Chaucer's ghoast Or, A Piece of antiquity. Containing twelve pleasant Fables of Ovid penn'd after the ancient manner of writing in England. Which makes them prove Mock-Poems to the present Poetry. With the History of Prince Corniger, and his Champion Sir Crucifrag, that run a tilt likewise at the present Historiographers |
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| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. | [Accipe me generum dixi Parthaone nate] |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
 | Chaucer's ghoast |  |
[Accipe me generum dixi Parthaone nate]
Arg. VI.
The Battaile between Hercules and Achelous for the Love of Deianira.
Accipe me generum dixi Parthaone nate,
Dixit & Alcides, &c.------
Ovid. l. ix.
Dixit & Alcides, &c.------
Ovid. l. ix.
Oeneus had Calydons Empire,
and had a Daughter Deianyre,
and all men wyst that there was none
so fair a Wight as she was one;
and as she was a lusty Wight,
right so was then a noble Knight,
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which set up two pillars of brass,
the which as yet a man may find,
set up in the Desert of Inde;
this was the worthy Hercules,
whose name shall be endless
for all the marvails that he wrought.
This Hercules the Love besought
of Deianire, and of this thing
unto her fader which was King
he spake, touching of Marriage.
The King knowing his high linage,
and dreadding all his deeds mighty,
ne're durst his Daughter to deny.
Yet netheless this he him said,
how Achilous, e're he, first pray'd
to wed her: and in that accord
they stood as it were on record:
but for all that this he him granted,
that which of them the other daunted
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and do what she would for his sake.
This Achelous was a Gyant,
a subtle man and a deceyvant;
who through Magick and Sorcery
could all the world out-treachery.
And whan that he this Tale heard
upon what score the King answer'd
to Hercules, that he must fight,
he trusted much upon his slight:
And Love that every heart doth stear,
made him his life not to forbear;
for his Lady whom he desir'd,
but with courage his heart it fir'd:
And so he sent word without fail,
that he would enter the Battaile.
At the set day and chosen field,
the Knights both covered under shield,
togyder came at the time set,
and each one is with other met.
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there was no stone, there was no root
which might let them in their way,
but all was void and ta'ne away.
Truth, they smite strokes but very few,
for Hercules who then would shew
his great strength, as for the nonce
he starts upon him all at once,
and caught him in his arms so strong:
the Gyant wote he could not long
endure under so hard a bond;
then by some slight for to escape,
as he himself could best mishape,
in likeness of a snake he skipt
out of his hand, and forth he leapt;
and oft as he that fight woul,
he turn'd himself into a Bull,
and 'gan to bellow in such a sound,
as though the skies would fall to ground.
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and his broad Horns he then advanceth,
and cast them here and there about.
But he who made of him no doubt,
awaited well, and when he came
by both his Horns he did him tame,
and all at once he did him cast
unto the ground, and held him fast,
that he ne're might by any slight
out of his hands get up on height,
till he was overcome, and told
that Hercules might what he would.
The King then granted to fulfill
his askings 'cording to his will;
and he that had with danger served,
did think he had her well deserved:
and thus with great desert of Arms,
he wan her for to ligge in arms,
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and otherwise he should not.
| Chaucer's ghoast | |