34

CORYDON'S SONG

532A blithe and bonny country lass,
heigh ho, the bonny lass!
Sat sighing on the tender grass
and weeping said, will none come woo her?533A smicker boy, a lither swain,
heigh ho, a smicker swain!
That in his love was wanton fain,
with smiling looks straight came unto her.534Whenas the wanton wench espied,
heigh ho, when she espied!
The means to make herself a bride,
she simpered smooth like bonnibell.
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?"535The 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 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!
"I'll make thee wive it, gentle maid,
and so recure thy malady."536Hereon 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,
heigh ho, the pretty peat!
That fears to die of this conceit,
so kind a friend to help at last.

537Corydon having thus made them merry, as they were in the midst of their jollity, word was brought in to Saladin and Rosader that a brother of theirs, one Fernandin, was arrived and desired to speak with them. Gerismond, overhearing this news, demanded who it was.

538"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."

539With that Saladin 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 sat at dinner. Fernandin, as one that knew as many manners as he could 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:

540"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, is ready to bid them battle. The armies are ready to join; therefore show thyself in the field to encourage thy subjects. And you, Saladin 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."

541At this alarm, given him by Fernandin, Gerismond leaped from the board, and Saladin and Rosader betook themselves to their weapons.

542"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."

543Thus 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 Saladin 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 Saladin 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, saluting 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 Rosalind 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 Saladin.

544Well, 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 Saladin to all his father's land and gave him the Dukedom of Nameurs; he made Fernandin 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.

* * * * *

545Here, 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[homas] LODGE.

FINIS