_Guy leaves his Wife, and goes a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land._
In the very height of Guy's glory, when he was exalted to his father's
dignities, conscience biddeth him repent of all his former sins; so Guy
resolved to travel to the Holy Land like a Pilgrim. Felice, perceiving
his melancholy, inquired of her Lord the cause of this passion? "Ah,
Felice!" said he, "I have spent much time in honouring thee, and to win
thy favour; but never spared one minute for my soul's health in
honouring the Lord."
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Felice, though very much grieved, understanding his determination,
opposed not his will. So with exchange of rings, and melting kisses, he
departed, like a stranger from his own habitation, taking with him
neither money nor scrip; while but a small quantity of herbs and roots,
such only as the wild fields could afford, formed his chief diet; and he
vowed never to fight more, but in a just cause.
Guy, after travelling many tedious miles, met an aged person oppressed
with grief, for the loss of fifteen sons, whom Armarant, a mighty Giant,
had taken from him, and held in strong captivity.
Guy borrowed the old man's sword, and went directly up to the Castle
gate, where the Giant dwelt, who coming to the door, asked grimly, "How
he durst so boldly knock at the gates?" vowing he would beat out his
brains. But Guy, laughing at him, said, "Sirrah, thou art quarrelsome;
but I have a sword that has often hewn such lubbards as you asunder." As
he spoke he laid his blade about the Giant's shoulders, so that he bled
abundantly; who being much enraged, flung his club at Guy with such
force, that it beat him down; and before Guy could recover his fall
Armarant had got up his club again. But in the end Guy killed this broad
backed monster, and released divers captives that had been in thraldom a
long time; some almost famished, and others ready to expire under
various tortures; who returned Guy thanks for their happy deliverance.
After which he gave up the Castle and keys to the old man and his
fifteen sons; and pursued his intended journey, and coming to a grave,
he took up a worm-eaten skull, which he thus addressed: Perhaps thou
wert a Prince, or a mighty Monarch, a King, a Duke, or a Lord! But the
King and the Beggar must all return to the earth; and therefore man had
need to remember his dying hour. Perhaps thou mightest have been a
Queen, or a Dutchess, or a Lady varnished with much beauty; but now thou
art wormsmeat, lying in the grave, the sepulchre of all creatures.
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While Guy was in this repenting solitude, fair Felice, like a mourning
widow, clothed herself in sable attire, and vowed chastity in the
absence of her beloved husband. Her whole delight was in divine
meditations and heavenly consolations, praying for the welfare of her
beloved Lord, whom she feared some savage monster had devoured. Thus
Felice spent the remainder of her life in sorrow for her dear Lord; and
to show her humility, she sold her jewels and the costly robes with
which she used to grace King Athelstan's Court, and gave the money
freely to the poor; she relieved the lame and the blind, the widow and
the fatherless, and all those that came to ask alms; and built a large
hospital for aged and sick people, that they might be comforted in their
sickness. Thus she laid up for herself treasure in heaven, which will be
paid again with life everlasting.
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In the mean time Guy travelled through many lands, and at last in the
course of his journeying he met the Earl of Terry, who had been exiled
from his territories by a merciless traitor. Guy bade him not be
dismayed, and promised to venture his life for his restoration. The Earl
thanked Guy most courteously, and they travelled together against
Terry's enemy. Guy challenged him into the field, and there slew him
hand to hand, and restored the Earl to his lands. The Earl full of
gratitude begged to know the name of his champion, but Guy insisted upon
remaining unknown; neither would he take any reward for his services.
Thus was the noble Guy successful in all his actions, until finding his
head crowned with silver hairs, after many years travel, he resolved to
end his days in his native country: and therefore returning from the
Holy Land, he came to England. On his arrival he found the nation in
great distress, the Danes having invaded the land, burning cities and
towns, plundering the country, and killing men, women, and children;
insomuch that King Athelstan was forced to take refuge in his invincible
city of Winchester.
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