servant, as full of faith as she of amiable favor."
While every one was amazed with these comical events, Corydon came
skipping in, and told them that the priest was at church, and tarried
for their coming. With that Gerismond led the way, and the rest
followed; where to the admiration of all the country swains in Arden
their marriages were solemnly solemnized. As soon as the priest had
finished, home they went with Alinda, where Corydon had made all
things in readiness. Dinner was provided, and the tables being spread,
and the brides set down by Gerismond, Rosader, Saladyne, and Montanus
that day were servitors; homely cheer they had, such as their country
could afford, but to mend their fare they had mickle good chat, and
many discourses of their loves and fortunes. About mid-dinner, to make
them merry, Corydon came in with an old crowd,[1] and played them a
fit of mirth, to which he sung this pleasant song:
[Footnote 1: an old-fashioned violin with six strings.]
_Corydon's Song_
A blithe and bonny country lass,
heigh ho, the bonny lass!
Sate sighing on the tender grass
and weeping said, will none come woo her.
A smicker[1] boy, a lither swain,
heigh ho, a smicker swain!
That in his love was wanton fain,
with smiling looks straight came unto her.
Whenas the wanton wench espied,
heigh ho, when she espied!
The means to make herself a bride,
she simpered smooth like Bonnybell:
The swain, that saw her squint-eyed kind,
heigh ho, squint-eyed kind!
His arms about her body twined,
and: "Fair lass, how fare ye, well?"
The country kit said: "Well, forsooth,
heigh ho, well forsooth!
But that I have a longing tooth,
a longing tooth that makes me cry."
"Alas!" said he, "what gars[2] thy grief?
heigh ho, what gars thy grief?"
"A wound," quoth she, "without relief,
I fear a maid that I shall die."
"If that be all," the shepherd said,
heigh ho, the shepherd said!
"Ile make thee wive it gentle maid,
and so recure thy malady."
Hereon they kissed with many an oath,
heigh ho, with many an oath!
And fore God Pan did plight their troth,
and to the church they hied them fast.
And God send every pretty peat,[3]
heigh ho, the pretty peat!
That fears to die of this conceit,
so kind a friend to help at last.
[Footnote 1: amorous, wanton.]
[Footnote 2: occasions.]
[Footnote 3: pet.]
Corydon having thus made them merry, as they were in the midst of
their jollity, word was brought in to Saladyne and Rosader that a
brother of theirs, one Fernandyne, was arrived, and desired to speak
with them. Gerismond overhearing this news, demanded who it was.
"It is, sir," quoth Rosader, "our middle brother, that lives a scholar
in Paris; but what fortune hath driven him to seek us out I know not."
With that Saladyne went and met his brother, whom he welcomed with all
courtesy, and Rosader gave him no less friendly entertainment; brought
he was by his two brothers into the parlor where they all sate at
dinner. Fernandyne, as one that knew as many manners as he could[1]
points of sophistry, and was as well brought up as well lettered,
saluted them all. But when he espied Gerismond, kneeling on his knee
he did him what reverence belonged to his estate, and with that burst
forth into these speeches:
[Footnote 1: knew.]
"Although, right mighty prince, this day of my brother's marriage be a
day of mirth, yet time craves another course; and therefore from
dainty cates rise to sharp weapons. And you, the sons of Sir John of
Bordeaux, leave off your amours and fall to arms; change your loves
into lances, and now this day show yourselves as valiant as hitherto
you have been passionate. For know, Gerismond, that hard by at the
edge of this forest the twelve peers of France are up in arms to
recover thy right; and Torismond, trooped with a crew of desperate
runagates,[1] is ready to bid them battle. The armies are ready to
join; therefore show thyself in the field to encourage thy subjects;
and you, Saladyne and Rosader, mount you, and show yourselves as hardy
soldiers as you have been hearty lovers; so shall you, for the benefit
of your country, discover the idea of your father's virtues to be
stamped in your thoughts, and prove children worthy of so honorable a
parent."
[Footnote 1: vagabonds, renegades.]
At this alarm, given him by Fernandyne, Gerismond leaped from the
board, and Saladyne and Rosader betook themselves to their weapons.
"Nay," quoth Gerismond, "go with me; I have horse and armor for us
all, and then, being well mounted, let us show that we carry revenge
and honor at our falchions' points."
Thus they leave the brides full of sorrow, especially Alinda, who
desired Gerismond to be good to her father. He, not returning a word
because his haste was great, hied him home to his lodge, where he
delivered Saladyne and Rosader horse and armor, and himself armed
royally led the way; not having ridden two leagues before they
discovered where in a valley both the battles were joined. Gerismond
seeing the wing wherein the peers fought, thrust in there, and cried
"Saint Denis!" Gerismond laying on such load upon his enemies, that he
showed how highly he did estimate of a crown. When the peers perceived
that their lawful king was there, they grew more eager; and Saladyne
and Rosader so behaved themselves, that none durst stand in their way,
nor abide the fury of their weapons. To be short, the peers were
conquerors, Torismond's army put to flight, and himself slain in
battle. The peers then gathered themselves together, and saluted their
king, conducted him royally into Paris, where he was received with
great joy of all the citizens. As soon as all was quiet and he had
received again the crown, he sent for Alinda and Rosalynde to the
court, Alinda being very passionate for the death of her father, yet
brooking it with the more patience, in that she was contented with the
welfare of her Saladyne.
Well, as soon as they were come to Paris, Gerismond made a royal feast
for the peers and lords of his land, which continued thirty days, in
which time summoning a parliament, by the consent of his nobles he
created Rosader heir apparent to the kingdom; he restored Saladyne to
all his father's land and gave him the Dukedom of Nameurs; he made
Fernandyne principal secretary to himself; and that fortune might
every way seem frolic, he made Montanus lord over all the forest of
Arden, Adam Spencer Captain of the King's Guard, and Corydon master of
Alinda's flocks.
* * * * *
Here, gentlemen, may you see in Euphues' Golden Legacy, that such as
neglect their fathers' precepts, incur much prejudice; that division
in nature, as it is a blemish in nurture, so 'tis a breach of good
fortunes; that virtue is not measured by birth but by action; that
younger brethren, though inferior in years, yet may be superior to
honors; that concord is the sweetest conclusion, and amity betwixt
brothers more forceable than fortune. If you gather any fruits by this
Legacy, speak well of Euphues for writing it, and me for fetching it.
If you grace me with that favor, you encourage me to be more forward;
and as soon as I have overlooked my labors, expect the Sailor's
Calendar.
T. LODGE.
FINIS