  greattumlie. 

So  did  the  Queine,  and  eik  the  soung  Ladie  ; 

The  Count  of  Eftur  prailit  it  alfo. 

They  wofche  and  to  the  denner  fyne  did  go. 

To  the  tabill  anone  was  fet  the  King-, 

The  Queine,  and  eik  Meliades  the  ging ; 

.At  the  fame  burd  fat  the  Earle  of  Eftur. 

The  Merchellis  of  difcretion  and  nurture 

Full  bilfilie  went  ben  and  but  the  hall ; 
1630  At  uther  buirdis  that  war  collaterall 

They  fet  the  Lordis  efler  thair  degrees. 

With  potent  barouns,  knichtis,  and  ladies. 

And  as  the  firft  cours  com  in  randound, 

The  mirrie  trumpits  maid  ane  mirrie  found  ; 

Of  clariouns  fchill,  and  uther  minftrellie, 

I  wift  thair  was  ane  hevinlie  melodie  ; 

The  found  out  throw  the  lilver  mettel  thrang, 

Whill  all  the  grit  hall  throw  the  noyife  rang. 

Thair  monie  diverfe  courfe  for  to  declair 
1640  Ane  houris  lenth  fould  occupie  and  mair, 

Quhilk  neidis  not  for  to  be  tauld  all  heire  ; 

Great  was  the  feill  with  hie  triumph  and  cheir. 

When  filence  beine  of  windand  minftrellie. 

And  buird  beine  fervit,  by  and  by 

The  luits  beine  fayit  and  the  ftrings. 

The  fquyeris  danfing  alway  in  the  tprings. 

The  harpis  beine  fayit  at  the  full 

To  make  hearts  mirrie  that  war  dull ; 

The  guthtrone  with  triumph  did  record, 
1650  The  cleare  lymball  with  the  mirriecord. 


BUIK  SECUND.  iO« 


The  dulcat  playit  alfb  with  portative 
Sad  hevie  myndis  to  make  exultative ; 
The  dulfe,  bafe  fiddell,  with  the  recordour 
Affayit  war  and  fet  at  ane  milToure  ; 
Out  of  Irland  ther  was  ane  clerfcheo. 
[The  King  begouth  to  lauch,  the  Quein  alfo,3 
And  then  luich  all,  and  maid  grit  game. 
He  could  not  mirrie  be  that  thair  was  drame  ; 
For  thair  nocht  wantit  of  all  warldlie  joy 
16«0  That  ever  had  fair  Priamus  of  Troy. 
The  mekill  hall  was  fervit  far  and  neir 
Of  rich  wynis  in  goldin  coupis  cleir. 
And  betwix  courfis  was  ane  padgeane  playit. 
Into  play  coats  they  curiouflie  war  arajrit. 
By  great  inchanters  and  fubtill  magicianis. 
Sweit  finging  was  of  craftieft  muficianis. 
And  mirrie  danfing  of  tender  Virginia  quhyt. 
With  plefant  ftories  all  of  Homer's  indyte  ; 
And  mirrie  fabillis  of  Guido  de  Colune, 
1670  Eik  was  thair  fynis  of  padgeanis  playit  dumbe. 
If  I  fould  tell  30W  all  the  long  proces, 
I  Ibuld  30W  irk  be  furfat  of  exces  ; 
For  bell  is  ane  dilcretioun  moderat. 
For  everie  thing  aucht  to  be  temperat. 
The  Kingis  heralds  larglie  cryit  aloud. 
Of  gold  and  filver,  and  of  feimlie  fchroud, 
Gevin  to  them  be  Sir  Clariodus, 
That  was  both  wicht,  wittie,  and  famous  ; 
Quhilk  all  this  quhyle  was  on  his  feit  Handing, 
1680  For  he  was  maiiler  carver  to  the  King. 
Bot  foune  anone  he  paflit  af  the  hall. 
And  tuike  with  him  his  priiToneris  all ; 


104  CLARIODUS. 

Saying  to  them,  My  frindis  treft  and  deire, 
ge  do  me  now  the  plefour  I  require, 
That  je  wald  gounis  weir  in  fuit  with  me. 
Thairto  fiiU  glaidlie  can  [they]  all  agre. 
He  gart  furth  bring  to  everie  man  a  goune, 
That  at  the  liflis  he  had  ftrikin  doun. 
Of  claith  of  gold,  hevinlie  hewit  greine, 
1690  Furrit  with  mertrix  gudlie  for  to  feine. 

Quhilk  gouns  he  gart  make  for  thame  onlie. 
Of  his  great  wifdome,  and  his  courtafie. 
To  Sir  Pennent  ane  goun  gave  he  alfo, 
[And  he]  himfelf  that  day  wore  ane  of  tho. 
With  him  thay  dynit  in  the  chalmer  thair. 
Syne  to  the  hall  [thay]  all  togider  fair, 
Quhair  that  the  King  fat  [at]  his  denner  ftill. 
This  luftie  fort  of  Knichtis  went  him  till, 
And  thankit  him  of  his  great  gentilnes, 

1700  To  thame  donne  be  his  palling  nobilnes. 
Of  Sir  Clariodus  of  great  renoune 
Then  faid  the  King  with  richt  bening  fermoune 
Unto  the  Count  of  Eftur  ;  Fair  coulingne, 
I  weinit  our  Knichts  fould  thair  ranfoum  bring. 
For  to  have  gevin  Clariodus  jour  Tone  ; 
Bot  to  gif  them  he  hes  firft  begune. 
The  Count  of  Efture  [anfuerit]  Per  mon  fay. 
The  nobill  Knichtis  fpeikis  more  largly 
Anents  my  fone  I  wait,  nor  he  hes  del'ervit ; 

1710  Ane  greater  guerdoun  for  to  have  thay  fervit. 

Quhen  this  was  donne,  thay  woich  and  laid  grace, 
Syne  to  the  floftre  they  went  them  to  folace. 
On  inftruments  menftrelles  playit  curiouflie. 
Lords,  knichts,  and  ladies  danlit  mirrilie. 


BUIK  SECUND.  105 

Be  this  tbair  enterit  into  the  hall 
The  lex  fair  Virgins,  luftie,  quhite  and  fmall, 
That  led  the  Greine  Knight  to  the  jufting  place  ; 
As  rofe  and  lillie  cuUour  was  thair  face  ; 
All  cled  in  cloath  of  filver  new  and  greine 
1720  Of  plelant  bewtie,  angellyk  to  feine  ; 
With  hairis  bundin  in  traces  of  gold, 
Schyning  full  bricht  and  pleafant  to  behold  ; 
All  with  greine  hatis  on  thair  heidis  fet, 
With  flainis  and  pearle  michtilie  ouerfret ; 
With  fex  fair  Squyers  cled  in  the  fame  cullour 
Them  leading,  for  to  fe  was  great  plefoure. 
Firft  thrie  com  in,  of  quhilk  the  formift  had 
Upon  hir  hand  ane  fair  fparhalk  weill  maid  ; 
And  to  the  King  fcho  kneillit  courtellie, 
1730  f  And  him  prefentit  the  halk  delyverlie. 

Saying,  The  Greine  Knicht  hes  this  halke  30W  fend. 

Doing  him  hartlie  to  gour  Grace  commend. 

The  King  this  halk  refavit  fra  the  maid, 

I  thanke  richt  heartlie  the  Greine  Knicht,  he  laid. 

The  uther  thre  them  foUowit  foberlie, 

Quhilk  gave  thre  leich  of  hundis  beninglie 

Unto  the  King,  and  all  war  cullourit  quhyt. 

Thus  faid  the  formift  madine  of  delyt. 

The  Greine  Knicht  him  commendis  to  gour  Grace. 
1740  Then  cryit  all  the  court  with  mirrie  face 

Upon  this  wayis,  Vive  Clariodus, 

Baith  wyl'e  and  worthie,  nobill  and  gratious  I 

Then  begouth  menftrellis  mirrilie  to  play, 

And  for  to  dance  joung  knichtis  did  aflay  ; 

Clariodus  anone  begouth  to  dance. 

And  frelch  Meliades  of  moft  plefance. 


106  CLARIODUS. 

Quhilk  tham  becam  fo  weill  and  luftily, 
Them  for  to  fe  great  joy  had  flanding  by  ; 
The  lordis,  ladies,  and  knichtis  in  the  hall 

1750  Danfit  anone.    Thus  mirrie  maid  thay  all. 

When  that  the  dance  was  ceiilt,  then  the  King 
Clariodus  befoght  that  he  wald  ling. 
The  quhilk  begouth  to  fing  on  gudlie  wyfe 
The  fong  that  he  had  maid  of  Meliades ; 
Ane  fquyer  of  his  him  helpit  courteflie, 
Whilk  fang  the  tennour  wonder  plelandlie. 
When  he  had  fung  it,  [[then]  he  tuike  delyt. 
And  it  into  ane  role  cloffit  perfite, 
And  put  Qit]  in  the  hand  of  his  Ladie 

1760  Without  perfaving,  wonder  quyetlie. 
Meliades  glaidlie  tuike  the  lang. 
And  previlie  fcho  in  hir  flive  it  thrang  ; 
Syne  [fecreitliej  his  hand  fcho  ftreinjit,  thus. 
Half  finyling,  faying.  Sir,  ge  ar  perrellous 
Amongs  ladies  in  companie  to  fland. 
That  fo  can  thring  thir  billis  in  thair  hand. 

All  eardlie  joy  for  ane  quhile  dois  hot  left ; 
When  his  luftie  triumph  was  mirrieft 
The  King  gart  call  for  horfe,  and  that  anone 

1770  But  more  delay,  for  he  wald  hameuard  gone  j 
Sir  Pennent  he  rewairdit  moniefold, 
And  held  him  ftill  as  knicht  of  his  houlhold  ; 
His  Ladie  fair,  and  hir  fex  Virgins  Icheine, 
He  gart  becum  in  houfliold  to  the  Queine. 

To  Windiefchoir  the  King  I  let  furth  ryd. 
Clariodus  behind  him  did  abyd 
For  to  rewaird  the  fervants  of  the  place, 


BUIK  SECUND.  107 

And  lb  he  did  lycht  larglie  with  Iblace  ; 

Syno  followit  on  the  Court  quhilk  him  abaid, 
1780  And  rycht  humblie  to  the  King  he  raid. 

And  thankit  him  of  his  magnificence. 

And  eik  the  Queine  of  hir  great  excellence, 

Quhilk  gave  thair  nobill  prelence  in  the  hall ; 

Meliades  he  thankit  eik  withall. 

With  court  royall,  thus  raid  the  King  fiirth  rycht 

To  Windifchore,  and  thair  he  did  alycht, 

Wliair  [thatj  the  fupper  redie  was  at  all. 

The  King  and  Queine  ar  enterit  in  the  hall. 

And  to  the  tabill  [^war]  fet  michtilie  ; 
l"90  And  everilk  lord  of  honour,  and  ladie. 

War  fet  at  fupper  efler  thair  degrie. 

And  fervit  fyne  with  great  folemnitie. 

The  King  commandit  Sir  Pennent  the  Knicht 

Sould  feiilit  be,  and  eik  his  Ladie  bricht. 

And  the  fex  Virgins  ;  quhilk  was  donne  at  all. 

Then  menilrallis  playit  lullilie  in  the  hall. 
Rycht  as  thay  fouppit  had  and  faid  the  grace. 

So  com  the  Kingis  brother  Sir  Thomas ; 

Him  welcumit  the  King  on  fair  maneir, 
1800  As  ge  fell  efler  in  this  proces  heir. 

ge  micht  have  feine  ane  richt  triumphant  thing. 

Of  gudlie  knichtis  had  beine  at  jufting ; 

Bot  fra  he  faw  the  honnour  and  the  feifl. 

That  thair  was  maid  baith  more  and  leiil 

Unto  the  Count  of  Eftur  and  Clariodus, 

He  grew  in  breift  haitfull  and  invyous  ; 

And  in  his  mynd  with  felloune  rancour  fyrit 

He  hes  ane  falfe  and  feindlie  fact  confpyrit 


108  CLARIODUS. 

Agains  Clariodus  the  wicht  and  wyfe, 
1810  And  eike  agains  his  neice  Meliades  ; 

Quhilk  tham  engreifit  oft  in  grit  maneir, 
As  ge  fall  efter  in  this  Treatefe  heir. 
The  King  gart  have  him  to  ane  chalmer  fair. 
And  royallie  gart  him  be  feiilit  thair. 

When  this  was  donne,  the  King  to  chalmer  went, 
With  mony  earlis,  knichtis,  and  lordis  potent. 
With  mekill  glaidnes  and  with  folacing, 
With  minftrellis  fyne,  quhair  thay  did  dance  and  iing 
Ane  Weill  lang  fpace  j  fyne  everie  lord  anone 
1820  Hes  taine  his  leiye,  fyne  to  his  Inis  is  gone. 
Meliades  bir  leave  hes  taine  at  the  Queine, 
And  went  to  chalmer  with  hir  ladies  fcheine  ; 
And  quhen  fcho  was  in  chalmer  quyetlie. 
With  hir  awin  fecrite  fervants  gone  onlie. 
With  the  advyfe  and  leive  of  hir  maiftres, 
Scho  cauiit  dame  Romaryn  hir  adrefe 
To  fetch  the  Lady  of  Joyous  Mafon, 
To  make  to  hir  ane  mirrie  collation. 
Scho  bad  the  varlot  Bonvaleir  alfo 
1830  That  he  for  Sir  Clariodus  fould  go. 

Now  Romaryn  hes  donne  this  Ladie  bring. 
And  the  fex  Virgins  plefant  and  bening  j 
The  varlot  eik  hes  brocht  Clariodus. 
Meliades  was  then  in  heart  joyous, 
And  tham  refavit  with  ane  plefant  cheir, 
And  with  ane  fweit  and  womanlie  maneir, 
Sayand  to  j^Sir]  Clariodus  hir  Knight, 
Supple  me  at  gour  pouer  and  jour  micht. 
This  Ladie  for  to  feift,  and  make  gud  cheir. 


BUIK  SECUND.  109 


1840  He  ikid,  Madame,  forfuith  my  commoun  wer. 
For  fcho  hes  oft  me  feiflit  [weill]  for  this. 
Ane  banquit  than  begane  with  joy  and  blife. 
Meliades  then  tuike  hir  be  the  hand 
With  womanlie  eflFeir,  doing  hir  command 
For  to  begine  the  tabill  mirrilie ; 
Bot  this  gud  Ladie  ftiU  of  courtefie 
Excuiiit  hir  to  fit  £0  he  at  tabill 
With  hir  that  was  a  princes  honorabill ; 
Bot  that  micht  be  no  bute  fcho  fat  [hir]  doune, 
1850  With  Amadour  ane  Knicht  of  grit  renoune. 
And  eik  fcho  baid,  with  wordis  amiabill, 
Clariodus  to  Hand  befyd  the  tabill 
And  be  ane  carvour.     To  quhilk  he  did  confent. 
Lower  fat  uther  ladies  confequent. 
Dame  Romaryn  with  twa  ladies  hir  by 
Servit  the  tabill  winder  reverently. 
Great  was  the  banquit  and  plefant  was  the  cheir. 
With  mirrie  wordis  rycht  joyous  for  to  heir. 
With  fair  eflfeir  and  rycht  glaid  countinance, 
I860  With  eafie  fichis  grundit  on  plefance. 
With  law  demandis  of  ladies  by  and  by, 
With  fweit  love  fongs  and  cumlie  minftrelly. 
With  fecreit  blenkis  and  inwart  beholding, 
With  finylling  loukis  full  of  cherifing. 
With  birning  breift  of  thrift  and  bote  defyre 
With  quhilk  ilk  wicht  ftomakit  beine  in  fyre ; 
With  all  thair  pleiant  drinkis  at  the  tabill. 
With  thrift  of  love  fo  wode  and  inlatiabill 
Within  thir  lovers  breiftis  did  abound, 
1870  Whair  Cupids  darts  had  maid  monie  ane  wounde. 


110  CLARIODUS. 

Thair  courfis  heir  I  will  not  all  indyte, 
I  man  on  neid  reftraine  my  pen  alite 
Or  be  ouer  prolixt  in  my  fermoning. 

When  they  had  long  with  joy  and  conforting. 
So  nobillie  feillit  that  lang  it  war  to  tell. 
All  up  thay  raife,  ladie  and  damofell, 
And  rycht  demurlie  ane  dance  thay  begane, 
Ane  gudlier  law  never  leiveand  man. 
Efter  the  dance,  begouth  they  for  to  ling  ; 

1880  Meliades  with  countenance  bening 

The  tribill  fang,  full  angill  lyke  and  cleir. 
So  that  it  was  ane  paradice  to  heir ; 
Ane  nobill  tennor  held  Clariodus, 
The  fame  to  heir  was  hevinlie  and  joyous. 

Whill  long  upon  this  wayis  thay  did  difporte, 
The  circumftance  war  long  for  to  reporte. 
When  it  was  lait,  than  leave  tuike  everie  wicht, 
The  Ladie  kneillit  and  faid,  Madam,  Gud  nicht. 
Meliades  gart  bring  of  rich  coUour 

1890  Ane  goune  of  claith  of  gold  of  grit  valour, 
And  to  the  Ladie  of  Joyous  Mafone 
It  prefentit,  faying  with  bening  fermone, 
ge  fall  refavein  this,  gentUl  Coufingne, 
And  for  my  laik  weir  it  with  glaidening. 
This  Lady  kneillit,  thanking  hir  hartfully. 
Syne  gart  fcho  bring  the  fex  Virgins  hir  by 
Sex  fair  gounis  of  velvot  cramofie. 
With  rich  arming  reverfit  nobillie. 
Clariodus  rycht  glaid  was  for  to  fe, 

1900  Of  this  Ladie  the  great  nobilitie  } 

Hir  pafling  fredome  quhen  he  did  efpy, 


BUIK  SECUND.  HI 

He  was  rejofit  wounder  grittumly. 

Thay  tuike  thair  leaves,  tbair  is  no  inair  to  lay, 

Sir  Clariodus  convoyit  all  the  way 

'lliis  Lady  to  hir  chalmer,  and  anone 

He  tuike  his  leave  and  unto  bed  is  gone. 
At  morrow  raife  all  the  lordis  in  feir, 

And  at  the  Kingis  palice  did  compeire. 

The  feift  indurit  furth  ane  monethes  fpace, 
1910  With  finging,  danfing,  and  joy  with  folace  ; 

Syne  lordis  tuike  thair  leave  and  hamewart  went 

In  court  quhilk  war  not  daylie  refident. 

Sir  Pennent  tuike  his  leave  with  his  Ladie, 

Rewairdit  be  the  King  rycht  honorabillie. 

Whom  convoyit  Clariodus  the  Knicht, 

Oft  thanking  thame  with  all  his  wit  and  micht 

Of  the  grit  kindnes  that  he  into  thame  fand  ; 

And  gart  delyver  them,  but  mair  demand, 

Aucht  hiindereth  florings :  hot  Sir  Pennent  I  wife 
1920  Was  wounder  laith  for  to  refavein  this ; 

Bot  he  moll  neidis  refave  it  with  inftance 

Of  Sir  Clariodus,  that  nobill  Knicht  moll  to  advance. 

Than  ather  uther  imbracit  tenderlie. 

And  tuik  thair  leave  rycht  fair  and  courteflie. 

Kiflit  the  Ladie  hes  Clariodus, 

Returning  hamwart  mirrie  and  joyous 

Unto  the  court,  quhair  he  remainit  ftill, 

And  thair  had  daylie  plefance  at  his  will 

Of  his  Ladie,  and  commoning  alio. 
1930  Whairfor  thair  heartis  brocht  war  out  of  woe. 
The  Count  of  Eftur  tuike  his  leave  to  ryd 

To  his  cuntrie,  ane  quhill  thair  to  abyd 


112  CLARIODUS. 

With  his  Ladie,  to  put  in  governance 
His  landis  haill  be  gud  rewle  and  ordinance. 
The  King  I  let  dwell  ftill  at  Windiefchore, 
Whill  I  30W  tell  of  new  tydingis  more. 
In  hiftorie  as  my  Awthor  dois  aiTend, 
And  on  this  wayis  the  Secund  Buike  I  end. 


THE  THRID  BUIK 
OF 

CLARIODUS. 


The  King  of  Cyprus  with  his  court  ryding 
Endlang  the  ftrandis,  in  ane  fair  morning, 
Beheld  ane  fchipe  with  wind  and  waves  dryve, 
Quhilk  on  the  coll  be  tempeft  did  aryve, 
Whairin  war  marchandis  out  of  Sarilinis  land. 
The  King  delcendit  to  heir  of  thair  tydand. 
They  fchew  him  that  the  Caine  of  Tartarie 
With  fortie  thowland  Turkis  was  redie 
To  enter  in  his  land  incontinent, 
10    And  him  perlew  with  weiris  vehement ; 
And  faid,  that  thay  his  ordinance  had  feine, 
Quhilk  on  the  fea  war  cumand  all  bedeine. 
The  King  abaifllt  was  [^richt]  grittumlie, 
And  for  his  counlall  lent  he  haillilie  ; 
And  quhan  that  with  his  lordis  he  beine  advyfit, 
For  his  vaflelis  to  fend  thay  have  devilit, 
That  thay  within  fyve  dayis  fould  compeir 
On  thair  bell  wyfe,  on  hors  and  armour  cleir  ; 

p 


114  CLARIODUS. 

And  to  gar  provide  tounis  with  victual!, 
20    For  to  withftand  his  foes  that  fould  alTaill. 

This  beand  donne,  the  King  and  eike  the  Queine 
To  Bruland  went,  ane  toun  with  wallis  fcheine, 
And  thair  within  providit  for  ane  geir. 
His  letters  he  deredlit  far  and  neir 
In  his  cuntrie,  and  wairnit  all  his  leigis 
In  ilk  toun  to  provide  for  the  feigis. 
Thair  com  to  Bruland  be  the  fyvetine  day 
Awcht  thoufand  fpeiris  in  full  giid  aray  ; 
Of  quhilkis  the  King  held  four  thouland  ftill, 

30    The  uther  half  they  fent  the  Marches  till. 
To  keip  the  cuntrie  endlang  the  coafl. 
The  Kingis  will  fiilfillit  ather  hoft. 

Within  Ichort  tyme  the  Turkis  did  arjrve, 
And  to  Bruland  aprochit  thay  belyve, 
And  thair  the  feige  full  flxonglie  thay  confirme  ; 
The  Sowdane  with  his  lordis  did  determe 
To  have  the  toune  or  ever  they  fra  it  raid, 
And  thairon  grit  avoues  have  thay  maid. 
The  King  to  counlall  with  his  lordis  went, 

40    And  ordanit  folkis  in  guid  abuilgement 
For  to  aJTay  the  Turkis  day  by  day. 
The  Cyprianis  rycht  manfuUie  did  affay 
The  Sarafinis  full  oft  with  fword  and  Ipeir, 
And  ifchit  out  on  them  with  awfull  feir  ; 
On  quhais  melting  was  grit  occifioun. 
On  baith  the  fydis  was  ilauchter  rycht  felloun. 

The  wird  of  quhilk  com  to  the  reallem  of  France, 
Of  quhilk  the  King  had  [fo]  grit  dilplefance, 
Twa  thowland  fpeiris  he  fent  them  to  llipport, 

50    With  his  Conflabill ;  quhilk  redie  maid  at  fchort. 


BUIK  THRID.  115 

And  paflit  [ftrait]  to  CTprus  the  cuntrie, 

To  Carados  ane  walled  toune  by  lea, 

Whilk  was  ane  myle  from  Bruland  and  no  more, 

Whair  thay  on  Sarafinis  aiTailgit  fore. 

From  France  to  Ingland  com  this  ilk  tyding. 

When  it  confavit  Philipon  the  King, 

He  was  difpleaiit  [eik]  in  great  maneir, 

The  King  of  Cyprus  was  his  coufing  neir. 

Firft  with  his  counfall  he  did  him  advyfe, 
«o    Syne  to  Clariodus  upon  this  wyfe 

He  faid,  ge  ar  ane  Knicht  of  nobill  fame, 

Throuchout  the  warld  fpargit  is  jour  name  ; 

My  brother  of  Cyprus  and  eame  I  mone  fupport, 

Quhairfoir  je  take  with  gow  ane  luftie  forte 

Of  men  of  armis,  aucht  hundreth  that  ar  wicht, 

And  ipeid  30W  to  the  thrift  with  all  gour  micht ; 

For  ge  fall  capitane  be  and  govemour 

Unto  that  rout  as  Knicht  of  great  valoure. 

Then  laid  Clariodus,  I  thank  30W  grittumlie, 
70    Sour  Heines  Sir,  that  me  fo  nobillie 

Lift  to  advance  into  fo  heich  renoune  : 

Bot  I  ungainand  am  ;  be  this  refoune. 

He  fould  ane  lord  be  of  gritter  knowlege 

And  wit  of  weirlie  experience  and  age 

Nor  am  I :  git  to  take  fie  thing  on  hand, 

Nocht  this  I  fay,  jour  Heichnes  to  gainftand  ; 

For  I  no  tyme  jour  command  will  refiife. 

My  unfuflBcience  I  fpeke  this  to  excufe. 

Thair  is  no  bute  heirin  to  fpeik  no  more, 
80    Clariodus  moft  neidis  make  thore. 

The  King  gart  foune  bis  Letters  furth  adres 

For  knichtis  of  grit  fame  and  worthines. 


116  CLARIODUS. 

When  that  the  armie  cuming  was  all  cleir, 
Clariodus,  he  faid,  on  this  maneir, 
Thir  folkis  I  beteach  in  gour  keiping, 
More  trufling  in  gour  wit  and  governing 
Nor  ony  uther  Knicht  in  all  my  ringne  ; 
This  companie  thairfor  I  50W  refigne, 
Beleikand  gow  tham  wyflie  to  demane, 
90    Whill  ge  in  Ingland  vifie  us  againe. 
With  that  he  did  imbrace  Clariodus, 
Taking  his  leave  with  wordis  pitious  ; 
Wha  faid  unto  the  King,  Wald  God  that  I 
All  gour  command  fall  doe  fo  diligently, 
Efter  my  wit  and  my  knowleging, 
That  to  gour  Heichnes  falbe  grit  pleafing. 
With  wordis  of  pitie  and  of  tendernes 
He  tuike  his  leave  this  nicht ;  and  did  adres 
Unto  the  Queine,  and  tuike  his  leave  humblie ; 
100    And  at  Meliades,  quhilk  fecreitlie 

Bad  him,  that  he  fould  quyetlie  at  eve. 
Unto  hir  wairdrope  cum  and  take  his  leave. 

Meliades  unto  hir  chalmer  went. 
And  all  hir  ladies  unto  thair  bedis  fent. 
Saying,  Icho  was  dilpolit  hevilie, 
Whairfor  fcho  wald  that  nicht  [all]  quyetlie 
Repofe  hir  in  hir  wardrop  at  hir  eafe. 
This  Ladie,   quhom  na  joyes  micht  appeaie 
For  the  departing  of  Clariodus, 
no    With  ane  regrating  wondour  dolorus 
Adoune  fcho  fet  hir  at  hir  bed  feit. 
Full  IbrrowfuU,  and  brifting  out  of  greit. 
Bedewing  all  hir  gudlie  vifage  faire 
With  teiris  bricht,  out  letting  liches  fair. 


BUIK  THRID.  117 


As  fcho  that  mundane  joy  [wald  ay]  denud. 
Romaryn  bad  hir  be  in  comfort  gud. 
And  preichit  hir  with  wirdis  of  plefance  ; 
Saying,  Madame,  in  heart  take  no  pennance, 
For  ge  fould  rather  glaid  and  mirrie  be, 

120    Confiddering  that  he  pailis  in  fuplie 
Of  Criftine  men,  the  Sarafinis  to  refill. 
All  this  micht  not  hir  from  weiping  defiil, 
Bathit  in  teiris  wox  hir  bricht  vifage  ; 
Scho  faid,  Let  be,  how  fould  my  wo  aifwage. 
When  he  that  is  the  flour  of  chivalrie. 
So  luifing  me,  and  I  him  lb  tenderlie. 
Sail  pairt  from  me  into  fo  far  cuntrie, 
Nocht  witing  efter  if  I  fall  him  I'e  ; 
Now  quhat  fall  wird  of  me  fra  he  be  gone? 

130    My  heart  is  deid  and  cauld  lyke  ony  Hone  ; 
Ha  Romareine,  aleace,  quhat  lall  I  fay, 
How  fould  I  leive,  my  heart  is  all  away  I 
Thus  weipit  fcho  and  waillit  pitiouflie. 
That  ony  wicht  micht  rewth  have  and  mercie 
Hir  to  behold,  or  ^it  in  chalmer  be  ; 
Thair  is  no  wicht  fo  crewell  but  pitie, 
That  micht  from  teiris  hold,  or  git  conteine 
Of  weiping,  fra  this  Lady  he  had  feine. 
Softly  fcho  faid,  Romaryn  go  eljpy, 

140    Furth  at  the  garding  poftrum  quyetly. 

If  that  my  Knicht  be  cumit  thair  or  nocht. 
This  Romaryn  hes  hir  commandement  wrocht. 
And  fand  him  at  the  get,  and  him  refavit ; 
Syne  up  to  wardrope  pafllt  unperfavit, 
[Where  that  his  Ladie  lay  on  couch  alone] 
Deadlie  of  cheir  as  in  her  lyfe  war  none. 


118  CLARIODUS. 

Adoune  he  fat  belyd  hir  on  his  kne, 

For  love  of  God,  he  faid,  Madame,  let  be 

gour  cair  and  woe,  and  take  to  gove  glaidnes  ; 

150    For  out  of  dread,  I  have  more  hevines 

For  forrow  of  gow  nor  dowbill  of  my  fmert 
Albeit  that  daith  fould  take  me  be  the  heart ; 
5e  aucht  be  glaid,  Madame,  of  this  voyage, 
For  all  my  freindis  of  this  ilk  paiTage, 
This  wait  I  weill,  thay  fould  it  mirrie  maik. 
And  forie  be  if  it  I  fould  forfaike  ; 
Quhilk  if  I  had  for  ony  dreid  refuifit, 
Of  couardice  men  wald  me  have  acculit. 
Than  had  I  beine  degradit  and  unabill 

160    To  love  ane  Kingis  dochter  aniiabill. 

Madam,  have  mercie  on  gour  awin  woe ; 

Gif  je  no  lift,  aleace,  for  to  do  fo, 

For  love  of  God  then  mercie  have  on  me, 

That  may  for  pitie  not  fufteine  to  fe 

The  forowful  ficht  of  30W  my  Ladie  fweit. 

With  that  the  Knicht  anone  brift  out  to  greit, 

That  he  no  wirdis  mo  as  then  micht  fpeke 

For  inwart  wo  ;  it  feamit  his  heart  fould  breke. 

So  did  the  fwird  of  forrow  throw  it  glyd. 

170    Thir  loveris  weiping  [fo]  on  everie  fyd, 
Ouercum  with  painis  innumerabill, 
With  lighis  and  fobis  uncoverabill 
Within  thair  breifts,  that  long  they  fpake  na  thing, 
For  nather  of  them  could  ane  word  out  bring  j 
With  hir  was  nocht,  hot  ay,  Aleace,  my  Knicht ! 
And  he  againe,  Aleace,   my  Ladie  bricht ! 
And  thus  thay  fure  quhile  it  was  neir  the  day. 
Than  [wakeful!]  Romaryn  did  often  fay. 


BUIK  THRID.  119 

The  nicht  was  fiillie  gone,  [the]  day  aprochit ; 
180    Quhilk  wird  outhrow  [baith]  thair  heartis  brochit 

Scharp  as  ane  lance,  quhilk  neidit  not  I  weine. 

For  forrow  aneuch  was  ellis  thame  betwine. 

Then  faid  Clariodus,  My  Lady  bricht, 

Thair  is  no  mair,  Fairweill,  and  have  gud  nicht ; 

I  recommend  me  to  jour  ladyheid. 

Oft  prayand  God  preferve  jour  g^dlieheid ; 

Think  on  my  faith,  think  on  my  trew  I'ervice, 

Think  on  gour  Knicht.     And  quhen  Meliades        • 

Saw  no  refuge,  hot  he  wald  pairt  hir  fro, 
190    In  fwoune  fcho  fell  for  inward  paine  and  woe. 

In  armis  foftlie  tuike  Clariodus, 

And  with  ane  cheir  full  fed  and  doUorus, 

On  bed  hir  laid  full  tenderlie  and  foft. 

And  with  his  hands  he  held  hir  heid  on  loft. 

Beholding  on  hir  gudlie  vifege  cleir, 

Whairon  the  rolling  teiris  did  appeare. 

As  bricht  dew  dropis  upon  the  lillie  quhyte  ; 

Quhairof  the  deadlie  woe  can  no  man  indyt. 

Nor  half  the  cair  of  Sir  Clariodus  ; 
200    His  hard  regrat  to  heir  was  pitious. 

With  cauld  rofe  water  com  Romaryn  fail. 

And  on  hir  face  and  handis  did  it  caft ; 

Bot  lang  fcho  lay  with  deadlie  vifege  greine. 

That  it  was  rewth  and  pitie  for  to  leine. 

And  quhen  that  fcho  ouircom,  fcho  did  up  braid, 

Whair  beine  my  Knicht  Clariodus  ?  fcho  feid. 

Quoth  he.  My  heartis  Ladie  I  am  heir. 

For  love  of  God  make  now  fum  better  cheir. 

And  think  that  we  fell  meit  git  efter  this, 
210    Quhen  we  fell  have  ineuch  of  joy  and  blis  ; 


120  CLARIODUS. 

My  only  Ladie  traift  withoutin  dreid, 
That  for  gour  faike  againe  I  fall  me  fpeid 
Into  all  haift ;  and  eik  ge  fal  beleive. 
That  I  fo  laith  am  gow  [thus]  for  to  greive, 
That  lang  I  fall  not  byd  from  gour  prelence. 
For  unto  me  ane  death  is  jour  abfence. 
Forfuith  fcho  faid,  Clariodus,  I  trow- 
That  of  this  warld  depairts  from  uther  now 
The  treweft  lovers,  and  the  maift  faithfuU  eike  ; 

220    And  of  ane  thing  my  Knight  I  gow  befeike, 
Thocht  ge  be  far  fra  me  in  ane  llrange  ringne. 
That  ge  be  neir  to  me  in  fweit  thinking  ; 
And  all  of  fabill  falbe  myne  aray 
Whill  ge  returne,  thairfor  make  no  delay  ; 
ge  lall  have  heir  of  gold  ane  diamant, 
When  ge  it  fe  of  me  be  memorant. 
And  he  gave  hir  ane  rubbie  bricht  of  hew  j 
With  that  imbracing  can  thir  lovers  trew, 
And  kiffit  utheris  with  tearis  diftelling, 

230    And  fo  Weill  long  thay  ilud  without  fpeiking. 
Depairtit  thus  the  Knicht  Clariodus, 
And  his  Ladie,  with  fighis  doUorus. 
It  fould  me  vex  and  eik  my  auditouris. 
For  to  indyte  the  half  of  thair  dolouris  j 
Furth  of  the  chalmer  went  this  wofuU  wicht. 
With  forrowfuU  teiris  blindit  was  his  fight  j 
To  the  poftrum  Romaryn  him  convoyit. 
And  he,  that  with  melancholie  was  anoyit, 
Streingit  hir  hand  and  micht  na  wirds  out  bring, 

240    And  to  his  chalmer  went  with  fair  fighing, 
And  upon  groufe  fell  on  his  bed  adoune. 
Making  ane  forrowfuU  lamentatioun  ; 


BUIK  THRID.  121 

Quhilk  war  ouer  tedious  heir  for  to  rehearfe, 
Quhairfor  I  will  not  put  it  into  verfe. 
He  tuike  na  claithis  off,  he  lift  not  to  fleip, 
Bot  quhile  the  day  he  did  compleine  and  weipe. 

Romaryn  unto  hir  Ladie  went,  and  faid. 
Madam,  take  comfort  and  anon  be  glaid, 
Jour  Knicht  is  trew,  and  will  belyve  returne 
250    Ajs  he  hes  heicht,  and  will  not  long  fojorne  ; 
And  furth  fcho  preichit  hir  ane  fair  fermoune  : 
Syne  in  hir  bed  fcho  hes  hir  laid  adoune, 
Whair  fcho  maid  ane  regrat  lamentabill, 
Whilk  to  ane  biflie  mynd  is  importabill 
To  beir,  to  aprehend,  or  to  indyte  ; 
And  eik  hir  wo  me  irkis  for  to  wryte. 
For  never  quhill  fcho  faw  hir  Knicht  againe 
Scho  danlit,  fang,  or  wore  ane  hew  bot  ane. 

And  that  was  fabill,  figne  of  fteidfaftnes  ; 
260   For  fo  hir  heart  was  cled  with  hevines. 

That  fcho  no  lift  to  cum  in  companie, 

Bot  folitar  to  walke  all  quyetlie. 

As  goldin  Phebus  the  bricht  illuminar, 

Afcendit  in  the  orient  preclair. 

And  his  diurnall  courfe  had  new  begune, 

Full  luftillie  up  raife  this  Mars  his  fone. 

The  flour  of  armis  nixt  God  armipotent ; 

Clariodus,  I  meane,  full  diligent 

Addreffit  him  at  morne  to  his  jumay, 
270    With  all  the  haft  and  labour  that  he  may. 

When  he  had  fervit  God  and  taine  difjime. 

The  trumpits  blew  to  hors  ane  mirrie  tune  ; 

He  lape  on  hors,  and  all  his  companie ; 

The  Court  did  him  convoy  rycht  honorabillie, 

4 


122  CLARIODUS. 

With  all  the  nobill  folkis  of  the  toun  : 

Thus  raid  they  furth  with  trumpit  and  clarioun 

Whill  thay  fex  myle  had  him  convoyit, 

Thay  tuike  thair  leave,  baith  burges  and  barrnet. 

And  hame  returnit  to  Windifchore  againe. 

280        Clariodus  anone  the  flude  hes  taine, 
He  fchippit  in  and  all  the  reall  forte. 
And  foune  they  did  arive  at  Bniland  porte  ; 
So  Weill  to  tham  did  Eolus  his  part, 
Keiping  the  wind  from  everie  contrair  airt. 
That  be  the  help  of  him  and  Neptunus, 
Withouttin  ftorme  or  raine  tempefleous, 
Into  the  port  of  Carados  thay  aryve, 
And  from  the  fchipe  went  unto  land  belyve ; 
Whom  foune  perfavit  hes  the  garitouris, 

290    That  in  the  toune  and  wallis  lay  and  bouris, 
And  tauld  the  King  of  lie  ane  companie 
Had  in  thair  port  aryvit  haillilie. 
Blyth  was  the  King  and  glaid,  for  weill  he  will 
That  they  war  freindis,  his  foes  to  refill. 

When  the  grit  Conftabill  of  France  hard  tyding 
Of  Sir  Clariodus  fuddant  aryveing, 
Rycht  glaid  he  was,  for  divers  to  him  fchew 
Of  his  valiant  deidis  and  his  vertew ; 
Whairfor  on  hors  alcendit  he  anone, 

300    And  diverfe  lordis  maid  with  him  to  gone. 
And  with  grit  honour  met  Clariodus, 
With  knichtis  valiant  and  verteous, 
Saying,  That  he  was  welcum  in  that  land  : 
And  ather  hes  taine  uther  be  the  hand. 
And  tenderlie  maid  thair  aquentance ; 
Syne  to  the  toune  returnit  with  pleiance, 


BUIK  THRID.  128 


And  royallie  in  at  the  portis  raid. 

The  Frenfch  Conftabill  hes  grit  inftance  maid 

Unto  Clariodus,  with  him  to  go 

310    To  fupper,  and  his  tender  coufingis  two  ; 
He  grantit  him,  and  baid  his  companie, 
The  fairefl  luging  and  the  maill  gudlie 
Of  all  the  toun,  and  thair  harberie  take  ; 
Foure  louetennents  thairefter  gart  he  make. 
To  put  his  folkis  in  rewle  and  governance  ; 
To  iiipper  fyne  thay  pafllt  with  plefance. 
And  fo  among  all  uther  commoning. 
He  Ipeirit  of  the  tounis  befeiging ; 
And  fyne  of  thame  within  and  thair  defence, 

320    And  of  the  Cainis  h6  magnificence, 
Of  everilke  Ikirmage  and  new  debait 
Of  Cyprianis  and  of  Sarafeinis  of  lait. 
The  Conftabill  utart  everie  thing  at  richt, 
'Wha  wan  the  feild,  and  quha  was  put  to  flicht. 
Whilk  commoning  was  plefant  and  joyous 
Unto  the  heiring  of  Sir  Clariodus, 
Wha  tuike  his  leave  when  the  fupper  was  done, 
And  to  his  folkis  haiftit  him  full  foune, 
And  bad  them  all  be  readie  be  the  day, 

330    Inarmit  weill,  and  into  gud  aray. 

For  he  wald  let  them  wit  of  his  cuming. 
Thay  grantit  glaidlie  all  to  his  biding. 

Clariodus  repollt  him  that  nicht, 
And  on  the  morne,  be  the  day  waxit  licht. 
He  ilchit  furth  with  all  his  companie, 
Enarmit  at  all  peices  nobillie, 
And  on  the  Heathine  hoft  full  hardilie 
He  maid  ane  haiftie  onl'et,  with  ane  cry, 


124  CLARIODUS. 

The  mightie  God  namand  upon  height ; 

340    With  that  they  rufchit  on  them  with  fie  micht 
Throuchout  the  hoft  alfweith  raife  the  aflFray, 
For  thay  war  taine  all  out  of  [gud^  aray. 
Our  Criftine  men  fo  fearcelie  them  alTaillit, 
That  baith  in  ftrenth  and  hardiment  thay  faillit. 
Bot  throw  the  bugills  and  the  clariouns  foundis, 
Returnit  all  this  falfe  heard  of  Mahoundis, 
And  cruellie  let  on  Clariodus  : 
Bot  he,  that  was  both  wyfe  and  chevalrus, 
Loude  his  anfeinge  he  did  among  them  cry, 

350    And  with  his  h6  renownit  companie. 

With  ipeiris  fcharp  fo  manlie  with  them  delt, 
Wliill  monie  of  thame  anone  the  deid  hes  felt ; 
Of  quhilk  up  raife  the  clamour  and  the  found, 
That  all  the  wall  is  rang  of  Bruland  toun. 
And  all  the  toun  of  Carrados  alfo  ; 
The  King  himfelf  unto  the  wallis  did  go. 
The  Conftabill  of  France  with  monie  knicht. 

Be  this  the  day  upcleirit  and  wox  licht, 
Whair  thay  micht  weill  behold  the  battell, 

360    Wha  did  defend,  and  wha  did  bell  aflaill. 
Ferce  was  the  fight,  and  awful  for  to  le. 
On  ather  fyd  thair  was  bot  Do  or  die. 
Clariodus  with  michtie  Ipeir  in  hand 
Aifailgeit  fo,  no  man  micht  him  gainftand, 
Bot  ather  man  or  hors  geid  to  the  eard. 
Among  the  Heathen  fo  manlie  he  him  fleird. 
When  monie  ane  fjieir  he  brokin  had  afunder. 
He  drew  his  fword,  and  thocht  that  it  was  wonder 
Him  to  behold,  quhilk  as  ane  lyoun  wod 

370   Never  feicit  to  fched  his  foes  bluid. 


BUIK  THRID.  125 

fiefor  his  face,  loe,  heir  ane  knicht  goes  doun. 

And  thair  ane  uther  Ij-is  into  fwoune, 

The  thrid  on  arlbun  gapis  as  he  war  deid, 

Fra  liim  he  carves  the  arme,  and  fum  the  heid. 

That  of  his  deidis  grite  plefour  had  the  King, 

And  fo  had  all  the  peple  auld  and  ging. 

The  French  Conftabill  perfavit  everilk  deill, 

How  no  helme  raicht  gainftand  his  brand  of  fteill, 

And  how  the  Heathin  he  huntit  to  and  fro, 
380    Howbeit  thay  war  fighteris  monie  mo. 

Saying,  He  wenit  into  threttie  knichts 

Had  never  beine  the  curage  nor  the  michts. 

That  he  law  into  that  Knicht  that  day. 

His  he  honour  on  all  fydis  prailit  thay. 

Ane  Heathin  Knicht  that  was  of  maifl  renoune 
On  SarafeinLs  1yd,  pryfit  ane  champioun, 
That  to  the  Caine  was  verie  neir  coufigne. 
Quick  throw  the  thikeft  of  the  preife  did  thring, 
And  fet  upon  Clariodus  the  gud ; 
390    He,  as  [anej  lyoun,  alper,  feirce  and  wod, 
Ane  Ipeir  recoverit  pyand]  neir  him  by. 
And  met  the  Knicht  fo  wonder  feircelie. 
And  fo  him  raife  all  throuch  the  bodie  out. 
That  to  the  eard  he  dufchit  doun  but  doubt. 
With  that  on  height  he  cryit  on  his  anfinge, 
And  he,  quhom  that  no  Turkis  micht  dereinge. 
Set  on  them  new  with  all  his  companie 
With  fo  grit  curage  and  fo  hardilie, 
And  cryit  upon  the  Heathine  with  ane  fchout, 
400    And  with  thair  fteillit  brandis  that  war  flout, 
Thay  faid  thair  fydis  for  till  fow  fiill  faire. 
And  dang  thame  doune  in  draves  heir  and  thair, 


126  CLARIODUS. 

Whill  all  the  feilds  with  deid  bodies  war  fpred, 
And  all  the  Heathinis  gave  thair  bake  and  fled. 

Be  that  the  nicht  aprochit  was  and  neir, 
That  ikantlie  men  as  than  micht  know  thair  feir ; 
Quhairfor  he  left  the  chafe  as  [for]  that  nicht, 
And  enterit  in  the  toune  with  wallis  wicht 
Of  Carados  againe  to  his  luging. 

410    The  Conftabill  with  folkis  auld  and  ging, 
Of  all  the  toune  him  met  triumphantlie, 
[Who  had  that  day  behavd  fo  valiantlie,] 
Him  welcuming  with  nobill  feift  and  cheir. 
Being  to  the  toun  convoyit  on  blyth  maneir. 
The  fair  begining  maid  Clariodus 
Upon  the  Heathene,  that  was  utragius  ; 
Whome  I  leave  in  the  weiris  on  this  wajis, 
And  {peike  I  will  of  fair  Meliades. 

Quhen  it  was  manifeft  to  this  trator  Knight, 

420   The  Kingis  brother,  full  of  fraud  and  llicht. 
How  that  Clariodus  with  ane  armie 
In  Cyprus  land  was  [thus]  in  chevalrie, 
The  Count  of  Eftur  home  to  his  cuntrie 
Was  went  alfo,  his  barnage  for  to  fee, 
He  feinjit  letteris  of  his  awin  indyte. 
Throw  his  [fouU]  invy,  malice  and  dilpyte. 
As  they  had  cumit  from  Clariodus 
Unto  the  Kingis  dochter,  beiring  thus, 
That  fcho  the  King  fould  poyfoun  prefentlie, 

430    That  thay  the  cuntrie  micht  poifeid  thairby. 
Quhilk  letteris  in  a  bag  they  had  bein  clofit. 
And  with  ane  mynd  wonder  evill  dilpofit. 
Unto  the  King  he  went  in  fecreit  wayis  ; 
The  Queine  intill  ane  uther  chalmer  lyis 


BUIK  THRID.  127 


Richt  Weill  at  eafe,  and  will  nocht  of  this  thing. 
This  tratour  Knicht  hes  fchawin  to  the  King, 
That  Sir  Clariodus  had  letters  fent 
Unto  his  dochter  Meliades  the  gent, 
To  poyfoune  him,  that  thay  micht  be  his  airis  ; 
440    And  fo  the  trefl'oun  furth  to  him  declairis, 
And  fchew  him  furth  thir  letteris  oppinlie, 
That  he  himfelf  had  dyttit  traitourouilie. 
And  faid,  that  in  ane  taverne  quhair  he  lay, 
Ane  meflinger  thair  ludgit  in  the  way. 
And  in  his  drukinnes,  as  did  befall. 
Out  of  his  bulgit  ichuik  his  letters  all  j 
Ane  varlot  of  the  taverne  thame  up  tuike. 
And  brocht  them  me  upon  the  mome  to  luike, 
And  of  this  mater  of  me  he  was  ib  red 
450    [AVhen  of  the  letters  I  him  queilioned] 
He  him  ablentit  and  hes  fled  away  ; 
Quhairfor  in  haft,  without  ony  mair  delay, 
I  com  to  warne  gow  of  this  falle  treafoun. 
The  King  him  trowit,  and  without  realbun. 
For  haftilie  credit  he  wald  g^f  all  tyme, 
An  war  it  anents  never  fo  grit  ane  cryme, 
Quhilk  is  ane  fault  full  grit  into  ane  King  ; 
He  braid  unto  his  fword,  rycht  haiftining. 
And  wald  have  went  his  dochter  for  to  fla. 
460    This  tratour  wift  if  he  went  out  fa. 

That  redderis  fould  have  maid  impediment. 
For  all  hir  lovit  that  upon  hir  blent. 
Na,  Sir,  he  faid,  my  couniall  ge  fall  doe, 
Siun  burriouris  je  fall  g^r  cum  gow  to. 
And  tham  command  to  worke  at  my  bidding, 
And  I  lall  caus  but  ony  perfaving. 


1«8  CLARIODUS. 

That  fcho  be  taine  and  flaine  without  the  toun, 
And  thus  fall  endit  be  hir  falle  treafoun  ; 
I  taike  on  me  to  taike  him  efterwart, 

470    And  of  fik  juflice  gif  to  him  his  part. 

The  King  neir  wode  in  his  melancholie, 
Hes  gart  be  brocht  thir  murtherers  in  hy, 
And  them  commandit  under  all  heifl  paine, 
That  his  ane  dochter  fould  with  thame  be  flaine, 
That  litill  will,  aleace,  of  this  mater. 
For  paine  inewch  was  at  hir  heart  full  neir 
For  the  lang  abfence  of  Clariodus. 

This  traitour  Knicht  hes  furth  delyverit  thus, 
And  went  to  the  chalmer  of  Meliades, 

480    And  cryit  furth  on  hir  this  haftie  wayis 

Unto  the  King.     And  fcho  but  mair  abaid 
Obayit  him,  and  on  hir  kne  abraid, 
Sum  deill  affrayit,  furth  fcho  did  hir  marke 
In  treafes  with  hir  kirtill  and  hir  larke, 
For  fcho  was  ay  obedient,  meike  and  wyfe. 
And  beningne  alle,  as  heart  could  [eer]  devyfe, 
Trufling  hir  father  had  beine  at  fum  malice  ; 
My  deireft  on,  fcho  faid,  quhat  may  30W  pleis  ? 
The  King,  he  faid,  wald  fpeike  with  30W  allone. 

490    He  wald  not  let  Romaryn  with  hir  gone. 
And  quhen,  aleace,  this  tender  innocent. 
Thus  with  hir  £ame  throw  the  hall  is  went. 
He  hir  delyverit  hes  or  he  wald  Hint 
To  the  murderer,  quhilk  haiflilie  hir  hint 
On  felloun  wayis,  rycht  rudlie  with  rufching, 
Nocht  handillit  as  the  dochter  of  a  Ring, 
Bot  as  trelpaflfour  with  awfull  cheir  and  fchore  j 
Hir  tender  bonis  thay  ftronglit  all  fo  fore 


BUIK  THRID.  129 

Scho  wald  have  cryit ;  hot  fcho  micht  not,  alleace, 
500    So  with  hir  courtche  they  wompillit  all  hir  face, 

Stopping  hir  mouth  lb  hard  and  cruellie 

[That]  fcho  micht  uneis  draw  hir  breath  gudlie  : 

So  fiirth  at  ane  privie  poftrum  hir  led 

Suiillie  to  ane  forrell  as  the  traitour  bad. 

To  murther  hir  quhar  na  man  micht  tham  I'e. 
Ah  I  be  this  warldis  inllabilitie 

Wha  Ibuld  in  riches  or  hie  eftate  beleive, 

Sen  nane  the  chance  of  fortoune  []can3  echeve ! 

Hir  variance  and  unilabillitie 
510    Alyke  is  redie  to  heich  and  law  degre  ; 

For  febilnes  oft  cumis  efter  micht, 

And  efter  dayis  cumis  the  dewlie  nicht, 

And  oft  tymis  joy  cumis  efter  forrow  and  caire. 

And  efter  winter  cumis  the  fumer  fair ; 

Throw  wyldnes  of  [the]  froftis  and  of  haill, 

Murnis  full  oft  the  merie  nichtingall, 

And  blythlie  lingis  on  the  ilk  branch  againe 

Quhair  fcho  befor  had  weipit  hard  for  paine  : 

So  men  full  oft  throw  walth  and  grite  riches 
520    Fallis  in  povertie  and  in  febilnes. 

Whom  efter  fortoune  glaidlie  dois  reftore 

To  mair  honour  nor  ever  thay  war  before  ; 

And  git  thairefter  flydis  doune  fra  hir  quheill, 

From  Weill  to  woe,  and  fyne  from  wo  to  weill. 

This  tranlitorie  joy  it  micht  not  left. 

Heir  is  no  eafe  hot  trubill  and  unreft; 

For  alfe  unfiker  is  heir  gour  dwelling. 

All  changing  is  our  joy  fra  abyding. 
Schir  Thomas  is  returnit  to  the  King, 
530    And  faid.  Be  glaid,  Sir,  take  gud  conforting. 


130  CLARIODUS. 

ge  ar  delyverit  weill  and  haftilie 

Of  gone  wickit  and  deidlie  enemie, 

I  thinke  to  delyver  gow  eik  alfo 

Of  him  that  is  the  worker  of  this  wo  ; 

ge  fall  the  morne  gar  call  to  gow  the  Queine, 

And  all  gonr  maiil  familiaris  bedeine, 

And  fchaw  to  them  the  cace  how  it  is  went ; 

And  gif  that  thay  be  not  thairwith  content, 

5e  fall  them  punifch  as  it  weill  effeiris, 

540    Sen  that  ge  know  the  danger  that  appeiris. 
When  this  was  donne  he  paillt  to  his  bed, 
Thinkand  that  he  his  purpofe  weill  had  iped. 

The  King,  in  his  melancolike  paflioun. 
The  nicht  all  ower  turnit  up  and  doune, 
And  in  his  breift  ay  wirking  to  and  fro 
This  fuddane  vengance  and  [alfe]  haiilie  wo 
Upon  his  dochter  and  himfelf  in  eike. 
For  lake  of  hir  that  feamit  wyfe  and  meike, 
And  fyne  fo  fweit  and  fair  ane  creature, 

550    And  fo  Weill  taught  and  lovit  abone  meafoure. 
And  was  his  only  baime  withoutin  mo  ; 
Unfufferabill  was  his  paine  and  wo 
For  his  awin  chyld  of  fatherlie  pitie, 
That  fcho  the  cans  of  fie  ane  treafoune  be. 

Romarein  trowit,  that  fcho  fo  long  abaid. 
The  King  in  tender  commoning  hir  had 
Of  plefand  materis,  fo  that  fcho  thocht  not  lang ; 
And  this  fcho  thocht,  aleace,  fcho  thocht  all  wrang, 
It  was  not  fo,  it  was  the  more  pitie, 

560    Scho  being  of  fo  wounderfuU  bewtie. 

Upon  the  morne  the  King  fent  for  the  Queine, 
And  tauld  hir  of  Meliades  the  fcheine, 


BUIK  THRID.  ISI 

And  quhat  was  wrocht ;  tbair  is  no  mair  to  tell, 

With  pitious  cry  fcho  to  the  eard  doun  fell 

In  IWouuing  cauld,  and  with  ana  deidlic  face, 

And  of  hir  ladies  oft  was  the  Aleace  1 

Then  nobill  knichts  with  wofuU  heartia  ran. 

And  held  hir  up  with  vifage  paill  and  wan. 
When  this  is  knowin  in  caftell  and  in  toun, 
570    The  clamour  raife  with  lamentatioun 

Amongis  the  pepill,  with  hiddious  noyis  and  heir 

[]For  fake  of  her,  that  was  their  Princels  deir,3 

Them  felfs  demainand  that  pitie  was  to  fee, 

Wringand  thair  handis,   and  cryand  for  pitie, 

Beitting  thair  breiftis  and  face  forowfullie. 

And  tormenting  them  felfs  without  mercie. 

No  wofuUer  in  Troy  raife  up  the  foun, 

For  He^oris  daith,  thair  mightie  champioun  ; 

Nor  quhen  the  Greikis  enterit  in  thair  ire 
580    In  ower  thair  wallis,  and  fet  thair  toun  on  iyre. 

And  flew  Priam,  and  brint  Paladeon, 

Nor  was  into  the  court  of  Philipon, 

With  lamentatioun,  and  with  forrowfuU  cry, 

For  hir  that  was  the  richt  lodilar  and  gy 

Of  vertew,  bewtie,  and  of  gentilnes, 

Fredome,  renoune,  honour,  and  nobilnes. 

Wo  worth  the  King,  thay  cry,  and  his  counfell, 

Doing  this  deid  fo  wickit  and  cruell, 

Qubilk  (all  this  realme  turne  to  diftru6lioun 
690    By  the  vengence  that  fall  from  hevine  flryke  doun 

Upon  [thir]  wretchis  for  the  blood  faikles 

Of  hir  that  in  all  vertew  ftude  maikles 

Into  this  wyde  warld  without  comparifoun ; 

Fy  on  the  murtherers  I  fy  on  the  falfe  trafoun  ! 


132  CLARIODUS. 

Fy  on  the  cruell  daith  for  ever  more  1 
The  ikaith  is  done  that  no  man  may  reilore. 
Bot  had  it  beine  kend  to  the  pepill  thair, 
How  that  Sir  Thomas  kindlit  had  thair  cair. 
He  hade  beine  rent  thair  with  ane  thowfand  handis, 
600    That  git  the  mater  na  thing  underflandis. 
Romaryn  rave  hir  hair  out  with  hir  neives. 
And  with  hir  cairfuU  voice  the  court  fcho  deives, 
Smyting  hir  face  that  forow  was  to  fe. 
Now  of  this  lamentatioun  let  I  be, 
And  fpeik  I  will  of  fair  Meliades, 
How  that  fcho  was  demainit,  and  quhat  wayis. 

When  that  thir  four  murthereris  anone 
War  with  the  Ladie  to  the  forreft  gone, 
And  had  hir  brocht  unto  the  famine  ileide, 

610    Whair  [that]  they  thought  to  put  hir  to  [the]  deid, 
Thay  faid,  Ladie,  richt  heir  mone  ge  die ; 
Hir  countinance  than  pitie  was  to  fe  ; 
Trembling  for  dreid,  abaifit  of  hir  cheir, 
With  quaiking  voice  fcho  laid.  My  frindis  deir, 
Why  fould  I  die  ?  Have  ge  that  in  command  ? 
AVliat  have  I  donne  ?  Thay  laid,  without  demand 
We  wait  no  caus,  but  we  commandit  ar 
To  flay  30W  heir,  dreidles  we  want  no  mair. 
Then  fell  fcho  on  growfe  richt  pitiouflie 

620    Befor  thir  murthereris,  alking  ay  mercie 
Full  rewthfuUie,  with  lamentabill  voice, 
For  love  of  Jelus  that  diet  on  the  crole. 
With  gour  waponis  have  pitie  me  to  ding, 
Thinke  that  I  am  the  dochter  of  a  King, 
Let  manlie  pitie  enter  in  gour  hearts. 
To  doe  to  me,  ane  lillie  woman,  fmarts. 


BUIK  THRID.  I3S 

And  thinke  that  of  ane  woman  ge  war  borne ; 

Mercie,  for  him  that  wore  the  croune  of  thorne, 

Of  me,  alleace,  that  may  30W  not  gainftand, 
630    That  now  jour  fcharpe  fwordis  hes  in  [gour]  hand. 

Thay  laid,  No  buite  is  for  to  carpin  lb. 

We  mone  our  felfs  be  flaine  or  ellis  gow  flo. 

Then  to  wart  hir  they  went  with  awful  1  fair. 

Now  grant  me  this,  fcho  faid,  I  afke  no  mair, 

Let  me  heir  to  God  do  my  oratioun. 

Syne  this  mone  be  my  laft  devotioun. 

Go  fpeid  50W  foune,  quoth  thay,  and  tarie  nocht. 

Alleace,  hir  ipirit  than  was  all  on  flaucht. 

Doune  on  hir  kneis  fcho  fat  full  humbillie, 
640    Quaiking  as  afpe,  and  fchaiking  pitiouflie. 

For  dreid  of  daith  afrayit  out  of  meafure 

Fra  that  fcho  law  [that]  thair  was  no  favour. 

Scho  laid,  O  Lord,  that  Uttis  in  hevinis  he. 

Of  mercie  King,  thow  mercie  have  on  me  ; 

As  thow  difdainit  for  me  thy  creature 

To  licht  into  the  glorious  virgine  pure. 

And  fuflferit  for  me  deidlie  woundis  fyve, 

And  raife  upon  the  third  day  [fyne]  to  lyve, 

And  fyne  aflcendit  to  the  hevinis  with  glore, 
650    Thow  grant  me  this  that  meikle  I  implore  ; 

As  I  am  innocent  of  this  mateir. 

Have  mercie  on  me.  Lord,  I  the  require. 

And  fave  me  from  thir  tormentouris  fell, 

Quhilk  in  this  wood  with  waponis  wald  me  quell. 
When  fcho  had  prayit  lang  upon  this  wyfe. 

To  God  fcho  hir  betaught,  and  fyne  did  ryfe ; 

Syn  to  hir  tormentouris  fcho  did  retume  : 

And  thay  that  hard  hir  praying  thus  and  mume. 


134  CLARIODUS. 

And  hard  hir  pitious  lamentatioun, 

660    Hir  bening  wordis  and  hir  orifoun, 

Weill  knew  of  gylt  that  fcho  was  all  faikles  ; 
Whairfor  they  rewit  on  hir  hevines  j 
They  went  altogither,  and  was  advyfit 
To  banifch  hir,  quhilk  foune  they  have  devifit, 
And  thocht  thay  wald  hir  nocht  faikleflie  flo; 
And,  thus  according,  [unto]  hir  they  goe  : 
And  fcho,  that  weinit  to  have  bein  deid  anone. 
Fell  into  Iwound  alle  cauld  as  ony  ftone  ; 
And  quhen  fcho  overcome,  fcho  cryit  Mercie  : 

070    Thay  faid,  Lady,  for  rewth  we  will  apply 
To  fave  gour  lyfe,  bot  ge  fall  banifchit  be ; 
For  verilie  we  think  it  grit  pitie. 
To  flay  ane  Ladie  of  fo  grit  bewtie. 
Scho  thankit  them  on  kneis  heartfullie, 
And  with  hir  arniis  fmall  thair  logs  imbract. 
And  height  to  take  the  fea  in  all  heafl. 
Saying,  Fair  firis,  I  may  gow  never  aquite, 
That  me  to  leive  hes  grantit  fik  reipite  ; 
Rewardis  I  have  none  to  give  jow  heir, 

680    Sic  as  I  have  fik  fall  je  have  but  weir  ; 
Scho  hir  denudit  of  hir  veftur  thair. 
And  left  no  thing  upon  hir  bodie  faire 
Except  hir  lark  bot  fcho  to  them  it  gave  ; 
Thay  neidit  nothing  at  hir  Qfor]  to  crave. 
For  fcho  them  frelie  offerit  but  difdaine 
All  that  fcho  turfit,  but  hir  litill  chaine. 

When  this  was  donne  thay  to  toun  tham  adrefl't ; 
And  fcho  in  middes  of  the  wyld  forreft 
Full  waine  of  wemen  was  left  hir  alone  ; 
690    Hir  vifage  was  all  [weit  and]  wobegone. 


BUIK  TIIRID.  19S 

In  farke  allone,  withoutin  cloathes  moe, 

At  midnicht  mirke,  and  will  not  quhair  to  go. 
To  Shir  Thomas  thuy  turuit  humc  againe,  • 

And  tauld  him  that  the  Ladie  thaj  had  llaine. 

With  wordis  fair  fo  flatterit  he  the  King, 

He  was  content  quhen  he  hard  this  tyding ; 

The  auld  fervandis  haill  he  gart  remove, 

That  to  the  King  [leill]  favour  had  or  love ; 

Whom  he  fufpe6lit  gart  banil'ch  furth  totell, 
700    And  quhom  he  lovit  thay  ftiil  in  Court  did  dwell : 

So  be  his  wickit  wayis  of  trafoune, 

He  brocht  this  realme  neir  to  confuiloun. 

He  dreid  the  Count  of  Elluris  ham  cuming  ; 

Quhairfor  he  fent  to  him  but  tarying 

Coiinterfute  letters  upon  the  Kingis  name. 

That  he  fould  dwell  in  his  cuntrie  at  hame 

Ay  quhill  he  fend  to  him  ane  wryting  [cleir,] 

Or  ellis  that  he  fould  cum  on  no  maneir. 
This  Lady  naikit  in  the  wood  allone 
710    Full  pitiouflie  did  weipe  and  make  hir  mone, 

Befeikand  God  to  fend  hir  help  and  grace 

To  fchape  out  of  that  dreidfuU  wildemea. 

Scho  paflit  furth  and  will  not  quhair  to  go. 

Into  the  wood  ay  tumand  to  and  fro 

Forward  and  bakward  amongs  the  thomis  keine 

Whill  all  to  rent  on  breeris  hir  farke  beine  ; 

And  quhen  fcho  hard  ocht  Ileiring  hir  befyde 

Into  ane  bufch  full  dame  fcho  wald  hir  hyde, 

Quaiking  for  dreid  that  folk  fould  hir  efpy 
720    And  murther  hir,  alleace,  fcho  wift  not  quhy ; 

Whyllis  fcho  wald  ly  llill  and  tak  [gude]  keip. 

And  uther  quhyllis  out  throw  the  hedgis  creipe. 


136  CLARIODUS. 

Whill  that  hir  hyd  as  luftie  lillie  quhyt, 
Whairon  to  luike  was  fumtyme  grite  delyte, 
Was  all  to  rent  and  carvin  heir  and  thair 
With  thornie  pikis  wounding  hir  full  fair  ; 
Hir  tender  hyd  and  [luftie]  fnow  quhyt  fkine, 
As  Mayis  bloflbme,  finoth,  [and]  quhyt  and  thine. 
Was  all  depaint,  allace,  of  reid  cuUour, 
730    As  mixteoun  of  role  and  lillie  flour, 

Throw  blood  that  was  [from]  hir  bodie  bereft, 
As  fcho  with  fcurgis  had  beine  all  to  beft. 

That  nicht  fcho  pallit  with  fo  grit  pennence, 
Praying  to  God  with  bening  fufFerence. 
And  be  the  morrow  cleirit  up  alyte, 
Out  of  the  forreft  fcho  was  paflit  quite  ; 
Then  went  fcho  fiirth  in  warld  fcho  wift  no  quhair, 
Whill  that  for  fault  of  meit  fcho  hungerit  fair. 
Syne  of  ane  litill  hous  fcho  gat  ane  fight, 
740    To  quhilk  fcho  did  hir  fpeid  with  all  hir  might, 

Whair  fcho  ane  woman  fand,  to  quhome  fcho  faid, 

Fair  dame,  for  love  of  that  ilk  bliffit  maid, 

That  bure  the  birth  that  fufi'erit  for  us  deid, 

Refrefch  me  with  ane  litill  peice  of  breid, 

And  gif  me  of  gour  almous  for  to  eit, 

That  am  in  poynt  to  fwone  for  want  of  meit. 

This  woman  was  bot  rud  of  conditioun, 
And  hir  beheld  fo  maiglit  up  and  doune, 
Scho  laid,  Evill  woman  fra  my  dore  ge  go, 
750    And  alk  them  meit  that  the  demainit  fo. 
Then  weipit  fcho  that  was  full  will  of  reid. 
And  furth  fcho  pall,  alking  of  God  remeid. 
Richt  far  fcho  went  and  faw  na  kynd  of  toune, 
For  fault  of  foude  fcho  was  in  poynt  to  fwone  ; 


BUIK  THRID.  197 


Febill  fcho  wox,  and  full  of  hevinea. 
That  had  beine  in  reft  with  all  tendernes ; 
Be  furfute  of  travell  and  hir  grit  rebute, 
Quhilk  was  not  wonit  to  gang  upon  hir  fute, 
Hir  tyrrit  lymis  no  farther  micht  hir  beir  j 

760    Whairfor  in  heart  Icho  had  full  mikle  feare. 
Bot,  as  God  wald,  ane  uther  hous  Icho  law. 
And  as  fcho  micht  Icho  towardis  it  could  draw, 
And  fand  the  gudwyfe  {landing  in  the  dore  j 
Scho  faid.  Have  mercie  on  me  ane  woman  pure. 
That  far  hes  gaine  without  cloathis  or  fude  j 
For  love  of  him  that  ftervit  on  the  rude, 
ge  me  refrefch  with  Ilxm  pairt  of  gour  meit, 
As  I  that  hungrie  am  and  faine  wald  eit. 
This  woman  was  in  heart  raerciabill ; 

770    When  Icho  had  hard  hir  wordis  lamentabill, 
Scho  hir  beheld  that  fair  was  for  to  fe, 
Replenifchit  with  wonderful!  bewtie, 
Hir  plefant  port,  hir  fweit  and  louefum  face, 
Hir  bricht  hairis  wyde  wavelling  out  of  lace, 
Hir  Ihow  quhyt  face  with  bloud  all  reid  depaint, 
Hir  felf  fo  made,  ib  weirie  and  fo  faint, 
Hir  luftie  vilage  all  with  teiris  weite. 
As  bricht  dew  dropis  on  the  lillie  fweit ; 
So  fore  with  mercie  hir  heart  was  owercum 

780    Hir  to  behold  weiping  fo  allone, 

Scho  grat  for  rewth,  and  tuike  hir  in  hir  hous, 
Saj-ing,  My  doghter  how  hes  it  happinit  thus  ? 
I  trow  fum  folk  that  hes  beine  evill  advifit. 
For  gour  grit  bewtie  hes  30W  thus  fuppryfit. 
Nay,  laid  this  Ladie,  traift  30W  verilie. 
That  I  am  undeflorit  of  my  bodie 

8 


138  CLARIODUS. 

Of  all  filthines  or  fie  corruptioun  j 

Fair  dame,  have  mercie  on  my  infortoun, 

And  fchaw  me  how  my  leving  I  fall  wine, 

790    And  quhat  labour  firft  I  fall  [to]  begyne  ; 
I  wald  doe  fervice  faine  for  my  living. 
And  lall  be  leill,  doubt  ge  na  uther  thing. 
Ane  peice  of  gray  breid  the  wyfe  hes  to  hir  brocht. 
The  quhilke  to  eate  [fcho]  wounder  gud  it  thocht. 
That  breid  of  maine  to  hir  was  never  fo  fweit, 
Quhilk  plelantlie  fcho  tuike  and  [foon  did]  eate  : 
Ane  drinke  of  water  than  to  hir  fcho  gave. 
Saying,  My  dochter,  fo  mote  God  me  fave, 
I  wald  wifch  gow  unto  fum  gud  maiftres, 

800    Bot  ane  poure  woman  is  myfelf  doubtles, 

I  may  gow  not  fufteine  [long]  heir  with  me  ; 
I  have  ane  cummer  dwelling  by  the  fea. 
That  deallis  with  marchandice  and  hes  riches. 
And  miller  hes  of  fervantes  as  I  ges, 
I  traift  fcho  fall  relave  gow  in  fervice ; 
Scho  is  alfe  fiiU  of  vertew  and  gentrice : 
Bot  ge  ar  naikit,  and  thairfor,  Alleace  I 
And  I  have  no  gud  claithes  in  this  place 
gow  for  to  geive  ;  bot  for  my  faullis  heill, 

810    For  love  of  God  fumthing  fall  I  [gow]  deiU. 

Ane  old  fakcloath  [belyve]  fcho  brocht  hir  thair, 
And  hes  it  put  upon  the  Lady  faire, 
And  with  ane  corde  it  feflbnit  hir  about. 
On  hurabill  wayis  fcho  thankit  hir  but  doubt. 
Saying,  Fair  dame,  God  gow  forwaird  and  quyte, 
And  gif  to  gow  the  kinrike  of  delyte. 
For  it  that  ge  have  gevine  me  richt  heir. 
Of  meit,  and  cloathes,  and  meritabill  cheir. 


BUIK  THRID.  199 

This  Gudwyfe  raife,  and  faid,  My  dochter  fair, 
8«0    Now  goe  with  me.     Togidder  then  thay  fair 

Unto  the  fea  llrandis  whill  thay  [be]  come  ; 

Scho  fand  hir  cummer  at  hir  hous  at  home, 

Scho  helfit  hir,  and  on  this  wayis  fcho  faid, 

Commer,  I  have  brocht  [heir]  to  gow  ane  maid 

That  wald  have  fervice,  and  ge  have  mikill  to  do, 

I  dare  be  bought  that  vertewoufe  is  fcho ; 

Scho  is  Weill  taught,  and  full  of  gude  maneir, 

Scho  gainis  weill  to  be  gour  chalmerer. 

Ha,  gude  cummer,  that  is  weill  faid  of  30W  I 
830    Ane  chalmerer !  and  waits  not  quhair  nor  how 

That  fcho  is  cumit,  or  gif  that  fcho  be  leill, 

I  have  no  will  with  ftrangeris  to  dealle. 

This  Lady  faid,  Fair  lady,  have  ge  no  dreid, 

I  fall  keipe  lawtie  baith  in  word  and  deid. 
The  Gudwyfe,  both  for  rewth  and  for  pitie. 
And  for  the  prayer  of  hir  commer,  fche 
Hes  hir  refavit  into  hir  fervice, 
And  hir  affignit  to  ane  [mein]  office. 
The  woman  paffit  to  hir  hous  againe. 
840    Meliades  in  fervice  did  remaine 

With  hir  maiflres ;  the  quhilk  unto  hir  faid. 
Now,  at  this  tyme  ge  mane  be  biffie,  maid. 
For  unto  Eftur  cuntrie  mone  we  faill ; 
If  it  lykis  50W  with  me  for  to  travell. 
Go  beare  ane  fardill  of  gon  wole  anone 
Unto  the  fchipe,  quhilk  readie  is  to  gone. 
And  quhen  the  Lady  hard  of  this  tiding, 
Scho  was  full  glad,  and  faid.  At  gour  lyking, 
To  faill  or  go  ather  be  land  or  fea. 
850    Speid  hand,  the  gudwyfe  faid,  for  cheritie. 


140  CLARIODUS. 

The  wole  to  beir  fcho  helpit  hir  maiflres, 

Whill  it  unto  the  fchipe  all  caried  was. 

The  marineris  be  then  all  redie  wer 

Out  of  the  hevin  to  pas  ;  the  day  was  cleir, 

The  winde  was  gud,  and  up  the  laills  thay  drew. 

Full  faft  thay  glyd,  out  throw  the  floodis  they  flew, 

Whill  thay  com  to  the  cuntrie  of  Efture. 

When  thay  aryvit  into  ane  port  full  fure, 

Swyth  landit  this  Gudwyfe  with  hir  new  maid, 

860    Wliair  thay  fand  cairtis,  and  theron  hes  laid 
Thair  merchandeice,  and  unto  Ellur  toune 
Thir  twa  ar  pall  or  that  thay  maid  fojorne, 
Whilk  was  the  faireft  toune  in  that  cuntrie, 
Thair  dwellis  the  Earle  and  eike  the  Ladie  frie. 
Meliades  full  nait  and  bilTie  was 
To  beir  at  the  command  of  hir  maiftres 
The  woU  unto  hir  coufigne  [I'aif ]  j  and  fyne 
Hir  maiftres  gave  hir  quyet  difcipleine, 
Saying,  My  dochter,  be  biffie  in  fervice, 

770    My  awnt  the  better  [then]  will  gow  chereice, 
For  I  perchance  will  leave  gow  with  hir  heir, 
Quhair  ge  may  vertew  and  gude  maners  leir  j 
What  is  gour  name  anone  ge  to  me  fchaw  ? 
Scho  faid,  My  name  is  Ladar,  ge  fall  knaw. 
Ladar,  fcho  faid,  gour  cloathes  doe  away. 
And  I  fall  fumthing  better  gow  aray. 
Scho  gave  hir  fark,  kirtill,  [and]  hole  and  fchoune. 
The  Lady  kneillit  quhen  that  this  was  doune. 
And  thankit  hir  with  fober  humbill  cheir, 

880    And  was  alfe  weill  content  withouttin  weir 

As  fcho  was  quhyllume  of  cloath  of  gold  pretious ; 
Of  haill  cloathing  hir  heart  was  full  joyous. 


BUIK  THRID.  141 


This  Gudwyfe  paflit  to  hir  coufingis, 
And  ather  uther  grate  with  tendemes. 
Quhen  thay  had  fpokin  togidder  at  lafer. 
They  gart  belyve  make  redie  the  fupper, 
And  to  it  went  with  rairrie  cheir  and  glaid. 
This  Ladie  ilude,  and  to  thame  fervice  maid, 
And  that  fcho  did  fo  Weill  and  perfytlie, 

890    With  fair  efFeir  and  countinance  gudlie. 

That  mervellit  was  the  Maiftres  of  this  hous, 
Quhilk  in  her  heart  was  mirrie  and  joyous. 
And  fpeirit  at  hir  awnt  quhat  [maid]  fcho  was  ; 
And  I'cho  hir  told  the  maneir  mair  and  les. 
And  how  fcho  was  fo  trew  and  diligent 
In  hir  fervice,  and  humbill  of  intent ; 
And  counfallit  hir  to  taike  hir  in  fervice, 
For  fcho  was  vertewus  ay  at  all  dievyle. 
Scho  hir  relavit  with  ane  glaidfum  cheir, 

300    And  lyne  did  efter  ryfe  from  the  fuppeir. 

Hir  cummer  departit,  and  hir  leave  taine  hes, 
And  went  to  bed  ;  and  Ladar  biffie  was. 
And  then  to  bed  fcho  went  hirfelf  to  reft. 
As  fcho  that  was  with  labour  fore  opreft  ; 
Bot  mikill  of  the  nicht  fcho  did  bewaill. 
That  fortoun  did  fo  fcharplie  hir  aflaill ; 
Jit  ay  fcho  thankit  God  and  gave  him  gloire, 
Of  all  hir  trubillis  and  hir  chanfis  ioire : 
Bot  never  fcho  micht  forget  Clariodus, 

910    Of  quhais  love  fcho  brint  fo  mervellus, 
And  langit  fo,  that  winder  was  to  tell 
Hir  fad  thochtis,  hir  tormentis  all  haill. 
Unto  hirfelfe  with  mone  full  pitious, 
Alleace,  fcho  laid,  wift  ge,  Clariodus, 


142  CLARIODUS. 

What  travell  I  have  endureit  for  gour  faike. 
Full  wofull  waldge  be,  I  undertake ; 
And  how  that  I  arayit  am  and  clede, 
And  how  fo  purelie  that  I  ly  in  bed, 
5e  wald  not  at  the  leift  all  be  content : 

920    Bot  all  is  welcum  to  me  that  God  hes  lent. 
Whom  I  befeik  of  his  magnificence, 
Clariodus,  to  fend  30W  patience. 
That  for  my  faike  ge  do  not  fie  vengence. 
That  efter  may  turne  to  gour  difplifance. 
When  fcho  was  fo  weirrie,  formumit,  and  forweipit, 
With  trubillit  fpreit  and  frayitlie,  fcho  fleipit ; 
And  gat  up  airlie  be  the  nicht  was  gone. 
And  maid  the  fyre,  fyne  fct  the  pote  thairon  ; 
The  houfe  fcho  fwoupit  and  did  all  that  eflFeirit. 

930    Hir  Maiftres  raife  richt  as  the  day  upcleirit. 
And  to  the  marcat  [early]  wald  fcho  went 
With  Ladar  as  ane  fervant  diligent. 
Then  [up]  fcho  tuike  ane  fardell  on  hir  heid. 
And  with  hir  went  withoutin  ony  pleid. 
The  woU  thay  fauld  for  pryce  that  mycht  fuffice. 
And  hame  for  it  tuike  uther  merchandyce  j 
Syne  to  the  denner  went  and  maid  gud  cheir. 

The  Gudwyfe  raife  up  efter  the  denneir. 
And  at  hir  aunt  fcho  tuik  hir  leave  to  wend 

940    Hame  to  hir  cuntrie,  doing  hir  commend 
To  freindis  all,  and  to  this  Ladar  eike  ; 
And  fcho,  with  countinance  bening  and  meike, 
Hir  thankit  of  hir  gentrice,  inclynand. 
And  wald  hir  have  convoyit  to  fea  ftrand  : 
Bot  fcho  wald  not,  bot  gart  hir  hame  returne  ; 
The  uther  into  Ingland,  but  fojorne. 


BUIK  THRID.  146 

Is  went  to  f'chipe,  and  foune  arivit  thair  ; 
Full  oft  this  Ladar  bad  hir  weill  to  faire. 
Thus  fcho  remainit  with  hir  new  inaiflres, 
950    And  did  hir  ferve  with  fo  g^it  biflines 
That  fcho  hir  lovit  as  hir  dochter  deire. 
Upon  ane  day,  fcho  faid  on  this  maneir 
Unto  hir  maiftres.  Had  I  lilk  and  gold, 
I  fould  make  workis  fair  for  to  behold ; 
Purfis,  beltis,  with  coUourit  quaife  and  kell, 
Whilkis  wald  full  weill  into  the  mercat  fell,  A 

And  quite  the  coll  that  I  unto  gow  make. 
3e  fall  it  have,   fcho  faid,  I  undertake. 

Scho  bought  hir  pirnis  baith  of  gold  and  Hike. 
960    And  fcho  hes  maid  hir  fair  workis  of  that  ilke. 

Hir  maiftres  hes  them  prefentit  in  the  faire. 

And  mikiU  mony  fcho  tuike  for  thame  thair. 

So  at  the  laft  amongs  hir  workis  all. 

Full  curious  workis  fcho  maid,  and  moft  royall 

War  ower  the  lave  in  curiofitie, 

The  quhilk  hir  maiftres  grit  ferlie  had  to  fee ; 

Whairfoir  fcho  gart  hir  fold  them  in  ane  cloath. 

And  follow  hir,  thocht  fcho  flimthing  was  loath. 

Unto  the  Earleis  palice  of  Eftur. 
970    This  Ladar,  that  was  ane  ladie  of  nurtur, 

Obeyit  hir  maiftres,  and  on  with  hir  is  went. 

Unto  the  Countes  both  thay  war  prefent, 

Whilk  callit  on  this  Ladar  for  to  fe 

Hir  marchandice  ;  and  with  benignitie 

Scho  com  and  kneillit  to  this  Ladie  doun. 

And  fchew  hir  workis  craftie  of  fafchoun. 

The  Countes  them  commendit  g^ttumlie. 

And  laid,  they  war  the  fairreft  works  alluterlie, 


144  CLARIODUS. 

That  icho  had  feine  into  hir  lyves  Ipace : 
980  So  com  the  Earle  in  at  the  dore  in  cace, 
Thay  raile  to  him  and  maid  him  reverence. 
Meliades  of  angellyk  clemence 
Be  then  recoverit  had  hir  bewtie, 
And  was  againe  alle  luftie  for  to  fe 
As  of  before,  and  haillit  haill  and  found, 
Whair  breer  and  thorne  had  maid  hir  mony  wound  ; 
Thairfoir  grit  mervell  was  amongs  them  all 
%■^,  Of  hir  bewtie  that  ftude  imperiall 

Abouth  all  uther  ladies  that  was  thair, 
990  Over  uther  flouris  as  dois  the  lilie  faire. 
For  as  ane  thing  celeftiall  to  fe 
The  Earle  did  behold  hir  plefand  bewtie, 
He  thocht  fcho  femit,  and  eike  he  thocht  hir  lyke 
To  the  Princes  of  all  Brittane  kinrike. 
The  Kingis  dochter,  Mcliados  the  bricht, 
Baith  of  hir  vil'age  and  of  hir  havingis  richt ; 
Bot  Weill  he  trouit  that  Meliades 
Sould  never  beine  arayit  on  like  wyfe. 
Hir  fteidfaiUie  luik  to  [full]  oft  he  wald. 
1000  [And  when  fcho  faw  that  he  did  hir  behald,] 
Abaifit  fcho  was,  and  fumthing  hir  declynit 
Hir  bricht  vifage  that  fo  of  bewtie  fchynit. 
As  fcho  that  never  furthie  was  nor  peart, 
Nather  in  prefence  nor  git  into  defert ; 
Bot  as  ane  innocent  ever  under  dreid. 
Full  of  alTurit  [modeft]  womanheid  ; 
Far  from  Dormigill  in  crueltie. 
Or  PanthaffiUa  in  magnanimitie, 
Bot  neirer  Griflhald  with  hir  tender  breift 
1010  Of  foverane  vertew,  quhilk  is  God  aneift. 


BUIK  THRID.  145 

When  that  thay  had  thair  marchandice  all  fynit, 

And  mirrilic  collationat  and  dynit, 

The  nobill  Countes  tuike  at  thaim  hir  leave, 

Gart  twentie  goldin  baflants  to  tham  give. 

Grit  talking  was  amongs  them  all  that  nicht, 

Of  Ladar  and  of  hir  brave  bewtie  bricht. 

When  thay  come  hame  hir  maiflres  laid  hir  to, 

We  are  rewairdit  michtilie,  quoth  fcho. 

All  for  jour  verie  craft ;  Have  filver  heir, 
1020  Be  je  butlar  and  make  us  mirrie  cheir. 

This  Ladar  hes  refavit  the  mony, 

And  maid  hir  maiftres  weill  to  fair  perdie. 

Of  mychtie  wyns  and  plefant  meitis  deir  ; 
Syne  fervit  hirwith  womanlie  efiFeir. 

Scho  bought  hir  fhife  of  gold  and  filkis  than, 

And  with  hir  warkis  mikill  thing  fcho  wan. 

Now  of  this  Ladar  leave  I  will  ane  throw. 

And  of  Clariodus  fiimthing  to  50W  Ichow. 
Clariodus  in  armes  day  by  day, 
1030  So  mikell  he  wrocht  at  everie  hard  aflay. 

That  wonder  was  to  tell  or  jit  to  heir. 

The  knightlie  deidis  of  him  that  hes  no  peir  ; 

His  nobill  bodie  was  never  out  of  ftoure, 

His  bloodie  Iword  reftit  never  ane  houre 

Fra  day  being  whill  that  the  nicht  apeir. 

He  fo  rememberis  on  his  Ladie  cleir, 

To  bring  the  Turkis  to  dillru6lioun. 

That  he  may  hame  more  glaidlie  mak  him  boun. 

Thair  fell  on  him  lb  hard  rememberance 
1040  Of  his  Ladie,  with  lie  continuance. 

That  nather  micht  he  lleip  nor  git  take  reft, 

Langourus  abfence  fo  lairlie  him  oppreft  ; 


146  CLARIODUS. 

Ather  he  thocht  the  weiris  to  make  fchort. 
Or  elUs  to  die  among-  the  Heathin  forte. 

He  had  ane  quarter  of  the  toune  to  gyde, 
And  ane  port  readie  for  to  call  up  wyde, 
When  that  him  lift,  to  ifche  upon  his  fone. 
On  of  his  conftabillis  gurt  he  call  anone. 
And  bad  make  redie  be  the  day  was  licht 

1050  His  companie,  and  in  thair  geir  theradicht, 
That  be  the  morrow  all  his  luftie  forte 
Sould  redie  be  abyding  at  the  port. 

Thay  foupit  with  the  Conftabill  that  nicht, 
Difporting  thame  with  heartis  glaid  and  licht ; 
Syne  tuike  thair  leave,  and  to  thair  bed  ar  gone. 
He  on  the  mome  could  glaidlie  him  dilpoae 
Out  at  the  porte  to  ifch  with  all  his  meinge. 
And  at  all  peices  enarmit  weill  was  he. 
And  ifchit  furth  Avith  all  his  companie 

1060  Upon  the  awfiiU  Turkis  quhair  thay  ly. 

The  trumpit  blew  ane  weirlyk  found  on  heicht ; 
He  gave  his  courfour  with  liis  Ipurris  bricht, 
And  fchot  upon  the  Heathin  with  ane  ichout, 
And  Avith  his  Ipeir  he  enterit  in  the  route 
Amongis  his  foes  ;  hot  or  hia  big  lance  brake 
Full  monie  ane  Sarafine  lay  deid  on  his  bake. 
He  pullit  out  his  fword  delyverlie. 
And  dang  the  Heathin  doun  diipitfuUie ; 
He  maid  alfe  monie  peices  of  thair  theis, 

1070;^  As  dois  the  wricht  fmall  fjpaillis  of  the  treis, 
All  rougently  he  rufchit  throw  [the]  rout 
Of  woundit  men  ;   befoir  him  g-ois  the  Icfaout. 
The  Caine  himfelf  hes  hard  the  I'uddan  cry 
Among  his  folk  riling  fo  hidioully, 


BUIK  THRID.  147 

On  hors  he  lape  and  forward  com  in  haill; 

The  michtie  Sowdane  him  followed  fall. 

Clariodus  was  war,  and  weill  he  knew 

That  the  grit  Caine  com  him  to  perfew  ; 

He  rufchit  upon  him  with  ane  felloun  feir, 
1080  And  with  his  fword  him  tothe  fadill  Icheire  ; 

His  corps  devidit  into  pairtis  two  ; 

And  lyne  unto  the  King  he  did  rycht  fo. 

The  Heathin  wounderit  upon  that  felloun  deid. 

And  him  the  way  thay  roumit  than  gud  fpeid. 

The  Criftein  men  feing  his  deidis  mervellous, 

Thay  cryit,  Vive,  Vive,  Clariodus  1 

Long  lyfe,  renoune,  heich  glorie  and  honoure 

Be  unto  the  that  is  of  warldis  flour. 

He  namit  Jefus,  that  bliflit  Saviour  cleir, 
1090  And  forwart  preiffit  with  ane  knichtlie  feir ; 

His  folks  did  manfiillie  thair  foes  airaill, 

Thair  fwordis  went  alfe  thik  as  fchour  of  haill. 
When  the  Conllabill  hard  tyding  of  this  thing. 

To  feild  he  cam  withoutin  tarying. 

With  knichtis  that  war  valiand  in  feild. 

On  hors  enarmit  cleir  under  fcheild  ; 

At  quhais  cuming  monie  ane  Turke  can  die. 
The  King  of  Cyprus,  on  the  turret  he. 

Beheld  the  battell  furious  and  woode, 
1 100  The  crewell  fcheding  of  the  Heathine  bloode 

Be  Crilline  knichtis  bauld  and  chevalrus. 

And  Ipeciallie  be  gud  Clariodus, 

Wha  reftit  never,  bot  ever  dang  all  doune, 

He  was  in  fight  furious  as  ane  lyoun. 

The  King  did  him  commend,  and  ferliet  of  his  deidis. 

He  gart  his  men  aiTend  upon  thair  fteidis, 


148  CLARIODUS. 

And  iich  out  of  the  toun  to  thair  fupport ; 
Full  manie  thowfand  thrang  out  at  the  port, 
As  fwift  lyouns  defyrous  of  thair  pray ; 

1110  The  Criftine  men  preifit  to  the  hard  alFay. 

Fail  heir  and  thair  the  Heathine  ar  dung  doun 

With  mortall  Uraikis  of  occifioun ; 

Bot  maid  of  all  the  gud  Clariodus, 

Alfe  fearce  in  fight  as  lyoun  furious. 

His  brand  ay  hatband  in  the  Heathine  bloode. 

So  fairis  he  as  ane  tyger  woode  ; 

Before  his  forcie  arme  of  great  renoune. 

Unto  the  ground  both  hors  and  man  gois  doun  ; 

His  countinance  baith  wyld  and  terribill, 

1120  His  michtie  corpis  baith  wicht  and  invincibill. 
Strong  as  ane  toure  againis  the  fpeiris  poynt, 
Micht  naine  againe  abake  him  put  a  joynt. 
When  he  thus  throw  the  feild  fo  forcilie 
With  fword  in  hand  did  ryd,  richt  ernulllie 
The  Heathine  fort  for  him  war  fo  adreid. 
That  richt  as  fcheip  befor  him  [faft]  they  fled. 
Of  cruell  flaughter  feifis  never  the  ftryfe, 
Whill  not  ane  Heathin  man  was  left  on  lyfe. 
For  thay  war  vinquill  all  and  dungin  doune, 

1130  And  finallie  put  to  confufioun  ; 

And  of  the  Criftine  diet  few  or  none. 
So  gratiouflie  did  God  for  thame  dilpone. 

Efter  the  feildis  great  difcomfitour, 
Clariodus,  that  mikill  was  of  valoure, 
Is  to  the  michtie  Caineis  pailgeoun  went, 
Whair  infinit  of  thelaure  importent 
'Was  keipit  in  full  great  quantitie, 
Tlie  number  of  it  could  no  man  eftimie  ; 


BUIK  THIIID.  149 

Thair  was  of  gold,  and  pretious  ilainis  deir, 
1140  And  rich  juellis  to  by  ane  reallem  weill  neir, 

Quhilk  he  gart  be  turfit  to  the  fea 

Unto  his  Ichip  ;  and  luith  it  is  that  he 

Amongis  men  gave  mckill  of  this  riches. 

For  he  all  tyme  was  full  of  nobilnes. 

Among  all  uther  thefaure  fand  he  thair 

Ane  tabiller  of  chafe  richt  wounder  fair. 

Of  gold  all  WTOcht  with  pretioul'e  llonis  bricht, 

Diamants,  fapheiris  and  roobies  calling  licht ; 

Whilk  llonis  war  io  grit  and  ferlie  deir, 
1 150  As  radious  lampe  fchyning  alio  cleir. 

The  knightis  did  it  pryfe  that  war  thair 

To  be  worth  ane  kingis  ranlbune  and  maire. 

He  gart  ane  fquyer  tak  it  and  with  him  go 
Unto  the  Conftabillis  tent  withoutin  ho, 
Dilarmit  of  his  helme  ;  and  quhen  that  he 
Come  in  the  tent  he  faid.  Sir,  God  gow  fe. 
The  Conllabill  anlweirit  and  laid,  Ha,  gentill  Knight, 
In  ^our  arming  thair  is  no  fault  of  light ; 
How  ar  ge  now  unarmit  now  fa  foune, 
1 160  I  traiil,  quoth  he,  the  danger  is  all  donne. 
Then  lewgh  thay  both  with  joy  and  mirrines. 
Clariodus  faid,  Will  je  play  at  the  ches. 
^ea,  laid  the  Lord,  have  ge  ane  tabilleir  ? 
That  lall  ge  fe,  I  have  it  with  me  heir. 
He  fchew  it  furth  in  prefence  of  thame  all. 
And  quhen  the  Conllabill  faw  the  ches  royall,  < 

Whairof  the  men  war  all  of  maifie  gold 
And  llonis  bricht,  gudlie  to  behold  ; 
So  faire  of  forme,  and  great  of  quantitie, 
1170  He  liud  it  was  ane  royall  light  to  fe. 


150  CLARIODUS. 

And  faid,  lie  never  law  fb  rich  ane  thing, 
The  maike  of  it  pofl'eft  no  Criftien  king. 
Clariodus  faid,  Of  jour  nobilitie, 
Sir,  will  ge  doe  ane  plefance  unto  me. 
As  for  to  give  this  tabiller  of  ches 
Unto  the  Queine  of  France  hir  nobilnes. 
Me  humblie  commending  unto  the  King, 
And  to  the  Queine  maifl  luilie  and  bening. 
As  I  that  am  thair  fervitor  at  all 

1180  Whill  that  I  leive  ;  hot  ge  forgive  me  fall. 
That  I  30W  charge  fik  melfage  for  to  doe. 
The  quhilk  perteinis  not  gour  honour  to, 
I  meane  fik  travell  to  undertaike  for  me. 
War  it  not  to  the  Queinis  Majeftie  j 
I  fould  this  have  prefentit  myfelf  trewlie. 
War  not  that  I  in  Ingland  fuddantlie 
Man  pas,  quhairfor  as  now  ge  me  excufe. 
The  Conftabill  faid,  I  will  no  way  refufe. 
So  mikill  fervice  do  to  30W  as  this  ; 

1190  And  quhen  ge  lift  to  France  to  cum,  I  wile 
ge  lalbe  welcum,  dreidles,  to  the  King, 
For  he  hes  hard  of  gow  gud  comoning ; 
Diverfe  reports  hes  cumin  to  his  eare 
Of  gour  great  heighnes  both  in  peace  and  weir; 
And  fo  hes  [he^  reiavit  the  tabilleir. 

Togidder  as  they  fpake  on  this  maneir. 
The  Sarafinis  tents  fpuilgeit  thair  meinge, 
Whair  thay  fand  thefawre  [in]  great  quantitie, 
Whilk  maid  thame  rich  for  terme  of  all  thair  lyfe. 

1200  Thir  Lordis  hes  them  readie  maid  belyve. 
The  French  Conftabill  and  Sir  Clariodus 
Upon  thair  hors  alTendit  full  joyous  ; 


BUIK  THRID.  151 


Unto  the  King  of  0)^)1013  thay  raid  ifeir. 
The  quhilk  did  meit  them  in  his  bed  nianeir 
Without  the  ports,  with  royall  companie. 
The  joyous  trumpits  Ibunding  mirrilie. 
The  King  hes  donne  the  Conftabill  imbrace. 
And  hira  relavit  with  ane  mirrie  face, 
Oft  thanking  him  of  his  nobill  fupport. 

1210  To  quhora  the  Conftabill  thir  wordis  did  report, 
The  laud  heirof  perteinis  not  to  me, 
Bot  only  to  this  Knicht  that  je  heir  fe, 
Clariodus,  the  rofe  and  flour  of  armis. 
From  his  fword  edge  micht  helpe  no  harnis ; 
He  was  the  haill  cans  of  the  difcomfitoure, 
Nixt  God  our  forcie  campioun  in  the  ftoure. 
Give  him  the  laud,  give  him  the  thanks  always, 
Of  vidlorie  and  Turkis  haill  I'uppryle ; 
His  nobill  deidis  giving  great  commend, 

1220  Saying,  But  dreid,  unto  the  warldis  end, 
Thair  is  no  Knicht  onlie  with  his  hand 
That  hes  donne  half  the  deidis  valiand 
In  all  his  tyme  that  ge  have  donne  this  day, 
Thairfor  ane  honour  je  have  conquift  for  ay ; 
I  wonder  nocht  thocht  je  be  valgeand. 
For  je  ar  cum,  as  I  [do]  underftand. 
On  baith  the  fydis  of  rycht  nobill  bluid. 
And  thairfor.  Sir,  on  neid  ge  mon  be  gud. 
Clariodus  faid.  Sir,  withouttin  dreid, 

1230  ^e  gif  to  me  more  name  than  thair  is  deid ; 
Bot  onlie  half  alfe  far  as  ge  report, 
Richt  Weill  belet  I  wald  think  [me]  at  Ichorte. 
The  King  put  him  betwixt  thir  Knichtis  two, 
And  altogidder  to  Bruland  can  thay  go, 


"  152  CLARIODUS. 

And  enterit  in  the  Kingis  palice  fair. 

Full  great  triumph  and  feafting  [alle]  was  thar. 

The  Queine  and  eike  hir  dochter  com  to  hall. 

With  monie  luftie  ladie  gent  and  fmall. 

It  war  ane  want  thair  courfis  for  to  tell. 

1240  Clariodus,  that  is  of  knightheid  well. 
Was  cherifit  fo  and  feaflit  on  lik  wyfe. 
Long  war  to  fchaw  the  maner  and  the  gyle. 
When  thay  had  dynit,  thay  all  to  chalmer  wente. 
The  King,  the  Queine,  with  luftie  ladies  jent, 
Thair  all  the  day  did  dance  and  make  gud  Iport, 
The  feafoun  war  ower  prolix  to  report. 
When  even  aproachit,  to  fupper  then  they  go, 
Thair  royall  fair  as  now  I  will  pas  fro. 
Efter  the  fupper,  on  the  iamine  wyfe, 

1250  I  can  30W  nocht  the  maner  all  devife 
As  thay  difport,  car r ell,  dance  and  fing, 
Lordis,  ladies,  and  luftie  knichtis  ging. 
Clariodus  requyerit  was  to  dance  ; 
He  him  exculit  with  fair  countinance, 
Bot  all  for  nocht,  excufe  availl  micht  none  ; 
With  uther  lordis  he  to  the  dance  is  gone. 
So  verie  weill  and  manerlie  withall, 
Pryfit  he  was  with  ladies  grit  and  fmall. 
And  with  the  companie  everilk  wicht. 

1260  Thay  thus  difport  quhile  mides  of  the  nicht ; 
Syne  everilk  lord  and  ladie  leave  hes  taine 
Full  courteflie,  and  to  thair  Innis  are  gaine. 
The  King  had  fonnes  that  war  richt  fair  and  jing. 
That  loved  Clariodus  abone  all  uther  thing ; 
With  him  they  ar  to  Innis  gane  infeir. 
And  all  to  make  him  companie  and  cheir ; 


BUIK  THRID.  153 


The  Conftabill  eik  him  chereft  tender! ie, 
As  he  that  was  baith  vailjeand  and  worthie. 
Thus,  day  by  day,  thair  is  no  more  to  tell, 

1270  In  nobill  joy  and  mirrines  thay  dwell 

Whill  that  awcht  dayis  war  all  gone  outrycht ; 
Syne  tuike  thair  leave  to  pas  everilk  wicht, 
Firft  at  the  King,  fyne  at  his  Lordis  eike, 
Syne  at  the  Queine  and  at  hir  Ladies  meike. 
At  thair  departing  wofuU  was  the  King, 
For  he  thocht  that  his  Inilie  dochter  ging 
Sould  have  beine  waddit  with  Clariodus, 
Thocht  fortoun  wald  not  thoU  it  to  be  thus. 
The  King  maid  to  the  Conllabill  inllance 

1280  For  to  commend  him  to  the  King  of  France, 
And  thanke  him  of  his  help  and  gude  fupplie  j 
Syne  thelawre  gart  in  full  grit  quantitib 
Deliver  unto  him  before  he  went, 
Imbracing  [him]  rycht  hartlie  in  intent. 
Ather  from  uther  tuike  thair  leave  anone. 
Syne  the  King  tuike  Clariodus  allone, 
And  laid,  Fair  Sir,  commend  me  to  the  King, 
And  thanke  him  of  his  nobill  fupporting 
Againis  my  foes  ftrong  in  battell  ; 

1290  And  eik  I  thank  gow  of  gour  g^it  travell 
That  ge  have  maid,  cuming  in  this  cuntrie  ; 
Syne  of  gour  nobill  helpe  and  gud  fupplie, 
Bot  quhais  vailgeand  deidis  and  chevalrie 
We  hade  not  lichtlie  gottin  vi6lorie. 
Grite  giftis  proflFerit  to  him  the  King, 
Bot  he  thairof  as  thane  wald  [tak]  no  thing. 
And  quhen  the  King  hes  feine  [that]  it  is  fo. 
He  gart  ane  Iquyer  for  ane  palfray  go, 

u 


154  CLARIODUS. 

Quhilk  as  the  fnow  in  coUour  was  all  quhyt, 
1300  And  of  faffioun  wounder  donne  perfyte, 

Both  meane  and  taill  did  of  [the]  bricht  gold  fchyne, 
In  warld  men  deimit  thair  was  none  fo  fyne. 
Then  faid  he  to  Clariodus,  Sen  ge 
Naine  uther  giftis  will  refave  of  me, 
This  horfe  I  give  gow  of  a  gentill  kynd, 
That  56  may  [ever]  have  me  in  gour  mynd. 
Full  courteflie  then  thankit  he  the  King, 
And  faid.  Sir,  I  am  gouris  in  all  thing 
Whill  that  I  leive,  fo  wyfelie  God  me  Ipeid, 
1310  As  I  that  trew  falbe  in  word  and  deid 

To  50W  and  gouris  for  now  and  ever  more ; 
gour  Henes  keip  the  michtie  King  of  glore. 
So  thay  depairtit  with  tender  imbracing, 
For  verie  pitie  weipit  than  the  King, 
And  rycht  fo  [forelie]  did  Clariodus, 
For  to  depart  thay  war  fo  dolorus. 
At  all  the  Court  thair  leave  hais  taine  thir  two. 
With  thair  meinge  and  to  thair  hors  they  go ; 
And  then  aicendit  all  with  ane  purpofe, 
1320  Thay  raid  unto  the  port  of  Carrados, 

Whair  that  thay  fand  [thair]  fchippis  all  redie. 
The  marineris  thay  wrocht  full  biffilie. 

The  Conftabill  now  at  Clariodus 
Hes  taine  his  leave  with  wordis  gratious, 
To  cum  in  France  requyring  him  fa  fall, 
So  that  this  Lord  hes  grantit  at  the  laft. 
His  aquentance  to  make  with  the  [gude]  King, 
To  him  anone  promifit  he  this  thing. 
When  the  Conftabill  his  leave  hes  taine  thus, 
1830  He  bad  adew  to  Sir  Clariodus, 


BUIK  THRID.  \S6 

And  enterit  into  his  barke,  and  that  anone. 

And  all  his  folkis  ar  to  thair  Ichipis  gone. 

The  air  was  cleir,  the  wind  was  verie  g^d. 

They  drew  up  faillis,  and  fped  them  oner  the  flude. 
Clariodus  gart  furth  ane  barke  hir  drefe 

All  full  of  nobill  trelbur  and  riches 

That  he  had  won  into  the  Caines  tent ; 

Unto  his  Father  in  Eilur  he  it  fent, 

And  bad  commend  him  to  his  Father  thair, 
1S40  Schawing  to  them  at  lenth  of  his  weilfair  ; 

Syne  enterit  into  his  fchip  richt  haiililie, 

And  to  thair  Ichipis  went  all  his  companie  ; 

Thay  drew  up  faillis  fweith,  and  furth  thay  glyd 

Atowre  the  floodis  that  ar  baith  rourae  and  wyd. 

Now  ceife  I  of  Clariodus  ane  throw. 

And  of  the  Conilabill  fumthing  will  fchew. 
The  Conilabill  of  France  aryvit  Iweith 

Unto  the  port  of  Rowan,  glaid  and  blyth. 

And  went  to  Parice  with  all  his  folks  in  feir, 
1350  And  to  the  King  is  gone  with  mirrie  cheir. 

The  King  richt  glaid  was  of  his  hame  cuming. 

And  maid  to  him  richt  heartlie  welcuming. 

And  Ipeirit  of  his  tydingis  and  his  fair. 

Be  richt  report  he  told  him  les  and  malre 

Of  all  the  weiris  fchortlie  for  to  faine. 

And  how  the  Caine  of  Tartarie  was  flaine. 

And  of  his  hoft  the  haill  diilru6lioun ; 

And  of  the  valiantnes  and  grite  renoune 

Of  the  maift  worthie  and  wicht  Clariodus, 
1360  And  of  his  deidis  worthie  and  chevellrus. 

And  how  his  only  manheid  and  his  micht 

Monie  ane  tyme  pat  the  Turkis  to  flicht,  ^ 


156  CLARIODUS. 

And  how  he  flew  the  Caine  and  put  him  doun, 
And  pat  his  folkis  to  thair  diIlru6lioun, 
Whairthrow  the  mortall  weiris  tuike  ane  end. 
And  how  he  bad  him  to  his  Grace  commend  ; 
And  how  the  King  of  Cyprus  worthines 
Bad  him  commend  him  to  his  Nobilnes, 
Him  thankit  of  his  folkis  and  fupplie, 
1S70  And  how  that  he  promifit  for  to  be 

His  in  all  thing,  and  fland  in  his  quarrell, 
Richt  as  he  did  to  him  in  flrong  batell. 

Blyth  was  the  King  quhen  he  hard  this  tyding  ; 
Hot  of  this  Knicht  he  ferliet  ouer  all  thing. 
Throw  quhais  deidis  the  Turkis  war  diftroyit, 
Of  him  to  hear  his  heart  was  fo  joyit, 
That  he  never  irkit  of  him  to  fpeir. 
His  face,  his  faflToun,  his  flatur  and  maneir. 
He  tuike  him  in  ane  chalmer  him  allone, 

1380  And  Ipeirit  at  him  uther  ty dings  anone. 
And  he  tauld  furth  as  he  requyrit  ay  ; 
git,  Sir,  he  faid,  I  have  lum  thing  to  fay. 
This  nobill  Knicht  of  quhilk  I  [do]  gow  tell, 
The  verie  flour  of  chevelrie  and  well, 
Hes  fent  ane  gudlie  prefent  to  the  Queine, 
I  wald  anone  that  it  war  with  hir  feine. 
Firft  I  will  fe  it,  faid  the  King ;  and  thane 
To  fech  this  tabeller  he  fent  ane  man. 
Sone  it  was  brocht,  prelentit  to  the  King, 

1390  Quha  it  beheld,  conlidering  in  all  thing 

Of  it  the  valour  and  the  [wondrous]  micht ; 
He  faid,  Forfuith  it  is  the  faireft  fight. 
And  the  maift  pretious  of  the  quantitie, 
That  in  my  lyfe  I  ever  faw  with  ey. 


BUIK  THRID.  157 

He  fent  anone  to  chalmer  for  the  Queine, 

Wha  com  with  all  hir  ladies  fair  and  fcheine, 

Whom  the  ConAabill  faluft  hes,  and  I'yne 

Hes  tauld  hir  all  the  cace  or  he  wald  fyne ; 

Scho  luikit  on  the  royall  ches  of  gold, 
1400  That  pretious  was  and  luflie  to  behold. 

And  it  commendit  wonder  grittumlie, 

And  fo  did  all  the  ladyes  that  ftude  by. 

Then  faid  the  Queine,  I  thanke  the  gentill  Knicht, 

That  hes  me  fend  this  thefaure  of  fie  micht, 

Foriuith  he  was  no  wratch  I  dar  [it]  tell. 

That  hes  pairtit  with  fo  rich  ane  Jewell. 

And  iyne  confidering,  faid  the  nobill  King, 

That  he  [gow]  never  iaw  in  his  leving. 

And  git  to  me  his  name  [it]  is  unknawin. 
UIO  The  Conftabill  faid,  With  honour  it  falbe  fchamn. 

He  is  to  name  callit  Clariodus, 

Knicht  of  this  warld  maifl  worthie  and  famous, 

Sone  to  the  nobill  Earle  of  Efturland. 

Then  faid  the  King,  He  man  be  vailgeand. 

For  he  is  cumit  of  nobill  parentell. 

His  Father  the  Count  know  I  verie  well ; 

I  have  him  feine  into  this  Court  repaire, 

Under  the  fone  I  know  non  gudlier 

In  all  maner  and  wyfer  nor  is  he, 
U20  The  better  alwayis  his  Sone  neidis  moft  be  ; 

And  eik  of  Sir  Clariodus  himfell 

Out  of  Ingland  full  oft  have  I  hard  tell. 

And  of  his  manlie  bewtie  and  vertew, 

Now  find  I  Weill  that  thay  faid  of  him  trew, 

Whairfor,  certes,  attoure  all  [uther]  thing, 

I  long  to  have  him  in  my  Court  dwelling. 


158  CLARIODUS. 

The  Conftabill  faid,  He  hes  promifit  me. 
Within  fchort  tyme  in  this  land  for  to  be. 
That  wald  I,  quoth  the  King,  fa  God  me  fave, 

1430  Then  his  aquentance  dreidles  I  Tall  have. 

When  they  had  long  tyme  commonit  in  that  place, 
The  Queine  gart  put  the  chaker  in  that  cace. 
And  gart  ane  ladie  take  it  up  anone, 
And  lyne  unto  hir  chalmer  is  fcho  gone. 
Thame  now  in  France  in  joy  we  let  remaine. 
And  fpeike  we  of  Clariodus  againe. 

Clariodus  did  all  his  billlnes 
To  gar  the  mariners  them  Ipeid  and  dres 
To  land  alfweith  with  all  thair  faillis  bent, 

1440  Of  his  Ladie  fie  thochts  can  him  torment ; 
The  more  that  he  aproacliit  to  the  land, 
In  heat  defyre  he  was  ay  [more]  birnand 
His  Ladie  for  to  fe  :  and  then  belyve 
On  Ingland  coaft  he  did  laiflie  aryve, 
Neir  by  the  toun  that  reallie  is  wallit, 
Belvilladoun  quhilk  to  name  was  callit ; 
Thair  landit  he  and  all  his  chevalrie, 
And  to  the  toun  thay  raid  richt  royallie. 
Clariodus,  as  he  raid  throw  the  ftreit, 

1450  None  of  his  auld  aquantance  could  he  meit ; 
In  all  the  toun  no  kynd  of  man  he  law 
That  he  was  aquantit  with  or  did  knaw  ; 
He  faw  fo  monie  faces  that  war  ftrange. 
He  dread  full  fair  that  thair  had  beine  fiun  change 
Into  the  Court ;  quhairfor  he  mervell  hade ; 
Thay  fled  him  ay  and  war  for  him  adred. 
For  thay  war  of  Sir  Thomas  inputing. 
The  toun  to  rewle  and  put  in  governing. 


BUIK  THRID.  159 

At  his  Innis  this  Lord  [then]  lichtit  doun, 
1460  And  hes  gart  herberie  his  folkis  in  the  toun, 
All  hot  his  fellowis  quhilkis  ever  abaid 
With  him  ftill  quhidder  he  geid  or  raid. 
His  holl  him  hellit  fum  deiil  hevilie. 
J*erfeving  hes  Clariodus  thairby, 
Tuik  in  his  mynd  ane  fuddant  trew  confait 
That  fum  tratour  had  wrocht  a  fore  debait 
Againis  him,  bot  moft  was  in  his  thocht 
Meliades,  if  hir  had  aillit  ocht. 
Full  fuddantlie  to  changing  can  his  hew, 
1470  The  bluide  alfweith  intill  his  face  it  fchew  ; 
Of  mifbeleife  the  flound  ftruike  to  his  heart. 

That  in  his  breiil  it  trublit  him  fore  inuart ; 

Unto  his  chalmer  fadlie  he  is  gone. 

And  to  his  hoil  then  cumin  is  anone 

Ane  merchand  of  the  toun,  fpeiring  thus. 

If  he  had  fpokin  with  Clariodus. 

Na,  laid  the  hoft,  I  dar  not  with  him  fpeike. 

For  wo  my  heart  was  abill  for  to  breke 

When  I  him  faw ;  bot  he  hes  per&ving, 
1480  Throw  my  fad  cheir  he  tuik  evill  conforting. 

The  merchand  faid,  Methinke  that  gud  it  war. 

That  to  my  Lord  we  paflit  both  in  feir. 

The  hoil  confentit,  that  Bartane  heicht  to  name. 

This  Allane  was  ane  man  mikill  of  fame, 

And  monie  ane  day  was  mair  of  the  toun  ; 

Bot  from  his  heicht  Sir  Thomas  pat  him  doun. 
When  unto  chalmer  cuming  war  thir  two, 

This  Allane  was  in  heart  full  hevie  and  wo, 

Who  hellit  him  with  teiris  dillelling, 
1490  Clariodus  perlavit  this  in  all  thing, 


160  CLARIODUS. 

AUane,  ge  ar  full  welcum  unto  me  ; 

What  new  tydingis,  my  frind,  []fra  CourtJ  bring  ge  ? 

Now  tell  how  fairis  the  Kingis  nobilnes, 

The  Queine  and  hir  goung  dochter  the  Princes  ? 

I  cam  not  in  Court,  faid  Allane,  thir  monie  day, 

Whairfor  the  maner  I  can  not  tell  perfay  ; 

All  that  sour  Father  pat  in  the  Kingis  cervice, 

Sir  Thomas  hes  put  out  on  felloun  wayis, 

And  me  he  hes  exonerit  among  the  leave 

1500  Of  the  office  that  I  had  wount  to  have  ; 
The  King  he  rewellis  and  gydis  as  he  lift, 
Whairthrow  the  realme  is  hereit  and  opreft ; 
No  man  may  cum  into  the  Kings  prelence, 
Bot  throw  his  gyding  and  his  gnd  plefance ; 
And  ane  thing,  Sir,  and  worft  of  all  the  leave 
That  he  hes  donne,  thairfor  the  Feind  him  have, 
Be  faUe  report  and  divillifch  treafoun  eike 
He  hes  gart  take  Meliades  the  meike. 
The  Kingis  dochter  and  his  heare  alfo, 

1510  Withoutin  cans  and  cruellie  hir  flo, 
And,  fy  !  alleace  !  murderit  hir  fouUie, 
Into  ane  nicht  without  onie  mercie. 
With  cruell  churllis  murdreift  cruellie. 
The  trewth  I  may  not  tell  [gow]  for  pitie. 

When  that  Clariodus  hard  this  tyding. 
The  crampe  of  death  did  [faft]  to  his  heart  thring ; 
He  gave  ane  %h,  and  laid,  but  wordis  mo. 
Ha,  Ladie  myne,  and  ar  ge  endit  fo ! 
The  fword  of  forrow  gave  him  fie  a  wound 

1520  Unto  the  heart  with  fik  ane  deidlie  ftound 
He  micht  not  fufiFer  it,  bot  doune  he  fell 
So  pitioullie  that  Ibrrow  war  to  tell  j 


BUIK  THRID.  161 


Unto  the  pavement  as  dcid  dufchit  he, 
Hispaill  vifuge  was  gaiftlie  for  to  {e. 
Pallexis  up  Hart  foune,  [and]  cryit  Hal 
For  ower  grit  wo  he  wift  not  quhat  to  fa. 
The  Knichtis  foure  and  burgis  twa  [than]  ran, 
And  liilit  up  the  paill  and  deidlie  man, 
And  on  ane  bed  him  laid  or  thay  wald  ho, 

1530  And  with  thair  handis  fchuike  him  to  and  fro. 
And  foune  his  teith  oppinit  with  ane  knyfe  ; 
Bot  ftill  he  lay  [thair]  deid  as  out  of  lyfe, 
And  nothing  lyke  from  daith  [for]  to  revert ; 
Whairof  his  fellowis  fie  forrow  tuik  in  heart, 
Thay  maid  fik  duill  that  never  hard  was  maire. 
Never  ficht  thay  faw  grevit  them  [fa]  lair. 
Sik  forrow  maid  Pallexis  and  his  brother. 
That  naine  of  them  micht  counfall  gif  to  other. 
In  this  eflait  lang  lay  this  jentill  Knicht ; 

1540  Bot  the  grit  King  of  glorie  and  of  micht. 

That  ever  is  wicht  quhaever  be  waike  or  feik. 

He  wald  not  fuffer  of  his  mercie  meike 

Him  that  was  gentill  ay  and  merciabill 

In  fik  ane  wyfe  to  end  fo  miferabill. 

So  at  the  lall  he  out  of  found  abraid 

Alfe  wode  of  cheir,  and  luikit  rycht  affrayd  ; 

He  faw  ane  window  and  wald  have  lappin  out ; 

His  fellowis  them  affemblit  him  about. 

Withholding  him  among  them  tenderlie, 

1550  Him  comforting  with  wordis  mofl  heartlie. 
He  paifit  then  the  chalmer  up  and  doun, 
Melancolike,  alfe  fiirious  as  ane  lyoun ; 
His  eine  thay  brint  and  flamit  as  ane  gleid, 
Defyring  to  revenge  the  traitorheid 


162  CLARIODUS. 

Of  the  maiil  iaikles  murder  and  felloune, 
Done  to  this  innocent  Ladie  be  trefoun. 
Alleace !  he  iaid,  quhat  fall  I  do  or  fay, 
My  warldis  joy  is  [from  me]  reft  for  ay  ; 
O  now  quhair  fall  I  go  or  quhair  fall  I  ryd, 
1360  Quhair  fall  I  walke  at  evin  or  morrow  tyd  I 
Whairto  for  fleip  fould  I  to  bedis  go, 
Or  quhairto  ryfe,  I  waits  of  nocht  bot  wo, 
Or  quhairto  leive  I,  [now]  thus  myne  allone, 
When  all  my  cumpanie  is  fra  me  gone ; 
,  O  Death,  cum  flay  me  cative  in  diftres. 
That  never  fall  have  ane  day  of  mirrines  I 
Why  lefts  my  bodie,  feing  my  heart  is  llaine, 
Fairweill  for  ever  all  eardlie  joy  againe  ! 
And  this  he  laid  with  fik  ane  pitious  cheir, 
1570  It  was  ane  paine  him  for  to  fe  or  heir  ; 
And  forrow  him  tormentit  fo  fellounlie, 
Monie  ane  tyme  he  cryit  God  mercie, 
Have  mercie,  Lord,  that  [wifelie]  hes  me  wrocht, 
Syne  with  thy  daith  fo  deir  thow  hes  me  bocht, 
That  I  fall  not  in  defperatioun ; 
Thy  woundis  fyve  be  my  falvatioun 
That  I  do  nocht  that  may  my  foul  [eer]  tyne  j 
I  alk  th6  mercie,  fweit  Redemer  myne. 
Now  of  my  greif  and  my  impatience, 
1680  Who  am  bereft  of  all  intelligence. 

And  can  no  relbun  have  nor  fufferance 
Whill  daith  upon  me  do  his  uterance  j 
And  eike  have  mercie  on  gon  fair  Ladie, 
Sen  I  hir  lovit  for  no  villanie. 
As  for  the  cryme  fcho  ftervit  ane  innocent. 
And  pitiouflie  with  churlis  all  to  rent, 


BUIK  THRID.  16.5 

And  raurtherit  as  ane  theif  without  a  judge. 

Be  thow  hir  reflait,  fuccur  and  refuge  ; 

And  let  thy  woundis  be  for  hir  remeid, 
1590  That  for  hir  finnis  oppinit  war  lb  reid ; 

Among  thy  angellis  relave  hir  in  thy  joy, 

As  thow  that  ar  of  mercie  Prince  and  Roy. 
With  that  the  teiris  jeid  out  of  his  eine. 

With  fichis  deip,  and  fobbis  ay  betweine. 

That  none  on  lyfe  micht  fe  him  nor  behold, 

Bot  he  anone  fould  weipe  thoch  he  not  wold, 

Suppofe  his  heart  war  harder  nor  the  flone. 

His  fellowis  foure  maid  ane  pitioufe  mone 

For  him  in  fecreit  [wyfe]  ;  bot  not  the  les, 
1600  With  fuggerit  wordis  of  great  humbilnes, 

Thay  comfortit  him,  and  oft  bad  him  eit  : 

Bot  he  ib  fillit  was  with  dolour  grite, 

No  meit  he  wald  ilay  ;  bot  bad  that  thay 

Sould  to  thair  fupper  go  without  delay. 

When  they  had  Ibupit  all,  thame  gart  he  call. 

And  laid.  Go  fend  fiirth  to  our  frindis  all 

In  this  kinrick,  both  Prince,  Earle,  Lord  and  Knicht 

That  lovis  me,  or  in  my  quarrell  richt 

Will  make  defence,  and  pray  thame  tenderlie, 
1610  Into  all  hail  that  thay  will  make  redie 

To  cum  with  all  their  nobill  chevalrie 

In  my  fupplie  ;  for  now  [that]  verilie, 

I  never  thinke  flefch  to  eit  nor  wyne  to  drinke, 

Whill  that  I  make  gon  Tratour  to  forthinke 

That  ever  he  trefoun  wrocht  on  fike  wayis, 

And  quhill  the  daith  of  fair  Meliades 

Revengit  be,  that  all  the  warld  fall  heir. 
Then  Allan  laid  to  him  on  this  maneir. 


164  CLARIODUS. 

My  Lord,  gour  charge  I  fall  fulfill  alway ; 
1620  Bot  if  ge  wairne  thofe  Prinfis,  as  ge  fay. 
Sir  Thomas  will  get  wit,  and  will  evaid  : 
Bot  will  3e  [now]  my  counfall  doe,  he  faid, 
3e  fall  cum  to  him  [richt]  without  wairning, 
In  that  fame  place  quhair  he  is  with  the  King. 
In  the  toun  of  Clarans  quhairin  he  remains, 
Ouklie  we  carie  hay  in  carts  and  wains. 
And  I  my  felf  fall  hay  have  to  the  toun  ; 
Whairfbr  I  wald  [that]  threttie  men  war  boun. 
In  cairtis  clofit  [all]  weill  privilie, 
1630  All  ower  with  hay  coverit  quyetlie, 

And  [fo]  no  man  will  flope  [thame]  quhill  that  thay 
Be  went  within  the  gettis,  quhair  ge  may 
Ane  bufchment  have  a  litill  50W  befyde, 
That  haiflilie  may  efter  them  in  ryd. 

When  he  hes  hard  him  on  this  wayis  conclude, 
He  thankit  him,  and  faid  the  way  was  gud  ; 
And  bad  all  fould  be  donne  as  he  [had]  faid 
Againe  the  morne,  and  all  thus  reddie  maid. 
He  callit  on  his  luiftennantis  than, 
1640  And  bad  thay  fould  be  redie  everie  man 
Neir  by  the  toun  of  Clarans  by  the  day 
In  the  wode  1yd,  and  hold  them  quyetlie 
Whill  that  thay  hard  thame  cry  within  the  carts, 
And  then  to  fpeid  them  [out]  with  mirrie  hearts. 

When  this  was  laid,  they  went  all  to  [their]  bed, 
Clariodus  him  leinit  doune  all  cled. 
All  nicht  bewailling  hir  death  pitiouflie. 
That  was  fo  fair,  fo  gud  and  womanlie  : 
Bot  up  he  raife  full  long  before  the  day 
1650  With  his  foure  fellowis,  doing  thame  aray 


BUIK  THRID.  100 

In  weirlyk  weidifl  ;  and  lyne  went  haiflilie 

To  Allonis  Innis,  quhair  all  war  maid  redie. 

Clariodus  and  his  fellowis  anone, 

But  longer  tarie  ar  to  ane  cart  all  gone. 

With  utheris  whom  thay  lykit  bell  to  have, 

Ane  cartar  come  and  furth  [the  gaitj  thame  drave ; 

The  uther  cairt  [then]  fiUit  was  alfo 

With  men  of  armis,  and  thus  furth  thay  go 

To  the  toun  of  Clarains  be  the  licht  of  day, 
1660  Whair  the  draw  brig  fbune  drawin  have  thay  ; 

The  port  was  oppin,  they  enterit  liiddently. 

With  ane  grit  noyis  raifit  up  the  cry  j 

With  that  the  bufclunent  brake  with  [richt]  gud  fpeid  ; 

Clariodus  aflendit  on  his  field. 

And  to  the  palice  raid  or  he  wald  ho  ; 

Pairt  of  his  folkis  commandit  he  to  go 

The  toun  to  fearch,  and  ay  quhair  thay  finde 

Sir  Thomas*  men,  in  prillbun  them  to  binde. 

Clariodus  then  [maift]  unfrayitlie 
1670  In  palice  enterit  with  all  his  chevalrie. 

And  in  that  chalmer  quhair  that  was  the  King, 

With  him  Sir  Thomas,  not  witting  of  this  thing ; 

For  had  he  wittin  that  Sir  Clariodus 

Had  landlt  beine  and  com  fo  neir  as  thus, 

He  wald  have  fled  away  if  that  he  micht. 

Amongs  them  enterit  hes  this  nobill  Knicht 

And  lawlie  on  his  knie  (alull  the  King 

With  honour  dew,  and  with  gud  bliffing  ; 

Syne  went  and  hynt  Sir  Thomas  be  the  hand, 
1680  Saying,  O  trator  falfe  and  diflaveand, 

Thankis  to  God  that  now  is  cumit  the  day 

That  with  thy  traibun  thow  no  [way]  chape  may, 


166  CLARIODUS. 

That  thow  hes  faid,  ather  iall  thow  preive. 
Or  it  fall  turne  the  to  thy  grit  milcheive. 
Syne  to  his  fellowis  four  gave  him  in  cure. 
Commanding  them  that  thay  fould  keip  him  fure. 
Syne  to  the  King  he  faid  on  this  maneir. 
Sir,  for  this  caus  I  [nowj  am  cumit  heir. 
This  curfit  tratour  with  his  fellounie, 

1690  Of  verie  malice  movet  and  invie, 

Hes  wrocht  of  his  awin  imaginatioun. 
Be  falfe  and  feindlie  confpiratioun, 
[Sic]  wayis  30W  and  gour  bloode  to  dillroy, 
That  he  micht  of  this  regioun  ring  as  Roy  j 
gour  Dochter  innocent  he  hes  put  to  deid 
Full  faikleilie  but  mercie  or  remeid  j 
Wha  falllie  leit  on  me,  as  prove  I  lall 
On  onie  He  this  day  that  is  mortall 
That  will  or  dar  abyde  at  his  opinioun ; 

1700  Thair  is  not  thrie  into  this  regioun 

That  will  mantine  his  quarrell  or  defend 
Bot  I  fall  give  him  battell  to  the  end 
Againis  them  all  at  onis  myne  allone. 
Or  with  them  fyndrie  feight  [fall]  on  be  on  ; 
Whairfor  gar  call  him  heir  befor  30W  now, 
And  fpeir  if  he  the  treafoun  will  avow. 
The  King  him  callit ;  and  then  Clariodus, 
In  prefence  of  them  all,  faid  to  him  thus. 
Sir  Thomas,  take  30W  choife  of  thingis  two, 

1710  Ather  gourfelf  in  battell  with  me  to  go 

And  twa  with  gow  the  bell  [that]  je  can  waili, 
[And  curft  be  he  that  in  the  fight  fhall  faill,] 
Or  prove  that  ge  have  laid  befor  the  King, 
Than,  if  ge  doe,  I  merite  punifching. 


BUIK  THRID.  l^ 


Then  this  Tratur  trimblit  [baith]  fute  and  hand, 
And  laid,  I  will  not  into  batell  Hand, 
I  me  confes  of  all  this  falfe  treafoune, 
I  have  defervit  daith  at  fchort  fermoun  ; 
My  Lady  I  gart  faikleilie  be  fchent, 

1720  For  trewth  to  daith  fcho  is  gone  innocent  j 
Thir  letteris  with  my  handis  all  I  wraite. 

Then  all  the  Court  at  onis  maid  regrate 
For  the  goung  Princes,  fair  Meliades, 
All  cauiles  put  to  daith  on  this  wayis  ; 
Thay  gart  the  letteris  thair  all  [be]  prefent, 
Caulling  Sir  Thomas  wryte  incontinent. 
To  fe  if  that  the  writtis  lyke  war :  thane 
This  ilk  Sir  Thomas  [for]  to  wryte  begane  ; 
Quhilk  wryting  fo  lyke  was  to  the  uther, 

1730  That  nane  of  theme  micht  be  knowen  quhidder  : 
Then  with  ane  voice  thay  cryit  all  at  onis. 
Ha,  birne  the  cruell  Tratur,  fell  and  bonis ! 

Clariodus  upon  his  kne  fat  doune. 
And  aikit  juilice  of  the  deid  felloun. 
The  King  maid  mone,  that  forrow  was  to  lie, 
For  hir  that  was  fo  full  of  grite  bewtie. 
So  full  of  vertew  and  of  gentilnes. 
He  wold  have  flaine  himfelf  in  his  madnes 
War  nocht  the  Lordis  was  him  befyde ; 

1740  He  raif  his  hair  and  pitiouilie  he  cryed. 
To  wryte  30W  all  his  forrow  and  his  cair, 
It  fould  me  occupy  ane  long  day  and  mair  ; 
He  fell  on  kneis  before  Clariodus, 
Saying  to  him  thir  wordis  pitious. 
Let  not  son  Tratur  firft  to  his  deid  go, 
Bot  begine  at  me  and  with  gour  fword  me  flo, 


168  CLARIODUS. 

That  moll  have  delervit  for  to  die  ; 
All  princes  may  exampill  take  of  me, 
Thus  unadvj'fit  to  diftroy  thair  blood, 

1750  Or  than  advyfit,  counfall  thalrto  conclude  ; 
Why  let  je  me  in  wo  thus  liveing  heir, 
On  me  doe  furth  gour  deid,  fchrinke  for  no  feir. 
With  that  he  raif  his  awin  hair  pitioullie. 
And  llrake  him  felf  wounder  fellounlie. 
Clariodus  aUweith  tuike  up  the  King 
Into  his  armis,  thus  to  him  faying. 
Sir,  ge  Ibuld  nocht  fit  on  kneis  to  me, 
Bot  unto  God,  to  him  failgeit  [have]  ge 
And  to  the  leigis  of  jour  reg^oun, 

1760  For  5e  diftroyit  gour  fucceflloun, 

Thair  onelie  Princes,  and  gour  richteous  aire, 
That  quhyllum  was  countit  [la]  wyfe  and  fair. 

The  King  commandit  that  his  feigis  royall 
Sould  be  renewit,  wher  the  pepill  all 
Micht  fe  the  mortall  calligatioun 
Of  this  Sir  Thomas,  for  his  faUe  treafoun  j 
At  his  command  quhilk  foune  removit  was 
And  in  the  grit  court  fat  of  his  palice  : 
And  fyne  commandit  he  the  burgilis  two, 

1770  Clariodus*  hoft  and  Allan  alfo. 
To  make  ane  oppin  proclamatioun 
Of  all  things  [to  be  done]  with  trumpit  found. 
That  all  the  peipill  micht  of  Clarains  toun 
Cum  and  fe  jullice  donne  of  his  trealbun  ; 
And  bad  them  bring  the  burriours  alio. 

Thir  two,  as  than  commandit,  furth  thay  go, 
As  he  bad  doe,  anone  the  lamine  ways. 
And  maid  aue  fcaffald  upon  heicht  to  ryfe. 


BUIK  THRID.  169 

Sir  Thomas  callit  was  in  judgement, 
1780  And  with  ane  fife  fyllit  incontinent ; 

Syne  damnit  to  be  drawin  ilke  lith  from  uther. 
In  prefence  of  King  Philipon  his  brother  ; 
Of  quhilk  was  maid  ane  executioun 
Upon  the  fcaflFold,  the  peipill  environ  : 
The  peipill  micht  not  lichtlie  numberit  be, 
Whilk  thrang  fo  thike  the  maner  for  to  fie. 
The  King  in  judgment  fat  [exaltit]  thair 
Whill  jullifit  Sir  Thomas'  fulkis  war 
And  all  that  gave  him  counfall  or  fupplie 
1790  To  doe  that  felloun  deid  of  crueltie. 

[This  done,]  unto  Belvelladoun  thay  raid, 
Into  the  Court  grit  hevines  was  maid. 
Clariodus  raid  fpeikihg  with  the  Queine, 
Betwix  quhom  [ay]  grit  fbrrow  micht  be  feine ; 
When  they  fpake  of  Meliades  the  bricht 
With  weiping  all  to  blindit  was  thair  fight. 
The  King  alfweith  is  enterit  in  the  toun, 
Whair  he  repofit,  and  quhyllum  maid  fojome 
For  to  take  ordour  with  everilk  officer 
1800  That  Sir  Thomas  had  put  from  office  thair. 
Then  all  was  wrocht  and  endit  on  this  wyle, 
And  enterit  all  agane  to  thair  fervice. 

Clariodus  his  leive  tuike  at  the  King, 
As  he  had  long  thocht  of  his  tarying  ; 
The  cuntrie  that  fum  tyme  [lyne]  he  thocht  fair. 
And  had  in  it  fie  plefour  to  repair, 
Than  thocht  he  all  was  bair  and  barren  wildernes^ 
So  far  his  heart  was  bund  in  hevines 
That  in  that  land  he  micht  not  eit  nor  fleip, 
1810  Bot  weipand  ay  with  fadeft  fichis  deip. 


170  CLARIODUS. 

The  King  faid.  Sir  Clariodus,  I  fe 
That  ge  na  longer  lift  to  byd  with  me  ; 
Jit  pitie  this  realme,  gentill  Knicht, 
That  in  like  perrell  ftandis  day  and  nicht. 
For  fault  of  ane  the  peipill  to  convoy ; 
And  ge  depairt,  fairweill  fra  me  all  joy ; 
gour  Father  eik,  efter  jour  [hame^  cuming, 
I  wait  will  enter  no  more  in  this  rigne, 
Then  it  is  put  cleine  to  dillrudlioun  : 

1820  Thairfor  I  make  50W  fupplicatioun, 

That  ge  dil'daine  not  for  to  byde  with  me, 
Whill  that  jour  Father  cum  into  this  cuntrie. 
Clariodus  wald  not  him  grant,  for  quhy, 
He  trouit  never  to  cum  againe  fuithly. 
And  for  to  heicht  ane  thing  and  keip  it  nocht 
Was  never  in  his  mynd,  deid  nor  thocht ; 
Whairfor  he  wald  not  grant  for  to  abyde. 
The  peipill  cryit  all  on  everie  lyd, 
Ha,  gentill  Knicht,  and  flour  of  nobilnes, 

1830  Leave  never  the  King  into  his  heich  diftres ; 
Bot  rew  on  him,  for  his  faike  hes  gow  bocht, 
For  he  to  leive  langer  fall  he  nocht, 
For  forrow  and  langour  efter  ge  be  gone. 
Wlien  that  this  Knicht  hard  thair  pitious  mone, 
Confort  gow,  Sir,  he  faid,  for  Godis  faike. 
And  I  fall  doe  fo,  heir  I  undertake, 
That  pleafit  ge  falbe,  [^as]  I  weill  wait ; 
Now  heir  my  brother  that  Palexis  heicht. 
And  eik  my  couiing  Amandur  his  brother, 

1840  I  fall  them  two  leave  with  gow  and  no  uther, 
Albeit  I  war  full  laith  them  to  forgo  ; 
Bot  git  with  gow  thay  iall  byd  baith  the  two. 


BUIK  THRID.  171 

As  thay  that  manheid  and  dilcrctioun 

Hes  for  to  rewle  the  cuntrie  up  and  doun. 
This  being  finit,  fchortlie  for  to  tell, 

Clariodus,  that  is  of  knichtheid  well, 

His  leave  hes  takine  baith  at  King  and  Queine, 

With  wofuU  teares  birfting  out  of  his  eine  ; 

He  tuike  his  leave  at  the  merchand  alio, 
1850  And  at  his  gud  hoft,  thanking  oft  thay  two 

Of  thair  gud  I'ervice  and  thair  biilines ; 

And  lyne  at  all  his  freindis  more  and  les  : 

Bot  quhen  anone  the  peipill  faw  him  ryde 

Out  throw  the  toun,  full  pitifullie  thay  cryed. 

Fair  weill,  our  confort  now  and  all  our  joy  f 

Fair  weill,  our  cheif  protedlor  out  of  noy  I 

Fair  weill,  the  gentilleft  Knicht  and  maiil  worthie 

In  all  the  warld  that  beine  aluterlie  1 
Out  of  the  toun  he  haiililie  did  ryd, 
1860  For  clamour  of  the  pepill  him  befyd ; 

And  quhen  he  was  ane  myle  out  of  the  toun. 

He  and  his  fellous  thair  lichtit  [tham]  doun ; 

To  tham  he  laid.  My  frindis  traift  and  deir, 

I  30W  reverence,  and  oft  thankis  30W  heir 

Of  gour  fervice  and  nobill  cumpanie, 

I  me  commend  to  jow  maift  hartfullie. 

Now  mon  I  pafe  from  30W,  and  nothing  wote 

If  I  to  50W  will  cum  againe  or  not : 

Bot  je  fall  not  be  difpurvayit  at  all, 
1870  My  Father  in  this  cuntrie  Ibune  cum  he  fall, 

And  traift  richt  weill  [that]  not  forget  fall  I 

To  gar  my  Father  compleit  finaly 

Jour  mariagis,  be  56  not  adred ; 

My  frind  Palexis,  ge  fall  Cadar  wed, 


172  CLARIODUS. 

Whom  ge  have  handfail;  and  Amandur  fall  get 

The  King  of  Spainges  fifter  Mandonet ; 

And  ge  that  ar  my  uther  fellowis  two 

Sail  have  Barronis  dochteris  alio 

Into  our  land,  quhilk  neir  ar  of  our  blude  ; 

1880  And  feing  that  kyndnes  ever  amongis  us  Ilude, 
Now  let  us  keip  it  till  our  latter  day, 
And  fe  that  ge  luife  uther  rycht  weill  ay  : 
And  ge,  my  cuiings  two,  over  all  thing, 
Exerce  gour  office  and  pleate  weill  gour  King  j 
Amongs  the  peipill  conqueis  je  fik  name. 
That  gour  frindis  have  no  reproch  nor  blame. 
With  this,  into  his  armis  he  did  tham  fange, 
And  then  begouth  fik  weiping  them  amang, 
That  pitie  it  had  beine  for  to  behold. 

1890  Ane  efter  uther  he  in  his  armes  fold, 

And  kiflit  them,  hot  micht  no  wirdis  lay  ; 
Syne  lap  upon  his  hors  and  raid  his  way. 
Still  thay  remainit  efter  he  was  gone. 
Sore  weiping  and  bewailling  thame  allone  ; 
Thay  will  he  wald  go  walke  in  wildernes. 
And  never  thairefter  ane  joyous  day  polTes  ; 
Whairfor  thair  painfull  forrow  and  thair  cheir 
War  all  to  long  for  to  byd  on  to  heir. 
Thir  four  full  fadlie  to  the  toun  thay  went, 

1900  And  he  as  woode  man  Ipurrit  ower  the  bent. 
As  he  that  will  not  quhair  to  ryd  or  go. 
His  breill  was  fo  opreft  with  inwart  greif  and  wo. 

Clariodus  raid  furth  on  this  maneir, 
Ane  grit  forrell  quhill  he  aproachit  neir  j 
Then  Iped  he  him  with  all  the  haill  he  may. 
For  doubt  they  fould  have  ftoppit  him  the  way. 


BUIK  THRID.  17s 

So  in  the  forreil  happinit  him  to  meit 

Ane  Palmer  cumand,  quhilk  did  on  him  greit. 

And  of  his  almes  aiked  him,  and  faid, 
1910  That  felloun  briggandis  him  difpuili^eit  had. 

Clariodus  faid,  Father,  for  certaine, 

The  halie  gaitis  that  je  wount  to  gang 

Will  not  alway  let  30W  difpurvayit  be ; 

ge  fall  have  all  my  cloathes,  and  gif  me 

gour  clothes  againe,  and  tak  myne  betwine. 

Glaid  was  the  Pilgrime  this  ilk  change  to  feine. 

Clariodus  put  on  the  Palmers  weid, 

And  he  gave  him  his  cloathes  and  his  ileid. 

The  Palmer  faid.  My  Lord,  I  weill  perlave, 
1920  That  feiknes  or  melancholie  je  have  ; 

Have  patience  in  dillres  for  ony  thing, 

For  naturallie  the  warld  is  ay  changing. 

And  glad  joy  cumis  nixt  adverfitie 

Be  cours  of  fortounis  mutabilitie. 

Clariodus  than  thankis  to  him  maid. 

Saying,  God  grant  it  be  as  ge  have  faid. 

Thus  went  he  furth  in  palmer  weid  allone. 

Out  throw  the  forreft  quhill  the  day  was  gone  ; 

The  nicht  aproachit  and  he  abydis  thair, 
1930  Baith  wind  and  raine  [then]  dang  on  him  richt  fair, 

That  he  in  hafart  was  to  lofe  his  lyfe. 

As  day  begouth  and  nicht  away  did  drive. 

He  paicet  furth,  and  fand  ane  Imall  paifage, 

Quhilk  had  him  throw  the  wood  to  ane  village ; 

He  -Miterit,  afldng  almous  for  Godis  faike; 

Sum  gave  him  pairt,  and  fum  did  him  forfaike. 

And  bad  him  go  and  wirke,  for  he  was  wicht, 

And  fair  of  perfoune  thocht  he  war  ane  Knicht ; 


174  CLARIODUS. 

Weill  tailgeit  of  his  bodie  up  and  doun, 
1940  They  bade  him  go  [and]  thryl'che  in  everie  toun. 
Clariodus  then  Iped  liim  biffilie 
Whill  he  come  to  the  fea,  and  tuik  harbrie 
Into  ane  hevining  place  where  ichipes  were, 
And  redie  for  to  faill  in  cuntries  feir. 
Ane  was  to  go  in  Eftur  land ;  whairfore 
He  haillilie  hes  pafiit  to  the  Ichore, 
And  Ipeirit  at  the  marineris  in  hy, 
Gif  thay  wald  tak  him  in  thair  cumpanie. 
Thay  laid.  If  that  he  could  make  gud  fervice, 
1950  Thay  wald  relave  him  into  giidlie  wayis. 
Then  hes  he  faid,  no  worke  he  wald  refufe, 
That  onie  uther  fervitor  did  ule. 
The  Skipper  laid.  Go  let  him  in  anone. 
For  he  is  manfull  big  of  brane  and  bone  j 
He  feames  to  be  na  balleill  in  the  how. 
He  fall  Weill  hald  ane  anker  or  ane  tow. 
To  mak  our  windis  [for]  to  go  on  force. 
And  he  will  draw  about  lyke  ony  hers  ; 
To  dicht  our  meit,  full  weill  gainis  gon  feir, 
1960  To  lift  ane  mekill  caldroun  on  the  fyre. 

Up  gois  the  laillis,  the  fchip  gois  to  the  flude. 
And  cuike  thay  maid  Clariodus  the  gud  ; 
He  dicht  thair  meit,  and  maid  tham  g^d  fervice 
In  humbill  maner,  and  in  gudlie  wyfe. 
The  wind  was  fair,  the  fchip  was  gud  be  faill, 
The  marineris  wicht  and  biflie  in  travell ; 
To  Eftur  land  aprochit  thay  belyve^ 
And  in  ane  port  faiflie  did  aryve. 
The  merchands  unto  land  paft  everie  one. 


BUIK  THRID.  175 

1970  Clariodus  to  land  is  with  thome  gone, 

And  nt  the  mariners  his  leave  he  tuike, 

Quhilk  wald  have  feit  him  to  have  beine  thair  cuike. 

He  faid,  Frindis,  I  raon  to  Andromage, 

Quhilk  till  compleit  it  is  a  fair  voyage  ; 

Whairfor  have  me  excufit  for  to  gone. 

Thay  bad  him  cloathes,  bot  he  refavit  none. 

He  tuike  his  leave ;  and  thay  bad  God  him  gyde. 

Unto  the  toun  of  Eihir  neir  beiyd 

He  dreffit  him  to  go  with  biilines, 
1980  Whair  that  his  Father  and  his  Mother  was. 
Clariodus  furth  holdeth  but  fojorne, 

Whill  he  com  neir  the  fuburbs  of  the  toune ; 

Beholding  [all]  the  toun  and  the  caftell. 

He  laid  him  doun  agroufe  belyde  ane  well. 

And  thair  he  maid  the  laireil  regrating, 

That  micht  be  hard  of  ony  creatour  leving. 

Saying,  Alleace,  O  toun  I  O  caftell  and  citie  I 

Baith  may  ge  ban  that  ilk  nativitie 

Of  that  divellifch  Sir  Thomas  the  tratour, 
1990  Throw  quhom  to  50W  lall  cum  fie  [fad]  dollour. 

O  Count  of  Eftur,  ge  and  gour  Ladie, 

What  wofuU  painis  and  melancholie 

Sail  to  30W  cum,  quhen  that  ge  know  all  cleir 

[How  that  for  greif  your  Son  is  dying  heir  !] 

How  it  is  falline,  and  the  curfit  chance  1 

Thairwith  he  tuike  fik  ane  [grit]  difplifance,  1   • 

He  brift  all  out  of  teiris  pitioullie. 

Of  his  unfortoun  pleinand  woftiUie, 

And  maid  the  hardeft  lamentatioun 
2000  That  ever  was  hard  in  ony  regioun. 


176  CLARIODUS. 

Bot  loe,  as  fortoun  turnis  fo  quyetly. 
Unto  this  well  thair  come  [all]  fuddenly 
Meliades,  hame  water  for  to  bring, 
And  faw  this  wofuU  man  on  grouffe  lying, 
Bewailling  in  dillrefe  fo  pitiouflie. 
That  to  behold  this  Ladie  thocht  ferlie  ; 
So  him  to  heir  with  monie  fob  and  grone, 
It  wald  have  thirllit  ony  heart  of  ftone  ; 
And  quhill  fcho  him  can  [thus]  behald  and  fe, 

2010  Scho  for  him  tuike  in  heart  fo  great  pitie, 
For  verie  rewth  fcho  weipit  and  was  wo. 
Saying,  My  frind,  why  do  je  gour  felf  flo? 
Or  quhat  ar  ^e,  that  thus  fo  pitiouflie 
^our  felf  demainis  thus  with  melancolie  ? 
For  Godis  faike  take  gow  fum  patience. 
And  to  gour  felf  do  never  like  oflFence. 
Full  faine  fcho  wald  have  comfortit  him  fum  wayis. 
For  fcho  was  haly,  cheritabill  and  wyfe. 
His  heid  then  hes  he  raifit  upon  loft, 

2020  To  fe  quha  gave  to  him  thir  wordis  foft, 
That  confort  him  upon  fo  meike  maneir  ; 
Bot  all  to  blindit  was  his  eine  fo  cleir. 
That  he  not  redilie  micht  efpie  hir  face. 
Saying,  I  thank  gow  Sifter,  bot  alleace  ! 
How  that  it  ftandis  with  me  if  that  ge  knew, 
I  traift  ge  wald  upon  my  painis  rew. 
Or  ony  in  warld  that  is  now  on  lyve  ; 
Or  if  thay  wift  how  that  with  daith  I  ftryve. 
Or  knew  the  cans  quhairfor  I  thus  compleine, 

2030  For  to  have  mercie  rewth  wald  thame  conftraine 
On  me  that  is  the  forrowfuUeft  wicht 


BUIK  THRID.  177 


In  warld  that  leives  under  Phebus  bricht. 
This  Ladie  laid.  My  freind,  treft  je  [me]  weill, 
To  ony  wicht  if  that  ge  lift  reveale 
Jour  infortoun,  and  gour  mifaventur, 
It  ibuld  30W  I'wage  fumthing  of  jour  dollour. 
He  laid,  My  IWeit  Sifter,  [the]  fuith  30  lay. 
If  that  remeid  micht  be  in  onie  way 
Then  gud  it  war  for  to  reveill  my  paine  ; 

2040  Bot  ay,  alleace  1  thir  words  ar  all  in  vaine, 
Remeid  is  none,  the  ender  of  my  wo 
Is  death,  alleace !  thairfor  fra  me  ge  go. 
And  me  to  confort  30W  no  mair  difpone. 
And  let  me  ft«rve  for  uther  bute  is  none. 
With  that  he  gave  ane  figh  full  cairfullie. 
And  teiris  did  out  rine  fo  wofuUie, 
That  wounder  was  that  he  fould  leive  ane  hour. 
Sweit  Sir,  fcho  faid,  the  caufe  of  gour  dolour 
Pleafe  ge  reveale  ;  ibuld  it  30W  not  difpleal'e 

2050  I  fould  30W  fchaw  how  that  ane  woman  was 
In  alfe  grit  trubill  and  adverfitie 
As  ony  creatour  in  earth  micht  be. 
And  git  throw  grace  of  God  fcho  did  evaid 
The  great  miflaventur  befor  hir  laide. 
And  houpe  hes  3it  confortit  for  to  be 
Alway  reftorit  to  hir  awin  degrie : 
Thairefter  may  3e  pryfe  if  3e  or  fche. 
More  panis  liiflFerit  or  adverfitie. 

When  that  he  hard  hir  [thus^  fo  beninglie 

2060  Him  anl'weir  make,  and  [ekej  lb  foberlie. 
To  confort  him  fo  gritlie  defyring, 
And  that  fcho  was  fo  wo  for  his  weiping, 

z 


178  CLARIODUS. 

Then  hebegane  •with  ane  pitious  cheire 
The  cace  to  tell,  laying  on  this  maneir, 
Nocht  long  gone  fyne,  I  lovit  paramour, 
Ane  Ladie  quhilk  was  of  all  this  warld  flour, 
Ane  Kingis  onlie  dochter  and  his  air. 
Under  bricht  Phebus  was  thair  naine  fa  fair. 
So  humbill,  gentill,  Ibber  and  bening, 

2070  In  quhom  at  fchort  did  everie  vertew  ring. 
That  was  perteining  unto  womanheid. 
This  eike  day  ftar  and  rofe  of  gudlieheid 
Was  be  hir  fatheris  charge  full  haillilie 
Taine  to  ane  wood  and  murtherit  cruelHe 
By  the  reporting  of  ane  tratour  knicht, 
AUeace,  that  ever  that  wofuU  day  was  licht  I 
Scho  was  my  eardlie  joy  and  conforting. 
Whom  that  I  lovit  atoure  all  eardlie  thing, 
My  only  plefour  of  all  this  warld  lb  wyde. 

2080  He  told  hir  furth,   and  did  no  wordis  hyde. 
Scho  him  beheld  with  looke  full  fludious  ; 
And  quhen  fcho  will  it  was  Clariodus, 
But  mair  abaid  anone  fcho  to  him  paft. 
And  him  beclipit  in  hir  armis  fall ; 
For  ower  grit  bliffe  no  wird  fcho  micht  outbring. 
The  fuddant  joy  and  haiilie  conforting 
Unto  hir  heart  it  Araike  fo  haiflilie, 
Scho  micht  not  fuffier  it  fo  abundantlie, 
Bot  reveift  of  hir  Ipreit  fcho  fell  in  fwoun. 

2090  And  than  Clariodus  of  grit  renoune. 

Beholding  on  hir  in  [maift]  grathlie  wayis, 

And  faw  it  was  his  fair  Meliades, 

He  micht  for  joy  na  words  bring  furth  or  fay. 


BUIK  THRID.  179 


Nor  wiil  weill  long  quhnir  he  was  perfay. 
And  quhen  that  he  of  himfclfe  ocht  will, 
Tliis  Madine  into  his  armis  then  he  thruft. 
And  held  hir  up  quhilk  was  to  him  full  deir, 
And  tuike  cold  water  of  the  fontaine  cleir 
And  fprinkllit  on  hir  lullie  fnow  quhyt  face. 

8100  So  fcho  recoverit  hes  within  a  fpace, 
Saying  thir  wordis,  Ha,  my  Clariodus, 
I  trowit  never  againe  to  feine  gow  thus. 
And  with  ane  figh,  fra  that  [was]  faid,  anone 
Ane  ruich  of  blude  furth  at  hir  nofe  is  gone, 
Or  ellis  I  traift  Icho  fould  have  deid  beine. 
For  fcho  micht  not  for  ower  grit  joy  fuAeine 
Withoutin  death  or  pallioun  corporal! : 
For  joy  of  nature  beine  celeftiall. 
And  with  angellis  inparticipat ; 

2110  Quhairfor  the  fpirit  mon  be  feparat 
From  the  bodie,  or  it  grit  joy  pofleid, 
Or  forrow  eik  if  it  gritlie  exceid. 
The  blude  efiuiit  fa  abundantlie. 
That  he  could  not  it  ftanch  nor  remidie. 
Then  of  the  ringe  alfeweith  rememberit  he, 
That  was  him  gevin  efter  the  mellie 
Be  him  that  was  tranfformit  in  the  lyoun, 
Whais  vertew  beine  for  bludis  efFulioun  ; 
He  tuichit  hir  with  it,  and  fcho  anone 

2120  Ceifit  of  bleiding ;  and  quhan  this  was  gone, 
Thay  uthir  in  armis  did  tenderlie  imbrace, 
And  oft  hes  killit  uther  in  that  place. 
Bot  git  all  this  micht  not  him  fatiffie. 
He  dred  that  it  had  beine  ane  fantafie 


180  CLARIODUS. 

Fallin  on  him,  throw  hevie  thochtis  fade, 
Quhairthrow  that  he  had  witles  beine  and  mad ; 
Whairfor  to  hir  he  laid.  My  Ladie  deir. 
And  is  it  trewth  that  ge  beine  with  me  heir  ? 
Treft  Weill,  quod  fcho,  Clariodus  ray  Knicht, 

2130  That  I  am  heir  full  glad  to  fe  this  fight, 
Whilk  long  gone  fyne  to  fe  I  trowit  never, 
Sumtyme  I  weinit  we  partit  beine  for  ever  ; 
And  that  was  quhen  the  burriouris  me  led 
Unto  the  forreft,  and  thair  me  uncled 
At  mid  nicht  hour,  quhen  ge  war  far  me  fro. 
And  with  that  word  thay  fighit  both  [the]  two. 
^our  wofuU  daith,  quod  he,  and  gan  to  weipe. 
Into  my  heart  enterit  is  fo  deipe. 
That  git  jour  lyfe  nocht  [all]  fo  perfytlie 

2140  May  in  my  breift  git  fmk  fo  fuddantlie. 
What  wald  I  longer  of  thair  joyis  wryte  ? 
I  can  not  half  report  nor  put  in  dyte 
Thair  bliffull  cheir  and  joyous  continance, 
Conforting  uther  with  wordis  of  plefance. 
Adoun  thay  fat  and  fell  in  comoning, 
And  them  pleafit  of  monie  diverfe  thing. 
Doing  to  uther  all  the  cace  reveill. 
As  to  thame  hapinit,  fchawing  everie  deill 
Thair  grit  infortoun  and  adverfitie. 

2150  Ather  of  uther  then  had  grit  pitie. 

And  quhen  Meliades  on  humbill  wayis. 
Had  told  him  all  the  maner  and  the  gyfe, 
How  fcho  demainit  was  fo  pitiouflie, 
Then  he  for  rewth  did  weipe  full  tenderiie. 
To  Ipeik  in  this,  fik  plefour  tuike  tliir  two, 


BUIK  THRID.  181 

That  Ladar  had  forgettin  hame  to  go  ; 

Whairfor  hir  maiftres  Ipeirit  for  hir  fo  fall, 

Whill  fcho  went  furth  to  feik  hir  at  the  laft, 

And  fand  her  fitting  onlie  with  ane  man, 
2160  [Scho  thocht  hir  mad,  and  thus  in  wrath  began,] 

Saying,  Evill  woman,  quhy  hes  thow  me  betraifit, 

Jour  vertew  ay  I  commendit  and  prailit. 

And  now  I  ie  full  weill  how  that  it  llandis, 

^e  fall  have  fair  punitioun  of  my  handis : 

And  ge  evill  man,  quha  hes  maid  jow  la  pert. 

To  tryft  my  fervand  furth  in  this  defert ; 

Wald  je  hir  fteill  fra  me  in  this  maneir  ? 

Treft  weill  that  fall  not  ly  in  jour  power. 

With  awfuU  luik  to  Ladar  than  fcho  laid, 
2170  Je  fall  forthinke  that  ever  this  trj-il  was  maid  ; 

In  ane  ftrange  hour  was  gour  [iad^  begining 

To  cum  to  me,  that  neid  hes  of  keiping. 

When  Ladar  law  hir  maillres  was  [fo]  movit, 

Scho  was  not  all  content,  for  fcho  hir  lovit, 

And  eik  fcho  confidderit  difcreitlie. 

That  for  hir  gud  fcho  {pake  it  veralie  ; 

Whairfor  fcho  faid,  with  fweit  and  humbill  cheir. 

With  bening  luike  and  womanlie  effeir. 

My  fair  Maiftres,  dilpleafe  gow  not  I  pray, 
2180  For  heir  am  I  that  is  and  ialbe  ay 

^ouris  at  all,  and  redie  gow  to  pleis  : 

Bot  now  sour  heart  in  fumthing  to  appeafe. 

The  trewth  of  this  mater  je  fall  know  of  us, 
Heir  is  gour  Lordis  fone  Clariodus 
But  ony  dreid,  and  I  am  with  30W  heir. 

The  King  of  Inglandis  only  dochter  deir. 


182  CLARIODUS. 

This  woman  was  abaifit  than  fumthing, 
And  Ipeirit  how  it  micht  be  fo  falling. 
And  fcho  hir  tauld  the  cace  then  oppinlie. 

2190  Than  lat  fcho  doun  on  kneis  fudantlie. 
Saying,  My  Lord,  I  alk  30W  forgivenes, 
And  ge  my  Lady  full  of  gentilnes, 
Forgif  me  of  my  fault  and  negligens, 
That  have  fa  far  milgone  in  gour  prefens. 
And  have  me  nothing  in  difdaine  nor  heat, 
That  now  [am]  heir  ane  puire  woman,  God  wait ; 
ge  may  me  weill  diftroy  at  gour  awin  will. 
That  hes  fo  far  by  reafoun  faid  30W  till. 
Clariodus  [hir]]  up  in  armis  tuike  j 

2200  Then  laid  Meliades  with  frelndlie  luike, 

Maiftres,  be  glaid,  and  do  [sow]  merrie  make, 
5e  are  forg^vine,  and  that  I  undertake ; 
Have  je  no  dreid,  hot  traift  richt  verilie 
We  fall  30W  bring  to  honour  fuddantlie. 
Then  faid  fcho  to  Clariodus,  My  love. 
Sen  God  hes  fet  our  heartis  thus  above, 
That  war  fo  deip  drounit  in  hevines, 
I  reid  with  humbill  continence  we  dres 
Us  to  the  kirk,  and  thank  God  heartfuUie  ; 

2210  Nane  fall  50W  ken  in  all  the  toune  trewlie. 
Into  this  royall  habite  that  je  weir. 
With  that  fcho  fmylit  with  womanlie  efFeir  ; 
He  Imylit  eike,  and  laid,  I  me  confent. 
And  fwa  all  thrie  unto  the  kirk  they  went. 
And  leifl  that  folkis  fould  unto  them  take  heid, 
Meliades  gart  hir  maiftres  firft  proceid. 
Swa  in  the  kirke  thay  enterit  devotlie, 


BUIK  THRID.  183 


And  offerit  thair,  with  heartis  meiklie, 
Loving  to  God,  with  thanks  a  thowland  fyfe, 

•2280  Whilk  gave  tham  grace  to  ineit  on  fik  ane  wyl'e. 
When  this  was  donne,  than  laid  Clariodus, 
Madame,  I  think  that  beft  it  war  for  us, 
Unto  my  fatheris  palice  for  to  go. 
Kicht  as  je  will,  fcho  laid,  I  will  do  lb. 
Then  to  the  palice  paflit  thay  anone. 
And  this  gudewyfe  they  maid  with  them  to  gone. 
And  to  the  getts  quhen  they  cumin  war, 
Clariodus  then  faid  to  the  portar, 
My  freind,  we  thre  hes  erand  with  the  Lord, 

2830  Of  quhilk  he  wald  be  glaid  to  heir  record  ; 
Whairfor  I  wald  jow  pray  gif  us  entrie 
Within  jour  get,  to  remaine  quhile  ge 
Our  erand  did,  praying  him  ipeciallie, 
To  cum  and  Ipeik  with  us  all  privilie. 
The  portar  let  them  enter  in  anone, 
Richt  as  thay  bad  he  to  the  Earle  is  gone. 
And  faid  as  they  him  ordanit  in  all  thing  ; 
And  he  alfweith  withouttin  tarying, 
Tuike  with  him  bot  ane  varlot  and  no  mo, 

2240  Syne  to  the  porteris  ludge  culd  to  them  go. 
And  quhen  Clariodus  [thair]]  can  him  fe, 
Adoun  he  fat  alfweith  upon  liis  kne. 
Meliades  and  hir  maillres  alio 
Sat  ftill  and  held  them  quyet  jond  them  fro. 
He  heliit  hes  his  Father  reverentlie. 
This  Lord  beheld  his  Sone,  and  haiftilie 
Him  knew,  and  was  amervellit  for  to  fe 
Him  diffigurat  in  fo  low  degrie. 


184  CLARIODUS. 

He  laid  to  him,  My  fone,  Clariodus, 
2250  How  and  quhat  faflloun  ar  ge  rewlit  thus  ? 
Whair  beine  gour  valiant  actis  and  renoune, 
3our  fame  proclamit  in  ilk  regioun, 
That  flandis  now  in  fik  ane  puire  eflait. 
But  companie  thus  walking  diflblat  ? 
He  laid,  My  Lord,  the  litill  valiant  deid 
That  in  me  was,  withoutin  ony  dreid 
As  git  I  have  not  tint  it  in  no  wayis. 
And  then  anone  his  Father  gart  him  ryle, 
And  fet  him  doun  to  rell  thair  him  bel'yde, 
2260  Efter  his  ganging,  quhilk  was  wount  to  ryde. 
Then  told  he  him,  with  ever  ilk  circumllance. 
All  haill  the  maner  to  the  uterance. 
Of  all  Meliades  adverlitie  and  wo. 
And  rycht  as  he  was  telling  how  that  fcho 
Was  led  into  the  forreft  to  be  ilaine, 
This  Lord  micht  not  conteine  for  wo  and  paine  ; 
Bot  as  ane  wode  man  raif  his  hair  for  teine, 
With  forrowfuU  teiris  rining  from  his  eine. 
For  than  he  traiAit  that  fcho  had  beine  dead, 
2270  And  murtherit  in  the  forreft  but  remeid. 
Then  faid  Clariodus,  My  Lord,  finally, 
My  taill  not  to  end  [fullie]  brocht  have  I, 
Heir  quhat  I  fell  git  of  hir  farther  lay  ; 
This  Ladie  that  fo  verteous  beine  ay, 
God  wald  not  fuflfer  of  his  grit  mercie, 
Hir  to  be  Ilaine  that  tyme  fo  cruellie  : 
The  burriouris  of  hir  had  fik  pitie. 
That  thay  micht  not  do  fik  ane  crueltie. 
As  with  thair  handis  fik  ane  virgine  llo  j 


BUIK  THRID.  185 


2280  Bot  aff  the  land  thay  gart  promit  to  go, 

That  fcho  Ibuld  never  be  I'eine  in  that  cuntrie. 
And  fo  furth  all  the  maner  told  hes  he, 
Of  all  the  eventours  that  hir  befell, 
And  how  fo  long  in  Eftur  fcho  did  dwell. 
And  quhat  of  travell  hir  betyde  alfo, 
And  how  that  he  in  exyle  thocht  to  go. 
And  quhair  is  my  Ladie,  quoth  Earle  Eilur, 
That  hes  betyde  fa  mony  aventure  ? 
If  that  ge  lift  with  hir  to  fpeik,  quoth  he, 
2290  Befyd  30W  fitting  heir  je  may  hir  fe. 

And  quhen  this  Lord  hes  hard  of  this  tyding. 
To  hir  he  pafllt,  lowlie  inclyning, 
And  in  his  armis  imbracit  hir  tenderlie. 
And  kiffit  hir  rycht  oft  and  freindfullie, 
Having  more  joy  and  glaidnes  hir  to  fe. 
Nor  ony  fight  that  ever  he  faw  with  ey. 
He  faid,  Madam,  I  thanke  the  Trinitie, 
That  3e  have  chapit  this  infirm  itie  ; 
That  it  was  ge,  quhy  told  ge  not,  alleace  ! 
2300  This  uther  day  quhen  je  war  in  my  place. 
That  I  faid  je  refemblit  in  bewtie 
To  fik  ane  Ladie,  if  ge  rememberit  be  ? 
He  did  hir  welcum  with  grit  reverence. 
As  he  that  was  full  glaid  of  hir  prefence. 
And  of  the  cuming  of  his  Sone  alfo  ; 
Then  all  to  chalmer  togidder  thay  did  go. 
The  Earle  himfelf  is  for  the  Countes  went, 
And  told  hir  all  the  maner  and  event. 
Scho  is  unto  them  cumit  haiftilie, 
2310  And  thair  fcho  faluft  this  Ladie  courteilie, 

A  a 


186  CLARIODUS. 

And  thocht  Icho  was  in  full  iimpill  aray, 
Scho  did  hir  honour  grit,  the  fuith  to  (ay, 
And  welcumit  hir  fair  on  lawlie  wayis, 
And  fcho  againe  hes  thankit  [^hir^  oft  fayis. 
Clariodus  fcho  tuike  in  armis  lyne. 
I  can  not  all  the  maner  to  gow  defyne. 
Nor  tell  30W  half  the  joy  was  thame  amang. 
Knichtis  and  Ladies  thair  about  thame  thrang. 
Them  welcuming  with  freindlie  countinance. 
2320  This  was  ane  day  of  feifling  and  plefance, 
The  nicht  owerpaft  with  joy  and  mirrines  ; 
And  on  the  morrow  with  full  grite  biilines, 
The  Earle  gart  ordane  claithes  rich  and  fair 
Of  gold  and  filke,  [maift^  plelant  and  preclair, 
With  rich  fiirringis  coafllie  and  pretious. 
Both  for  this  Ladie  and  for  Clariodus, 
In  all  the  haift  and  fpeid  that  ^weillj  tfaay  may. 

Meliades,  that  wyle  and  honorabill  was  ay, 
Requyrit  hes  the  Earle  richt  humbillie, 
2330  That  his  Ladie  in  bed  micht  with  hir  ly. 
Into  ane  chalmer  onlie  be  them  fellis, 
Whair  none  war  hot  Ladies  and  damofellis. 
The  Earle  hir  grantit  hes  with  cheir  bening, 
And  thairof  hir  commendit  in  mekill  thing. 

Syne  on  the  morne  quhen  tyme  was  [for]  to  ryle, 
Rich  cloathes  of  gold  moft  richlie  to  devyfe, 
Thay  brocht  unto  Meliades  the  bricht ; 
And  to  hir  Maiilres  eik  as  it  was  rycht, 
Thay  brocht  ane  goune  of  ikarlot  gud  and  fyne, 
2340  That  was  weill  furrit  with  potent  rich  armyne. 
Then  blyth  was  this  gudwyfe  of  hir  livaray, 


BUIK  THRID.  187 

The  quhilk  unto  Meliades  can  lliy. 

Madam,  I  thanke  jour  Ladyfchip  heartlie. 

That  me  hes  gart  reuaird  [thus]  lb  richlie  ; 

So  afldt  leave  to  pas  hame  to  hir  houfe, 

Quhilk  fcho  hir  grantit  with  countinance  joyous, 

Saying,  ^e  mone  cum  oft  and  villie  rae  ; 

Or  we  depairt  ge  fall  rewairdit  be 

Far  better  be  fik  fevin  ;  and  then  heartlie 
2350  Scho  hir  imbracit,  and  killit  tenderlie. 

Clariodus  upon  the  lame  maneir. 

With  cloathes  that  was  pretious  and  deir, 

Servit  was  in  his  chalmer  royallie  ; 

To  quhom  ane  harbour  com  [full]  biflilie, 

And  off  he  Ihouife  his  lang  hairis  [all]  cleine, 

That  Weill  long  fpace  upon  his  beard  had  beine. 

Syne  luflillie  he  did  his  geir  on  dres. 

As  flour  of  Knichtheid  and  of  gentilnes. 
The  Earle  unto  Meliades  is  went, 
2360  And  laid,  Madame,  it  war  convenient 

Unto  the  kirk  to  go  all  in  effeir. 

And  to  gif  thankis  in  all  devot  maneir 

To  God,  that  did  fo  mekill  for  50W  provide. 

This  Ladie  faid,  we  awcht  baith  tyme  and  tyde 

To  prail'e  the  Lord,  that  ws  lb  happie  maid. 

This  being  faid,  no  longer  thay  abaid. 
Then  be  the  arme  he  tuike  Meliades, 

The  Court  all  foUowit  upon  gudlie  wayie. 
The  pepill  gatherit  in  grit  plentie, 
2370  This  ftrange  Ladie  and  Princes  for  to  fe ; 

Thay  hir  [bricht]  bewtie  gritlie  did  commend. 
And  laid,  And  feike  unto  the  worldis  end. 


188  CLARIODUS. 

Thair  micht  no  man  fe  fik  ane  [giidelie]  ficht, 
As  for  ane  luflie  Ladie  and  ane  Knicht, 
Nor  for  to  luike  upon  that  fair  Princes, 
And  on  this  Knicht,   quhilk  wicht  and  worthie  was. 
Scho  enteris  in  the  kirk,  and  [eke]  anone 
The  Countes  meiklie  efter  hir  is  gone, 
With  hir  ane  Lady  fair  and  weil  befeine. 
•2380  This  Princes  was  honourit  as  ane  Queine, 
The  quhilk  hir  held  fo  [wife  and]  demurlie 
At  hir  devotioun,  and  fo  woraanlie, 
With  fo  grit  conftancie  and  devote  cheir, 
Bening  of  luike,  and  womanlie  of  maneir, 
That  to  the  pepill  weill  it  micht  be  feine. 
That  fcho  ane  michtie  Kingis  dochter  beine. 
And  was  difcendit  of  ane  nobill  hous. 

When  they  had  endit  thair  devotioun  thus. 
The  nobill  Earle  hir  be  the  armis  tuike, 
2390  And  with  ane  humbill  countinance  and  luike 
To  Palice  ar  returnit  demurlie. 
And  hame  them  followit  all  the  companie. 
Be  than  was  all  the  denner  redie  dicht. 
And  to  the  hall  aflendit  everie  Knicht, 
And  went  to  meit  and  fuire  rycht  nobillie. 
Thair  was  ane  mirrie  found  of  menflrellie, 
With  interludis  and  fongis  of  Ladies  bricht. 
Syne  efter  denner  paffit  everie  wicht 
To  chalmer  quhair  thay  plilantlie  dilport ; 
2400  Full  glaid  and  joyous  was  this  luflie  fort. 
The  Earle  unto  Meliades  is  went, 
And  faid,  Madame,  it  war  expedient 
That  I  furth  fend  to  gour  Father  the  King 


BUIK  THRID.  181) 

Ane  purlevant,  to  tell  him  this  tything. 

The  Ladie  faid.  It  war  my  will  doutles, 

The  founer  the  better  as  I  [do]  ges. 

Ane  Purlevant  belyve  gart  he  [there]  call. 

And  his  intent  to  him  declairit  all ; 

And  at  Meliades  fyne  Ipeirit  he, 
•2410  What  fcho  wald  bide  him  fay  to  that  cuntrie. 

Than  faid  fcho,  Freind,  [I  bid,]  with  bening  face, 

5©  me  commend  unto  my  Fatheris  Grace, 

And  to  my  Ladie  eike  my  Mother  the  Queine, 

And  unto  everie  Lord  and  Ladie  fcheine 

That  hes  me  kend  ;  and  me  commend  alio 

To  Romaryn  and  Bonvaleir  they  two  j 

And  ge  fall  fey  unto  my  Father  the  King, 

And  to  my  Mother  eike,  that,  God  willing, 

I  fall  returne  to  them  with  more  blythnes 
2420  Nor  I  did  from  them  pairt.     Quhen  this  feid  was. 

The  Purfevant  delyverlie  furth  went. 

And  left  the  Court  in  joyis  permanent. 
The  Earle  was  joyous,  and  his  Ladie  eike, 

Of  the  recovering  of  this  Princes  meike. 

And  of  the  cuming  of  thair  Sone  alfo  : 

Clariodus  was  bliffull  out  of  wo. 

That  fo  had  fundin  fair  Meliades : 

[And  no  lefi  bliffull  this  goung  Ladie  wes,] 

That  fcho  had  gottine  Clariodus  hir  Knicht } 
2430  Hir  wofuU  heart  was  raifit  upon  height. 

That  flude  before  fo  deipe  into  diftres ; 

Bot  git  for  all  hir  joy  and  grit  glaidnes 

In  conilant  leving  fo  weill  fcho  did  conteine. 

That  be  hir  cheir  it  micht  not  knowin  beine. 


190  CLARIODUS. 

As  Icho  that  was  difcendit  of  royall  bluid  ; 
For  both  of  vertew  and  of  pulcritude 
In  warld  fcho  ftuid  without  comparifoune, 
Of  all  Princes,  Bewtie  from  the  ilarris  doune, 
Whom  with  grit  joy  in  Eftur  I  let  dwell, 
Z'iio  And  now  of  uther  thingis  Ipeik  I  will, 
Of  Philippone,  and  of  his  Court  alio, 
And  thus  out  of  the  Third  Bulk  [will]  I  go. 


THE  FOURT  BUIK 
OF 

CLARIODUS. 


Erle  Esturis  Purfevant  felt  no  raige 
Into  the  lea,  bot  had  ane  fair  voyage, 
And  at  Belvilladoun  [he]  did  aryve. 
And  enterit  in  the  oftlarie  belyve, 
Whair  that  Clariodus  was  wount  to  be  ; 
And  alfe  foune  as  the  oftlar  can  him  fie, 
He  Ipeirit  in  quhat  cuntrie  he  did  dwell, 
And  of  his  tydingis  prayit  him  to  tell. 
I  am  cumit,  quoth  he,  from  Eftur  land, 
10  And  if  ge  lift  for  to  heir  [my]  tydand. 
My  Lord  I  left  in  gude  profperitie. 
My  Ladie  eike,  and  all  thair  fair  mein^e  ; 
Whair  that  I  left  my  Lord  Clariodus, 
Wha  never  was  glaider  nor  [mair]  joyous  ; 
Whair  I  left  eike  Meliades  the  fcheine, 
Wha  Air  and  Princes  of  this  regioun  beine  j 
Thair  fcho  is  treittit  nobillie  at  all. 
As  ony  Queine  in  hir  eftait  royall. 


192  CLARIODUS. 

Wha  heartlie  greting  unto  gow  me  fendis  ; 
20    And  eik  Clariodus  him  recommendis 
To  30W  and  to  [his  freind]  Allan  alfo. 

And  quhen  the  [worthie]  hoft  hard  him  lay  io. 
That  fair  Meliades  was  jit  on  lyve. 
He  than  was  in  joy  fa  exultive, 
That  of  him  felf  almaiil  he  wift  no  thing  ; 
The  Lord,  he  faid,  the  Celeftiall  King 
Mote  gow  conferve  [for]  ever  more  I  pray, 
For  gour  gud  tydings  in  this  houfe  this  day  ; 
If  it  [may]  pleafe  gow  go  unto  the  King, 

30   ^e  fall  convoyit  be  but  tarying. 

He  maid  him  for  to  dyne,  and  than  anone 

To  the  Palice  togidder  ar  thay  gone. 

Whan  that  the  King  in  chalmer  thair  thay  fand. 

The  Hoft  faid.  Sir,  heir  is  an  Purfephand, 

That  unto  30W  can  fchaw  the  heft  tyding. 

That  ever  I  hard  of  in  my  leving. 

He  faid,  that  he  was  welcum  ;  and  than  allWeith 

Commandit  him  his  creddence  for  to  kyth. 

The  Purfephant  fat  doun  upon  his  knie, 

40    And  faid.  Sir,  the  etemall  God  30W  fe, 
From  Eftur  cuntrie  I  am  cumit  heir. 
Sent  from  Meliades  jour  onlie  dochter  deir, 
Whilk  heartlie  gretis  30W  in  humbill  wayis, 
And  recommendis  hir  ane  thowfand  fay  is 
Unto  gour  Grace  and  to  my  Lady  the  Queine, 
And  alfe  to  everilk  Lord  and  Lady  fcheine 
Of  all  gour  Court,  both  unto  more  and  les. 
With  all  hir  mynde  and  heartis  humblenes  ; 
And  that  fcho  fairis  weill  I  50W  aflure, 

50    And  lovit  is  of  everie  creatoure. 


BUIK  FOURT.  193 

When  that  the  King  had  hard  this  blyth  tyding, 

For  ouer  grit  joy  and  heailie  conforting, 

His  Ipreit  was  [all  to]  reft  ane  quhyle  him  fro ; 

Syne  to  the  hevin  he  held  his  handis  two, 

Louing  to  God  giveing  ane  weill  lang  fpace  ; 

In  armis  fyne  ho  did  with  joy  imbrace 

The  Purfevant,  and  faid,  My  freind  lb  deire, 

Rycht  happie  tydings  have  ge  brocht  us  heir. 

The  foure  fellowis  of  Sir  Clariodus 
60    Full  glaid  was  of  this  tyding  and  joyous. 

In  chalmer  evill  dilpofit  was  the  Queine, 

For  forrow  and  cair  ay  I'eike  [fcho]  had  beine 

Sen  efter  the  murther  of  Meliades, 

Whilk  was  hir  told  in  ib  cruell  wayis. 

When  fcho  thir  tydings  hard,  fcho  rofe  anone. 

And  to  the  Kingis  chalmer  is  fcho  gone. 

Led  be  two  Knichts,  for  icho  was  wonder  waike  ; 

The  Purfevant  in  armis  Icho  did  take  ; 

And  fcho,  that  micht  not  Ipeike  ane  weill  lang  fpace, 
70   Full  oft  fcho  thankit  God  of  his  gude  grace. 

Romaryn  was  full  blyth  of  this  to  heir. 

And  eik  fo  was  hir  varlot  Bonvaleir. 

The  word  of  this  fame  thing  [did]  fpred  fo  faft, 

Whill  fillit  was  the  Palice  at  the  laft. 

Of  pepill  thringing  [tydings]  for  to  heir. 

With  heartis  blyth  in  bliffull  found  and  cheir. 

Both  King  and  Queine,  with  lord  and  ladie  faire. 

And  all  the  pepill  that  beine  gatherit  thair. 

Unto  the  Kirk  thay  geid  with  ane  confent, 
80    Devote  of  mynd  and  humbil  of  intent. 
And  God  thay  thankit  wonder  heartfiallie, 

That  of  his  grace  and  of  his  grit  mercie 

Bb 


194  CLARIODUS. 

From  daith  prefervit  had  Meliades. 

The  word  is  gone  upon  [full]  haillie  wayis 

Out  throw  the  toun,  that  Icho  was  git  on  lyve  ; 

Then  all  the  bellis  ringin  war  belyve 

Of  everie  kirke  that  beine  within  the  toune, 

With  monie  ane  Prelat  in  proceffioun. 

This  being  donne,  the  King  to  Paleice  went, 
90    With  monie  ane  lord  and  ladie  reverent ; 
The  Purfevant  thay  feillit  royallie, 
And  cherift  him  richt  fair  and  tenderlie. 
This  day  thay  did  bot  play,  [and]  feift,  and  dance. 
With  joyous  hearts  fulfillit  of  plelance. 

Thir  tydings  fpred  full  foune  throw  the  cuntrie. 
And  everie  wight  of  hie  and  low  degre 
Was  blyth  thairof,  and  faid.  No  ferlie  beine. 
That  fcho  that  was  of  everilk  vertew  Queine, 
Devoid  of  vice  and  everilk  villanie, 
100    Was  fo  efcaipit  from  the  tyrannic 

Of  crewell  folkis,  and  evill  devyfit  mynd  ; 
God  wald  not  luffer  hir  of  fik  ane  kynd 
Diftroyit  be,  quhilke  beine  of  bewtie  rofe. 
And  of  all  womanheid  the  only  choie. 
The  King  had  git  ane  litill  jelouffie, 
This  taill  could  nocht  his  mynd  all  fatiffie  ; 
He  gart  be  callit  the  foure  murthereris, 
And  all  the  cace  at  lenth  he  at  thame  fpeiris, 
How  with  his  onlie  bairne  that  thay  hade  wrocht, 
110    Commanding  that  thay  fould  diflimuU  nocht. 
Thay  fat  all  foure  upon  thair  kneis  doune. 
And  anone  begane  to  fchaw  the  faflioun. 
Saying,  Our  gratious  Prince  and  Ibverane  Lord, 
To  sour  Hienes  the  trewth  we  lall  record. 


BUIK  FOURT.  195 

We  went  with  hir  as  [thatj  Sir  Thomas  bade, 

Hira  to  dlfpleis  forltiith  we  war  full  rade  ; 

And  quhen  within  the  forreft  we  hir  led, 

Scho  of  hir  lyfe  full  mekill  was  adred. 

And  on  hir  kneis  beninglie  afldt  grace, 
120    With  pitious  teiris  rolling  on  hir  face. 

We  faid  that  fcho  behuifit  to  be  deid. 

Or  than  our  I'elfs  to  die  without  remeid. 

Scho  afls.it  licence  than  for  Godis  I'aike, 

To  fuflfer  hir  ane  quhile  hir  prayeris  make  ; 

Ane  litill  fpace  I'cho  pafllt  from  us  than. 

And  unto  God  hir  orifoun  begane. 

We  drew  behind  hir  privily  to  heir 

What  fcho  wald  fay,  and  hard  the  haill  maneir  ; 

And  lyne  we  knew  be  hir  confeffioun, 
ISO    That  innocent  fcho  was  of  all  trafoun. 

To  God  fcho  did  fo  pitiouflie  compleine. 

Then  verie  rewth  our  heartis  did  conilraine 

For  to  doe  mercie  to  that  Ladie  fweit. 

That  afldng  mercie  wofullie  did  greit : 

We  gart  hir  fweir  out  of  this  realme  to  go. 

As  we  that  not  for  pitie  micht  hir  flo  ; 

As  naine  on  lyve  in  all  this  world,  I  wait, 

That  had  hir  feine  as  we  in  fike  eftait, 

Albeit  he  fould  have  tint  his  awin  lyfe, 
140    Than  micht  have  drawin  hir  bluid  with  ane  knyfe. 

And  quhen  fcho  faw  we  did  fik  grace  hir  till, 

Scho  hir  difpuilgeit  of  hir  awin  fre  will, 

And  to  us  gave  hir  kirtell  of  velvot  blake, 

And  eik  hir  chaine,  and  bade  in  patience  take ; 

To  hold  hir  farke  on  hir  fcho  afliit  leave. 

As  fcho  that  had  no  thing  mair  us  to  geive. 


196  CLARIODUS. 

Rycht  fa  to  go  fra  us  fcho  was  content, 
We  dreid  that  fcho  with  thorne  and  breer  be  fchent. 
The  King  this  heirand  weipit  pitiouilie, 

150    For  everie  word  that  he  hard  fpecifie 

Out  throw  his  heart  did  as  ane  arow  gleid. 
He  callit  on  ane  fervant  him  befyd, 
And  gart  ane  thowfand  merkis  [to]  them  give, 
Becaus  thay  fufferit  his  only  doghter  leive. 
He  thankit  them,  and  [eike]  tuik  from  them  thair 
The  vyle  unhoneft  office  that  thay  baire  ; 
Syne  gave  them  offices  of  maire  honoure. 
And  maid  them  men  of  fubftance  and  valour. 
When  this  was  donne,  he  was  content  at  all ; 

160    His  foure  maifleris  of  houihald  gart  he  call, 
And  bad  thay  fould  gar  ordane  haillilie 
Two  chariots,  arayit  [full]  richlie 
With  gold,  and  filke,  and  pretious  workis  feir, 
With  nobill  palfrays  thairto,  as  did  eflFeire, 
For  to  bring  hame  his  dochter  from  Eftur  ; 
And  bad  thay  Ibuld  gar  wryt  with  biffie  cure 
Unto  his  vaflbuUis  ouer  all  the  regioun, 
And  to  his  Knichtis  gritteft  of  renowne. 
That  war  of  moll  nobilitie  and  fame, 

170    For  to  compeir  at  Bellvilladoun  be  name. 
The  letteris  being  directit,  richt  anone 
The  forfaids  Earls  can  them  all  difpone 
To  cum  upon  thair  moft  gudlie  wyle 
Unto  this  toune,  as  ge  have  hard  devyfe. 
Within  ten  dayis  thay  war  all  redie  dight. 
Be  fea  and  land  they  fped  them  at  thair  might. 
At  Bellvilladoun  they  did  anone  aryve  ; 
Nobiller  Knichtis  was  thair  none  on  lyve 


BUIK  FOURT.  197 


Nor  was  into  that  nobill  conipanie  ; 

180    Sir  Panfe  de  Lapre,  [ane  knight]  full  worthie, 
Sir  Ronar  de  Gait,  ane  knight  of  nobill  fame, 
Sir  Lion  de  la  Mont  [as]  height  his  name, 
Sir  Brule  de  la  Woy  thair  was  alfo. 
Sir  Broune  de  la  Moris,  and  nionie  mo, 
Sir  Pennent  de  la  Carare  thair  was  eike. 
With  his  Ladie  and  hir  fex  virgins  meik. 
With  monie  uther  ladie  fair  of  face. 
That  day  arj-vit  [all]  in  that  ilke  place, 
Quhilk  cumin  war  in  thair  moft  gudlie  wyle, 

190    To  ryde  in  court  for  fair  Meliades. 

The  Knightis  hamis  heir  now  all  to  tell 
At  this  [ilk]  tyme  it  war  rycht  lang  to  dwell. 
Unto  the  Kingis  Palice  ar  thay  went. 
And  fyne  unto  his  Hienes  are  prefent. 
Whom  thay  have  heliit  with  grit  reverence  ; 
And  fyne  unto  the  Queinis  excellence 
Inclynit  thay  with  bening  face  and  cheire. 
The  King  them  welcumit  on  fair  maneire. 
And  with  them  hes  advyfit  to  and  fro, 
200    And  at  the  laft  he  faid,  It  ftandis  fo, 
Meliades  my  doghter,  as  ge  knaw. 
Full  lore  beine  trublit  for  ane  traitors  law ; 
I  wint  aluterlie  fcho  had  beine  dead, 
Bot  God  for  hir  has  ichappin  fik  remeid. 
That  fcho  in  Eftur  cuntrie  is  on  lyve : 
Thairfor  I  have  fent  for  gow  [all]  belyre. 
To  pafe  for  hir,  and  bring  hir  to  this  land.       '' 
Full  glaidlie  this  the  Knichtis  tuike  on  hand. 
For  thay  hir  lovit  ouer  all  uther  thing, 
210    For  hir  meiknes  and  womanlie  having. 


198  CLARIODUS* 

This  being  donne,  to  fupper  went  the  King; 
With  monie  luftie  lords  and  ladies  ging ; 
They  feiftit  long,  and  maid  full  inirrie  cheir. 
And  efter  that  thay  raife  from  [the]  fuppeir, 
The  King  ordanit  thir  luftie  Knightis  two, 
[Sir]  Palex'is  and  Amandour  alfo, 
And  two  eik  of  his  maifieris  of  houfliold, 
This  companie  in  governance  to  hold, 
And  bad  that  thay  fould  rewle  and  gyd  the  leave, 

220    That  in  all  way  thay  fould  his  honour  iave. 
He  then  delyverit  with  full  meike  fermoune. 
And  gBve  to  them  of  gold  ane  millioune. 
Sir  Pennents  Ladie  luftilie  befeine. 
And  eik  hir  fex  virginis  bricht  and  fcbeine. 
Then  Bonvaleir  tuike  leave  with  them  to  go ; 
So  did  this  luftie  ladie  Romaryn  alio. 
And  to  Meliades  fcho  paft,  for  fuith 
Scho  was  the  Ladie  hir  nureift  had  of  jotith, 
With  monie  uther  ladie  frelch  of  hew  : 

230    Bonvaleir  eik,  that  ay  was  [leil  and]  trew. 
Did  with  them  go,  with  everie  kynd  fervand 
That  of  befor  hir  fervit  in  Inglandt 

When  everie  Lord  and  Ladie  leave  hes  taine, 
Anone  unto  thair  ludging  are  thay  gaine ; 
And  on  the  morne  as  the  day  up  cleirit. 
Then  everie  wicht  him  dreflit  as  effeirit. 
And  on  thair  horfe  afcendit  but  abaid, 
And  royallie  out  throw  the  touu  thai  raid,: j 
With  found  of  trumpit  and  of  clarioun. 

240    Bl)i;h  was  the  pepill  that  baid  in  the  toun,-: 
For  Weill  thay  knew  thair  erand  :   aae  and  all 
Then  prayit  God  that  fair  thay  fould  befall. 


BUIK  FOURT.  199 

And  gif  them  grace  to  Ipeid  on  lik  ane  wyfe, 

That  thay  hame  bring  the  fair  Meliades, 

Whais  palfray  with  the  goldin  taill  and  mene 

Was  with  them  led,  quhite  as  the  Ihow  and  fchene. 

In  Turkic  land  I  heir  it  was  the  gyfe, 

Thair  palfrayis  to  depaint  on  fik  ane  wyfe, 

That  from  them  thay  will  cut  [baith]  taill  and  maine, 
850    And  goldin  traces  hing  on  thair  againe. 

I  wald  the  Reidar  tuikc  not  ilk  confait. 

That  nature  had  wrocht  them  i'o  diligate, 

Leall  that  he  leuch  thairat,  and  maid  ane  jape. 

Lath  ware  myne  Awthore  to  be  maid  thair  Aip. 
Thus  rydis  forth  this  royall  cumpanie, 

Thay  dreffit  to  thair  fliippis  haiftilie. 

Thay  hade  the  winde  fo  richt  and  eike  fo  faire. 

They  go  alfe  Iwift  as  aigill  in  the  aire. 

That  thay  within  twelf  dayis  did  aryve 
260    To  Eftur  cuntre  ;  and  then  to  land  belyve 

They  went  in  feir,  and  on  thair  horfes  afcendit. 

And  to  the  toun  of  Belladoun  intendit ; 

And  on  the  Tuifday  be  the  hour  of  noune 

They  com  to  it,  quhair  thay  dil'cendit  ibune. 

And  everilke  wicht  gois  from  his  horle  doune, 

And  in  the  faireft  Innis  in  the  toun 

They  tuike  thair  ludging.     Bot  fo  befell  anone, 

Ane  fquyer  of  the  Palice  their  was  one 
Into  the  toun,  and  faw  this  luflie  fort, 
270    Whilke  home  is  went,  and  of  it  maid  reporte 
Unto  Clariodus,  and  he  alfe  weill 
Unto  Meliades  this  thing  did  reveill. 
Saying,  Madame,  is  it  gour  will  to  go. 
And  take  gour  leave  this  land  of  Eftur  fro  ? 


200  CLARIODUS. 

Scho  faid,  My  luftie  Knight  Clariodus, 
What  garis  gow  Ipeir  this  thing  at  me  thus  ? 
Rather  I  wald,  if  that  my  fortoun  •were, 
Of  Eftur  cuntrie  for  to  be  Ladie  heire. 
Nor  to  be  Queine  of  the  gritteft  regioun 
280    That  now  is  under  the  hevins  dominioune. 

I  will  30W  tell,  quoth  he,  gour  Father  the  King 
Hes  fent  for  30W  ane  companie  tending 
Of  Lordis,  Knightis  and  of  Ladies  faire  ; 
Remaine  ge  heir  quhill  I  againe  repaire  ; 
Now  will  I  to  my  Lord  my  Father  go. 
And  tell  him  this.     Then  pairtit  he  her  fro  : 
Bot  firft  unto  his  awin  chalmer  paft  he, 
Whair  lay  his  riches  in  grit  quantitie, 
That  he  had  wone  from  Sarafoins  in  fyght ; 

290    And  ane  bulget  he  tuike  of  ane  hudge  weight,. 
And  oppinit  it,  and  tuike  of  it  anonc 
Ane  rich  pedlrell  as  onie  ftar  that  fchone  j 
And  fyne  unto  Meliades  it  brocht, 
And  to  refave  it  fairlie  hir  befought. 
And  at  the  entrie  of  the  Lords  it  weir. 
And  then  fmylling  with  womanlie  efFeire, 
Scho  faid,  Clariodus  my  Knight  full  deir. 
May  it  not  weiU  I'ufiFeice  the  nobill  giftis  feire. 
All  that  gour  Father  my  Couling  gave  me, 

300    And  eik  gour  Mother  in  that  fame  degrie ; 
Bot  ge  in  all  gait  [ay]  will  them  exceid  ? 
Now  of  like  thing  ge  know  thair  is  no  neid» 
He  caufit  eik  his  Mother  the  Countes, 
To  treat  tiiis  Lady  with  all  biffines 
To  take  this  pedlrell  rich  for  to  behold. 
And  fcho  in  baith  hir  handis  did  it  fold. 


BUIK  FOURT.  201 


And  laid,  My  Ladie,  do  me  this  plefance 
This  pedlrell  to  relave  at  my  inftance  ; 
With  that  about  hir  fchoulders  [fcho]  it  laid  ; 

SIO    As  onie  lamp  with  bliffuU  beams  [^it]  glaid. 
Then  fcho,  the  wall  of  womanlie  maneir, 
Hes  thankit  them  [full]  oft  with  bening  cheir. 

[Then]  Clariodus  is  to  the  Earle  went. 
And  fchew  to  him  the  maner  incontinent 
Of  all  thir  folkis,  as  je  have  hard  me  tell. 
The  Countes  did  ftill  in  the  chalmer  dwell 
Meliades  to  dres  into  hir  geir 
Of  thingis  fik  as  gainit  for  hir  to  weir. 
Scho  cled  hir  in  ane  royall  cloath  of  gold, 

320    That  was  richt  fair  and  plefant  to  behold, 
And  did  hir  held  attyre  full  richlie  ; 
And  fyne  the  pedlrell  wonder  plefantlie, 
Scho  pat  about  hir  halfe  as  lillie  quhyte. 
As  fcho  that  beine  the  patroune  of  delyte 
Of  all  the  warld,  withoutin  comparifoune. 
Of  everilk  vertew  and  [of  hie]  renoune. 

The  Countes  to  hir  in  Iporting  did  lay, 
[I  will  me  attyre  all  in  frefch  array  J 
Againe  gone  ftrangeris  cum  me  for  to  fe  ; 

SSO    Whairfor  I  wald  be  prailit  in  bewtie  ; 

And  alfe  I  wald  [that]  thay  [weill]  underftude, 
That  Efture  Ladyis  ar  both  faire  and  gude. 
Meliades  leuch  at  hir  that  raillit  fo. 
For  fcho  ane  plefant  Ladie  was  alfo. 
Scho  did  hir  bodie  cloath  full  richlie. 
In  ane  fair  goun  of  velvote  cramoGe, 
Furrit  with  arnieine  that  was  nobill  and  fyne. 
And  luilillie  hir  held  atyrrit  fyne. 

c  c 


202  CLARIODUS. 

When  thay  had  put  them  in  ane  frefch  aray, 
340    Into  ane  plelant  chalmer  paffit  thay, 

And  thair  abaid  with  all  the  luftie  forte, 
Making  full  merrie  gamis  and  difporte, 
"Wliill  tyme  beine  to  fetch  them  to  the  hall ; 
Of  the  ambaflate  was  thair  fpeiches  all. 
Cl»riodu8  at  his  Fatheris  commande 
Two  maifteris  of  his  houlhald  hes  ordand 
To  go  and  fetch  the  luftie  companie. 
And  thay  anone  are  paffit  full  glaidlie, 
With  fquyeris  and  with  knightis  frefch  and  ging  ; 
350    And  he  to  thame  command  gave  and  biding. 
The  Count  of  Efture  that  was  gentill  and  wyfe 
Then  be  the  arme  hes  taine  Meliades, 
And  led  hir  to  the  hall  rycht  honorablie, 
And  fcho  [unto]  him  told  all  quyetlie 
Of  the  riche  gift  Clariodus  hir  gave. 
Then  faid  the  Count,  Madam,  fo  God  me  fave, 
My  fone  I  lovit  tenderlie  before  ; 
Bot  for  that  now  I  love  him  far  the  more, 
To  doe  fervice  to  Ladies  honorabill, 
360    Sen  that  I  underfland  he  is  [richt]  abill. 
They  had  not  talkit  long  on  this  wayis. 
When  the  ambaffat,  gudlie  to  devyfe. 
In  fair  maneir  aflendit  in  the  hall. 
And  than  in  pretence  thair  com  firft  of  all 
Sir  Amandur  and  [eik]  Sir  Palexis ; 
And  lyne  two  Lordis  of  grite  worthines, 
That  maifteris  of  houfliald  war  unto  the  Kinge. 
Hellit  thay  have  the  soung  Princes  condinge ; 
And  fcho  refavit  them  with  plefant  cheire, 
370    With  faire  effeir  and  womanlie  maneir, 


BUIK  FOURT.  ao« 

Soberlio  faying,  ^e  all  welcum  beine. 

Scho  kiflit  them,  with  teiris  from  hir  eine. 

The  Knichtis  two  then  weipit  tenderlie 

For  joy  and  pitie  of  the  fair  Ladie, 

That  faikleflie  had  liifferit  fik  diftres. 

Syne  halfit  they  the  Count  and  the  Countes. 

The  Kings  two  maifleris  of  houfhold  fyne 

Full  lowlie  to  the  Ladie  did  inclyne. 

Scho  tham  relavit  with  joy  and  grit  plifance, 
380    And  kiflit  them  with  gudlie  countinance. 

Syne  halfit  they  the  Earle,  and  he  thame  eike ; 

And  fyne  with  everie  Lord  and  Ladie  meike 

They  fpake  at  lenth,  and  maid  thair  aquentanoe, 

With  heartis  full  of  joy  and  all  plifance. 

Meliades  fyne  they  tuike  to  ane  pairt, 

And  told  how  that  the  King  with  all  his  heart 

And  eike  the  Queine  did  heartlie  them  commend 

To  hir  quhom  fpeciallie  they  war  [to]  fend 

For  to  convoy  hir  hame  in  hir  cuntrie. 
Sgo    Than  how  thay  fair  fcho  Ipeirit  full  glaidlie  ; 

And  how  fure  all  the  Court  [anon]  Icho  fpeirit. 

Then  they  have  tauld  hir  all  fcho  them  requyrit. 

And  quhen  Meliades,  of  grit  bewtie, 

Receavit  had  ilke  Knight  in  his  degrie, 

Then  com  the  Ladyes  full  of  lawlieheid. 

And  law  inclynit  to  hir  giidlieheid  ; 

And  fcho  relavit  them  with  imbracing, 

And  kiflit  them  with  countinance  bening, 

Gyding  hirfelf  fo  wyfe  and  difcreitlie, 
400    With  having  and  effeir  fo  womanlie. 

That  everilk  wicht  did  boldlie  hir  commend. 

And  pairt  thair  was  with  quhom  fbho  was  unkend. 


204  CLARIODUS. 

Long  tyme  before  defyring  hir  to  fee, 
Wha  than  affirmit  that  all  was  veritie 
That  was  reportit  of  hir  womanheid, 
Of  hir  great  bewtie  and  hir  lullieheid. 
Romaryn  was  with  joy  reveft  in  ipreit, 
Hir  breift  with  blifle  was  fo  full  and  compleit, 
[With]  whom  dreidles  Meliades  the  cleir 
,  410    Wald  fpeik  allone  full  faine  at  thaire  lafeire. 
The  two  maiileris  of  houihold  of  Ingland 
Stude  with  the  Earle  of  Eflur,  comonand 
On  materis  langand  to  Meliades. 
Clariodus  that  worthie  beine  and  wyfe, 
Caufit  goung  Lordis  [for]  to  go  and  dance 
With  goung  Ladies  of  bewtie  and  plefance. 
So  they  put  of  the  day  with  mirrines, 
With  glaidliim  fportis  and  with  grit  blythnes. 
The  Earle  ftude  with  thir  Lordis  advj'fing  ; 
420    And  fo,  among  all  uther  commoning. 
Of  this  Princes  began  thay  to  devyfe 
How  fcho  fould  be  at  poynt  anone,  quhat  wayis, 
And  how  that  all  thingis  fould  be  ordainit 
Of  hir  abuilgement  for  hir  eflait. 
And  then  the  Count  of  Eilur  laid  them  till, 
3e  fell  ie,  Lordings,  if  it  war  gour  will. 
What  ordinit  is  for  hir  we  fall  go  luike  ; 
And  he  them  both  into  ane  wairdrope  tuike. 
And  gart  difcover  the  littar  that  was  bricht, 
430    And  chariot  eike  that  [plefantlie]  call  licht, 
Of  gold  and  ftonis  that  war  pretious ; 
Unto  thair  fights  that  it  was  mervellous  ; 
And  of  hir  horfe  the  coftlie  harnifching 
Thay  have  conimendit  into  mikill  thing  : 


*      BUIK  FOURT.  '205 

For  all  that  hir  pertinit  for  to  weir, 

Both  for  hir  felf  and  for  hir  palfray-g'eir, 

Was  wrocht  with  ilone  and  pearle  rycht  potent, 

Bricht  twinkling  as  the  ftarrie  firmament. 

Syne  with  the  Earlc  agane  returnit  thay, 
440    Beholding  on  the  danilng  and  the  play 

Whill  tyme  [it]  beine  to  liipper  for  to  gone  : 

And  then  the  hall  devoydit  was  anone 

Whill  buird  beine  all  coverit  and  arayit ; 

And  then  thay  went  to  fupper  and  not  delayit. 

I  will  not  tell  of  [all]  thair  courflis  heir. 

When  they  had  foupit  and  maid  mirrie  cheir, 

Thay  danllt,  fang,  and  playit,  and  difporte. 

That  long  it  war  the  maner  to  reporte. 
When  tyme  [it]  was  to  bedis  for  to  gone, 
450    Lordis  and  Ladies  tuike  thair  leave  anone. 

And  to  thair  chalmeris  went  to  take  them  reft. 

Meliades  to  bed  hes  hir  adreft, 

The  Ladies  of  hir  chalmer  with  hir  went. 

Full  glaid  fcho  was  and  blyth  in  hir  intent 

With  Romaryn  to  commoune  at  lafeire  ; 

Full  long  they  fpake  of  diverfe  matters  feire  ; 

Whylome  they  fpake  of  leth,  quhylome  of  loth, 

Whylome  they  lewch  and  quhylome  weippit  both. 

[And]  when  they  had  long  tyme  commonit  lb, 
460    Bonvaleir  fcho  commandit  for  to  go 

At  morrow  to  the  fuburbs  of  the  toun 

To  the  Gudwyfe  with  quhom  fcho  did  fojorne, 

Commanding  hir  to  be  at  hir  ryfing ; 

And  that  fcho  fould  the  wyfis  with  hir  bring. 

That  enterit  war  with  hir  in  houfe  to  dwell. 

He  tuike  his  leave  and  ran  [fulll  foune  to  tell. 


206  CLARIODUS. 

He  with  fik  diligence  thir  wyfes  foght, 
That  he  hes  them  all  thre  unto  liir  brocht 
Be  houris  ten  ;  and  then,  without  tarying, 

470    Hir  Fathers  maifters  of  houlhald  gart  fcho  bring, 
And  laid.  My  frindis,  lo  I   it  ilandis  thus, 
When  I  was  in  my  maifl  dillres  noyous, 
Thir  wyfes  me  refavit  and  weill  relevit. 
Or  ellis  I  had  in  povertie  beine  mifchevit ; 
They  war  nixt  God  my  comfort  and  refuge, 
Fra  hunger  and  cauld  thay  maid  me  weill  to  luge 
Whairfor  I  will  ge  geive  unto  thir  thrie 
Pairt  of  the  fynance  [that]  is  fent  to  me. 
Blyth  war  thir  Lordis  to  doc  as  I'cho  them  bade, 

480    Thay  faid  they  Ibuld  obey  with  hcartis  glaid. 
To  gif  or  to  difpone  at  hir  bidding. 
The  wyfes  was  abaidt  then  fumthing. 
When  they  faw  hir  arayit  on  like  wayis. 
Then  meiklie  to  them  went  Mcliadcs, 
And  tuike  them  in  hir  armis  all  about, 
Saying,  My  fweit  freindis,  have  ge  no  doubt 
Bot  I  fall  be  to  30W  ane  doghter  trew. 
And  cum  quhen  that  ge  lift  me  to  peri'ew, 
ge  falbe  fupportit  [all  thrie]  richlie. 

490    All  kneilling,  they  hir  thankit  courtellie. 
Scho  gart  delyverit  be  unto  thir  thrie. 
Of  gold,  and  lilver,  and  [of]  gud  monie 
Alfe  mikill  as  wald  by  of  heritage 
Thrie  hundereth  merkis  worth  to  thair:  waige  j 
And  gart  be  gevine  unto  them  alfo 
Ane  thowfand  pund  or  fcho  wald  pairt  them  fro, 
To  by  ihair  mifteris.     And  thir  wyfis.  thrie 
Ofit  thankit  hir  with  voices  upon  hie*,. 


BUIK  FOURT.  207 

Saying,  Scho  was  to  them  anc  thankfull  gaiil, 
500    That  them  unto  fik  riches  had  poflell ; 

Praying  to  God  and  to  his  Sono  io  fweit, 

Ever  to  keipo  hir  in  bodic  and  in  ipreit. 

Thay  tuike  thair  leave  and  hamwart  [than]  could  go. 

Rycht  fyne  I'cho  hes  commandit  thir  maiileris  two, 

That  of  that  Palice  everie  fervitoure 

Sould  be  rewairdit  with  gold  and  grit  trafoure. 

And  ib  was  donne  with  like  [ane]  abundance, 

That  thay  thairefter  had  ay  in  remembrance  : 

Whairfor  the  Count  and  the  Countes  alfo 
510    Full  humbillie  hir  thankit  baith  thir  two. 

Scho  laid,  ^e  iould  no  thankis  gif  to  me  ; 

Bot  ge  of  me  fould  mekill  thankit  be. 

That  am  to  jow  beholdin  in  like  wayis. 

With  this  the  gudlie  frefche  Meliades, 

Out  of  ane  coflfer  tuike,  riche  to  behold. 

Two  gudlie  coUors  of  the  fineft  gold. 

Saying,  ge  two  in  my  rememberance 

Sail  weir  thir  coUoris,  if  it  be  gour  plefance. 

Thay  thankit  hir,  and  faid  thay  fould  glaidlie 
520    Relave  them  for  hir  laike,  that  was  worthie. 

And  all  thair  lyfe  keip  them  in  [hie]  daintie. 

In  the  rememberance  of  hir  blj-th  bewtie. 

And  fyne  fcho  gart  draw  furth  ane  courfour  faire. 

In  all  the  warld  was  not  ane  gudlier. 

And  gart  Bonvaleir  hir  fervant  him  refave, 

And  to  Clariodus  anone  him  gave  ; 

Whairof  he  thankit  [hir]  rycht  courteflie. 

And  hir  varlot  rewairdit  michtilie. 

When  this  was  donne,  thay  paffit  for  to  dyne  ; 
530    And  maid  them  reddie  for  thair  jornay  fyne. 


208  CLARIODUS. 

Meliades  is  paffit  af  the  toun. 
With  all  hir  companie  of  grite  renoune  j 
Full  monie  ane  Lord  and  Lady  hir  convoyit. 
In  cloth  of  gold  full  richlie  arayit. 
Scho  wore  ane  hate  full  riche  upon  hir  heade, 
Whilk  fliynit  of  fapheiris  and  of  roobies  reide, 
Ane  rich  pedlrell  about  hir  fchoulderis  hang, 
Hir  coftlie  brydell  all  of  gold  it  rang  ; 
And  heich  upon  the  litter  was  fcho  let, 
540    Whilk  was  with  ftonis  and  pearles  all  owerfret, 

With  cuffiounis  wrocht  with  cloath  of  gold  full  fyne ; 

Scho  fchynit  as  dois  the  faireft  liar  matutyne. 

All  voyde  befor  hir  com  ane  chariot  bricht 

Of  michtie  ftonis,  cafting  plefant  licht, 

Hir  palfray  with  the  goldin  maine  and  taill, 

Hir  varlot  cled  in  royall  apparrell. 

Syne  ten  Ladies  on  ten  palfrayis  quhyte 

Com  efter  hir,  quhom  to  fie  was  delyte. 

The  Ladie  Eftur,  and  Ladie  de  la  Grance, 
650    And  Ladie  de  la  Cariar  of  plefance. 

Upon  ane  chariot  fat  in  gudlie  wayis. 

The  quhilk  the  King  fent  to  Meliades. 

The  leave  com  efter  fyne  weill  ordinat, 

In  chariots  frechlie  efter  thair  eftaite. 

The  filver  trumpits  blew  with  merie  found. 

In  joy  and  blifle  this  companie  furth  bound. 

The  peiple  bad  God  be  in  thair  companie, 

[And  weipit  for  the  love  of  this  Ladie.] 
Clariodus  ane  quhile  behind  thame  baid, 
560    Garring  be  turfit  the  thefawre  that  he  hade 

Intill  Syprus  win  from  the  Turkis  ftrong ; 

Bot  he  owertuike  them  or  it  was  ocht  long. 


BUIK  FOURT.  209 


And  to  the  Count  his  father  thus  he  laid, 
My  Lord,  I  think  it  ipeidfull  that  we  raid 
Throw  France,  for  it  is  the  moll  plclant  way  ; 
And  heinipon  accordit  all  beine  they. 

Thus  towardis  France  they  raid  all  in  feir, 
And  lb  they  have  them  Iped  in  lik  maneire 
That  in  fchort  tyme  thay  com  to  Sant  Dynice. 
570    Thay  lichtit  thair  and  tuike  ane  gudlie  Innis, 
Whair  thay  ane  day  and  eike  ane  nicht  repofit. 
Whom  for  to  fe  the  peipill  all  rejofit ; 
Whair  thair  was  of  the  Kingis  Court  ane  Knight, 
Quhilke  them  elpyit  evin  as  they  did  licht. 
And  fpeirit  them  ;  and  quhen  he  underftude 
The  Ladies  name  of  plelant  pulchritude. 
And  quhat  the  lordis  and  ladies  with  hir  beine, 
Ane  fairer  fight  he  thoght  he  had  never  feine. 
Unto  the  King  he  raid  or  he  wald  bline, 
580    And  told  him  all  the  maner  and  the  meine, 
WLat  that  thay  war,  and  how  thay  war  arayit. 
The  nobill  King  no  longer  than  delayit; 
Bot  haiftilie  fent  for  the  Conftabill, 
And  with  Court  of  Knichtis  honorabill, 
He  fent  them  for  to  meit,  and  he  anone 
Towardis  Sant  Denis  with  his  Court  is  gone. 

Be  this  the  Court  of  fair  Meliades 
On  horfe  afcendit  was  on  gudlie  wayis. 
On  gatwart  cuming  unto  Parice  toun, 
590    Of  joyous  trumpits  with  ane  mirrie  found. 
The  Conftabill  hes  met  and  helfit  them  all. 
Syne  to  Meliades  in  fpeciall 
He  paffit,  and  hes  maid  his  aquentance. 
Saying,  Madame,  but  onie  variance, 

sd 


210  CLARIODUS. 

Thay  faid  the  trewth  that  prailit  jour  bewtie  ; 
For  verilie,  as  it  apeiris  to  me, 
That  none  gour  bewtie  did  fo  fare  compryfe, 
Bot  ge  defervit  more  ane  thowfand  fyfe 
To  beine  commendit,  and  that  I  dar  weill  fay. 
600    With  that  fcho  changit  hew,  as  fcho  that  ay 
Abandonit  beine  with  [all]  fchame  and  dreid. 
As  bloflbme  [fueit]  of  bening  womanheid  ; 
For  fcho  was  never  manlie  nor  git  pert 
[In  ocht,]  nather  in  j)laine  nor  in  defert. 

So  raid  thay  furth  with  mirrie  collatioun. 
And  as  thay  war  ane  myle  from  Parice  toun, 
Sex  armit  Knightis  met  they  in  the  way, 
And  to  Clariodus  foune  dreflit  thay  j 
Syne  hellit  him,  and  then  they  faid  him  till, 
610    Sir  Knight,  ge  tell  us,  if  it  be  gour  will. 
If  fike  ane  Knight  ge  know  as  we  do  leike. 
He  anfweirit  them  with  wordis  wyfe  and  meike. 
What  Knight  is  he  ?  unto  me  tell  his  name. 
Clariodus,  thay  laid,  of  mikill  fame, 
The  Count  of  Efturs  fone,  and  eik  his  heare ; 
If  he  be  in  this  companie  declair  ? 
We  have  him  fought  in  monie  feire  cuntrie. 
For  out  through  all  the  world  praifit  is  he, . 
Both  flour  of  knightheid  and  of  nobilness ; 
620    And  for  he  is  of  fik  ane  worthines, 

Rycht  faine  we  wald  in  armis  him  aflaill, 

If  ony  of  us  micht  gif  to  him  batell ; 

And  if  that  on  micht  not,  [why,]  then  fould  two  ; 

And  if  that  two  micht  not,  [why,]  then  fould  mo  ; 

And  if  he  war  fo  abill  under  fcheild. 

As  to  us  all  fex  fight  to  gif  in  feild, 


BUIK  FOURT.  Sll 

On  efter  on,  or  with  us  all  at  onis  : 

And  thus  we  are  him  leikaud  for  the  nonis. 

For  to  allay  our  llrength  and  chevalrie 
630    On  him  that  of  this  warld  is  moft  worthie  ; 

And  if  he  happin  for  to  ftryke  us  doune, 

We  are  content  he  have  us  to  prefoune ; 

And  if  we  fuilge,  or  dois  him  luppryfe, 

To  take  him  with  us  in  the  lamine  wyfe. 

To  them  full  meiklie  he  aniweirit  thus, 

I  am  the  Knight  ge  call  Clariodus, 

Bot  not  as  ge  me  call  the  warldis  floure  ; 

For  monie  ane  Knight  thair  is  of  mair  valour  : 

Jit  nevertheles,  if  that  it  be  jour  will, 
640    Anone  I  fall  gif  battell  heir  30W  till. 

And  quhen  they  harde,  he  Ipake  fa  courteflie, 

The  mair  thay  him  commendit  verilie. 
When  that  Meliades  hard  this  tyding, 

Scho  was  afFrayit  into  mikill  thing, 

And  prayit  God  devotlie  him  to  lave. 

And  give  him  grace  the  victorie  to  have. 
Clariodus  pat  on  his  helme  anone. 

And  with  his  fpeire  is  to  the  formoft  gone, 

And  to  the  card  him  ilraike  withoutin  ho  ; 
650    Syne  to  ane  uther  drelfit  him  to  go. 

And  fo  him  hit  quhill  on  the  ground  he  lyis  ; 

Syne  fyve  he  fervit  on  the  lamen  wayis. 

The  fext  againft  him  dreffit  fellounlie  ; 

Thir  Knightis  ran  togidder  forcilie. 

And  brake  thair  fpeiris,  and  maid  ane  courfe  faire. 

And  fo  thir  two  fo  oft  hes  counterit  thair, 

Whill  [that]  awght  fpeiris  [all]  in  funder  brake  ; 

To  gif  them  roume  the  Court  raid  all  abake. 


212  CLARIODUS. 

Them  to  behold  thay  had  [full]  grite  plefance. 
660    At  the  fevint  courfe,  with  knightlie  countenance, 
Clariodus  him  hit  with  fik  [ane]  force, 
Whill  to  the  card  geid  both  man  and  horfe. 
Then  all  the  Court,  that  was  beholding  by. 
Heigh  praifit  hes  his  nobill  chevalrie. 

Then  com  the  [faid]  fex  Knightis  all  in  feire 
Unto  him,  faying,  that  all  the  Court  might  heire, 
Sir,  unto  30W  we  us  prelbneiris  geild. 
As  to  the  nobilleft  Knight  that  ever  buire  fcheild. 
To  priflbun  right,  evin  as  ge  will,  [leid  us. 
670    Then  noblie  Ipake  to  them  Clariodus,] 
Saying,  ^e  lall  go  to  gone  faire  prifoune. 
Unto  gon  Ladies,  and  pay  gour  ranfoun. 
He  tuike  them  be  the  hands  on  courtefe  wyfe, 
And  hes  them  led  to  fair  Mcliades. 
He  faid,  Madame,  relave  thir  prefoneris, 
Demaine  thame  as  to  gour  eilait  efifeiris. 
Then  faid  fcho  meiklie  to  the  Conilabill, 
Call  ge  it  not  beft  that  I  be  merciabill  ? 
I  wald  tham  freith  unto  thair  libertie, 

680    If  that  it  war  gour  counfall,  quhat  iay  ge  ? 
Madame,  be  laid,  I  fweir  30W  be  my  trewth. 
It  war  gour  honour  upon  them  to  have  rewth, 
And  for  to  freith  them  [out]  of  gour  priifoun. 
Now  at  gour  entrie  into  Parice  toun. 
Then  faid  fcho  thus.  Fair  Siris,  for  his  faik 
That  unto  me  gow  prefoners  did  make, 
I  gif  50W  fredome  heir  of  my  prefoun. 
They  thankit  hir  with  [richt]  bening  fermoune. 
And  fyne  unto  Clariodus  they  went, 

690    And  ane  of  them  thus  ipake  with  meike  intent ; 


BUIK  FOURT.  ttS 

O  floure  of  knightheid  and  of  chevalrie. 

We  have  30 w  Ibught  full  long  and  bifliljr, 

And  now  we  have  fund  jow  of  grit  valouris, 

All  to  gour  worlchip  and  nothing  unto  ouris  ; 

Heir  we  us  offer  to  gour  fervice  and  thrall, 

Full  hie  we  fall  exalt  jour  name  ower  all ; 

We  wer  borne  in  the  cuntrie  of  Polyne, 

Cadnox  de  Halt  my  name  is  for  certaine. 

He  namit  all  his  fellowis  namis  fyne, 
700    And  wald  have  taine  thair  leave  and  could  inclyne. 

Then  he  requyrit  them  with  all  his  heart 

For  to  abyde  ;  and  tuike  them  in  ane  pairt, 

And  of  his  purle  furth  hes  [he]  taine  anone 

Sex  diamonts  as  onie  lampe  that  fchone ; 

And  faid,  My  freindis,  heartlie  I  requyre 

This  litill  mater  to  have  of  me  heire ; 

Thir  diamonds  than  fall  ge  of  me  taike, 

And  have  them  to  gour  Ladies  for  my  faike  : 

Quhilk  thay  refavit,  thanking  him  oft  fyfe, 
710    Saying,  The  honouris  and  the  grit  impryle 

That  him  was  gevin,  it  was  not  all  for  nought. 

Tliay  tuike  thair  leave  and  hamwart  ar  they  fought. 

The  French  Knightis,  quhen  this  thing  thay  had  feine, 

His  maners  with  them  gritlie  prailit  beine. 
Then  royallie  to  the  toun  furth  thay  raide. 

And  to  the  Kingis  Palice  but  abaid 

They  have  them  fped,  [and]  then  doun  all  thay  licht. 

The  Conllabill  hes  taine  this  Ladie  bright. 

And  hes  with  hir  afcendit  to  the  hall, 
720    Whair  the  King  was  with  monie  lord  royall, 

And  eike  the  Queine  with  monie  ladie  fair. 

All  ftill  abyding  on  thair  cuming  thair  : 


214  CLARIODUS. 

For  the  King  was  never  into  houfliold, 
Within  four  hundereth  [of]  Knightis  bold  ; 
The  Queine  alfo,  as  fay  is  myne  Authore  eike. 
Was  never  within  ane  hundereth  Ladies  meike. 
Scho  faluft  hes  the  King  full  courteflie, 
And  he  did  hir  refave  richt  gentillie. 
And  kiffit  hir,  faying,  Madame,  bat  dreid 
730    Full  welcum  beine  to  us  gour  nobilheid ; 
For  we  have  longit  all  in  this  cuntrie, 
gour  bright  imperiall  bewtie  for  to  fe. 
Whom  we  of  fikane  vertew  hard  reporte  ; 
ge  beine  fiJl  welcum  heir  and  all  gour  forte  : 
Whairof  fcho  thankit  him  full  reverentlie. 
And  fyne  the  Queine  hir  halCt  womanlie. 
The  quhilk  full  honorabillie  did  hir  relave. 
The  King  hartilie  relavit  all  the  leave. 
And  did  them  welcume  with  countinance  joyous, 

740    And  fpecialie  the  gud  Clariodus  ; 

He  maid  to  him  grit  cheir  and  welcuming. 
Whom  he  defyrit  to  fe  abone  all  thing. 
The  King  hes  taine  the  Count  of  Ellur  land. 
And  Weill  long  fpace  ftude  with  him  commonand. 
The  Queine  hir  felf  and  Dame  Meliades, 
Held  commoning  on  [the]  moll  gudlie  wayis ; 
In  whom  the  Queine  Hk  wit  and  nurture  fand, 
Sik  prudence  and  fik  vertew  aboundand, 
Scho  trowit,  in  warld  nether  be  north  nor  fouth, 

750    Might  not  be  fund  in  fik  ane  tender  goutb 
Sik  wit,  not  git  fik  womanlie  maneir  ; 
Scho  held  hir  thairfor  abone  all  woman  deire. 
Amongs  all  uther  thingis,  Earle  Eilur 
Schew  to  the  King  the  pitious  aventur. 


BUIK  FOURT.  215 


And  eike  diftreflls  of  this  Ladio  frie ; 
Whairat  tUo  King  [foir]  weipit  for  pitie. 
Thairefter  faid  he  to  Clariodus, 
Fair  Sir,  ge  beine  full  welcutn  unto  lis  ; 
For  grit  report  I  have  hard  of  gow  maid, 

760    How  in  this  world,  that  is  baith  long  and  braid, 
Leifis  no  Knight  nobiller  of  renoune 
As  36  that  beine  without  comparifoun. 
Right  la  I  have  hard  now  of  new  reports, 
How  that  36,  at  the  entrie  of  our  ports, 
Aprovit  hes  lb  Weill  and  nobillie, 
And  donne  fo  fair  ane  deid  of  chevalrie. 
That  it  war  mervell  fik  ane  to  be  feine. 
We  thinke  be  30W  our  court  all  honorit  beine. 
When  that  the  King  had  of  his  talke  all  fynit, 

770    Clariodus  him  thankit  and  low  incljnit, 
Saying,  War  I  of  fik  [hie]  praife  and  fame, 
Lyke  as  3our  Henes  gives  to  my  name, 
I  war  all  souris  without  ony  dreid 
Alfe  long  as  I  might  ryde  or  fit  on  field. 
The  King  imbracit  him  with  tendernes. 
Saying,  Alfo  I  thank  30W  of  30ur  ches. 
That  out  of  Cyprus  to  the  Queine  36  lend  ; 
^our  fredome  beine  full  gritlie  to  commend. 
For  it  ane  royall  prefent  was  and  gift, 

780    To  geive  to  ony  Queine  under  the  lift. 
Thus  cherifit  he  Clariodus  full  fair. 
With  wordis  that  war  fweit  and  debonair. 
The  King  hes  him  aquentit  haifiilie 
With  all  the  knightis  of  thair  companie ; 
And  thay  have  with  the  Kingis  court  alfi> 
Aquentit  them,  and  femblit  two  and  two. 


216  CLARIODUS. 

They  can  difport  and  fpeike  of  diverfe  things. 
So  that  the  mekill  hall  with  joy  all  rings 
Of  minftrallie  and  uther  mirthes  eike  j 
790    Na  folace  beine  amongis  them  for  to  feike. 

To  chalmer  [fyne  thay]  went,  and  thair  ane  ipace 
Abaid  thay  quhile  the  fupper  redie  was, 
The  grit  triumph  is  and  burdes  coverit  beine. 
Then  to  the  hall  is  went  baith  King  and  Queine, 
And  eike  this  princes  digne  and  honorabUl. 
The  nobill  King  anone  began  e  the  tabill, 
Befor  him  fet  Meliades  the  fcheine ; 
Into  ane  chyre  abone  him  fat  the  Queine  ; 
At  the  buird  heid  they  fet  the  Earle  Efture ; 
800    Syne  everilk  lord  and  ladie  in  ordour, 
Efter  thair  awin  degreis  war  thay  fet. 
Ay  at  the  dyfe  ane  knight  and  ladie  met. 

The  Conftabill  hes  taine  Clariodus, 
And  his  foure  fellowis  that  war  chevelrus. 
And  all  the  knightis  of  his  companie, 
And  led  them  to  ane  chalmer  full  glaidlie. 
And  feillit  them  on  mervellous  maneir, 
All  haill  with  diligats  and  courfis  feire. 
Then  maid  thay  joy  and  fuire  ryght  mirrilie, 
810    And  menftrellis  fang  and  playit  curiouilie. 
Alfe  of  the  letter  courle  they  fervit  ware. 
All  be  fex  plelant  ladyis  of  bewtie  cleire. 
And  with  aucht  knightis  convoyit  royallie 
And  awght  fquyeris  [that  were]  geing  and  luflie. 
Come  to  the  King,  and  thair  ane  Poune  prefent. 
Saying  to  him  thir  words  in  verament. 
Sir,  to  this  Poune  ge  do  as  it  effeiris. 
This  nobill  King  quhen  he  thir  wordis  heiris. 


BUIK  FOURT.  ■    217 

Upon  this  wayis,  quoth  he,  heir  I  avow, 
820    Unto  the  Poune  and  Ladyis  unto  gow, 

The  faireft  jufting  the  morne  I  fall  devyle 

In  honour  of  Madame  Meliades 

That  ever  was  into  my  tyme  in  France, 

Thairin  fall  be  no  let  nor  variance. 

When  this  was  laid,  the  Ladyis  reverent, 

Unto  the  Queine  the  Poune  thay  did  prelent. 

And  I  avow,  unto  the  Poune,  quoth  fche. 

When  Sir  Clariodus  lall  mareit  be. 

That  I  and  all  my  Court  ane  feift  fall  make, 
830    For  him  and  for  his  foverane  Ladies  faike. 

The  Poune  was  fet  befor  Meliades, 

The  quhilke  demurelie  Ipak  on  this  wayis  ; 

Heir  I  avow  unto  the  Poune  but  dreid. 

When  everilk  Knight  is  armit  upon  fteid, 

Efter  my  cuming  I  fall  them  elpy, 

And  quha  with  lance  [than]  provis  moft  worthy, 

I  fall  gif  him  this  hat  upon  my  heid. 

And  with  that  word  fcho  wox  a  litill  reid. 

The  Poune  was  borne  before  the  Earle  Eftur. 
840    I  fall  avow,  quoth  he,  [and  that]  moft  fuire, 

For  to  behold  and  fe  on  biflie  wayis 

Of  everilk  jufting  and  haill  interpryfe. 

And  quhaia  pafils  other  in  bountie, 

I  fall  declair  if  it  be  ipeirit  at  me. 

And  fyne  unto  the  Countea  of  Eftur 

The  Poune  was  borne ;  and  fcho  with  fpeach  demure 

Said  to  the  Poune,  I  vow  and  heightis  thus, 

At  manage  of  my  fonne  Clariodus, 

In  my  bett  cloathing  I  fall  me  aray, 
850    And  never  mair  againe  efter  that  day  ; 

s  e 


218  CLARIODUS. 

I  fiilbe  furrit  then  with  grice  allone. 

For  now  the  be  of  my  gouthheid  is  gone. 

Syne  efter  this  the  Poune  went  throw  the  hall, 

And  thay  richt  honorabillie  avowit  all. 

Syne  to  the  Conftabillis  chalmer  [they]  it  baire, 

And  faid  to  him,  My  Lord,  aquyte  30W  thair. 

I  [fall]  avow,  quoth  he,  quhen  everie  Knight 

On  the  julling  day  falbe  arayit  richt, 
*     That  lax  Knightis  I  fall  put  from  thair  fleidis, 
860    Or  them  unhelme,  thoght  thay  be  cleir  in  weidis. 

The  Powne  they  buire  befor  Clariodus, 

And  he  with  gudlie  maner  fpeikis  thus  ; 

Heir  I  avow,  upon  the  julling  day 

That  I  fall  juft,  if  weild  ane  Ipeire  I  may. 

Then  hes  the  Ladyis  to  Sir  Amandour 

The  Powne  prefentit,  and  fet  it  him  before. 

And  I  avow,  quoth  he,  upon  the  greine 

When  everie  Knight  on  horfe  inarmit  beine, 

From  audit  Knightis  I  fall  ftryke  [doun]  awcht  fcheilds, 
870    And  Ikatter  them  full  wyde  into  the  feilds. 

And  to  Palexis  they  the  Poune  [did]  bring. 

I  avow,  quoth  he,  to  Cupide  lovis  king. 

When  everilk  Knight  enarmit  beine  in  weids, 

That  nyne  Knightis  I  fall  ftryke  from  thair  fteids. 

Unto  ane  French  Knight  [then]  the  Powne  brocht  thay, 

That  was  full  fearce  and  hardie  at  aflay. 

The  quhilk  Sir  Charles  height  De  les  Carere. 

And  I  avow,  quoth  he,  on  this  maner, 

When  all  fellowis  beiris  plait  and  maill, 
880    Than  [ten]  Knightis  in  preife  I  fall  aflaill, 

And  ten  ipeiris  eik  I  fall  breke  ailunder. 

Or  fum  of  us  fall  ly  our  fteidis  under. 


BUIK  FOURT.  219 

Then  to  Sir  Broune  [hecht]  de  la  Amouris 

The  Poune  they  brought,  for  he  was  amourus  ; 

The  quhilk  avowit  ane  gantellit  to  weir 

Upon  the  hand  quhairwith  he  ran  his  Ipeir. 

Sir  Pennent  de  Carare,  [ay]  bold  and  wicht, 

Nixt  him  avowit  as  anc  luiiie  Knight, 

That  he  fould  be  enarmit  all  in  greine, 
«90    For  the  love  only  of  his  Ladle  fcheine. 

All  thair  avows  war  long  for  to  declaire. 

How  everilk  Knight  avowit  that  was  thaire. 

When  that  the  Knightis  had  avowit  all, 

The  Ladyis  buire  the  Poune  unto  the  hall, 

VVhair  that  they  lewch  with  heartis  glaid  and  licht, 

Rehearfing  the  avows  of  everilk  Knight. 

When  all  was  rifline  and  gone  from  fupper,  , 

Unto  Clariodus  on  this  maneir 

The  Conftabill  faid,  Be  gour  avow  it  feimis 
900    ge  fall  not  juft  the  mome,  for  fo  men  deimis. 

Then  faid  Clariodus,  Not  juft  I  may. 

For  I  am  hurt  upon  the  band  perfey 

With  [the]  fex  Knightis  at  our  laft  jufting. 

And  quhen  it  was  rehearfit  to  the  King, 

He  was  forfuith  thairof  nothing  joyous  ; 

For  he  had  rather  feine  Clariodus 

Ane  fpeir  have  run  all  right  and  under  fcheild. 

Nor  all  the  Knightis  that  wald  cum  to  feild. 
With  this  thay  all  unto  thair  chalmer  went, 
910    Up  gois  the  found  of  hevinlie  inftrument. 

Lordis  and  Ladies  anon  gois  to  the  dance  ; 

The  nobill  King  with  gudlie  countinance 

Meliades  hes  taikine  by  the  hande  ; 

Clariodus  the  Quein  at  his  command  ; 


220  CLARIODUS. 

And  lyne  the  nobill  Lord  [the]  Conftabill 
Led  the  Countes  of  Eftur  honorabill ; 
And  uther  Lordis  goung  and  rycht  luHie 
Gois  to  the  dance  with  Ladies  by  and  by. 
In  joy  and  pleafour  was  the  luftie  forte. 

920    Thus  quhill  bed  tyme  fiill  glaidlie  thay  difporte. 
The  Lordis  then  caufit  fetche  Ipyce  and  wyne. 
Meliades  tuik  leave,  to  bed  dreffit  fyne ; 
The  Lordis  eike  at  the  King  and  [the]  Queine, 
And  went  to  chalmer  with  thir  Ladyis  fcheine  ; 
Whom  to  the  Queine  did  £ay,  I  pray  that  ge 
Be  airlie  up,  the  jufting  for  to  fe. 
Madame,  qwoth  fcho,  I  lalbe,  and  bad  gud  night. 
And  then  anone  to  bed  went  everie  Knight. 
At  morrow  as  the  larke  begowth  to  fmg, 

®3o    Awalks  the  luftie  Lords  and  Knichtis  geing. 
That  ^es  avowis  maid  on  this  maneir. 
And  all  anone  thay  beine  enarmit  cleir : 
Alfweith  thay  fervit  God  and  tuike  diljune. 
And  maid  them  redie  for  the  counter  foune. 
The  King  alfo  was  redie  thame  to  fe. 
The  Queine  with  great  triumph  and  royaltie 
Arayit  hir  the  jufting  for  to  feine. 
With  all  hir  luftie  Ladies  [faire  and]  fcheine. 
Hir  goun  was  of  the  cloath  of  gold  potent, 

940    And  circulat  with  ftonis  redolent. 
Full  michtUie  arayit  was  hir  heid, 
Hir  collour  fchew  as  rofis  quhyt  and  reid. 
Scho  wore  ane  croune  of  gold  mekill  of  pryce, 
In  quhilke  thair  fchynit  monie  flour  de  lyce. 
Hir  Ladyis  war  abulgeit  richlie. 
And  put  to  poynt  richt  Weill  and  royallie. 


BUIK  FOURT.  281 

They  fervit  God  and  difjunit  lyne. 

Meliades,  the  lullie  goung  Rolyne, 

As  Mayis  bloflbme  newlie  brokin  quhyte, 
950    Adrefnt  hir  as  goddes  of  delyte, 

Arrayit  hir  as  of  Ingland  the  gyfJs, 

Becuming  hir  upon  moll  gudlie  wayis. 

Alfe  quhyt  as  Ciow  of  fatine  was  hir  goune, 

Raifit  with  gold  richt  curious  of  faflioune, 

With  giltine  traifis  hang  doun  leming  licht ; 

Hir  hat  was  of  the  gold  all  birneift  bricht ; 

Hir  belt  was  all  of  michtie  ftonnis  plantit. 

No  poynt  of  bewtie  nature  on  hir  fcantit ; 

For  fcho  hir  paintit  as  Goddes  devine, 
960    AUe  bright  as  Diane,  or  as  ApoUeine. 

In  cloath  of  gold  hir  Ladies  war  beieine, 

Hir  damofellis  in  quhyt  fatine  fcheine 

Arrayit  war,  in  fuit  all  fair  to  fe. 

This  flour  of  jowth  and  Princes  of  bewtie, 

Unto  the  Queine  fcho  went  debonarlie, 

Hir  foUowit  all  hir  Ladyis  by  and  by. 

The  Queine  commendit  the  gyfe  of  thair  clothing. 

And  fo  did  all  the  Court  of  Ladies  ging. 

Syne  furth  they  went  all  into  ane  greine  meid, 
970    Whair  hovit  monie  nobill  Knight  on  fteid. 

With  Ipeir  in  hand,  [and]  cumniing  for  to  range 

To  the  aflay,  that  feimit  nothing  ftrange  ; 

Whair  that  the  King  him  felf  [alfe]  thair  abaid, 

With  cloath  of  gold  all  ftintit  and  overlaid. 

The  Queinis  fcaffold  neir  befyd  it  Aude, 

Whilk  fchynit  all  of  plealant  pulcritude, 

With  goldin  torris  and  goldin  chainis  cleir, 

Whilk  leimit  licht  as  Fi^ebus  in  his  fpeire  ; 


222  CLARIODUS. 

Thairin  aflendit  hes  the  luftie  Queine, 
980  Meliades  and  all  hir  Ladies  fcheine. 

The  King  gart  in  ane  fcaffold  by  him  neir 
Earle  Eftur  fit,  and  auncient  Lordis  feir, 
For  to  be  judge  quha  provit  knightlieft, 
And  tell  quha  thair  avowis  keipit  beft. 
Unto  the  preile  the  pepill  them  adrell, 
Thair  heartis  all  in  curage  than  increft  ; 
Thair  bright  enarming,  cleir  as  [the]  criflall, 
Againft  Phebus  bright  birned  as  bereall  ; 
As  glorious  angellis  thay  gleimit  on  thair  ileidis, 
990  Whill  all  the  land  leimit  of  thair  weidis. 
Among  them  was  Clariodus  the  Knight 
Inarmit  on  fteid,  unwitting  of  ony  wight ; 
The  caufe  thairof  befor  ge  hard  me  lay. 
For  thay  all  trowit  he  fould  not  juft  that  day. 
Of  all  the  rout  was  no  man  thair  him  knew. 
For,  the  more  ftrange,  of  quhyt  was  all  his  hew. 
His  fcheild,  his  I'peir,  himlelf,  and  eike  his  fteid. 
His  fervitouris  was  in  the  farain  weid. 
This  Knight  he  held  him  quyet  at  ane  lyde, 
1000  Beholding  them  quhilk  ftiU  did  ay  abyde. 
The  Conilabill  com  firft  to  the  affay, 
Full  Weill  at  poynt  and  in  knightlie  aray. 
He  was  all  ower  inarmit  into  blew  ; 
His  fervitouris  war  in  the  famine  hew. 
He  had  into  his  thimber,  fair  be  fight, 
Ane  luftie  madine  with  giltine  traces  bright, 
Hir  gellow  hairis  keaming  as  the  wyre» 
As  pecoke  fetherum  was  hir  bulke  all'e  faire  ; 
Pouderit  with  ftonis  as  the  hevinis  ftellat 
1010  About  his  helme  ane  cirkill  deaureat. 


BUIK  FOURT. 

His  mightie  fpeir  he  gripis  in  his  hand, 
And  as  ane  boare  abraiding  out  of  band, 
He  fpurrit  forward  his  avow  to  hold. 
Sir  Dovans  de  Lapri  that  was  [full]  bold. 
Sir  Ronar,  [and]  Sir  Lyon  de  Lamount, 
Sir  Bruce  de  la  Voy,  thir  foure  in  frunt, 
To  hold  thair  avowis  forward  ar  thay  gone. 
.  Sir  Amandur  and  Sir  Palexis  anone, 
Sir  Broun  de  Lamours,  and  Sir  Pennent  alfo, 
1020  Richt  wounder  knightlie  to  the  preife  they  go. 
Sir  Charles  de  Lefterer  luftie  under  i'cheild. 
Com  with  his  fellowis  luilie  in  the  feild. 
Ower  long  it  war  thair  namis  for  to  note, 
Thay  war  ane  royall  companie  God  wote. 
All  that  [did]  com  of  jufteris  to  the  meid. 
Full. Weill  at  poynt  inarmit  [wer]  on  fteid. 
Knightlie  and  fair  the  jufting  they  begane ; 
Full  monie  fair  and  royall  courfe  thay  ran. 
They  met  fo  fearcelie  that  it  was  wonder  ; 
1080  Both  heir  and  thair  the  IJDeiris  gois  in  funder  ; 
Up  gois  the  trenfchers  in  the  air  on  height, 
Doune  gois  the  horfe  and  the  inarmit  knight  j 
Out  gois  the  fyre  from  fcheilds  as  reid  as  gleid, 
Off  gois  the  helmis  falling  in  the  meid  ; 
Syne  gois  the  i'cheildis  to  brift  in  two ; 
The  found  of  trumpits  never  could  to  ho, 
With  weirlyk  foundis  could  thay  blow  on  height ; 
The  knichtis  met  with  monie  ane  hit  unlicht, 
Whairof  the  rearde  raife  with  like  ane  found, 
1040  Whill  all  at  onis  dynit  Parice  toun. 

Monie  knightis  was  thair  of  full  grit  ftrenth; 
I  can  not  fchaw  jow  on  ane  dayis  lenth 


224  CLARIODUS. 

Thair  nobill  deidis  richt  nobill  to  praife. 
Nor  as  I  aucht  thair  nobill  fame  up  raile. 
Clariodus  that  faw  the  manlie  faire, 
Within  his  breift  his  courag^e  waxit  maire  ; 
Then  he  him  put  with  them  that  war  thairin. 
For  he  them  waiker  thought  and  waxand  thin  ; 
Doune  gois  the  Ipeir  [that  was]  both  grit  and  wicht, 
1060  In  gois  the  Ipuris  that  of  gold  was  bright 
In  the  fydis  of  his  lleid,  quhilk  fwiftlie  rane, 
Thair  he  to  juft  full  royallie  begane. 
Before  his  fpeir  the  knightis  gois  to  grund, 
^Vhill  from  the  meid  the  helmes  did  redound  ; 
Or  he  wald  reft  he  ruffellit  thair  atyre, 
Out  of  the  fteill  befor  him  ftart  the  fyre  ; 
The  knightis  lay  befor  him  on  the  greine  j 
Might  no  man  fit  on  fadell  and  fufteine 
His  mightie  ilraike,  hot  him  behuifit  fall, 
1060  And  he  in  fadell  fat  as  ony  wall. 

Thay  thoght  he  fat  on  fteid  invifibill. 
As  campion  in  armis  invinfibill. 
Full  corpolent  he  was  with  breift  iirl)Tie, 
With  mafculine  heart  and  fperit  leonine  ; 
Fullfillit  of  vigoure  and  of  fortitude, 
And  he  in  formeheid  full  of  pulchritude. 
Of  his  knightheid  quhat  beine  thair  maire  to  faine, 
His  potent  lanfe  might  no  man  fit  againe, 
Sa  fra  thair  fteidis  he  maid  them  to  declyne  ; 
1070  As  beiftis  fmall  befor  the  wolfe  rampine, 

Alfe  faine  they  war  his  ftroaks  for  to  evaid  ; 
Full  roume  wayis  thay  maid  him  quhair  he  raid. 
He  all  to  frufchit  ft«idis  on  the  greine. 
He  tumit  ladills  to  the  number  of  fyftine 


BUIK  FOURT.  €25 

Right  at  his  entrio  within  ane  litill  thraw, 

That  thay  about  had  ferlie  that  him  faw. 

^Vllen  that  the  King  had  feine  his  g^dlie  fair, 

And  how  fo  wonder  knightlie  he  him  baire, 

He  ferliet  grittumlie  quha  it  Ibuld  be  ; 
1080  For  never  in  all  his  lyftyrae  feine  had  he 

Ane  knight  in  armis  prove  fo  worthilie. 

Rycht  fo  thoght  all  that  plefand  companie. 

Full  royall  jufting  amongs  them  might  be  feine  ; 

For  monie  ane  knight  enarmit  fair  and  fcheine 

Myght  men  behold  [then]  into  the  greine  meid. 

That  duchtie  war  and  valiant  of  thair  deid. 

The  Lord  Conllabill  he  provit  weill  that  day, 

For  monie  ane  faire  courfe  he  maid  perfay. 

His  vow  he  keipit  as  ane  nobill  knight ; 
1090  For  he  devoidit  of  thair  helmis  bright. 

Sax  armit  knightis  fall]  of  grit  valoure. 

Sir  Amandur  fiill  weill  did  his  devoir ; 

Sevin  fcheildis  from  fevin  knights  he  flrake. 

And  Sir  Palexis  flrong  as  ony  aike, 

To  grund  he  put  nyne  knightis  from  thair  ileidis  ; 

For  he  fiiU  worthie  was  in  all  his  deidis. 

And  fchortlie  for  to  tell  gow  [all]  the  trewth. 

Than  everie  knight  aquyt  [him]  weill  of  flewth, 

And  his  avow  weill  keipit  that  he  maid  ; 
1100  And  all  that  war  about  the  famen  faid. 

And  that  befor  that  day  thay  never  faw 

Sa  monie  lullie  knights  rining  on  raw. 

And  moft  of  all  the  Quhyt  Knyght  is  praifit, 

Thay  have  his  name  to  the  ftaris  raifit ; 

For  on  that  day,  his  knightlie  governance 

Will  never  with  them  forgottine  be  in  France  : 

Ff 


226  CLARIODUS. 

For  he,  that  was  without  comparifoun 
Than  leveing  under  Mars  his  regioun, 
So  wonder  knightlie  all  the  day  continuit, 
1110  And  elk  fb  mekill  travell  he  fufteinit, 
Unfatigat,  unweirie,  and  unfaint, 
That  I  can  not  gow  wryte  nor  git  depaint 
His  worthie  deidis  and  nobilnes  at  all, 
That  beine  of  knightheid  floure  imperiall  : 
For  as  the  awfuU  lyoun  heirs  the  croune, 
I  meane  of  beifts,  as  tcrreftriall  campioun  ; 
So  is  he  alfe  ftronge  of  all  etheriall  rayndis, 
Beine  lord  and  king,  thnir  pryde  fo  he  declynis. 
As  prince  of  knightheid  and  floure  of  chevalrie 

1120  Of  all  this  wyde  warld  alluterlie. 

Grite  ferlie  had  the  King  qiihat  he  fould  be, 
That  was  of  fike  ane  wonderfuU  bewtie. 
He  confidderit  that  the  llrong  Clariodus, 
Whilk  holdin  was  of  knightheid  chevalrus. 
That  day  hade  he  not  juftit  nor  borne  fcheild  ; 
For  gif  that  he  that  day  hade  beine  in  feild, 
He  wald  but  dreid  have  faid  it  had  beine  he  ; 
The  King  hade  full  grit  plefance  him  to  fe. 
The  Queine  alfo  full  gritlie  did  him  praife, 

1130  And  unto  faire  Meliades  fcho  fays, 

What  thinke  ge  of  the  Quhyt  Knight  of  renowne. 
That  now  he  is  of  gon  flrong  faffioun  ? 
I  traift  firmlie  that  he  fall  have  gour  hat. 
Thus  raillit  hes  the  Queine,  and  lewch  thairat. 
Meliades  then  faid,  frayling  alyte. 
If  he  it  wyn,  he  fall  it  have  alfe  tyte. 
Rycht  full  glaid  fcho  was  and  rycht  joyous. 
For  Weill  fcho  will  it  was  Clariodus, 


BUIK  FOURT.  «e7 

Scho  knew  him  be  hir  varlot  Bonvaleir. 
1  MO  Scho  was  diipleafit  eike  in  fum  maneire, 

That  he  nothing  before  unto  hir  fchew. 

Thai;  he  uato  the  jufting  wald  perfew. 

His  Father  eik  him  knew  be  his  faffioun, 

And  had  grit  plefance  of  his  hie  renoune 

That  he  haid  gevin  him  in  everie  lyde. 

What  fould  I  longer  in  this  thing  abjde  ; 

The  jufting  ftill  induret  quhill  the  nicht. 

That  to  his  Innis  bounit  everie  wight. 

The  King  difcendit  thair  incontinent ; 
1150  Grite  number  of  torches  hes  before  him  went 

Fast  to  the  Palice,  for  gone  was  dayis  light. 

The  Quene,  and  alfe  Meliades  the  bright, 

Difcendit  Ibune  with  all  thair  ladyis  faire. 

And  to  the  palice  did  with  joy  repaire. 

Clariodus  is  to  his  chalmer  gone. 

And  thair  he  hes  unarmit  him  full  foune ; 

And  thair  he  did  on  him  full  luftillie 

Ane  plefant  goune  of  velvote  cramofie, 

And  on  ane  hearpe  begouth  he  for  to  play, 
1160  As  at  the  jufting  he  hade  not  beine  that  day. 

And  then  the  King,  quhilk  no  tyme  forget  myght 

The  nobill  deidis  of  the  ilke  Quhyt  Knight, 

He  gart  foure  privie  Iquyeris  to  him  call, 

And  bade  them  doe  thair  biffines  at  all 

Full  knowledge  for  to  get  of  his  ludging. 

And  great  him  heartilie  with  all  cherifing. 

Him  praying  to  cum  unto  the  Palace, 

And  him  difport  with  joy  and  Iblace 

With  knightis  and  with  ladies  of  bewtie, 
1170  Saying,  That  welcum  in  the  courte  is  he. 


2-28  CLARIODUS. 

The  four  Iquyeris  pafllt  at  command 

To  the  oftlaris  but  farder  demand, 

As  he  them  bade  this  Knight  to  feike  ower  all. 

The  King  is  enterit  in  the  mekill  hall, 
With  monie  ane  lord  full  mekill  of  renoune, 
And  richt  glaidlie  to  fupper  [they]  can  boune. 
The  Queine  in  chalmer  veftit  hir  all  new 
Into  ane  luftie  goune  of  velvote  blew. 
And  coverit  all  with  orpharie  faire ; 

1 180  Eike  all  hir  ladies  changit  gounis  thair. 
Meliades  hir  veftit  in  ane  goune 
Of  greine  velvote,  full  gudlie  of  faflbune, 
Circumferat  with  ftonis  cafting  licht ; 
About  hir  neke  ane  chaine  of  gold  [full]  bright. 
Hir  hairis  bright  that  nature  I'pan  to  cleire. 
In  aureat  trelis  hang  doun  circuleir. 
Full  angell  lyke,  that  Ichynit  fcho  with  gleimis 
In  orient  bright  with  Phebus  goldin  beaniis, 
Doun  fchading  from  hir  face,  that  was  alie  quhyte 

1190  As  the  illuftar  lillie  of  delyte. 

Ane  rich  cornall  about  hir  hair  was  fet. 
With  radious  ftonnis  mightilie  overfret. 
What  fould  I  tell  of  her  feminitie ; 
Scho  ftrave  with  Venus  in  hir  bright  bewtie. 
Away  thou  Lucres  with  thy  plefant  eine, 
And  with  thy  bright  hairis  thou  Palexine, 
And  thou  faire  Heline  with  thy  hairis  quhyte, 
And  Candas  with  thy  cuUoure  of  delyte. 
And  with  thy  rewth  thou  [chaift]  Penelope ; 

1200  For  all  this,  [ftill]  fcho  might  gour  princes  be. 
In  vertew,  bewtie,  and  of  womanheid, 
gour  cleir  lodftar  in  everie  luftieheid. 


UUIK  FOURT.  M9 

Hir  ladies  chongit  weidis  thair  alio, 

And  to  the  Queinis  chalnicr  two  and  two 

Hir  followit  all  hir  damofellis  be  pairis, 

In  g^eine  fatine  and  gold  traced  hearis, 

With  pearle  Icheaplet  thair  hearis  fet  above. 

Meliades  with  hir  [fair]  court  of  love 

Com  to  the  Queine,  quha  did  hir  weill  behold, 
1210  Commending  thair  hir  bewtie  monifold. 

And  thus  thay  pad  the  tyme  as  was  the  g^fe. 

With  that  the  jufteris  upon  gudlie  wayis 

Enterit  within  the  Palice  of  renowne. 

With  weirlyke  noyis  and  vidlorious  founde 

Of  clariouns,  trumpits,  and  loud  minftrelly. 

The  heraldis  with  ane  loude  voyce  thay  cry 

The  namis  of  thir  lords  with  grit  clamouris. 

Under  thair  grit  and  mightie  coat  armouris. 
The  King  was  fet  to  flipper  at  his  tabill, 
1220  With  plefand  lordis  and  ladies  amiabill. 

The  jufteris  in  thair  chalmeris  Ibupit  all, 

Ilk  ane  with  other  maid  difporte  royall. 

Of  minftrallie  and  uther  grit  plefance. 

And  eike  the  Lord  Conflabill  of  France 

Into  his  chalmer  foupit  hes  alfo ', 

And  of  his  companie  was  none  him  fro 

That  with  him  foupit  had  the  night  before, 

Bot  Sir  Clariodus  j  and  he  thairfore 

Difpleafit  was  fumthing  in  his  intent. 
1230  And  as  the  Prince  moft  [hie  and]  reverent 

With  all  his  lordis  in  hall  had  foupit  neire, 

In  com  the  foure  fquyeris  all  in  feire, 

Quhom  that  the  King  unto  the  Quhyte  Knight  fend. 

Sir,  faid  thay,  We  mak  it  to  be  kende. 


2S0  CLARIODUS. 

That  of  the  Quhyte  Knight  je  fall  have  tyding  ; 

Of  him  we  have  fum  knowlege  and  witing ; 

And  if  ge  will  that  fchawin  be  his  name, 

Clariodus  he  height  of  mikill  fame. 

And  quhen  the  King  this  harde  he  was  full  blyth ; 
1240  Syne  to  the  Count  of  Eftur  turnit  fweith, 

And  laid,  Fair  Coufing,  have  ge  knowleging, 

Quha  was  the  Knight  in  quhjiie  at  [the]  jufting. 

No  Sir,  he  faid.     Then  I  fall  tell,  faid  he. 

It  was  Clariodus  gour  fonne  perdie. 

Glaid  was  the  King,  and  he  commandit  than, 

That  the  foure  fquyeris  in  all  the  head  thay  can 

Sould  go  anone  and  fetch  the  Quhyte  Knight. 

They  but  more,  with  torches  birnand  bricht, 

Soune  in  the  chalmer  of  Clariodus 
1250  They  enterit  ar,  and  faid  unto  him  thus. 

My  Lord,  gour  fecreits  no  longer  may  be  coverit, 

gour  counfall  is  [all]  to  the  King  difcoverit ; 

Heir  ar  we  cumit  at  his  Hienes  command 

For  gour  Lordlchipe.     Quoth  he.  Without  demand 

I  fall  obey  him  quhill  I  am  on  lyve. 

Togidder  are  thay  paffit  on  belyve. 
Clariodus  nocht  enterit  in  the  hall 

Whill  foupit  had  this  [gude]  Prince  royall  ; 

Bot  in  the  chalmer  of  the  Lord  Conllabill 
1260  He  enterit  with  thir  Lordis  honorabill. 

The  Conftabill,  quhen  he  did  him  efpy. 

Up  lap  he  from  the  table  demurely. 

And  met  him,  faying,  Quhyte  Knight !  Quhyt  Knight  I 

Of  all  the  world  the  mirrour  fchyning  bright, 

In  fame  of  knightheid  and  of  chevalrie 

The  reft  exceiding  fo  excellentlie  ; 


BUIK  FOURT.  231 

It  leimit  nocht  jour  hand  was  hurt  to-day, 
Whilk  jour  companiouns  teftifies  perfay  ; 
It  had  beine  gud  for  all  the  companie, 
1270  That  jour  hand  had  not  hellit  fo  fuddanlie. 
He  let  him  at  the  begyning  of  the  tabill, 
And  feaftit  him  with  cheir  [richt]  aminbill. 

The  King  caufit  awcht  awntient  Knightis  go, 
And  taike  with  them  cuning  heraldis  two, 
And  bad  them  be  advyiit  on  the  Knights  deidis, 
Quha  war  maid  valiant  [that  day]  on  thair  fleidis. 
And  quha  maift  worthie  war  of  [hie]  renoune. 
Thir  auntient  Knightis  of  difcretioun, 
At  pallit  furth  at  command  of  the  King, 
1280  With  the  heraulds  to  advyfe  on  this  thing. 
The  King  was  fervit  with  meitis  amiabill, 
Almaift  his  courfis  was  innumerabill. 
The  hall  owerfchynit  [all]  with  torches  bright, 
That  tharae  among  it  feamit  dayis  licht. 
The  intermeiles  long  war  for  to  tell. 
On  quhilks  as  now  I  mynde  not  for  to  dwell. 
The  King,  quhen  he  hade  fouppit,  went  anone 

To  his  chalmer,  quhilk  Qall]  of  torches  fchone. 

The  antient  Knights  and  the  heraldis  eike 
1230  Com  to  the  King,  and  laid  with  wordis  meike. 

We  wald  have  gour  advice.     Then  faid  the  King, 

Sirs,  We  have  beine  advyfit  of  this  thing ; 

Sen  jour  defyre  is  my  advyfe  to  have, 

Je  fell  it  heir  anone,  fa  God  me  feve  : 

Of  them  without,  me  thocht  the  Conftabill 

The  louing  haill  me  thocht  was  moft  abill ; 
*^  _     Of  them  within,  it  is  ane  mater  plaine, 

Clariodus,  of  knightheid  foverane. 


««  CLARIODUS. 

Hes  all  the  laude,  quhilk  knowis  everie  wiclit, 

1300  As  flour  of  armis  and  chevalrie  full  richt. 

They  anfweirit,  Sir,  as  ge  have  laid,  fuithlie 
So  it  is  jugit  amongs  us  veralie. 

The  King  gart  fchaw  this  [jugement]  to  the  Queine, 
Wha  did  gif  ane  hinger  of  gold  moll  fcheine 
To  them,  and  hade  them  as  thay  lift  dilpone, 
And  gart  twa  Ladies  of  hiris  with  them  gone. 
Unto  Meliades  have  thay  pafllt  fyne, 
And  hir  prefentit  ane  hat  of  leves  greine, 
Luflie,  and  faid,  Madame,  ge  knaw 

1310  gour  awin  avow.     This  Ladie,  without  aw, 
Hir  hat  of  gold  [fcho  gave,]  and  bade  that  thay 
Sould  it  full  richtlie  it  difpone  perfey. 
This  luftie  hat  [all]  of  greine  levis  plet, 
Infteid  of  it  upon  hir  heid  fcho  fet ; 
And  with  thir  Knightis  fcho  fent  ladies  two. 
And  firft  unto  the  Conflabill  thay  go. 
Saying,  The  Queine  weill  gretis  30W,  Sir  Knight, 
And  dois  prefent  this  gudlie  hinger  bright 
To  30W,  my  Lord,  with  greatings  monie  fold  ; 

1320  For  to  hir  Grace  fuithlie  it  is  told, 

That  of  the  Knightis  all  that  war  without, 
^ouris  beine  the  prail'e  and  louing  haill  but  dout. 
Then  the  Lord  Conflabill  full  reverentlie 
Thankit  the  Queine,  and  laid  full  humbillie, 
Thair  was  full  monie  Knightis  of  renowne. 
To  quhom  I  may  be  na  comparifoun : 
Bot  fen  the  Queine  [out]  of  hir  nobilnes 
Rewards  me  fo,  I  with  all  humbilnes 
Will  it  refave,  for  faike  of  hir  Henes, 

1330  Whom  God  preferve  in  joy  and  luflines. 


BUIK  FOURT.  233 


Two  diamonts  he  gave  the  Ladies  two, 
And  kiilit  them  or  he  wald  pairt  them  fro. 
The  Heralds  ho  rewairdit  with  monie, 
And  gave  them  gold  that  was  [rycht]  fair  to  fe. 

Syne  ar  thay  pafllt  to  Clariodus, 
Him  greating  [eik]  with  countinance  joyous. 
Thay  him  prefentit  [thenj  the  hat  full  cleire, 
And  laid,  Meliades  with  glaidfum  cheire 
Sent  it  to  him,  laying,  The  Ladies  all 

1340  Him  jugit  to  be  moll  vi6loriall 

Of  them  within,  and  moll  of  hie  renoune 
Of  all  the  jufteris  but  comparifoune  ; 
And  told  that  fo  him  jugit  King  and  Queine, 
Lordis,  Ladies  and  Knightis  all  bedeine. 
Clariodus  with  wordis  richt  bening, 
Joy  everlafling,  he  faid,  be  to  the  King, 
And  to  the  Queine,  and  faire  Meliades, 
And  all  the  Lordis  that  on  like  wayis 
That  gave  me  name  fike  as  I  did  not  ferve ; 

1350  God  give  me  grace  thair  thankes  for  to  deferve. 
I  dar  not  tak  on  me  this  to  refave, 
Nor  for  like  caufe  like  ane  rewaird  to  have  ; 
For  thair  war  monie  and  better  knights  nor  I, 
Quhilk  to  refave  this  gift  beine  more  worthy. 
Schortlie  to  tell,  no  thing  might  him  excufe, 
Bot  to  relave  thair  prefent  he  behuiie. 
He  gave  them  thankis  oft  and  courtefly; 
Syne  kiflit  he  the  Ladies  by  and  by, 
And  gave  ilk  ane  of  them  ane  chaine  of  gold  ; 

1360  Syne  to  the  awcht  ancient  Knightis  bold 
He  gave  awcht  courlburis  luftie  for  to  fe  ; 
And  to  the  Heralds  in  grit  quantitie 


234  CLARIODUS. 

He  gave  of  gold  and  filver  full  largelie. 
And  two  gounis  of  cloath  of  gold  mightie. 
Thay  cryit  Larges  I  [Larges  1]  he  on  height 
Of  Sir  Clariodus  the  gentill  Knight. 

Then  begouth  minftrellis  luftilie  to  play. 
And  luflie  wichts  the  dance  begouth  to  fey. 
The  King  commandit  Clariodus  to  take 
1S70  Meliades,  ane  beafe  dance  to  make, 

And  bad  the  Conftabill  go  leade  the  Queine, 
And  he  him  felf  did  lead  ane  madine  fcheine. 
And  quhen  Clariodus  had  be  the  hand 
Meliades,  he  foune  did  underflande 
That  fcho  at  him  difplealit  was  alyte ; 
Whairfor  his  heart  beine  full  of  wo  and  fyte, 
And  wox  fo  fadlie  that  mynd  he  hade  of  nocht, 
Bot  how  into  hir  favour  cum  he  mocht. 
When  thay  had  danfit  fo  ane  litill  fpace, 

1880  They  fuflferit  utheris  to  go  into  the  beace 
Whill  thay  repofit  beine.     And  fuith  to  tell, 
Clariodus  abake  went  be  him  fell 
Behinde  the  danfers,  and  in  ane  windo  fete ; 
Grite  was  the  dollour  that  his  heart  was  at, 
He  durft  not  fpeir  at  hir  quhairfor  or  quhy 
That  fcho  was  wroth,  love  fo  vi6boriouflie 
Him  vinquift  in  his  breift  ;  and  at  the  laft, 
Quhan  that  ane  Hound  or  twa  had  him  owerpaft. 
He  tuike  him  hardiment,  and  thus  faid  he, 

1390  Madame,  I  thanke  jow,  fo  mot  God  me  fe, 
Of  the  gudlie  prefent  ge  to  me  fend, 
The  quhilke  I  fell  unto  my  lyves  end 
Remember  with  my  fervice  at  my  might. 
With  foft  fpeech  then  anfweirit  icho  hir  Knight, 


BUIK  FOURT.  235 


Clariodus,  no  thankis  gif  me  to, 

Sen  that  I  was  avowit  fo  to  doe. 

Be  hir  wordis  hir  grivance  weill  he  knew, 

Whilk  did  his  woe  quadruple  [now]  of  new. 

Madame,  faid  he,  to  me  difllmuU  nocht, 

1400  If  that  at  me  dilpleaflt  ge  be  ocht ; 

Weill  knew  I  be  jour  wordis  in  this  place. 
That  liim  pairt  now  I  Hand  out  of  gour  grace. 
Quoth  Icho,  Bot  at  myfelf  I  am  diipleiit. 
Clariodus  in  heart  the  worfe  was  eafit, 
And  faid,  Madame,  if  that  it  war  gour  will, 
Jour  dilplealbur  I  wald  je  Ichew  me  till ; 
And  if  that  ge  not  pleafe  for  to  do  fo. 
Into  lum  ftrange  cuntrie  [then]  will  I  go ; 
I  will  not  heire  remaine  and  gow  dilpleife, 

1410  To  do  gow  grevance  and  myfelf  uneile  ; 
[And]  beft  it  war  me  think,  for  to  doe  fb. 
Nor  30W  dilpleife  and  [alfe]  my  felfin  flo  ; 
One  Ikaith  is  les  nor  two  je  taaay  beleive. 
My  paine  I  reput  not  tmto  jour  greive. 
Bot  qiihen  fcho  hard  tell  of  his  depairting, 
Hir  heart  wox  cold,  and  furth  ane  figh  did  bring. 
Full  red  fcho  was  that  he  fould  pas  hir  fro. 
For  weill  fcho  trowit  that  it  fould  have  beine  fo 
Bot  gif  he  gat  hir  peace ;  quhairfore,  quoth  fcho, 

U20  Clariodus,  fen  that  it  man  be  fo. 

That  36  will  wit  now  quhat  I  have  in  mynde. 
No  thing  I  meane  bot  that  ge  ar  unkynde. 
Fair  Sir,  or  now  [oft]  I  have  feine  the  day, 
[That,  having  come,  thocht  ge  war  far  away,] 
Je  wald  me  bid  gour  cullour  chofe  and  waill, 
Seing  in  tomament  it  might  prevaill. 


236  CLARIODUS. 

And  comforte  30W  my  livary  for  to  weire ; 
And  now  I  fe  like  ufes  ge  forbeire. 
At  this  j  lifting  ge  lift  not  to  dil'daine, 
1430  Unto  my  %ht  and  prefence  to  atteine, 
Nor  let  me  wit  if  ge  wald  juft  or  nocht; 
The  quhy  I  have  conlidderit  in  my  thocht ; 
Heir  beine  Ladies  [that  ar]  fairer  nor  I, 
50W  to  direct  in  way  of  chevalrie, 
Whom  with  ever  ge  [now]  advyfit  be, 
Sumtyme  ge  war  advyfit  hot  with  me. 
And  quhan  fcho  had  faid  all,  Clariodus 
Upon  his  kneis  late  doun  all  dolorus, 
To  fchaw  hir  his  intent  in  humbill  wayis ; 
1440  And  fcho  anone  hes  maid  him  for  to  ryle, 
And  ftand  befyde  hir  as  he  did  before. 
Quoth  he,  My  Lady,  to  quhom  I  ever  more 
Have  beine  ane  trewthfuU  lervitor  and  man, 
Sen  firft  to  love  or  ferve  30W  I  begane, 
Treft  Weill  in  me  thair  is  no  variance ; 
Never  could  I  deale  with  diilimulance ; 
I  liet  never  in  earneft  to  na  wicht. 
Than  unto  30W,  my  heart  and  Ladie  bricht. 
Why  fould  I  do  fo  curfit  ane  treafoun  ? 
1450  Fy  on  fike  feingit  falfe  perditioun  I 

git  fchope  I  never  no  wicht  for  to  deceave, 

Sike  longis  to  ane  harlot  or  ane  knaive, 

And  to  no  wicht  that  lovis  his  honoure ; 

For  fo  mot  God  gif  to  my  faule  fuccoure, 

As  ever  I  lovit  uther  Ladie  jit 

Bot  only  gow,  fen  firft  I  did  promit 

To  be  gour  fervant  and  gour  [ain]  trew  Knight, 

The  quhilk  I  fidbe  ever  efter  my  might 


BUIK  FOURT.  «97 


But  flight  or  ony  dUBmulatioun, 

1460  As  God  alfe  trewlie  be  my  lalvatioun  : 
And  in  lb  far  as  I  nocht  to  50W  fchew. 
That  I  this  tyme  to  jutting  wald  perfew, 
Treft  not  that  I  of  male  ingyne  it  wrocht, 
Quhilke  enterit  never  nor  fall  into  my  thocht, 
And  never  geilds  ;  git  I  30W  mercie  cry. 
Now  of  fleuth  and  ignorance  that  I 
So  me  mifgydit  in  my  raklefnes, 
Forgive  me,  Ladie,  for  gour  gentilnes. 
And  of  gour  rewth  and  womanlie  pitie, 

1470  That  ge  no  longer  have  no  hait  at  me 

In  this  mater  j  and  thoght  my  wite  was  dull. 
It  lalbe  efter  amendit  at  the  full. 
With  that  he  fate  upon  his  kneis  adoune, 
AJking  hir  mercie  [pitie]]  and  pardoune. 
Scho  is  content  quhen  [he]  hir  mercie  cryitj 
And  eike  fcho  be  his  countinance  efpyit 
That  he  difpleafit  was  and  wo  begone, 
And  uther  thing  fave  trewth  he  meinit  none. 
Then  was  hir  breift  affwagit  of  all  thing  ; 

1480  Bot  fcho  hir  heart  fa  fare  had  donne  reiing 
Unto  hir  Knight,  that  [it]  atoure  meafoure 
Maid  at  hir  heart  of  jelofie  ane  Ichoure, 
Whairof  the  ttraikeand  unliiflferabill  [ftound] 
The  breift  allaillis  quhair  love  dois  fo  abound. 
In  heart  then  was  fcho  glaid  and  rycht  joyous. 
And  faid.  My  only  Knight,  Clariodus, 
Sen  it  is  fo,  I  heir  forgeive  gow  lall, 
And  af  his  knie  thair  raifit  him  at  all. 
And  this  was  donne  and  that  fo  privily, 

1490  That  naine  of  them  periavit  ttanding  by ; 


238  CLARIODUS. 

For  with  two  loveris,  being  of  ane  confent. 
Full  fecreitlie  monie  ane  gait  is  went. 

Then  turnit  he  againe  unto  the  dance, 
And  tuike  be  hand  this  Ladie  of  plefance. 
And  with  [new]  curage  daniit  then  thir  two. 
As  thay  that  war  relaxit  out  of  wo  ; 
That  then  before  with  painis  war  opreft. 
And  now  againe  with  joyis  new  poflfeft  ; 
Upon  fo  fair  and  gudlie  wayis  they  dance. 
1500  Then  faid  the  King,  he  never  faw  in  France 
So  plefant  danferis,  and  more  for  to  commend. 
And  quhen  thair  danfing  all  was  at  ane  end, 
Clariodus  faid  to  Meliades, 
Madam,  I  gart  grath  on  [maiil]  gudlie  wayis 
Twentie  fair  robis  all  of  latine  quhyte, 
And  wrocht  all  with  orpband  arte  of  delyte, 
To  give  unto  the  Kingis  Knights  and  gouris. 

That  frelcheft  beine  all  fiirrit  with  amouris  ; 

And  if  ge  think  the  tyme  war  oportune, 
1510  I  wold  gar  fetch  them  or  the  danfe  war  donne. 

And  diftribute  them  efter  gour  pleiance. 

Scho  anfweirit  him  with  gudlie  countinance, 

Rycht  honorabill  is  gour  devyfe  perfey, 
•  I  wald  glaidlie  have  ane  of  gour  aray 

Intill  ane  hat  of  cullour  quhyte  as  flours. 

Glaidlie,  Madame,  he  faid,  with  grit  honoure. 

Unto  the  Conftabill  eik  he  this  told. 

Saying,  My  Lord,  I  pray  gow  that  ge  wold 

Helpe  me  to  diftribute  my  livaray, 
1520  And  to  befeike  the  fellowlchipe  that  thay 

Wald  not  difdaine  like  gifts  for  to  refave, 

Thocht  they  be  lymple  to  like  lyke  men  to  have. 


BUIK  FOURT.  9flB 


t)* 


Quoth  he.  My  brother,  Sir  Clariodus, 
Sen  ge  diipone  to  gif  ane  livaray  thus. 
Me  of  3our  livaray  quhy  will  ge  refufe, 
Sen  I  gow  love  as  other  Knightis  dois. 
With  that  he  lewch  on  him  full  joyouflie, 
For  he  him  lovit  ay  full  tenderlie. 
I  pleale  Weill,  laid  Clariodus,  that  je 

1530  Formiil  of  all  into  my  livaray  be, 

Seing  that  30  defyre  it.     Then  ar  thay  gone 
Unto  the  Conllabillis  chalmer,  and  thar  anone 
Devyfit  they  on  this  thing.     Then  Clariodus 
Sent  for  the  robis  that  war  pretious. 
To  Bonvaleir  he  gave  command  anone. 
That  he  fould  to  the  merchandis  buithes  gone. 
And  bade  that  he  fould  by  ane  hat  alfe  quhyte 
As  is  the  Mayis  bloflbme  of  delyte; 
And  fyne  it  geive  to  Romaryn  in  keiping, 

1540  And  bad  hir  with  it  to  hir  Ladie  ging. 
Then  to  the  Conilabill  faid  Clariodus, 
Sen  that  ge  beine  lb  gentill  and  gratious 
To  be  ane  of  our  fuite,  chofe  je  anone 
Into  this  lovarray  quha  fall  with  30W  gone. 
Then  ten  Knightis  choCt  the  Conflabill 
Out  of  the  Court  of  France,  [the]  moft  abill ; 
Clariodus  ten  Knightis  aveinand, 
The  pik  of  Ingland  and  of  Eftur  land  ; 
Thair  naimis  heir  neids  not  for  to  reporte, 

1550  The  gudlieft  thay  war  of  all  the  forte. 

When  that  the  Knightis  war  rewardit  thus, 
Glaidlie  thay  thankit  Sir  Clariodus. 
Thir  valiant  Lordis  veftit  all  in  quhyte, 
Them  to  behold  it  was  [ane]  grite  delyte. 


240  CLARIODUS. 

The  Conftabill  tuike  ane  torch  bricht  binumd, 

Clariodus  ane  uther  in  his  hand, 

And  all  the  leave  hes  torches  taine  alio, 

And  fwa  went  furth  thir  Knightis  two  and  two. 

With  hand  in  hand,  all  cled  into  ane  fiiite, 

1560  Befor  them  geid  ane  harpe  and  eike  ane  lute. 
Thay  fand  the  King  in  joy  and  grite  plelance. 
With  Ladies  enterit  in  ane  carroU  dance, 
Meliades  full  frelche  leiding  the  ringe, 
With  ane  cleire  torche,  into  hir  hand,  [birning,3 
With  hir  whyte  hat  on  heid  of  rofe  cuUoure, 
And  fcho  als  frefch  as  is  the  lillie  floure. 
Thair  was  the  Queine  into  the  danfe  alfo, 
And  monie  uther  luftie  ladies  mo. 
And  danfing,   that  to  fe  it  was  delyte. 

1670  The  Knightis  entering  fo  in  cuUoure  quhyte 
The  King  beheld,  and  had  ane  grit  pleafance 
To  fe  the  gudlie  gyfe  and  countinance. 
Unto  the  Conftabill  and  Clariodus 
He  faid,  Fair  Siris,  frefch  and  amorus, 
ge  have  confeillit  fra  me  this  noveltie, 
ge  beine  all  luftie  danfers  as  thinkis  me  : 
Bot  [ Weill]  he  knew  that  Sir  Clariodus 
Thir  quhyte  livoras  hes  ordanit  thus, 
Becaus  that  he  the  Quhyte  Knight  was  before, 

1580  Him  prailing  in  his  mynde  ay  more  and  more : 
And  all  the  maner  eike  perfavit  he. 
How  to  Meliades  of  grite  bewtie 
He  fould  be  waddit ;  bot  he  was  wyfe  at  all. 
And  rewlit  him  as  fould  ane  Prince  royall. 

So  in  the  midis  of  the  jolifie, 
Thrie  Counts  are  cumit  that  ar  of  grite  degrie, 


BUIK  FOURT.  «41 

And  in  the  Police  enterit  ar  anone  ; 

The  Counte  of  Deckare  of  the  thre  was  one, 

The  Counte  of  Diftempis  and  the  Counte  of  Champangie, 
I3!K)  Unto  the  hall  afcendit  ar  all  thrie. 

They  helfit  have  the  King  on  gudlie  wayis, 

And  eik  the  Queine  and  fair  Meliades, 

The  Counte  and  eik  the  Countes  of  Eftur. 

The  King,  that  was  ane  Prince  of  grite  nurture, 

Hes  them  relavit  on  ane  gudlie  faflbune. 

And  Weill  them  chereift  efter  thair  renoune. 

Thair  purpofe  was  to  beine  at  the  jufting, 

Bot  it  all  endit  was  or  thair  cuming. 

The  danfe  indurit  long,  and  the  dilporte, 
1600  The  circumflance  war  long  for  to  reporte. 

When  day  approachit  neir,  to  beddis  they  went. 

Both  King  and  Queine,  Lordis  and  Ladies  jent. 

Meliades  hes  taine  her  leave  to  gone, 

The  thrie  Countis  convoyit  hir  anone  " 

Unto  hir  chalraer  ;  fyne  tuike  leave  hir  fro, 

And  unto  thair  reft  they  all  thrie  can  go. 

Thus  all  to  beddis  went,  and  fleipit  ftill, 

AiVhill  bricht  Apollo  fchynit  ouer  holte  and  hill. 
Right  as  the  mirrie  larke  into  the  flty 
1610  Afcendit  with  ane  joyous  harmonie. 

When  miftie  vapours  ryfis  from  the  vaile, 

And  leavis  hinging  full  of  filver  haill. 

And  Imall  fouUis  delytis  them  to  fing 

Among  the  tender  rofie  blumis  geing, 

Of  frelch  Titane  all  againis  the  lighte. 
From  langour  them  comforting  with  [the]  licht, 
This  luftie  Prince  no  longer  might  he  fleipe, 
Fra  he  unto  the  mirrie  day  tuike  keipe, 

Hh 


«4«  CLARIODUS. 

Bot  thocht  he  wold  in  hunting  for  to  ryde, 

1620  And  callit  on  ane  varlote  him  beiyde, 

And  bade  him  gar  his  maiileris  of  houfehold. 
To  Boyce  de  Wincente,  that  luftie  hold. 
Go  and  provide  with  everie  ordinance 
Pertaining  to  his  kinglie  governance. 
This  being  donne,  up  raife  baith  King  and  Queine, 
With  all  his  royall  Courte  richt  weil  beleine, 
And  fervice  harde  with  gude  devotioune, 
And  fyne  of  menftrallie  with  merrie  Ibunde. 
Diljunit  they  baith  lord  and  ladie  bright, 

1630  And  to  thair  horfe  anone  they  can  them  dicht. 
With  this  unto  the  fair  Meliades 
Bonvalier  com  to  hir  on  humbill  wayis. 
Saying,  My  Lord  Clariodus  me  fend 
To  50W,  Madame,  and  doing  recommend, 
Quhilke  hes  30W  fend  ane  diamond  full  bright. 
Remembering  that  he  is  gour  trewthfull  Knight ; 
And  he  alio  hes  fend  to  30W  ane  fang. 
The  quhilke  he  maid  rycht  as  the  morrow  Iprang ; 
He  and  his  fervandis  ar  cled  in  levoray  blew, 

1640  In  tokine  that  he  falbe  ever  trew ; 

If  ge  the  cuUour  pleife,  he  bade  me  Ipeire. 
I  pleile  it  weill,  quoch  fcho,  in  all  maneire. 
Scho  tuike  the  fong  and  diamonde  alfoj 
And  threw  ane  goldin  ring  hir  finger  fro. 
And  faid,  Anone  prefent  this  to  my  Knight, 
And  thanke  him  of  his  gyftis  all  at  ryght. 
Bonvaleir  went  and  did  as  fcho  him  bad. 

With  this  the  luftie  Courte,  with  hartis  glaid, 
Muntit  on  horfe  with  weiddes  frefch  and  gay. 

1650  Meliades,  in  nobill  and  rich  aray, 


BUIK  FOURT.  24S 

In  bewtie  blumit  as  blolFome  on  the  ryce. 

Triumphant  as  terrellrial  paradice. 

To  tell  30W  of  hir  frefch  abuiljement. 

Or  of  hir  palfrayis  pretious  ornament, 

It  war  prolix,  thairfor  I  let  it  go. 

This  nobill  Courte  and  Prince  furth  ryding  lb, 

Up  to  the  hevin  gois  the  trumpits  ibund. 

Up  gois  the  curious  found  of  clarioun. 

With  hornis  blaft  they  cheir  the  bardie  houndis, 
1660  Whill  Parice  wallis  reardit  with  the  foundis. 

So  furth  thay  raid  at  the  ports  of  the  toune. 

On  fra  the  royall  Palice  of  grite  renoune. 

Clariodus  cled  in  ane  mantill  blew, 

With  his  four  fellowis  alfe  in  the  ilke  hew. 

Full  rich  furrit  with  mertrix  that  is  fyne. 

Upon  ane  curfour,  with  heart  leoneine. 

The  quhilk  Madame  Meliades  him  g^ve, 

Softlie  he  raid  quhill  he  owertuike  the  leave. 

Him  foUowit  varlots  awcht  in  blew  all  clede, 
1670  On  wantoun  curfouris  fate  and  full  weill  fede. 

With  filver  changeis  about  thair  halfe  full  bright. 

Aucht  gentill  men,  that  luilie  war  and  wight, 

He  hade  alfo  all  cled  in  dameis  blew. 

With  golden  channels  that  war  bright  of  hew. 

Into  the  Courte  he  raid.     His  luftie  entrie 

It  was  ane  fight  full  gudlie  for  to  le. 

The  King  him  callit,  [and,]  but  mair  abaide, 

Clariodus,  tell  me,  anone  he  faid. 

The  maner  of  the  tomament  in  Spaine ; 
1680  [And]  quha  did  beft  to  me  do  ge  not  faine. 

Weill  wift  the  King  the  haill  renoune  hade  he. 

At  the  ilk  juiling  was  fo  fair  to  fe. 


244  CLARIODUS. 

Ane  litill  reid  than  wox  Clariodus, 
And  to  the  King  he  hes  maid  anfweire  thus  : 
Sir,  if  that  I  the  treuth  fall  gow  declaire, 
Full  monie  mightie  and  nobill  knight  was  thaire. 
That  fo  Weill  provit,  that  harde  was  for  to  tell 
Whilk  of  the  forte  in  chevalrie  did  excel!, 
Althoght  the  ladies,  of  thair  courteifie, 
1690  To  like  ane  honour  did  me  magnifie. 

As  for  to  gif  the  laude  and  praife  to  me ; 
Jit  I  defervit  it  in  no  degrie. 
For  monie  ane  Knight  thair  better  was  nor  I. 
Then  faid  the  King,  I  traiil  rycht  veralie, 
That  men  full  far  might  feike,  or  that  they  fand 
Ane  Knight  that  ware  of  deidis  fa  valiand. 
To  wine  renoune  in  armis  gow  before. 
Of  other  diverfe  niateris  fpake  they  more. 
The  King  fo  gentill  was  in  commoning, 
1700  [That]  thair  was  none  of  honoure,  old  nor  sing, 
Of  all  the  Knightis  of  Meliades, 
Bot  he  with  them  at  lealbure  did  advyfe. 

And  quhen  this  royall  Courte  of  nobilnes 
War  cumit  to  Boyce  de  Vinfentes, 
From  horfe  all  doune  [thay  quicklie]  did  defcend. 
And  in  the  mightie  Palace  as  they  wende 
The  Ladies  all  ar  unto  chalmer  gone. 
The  nobill  King  to  hall  is  went  anone. 
The  wallis  ware  arayit  full  luftillie, 
1710  With  rich  arace  [that]  thar  war  full  mightie  ; 
The  hall  was  mikill  and  [eik]  full  of  licht. 

And  quhen  the  denner  was  all  redie  dicht. 
The  King  fent  to  [the]  chalmer  for  the  Queine, 
And  for  Meliades  the  luilie  ladie  fcheine  ; 


BUIK  FOURT.  946 


They  com  anone  at  hia  commandiment, 
Himfelf  begane  the  buirde  incontinent, 
And  fet  abone  him  all  the  ladies  faire, 
For  he  no  ftait  wald  let  be  keipit  thaire. 
The  ladies  at  his  tabill  grit  and  finall, 

1720  He  gart  be  fete,  thoght  they  refuifit  all. 

The  Count  of  Eftur,  and  the  Lord  Conftabill, 

Clariodns  with  uther  lordis  abill, 

Palexis  and  his  brother  Amandur, 

With  thair  two  fellowis  of  grit  honoure, 

Sir  Pennent  de  la  Carier  full  famous, 

Sir  Charles,  Sir  Broun,  and  eike  Sir  Donaus, 

And  all  that  longit  to  Meliades, 

He  hes  gart  [thame]  be  fet  in  gudlie  wayis 

At  his  awin  tabill,  thocht  thay  refuifit  thairto, 

1730  His  bidding  git  behuifit  thay  all  to  doe. 
He  thair  hes  maid  him  fellow  and  no  king. 
As  myne  awthour  hes  maid  [trew]  rehearfing. 
He  was  both  manlie,  wyfe  and  gratious, 
He  could  be  mirrie  and  folatious 
Whair  that  him  lift,  for  till  make  companie. 
The  courfis  com  right  fair  and  royallie. 

The  King  wold  not  fit  long  in  that  degrie. 
So  longit  he  the  royall  chafe  to  fe 
Of  fellow  deire  within  his  perke  royalj. 

1740  Then  fuddantlie  up  ryfis  ane  and  all. 
The  King  twike  be  the  hand  Meliades 
Before  them  all,  and  laid  on  this  wayis, 
Faire  Siris,  ge  fell  know,  that  it  is  fo 
That  none  [this  day]  fould  into  widdis  go 
Without  ane  lady,  and  thairfor  that  I 
Of  brighteft  bewtie  chofe  me  ane  lady. 


24£  CLARIODUS. 

They  leuch  all  at  the  King  that  raillit  fo. 

Be  this  was  faid,  anone  to  horfe  they  go. 
The  nohill  King  afcendit  on  his  fteid, 

1750  And  him  behinde  the  floure  qf  womanheid ; 
Syne  hes  commandit  Sir  Clariodus 
To  take  the  Queine  gudlie  and  gratious 
Behinde  him  on  his  horfe  :  and  but  demand 
Thair  hes  he  fulfiUit  the  Kings  command. 
The  Count  Samphange  with  [alfe]  biflie  cure 
Twike  behind  him  the  Countes  of  Efture. 
The  Earle  of  Efture  twike  behind  him  eike 
The  Ladie  De  la  Carier  fair  and  meike. 
So  everie  luftie  Lord  and  gentill  Knight 

1760  Hes  horfit  ane  Ladie  of  beawtie  bright. 
Out  of  the  royall  Palice  have  they  paft 
With  plefant  found  of  [hunting]  hornis  blaft. 
And  to  the  wodis  raid  full  royallie, 
Whair  thay  hade  hunting  right  aboundantlie. 
It  was  ane  nobill  fight  for  to  behold 
The  fair  frefch  forreft  and  the  florifchit  fold. 
The  iaitis  fet  with  hunters  of  knowledge, 
The  eger  hounds  defyrous  of  courage. 
Furth  gois  the  dogis  throw  the  ryfe  on  raw, 

1770  The  deir  doun  cumis  dunting  throw  the  fchaw. 
With  How  and  Cry  they  follow  them  behinde. 
The  hunteris  lurkis  law  under  the  lynde. 
The  heard  in  ciunis.     Fearllie  but  abaid 
The  hundis  in  thair  leaiches  doia  abraid, 
Thair  heartis  dunting  in  breiftis  for  deiyre. 
Thus  feing,  the  bukis  go  bak  then  in  the  fwyre 
Be  two  and  thrie,  endlong  the  water  fyd. 
The  hunds  fra  monie  ane  leafch  dois  out  glyde. 


BUIK  FOURT.  847 

That  under  the  bewis  beine  louiit  monie  brace. 
1780  The  hunters  glaidlie  foUowis  on  the  chafe. 

Lo  1  heir  the  hynde  ia  letherit  be  the  hunde. 

And  thair  anc  heart  gt>is  gronand  to  the  grunde. 

So  this  day  fair  quhat  is  thair  maire  to  faine 

Whill  thay  of  deiris  ane  grit  number  had  ilaine. 
Clariodus,  that  raid  befor  the  Queine, 

Had  in  his  hand  ane  dearte  both  fcharpe  and  keine, 

That  he  was  ufit  ay  weill  for  to  caft  ; 

So  com  ane  [deir]  buke  by  him  at  the  laft 

Into  his  way  [and]  halfling  him  againe. 
1790  Madam,  quoth  he,  pleis  ge  for  to  have  flaine 

gone  faire  deir  buke  that  cumis  in  our  way  ? 

I  30W  requyer,  the  Quene  can  to  him  fay. 

He  did  his  courfour  with  his  fpurris  broch 

Whill  neir  the  buke  fwiftlie  did  he  aproach. 

And  with  like  force  the  darte  did  in  him  dryre, 

Befor  the  Queine,  that  he  fell  deid  belyve. 

Lordis  and  Ladies  that  this  thing  hes  feine, 

Gritlie  it  praifit,  and  mod  of  all  the  Queine 

Hes  him  commendit  into  mikill  thing. 
1800  Ane  Knight  hes  it  reherfit  to  the  King, 

Quhilke  rydand  was  before  Meliadea. 

I  know,  quoth  he,  that  mekill  beine  to  praile 

The  deidis  all  of  Sir  Clariodus, 

Whilke  is  both  ftrong,  bardie  and  cheyalrus. 

This  being  faid,  the  King  fchuipe  him  to  ryde  j 

Clariodus  he  gart  ryde  him  befyde, 

And  bade  him  fing.    He  faid,  he  -wald  anone. 

For  he  of  diflbbedience  maide  none. 

Then  laid  he  to  Meliades,  Madame, 
1810  Sing  ge  "  Si  je  fuis  toul  jours  a  Madame"  ? 


248  CLARIODUS. 

Scho  laid,  Forfuith  that  fong  I  can  not  fing. 
Clariodus,  let  heir  it,  laid  the  King.  « 

On  of  his  fervitours  he  callit  thane. 
The  quhilke  ane  tennour  pleafantlie  begane, 
And  he  the  truble  lang  rycht  curiouilie, 
That  it  refoundit  ane  dulfe  melodie. 
The  King  grite  plefance  had  it  for  to  heire, 
So  had  the  Queine  and  all  the  ladies  cleire. 
When  he  had  fung,  the  King  laid,  Verament 
1820  This  is  ane  luftie  fong,  and  right  plelant ; 
This  is  ane  ballet  frelch  and  amorus. 
Is  it  new  maid  ?     5®^  ^^^  Clariodus. 
Meliades  then  Imyllit,  changing  hew, 
When  that  he  fpeirit  if  it  was  maid  of  new  j 
For  the  ilk  fong  it  was  that  he  hir  fend 
That  day  of  morrow  with  ane  recommend, 
The  quhilk  Bonvaleir  did  to  her  prefent. 
The  King  in  mufike  was  intelligent. 
He  lang  ane  tennor  to  Meliades, 

18S0  And  fcho  the  trubill  lang  on  gudlie  wayis. 
The  thrie  Earlis  that  cumit  ware  of  laite 
Did  ling  alfo  with  voices  dulcorate. 
In  cumpanies  ouer  all  the  courte  they  fong, 
Grite  mirrines  and  joy  was  them  among. 

Thus  pat  thay  off  the  tyme  with  faire  pallance, 
With  mirthful  breiftis  bathit  in  plefance. 
While  that  they  enterit  at  Parice  portis  bricht ; 
And  throw  the  rj-ndis  raid  with  heartis  licht, 
As  thay  that  to  the  royall  Palice  tendit, 

1840  Whill  fra  thair  horfe  alfweith  they  have  defcendit. 
And  enterit  all  in  thair  chalmers  anone, 
Whill  tyme  was  unto  fupper  for  to  gone. 


BUIK  FOURT.  249 

The  King,  that  ever  in  honour  did  excell. 

Them  feiilit  faire,  the  trewth  if  I  fould  tell, 

Ane  monethes  fpace,  with  fike  triumphe  and  cheir. 

That  none  on  lyfe  under  the  fune  lb  cleire 

More  plelance  hade,  nor  levit  in  more  joj. 

Nether  in  land  of  Greife,  nor  git  in  Troy. 

And  quhen  the  moneth  aprochit  neir  to  ende, 
1850  The  Ladie  purpofit  then  hame  to  wende. 

And  garte  hir  foike  make  readie  in  all  thing, 

Againe  the  day  of  hir  depairting. 
So  happinit  in  the  meine  tyme  to  be, 

Ane  herald  cumit  out  of  Ingland  cuntrie 

Thair  from  the  King  unto  Meliades, 

And  in  hir  chalmer  as  fcho  did  up  ryfe 

He  enterit,  and  hir  laluil  courtellie. 

Saying,  The  King  jour  Father  rycht  heartilie 

Commendis  him  to  30 w,  and  eike  the  Queine, 
I860  The  quhilkis  for  30W  grite  langoure  dois  fuileine. 

Thay  have  me  chargit  hame  30W  for  to  fpeid  ; 

For  thair  is  cuming  withoutin  ony  dreide 

Thrie  faire  ambaflants  from  thrie  fundrie  Kings 

For  gour  wadding,    Outower  all  uther  things 

Thay  30W  defyre ;  but  neverthelele  the  King, 

Into  that  mater  worke  will  he  nothing 

Whill  jour  hame  cuming,  and  quhill  that  he  have 

[Advice]  of  Earle  Eftur ;  fa  God  me  lave. 

Without  his  counlall  he  will  doe  nothing. 
1870      And  quhen  this  Ladie  hard  of  the  tyding, 

Sum  thing  Icho  was  into  her  heart  adreid. 

Believing  to  fum  King  thay  Ibuld  hir  wade  ; 

Whilke  rather  wald  be  deid,  without  feingeing, 

Nor  of  the  world  to  have  the  gritteft  King 

I  i 


250  CLARIODUS. 

And  leive  Clariodus  hir  onlie  Knight. 
Fair  countinance  Icho  maid  git  at  [hir]  micht. 
Saying,  My  frind,  welcum  ge  ar  to  me  ; 
Thankit  be  God,  of  the  profperitie 
Both  of  my  Father,  and  of  my  Mother  eik  ; 
1880  To  fave  them  two,  Lord  Jefus  I  befeike. 
Me  for  to  wade  quhen  ever  that  they  will, 
I  falbe  reddie  thair  counfall  to  fulfill. 
Within  thrie  dayis  we  fall  out  of  France 
Depart,  God  willing,  but  more  circumllance. 
When  this  was  faid,  to  Earle  Eftur  he  went. 
And  in  this  mater  fchew  all  his  intent. 
And  all  this  thing  to  him  maid  manifeft  ; 
Syne  went  unto  ane  Oftlarie  to  reft. 
The  mariage  of  [the]  faire  Meliades 
1890  Into  the  Court  hes  fpred  on  like  ane  way  is, 
Whill  it  come  to  Clariodus  audience, 
Whilke  throw  his  breifl.  withoutin  reiiilance 
As  grundine  dairte  then  awfullie  did  glyde. 
With  fade  thochtis  his  mynd  was  occupyed. 
He  was  dilpairit  and  right  fore  adrede, 
Evin  that  the  King  her  Father  fould  hir  wade 
Upon  ane  of  thole  Princes  right  potent ; 
Befeikeing  God  full  oft  in  his  intent, 
On  like  ane  wayis  that  it  fould  not  proceid. 
1900  This  Ladie  eike,  that  leives  in  fike  ane  dreid. 
Ever  to  God  fcho  prayis  devotlie 
To  fend  hir  him  quhome  that  fo  [richt]  trewlie 
Scho  lovit  ay,  and  fould  quhill  fcho  might  left. 
Thus,  nather  of  thair  heartis  beine  at  reft. 
To  ipeike  with  uther  defyring  i'o  gritly 
At  lafoure,  quhair  no  wight  might  [thame]  eljpy. 


BUIK  FOURT.  251 

Clariodus  anone  went  to  the  King, 

Whilke  then  with  his  thre  Counts  wes  ad vy ling. 

The  King  then  drew  aparte  fra  them  anone, 
1910  And  with  Clariodus  at  lafoure  fpake  allone 

Of  diverle  things  ;  and  fo  amongs  the  lave 

He  laid,  Clariodus,  fa  mote  God  me  iave, 

I  wald  have  30W  ftill  in  my  Courte  dwelling, 

Whilk  my  defyre  is  ower  all  uther  thing. 

I  heir  now  that  Our  Brother  of  Ingland 

Hes  for  his  Doughter  fent,  [and]  defyrand 

To  have  hir  waddit  at  hir  hame  cuming. 

Clariodus,  je  doe  for  me  this  thing. 

The  quhilke  anone  I  lall  unto  50W  fay, 
1920  Be  frefch  and  lullie  on  hir  wadding  day  ; 

With  that  he  fmylit  on  him  luilillie. 

Clariodus  weill  underftude  the  why, 

Whairfore,  he  £aid,  and  this  he  [finyling]  fpake, 

Sir,  gour  command  to  fill  I  undertake ; 

For  that  ilk  day  full  blyth  I  think  to  be 

Of  everie  knight  in  that  ilke  aflemblie. 

Then  faid  the  King,  God  grant  that  it  be  fo, 

That  ware  ray  defyre,  and  lalbe  ever  mo. 

The  King  he  thankit  in  all  humbill  thing. 
1930      Then  to  the  Queinis  chalmer  went  the  King, 

And  thair  he  fande  the  faire  Meliades, 

To  quhome  fweitlie  he  faid  on  this  wayis, 

Madam  Meliades,  as  I  fuppofe. 

Of  luftie  princes  ge  [fall]  have  gour  chofe  ; 
Be  not  haiftie,  bot  weill  advyfit  be. 

And  chufe  ane  valiant  man  in  all  degrie 
Of  might ;  for  landis  ge  neid  nocht  to  crave, 
Seing  ane  mightie  kingdome  that  ge  hare. 


252  CLARIODUS. 

Sir,  ge  know,  fcho  anfweirit,  in  all  thing- 

1940  I  raone  obey  unto  my  Father  the  King. 
Thus  raillit  he  with  hir  full  plealantlie. 
And  fcho  him  anfweir  maid  debonarlie. 

When  cumin  was  anone  the  latter  day 
Of  this  moneth,  withoutine  mair  delay 
Meliades  unto  the  King  is  went, 
Saying  unto  him  with  full  meike  intent. 
Sir,  I  am  readie  to  pafe  in  my  cuntrie, 
Gif  thair  be  nocht  ellis  ge  wald  with  me. 
Madame,  quoth  he,  gif  fo  be  that  ge  will, 

1950  Now  hamewarte  pafe,  God  gour  purpofe  fulfill. 
And  30W  conferve  in  pleiance  and  in  joy, 
I  will  my  felf  in  gaitwarte  30W  convoy. 
Thoght  fcho  faid  nay,  and  laith  was  thainmto. 
Was  none  excufe,  hot  [that]  he  wold  it  doe. 

Then  faid  fcho  to  the  Queine,  in  humbill  wayis, 
I  thanke  30 w  heire,  Madame,  ane  thowliind  layis. 
Of  the  grite  jentrice  ge  have  fchawin  to  me. 
Of  gour  hie  honoure  [and]  nobilitie  ; 
My  Father  hes  me  fend  fex  faire  courfouris, 

I960  And  fex  haiknayis  plelant  attoure  mealburis  ; 
ge  fall  have  fex  of  them,  and  I  30W  pray 
Them  to  refave ;  and  tho  the  Queine  alway 
Excufit  hir,  3it  fcho  maid  like  inflance. 
The  Queine  garte  take  of  them  dely  verance. 
Thair  fadillis  war  of  cloth  of  gold  full  bright, 
Browderit  with  ilonis  radious  and  light. 
And  they  alfe  quhyte  as  onie  Ihowis  doune. 
The  nobill  Queine,  that  was  of  grite  renoune, 
Hir  thankit  fweitlie,  and  gave  to  her  aUb 

1970  Ane  chaine  of  gold  j  and  lyne  with  heartis  wo. 


BUIK  FOURT.  253 

They  kiflit  utheris  with  teiris  diflelling. 

Scho  tuike  hir  leave  at  Ladies  auld  and  ging. 

Syne  came  the  gudlie  Countes  of  Efture, 

And  tuike  hir  leave  with  countinance  demure 

Both  at  the  Queine  and  at  the  Ladies  all, 

And  at  the  Kingis  Court  univerfall. 

Unto  them  all  grite  giftis  gave  the  Queine. 

Meliades  to  dole  dilcendit  beine. 

Syne  at  the  Queine  [his]  leave  tuik  Earle  Efiur, 
1980  And  at  hir  Ladies  plefant  of  portratour. 

And  laft  of  all,  Clariodus  the  Knight 

Inclynit  to  the  Queine,  and  bad  gude  nicht, 

To  hir  ay  recommending  his  fervice. 

And  fcho  againe  upon  full  humbill  wayis 

Said  unto  him.  Ha  t  Sir  Clariodus, 

Faire  weill,  in  world  the  Knight  moft  gratious. 

And  moft  of  deidis  famous  and  of  pryfe  ; 

I  am  Weill  holdine  unto  gow  oft  fyfe. 

The  richeft  Jewell  to  the  worldis  end, 
1990  Je,  the  moft  nobill  Knight,  unto  me  fend. 

With  that  fcho  tuike  thair  of  [the]  bright  gold  cleire 

Ane  verie  luftie  firmaleit  moft  deirfe, 

And  laid,  Clariodus,  ge  fall  this  take, 

And  weire  it  in  gour  cuntrie  for  my  faike. 

He  thankit  hir  full  courteflie  at  all ; 

And  then  fcho  hes  liim  kiflit  anone  withall. 

He  tuike  his  leave  at  everie  Ladie  faire. 

The  King  was  mountit  on  ane  palfray  thaire, 

Ane  of  the  fex  the  quhilke  Meliades 
2000  Gave  to  the  Queine,  quhilke  mikill  beine  to  pratfe  ; 

He  laid  thay  war  ane  gyft  moft  honorabill, 

And  thankit  hir  with  wordis  amiabill ; 


254  CLARIODUS. 

He  laid  he  wold  with  hir  on  g^itwart  ryde. 

Not  one  of  them  no  longer  wald  abyde  ; 

Thay  raid  out  throw  the  toune  full  royallie. 

With  trumpit  found  of  hevenlie  raelodie. 

And  quhen  they  war  two  mylls  without  the  toune. 

The  nobill  King,  moft  worthie  of  renoune, 

Tuike  leave  at  hir,  and  gave  hir  ane  colleir, 

2010  With  curious  worke  that  pretious  was  and  deire  ; 
And  laid  to  hir,  Madame  Meliades, 
I  me  commend  to  30W  on  humbill  wayis, 
Befeiking  30W,  the  pearle  of  plefance. 
That  ge  wold  have  on  ws  rememberance  ; 
ge  Ipair  ws  not,  for  we  all  t}'me  ar  gouris. 
This  lullie  Princes,  with  changing  collouris, 
Inclyning  then,  and  reverencing  the  King, 
Thay  kiillt  thair,  and  [lb]  maid  depairting  : 
Syne  kiflUt  he  hir  Ladies  ane  and  ane. 

2020  The  Count  of  Efture  thair  his  leave  hes  taine, 
And  his  Countes  ;  and  fyne  Clariodus, 
To  whom  the  King,  with  wordis  gratious, 
Said,  Faire  couflng,  in  heart  I  am  full  wo 
So  fuddantlie  that  ge  depairte  me  fro  ; 
Thair  leivis  none  in  all  this  world  fo  wyde. 
That  is  fo  welcum  with  ws  to  abyde. 
This  Knyght  inclynit  law  with  reverence, 
And  humblie  thankit  the  Kingis  excellence  ; 
Saying,  ^o\it  Hienes  I  thanke  humbillie, 

2030  That  hes  me  treitit  heir  fo  nobillie  ; 
My  fervice  falbe  gouris  for  evermore, 
Whilke  cellitude  conferve  the  King  of  glore. 
With  that  he  tuike  his  leave  with  courtes  faire 
Both  at  the  King  and  at  the  Lordis  thaire, 


BUIK  FOURT.  255 


And  eik  forget  he  not  the  Conflabill. 
Thir  Knightis  two  with  wordis  amiabill 
Tuike  leave  at  uther,  imbracing  tenderlie. 
As  thay  that  lovit  uthers  aj  parfytlie. 
Depairtit  fo  thir  Lordis  of  renoune, 
•i040  Eik  my  Lord  fayis  in  his  tranllatioun, 

That  from  the  King  none  unrewairdit  went. 

Of  all  the  Court  nobill  and  excellent. 

For  unto  them  with  grite  humanitie, 

He  ichew  his  regale  liberalitie  ; 

The  quhilk  againe  to  Parice  did  retume, 

And  thay  raid  fiirth  withoutin  more  fojome. 

This  Princes  and  hir  lullie  companie 
Unto  thair  cuntrie  Iped  lb  billilie. 
That  to  the  fea  they  approachit  belyve, 
2050  They  fchipit  all  and  fyne  did  [laif ]  aryve 

In  Ingland,  whair  on  horfe  thay  have  afcendit, 
As  thay  that  north  into  the  cuntrie  tendit. 

Thus  in  thair  voyage  all  was  fair  and  well, 
Whill,  throw  ane  forreft  as  thay  did  travell, 
They  faw  ane  pailgeouri  luflillie  upftent. 
Of  filke  all  reide,  that  fchew  full  redolent. 
The  Earle  laid  to  Meliades  the  bright, 
Behold,  Madame,  befyde  50W  ftent  on  height, 
The  faireft  pailjeoun  that  ever  I  faw  with  ey, 
2060  What  is  within  I  reid  we  go  and  fee. 
Within  the  pailjeoun  luikit  thay  anone. 
And  law  ane  Knight  thair  ly  with  monie  grone 
Above  ane  bed  that  luilie  was  to  leine, 
Full  richlie  coverit  all  with  fatine  greine  ; 
Ane  arrow  ftake  into  his  fchoulder  deipe  ; 
Befyde  him  fate  ane  Ladie  doing  weipe 


256  CLARIODUS. 

So  wofullie,  that  pitie  was  to  fee. 

Meliades  abaiilt  than  was  Iche, 

And  bade  the  Earle  within  the  pailgeoun  go, 

2070  And  fpeir  the  caufe  quhairfore  that  he  lay  lb. 
And  quhy  fcho  was  lb  wobegone  ane  wight. 
The  Earle  enterit  and  hellit  hes  the  Knight. 
With  febill  voice  he  helfit  him  againe, 
Lyke  as  he  hade  felt  unfufferabill  paine. 
And  then  unto  the  damofell  he  laid. 
If  that  ge  pleife,  [my]  faire  and  luflie  Maide, 
I  wald  ge  did  the  caufe  to  me  declaire, 
Whairfor  je  weipe  fo  pitiouflie  and  laire. 
Then  Ipake  the  Ladie,  Sene  that  ge  requyre, 

2080  I  fidl  30W  fchaw,  this  is  my  brother  deir  ; 
We  beine  dilcendit  of  ane  hous  royall. 
For  of  our  blude  we  Hand  imperial! 
In  our  cuntrie  callit  Northumberland ; 
And  he  that  was  ane  Knight  full  valiand 
Raid  feikand  adventuris  in  ane  forrell  dicht 
And  met  foure  Knightis  that  was  fearfe  and  wichl, 
Whilke  femblit  on  him  hes  fo  cruellie. 
And  he  defendit  him  right  nobillie, 
That  of  the  foure  thrie  [had]  he  broght  af  lyfe, 

2090  The  fourt  then  fled  and  let  ane  arrow  dryve, 
Whilke  hurte  him  in  the  fchoulder  as  ge  fe. 
The  quhilk  was  lanht  with  like  deftanie, 
That  of  the  world  the  jentillift  Knight  but  doubt 
Mone  with  his  hande  this  arrow  now  draw  out. 
Or  than,  alleace  I  he  leivis  never  more. 
The  nobill  Earle  faw  hir  weipe  fo  fore, 
Ladie,  he  faid,  comfort  50W  and  be  ftill, 
Peradventure  God  hes  fend  helpe  50W  till. 


BUIK  FOURT.  257 


The  Earle  went  to  Mcliades  againe, 

8100  And  hir  declairit  the  haill  mater  plaine 

All  worde  be  worde  richt  as  the  Ladie  fchew. 
Saying,  Will  [now]  jour  Knightis  all  perfew 
Whilk  will  the  arrow  draw  out  of  the  Knight  ? 
Thairof,  I  pray  gow,  faid  this  g^idlie  wight. 
Sir  Amandour  then  [firll]  the  Earle  did  call, 
And  unto  him  the  cace  declairit  all. 
And  prayit  him  to  go  and  to  alTay 
For  to  draw  out  the  arrow  gif  he  may. 
Sir  Amandour  this  anfweir  maid  him  to, 

2110  It  noth  eflfeiris  fike  things  for  to  doe. 
And  Sir  Clariodus  in  the  companie  : 
Bot  him  the  Earle  treitit  fo  nobillie. 
That  he  is  went  the  mater  to  aflay, 
Richt  modeftlie  withoutin  grite  delay, 
And  pullit  at  the  arrow  with  his  hand ; 
Bot  thair  alfweith  impediment  he  fand. 
For  him  it  wald  not  fteire  out  of  the  wounde  ; 
The  Knight  full  forelie  fchrinkit  at  the  Hound. 
Sir  Amandur  was  in  his  heart  full  woe, 

2120  And  furth  out  of  the  pailgeoun  can  he  go. 

With  wordis  wrath  his  Eame  he  could  reprove. 

That  fike  ane  mater  unto  him  did  move. 

Palexis  paft  thairefter  to  allay  ; 

Bot  he  might  noth  the  arrow  draAv  away. 

The  5oung  Knightis  [then]  preifit  all  aboute ; 

Bot  for  them  all  no  way  it  wald  come  out. 

Than  meiklie  laid  Meliades,  I  pray 

That  56  will  caufe  Clariodus  affay. 

That  war,  quoth  he,  ane  grite  prefumtioun, 

21S0  Efter  lb  monie  Knightis  of  renowne, 

K  k 


258  CLARIODUS. 

That  I  fould  go  aSky  quhair  they  have  fail^eit. 

Bot  his  excufe  [in]  nothing  him  availlit ; 

Scho  him  commandit  for  his  Ladies  laike. 

The  quhilke  Icharplie  unto  his  hearte  did  ftryke. 

Then  lichtit  he  and  in  the  pailgeoun  went. 

The  Knight  he  helfit  and  the  Ladie  jent, 

Saying,  Faire  Sir,  cumin  I  am  to  fie 

Gif  I  may  helpe  30W  of  gour  neceflltie. 

Neir  him  he  went  with  full  grite  humbillnes, 
2140  Haveing  in  God  all  houpe  and  confidence. 

To  helpe  the  Knight ;  of  him  he  hade  pitie. 
And  foftlie  at  the  arrow  pullit  he. 
It  com  to  him  but  preife  or  vehemence. 
Without  obflakill  or  onie  refiflence. 
The  bluide  with  that  fprang  out  aboundantlie 
Out  of  the  wound,  and  bled  continuallie  ; 
Bot  nevertheles  the  Knight  on  fute  up  Hart, 
And  thankit  him  full  oft  with  all  his  heart 
Imbracing  him,  laying,  Of  Knightheid  floure, 
2150  All  haill !  the  Eard  awcht  30W  [for]  to  honoure. 
I  thanke  our  gratious  God  ane  thouland  fayis. 
That  hes  30W  fent  to  me  upon  this  wayis 
To  be  my  helpe,  the  quhilk  nane  uther  might ; 
For  it  aflayit  hes  full  monie  ane  Knight, 
Bot  none  of  them  micht  it  remeid  bot  ge. 
That  is  of  Knightheid  floure  and  A  per  fe. 
What  is  gour  name,  if  that  it  war  gour  will  ? 
And  he  anone  anlweirit  hes  him  till, 
Clariodus  of  Eftur  they  me  call, 
2160  gone  was  my  Father  vifite  50  w  firft  of  all. 

This  Knight  and  eike  the  Madine  humbill  and  wyle 
Unto  the  Earle  and  to  Meliades 


BUIK  FOURT.  259 

Ar  palTit,  and  them  thonkit  revcrentlie, 

And  fo  did  thay  to  all  the  cuinpanie, 

Onlie  for  laike  of  Sir  Clariodus. 

Syne  to  the  pailgeoun  mirrie  and  joyous 

They  went,  quhair  that  Clariodus  thay  fand. 

To  ftanche  his  [wounde]  quhilk  git  was  abydand. 

The  wounde  out  ran  with  grite  effuiioun, 
2170  AUweith  he  tuike  the  ring  of  the  Lyoune, 

And  twichit  it  and  llemmit  it  anone. 

Clariodus  then  to  his  horle  is  gone. 

He  tuike  his  leave,  and  efter  them  he  raide, 

Whilke  them  among  grite  avanceing  hes  maid 

Of  him  and  of  his  hie  renoune  and  prife, 

And  how  he  gentill  was  at  all  devyfe. 
This  woundit  Knight  relievit  of  his  woe, 

Commandit  than  lex  knightis  for  to  go 

And  make  his  litter  of  gudlie  faflioune  ; 
2180  And  lyne  thairin  hes  [he]  garte  lay  him  doune. 

To  have  him  to  his  friendis  haftillie. 

This  Ladie  [alfo]  ryding  neir  him  by. 

With  all  hir  madinis  [full]  faire  in  feire : 

Thus  hame  he  went,  rycht  gladfome  of  his  cheire. 

Sir  Brounar  de  la  Haunt  it  was  his  name, 

Ane  Lord  he  was  of  grite  renowne  and  fame, 

Quhilk  to  Clariodus  was  efterwarte, 

Ane  fervitoure  richt  faithfuU  in  [his]  heart. 
Clariodus  hes  fped  him  haiftillie, 
2190  And  Ibune  he  hes  owertaine  the  companie, 

And  long  with  them  raide  fpeiking  to  and  fro  ; 

And  fyne  unto  Meliades  can  go. 

And  fpake  of  diverfe  materia  by  the  way. 

And  of  the  woundit  Knight  eike  fpeak  did  thay  ; 


260  CLARIODUS. 

He  tauld  how  he  him  ftanchit  of  bleiding. 
To  hir  he  faid  among  all  iither  thing, 
Madame,  50  Ibuld  be  blyth  and  have  courage 
That  rydis  hame  now  to  gour  niariage  ; 
Fair  Princes  bydis  [for]  gour  hame  cuming. 
2200  Scho  anfweirit  him  with  wordis  richt  bening. 
Saying,  Monie  aflds  the  thing  thay  not  get ; 
To  love  and  ferve  quho  may  loveris  let? 
Quoth  he,  Madame,  full  fuith  it  is  ge  lay, 
Bot  jit  me  thinke  that  gude  it  war  alway 
That  ge  providit  war  of  mariage, 
Confidering  that  the  King  is  of  grite  age, 
And  hes  no  baimis  bot  your  felf  allone. 
And  that  is  fuith,  quoth  fcho,  fo  mote  I  gone  ; 
Thairfor  ane  thing  at  30W  I  will  require, 
2210  Whilke  of  gone  Princes  war  it  gour  defyre 
That  I  fould  marie,  didlmuU  not  at  all. 
Quoth  he,  Madame,  my  wite  it  is  bot  fmall 
[Thus]  the  eftaite  of  Princes  for  to  judge  ; 
Becaus  as  git  to  gouth  I  beine  ane  fudge. 
And  can  not  on  fo  grite  maters  decerne, 
For  my  goung  counfall  wyfe  men  will  difperne. 
And  than,  quoth  fcho,  to  this  anfweir  ge  can, 
Into  this  warld  of  everie  leving  man, 
Whom  wald  ge  tyteft  hade  me  to  his  wyfe  ? 
2220  Quoth  he,  Grite  Lordis  wyfer  be  like  fyve 
The  King  your  Father  hes  to  his  counfell, 
Whairfor  in  vaine  it  war  for  me  to  tell. 
For,  as  thay  fay,  is  abiller  for  to  be ; 
Whairfor,  Madame,  ge  Icorne  to  fpeir  at  me. 
Then  faid  the  Ladie,  ge  fall  your  felfe  excufe. 
Of  gour  counfall  fay  on  for  gour  behuife  ; 


BUIK  FOURT.  Ml 

For  thocht  36  know  not  quhat  the  lordis  nient, 

Je  know  thairof  quhat  is  jour  awin  intent, 

Whom  with  je  wold  [that]  I  ibuld  maried  beiae  ; 
2330  Know  ge  not  eik  the  trew  love  us  betweine  ? 

Now  go  I  alfe  neir  gow  as  [that]  I  may. 

To  gar  jow  fumthing  in  this  mater  fay  ; 

And  I  remember  that  iike  thing  hes  beine, 

Quhen  thair  was  nothing  fpokine  us  betweine, 

Bot  ge  wald  anlweir,  and  not  be  dangerous. 

I  cry  30W  mercie,  faid  Clariodus, 

My  mynde  thairin  rycht  as  my  felf  ge  knaw, 

^Vhairfore  thair  was  no  neid  to  50W  to  fchaw  ; 

ge  can  not  weill  confidder  as  I  deime ; 
2240  And  fen  ge  will  the  fuith  that  I  expreime, 

Gif  it  fould  be  as  I  wald  wifch,  I  lay 

I  wald  no  wight  in  world  gow  had  bot  I, 

And  thocht  I  fpeike  lik  words,  ge  not  difdaine, 

For  grite  defyre  dois  [ever]  me  conftraine. 

To  fpeik  thir  wordis,  then  faid  Meliades, 

My  Knight,  I  thanke  gow  on  moll  humbill  wayis. 

That  ge  wold  do  me  like  worfchipe  and  honoure 

As  me  to  wade,  and  ge  of  knightheid  floure. 

Full  Weill  I  waite,  had  ge  not  lovit  me, 
2250  3e  wald  not  alk  with  me  to  mariet  be ; 

Bot  I  la  far  beholdine  ame  trewlie 

Unto  gour  Father  the  Count  [maill]  worthie. 

And  alfe  unto  gour  Mother  the  Countes, 

And  to  gour  felfe  in  love  and  worthines, 

I  gow  promit  I  fall  no  hulband  have, 

Bot  quhom  ge  wald  I  hade,  la  God  me  lave. 
I  height  to  keipe  gow  this  promiflioune. 
As  I  am  Kingis  dochter  of  renoune  ; 


262  CLARIODUS. 

Or  I  it  breke  ather  for  weill  or  wo, 
2-260  I  fell  dreidles  out  of  the  countrie  go, 

As  I  have  done  before  tjine  for  gour  feike  ; 
And  thairfor  no  difpleifoure  in  hearte  ge  take, 
Whatever  ge  heir  or  fe,  ge  hold  30W  ftill : 
In  figne  that  I  this  promeis  fall  fulfill, 
Ane  ring  of  gold  I  gif  30W  heir,  my  Knight, 
And  for  my  feike  gour  heart  ge  hold  on  height. 
Clariodus  the  gold  ring  did  refeve, 
And  courteflie  he  oft  thanks  to  her  gave* 
Saying,  Madame,  nixt  God  I  awght  to  ferve 
2870  And  love  gour  Ladifchipe  quhill  that  I  fterve, 
That  hes  me  gevin  fik  coniblatioun, 
Quhilke  falling  was  in  diiperatioun. 
For  gif  I  fell  the  trewth  to  30W  declaire. 
My  heart  was  full  of  dreid  and  [of]  diipaire. 
Ay  fen  I  tyding  hard  of  soiu*  wadding  ; 
Whair  I  hade  will  to  ligh,  now  may  I  fing ; 
And  quhair  I  trowit  langour  fould  me  flo, 
ge  have  dely  verit  me  of  all  that  wo. 
Of  this  mater  as  then  thay  fpake  no  more  ; 

2280  He  let  hir  ryde  ane  litill  him  before. 

That  fchoe  might  talke  with  uther  companie  ; 

And  he  began  to  ling  all  fecreitlie. 

For  the  grite  joy  was  at  his  heart  perfay. 

This  lullie  courte  thay  raide  furth  j^all]  the  way, 
Whill  thay  com  neire  to  Londoun  the  citie. 
Thair  monie  ane  Lord  that  was  of  grite  degrie 
Them  met  triumphantlie  without  the  toune, 
Baith  Bilchops,  Duiks,  and  Earlis  of  renoune. 
And  hir  convoyit  throw  the  rewis  faire, 

2290  With  lilke  and  arras  that  arrayit  war. 


BUIK  FOURT.  263 

The  bellis  range  in  kirkis  up  and  doune, 
Tlie  lilver  trumpits  maid  ane  mirrie  Ibund  ; 
Among  the  pepill  haill  waa  this  clamours, 
Welcum  our  luftie  Princefe  of  honoure ! 
Then  at  the  Palice  richt  as  fcho  difcendit. 
The  nobill  Lordis  fldll  on  hir  dependit, 
And  hir  convoyit  up  into  the  hall ; 
Of  hir  cuming  Qricht]  glaid  was  ane  and  all, 
And  of  the  cuming  of  Clariodus  : 
2300  Thus  was  the  Court  richt  blyth  and  joyous. 
The  fupper  was  anone  [all]  redie  dicht. 
And  to  the  tabill  with  monie  Lord  and  Knight 
Adoune  [then]]  fate  this  Princes  honorabill, 
And  fervit  waa  with  meitis  delectabill. 

The  night  before  thair  cuming  to  the  tonne, 
Thre  famous  Bifchops  of  full  grite  renoune, 
And  thrie  grite  Earlis  that  war  full  worthie, 

Quhilkis  war  fex  hundereth  horfe  in  companie ; 

Ane  of  them  fent  waa  to  Clariodus, 
2310  The  uther  to  Palexis  richt  famous. 

The  third  to  Amandour  the  nobill  Knight, 

And  broght  with  them  thrie  golden  crounis  bright, 

To  croune  them  Kingis  of  thrie  kynriks  cleire, 

As  ge  fall  efter  in  this  ftorie  heire. 

Into  ane  luftie  Innis  ludgit  thay, 

Whair  they  on  windowis  and  on  ftalris  lay 

And  faw  this  Princes  and  this  Courte  ryde  by. 

And  faid  they  faw  never  fik  ane  company  ; 

And  of  thair  Oift  they  fpeirit  of  the  thrie 
2320  That  fould  the  Princes  of  thair  realmis  be. 

And  he  them  fchew  unto  [the]  Knightis  thair, 

Vailgeand  of  deidis  and  of  thair  bodies  faire. 


264  CLARIODUS. 

Thir  Lordis  them  commendit  grittumlie, 
Sajnng,  That  they  war  nobill  and  worthie, 
Of  thrie  realmis  to  be  crounit  Kings, 
And  happilie  providit  war  thair  rings 
To  have  like  thrie  Princes  for  to  be, 
That  both  war  cumit  of  ane  linage  hie. 
And  fyne  was  faire  and  feimit  gratious ; 
2330  And  moft  they  praifit  Sir  Clariodus. 

This  night  owerdrave,  day  cumand  was  anone, 
And  bright  Apollo  with  his  beamis  I'chone 
Ower  land  and  fea,  and  all  the  land  abreid  ; 
This  gudlie  Princes,  floure  of  womanheid, 
Addreflit  hir  in  hir  frefcheft  aray, 
As  is  the  frefcheft  bloffome  into  May  ; 
And  up  him  dreffit  everie  Lord  and  Knight ; 
Thir  thrie  AmbaiFats  frefchlie  hes  them  dicht 
Unto  thair  Lordis,  prefents  to  attaine, 
2340  Full  monie  ane  gowne  of  Hike  and  golden  chaine 
Was  thame  among,  and  gif  [I]  tell  the  treuth, 
Unto  the  Palice  bounit  they  all  but  fleuth. 

Thir  tydings  harde  hes  [Sir]  Clariodus ; 
Them  to  convoy  he  hes  lent  Knights  famous. 

When  all  hade  fervit  God,  and  lyne  diijunit, 
Talbrounis  and  trumpits  fyne  up  tunit ; 
Meliades  knights  convoyit  them  the  way. 
Alfweith  within  the  Palace  enterit  they. 
Weill  orderit,  and  on  ane  gudlie  wayis, 
2350  They  come  before  Madame  Meliades  ; 
They  helfit  have  this  Princes  of  bewtie  ; 
Syne  everie  Lord  and  Knight  in  his  degrie. 

When  they  hade  faluft  other  courtellie, 
Then  to  Meliades  thay  faid  humbillie, 


BUIK  FOURT.  265 

Madame,  with  leive  of  ^ow  we  will  advyfe 

Heir  with  the  Earle  of  Eilur  in  fura  wayis. 

And  we  at  lenth  fall  commoune  with  jow  lyne ; 

With  that  thay  doe  full  low  to  hir  inclyne. 

Doe  as  ge  pleife,  quoth  Ichoe,  I  am  content. 
2360       Thir  Lordis  and  the  Earle  togidder  went 

Into  ane  chalmer  be  them  felves  allone. 

Ane  of  the  bifchops  fpeikis  thus  anone, 

My  Lord,  ge  know  the  Lady  gour  Countes 

Beine  filler  to  the  Kingis  nobilnes 

Of  Ireland,  quhilke  [now]  febill  is  and  old. 

And  may  excerfe  no  juftice  as  he  wold. 

And  hes  no  heares  abill  unto  the  croune. 

That  cuming  are  of  his  fucceflioune  : 

Whairfor  unto  jour  Sonne  ws  lent  hes  he, 
2870  To  gar  him  cum  and  ringe  in  our  countrie ; 

And  heir  we  have  brought  for  his  [hie]  renoune 

The  regale  wande  of  jullice  and  the  croune. 

To  delyver  to  him,  and  give  pofleffioun 

Of  all  his  nobill  and  mightie  regioun  ; 

And  bade,  or  we  returne,  to  croune  him  King, 

And  in  his  name  the  realme  to  him  refinge. 

We  underftand  that  this  may  not  be  donne 

Into  ane  tyme  that  ware  mair  opportoune 

Nor  heir  befor  this  royall  companie. 
2380  The  Earle  maid  anfweir,  and  laid  full  courteflie, 

Firft  God  I  thanke,  from  quhilke  cumis  all  grace. 

And  fyne  the  King,  that  fo  weill  ordanit  hes 

His  tender  bluide  efter  himfelf  to  ringe. 

Clariodus  he  gart  unto  him  bring. 

And  faid,  My  Sonne  is  heir,  the  quhilk  I  geive 

Unto  the  King  alfe  long  as  he  may  leive. 

l1 


266  CLARIODUS. 

Of  Ireland  two  Lordis  that  was  of  mikill  fame. 
Of  quhom  as  now  I  neid  not  fchaw  the  name, 
Ane  Bifchope  and  ane  Earle,  them  betweine 

2390  Hes  led  him  furth,  quhilk  gudlie  is  to  feine. 
Full  joyfuU  was  the  pepell  auld  and  geing, 
Quhen  that  thay  faw  him  led  then  as  ane  King, 
Betweine  two  Lordis  nobill  and  potent : 
Bot  thay  fum  pairt  in  heartis  war  dolent, 
Trowand  that  into  Ireland  he  fould  go, 
Full  loath  war  thay  he  fould  depairte  them  fro. 
Two  famous  Bifchopis  and  honorabill  Earlis  two 
Palexis  tuike  and  Amandour  alfo, 
And  to  them  faid  on  this  [famine]  maneire. 

■2400  Becaus  thir  brether  two  Uncles  war  but  weire 
To  thir  two  Princes  that  grite  war  of  degrie. 
The  King  of  Garnet  and  of  Cailelgie, 
They  war  lede  furth  upon  the  lamine  wayis. 
Full  gudlie  was.  the  maner  and  the  gyle 
Of  the  triumph  was  maid  at  thair  crouning. 
All  to  the  kirke  are  went  thir  Lordis  dinge. 
Thir  Kingis  thrie  was  fete  full  royallie 
In  regale  feats,  coverit  mightillie 
With  cloathes  of  gold,  befor  the  hie  altere, 

2410  And  on  thair  heidis  thrie  goldin  crounis  deire. 
With  awfuU  wand  of  jufUce  in  thair  hand, 
Servet  with  nobill  Lordis  inclynande. 
And  Prelats  that  war  dinge  and  honorabill, 
Begane  the  fervice  in  wayis  conveinabill. 
And  thair  ane  pfalme  [full]  folemelie  they  fang. 
For  noyife  of  organis  all  the  collage  rang. 

When  that  the  royall  fervice  all  was  fynit. 
The  Earlis,  Lordis  and  barrounis  all  inclynit 


BUIK  FOURT.  «67 

Befor  Clariodus  with  blyth  vifage, 
8420  Randering  to  him  of  Ireland  the  homage  ; 

Richt  fo  was  donne  unto  the  uther  two. 

And  fyne  unto  the  Pal  ice  can  thay  go, 

Whair  ane  full  royall  denner  ordanit  was. 

The  Kingis  thrie  war  lede  with  nobilnes 

Out  of  the  kirke,  with  leptour,  fword,  and  croune, 

With  noyle  of  trumpit  and  of  clarioun  ; 

They  enterit  in  the  Palice  joyfullie. 

With  mirthful!  found  of  hevinlie  raenilrellie. 

Heir  to  be  fchorte,  and  leive  all  circumftance, 
2430  Thay  go  to  tabill  with  joy  and  all  plefance. 

Betwix  two  Kingis  late  Meliades, 

Ane  King  fat  hir  before  on  gudlie  wayis  ; 

Thrie  Bifchopis,  and  of  Eftur  the  Countes, 

Sate  at  the  tabill  thair  with  all  glaidnes ; 

Two  maiflers  of  houihold  to  King  Philippon 

War  merchald  at  the  tabill  end  anone. 

With  them  Earle  Eftur  of  nobilnes  and  fame. 

And  the  richt  honorabill  Bii'chope  of  Durhame. 

I  may  not  tary  on  thair  marchelling, 
2440  To  tell  30W  all  the  royall  triumphing, 

Thair  excellent  and  thair  [maift]  plel'ant  cheire. 

Nor  of  their  gudlie  fervice  the  maneire. 

Nor  of  thair  grite  difport  and  minftrellie. 

Nor  of  the  courfis  that  did  multiplie. 

Nor  among  couriis  the  intermeilis  glaid, 

Nor  the  delectabill  comoning  thay  hade. 

Nor  of  the  pretious  meitis  delicate. 

Nor  of  thair  lyndrie  ftories  prorogate  ; 

I  let  owergo  all  fik  prolixitie. 
2450  Foure  fyndrie  liquoris  ran  with  royaltie. 


268  CLARIODUS. 

From  foure  beillis  in  foure  nuiks  of  the  hall, 
Whilke  was  ane  fight  richt  fair  and  triumphall : 
Ane  was  ane  lyoun,   right  awfull  and  terribill, 
At  quhois  gaiping  mouth,  full  horibill, 
Rane  myghtie  wyne,  right  plefant,  cleir,  and  cauld  j 
It  was  ane  gude  fight  him  for  to  behald  : 
The  uther  was  ane  luftie  unicorne, 
Fyne  Ipocras  did  ryn  out  at  his  home : 
The  thride  ane  tyger  was,  felloun  and  ftout, 
2460  Role  water  fearcelie  at  his  nole  ran  out : 

The  fourte  ane  marmaide  was,  with  traces  bright, 
At  both  her  papis  mylke  ran  out  on  height. 
And  at  the  letter  courfe,  in  come  ane  gyfe 
Of  Imall  chyldreine,  [full]  gudlie  to  devyfe, 
To  the  number  of  fortie,  all  tranlfigurat 
As  wolfes  full  wyld,  and  [ftrangelie]  deformate, 
Quhilk  fcatterit  flouris  faire  throw  the  hall. 
With  favoure  fweit  as  ony  balme  royall ; 
And  ever  ilk  ane  on  ane  infl;rument, 
2470  On  courious  wayis,  with  fyngeris  diligent, 
DiverOie  glaidand,  all  in  ane  accorde 
Railing  on  loft,  with  joy  and  grite  conlbrde. 
The  hearts  of  all  the  nobill  audience. 
Of  eardlie  joy  thair  was  no  indigence. 
What  fould  I  longer  tell  of  thair  feafting  ? 
Thair  cumis  ane  end  of  everie  worldlie  thing. 

When  thay  hade  feaftit  long  upon  this  wayis. 
Both  Kingis,  Lordis,  and  Ladies,  up  thay  raife, 
And  went  to  chalmeris  fair  at  all  pleafouris, 
2480  Thair  to  delyver  the  ambafladouris. 

The  Ireland  Bilchope,  and  the  Earle  alfo, 
[Hes]  thair  delyverance  afkit  hame  to  go. 


BUIK  FOURT.  269 

The  King  Clariodus  on  faire  maneire, 

Thus  faide.  My  Lordis  and  [myj  friendis  deire, 

I  thanke  the  King  my  Eaine  of  his  [gude]  grace, 

That  hes  his  croiine,  his  feptore,  and  his  mace, 

Donne  of  his  nobilnesto  me  refinge, 

Albeit  thairto  I  am  no  thing  condinge ; 

And  quhair  he  wold  I  to  his  ringe  repairit, 
2490  It  may  be  with  expedience  declairit 

Before  gow  all  now  at  this  [iame]  inflante, 

My  companie  this  Princes  may  not  wante, 

VVhilk  to  hir  Father  rydis  furth  anone. 

Go  I  hir  fro,  fcho  then  is  left  allone ; 

Hot  of  this  voyage  quhen  [that]  I  have  donne. 

And  quhen  I  fe  the  tyme  is  oportune. 

Sail  none  ambafTage  neide  me  for  to  bring. 

Unto  my  Fame  and  honorabill  King  : 

ge  counfall  me  thairfor  in  this  mater, 
2500  And  to  sour  myndis  I  fall  alTent  right  heir. 

Then  laid  the  Bilhope  with  all  reverence, 

Jour  wordis  beine.  Sir,  fructuous  of  fentence  ; 

Nothing  we  can  jour  fpeache  [as  now]  impunge. 

So  fcharpe  with  reafounis  cyllit  beine  our  tonge, 

gow  in  this  prefent  voyage  we  excufe  ; 

Sen  on  no  way  is  fro  hir  [gow  go]  behuil'e, 

ge  may  not  leave  the  realme  delblate, 

Thairfor  ane  louetenant  to  us  create. 

Our  realme  to  governe  in  [richt]  regiment, 
2510  Whill  je  gif  us  your  prefence  excellent. 

The  King  confentit  to  this  petitioun. 

And  gave  right  thair  his  [hie]  commiilioun 

Unto  the  Earle  of  Durhame  right  famous  ; 

And  foune  anone  they  war  delyverit  thus. 


270  CLARIODUS. 

And  finallie  thir  other  Kingis  two 
Thair  ambaflatis  hes  delyverit  alfo. 
Full  grite  giftis  thir  Kingis  gave  all  thrie 
Unto  thir  Lordis  mikill  of  dignitie, 
Commending  them  with  hearts  unto  their  Kings, 

2520  Them  thanking  oft  [fyls]  into  mikill  things. 

Thejr  tuike  thair  leave  full  fairlie  on  this  wayiB, 
Both  at  the  King^  and  at  Meliades. 
Earle  Eftur  them  convoyit  bifillie, 
Unto  the  clofe  quhair  they  fand  all  redie 
Ane  Knight  ordanit  be  King  Clariodus, 
With  monie  ane  goldin  jewell  pretious. 
Both  goldin  coupis,  chanjeis  and  rings. 
Rich  cloathes  of  gold,  and  monie  coafUie  things. 
For  to  prefent  to  the  ambafladouris ; 

2530  And  fyne  they  did  with  [verie]  grite  honouris. 
Convoy  them  [all]  weill  far  out  of  the  toune. 
The  Bifchope  and  the  Earle  of  great  renoune 
Of  Durhame  hes  thair  leavis  taine  anone. 
With  the  ambaiTate  grathing  them  to  gone  ; 
With  that  their  gaitis  they  did  depairt,  and  than 
Thair  leave  at  uther  hes  taine  everie  man. 
Earle  Efture  tuike  his  leave  and  hamewart  raid. 
And  the  AmbaiTadours,  withoutin  more  abaid, 
In  thair  voyage  ufit  fik  diligence, 

2540  Whill  thay  all  come  foune  into  the  pretence 
Of  thair  thrie  Kings,  and  than  thay  all  declairit 
How  thay  had  donne,  and  hade  ^in]  nothing  Ijpairit. 
Full  glaid  they  war  quhen  they  hard  this  tydii^ 
Of  thair  Uncles  and  of  thair  honoring. 
All  thrie  they  feaftit  the  AmbalTadourisi 
That  had  fo  plelantlie  donne  thair  plealburis. 


BUIK  FOURT.  «7l 


To  chalmer  King  Clariodua  is  gone, 
And  his  rob  royall  hes  laid  af  anone. 
And  eik  his  crown  of  gold  i-forgit  new, 

2550  And  pute  on  him  ane  goune  of  velvote  blew  ; 
Syne  went  unto  the  chalmer  of  Meliades, 
To  quhome  Ichoe  courteflie  did  [thair]  up  ryle, 
And  unto  him  maid  kinglie  reverence, 
Saying  to  him,  with  finylling  countinance, 
la  this  the  failloun  of  ane  King,  iaid  Iche, 
So  quyetlle  to  cum  in  this  degrie 
Into  ane  chalmer  quhair  ladies  dois  abyde  ? 
Scho  fet  him  on  ane  cufcheine  hir  befyde. 
He  faid  to  hir  thir  wordis  lecreitlie, 

2360  Nather  King,  Earle,  nor  [git  ane]  Duike  am  I, 
Nor  uther  Lord,  Madame,  in  jour  prefence, 
Bot  jour  awin  Knight  to  doe  gow  reverence 
To  gow  abone  all  uther  warldis  wight, 
Alfe  long  as  I  have  ather  wite  or  might. 
Long  fpake  they  thus  of  materis  to  and  fro. 

The  Earle  Eflur  towardis  them  can  go. 
And  faid,  that  ipeidfull  [now  it]  war  that  we 
Schoupe  ws  this  night  in  Belvilladoune  to  be, 
Whilk  is  from  ws  bot  awcht  mylis  of  way. 

2570  All  to  this  thing  anone  confentit  thay, 

Thair  horfe  thay  gart  be  grathed  liiddenly. 

When  everie  thing  was  at  poynt  and  readie. 
The  quhilke  perteinit  unto  thair  eilaite, 
At  fchorte  thay  maid  them  readie  for  the  gaite, 
King^s,  Knightis,  and  Ladies  of  renowne, 
Afcendit  on  thair  horfe  with  trumpit  foun. 
The  Lordis  of  the  toune  did  them  convoy, 
Rycht  honorabillie  with  plelance  and  with  joy, 


272  CLARIODUS. 

Whill  thay  war  riddine  ane  great  pearte  of  the  way  ; 

2580  Syne  to  the  toune  againe  returnit  thay. 

The  luflie  Courte  them  I'ped  on  like  maneire. 
So  at  Belvell  they  come  to  the  fuppeire. 

When  the  King  wift  his  Dochter  was  fo  neire, 
He  hes  delyverit  on  ane  fair  maneire 
The  thrie  AmbaflTats,  fo  thay  war  content ; 
Syne  them  rewairdit  with  giftis  richt  potent, 
Quhilk  leave  hes  taine  and  hame  raid  fuddanlie 
To  their  Princes,  commending  grittumlie 
The  Kings  honoure  and  [eik]  his  gentilnes. 

2590       Meliades  this  luftfe  goung  Princes, 

With  [all]  hir  C<iurte  [full]  greatlie  to  advance, 
Aproached  quhair  the  King  maid  refidence, 
Whair  monie  Lords  maid  full  grite  reverence, 
Prefentlie  com  before  hir  excellence, 
Fairlie  hir  met  weiping  with  joy  and  blis. 
That  fchoe  againe  in  hir  cuntrie  cumin  is. 
Scho  enterit  in  the  toun  right  royallie, 
Quhilke  flentit  was  with  royall  tapeftrie. 
Into  the  honour  of  hir  hame  cuming  ; 

2600  Minftrellis  did  play,  and  bellis  long  did  ring. 
Full  fall  the  pepill  praiiit  hir  bewtie. 
And  io,  with  all  hir  Court  of  royaltie. 
On  gudlie  wayis  fcho  rydis  throw  the  toun. 
And  at  the  Ringis  Palice  lichtit  doune. 

And  when  the  gudlie  frefche  Meliades 
Was  from  hir  horle  difcendit  on  this  wayis. 
And  enterit  in  the  dole  of  the  Palice, 
The  King  hir  Father,  with  [ane]  mirrie  face, 
Upon  his  heid  put  on  his  nobill  croune, 

2610  Incontinent  undid  from  him  his  goune 


BUIK  FOURT.  «7S 

And  doublet,  all  alleane  he  hes  difcendit 

To  hir  quhom  to  he  had  fo  far  offendit. 

Then  all  the  Courte  hade  ferlie  him  to  lie 

Go  meit  his  Doghter  in  fik  [ane]  degrie. 

Rycht  thair  to  hir  he  fate  on  kneis  adoune. 

All  hair  heided,  faiffand  he  hade  on  his  croune, 

As  not  the  father  to  the  chyld  Ibuld  do  : 

Bot  he  fo  gritlie  failjeit  hir  unto  ; 

Whairfor  he  thoght  he  wald  to  hir  amende. 
2620       This  Princes  faw  her  Father  and  did  attende. 

And  law  him  on  his  knie,  and  thocht  ferlie  ; 

For  fcho  was  then  abaiiit  grittumlie. 

And  him  before  fcho  fell  on  kneis  eike. 

The  King  wirdis  lamentabill  and  meike 

Firft  fpake  upon  this  wayis,  I  alke  God  mercie 

Of  my  dely  verance  curfit  and  haflie, 

And  of  my  wit  that  beiftlie  was  and  wyld 

For  to  believe  like  treafoun  of  my  chyld : 

Syne  I  aflce  mercie  at  50W,  Dochter  deir, 
2630  In  this  eflait  as  I  am  fitting  heir, 

Befeikand  50W  that  ge  wald  me  forgive  ; 

For  I  repent,  and  fall  do  quhill  I  leive, 

The  grite  trelpafe  that  I  have  to  50W  wroght. 

With  that  from  weiping  he  [refrain]  might  noght. 

His  beard  begane  with  teares  to  weit  for  forrow 

As  dafie  buike  bedewit  in  the  morrow. 

Then  all  the  pepill  that  this  thing  could  fie, 

Fidl  fall  they  weipit  for  rewth  and  for  pitie. 

To  fie  the  King  regrate  on  fike  ane  wayes.  I 

2640       This  bening  Ladie,  fair  Meliades, 

Heiring  hir  Father  to  hir  compleaning  fo, 

Hir  tender  heart  almaift  it  fell  in  two ; 

u  m 


274  CLARIODUS. 

For  Ibrrow  and  pitie  neir  out  of  wit  fcho  braid. 
I  cry  50W  mercie,  myne  Father,  I'cho  faid, 
Ryfe  up,  my  Lord,  quhy  fit  je  fo,  alleace  ; 
For  it  no  thing  perteinis  to  gour  Grace, 
To  me,  jour  Chyld,  to  fit  upon  gour  knie  : 
Bot  fiiithlie  it  pertenis  unto  me 
To  fit  on  kneis  to  30W,  my  Father  deir, 

2630  My  fijverane  Lord  and  Prince  moft  inteir  ; 
For  Weill  ge  knaw  that  I  full  huinbillie 
At  gour  command  will  do  aluterlie  ; 
And,  Father,  I  forgive  30W  hertfullie. 
And  both  with  [that]  they  weipit  pitiouflie. 
Than  raife  the  King  but  ony  wordis  mo. 
And  tuik  his  Doghtcr  in  his  armis  two. 
Whom  that  he  lovit  attoure  all  eardlie  thing. 
And  kifllt  hir  with  tender  imbracing. 
Syne  he  refavit  King  Clariodus 

2660  Into  his  armis,  with  countinance  joyous  ; 
And  on  the  famyne  wayis  his  Coufinga  two 
With  kinglie  honour  relavit  he  alfo  j 
[Then  the]  Earle  Eftiu*  and  his  Countes  eike 
He  hes  refavit  with  ane  vifage  meike  j 
Syne  all  the  Lordis  and  Ladies  on  be  on 
He  helfit  hes.     And  quhen  the  Queine  anone 
Hir  Doghter  faw,  uneis  fcho  might  conetine. 
Or  in  hir  heart  fo  grit  ane  joy  luileine, 
To  fie  hir  in  fo  gude  prolperitie, 

2670  That  ordanit  was  fo  crewellie  to  die. 

Hir  bairne  fchoe  tuike  in  armis  tenderlie, 
Ane  Weill  long  fpace  imbracing  heartillie ; 
Schoe  kiffit  hir  [full]  oft,  with  ipreite  joyous. 
Syne  fcho  refavit  King  Clariodus, 


BUIK  FOURT.  27tf 

And  fyne  [the]  iither  Kingis  both  in  feire, 

Kifling  them  [all]  with  mirth  and  glaidlume  cheir  ; 

The  Earle  of  Eftur  eik,  and  his  Countes, 

Relavit  fchoe  with  joy  and  mirrinea  ; 

Than  everie  Lord  and  Ladie  that  was  thair, 
2680  Scho  welcumit.     Syne  to  the  hall  they  faire, 

Whair  feiges  royall  was  gudlie  to  behold 

For  foure  Kingis  coverit  with  cloath  of  gold, 

Above  thair  heidis  fiklyke  thair  was  llent, 

Whilke  to  behold  was  pretious  and  potent. 

The  hall  was  all  arayit  with  the  lamyne, 

Thair  was  grit  joy  of  menllrallie  and  gaming. 
So  quhen  thay  war  all  enterit  in  the  hall, 

King  Philipon  faid  this  befor  them  all, 

Lordingis,  it  is  not  unkend  perdie, 
2690  How  the  knightheid  and  magnanimitie 

Of  King  Clariodus,  [the]  mott  famous. 

And  alfe  his  Father,  worthy  and  gratioiis, 

This  kingrik  now  exaltit  hes  fo  he, 

So  that  it  ftandis  imperiall  of  degrie, 

Nixt  under  France,  of  lawde,  honour  and  fame, 

Whome  fra  nane  mortall  tribute  may  recleame, 

Out  of  [all]  thraldome  and  fubjectioun  ; 

And  eik  hes  put  our  foes  to  afflictioun, 

Onlie  be  thame  active  and  chevelrus, 
2700  And  fpeciallie  be  King  Clariodus, 

That  hes  beine  haill  protectour  and  defence 

Into  this  regne,  quhilk  haid  [grite]  indigence 

Of  help  and  comfort  while  he  came  in  refuge. 

And  uther  regnes  he  maid  unto  us  fuge. 

Now  with  rewairde  I  wald  faine  him  requite. 

That  might  doe  him  baith  [honour]  and  delyte  ; 


276  CLARIODUS. 

And  gif  that  heir  for  to  refave  him  lift, 
I  fall  him  geive  the  thing  that  I  love  beft. 
That  is  my  Doghter,  heare  of  this  reg^oun, 

2730  Thairto  I  gif  my  kingdom  and  my  croun 
Heir  unto  him  with  hir  in  marriage, 
All  unconftrainit,  of  my  awin  curage. 
For  joy  at  onis  the  pepill  all  could  cry. 
Thanking  the  King  that  faid  fo  worthily. 
Syne  he  laid  to  Clariodus  the  King, 
Sir,  if  fa  be  that  ge  no  promifing 
Hes  maid  unto  no  uther  Ladie  cleire, 
I  gif  to  30W  my  onlie  Doghter  deire. 
Meiklie  him  thankit  King  Clariodus 

2740  Of  his  grite  gift  that  was  fo  gratious, 

[Thus]  faying.  Sir,  I  dar  30W  weill  aflure, 
I  jit  promittit  to  na  creatoure, 
Nor  covenant  maid,  nor  conditioun, 
To  earthlie  wight  into  na  regioun. 
And  Sir,  if  that  30W  pleife  into  this  wayis, 
To  gif  jour  Doghter,  fair  Meliades, 
In  mariage  to  me,  believe  ge  fall 
Glaidin  me  more,  and  better  pleafe  at  all, 
Nor  me  to  gif  ane  hundreth  realrais  faire, 

2750  And  all  the  riches  eike  under  the  aire. 
King  Philipone  on  this  moft  gudlic  wayis, 
Delyverit  thair  this  faire  Meliades 
To  King  Clariodus ;    and  he  anone 
This  fair  Princes  into  his  armes  hes  tone, 
Imbracing  hir,  and  lowlie  did  inclyne 
Unto  the  King :  but  quho  could  all  defyne 
The  joy  that  did  enter  into  his  heart ! 
With  that  the  King  allwyth  did  him  revert 


BUIK  FOURT.  277 


Of  Ingland  to  the  Cardinall  famous, 

S760  And  gart  him  handfall  thame,  and  be  joyous 
To  go  togidir  in  Godis  holy  band. 

When  this  wes  done  with  feiilis  triumphand, 
Quhilk  wer  ane  proces  owir  lang  on  to  dwell, 
King  Philoppon  convoyit  them  him  fell. 
And  maid  hir  Queine  of  all  his  regioun ; 
Syne  in  his  handis  two  he  tuik  the  croun. 
And  on  the  heid  of  King  Clariodus 
He  lies  it  fet  with  countenance  joyous. 
And  maid  him  King  of  all  his  regioun  faire, 

2770  Before  the  people  all  wer  ftanding  thaire. 

Than  did  they  to  Clariodus  of  knightheid  well, 
geild  thankis  more  nor  I  can  think  or  tell, 
Reverencing  him  with  all  diligence. 
Bot  he,  before  that  gudlie  audience. 
Said  he  wold  not  as  git  the  honour  have 
Of  his  kingrik,  nor  git  the  croun  reflave 
So  long  as  he  on  lyf  wes  it  to  bruike. 
git  nevirtheles,  thoght  he  it  oft  forfuike. 
King  Philippon  lik  inllance  maid  him  till, 

8780  That  he  behuifit  to  obey  his  will. 

Thus  he  of  Ingland  and  Ireland  both  was  King, 
To  the  [quhilk^  git  liicceidis  his  oflpring. 

This  beine  donne,  the  dance  anone  begane. 
Grit  joy  and  pleafoure  was  them  araonge  than. 
In  chalmer  they  difport  ane  weill  longe  Ipace, 
Whill  that  the  fupper  almoil  redie  was. 
The  foure  Kingis  to  fupper  all  they  went. 
King  Philippon  nobill  and  reverent, 
And  King  Clariodus  fat  at  [the]  tabill ; 

2790  Before  themfate  thir  Kingis  honorabill : 


278  CLARIODUS. 

King  Amandur  and  King  Palexis  fyne 
Sate  before  utber  tliair  as  ony  lyne. 
The  Cardinall  of  [richt]  grite  nobilnes 
Was  fet  of  Eftur  before  the  Countes, 
Next  [to]  the  Counte  at  the  tabillis  ende  ; 
The  difcreit  Marchell  thair  eilaitis  kende. 
And  at  the  utber  end,  I  30W  alTure, 
Sat  the  Duike  of  Giofefter,  and  the  Earle  Eilure  : 
And  I'yne  ever  ilk  Lord  fate  in  his  degrie. 
2800  They  fowppit  with  triumph  and  mynilrallie. 
And  efler  liipper  quhen  ifchit  was  the  hall, 
The  Maiileris  of  HouQiald  them  conimandit  all 
To  go  into  tbair  Innis  for  that  night 
Bot  fecreit  Lordis.     And  than  everie  wight 
Devoydit  beine  that  was  not  of  Counfell. 
Than  King,  Queine,  Lord,  Knight  and  Damofeil, 
To  chalmeris  went  with  niii'rines  and  pleiance. 
The  Kingis  foure  with  fade  rememberance, 
Devyfit  togidder  be  themfelves  allone 
2810  Anents  the  wadding  how  [that]  all  Ibuld  gone  ; 
And  certainlie  within  ane  moneth  day 
For  to  compleit  the  mariage  ordanit  thay ; 
And  devyfit  what  Princes  of  honoure, 
What  Duikis,  and  what  Lordis  of  valoure, 
Thay  wald  have  at  the  forlaid  mariage. 
And  quhen  the  King  with  utber  Lordis  lage 
Had  long  devyfit  upon  this  mateire. 
Then  went  to  beddis  Knights  and  Ladies  cleire. 
King  Clariodus  and  his  coufingis  two 
2820 .  Tuke  leave  allweith,  and  could  to  chalmer  go. 
This  nobill  Prince,  full  frelch  and  [full]  lultie, 
Put  on  ane  goune  of  velvote  cramofie. 


BUIK  FOURT.  279 


And  to  his  Ladie  Meliades  ia  gone  ; 

The  quhilke  up  raife  and  kneillit  hea  anone. 

Then  tuike  he  hir  in  armia  tenderlie. 

And  faid  into  hir  eare  full  quyetlie. 

This  is  ane  llrange  warld  that  dois  indure. 

When  Ladies  kneillis  to  thair  ferviture. 

Meliadea  than  changit  hew  alyte, 

2830  Of  fike  language  that  had  no  ufe  perfyte. 
And  fyne  he  fchew  to  hir  the  natnis  haill. 
That  he  wald  have  to  be  at  the  brydell ; 
And  firft  the  King  he  namit  of  Spainje, 
And  fyne  the  King  of  Galice  narait  he, 
And  his  fifter  Madonat,  of  Spain^e  Queine, 
And  eik  the  King  of  Spainjes  fifter  fcheine, 
And  Ladie  Cadder  that  fould  mariet  be 
With  King  Palexia,  as  ellis  hard  have  ge. 
He  Ipake  of  this  and  diverfe  thingis  mo, 

2840  Syne  tuike  his  leave  ;  bot  git  or  he  wald  [go,] 
To  hir  ane  gudlie  diamond  he  gave, 
And  of  the  Ladies  rewairdit  he  the  leave. 
When  this  was  donne,  he  to  his  chalmer  went. 
Syne  for  the  Count  his  Father  hes  he  lent. 
And  with  his  counl'all  delyverit  he  hes  anone 
In  foure  realmis  foure  heralds  for  to  gone. 
And  everie  ane  diredlit  ane  lyndrie  way, 
Thir  laid  Princes  and  Ladies  for  to  pray  ; 
And  gart  expenfis  delyver  them  anone  ; 

2850  And  thay  belyve  hea  taine  thair  leave  to  gone. 
King  Philipone  gart  make  ane  royall  croune 
Of  gold  and  flainis,  richt  pretioua  of  faffioun. 
To  this  joung  Prince,  with  uther  riche  aray. 
Of  quhilk  the  maner  war  lang  for  to  lay. 


280  CLARIODUS. 

The  King  Clariodus  gart  grath  alfo 
For  himlelf  richlie  ;  fo  did  his  Coulings  two  ; 
And  ever  ilk  Lord,   Ladie,  and  Damofell, 
Hes  for  them  ordanit  royall  apparrell. 
Thus  them  I  leive  in  mirth,  joy,  and  bliffe  ; 
2860  So  of  this  Taill  the  Fourt  Buik  endit  is. 


THE  FYFT  BUIK 
OF 

CLARIODUS. 


TH£  PBOLOOUE  OF  THE  FTFT  BUIK.  ■ 

In  Mayis  feafoune  [that  is]  fbft  and  Iweit, 
When  balmie  liquore  dois  on  leavis  gleit, 
And  bewis  brekes  and  blomis  upon  breid, 
And  pleafantlie  inamillit  beine  the  meid 
All  ower  depaintit  with  coUouris  new, 


Having  pafllt  the  fea  and  cum  to  land, 
I  meane  the  foiu-e  heralds  out  of  Ingland  j 
Firft  two  of  them  arryvit  into  France, 
And  to  the  King  with  humbill  reverence 
Thay  fchew  thair  credence  and  commilfioun. 
He  them  delyverit  with  bening  fermoune  ; 
And  fjme  anone  fent  for  the  Conftabill, 
Saying  to  him  thir  wordis  honorabill, 

N  n 


282  CLARIODUS. 

We  have  gude  tydings  of  Sir  Clariodus, 
10    Of  two  realmes  now  is  he  King  famous  ; 
And  heir  anone  he  hes  ane  meflage  lend, 
Beieikand  me  to  gif  gow  leave  to  wende 
In  Ingland  cuntrie  agains  his  wadding  day^. 
The  quhilke  I  grant  gow,  fchortlie  for  to  fay. 
Hade  he  my  felfe  defyrit  for  to  be, 
I  wald  not  have  denyit  it  perdie. 
§e  fall  take  threttie  knighlis  of  renoune, 
Whilke  nobilleft  beine  of  all  my  regioun. 
To  go  with  30W  to  doe  to  him  honoure, 
20     Quhilk  is  of  knightheid  verie  well  and  floure. 
The  Confiabill  thankit  him  humbillie. 
And  to  the  heralds  did  promit  trewly 
Againe  the  day  unto  the  try  ft  to  wend. 
The  nobill  King  bade  oft  him  recommend 
To  him,  and  to  his  Queine  Meliades. 
And  quhen  thay  war  delyverit  on  this  waylip. 
He  gart  gif  them  ane  thowfand  pound  of  gold, 
And  two  riche  garmonds  gudlie  to  behold. 
Thay  thankit  have  this  Prince  of  [hie]  renoune, 
80    Inclyning  low  upon  thair  kneis  doune  ; 

Syne  tuike  thair  leave,  and  tuike  them  to  the  way. 
Into  few  dayis  in  Ingland  landit  thay ; 
Whair  thay  aryvit,  and  fchew  unto  the  King 
As  ge  have  harde  me  lay  in  everie  thing. 
And  how  thay  ware  rewairdit  of  this  wayes  j 
The  fame  they  fchew  to  Queine  Meliades, 
And  how  the  King  and  the  Lord  Confiabill, 
Did  them  commend  in  wayis  honorabill 
Unto  the  King  and  unto  hir  bewtie. 
40    And  fcho  was  glaide  of  thair  proiperitie. 


BUIK  FYFT.  283 


Within  awcht  dayia  efler  thair  cuming. 
The  uther  horaldis  both  come  to  the  King, 
Whilk  war  delyverit  on  the  lame  maneire. 
Then  was  the  King  richt  glaidl'ume  of  his  cheire. 
King  Philipone  aucht  barrouns  hade  ordande, 
The  moft  adtive  that  was  into  Ingland, 
To  helpe  the  maifters  of  houfhald  to  devyfe 
And  rewle  his  Palice  on  moft  gudlie  wayis. 
And  to  refave  with  gudlie  countinance, 

30    All  Lordis,  Knights  and  Ladies  of  plealance. 
And  eik  all  ftrangeris  [baith]  moft  and  leaft, 
That  with  thair  prefence  honour  wald  the  feaft. 
The  Lordis  awcht  with  all  [thair]  diligence. 
With  grite  triumph,  laude  and  magnificence, 
Apperrellit  hes  the  Palice  royallie. 
And  all  the  wallis  coverit  luftillie, 
With  cloathes  of  gold,  and  flainis  pretious. 
And  riche  arras  with  workis  curious. 
With  auld  ftories  depaint  and  figurate  ; 

60    How  Troy  be  flaughter  was  depopulate, 

And  how  the  toune  was  taine  be  falfe  ingyne. 
And  how  the  wallis  ware  broght  imto  ruine  : 
Thair  was  the  leige  of  Thebis  toun  alfo, 
How  oder  flew  the  Trojan  brether  two. 
King  Polinices,  and  King  Ethiocles  : 
Thair  was  the  deidis  of  flxong  Hercules, 
And  all  his  ftrength  and  courage  leonyne : 
And  thair  was  Jafon  with  his  cheire  vulpeine  : 
Thair  was  the  Conqueife  of  nobill  Alexander  : 

70    Thair  was  of  Crefleid  the  laikles  flander : 
The  fchort  perfewing  of  Diomedes  : 
The  fervent  love  of  forrowful  Achilles : 


284  CLARIODUS. 

The  craftie  winning  of  the  Goldin  fleice  : 
The  revifching  of  Heline  out  of  Greice  : 
The  dreame  of  Paris  of  the  Goddis  fupeme, 
The  bewtie  of  thame  how  he  did  decerne, 
And  how  he  gave  the  apill  to  Venus  : 
Thair  was  the  weiping  of  Sir  Troylus, 
When  Crefleid  did  depairt  frome  Troy  toun  : 

80    Thair  wes  the  forcie  Trojane  campioun, 
Moft  worthie  Hector  in  arnies  invincibill, 
Chaiceing  the  Greikis  with  feir  right  teribill, 
With  naikit  fword  in  hand  of  bluid  all  reid  : 
Thair  was  of  Sampfon  the  murthere,  and  the  feid 
Betwix  him  and  the  falfe  Philifliane  : 
And  thair  wes  Lucreis  of  hir  awin  hand  flaine : 
And  diverfe  Knights  full  trew  and  nothing  faint, 
Bot  monie  ane  fals  woman  thair  wes  paint : 
Thair  wes  the  plaint  full  pitious  and  mone 

90    Of  Arfyte  and  his  brother  Palamon  : 
The  treuth  of  Dido  and  Penelope  : 
Of  Clytemneflra  the  great  crweltie, 
Wha  flew  hir  hufliand  with  ane  knyfe  in  bed  : 
Thair  wes  Piramus  and  Thilbe  both  forbled, 
For  forow  of  other  lay  flaine  be  the  well : 
Thair  wes  King  Orphius,  that  out  of  hell 
His  wife  did  bring  with  harping  [wondrous]  Iweit 
Thair  wes  Saturnus  baneifl;  out  of  Creit, 
In  fik  defert  by  Jupiter  his  fone, 

100    For  he  him  drink  gave  of  the  bittir  cone  : 

Thair  wes  the  fl;oreis  of  all  the  Nobillis  nyne  : 
The  half  I  can  not  wryte,  nor  git  defyne, 
Of  Campiounis  the  craftie  depicturis, 
Seiming  full  quick,  and  livelie  of  figouris. 


BUIK  FYFT.  '285 


All  paithit  wes  the  hall  of  marbill  whyte. 
And  cloth  of  gold  lurmonting  of  delyte 
Above  the  deice  wes  royallie  upftent 
Of  curious  champis  of  rolls  redolent ; 
The  buird  cloth  of  the  famin  was  but  dreid, 

1 10  The  filver  feimit  birning  as  ane  gleid, 
Of  ftifF  depurit  gold  [all]  birning  bright, 
Of  ftone  and  perle  the  bordour  caift  ane  light. 
For  the  four  Kings  thair  of  ellait  withall 
In  four  places  wer  ordanit  ieidgis  royall, 
With  ftone  and  perle  [all]  richelie  relplendent, 
Lyk  to  the  radious  ilarrie  firmament. 
The  cufchingis  of  deaureat  Iplendure  fchone, 
Ane  fairer  %ht  into  the  world  wes  none  ; 
And  all  the  wallis  wer  full  royallie 

120  Veftit  with  clothis  of  gold  full  richelie  ; 
And  all  the  chalmeris  on  the  famine  wayes 
Arrayit  wer  full  gudlie  to  devyle. 
The  galleireis  about  the  frefch  gardingis 
Wer  ftentit  all  with  rich  apperrellingis. 
The  Palice  clofe  wes  fairlie  paythit  new 
With  marbill  ftonis  reid,  [and]  whyte  and  blew. 
It  wer  prolikis,  and  long  of  circumilancis 
To  tell  all  haill  the  royall  ordinancis, 
The  fair  apperrell  and  luftie  freich  array 

130  That  thair  wes  maid  for  the  triumphand  day. 
The  gret  Conftabill  of  France  full  mightie 
Ordanit  his  Knights  all,  and  maid  readie 
To  pafle  in  Ingland  to  the  mariage. 
And  quhen  the  tyme  was  cumit  of  his  paifage, 
He  tuike  his  leave  full  lowlie  at  the  King, 
Whilk  to  him  laid,  Sir  Conftabill,  fair  Couiing, 


286  CLARIODUS. 

Commend  us  to  the  King  Clariodus, 

And  bid  him  keipe  the  height  he  maid  to  us  ; 

Quhilk  was  to  be  [richt]  glaid  and  have  curage 

140     On  the  day  of  Meliades  mariage. 

And  we  fall  keipe  all  the  avowis  perdie 

Maid  at  the  fupper  as  weill  knowis  he  ; 

And  bid  him  Ipair  ws  not,  bot  charge  us  ay, 

For  we  ar  his  in  all  that  we  do  may. 

The  ConAabill  iaid  all  ibuld  be  donne  anone  ; 

He  tuik  his  leave,  and  to  the  Queine  is  gone, 

Quhilk  bad  hir  recommend  in  humbill  wayis 

Both  to  the  King  and  to  Meliades. 

He  tuike  his  leave,  and  to  his  boric  afcendit, 

ISO    With  all  bis  Knightis  that  on  liim  dependit ; 
Lordis  in  France  ane  grite  pairt  of  the  way 
Convoyit  him,  and  fyne  thair  leave  tuike  thay. 
The  Lord  Conllabill,  and  all  his  lullie  Ibrte, 
Ar  ciunit  to  Calice  and  lichtit  at  the  porte. 
And  thair  thay  went  to  fchippis  all  belyve, 
And  into  Dovar  foune  thay  did  aryve  j 
And  thair  on  horfe  thay  mountit  but  abaid, 
And  to  the  toune  of  Londoune  furth  thay  raid, 
Whaire  diverfe  Lords  and  marchands  of  renoune 

160     With  grite  triumph  him  met  without  the  toune. 
And  thair  thay  feailit  him  full  royallie. 
And  him  convoyit  fyne  full  honorabillie 
Two  myllis  on  gaitward,  fyne  thair  leave  hes  tone. 
To  Bellvilladoun  come  this  Lord  anone. 

When  King  Clariodus  hard  of  his  cuming, 
He  lape  on  horfe  but  ony  tarying 
Him  for  to  meit,  and  bad  his  two  Coufing*, 
Of  Garnat  and  of  Caflalge  the  Kings, 


BUIK  FYFT.  987 

Remoine  in  Police  with  King  Philippoa  ; 
170    And  he  to  meit  the  Conllabili  anone 

Furth  pafTit  with  ane  nobill  coinpanie  ; 

And  fwa  without  the  portis  royallie 

This  Lord  he  met,  and  (yne  did  him  imbrace. 

And  him  reiavit  with  richt  merie  face  ; 

He  helfit  all  his  companie  alio  ; 

And  fyne  blythlie  imto  the  toun  they  go. 

He  bad  the  Conllabili  ryd  richt  by  his  fyd, 

Bot  he  refuifit  equall  with  him  to  ryde  j 

^it  nevertheles  he  ftreingit  him  thairto, 
160    And  his  command  behuifit  him  to  doe. 

Syne  fpeirit  he  richt  heartillie  of  the  King, 

And  of  his  Princes  luftie  and  beninge. 

He  laid,  they  heartilie  greating  to  him  fend, 

And  bad  that  he  fould  oft  them  recommend 

To  him  and  to  the  Queen  Meliades  ; 

And  eik  he  faid  to  him  upon  this  wayis, 

The  King  prayit  to  keip  weill  gour  promit. 

And  on  no  ways  ge  to  forgettine  it. 

And  what  he  meint  weill  underllude  the  King, 
190    And  laid  he  fould  fulfill  it  in  all  thing ; 

Thairwith  he  lewch,  fo  did  [the]  Lord  Conllabili. 

And  fo  thay  raid  with  heartis  amiabill, 

Whill  thay  to  Palice  come,  and  thair  they  licht, 

And  up  the  gries  palDt  they  on  height ; 

Syne  enterit  in  the  hall,  and  that  anone, 

Whair  that  the  wallis  [allj  full  brightlie  fchone  ; 

Whilk  the  Lord  Conllabili  commendit  grittumlif. 

And  fo  did  all  the  nobill  companie. 

Syne  thay  have  pail  to  Philippon  the  King, 
200    To  quhome  the  Conllabili  maid  fair  halOng ; 


288  CLARIODUS. 

Then  he  him  thair  in  armis  did  refave, 
And  fairlie  fyne  did  welcum  all  the  leave. 
Syne  this  Lord  helfit  hes  the  Kingis  two, 
Palexis  and  King  Amandour  alfo  ; 
And  thay  refavit  him  on  faire  maneir, 
And  all  his  folkis,  both  knight  and  bachileir ; 
And  then  they  Ipake  of  thingis  to  and  fro. 
And  to  the  Queinis  chalmer  fyne  they  go, 
And  thair  thay  halfit  both  the  Queinis  fair  ; 

210    And  thay  him  quyte  with  wordis  debonare, 
And  kilfit  him  with  countinance  demure. 
Syne  fpeirit  for  the  King,  and  how  he  fure  ; 
And  alfo  of  his  luilie  Princes  eike, 
And  how  fcho  fure,  and  all  hir  Ladies  meike. 
He  laid  thay  both  war  in  prolperitie, 
And  did  commend  him  unto  thair  bewtie. 

Meliades  then  faid  unto  the  Queine, 
Madam,  if  ge  of  rememberance  beine,  '' 

Full  oft  or  now  I  have  [unto]  gow  told 

220    Both  unto  King  and  Queine  how  I  was  hold. 
And  to  the  Conflabill  heire,  my  faire  Coiding, 
To  quhom  I  am  addettit  in  grite  thing. 
The  Lord  Conflabill  then  faid  in  this  wayis, 
Madame,  ge  fay  that  hot  of  gour  gentrice. 
And  of  5our  fweit  aflurit  womanheid, 
And  nether  for  my  fervice  nor  gude  deid  ; 
Bot  traift,  Madame,  efter  my  pure  power, 
I  fall  be  to  50W  ane  fervant  linguler. 
When  this  faid  was,  the  Lord  [then]  went  anone, 

230    And  kiilit  all  the  Ladies  on  be  one. 

As  they  abaid  amongs  the  Ladies  bright, 
Out  of  the  hall  alfweith  thair  come  ane  knight. 


BUIK  FYFT.  W9 

And  to  the  King  Clariodus  he  faid, 

The  nobill  King  from  tabill  him  abaid  ; 

Thair  Kingis,  Queinis,  Lordis,  fair  Ladies, 

Com  to  the  hall,  all  went  on  luftie  wayis. 

Full  reverentlie  the  King  Clariodus 

Unto  King  Philipon  [then]  Ipeikis  thus. 

Sir,  gif  it  plealls  50W,  my  Brother  heire, 
240    The  Lord  Conftabill  and  I  will  go  in  feire. 

And  dyne  into  my  chalmer  quyetlie. 

Thairof,  faid  he,  full  Weill  content  am  L 

And  then  anone  the  King  Clariodus 

The  Conftabill  hes  led  furth  joyous. 

With  diverle  Knightis  of  his  companie. 

Kirig  Philipon  to  tabill  royallie 

Was  fet  betwix  the  [gude]  King  PaJexis 

And  King  Amandur  that  [richt]  worthie  was  ; 

And  at  the  end  eike  of  this  royall  tabill 
250    Was  fet  the  Earle  Eftur  honorabill 

Before  ane  famous  Duike  of  that  cuntrie  ; 
Syne  everilk  Lord  and  Duike  in  their  degrie   • 
Was  fet,  and  fervit  wonder  nobillie 

With  pleafand  meits  and  wyne  aboundantlie. 
The  King  Clariodus  greate  feifting  maid 
To  the  French  Lord  that  he  in  chalmer  hade, 
And  to  his  Knightis  frefche  and  weil  befeine. 
Great  mirth  and  feifting  maid  baith  King  and  Queine. 
The  menftrells  plays  with  ane  melodious  foune 
260    Before  thir  Princes  of  fo  great  renowne. 

When  thay  had  (Ittine  long  on  this  maneire, 
Kingis,  Princis,  Lordis,  and  Ladies  cleire. 
From  burdes  thay  did  up  ryfe,  and  faid  the  grace. 
Clariodus  the  King,  with  great  folace, 

00 


290  CLARIODUS. 

And  the  Lord  Conftabill  ar  cumit  to  hall 
With  ane  cumpanie  of  Knights  full  royall. 
King  Amandur  and  King  Palexis 
Unto  the  Queinis  chalmer  can  them  drefle, 
Thir  [faid]  Princes  to  bring  unto  the  hall, 

270    Quhair  thay  in  chalmer,  and  thair  Ladies  all, 
Dynis,  as  then  of  Ingland  was  the  gyfe. 
Thay  war  arayit  on  ane  gndlie  wayis. 
Meliades,  this  luftie  [fair]  young  Queine, 
As  ony  Goddes  frefch  was  for  to  feine, 
Into  ane  corlit  of  claith  of  gold  all  quhyte, 
Wliilk  was  of  faflloun  wonderlie  perfyte ; 
Rich  talbart  lleves,  [that  war]  long,  large  and  wyde. 
Upon  the  card  behind  hir  trailling  fyde. 
As  it  was  the  gyfe  of  Ingland  tho  ; 

2W)    For  in  thaife  tymis  ladyis  cled  war  fo. 
Upon  hir  heade  ane  rofie  chapilet 
Within  ane  rofeire  all  in  bright  gold  fet, 
The  rofeis  reid  war  all  of  cuUour  bricht, 
And  carbunkle  llonis  calling  plelant  licht. 
Upon  the  rofeire  lufUe  to  be  feine, 
Inlleid  of  leives  hang  emeroldis  greine, 
Full  frefchlie  pouderit  all  with  leavis  quhj-t, 
Whilk  to  behald  ane  hevin  was  of  delyte. 
About  hir  fiiow  quhyte  throte,  as  bloflbme  cleire, 

290    Of  curious  warkis  hang  ane  fair  colleire. 
King  Amandur  to  hall  did  hir  convoy. 
As  Icho  hade  beine  this  worldis  gem  and  joy  ; 
And  King  Palexis  led  hir  mother  the  Queine ; 
Thair  followed  hir  monie  Ladie  i'cheine. 
And  at  the  entrie  of  Queine  Meliades, 
They  hir  beheld  upon  ane  gudlie  wayes  ; 


BUIK  FYFT.  291 

For  certainlie  it  feamit  to  thair  eye. 

That  day  by  day  increfljt  hir  bewtie. 

The  King  faid  to  the  Conftabill  of  France, 
300    Go  ge,  fair  Coufing,  and  begine  the  dance. 

And  take  into  gour  hand  Meliades. 

And  his  command  he  did  on  humbill  wayis. 

He  gart  the  King  Clariodus  alfo 

With  the  fair  Duches  of  Yorke  in  danfe  to  go. 

Full  luftie  Knights  of  Ingland  and  of  France 

Anone  enterit  frefchlie  in  the  danfe. 

Both  King  and  Queine  are  in  thair  feiges  fet, 

With  ftone  and  pearle  mightilie  owerfret. 

Of  inftruments  up  raife  the  mightie  foune. 
310    Thair  danilt  monie  Ladie  of  renoune  ; 

And  uther  Ladies,  that  lift  not  for  to  danfe, 

Sate  with  bening  and  gudlie  countinance 

About  the  Queine,  beholding  on  the  feift. 
^j^    Thus  war  thay  all  in  joy,  both  moft  and  leift. 

In  midis  of  thair  mirthful  melodie, 

Doune  at  the  Palice  get  all  royallie, 

Thair  lichtit  Kings  and  Lordis  of  honour. 

And  luftie  Ladies  alfe  frefche  as  Mayis  floure ; 

With  plefant  Court  [all]  frefche  and  weill  befeine, 
820    The  mightie  King  of  Spain  ge  and  the  Queine  : 

And  alfe  thair  enterit  in  the  Palice  tho, 
^.       The  King  of  Galice  and  his  Queine  alfo. 

With  fair  Cadar,  that  luftie  Ladie  geing. 

With  Donas  lifter  to  the  Spanifch  King, 

With  Duikis,  Earlis,  Lordis  and  [eik]  Knights, 

And  monie  uther  frefch  and  luftie  wights  : 

And  fuddanlie  thay  ar  all  cxunin  thus. 

In  witting  of  the  King  Clariodus. 


29«  CLARIODUS. 

And  when  he  wift,  he  [did]  difcend  anone 
330    Unto  the  clofe  with  Lordis  monie  one, 

And  them  reiavit  [thair]  full  reverentlie ; 

Syne  led  them  to  the  hall  honorablie. 

King  Philipon,  and  eike  the  nobill  Queine, 

And  fair  Meliades  of  bewtie  fcheine, 

Thir  Princes  met  in  middis  of  the  hall. 

And  them  refavit  with  triumph  royall. 

Bot  thair  men  micht  [have]  learnit  courtifie, 

To  fie  thir  migbtie  Princes  nobillie 

Refle6l  to  uther,  and  reverentlie  inclyne  ; 
340    And  eike  Ladies  with  havings  femenine 

To  utheris  kneillit  with  fweit  debonar  cheir. 

With  leuke  bening  and  womanlie  efFeire. 

Frefch  Mandonat,  [that  was]  of  Spain^ie  Queine, 

Hir  Father  of  Eftur  had  grite  pleafoure  to  ieine  ; 

Eik  of  hir  Mother  fchoe  was  thair  joyous. 

And  of  hir  Brother  King  Clariodus ; 

Thay  war  fo  glaid  of  uther  everie  one. 

That  long  thay  could  not  out  of  armis  gone. 

The  Princes  all  war  led  to  hall  and  fet  on  deice, 
360    And  Lordis  to  the  dance  newlie  did  preife. 

And  minftrellis  to  play  againe  begane ; 

Amongis  them  was  joy  and  mirthis  thane. 

And  quhen  thus  perlavit  hes  Clariodus 

Sik  number  of  folkis  worthie  and  famous, . 

The  wyfe  Lord  Conftabill  prayit  he  to  take 

On  him  fike  office  for  his  Ladies  faike. 

To  have  the  rewle  as  [the]  moll  principall, 

Abone  the  Lordis  awcht  in  Ipeciall 

The  maiilers  of  houfhold,  to  command  and  corredt 
360    [That  thay  provifion  make  with  due  relpedl] 


BUIK  FYFT.  «98 

Belonging  to  the  feift  in  everie  thing. 

And  glaidlie  he  hes  grantit  to  the  King, 

As  he  that  was  of  iik  doings  expert, 

For  him  luirlie  thay  micht  no  tyme  eftart, 

Bot  he  [ay]  redie  was  in  all  maneir 

To  make  the  companie  merrie  feift  and  cheire, 

Of  Garnat,  Galice,  France  and  Spaingie, 

Ingland,  Irland,  Efture  and  Cafteljie  ; 

For  he  thir  Lordis  hade  all  on  his  toung, 
370    All  knowis  he  quhatever  be  faid  or  foung 

Amongs  them  all ;  and  eike  he  knowis  perfyte. 

What  may  them  greive,  or  quhat  may  them  delyte  : 

The  Conllabill  of  France  all  this  he  can. 

At  fike  ane  tyme  he  was  ane  neidfuU  man. 
When  thay  had  long  difportit  on  this  wayis, 

Whilk  for  to  leine  it  was  ane  parradice, 

Then  Kingis,  Queinis,   Princis  and  monie  Lordis, 

Earlis,  Knightis,  Ladies  and  all  accordis. 

To  chalmeris  went,  at  eale  them  to  atray, 
380    And  put  on  them  ane  luftie  new  aray ; 

And  thay  at  leafour  changit  thair  cleathing, 

The  quhyte  lillie  and  tender  flouris  greine. 

Meliades  the  ding  and  luftie  Queine, 

The  frefch  and  new  fpred  role  of  bewtie  fcheine, 

Abuiljeit  hir  full  fair  and  luftillie 

Into  ane  goune  of  fatine  cramofie, 

With  orient  pearles  pouderat  and  owerfret, 

Whilk  war  fiill  thike  and  grit  thairupon  let, 

Schyning  upon  the  cramofie  lb  bright, 
S90    Of  quhyte  and  reid  full  luftie  was  the  fight, 

Whairof  full  weill  might  likinit  beine  the  hew 

Unto  the  hevinlie  role  with  liquor  new, 


294  CLARIODUS. 

Pouderit  in  morrow  with  criftall  dropis  lyke. 

The  reid  in  equal  junxit  with  the  quhyte  j 

And  as  the  bloffum  honours  the  bloffum  in  May, 

So  did  hir  bewtie  in  hir  [frefch]  aray. 

Hir  cleire  cuUour  of  angel  lyke  clemence 

Full  far  furmuntit  into  excellence 

All  hir  attyre  and  riche  abuilgement : 

+00    And  moft  of  all  hir  vertew  redolent 

Full  cleire  I  wis  abone  hir  bewtie  fchone ; 
For  in  this  warld  git  creatoure  was  none 
That  ever  perlavit  in  hir  cruel  tie, 
For  fcho  fulfillit  was  of  womanlie  pitie, 
Whilk  full  was  of  aflurit  patience, 
Approvit  be  right  grit  experience  ; 
Ay  humbill,  fymple,  and  fchamfull  under  dreid 
Was  this  illuflar  floure  of  womanheid. 

Be  this  the  maifleris  of  houfliold  in  cum  wer, 

410    And  waimit  them  to  cum  to  the  lupper. 
Kingis  and  Princes  then  went  to  the  hall, 
Queinis  and  Ladies  [fair]  went  with  them  all. 
Betwix  twa  Duikis,  frelch  at  all  devyfe, 
Unto  the  hall  led  was  Meliades  ; 
God  wit  if  fcho  was  luftie  for  to  fie, 
So  entering  them  among  in  that  degrie, 
Hir  following  in  weidis  frefchlie  dicht, 
Duchefles,  Countefles,  and  plefant  Ladies  bright. 
Fyve  mightie  Kingis  was  fet  at  the  tabill, 

420    With  them  thair  Queinis  frelch  and  honorabill ; 
Bot  King  Clariodus  wald  fit  no  way 
From  the  Lord  Conflabill,  for  togidder  thay 
Held  companie  without  diflayerance. 
This  Conflabill,  full  wyfe  of  governance, 


BUIK  FYFT.  295 

Ordanit  the  hall  Co  weill  in  everie  thing, 

Alle  Weill  in  cheire  as  in  thair  marchelling, 

That  he  cominendit  was  of  everie  wight. 

Fair  was  the  hall  and  the  fupper  that  nicht. 

The  King  Palexis,  and  King  Amandur, 
430    Ofl  fent  to  Donas  and  to  faire  Cadar 

Them  praying  to  be  glaid  and  make  gude  cheire. 

When  they  hade  feiftit  long  on  this  maneire, 

Foure  maifters  of  houHiald,  that  war  honorabill, 

At  the  command  of  the  Lord  Conllabill 

Servit  them  with  the  latter  courles  thair. 

With  towell  and  water  that  was  cleir  and  faire. 

When  thay  had  wafchin  and  [the]  grace  all  laid, 

From  tabill  then  thay  raile  but  more  abaid. 

This  being  donne,  the  minftrells  playit  on  height ; 
440    Syne  to  the  hall  come  monie  ane  Ladle  bright. 

That  foupit  had  in  chalmer  royallie  : 

Thus  pair  and  pair  thay  prefent  pleafantlie. 

The  King  Clariodus  commandit  thair 

The  Lord  Conftabill  to  take  his  Sifter  faire, 

The  Queine  of  Spainge,  and  leid  hir  in  the  danl'e  ; 

The  quhilke  he  did  anone  without  neance  : 

And  he  himielf  the  Queine  led  of  Galice  : 

The  King  of  Spainge  led  Meliades  : 

The  King  Palexis  led  Donas  maift  bening, 
450    Whilk  Sifter  was  of  Spainje  to  the  King : 

King  Amandur  led  Cadar  that  was  cleire, 

Whilk  was  the  King  of  Galice  dochter  deire  : 

Sir  Gilgeam  de  la  Forreft  led  the  Duches, 
The  quhilke  ane  Ladie  fair  and  luftie  was  : 
Ane  Countes  led  Sir  Richard  de  Mayance  : 

And  utheris  Lordis  and  Ladies  of  pleafiince 


296  CLARIODUS. 

geid  in  the  danfe,  with  countinance  demure. 
The  King  of  Galice  and  the  Count  Eftiire 
Not  danfit,  hot  abaid  in  companie 

460    With  Philipon  that  was  King  [maifl]  worthie. 
The  uther  Ladies,  that  lift  not  for  to  dance, 
Sat  with  the  Queine,  to  pryfe  and  to  advanfe 
Them  that  beft  danfit  of  that  luftie  forte. 
And  on  this  wayis  glaidlie  can  them  difport 
Ane  Weill  long  (pace.     And  quhen  the  dance  was  ceilit. 
Princes  and  Ladies  to  thair  chalmers  preifit. 
King  Clariodus  the  Conflabill  hes  taine. 
And  to  the  King  of  Spainis  chalmer  is  gane, 
And  unto  him  he  faid.  My  Brother  deire, 

470    I  will  my  Sifter  borrow  at  jow  heire. 

The  Ladie  Donas  ;  thairto  I  jow  exhorte, 

That  we  ane  quhyle  may  commoun  and  difporte 

Into  the  chalmer  with  Meliades. 

The  King  him  anfweirit  into  humbill  wayis, 

Fair  Brother,  all  belne  gouris  that  beine  myne. 

With  this  to  uther  ather  can  inclyne. 

He  tuike  fair  Donas,  that  luftie  was  to  feine. 

And  garte  the  Conflabill  of  France  leid  the  Queine. 

And  then  thay  went  upon  the  famine  wayis, 

480    Unto  the  Kingis  chalmer  of  Galice, 

And  tuike  with  him  goung  Cadder  that  was  faire. 
Syne  to  the  chalmer  glaidlie  can  repaire 
Of  Queine  Meliades  ;  and  in  the  way 
To  Donas  King  Clariodus  can  (ay, 
Madame,  I  have  to  your  Brother  the  King, 
Anent  jour  mariage  fent  my  wryting, 
Thairwith  to  be  advyfit  of  that  cace  ; 
And  I  him  thanke  that  in  that  mater  hes 


BUIK  FYFT.  897 

Done  all  according  unto  mj  intent ; 
•iSH)    And  veralie,  if  that  je  wald  conlent, 

I  wald  ^e  waddit  Ainandur  the  King  ; 

And  fuithlie  if  I  trowit  that  this  thing 

Sould  30W  difpleife,  I  wald  it  fchow  no  way ; 

Now  quhat  ge  thinke  of  this  to  me  ge  fay. 

Scho  faid,  My  fair  Brother,  [full]  weill  I  knaw 

That  ge  no  thing  into  this  world  me  fchaw 

Bot  it  according  war  to  my  honour  j 

My  Brotheris  will  and  gouris  at  all  houre 

I  will  obey.     And  this  full  foberlie 
500    Scho  faid,  and  fmyllit  fum  deall  quyetlie  i 

Quhilk  he  perfavit,  and  the  cans  [he]  Ipelrit 

Why  that  fcho  lewch.     And  quhen  fcho  was  requyrit 

The  caufe  to  tell ;  then  laid  fcho  womanlie. 

Why  that  I  lewch,  if  ge  rememberit  be 

When  with  my  Brother  ge  war  into  Spaine, 

The  trewth  heirof  I  fall  tell  30W  [all]  plaine. 

When  with  jour  Sifter  weddit  was  the  King, 

Betwix  us  two  was  quyet  commoning, 

I  fpake  to  50W  belonging  jour  mariage, 
510    I  lewgh  quhen  [that]  I  thoght  on  that  language  ; 

For  then  certes  thair  was  no  man  on  lyfe 

Whom  to  that  I  defyrit  to  be  wyk 

Bot  unto  50W,  quhairof  none  fould  me  blame 

To  have  delyret  the  Knight  of  nobileft  fame 

In  all  the  world,  thoght  I  fo  fymple  was  ; 

For  it  perteinit  to  gour  nobilnes 

To  have  ane  ladie  of  mair  luftiheid, 

A«  ge  have  now  withoutin  ony  dreid. 

My  faire  Sifter,  faid  [  King]  Clariodus, 
520    I  thanke  gow  of  gour  [love,]  that  gratious 

Pp 


298  CLARIODUS. 

Stude  towards  me  into  like  [ane]  degrie  ; 
For  fuith  it  beine  ane  fair  debait,  faid  he, 
Of  two  fair  Ladies  upon  fike  ane  wayes. 
Of  30W  Sifter  and  of  Meliades. 
With  gndlie  wordis  and  plefant  commoning 
Thir  luftie  Knightis  and  thir  Ladies  ging 
Enterit  in  the  chalmer  of  this  goung  Queine, 
Meliades  the  rofe  of  bewtie  fcheine. 
Scho  raife  upon  hir  feit  full  courteflie, 

5S0    With  all  the  Ladies  of  hir  companie  ; 

And  doun  fcho  fet  the  Queine,  hir  Sifter  faire, 
Upon  ane  coufchen  of  claith  of  gold  preclaire 
Abone  hir  felf,  quhilk  alwajis  fcho  refuifit ; 
Bot  at  that  tyme  fcho  inicht  not  be  excuifit. 
With  fair  treatie  Icho  gart  hir  take  that  place. 
And  fcho  late  doune  betwix  hir  and  Donas. 
The  goung  Cadar  fcho  gart  them  let  before, 
That  thay  might  at  thair  eafe  ipeike  all  the  more. 
The  King  Clariodus  and  the  Lord  Conftabill 

540    Commoned  with  uther  Lordis  amiabill. 
And  them  dilportit  with  full  grite  fblace. 
And  monie  ane  luftie  ladie  fair  of  face 
Was  in  that  blythfull  chalmer  of  plefance, 
Ane  with  ane  uther  maid  [thair]  aquantance, 
Ladeis  of  France,  Spainge,  and  Inglande, 
As  thay  had  all  beine  nureift  in  ane  lande. 
like  King  dilportit  theme  full  plefandlie 
Amongs  thaife  ladies  that  war  womanlie. 
The  tyme  thay  Ichorte  with  heartis  glaid  and  licht, 

550    Whill  neir  the  houre  was  cumit  of  midnicht ; 
And  thay  war  loath  git  than  for  to  diflever, 
Thir  ladies  tyre  of  uther  could  thay  never. 


BUIK  FYFT.  S99 


Bot  quhen  the  gudlie  frefch  Meliades 

Saw  that  thay  wald  dopairt  upon  this  wayis, 

Scho  callit  Ilomaryn,  and  gart  hir  gone 

Unto  ane  calfer,  and  gart  hir  fetch  anone 

Ane  croun  of  gold  that  mallie  was  and  wight, 

All  fet  with  llonis  radious  and  licht, 

And  two  riche  hearts  of  gold  all  birning  new, 

560    Circulate  with  roobies  and  fapheiris  blew. 

Into  hir  hand  fcho  tuike  the  crounall  fcheine. 
And  faid  richt  thus  unto  the  Spain^e  Queine, 
My  Siller  fair,  in  France  was  maid  this  croun, 
And  for  that  it  is  maid  of  new  fafchoun 
5e  fall  it  have  with  gow  in  gour  cuntrie  ; 
The  quhilk  for  to  relave  full  laith  was  fche  : 
Bot  fcho  hes  hir  befoght  in  Hk  maneire, 
That  fcho  hes  taine  the  croun  of  gemis  cleir. 
Reverencing  hir  Sifter  grittumlie. 

570    The  two  heartis  of  gold  that  war  luftie 
Scho  gave  to  Donas  and  to  Cadar  faire  ; 
And  unto  everie  ladie  that  was  thair 
Scho  gave  rewaird  and  that  full  largelie. 
Quhilke  the  Lord  Conflabill  periavit  tentivelie, 
And  ever  ilk  wight  of  he  and  law  degrie 
Grittumlie  praiHt  hir  liberalitie. 
Thir  Princeffis  hes  thane  thair  leavis  taine. 
Them  to  convoy  this  Ladie  wald  have  g^ne  : 
Bot  thay  wald  not  hir  fuflfer  in  no  way  ; 

580    For  it  the  ule  of  Ingland  was  perfay, 
Ladies  the  nicht  before  their  mariage 
Sould  dwell  in  chalraeris,  of  auld  ufage, 
Whill  thay  went  to  the  kirke  to  Ijpoufit  be; 
So  ilude  that  Ladie  in  that  ilk  degrie. 


300  CLARIODUS. 

Efter  the  leave  the  King  Clariodus 

Baid  with  the  Queine,  for  he  was  amorous. 

They  fpake  ane  quhyle  wordis  plefand  and  faire  ; 

And  fyne  he  tuike  ane  diamond  full  cleire 

And  gave  to  hir,  and  kiflit  hir  alio ; 
590    And  fyne  him  grathit  efter  the  leave  to  go. 

The  Queine  of  Spainje  Ichew  unto  the  King 

The  gift  that  was  fo  honorabill  and  ding. 

Unto  hir  gevin  be  Meliades. 

The  King  forfuith  it  [weill]  can  rufe  and  praiie. 

Bot  moir  abaid  ilk  ane  to  beddis  gois, 

Them  with  the  nightis  reft  for  to  repofe, 

Except  worke  men  that  war  laborius, 

And  biflie  makand  workis  curious  ; 

Sum  for  the  cleithing  into  frefch  aray 
f>00    Of  Lords  and  Knights ;  and  liim  for  the  turnay  ; 

Sum  [for]  to  build  the  liftis  tuike  grite  cure  ; 

Sum  biflie  was  for  to  forge  new  armour  ; 

And  fum  to  make  the  barras  great  and  wyde. 

Thus  everie  man  was  biflie  to  provide 

For  thingis  longing  to  this  nobill  feift, 

Whill  that  the  day  up  fprang  into  the  eift  ; 

And  when  that  Phebus  did  all  the  world  ouerfchyne, 

Craftifmen  thair  worke  biflielie  did  fyne. 

When  that  the  Duike  of  Miland  hes  hard  taulde 
610    Of  this  wading,  and  quhan  that  it  fould  hauld, 

He  fent  thrie  fommeris  chargit  richlie 

To  King  Clariodus  that  was  worthie, 

Ane  chargit  was  with  cloth  of  gold  full  deir, 

Ane  uther  with  filver  chargit  was  moft  cleire. 

The  third  with  lilk  the  beft  in  that  cuntrie, 

For  he  was  full  of  liberalitie  ; 


BUIK  FYFT.  301 

And  to  ane  nobill  man  he  hcs  them  taught. 

The  Knight  Lumbarde,  that  in  the  liftis  faught 

With  King  Clariodus  but  variance, 
i5«o    He  callit  is  Sir  Ame  de  Plafance. 

Sex  frefch  varlots  he  did  delyver  thaire, 

And  four  ftout  fquyeris  with  him  for  to  fair. 

The  Duike  of  Miland  bad  that  he  fould  wend 

Into  Ingland,  and  thair  him  recommend 

To  King  Clariodus  in  forme  reverent. 

And  thaife  thrie  fommeris  unto  him  prefent. 

This  Knight  he  maid  no  longer  refidence, 

Bot  hes  him  fped  with  fo  grite  diligence 

That  he  hade  all  compleitit  his  voyage 
630    Againe  the  day  of  the  ilk  mariage. 

And  as  the  King  addreifit  him  to  ryfe, 

The  Knight  Lumbard  upon  ane  gudlie  wayis 

Is  enterit  in  at  the  port  of  the  toun. 

And  at  the  Palice  get  is  lichtit  doune ; 

Into  the  Court  weill  knowin  was  the  Knight. 

And  then  alfweith  as  [that]  thay  hade  ane  fight. 

Of  him  thay  told  to  King  Clariodus, 

Of  his  cuming  whilk  was  full  joyous. 

And  faid  that  he  wald  prefence  have  anone. 
640    Then  foune  ane  [fair]  meflage  is  for  him  gone. 

Thay  chargit  him  to  cum  unto  the  King, 

And  faid,  that  he  was  glaid  of  his  cuming. 

His  four  fquyeris  this  Knight  hes  with  him  taine. 

And  bad  the  varlots  with  the  horfe  remaine. 

And  to  the  Kingis  chalmer  paflit  he, 

[And  kneillit  doun,  quhen  he  the  King  did  fie,] 

Upon  his  knie  richt  fair  and  reverentlie. 

The  King  Clariodus  full  tenderlie 


302  CLARIODUS. 

Refavit  him  with  full  glaid  countinance, 
650    And  faid,  Welcum,  Si*  Ame  de  Plilance, 
What  tidings  have  ge  broght  in  this  cuntrie  ? 
All  guide  unto  your  Hienes,  Sir,  faid  he. 
The  Duke  of  Myland  dois  him  recommend 
Unto  gour  Hienes,  quhilk  with  me  hes  fend 
To  30W  thrie  fommeris  chargit  richlie 
With  cloath  of  gold  and  filver  richt  mightie. 
How  dois  my  Brother  the  Duike,  fayis  the  King, 
I  thoght  full  long  to  heir  of  him  tyding. 
At  my  depairting,  Sir,  richt  weill  fuire  he, 
660    I  left  him  into  gude  prolperitie. 

The  fquyeris  went  againe  to  horfe  glaidlie. 
And  loullt  hes  the  fummeris  biflllie. 
And  broght  the  clothis  thair  unto  the  King, 
The  quhilk  them  praifit  into  mikill  thing. 
Thay  oppinit  them  on  breade  upon  ane  tabill. 
The  quhilk  to  lie  was  fair  and  amiabill. 
The  King  gart  deale  them  all  but  more  proces. 
And  diilribute  them  glaidlie  more  and  les. 
The  Kingis,  Princes,  and  Queinis  of  honours* 
670    And  uther  Lordis  and  Knightis  of  valoure. 
Thus  diilribute  thir  cloathis  in  this  wayis. 
All  hot  two  peices  to  Meliades. 

Then  enterit  in  the  chalmer  the  Conflabill, 
Thanking  the  King  on  wayis  honorabill 
Of  the  fair  cloath  of  gold  that  he  him  fend  ; 
And  eike  he  faid,  that  tyme  it  was  to  wend 
Unto  the  kirk.     The  King  Clariodus 
Him  veftit  hes  in  cloathis  full  pretious. 
And  put  on  Iiim  anone  ane  rob  royall.  • 

680    Be  this  the  houfhold  was  arrayit  all. 


BUIK  FYFT.  SOB 

To  go  to  kirke  into  thair  bell  aray, 

Thay  war  ane  luftie  companic  perfay. 

Meliades,  this  soung-  and  luftie  Queine, 

Was  in  ane  kirtill  of  cloalh  of  gold  befeine 

Of  quhyte  cuUoure,  with  curious  champe  of  floure 

Pouderit  with  pearlis,  as  the  bright  dew  pure  j 

With  mantill  of  the  fainyne,  rich  and  deire, 

With  taill  full  long,  quhilk  buire  ane  Ladie  cleire  ; 

Ane  broach  of  gold,  with  ftonis  cafting  licht, 
690    Tog^dder  held  fair  glorious  mantill  bright. 

Ane  royall  croun  was  fet  upon  her  heid, 

Owerfret  with  (lonis  mightie  blew  and  reid  ; 

And  lullillie  fcho  fat  in  feige  royall. 

Of  all  bewtie  as  floure  imperiall. 

The  King  Clariodus  of  grite  renoune. 

With  thrie  Kingis  triumphand  under  croune, 

Convoyit  was  to  kirke  full  royallie. 

Thair  was  with  him  King  Philipon  worthie. 

The  King  Palexis  and  King  Amandur, 
700    With  monie  ane  Duke  and  Lord  of  [grit]  honoure. 

Two  mightie  Kings  of  Spaingie  and  Galeice 

To  kirke  leidis  the  frefch  Meliades. 

Thair  foUowit  hir  thrie  Ladies  weil  befeine. 

In  frefch  aray  and  full  of  bewtie  fcheine. 

Full  monie  ane  Ladie  [bricht]  did  hir  convoy  j 

Thair  was  the  Duches  fair  of  Bellavoy  ; 

Of  Beline  countrie  thair  was  the  Duches  fair  j 

Of  Gloceft^er  the  Duches  eik  was  thair  ; 

With  monie  ane  uther  Duches  and  Countes, 
710    And  feimlie  Ladies  of  grite  nobilnes ; 

The  Ladie  Cadder,  and  fair  Donas  alio, 

Whilk  honorabillie  the  Queinis  nixt  did  go. 


304  CLARIODUS. 

And  efter  all  thir  Ladies  frel'ch  and  fcheine, 
Thair  foUowit  threttie  Ladies  weil  bel'eine. 
All  cled  in  cloath  of  lilver  of  delyte, 
With  perlit  hatis  fcliyning  of  cuUour  quhyte. 
Full  monie  iilver  trumpit  and  clarioun 
Befor  them  paft  with  noyfe  throw  the  toun. 
With  everie  maner  of  uther  minftrallie. 

720    The  rewis  all  war  flintit  right  richlie 

With  cloathes  of  gold,  and  arras  wounder  faire. 
The  royaltie  I  cannot  half  declaire 
Was  them  among  on  this  triumphall  day, 
Thair  jolitie,  thair  felling,  and  thair  play. 
To  kirke  thay  come.     What  is  thair  more  to  tell, 
For  he  onlie,  that  is  of  Knightheid  well, 
Beine  fpouilt  to  the  floure  of  womanheid. 
Before  monie  ane  Prince  of  nobilheid, 
And  monie  luftie  Ladie  honorabill, 

730    [That  marchallit  war  by  the  Lord  Conttabill 
Efter  the  order  of  thair  nobilnes.] 
Ane  Archbifchope  anone  them  maryit  hes  ; 
Ane  mefe  was  lingin  ryght  folemnitlie. 
With  found  of  organs,  and  with  melodie. 

And  quhen  the  fervice  all  [thair]  endit  wes, 
Firft  can  the  King  Clariodus  him  dres 
On  gudlie  wayis  forth  of  the  kirke  to  go. 
The  King  of  Spainje,  and  of  Galice  alio, 
Convoyit  him  with  monie  Duike  and  Lord. 

740    And  trewlie,  as  myne  Authore  can  recorde. 
The  King  Palexis,  and  King  Amandur, 
Alfweith  convoyit  this  Princes  of  honoure 
Unto  the  Palice  retis  of  renoune, 
The  minftrellis  [playing]  with  ane  myrrie  found. 


BUIK  FYFT.  305 

Thay  enterit  in  the  clofe  that  was  right  faire, 

Abone  arrayit,  aa  ge  harde  of  aire. 

The  gait  and  gries,  arrayit  to  the  hall, 

Was  all  of  marbill  quhyte,  and  coverit  all 

With  coftlie  arras  and  curious  workis  feire ; 
750    Whiik  thay  al'cendit  have  in  fair  maneire. 
This  royall  fort  unto  the  hall  is  gone, 

Quhair  the  hie  tabill  was  raifit  anone ; 

And  on  the  deice  on  [the]  moft  gudlie  wayis 

Was  fet  this  lullie  Queine  Meliades  ; 

Hir  Mother  the  Queine  fate  on  hir  right  hande, 

And  nixt  her  fate  the  King  of  Spainge  land. 

And  fyne  the  Queine  of  Galice  fair  to  fe, 

With  Donas  and  Caddar  baith  full  luilie, 

And  lyne  of  Belum  cuntrie  the  Duches  ; 
760    And  on  hir  uther  hand  QeikJ  fet  thair  was 

The  King  of  Spainje,  the  Count  of  Eftur, 

The  King  of  Galice  gudlie  of  flature. 

Of  Brataleme  the  Duches  of  bewtie. 

The  Duches  of  Bellavoy  of  Spaingie  cuntrie. 
When  royallie  the  deice  [all]  fet  was  thus, 

Anone  the  nobill  King  Clariodus, 

King  Philippon  and  [eik]  King  Amandure, 

The  King  Palexis  and  [the]  Earle  Eftur, 

The  Lord  Conilabill  and  uther  Lordis  feire, 
770    Unto  the  grite  chalmer  went  all  in  feire. 

The  Maifters  of  houlhold  and  Conftabill  before  ; 

They  war  all  let,  but  ony  proces  more. 

The  King  Clariodus  forget  hes  nocht 

The  Lumbard  [Knicht ;]]  hot  garrit  him  be  broght, 

And  fet  him  in  ane  honorabill  place. 

The  threttie  Virginis,  that  war  fair  of  face. 


S06  CLARIODUS. 

Into  the  hall  war  marchellit  them  allone. 
All  uther  Lordis  and  Ladies  everilk  one 
Difcreitlie  fet  war  efter  thair  degrie. 
780    The  trumpits  blawis  with  ane  noyle  fullie, 
Whill  all  the  Palice  wallis  did  redound. 
Ower  all  the  hall  the  courfis  did  abound  ; 
Grite  was  the  feift,  and  royall  was  the  cheire, 
And  plealand  was  the  nienftrellis  for  to  heire 
In  hall  amongs  this  royall  companie ; 
With  intermeifis  playit  mirrilie, 
And  Imall  padgeounis  that  war  delectabill, 
Amongs  the  pleliind  courlis  ineiliinabill : 
Whairfor  the  maner  paffis  mania  ingyne, 
790    To  tell  the  meits  alfo  of  fyndrio  kynd, 
Or  git  the  wynis  nobill  and  mightie, 
Quhairof  the  buirde  was  fervit  by  and  by. 

The  Conftabill  faid  to  Clariodus, 
Now  fall  it  Weill  be  knowin  unto  us. 
Be  gour  having  and  be  jour  countinance, 
If  that  ge  keipe  unto  the  King  of  France 
That  ge  promitit  at  gour  depairting, 
For  now  it  is  the  day  of  hir  fpoufing ; 
Weill  aught  ge  glaid  and  joyous  for  to  be 
800    For  dike  of  hir  the  floure  of  all  bewtie. 
Thus  anfweirit  lies  the  King  Clariodus ; 
How  fould  ane  man  be  glaider  of  his  fpous 
• .  Nor  he  fould  of  his  foverane  Ladie  be  ? 

Then  lewch  they  both  and  maid  ane  minrie  glie. 
Then  faid  anone  to  him  King  Philipon, 
Ha,  [my]  fair  Sone,  will  ge  be  of  them  one 
Unto  thair  wyfis  that  becumis  thrall  ? 
Thairto  no  thing  I  counfall  gow  at  all. 


BUIK  FYFT.  307 

Thus  war  thay  all  in  joyous  commoning. 
810    The  Conftabill,  but  longer  tarying, 

Up  raife  and  went  to  feift  them  in  the  ball. 

King  Clariodus  him  callit  thair  withall, 

And  privallie  he  roundit  in  his  eare, 

And  faid.  My  Brother,  je  beire  this  rubie  cleire, 

And  at  my  only  inflance  and  requeift. 

It  prefent  to  the  Ladie  of  the  feift ; 

And  lay.  The  Knight  fuIfiUit  of  all  joy, 

Devoyde  of  everilk  forrow  and  of  noy. 

In  ane  rememberance  hes  it  to  hir  lend, 
820    Unto  hir  bewtie  doing  him  recommend. 

The  Conftabill  the  rubie  tuike  anone. 

And  laid,  Glaidlie  ^our  meftage  I  lall  gone  ; 

Syne  throw  the  Palice  he  pailit  joyouflie, 

Convoyit  with  Knights  wounder  royallie. 

To  the  hie  deice  [anone]  but  more  abaid 

He  paft  with  countinance  right  blyth  and  glaid, 

And  all  the  Ladies  [^thair]  of  frefch  bewtie. 

He  feiftit  hes,  that  joy  was  for  to  fie. 

With  mirrie  wordis  and  [richt]  pleafante  cheir  j 
830    For  he  ane  maifter  was  and  no  fcolleir 

Into  fike  thing,  as  then  it  was  weill  feine  ; 

For  he  ane  Lord  of  full  grit  nurture  beine. 

When  he  had  cheirit  them  ane  weill  long  fpace, 

About  the  tabill  he  paffit  hes  apaice, 

Whill  he  come  to  the  Queine  Meliades, 

And  hir  the  rubie  gave  in  fecreit  wayis. 

Saying,  The  Knight  fulfillit  of  plefance, 

This  ring  gow  fent  in  [ane]  rememberance. 

Scho  tuike  the  ring  but  ony  perlaving ; 
840    For  Icho  lb  fteidfaft  was  in  hir  having. 


308  CLARIODUS. 

That  naine  peiiaye  might  be  hir  countinance 
When  that  fcho  felt  of  paine  or  of  pliiance. 

So  happinit  or  the  dinner  was  endit. 
That  Sir  Porrus  of  Portugall  alTendit 
Into  the  Palice,  for  oppine  was  everie  porte, 
Full  wyde  upfet,  the  trewth  for  to  report ; 
With  him  was  knightis  ten  right  honorabill, 
And  twentie  fquyeris  frefch  and  amiabill. 
This  Knight  be  fortoune  and  be  thrawart  fate 

850    Into  ane  lyoun  long  was  deformat, 

Quhill  King  Clariodus,  be  his  chevalrie, 
Redeimit  him  be  batell  mightillie. 
Sonne  to  the  Conftabill  this  was  tauld  anone. 
The  quhilk  foure  fquyers  hes  gart  for  him  gone. 
And  he  anone  hes  cum  to  his  prefence. 
And  helfit  him  with  all  dew  reverence. 
The  Conftabill  laid,  Welcum,  Sir  Porrus, 
For  he  him  knew  both  worthie  and  chevelrus. 
He  hes  him  reverencit,  and  faid  anone, 

860    My  [gude]  Lord,  with  gour  leave  now  I  wald  gone 
To  Queine  Meliades  with  frefch  eflfeire, 
I  have  ane  prefent  [unto]  hir  to  beire. 
The  Conftabill  faid,  So  mote  I  have  joy, 
I  fall  unto  my  Ladie  jow  convoy. 
He  hes  him  led  to  Queine  Meliades, 
Whom  the  Knight  helfit  hes  upon  this  wayis. 
Saying,  The  Lord,  that  power  hes  of  all, 
Conferve  gour  Hienes  and  eftait  royall, 
Togidder  with  gour  [moft]  great  excellence. 

870    I  comin  am  to  thank  gour  hie  clemence 
Of  the  moft  bliffuU  and  happie  delyverance 
Of  my  proterve  miffortune  and  mifchance 


BUIK  FYFT.  309 


Be  King  Clariodus ;  for  none  bot  he 
Nixt  God  micht  of  my  fate  delyver  me  ; 
Whom  to  was  no  remeid,  bot  if  the  beft 
Knight  of  this  world,  and  eik  the  gentileft, 
Redemit  me  out  of  my  paine  and  wo  : 
Whairfor  in  [his]  rememberance  ever  mo, 
That  in  this  warld  is  of  knightheid  [the]  floure, 

880    His  airis  fall  be  nureift  with  honoure 

Into  this  creddell  of  gold  all  forgit  bright, 
Difcending  ay  to  his  fucceflioun  right ; 
Thus,  fall  his  regall  ftok  and  his  ofTpring 
Have  of  thair  nobill  progenitours  lo^dng. 
With  that  he  gart  his  armigers  oftend 
The  creddill  of  gold  gudlie  to  commend, 
Of  fik  ane  curious  worke  and  quantitie 
Two  men  togidder  might  laide  into  it  be. 
Then  everie  Prince  and  Princes  at  tabill 

890    Said  that  it  was  ane  gift  moft  honorabill. 

And  laid,  thay  had  not  feine  fo  rich  ane  gift. 
Both  of  fo  grite  ane  quantitie  and  might. 
The  Queine  him  thankit  hes  on  fair  maneir. 
The  grite  Lord  Conftabill  fent  for  Bonvaleir, 
And  him  delyverit  this  Jewell  pretious. 
And  bad  him  have  it  to  hir  thefaur  hous. 
The  Maifteris  of  houihold  fyne  he  did  command 
This  nobill  Knight  to  feift  with  cheir  pleifand. 
Thay  him  obeyit  with  countinance  joyous  ; 

900    Bot  firft  unto  the  King  Clariodus 

Thay  him  convoyit  have  full  gentillie. 
He  him  refavit  and  thankit  full  tenderlie 
Of  his  prelent.     And  fyne  unto  the  hall 
Thay  go  with  him,  and  maid  him  feift  royall. 


310  CLARIODUS. 

Thairefter  at  the  portis  can  doune  licht 
Sir  Brounar  de  la  Haunt,  that  gen  till  Knight, 
Of  quhois  fchoulder  the  King  Clariodus 
Drew  furth  the  arrow  that  was  venomus. 
He  broght  with  him  fex  courfouris  in  gud  plicht, 

910    And  fex  fair  haiknayis  as  the  fnow  [all]  quhyte. 
And  them  prefentit  to  Meliades. 
And  he  anone,  upon  the  famine  wayis, 
Declairit  lies  right  [loud]  before  the  tabill, 
How  he  of  ane  hurt  [that  was]  uncurabill 
Lay  in  the  tent  remeidles  day  and  night, 
Whill  King  Clariodus  the  gentill  Knight 
[Had]  him  releivit  furth  of  his  dillres ; 
And  fo  furth  fchew  the  maner  mair  and  les. 
How  in  this  world  [thair]  was  no  mediceine 

920    That  na  uther  wight  might  worke  be  ingyne. 
Thay  feiilit  him  with  glaid  and  mirrie  cheire. 
The  Count  of  Eftur  and  his  Ladie  cleire 
Grite  joy  [than]  hade  in  heart  of  the  honour 
That  to  thair  fone  was  donne  in  that  [ilk]  houre. 

Efter  all  uther  intermeiiis  feire, 
As  of  the  latter  courfe  thay  fervit  war, 
Twentie  goung  children  of  fourtine  geiris  age 
On  tame  lyounis  quhalpis,   I  ingage, 
Full  gudlie  into  purpur  iilk  arrayit, 

9S0    Come  in  before  them  r}'ding  unafrayit, 

Sadillit  and  brydillit  and  put  to  poynt  at  right ; 
And  twentie  virginis  that  war  blyth  and  bright, 
Of  the  famyne  age,  on  unicornis  fair, 
With  harnifchingis  pleafant  and  preclaire, 
Abuilgeit  frefchlie  in  the  famine  hew, 
And  all  in  hatis  greine,  and  fair  and  new  ; 


BUIK  FYFT.  811 

And  everie  raadine  that  waa  into  that  place 

Ane  luftie  varlot  led  in  goldin  lace, 

With  Ipeiris  in  thair  handis  everie  one. 
940    And  quhen  thay  war  all  enter  it  in,  anone 

The  madinis  lichtit  gudlie  to  behald  ; 

The  varlots  tuike  thoir  unicorns  to  hald  ; 

And  thay  begouth  to  gang  in  carralling, 

And  lb  with  that  lb  mirrillie  thay  ling, 

That  everie  wight  thair  beine  had  joy  to  heir, 

Thair  voices  was  fo  angell  lyke  and  cleire. 

And  as  the  madinis  fong  upon  this  wayes, 

The  varlots  juftit  and  maid  interpryfe  ; 

And  he,  that  from  his  horfe  was  ilrikine  doune, 
950    Gave  to  his  fellow  ane  ring  for  his  ranlbun ; 

And  he  that  ring  gave  to  ane  Ladie  Icheine, 

And  fcho  againe  gave  him  hir  hat  of  greine. 

And  did  full  womanlie  to  him  inclyne. 

[This  done]  betwix  hir  and  hir  fellow,  fyne 

Scho  tuike  him  in  the  ring  with  grit  plefance  ; 

Syne  luilillie  begouth  thay  all  to  dance. 

And  this  was  donne,  that  everie  wight  might  fie ; 

For  all  the  clofe  of  [full]  large  quantitie 

That  day  was  ordanit  to  the  triumphall  hall, 
960    With  cloathes  of  gold  it  was  coverit  all ; 

And  Lord  is  in  the  chalmeris  round  about 

At  fenifteris  and  windowis  luikit  out. 

All  law  playit  this  royall  intermeis. 

The  quhilke  furmuntit  into  luiliaes 

So  far,  that  thay  bade  wonder  it  to  ie. 

Saying,  forluith  that  thay  in  no  cuntrie 

Hade  feine  fiklyke  into  no  tyme  before. 

And  quhen  thofe  madinis  of  bewtie  fo  decore 


312  CLARIODUS. 

Had  lang  difportit  [thus]  and  playit  glaide, 

970  The  varlots  hes  the  unicornis  to  them  hade, 
And  fet  them  on  thair  ladillis  lullillie, 
SjTie  on  thair  lyounis  lape  delyverlie. 
And  of  the  hall  thay  paft  without  tarie, 
And  Queine  Proferpina  with  hir  Court  of  Fari. 

The  aucht  Maifleris  of  houihald  ordanit  hes 
To  draw  the  buirdis  and  to  lay  the  grace. 
At  the  hie  deice  upraifit  was  the  tabill. 
Kingis  and  Princeflis  that  war  honorabill 
Dilpoil^eit  them  of  thair  robis  fair, 

980  And  them  delyverit  unto  heralds  thair 
Of  monie  diverfe  realmis  of  grit  honouris 
Into  thair  mightie  Princes  coat  armouris, 
Quhilk  grjftis  gat  to  make  them  rich  for  ever. 
Ane  fairer  fight  fenlyne  [thair]  feine  was  never. 
Of  Kingis,  Queinis,  Princes  honorabill, 
Duikis,  Lordis,  and  Ladies  amiabill 
Within  ane  Palice  nor  was  it  in,  I  wife, 
Whair  thair  was  nothing  wanting  of  warlds  blife. 
All  minflrellis  then  with  inftruments  are  gone, 

990  Both  lute,  harp,  viole,  clarcheo,  and  guthrone, 
To  play  into  the  grite  triumphall  hall, 
Whair  monie  ane  Prince  in  thair  ellait  royall 
Abaid,  with  monie  ane  [luftie]  Princes  faire, 
And  monie  ane  Ladie  biyth  and  debonare. 
Then  faid  Clariodus  the  nobill  King 
To  the  Conftabill  his  Brother,  I  defyre  the  thing. 
That  ge  firft  go  to  leid  into  the  dance 
My  Lady  my  fpous,  for  that  war  my  plealance ; 
Quhilk  for  to  do  he  did  refuiCe  at  all, 

1000  Confidering  thair  was  Princes  in  the  hall 


BUIK  FYFT.  313 

Hir  for  to  leid  quhom  [it]  did  more  perteine  : 

Bot  git  this  Prince  he  will  that  ib  Ibuld  beine, 

For  unto  him  he  will  doe  that  honoure, 

For  he  in  France  was  Lord  of  grite  valoure  ; 

Whairfor  the  King,  of  grite  confiderance. 

Both  for  the  faike  of  the  nobill  King  of  France, 

And  for  his  awin  great  wit  and  nobilnes. 

He  did  grit  honour  unto  him  dreidles. 

Then  the  Lord  Conilabill  into  gndlie  wayis 
1010  The  dance  begane  with  Queine  Meliades  ; 

The  mightie  King  of  Spain  led  Cadder  fcheine, 

And  the  Duike  of  Bellavoy  led  the  Queine 

Of  Spaingie  cuntrie  ;  ane  uther  Duike  alfo 

With  the  Duches  of  Bellavoy  in  the  dance  can  go ; 

Ane  Duches  [eik]]  led  Amandur  the  King, 

And  King  Palexis  led  Donas  the  geing  ; 

Ane  lullie  Earle  of  Ingland  regioun 

Of  Yorke  did  leid  the  Duchess  of  renoune ; 

And  eik  the  King  Clariodus  worthie 
1020  Of  Spainje  cuntrie  led  ane  fair  Ladie. 

Thair  dancit  monie  ane  uther  lord  and  knight 

With  monie  ane  ladie  and  frefch  virgine  bright. 

Forget  was  not  Sir  Ame  de  Valeir, 

Nor  git  the  nobill  Sir  Charles  de  le  Scareir. 

Sir  Gilliam  de  la  Forreft  thair  did  go. 

Sir  Richard  de  Maianis  danllt  thair  alfo. 

For  to  be  mirrie  thay  neidit  no  requeifl. 

For  none  war  glaider  nor  thay  war  of  the  feift. 

Full  long  it  war  thair  namis  to  declair, 
1030  Or  git  to  fpecifie  thair  daniing  thair. 

The  Queine  of  Ingland  fat  at  the  hie  dice. 

With  diverfe  ladies,  both  Duches  and  Countes, 

R  r 


314  CLARIODUS. 

Beholding  on  the  daniing  with  fixit  eie. 
Grite  was  the  joy,  triumphe,  and  royal  tie  j 
Grite  was  the  mirth,  the  pleafance,  and  the  fporte. 
That  was,  God  wote,  among  that  luAie  forte. 
Full  monie  ane  Knight  with  Cupidis  awfull  deart 
Amongs  thame  thair  was  woundit  to  the  heart, 
Whilk  efterwart  of  langour  did  complaine, 

1040  Excellent  bewtie  fo  did  them  conllraine 
Thair  for  to  love  all  magrie  thair  intent. 
Full  monie  ane  fecreite  luike  among  them  went. 
With  full  defyre  thair  hearts  war  let  on  fyre. 
Throw  lovis  thrill,  heateil  of  defyre. 
Thair  the  Lord  Conllabill  hurt  was  with  ane  light, 
Sum  thing  that  day  he  will  of  lovis  might 
Onlie  throw  bewtie  of  ane  ladle  fcheine. 
And  at  ane  light  his  heart  all  holdin  beine 
To  ane  anone,  as  can  my  Authore  tell ; 

1050  Upon  fik  thing  as  now  I  may  not  dwell. 
I  will  30W  tell  of  ane  [grit]  aventoure 
By  Ladie  Fortunis  purvenance  and  ciire, 
Into  the  Court  the  quhilk  betyde  anone, 
Quhilk  ge  lall  heir,  or  that  I  farther  gone ; 
And  efter  that  returne  againe  I  will. 
And  of  the  feift  the  leave  will  tell  50W  till. 

So  happinit  in  the  meane  quhyle  to  be, 
Ane  Herald  come  [thair]  from  Polyne  cuntrie, 
Whilk  callit  was  to  name  Bonadventur, 

1060  Whom  King  Clariodus  with  blffie  cure 

Had  lent  with  credence  to  Polyne  to  the  King, 
Him  heighting  in  his  weiris  fum  fupporting 
Againis  the  Duike  of  Gravan,  quhom  betweine 
Full  grit  debait  [thair]  had  [ane]  long  tyme  beine  : 


BUIK  FYFT.  315 

Bot  thay  u^riet  war  or  his  ciiming ; 

Thus  he  returnit  hame  unto  the  King. 
Whea  it  was  told  to  King  Clariodus 

Of  his  Herald,  that  [he]  was  cumit  thus. 

Unto  his  chalmer  he  went  the  neireft  way, 
1070  And  for  the  Herald  fent  without  delay. 

The  Herald  faluft  him  upon  his  knie. 

Saying  to  him,  the  eternall  God  jow  fie ; 

The  King  of  Polyne  him  to  50W  commendis. 

And  to  gour  Hienes  heartlie  greating  fendis, 

30W  thanking  ofter  nor  I  can  heir  reporte, 

Of  gour  promit  him  to  at  neid  luporte. 

He  and  the  Duik  of  Gravan  ar  at  ane, 

Betwix  them  two  the  weiris  ar  all  gaine  : 

Bot  as  I  come  out  throw  the  realme  of  France, 
1080  I  iaw  the  King  make  royall  ordinance 

For  tornament,  for  joy,  for  feift,  for  play 

At  Pareis  toun  againe  gour  manage  day  ; 

To  quhilk  was  dreflit  monie  ane  Lord  and  Knight, 

And  monie  ane  luilie  Ladie  blyth  and  bright. 

In  companies  thik  ryding  throw  the  fieldis. 

With  bairdit  fteidis,  hameis,  fpeir  and  icheildis; 

And  in  the  honour  of  gour  grit  renoune, 

He  makis  all  that  g^eat  provifioun. 

And  eik  the  Queine  with  all  hir  Ladies  bright 
1090  Jour  wadding  fchupe  to  worfchip  at  thair  might 

With  royall  feifting,  danling  and  difport. 

And  fcho  avowit  befor  that  luftie  forte 

Unto  the  Powne  that  fet  was  on  the  tabill. 

This  King  is  fuithfaft  and  undouttabill. 

And  ane  thing.  Sir,  I  fall  30W  tell  for  treuth, 

I  law  ane  fight  quhairof  I  hade  grite  rewth. 


316  CLARIODUS. 

Bot  heir  without  the  toun  ane  litill  way. 

Fyftine  Knightis  enarmit  war  perfay, 

Quhilk  reveift  fyvetine  Virginis  had  unright, 
1100  Thinking  with  thame  to  ly  [on]  this  ilk  night. 

And  of  thair  virginities  them  to  deflore. 

Full  fail  the  Madinis  mercie  did  implore ; 

Bot  thay  with  cruell  heartis  but  pitie 

Demanis  thame,  that  pitie  is  to  fie. 

Then  afldt  King  Clariodus,  if  thay 

War  paffit  far.    He  anfweirit  and  faid.  Nay, 
I  ges  them  ^it  bot  at  the  Woll,  faid  he. 

Without  the  toune  that  llandis  by  the  trie, 
Whair  Ladies  ufis  in  thair  diiport  to  go, 
1110  It  callit  is  the  Ladies  Woll  alfo. 

On  Bonvaleir  than  callit  he  anone. 
And  bad  him  fwiftlie  for  his  harnes  gone, 
And  fadell  him  ane  courfour  that  was  wight. 
And  bad  the  Herald  go  at  all  his  might. 
Unto  the  pollrum  fuddanlie  him  bring. 
And  thair  for  to  abyde  on  his  cuming. 
With  fpeir  in  hand  [that  was}  both  long  and  wight, 
Bonvaleir  ibune  enarmit  him  [at]  right, 
And  he  anone  unto  the  poftrum  went, 
1120  And  on  his  horfe  afcendit  or  he  flint. 
Upon  his  held  he  did  his  helme  on  lace. 
And  them  commandit  both  into  that  place 
That  they  difcover  him  in  no  maneir : 
SjTie  chargit  he  his  varlot  Bonvaleir,    , 
AUeane  into  his  chalmer  to  fojorne 
All  quyetlie  againe  quhill  he  retume  ; 
And  if  his  brother  the  Conftabill  fpeire 
Whair  he  was  gaine,  to  tell  on  this  maneir. 


BUIK  FYFT.  8X7 


That  he  was  in  ane  fecreit  erant  went, 
1 130  And  wald  againe  him  i'peid  incontinent. 

And  than  he  tuike  his  mightie  fpeir  in  hand, 
And  fwifllie  he  did  gallope  ouer  the  land. 
Thir  Squyeris  both  thay  fat  on  kneis  doun, 
Prayand  to  him  that  wore  the  bludie  croun 
Him  to  conferve  from  all  mifaventure, 
Thay  him  betaught  in  Godis  bliflit  houre. 
And  to  the  chalmer  foune  returnit  thay. 

Clariodus,  in  all  the  haiil  he  may. 
Upon  the  Knightis  followit  hes  fo  fall, 

1 140  Whill  that  he  hes  ouertaine  them  at  the  laft, 
Saying,  O  Knightis,  ge  abyde  for  Ihame  ! 
Doe  not  fo  grit  dilhonour  to  gour  name, 
As  for  to  leid  the  Madinis  on  that  wayis  ; 
The  Ordour  of  Knightheid  ye  [do]  dilpyle, 
On  like  ane  wayis  fair  Ladies  to  offend  ; 
For  ge  thair  quarrell  rather  fould  defend. 
Nor  them  to  trubill  fo  on  lik  maneir. 
Sir  Knight,  thay  faid,  grit  folie  to  gow  it  wer. 
As  now  to  fchaipe  our  deidis  to  correct, 

1150  For  at  this  tyme  ge  may  ws  not  object. 
I  fall  refill,  quod  he,  if  that  I  may. 
Thairwith  the  formeft  fchupe  him  to  allay. 
Thay  let  thair  Ipeiris  ladlie  in  the  reift. 
And  awfuUie  towart  uther  thay  preift ; 
And  certanlie  the  King  Clariodus 
He  hit  him  Ilk  ane  flrake  diipiteous. 
That  horfe  and  man  went  both  unto  the  ground, 
Whill  that  his  helme  did  from  the  eard  redound. 
The  iecond  and  the  third  doun  run  hes  he 

1160  So  fellounlie,  that  naine  was  of  thaife  thrie 


318  CLARIODUS. 

Bot  atber  his  leg  or  arme  he  brift  in  two. 
And  quhen  the  Madinis  faw  he  provit  fo, 
Right  heartfiillie  to  God  they  for  him  prayit. 
The  twelf  Knightis  with  heartis  unaffrayit. 
Then  fet  on  him  with  fwordis  all  at  onis, 
Training  to  brift  him,  fell,  blood  and  bonis. 
Quhen  this  perfavit  King  Clariodus, 
With  fword  in  hand  as  lyoun  fiirious. 
Full  earneftlie  he  enterit  them  amang ; 

1170  With  mortall  ftraikis  he  among  them  dang, 
That  it  was  wounder  him  to  behald  and  lie. 
For  he  begouth  into  his  wraith  to  be ; 
Was  none  fo  fialwart  that  his  ftraik  gaineftuide, 
For  as  ane  tyger  that  beine  fearle  and  wode, 
He  on  them  rufchit  than  with  awfull  faire, 
With  bloudie  fword  thame  chafing  heir  and  thair, 
Brifting  thair  lleill  helmis  in  his  ire  and  teine, 
Straiking  thair  fteidis  from  them  on  the  greine. 
Carving  thair  lymbis  and  armis  ay  in  funder, 

1 180  So  monie  of  them  thair  fteidis  lay  in  under. 
The  Knightis  war  abaifit  grittumlie, 
.  Of  him  that  them  tormentit  lb  fellounlie  ; 
Ane  feind  thay  thocht  him  lyker  nor  ane  man. 
For  of  his  fighting  ever  mair  he  can. 
Thay  ftraik  at  him  fo  thik  and  faft  withall 
As  dois  the  hammeris  on  the  ftudie  fall ; 
Thay  woundit  him  upon  the  arme  full  lore, 
Whairthrow  his  courage  increffit  ay  the  more  ; 
For  quhen  he  faw  his  blood  rin  doune  fo  raid 

1190  He  grew  in  anger  and  in  mortall  feid. 
And  on  them  rufchit  with  fik  violence, 
With  fo  grit  furie  and  g^it  vehemence, 


BUIK  FYFT.  319 

He  huntit  them  with  [fik]  ane  feirfull  cheire, 

Right  as  the  avrfuU  hundis  dois  the  deire, 

And  fkaillit  them  full  wyde  before  his  face. 

As  the  fearfe  lyoun  dois  fmall  beiilis  chafe  ; 

Upon  the  greine  he  gave  them  tant  for  tant, 

Whill  that  thay  grew  fo  weirie  and  fo  faint. 

And  put  them  fo  far  to  confufioun, 
1200  That  thay  could  not  hot  ly  in  thair  ranfoune, 

As  joldin  men  his  dintis  to  refave. 

And  could  not  take  the  flraikis  that  he  gave. 

And  quhen  thay  faw  [that]  thair  was  no  remeid, 

Bot  them  to  jeild,  or  ellis  for  to  be  deid, 

Thay  laid  to  him  at  onis  pitiouilie, 

Ha  !  Flour  of  Knightheid,  grant  to  ws  mercie. 

And  fave  our  lyfis,  for  thy  mikill  might, 

As  thow  that  beine  in  earth  the  gentilleft  Knight. 

Then  faid  the  King,  Gif  ge  will  have  mercie, 
1210  Go  to  the  toun  ge  fall  (landing  us  by; 

Unto  the  Kingis  Palice  ge  fall  Ipeir, 

And  thair  je  fall  enter  but  ony  feir, 

Whair  ge  (all  entrie  have  for  fmall  requeift. 

And  geild  gow  to  the  Ladie  of  the  feift ; 

Your  prilToun  fall  be  foft,  I  tak  on  me. 

If  that  ge  be  all  taine  with  hir  bewtie  ; 

And  eike  ge  fall  promit,  or  that  je  wende, 

In  tyme  cuming  je  fall  gour  lyfes  amend. 

And  never  againe  doe  Ladies  lik  unright, 
1220  Bot  ay  defend  thair  quarrell  with  gour  mighfr ; 

And  eik  the  Madinis  ge  fall  reftore 

Unto  thair  freindis  quhair  thay  war  before. 

Thay  faid  anone.  We  fall  do  gour  bidding 

Into  all  poynts,  lave  onlie  this  ane  thing, 


320  CLARIODUS. 

That  is  to  fay,  to  have  thir  Madins  againe, 
Quhilk  if  we  doe  doubtles  we  falbe  flaine. 
This  Weill  confident  King  Clariodus. 
The  damofellis  that  glaid  war  and  joyous. 
On  kneis  fell  to  him  full  humbillie, 

1230  And  wald  his  feit  have  kiffit  tenderlie  ; 
Bot  he  wald  not  them  lufFer  to  do  fo. 

So  twentie  Knightis  fearllie  come  but  ho. 
Upon  thair  ileidis  fwiftlie  at  the  fpuris, 
To  feik  the  Knights  that  donne  them  fik  injuris, 
And  wald  with  fwordis  have  upon  them  beine  ; 
Bot  King  Clariodus  lape  them  betweine. 
And  faid.  My  friendis,  no  worfchip  war  30W  to. 
Unto  thir  Knights  more  hermis  [for]  to  doe ; 
Then  thankit  be  God  of  his  eternall  grace, 

1240  Thir  Madinis  beine  recourfit  upon  cace. 

•  And  quhen  they  have  [weill]  underftud  that  he 
Was  onlie  victour  of  fo  grit  meinge, 
Thay  war  fore  wonderit  into  mikill  thing. 
And  come  to  him  [full]  lowlie  inclyning  ; 
And  him  thay  thankit  thair  with  all  thair  might, 
As  of  the  world  the  moft  nobillell  Knight, 
And  prayit  him  his  name  to  them  to  kyth. 
And  he  anone  hes  anfweirit  them  belyve. 
My  name  1  never  denyit,  nor  jit  fall, 

1250  Clariodus  of  Eftur  thay  me  call. 

And  quhen  thay  will  it  was  Clariodus, 
Thay  fell  upon  thair  kneis,  faying  thus, 
O  nobilleft  Knight  of  moft  excellent  fame, 
Out  throw  the  world  Ipringin  is  jour  name  ; 
Jour  knight) ie  deid'S  and  heigh  chevalrie, 
In  laude  and  honour  rings  unto  the  fkie  ; 


BUIK  FYI-T.  321 

We  ar  not  grit  amervellit  of  this  deid. 

Sen  that  ge  ar  the  flour  of  all  knightheid, 

Whom  God  haith  fent  our  chyldren  to  perfew ; 
1260  We  falbe  faithfull  fervitours  and  trew 

To  30  w  for  all  the  day  is  of  our  lyfe. 

The  nobill  King  ane  freindfchip  maid  belyve 

Among  the  Knights ;  and  fyne  did  thame  requyre 

That  thay  wald  go  with  him  to  the  fuppeir. 

Thay  have  him  reverencit  full  grittumlie. 

Syne  to  the  Palice  thay  [all]  raid  glaidlie. 

The  other  Knightis  maid  varlots  for  to  gone 

Unto  the  wode  and  litteris  maid  anone, 

Whairin  thay  have  four  woundit  Knightis  laid, 
1270  And  fend  them  hame  withoutin  mair  abaid 

With  four  varlotis  in  thair  companie, 

Quhilk  ludging  tuik  in  the  nixt  toun  thairby  ; 

Syne  at  the  King  thay  tuike  thair  leave  and  went, 

Thair  promife  to  fulfill  incontinent. 

And  he  hes  ridin  againe  the  privie  way 

Unto  the  poftrom,  as  je  hard  me  fay. 

I  leive  now  of  Clariodus  ane  quhyle, 

And  fumthing  now  my  pen  I  will  exyle, 

Schortlie  to  fpeik  of  thir  elevin  Knights, 
1280  Quhilk  to  the  Palice  for  to  go  them  dichts. 

Thir  Knightis  at  the  Palice  get  lichtit  doun, 

And  enterit  at  the  portis  of  renoune, 

Afcendit  lyne  up  the  gries  of  the  hall ; 

Thay  that  them  law  did  wounder  ane  and  all. 

As  diamonds  in  armour  bright  thay  fchone. 

And  thay  all  woundit  war  and  bluid  begone. 

To  hall  thay  went  and  paflit  throw  the  preis. 

And  or  thay  flint  thay  come  to  the  hie  deice. 


322  CLARIODUS. 

Anon  the  menftrells  ceiffit  for  to  play, 
1290  And  Lordis  left  the  dance  for  the  afray  j 

For  as  them  thoght  it  was  ane  uncouth  thing. 
In  bluidie  harneis  to  lie  thair  incuraing. 
In  fylence  was  the  hall  of  moft  and  leift. 
Thay  fpeirit  quha  was  Ladie  of  the  feill. 
And  thay  tham  kennit  to  Meliades. 
Then  all  on  knies  thay  fat  on  humbill  wayis, 
And  laid,  Madame,  unto  gour  blyth  bewtie 
We  geild  us  heir  all  prefoners  to  be, 
To  do  with  W8  ryght  as  gourfelfin  lift ; 
1300  For  of  this  world  the  nobilleft  Knight  and  beft 
Ws  all  hes  conqueift  with  his  [awin]  hand, 
And  uther  foure  in  poynt  of  death  lyand. 
Syne  quhen  he  had  ws  wone  with  grit  mellie, 
From  twentie  Knightis  of  grit  crueltie 
He  ws  recourfit  againe  richt  nobillie, 
And  ws  conferved  from  thair  fellonie. 
They  callit  him  the  Knight  of  joy  compleit, 
Whois  heart  of  everie  plefour  beine  repleit. 
Then  worde  by  worde  they  [all]  the  maner  told 
1310  Of  thair  meiting,  and  of  the  bargane  bold. 
And  of  his  knightlie  ftrenth  and  his  vigoure, 

And  how  he  maid  the  [haill]  difcomfiture. 

When  they  had  long  his  honour  done  proclame, 

Thay  laid,  Madame,  if  ge  wald  wit  his  name, 

Clariodus  of  Eftur  thay  him  call. 

Then  full  of  blife  and  glaidnes  was  the  hall, 

And  thay  all  cryit  with  ane  cheir  joyous, 

Vive,  vive,  le  Roy  Clariodus  ! 

And  that  with  fik  ane  [michtie]  noyfe  and  ibund, 
1320  That  to  the  rufe  the  chalmer  did  redound. 


BUIK  FYFT.  ms 

Meliades  that  blyth  was  this  to  heire, 

^it  chang^it  nather  countinance  nor  cheir  ; 

Bot  with  ane  fledfail  leuke  debonarlie 

Scho  all  beheld  the  mirrie  corapanie, 

And  thankit  God  devotlie  in  hir  mjTide, 

That  her  rewairdit  hade  on  fike  ane  kynd  ; 

And  [that  it]  pleafit  had  his  gratious  will, 

The  flour  of  knightheid  to  geive  hir  untill : 

And  ^it  albeit  I'cho  hade  in  mariage 
1330  This  nobill  Knight  of  fo  hie  vaflalage, 

And  underftuid  and  right  perfytlie  knew 

That  unto  hir  he  fleidfaft  was  and  trew  ; 

git  Cupid  hes  hir  ftrikin  with  his  dairte, 

And  newlie  woundit  hir  unto  the  heart 

Throw  new  reporte  maid  of  him  be  thir  Knights 

In  prelence  of  fo  monie  g^dlie  wights. 

What  is  thair  mair  to  fay  of  this  mater ; 

Both  Kingis,  Queinis,  Lordis  and  Ladies  cleire 

Full  joyous  war  thir  things  for  to  heir  tell 
1S40  Of  him  that  beine  of  knightheid  flour  and  well, 

And  moil  of  all  Earle  Eilur  honorabill, 

And  fair  Countes  that  was  demure  and  ftabill. 

King  Philipone  them  treitit  nobillie. 

And  gart  the  Conllabill  treit  them  royallie  j 

And  fyne  the  gudlie  Queine  Meliades 

Releivit  them  on  fair  and  gxidlie  wayis 

Of  hir  prifoune,  and  fweitlie  did  them  treite. 

And  gave  them  gyftis  honorabill  and  great. 

Thay  tuike  thair  leave  anone  full  courteflie, 
1350  Reverencing  thir  Princis  humbillie. 

And  mofl:  of  all  Meliades  the  Queine, 

Dreffing  hir  bewtie  and  hir  vertew  icheine. 


324  CLARIODUS. 

Syne  foune  upon  thair  horle  afcendit  thay, 
And  to  thair  fellows  tuike  the  neireft  way, 
Quhilk  thame  abaid  thair,  hot  [git  neir]  at  hand 
In  ane  village  that  callit  was  Garrand  ; 
To  quhom  they  fliew  the  grit  nobillitie 
Was  to  them  donne,  and  the  grit  royaltie 
Of  all  this  feaft  ;   and  of  rewairdis  grite 

1360  Whilk  was  thame  gevin  thair  they  did  repeit ; 
And  how  Clariodus,  of  knightheid  floure, 
Of  twa  realmis  was  famous  conquerour  ; 
And  thair  thay  did  remaine  whill  haill  and  found 
War  thair  fellows  of  everie  grevous  wound  j 
Syne  hame  thay  went  unto  thair  awin  cuntrie, 
And  leivit  ay  in  trewth  and  chevalrie. 

King  Amandur  and  [all'e]  King  Palcxis, 
And  the  Lord  Conilabill  that  worthie  was, 
Afcendit  on  thair  horfe  and  that  anone, 

1370  And  with  all  billines  can  them  diipone 
To  meit  the  King  Clariodus  in  hy. 
The  King  of  Spaine  eik  in  thair  company 
Wold  have  ridin  j  bot  Philipon  the  King 
Did  him  requyer  with  wordis  right  bening, 
Whill  thair  returning  to  make  refidence. 
The  feill  to  honour  with  his  digne  prelence. 
And  as  thay  went  to  horfe  on  this  maneir, 
Thay  met  the  Kingis  varlot  Bonvaleir, 
Whom  to  the  Conftabill  faid,  My  frind,  perdie 

1880  ge  have  this  thing  confeillit  weill  fra  me. 

To  fchaw  to  me  quhair  that  gour  Maifter  went. 
My  Lord,  faid  he,  it  war  not  pertinent 
To  me  to  Ichaw,  bot  quhat  he  chargis  me, 
Quhilk  to  confider  difcreit  anewch  ar  ge. 


BUIK  FYFT.  5«5 

Thairwith  he  lewch,  and  maid  [full]  grit  guming. 

Thir  Lords  to  meit  the  King  ar  gone  in  lamming ; 

And  foune  thay  faw  him  ryde  a  quyet  way 

Unto  the  poftrum  get  without  delay. 

Then  the  Lord  Conllabill  unto  him  raid, 
1390  And  on  this  maner  lawghand  to  him  laid, 

I  am  of  30W  dilTavit  out  of  dreid, 

For  I  belevit  ge,  fa  God  me  fpeid. 

Had  beine  devyfing  fum  llrange  abuilgement 

Into  gour  chalmer  for  the  tornament, 

And  36  in  uther  materis  biflie  wer. 

As  be  the  Knightis  weill  it  did  apeire, 

Whom  into  Court  amongs  ws  je  [did]  fend ; 

Thay  maid  gour  occupation  to  us  kend. 

The  Kingis  two,  quhilk  war  his  coufings  neir, 
1400  Thay  maid  him  mirrie  corapanie  and  cheire. 

The  Lord  Conflabill  perfavit  weill  that  he 

Upon  the  arme  was  hurt  at  the  mellie. 

And  fpeirit  at  him  if  he  was  hurt  ought  faire  ; 

And  he  laid,  Nay.     With  that  thay  enterit  thair 

In  at  the  gardine  get  of  the  poftrum. 

To  the  chalmer  of  Clariodus  thay  come. 

Thay  paiTit  foune  and  him  unarmit  then  ; 

And  lyne  ane  furrit  mantill  have  thay  taine, 

And  laid  it  him  about  right  I'oftlie, 
1410  And  on  his  bed  lyne  maid  him  [for]  to  ly, 

And  to  refrefch  him  efter  his  weirines. 

King  Amandur  and  [alfe]  King  Palexis 

Commandit  he  to  pafe  unto  the  hall. 

And  glaid  the  feifters  at  thair  power  all. 

And  gar  them  play  and  make  withal  1  difport. 

The  quhilk  to  doe  mirrillie  thay  them  exhort. 


326  CLARIODUS. 

To  hall  ar  went  thir  Princes  honorabill, 

And  with  him  left  no  wight  bot  the  Conilabill, 

And  chalmerlandis  with  him  two  or  thrie. 

1 420      And  quhen  King  Philipon  can  behold  and  lie 
Thir  Princes  two  againe  returnit  thus. 
He  will  that  cum  was  King  Clariodus  ; 
At  them  he  fpeirit  the  maner  and  the  gyle 
Of  all  the  mellie  and  the  interpryfe. 
And  gif  that  he  was  hurt  he  did  require  : 
And  thay  to  him  declairit  the  maneire  ; 
That  he  was  hurt  thay  wold  not  plainlie  tell, 
For  laik  of  hir  that  was  of  bewtie  well. 
In  cace  thairof  fcho  fould  take  difplil'ance, 

I4S0  Quhairfor  thay  maid  ane  mirrie  countinance. 
Unto  the  King  thay  told  all  privilir. 
That  he  was  hurt,  bot  jit  not  hevilie ; 
Of  quhilk  Meliades  tuik  perfaving. 
And  was  afirayit  into  mikiil  thing  ; 
Scho  Iwounit  neir  for  inwart  painc  and  wo. 
Dame  Romaryn,  that  hir  perfavit  ib. 
Unto  hir  come,  and  late  doune  on  hir  knie, 
And  quhat  hir  aillit  foftlie  Ipeirit  fche. 
Scho  laid,  I  dreid  my  Lord  Clariodus 

1440  Be  hurt,  quhairof  my  heart  is  dolorus  ; 
ge  lall  unto  him  go  but  tarrying. 
And  in  ane  taikine  beir  to  him  this  ring. 
And  cum  againe  and  me  the  maner  tell. 
Romaryn  then  no  longer  fcho  did  dwell, 
Scho  went  to  the  chalmer  of  Clariodus, 
And  on  hir  kneis  foftlie  laid  Icho  thus. 
My  Ladie,  Sir,  hes  me  unto  gow  tend. 
And  unto  jow  dois  heartlie  hir  commend. 


BUIK  FYFT.  M7 


For  lair  fcho  dreidis  that  je  hurt  [may]  be  ; 

1450  Quhairfur  lu  full  of  herines  is  fchc. 

That  fcho  uneis  may  keipe  hir  countinance. 

So  woundit  is  hir  heart  with  dilperance  ; 

And  this  fcho  hes  30W  fent  in  tokening, 

Thairwith  anone  prefenting  him  the  ring. 

Romaryn  in  armis  he  did  imbrace. 

And  to  hir  (aid  with  glaidfum  cheir  and  face, 

^e  fall  my  Ladie  thanke  richt  heartfiillie, 

And  lay  unto  hir  verallie  that  I 

Do  aill  nothing  bot  that  fcho  may  amend, 

1460  The  quhilk  alfweith  fall  unto  hir  be  kend. 
On  this  ilk  night  fcho  falbe  medicyne 
Unto  my  wounde,  for  fcho  is  leich  full  fyne ; 
And  in  ane  tokine  gif  hir  this  roobie  bright. 
And  fay,  fcho  weill  confortit  hes  hir  Knight. 
Romaryn  lewch  quhen  fcho  hard  him  lay  fo, 
And  undertuike  for  to  remeid  the  wo 
Of  hir  Ladie,  Meliades  the  Queine, 
That  did  of  painis  the  hevines  luileine. 
Scho  tuike  hir  leave,  and  to  hir  Ladie  went, 

1470  And  unto  hir  the  tokin  hes  prefent. 

And  faid  as  he  hir  bad,  but  variance,  1 

In  mikill  thing  quhilk  lowfit  hir  pennance  ; 
.    And  hir  rewairdit  with  the  roobie  cleire, 
That  hir  fik  tydings  broght  in  this  maneir. 

The  Conflabill,  [rioht]  wyfe  and  componabill, 
Raillit  with  mirrie  wordis  amiabill. 
And  laid  unto  the  King  Clariodus  ; 
This  day  I  faw  ane  Ladie  dolorous, 
Quhois  cullour  changit  fumthing  for  jour  laike, 

1480  Get  up,  and  be  alfe  ftrong  as  onie  aike  ; 


328  CLARIODUS. 

Be  all  in  joy,  and  thinke  not  of  no  paine  ; 

Ane  %ht  of  jow  might  make  ane  Ladie  faine. 

Then  lewgh  the  King,  and  faid,  My  brother  faire, 

Ladies  in  heart  beine  pitious  ever  maire. 

With  that  King  Philipon,  that  was  worthie. 

And  eike  the  King  of  Spaine,  com  to  vifie 

Him  in  his  chalmer  with  ane  freindlie  cheire. 

The  King  of  Galice  on  the  lame  maneir 

Com  him  to  vifie,  and  Earl  Eftur  eike, 
1490  Him  to  comfort  with  thair  wordis  [fo]  meike. 

Ane  chirurgiane,  that  ware  was  and  expert, 

Him  tuike  in  hand  to  heill  of  everie  fniart 

In  fyvetine  dayis,  that  he  might  ryde  and  gang. 

He  was  ane  grit  maifler  chirurgiane. 

Thus  raillit  he  with  King  Clariodus, 

Sir,  unto  gow  it  lalbe  nothing  noyous, 

Gif  on  the  night  ge  juft  alfe  weill  as  day. 

He  fmyllit  then,  and  faid,  Maifler,  perfay 

The  trewth  ge  tell  ;  hot  I  have  efperance 
1500  Of  my  pairtie,  to  have  ane  foverance 

Mair  in  the  night  nor  in  the  day  had  I  : 

For  I  am  goldin  ellis  right  verallie 

Alreadie  to  my  nichts  pairtie  traifl  perdie  ;        '  "I 

Whairfor  I  think  fcho  will  more  gratious  be. 

The  cumpanie  then  lewgh,  and  maid  gud  fport,  ' 

And  to  the  hall  they  went  agane  at  Ichort, 

All  bot  the  Conllabill  and  two  chalmerlanis, 

Quhilk  ftill  abaid  with  the  chirurgianis, 

Whill  vilit  all  and  tentit  was  his  wound, 
1510  And  bundit  up  with  fawis  that  war  found. 

Of  purpur  velvote  he  put  on  ane  goune, 

With  mertrix  furrit  curious  of  faflioum 


BUIK  FYFT.  S«9 


He  g^ve  ane  uther  of  the  famyn  forte 
To  the  Lord  Conftabill,  doing  him  cxhorte 
Thairin  him  for  to  cleith  ;  and  thay  anone 
Both  in  ane  iuit  into  the  hall  is  gone. 
He  put  the  goun  on  him  at  his  requeift  ; 
Syne  hand  in  hand  thir  two  went  to  the  feiil, 
Quhilk  lovit  uther  ay  full  tenderlie. 
■1520  Of  Knightis  followit  them  grit  companie. 
Unto  the  hall  thay  went  without  delay, 
Whair  all  devyfit  was  this  mirrie  play. 
Thay  halilt  have  the  mightie  Princes  hie, 
And  thay  reGivit  war  full  joyouflie. 
Meliades  raife  oiF  hir  mightie  feate, 
Upliftit  frefchlie  with  two  Earlis  great. 
And  this  [fair]  Prince  full  humbillie  did  inclyne, 
And  hir  he  did  imbrace  in  armis  fyne, 
And  kiffit  hir  and  fet  hir  in  hir  chyre  ; 

1530  Then  minftrells  playit  with  ane  mirrie  fayre. 
And  thair  the  dance  thay  have  begune  againe. 
Clariodus  his  Sifter  tuik  in  hande. 
The  Conftabill  the  Queine  of  Galeice  toke  ; 
The  goung  Knightis  for  joy  thair  heartis  quoke. 
And  cheifit  Ladies  to  go  into  the  dance. 
Thus  thay  difportit  with  mirth  and  grit  plifance  ; 
Full  royallie  the  feaft  of  joy  began  ; 
Meliades  fcho  danlit  not  as  than. 
What  fould  I  tell  50W  of  thair  grit  delyte, 

1540  Quhilk  to  rehearie  almaift  war  infinit. 
When  redie  was  the  fupper,  then  anone 
This  luftie  forte  ar  to  thair  chalmeris  gone, 
And  changit  thair  arayis  plealantlie. 
And  them  abuil^eit  new  and  luftillie 

T  t 


330  CLARIODUS. 

In  licht  clethings,  all  ordanit  for  the  dance, 
That  for  to  fie  it  was  ane  grit  pleafance. 
Of  thair  robis  royall  difpuilr^et  them  the  Kings, 
And  on  them  put  hes  uther  licht  clethings. 
Then  Ladies  war  arrayit  full  richlie. 

1550  They  enterit  all  togidder  right  feamelie 
Into  the  chalmer  of  Meliades ; 
And  fcho,  the  flour  of  bcwtie  moil  to  prais. 
Was  cled  in  kirtill  of  claith  of  gold  moll  deire. 
And  of  the  famyn  hir  mantill  ichynit  cleir. 
The  croun  of  gold  Icho  changit  on  hir  heid, 
Whilk  call  ane  light  of  ftonis  blew  and  reid. 
Hir  madinis  all  war  in  the  lamyn  gyfe. 
In  glorious  mantillis  gudlie  to  pryle, 
Save  that  thay  wore  of  claith  of  filver  fcheine. 

1560      When  Lordis  and  Ladies  thus  arayit  beine. 
And  everie  wight,  that  pleafour  was  to  fe. 
The  Maifteris  of  houihald,  grite  of  dignitie. 
Unto  King  Philipon  thay  com  and  laid, 
The  I'upper  readie  was  and  on  him  haid. 
Than  he  commandit  the  Frenfche  Conftabill, 
And  the  wyfe  Count  of  Eftur  honorabill, 
Unto  the  hall  to  fech  the  gudlie  fpous. 
Then  followit  Knightis  gudlie  and  famous. 
To  hall  thay  broght  this  goung  and  luilie  Queine, 

1570  As  the  hie  deice  anone  up  raifit  beine  ; 

And  fcho  was  fet  with  honour  triumphand, 
With  mightie  Kingis  upon  ather  hand. 
And  luilie  Queinis  frefch  and  amiabill. 
And  fcho  of  bewtie  flour  incomparabill 
Surmuntit  all  the  Ladies  in  the  hall, 
As  rubie  hes  renoun  imperiall 


Bl/IK  FYFr.  8S1 


Of  everie  ftone ;  as  right  as  Phebiw  bricht 
Beine  Lord  and  Prince  of  all  etheriall  light, 
Blinding  the  llarrie  hevine  with  his  bewtie, 

1580  Richt  fo  hir  bewtie,  angel  lyke  to  fe, 
And  blyth  afpedlis  glaidis  all  the  tabill, 
As  parradyce  of  joy  ineftiraabill. 
The  King  Clariodus  and  his  companie 
Unto  thair  chalmer  paflTit  joyouflie. 
And  fowpit  thair  with  royall  feift  and  cheir. 
The  found  of  trumpits  mirrie  was  to  heir, 
The  courfis  come  of  number  inellimabill, 
With  inilrumentis  glaid  and  dele6labill ; 
The  wynis  ran,  that  wight  war  of  raealouris, 

1590  From  horribill  monfturis  and  fearfuU  of  figouris ; 
And  other  liquoris  mightie  and  pretious 
Of  dyverfe  wynis  mightie  and  mervellous 
Ran  out  of  virginis  papis  quhyte  as  fnow  : 
All  kynd  of  fleuris  in  the  hall  thay  flow  : 
By  incantatioun  of  grit  practitioneris, 
By  aftrologis  and  art  magicianis, 
Grite  fortolegis  with  thair  enchantments 
Of  thair  artis  gave  fik  experiments, 
That  thay  appeirit  lyvelie  and  vifibill  : 

1600  Strong  furious  lyonis  and  dragonis  horribill, 
Gaiping  as  thay  the  peipill  wald  devoure  : 
Thair  was  hunting  of  all  griteft  plelbure. 
The  bardie  hundis  of  full  grit  quantitie 
Chaling  the  heartis  with  thair  heidis  hie  : 
Richt  pleafant  war  the  courlis  of  birds  above, 
Etheriall  fouUis  in  air  might  mak  na  rove 
For  luftie  falkonis  that  was  gentill  of  kynd  : 
All  joy  was,  that  man  might  have  in  mynd 


Smt  CLARIODUS. 

Everilk  pleibur  that  might  revert  in  I'preit : 
1610  Frefch  nightingells  thair  fong  with  notis  fweit. 

With  blythfull  birdis  in  the  blomit  fpray, 

Befor  dame  Natur  in  hir  frel'ch  array. 

I  can  not  tell  gow  in  ane  houris  fpace 

The  grite  excelling  pleafoure  in  that  place, 

Nor  of  the  joyous  feifting  infinit, 

Nor  of  the  inflruraents  of  grit  delyte, 

With  dulce  muficianis  of  princis  chappellis  leir, 

Quhilk  ibng  with  curious  craft  and  [wondir]  cleire. 

It  war  ouer  long  heir  for  to  declaire 
1620  The  intermeifis  that  war  playit  thair 

Amongs  the  courfis  moft  delitious, 

Quhilk  war  of  proces  liiperflitious. 

The  heralds  and  minftrellis  that  thair  wes, 

Thay  all  full  loudlie  did  thair  cry  Lairges 

Of  the  moft  royall  Prince  Clariodus, 

That  gave  them  gyfts  mightie  and  pretious. 

The  fupper  long  induirit  on  this  wayis ; 

^Clariodus  then  joyouflie  upraife,^ 
And  Maifters  of  houfliold  gart  raife  the  tabill  hie. 
1630  The  grace  was  faid  with  grit  i'olemnitie, 
About  and  ouer  the  Palice  circuleir. 
The  noyfe  of  miniftrells  mirrie  was  to  heir,         ' 
And  everie  wight  [grit]  joy  and  mirthis  hade. 
Anon  began  the  dance  but  more  abaid, 
Increflls  ay  of  mirthis  more  and  more. 
With  gritter  preis  of  peiple  nor  before. 
Long  war  the  proces  [all]  now  for  to  tell 
Of  thair  dilporte  and  joy  that  did  excell, 
Quhilk  till  midnight  [I  wote]  induirit  ftill. 
1640  The  Maifteris  of  houlhold  then  fchew  them  till. 


BUIK  FYFT.  SSa 


That  it  was  lait  and  tyme  to  go  to  reft ; 
Then  everie  wight  thair  unto  bedis  draft. 
The  Kingis  of  Ingland  and  [eik]  of  Spaine 
Hes  tane  this  rofe  of  bewtie  foverane, 
Meliades,  and  to  hir  chalmer  gois. 
Clariodus,  of  knightheid  flour  and  rofe, 
Unto  his  chalmer  convoyit  beine  with  Kings  ; 
Syne  tuike  thair  leave  with  humbill  inclynings. 
In  chalmer  thair  with  him  abaid  no  mo, 

1660  Bot  the  Lord  Conftabill  that  he  lovit  fo. 
That  he  could  not  be  but  his  companie. 
Four  Knightis  beine  his  chalmerleins  worthie, 
Ane  was  Sir  Broun  de  Lamour  [full]  wight, 
Ane  uther  Gilgeam  de  la  Forreft  height, 
Sir  Richard  de  la  Forreft  was  in  feir. 
The  ferd  was  Sir  Penant  de  la  Careire, 
Quhilk  four  to  him  fo  tender  was  trewlie. 
That  he  to  them  gave  treft  of  his  bodie. 
And  quhen  anon  with  them  he  was  uncled, 

1660  In  furrit  mantill  he  fet  hes  on  his  bed. 
And  him  befyd  he  fet  the  Conftabill, 
And  with  him  fell  in  ipeiking  delectabill, 
Whill  that  Meliades  in  bed  was  gone, 
Whair  Ladeis  as  than  was  with  hir  none 
Save  hir  awin  Mother,  and  the  Queinis  two 
Of  Spaine  and  Galicej  thir  wald  not  fra  hir  go, 
Whill  fcho  in  bed  was  brocht,  and  then  anone 
Thay  tuike  thair  leave,  and  to  thair  bedis  gone. 
Then  Romaryn,  bening  and  gratious, 

1670  To  chalmer  went  to  King  Clariodus, 

And  Ichew  to  him  that  the  Queine  was  in  bed. 
And  he  anone  to  [hir]  chalmer  him  fped. 


^884  CLARIODUS. 

And  the  Conllabill  into  his  companie, 
Quhilk  then  at  his  bed  [fide]  richt  privalie 
Tuik  leave  and  bad  guid  nicht  on  humbill  wayis. 
Clariodus  to  fair  Meliades 
Enterit  in  bed  quhom  Venus  did  convoy, 
Not  in  his  bed  bot  in  his  hevin  of  joy. 
What  is  thair  mair,  bot  that  the  floure  of  armis 
1680  Ane  role  of  bewtie  lapit  in  his  armis  ; 

And  fo  thir  two  thay  enterit  in  thair  blil'e, 
Whilk  with  thair  meritis  weill  defervit  is ; 
And  thay,  that  lovit  uther  above  all  things, 
Pafllt  that  night  with  joy  and  thair  lykings, 
Quhilk  joy  doubtles  full  deir  was  coft  befor, 
Whairfor  thair  joy  ay  multipliet  the  more. 

I  will  not  tak  in  hand  fur  to  indyte 
Thair  joyis  all,  for  them  I  can  not  wryte  ; 
For  in  fik  thing  I  am  not  prakticate, 
1690  Quhilk  never  my  Ladie  had  in  fik  ane  Ilate. 
Tenuis  I  want  fik  materis  to  prefer, 
Quhairfor  ge  loveris  to  gow  I  it  refer. 
That  taiftit  hes  of  the  ilk  famyne  tune. 
And  on  fik  wayis  gour  Ladies  now  hes  wone ; 
For  to  confider  thair  joy  is  ouer  mealbure. 
Of  love  they  have  now  fiind  the  thealbure, 
Whilk  long  thay  have  with  pane  and  pennance  Ibght. 
I  know  the  paine,  the  pleafijure  know  I  nocht ; 
The  MO  I  felt,  thoght  I  the  blis  not  bruike. 
1700  O  ge  my  Ladies  that  luikis  on  this  Buike, 
To  gow  I  me  compleine  on  humbill  wayis. 
That  flie  nocht  bot  difilaine  for  my  I'ervice. 
Wald  God  gif  [that]  i'um  pairt  of  jour  pitie 
War  mixit  with  my  Ladies  [rare]  bewtie  ; 


BUIK  FYFT.  SS5 

For  war  fcbo  luercifiill  as  fcho  is  foire. 

In  all  this  world  Icho  had  non  [toj  compairo  ; 

In  everie  vertew  naine  micht  hir  amend. 
My  mater  now  no  longer  to  tranl'cend, 

Thir  loveris  two  full  litill  felt  of  forrow, 
1710  VVTiill  bright  Phebus  them  heliit  on  the  morrow, 

In  at  the  windo  and  on  the  courtines  fchone. 

And  everilk  wight  adreffit  up  to  gone, 

With  Kingis,  Princes,  and  Ladies  of  honoure, 

And  everie  Ladie  hir  drefllt  in  hir  boure. 

And  did  thair  bodies  lullillie  arraj, 

Lyk  to  the  Mayis  bloflbme  on  the  Ipray. 

Clariodus,  as  on  the  day  before, 

In  clothing  that  was  pretious  and  decore, 

Is  veftit,  and  quhen  tyme  was  opportune, 
1720  For  the  Lord  Conftabill  he  fent  full  Ibune ; 

Syne  to  King  Philipon  [anone]  he  went, 

Whair  all  the  Kingis  togidder  war  prefent. 

The  Queine  Meliades  did  frefchlie  hir  attyre 

In  cloath  of  gold  bright  twinkling  as  [the]  fyre, 

In  kirtill  quhilk  was  glorious  to  lie. 

Of  purpiu-e  velvot  ane  goun  on  had  fche. 

Ane  luilie  huid  fcho  had  upon  hir  heid, 

With  pearlis  quhyte  and  rubies  luilie  reid 

Stemit  ouer  all,  quhilk  Earle  Ellur  hir  fend 
1730  Into  the  morrow  with  ane  recommend. 

Scho  thus  arrayit  I  let  in  chalmer  dwell. 

And  quhat  betyde  in  Court  now  I  will  tell. 
The  King  Clariodus,  on  fair  maneir. 

With  the  Lord  Conftabill,  his  companioun  deire, 

Is  to  the  King  of  Spainges  chalmer  gone. 

And  unto  him  thir  wordis  iaid  anone. 


336  CLARIODUS. 

My  fair  Brother,  [now]  harkin  unto  me, 
ge  have  ane  Sifter  mariet  for  to  be, 
Whilk  is  right  fair,  benigne,  and  gratious  ; 

1740  And  I  ane  Coufing  have  and  Prince  famous, 
Wliilk  is  ane  valiant  Knight,  as  weill  ge  know  j 
War  it  gour  will,  I  wald  that  it  war  fo. 
That  our  alyance  might  togider  go 
[By  mariage  of  thir  richt  nobill  two.] 
The  King  anfweirit  and  laid.  My  Brother  faire, 
I  will  as  ge  will,  fchortlie  to  declaire. 
We  think  that  alway  it  war  convenient. 
He  thankit  him  with  wordis  reverent ; 
And  fyne  he  paft  unto  King  Philipon, 

1730  And  fchew  to  him  all  haill  how  it  was  gone  ; 
And  he  was  glaid.     Thair  is  no  more  to  tell. 
Arayit  beine  this  luftie  damofell 
On  gudlie  wayis,  alfe  frefch  as  fould  a  bryde. 
King  Amandur,  upon  the  uther  fyde, 
Abuilgeit  him  in  frefch  and  regall  weid. 
As  he  that  was  ane  Prince  of  nobilheid  ; 
And  King  Palexis  on  the  fame  maneire, 
Whilk  handfaft  was  with  Ladie  Cader  cleir  ; 
All  for  the  mariagis  dreffit  them  anone, 

1760  And  thay  all  four  ar  to  the  cfaappell  gone. 
Within  the  mightie  Palice  of  renoune 
Up  gois  the  trumpit  and  the  clarioun. 
Convoyit  thay  war  with  nobill  companie 
Of  Kingis,  Princes,  and  Lordis  royallie, 
And  mightie  Queinis  upon  ather  fyde. 
I  bid  not  on  the  proces  to  abyde  ; 
Thay  mariet  war  with  full  grit  dignitie. 
And  halie  confecrat  efter  thair  degrie. 


BUIK  FYFT.  3d7 

The  mea  was  fong  with  note  full  curious, 
1770  With  organ  found  and  thimpband  melodious. 

Efter  the  mes  was  donne  upon  this  wayis, 

And  finallie  compleitit  the  fervice, 

The  3oung  Quenis  war  led  from  [the]  chappell 

With  Kingis  that  in  honour  did  excell ; 

Then  to  thair  chalmeris  thay  went  them  to  recray, 

And  alle  to  cleith  them  in  ane  new  aray  ; 

And  fyne  difcendit  into  the  triumph  hall 

In  the  g^ite  dole  that  fluide  imperial!, 

On  lenth  and  breid,  [on]  height  and  [on]  lairgnes, 
1780  Of  riche  apparralling  and  luflines. 

The  tabill  up  raiiit  richlie  was  anone. 

The  two  goung  Queines  to  the  hie  deice  ar  gone 

With  grite  eilait  and  regall  dignitie ; 

On  ather  lyde  fat  Kingis  frefch  to  fie. 

And  Quenis  alfe  [full 3  lullie  to  behold. 

In  rich  apparrall  and  regale  cloath  of  gold, 

Whois  radious  rich  apparrall  brightlie  fchone 

With  emerand  and  pearle  but  comparifon 

In  corronalds,  bright  jefpe,  and  diademes. 
1790  Bot  if  ane  wight  of  death  war  in  extreames. 

It  fould  him  comfort  and  rejofe  to  lie 

Thair  excellent  and  imperiall  blyth  bewtie. 
When  everie  King  and  Prince  of  nobilnes. 

And  everie  Princes,  Ladie,  and  Duches 

Heine  fet  at  tabill  efter  thair  degrie, 

The  trumpits  foundit  with  ane  noyfe  full  hie, 

Whill  that  the  royall  Palice  did  refoun. 

Anon  the  courlis  come  with  fik  fufioun, 

That  I  wald  irk  for  to  report  them  heire, 
1800  And  36  fould  think  it  tedious  for  to  heire  ; 

ua 


338  CLARIODUS. 

Or  if  I  told  30W  all  the  circumilance 

Of  them  in  Ingland,  Ireland,  and  of  France, 

Gralice,  Garnat,  and  [eik]  of  Caflalgie, 

Of  Spainje  land,  and  of  Ellur  cuntrie, 

How  thay  war  marchellit,  or  quha  maid  them  cheir. 

Or  of  the  diverfe  intermifis  feire. 

Or  of  the  dulce  and  hevinlie  minftrallie. 

Or  of  thair  mullke  and  diverfe  melodie, 

Or  of  thair  diverfe  playing  inftniments, 

1810  Or  of  thair  pliiant  and  trim  abuil^ements, 
Or  of  thair  mirrie  cheir  maid  at  the  tabill, 
To  tell  or  to  report  it  war  ineilimabill ; 
The  fweit  luikis  and  amorus  beholding 
Betwix  the  Knightis  and  the  Ladies  ging. 
Or  of  the  heralds  in  thair  coat  armouris 
Of  fyndrie  Princes  of  grite  honouris ; 
Upon  fik  thing  war  long  for  to  abyde, 
Whatrfor  as  now  I  will  let  it  ower  flyde. 
King  Amandur  and  King  Palexis 

1820  Rewairdit  heralds  with  gold  and  grit  riches ; 
They  cryit  Larges  all  the  hall  about. 

And  quhan  all  dynit  had  this  nobiU  rout, 
Buirdis  on  loft  beine  raifit  by  and  by. 
And  graces  laid  be  Bil'chopis  devotlie  ; 
And  all  the  Lordis  that  in  chalmeris  dynit, 
Whois  g^ite  eflait  can  not  be  [heir]  defynit. 
Unto  the  court  of  nobilnes  difcendit, 
Quhilk  unto  nothing  hot  to  honour  tendit, 
Larges,  jentrice,  and  [eik]  nobilitie, 

1830  Trewth,  manheid,  jullice,  and  liberalitie  ; 
Away  was  falfit,  away  was  wretchitnes, 
Away  was  nig^rdie  and  all  Ikarfchnes. 


BUIK  FYFT.  JJ.99 


None  covitice  let  them  of  thair  dtfport, 
Thair  heartis  gevin  to  all  glaidnes  at  Ichort ; 
Nor  naine  invy  at  utheriH  dignitie 
Might  them  depairt  from  thair  cheritie ; 
More  grace  amongs  them  wald  aboundand  be. 
[Full  oft  has  beine  fik  royall  companie  ;] 
Bot  not  alway  exampillis,  for  to  wryte, 

1840  For  fo  infatiabill  beine  thair  apetite. 

That  all  the  world  micht  flokin  not  thair  thrill, 
Whill  daith  of  clay  ing^afe  them  in  ane  kift. 

Into  this  hall  triumph  and  paleflriall. 
Up  gois  the  joyous  found  inilrumentall ; 
With  dulce,  melodious  hermonie  and  fweit, 
Raifing  the  breift  with  curage,  and  the  fpreit 
Of  them  that  luflie  beine  and  amorus. 
Two  Earlis,  that  beine  worthie  and  famous, 
Thir  two  goung  Queinis  leidis  to  the  dance, 

1850  Whom  matrimonie  hes  donne  fo  advance. 
The  Conftabill  leidis  Meliades. 
Thir  Kingis  two  full  frefch  at  all  devyfe. 
King  Amandur  and  King  Palexis, 
Hes  taine  two  Queinis  of  grit  luftines, 
And  danlit  on  [maift]  fair  and  gudlie  wayis 
Danlis  that  all  men  [ever]  could  devyfe  j 
Knightis  and  Ladies  full  gudlie  for  to  feine. 
And  virginis  in  thair  dreffit  hairis  fcheine, 
The  dance  continuing  with  bening  countinance. 

I860  Thus  they  difportit  them  with  all  plelance, 
Whill  that  the  fupper  was  redie  at  all ; 
Then  unto  chalmer  went  this  court  royall. 
And  frefchlie  thair  thay  changit  thair  rayments. 
And  pat  on  them  for  playis  abuilgements. 


340  CLARIODUS. 

And  Ladies  bes  thair  gounis  laid  aiyde, 

And  taine  on  mantillis  that  war  large  and  wyde 

Of  cloath  of  gold,  purpure,  and  cramofie. 

The  fair  Meliades  debonarlie 

Hes  fair  diipuilgeit  of  hir  goune  velvate, 

1870  And  put  on  hir  ane  rofey  of  dew  bewate, 
Ane  goune  of  gudlie  hewit  cramofie ; 
Upon  hir  heid  ane  croune  of  gold  mightie, 
Whairin  was  ilonis  pretious  and  decore. 
That  worth  ane  Kingis  ranfoune  war  and  more, 
With  goldin  chainge  about  hir  halfe  fo  quhyte. 
Whom  to  behold  ane  hevine  was  of  delyte  : 
Her  proper  perfoun  glorious  was  and  gay. 

When  everie  Ladie  hade  changit  hir  array. 
To  the  triumph  hall  afcendit  thay  anone. 

1880  Kingis,  Princes,  and  Ladies  everie  one, 
War  fet  at  fupper  efter  thair  degrie. 
The  filver  trumpits  maid  a  noyfe  full  hie. 
The  pleafant  courfis  come  abundantly ; 
And  buirdis  beine  [all]  fervit  by  and  by, 
The  minflrellis  fang  with  curiolltie, 
Sweit  as  the  marmaid  in  the  orient  fea. 
Full  long  thay  lat  and  maid  right  mirrie  cheir. 
And  foune  anone  thay  raife  from  the  fuppeir. 
And  newlie  gois  to  thair  abaitments 

1890  With  joyous  found  of  plealant  inilruments. 
Then  all  the  nobilleft  King  Clariodus 
For  Emayne  fent  ane  Ladie  gratious. 
Of  the  chalmer  of  the  Duches  Bellavoy, 
Quhilk  was  of  Spaine  ane  verie  flour  of  joy. 
And  hir  delyverit  to  the  Lord  Conftabill, 
To  go  in  dance;  and  he  right  honorabill 


BUIK  FYFT.  341 


» 


Thankit  him  lowlic  and  tuik  her  be  the  band. 
Thir  two  soung  Queinis,  luflie  and  pleaiand, 
Led  with  two  Kingis  danfit  thair  ane  beafe. 

1900  Meliades  be  worthie  Palexis 

Was  led  in  dance  as  goddes  ApoUeine, 
Quhilk  to  behold  was  lyke  ane  thing  devine. 
Thus  thay  difportit  quhiU  it  was  neir  midnight, 
Syne  unto  beddes  thay  pafllt  everie  wight. 
King  Philipone  and  King  Clariodus, 
With  countinance  mirrie  and  joyous, 
Convoyit  unto  chalmer  luilillie 
Thir  young  Ipoulis  ;  and  lyne  on  wayis  gudlie 
Thair  leavis  tuike  and  fyne  to  chalmeris  went. 

1910  Thir  two  frefch  Kingis,  frefch  in  thair  intent 
War  of  thir  Ladies  fair  and  weil  beieine. 
Syne  everie  King  taine  hes  his  awin  Queine, 
And  gone  to  bed  with  thame  with  all  plealance  : 
Bot  now  it  war  ower  long  ane  circumftance. 
To  tell  thair  grite  pleafance  and  all  thair  joy; 
Glaider  war  never  Sir  Troylus  of  Troy, 
When  he  had  Crefled  in  his  arras  windin. 
Nor  war  thir  Kingis  quhen  thay  to  beds  cumin, 
[To]  thair  luilie  Queinis  quhom  thay  loved  long. 
1920  Bot  now  the  tyme  me  lift  not  to  prolong, 
For  to  declair  gow  all  thair  mirrines, 
Or  into  lovis  the  nights  biffines. 
In  joy  and  blile  in  armts  ftill  thay  lay 
With  glaidfum  night,  quhilk  cumin  was  the  day. 

Apollo  reftles  and  unfatigabill, 
Cleir  in  the  eift  devoid  of  habite  fabill. 
Upon  his  courle  was  cumin  in  the  hevin, 
Twentie  degries  large  and  thairto  fevin, 


3«9  CLARIODUS. 

Quhen  everie  King-  and  Prince  of  nobilnes, 

inso  And  everilk  Queine,  Ladie,  and  Duches, 
Adreflit  them  full  gudlie  in  tbair  weid. 
Meliades  the  flour  of  vromanheid 
Was  cled  in  goune  of  velvote  luflillie, 
Furrit  with  greice  right  fair  and  [fulQ  feamlie  j 
And  of  the  lamyne  fuite  fcho  gave  alfo 
Unto  the  new  maid  Quenis  gounis  two, 
And  to  the  Queinis  of  Galice  and  Spainje 
Two  gounis  of  the  famyne  fort  gave  Iche  ; 
And  fcho  that  wes  of  bewtie  crope  and  rute, 

1940  Did  them  befeik  to  go  into  ane  fuite 

With  hir  that  day ;  and  thay  with  cheire  bening 
Hir  thankit,  and  did  grant  to  hir  this  thing. 
To  mes  thay  went,  and  fyne  difjunit  all ; 
Syne  to  the  (kaffalds  in  luflie  apparrall 
Went  everie  Prince  and  Princes  amiabill, 
And  everie  Lord  and  Ladie  delectabill. 
King  Philipone  with  monie  ane  auncient  Knight 
War  fet  on  fltaifold  to  conliive  at  right 
What  Lord  or  Knight  did  beft  in  the  alFay. 

1950  The  Knigbtis  com  all  luflie  in  array 

In  cloathes  of  gold  full  fair  [and]  fchyning  bright. 
Unto  the  rinke  com  monie  feamlie  Knight 
So  Weill  at  poynt  that  wounder  was  to  fie. 
Of  trumpits  found  full  noyis  rais  on  hie. 
•The  French  Conftabill  com  firft  in  the  aflay, 
On  gudlie  wayis  in  right  knightlie  aray, 
Servit  be  the  nobill  King  Clariodus, 
Whois  wound  to  him  was  git  fumthing  noyous. 
And  for  that  caufe  he  juftit  not  as  than. 

I960  Tbair  might  be  feine  monie  ane  feamlie  man. 


BUIK  FYFT.  848 

The  Conftabill  was  in  the  range  with  him, 

Whilk  than  was  [the]  maift  liklie  for  to  wine. 

Of  Bellavoy  the  Duike  was  [then]  without, 

[And]  fervit  be  King  Amandur  full  floute, 

Weill  accompanied  with  knightlie  companie, 

For  he  all  tyme  was  nobill  and  worthie. 

The  Duike  of  BriQand  enterit  in  the  feild. 

In  knightlie  faflbun  both  with  fpeire  and  fcheild. 

In  his  inarming  cleire  as  ony  fonne, 
1970  Quhilk  as  I  traift  fall  not  be  lightlie  wonne  ; 

And  he  was  fervit  be  King  Palexis, 

Becaus  he  of  [the]  Galice  natioun  was. 

The  frefch  Knightis  com  far  to  the  juiling,  * 

Sir  Charles  de  la  Careir  as  ane  lamp  Ichyning, 

The  nobill  and  duchtie  Sir  Ame  de  Valeir, 

Ane  gratious  Knight  Sir  Gorius  de  Grampeir, 

With  monie  uther  lullie  pleafand  Knight. 

Knightis  of  Ingland  fchone  as  angellis  bright, 

Sir  Broun  de  Amouris  criflalleine  of  hew, 
1980  And  nobill  Sir  Hewmon  de  la  Mantigue, 

Sir  Richard  de  Maianis  of  grite  renoune  ; 

Sir  Giljeam  de  la  Forreft  of  Scottis  regioun, 

Ane  Knight  he  was  of  fair  conditioun  ; 

Thair  was  Sir  Hew  de  la  Bas  of  that  natioune. 

The  Knight  Lumbard,  Sir  Ame  de  la  Pleaiance, 

Com  to  the  preife  with  manlie  countinance. 

Of  Portingall  Sir  Porus  of  renoune 

Was  thair,  the  Knight  quhilk  was  the  [weird]  lyoun. 

It  war  forfuith  ane  grit  prolixitie 
1990  To  tell  thair  namis  all  in  thair  degrie  ; 

For  thair  was  both  within  and  eik  without 

Aucht  hundreth  Knightis  that  war  [ftark  and]  ftout, 


344  CLARIODUS. 

goung,  ftrong,  fand]  frefch,  and  alfo  amorus, 
Antrus,  ardent,  and  [alfe]  richt  defyrus 
To  do  thair  deidis  valiant  at  thair  might, 
In  prefens  of  thair  Ladies  and  thair  fight. 
Or  onie  Knight  encounterit  with  ane  lance, 
Thir  Lordis  heralds  heighlie  did  advance 
In  thair  coat  armuris  of  gold,  ftiffe  and  cleire  ; 

2000  And  with  hie  voice  that  all  the  feild  might  heire 
Cryit  the  heralds  of  the  Lord  Conllahill, 
PouRE  LAMOUR  DELE  ;  [and]  with  grite  joy  thairtill 
The  Duike  of  Briflandis  heralds  cryit  hie. 
Sans  potnt  faltrk  ;  and  fo  with  royaltie 
Thair  maifleris  wordis  thay  pronuncit  loud. 
Syne  to  the  fcharpe  aflay  of  knightlie  Ichroud 
Addreflit  Lordis  with  thair  fpeiris  joynit  j 
The  cleirlyke  trumpits  and  clariounis  tunit. 
Thus  Mars  his  ibnnis  chevalrus  and  bauld, 

2010  In  bright  arming  and  triumph  to  behauld, 
Leiming  of  jeipis  wounder  glorious. 
And  provit  in  armis  fo  vi6lorious. 
That  it  war  mervell  for  to  be  rehearfit ; 
Thair  hie  valour  with  pen  can  not  be  verfit. 
Thay  brayit  on  utheris  lyke  lyounis  and  bairis, 
The  air  all  rumblit  with  the  crake  of  fpeiris, 
The  earth  about  all  dynnit  and  it  fchoke. 
The  reike  up  raife  [like]  as  ane  fmodie  fmoke ; 
The  trenfcheons  of  thair  fpeiris  up  gois  on  loft, 

2020  Doune  gois  the  Knightis  with  ane  fall  unfoft  ; 
With  fpeiris  ftrong  lb  upon  breift  thay  beit. 
The  fteidis  wox  all  quhyte  with  fame  and  fweit ; 
Cheildis  lay  fcatterit  in  the  feild  fiill  wyde, 
The  bright  helmis  did  from  thair  heidis  glyde, 


1^ 


BUIK  FYFT.  345 

The  cleir  fcheildis  beine  all  in  funder  brill, 

Knightis  bcinc  out  of  thair  ladillis  thrill; 

The  grit  lleidis  togidder  gois  with  gronis, 

Whill  giltin  ruifis  rattillit  all  at  onis, 

And  bukillis  brekis  and  birneis  gois  to  ground, 
•2030  Whill  with  the  reard  thair  breiftis  did  redound. 

The  grite  Conilabill  of  France  regioun 

That  day  wan  mikill  honour  and  renoune  ; 

He  did  grit  worfchip  to  the  realme  of  France, 

For  monie  ane  Knight  he  drave  doun  with  [his]  lance  ; 

He  fairis  alfe  wode  as  lyoun  in  ane  rage, 

Whois  ardant  heart  defyrus  might  not  aflwage 

The  thrill  of  knightheid,  governance,  and  name ; 

For  fcho  was  thair  that  maid  him  to  efchame 

Of  cowardyce  and  of  flewthfull  curage  ; 
20*0  He  did  luithlie  full  nobill  valTallage, 

His  knightheid  fcho  enforcit  with  hir  luike. 

Full  Weill  then  provit  of  Bellavoy  the  Duike  ; 

For  he  that  was  right  famous  of  thir  deidis 

Stronglie  buire  doune  both  Knightis  and  thair  lleidis. 

And  did  full  valiantlie  and  lyke  ane  Knight. 

Sir  Charles  de  la  Carere,  bold  and  wicht. 

Full  Weill  he  provit,  as  myne  Author  tellis, 

In  fame  of  knightheid  and  chevalrie  excellis. 

Rycht  Weill  him  held  Sir  Richard  de  Mayanis. 
2050  The  Knight  Lumbard,  Sir  Ame  de  Plifance, 

Sik  wounderis  wroght,  that  wounder  was  to  fie. 

Throw  his  grite  force  and  magnanimitie. 

And  eik  Sir  Porrus  de  la  Portingall 

On  him  that  day  [did  take]  fo  grite  travell. 

And  Weill  atchevit  to  the  letter  end. 

The  Knights  of  Ingland  wan  full  grite  commend. 

X  X 


346  CLARIODUS. 

And  right  fwa  thay  of  Spainjie  and  [of]  France, 
Thay  rewlit  [thair]  with  knightlie  gdvernance. 
For  to  behold  it  was  ane  nobill  fight 
2060  So  monie  ane  valiant  and  fo  luftie  Knight 
Into  ane  feild,  [and]  dought  fo  long  contine. 
The  pepill  had  grit  pleafance  them  to  feine. 
To  ryn  at  other  did  thay  never  fine, 
Whill  bright  AppoUo  waftward  did  declyne, 
And  him  ifi;herowdit  in  his  mantill  reid. 
And  quhill  the  goldin  traces  of  his  heid 
Men  might  behold  ftraught  and  lyneall 
Abone  the  earth,  with  bearaes  colaterall, 
With  ane  deaureat  fupperiall  light 

2070  Leiming  the  g^und ;  and  whill  he  out  of  light 
Bening  defi:endit  from  his  hemifpheire, 
And  Lucine  of  the  hevine  had  the  impyre, 
And  luftie  Venus  fchew  hir  luilie  face. 
And  let  hir  goldin  traces  out  of  leace, 
Glaiding  the  hevinlie  ringe  imperiall. 
And  everie  blythfuU  ftarne  celeftiall 
As  roobie  twinklit  in  the  firmament. 
And  quhan  that  nature  maid  impediment. 
And  them  denyit  had  the  light  of  day, 

2080  Thay  mod  neids  twine.    Thair  is  no  more  to  lay. 
The  King  hes  gevin  command  out  of  his  feit, 
In  trumpit  found  to  blow  up  the  retreit ; 
The  quhilk  command  thay  let  no  tyme  ouerpas. 
The  found  gois  furth  of  filver  and  of  brafe, 
With  fik  ane  noyfe,  whill  all  the  liftis  rang ; 
Men  might  of  mettall  heir  ane  hevinlie  fang. 
When  all  the  trumpits  tonit  up  at  onis  } 
Then  fra  the  preis  the  Knightis  them  dilponis. 


BUIK  FYFT.  347 


Bot  or  the  King  wold  off  the  fkaffald  difcend, 

2090  He  aflcit  quha  the  honour  and  commend 
Defervit  for  to  have  of  the  jufting. 
The  antient  Lordis  long  war  advyfing, 
Full  grit  commend  gave  to  the  Knightis  all, 
And  them  right  hie  did  praife  univeriall. 
Saying,  in  thair  tyme  thay  never  had  feine 
More  valiant  Knightis  under  fcheildis  fcheine. 
Nor  better  provit  at  jufting  nor  tomay  ; 
Bot  mofl  the  laud  and  the  triumph  they  lay 
Upon  this  Lord  the  mightie  Frenche  Conllabill, 

•iioo  And  on  the  Duike  of  Bellavoy  honorabill. 
The  King  difcendit  from  his  fcaffald  doune  ; 
Kingis,  Princes,  and  Ladies  of  renoune. 
Unto  the  Palice  went  full  royallie. 
With  the  vidlorious  found  of  minllrallie  ; 
And  everie  Knight  unto  his  ludging  went. 
Clariodus,  the  Knight  armipotent 
The  Conllabill  led  to  chalmer  royallie, 
Quhair  he  alfweith  unarmit  was  haflillie. 
And  put  on  him  ane  goun  of  velvote  thair, 

2U0  Furrit  with  mertrix  pretious  and  fair. 

King  Amandur  led  the  Duike  of  Bellavoy 
To  chalmer  with  all  melodie  and  joy. 

Be  this  the  fupper  was  alreadie  dicht. 
The  fex  frelch  Queinis,  in  attyre  [full]  bricht, 
Com  to  the  hall  arrayit  nobillie. 
And  at  the  tabill  fet  with  royaltie. 
With  monie  ane  Ladie,  Countes,  and  Duches, 
And  monie  grit  Maiftres  and  Barrounes. 
The  Kingis  in  ane  chalmer  foupit  all. 

2120  And  all  the  Knightis  went  unto  the  hall. 


348  '  CLARIODUS. 

That  war  all  day  vnth  travell  fatigat ; 
The  Lord  Conflabill  gritteft  of  eftait. 
And  Duike  of  Bellavoy  ane  buird  begane  ; 
Syne  efter  thair  degrie  right  everie  man 
Was  fet  at  tabill,  and  fervit  honorabillie. 
Anone  the  trumpits  blew  up  mirrillie, 
They  maid  grit  feift  with  joy  and  melodie. 
Then  buirdis  beine  [all]  fervit  by  and  by. 
As  thay  in  mid  is  of  the  fupper  wer, 

213U  Aucht  Heraldis  come  in  coat  armour  cleir. 

And  aught  Knightis  [full]  valiant  and  worthie, 

And  afkit  at  the  nobill  companie, 

Quhilk  of  the  Knightis  fould  the  honour  have 

Of  the  jufling  and  prail'e  ouer  [all]  the  leave. 

In  hall  they  had  diverfe  opinioun 

Amongs  the  Kingis  and  Princes  of  renoune 

What  Knight  Ibuld  have  the  lawd  and  the  honoure, 

Them  all  thay  praifit  to  be  of  grite  valour ; 

Bot  to  the  Conflabill  thay  g^ve  grit  loving, 

2140  And  to  the  Duike  of  Bellavoy  conding. 

When  thb  was  faid,  Clariodus  the  King 
Sent  to  Meliades  the  Queine  bening. 
And  bade  hir  fend  unto  thir  Lordis  two 
Rewairdis  fair.    The  meifage  ftirth  can  go, 
And  fchaw  right  as  [that]  ge  have  hard  devyle. 
And  then  the  lullie  Queine  Meliades 
Baid  Romaryne  feche  unto  hir  of  gold 
Ane  firmaleit  and  chaine  fair  to  behold  ; 
And  with  fair  Emayn  of  Bellavoy  them  fend, 

2150  And  gart  ane  uther  Ladie  with  hir  wend 

Unto  thir  Lordis  two.     And  quhen  that  thay 
Unto  thair  prefence  com,  thus  can  thay  fay 


BUIK  FYFT.  349 

To  the  Conflabill  that  •worthie  was  and  wyfe, 

Our  Soverane  Ladie  Queine  Meliades 

Reqnyeris  30W  this  chaine  for  to  refave, 

As  ge  that  at  the  jufting  ouer  the  leave 

That  war  within  hes  won  renoune  and  praife  : 

Bot  he  alway  that  courtes  was  and  wyfe, 

Laith  was  the  chaine  for  Ilk  caus  to  relave ; 
2160  Bot  nevertheles  he  moll  neidis  it  have, 

At  the  requeift  of  Princes  him  about. 

He  thankit  them  and  courteflie  did  lout, 

And  gave  Qo]  them  two  diamantis  faire. 

The  Ladies  kneillit  with  cheiris  debonair. 

And  to  the  Duike  of  Bellavoy  the  firmaleit  cleir 

Thay  have  prefentit  fyne  on  this  maneir, 

Saying,  The  luftie  Queine  30W  lent  this  gift. 

He  it  relavit  withouttin  ony  Ichift  ; 

The  Queine  he  thankit,  and  gave  the  Ladies  gent 
2170  Two  royall  rubies  bright  and  redolent. 

Thir  Lordis  two  hes  taine  thir  Ladies  bricht. 

And  to  the  hall  them  led,  whair  everie  wight 

Had  loupit  and  up  rylin  from  the  tabill. 

And  enterit  in  ane  dance  lull  amiabill. 

Thair  thankit  they  the  Queine  Meliades, 

And  lyne  begouth  the  dance  in  humbill  wayis 

With  thir  ilk  foriaid  Ladies  in  thair  hand. 

Full  glorious  wox  the  feill  and  triumphand 

Of  glaid  difport :  bot  it  did  not  long  left, 
2180  The  mirrie  Knightis  mifter  had  of  reft. 

And  went  to  bed  anone  and  lleipit  ftill, 

Whill  bright  Phebus  fchynit  ouer  holt  and  hill. 

And  be  [that]  it  was  fuUie  houris  nyne. 

Full  gudlie  Knightis  cleir  and  criftallyne 


350  CLARIODUS. 

Enterit  againe  into  the  luflie  meid 

With  fcheild  and  lance  enarmit  upon  fleid. 

And  juftit  all  the  day  continuallie  ; 

Whairof  the  hie  renoun  and  vidlorie, 

As  [that]  myne  Authors  tellis  for  certaine, 

2190  Wes  gevin  to  the  mightie  Duike  of  Brifland, 
And  to  the  Duike  of  Bellavoy  thir  two. 
The  feift  triumphall  glaidlie  induirit  fo 
The  tyme  compleit  of  monethes  two  all  out ; 
Grit  was  the  joy  amongis  that  bliffuU  rout. 
Clariodus,  the  bell  and  nobillefl  [King] 
That  levit  then  efter  Mars  his  ring, 
Gart  make  ane  generall  Proclamatioun 
In  everie  province  of  his  regioun, 
That  every  vail^eand  Knight  [thair]  under  Icheild 

2200  Compeir  fould  on  ilk  ane  day  and  feild, 
And  for  his  Ladies  love  to  rin  ane  lance, 
And  for  the  luif,  and  uther  circumilance. 
The  day  is  cumit,  and  eik  the  Knights  alio. 
Grit  was  the  preis  that  in  the  field  can  go  ; 
Thair  might  be  feine  monie  ane  luflie  Knight 
Of  countries  ftrange,  inarmit  fchyning  bright 
Againe  the  face  of  Titan,  leiming  cleire 
Of  redolent  flonis  pretious  and  deire. 
All  Kingis,  Queinis,  and  the  Ladies  fair, 

2210  War  fet  on  icaffalds  plefand  and  preclaire, 
Beholding  all  the  maner  and  the  gyle 
Of  everilk  Knight  and  of  his  interpryie. 
Thair  namis  dar  I  not  difcryve  at  all ; 
For  of  this  haill  world  univerlall 
Thair  beine  the  chofe  of  all  [of]  hie  renoun 
Of  Knightis  of  all  fyndrie  natioun. 


V 


BUIK  FYFT.  351 

The  jufting  was  begun  with  triumph  found, 

Whill  it  redoundit  from  the  cludis  doun. 

Knightis  of  Ingiand,  Galice,  and  of  Spaine, 
2220  That  day  did  not  all  thair  deidis  in  vaine, 

For  monie  ane  Knight  and  horfe  doun  thay  buire, 

Nobillie  thay  provit,  and  did  long  endure  ; 

So  did  the  flrong  Knightis,  the  fuith  to  lay. 

For  monie  ane  fair  courfe  was  run  that  day  : 

Bot  he  that  beine  the  patron  of  all  Knights, 

The  fone  of  Mars  of  bodie  and  of  mights, 

I  meine  Clariodus  enarmit  bright, 

This  potent  Prince,  as  planeit  calling  licht, 

Schynit  all  of  ilonis  and  of  carbunkellis  deire. 
22S0  As  Jupiter  furmounting  in  his  Ipheir, 

Or  Lucifer  in  pairting  of  the  night, 

So  all  in  gleime  and  glorious  as  angell  bright, 

He  enterit  in  the  field  and  that  anone  ; 

For  then  all  noy  of  his  wound  was  gone. 

His  mightie  ipeir  he  faikit  in  his  hand. 

And  on  his  Ileid  he  glydit  ouer  the  land, 

And  buire  the  Knightis  from  thair  horfe  alloft. 

And  on  the  grund  maid  them  to  fall  unfoft ; 

Might  none  refill  his  fixaikis  of  fik  force, 
2240  Befor  his  face  to  grund  went  man  and  horfe. 

Him  to  behold  it  was  ane  ferlie  fight. 

For  he  was  of  fik  ibrenth  and  of  [fik]  might ; 

Right  as  the  agill  in  the  air  at  will 

Devoris  the  terreftriall  volateill. 

And  dantis  the  etheriall  birdis  Imall ; 

So  the  terreftriall  fame  vidloriall 

Ringit  in  him  of  knightlie  governance. 

Nocht  can  my  pen  difcryve,  nor  jit  advance 


352  CLARIODUS. 

His  valiant  deidis  nor  his  chevalrie, 

2250  So  far  as  might  be  reafoun  fatiffie 

Him  that  in  French  hes  red  this  hiflorie  ; 
To  fik  ane  rethorik  nather  be  laud  and  glorie. 
As  unto  him  that  did  this  buik  compyle 
In  French,  illumining  with  his  goldin  ftyle  ; 
And  he,  that  did  it  out  of  French  tranilait, 
Hes  it  depaint  of  langwage  full  ornate. 
And  luilie  termis  richt  poeticall : 
Bot  I,  the  third  and  fecundeil  of  all. 
Can  not  fo  meitter  as  thay  put  in  profe  ; 

2260  Full  oft  I  put  the  nettill  for  the  rofe. 

And  oft  the  bindweid  for  the  lillie  quhyte. 

The  god  armipotent  might  have  delyte 

To  fie  his  knightlie  fair  and  governance. 

His  hie  regall  vidlorious  importance. 

His  mightie  corpis  ftark  and  unfatigat 

Maid  monie  ane  Knight  to  ly  on  face  proflrat. 

From  lum  he  ftraike  the  helme,  and  fum  the  fcheild. 

And  fum  he  laid  on  groufe  upon  the  feild. 

And  fum  he  ran  doun  fearilie  and  eik  his  horfe, 

2270  To  leive  the  place  behuifit  them  on  forfe. 
The  Conflabill,  that  on  him  foUowit  ay, 
Sik  wounder  had  to  lie  the  grit  deray 
Amongs  the  Knightis  hurling  on  the  feild, 
He  did  huife  ftill  long  tyme,  and  him  beheld,   . 
And  mervellit  on  his  Ilrenth  and  hie  curagis, 
That  as  ane  furious  Jyon  on  them  ragis. 
King  Amandur  and  King  Palexis, 
Wha  fillit  war  of  manheid  and  nobilnes, 
So  Weill  them  held,  that  wounder  was  to  tell, 

2280  Full  monie  ane  Knight  befor  thair  lanlis  fell. 


BUIK  F^Fr.  35S 

The  royall  houiliold  of  King  Philipon 

So  nobillie  thair  lanfis  did  difpone, 

That  monie  ane  Knight  befor  them  jeid  to  grund. 

Was  never  hard  in  all  this  card  lb  round 

Of  fairer  jufting  and  nobiller  tornament ; 

For  then  under  the  ftarrie  firmament 

Of  knightlie  fame  and  lawd  was  Britan  bauld, 

As  ^it  us  tellis  the  Chronicles  auld. 

So  hapinit  then  ane  Knight  in  fcild  to  be 
2290  Of  grite  vigoure  and  [eik]  ilremiitie. 

That  he  in  diverfe  landis  was  vi6loure, 

Feill  Knightis  war  conqueifl  be  his  valoure. 

Of  jyant  corpis  was  this  grit  campioun, 
■   Out  throw  the  feild  he  playit  the  lyoun, 

With  mightie  fpeir  as  Mars  he  did  furth  ryd, 

Defoylseand  Knightis  fouUie  in  his  pryde. 

To  fie  his  bright  enarming  was  delyte, 

Correlpondent  to  his  corpis  perfyte, 

That  fair  it  was  to  leuike  on  fike  ane  Knight, 
2S0O  Fulfillit  of  fik  vertew  and  fik  might, 

Quhilk  radious  was,  and  redolent  of  hew. 

Of  Leflay  he  height  Sir  Leonard  Perdew. 

Melancholike  he  brunt  of  pure  invy. 

That  Sir  Clariodus  the  King  worthy 

So  far  in  valiant  deidis  did  excell ; 

Quhairfor  alfe  wod  as  ony  tiger  fell 

He  fet  on  him  with  mightie  lance  in  hand. 

The  nobill  King  him  mightillie  gainiland. 

Thay  frufchit  thair  fpeiris  frelchlie  in  funder 
2310  So  fellounlie,  to  fie  that  it  was  wounder. 

And  quhen  he  faw  he  could  him  not  vinous. 

Then  he  requierit  King  Clariodus 


S54  CLARIODUS. 

Him  for  to  draw  apairt,  and  to  aflay, 

Quhilk  of  them  two  vinqueis  [the]  other  may. 

ClarioduB  him  grantit  hes  this  thing. 

And  then  withoutin  ony  tarying- 

They  drew  them  to  ane  1yd,  and  hes  anone 

From  thair  fquyeris  two  mightie  Ipeiris  tone. 

And  raid  at  uther,  fchortlie  to  conclude, 

2320  Right  as  two  dragonis  that  war  fearce  and  wed  ; 
Thair  Ipeiris  brake  and  fprang  into  the  air, 
The  royall  Palice  reardit  with  the  rair. 
And  fyne  with  all  thair  courage  and  [thair]  might 
Thay  ftrake  at  other  with  thair  fwordis  bright. 
As  two  wyld  boaris  irouflie  thay  faught. 
From  both  thair  helmes  the  low  geid  as  fyrflaugrht 
Throw  dintis  fers  on  [the]  hard  forgit  fleill, 
Thay  did  aflay  if  it  was  temperit  weill, 
Quhilk  rang  full  loud  and  gave  an  awfull  found, 

2SS0  Thair  brandis  cleir  wantoun  up  and  doun 
Againes  the  fonis  fervent  beamis  bright ; 
Unto  the  pepill  terribill  was  the  (ight. 
Thir  cruell  Knightis  with  thair  feirfull  cheir 
Rufchit  on  uther  ay  in  lik  maneir, 
Whill  helmis  [and]  habrigis  all  to  brift  ; 
Out  throw  the  fteill  full  faft  thay  [ay  did]  thrill. 
So  fad  llraikis  thay  [did]  on  other  let, 
Whill  both  thair  brandis  bloodie  was  and  wate. 
Sir  Leonard  for  ire  almoll  grew  wode, 

2340  That  he  lb  long  in  feight  againis  him  ftude, 
And  him  micht  not  vinqueis  in  no  maneir. 
In  fcheith  he  put  his  fword  of  mikill  cleir. 
And  trowit  with  his  vigour  and  his  force 
To  draw  the  nobill  Knight  from  [off]  his  horle. 


BUIK  FYFT.  355 

Clariodus  perfavit  him  anono. 

His  fleid  he  ipurrit  and  toward  him  is  gone, 

And  in  his  forcie  armis  wight  and  flrang, 

He  did  the  Knight  out  of  his  I'adill  fVvang, 

And  laid  him  on  his  hors  nek  him  before, 
iSoO  And  to  the  barras  magrie  him  full  fore 

Him  buire,  and  fet  him  doun  curagious. 

They  cryit  on  height,  Vive  Clariodus  I 

The  flalwart  Knight  full  ibune  on  fute  he  wan. 

He  laid.  Thou  art  ane  quike  devill  and  no  man  ; 

For  I  have  beine  in  Spaingie  and  Itallie, 

In  Denmark,  Duchland,  and  tjirow  all  Gerraanie, 

Jit  fand  I  never  thy  peir  into  no  land. 

To  blow  the  retreit  the  King  gave  command  ; 

For  than  Phebus  had  put  his  courfe  to  end, 
2360  And  bright  Venus  did  in  the  eift  afcend. 

I  may  not  tarry  all  the  proces  on  ; 

Kingis,  Lordis,  Knightis  war  warnit  anon. 

And  fchortlie  cled  into  [full]  rich  array. 

Syne  to  the  hall  they  went  the  neireft  way  j 

For  thair  the  tabillis  war  richlie  befpred. 

Then  Kingis,  Quenis,  Duchefes  them  fped 

Unto  the  deice  to  thair  feats  honorabill, 

Whair  thay  war  fervit  with  courfis  inefiimabill ; 

For  to  diicus  thair  is  no  man  on  lyve, 
2370  That  can  the  twentie  pairt  thairof  diicry ve 

The  grite  triumph  and  feifting  beine  and  cheir, 

Whair  that  fa  monie  Knightis  beine  in  feir. 

Right  as  the  latter  courfe  come  in  the  hall. 

Then  Heraldis  in  cote  armours  royall. 

And  twelf  Knightis  that  aigit  war  and  wyle, 

Quhilk  in  thair  tyme  [richt]  mikill  was  to,  pryle. 


356  CLARIODUS. 

Unto  the  hall  they  ar  all  went  in  fair. 

And  cleirlie  the  opiniouns  did  Ipeir 

Of  everie  Prince  and  Lord  of  grit  renoun 

2380  Whois  was  the  laude  for  [the]  conclufioun 
Of  all  the  Knights  that  in  the  jufting  wer, 
And  who  moft  valiantlie  did  perleveir, 
And  who  the  helme  [had]  conqueift  and  renoune ; 
For  it  the  maner  was  in  that  regioun. 
That  who  at  jufting  or  at  tornament 
The  honour  wan,  thair  was  to  him  prefent 
Ane  mightie  helme  circulat  with  gold  cleir, 
And  circumferat  with  ftonis  that  war  deir. 
They  fpake  of  raonie  [grit]  and  diverfe  Knight, 

a390  Of  worthie  King  Palexis  that  was  wight. 
And  of  his  brother  Amandur  the  King, 
And  the  Lord  Conftabill  nobill  and  conding. 
Sir  Charles,  Sir  Porrus,  Sir  Ame  de  Plifance  ; 
Tliay  faid  they  beine  all  worthie  to  advance. 
Grite  worl'chip  Ipake  they  of  the  Duikis  twane 
Of  the  cuntries  of  Bellavoy  and  Brilland, 
And  of  Sir  Leonard  de  la  Pardew, 
Whom  King  Clariodus  out  of  his  ladill  drew. 
Bot  King  Clariodus  they  moft  commend, 

2400  And  finallie  they  all  did  condifcend 

To  give  him  all  the  lawd  and  honour  hie, 
To  quhom  no  uther  wight  was  (b  worthie  ; 
For  thair  might  Knightis  be  of  [full]  grit  fame, 
Bot  nothing  all  to  his  imperiall  name  ; 
For  he  in  grie  ftude  [ay]  luperlative 
Abone  all  uther  Knightis  [fair]  in  lyve. 
In  fame  of  Knightheid  and  of  fortitude  : 
Whairfor  the  companie  did  all  conclude 


BUIK  FYFT.  517 

The  helme  of  honour  to  give  him  onlie, 
X-llo  That  pryfit  beine  the  flour  of  chevalrie. 

Be  this  was  faid,  aucht  Virginia  fair  to  fie. 

In  tracit  hairis  of  ferlifuU  bewtie. 

Four  of  Spain^ie,  and  four  of  Galice  land, 

Com  in  the  hall  with  countinance  pleiland. 

And  broght  with  them  the  helme  deaureat  bright, 

Owerfret  with  mightie  flonis  calling  light. 

And  fet  it  doun  before  him  on  the  tabill. 

Saying  to  him  with  wordis  amiabill. 

Sir,  be  advyfe  and  counfall  general!, 
2t20  Of  Kingis,  Princes,  Lordis,  ane  and  all, 

This  aureat  helme  is  maid  for  to  be  ^ouris. 

For  the  grite  worfchipe  and  the  hie  honouris 

That  ge  have  won  with  mightie  Ipeir  and  fcheild 

This  day  at  tornay,  be  jufting  in  the  feild. 

Clariodus  thankit  the  Virginis  jing. 

And  alio  he  remerfit  everie  King, 

Saying,  thairto  he  was  not  dingne  nor  abill, 

And  oflferit  it  unto  the  Lord  Conllabill, 

Quhilk  it  refuifit,  and  lb  did  all  the  leave  j 
2430  For  he  himfelfe  moft  neidis  it  relave, 

Conftrainit  be  the  nobill  Princes  all. 

Then  he  upon  ane  Armiger  did  call, 

And  gart  ane  Maifter  of  houlhold  come  him  till, 

Quhilk  callit  was  Sir  Henrie  Gordonill, 

To  quhom  he  rounit  and  ordanit  lecreitlie, 

To  have  the  Heraldis  with  him  quyetlie 

To  his  wairdrope,  and  thair  rewaird  them  all. 

And  give  them  gouns  of  cloath  of  gold  royall  j 

And  bad  hira  give  of  filver  and  of  gold 
2440  To  everie  ane  ane  thoufand  raerks  doun  told ; 


358  CLARIODUS. 

And  to  the  Knights  he  ga.ve  twelf  couriers  fair, 
[Into  this  worid  none  might  with  thame  compair.] 
Richt  as  he  bad  this  Lord  has  donne  anone. 
Syne  he  commandit  two  fquyeris  for  to  gone 
To  chalmer  with  his  helme ;  and  ordanit  eik. 
That  thay  Ibuld  take  with  them  thir  Virginis  meik, 
And  tak  aught  goldin  chaingeis  avenant. 
And  put  to  everie  chaine  ane  diamant,  s 

And  [fyne]  put  [thame]  about  thair  throttis  quhyte  ; 

2450  The  quhilk  was  donne,  fchortlie  [for]  to  indyte. 
Thir  Knightis  and  the  Heralds  all  in  feir 
Enterit  againe  unto  thair  fuppeir, 
[^AllJ  remerfing  the  King  Clariodus, 
In  prefence  of  the  companie  famous. 
The  Heralds  cryit  Larges  upon  hie 
Of  the  grit  gentrice  and  liberalitie 
Of  the  mofl  hie,  excellent  [and]  mightie 
Clariodus,  the  flour  of  cheralrie. 
Thus  foupit  thay  with  joy  and  mirrines ; 

2460  And  fyne  [thay]  from  the  tabill  can  them  dres. 
And  enterit  in  the  dance  full  luflillie 
With  hevinlie  found  of  hevinlie  minflrallie. 
Clariodus  hes  caulit  the  ilrange  Knights 
With  Ladies  dance  ;  and  fo  the  lidlie  wichts 
Weill  long  difportit  them  on  this  maneir  ; 
Syne  Ipyce  and  wyne  was  broght  with  mirrie  cheir, 
Depairting  fyne  the  companie  with  joy. 
Clariodus  full  glaidlie  did  convoy 
The  ftrange  Knightis  unto  the  Palice  get, 

2470  And  gart  be  given  to  them  giftis  grit, 
Robis  of  iilk  gudlie  [and  fair]  to  fie, 
With  gold  and  lilver  in  grit  quantitie. 


BUIK  FYFr.  359 


Thay  tuike  thair  leave  and  to  thair  lu|^ng8  went. 
At  morrow  as  bright  Phebua  did  up  blent, 
Thay  raid  into  thair  cuntriea  everie  one. 
And  fchew  unto  thair  Princes  thair  anone 
Of  all  the  feill  the  falTioun  and  the  cheire, 
or  all  the  juiling,  alio  the  maneir, 
And  of  the  fredome  of  King  Clariodus, 

348U  And  of  his  knightlie  deidis  [and]  famous. 
The  nobill  Kings  of  Spain^ie  and  Galice 
Bad  ordane  thair  eftaits  in  gudlie  wayis. 
To  pas  at  morrow  hamwart  but  delay. 
The  night  ower  went,  and  cuming  was  the  day, 
The  Kings  did  them  addres  in  thair  array. 
And  maid  them  redie  with  all  hell  thay  may. 
And  thair  two  Queinis  ;  and  fyne  went  in  feir 
And  tuike  thair  leire  on  gudlie  fair  maneir 
At  Philipon  [the  King]  and  at  his  Queine, 

2490  And  fyne  [anon]  at  his  Court  all  bedeine. 
In  the  meine  quhyll  Sir  Am6  de  Plefance, 
The  Knight  Lumbard  but  longer  tariance. 
Sir  Fortun  de  Amouris,  and  nobill  Sir  Porrus, 
They  fchoupe  to  ryd  ;  to  quhom  Clariodus 
Gave  grite  thelawre  [of]  riches  and  monie. 
And  cloathes  of  gold  moft  plealant  for  to  lie. 
And  gart  convoy  them  with  fair  companie 
Of  Knights  that  beine  [richt]  nobill  and  worthie. 
Thaireftir  ibune  thir  Kingis  excellent, 

2500  And  eike  thair  Queinis,  in  maner  reverent 
Thair  leave  hes  taine  at  all  the  Court  royall. 
At  everie  Lord,  Ladie  and  damolell, 
Bot  at  Clariodus  and  the  Lord  Conflabill, 
Whilk  them  convoyit  with  Court  moll  honorabill 


300  CLARIODUS. 

Unto  thair  fchipis  quhilk  did  on  them  abyde, 
^Vhair  mony  royall  gyfts  on  everie  lyde 
Was  gevin  and  taine  with  monie  rich  jewell, 
With  cloathes  of  gold,  that  was  [ane  grit]  mervell 
To  be  rehearfit  to  gow  in  this  place. 

2510  Then  to  the  fand  difcendit  thay  in  peace, 
Reddie  to  enter  all  into  thair  fchipis, 
Lordis  in  armis  each  other  thair  beclipis. 
The  King  Clariodus,  that  was  worth  ie, 
Imbracit  thir  two  Kingis  tenderlie. 
And  eik  the  Queinis  two  he  kiflit  ifeire, 
And  thay  in  barges  enterit  afe  the  peir. 
And  laft  of  all  his  leave  tuik  pitiouflie 
At  his  Father  the  Earle  full  tenderlie. 
He  him  imbracit  and  eik  his  Mother  fyne, 

2520  And  reverentlie  to  them  he  did  inclyne. 

God  waite  thair  was  ane  forrowfull  depairting, 
They  weipit  all  with  teiris  diftelling. 
And  Mandonat  with  forrowfull  effeir 
Hir  bright  vifage  bedewit  all  with  teir, 
Thus  with  hir  onlie  Brother  to  depairt. 
The  fword  of  doUour  did  glyd  throw  hir  heart. 
For  to  behold  the  %ht  was  dollorus. 
And  the  depairting  fore  and  pitious, 
Betwix  the  onlie  Sifter  and  the  Brother, 

2530  And  more  betwix  the  one  Sone  and  the  Mother. 
I  will  not  longer  tell  gow  of  thair  forrow, 
Anone  they  twynit  with  Saint  John  to  borrow. 
And  be  the  fameine  houre  the  nobill  King 
His  leave  hes  taine  with  heartlie  imbracing 
At  the  two  Kings,  and  right  fo  at  Palexis, 
Syne  at  the  Earle  Eftur  of  worthines, 


BUIK  FYFT.  801 

And  at  the  Queinis,  and  at  the  fair  Countes, 
On  ather  fyde  kneilling  with  hurabillnes. 
The  guid  Lord  Conftabill  tuike  leave  alio 
-2540  At  Kingis,  Queinis,  Ladies ;  and  fyae  did  go 
To  Ichipis  fweith  quhair  fail!  is  went  on  heicht. 
They  go  to  leawart  as  [ane]  foule  on  flicht. 
Sa  Weill  of  winde  fervit  them  Eolus, 
And  lb  the  flude  temperit  Neptunus, 
That  to  the  land  approachit  thay  belyve, 
And  !nto  helthfum  portis  did  arryve ; 
And  everilk  Prince  and  Lord  in  thair  degrie 
Ar  paiTit  hame  in  g^d  prolperitie, 
Whair  thay  refavit  war  with  [all]  blythnes, 
•2550  And  leiveit  in  joy  and  in  mirrines  ; 

And  ofttymes  heartlie  gr eating  lent  betwine 
To  King  Clariodus  and  to  his  Queine. 
The  King  Clariodus  that  nobill  was. 

King  Amandour  and  [eik]  King  Palexis, 
The  Conftabill,  and  all  thair  companie, 

Returnit  hamewart  ar  full  mirrillie, 

Whair  that  thay  fand  the  King  with  his  Court  all 

Difporting  them  with  triumph  royall ; 

With  joy  and  pleafance  pat  thay  afe  the  night. 
2560  And  on  the  mom  as  Phebus  gave  the  light, 

The  Conftabill  anone  did  him  addreie 

Unto  his  ichipis  with  all  biilines. 

And  tuike  his  leave  at  Philipon  the  King, 

And  at  the  Queine  and  at  hir  Ladies  ging. 

And  at  the  [luftie]  frefch  Meliades  ; 

And  this  he  did  upon  moft  humbill  wayis, 

Whair  monie  [ane]  rich  gift  and  jewell  great 

Was  gevin  and  taine,  quhilk  I  will  not  repeit : 

z  I 


362  CLARIODUS. 

Bot  treft  je  weill  that  wo  was  everie  wicht 

2670  For  the  depairting  of  the  gentiU  Knight. 
On  horfe  he  hes  afcendit  fuddanlie. 
And  furth  he  raid  with  all  his  companie. 
Clariodus  he  fand  without  the  port 
Abyding  him  with  ane  [richt]  luftie  forte 
Of  Kingis,  Lordis,  and  Knights  of  honour  j 
Both  King  Palexis  and  King  Amandur 
War  in  the  Court  with  all  thair  companie ; 
And  furth  anone  thay  raid  full  mirrallie, 
AVhill  [that]  thay  com  to  the  lea  ftrandis  cleir, 

2580  Whair  that  the  fchipis  all  [full]  redie  wer. 
The  King  Clariodus  and  the  Lord  Conllabill 
With  friendlie  cheir  and  wordis  amiabill 
Imbracit  uther  they  have  tenderlie, 
And  thay  that  lovit  uther  heartfuUie 
Uneis  might  hold  them  from  weiping  then  for  wo 
When  that  thay  will  they  wald  fra  uther  go, 
Promitting  other  with  humanitie 
For  evermore  treuth  and  fidelitie  ; 
Syne  tuik  thair  leave  at  uther  pitiouilie. 

2590  The  nobill  King,  that  could  weill  courtelie, 
Tuike  leave  [then]  at  Sir  Charles  de  la  Careir, 
And  at  the  worthie  Sir  Ame  de  Valeir, 
And  [fyne]  at  the  French  Knightis  everie  one. 
Full  monie  ane  Jewell  of  gold  and  pretious  Hone 
Amongs  them  gevin  hes  the  nobill  King. 
And  fyne  his  Coufings  two,  thir  Princes  geing, 
Thair  leave  has  taine  at  the  Lord  Conllabill, 
Imbracing  uther  with  wordis  confortabill ; 
And  efter  that  he  went  into  his  barge, 

2600  Quhilk  pullit  up  anone  hir  faillis  large. 


BUIK  FYFT.  a60 

And  ower  the  fluid  [then]  frefchlie  did  he  fair, 
AUe  fwift  as  dois  the  Eagill  in  the  air ; 
At  Calice  thay  arryvit  efilie, 
And  thair  aU'weith  [thay]  tuike  thair  harborie. 
And  on  the  morne  as  cleirit  up  the  day, 
They  all  prepairit  and  put  them  on  the  way, 
And  biiTellie  they  fped  them  day  and  night, 
\Vhill  [that]  of  Parice  walls  thay  gat  ane  fight ; 
And  lb  withoutin  reft  this  Court  furth  raid 
2G1U  Straight  to  the  Palice  quhair  the  King  abaid, 
And  fyne  dilcendit  from  thair  horfe  anone  ; 
And  the  Lord  Conftabill  to  the  King  is  gone, 
And  helfit  him  on  knies  full  revercntlie. 
And  he  refavit  him  fiiU  joyoullie. 
This  Lord  apairt  [fyne]  went  with  him  but  mo, 
And  fchew  at  lenth  or  he  wald  farther  go 
The  pleafant  cheir  of  the  triumphall  feift. 
And  all  the  intermeifis  moft  and  leift. 

With  all  the  grite  dilport  and  abaitments, 
2620  And  of  the  royall  jutting  and  tumaments, 

And  of  the  commendatiouns  ane  and  all 

Whilke  war  unto  him  fend  in  ipeciali. 

Glaid  was  the  King  his  wordis  for  to  heir. 

And  bad  that  he  fould  on  the  fame  maneir 

Go  fchaw  the  Queine  the  tydings  delectabill. 

At  his  command  [foun]  went  the  Lord  Conllabill, 

And  helfit  hes  the  Queine  and  hir  Ladies. 

Scho  him  refavit  in  ane  joyfuU  wayis. 

He  told  hir  all  the  maner  mair  and  les, 
2630  How  treitit  him  Clariodus  of  nobilnes. 

With  all  the  heartlie  commendatiouns 

Of  Kings  and  Princes  of  full  great  renouns  ; 


364  CLARIODUS. 

Of  quhilk  fcho  was  [richt]  joyous  for  to  heir, 
And  fo  was  all  hir  luftie  Ladies  cleir. 
The  King  for  joy  gart  cry  ane  grit  jufting 
Into  the  honour  of  his  hame  cuming. 
In  mirrines  and  joy  I  leave  them  thus. 
And  fpeik  I  will  of  King  Clariodus. 
Retumit  is  the  King  Clariodus, 

2640  And  his  two  Coullngs  nobill  and  famous, 
Unto  the  Kingis  Pal  ice  of  renoune  ; 
And  he,  that  was  imperiall  under  croun, 
Obeyit  was  with  fik  eflait  royall, 
That  in  this  warld  King  was  none  mortall 
Whome  to  was  donne  more  worfchip  and  honour 
Nor  to  this  Prince,  of  chevalrie  the  flour  ; 
And  this  was  donne  ower  all  Britane  I'o  braid. 

When  he  aught  days  thair  Ibjornay  had  maid, 
He  for  his  four  Maiilers  of  houihold  fend, 

2650  And  them  he  hes  commandit  then  to  wend. 
And  ordain  richlie  for  his  hie  eilate. 
Arraying  all  thing  that  beine  pertinat 
For  him  and  for  his  Queine  Meliades, 
That  all  fould  redie  be  on  g^dlie  way  is 
Within  aught  dayis  for  to  take  the  fea ; 
For  he  his  Coulings  with  all  royaltie 
Wald  put  in  thair  realmes,  and  them  convoy 
And  leave  them  thair  to  ring  as  Prince  and  Roy. 
Thir  four  Lordis  paft  [furth]  without  demand, 

S660  And  in  all  heafl  fulfillit  his  command. 

When  all  was  readie  as  him  lift  devyle. 
He  tuike  his  leave,  and  eik  Meliades, 
At  Philipon  the  King,  and  eik  the  Queine, 
And  prayit  God  thair  keiper  for  to  heme 


BUIK  FYFT.  aw 

Into  the  realme  whill  thair  againo  cunning'. 

And  he  anone  hes  taine  in  hand  this  thing. 

Kuig  Amandur  and  eik  King  Palexis 

Thair  leave  hes  taine  with  all  grit  humhilnes 

At  King  and  Queine,  and  all  thair  conipanie, 
2670  And  on  thair  horfis  afcendit  royallie, 

With  more  triumph  nor  I  can  50W  defyne  ; 

And  thay  anone  raid  to  the  port  marine. 

And  thair  anone  went  to  thair  i'chips  ifeir ; 

Bright  was  the  hevin  and  Phebus  ibhyning  cleir. 

Thay  raiiit  faillis  bent  unto  the  height. 

And  fuire  ower  fluide  as  falcon  fair  on  flicht ; 

And  in  fyve  dayis,  as  Dame  Fortoun  wald. 

Toward  the  land  [full]  luftilie  thay  hald. 

And  faiffe  arryvit  into  Garnet  land, 
2680  And  into  ane  toun  callit  Varrogand. 

The  Thrie  Ellaitis  of  that  regioun 

Full  gloriouflie  them  met  with  trumpit  Ibund, 

Ajid  with  ane  nobill  and  luilie  companie 

Them  all  [out]  throw  the  cuntries  fair  thay  gy, 

Whill  thay  com  into  the  toun  of  Durant. 

The  tounfchip  thair  with  raaner  richt  plilant, 

Met  them  with  found  of  diverfe  inftruments. 

With  intermeifis  and  blyth  abaitments. 

In  Palice  regall,  with  feift  and  grit  honour, 
2690  Anon  refavit  was  King  Amandur, 

And  thair  as  Lord  thay  maid  to  him  homage  : 

Thus  Fortoune  hes  him  fet  in  full  hie  llage. 

The  King,  quhilk  had  reGgnit  him  the  croun. 

Was  then  profeft  into  religioun. 

Ane  moneth  out  thay  fojornit  in  that  land 

In  feiftuall  joy  and  pleaiance  triumphand. 


S66  CLARIODUS. 

And  fyne  Clariodus  his  leave  hes  taine. 

And  eike  Meliades  his  Ibverane, 

At  Araandur  and  Donas  eik  his  Queine, 
2700  So  did  Palexis  and  luftie  Cadar  fcheine : 

Bot  nevertheles  they  haive  done  thame  convoy 

Unto  the  fea  ;  bot  thair  was  litill  joy  ; 

At  thair  depairting  pitie  was  to  tell. 

^Vhan  thay  had  done  full  long  in  armis  duell, 

King  Amandur  and  eik  his  luflie  Queine 
Hame  to  thair  Palice  againe  returnit  beine, 

Whair  thay  full  long  did  leive  in  joy  and  blis, 

Joyiing  the  realme  in  peace  as  thay  Avald  wis. 
The  King  Clariodus  and  his  companie 
2710  In  Ichippis  enterit  hes,  and  fuddanlie 

They  drew  up  laillis  and  ouer  the  wavis  I'chare. 
They  glyde  anone  alle  iwift  as  onie  fyre, 
And  day  and  night  thay  Ibjorne  not  nor  reft  ; 
Bot  furth  thay  held  ower  fluid  with  iaillis  prell, 
Whill  towards  Caftal^ie  Eolus  them  draveit, 
Whtur  thay  ftruik  laill  and  fuddenlie  aryvit ; 
And  IJTie  on  horfe  full  royallie  afcendit. 
The  Lordis  of  the  land  on  them  dependit, 
And  throw  the  cuntrie  them  convoyit  with  honour. 
2720  And  he  that  was  the  realmes  governour, 
He  met  them  in  the  toun  of  Gandaleyis, 
And  feiftit  them  on  [the]  moft  gudlie  wayis. 
On  morrow  furth  thay  raid  with  royaltie 
Unto  the  principall  toun  of  Caftaljie, 
Quhilk  callit  was  the  toun  of  fair  Vallance. 
They  enterit  in  the  Palice  of  pliiance, 
Whair  that  the  antient  King  did  them  relave, 
Both  Lord  and  Barroun,  Knight,  and  all  the  leave, 


BUIK  FYFT.  9m 


Them  welcoming  and  feifling  with  great  cheir, 

S7S0  And  to  them  gart  be  maid  ane  grit  denneir. 
Thair  courfis  all  to  tell  30W  it  wald  cumer, 
Thair  intermeiiis  ib  war  out  of  number. 
When  thay  had  dynit,  the  King  of  grit  renoun 
In  both  his  handis  he  tuike  his  royall  croun, 
And  put  it  on  Palexis  heid  richt  thair 
Befor  the  companie  condigne  and  fair, 
In  his  rob  royall  all'e  he  did  him  veil  j 
Syne  King  of  all  his  realme  [he]  him  pofleft ; 
And  he  him  felf  of  heigh  devotioun 

•2740  Anone  did  enter  into  religioun. 

Thay  Ibjomit  ftill  with  plealant  abaitments. 
With  feifting,  jufting,  and  with  tornaments, 
WTiill  [[that]  fex  oulkis  war  out  worne  ilk  day ; 
Syne  tuik  thair  leave  withoutin  more  delay. 
Palexis  them  convoyit  to  the  fea, 
Bot  the  depairting  pitioufe  was  trewlie 
Betwix  him  and  his  Eame  Clariodus. 
To  twin  with  other  thay  war  dolorus. 
The  quhilk  never  twinit  for  weill  nor  wo, 

2750  Uneis  thay  might  depairt  utheris  fro. 

On  everie  iyd  they  tuik  Saint  Johne  to  borrow 
Agane  to  meit,  quhilk  levit  hes  thair  forrow. 
Ather  did  uther  imbrace  and  laid  Adew. 
This  King  Palexis  hameward  did  perlew, 
Unto  his  Palice  into  fair  Vallance, 
And  with  his  Queine  thair  levit  in  plifance. 
The  land  he  rewlit  as  ony  wald  devyfe, 
And  keipit  it  in  peace  and  in  jullice. 
When  that  the  nobill  King  Clariodus 

2760  Now  fchipit  beine  and  all  [his]  Court  famous, 


368  CLARIODUS. 

In  Irland  thay  did  fuddanlie  anyve, 
And  thair  on  horfe  afcendit  they  belyve, 
And  throw  the  toune  of  Gargaly  [thay]  raid, 
Ane  fair  village,  with  wallis  heigh  and  braid, 
Whair  two  mightie  Duikis  of  that  regioun. 
With  diverfe  utheris  Lordis  of  renoune, 
Him  met,  and  to  the  toun  him  did  convoy 
Full  plilantlie,  with  honour  and  with  joy, 
And  him  refavit  in  ane  Palice  fair, 

2770  And  royallie  that  night  him  feiftit  thair  ; 

And  as  thair  King  thay  made  to  him  fewtie. 
And  Iwore  to  him  the  aith  of  fidelitie. 
Alle  fone  as  he  the  morrow  did  efpy 
To  horfe  he  went,  and  all  his  company. 
And  raid  out  throw  the  cuntrie  at  his  will, 
Whill  he  com  to  the  toun  of  Marmavill, 
Surmunting  all  the  tounis  of  Irland, 
Whair  that  the  auld  King  was  [as  git]  livand. 
He  enterit  at  the  ports  of  the  toim, 

2780  Quhilk  was  arrayit  of  ane  rich  falToun. 
The  ftreitis  fiintit  war  full  royallie 
With  arras  and  with  illkis  moft  mightie, 
The  minftrells  playit  on  diverfe  inftruments; 
Full  monie  fports  and  monie  abaitments 
Devyfit  war  before  liim  on  the  ftreit. 
And  full  of  joy  was  all  the  toun  repleit ; 
The  mirrie  found  of  trumpits  did  out  thring. 
And  all  at  onis  did  the  bellis  ring ; 
Tlie  tounfchip  met  him  in  thair  bell  array, 

2790  Him  doing  all  the  honour  that  thay  may. 
He  enterit  in  the  kirk  fiill  royallie, 
And  thair  he  lightit  and  hie  fair  Ladie  ; 


BuiK  FYrr.  aflg 


And  (luhen  [that]  they  had  maid  ane  orifoun, 
[And  niels  was  ilngin  with  an  hevinlic  found,] 
Unto  the  kirk  he  liverit  grit  thefawre  ; 
Syne  to  the  Palice  raid  with  grit  honour, 
And  thair  anone  from  horfe  they  did  difcend. 
And  uj)  the  gries  unto  the  hall  they  wend, 
Whair  that  the  antient  King  into  ane  chyre 

2800  Was  borne  with  Knightis  them  abyding  thair, 
Whilk  grevit  was  with  age,  and  febillit  lb 
That  he  might  not  into  thair  meiting  go  ; 
To  quhome  the  King  Clariodus  is  gone. 
And  heartillie  in  armis  hes  him  tone. 
Thir  King^s  two  imbraicit  uther  thair 
With  plelant  wordis  that  war  fweit  and  fair. 
Now  am  I  glaid,  this  aigit  King  can  fay. 
My  deirreft  Nevoy  that  lie  now  I  may 
Within  Tny  realme  in  fik  prolperitie, 

2810  I  cair  not  now  quhidder  I  leive  or  die. 

Then  oflF  his  heid  he  tuike  his  croun  pretious, 
And  with  it  crounit  King  Clariodus, 
And  to  him  did  refign  his  regioun. 

When  of  this  thing  was  maid  concluliouu. 
His  chyre  to  chalmer  was  borne  royallie ; 
The  fyd  of  it  buire  two  Duiks  honorabillie, 
The  uther  fyde  Clariodus  the  King 
Up  buire,  and  fo  to  chalmer  did  him  bring. 
And  on  his  bed  him  let  [then]  full  foftlie. 

2820  Then  King  Clariodus  full  courtellie 

Tuike  leave  as  then,  and  to  the  hall  is  gone, 
[Whair  that  the  dinner  readie  was  anone.] 
Grite  was  the  feill,  and  pleafant  was  the  cheir 
Within  that  hall  of  diverfe  courfis  ieir. 

3  A 


370  CLARIODUS. 

When  thay  had  dynit  and  ryfin  from  [the]  tabill, 
Lordis  begouth  and  Ladies  dele6labill 
To  dance  anone,  and  minftrells  gane  to  play. 
The  portis  oppinit  war,  the  liiith  to  fay, 
And  thairin  enterit  everie  luftie  wight, 

2830  That  lift  to  dance,  to  ling,  or  to  have  fight 
Of  that  glaid  feill,  lurmunting  in  pleiknce. 
And  everie  wight  maid  plelant  countinance 
At  the  cuming  of  thair  new  Prince  and  King ; 
For  long  and  play  the  long  hall  [all]  did  ring. 
The  feift  was  great  and  leftit  intcirlie 
Ane  monethes  (pace,  it  leftit  larglie 
With  glaid  difport,  jufting  and  tornament. 

Clariodus  the  King  moft  excellent 
Of  Lordis  he  had  diverfe  mariagis, 

2840  For  to  inforce  with  Irland  his  linagis. 
He  maryit  thair  the  fex  Virginis  cleir, 
Tliat  winit  with  the  Ladie  de  la  Careir, 
With  potent  Lordis  of  Irland  cuntrie. 
That  nobilleft  war  and  griteft  of  degrie  ; 
And  Roniarj'n  he  wadit  honorabillie 
Upon  ane  Count  of  Irland  right  mightie  ; 
Sir  Giljeam  de  la  Forreft  he  mariet  alfo. 
And  Sir  Richard  de  Mayanis  they  two 
With  two  grit  Countefles  of  that  cuntrie, 

2850  With  all  the  feiftis  and  grit  royaltie ; 
And  f)Tiit  war  the  mariagis  all 
With  jufting  and  with  tornament  royall. 
When  he  fex  monthis  had  maid  fojorning. 
And  was  obeyit  both  with  auld  and  ging, 
And  conqueift  all  the  heartis  of  that  land. 
Then  under  him  he  maid  ane  Livetenand  ; 


BUIK  FYFT.  371 

Syne  he  his  leave  hes  taine  at  the  [auld]  King, 
Wha  was  Ibrrowfull  at  his  depairting. 
Diverle  Lordis  and  Ladies  of  renoun, 
2860  He  tuike  with  hira  to  Inglands  regioun. 

When  he  his  leave  had  taine  at  everie  wight, 
Then  to  the  fea  he  fchortlie  hes  him  dight ; 
Heralds  g^eatlie  of  gold  and  of  money 
He  left  behind  him  into  that  cuntrie  ; 
Syne  with  his  Court  he  raid  out  throw  the  toun 
With  found  of  trumpit  and  of  clarioun. 
Convoyit  him  to  iea  his  Luiftenand. 
And  quhen  thay  war  difcendit  to  the  flrand, 
Firft  at  the  King  he  tuike  his  regiment, 
2870  And  lyne  he  tuike  his  leave  and  hamewart  went 
Unto  the  King  with  commendatioune 
From  King  Clariodus  of  grit  renoune, 
Saying,  that  Ibune  againe  he  Ibuld  returne. 
And  longer  then  into  the  land  Ibjorne. 
Blyth  was  the  King  to  heir  of  his  rehearle. 
Up  gois  the  faillis  preifit  in  the  male 

Of  all  the  fchipis  of  JKing  Clariodus, 
Whilk  be  fupport  of  the  god  Eolus, 

And  be  the  help  of  him  and  lord  Neptune, 
2880  Thay  war  aryvit  in  the  cuntrie  foune. 
Thus  quhen  Clariodus  arryvit  beine. 

Both  he  and  eik  Meliades  his  Queine, 

Went  to  the  land  with  all  thair  companie. 

And  on  thair  horfe  afcendit  royallie. 

And  throw  the  cuntrie  raid  with  Court  royall. 

The  tyding  ran  out  throw  the  cuntrie  haill 

Of  thair  hame  cuming,  both  to  more  and  les  ; 

And  unto  Belvell  firfl  thay  can  them  dreti, 


372  CLARIODUS. 

And  thair  they  hard  how  that  the  King  anone, 
2890  And  eik  his  Queine,  war  in  relig-ioun  gone, 
Nocht  fra  the  toun  two  mylls  in  ane  Abay, 
To  quhilk  they  did  returne  but  more  delay  ; 
And  thair  this  nobill  Prince  [hes]  lichtit  doun, 
And  eik  his  Queine  Meliades  of  renoune, 
And  enterit  in  the  Abay  in  feir. 
This  auntient  King  and  Queine  advertifl  war 
Of  thair  cuming,  and  com  in  thair  meiting. 
They  helfit  uther  with  tender  irabracing, 
And  kifllt  uther  on  ane  freindlie  wayis. 
2900  And  quhen  the  King  and  Queine  Meliades 

Had  commoned  long  with  them  on  this  maneir, 
He  tuike  his  leave,  fo  did  this  Ladic  cleir, 
And  faid  thay  wold  againe  right  oft  returne. 
When  thay  had  long  tyme  maid  with  them  ibjorne. 
On  horfe  thay  have  alcendit,  and  furth  raid 
Unto  Bellvilladoun  but  [mair]  abaid, 
Whair  all  the  piple  him  met  with  trumpit  found, 
Crying,  Welcum  our  Prince  of  moft  renoune, 
Uneis  for  throng  he  might  thring  in  the  ftreit, 
2910  All  circumftance  I  omit  to  repeit. 
Then  at  the  Palice  portis  of  renoune. 
He  and  his  royall  Court  all  lightit  doun. 
And  unto  hall  afcendit,  and  that  anone, 
Whair  he  refiivit  Lordis  monie  one. 
That  wounder  glaid  was  of  his  bame  cuming. 
For  thay  him  lovit  ouer  all  uther  thing. 
The  Lordis  of  Irland,  that  war  with  the  King, 
Seing  the  joy  maid  at  his  hame  cuming, 
And  how  he  was  lovit  in  his  cuntrie, 
2920  Thay  thoght  in  happie  tyme  cholen  was  he 


BUIK  FYFT.  .r/a 

To  be  thair  King  and  alfe  thair  jfovernoiir, 

Whilk  of  this  world  was  Prince  of  mofl  honour. 

The  King  g^rt  inak  ane  Proclamatioun, 

And  fend  Heralds  in  everie  regioun, 

That  thay,  that  wold  renoun  in  armis  win, 

Sould  ichaw,  and  thair  ane  tornament  begine 

In  the  realme  of  Ingland  on  fik  ane  day  ; 

And  quha  delyrit  knightlic  to  aflay 

His  nobill  deidis,  thair  foiild  he  fervit  be. 
2930  And  foune  the  tyding  fprang  in  ilk  cnntrie, 

Of  quhilk  the  King  of  France  was  blyth  to  heir, 

And  all  his  Court  both  Lord  and  Bacheleir. 
So  happinit  quhen  the  Heralds  com  to  France, 

The  Lord  Conftabill  with  royall  ordinance 

Was  makand  war  furth  into  far  cuntrie  ; 

Whairfor  the  King,  full  valiand  of  buntic, 

Send  threttie  Knightis  to  the  tornament 

In  right  knightlie  and  fair  abuilgement, 

Led  be  the  Knightis  thrie  of  nobill  fame, 
2940  The  firft  Sir  Charles  de  la  Careir  to  name. 

The  fecund  was  Sir  Charles  de  la  Valeir, 

The  third  Sir  John  was  de  la  Barneir. 
Thir  threttie  Knightis  war  fo  diligent, 

That  two  dayis  befor  the  tornament 

They  com  to  prefence  of  King  Clariodus, 

That  glaid  was  of  thair  cuming  and  joyous. 

Then  fpeirit  he  of  the  King,  and  how  he  fuire, 

Thair  fpeirit  he  of  the  Queine  of  luftie  figure. 

Then  how  the  Conftabill  did  eik  afltit  he. 
2950  They  faid  all  war  in  gud  profperitie, 

And  that  both  King  and  Queine  did  them  c-oniniond, 

And  heartlie  greating  to  his  Hienes  lend  ; 


374  CLARIODUS. 

And  laid  the  Conllabill  in  Bethingham  is  went. 

With  men  of  weir  at  the  commandiment 

Of  the  nobill  King,  quhilk  chargit  him  fo. 

Then  was  the  King  Clariodus  full  wo 

That  he  not  cumin  was  with  them,  for  he 

Him  lovit  for  his  wit  and  his  buntie. 

Quhen  thay  had  fpokin  long  upon  this  wayis, 

2960  He  bad  them  pas  to  Queine  Meliades, 
And  {chew  to  hir  the  novelties  of  France. 
Two  Knightis  them  convoyit  with  plelance 
Unto  the  Queine,  quhom  thay  full  courteflie 
Helilt,  and  everie  thing  did  ipecifie 
To  hir  as  thay  did  to  the  King  before. 
And  fcho,  that  was  of  bewtie  fo  decora, 
Glaid  was  to  heir  of  the  prolperitie 
Of  the  gude  King  of  France  and  his  meingie. 
And  of  the  Queine  that  was  lb  honorabill, 

2970  And  of  hir  Ladies  fair  and  amiabill. 
In  chalmer  war  thay  put  for  to  recray. 
Syne  efter  war  in  joyis  all  the  day. 

Upon  the  mome,  from  monie  far  cuntrie 
Com  monie  ane  Lord  and  Knight  of  grit  buntie. 
King  Amandur,  and  eik  King  Palexis, 
Hes  Knightis  lent  of  full  grit  nobilnes. 
The  King  of  Spain;;e  and  [the]  Earle  Ellur 
Send  luftie  Knightis  of  [full]  grit  valoure. 
The  Count  of  Glocefter,  with  fair  meingie, 

2980  Cumin  is  from  the  cuntrie  of  Spaingie, 
Not  with  Clariodus  git  leine  is  he  ; 
For  quhan  he  was  into  Spainge  cuntrie. 
This  nobil  Count  of  manlie  eflfeiris 
Upon  the  Sarafeinis  lay  at  the  weiris. 


BUIK  FYFT.  375 

So  monie  Lords  and  Knights  is  gntherit  thair, 

That  fillit  was  the  royall  Palice  fair. 

What  is  thair  more  to  tellin  of  this  thing, 

When  cumin  was  the  day  of  thair  jufting, 

The  Knightis  com  all  armit  in  the  feild, 
2990  Whair  thair  devoir  they  did  with  fpeir  and  fcheild, 

That  grit  plifance  it  was  them  for  to  fie. 

The  Ladies  lat  upon  fkaffaldis  hie. 

Anone  the  trumpits  blew  ane  mirrie  tune. 

And  fo  with  lancis  did  the  Knightis  June  ; 

Both  heir  and  thair  to  grund  gois  horle  and  man, 

The  earth  dinnit  as  thay  togidder  ran  : 

Bot  all  the  nobillefl  King  Clariodus, 

The  floure  of  knightheid,  fearce  and  chevalrus, 

Inarmit  Ichyning  as  ane  angell  cleir, 
3000  Sik  wounderis  wroght  that  ferlie  was  to  heir  ; 

From  fum  he  flraike  the  helme  and  Hun  the  icheild. 

Sum  men  and  hoi's  he  dryres  doun  in  feild 

Throw  his  grit  vigour  and  ftrenuitie, 

Quhilk  was  in  deids  of  arms  ane  A  per  I'e, 

Might  none  him  ather  gainlland  nor  abid  ; 

Whairfor  in  feild  thay  maid  him  roum  to  ryd. 

Full  long  the  jufting  induirit  on  this  wayis, 

The  Knightis  all  war  nobill  for  to  pryle, 

In  all  the  feild  was  naine  of  them  that  feinges  ; 
3010  Full  loud  the  heralds  cryit  thair  ancheinjeis 

Of  all  thir  Lordis  worthie  and  famous. 

Heraldis  eik  of  King  Clariodus, 

With  voices  cryit,  Elu  count  a  la  bell  ! 

And  he,  that  lb  in  knightheid  did  excell. 
In  feild  that  day  hes  conqueifl  fik  renoune, 

That  it  was  hard  in  everie  r^oun 


376  CLARIODUS. 

Of  his  vidlorious  deidis  triuinphall, 
Whairthrow  his  honour  did  fo  far  excell ; 
Ower  all  the  world  quhile  that  he  was  on  lyve 
SOao  His  knightheid  ran  in  grie  luperlative. 
This  tornay  duirit  quhile  the  bliffull  liin 
His  courfe  diurnall  had  compleitlie  run. 
And  did  his  purpur  vilage  all  fcheroud 
In  the  Occident  under  the  noxiall  elude. 
And  quhill  that  Venus  I'chew  hir  crilUll  light ; 
Then  from  the  feild  they  go  for  fait  of  fight. 
Ane  moneth  out  did  left  this  [grit]  tornay. 
That  the  Knights  did  him  counter  day  be  day  ; 
Bot  King 


A  LIST  OF  CONJECTURAL  EMENDATIONS  ADOPTED 
IN  THE  TEXT,  TOGETHER  WITH  THE  READINGS 
OF  THE  MANUSCRIPT. 


Thejirst  Reading  ia  the  Emendation,  the  second  that  of  the  MS. 

P.  2, 1.  41,  lonndis  —  loond 

3,     53,  ging  —  3onng    77,  baire  —  buire 

5,  118,  unermit  —  enermit     121,  and  bade  —  abade     124,  him  till  attend  —  attend 

him  till 

6,  158,  sonc — some     161,  boning -^  being     170,  it -^  ia 

7,  180,  ging  —  goung     182,  Whill  —  Will     194,  uterance — uternanoe 

8,  213,  unfengitlie  —  unfegitlie     218,  this  —  thu«     229,  not  —  it  not 

10,     280,  gow  —  to     286,  thus  —  this     300,  nor  —  nor  I     304,  conforme — confirme 

12,  344,  de  Beaulieu  ffrom  the  French  copy)  —  Oeam     345,  Leonet  de  Mortemer 

(froni  the  French  copy)  —  Leoiier  345,  Beaafort  (from  the  French  copy)  — 
Beamfort    346,  Roye  (from  the  French  copy)  —  Koche 

13,  383,  to  —  into 

14,  425,  poynt  —  poyntf 

15,  433,  Ane  — And 

16,  483,  fellounlie  —  felloun 

17,  524,  quhile  —  quhen 

18,  54(',  For  —  Bot    558,  resavit  war  —  war  resarit    559,  than  thay  geid can 

thay  pase 

19,  581,  Bonne  —  Bunde 

20,  604,  is  —  as    613,  eike  —  bricht    617,  befome  —  before 

21,  626,  was  —  ws     647,  wend — gone     654,  wonder  —  wonderlie 

22,  667,  it  waxit  —  wax 

23,  691,  into  bir  hart  can  sinke  —  in  hir  hart  sinkis    702,  Beaalieo  (from  the  French 

copy)  —  Bealme  703,  Leyon  Dormal  (from  the  French  copy)  —  Gawin 
Domall  703,  Beaufort  (from  theFrench  copy)  —  Beamefort  707,  Amador 
de  Brusland  (from  Uie  Fretich  copy)  —  Amandor  de  Bmland 

24,  725,  dinnit  —  dimmit     726,   Then  all  abune  —  The  a  bune      728,  unioft — Bn- 

fost     732,  sink  —  seik     750,  well, —  weill 
28,     861,  Galice  (from  the  French  copy)  —  Calice 

30,  940,  Galice  (from  the  French  copy)  —  Calice 

31,  959,  upon  —  on 

32,  987,  in  —  in  that     991,  whill  —  will 

33,  1019,  was  —  ware     1034,  Into — In 

84,  1043,  me  call  —  call  me  1053,  Guy  de  la  Riviere  (from  the  French  copy)  —  Sir 
delaZeipin  1057,  them  —  the  1059,  Halsand— This  havand  1068,  snp 
and  —  sapper  and  to 

35)  1077,  presence  —  presence  to  1082,  thus  —  this  1090,  cnrain — cum  1095, 
allswyth  brings  into  his  presence  —  in  presence  of  him  bringis. 

3b 


2  EMENDATIONS. 

P.36,1. 1105,  palace  — place      1107,  knichtis  — kniclit     1117,  Therefor  — SayU  for 
1126,  knichtU  —  knicht     1131,  him  into  their  —  in 

37,  1 144,  sane  —  8e 

38,  1173,  ordai nance  —  ordaining     1 187,  hir  command  —  him  commend 

39,  1212,  Mtt.\&nce  (from  the  French  c<pi/ J  —  la  Main     1215,  here — he 

40,  1246,  besyd  —  besynd     1258,  do  — so     1260,  do  — be 

41,  1273,  thus— long      1285,  Thay— That      1286,  thir- thair      1293,   this  — 

his 

42,  1307,  hyne  —  thyne     1038,  wounderfullie  —  wounderfull 

43,  1333,  in  — on     1360,  him  —  them 

46,  1441,  to  beddis  for  to  —  into  beddis  they     1450,  consings  —  cousing 

47,  1465,  say  —  sey     1470,  assent — ascent     1481,  Scho  —  And 

48,  1500,  warldis  —  warld     1514,  pray — -'prayis 

52,  26,      sent  —  went 

53,  54,      feinds  —  feind 

64,  83,      gare — have    88,  heartfullie  —  hearfnllie     91,  he — I 

56,  149,  him  —  them  passit      160,   With  —  Wit     164,  could  neer  devall  —  did 

wther  deife 

57,  207,  befor  sumtbing —  sumthing  befor    208,  war  —  war  snmthing 

59,  251,  plane  —  place 

60,  276,  attire  —  ottrie 

61,  319,  schortlie  —  schortlie  to     328,  he— scho     332,  thus  —  this 

62,  347,  alone  —  aleane 

63,  388,  withoutin  —  without 

64,  425,  diamand  —  diamond    426,  illnminand  —  illuminat    433,  varlot  —  war  to 

65,  445,  hir  —  quhair     448,  Greatlie  —  Great 

67,  504,  for  —  at     511,  aneth — abone     525,  sa  great  —  for  great   pitie      526, 

snithlie —  s^eithlie 

68,  536,  dissimulance  —  dissimnlant     544,  Within  —  With 

69,  578,  scho — scho  did     584,  humbillie  —  bissilie 

70,  596,  was  — war    597,  war  —  was  610,  ofl  — of  620,  dwell  —  dwell  ower  love 

72,  681,  waiking — walking 

73,  710,  waris  —  was 

74,  751,  bearis  —  boaris 

75,  755,  whill  —  will 

76,  802,  de  la  Mere  (from  the  French  copy)  —  Lamoorenx 

77,  849,  devest  —  dewaist    850,  bed  he  ^eid,  him  for  —  bodie  he  did  him 
7^  858,  he  —  him     860,  him  —  he     868,  thay  —  that 

79,  885,  Lucent  —  Intent 

80,  939,  squyeris  —  knicht    943,  Pennent  —  Tennent 

81,  948,  unearmit  —  enearmit 

82,  979,  cumin  —  cum 

83,  1017,  withoutiu — without     1028,  withoutin  —  without      1033,  Thus  —  This 

1037,  vouchsafe  —  witchchafe 

84,  1043,  sail  —  sail  sail     1060,  sail  —  sail  yon     1063,  that  we  thus  —  we     1066, 

is  —  is  from 

85,  1 105,  Pennent  —  Tennent 

86,  1124,  they  — the 

87,  1145,  mane  —  mone     1156,  so  —  no 

88,  1192,  his  fellowis — his  his  fellow     1195,  firmance  —  prissonn 

89,  1219,  had  —  had  thus     1232,  gone  —  went 
91,  1284,  thay  —  day 

93,     1340,  main  —  man 

95,  1400,  rewthfull  —  trewthfnll      1404,  to  gar  men  —  and  to  gnr     1408,  Pen- 
nent—  Tennent     1412,  thus  — this     1413,  Seing — Saying 
97,    1478,  attentivlie  —  autentiklie 


EMENDATIONS.  9 

P.  98. 1. 1518,  felow  —  felo     1521,  Knichtit  —  Knicht 

99,  1541,  ging — ^oung     1547,  him  —  not 

101,  1617,  then  deli verit  —  them  diicoverit     1618,  then  —  them    I G 1 8,  hall  —  baill 

102,  1635,  roiiMtrellie  —  inttrumeuta 

103,  1660,  That  ever  — Than  nor 

104,  1 702,  richt  —  richt  great 

105,  1721,  in — inane     1728,  hir — hi*     1733,  maid  —  raadine 

106,  1 750,  Thas  —  This     176 1 ,  sang  —  gong 

108,  1811,  oft  — efter     1831,  bring  — bricht 

109,  1853,  he  — scho 

110,  1 893,  resarein  —  resave     1894,  glaidening  —  glaidne* 

111,  1011,  hamewart  — hame     1920,  Wai  —  Was  was     1920,  this  —  thus     1927, 

Unto  —  Into 
lis,    8,     was — war 

114,  19,  And  — And  for 

115,  52,  Carados — Claradus    52,  by  —  by  the    62,  spargit  —  spnngit    71,  List 

—  List  me 

116,  85,  beteach — betaucht    89,  demane  —  demand    98,  nicht  —  knicht     101,  eve 

—  evine     1 1 2,  sorrowfull  —  sorro wfuUie 

117,  115,  mundane  —  mundand     117,  with  wirdis  of  —  of  wirdis  with     128,  if  — 

if  ever 

118,  160,  amiabill  —  and  nnabill 

119,  182,  tharae  —  tharae  two     186,  gndlieheid  —  ladieheid 

120,  234,  dolouris  —  dolour 

122,  278,  barrnet  —  barrent     282,  Bruland  Cfrom  the  French  copy  J  —  heichsnm 

123,  308,  Frensch  —  fresch 

124,  351,  speiris  —  speir     356,  unto  the — to     369,  wod  —  bold 

125,  378,  micht  —  bricht   379,  he  — thay    388,  Quick  —  Quhilk  394,  That  —  And 

126,  407,  he  —  thay     409,  Carados  —  Clariodns     423,  home  to  —  at  home  in 

127,  435,  Richt — Nocht     444,   thair — thair  thair     456,  An  war  it  anents  —  All 

war  it  never  anents     458,  haistining  —  haistillie 

128,  467,  That  scho  be  taine  —  Be  taine  with  thame     468,  thus  —  this     478,  This 

—  Thus    478,  Thus  —  This    492,  Thus  —  This 

129,  502,  breath  —  haudis     506,  warldis — warld      508,   echeve  —  acheve      524, 

from  —  for 

130,  551,  withoutin — without 

135,  691,  withoutin  —  without     716,  hir  —  his 

136,  725,  rent  —  rent  and  to  rent    746,  am  —  am  I 

137,  757,  Be  —  The     757,  rebute  —  rebnike     758,  wonit  —  winit    765,  cloathis 

—  cloath 

138,  799,  unto- to 

139,  824,  maid  —  madine     836,  sche  —  scho    842,  maid  —  madine 

140,  859,  maid  —  madine    860,  theron  hes  laid  —  syne  hes  land 

141,  892,  heart  —  heart  scho 

142,  932,  With  —  Then 

143,  955,  collourit  —  coUonris 

144,  992,  did  behold  —  beheld 

145,  1013,  thaim  hir  —  hir  thair     1037,  Turkii  —  Tnrke 
140,  1044,  among  —  upon 

147,  1077,  he  —  him     1082,  And  syne  unto  —  Syne  to     1096,  enarmit  —  armit 

148,  1123,  thus  —  thus  thus     1124,  didryd  —  ryding     131,  none  —  naine     1136, 

important  —  impotent 

149,  1 149,  and  ferlie  deir  —  that  ferlie     1 152,  maire  —  more     1 163,  Jea  —  3e 
153,     1269,  Thus  —  This     1282,   Syne  thesawre  gart  in  full  ^it  quantitie — Syne 

thesawre  gart  or  he  went     1283,  Deliver  unto  him  before  he  went  — 
Deliver  he  gart  to  him  in  full  grit  quantitie 


4  EMENDATIONS. 

P.  155, 1. 1346,  snmthing  —  ramthing  I     1354,  maire  —  more 

156,  1389,  he  — he  hes 

157,  1409,  unknawin— unadiawin    1419,  In  — I    1422, fall  oft  — of    1423,  bewtie 

and  vertew  —  vertew  and  bewtie     1425,  certes  —  certs 

158,  1450,  aquantance  —  quantance 

159,  1466,  a  sore  —  for     1482,  passit  —  pas 

160,  1492,  bring  — brocht 

161,  1535,  maire — more     1546,  aflFrayd  —  affrait 

162,  1564,  ciimpanie  —  cnmpanie  now 

163,  1593,  his  —  thy     1594,  sichis  —  sich     1601,  oft  bad  him  —  bad  him  oft    1605, 

thame  —  and     1607,  In  this  kinrick,  both  —  Bot  to 

164,  1619,  al way — alwayis     1638,  thus  —  this 

167,  1718,  daith  — baith     1740,  cryed  —  cryet     1745,  his  —  this 

168,  1750,  than — thair     1776,  than  commandit  —  thay  command 

169,  1810,  sadest  —  sad 

170,  1818,  enter- enter  in  tbia      1832,  langer — laogonr      1840,  sail- sail  sail 

1842,  baith  the — with  ^ow 
J  7 1 ,     1 854,  cryed  —  cry  it 

173,     1913,  alway  —  away     1932,  and  nicht  away  did  drire  —  the  nicht  away  drave 
175,     1992,  What  — With 
177,     2044,  sterve  —  stryve     2048,  Sweit  Sir,  scho  said,  the  cause  of  your  dolour  — 

Sweit  Sir,  scho  said,  Pleise  Qe  reveale  ^our  hevines     2049,  Please  ge 

reveale;   sould  it  ^ow  not  displease— If  it  tould  ^ow  not  displease 

2057,  Thaircfter—  Thairfor 

182,  2210,  Nane  sail  —  Sail  nane 

183,  22 1 9,  thanks  —  hearts 

186,  231 1,  scho  was  —  that  scho 

187,  2361,  Unto  — To     2362,  in  all  —  all  in 

188,  2393,  was  all  the  denner— all  the  denner  was     2396,  ant  —  ane  richt    2403, 

to  —  unto 
190,     2442,  thus  —  this 

192,  31,  than  —  that    S3,  Whan  that  —  Whair  thay   37,  than  —  that    47,  unto  —  to 

193,  56,  with  joy  —  him  did     65,  scho  rose  —  so  ryse 

195,  121,  behuifit  —  bekuifit  for     125,  passit  —  past     140,  Than  —  That 

196,  149,  The  — This 

1 98,  242,  Then  —  They     242,  that  —  thay 

199,  245,  Whais  palfray  with  the  goldin   taill  and  mene — Whais  gudlie  palfray 

with  golden  mone  246,  Was  with  them  led,  qnhite  as  the  snow  and 
scbene  —  With  them  was  with  them  led  quhich  scbeine  272,  Meliades 
—  Meliades  and 

200,  294,  And  to  resave  it  —  It  to  resare     297,  Scho  said  —  Ha    298,  May  it 

not  —  I  may 

201,  324,  As  — And    327,  to  —  onto 

202,  342,  disporte  —  sporte 

203,  390,  391,  transposed  in  the  MS. 

204,  433,  costlie —  mikill 

205,  447,  sang,  and  playit  —  song  and  play 

206,  475,  refuge  —  releifeit     495,  nnto  —  to    495,  also  —  anone     498,  roiees  — 

Toice 

207,  510,  hnmbillie  —  hiimbill     516,  of  the  finest  gold  — gudlie  to  behold. 

208,  551,  Upon  ane  chariot  sat  —  The  ane  upon  ane  chariot 

209,  580,  and  the  —  all  and     593,  passit —  past 

210,  596,  apeiris  —  apeirit    606,  And  —  So    611,  ge  —  ge  doe     618,  unto  —  to 

615,  Esturs  —  Esture 

211,  641,  lie  —  thay    649,  withoutin  —  without 


EMENDATIONS.  S 

P.  Hi,  1.  671,  prinoune  —  p«rionne    685,  that  —  thlt 

813,  695,  lervice  —  tervitoorit     097,  wvr — or 

814,  733,  Tertew  — vei-tew  het     742,  all  -  -  all  uther     747,   lo  whom  —  Whom  in 

750,  fond  — fnnd  nether 

815,  755,  d'mtressi*  —  dittret     768,  our  —  ^oiir     777,  tend — lent    781  Thu 

This     786,  Aqueiitit — And  quentit 

816,  788,  with  —of    791,  thair  —  thay     809,  Then  —  All    816,  wordi  —  word 

817,  825,  the  —  than     834,  upon  —  on     837,  upon  —  on 

818,  863,  upon  the  juKting — l>cfore  the  muiitering 

819,  884,  they  —  he     894,  unto  —  to     902,  upon  —  on     906,  rather  —  rather  have 

9U7,  Ane  speir  ba<re  run  all  right  and  under  icheild — Ane  tpeir  rine 
right  ane  ipeir  under  scheild 

820,  925,  did  «.iy  —  said     942,  quhyt  and  reid — reid  and  quhyt 

221,  949,  newlie — new     951,  as  —  as  was.     953,  A Ise  quhyt  aa  snow  —  of  snow 

alse  quhyt     960,  as  —  as  bricht     969,  all  into  —  in 

222,  1003,  inannit  —  armit 

223,  1020,  knightlie  —  knight     1024,  wote  —  wait 

884,  1070,  beislix  small  —  small  heists     1071,  evaid  —  avoide 

225,  1075,  thraw  —  throw     1081,  in — on     1098,  Than  —  That     1100,  samen — 

same     1104,  name —  name  raisit 

886,  1125,  he  —  he  beine     1127,  beine  —  be     1134,  Thus  —  This 

888,  1171,  passit  —  past     1188,  beamis  —  streamis 

889,  1215,  minstrelly  —  minstrellis     1228,  Bot —  Bot  onlie 
830,  1240,  Eslur  —  Estur  he     1248,  bricht  —  licht 

231,     1274,  taike  —  tuike    1279,  passit  —  past    1291,  We  — And     1292,  Sirs  —  Sir 
834,     1378,  mocht  —  micht     1384,  that  —  at 

235,  1395,  Clariodus  —  Clariodus,  scho  said.    1399,  said  be  —  thocht^e    1480,  that 

it  man  be  so  —  so  that  it  man  be     1426,  tornament  it  might  —  toma- 
menting  it  might  gow. 

236,  1448,  unto  —  into 

238,  1495,  then  —  they     1497,  painis  —  pane     1499,  they  dance  —  dansit 

239,  1524,  ane  —  me   1531,  desyreit  —  itdesyre    1540,  ging  —  go   1548,  pik  —  sik 

1549,  for  —  heir 

240,  1564,  into — in     1569,  1570,  tranxposed  in  the  MS.     1571,  pleasance  —  plea- 

sonre    1578,  Thir  —  This    l.>78,  ordanit  —  ordanitbehim 

241,  1606,  unto — to     1608,  holte  —  hoipe     1615,  sighte  —  nighte 

242,  1628,  with  — with  ane     1644,  goldin— gold     1644,  finger  —  thinger     1646, 

And —  Him 

243,  1650,  they  —  the     1680,  do  ^e  — ^e  do     1681,  hade  be  —  he  hade 

244,  1700,  ging  —  goung 

245,  1745,  tbairfor  —  for     1746,  chose  —  chosen 

246,  1759,  and  gentill  Knight  —  and  Ladie  eik    1760,  Hes  —  Is    1776,  then  —  them 
847,     1787,  That  —  Then   1789,againe  — againis    1791,deir  — dea   1810,  Si  jesnis 

tousjours  a  Madame  (from  the  French  copy)  —  Serris  coralionges  am«- 
damem. 

248,  1816,  ane  — ane  mirrie     1833,  they  —  the 

249,  1864,  Ontower  —  Ower     1865,  Thay  gow  desyre  —  He  gow  desyris 

250,  1881,  qnhen  ever  that  —  erer  quhen     1893,  then  awfullie  did  —  did  throw  aw- 

tullie     1894,  occupyed  —  occupyit     1698,  oft  —  of 

251,  1908,  Counts  wes — Counteses     1909,  then  drew  aparte — drew  aparte  then 

1929,  hombill  —  humblie     1933,  as—  he  said,  as 

852,  1946,  unto  —  to.     1953,  thairnnto  —  thairto.     1960,  measourii — meaaonre 

853,  1989,  worldis— world 

854,  2028,  humblie  —  humbill 

255,     2053,  all  was  fair  and  well  —  as  they  did  trarell 

856,  2085,  dicbt  —  thike     2092,  lansit  —  lousit     2095,  leivis  —  loreria 

857,  2113,  mater — maner    2118,  tor elie  —  sore 

3c 


0  EMENDATIONS. 

P.  258, 1. 2144,  resistence  —  residence.     2148,  with  all  his  heart  —  as  I  heard  gay     2152, 
upon  —  on. 

259,  2163,  passit  — past    2172,  then— is    2175,  prise— praise    2192,  can— can 

lie     2194,  spcaic  did  —  spake 

260,  2221,  The  — That  the 

261,  2245,  thir  — this     2253,  unto  — to 

262,  2276,  Whair— Whairfor 

263,  2:293,  was  this  —  this  »vas  the 

264,  2331,  day— and     2335,  freschest  —  fresch     2336,  freschest  —  fresch 

265,  2361,  Into— In     2362,  thus— this     2383,  himself  —  him 

266,  2395,  into  —  in     2403,  upon  —  on 

267,  2420,  to  him  of—  unto  him  of  all 

269,  2492,  companie  —  companienow    2494,  then  is  left  —  left  is     2505,  we  —  tow 

2514,  thus  — this 

270,  2519,  their  —  the     2527,  goldin  coupis  —  coupis  gold     2533,  Of  —  To     2535, 

their  gaitis  they  —  tiie  gnitis     2536,  taine  —  taikine     2540,  into  —  in 

271,  2555,  sche  —  scho     2561,  presence  —  presents     2567,  said  —  sad     2577,  did 

them  convoy  —  them  convoyit 

272,  2582,  at  —  that     2588,  commending —  commending  them     2609,  his  —  his  his 

273,  2612,  To  —  And     2618,  unto  —  to 

274,  2672,  heartUlie  —  hir  tenderlie 

275,  2693,  lies  —  heine 

276,  2748,  Glaidin  —  Glaid    2757,  into  —  in 

278,  2802,  them  —  then     2804,  than  —  thay     2813,  derysit  —  devysing    2814, 

Lordis — Uuikis     2SI6,  uther — wyse     2817,  upon  —  on 

279,  2823,  gone  —  gaine    2826,  into  —  unto    2846,  heralds  —  herald    2848,  to  — 

to  call  and 

281,  S,    up<in  —  on     6,  passit  —  past 

282,  1 1,  send  —  sent    20,  knightheid  —  knightheid  the    29,  Prince  —  Princes    30, 

upon —  on 

283,  46,  into  — in    49,  with  —  with  ane    60,  Troy  —  Troy  of    65,  Polinices — 

Polimus 

284,  86,  Lucreis  —  Lncrew    91,  Dido  —  Pido    96,  Orphias  —  Orthins 

285,  118,  into  —  in    124,  stentit  —  stintit    131,  of  France  full  mightie  —  fnirmightie 

of  France 

286,  163,  gait  ward  —  gaitward,  and     163,  tone  —  taine. 

287,  171,  passit  —  past     176,  unto  the  toun  they  go  —  to  the  toun  they  went     186, 

upon  —  on     196,  Whair  that —  Whairwith 

28S,  202,  syne  —  syne  he     226,  nor  —  nor  for  my 

289,  239,  pleasis  —  please     264,  King —  King,  he  said, 

290,  278,  lyde  —  synde     296,  upon  —  on 

29 1 ,  297,  eye  —  eyes     325,  Lordis  —  Lord 

292,  341,kneillit  — kneilling    353,  thus  — this 

293,  375,  long  —  long  hade  376,  Whilk  —  What    381,lea8our— leasour  thay    388, 

thairupon  —  on 
294),    401,  wis  —  wist 
395,    431,  and  —  and  to    446,  neance  —  leising 

296,  467,  the  — the  Lord     468,  gane- went     471,  The  —  And     477,   He— I 

485,  to  —  unto 

297,  495,1  —  ge    490,  into  —  in    511,  certes  —  certs 

298,  522,  he  —  I 

299,  554,  upon  —  on    561,  scheine  —  schyne    562,  thus  unto  —  this  to    566,  sche 

—  scho     576,  hir  —  hir  bewtiu  and    577,  leavis  —  leave  hes 

300,  600,  tumay— taray    604,  Thus  — This    607,  when  —  whill     608,  bissielie 

—  bissie    613,  Ane  — .  And 

301,  624,  Into  —  in 


EMENDATIONS.  7 

P.S02, 1. 659,  Sir,  richt  weill  fairo  he  —  he  faire  richt  weill    660,  I  —  And    666,  ami- 
abill  —  nmnbill     671,  vrayit  —  way     673,  in  —  into 
303,     686,  pure  —  floiiro 
30+.    719,  With  — Of    7-M,  Tlie— Of 

305,  752,  raisit  —  araisit    758,  baith  full  lustie  — fair  to  lie    771,  ConttabiU 

Constabill  went    774,  garrit  —  ifart 

306,  793,  to  —  to  King    801,  Thu»  —  Thii    807,  wyfi«  —  wyfe 

307,  809,  Thus  — This 

308,  843,  was  —  was  all     851,  Quhill  —  Quhilk     855,  cum  —  cuinit     856,  belsit 

helsit  bes      865,  tu  —  unto      866,  upon — on     872,  mivchance  —  chance 

309,  873,  for  —  for  in     877,  of—  of  all     883,  Thus  —  This 

310,  905,  Thai refittr  —  Thayrfore     905,  doune  licht  —  licht  doane     928,  qnhalpis, 

I  ingage  —  as  qnhalpis  craigis     929,  into  —  in 

311,  939,  thair  handis  —  hand     947,  upon  —  on     955,  plesance  —  pleawnre    958, 

For  —  Of    959,  to  —  to  be     965,  far  —  fair 

312,  980,  heralds  —  herald     987,  it  —  within     991,  into  —  in     991,  triumphall 

triumphe 

313,  1018,  did  kid  —  led     1032,  Duches  —  Dnchesis 

314,  1042,  anoong  them  went  —  went  them  among     1056,  the  leare  will  tell  30W  till 

—  retume  againc  I  tell 

315,  1072,  eternall  —  ternall     1090,  schnpe  —  schip 

SI6,  1097,  way  —  space     1115,  suddanlie  —  snddanlie  and 

317,  1157,  unto  —  to 

318,  1175,  faire  —  feire     1187,  upon  —  on     1192,  and  —  and  so 

319,  1200,  ransoune  —  ransomc     1212,  but  ony  —  in  but     1224,  onlie  thi« — this 

onlie 

320,  1245,  might  —  heart     1252,  upon  —  on     1256,  skie  —  skyis 

321,  1258,  that  ge  —  ^e  that     1270,  withontin  —  without 

322,  1307,  They— fie 

323,  1328,  untill  —  till     1342,  And  —  His     1347,  prisoune  —  persoune 

324,  1370,  them  —  them  all 

325,  1389,  unto  —  to     1407,  then  —  soune     1415,  withall  disport  —  disport  withall 

326,  1418,the  —  the  Lord     1 432,  3!  t  —  he 

328,  1490,  thair — thir     1491,  ware  —  wore     1493,  he — thay      1509,  wound  — 

wound  is 

329,  1521,  thay —  thay  ar     1533,  toke  —  tuike 

330,  1547,  robis  royafl  —  rob  royailis     1565,   Than  —  thair     1565,  Frensche  — 

fresche     1574,  And  —  As 

331,  1586,  was  —  war      1590,  and  —  that      1597,  aortolegis  —  sartologis      1662, 

gritest  —  grit     1666,  in  —  in  the 

332,  1609,  Everilk —  All  ererilk     1624,  loudlie  —  loude 

333,  1642,  unto  —  to     164«,  Ciariodns  —  Clariod     1656,  ferd  —  third 

334,  1684,  Passit  — Past     1685,  doubtles— befor     1690, state  — place     1696,  now 

—  new     1 702,  she  —  he 

335,  1720,  he  —  he  lies     1726,  sche — scho     1727,  scho  had  upon  kir  heid  —  upon 

hir  heid  had  scho     1728,  quhyte  —  quhy 

337,  1787,  apparrall — apparrall  full 

338,  1818,  I  will— lie 

339,  1840,  so  —  to     1841,  not  —  then      1864,  for  playls  abail^ements  —  abnil^e- 

ments  for  playis 

340,  1877,  persoun  —  persoun  that 

34i1,  1909,  leavis — leave     1918,  thay  —  thay  war 

342,  1933,  Wascled  in  —  Cled  in  ane     1937,  and  —  and  of    1942,  grant — grantit 

343,  1967,  feild  — land     1987,  Poms  —  Borus 

344,  2009,  Thus  —  This     2019,  behauld  — behold    2017,  dynnit  — dymit      2017, 

schoke  — schuike    2020,  fall  unsoft  —  fellonn  wh    2021,  With  —  >Vit 
2021,  npon  —  on    2021,  beit  — beited 


8  EMENDATIONS. 

P.  345,1.2033,  to  —  in     2037,  governance,  and  name  —  honour,  name  and  governance 
2042,  Weill  then  —  of  he     2043,  thir  —  thair     2034,  did  take  —  tuike 
846,     2063,  fine  —  seine       2071,  descendit  — ascendit      2072,   And  — As      2086, 
sang  —  song     2087,  onis  —  ons 

347,  2096,  scheildis  —  scheild     2111,  led  the  Duike —  the  Duike  led     2116,  at  — 

to     21 18,  Barrounes  —  Barruuns 

348,  2I23>  And  —  The      2130,    Heraldis  —  Herald      2135,   opinioun  —  opinionis 

2143,  thir  — hir     2147,  unto— to 

349,  2177,  thair  — hir     2182,  holt  — holp     2184,  and  — as 

350,  2190,  Wes  — Hes     2191,  two  — twa    220],  and  — aU 

351,  2235,  faikit  — saikit 

352,  2251,  Him— He     2252,  nather  — ather    2253,  compyle  —  coropleit     2260, 

I  —  they     2265,  unfatigat  —  unfatigabill 

S5S,  2288,  bauld  —  blaun     2309,  fruschit  —  ruschit 

354,  2318,  tone— taine    2326,  geid  —  reid    2341,  not  —  no 

355,  2374,  Heraldis— Heraldis  that 

356,  2385,  or  at — ar  or     2395,  twane  —  two 

357,  2428,  unto  —  to     2430,  it  —  it  to     2433,  come  —  call 

358,  2448,  everie  —  everie  ane     2465,  maneir —  wayis    2469,  unto  —  to 

359,  2480,  his  —  the    2482,  ordane  —  ordane  for 

360,  2509,  in  —  into    2524,  teir  —  teiris    2525,  Thus  —  That    2526,  glyd  —  glyd 

out 

361,  2541,  achipis  —  schnpis    2552,  his  —  his  lustie     2556,  hamewart  —  haraewar 

2557,  his  Court  all  —  Court  royall      2562,  his  —  thair    2562,  all  —  all 
his     2564,  ging  —  fair 

362,  S571,  snddanlie  —  and  everie  wight 

363,  2609,  withoutin  —  without 

364,  2630,  then  —  them     265 1 ,  ordain  —  ordant 

365,  2665,  againe  — gaine     2677,  wald  — wold     2680,  into  — in     2685,  into  — to 

2692,  Thus  —  This 
386,    2718,  land  — land  hes 

367,  273 1 ,  30W  —  30W  now 

368,  2765,  Whair— War     2785,  streit  —  streits 

369,  2795,  liverit  —  enterit    2815,  royallie  —  honorabillie 

370,  2826,  Lordis— Lord     2833,  new  —  new  maid     2850,  With  —  When     2854, 

ging  ...  gounff 

371,  2870,  hamewart  —  name 

372,  2893,  Prince  —  Princes  2895,  the  —  the  Instie     2906,  Unto  —  And  to     2908, 

onr  —  or      2917,   that  —  that  cuming      2919,  And  —  And  saw      2920, 
he  —  hie 

373,  2921,  King  and  alse  thair  governour  —  govemour  and  King    2926,  Sonld 

•chaw,  and  thair  —  Schawand  thair  sould    2935,  into  —  in    2940,  Careir 
—  Careir  hei ght     2949,  he  —  hie 

374,  2937,  he  —  hie     2959,  upon  —  on     2981,  he  —  hie    2982,  into  —  in 
375     2996,  The  —  Te    2996,  dinnit  —  dimit    3009,  feinges  —  feinge 


PRINTED  BY  H.  &  J.  FILLANS. 


LIST  OF  ERRATA,  WITH  SOME  ADDITIONAL  EMENDATIONS. 


P.  17,1. 
18, 

20, 

21, 

24, 

25, 

28, 
37, 
40, 
46, 
47, 
48, 
49, 

51, 

61, 
66, 
68, 


502,  Betwix  in  rtad  Betwixin 
532,  for  read  to      533,   to  read  for 

.538,    be,  to  in  MS.,  but  read  him 
593,    knicbt,    so  m  MS.,  but  read 

knicht8 
625,  know,  to  in  MS.,  but  read  knaw 

641,  Sirs  read  Siris 
739,    Thefoming  read  Tlie  foming 

742,  niairbut  read  mair  but 
756,  ay,  to  in  MS.,  but  rtad  thay 
877,  Sonne  read  Sonne 
1149,  Sonne  read  soune 
1246,  Sonne  read  soune 
1425,  Sonne  read  soune 
1480,  Sonne  read  soune 
1502,  When  read  VVhill 
1521,  takit  read  tak  it      1522,  ^owit 

read  gow  it 
8,  Sonne  read  soune 
316,  quarrel  and  read  qaarreland 
494,  gour,  so  in  MS,,  but  read  30W 
552,  forgottin,  so  in  MS.,  but  read 

forgettin 


P.  70,1. 

78, 
84, 

88, 

93, 

100, 

124, 
145, 
147, 
161, 
178, 
183, 
221, 
228, 
253, 
274, 
277, 
293, 

345, 


595,  wai  read  war 

882,  comt  read  court 

1063,  [that  we  thus]  read  that  we 

thus 
1191,  [fain]  wald  readwM  [fain] 
1336,  Hecher  read  Heicber 
1563,  quhom  he,  so  in  MS.,  but 

read  quho  him 
368,  thocht,  so  inMS.,butreadfocht 
1024,  hirwith  read  hir  with 
1080,  tothe  read  to  the 
1524,  Hispail  read  His  pail 
2063,  hebegane  read  he  begane 
2227,  getts,  so  in  MS.,  but  read  getis 
974,   overlaid  read  ouerlaid 
1199,  rewth  read  trewth 
1973,  came  read  come 
2667,  conetine  read  conteine 
2790,  tbemsate  read  them  sate 
364,  estart  read  escart     379,  atray 

read  tLCt&j 
2054,  [did  take]  read  did  take 


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