earnestnesse of affection that having bestowed certaine yeares therein he became so perfect an Artist as he surpassed all those that had travelled in those studies before him aswell as those that came after him yet was it not his purpose to make use thereof as many doe to the hurt or ruine of any but for the glory of Christendome which he so tooke to heart that all his actions had no other ayme but the preservation of those whose worth was able to mayntayne it at the due heigth as you may well judge by the sequele of this History Seeing then that Don Belianis a Prince as vertuous and valiant as could be named was somewhat enfeebled by the battell that he had fought before Constantinople with Perineo Soldan of Persia the most valiant of all the Pagans that then lived the Empresse of Almayne Claristea who might also bee termed the mirrour of Armes and Ariobarcan Emperour of Tartary he wrought so powerfully upon the mindes of that brave Pagan and of that valorous Lady as admiring the vertue of so gallant a man they determined to turne Christians and become his friends upon condition that the Persian should marry the Infanta of Greece named Sirenna which was accomplished presently after his Baptisme In which holy Sacrament he was accompanied with Salinterne without Farre his sonne and the bastard of Don Belianis Polistor of Nubia and Polistea de la Selva whom he had by the Queene of the Garamantes and had followed the Pagan colours before they knew Don Belianis for their Father This peace and this marriage cheered all Greece and particularly our Alcander who then thought it well and sufficiently supported But being continually carefull for the quiet of these Princes he had one day a curious desire to understand what good fortune was to attend their designes and life withdrawing therefore himselfe from all resort of company hee began to make his ordinary invocations and found onely by the motion and aspect of the starres that the house of Greece was to suffer a totall ruine and that these Princes were threatned with an eminent death The knowledge heereof did mightily afflict him but carrying a greater minde then to yeeld to this calamity hee made new conjurations the spirits were invoked and all the powers of Hell were summoned to appeare neverthelesse he saw nothing but signes of death and presages of misfortune Let the starres sayd hee bee froward let all the Divels in Hell conspire together to subvert the Empire of the Christians yet will I change their influences and overturne their designes For having sometimes restored life to those which breathed no more I may be permitted to preserve such as are yet in the world Thus speaking hee enfolded himselfe in a cloud and transported himselfe into the dangerous forrests of the great kingdom of Martan neere to the Empire of Mexico where long before he had built a Castle of wondrous workmanship But doubting that the charms which he had set upon it were not powerfull enough for the great purpose he had in hand hee emploied all his skill which surpassed that of all other men layd such strong enchantments upon three divisions of lodgings that hee had built in a triangular forme as those which should be inclosed therein should not grow old or bee impayred in any sort whatsoever yet not desiring that this his worke should last till the end of the world for hee well foresaw that the necessity of Christendome would one day oblige him to suffer it to be dissolved ordayned that the enchantment should be defeated by the valour of sixe the bravest Knights accompanied with as many the fayrest Ladyes of the world Thinking then that he had done enough hee presently transported himselfe to Constantinople and having talked a while in private with Don Belianis hee desired him to goe into his Chariot and with him his Sonne Belforan Fortiman of Greece his grandchilde Polistor of Nubia Polistea de la Selva Policentes sonne to Perineo Don Clarinell Don Astrides his sonne Perineo Furibond the brave Giant Salintern without feare Hermiliana the Amazon wife to Don Clarinel Florisbella wife to Don Belâ—anis the Princesse Belianisa wife to Belforan Sirenna wife to Perineo and the fayre Bergeline her daughter This done having touched the Griffons with a rod that he had in his hand they cut the ayre with incredible swiftnesse and carried him to the house which hee would have called by the name of the Castle of Treasure Where with some teares hee enclosed these Princes in one quarter of the Lodgings assuring them that they should bee enlarged after certayne ages and at such time as Christendome should have extreame need of their assistance These things being done his minde might wel have beene contented but the exceeding care that he had to effect his designes not suffering him to be quiet hee againe turned over his bookes And finding that before the time these Princes should be disinchanted certayne most excellent Knights should be borne which yet should not arrive to the perfection necessary for the putting an end to his enchantments hee resolved also to preserve them in the same Castle with the Emperour Don Belianis For which cause therefore as soone as the incomparable warriour the Knight of the Sun was borne he was infinitely carefull of his safety assisted him with his Arte without his privity and knowing that after certayne yeeres hee was threatned with a disastrous end by the practise of some traytors who should murther him one night in his bed he carried him also away as he had done Don Belianis and with him all the principall Knights of his Court who were to run no lesse hazard and placing them in the second division of the lodgings hee reserved them for that furious encounter wherein the glory of all Christendome or the ruine of the Pagans was to be disputed The names of those enchanted with him were his sonne Claridiano of the Spheare Rosiclere Claramant Poliphebo Don Eleno of Dacia Rosabell sonne to Rosiclere Clarabel bastard to Rosabel and Leobant his brother Besson Bramidor the brave Giant the Empresse Claridiana and the Princesse Olivia wife to Rosicleere Their life was pleasant and the contentment of Alcander infinite For as often as hee considered that Christendome should one day triumph over her enemies by his assistance he esteemed himselfe blessed to be so favoured by heaven and determining not to neglect such grace hee persevered in his good desire whence it came that after certayne ages were past being in the castle of Treasure he understood the lamentable losse which the Christians were to sustayne and the death of those great Monarchs Amadis of Gaule and of Greece with many others of their blood Which for the reasons before alledged being desirous to remedy hee transported himselfe the same night as that great battell was fought in the fields of the Soldan of Aleppo to the place where so many bodies lay extended gave an honourable sepulture to those
they heard not of him they should not faâ—l to return back These young Princes thinking it an honour for them to receive this command went presently to arm themselves and being well mounted travelled till it was late without meeting any adventure worth the relating but toward night they saw a Shepherdesse passing by them who in the midst of her age had some lines yet left in her face of a loving beauty which in her youth had made her beesteemed a young Shepherd handsome and well proportioned followed her with his eyes drowned in tears What said he fair Oristea will you alwayes flie me and shall my tears never soften that marble which you have lodged in your breast Stay I beseech you and by my actions judge of my sufferings too long indeed for so slight a fault My sighs do crave that grace which sometimes you granted me and which now I have lost rather by misfortune then malice Do not deny it to this violent affection I bear you your quiet and my contentment depend on your facility in receiving me at this present for love having heertofore tied us together with such fast bonds I cannot see how ever we should live contentedly in this separation That is it said the Shepherdesse with a disdainfull countenance which without doubt abuses you for I am now more capable of hate then ever I was of love neither do you imagine that my happinesse consists in your glory or my pain in your misfortune you are to me me so indifferent that I will never have a share in any thing that may be fall you your excuses therefore and the importunities wherewith you thus vex me are altogether unprofitable Leave me then to live with the liberty of my thoughts and study some artifice with which you may appease Cloria who hath no lesse cause to banish you her presence and not to love you then my self With that she was going away when as Periâ—â— who was highly delighted with her discourse and as much desired to know the occasion of it Fair Shepherdesse said he I know not what fault this young man hath committed but I finde his penance very sharp and your heart a little to blame for we do alwayes merit pardon when we confesse our errour and protest never to offend again If you have heertofore loved him you would doubtlesse have loved him still had not some crime of his rendered him unworthy of your affection his repentance doth blot out his offence wherefore you ought to love him as much now as heertofore you have done nor think more of his fault since his sorrow for it hath cancelled it I should willingly answered she allow of your reasons if I were lesse sensible of the grief I am in for having been so fouly deceived or could build any assurance on the oaths of men but can it be likely I should ever put any trust in the oaths of a Shepherd whose humour I too well know to be so inconstant and full of levity these tears which you see in his eyes are onely to reduce me once more into the captivity wherein his love hath for three yeers detained me and his sighs serve but for charms to keep my reason from discerning the mischief which he would bring upon me I must not therefore regard them but having paid for my learning take my self out a good lesson from his fault and my misfortune to injoy the happinesse of my liberty It may be you will not approve 〈…〉 discourse and will say that my humour is too valiant but I will let you see that I have all the reason in the world to handle him in this sort and firmly to resolve either never to love again or to live no more for the world since there is no security to be found in it so your occasions will give you leisure to hear me and that you disdain not a poor cottage for your lodging this night Your request is so fair answered Esquilan that we are bound to accept of your currâ—sie wherefore we will wait on you with a longing desire to hear the relation of your adventure Taking then a path on the right hand and guided by the Shepherd who out of civility had given over his sighing and lamentions they came to a little village where they were better entertained by Oristeâ— then they could have hoped for from one of that quality Their suppâ—r ended she caused caused them to sit down under certain trees where when her self and Filismâ—nd had also taken their places she thus began Do not wonder Knights to hear me say that I am nobly descended because you see me not in a habit sutable to that condition Love and Fortune do often work greater miracles then this I came into the world with so malignant an aspect of the stars that I cannot with reason say that ever I enjoyed any contentment long My parents losing themselves in that common blindnesse of the world which thinks wealth to be the soveraign good made me be called a wife at the time when onely the title of a childe was fit for me and at seven yeers of age married me to a man whose kindnesse in that tender age was very unpleasing unto me but much more when I arrived at yeers of discretion and was able to discern the defects which were in him Complaining then not to those upon whom my will should in right have depended for hardly should I by my prayers and tears have drawn them to break that which they had once done but to them that had the power of justice in their hands and demonstrating unto them that it was but reason to suffer me to enjoy the rights which heaven bestows on all men that are born into the world I got them after much debâ—ting and with many difficulties to dissolve this marriage and gave me power to chuse a husband to my own liking wherein truly I chanced very happily by the possession of a Gentleman as good and accomplished a Cavalier as the earth this day bears But the Fates envying the felicities which I then began to taste too suddenly ravished him from me and gave me cause to die with him if so I might have done without displeasing the Gods who will with absolute power dispose of our dayes not permitting us to shorten them no more then we are able to prolong them My tears and the continuance of my mourning sufficiently demonstrated my sorrow but my undestanding and time the common Physician of our sorrows having somewhat eased my grief I confidered that it was but weaknesse of spirit so to lose my self in the anguish of my minde and finding some ease in my pâ—tience resolved to afflict my self no more so excessively I lived then with lesse disquiet then before But alas This happinesse was not of long continuance The proud tyrant of our souls Love would once more triumph over me by the means of this Cavalier whom you see heer in this simple habit of
Dwarf made to shew his agility Prigmaleon returned to his thoughts where we will leave him to follow the course of our History CHAP. XXXIX A Damsell arrives at Constantinople with the head of the great Marandâ—r slain by the Knight of the Savage EVery one seeking diversions from their cares the Court seemed not to ressent the absence of the Princes that were inchanted because they hoped to see them delivered ere it were long When as there came into the Hall a Damsell reasonably handsome carrying in her hand the head of a Giant who beholding the company a good while with wonder to see Knights of so brave a presence and Ladies of such beauty enquired very modestly which was the Emperour of the Parthians Gentlewoman answered Russian to whom she then spake he hath been absent from hence some few dayes but if your affairs cannot permit you to attend his return and that you stand in need of his aid I will willingly supply his place and with a free heart do you service I am said she much bound to your curtesie but God be thanked I have heer in my hand an occasion of rejoycing rather then of complaining nor am I come hither to crave the help of any whatsoever but to present to that Excellent Emperour the head of the greatest enemy he had brought to this passe by the incomparable valour of a Knight that bears a wilde man in his shield whom I may justly vaunt to be one of the valiantest men upon the earth and the Phoenix of those that this day bear arms This Knight meeting with me in the confines of Macedon could not passe by me without enquiring after the cause of some tears which he saw me shed I freely told him that the villany of a Giant who had ravished me did wring them from me and that I was going to Constantinople to crave reparation of that wrong knowing well that the Princes of Greece did never refuse their assistance to Ladies in distresse and that particularly I intended to addresse my self to the Emperor Spheramond both for that he holds the reputation of surpassing all Knights of this age and that the Giant had told me how all the villanies which he then committed were done by him in some sort to revenge the death of another Giant whom the Emperour had slain when as a Knight errant he followed adventures abroad in the world Without doubt then answered this courtâ—ous Knight you could not make your revenge more certain then by referring it to the hands of that brave Prince who hath with all reason acquired those praises which the woâ—ld doth give him But if you be pleased to make use of me I shall most willingly imploy my self in your service It is a long journey from hence to Constantinople your enemy may finde occasion to get him further off you will take a great deal of pains in vain and not be satisfied in your desire On the other side I do passionately long to demonstrate unto that valorous Prince how I do love his vertue as much as other men do honour his birth and that I will labour so long as I live to ruine his enemies To what end should I trouble you with our discourse This gentlenesse of his so wrought upon me that after I had thorowly considered him and judged him fit for any great attempt I carriâ—d him straight to the Giants Castle where to be short he did wonders For not satisfied with laying that foul masse of flesh on the earth in a very dangerous combat he defeated thirty or forty Knights who were seldome out of that Robbers company it was to me an unspeakable delight to see some arms flie to the ground some men cut asunder in the midst others cloven to the girdle the boldest of them stoutly scattered and the gallantry of this Knight did so please me that if I had not acquainted him with the misfortune that by the Giant had befallen me I had endeavoured to make him love me but feating to be slighted I passed from love to the resentment of his good will vowing to serve him upon all occasions and to that end intreated him to lay some command upon me I would not have you said he give me so many thanks for a thing whereunto I was bound by the laws of Chivalrie but since you will needs oblige me take the head of your enemy and for a further satisfaction of your minde carry it to Constantinople present it to that warlike Prince and render your grief the lesse by publishing the revenge you have had for it I shall with a good will replied I undertake that journey but then Sir will you be pleased to tell me who you are to the end I may know to whom I am so infinitely indebted See heer my name in my shield said he shewing a Savage pourtrayed thereupon for a more perfect knowledge of me at this present I may not give Follow on your way whilst I go some other where to seek occasion of imploying my arms with that not thinking it convenient to be troublesome I took the head of Marandor for so was the Giant named and began my journey to this place where I am arrived with grief for that I finde not the Emperour of the Parthians to give him an account of this brave Knight but if you please I will leave it in your charge to do it upon condition that I shall at any time be ready to deserve it of you in all possibly I may Whereupon she laid the head of Marandor on the floor and making a very humble reverence immediatly departed leaving all the Princes extreamly desirous to know this so valiant and brave new Knight Whilst they were all commending the valour of the Knight of the Savage Russian who still had Agriclea in his memory could not be at rest and would certainly have been gone had it not been for the desire he had to see his father and his kinsfolks at liberty but that respect prevailing with him he passed the most part of his dayes unquietly enough contrarily Prigmaleon who interpreting Polixena's answer to his advantage felt so many delights amidst his pain that he blessed love every minute being pleased with the change of his condition as the cause of all his felicity If he walked in the woods or gardens it was not with any purpose to complaine but to entertain himselfe with the contemplation of his good forâ—une and to grave the names of Polixena and himselfe on the barkes of trees his actions were altogether amorous And if he suffered any thing at all her sole impatience was the cause thereof howbeit hoping that time would bring him remedy he gently supported the violence of his desires Pleasing himself then in this fashion with the entertainmen of his owne thoughts and sometimes in the remembrance of his Lady the time slipt so sweetly away that they were insensibly come to the Eve of these Princes enfranchisement whereof I will relate
you the wonder when I have enformed you of some occurrents that did precede it CHAP. XL. A Damsell comming to Constantinople carries away Prigmaleon to combat with Griolaniâ— surnamed the faâ—e Knight The successe thereof ALL these Princes being assembled together to consult of the order that was to be kept for the reception of these enchanted Princes who as Cassandra assured them were to be freed within two dayes they saw a strange Dâ—msell come in who pausing upon the view of so many brave Knights considered them a while without speaking a word But observing that they all had their eyes fixt on her and that they were silent as it were to give her leave to speak she said Now on my faith I never saw so gallant nor fo well shap'd men in all my life nor do I wonder that this Court is so eâ—told through the world But I would gladly know which is the most amorous amongst you There is not any here said Prigmaleon to whom the Damsell seemed especially to addresse her selfe that would not appeare to be a lover and that in regard thereof would not willingly draw his sword against his companion if it were to be justified by Armes But unable to tell assuredly how farre another mans suffâ—ring extends I may confidently affirme that I am he who perhaps endureth most that loves with most passion as he that hath devoted himselfe to one who kindles no ordinary â—â—ames and that to save a thousand lives would not let any thing passe to the prejudice of my Lady the most beautifull that treads upon the earth Follow me then answered the Damsel to do her service For yesterday passing by a crosse way some three leagues from hence I saw two pavillions set up a number of shields hanging upon the next trees and lances enough to maintaine a passage for three moneths space which made me draw neerer to heare what all this preparation intended and seeing a Squire issue forth of one of the pavillions I made a signe to him that he should come and speak with me which in a very civill fashion he did and told me that his Mistris whom he would by no meanes name though I divers times intreated him unto it being passionately in love with one that was called the fair Knight had engaged him to maintain a Iust in her favour to which end she was come neer unto Constantinople in hope that the Greek Princes hearing of it would come to a triâ—ll with her Knight whom she held to be the most valorous in the world as without question he is the most lovely of all that this day lives whereby this warriour should gain immortall praise and that she should have a shâ—re in the glory which he acquired by his valour as being the principall cause thereof These words begetting a desire in me to see this Knight I freely went into his tent where seeing him with his head unarmed I indeed observed in him so pleasing an eye a beauty so lovely and so goodly a presence as I may with truth averre that I had never beheld any thing more amiâ—ble But that which exeedingly vexed me was to see that the Lady in whose favour he had taken up armes had not any one of those perfections Her face was pale and lean no charmes were in her eyes no grace in her actions her stature was defectâ—ve her smiles unbecoming and her voice harsh and unpleasant In briefe observing all this in her I could not forbeare laughing and withall told that gallant Knight how his valour was ill employed how he should never gain much glory by his labour having undertaken it upon an occasion that could not deserve it and that being sensible of the injury which he did to all the faire ones that passed by rendring them subject to acknowledge the preheminence of a creature so little advantaged by nature I would go to the Court of Greece to require reason for this injustice And indeed I am now here for no other cause but onely to carry you with me to revenge the wrong of those that have merits in them and particularly of the fair one whom you adore with so much respect and love I was never more willing to put on Armes said Prigmaleon then now that my Ladies beauty is in question Let us go then Gentlewoman and we shall know ere it be long if this Knight be as valiant and strong as you thinke him lovely Whereupon having called for a horse he mounted on him departed with the Damsell and travelled till night which constrained him to rest under certaine trees and to sup with the provision which his squire had brought When it grew dark the damsell whom the good grace and conversâ—tion of the Knight had made very much in love with him seeing him withdraw apart from her to sleepe and not approving that reservednesse which in her heart she called simplicity she followed him and lying down by him said In faith I must complain of your neglect of me and not forbear telling you that you want judgement in not making use of time occasion and of the good will of a wâ—nch that loves you with pâ—ssion what sence were it to passe the night in languishing when we may make it full of content Entertaine the good fortune that presents it self to you and do not foolishly imagine as the most part of our Greek Princes do who are more gloriously proud of their loialty in love then of all the great things which they have done in armes that to afford any part of your affection to more then one is in any kind of fault It is an errour at which those of little judgement doe stumble and which the more discreet doe laugh at I will mingle so much sweetnesse with my kisses and such dalliance with my caresses as you shâ—ll with reason think your self happy in so favourable an incounter Suffer then our lips to meet receive my embraces and doe not disdain a love because it is freely profered you Doe not beleeve answered Prigmaleon extreamly amazed to see himself thus assaulted Do not I say beleeve if I answer not your desire that it is out of the consideration of the liberty which you take in discovering your passions I know how weake men are when love hath resolved to master them and that it is not in their power to govern their passions if once they have submitted them to the tyranny of so great a power and yet lesse then that would I have you beleeve that I entend to follow any man for a patern of my actions for they shall ever depend onely upon my owne humour but to tell you freely what is in my heart I cannot make vse of your good will because I doe infinitely love a Lady that permits me not so to dispose of my will as you without doubt neither could now love the first that should present himselfe to you Let this reason serve for my excuse and do not I pray you
him presently to be laid into a bed and making use of a precious balm which she ordinarily carried about her she willed him to rest untill such time as the medicine had wrought its operation CHAP. III. The discourse between Armazia and Rozalmond the reciprâ—call assurances of their loves his departure from Cardacia with the extream discontent of the Princesse and what were his adventures CAssandra leaving Rozalmond to his rest walked into the orchard where the trees diversly ranged yeelded an incredible delight and devising with her self what means she might use to get from this Court without giving too much discontent to these new lovers she espied Armazia who being carried with clean contrary thoughts was entertaining her self with the pleasure she conceived to be in the possessing of a man on whom the heavens seemed to have conferred all the beauty comelinesse and valour of the world Should I not be happy indeed said she to her self if this Knight were born for me and should I not have cause to praise my good fortune if his condition should prove equall to mine that so my parents might one day grant me unto him in recompence of his services Yes no doubt and I should think that my content would surpasse all the pleasures of the earth nor would I envy the very glory of the Gods But alas I am afraid considering the misery derived unto us from the fault of the first man that Fortune hath not given Scepters to his being and that in regard thereof he will be lesse acceptable to my father who erring with others will more esteem greatnesse then vertue and will make me wretched in his avarice Howbeit I cannot think that a valour so great a countenance so promising a presence so amiable and actions so majesticall may possibly be encountred in a vile and base person Vertue delights in the highest places and doth not communicate her self to such as know not how to acknowledge her it cannot be but that his birth doth equall his merits and sure I commit no fault in loving him neverthelesse it were not amisse to clear this point instantly and so free my self of this unquietnesse that thus afflicts me which may easily be done for this damsell that follows him will not refuse I hope to give me this satisfaction I will send for her then and under colour of informing my self of the fashions of his countrey draw her to acquaint me with that which I so much desire to know whereupon turning about to command some of her women to fetch her unto her she perceived her declining that walk as it were for fear to interrupt her in her meditations wherewithall being very glad she called her unto her and taking her by the hand said thus Sweet heart you shall do me a singular favour if during our walk amongst these trees you will first recount unto me who this young Knight is being the valiantest that ever bare arms and unto whose courage we are bound in so powerfull an obligation and afterwards falling upon the fashions of your Countrey you will faithfully deliver how the Knights live there with their mistrisses Madam answered Cassandra I will content you in a few words Our lands are happy because they produce excellent Knights and most beautifull women though I must confesse I never saw any that might compare with your Highnesse but that which addes unto our happinesse is the freedom wherein we live we know not what suspicion means the Gallants frequent the Ladies and the Ladies converse with them and are ordinarily seen in company together either in the woods or fields free from any conjecture that may any way redound to the prejudice of their honour It is certain that vertue is not alwayes found in all kinde of persons if any undiscreet Knight shall offend any Gentlewoman whom he shall meet alone she shall be presently righted by the next that passeth by and so is the insolence of a dishonourable fellow revenged concerning the situation of the countrey I will speak briefly onely saying that it is very goodly fertile in fruits replenished with beautifull and strong towns pleasant rivers and woods Now the merit of this Knight the knowledge of whom you desire Madam he is come of the noblest race in the world and his parents are at this day so great that the earth trembles at the onely report of their arms for his valour you have had the first proofs of it you are judge of his person but in regard you are as yet ignorant of his disposition I will assure you that imagination is not able to conceive a sweeter or more pleasing more I may not say a precedent Oath forbids me and without breach of my faith I may not name him untill such time as he hath finished some warlike adventures for the execution whereof I conduct him and therefore Madam I humbly desire you that you will be pleased that he may depart to morrow How to morrow said Armazia he is not in case to go so soon but say he were you could not in any reason carry him away before the Emperour my father have bethought him of the recompences which are due to his valour Madam answered Cassandra men of this Knights condition undertake nothing for gain honour directs their enterprises and all the riches of the world could not make him step one foot you are the treasure he desires and the glory of your service will be far more dear to him then all the kingdoms of the earth This makes you blush but Madam please you to pardon me if I go farther it is no time now to disguise your thoughts I know them as well as your self and can tell that the perfections of this Knight have gotten him good place in your favour as your beauty hath not left him without passion You love him but it is not fit that your affection should deprive the world of the fruit of his vertue him of the honour that he is to reap thereby you of the content you are to hope from it and his friends of the satisfaction which they shall finde in the praises every where published of him the Ordinances of the Destinies Madam must be pursued wherefore let your patience make your pleasures which you are to enjoy by his alliance more sweet I will return him unto you within a certain time so full of glory that you shall think you had been very unhappy if you had hindered his designes Weigh these reasons Madam and never stand upon the consideration of his wounds they are healed by this time and let me obtain that favour from you as to trust your secrets in my hands I may do you more service therein then you are aware of and without me you will hardly see your desires fulfilled It is true indeed said Armazia that I did not think you had had such knowledge and that being surprized in this manner my colour rose in my face but since nothing can be concealed from you
your commandments wherefore if you be any whit sensible of so little Madam furnish me with means to do more and favour me so much as now to name me your Knight you shall I hope no more recent that choice then I shall complain of my captivity in the mean time let us look whether there be any thing else for us to do heer It is very well advised said she lacing on her helmet let us go then as for your request time shall resolve me so mounting up a pair os stairs they visited all the chambers and finding no body but onely one woman with a bunch of keyes they made her immediatly descend into the dungeon from whence she brought up one and thirty Knights whereof one seeming to Grian of a better presence then the rest made him desirous to know him Gentleman said he unto him I pray you tell me your name and how you fell into the hands of these Giants I should be very ingratefull answered he if I should refuse you so small a matter receiving so much good from you I am called Zelandion How said Grian laying hold of him at that word are you then that disloial man which betraied the affections of Arliana after you had had your pleasure of her By my best hopes if you were armed as you are not you should either die or confesse that you have dealt lewdly My Lord said Zelandion very much troubled with this menace it is not likely I should offer to fight with him that saves my life if I were in case so to do it is true that the bad counsell of some pernicious persons drew me to abuse the love of Arliana but chastised by a long captivity I fully purpose quickly to repair that fault if I may finde her alive Your repentance said Grian perswades me to pardon your weaknesse but do not think to deceive heaven once more for if you do not keep your word which you have given me now be assured that I will not stick to ride a thousand miles to inflict a just punishment upon you And to let you know that I have a speciall care of this businesse go instantly and take the best horse you can finde heer following my Squire into a desert place whether despair hath reduced Arliana and marry her whereby you shall give me occasion to serve you Now heer is said he the happiest commandment that ever I could have received My Lord you shall be obeyed saying so he caused a horse to be sadled got up and following Grians Squire arrived in four hours at his Mistresses hermitage whom he married after a world of protestations to love her eternally Whilst he made this voiage the gentle Knight of the Savage caused his wounds to be looked unto learned the quality of his Lady knew that she was named Brandimanda a Princesse among the Amazons and representing the beginning of his love unto her with such a grace that considering the obligations wherein she was tied to his assistance she received him for her Knight being content to seek adventures with him upon condition that their familiarity should not passe the limits of respect and that he should not take the liberty at any time to importune her that she might not be obliged to do any thing repugnant to the duty of a wise and modest virgin which being most freely promised by him as soon as Grian was recovered of his hurts they departed and began to travell the world doing wonders in emulation one of another and nourishing their loves in this maner untill such time as the brave acts of this great warriour advanced him to his Mistrisses Crown as you may perceive by the sequel of this discourse which I will continue with the adventures of Clarisel of Guindaya seeing he is one of the prime subjects of our discourse CHAP. XI Clarisel of Guindaya being arrived in France succours Alcidas his combat with the Giant Farnabazan he hath news of Miralinda at the nuptialls of Alcidas with Orizenna WE left Clarisel at sea going to succour Alcidas in favour of a French Lady whom he had incountred in the night we are now to conduct him unto a good port and prosecute the history with his fortunes This brave Prince seeing himself a shore after a tedious voiage at sea and knowing that the term prefixed for the safety of this Knight approached he used very great expedition declining all occasions that might divert him from the execution of his enterprise Having travelled then eight daies with his guide who was named Orixenna at length he saw himself in the town where Alcidas was prisoner but Orixenna exceedingly dismaid to behold all the people assembled in the market place waxed pale and so weak that if Clarisel had not held her without doubt she had fallen from her horse What ails you said he and what can trouble you now when you have such cause to rejoice Alas said she with a sigh the concourse of this people gives me occasion to fear that Alcidas is not alive That were an extream mischief said Clarisel but do not thus afflict your self before you be more certain of the truth I will go and inquire of some body in the mean time do you stay heer and be comforted Saying so he was riding away but perceiving divers persons running on the other side of the street he made a stop and immediatly after he discovered a yong Gentleman in the middest between two hangmen and guarded by twenty archers he marched with so confident a countenance that his innocence evidently appeared by the contempt of an infamous death Madam said Clarisel do you know this prisoner Yes said she exceedingly troubled it is Alcidas wherefore good Knight be pleased to remember your promise At these words Clarisel advancing towards the officers of justice modestly demanded whether he might be admitted to combat for the justification of Alcidas You cannot be denied that answered one so as he will commit it to your armes With all my heart said Alcides little expecting this good hap and I protest before heaven which alwaies takes in hand the defence of innocents that I am no way guilty of the crime wherewithall I am charged I am satisfied said Clarisel and therefore all that I require now is that I may encounter your enemy with that he passed on to the place where proud Farnabazan was walking with the opinion that no man durst affront him but seeing this Knight appear so bravely disposed and of so gallant a presence he said unto him Comest thou unadvised Knight to defend Alcidas I do answered Clarisel and I am heer to make thee die like a traitor replied the Giant wherefore let us not spend the time any longer idly Then taking the field and charging their lances they met so furiously that the earth seemed to tremble under them their encounters had different effects Farnabazans spear rested in the Princes shield who lost his stirrups but Clarisels entred into his body above