deseruer of that courtesie But Fortune now alreadie wearie and angrie the earth should longer containe them ordained Alcino should sée the imbracement who not knowing his brother by reason he was armed set spurres to his horse being also in armes The Louer closed his Vizor séeing the other come in that manner and mounting on his horse stept to him saying What séeke you in such haste sir knight Onely replied the second brother to let you know the little reason you had to offer violence vnto that Ladie Inraged as well indéed he might became the vnwary youth and not supposing he was his brother turned about his Courser and saide Why then staie bolde knight for this shall chastise thy rude rashe intention Alcino cowched his Launce making their incounters with as much noyse as if two shippes had met Of mightie forces were the youthes and so they prosecuted their battle with as much strength as crueltie that the Ladie which beheld them could not but pittie the blowes which Larsinio receiued with some teares for the loue she bore his brother forced her to shead them The second brother closed with Larsinio striking away at one stroke the halfe of his shield wounding him sorely on the arme which was occasiō they cast eithers armes about the other with such power that both fell from their Saddles to the ground Striuing vp and downe they tumbled on the grasse bespringling the earth with their blood When the haughtie Celio arriued who séeing the battle not perceiuing the Ladie there lept from his horse and drawing forth his sword went towards them and said In courtesie sir knights cease a while your fights which causelesse séemes to be so fierce Either was so flesht against the other thinking the Lady offended by eithers action that vnwilling to obey their elder brother that being also in rich abillements of warre was not knowne Alcino made reply Doo not you sir knight séeke to part our Combat whose cause we haue adiudged too sufficient Notwithstanding said Celio for my sake and intreatie I hope you will leaue it It will be then answered the youngest to make you confesse you are discourteous in wishing peace where none is desired And so he being got betwéene them and they both angred togither they discharged two such blowes vpon him that he repented to haue vndertaken that demaund but being of incomparable strength quickly setled himselfe among them beginning one of the fiercest fights in the world Aboue two houres they continued hacking and without pittie cruelly cutting their armes and fleshe that euery one had aboue eight wounds The Ladie feared some vnhappie chaunce whose heart was so deliberated with feare to sée Larsinio so wounded for the others shée knew not that she could not rise nor with her voyce giue notice shée was there so we gaue occasion vnto the lamentablest and most vnluckie act that euer was acted For Celio weary of so long delay defending himselfe of the second brother with a cruell thrust to his thinking bereaft poore Larsinio of his life whose death so extreamly gréeued Alcino as if he had knowne him that dispairing of life did cast his shield to the ground and closed with his brother who doing the like so long wrasled that both fell to the earth where drawing foorth their daggers with equall blowes either stabbed in the others bodie togither at once loosing their vitall breathing to the Ladies so great sorrow that she thought to burst She rose bewayling that accursed happe and went to Larsinio tooke off his Helme and séeing him like one dead she became more then dead Néedes would shée know the others which was cause of greater euil for their Helmes being off and knowne who they were a thousande lamentations did shée breathe into the aire banning her misfortune Shée fell in a traunce and twise or thrise lost the motion of her mouing powers and at length recouering her selfe and seeing the thrée Princes for her sake with such remorselesse sauadgenesse slaine tearing the golden tramels of her amber haire whose bewtie eclipsed Apollos light thus she began her lament Oh cruel heauens wherein haue I deserued this mortal plague Or how haue I offended you should so much maligne my hopes to oppose your happie influences with such dire euent against the springing of my ioyes Had you suffered me to kéepe my life within the limits of my solitary walks these Princes had not séene me and so not viewing my ill bestowed bewtie they had not desired what soly was due to one Oh deare Princes you should haue bene contented to see your brother beloued and your selues for his sake affected to desist the procurement of your pleasure with his and your owne deaths Oh chaste Goddesse why didst thou suffer so execrable a fact hatefull abhorred and detestable were my life vnto the world should I desire to liue that sawe the timelesse end of your vnripe yeares For this oh this vaine momentary fading bewtie How oh how may she valiant Princes recompence this déed this deare and amorous déed but to immitate you in death that did Idolatrize me in life Reason had Tysbe to suffer for her Louer and Hero rather to taste of the bitter waters of death then of the actiue fire of loue that in her entrailes burned None had such reason to die as I and in speaking it to prolong my despised life I doo offend which though I might I will not enioy in absence of those thrée that did so dearly loue me Thrée liues wold I haue heroike Princes to bestow on either one being debter vnto you for thrée but since I cannot to thée swéete Celio my soule and heart I doo bequeath my good will and affection to Alcyno and Larsinio and my poore chaste life with my immaculate and vnspotted thoughts to thée most sacred Goddesse do I I sacrifice in extenuation of my fault Wherevpon with mortall fury she drew Celios sword and setting her brest to the sharpe point she offered her life to deaths tryumphing spoiles Which no sooner was effected but the blew heauens with thicke fogs and mysts was clowded with thundring and lightning and innumerable horrible voyces that strooke deadly terror in the harmelesse people who with their flockes and heards of cattle perished Their bodies were neuer found nor if is not knowne what is become of them more then that their liues and deaths with the maner and occasion was found carued in carrecters vpon some Okes there adioyning where some shepheards haue often séene a Caue from whence issues such flames and smoake that it consumed the Trées neare to it and it is many yeares since none dares through feare let their flocks féed thereabouts This is sir knight what you haue demaunded and of so many reports the truest where the shepheard ended Naturally was the Prince couragious and desirous of such aduentures and so very earnest did he inquire for the Caue determining to enter and see what it contained The shepheards shewed it him
halfe it tooke away making him shake like an Aspen leafe They were both most skilfull so turned they to second others and the Affricanian let flie a poynt which the youth surely felt who reacht him ere he could fetch home his arme with a crosse counterbuffe on the side of his helme that all that part he left disarmed ouerturning him more then hee willingly would on his left stirrope it was no occasion to be lost so assalting with his sword inwards before he could ward it did giue another no lesse dangerous on his sight so mightie that the blood gusht from his nose Neuer was troden Serpent more rigorous then now the Affrican returned that seeing himselfe so handled crushing one tooth with another with his blade mounted on high executed on his helme such a blowe that it almost strooke him sencelesse Hee well perceiued his alteration so tooke he the aduantage entring with a cruell thrust had not his armes béene as they were there had the battell ended but they were so strong that the sword could not enter them so sliding thence it lighted twixt the buckles of his brest cutting down his strong male and he was happie to shrinke his bodie to himselfe else hee had béene mortally wounded He past his carrier so swiftly that the Scythian could not strike him when he wold With such nimblenes returned the haughtie Affrican that his courage amazed the inuincible youth But now was hee at the vtmost of his rage and willing to make it known casting his shield at his backe let driue at him a most mightie blowe Ward it with his sword and the remnant of his shielde would the Affrican it was of no defence for from one to the other end it was clean diuided in two and méeting with his sword both made so cruell a stroke on his helme that though it contained two fingers in thicknesse he gaue him a perilous wound on his left side The Mauritanian would not deserre his payment for closing his sword firmly and séeing him without shield discharged the puissance of his armes on his sure helme it was it saued his life and his head from cleauing neuerthelesse it was so heauie that it strooke him along vpon his coursers backe redoubling another vppon his broad breast that it almost stopt the passage of his breath Admirable was the sight of the more then cruell fight for Apollo hauing made his course vnto the middest of the vaultie heauens there stayed to gaze vpon their warre glad to sée the warriours that without signe of aduantage had foure houres maintained their fierce combat Yet something better sped the Scythian by reason of his inpenitrable armes that kept his bodie from cutting Which was not so with the Mauritanian for in some places was he sore hurt but yet was no cause to make him shewe any faintnesse it rather increased his courage to sée his blood inamell the earth Amazed stood the gallant Ladie to viewe the Pagans battel iudging the worlds whole strength was twixt these two reparted Greatly she desired to giue order in parting them imagining that with the death of any Greece she lost one of the valiantest and greatest enemies she had This toucht her verie soule yet would she not séeme to disgrace the mightie Brauorant so shee againe regazed on the fight thinking in the end he would get the better seeming most Maister thereof He gaue the other a blowe ere she could terminate her presumption vppon his helme that in a trance hee strooke him on his horse crupper A while was he carried so about the field yet not so long that he might second another ere hee recouered himselfe Who like a Hercanian Tiger with his sword twixt both handes executed his rage vpon his shield so mightily did it ioyne with his head that it astonisht him and with another almost ouerthrewe him The raging mountain Lyonesse wanting her whelps is like a milde lambe compared with the puissant matchlesse Scythian that renouncing his Gods with execrable blasphemies spurd against the Moore and so eager was he in his carrier that he closed so neare hee could not execute his blowe more then cast his armes about him with such power that he snatcht him from his saddle whose waight forest him to leaue his stirropes leape after him falling both on the hard ground with more strength they imbraced then doth the tender Iuie incompasse about the sturdie Oake A good while tumbled they vp and downe the earth till séeing neither could so vanquish his aduersarie at once they parted repairing to their weapons whose sight once more might satisfie any minde of the like desire for if the Mauritanian be nimble the Scythian is a Roe in swiftnesse Here might Mars himselfe learne as in a schoole and with militarie principles gorge his sight For being a foote on ground it was admirable to note the dexteritie wherewith they assaulted and skilful manner of retires More noyse made they then Vulcans Cyclopean workemen Thrée houres of the afternoone were past and they without feare of any losse redoubled their blowes as in the beginning More vsed to armes was the Moore but the youth was borne with his stéeled coate finding ease amiddest the greatest warre so beganne hee to vaunt of his aduantage to the Mauritanians coste that beeing wounded beganne to faint yet not so plainly but would diuers times put his battell in hazard By this would Tytans shining beames obscure his splendor drenching it in the Spanish Ocean when the Ladie apparantly sawe the aduantage on Brauorants partie and iudged him sufficiently honored therewith leapt from her horse and stepping betwéene them said Apart apart braue warriours for it is no reason about a trifle of so small importance you should make the world Orphant of your persons Captiuated was the Pagan in the giues of his Ladies gallantnesse that he replied thus Heroicke Knight though in some respect I be herein wronged I wil not worke your discontent and do leaue the battle in this estate I take vpon me valiant knight said he the wrong offered you if it be any to leaue the fight and I doubt not but this knight wil take it well to cease it at this time Well perceiued the Mauritanian he might be fully perswaded now to haue the worst so he answered he was content and they should not want another time to ende it Thankfull vnto him for it was Floraliza and offering him her friendship the Moore departed bearing with him inough to talke off in his Citie of the Scythians courage They sat them downe and the youth tooke off his helme the like did the Ladie discoursing of Brufaldoros brauery This vertue among the rest greatly adorned Brauorant that he neuer tooke from any the merites that he thought him worthie of So was he first in giuing a beginning to Brufaldoros praises No better medicine could come to the lustie youth then the sight of that humane Goddesse whose bewtie had so inchaunted his sences that
He inquired of the Damzell the cause why with such spéede shee hasted his departure For none other sir knight replied the Damzell but to see one of the fairest Ladies in the greatest daunger in the world and knowing that onely in your presence rests her remedie and in the least delay the greatest death that euer befell to any is sure on her For know most valiant Knight that in the kingdome of Tentoria there is a Lady no lesse beautifull then adorned with all good quallities and graces of the minde Shee was and is beloued of all her subiects because they know that chastitie beautie holds in her one equall degrée of soueraigntie Through the onely fame of her perfections with her the mightie Dardario fell in loue who was said to be the valiantest Gyant in the vniuerse Hee with a puissant hoast came vnto her land though peaceably with him hee brought a sonne vnknighted for his yeares did not allow it who became farre mightier then his father He sent his Ambassadors to our Quéene to let her know of his comming and demaund which was to marrie her A thousand times was my Lady about to stay her selfe to auoyde a match so vnequall She called a Councell of her Nobilitie who resolued to withstand him with fierce warre by reason there were many valiant knights that would loose their liues to defend their Quéen and countries safetie for although they sawe the Gyant come with signes of peace yet doubttng the woorst had gathered a great armie of men because they would not be suddainly surprised There were many voyces among them that the Quéen should marrie him being Lord of al the Isles in the Adriaticke Sea But in the ende most part agréed they should rather die with honour in fielde then for feare suffer such a marriage Eight daies respite had the Gyants giuen them for their aunswere In which time the beauteous Syrinda commending her affaires vnto the Gods and her wit she resolued on the greatest déed that euer Ladie did imagine Shee acquainted it with her Captaines and Councell of warre which are the shiefest Lords in her land and this it was That she would séeme to consent to his desire and that she durst vndertake in the night of her wedding day to giue the Gyants head vnto her Knights who should be in readinesse to issue vpon their enemies whose vanquishment would be easie being with the Feasts carelesse and vnarmed Almost all the Councell approoued my Ladies deuise and praying the immortall Gods to giue her good successe therein they aduertised the Gyants thereof that with extreame ioy was almost besides himselfe All his subiects laying by their armes with gallant shewes welcommed her answere Two daies after the proude Dardaria entred the Cittie with his soonne Abstrusio whom hee begot on a strong Gyantesse and so issued like his Parents He onely carried his bigge Cemitor at his side accōpanied with two Knights richly adorned and himself in robes of inestimable valor with a triple crowne on his head woorth a kingdome with Princely brauerie was he entertained by the dissembling Syrinda whom the fierce pagan imbraced with the greatest content in the world thinking himselfe in heauen séeing the Ladies excéeding beautie who with a thousand fained loue toyes inueigled the disarmed Gyant The desired night being come which was eternall to the Pagan and supper ended hee was most sumptuously brought to his bedde where the Lady faining some modest shame to be séene naked so long deferred her going to bedde that the force of the many meates and wine forced him into a sound sléepe Hee neuer more awaked for the Lady seeing her aduantage drew foorth a sharpe two edged Dagger which she thrice stabbed in his brutish breast pearcing his heart therewith Now that the couragious Dame was assured of his death she brauely cut off his head and presently gaue it to those knights shée had appoynted to expect it They tooke it extreamely ouerioyed and conueyed the Quéene and Ladies out of the Pallace for feare of some danger that might happen the next day With great desire they expected his comming whereon scarce had the Sunne sent foorth his messengers of morne when an alarme was sounded through all the Citie they of the Campe without thinking it was in honour of the Nuptialls replyed with all their millitary Instruments In an instant were aboue fiftie thousand men Armed whereof fiue thousand assaulted the Pallace leauing none aliue that with Dardario came except his haughtie sonne that hearing the noyse ranne foorth with one of the bedde postes making such pittiful slaughter that none durst assault him He got some weapons of those that were slaine wherewith his déeds are incredible But being alone and by so many thousands assaulted his death was certaine which the sturdie youth perceiuing got vnto the Camp where being come he found it so disordered and so many sayle and the rest so affrighted that he could scant méete with any that might tell him the cause of so great euil in the ende hee came to knowe it with such great griefe as he was about to kil himselfe his fathers Armour he put on and the first he met guirded him his sword The fury that possest the youth when he sawe his fathers head pearched on a pole vppon the highest Turret of the Citie cannot most valiant Knight be credited Hée went foorth into the fielde roaring like a Bull and killing without mercy but his force was to small purpose for all his Army was discomfited and the Quéenes subiects behaued themselues so well that ere the day was halfe spent they had put the better thrée parts of their foes to the sword and gaue chase to the rest euen to their shippes wherein sore wounded as many as could imbarke themselues and among them the mightie Abstrutio purposing with newe powers to returne and with fire and sword to destroy our kingdome In his he arriued where his intent he presently put in execution not without griefe to sée that of fortie thousande men his father had carried with him he had returned backe againe scarce fiue thousand The Paganne spoyles left all our lande excéeding rich and our Quéene with the greatest Honour that euer Lady obtained Notwithstanding the great tryumphes made for so happie victorie yet would they not liue carelesse of their safetie but euery day mustred trained their souldiers and strengthning all their garrisons with the best men in the land because they would not loose what was obtained for want of diissipline béeing assured the sonne would come to reuenge the fathers death whose body was cast out for foode vnto the byrdes and beasts But now Magnanimious Knight returning to our purpose the murthered Gyant had in his owne Pallace my Ladies liuely counterfeite which he had caused to be made when hee first became enamoured of her This being left at home came to his sonnes hands which daily frequenting and the helpe of his tender yeares with continuall consideration
gallant Ladies beauties ornaments but that neither the excellencies of your perfections whose powerfull vertue can onely with the sight commaund the greatest heart nor yet the tender pittie attending on your sexe will not with timerous feare appall your gentle minds reading these fierce accidents of sterne Mars And then I hope you will not conceiue lesse pleasure with the bloodie battels wherein I am intangled then at Cupids amorous discourses But where they seem offensiue passe them ouer though loue haue ordained them and yet respecting the cause I know you will not condemne the effect For although now you sée the Gréeke Prince busied with cruell warres too soone he will be ledde where he shall confesse there is no good where the little blind God doth not raigne and this euen when ayded with nothing but his strength hee shall set frée the faire Princesse of the Scythians from her strong inchauntment But before that happens attend and you shall heare what him befell entring the blinde Laborinth His axe he carrid afore and with vnremoouing steppes hee entred the way-confused habitation where he so often turned and returned comming backe when as he thought himselfe to go forward and crossing such by-waies at euery second pace that when he iudged to be at the end he found himselfe at the doore Sometime he heard not without great amazement the noyse of voyces crying The rich armor thou haste wonne bolde knight shall not auaile thée to get from our dwelling in recompence of thy presumption to disquiet vs and then felt hée such mightie blowes that often made him set his hands and knées vppon the ground but considering how litle he had done by winning the armor and how the other valiant knight expected him so animated him to indure those huge strokes which none but he could haue suffered Wearie and tired he at last came where he sawe a little light that issued frō a high cranny of the wal It gladded him for by it he found a way that brought him vnto a faire large yard about whose wals were many pictures and stories so naturally drawne that they somewhat eased his paine By them he vnderstood Pasiphaes beastly accesse vnto the Bull. It so disliked him that he turned away his eyes being offended not with the pictures but with what it represented Hee sawe Theseus cladde in those armes he won of him enter the Laborinth with the thread tied to his arme and at the doore the two beautifull sisters that with feare did stay for him The cause was they loued and where that passion is none can liue secure fearing also the good it enioyeth A little beyond he sawe how ill repayed Ariadne was being left to the mercie of the windes among wilde beasts To such pittie was he mooued towards the Ladie that casting vp his eyes to heauen he said Oh cruell knight vnwoorthie the name of Theseus imploying so ill those partes the heauens hath adorned thee with but especially against a weake tender Ladie whom if reason had béen thy guide thou shouldest haue helped although thy life were hazarded A new battell were it possible would I haue with thée vppon this to make thée confesse thy crueltie and ingratitude He vowed to himselfe to helpe all Ladies though hee indaungered his life which he performed so well that many vnder that name onely durst trauell alone and euerie one called him the knight of the Ladies His owne image sawe hee a little further and his battell fought with Theseus togither with those which Claridiano made about his libertie He reioyced to see the haughtie déeds of his new friend Being about to go to the other side of the yard to view those pictures there as he turned he espied two knights all in armor comming towardes him with their shields and swords readie for the fight Their gallant semblance and brauerie much pleased the Gréeke beeing neare him one said Thou haste béene much ouerséene knight not acknowledging Loues soueraigntie to enter a place so prohibited where be sure thou shalt be called to strickt accounts They stayed for no answere but ere he could sway his axe about they gaue him two mightie blowes one on his shoulder and the other on his helme Both he greatly felt especially so cowardly to be assaulted With an Eagles swiftnes he got frō betwéen them into the middest of the broad yard the better to vse his daungerous axe He stretcht it out at length awaiting for his aduersaries that nothing fearing followed him With the poynt he hit one almost beheading him for with the blade he sorely wounded his throate hée drew backe his axe and winding it about layed on his shield the which he strooke to the ground and his Maister headlong at his féete His companion was not carelesse but comming behind gaue him so strong a blowe vppon his helme that though he cut it not yet hee bended it to his breast Like a furious Lyon turned the Gréeke against him whom hée found so neare that to hit him he was faine to draw back his armes and with a fierce incounter he ranne his shield through and wounded him on the breast making him stagger backwards and to helpe him downe hee raised his axe and discharging it on the side of his helme he cut away all that part with a great peece of his inchaunted gorget He felled him at his féete and was so eager to end with him that hee forgot his other aduersarie who assayling him at his backe gaue him so fierce a blowe vpon his middle that his companion executing ano ther in the same place they had almost felled him Neuer was Beare nor Tiger more fierce then now the Prince became against his enemies raising aloft his axe He could not misse his blowe for they were before him So with all his strength he hit one on the shoulders the blowe was so mightie that all the blade he hid within his breast splitting his heart in two Scarce had he finished this when he laide vppon his other enemie who was so skilful that ere the axe descended he got vnder his armes running at his breast with a thrust This blow much gréeued the Gréeke for it stopt the passage of his breath and hee seemed to awaite the axe but for all the haste he made to ward the blowe it first crowned him with death for falling on his head diuided in two he sent him to accompany his friend The hideous noyse which hee heard in the next roome would let him take no rest but rather leaning on his axe he stayed more warily to sée what it was When presently with admiration he was amazed seeing the feareful Minotaure so vgly and deformed His face was like a mans although farre bigger his eyes glowed like a furnace of kindled fire On his large front hee had two mightie hornes whose poynts were harder then any Diamond his necke short and thicke So big and broad a breast he had that the very fight witnessed his strength
making him turne twice or thrice about like with staggering to fall he stept nigher to the edge to discharge another which happened as he would for taking him about the shoulders the blade bounded vpwards else it had strooke away his head but so puissant was the furious stroake that it disarmed all that side and fell with such huge heauie strength that it strooke him downe in the middle of the barke Like a swelling serpent became the father séeing his sonne so handled that with the vtmost of his strength he discharged his rage vppon the Gygantine youth who not respecting it would not ward it but to bée giuen by the hands of the valiant Tharcian it was too much proude confidence to respect it which made him sée more starres then the loftie Firmament contained He staggered too vnséemely steppes backwards almost falling but recouering himselfe he fomed through the Vyzor like a hunted Boore blaspheming irreligiously against his goddesse By this time came the sonne and knowing that one onely knight handled them in that manner with both his hands hee laid vpon his Helme which sounded like a bell In all his life he had not receiued the like for it made him bend his head with no litle paine and with more spéed then he would euen to his brest Scarcely had the sonne executed his when the father discharged an other in the same place They forced him to set his hands on the ground It was to their will for returning more furious then a hunted Lyon in his greatest rage as he rose with a counterbuffe he tumbled the father on the middest of his backe so sore brused with the blowe that almost hee could not after stand on his féete The sonne maintained the fight procuring rather to defend himselfe from the Pagans fierce blowes then to offend But what auaileth it for the father being arriued in his helpe their aduersary neuer fully reached them any blowe but he lanched forth their blood wherwith they both were withal couered and althogh they had somewat wearied and more inraged him yet was his Armor neither cut nor rased and had the battle béene made on land it had ere this bene ended either with death or vanquishment of both For the haughtie youth was borne to fight finding ease therein and so had he in the ende of thrée houre so tyred and wounded them that longer they could scarce holde out Yet for all this did not the Knights loose any part of their courage which was such that they forced the son of Bramarant to increase in forces bellowing like a bayted Bull and yet highly estéeming them in respect of their shewen valour Long hadde hee desired to winne their shippe and so now to acccomplish the same with a thrust hee draue the Argentarian Prince to the farthest side of it and after him woulde hee haue leapt if that a suddaine whirle-winde that happened hadde not parted farre asunder both shippes following after it so great a misty thicke fogge with so much thundring and lightning that the prowdest heart was daunted with feare Which beeing past they sawe themselues so sundred that straight eyther lost the sight of the other and in the Princes Shippe immeasurable was their griefe for the two Pages losse that in that tempest were conueyed away insomuch that the amorous Florisart was like to runne madde with sorrowe and it was not much for none liuing was euer better entertained Heere their friende Nabato would not leaue them with such paine so hee appeared to them in theyr Barke saying Valiant Princes there is no cause why you shuld gréeue at the heauens decrée and what is directed according to their will and thinke it not little that you haue sustained your selues so long against that Pagan for there be fewe on the earth so valiant as he and let this be no strangenesse to aggrauate your mindes for it will alwaies redound to to the honor of Greece Touching the Pages it was time they should returne to whom sent them and therefore sorrow not for they are in place where they shall bee entreated as their persons do deserue And you gallant Florisart that haue most reason of gréef take courage for only it must most aduance your immortall honor And one day whē least you thinke of your glory you shall be challenged to obserue and performe your promise giuen to Artimio accounting through the great content you then shall receiue all the troubles and tormenting passions you shall henceforth thitherto endure which will not be few to be but the passage of so many pleasures but against many others that may befall you your valour and fortitude is very sufficient So soone as you bee arriued at Argentaria for so it behooueth the ease and quietnesse of Rosabell with the greatest Fléete of ships and gallyes detracting no time that you may make ready take your course towards the Chappell of Saint George For in despite of our mortall and great enemie Lupercio I le place a signall on Lyrianas inchauntment that thereby you may repaire thither séeing it a very far off and let there be no negligent forgetfulnesse herein for it toucheth no lesse then the Ladies libertie to be done by Gréekes and their friends by the happie comming of the vnknowne Lyon And hereupon he tooke his leaue ending his spéech and departed from them Who no sooner landed in their dominions and being receiued with the loue that Flora did beare them they gaue order for all what the wiseman had told them gathering togither of both kingdoms thrée hundred royall gallies well prouided with most warlike men and all manner of other necessarie munition What they did shall bee related For thrée miles from Rome appeared a most strange inchauntment making at the fixing so mightie a noise that all the Vallies thereabout did resound and that famous Citie trembled with the sound The Emperor was amazed not knowing the cause of that sudden earth-quake But after a while there came a Knight that told him how in the Forrest there was to bee séene a great and woondrous Castle of maruellous and seldome séene worke and that hauing read certain letters written on a Pillar he perceiued it to be the inchauntmēt of the Princesse Roselia Great contentment receiued her father and mother to know newes of their deare daughter hauing thitherto supposed her dead hoping now assuredly to sée her since she was brought to such a place Nabato did comfort them saying The time would come they should sée her receiuing more ioy then at that instant they had So he departed from them procuring the disinchaunting of Lyriana and sée if thereby the great warres might be appeased which he imagined would about her happen to espouse her to Rosabel and as he thought he presently put it in execution setting in despight of Lupercio hauing greater skil then he on the top of the maruellous Tower a burning Cloud flaming so mightily that it séemed continually to cast vpwards flames of inextinguable fire
at one selfe same birth O haughtie Tynacrian thinke not but it is a blot to thy immortall fame to shewe thy selfe cruel vnkind gainst him whom hath yéelded soule thoughts to thée It is a tyrannie altogither vnbeséeming whom thou art and what thou diddest protest at our departure The sterne fierce Pagan would not interrupt him but astonied to heare what he said hearkened vnable to resolue whether man or woman he was All the night past they away one in his laments and the other in his newe doubts vntil the appearing of Auroras shine began to giue warning of the morning Sunnes vprise And then leauing his stand went towards the Knight that séeing it was day had laced on his helme fearing to be knowne The knightly Gyant séeing him with excéeding courtesie that most adorned him he beganne to speake You haue inforced me sir Knight to passe this night so disquietted by hearing you publish your griefe that in recompence thereof I intreate you I may knowe the cause and if the hazarding of my person to woorke your content may bee a seruice accepted I shall rest happie to bee so imployed The Ladie well noted him thinking she had neuer séene a brauer nor better armed knight and his ciuill demenour bound her to a milde answere but she was in such an amorous rage that not considering the end replied Why then woorse will the day be to me then was the night to you knowing that you haue heard what the verie soule dares not trust it selfe withall and I know not what lawe of armes admits it Your fauour I refuse for hauing committed such an offence as to require the knowledge of a strangers deare hearts secret against his will that loues which if I declare how should I thinke it could be conceald by you So may you returne for the gréefe that mée torments is pleasant onely in concealement I had not thought replied the Pagan that through intreating thée with what amongst good knights is vsed should haue put thée in that arrogant confidence as to néede none others ayde beeing a thing so contrarie to reason If thou knewest the lawe of Loue replied the Knight thou should knowe there is no happinesse therein but to loue with secrecie for that is it that assureth any doubtfull hope But to recount my cares to one that cānot redresse them with more then a dolefull I am sorrie we sigh more in hauing a straungers companie then for discret circumspectnesse It cannot be exprest what rage the Pagan conceiued for being insolently bolde he was onely noted of immoderate rashnesse and so answered Then that thou mayest know that to haue told it me was thy aduantage I ingage thée to the battell that by taking away thy puling life the paines whereof thou doest complaine may also end Mars was not more fierce then the Louer beeing angered and so without longer stay drew foorth one of the worlds best blades Mightie hee was but hee met with that strength whereto Mylos forces neuer reacht through conceiued rage he was quicker in executing his blow discharging it on the shield of which to the ground hee threwe a péece beating the rest so heauily on his heade that it almost astonished him He stept in with his right foote and with a steddie strong thrust he forst him with staggering paces backwards he wold not yet leaue the chase for turning his sword vnderhand let it flie at his right thigh making his aduersaries flesh féele the cutting of his sharpe blade Neuer was Serpent in the desert Libia more rigorous then the Pagan now did returne vpon the knight and where he thought his blow would be of more effect thither hee strucke the other raised his shield but it was of no defence for although hee did not cut it through the finesse of the temper yet it so charged him that hee set his hands on the ground and ere hee rose hee felt another which made him thinke hee sawe the starrie firmament The blood congealed in his mouth and fréezed in his bodie séeing the fiercenesse of the Pagan which hee thought farre to excéede the Gréeke Princes He rose vp for hee was couragious minding to vse his nimblenesse but as therein the Scythian excéeded the swiftnesse of any Hart it auaild him not from receiuing most cruell blowes kissing the earth sometimes with his knées and sometimes with his handes Neuer felt he himselfe so persecuted nor at the poynt to loose the fame he had obtained for valour and therefore did hee redouble his blowes so strong and thicke that the Pagan was forced to deuise newe defensiue wards Excéedingly he reioyced to sée what braue knights he met in his iourney towards the parts of Grecia déeming him of that countrie where the Authors of his life were intombde This remembrance so vext him that hee supposed it cowardise to continue in single combat so long so letting a blowe flie aloft hee discharged the seconde with such mightie strength on his aduersaries helme that it rezounded like a bell and not able to penetrate it so heauily it waighed on one side that breaking all the laces buckles and riuets it strucke it from his head making the knight vpholde himselfe with his handes but at his rising Apollos beautie séemed not so faire that day as Floralizas great Alicandros Néece that wandring throgh straunge lands in search of her Poliphebo had arriued there In all his life did not the Pagan receiue such a blowe as with her sight for in all the same he forgot not the memorie of that day hee stayed his sword and stepping foorth vnlaced his helme setting to view his sturdie visage more faire then swartie yet with many wrinkled checkes and one great mole on his front approoued tokens of his excessiue strength his shield he cast away and taking his sword by the poynt through the newe tuch of loue hee spake with more ciuilitie then the most amorous Admired Goddesse I beséech you pardon my mad presumption although I féele alreadie the punishment thereof for the not knowing you forced me to it yet I repute it well if it redownde not to your farther displeasure which will be to me a more vnhappier death in that I haue séene the excellencie of beautie and valour and so intreate you as deseruer of farre more honour you will accept my sword in signe of victorie and I le defend that all the world doth owe it you It greatly delighted the Ladie to sée the knights courtesie and imagining he was of estéeme replied I will not sir knight haue you in all things take the better of the fight for the victorie is yours leauing not thereby indebted to your content Her handes to kisse then required the newe Mars thinking no greater good might bee expected then the present Shée drew them from him demanding who he was So yoaked was the Pagan that he could not denie it nor through contemplation say any thing yet thus he spake There was no reason diuine Goddesse
shed teares those teares will I repay Ten teares for one a hundreth teares for ten Hath my proude rigor hunted thee astray I le loose my life or bring thee backe agen Each sigh I le quittance with a thousand grones And each complaint with a whole age of mones And when I finde thee as I finde the will Or loose my selfe in seeking what I loue Then will I trie with all true humble skill Thy pittie on my great offence to moue Till when my griefes are more then tongue can tel My daies are nights and euerie place is hell With a heauie sigh shee ended but as if singing had but in part discharged her sorrowes she beganne with saying to prosecute them as followeth Ay me Quéen of Lyra said the Ladie that hauing no cause to complaine do suffer thus deseruedly a iust pay for such deserts Of whom else might I hope to bee loued beeing by the Gréeke Prince adored On the earth of whom couldst thou expect any good if not from thy Gréeke Oh woe is me that the trust of my small consideration should bring me to this passe that I must make the winds witnesse of my paines and that to my vnblemisht honours cost I must hue and wander by sea and land demaunding for him Archysiloras loue when I mought haue liued with ioy with pleasure and in quiet by giuing him a little signe of that happinesse I my selfe receiued by being his but séeing it is thus brought about loue I will and patiently embrace this iust imposed toyle Here was her languishment renewed séeing a knight come directly towards her shippe lying a long the hatches of another exclaiming against Cupids ordinances Who euer suffered said he his heart to followe and séeke his owne dishonour What lawe allowes the soule to disclose that whose secrecie preserueth no lesse then life Accidents be these onely incident in loue for he as the King of extreames enforceth me not regarding my fame to procure anothers consent Oh most valiant Knight who shall beléeue thou shouldest with mee violate thy word Thou knowst I loue thée also the I follow thée but I know to aggrauate my woe thou fliest my presence What is become of those swéete words at our parting thou spakest where is the faith wherwithon my hands thou vowedst loyaltie protesting if any pleasure thou shouldest haue it would procéede only from thinking thou art mine Thou doest ill guerdon the bountie wherewith I laide open vnto thée the secrets of my soule making my selfe tributary vnknowne to whome I did it when thou iudgedst it newe life newe ioy newe ease and newe content But now altogither forgetfull thou fliest from me that liue to loue thée So ouerwhelmed in her owne thoughts was the bewteous Floralizar who departing from the furious Brauorant followed the searche of the Tinacrian whom shée so intierly affected that shée regarded not whether any heard her By the complaints did Archisilora knowe her to be a Ladie and pittying her caused her Barke to be grappled with the other and saide No maruell heroicke Ladie that since the lande hath alreadie beene acquainted with your constancie you nowe participate your faith vnto these inhospitable waters Be of good courage for you haue company in your woes and such as wil neglect his owne to remedie yours At the voyce rose Floralindas daughter and replied Who are you Syr Knight that so kindly doo commiserate my paine which is the greatest that euer was inclosed in any humane breast I am hée saide Archisilora who with my soule valiant Ladie will procure your quiet and therefore pray you accept such seruice as my Barke wil yéeld for it may be the recitall of your griefs to me and I mine to you wil be a mittigation of some sorrow I le not forgo the enioying of so good company as that you offer mee Syr knight said Floraliza intreating I may know who you be that alreadie knowes my gréefs The Ladies gallant behauior had attracted the Lirian Matrons affection who replied In more then this doo I desire to satisfie you soueraigne Ladie but first step into my ship where I wil do it at full To know your name answered Floraliza a harder enterprise would I attempt So leapt she into the Quéenes Barke saying Aduantage hath my Barke got sir knight with my absence to which being alone the winds and waters may now be more fauourable then when I was in it and since we haue this opportunitie deare sir defer not my desire With neuer a word the haughtie Quéene vnlaced her Helme resting more faire then was Latonas sonne when onely for loue he kept Admetus shéepe Floralizas was also of whose beautie was equalled by fewe and that want was with valour supplied Let it not gréeue you Soueraigne Lady said the Quéene that I knowe she cause of your mones for mine are no lesse which I suffer séeking for him that ought to dye louing but since I am the cause therof it is reason I endure the extremitie of gréefe and séeing loue hath equalled vs therein I le no longer kéepe from you who I am So she related vnto her euerie thing she could not naming Claridiano Why now said Alicandros Néece I do account my paine a pleasure being pittied by you and haue assured hope we shall quickly finde redresse wherto the Quéene answered Gladly would I know who he is to labor your content Any certaine thing I know not replyed she more then that I am an others for a brother of mine called Celindo and my selfe were brought vp without knowledge of father though since we receiued the order of armes we haue met with certaine tokens to be children vnto the prince Meridian Excéeding ioy conceiued the Quéen of the Ladies company resoluing to enioy it so long as she would They vowed firme amitie which towards the peace was of no small effect for this Lady was of highest estimation among the Pagans in the Grecian warres By little and little being tender of yeares and knowing that the manifesting of their loues was some ease to their borthering cares either vnderstood who was the Louer to the other Vppon which occasion Floraliza thus saide So that our fortune doth permit most Péerelesse Princesse the Gréeke Princes to tryumph ouer our hearts Séeing the heauens will haue it so excellent Lady aunswered the Quéene and so haue fauoured them from their birthes we cannot but acknowledge their Soueraigntie specially the Tynacrian Prince knowing how great his gaines are thus being loued To which Floraliza made aunswere Stay my good Quéene how well by knowing your selfe to be loued doo you iudge a straungers distresse who would not liue contented in middest of the greatest euill were wée certaine of that assurance What paine would not then be a pleasure or what could make mee a stranger to my selfe onely séeking the company of my woes But I feare illustrious Ladie that as the heauens haue made them absolute happie so some one of them wil place his felicitie
she was gallantly attyred for being well intreated by the king she by dooing the like did more allure him and he lost nothing by vsing her in that manner forcing her to doo nothing against her will which to his soueraigne gentlenesse may be attributed Comming more neare the Lady knew the Armor and horse which she sent vnto the Knight shuld combat for her She was so amazed though his disposition greatly contented her that the stoute Pagan noted it and demaunding the cause halfe trembling told it Oh Iupiter said the Pagan how doest thou shew thy immortall power to honour me sending him at such time hither whom I heartily expected Now shal you sée faire Lady whether my valour deserue not some estimation in thy brest beeing so neare to sée it by experience So daunted was the Lady that she could not answere reuoluing many things in her thoughts against her selfe for if she should stay the battel from procéeding it were to dishonour the knight hauing sent for him so far onely to that and if she suffered it then she imagined she wronged her Louer towards the Pagan so that she was set betwéen two contraries altogither opposed against her happinesse and which shee might iudge the least to lay hands on she knew not The hastie comming of the Gréeke suffered her not to chuse for crossing the riuer ouer a bridge brandishing his Launce went towards the Louers that greatly admired his comely grace The Pagan nothing doubting his hoped victorie expected him in a faire plain ioyning to a thicket of tall Pynes called the Groue of Aduentures for neuer any entred it but found something to try the valour of his person The Gréeke being come to him raised his Beauer and saluted him thus God saue the valiant Abstrusio I thinke I shall not néede to relate the cause of my comming because it was with thy consent neuerthelesse if without battell thou wilt remit the sute thou doest pretend thou shalt obtaine a sure vnconstant friend for I doubt not but thou knowest how it staines a Noble minde by force to force a Ladies will for it neither belongeth to a good knight nor a true Louer yet for all this if thou wilt insist in thy enterprise let vs no longer deferre the combat which instantly to be done will bee too too long While he spake the Pagan stedfastly gazed on him and iudging him of great strength because his constitution was not much lesse then his owne and this imagination he confirmed noting the libertie of his words which he said procéeded of valour for others at his sole sight were ready to tremble So he answered In faith Syr knight I sée no reason but any thing should be done to obtain your friendship which oght not be litle estéemed by him that hath it But you sée if I leaue the battell it redounds to my dishonor for it will be said I did it for feare which could neuer yet be reported since I knew what armor ment so now to giue occasion of such spéech he wil not permit that knowes the estimation of true honour and how it ought to be embraced So let our battle be presently although I assure you more then this I neuer doubted the ende of any witnesses we shall néed none for my promise past to this faire Princesse shall be sufficient It is so replyed the Gréek for since the one must of necessitie sacrifice his bloold in this field let the suruiuer be Conqueror Iudge to carrie away the Lady Who came to speake vnto the knight so amazed that the Gréeke conceiued the cause and quickly assured himselfe thereof It gladded him purposing if he vanquisht to marrie her to the Pagan Defied eache other had these combatants and sought for a conuenient place to make the battell when from the thicket issued a knight vpon a nimble Coueser he did no more but take viewe of the number that was there and returned Euery one noted him and mused what he intended by such haste But the desire the two had of their Combat made them forget him They turned their fierce horses about whose successe an other Chapter must vnfold for it deserueth much more CHAP. XI The aduenture that befell vnto the two most mightie warriors being in their combat and what else happened VVIth a thousand amorous doubtes the bewteous Syrinda expected the two braue warriors encounters greatly fearing the Gréeke because she sent for him and the Pagans successe good or badde shee felt in middest of her soule and eythers blowes shee receiued on her brest So that deare Ladies neuer had Combattants a more suspitious Iudge because she through loue pleades the merits of the one and the Gréekes worthinesse the bountie wherwith he vndertooke her cause inforced her to defend him Oh sacred Damzels Natures chéefest bewties lend me some litle fauour that I may woorthily relate the rarest single Combat fought vppon the earth for the one is Rosabel of whom the world alreadie trembles the other the haughtie Abstrusio mirror of the Pagan Nations The nimble swiftnesse of their horses was occasion of their quicker méeting making more noyse in their carrier then Vulcans forged fire ratling through the skies renteth his passage flashing among the darkened Clowdes Big and knottie were their Launces but incountring with their stéeled shields they séemed of slender willowes Whose shiuers mounted so high that their sight gaue notice of that Combat aboue the fourth spheare Neither miscarried by the shocke though both warriours were assured of the others strength Amazed was the Pagan séeing his aduersary in his saddle for in all his life til then he neuer incountred any but he ouerthrew him to the hard ground The Greeke drew foorth the Troyan Hectors sword glad to sée the Pagans valour And flourishing it aloft with that celeritie he vsed in all his hattles let flie at the Pagan who turned to warde it yet his diligence preuailed not for he had not scarce offered his defence when the skilful Gréeke redoubled the strength of his proffered blowe and brauely discharged it on his aduersaries shielde it bootes not to be of fine tempered stéele for all it reached was throwne to the grassy plaine Sometimes would they proffer aduantages as in a schoole of Fence is accustomed which would redownd vnto the offerers disaduantage as now it befel the Gréek Prince For spurring his horse he wold haue giuen the Sarracen another blow before he setled himselfe he did so but the vnbrideled fury of the horse most fiercely ranne beyond the Pagan whose course Rosabell on a sudden staying the plaine being wet his hinder féete slipt so that both headlong stumbled downe Galtenor saith the Gréeke lost not his saddle but Lirgandeo affirmeth it adding that his fall was the cause he performed one of his vsual acts for being on his féete in a drie place he awaited The Pagan comming that eagerly ranne to ouerthrow him his Horse he would not kil but méeting brest with brest with no
giuing it the shadow and her heart the substance which being so tender and vnacquainted with change tooke such impression that neuer Lady yéelded more to loue then Eufronisa Now she desires to speake to him then feares she Already becomes she suspicious that neuer learned to loue Before she knew who he was she became so skilfull in the Art that she feared whether he loued whether he could loue or acknowledge anies soueraigntie Now she that staines the blushing of the mornings Sunne becomes enuious of her owne thoughts and doth distrust her owne worths séeking new deuises and inuented meanes to be beloued deseruing for her owne bewtie Ioues immortal worship Oh Cupids blind snares happinesse in misery a plague in pleasure and grief without remedy found vnsought for and yet a torment that contains a most swéete life By her amazednesse perceiued the damzel her Ladies maladie wherefore she merily said Let vs awake this knight and try whether his bewtie haue more force waking or sléeping Doo what you wil replied she although it be no modestie considering who we be Rather waighing that I thinke it best to do it said the wittie Selia to sée what he is that hath such power ouer Ladies for if his merits equals all other parts requisite in a good knight he may call himselfe one of the happiest in the world So long continued the Ladies in their amourous chat that the Prince awaked with these words Oh fortune how doest thou flatter my hopes for if thou giuest me any good t is only dreaming that when I wake to see it I finde it but an illusion He said no more for the Ladies sight staied him both from the publishing his woes as of the cause of them He rose admiring the Ladies bewtie who first spake thus You should séeme to haue fewe enemies sir knight séeing so carelesly you lye and sléepe in passages so open that any by you offended may at his pleasure right himselfe He answered So crosse and austere hath my fortune alwaies bene most bewteous Ladie that it did neuer let me knowe the state wherin I might say I had a friend for euen my owne thoughts doo most within my brest make warre against my rest wherefore hauing none to trust vnto forceth me to set my selfe in the hands of euery one that one in this generalitie would shewe the office of a friend by taking away my despised life then as such a one I should account him for by the déed giuing me one death he riddes me of a thousand that I suffer in continuall languishment and it might I wel call life for he liues well that féeles no more pain Great is your griefe answered the Ladie and of force to drawe commiseration from the hardest heart and greater it is séeing that none pities you were it but with a counterfeit remedie noting the waight of your complaints In faith faire Ladie said the Prince so mightie are my oppressions that although I know them and the paine I endure by them yet I must suffer them for if I liue it is by liuing in paine so that should I but neuer so litle ease this paine it would be séene in the want of my health If it doth so please you replied the Ladie vniustly you complaine and I thinke you greatly wrong your Ladie terming her cruel My complaints most soueraigne Ladie are not so much ment against my lifes directnesse as against my vnhappie starres that make me infortunate in fauours but not in my imployment for neuer was any better but in such a place where my griefs be scorned Some reason you haue said the Lady hauing this occasion to bewaile for where sorrow is not regarded there is a double griefe and gladly would I know who you are and where borne for you séeme a straunger in these parts I cannot but obey your soueraigne commaund most excellent Lady answered the Gréeke I was borne in the farthest Confines of great Tartaria and am called Corolano cast by fowle weather and tempest of the sea on this Countrey passing so many troubles that had I not receiued such vnexpected comfort with your faire sight no doubt but that my soule séeing the bodie drenched in misery and as vnworthie to containe it had it forsaken me but to enioy within it the view of your happie sight gaue life to her liuelesse habitation And that I may commit no error for it is impossible but I haue incurred some suffer my prayers by your admittance to make me deseruer to know the name of the land so happie in the possession of such admirable brauery Quickly doo you require a payment for the discouery of your name Sir knight replied Selia for the Princesse could not busied in her new and painfull businesse but because you shall not altogither iudge your selfe vnfortunate in your pretences know this land is called Sylepsia whereof this Lady is Princesse and going on hunting we lost our company and our selues yet wee haue not hunted ill hauing founde the amourousest knight in the world and so according to your showes none like you haue better assuraunce of the Louers Tent whose aduenture was newly brought into this Cittie and the proofe thereof shall within these foure daies be begunne and little shall you not please vs to hazard your person in the tryall I am so ill prouided of Armor and other necessaries faire damzell answered the tender Prince that though I were vnwilling to do it yet to content your bewties with them I would try it assured that for louing and being vnfortunate to me the glory is onely due This want shall not hinder you said Eufronisa for I will furnish you with the best armor that euer you saw earst belonging to the first king that raigned in this countrey named Tersio equall in soueraigntie of Fortitude and Wisedome strengthened by Art and skill wherewith he forged them and neuer were séene by any These I le send you by this damzell first swearing you shall not absent your selfe from this Kingdome without my leaue and in our Pallace shall you be cherished The amorous Lady spake so plainly as the Prince could perceiue Loues new wound There is none so destitute of iudgement but wold haue weighed what he obtained to be beloued of so faire a dame for if the Prince had euer séene pure bewtie she was the perfect stampe therof in whose creation Nature the olde Mars of liuing forme had shewed the vtmost of her skill modeling her liniaments more absolute then thought could wish Among so fewe yeares as they both had was neuer seene completer excellencies so he answered Who dares most soueraigne Lady shew himselfe so vngratefull to the fauours imparted by your rare bewty as to commit a fault so hainous to depart from you without your license I am so long since captiue to anothers wil as now to acknowledge it anew is no pain but rather chéefest happines knowing to whom I owe seruice Why then said she we may be gon
thy helpe and for this requested thy good will But for all I am denied all I wil till death persist in this my pure loue and hope for no remedie euermore cōplaining alike of my self as of thy most inhumane barbarous cueltie And therwith flung out of the chāber bathing her chéekes in water of her eyes Shee sent him by Selia some Iuncates of her owne making to refresh him with for she knew he had eaten nothing all that day She intreated him to be answerable to the Princesse loue though it were but fained for according to the gréefe that hath possest her I doubt she will not liue till morning and consider what by her death wil be imputed to you when you shall bee called the murtherer of so faire a Lady I would to God gentle Damzel said he it were in my power to redresse the Princesse griefe but you know being heretofore sworne anothers it is impossible I should pleasure her without committing the greatest fault that euer knight hath none I wil no more importune you said the damzell for I shuld think my selfe much iniuried with your disdaine how much then a Princesse so faire and honourable That is it replied the Gréeke which hinders me for should I do what she requires it were but to satisfie her will against mine which were the greatest wrong that might bee done her for hauing pawned my faith vnto another I cannot violate it to pleasure her The damzel returned to her Ladie leauing the Prince the most perplexed in the world séeing himselfe in place where he could not vse his valor Selia found the beauteous Eufronisa tumbling on her bed drowned in teares What sayest thou my deare Selia said she to her to the tyrannie wherewith that cruel knight doth vse me what meanes may I vse I my selfe know it not nor doo thinke there is any and to desist to loue him thou séest is impossible for neither my affection will permit nor am I able to let it Shee spied neare her the Crownes shée had wonne and with a sigh that séemed to end her life said Oh glorious rewards to increase my harmes you were the sole cause of my vnhappinesse Now that she thought the Gréeke to bee in bed not able to bee quiet shee went alone vnto his chamber whose sight made the Prince offer quickly to rise shee stayed him saying I le not haue thée vse me with any of these ceremonious courtesies nor is my comming for them thou cruellest knight that euer the heauens did create but onely do I come not to intreat of thée what thou shouldest of thy selfe procure hadst thou thy perfect iudgement saue to demand of thée two things for with either of them shal I receiue some comfort and beléeue me they bee not to thy preiudice for were they I would not require them Most woorthie Princesse I nothing more desire of Fortune answered he then to haue that occasion offered wherein I might indanger my life in your seruice and would to God by loosing it I might cure your woes then should you sée with what willingnesse I would cast it on a squadron of deaths darts therefore demaund faire Ladie what you will for I wil at the instant accomplish it beeing with the conditions you propounded Without them most cruell Knight said she who durst require any thing of thee séeing thy straungenesse and barbarous disdaine so extreame against me The first thing therefore that for me thou must do is to tell me who thou art and the Ladies name to whom thou hast rendred that fréely will of thine The second thing I le demaund this being knowne for séeing I must be disdained and forlorne I wil know whom I loue and for whom I am not loued Your excellencie sacred Princesse so farre vrgeth this matter that I cannot thinke replied Rosabell why you wil know the thing that being knowne I am sure wil but augment your woes They cannot be greater then them I haue alreadie did she answere and therefore you must not breake with me vnlesse you wil be as disloyal as cruel I am content to do it said he though sure I am of your hate when you know me but that I may giue some ease vnto your gréefes I will kéepe promise Know therefore diuine Ladie I am Rosabel of Brittaine son to the Gréeke Prince Rosicle◠and his Princesse Oliuia espoused vnto Lyriana Princesse of Nyquea and he that in nothing wil take more felicitie then to procure your content But will you not excellent Princesse force mee beeing so inraged to breake that faith I vowed on her hands to be true Louer And now may you sée what reason mooued me to bee so obdurate finding that any remedie from me can but dishonour you And is it possible knight said she that you are sonne to the famous knight of Cupid whose woorthie déeds and loues haue with immortal fame filled all the world Wel had I no other cause but that you are sonne to such a father it were sufficient to make mee loue you till death I only intreat your leaue being alone opprest with these extream passions I may disburthen my cares by séeing the vnhappie Eufronisa is yours for so I shall receiue some rest Whereto he answered Most soueraigne Ladie Princesse of Sylepsia you sée what litle power is in me to graunt you that license for hauing no interest in my selfe I cannot without her will graunt any such thing Then saide shée tell mée where she kéepes for I le send to her for it So enuious hath fortune béene to my content that yet that I cannot say not knowing it because she rest her from my hands Well well replied the Ladie chopping her words in the middle and drowning them with teares because I aske I sée it is impossible I should knowe it least I might receiue some little comfort thereby And since the earth cannot affoord me any the second thing that you for me must do since you haue promised it and vowed by the faith of a knight is that with this dagger you bereaue me of my despised life séeing your sight gaue me so many deaths do not denie it for you haue promised it and if you do be sure I le trauell through the world proclaiming your disloyaltie And so she drew foorth a dagger from vnder her gowne and with manly courage she put it in his hands saying Through my breast hewe foorth a passage for my soule most cruell knight and yet I will not haue you make the wound vpon my heart least you should hurt your selfe modelde in the middest thereof The Gréeke tooke it so amazed that he knew not where he was But the resolute Ladie immediately discouered her brests the purest work that euer nature wroght Make an end thou fellon-stealer of my libertie to giue me som content by this expected death and stain with blood this constant obiect of thine eyes Oh rare force of loue faire Ladies whose power consisting on extreames makes all things
about his axe which he did with such furie that it caused chil colde feare in the hearts of the furthest remooued but not in the valiant Achayan that nothing at all daunted entred within him as he raised his weapon and with his vtmost strength he strooke him on his thighes A more troublesome blowe had not the Gréek receiued for the paine thereof made him loose his Wherevppon he would haue closed with him but the mightie Bembo striking his axe outwardes with his sword and before hee could defend himselfe hee discharged it on his helme He made him set one knée on the ground and sée the least stars in the firmament at broad day Ere he could rise he strooke him againe on the shoulders with no lesse fiercenesse But all this cannot auayle him to shunne what the cruel Mistresse of inconstant times had decréede against him For the Gréeke being well recouered and strongly getting on his féete with extreamest furie of inraged wrath with his remorcelesse axe he met the Achayans head It cut away all the toppe and a great péece on the side and had killed him outright striking somthing lower yet in a trance he felled him downe And so brauely passed forth vnto the third Arche defended by the flower of Chiualrie There was neither friend nor foe but admired the knight of the Lyons fortitude So well was he backed by his Coosen that his prayses with his Vnckles merits were sung in an equal key For there was no knight so hardie that durst but imagine to interrupt their passage séeing their maintenāce Within reach one of an other approached the two warriers Eyther by the sole viewe estéemed his aduersary Brandishing his heauie blade the Gran Campeons Nephew prepared himselfe for his defence with such aspect that I know not he would not feare him Now manner of fight would Claramant haue deuised against him considering his wel knit sinewes and strong composed members There he repented that little pause iudging it cowardise to make that small stay With his axe on his shoulder and his left foote forward he went against his enemie that with his sword in both hands expected him in the same manner A more fearefull spectacle was neuer séene for most of the spectators dreading their sight closed their eyes So Claramant made as if he would execute his blowe but in the middest of his course he stayed his weapon to take him vnawares as he fetched it about againe Carelesse was not the Scythian but rather none like him did with more warinesse lay holde of aduantage in the processe of his battels And so perceiuing his aduersaries intent he closed with him so quickly that when he would haue strooke him the Pagan had executed his blowe There is no knight how valiant soeuer that hauing receiued such a one durst haue expected an other for this forced the Prince backwards within his barke and dragged his axe after him A thousand times would the Pagan haue leaped after him which he left because he would not forsake his Arch. A brauer blowe in all that warre was not giuen nor neuer did Claramant receiue a bigger for it made the blood gush from his nose and nostrels So farre had the Pagan run within him that he could not strike him with his axe but rather Bramarants fierce sonne seconded it most mightily Neuer did Trebatios haughtie sonne do what at this instant which was by stepping aside to shun his aduersaries stroke And as he wished it so hee sawe the stoute Pagan follow the furious waight of his blade Wherat the Gréeke setled himselfe on his left foote and crushing one tooth with an other with the vtmost of his strength he discharged his rage on his Helme From it bounded the Axe else it had battered all his head neuerthelesse the blowe so astonisht him that not knowing what he did he staggard as he would fall Whereupon Claramant brauely leapt after him into his Barke the like did Claridiano and either supposing the other would not strike him they both at once executed two most puissant blowes Altogither without féeling they felled him Little honour got the kinsmen by the déed for being two and of such note it was rather the Pagans glorie to be vanquished at their hands Scarce was the blowe discharged when the Tower was all couered with a blacke thicke myst and with the same with such horror was a larum sounded as in the beginning of the conflict With thundring and lightnings shrikes and hideous fearfull cries and terrible claimours were both Armies affrighted the cause was that Lupercio séeing how his hopes were by Fortune crost procured to obtaine by his Arte what with so many thousand men he could not get But Nabato the Gréeke friend that had more skil then he with Nygromanticke spelles and Coniurations dissolued the others exorcismes and so cleared the Tower as before From whose highest top was a Ladder let downe by which two knights might well get vp at once Slow to doo it was not the valiant Gréeke casting his axe vpon his shoulder at such time as the strong Pagan rose from the ground There is no Lyon missing his praie more fiercer then he for roaring like a bayted Bull séeing him with the axe ascend he would haue followed him but Claridiano preuented it confronting him arme against arme and sword against sword and with a braue thrust inforst him backe Well did Branorant expresse his wrath by discharging his blade with both hands on the others rich helme the finesse of whose temper saued his life yet it did not kéepe him from touching the grounde with his knées voyding blood from his vysor Thither rowed amaine in their Barkes came with inraged fury the two lustie warriours Bembo and Brufaldoro by whose comming Claridiano had incurred much daunger if they had entered but the gallant Rosabel that with Don Celindo and Floraliza combatted hauing approched so very neare to Brauorants barke he leapt into it when Bembo arriued to doo so The Brytaine hindred him from it driuing him away with a braue thrust not onely making him loose his intent but hopes of euer getting his desires For the magnanimious Dacian rushing among them interrupted Brufaldoro from ayding the Scythian And so one with others beginning a fierce battell the second Mars Claramant had time to ascend vp the ladder not without much paine for vnséene of him by whom he was strooke he felt himselfe mortally wounded Vnto the top of the Tower he arriued with more courage then Hector amiddest the Myrmedons where he was opposed by two deformed Giants with heauie Maces But as Fortune had vowed to fauour him like lightning he put himselfe among them with the best weapon the world contained In middest of the Gallery he stretched him at length which being broade inough oh who were able distinctly to dylate the wonders he performed swaying about his axe for the Gyants onely are there to fight from whence they draw strength for their defence and courage
the knight hee saw him splitted on his owne rapyer for séeing himselfe deadly wounded and that hee could not escape with life chose rather to bee his owne executioner then the Prince should tryumphe ouer his death at his hands Ioying at the victorie of so daungerous a Combat hee prosecuted his way No aduantage had Claramant ouer Don Celindo who ended his fight as soone as he for hauing slaine the swaynes and passed the Garden hee came vnto a greene Meade where a knight gallantly mounted expected the battle not farre from him there stood a Piller whereto a luftie courser was tyed the which Alicandros Nephew imagining to be for him he did quickly back and taking a strong knottie Launce that he also there found eyther parted from the other to take his carreire and valiantly made their strong encounters In middest of the shéelde did Don Celindo hit the Knight and clearely piercing it thrust him so strongly that breaking his saddle gyrtes he tumbled him from his horse The knight strooke Don Celindo on his Beauer which so astonished him that he let goe his horse bridle who féeling his head at libertie eleuated himselfe so high that both fell downe yet Don Celindo perceiuing it before the fall did quickly leape from his backe With shields about their armes and swords on high the two braue warriors met With a furious thrust did Don Celindo first wound his aduersary which made him giue backe thrée steppes But he presently returned and gaue him such a blow on the helme that he thoght himselfe in heauen so many starres he sawe about his head and with a counterbuffe on the shoulder he had almost felde him Like a rauening Lyon became Floralindas sonne and offering to strike him on the head the knight repaired thither with his shield It was the cause of his ouerthrow for Don Celindo not minding it with a point wounded him mortally on the brest pearcing all his Armor and then with mightie strength turning his sword to the others head he cut away halfe his helme with a péece of his scull Howling and shriking with the wound the knight turned his backe and fled through a faire Gallery After him went Don Celindo ouertaking him in a great plaine where he sawe foure great Arches inchaste with precious stones held vp with eight mightie Christal Pillers There did Don Celindo assaile the knight euen when a bewteous Lady most richly attyred confronted him He was astonished at her sight thinking he sawe his deare Rosiluera Stay your hand braue knight said the Lady and doo not execute your wrath on him that yéelds you the victorie I cannot most soueraigne Princesse replied he amazed to sée her there but satisfie your content obeying what ere you shall impose on me as he only borne to do your seruice yet is my poore soule tormented with griefe that this commaund is no greater It is too much answered she for her that hath showne you no kindnesse and so the craftie Damzel taking him by the hande placed him vnder the last Arche leauing him there inchaunted without iudgement or vnderstanding sauing how to accomplish her wil who leauing him there said Here must you remaine Syr knight and defend the entrance gainst all the world if all the worlde shall come Be assured Lady I wil replied the inchaunted youth and first I le leaue to breathe then desist from defending the Arche Away went the Lady along the Arches when the furious Brauorant came thitherward hauing put on his Armour He stept backe as one in a traunce imagining he behelde his Floraliza into that shape she had transmuted her selfe The Pagan so admyred her sight as he was strooke dumbe but she reuiued him thus Come with me braue knight for we greatly néede your strength He did not refuse it saying Leade the way diuine Ladie replied he for it is my felicitie to loose my life for your bewtie Leading him by the hand the deceitfull Ladie left him inchaunted vnder the third Arche saying Courteous Knight this Arche must you defend with the vtmost of your vallor He made answer Leaue that care to me for wil at least shall not want if strength forsakes me not At another Gate by this appeared Archysiloras Louer to him she went representing the Quéen of Lyra. Whom to be short she also inchaunted in the second and in the first did the like by Claramant hauing on the presence and countenance of the famous Lyndabrides whom he by report alreadie began to fancie Then like the winde she vanisht away yet ere she went she commuunded them on their liues they should not go out of the Arches vnlesse they would imbrace theyr deaths And so leauing a scroll vpon a Piller she left them CHAP. XXVI How the Emperour Alphebo ended the famous Inchauntment of Roselia and what else happened SO great was the care that those wise men Lyrgandeo Artemidoro and Nabato had ouer the Gréekes and theyr Empire that by theyr Arte had reached to the knowledge how that memorable Monarchy would be brought to the point of an vtter ouerthrow and perpetuall desolation wherefore so entierly affecting her Princes as this great Historie hath amply mentioned for their Loues they reuolued their bookes to know the cause and causer of such bloodie warres which they found to be the two Princesses Lyriana of Nyquea and Roselia of Rome whereupon they resolued to Inchaunt them beginning first with Lyriana within the sea Tower as hath bene related And séeing that the Romane Princesse was left they ioyned themselues togither in the making of this Inchantment the strongest euer séene for while she was so kept her Father should not knowe what had happened betwéene her and Don Eleno of Dacia nor should she at his hands require reuenge against him As they did determine it so did the wise Magitians performe it making it far stronger then Lyrianas for they intended to kéepe her long time there vntil some good order were taken about the Gréekes affaires Againe they resolued to haue Lyriana disinchaunted and her Nuptialls with the Brytaine Prince solemnized hoping it wold be a means to reconcile the Souldan of Nyquea giuing him so great a Prince as Rosabel to be his sonne in lawe They would not do so by Roselia because she could not be wedded with whome she had imprinted in her heart But the peruerse Selagio by meanes of Lupercio hunting after reuenge for the death of Fangomadon whom Rosicler flew as in the first Chapter of the first booke of this third part is exprest would néeds procure the libertie of this Lady with Arbolinda of Scotland that accompanied her for which purpose in a Barke he drew Brauorant and Don Celindo from the Fléete doing the like by Alphebo directing also Claridiano and Claramant thither where all of them performed such déeds in armes as is specified and worthie of such great Princes slaying all the kéepers of the Castles But the wise men fearing the two Ladies libertie as the last refuge of
once shewen him séeing my death was not to be auoyded and that I might leaue the world contently he should procure the deliuerie of a letter from me to my Ladie for it would be my latest happinesse He had before that noble knights heard mee complaine and vtter my true harts sorrow togither with the cause thereof which made him bid me write for he would with his owne hand conuey it to hers and also get me an aunswere To which courtesie I replied Had I much more done for you then I haue sir knight this your kind offer is a sufficient satisfaction for the same binding me anew ouer and aboue your loue to procure your content in any thing I may to effect which desire oh would I had a long life that a déed so rare and in such distresse offered and performed might with sufficient recompence bee guerdoned Thus animated I writ my letter whose coppie I haue about mee the which though it may séeme troublesome to you I wil read togither with the answere and then you will say I haue reason to complaine He drew his letter and opening it with a sigh hee reade it thus Florisianos Letter to Pollinarda NOt without fear most soueraigne Princesse of Lucania euen at the last moment of my life do I presume to write not intreating that I may liue for that nor the intiernesse of my Loue to your seruice will permit it nor yet can I perswade my selfe it would sort to any good effect because I am the petitioner for although it sometimes passed throgh my pensiue thoughts to demaund it to imploy the same to your content It presently vanisheth like ayre with remembrance of the vnhappie successe of your distressed Louers vntimely fall And although my fault may haue some hope of pardon beeing committed through the aboundance of pure Loue yet is it crost because it was against thee when I onely should haue dissembled my paine and not procuring to asswage it increase thine in the highest degree But I am resolued to die seeing you and my misfortunes will haue and haue ordained it so I do not offend beseeching thee that with thy leaue I may intreat to be carried to the place of execution along by thy windowe for the sight of thy presence wil much abate my greefe and tertor of so sharpe a death It shall be a fauour that with content wil license my departure when this haplesse bodie trodde downe with woes shal be dispossest of life The immortall Gods preserue thine as they can and he wishes that expects the approaching of the expiring minute of his Hauing done to the Court did the Iaylor sir knights high him He was a man in whom the King and al the Nobilitie reposed much trust so might he enter vncontrowlde into fair Pollinardas chamber whom as he tolde me he found clad all in mourning still continuing her laments By little and litle in their discourses hee forced her by occasion to demand for me whereto he replied I was one that momentarily expected his death from whom I tooke this letter finding it on his Deske and séeing it was directed to your Highnesse I heere bring it to be burnt least it import some further euil He did so cunningly deliuer it and skilfully perswade the reading that she thought him ignorant of the tenor Shee tooke and perused it from whence redounded the procéeding of the greatest crueltie euer heard of From Medea and Progne hath Pollinarda taken their names of cruell for her aunswere denotes her much more inhumane the which I do intreate you to attend that you may be assured what power a womans rage is of to execute her will The contents of her reply be these Pollinardas answere to Florisiano COnfounded was I twixt two extreames by thy Letter most bloodie knight and the cruellest that was euer borne the one increased my paine thinking on thy presumption and my ignorance in receiuing thy lewd scribled paper because it came from him that bereaft mee of my life murthering that vnhappie Prince The other which I account woorse then hell to be constrained to answere thee because to dissemble with thy letter were to giue ayme to thy boldnesse with occasion that thou mightest think it pleased me by my silence to graunt thy request admitting thy least euill the which my selfe denying it and adding tenne times more tortures to thy deserued punishment it would be termed no new crueltie proceeding from mee so exceedingly wronged and offended My sight thou hast no need to desire if it shall any thing auayle for thy content for hee that spoyled mee of my ioy hath no reason to demaund any And since thou murderedst his life that did not merit it thou hast merited the cruellest death that may be deuised the which I will hasten to execution I cannot wish thee life to ende mine because I doo procure thy death to comforte mee He hath reason noble Knights saide the Prince hauing ended to pine to languish to trauell without ioy and content that liued to sée so kinde a letter as mine aunswered with such disdaine and rigor Who hath euer heard of such crueltie as this I had no tongue to complaine of her nor power to banne my luckelesse starres For considering how I did offend her I thought this course of wrath too little But I desired so dearely did I loue Pollinarda it should bee saide of her shee had with greatest bountie and noblenesse forgiuen the greatest enemie of her content and sole spoyler of her ioy for that had béene a manifest token of selfe-conquest ouer her owne anger and reuenging thirst which is the sole glorie aboue all others to eternize an honourable minde because it is generally accorded that to bee a greater triumph obtained ouer our proper selues then to vanquish either heauen or earth Onely for this is that Ladie much bound to me that I neuer desired nor imagined any thing but to the aduancement of her honor and fame My gentle Kéeper greatly comforted me knowing how intierly I loued He performed an act the which hauing since without affection often déeply wondred with my selfe yet could I neuer resolue mee of the cause more then the motion of a vertuous inclination to comiserate a haplesse chance It was that being throughly gréeued to sée I should the next day be openly beheaded against which execution my deare friend Lycanders intercessions nothing preuailed that entring my chamber with a courage resolue he thus spake vnto me You sée sir knight what the king hath determined on your affaires it doth so gréeue my very soule that to saue your life I would gladly loose mine and hazard my credit with his Maiestie wronging his reposed confidence in me and will giue you libertie through this Tower for it is impossible you should scape by this Gate by reason of the strong guard that kéepes you And gréeue not thus to discontent your Ladie for the processe of time will lessen her concealed sorrowe for Agesilaos death