Selection 3

How Friar Bacon did help a young man to his sweetheart, which Friar Bungay would have married to another, and of the mirth that was at the wedding.

An Oxfordshire gentleman had long time loved a fair maid called Millisant. This love of his was as kindly received of her as it was freely given of him, so that there wanted nothing to the finishing of their joys but the consent of her father, who would not grant that she should be his wife (though formerly he had been a means to further the match) by reason there was a knight that was a suitor to her and did desire that he might have her to his wife. But this knight could never get from her the least token of good will, so surely was her love fixed upon the gentleman. This knight, seeing himself thus despised, went to Friar Bungay and told him his mind and did promise him a good piece of money if he could get her for him, either by his art or counsel.

Bungay (being covetous) told him that there was no better way in his mind than to get her, with her father, to go take the air in a coach; and if he could do so he would by his art so direct the horses that they should come to an old chapel where he would attend and there they might secretly be married. The knight rewarded him for his counsel and told him that if it took effect he would be more bountiful unto him, and presently went to her father and told him of this. He liked well of it and forced the poor maid to ride with them. So soon as they were in the coach, the horses ran presently to the chapel where they found Friar Bacon attending for them. At the sight of the church and the priest the poor maid knew that she was betrayed, so that for grief she fell in a swoon, to see which her father and the knight were very much grieved and used their best skill for her recovery.

In this time, her best beloved, the gentleman, did come to her fatherʼs to visit her. But finding her not there, and hearing that she was gone with her father and the knight, he mistrusted some foul play and in all haste went to Friar Bacon and desired of him some help to recover his love again, whom he feared was utterly lost.

Friar Bacon (knowing him for a virtuous gentleman) pitied him and to give his griefs some release showed him a glass wherein any one might see anything done (within fifty miles apace) that they desired. So soon as he looked in the glass he saw his love Millisant with her father and the knight, ready to be married by Friar Bungay. At the sight of this he cried out that he was undone, for now should he lose his life in losing of his love. Friar Bacon bid him take comfort, for he would prevent the marriage. So, taking this gentleman in his arms, he set himself down in an enchanted chair and suddenly they were carried through the air to the chapel. Just as they came in Friar Bungay was joining their hands to marry them, but Friar Bacon spoiled his speech, for he struck him dumb so that he could not speak a word. Then raised he a mist in the chapel so that neither the father could see his daughter, nor the daughter her father, nor the knight either of them. Then took he Millisant by the hand and led her to the man she most desired. They both wept for joy that they so happily once more had met and kindly thanked Friar Bacon.

It greatly pleased Friar Bacon to see the passion of these two lovers, and seeing them both contented he married them at the chapel door whilst her father, the knight, and Friar Bungay went groping within and could not find the way out. Now when he had married them, he bid them get lodging at the next village, and he would send his man with money (for the gentleman was not stored, and he had a great way to his house); they did as he bade them. That night he sent his man Miles with money to them, but he kept her father, the knight, and Friar Bungay till the next day at noon in the chapel ere he released them.

[…] Thus did Friar Bacon help these poor lovers, who in short time got the love of the old man and lived in great joy. Friar Bungayʼs tongue was again let loose and all were friends.

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