_The honest and maruellous loue of a mayden of noble house, and of a
gentleman that was base borne, and howe a Queene did impeche and let
their mariage, with the wise aunswere of the mayde to the Queene._
There was in Fraunce a Queene, who in her company and traine
broughte vp many maydens, that were issued of great and
honourable progenie: amonges other that serued this Queene there
was one named Rolandine, which was nere kinne to the Queene. But
she for a certaine displeasure conceyued against her father,
bare vnto the yonge gentlewoman no greate good will. This
Maiden, although shee was none of the fayrest, yet so wyse and
vertuous as many great Lords and personages made sute to her for
mariage, to whom she rendred for earnest sutes, cold aunsweares:
because shee knew her father to be more bent to keeping of
money, then to thaduauncement of his children: and her
Maistresse (as is before said) bare vnto her so little fauour as
they which esteemed the Queene's good grace, woulde neuer make
anye sute vnto her. Thus by father's negligence and Maistres
disdaine, the poore gentlewoman remayned long time vnmaried. And
as shee that forcibly was payned, not so much for griefe of
mariage, as for that shee was not required or sued vnto, became
so werie of worldly life, as deuoutly she bent herselfe to GOD,
and by forsakinge the toyes and brauerie of the Courte, passed
her time in prayer, or els in other vertuous exercise: and by
withdrawing herselfe to this kinde of life, she spent her youth
so soberlie and deuoutly as was possible for a woman to do. When
she approched nere the age of XXX. yeares, there was a gentleman
a bastarde borne, of right honorable house, a uery curteous and
honest personage, whose every riches and beautie was such, as no
Lady or gentlwoman for pleasure would haue chosen him to
husband. This poore gentleman was voide of frends for
maintenaunce of lyuing, and vnhappie in mariage sutes, although
he pursued many, till at length he borded this poore Gentlewoman
Rolandine: for their Fortunes, complexions and condicions were
very like, and by vse of seuerall complaints made one to
another, ech of them fell in ernest loue with the other: and
being both thrall vnto mishap, they sought desired comforte by
vertuous and honest talke: and by that vse and frequentacion
greater loue increased and grew betwene them. Those which had
seene the maiden so straungly retired from wonted demeanor, as
she would speake to none, now marking her continuallie to
interteigne the bastard gentleman, incontinently conceiued ill
opinion of her, and told the mother of the Queene's maids
(called Modesta) that she ought not to suffer such familiaritie
betweene them. Which report Modesta reuealed to Rolandine,
sayinge that diuers persons did speake euill of her, for that
she vsed to talke with the bastard, that neither was of
sufficient abilitie for her to marie, ne yet of beautie worthie
to be beloued. Rolandine which daily was more rebuked for her
austeritie of life, then for worldly toyes, sayd vnto Modesta
her gouernesse: "Alas, mother, you see that I cannot haue a
husband according to the worthines of my bloud, and that dailye
I haue auoyded those which be beautifull and yonge: for feare to
incurre the inconuenience wherinto I haue seene other to fall:
and now hauing chosen this wise and vertuous gentleman, who
preacheth vnto me words that be good and godly, what wrong do
they to me that make this report, sith in this honest order I
doe receiue consolacion of my griefes?" The good old Lady who
loued the maiden (which she called maistresse) as herselfe, said
vnto her: "I see well, that you are worse delt withall at your
father and maistres handes then you deserue. Howbeit sith such
reporte is made of your honor, you ought to refuse to speake
vnto him, although he were your naturall brother." Rolandine
weeping saide vnto her: "Mother, for so much as you aduise me
therunto, I will performe your request, although it be very
straunge that without slaunder, a woman can haue no comfort or
seeke freedome without misreport." The bastard gentleman, as he
was before accustomed, came to visite her, but she tolde him
(a farre of) those words which her gouernesse had said vnto her:
and with teares prayed him to refraine for a time to speake vnto
her, vntill the brute and rumor were somewhat appaised: which
thing he did at her request. But during this long time, either
of them hauing loste their consolacion, began to feele such
torment within themselues, as shee for her part neuer felte the
like. She ceased not from praying vnto God, from goinge on
pilgrimage, and fasting: for this vnacquainted loue brought her
to such disquiet as she could not rest the space of one houre.
Wherewith the noble bastard was no lesse tormented: but he which
had alreadie minded in hart to loue her and pursue her till
mariage, and hauing respecte (for loue sake) to the honor he
should acquire by the same, thought to finde meanes to declare
his minde vnto her, and aboue al things to get the good wil of
her gouernesse: which he did, declaring vnto her the miserie
wherein her poore maistresse remayned, which was voide of al
comfort and other frendship. Then the poore old Lady Modesta,
gaue him thankes for the honest affection that hee bare to her
maistresse: and deuised meanes how the two louers might impart
their minds together. Rolandine fayned herselfe to be sicke of a
Mygrim and paine in her heade, the brute of whose maladie was
feared to be greater then it was, and so concluded betwene them
that when her companion were gone into the chamber, they two
should remaine together alone to satisfie ech other with mutuall
talke. The bastard gentleman was very glad, and ruled himselfe
holy by the councell of the Gouernesse, in such sort as when he
liste, he spake vnto his louer and vertuous Lady: but this
contencaion did not indure: for the Queene who loued her but a
little, inquired what Rolandine did so long in her Chamber, and
one made aunswere that it was by reason of her sicknes. Albeit
there was another which knewe to well the cause of her absence,
sayde vnto her, that the ioye which Rolandine had to speake vnto
the bastard was able to ease her Mygrim. The Queene which found
out the veniall sinnes of other, by mortall offences in
herselfe, sent for her, and forbad her in any wyse not to speake
vnto the bastard, except it were in the hall or within her owne
Chamber. The Gentlewoman made as though she vnderstode her not,
but mildlie aunswered that, is shee knew any talke betweene them
might offend her maiestie, she would neuer speake vnto him
againe. Notwithstanding she determined to finde out some other
secret meanes that the Queene should not know of their meeting:
which was this. The Wednesday, Fridaye, and Saturday, the
gentlewoman vsed to fast, and for that purpose kept her Chamber
with her Gouernesse Modesta, where she had leysure to talke
(whilest the reste did suppe) with him whom she began so
earnestlie to loue: and as constrainte of time did force their
talke to be shorte, the greater was their affection in
vtteraunce of the same: because for the doing therof they stole
time, as the theefe doth his desired praye. This order of their
contentacion could not proceede so secretely, but that a
certaine varlet a yeoman of the Chamber, chaunced to see him
resort vnto her vpon a fasting day, and told it in such place
wher of some hearer, it was disclosed to the Queene herself, who
was so sore offended as neuer after that time the poore bastard
gentleman durste once attempt to go into the maiden's chamber
againe. And to thintent that he might not lose the commodity of
talke with her, whom he so derely loued, oftentimes he fayned
himselfe to go on pilgrimage, and in the euening returned to the
Church and chapell of the Castel, in the habite of a frier, or
Iacobin (so wel disguised and altered, as no creature could know
him) and thither repaired the gentlewoman Rolandine, with her
Gouernesse to enterteigne him. He marking the great loue that
she bare him, feared not to say vnto her: "Madame, you see the
daunger which I hasard for your seruice, and the warnings that
the Queene hath giuen for our talke. You see on thother side
what a father you haue, who careth not after what sort he bestow
you in mariage: and you hauinge refused so many greate states
and noble men, I know not one, either farre or neare, that is
minded to haue you. I confesse my selfe to be but poore, and
that you may marie diuers gentlemen of greater reputacion and
richesse, then I am: but if loue and good wil were deemed
treasure and richesse, then woulde I presume to be the richest
gentleman of the world. God hath indowed you with great plentie
of goodes, and you are yet in choise to haue more: and if I were
so happie as you would vouchsafe to chose me for your husband,
I would accompt my selfe to be vnto you both husband, frend and
seruaunt, all the dayes of my life: and againe, if you should
take one equall to your nobilitie (a thinge very harde to finde)
he would rule and gouerne ouer you, and haue more respecte to
your goodes, then to your person, to your beautie then to your
vertue: and in triumphinge with dispence of that you haue, hee
maye chaunce to intreate you otherwise then you deserue. The
desire of this contentacion, and the feare that I haue, least
you should graunte it to some other, do force me to beseech you,
that by one only meanes you would make me happie and your selfe
the most contented and best intreated woman that euer was."
Rolandine giuing eare to that communication which shee herselfe
ment to haue pronounced, aunswered him with stoute courage:
"I am very glad and wel pleased that you haue begunne the sute
your self, which I of long time haue determined to breake vnto
you: for which cause these two yeres past as you know, I haue
not ceased to thincke and deuise all the reasons and arguments
for and against you, that I could inuent: but in thend for so
much as I do meane to take vpon me the state of Matrimonie, it
is time that I begin to chose such husbande, with whom I shall
in my conscience like to liue at rest and quiet all the dayes of
my life: and amidde all the troupe of my thoughts in choise,
I cannot finde anye one, were he neuer so faire, riche or noble,
with whom my hart and minde can so well agree and match as with
you. I know that by marying of you I shall not offende God, but
rather do the thinge that hee commaundeth. And touching my Lord
my father, he hath had so litle consideracion of my perferment,
and so often refused it, as the law now will suffice, that I
giue my selfe in mariage withoute his consent, and therefore
cannot disenherite me, or worthely thincke ill of me: and by
hauing a husband (a thing appertinent to women kinde) such as
you be, I shall esteeme my selfe the richest woman of the
worlde. As for the Queene my maistresse, I oughte not to take
any care or remorse of conscience by displeasing her, to obey
God: for she hath not ceased to hinder that aduauncement, which
in my youth I mighte haue had, and by paine and diligence
towards her did well deserue: but to thend you may vnderstand,
that the loue and good will which I beare you, is founded vppon
vertue and honor, you shall promise me, that if I doe accorde
this mariage, you shall neuer purchase or require the
consummacion thereof, Vntill my father be deade, or els do finde
some meanes to make him consente hereunto." Which the bastard
gentleman willingly did graunt: and vppon these promises and
termes, either of them gaue eche other a ringe in the name of
mariage, and did kisse together in the Church before God, whom
they toke to witnes of their assurance, and neuer after betwene
them was any other priuie fact committed, but only kissing. This
litle easement of mind did greatly satisfie the harts of these
two perfect louers: and were a great while without seing ech
other, liuing only by this assurance. There was no place where
honour mighte be gotten, but thereunto the bastarde made his
repaire with so great delight, as he thought he could neuer be
poore for respect of that riche wife which God had prouided for
him. Which wyfe in his absence, did euer continue her absolute
amitie towards that gentleman: and although many made sute yet
they receyued none other aunswere from her but deniall, and for
that she had remayned so long time vnmaried, she was minded
neuer to take vppon her that state. This her aunswere was so
generall as the Queene heard of it, and asked her for what
occasion shee was so determined. Rolandine saide vnto her, that
it was to obey her: for that shee knew shee would neuer suffer
her to marie, because in time and place where she might haue bin
honorablie matched to her well liking, she denied the same, and
that the vertue of pacience had taught her to contente herselfe
with the state wherein she was. And still as she was sued for in
mariage, she rendred like aunswere. When the warres were ended,
and the bastarde returned to the Courte, shee neuer spake vnto
him in open presence, but wente alwayes into some Church to
interteigne him vnder colour of Confession: for the Queene had
forbidden both him and her, that they should not talke together,
vnlesse it were before companye vpon paine of losse of their
liues. But honest loue, which feareth no defence, was more prest
to find meanes, for their mutuall talke, then their enemies were
ready to separate the same: and vnder the habite or colour of
all the religions they could deuise, they continued that honest
amitie, vntil the king remoued into a house of pleasure, not so
nere as the Ladies were able to go on foote to that Church, as
they were to the Church of the Castell, which was not situate in
such conueniente wyse for their purpose, as they could secretely
repaire (vnder colour of confession) to talke together:
notwithstanding if on the one side occasion fayled, loue found
out another for their contentment: for there arriued a Lady to
the Court, to whom the bastard was very nere kin. This Lady with
her sonne were lodged in the king's house, and the chamber of
this yong prince was far beyond the body of the lodging, where
the king himselfe did lie: but so nere vnto Rolandine's Chamber
as he might both see and speake vnto her, for their windowes
were properlie and directly placed at either corner of the
house: in which chamber (being ouer the hall) were lodged al the
Ladies of honor, the companions of Rolandine. Who beholding many
times the yong king at that window, caused the bastard to be
aduertized therof by her gouernesse: who after he had well
beholden the place, made as though he had great delighte to read
vpon a booke of the Knightes of the Round Table, that lay in the
chamber window of the yong king: and when euery man was gone to
dinner, he prayed the yeoman to suffer him to make an end of the
historie, and to shut him within the chamber. The other which
knew him to be the kinsman of his maistres, and an assured man,
suffred him to read so long as he liste. On thother side
Rolandine came vnto her window, who to find occasion to tarrie
there the longer, fayned to haue a paine in her leg, and dined
and supped in so good time, as she went no more to the ordinarie
of the Ladies: wher she began to set herselfe a worke about the
making of a bed of Crimson silke, placing her worke vpon the
window, as desirous to be alone. And when she saw no man to be
there, shee interteigned her husband, to whom she might speake
in secret wise, so as none was able to vnderstande them: and
when any person came nere, she coughed and made a signe that the
bastard might withdraw himselfe. They that were appointed to
watche them, thought vndoubtedlie that their loue was past and
ended, because she went not out of the Chamber, wher safely he
coulde not see her, for that hee was forbidden the same. Vppon a
day the mother of the yong Prince being in her sonne's Chamber,
repayred to the windowe where that great booke did lie, and shee
had not staied there long, but one of Rolandine's fellowes which
was within her Chamber saluted her. The lady asked her how
Rolandine did, who sayd that shee might very wel see her, if it
were her pleasure: and caused her to come to the window wyth her
night geare vppon her head. And after they had talked a while of
her sicknes they withdrew themselues. The other ladie espying
the great booke of the Round Table, sayde to her yeoman of the
Chamber: "I do marueille much why yong men do imploie themselues
to read such follies." The yeoman made aunsweare, that he
marueled much more, why men of good yeres, counted and esteemed
wise and discrete, should haue greater delight in reading of
such trifles, then those that were yong. And to iustifie that
maruel hee told her how her cosin the bastard did spend 4 or 5
houres in a day to read vppon the same. Vpon which words by and
by she conceyued the cause of his deepe studie, and charged him
to hide himselfe in some place to mark what he did. Which
commaundement the yeoman performed, and perceiued that the booke
which the bastard read vpon, was the window out of which
Rolandine talked with him: and therewithal called to remembrance
many wordes of the loue which they thought to keepe very
secreete. The next day he rehersed the same vnto his maistresse,
who sent for her cosin the bastard, and after many tales told
him, she forbad him to resort thither any more, and at night she
gaue like warning to Rolandine, threatninge her that if she
continued in her fond and foolish loue, she woulde tell the
Queene the whole circumstaunce of her lighte demeaner. Rolandine
(nothing astonied with those woords) did sweare that sith the
time she was forbidden by her maistresse the queene's maiesty,
she neuer spake vnto him: the troth whereof shee might learne
aswel of the gentlewomen her companions, as of other seruauntes
of the house: and touching the window whereof she spake, she
boldly aduouched that she neuer talked with the Bastard there.
Who (poore gentleman) fearing that his affayres would be
reuealed, kept himselfe farre out from daunger, and longe time
after did not retourne to the Courte. Howbeit, he wrote many
times to Rolandine by such secret meanes as for all the espiall
that the Queene had put, there passed no weeke but twise at
least shee hearde newes from him: and when one meanes did fayle
hym, hee deuised another, and many tymes sent a litle Page
clothed in colours (so often altered and chaunged as he was
sent) who staying at the gates when the Ladies passed by,
delyuered his letters priuelye in the middest of the prease.
Vpon a time as the Queene for her pleasure walked into the
fieldes, one which knew the Page and had charge to take hede
vnto those doings, ranne after him: but the Page which was a
fine boye, doubtinge leaste hee should be searched, conueyed hym
selfe into a poore woman's house, where spedelie he burnt his
letters in the fier, ouer whiche a potte was boyling with meate
for her poore familie. The gentleman that followed him stripped
him naked and searched his clothes, but when he sawe that he
could finde nothing, he let him goe: and when he was departed,
the olde woman asked him wherefore he searched the boye: who
aunswered: "to finde letters which he thought he had about him."
"Tush," (quod she) "serch no more, for he hath hidden them very
well." "I pray thee tell me," (quod the Gentleman) "In what
place:" hoping to haue recouered the same. But when hee
vnderstode that they were throwen into the fire, he well
perceiued that the boye was craftier then him selfe. All whiche
incontinently hee tolde the Queene, notwithstanding from that
time forthe, the bastard vsed no longer the Page, but sent one
other of his olde seruauntes, whom he faithfully trusted, and he
(forgetting feare of death which hee knewe well the Queene
threatned on them that had to doe in those affaires) tooke vpon
him to carie his maister's letters to Rolandine. And when hee
was entred the Castell, hee wayted at a certen doore placed at
the foote of a paire of staiers, by whiche the ladies passed to
and fro: where he had not taried long, but a yeoman which at
other times had sene him, knewe him and thereof told the maister
of the Queene's house, who soudainly made searche to apprehende
him. The fellowe which was wise and politique, seing that diuers
loked vpon him a farre of, retourned towardes the wall
(as though he would haue made his water) tearing his letters in
so many small peces as he could doe for his life, and threw them
behinde an old gate: who had no soner done the facte, but hee
was apprehended and throughly searched, and when they could
finde nothing about him, they made him {s}weare whether he had
brought any letters or not, vsing him partly by rigor, and
somewhat by faire perswasion to make him confesse the truthe:
but neither through promise or threate, they could get any thing
at his handes. Report hereof was brought to the Queene, and one
of the companie gaue aduise that searche should be made behind
the gate, where he was taken: in which place they founde nothing
but litle peces of letters. Then they caused the kinge's
Confessor to be sent for, who recouering the peces layd them
vpon a table, and red the lettre throughout, where the veritie
of the mariage (so much dissembled) was throughly discifered,
for the bastard in those letters called her nothing els but
wife. The Queene not meaning to conceale the fault of her
kinswoman, (which she ought to haue done) fil into a great rage
and storme, commaunding that the poore man by al meanes possible
should be forced to confesse the true tenor of that letter, to
thintent that the same by his affirmacion might not be denied:
but doe what they could, they were not able to make him alter
his former tale. They which had commission to examine him,
brought him to the Riuer side and did put him into a sack,
saying that he did lie before God and the Queene, and against an
approued trothe. He that had rather lose his life than accuse
his maister, prayed them to suffer him to haue a ghostly father
that like a Christian he might ende his life, and so entre the
ioyes prepared for all repentant sinners, and after that he had
clered his conscience, he said vnto them: "Maisters, tell my
Lorde and maister the Bastarde, that I recommend vnto him the
poore estate of my poore wife and children, trusting his honour
will haue consideration of them for my sake, for so mutch as
with good and loyall harte, I doe imploye my life for his honor
and suretie: and with me doe what you list, for you get nothing
at my handes that shall redounde to his hurt and preiudice."
Then to put him in greater feare, they bounde him within the
sacke and threwe him into the water, crying unto him, if thou
wilt tell the trouth thou shalt be saued: but they seing that he
would make no aunswer drew him out againe, making reporte to the
Queene of his faith and constancie. Who then sayd, that neither
the king nor she were so happy in seruauntes as the Bastarde
was, that had not wherewith to recompence such fidelitie. The
Quene did what she coulde to get him from his seruice, but the
poore fellowe would in no wise forsake his maister.
Notwithstanding in thende by his said maister's leaue, he was
put into the Queene's seruice, where he liued many happy dayes.
The Queene after she vnderstode by the bastarde's letters the
trouth of the mariage, sent for Rolandine, and in great rage,
called her caitife and miserable wretche, in stede of cosin,
reciting vnto her the disparagement of her noble house, and the
villanie she had committed against the honorable race whereof
she came, and against the will of her which was her Queene,
kinswoman and maistres, by contracting mariage without the
licence of the king and her. Rolandine whiche of long time knewe
the small devocion that her maistres bare vnto her, vsed her
with like affection: and bicause she was werie of the Quene's
displeasure, thinking that her correction vttered in presence of
many proceded not of loue, but rather to make her ashamed,
abandoned feare, and conceiuing courage, when she sawe the
Queene in her chiefest rage, with gladsome and firme
countenaunce answered her in this wise: "Madame, if you cannot
conceiue the malice of your owne harte, I will set before your
eyes the rancour and displeasure of the same, which malice of
long time you haue borne towardes the Lorde my father and me:
whereof madame, I doe fele the smarte, to my great losse and
grief: for if it had pleased you to haue borne vnto me that good
wil which you do to those that are not so nere about you as I
am, I had before this tyme been placed and preferred in mariage
as well to the likyng of your honour as to my greate
satisfaction: but you haue regarded mee as one forgotten, and
cleane out of fauour, in such wyse as all the noblemen, with
whome I might haue been matched, haue contempned me, as well
through the negligence of my Lorde my father, as for the like
estimation and accompt that you haue made of me: by meanes
whereof I fell into that dispaire which if my health could haue
susteined the order and state of religion, I would willingly
haue taken it vpon me, to haue seuered my selfe from the
continuall hatred and enuy which your grace ful rigorously hath
showen vnto me: and being in this dispaire, I chaunced to finde
out him, that is proceded of so noble a house as my selfe. If
the loue of twoo persones is to be regarded, that meane to
accomplishe the holy state of wedlock: for you knowe that his
father in nobilitie farre excelled myne. He hath of long time
loued me, and made great sute vnto me, but you madame, whiche
neuer pardoned me for any small offence, ne yet praysed anye
good acte of myne (although you know by experience that I haue
not vsed to talke of matters of loue or other worldlie affaires,
and that I minded aboue all things to leade a more religious
life then any other) doe make it an hainous matter that I should
talke with a Gentleman (so infortunate as my selfe), by whose
loue, I thought or sought for nothing els but the ease and
comfort of my minde. And seing my selfe voyde and frustrate of
mine expectation, I shall imploie indeuour so well to seeke my
rest and quiet, as you haue gone about to dispoyle me of the
same: and then will celebrate the mariage which is already
assured by promises and by a ring. Wherefore, madame, I thinke
that you doe me great wrong by terming me to be a wicked woman,
sithe that in so great and perfect amitie I might haue founde
occasion (if I would) to haue committed euills: but there was
neuer betwene him and me any priuie fact, other then that is
honest, hoping that God wil shewe me such fauour, as before the
mariage be consumat, I shall obtaine the fauour and good will of
my Lorde my father: wherby I do neither offende God, nor my
conscience, for I haue taried till the age of XXX. yeares, to
see what you and my father would doe for me. I haue kept my
selfe so chast and honest, as no man liuing is able to laye the
contrarie to my charge. And with that reason wherewith God hath
indued me, being olde and voyde of hope, to finde a husbande
agreable to my nobilitie, I am determined to marie sutche a one
as I like beste, not for the pleasure or satisfaction of the eye
(for you know he is not faire) nor for lust of the flesh (for
there hath bene no carnall fact committed) ne yet for pryde and
couetousnes (for he is but poore and of litle estimation) but I
haue a sincere respecte and pure regarde to his vertue, honestie
and good grace, for whiche the worlde doth geue him praise, and
the great loue also that he beareth me, maketh me hope to finde
with him great rest and quiet. And after I had deuised and
considered the good and euill that might insue by this my
choise, I still persisted in that mind, and haue well wayed and
pondered the same these twoo yeares past, being throughly
resolued to waste and spende the rest of my dayes with him which
I meane still firmely to kepe in despite of all the tormentes
and cruelties, that the greatest enemies I haue, be able to make
my poore bodie suffre, no not death it selfe shall force me to
refuse hym. Wherefore Madame, I beseech you to accept this my
reasonable excuse, whereunto your self is nowe made priuie, and
suffer me to liue in that peace, whiche I hope for euer through
him, in these mine elder to finde." The Queene wel marking her
stout wordes and countenaunce, and knowing the same to be very
true, was not able to aunswere her againe with reason: but
continuing, her rebukes and taunting checkes began to waste, and
at length fell out into this rage: "Ah, presumptuous drabbe, and
caitife wretch, in stede of humbling thy selfe and repenting
thine offence, thou carpest boldly without dropping or sheading
any teare, whereby thou doest manifestly declare that stubbornes
and hardnes of thy harte: but if the king, and thy father, would
follow mine aduise, they should put thee into a place, where
force should make thee to vse other language." "Madame," said
Rolandine, "because you haue accused me of bolde talke and
presumptous speache, I meane from henceforth to hold my peace,
except you geue me leaue to make mine aunswere." And when she
was commaunded to tell forth her mynde, she said: "It is not my
part, Madame, boldly or without duetifull reuerence to speake
before your maiestie (whiche is my maistresse, and the greatest
Princesse in Christendome). The wordes which I haue said, be not
spoken (Madame) of presumption, but to declare that I haue none
other aduocate to pleade for me, but the trouth of my cause. And
therefore am bolde without blushing feare to disclose the same,
hoping that if your grace did knowe the secret concept of my
poore faithfull harte, you woulde not iudge mee to be that woman
which you terme me to be. I doe not doubt that any mortall
creature vnderstanding my behauiour in those matters wherwith I
am charged, would blame me, for my liberall speache, sithe I am
sure that God and myne honor in no point I haue offended. The
cause which maketh me thus without feare to saye my minde is,
because I am assured that he whiche seeth my harte, is the geuer
of my life also, and remaineth with me. If then such a Iudge and
Guide doe order and dispose my life, why should I be afrayd of
them that be subiect vnto his iudgement? And why then Madame,
should I wayle or wepe, sithe mine honor and conscience without
remorse or grudge do wel like of these my doings, which if they
were newly to begin, I would not repente me to doe the same
againe. But it is you (Madame) that hath good cause to wepe, as
well for the great displeasure, euer borne me from my youthfull
dayes, as for the wrong you doe me nowe by reprehending me
before the face of all the worlde for a faulte, whiche ought
rather to be imputed vnto you then vnto me. For if I had
offended God, the king, or you, my parentes, or my conscience,
I were well worthy to be counted very obstinate, if with great
repentaunce I did not lament the same, but for a dede that is
right good and vertuous, I ought not to wepe, whereof there was
neuer other rumor spred but verie honorable, except the slaunder
which your selfe hath raised, whereby your desire to increase my
shame and dishonor appeareth to be greater then the respecte you
haue to conserue the nobilitie of your house, or kindred wherof
you come. But because it pleaseth you, Madame, so to vse me,
I purpose not to withstand you. For when you shall ordeine that
punishment for me, which you like best, I shal reioyse no lesse
to suffer the same without desert, then you be willing to
bestowe it vpon me without cause. Wherefore Madame, commaunde my
Lorde my father to put me to what tormente you will, for the
execution wherof you shall not finde him vnwilling. And I shall
not be altogether without ioy, to see him prest and redie to
obey your wilfull mynde. But I haue a father in heauen, who
(I am sure) will geue me suche pacience, as I shall be able to
abide and indure, what affliction soeuer you prepare for me, in
whom only is al my hope and trust." The Queene, so angrie as she
could be, commaunded her out of her sight, and to be shutte into
a chamber alone, that none might speake vnto her. In which
imprisonment shee was not depriued from the companie of her
gouernesse, by whose meanes she let the Bastarde vnderstande all
her fortune, and she likewise vnderstode what he thought best
for her to doe. Who thinking that the seruice which he had done
to the king, would stand him in some stede, came vnto the Court
with all spede, and founde the king in the fieldes, to whome hee
rehearsed the trouth of the facte, beseching his maiestie that
vnto him (who was a poore gentleman) he would shewe such fauour
and grace as the rigor of the Queene's maiestie might be
appeased, and the mariage fully consumat and ended. The king
made him none other aunswere, but saide: "Is it true that thou
hast maried her?" "Yea sir," saide the Bastarde: "by wordes only
as yet: but if it please your maiestie, the same may be
throughly made perfit." The king nodded his hed, and for that
time geuing him none other aunswere, hee retourned straite to
the Castell, and when he was almost there, he called the
Captaine of his Guarde, and commaunded him to apprehend the
Bastarde. Notwithstanding one of his frendes which knewe the
kinge's countenaunce, willed him to absent himselfe, and to
retire to one of his houses, and if the king made serche after
him (as he suspected) he would incontinently aduertise him
therof, that he might auoyde the realme: and when the king's
displeasure was pacified, he would sende him worde. The Bastarde
beleued him, and vsed such diligence as the Captain of the
Guarde could not finde him. The king and the Queene councelled
together what they might doe with this poore damsell, whiche was
their kinswoman, and by the Queene's aduise it was concluded,
that she should be sent home to her father, with the true
aduertisement of the whole matter. But before she was sent,
diuerse Diuines and learned men of the Clergie, were demaunded
their opinions of the priuat mariage, and the Counsell also did
sit vpon the same, who concluded that for so muche as the
mariage was not celebrated but by wordes, it might easely be
vndone, vntill one of them had acquited the other. Which the
king commaunded to be performed for the honor of the house
wherof she came. But she made them aunswere, that in all thinges
she was redie to obey the king, except it were in matter against
her conscience, sayinge, that those whome God had coupled
together by heauenly aduise, could not bee separated by man's
decree, praying them not to attempt a thing so vnreasonable: for
if loue and good will founded vpon the feare of God, were the
true and sure knot of mariage, then she was so wel bounde and
tied, as neither iron, fier, or water coulde breake that band,
but death alone. Wherunto, and to none other constitution, she
was determined to rendre her ring and othe, praying them not to
speake, do, or proceede, to any thing that were contrarie vnto
that: wherin she was so stedfastly resolued, as she had rather
die by keping her faith, then liue to denie the same. The
Commissioners retorned to the king and Queene the constant
answere of the Gentlewoman, and when they sawe no remedie could
be found to make her renounce her husband, they conueyed her
home to her father, in such pitifull sorte, as by the way she
passed, eche man and woman lamented her fortune. And albeit shee
had offended, yet the punishement and affliction she suffred was
so great and her constancie so firmely bent, as she made her
fault to be estemed a vertue. The father receiuing those
pitifull newes, would not see her, but sent her to his castell
that stoode in a forest, which he had before time builded for an
occasion, worthy to be rehersed hereafter, and there kept her in
prison a long time, sending worde vnto her, that if shee would
forsake her husband, he would take her for his doughter, and set
her at libertie. Who for all that offer was firme and constant,
and loued her prison the better by obseruing the bond of
mariage, then al the libertie of the world, without the hauing
of her husband. And it semed by her countenaunce, that al the
paynes she had indured were most pleasaunt pastimes, for that
she suffred the same for his sake, whome she loued best. What
should I speake of men? This Bastarde at length became
vnmindeful of her, and fled into Alemaine, where he had many
frendes. Whose inconstancie afterwardes appeared so manifest, as
the vertue of true and perfit loue outwardly seming to remain in
him, was conuerted into the vice of odible ingratitude, whereby
it was euident, that the causes that made him so hotte a Suter,
were the vglie monsters of Auarice and Ambition, where he fill
in loue with an Almaine Ladie, he forgetting to visite her with
letters, that for his sake had susteined so great and manifold
tribulations. For what rigor or affliction soeuer Fortune
offred, coulde neuer before that tyme put awaye the meanes from
writing one to an other, but onely the vices before named, and
the foolish and wicked loue wherin he suffred him selfe to fall.
Which sudden and newe loue so perced the hart of Rolandine, and
so fiercely assailed the same, as she could no more content and
rest her self. Afterwards vpon the viewe of his wrytinges and
letters, seing him to be so chaunged and altered from his
accustomed stile, what tormentes then she suffred, they doe
knowe that haue felte and tasted the bitter cup of like
passions. And yet her perfecte loue would not suffer her to fixe
certaine iudgement vpon this aduertisement, and therefore
deuised secretly to sende one of her seruaunts whome shee
trusted best, to espie, and priuely make serche whether the same
were true or not. Whiche her seruaunt being retourned, hee
truely tolde her, howe the Bastarde Gentleman was in loue with a
Ladie of Almaine, and howe the brute was that he made great sute
vnto her for mariage, because shee was very ritche. These newes
brought sutche extreme sorrowe and grief to the harte of poore
Rolandine, as being not able to abide the bruntes thereof, she
fill very sicke. Those whiche vnderstode the originall of her
disease, sayde vnto her (in the behalfe of her father) that for
so muche as nowe she knewe the great villanie of the Bastarde,
shee might iustly forsake hym: persuading her thereunto with the
greatest reasons they could deuise. But for all those
persuasions, no remedie could be founde to make her chaunge
opinion: in whiche her laste tentacion shee declared the great
constancie wherewith she was affected: for like as loue was
decreased in him: so the same augmented in her, whiche remained
and persisted in despite of all the malice of the worlde. For
that loue, whiche fayled, and was fledde from him, tourned and
retired into her. And when she perceiued her selfe alone fully
possessed with that whiche before was deuided betwene them
bothe, shee determined to obserue the same vntill death had made
an ende of her fatall dayes. Wherefore the goodnes of God (which
is perfect charitie and true loue) had pitie vpon her sorrowe,
and regarded her pacience in such wise, as within few daies
after the Bastarde died in the pursute of the other ladie's
Loue. Wherof Rolandine being dauertised by those which saw him
buried, prayed them to trauell with her father by humble sute,
that he would vouchsafe to giue her leaue to speake vnto him.
Who at their request, (although he neuer spake vnto her before,
during the tyme of her imprisonment) incontinently was pleased
so to doe. And after that he had herde the discourse of her
iuste reasons, in place of rebukes, and his promise made to kill
her (which many times he threatened by woordes) he cleped her
betweene his armes, and bitterly weping, sayde vnto her:
"Daughter, I wel perceiue your vertue and constant mynde, which
farre surmounteth any thing that is good in mee, for if there be
any faulte or lacke of consideration of your estate, I am the
principal occasion thereof: but sith the goodnes of God hath
thus ordeined it, I wil make satisfaction for mine offence
past." And afterwardes he sent her home to his house, where he
vsed and interteigned her like his derest and eldest daughter.
In the ende she was demaunded in mariage by a Gentleman of name
and armes, to her estate and bloud not inferior. Who was bothe
wise and vertuous, and so louingly regarded Rolandine (whome he
many times visited) as he attributed vnto her the prise of
prayse for that, which others accompted worthy of rebuke,
knowing that her intent of former loue was grounded vpon the
foundation of vertue. The mariage was well liked of her father,
was acceptable to Rolandine, and was forthwith concluded. True
it is that a brother she had, the only inheritour of her
father's landes, who would not agree that she should receiue her
childe's porcion, obiecting that she had disobeied her father.
And after the death of the good old man (her father) her brother
vsed her very rigorously and cruelly. For her husbande was but a
yonger brother, and had wherewithal scarce able to liue: for
which want, God bountifully prouided: for the brother whose
gredie minde did craue in one daie to be possessor of al, by
sodain death was depriued, as well of his sister's porcion as of
al the rest. By whose death she remained the whole inheritor of
that honorable house: and afterwardes liued an honorable and
stately life, in great wealth and pleasure, and was welbeloued
and duetifully intreated of her husband. Finally hauing by her
husband two goodly sonnes, she very vertuously brought them vp,
and finishing her aged dayes, she ioyfully rendred her soule
vnto him, in whom of long time she had reposed her onely trust
and confidence. Now good ladies let them come forth that be the
common displaiers of women's inconstancie, and let them bring
forth in presence, so good and perfect a husband as this was a
good and constant woman, indued with semblable faith and vertue.
I am sure to bring this to passe the matter wilbe very
difficult: and therfore I had rather discharge them of this my
chalenge, then put them to payne to trauell and seeke for such a
one. Whose vertuous loue and godlye continuance of the same, is
worthye to bee sounded by Trompe of fame to the extreame partes
of the Earth. And yet I would aduise yonge Ladies and
gentlewomen to beware how they be inamoured, and pursue the
trade of loue, contrarie to the will of parentes, who ought in
time of infancie to be their guide, and also in riper yeares to
procure them mariage according to their worthines: which they
may the better and soner do, is by vertuous education they arme
and instruct their tender and youthly age.