Thomas Lodge - Broadview Press Publisher's Blog

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father, but the divine working of God by the
means of this supposed idiot that gave us conquest.
This Robert, surnamed (for his wicked life
in times past) the Devil, who hath turned his
damned deeds to devotion, is he that rescued the
Emperor, was armed by me, was horsed by my
command, and if he be searched is the very man
who was wounded by your knights. This Soldan’s
armour is magical, his steed infernal, himself perfidious.
Why permit you, princes, that he who hath
soiled his hands in your bloods should be served
like a prince of high bounty? Lay hands on him,
inflict bonds on him, slay the viper ere he sting,
and the crocodile ere he can devour.”
These words were uttered with a confident and
bold spirit, and all the assembly was abashed at
this wonder. The Soldan stood as a man that had
lost his senses, and the best Romans began to
flock about Robert. During these miraculous
events, whilst each man’s tongue was kept mute
with marvel, the holy recluse entered the presence
(ordained as it is thought by divine ordinance). In
his hands bore he the true armour, and about his
neck the girdle and sword, having a religious
novice at his heels who led the white steed ... he
discovered Robert’s thigh and presented all the
titles of his claim, and, craving private conference
with him, was permitted to converse with him
alone in a hidden chamber. Meanwhile the palace
was in an uproar, and some swords were drawn to
assail the Soldan who, abashed and ashamed at his
discovery, seemed rather a dead than a lives 1 man.
But the Emperor, who saw in his looks the tenor
of his looseness, being a gracious and benign
prince, withstood the assailants, and, after thanks
given to the Heavens and kind embrace to Emine,
he spoke in this manner to the Soldan:
“Pagan, though it be in my power to cut thee
off, it is not my pleasure to use discourtesy. I see it
was fancy 2 that made thee feign, and folly that
hath procured thy fall. I know thy estate is desperate,
thy soldiers spent, thy Mussulmans discomforted;
and in that I disdain to combat with these
1 lives living.
2 fancy love.
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who are well nigh conquered, I pity thee, and
pitying thee grant thy peace. If, therefore, thou
wilt presently depart my court, dislodge thy camp,
and leave Christendom, thou and thine shall enjoy
both life and liberty, and that for Emine’s sake. If
not, resolve thyself to die, to see thy nobles
destroyed, and the memory of thy name entirely
exterminate and extinguished.”
The Soldan, pondering with himself his perilous
estate, seeing his love recureless, and his
liberty reckless 3 except he accepted the opportunity,
answered the Emperor in this sort: “If my
fancies have made me foolish, bear with me,
Emperor; more mighty than I have fallen. For the
attainment of Emine if I have feigned, I must now
only repent it, bearing a deep wound in my thigh
but more woe in my heart. For my life, I respect it
not, were it not I regard my subjects; for thy
bounty, I accept it, and will depart Christendom,
and so relying on thy word I take my leave, surrendering
thee thy Christianity, since thou hast
bereft me of mine Emine.”
This said, reviling and exclaiming on destiny,
the pagans departed, and trussing up their
baggage shipped themselves, leaving both the
siege and Christendom, which was mightily comforted
by their departure.
How Aubert Hearing No News of His Son,
after the Term of Seven Years Died, Leaving
the Possession of His Dukedom in the
Hands of Editha and the Lord Villiers, with
the Lamentable Treasons That thereupon
Ensued. [Chapter 18].
[Seven years after Robert’s departure, Aubert dies
in despair over what has become of his son. He
leaves the dukedom, until the return of his son, in
the hands of his wife Editha and the nobleman
Villiers. The latter, noting that Editha is willing to
leave the day-to-day governing of the state in his
hands, decides to take possession of it entirely.
Corrupting two false witnesses, he has Editha
3 reckless disregarded (and thus doomed to destruction).