〈◊〉 of all doubt by the solemn promise which he made her 〈◊〉 my presence for to marry her so soon as he could obtain licence of the King leaving them together then to the liberty of their actions I absented my self for two or three hoâ—rs at the end whereof causing them to parâ— I promised to give them the same accommodation whensoever Carinda could meet Fowr months past in this manner with all the content that two lovers could enjoy nothing wanting but the day wherein a happy mariage might render their iâ—braces legitimate But 〈◊〉 I saw allthings in disorder when I thought them most sure for Carinda being every way very amiable the King fell in love with her who taking pleasure in his passion one day discovered himself unto her desiring she would give him some case to his pain She was much amazed with the discourse of this Prince and her affection to Clerastes commanded her to return him but a sharp answer neverthelesse considering what respect she ought to use both in her speech and cariage towards him she modestly replied that she could not be so vain as to beleeve that she was able to triumph over a Prince who knew well how to vanquish his enemies and not to yeeld to any body so that this demand being but to prove her discretion she hoped to make it alwaies appear to him that she would never be failing therein Some would have been driven away with this answer and for spite would have dispised a cruell ingratefull woman but it wrought a contrary effect in this Prince who finding more glory in the difficulty never left praying and importuning every day she had a Page letters were continually walking there was no spare of presents but firm in her affection she made no reckoning of all these things because she would not offend against her Lover Only one fault she committed which was that she made him not acquainted with this pursuit for if she had without doubt he had proceeded in another fashion and never been so wickedly transported with jealousie Clerastes then having upon a time found his Mistris Cabinet open chanced to fall upon certain papers amongst the which by ill fortune were the two last letters which the King had sent to Carinda wherewith he was wonderfully astonished Hath Carinda said he being gone out to walk in the garden hath Carinda intelligence with the King and doth she thus forget the vowes she hath so often made me Ah I will never indure it I le change as she doth and ceasing to love her I will not be a rivall to him to whom I am indebted for all my fortunes And this she shall know that she may not say I have left her without reason or that I am ingratefull In the heat heerof going to his chamber without any further deliberation he wrot these lines which comming to the hands of this poor gentlewoman it so afflicted her that she fell into a swown out of the which with much ado being brought she brake out into all those lamentations which a deceived maid might justly make I had been the secretary of her pleasures and so I was of her complaints and misfortune she came to me and shedding a river of tears she obliged me to talk with this faithles man and fully inform him of the truth of the busines but he rejected all that I could say shewed me the Kings letters and swearing he would not be perswaded that ever it was done without some affection on her part he willed me to tell Carinda that she should seek her another husband an answer that reduced this poor creature to such dispair as abandoning the Court under pretence of going to visit her friends she departed out of the Kingdome with me in her company who could not find in my heart to let her go alone and she is resolved to travell every day a little untill she hath found out some desert to her mind where she purposeth to spend the rest of her life in complaining against the ingratitude of her Lover Behold Sir the occasion both of the tears which you see standing on her cheeks and of our voiage so that if you had as much pity of her case as you have promised me assistance you will counsell her to change her determination That I will indeed said Rozalmond I will advise her unto it and if she please to make use of me to be revenged of this disloiall man that upon a simple supposition forsakes her after such powerfull obligations I will promise her his head I do not think she will consent to that said the damsell but of these extremities we will chuse that which shall be most expedient Herewith Carinda awaking was much amazed to see so goodly a Knight talking with Darimella so was the secretary of her love named but growing somewhat more confident with a pleasing voice she said unto him Sir how came you thus to arrive in a place so full of horrour heer to behold the wretchedest maid now living Fortune that conducts such as make the same profession I do answered he hath brought me hither it may be for your good for having understood what cause you have to complain of the ingratitude of a man which hath deceived you I am most ready to right you upon him with his destruction My resentment replied she is not so strong but that it yeelds to the love which still I bear to this disloiall and will not permit me to desire his death my absence peradventure hath made him acknowledge his fault and therefore I purpose so far to imbrace your noble curtesie as to return with you to the Kingdom of Florertan where we may govern our selves according as occurrences shall fall out in the mean season please you to take your rest untill the morning at which time my companion and I will be ready to wait upon you I am desirous in all things to obey you said Rozalmond so bidding them good night he retired to his Squire and laid him down upon the grasse to sleep CHAP. XXXII Rozalmond arrives in the Kingdom of Florertan with Carinda findes out Clerastes and marries them together THE singing of a multitude of birds declaring the day rather then the Sun whose beams were not able to pierce thorow the thicknesse of those trees Rozalmond arose and repairing to the damsels they mounted all on horsback and travelled together for the space of fowr dayes without meeting any adventure at the end whereof comming to the sea side they imbarked themselves for the kingdom of Florertan Fifteen dayes being sweetly spent in this navigation during the which Rozalmond had generously slain two Giants which would have made themselves Masters of their ship they arrived at the desired Port and causing their horses to be landed they entered upon their journey having first changed their habits to be unknown that so they might without suspicion learn what was said at Court of the flight of these two damsels
Sister O my dearest friend I said he addressing his speach to Cassandra how much am I joyed with the sight of you but how comes it that you are thus accompanyed with my sister My Lord answered she I doe not bring her without good cause she comes to congratulate with you for your good fortune and to go along with you about a seven-night hence in an adventure of very great importance Both you and she are most heartily welcome replyed Rozalmond and I am very glad that she is here to keep my Armazia company Hereupon the Princes alighting from their horses went and saluted the young Princesse who ravished them all with the wonder of her beautie which no lesse amazed the Ladyes that came presently down to her than she was carried with admiration at the sight of so many graces as were assembled in them A good while being spent then in complements these Lords and Ladyes were ready to ascend the Palace leaving the ending of the turnament to another time when as they descryed two hundred Knights richly armed following a triumphant Chariot wherin sate an old man on a golden Throne with an Imperiall Crown on his head and a young Lady at his feet This so stately an equipage drawing every one narrowly to observe them Palmirenna perceived that it was the Emperour her Father and her cousin Agiliana the King of Arbales Daughter wherat both she with Amplamira and the French Princes wife were so troubled that they were ready to sink down in the place wheras contrarily Rozalmond who knew his mind well went straight-way with Griolanis unto him and bid him very welcome to that Court The Emperour presently knowing that valiant Prince and understanding that Griolanis was King of Corolandaya instantly descended from his Charioâ— and exceedingly caressing them demanded whether these Tryumphs were not for the celebration of the Nuptials of Palmirenna and her Sisters Great Monarch answered Rozalmond they are indeed this day married and so is also the Daughter of the mighty Emperour of Gardaciâ— whom it hath pleased heaven to bestow on me as likewise that of the Sovereign Lord of Tramazond to this invincible Warriour shewing Alcidamant unto him together with the Queen of this Countrey the Princesse of Clariana and the fair Brandimanda Lady of the Amazons Now verely said the Emperour I praise my good fortune for conducting me hither so opportunly for to have a share in this your joy and solemnitie But where are my Children that they doe not appeare before me Sir answered Rozâ—lmond the fear of your displeasure for the fault they have committed against the authoritie of a Father and a Soveraign no doubt keeps them away but assuring my self that you have freely pardoned them I will present them straight-way unto your Majestie wherupon Amadis holding Palmirenna by the hand Floridan Amplamira and Lucibel Archesidella they fell on their knees before the Emperour so ashamed as they durst not look him in the face but he having very much caressed them and testified that these Princes alliance did infinitely content him they rose up for to entertain Agiliana whilst the Emperour admiring the excellent beauty of the Ladyes went and saluted them with all the courtesie that might be These compliments done they returned all to the Palace where the Emperour being very honourably lodged left his Neipce Agiliana in the hands of Palmirenna or to say better of Don Sestilian of Spain who having never made tryall of the power of love subjected his freedome to the merits of this beautifull Infanta remaining her Knight by the consent of Palmirenna Supper time come and the Tables sumptuously covered all the Lovers were set as at dinner where they began to discourse with the Emperour of all that had past the day before who taking great delight in the sight of this brave company beheld them one after another and fixing on Amadis he could not choose but tell what passion he had been in for him when he thought him a Wench which made them all to laugh especially Palmirenna that then called to mind the pleasure she enjoyed at that time under the disguise of Amadis his sex but Supper lasting too long for these Lovers they rose and went to Dauncing the better to entertain the Emperour who knowing the impatience of their desires caused them to be lighted severally to their chambers where we will leave them gathering the fruit of their amorous pains with such delight as may be better imagined than exprest CHAP. XXXIIII The marvellous adventure that happened in the Court of Corolandaya and the strange end therof THe night having been too short for the desires of these Lovers especially of Rozalmond Alcidamant and Clarisel who till then had never tasted the pleasure of their Ladyes chast embraces they all met together in the Hall and for divers dayes together continued their joy with such contentment as Fortune seemed unable to crosse them but that inconstant Goddesse which alwayes mixes bitter with the sweet changed the face of all their delight and so overthrew the hope of this Court that without the particular providence of heaven all the glory of it had been lost in a moment One day as all this princely company were discoursing together there entred into the Hall a young Gentlewoman with her eyes full of tears and of so sad a countenance as moved all that were present to pitty in one hand she had a very rich sword and her left arm sustained one of the goodliest Shields that ever was seen Assoon as she was advanced to the midst of the Hall she for a good while observed all those Lords and Princesses ravished as it were with the sight of so rare an object and finding that there was a generall silence over all in expectation of that which she would say she demanded for Griolanis and the beautious Queen his Wife Here we are said they making towards her Gentlewoman will you have anything with us Great King answered she falling on her knees before him it is not without reason that every one talks of you as of the prime Knight of the world and that the beauty of this incomparable Queen whom the gods have given to your merit is preferred before all other on the earth for now I see more than heretofore I could beleeve I am come hither to obtain one boon of you and of this fair Princesse refuse me not I beseech you nor let me be the only afflicted woman living that failes of succour from you Gentlewoman answered Griolanis if I am able to doe any thing for you you may speak freely for I will most willingly grant whatsoever you shall desire of me and so I think will the queen my Wife Yes verely said Adelazia I will promise her any thing she will aske I could expect no lesse replyd she wherfore Sir be pleased to Arm your self presently but you shall use no other Sword nor shield then these most excellent ones which I have brought of
mind and all his actions being full of jollity made men judge that joy was more predominant in his heart then fadnes so that every man wondered at this strange alteration in him The Count of Clina observing him more narrowly then the rest because he had a particular design upon him soon discovered the secret and was confident seeing the Queen so often to eye him that the metamorphosis proceeded from some speciall familiarity that was between them which made him infinitely discontented For being somewhat in love with the Queen wherof nevertheles he never durst make any shew it madded him to see another more happy then himself What said he all enraged shall a stranger gather the roses whilest I feel the prick of the thorns It is unreasonable I must at leastwise have a share in her favours since I cannot wholly possesse them and she cannot refuse me that seeing she gives her self to another but say she should be so vain as to slight my affection I have the means to be revenged of her and make her fâ—el the effects of an incensâ—d spirit Being carried then by this heady resolution he went directly to the Quâ—ens Chamber where by chance she was alone and with a low reverence said unto her I am come Madam to put my life into your hands and to acquaint you wtth a secret which I scarse dare trust my self withall I am over-rash it is true but who would not be so when so great a reward is proposed I love you Madam and the consideration of your greatnes or my duty could ever divert me from it though in so doing I have as it were foreseen my ruine but who would be loth to die for so excellent a cause No I will fear no punishments that it may appear I am not insensible of the force of your beauty my sighes do testifie rather your power then my insolence and from my passion can nothing redound but your glory Consider me Madam I beseech you as this great light of the world beholds all creatures and remember that the least and meanest of them is as much obliged to him as the mightiest Monarks The Gods that have made you so fair for the contentment of a King have never forbidden you the conferring of a like grace on such as have not scepters but yet many vertues so that it lies in your power to make one happy think me then worthy of that favour and let my vow of an eternall fidelity give me a place in your good opinion I will never passe by the respect that I ow to your greatnes and the humility of my services shall so content you that you shall more esteem the possessing of me then regard the satisfaction of another though greater yet lesse vertuous then I. So kneeling down before her as if he would have demanded some further grace he attended not the answer which he hoped for but that which in all reason he was to fear What â—n insolence said the offended Princesse is this And how shall I ever endure to look on thee again after so enormous a crime Get thee gone wicked man and do not force me to shew thee how much I am displeaâ—â—â— my cariage I am sure could never put this boldnesse into thee and thy duty should have restrained this affrontednesse If you must needs have passion let it be for one of your own rank they that resemble me cannot behold such as you are but with contempt howbeit I will excuse the love which you say forceth you in this sort provided my gentlenes do not puffe you up and that I may see you reduced within the tearms of your duty I shall then forget your folly and forbearing to question you for it will say that you have erred after the ordinary custome of other men withdraw your self then with this testimony of my clemency and never abuse my patience again if you mean not to feel the punishments which use to be inflicted on those that remember not their own condition With these words shutting her self into her cabinet she left him mightily grieved to see himself despised which he resolved either to revenge or lose his life Retiring therefore to his lodging he began to plot the villany wherwith I will acquaint you in the Chapter following CHAP. XI Clairangia and Fulgâ—ran are betraid by the Count of Clina The Queen iâ— imprisoned Fulgâ—rans adventures after he had left Celibana THE Count of Clina's spite being greater then his love he went away full of infinit discontent I am said he all transported with choler slighted for a stranger and my boldnes in discovering my self is threatned with punishment but I will make it appear that I am sensible of affronts The Queen abusing the easines of the King doth give her self over to the Knight ardant and refusing to let me share in her caresses gives me just cause to resent it and discover this secret I will do it then but with so much safety for my self that without any hazard I will tast the pleasure of a sweet revenge I will accuse these adulterers and putting them in the Kings hand will not give this Knight leisure who trusts in his valor to make use of his courage his arms for the Law doth not allow any man the combat in his own quarrell And if the remembrance which the King owes to his precedent services or the respect of the Queen do draw him to dispense with the Law and permit him to combat himself I will confront him with the redoubtable brothers of the two Giants that he last slew who will be right glad to meet such an occasion to be revenged of their enemy They are three and able alone to defeat a whole army I do therefore perswade my self that he will not stand long before them what companion soever he gets to assist him His choler then keeping him from considering how dangerous the issue of his enterprise might be he instantly sent a messenger to Bracandors three brothers giving them notice of his design wherewith they were so pleased as without further delay they came presently to meet him in the wood where their conspiracy being contrived and agreed upon the Count returned to the Castle to write a letter to the King the tenor wherof was as followeth The Count of Clina's Letter to King Dardanor SIR It much grieves me that in performing the office of a good subject I must give you occasion to afflict your self but since I cannot fail in this duty without being a traitor I have resolved to passe by all considerations whatsoever rather then have that spot stuck upon me The Knight Ardant whom you have so graced beyond his merits not being so sensible aâ— he should be of your favours changes the respect which he owes you into ingratitude and forgetting how much he stands indebted to your goodnesse hath ingaged the Queen to love him with all the most agreeable services he is able to do her which have
already so gained upon her as she hath wholly given her self unto him reserving nothing for you but the appearances of her affection They are ordinarily together their countenances do but too much discover their thoughts and their actions are so little concealed that only those who will not take the pains to observe them cannot frame any sinister construction of them I have indeavoured as a faithfull servant ought to do to divert the Queen from this course remonstrating unto her the quality she is of the estate of the Knight Ardant and withall her duty to your Majesty But my advice hath been entertained with such coldnes or as I might better say with such choler as in stead of the thanks which I expected for my fidelity I received nothing but menaces so that unable to endure this wrong to your Majesty I have been constrained to advertise you of it that you may take present order for your quiet by the resentment which you are to have of so grievous an offence What extreams will not the choler of a King run into that beleeves himself â—ffronted Dardanor having read this letter suffered his passion so to transport him that not considering what he owed to the reputation of his wife and Fulgorans services he dispatched away immediatly fowr hundred Knights having first written a ticket to the Count of Clina and commanded them to be at Celibana two howrs after midnight and obey the Count in all his directions Thus was all in disorder except our lovers who lived so contented amidst their ordinary delights and not imagining they were subject to fortunes power did study nothing but how to caresse one another to the infinit vexation of the Count of Clina who tore his hair for despite but his pain was of no long continuance For seeing in the Commission the King had sent him what means he had to be revenged his grief was turned into joy neverthelesse not intending to discover his thoughts he kept the same countenance as before till his succour were arrived This while Clairangia who dreamt not of the mischief that was to fall upon her head having not forgotten the place where she met with such delight was lying upon the grasse with Fulgoran striving to make her caresses more pleasing to him with a world of dalliance when as all on a sudden she heard a great noise of arms in the Castle Sin ordinarily makes the guilty fearfull and we often see that fear doth discover a bad design The Queen guessing at the cause of all this hurly-burly instantly arose and shewing the Knight Ardant a place of the wall commodious for him to get out she besought him to save himself rather then to lose his life out of too much courage Dear friend said she to him you may much better relieve me having the liberty of the fields then fettred in irons void of all power to make use of your valour against our enemies Time presseth us and forbids us any long discourse wherefore I will take my leave of you with this kisse then joyning her lips to his she speedily retired by a secret pair of stairs up to her chamber where she found Silesia neerer dead then alive with the affright of hearing the Count bouncing at the door and threatning to break it open The escape of the Knight Ardant having rendred the Queen somwhat confident she freely opened the door and seeing the Count come in attended by a number of soldiers she said to him with a countenance that testified her displeasure What is it disloiall as thou art that thou intendst to do and what means so many men at arms at this unseasonable howr when every one should be at rest If you had Madam replied he with a like confidence continued still in your virtue I should be bound to render you an account of my actions but that now being wanting in you I will not tell you the reason why in the Kings name I arest you as his prisoner being assured that your offence tels you what is the cause therof Prisoner by the Kings command said she then all amazed Oh traitor this mischief comes not but from thy villany If I would have given ear to thy base praiers I should not have received this affront but the Gods which never forsake the innocent will deliver me out of thy hands and from this unadvised King who gives so much credit to thy slâ—nderous reports I will go to prison then since it must be so but remember that chastisement alwaies followes the offence and that thy crime will not remain unpunished Saying so she was going out to take her Coach when as she espied the Knight Ardants Squire in the custody of thirty or forty souldiers who intreated him with such indignity as she could not forbear saying to the Count Base man Is this poor gentleman also guilty with me Oh heavens what injustice is this and how is it that you do not punish such enorm iniquities I would replide the Count without being any whit abashed that his master were in his room we would make him know that strangers cannot defile a Princes bed without danger but perhaps he may fall into our fingers heereafter Yes said Clairangia or els thou into his but I will not wish thee that honour for thou deservest no better an executioner then a hangman With that these speeches serving but to put the Count into further choler he presently thrust her into the Coach with Silesia the Squire and the Knight Ardants arms and so took his way to the Court not a little vexed that he carried not with him the principall piece of his busines The Giant Grandimore who was become Fulgorans true friend did not approve of this proceeding and had it not been that he was not as yet thorowly recovered of his wounds so as he was not able to wear his arms he would never have suffered the Queen to be entreated with so much cruelty but he was constrained with patience to expect the issue of this affair resolved neverthelesse either to lose his life or to defend the Knight Ardants right who on the other side was no lesse troubled For seeing himself without arms without hors and not dâ—ring to shew himself for fear of being made a prisoner he was so transported with grief at he was almost beside himself What said he all inraged and looking toward the town whither they were carrying away his mistris is it possible that I should leave my Lady unrelieved and can I be satisfied with shedding of tears in stead of spending my bloud for her service It is not possible that I should be so base My love is the cause of her misfortune my resenting it must also be the cause of her preservation I have a sword yet left me that is enough for courage cannot be wanting to me in this occasion I will break through these armed troops that convoy her and make it appear that I am more sensible of her misery
renown that your predecessors have acquired Imitate your Father and Brother which quâ—stionles are two of the greatest and valiantest Princes on the earth And above all take heed you return not to Romeria till your fate bring you thither when as you least think of it otherwise you will perish there by the jealousie of Dardanor and will be the cause of such mischiefs as will make your memory most odious amongst men I am not afraid to speak thus unto you before this Knight who is your neer kinsman though you know him not to be so to the end that if you follow not my advice he may with reason blame you for it Saying so she vanished away leaving them both much amazed but principally Fulgoran who was extreamly grieved that he had not first learned the names of his so brave and eminent kinsmen but hoping that fortune would one day let him know them he turned him to the Knight that accompanied him and embracing him thus spake Dear Cousin you may please to pardon me if till now you have been no better entertained by me if I have erred it was out of ignorance but time shall let you see that I do highly value your being of kin to me and the services that I will render you shall give you cause to think my actions void of malice with that they embraced a fresh which done Fulgoran did in this maner prosecute his discourse Were it reason to stick in so fair a way I verily believe we are of kin but know not which way Favour me in letting me know who you are for by the knowledge therof I shall it may be learn somwhat of my own discent Verily answered he the more I consider the words of this woman the more find I my self in confusion not being able any way to imagin how you and I should be of the same bloud as she delivers in regard that my Father and Mother who for the present hold the Scepter of Canabea never had either brother or sister but the Queen Florella who died without children and yet as I remember I have often heard it spoken that the same Queen dying with child by one of the most esteemed Princes of Christendome who it may be should have married her was ript up by a Magician Giant that took out the child wherof she had not been conceived full eight months and wrapping it in a virgin parchment carried it away no man being able to hinder him howbeit he promised the Prince Brazanges my father that he would one day return him and let him see him with all the perfections to be required in a brave Knight It now rests that you instruct me where you have bestowed your yonger yeers that out of this incertainty we may if possible draw a truth for our content Doubtles said Fulgoran this womans words are true The great Eâ—celadus did bring me up and though he told me not who were my parents yet he many times assured me that he did cut me out of my mothers belly See now whether I ought not to be the sonne of Florella and consequently your kinsman At these words they embraced again with much expression of love and travailing on entertained themselves with variety of pleasing discourses but night comming on sooner then they deâ—ired for there was never a house in sight to retire unto they resolved to rest under certain trees there by and alighting from their horses they sat them down neer to a little brook and began to stay their stomacks with such meat as their Squires had brought with them when as they heard a voice that did sweetly suit it self to the musick of a Lute That made them pause a while but the distance of the place being too much for them perfectly to enjoy the pleasure therof they presently arose and following the voice that drew them to it they approached to certain trees under the which by the help of fowr torches that stood lighted by them they perceived two Ladies with a Knight in their company who appeared so lovely as they much admired him Their curiosity to come neerer them had already carried them so fâ—r as they easily heard the same voice after a little pause begin again to sing As soon as the song was ended she that had sung threw the Lute upon the grasse took the Knight by the hand and sat down so close to Fulgoran and his cousin Florimond that they could not stir without being perceived This approach according with their desire they stood still in expectation of what would ensue heerupon and had not long continued so before they heard the Lady speak in this maner I am with much reason afraid that you may slight my favours because they are freely offered you and think me shamelesse forthus discovering my thoughts unto you But Sir when you shall consider the weaknes of women and your own merit you will never condemn my boldnes but will love me so much the more willingly in that I do not stick to tell you that I will give my self absolutely unto you without any reservation at all My beauty is not so small that you can despise it without being cruell and did I want that perfection yet can I glory of a greater which is that I love you with passion The time is seasonable the darknes favours us and this place seems to be made for such an occasion let it not then slip I beseech you and I will render my caresses so pleasing to you as you shall account your self happy in the fruition of them Let us begin with this kisse which heer I tender you and not suffering me to consume in this flame so requite me that I never have occasion to say that you are ingratefull and most unworthy of the beauty which doth so adorn you With that word she drew neer with her lips to his and already had put her arm about his neck when as the Knight modestly withdrawing himself thus replied Madam please you to pardon me if I do not receive your favours with the same height of affection wherwith they are now presented to me you are deceived by my outward appearance and believing me to be what I am not you give me more cause to be sorry in your behalf then to smile at your discourse I am of the same sex that you are and consequently incapable of yielding you the contentment you expect I freely discover this secret for to testifie unto you that I have no will to be ingratefull to your affection which I do not entertain because I am unable so to do you wonder now at this I believe for there are but few women seen in these parts to follow arms but yet it is not a thing impossible and I assure my self that you are not so ignorant of the world as not to know that the Amazons do passe up and down every where as Knights errant use to do Howbeit if you give not credit to my words I will
of his birth and that Florisel and Sidonia were extreamly afflâ—cted with sorrow for this losse These displeasing news caused great trouble in the Court all pastimes ceased complaints were renewed and every one grieved according to the measure of his love the new Knights desirous to shew their affection to the services of the house of Greece immediatly armed themselves and comming altogether before the Emperour they besought his permission to go in search both of this yong Prince and of the adventures of the World which request being granted them they departed the same day with a resolution to run over all Countries rather then to fail of their enterprise but their design was to no purpose for the Enchantresse Creonda in whose hands he was and that had not taken him away but only for that she foresaw by her Art that of her daughter Grisolita he should beget a Prince excelling all of his time had so enchanted him as by the sequel of this Discourse will appear that none but Alcander could know the place of his retreat or be able to contribute to his deliverance The Court being in mourning for this bad news and for the absence of so many Princes Spheramond had no contentment left him but in the conversation of Silvan who not willing to abandon him so soon endeavoured to make the time more pleasing and his losse lesse sensible unto him Howbeit forced by the necessity of his affairs he was constrained to depart together with his wife for to reduce the people of Lidia to their duties who seeing neither King nor Queen rendred but little obedience to their governours and began to rise in tumultuous maner Their departure made the Court very solitary but the Emperour knowing how to live every where with contentment never troubled himself with the consideration of so many losses as he had endured and began to attend the care of his subjects when a second advertisement gave him a fresh cause of discontent CHAP. XVIII The adventures of the new Knights after they had left the Court the Emperour Spheramond is advertised that the King of Canabea raised a mighty army to invade the Empire of Trebisond FOrtune is seldome satisfied with one attempt upon us she redoubles her assaults to see if she can overthrow us and never shews her face if we do not force her to it by the greatnes of our courage The losse of the little Clarisel of Guindaia not able to suffice her rage she would needs once again arm the Pagans for the ruine of those brave Princes who shewed still the same countenance in their afflictions as they had carried in their prosperity and were not troubled for being crost since it did but render their vertues the more eminent by ministring to them occasions of glory the new Knights going out at severall parts to seek adventures in the world Russian riding along with Esquilan on a plain hard by the Sea perceived a damsell flying from a tall old man that pursued her with a sword in his hand As I live said he at the view of so discurteous an act I would never have believed that a man so neer his grave could have done a thing so unworthy of himself Let us by no means leave this maid in this distresse wherfore put on I pray you that we may free her from the hands of this barbarous man which without doubt will never spare her being so inraged as he is Heerwith they set spurs to their horses but make what haste they could they were not able to overtake them before they came to the sea side where they saw the wench leap in a Bark and the old man after her who having taken her by the hair made as though he would have cut off her head The Knights much grieved for that they could not aid her in regard the Bark was put off a little from land they approached to them as neer as they could and thinking to alay his fury with intreaties began to conjure him to consider what he himself was and how little honour he should gain by dipping his hands in the bloud of a woman I know very well answered he what every man ows to his reputation but withall I am not ignorant of the content that revenge affoords This woman cannot escape death for satisfaction of the wrong I have received from her except you grant me one boon You shall have it said Esquilan whatever it be that you desire of us Come aboard this Bark then replied he and go with me I shall have time enough to let you know what I will require of you Wherupon not staying for further entreaty they presently lighted from their horses and by the advice of the old man leaving them upon the strand they entred that little Bark which without attending any more lading began to cut the waves with incredible speed The Knights much amazed to see themselves caried away in that sort looked round about them and seeing no Sailers for the steering and conducting this vessell they desired to be informed by what means it was done but they found no body to satisfie them therin the old man and the damsell no longer appearing nor any thing to be found in the Bark but two little Beds and a Table furnished with exquisit meat Verily said Esquilan this is one of the wise Alquifs or the unknown Vrganda's devices but never credit me if for fear of any inchantment I forbear now to eat of this meat wherwith he drew to the Table and finding a paper upon it he opened it and therin read these words Excellent Princes do not wonder at the novelties you have seen this day all is done for your glory and we have with Art disposed you to follow the influences of the Stars for which our care of you you will then give us thanks when as you shall with the hazard of your lives give us that you have this day promised us If I had not said Russian oftentimes heard of the like incounters I should be somwhat mistrustfull and could not touch this meat fearing the malice of some enemy but I entend not to be more cautelous then your self with that they sat down and finding the meat agreeable to their palâ—t they fell to with a good appetite and their repast being ended with thanks to heaven which never leaves his without relief in their necessities they saw a Dwarf come in to them who shewing a spirit much greater then his body thus spake unto them My Lords it is time for you to rowse up your selves and worthily to employ these arms you wear Heerwith they arose and looking about them they perceived two ships grapled together in one of the which were two Knights invironed with about twenty souldiers and two horrible Giants that charged them with such fury as they were amazed to see what resistance they made Their Bark laying them aboord just as they had laced on their helmets they leapt into that ship wherin
thirty paces broad in one corner wherof upon some stones raised in form of an altar was a fire burning making a stand to look about him he discovered two damsels comming one of the which kneeling down before him thus spake If it be by the order of that barbarous man who now desires to glut himself with my bloud as he hath heertofore done with my embraces if it be I say from Ormand that you come do not Sir make me languish any longer my bosome is ready to receive the blow of mercy and it will lesse grieve me to die by your hands then once more to come in the sight of so wicked and base a man Fortune hath brought me hither said Russian taking her by the hand to raise her from the ground not with an intent to shorten your daies and much lesse to put you into the power of a man that you have no cause to love Be not therfore afraid but rather be confident in my company and be assured Gentlewoman that I will have an account of the wrong that hath been done you if you will make use of my arms and let me know the occasion of your retirement to this desolate place so far remooved from all conversation of men Good Knight replied she my misery is past remedy and the aid you proffer me can no otherwise serve but only to oblige me unto you for your good will yet will I not be so little sensible of the favour you do me as to deny your curiosity the relation of my misfortunes Let us sit down then upon this bed of leaves that so you may with the more ease attend to my discourse Me thinks said Russian we should be much better abroad where the clear day will more content us then this darknes the rather for that a Gentleman my friend who staies without for guard of the entry of this darksome lodging may perhaps be discontented with our longer stay All places are to me indifferent said she and if I desired to stay you in this cave it was because I thought it a fitter place for the rehearsall of my woes then any other whatsoever But I am well contented to go out with you that the Sun which for these fowr and twenty daies hath not troubled my sight may let you behold in my face the signs of a most extream sorrow wherupon going forth they went and set them down in the shadow of certain trees where she began to speak in this maner Do not I beseech you expect a long discourse although the history of my misfortunes be infinit for I will not Sir abuse your patience but succinctly let you know the cause of my dispair I was not five weeks since Countesse of Haute fleur rich and beautifull enough at least as I thought to cause my self to be beloved of any now ugly and more likely to fright people with my looks then to beget the least affection in their hearts and deprived of all conveniences in the world but what these trees do yield me for my sustenance and that of this maid which keeps me company who not being ingratefull for some favours received of me in the time of my prosperity would needs bear a share in my miseries to comfort me This is a strange change and such as men might well wonder at if they did not know that fortune disposeth of all things and that she daily maketh greater metamorphosis but I will not lay the blame on her because I must confesse that all the fault was wholly in my self for if I had not given credit to the words of Ormand a yong Prince and one of my neighbours I might still have flourished amidst the delights which those of my condition daily enjoy This Knight valiant of his person and fully compleat in all those perfections that can render a Gentleman commendable if he had been sensible of a lawfull affection happening to be in a forrest where I intended to spend some daies in hunting was assailed by fowr Knights who pressed him very hard and without question would have laid him in his grave if I had not chanced to come in during their combat but unable to endure the sight of so unequall a party I went to his enemies and curteously desired them for my sake to forbear and to consider that they much wronged the order of Knighthood but they were so obstinatly bent as they would not give ear to me wherwithall being displeased I commanded three Knights of my followers to take the busines in hand which they did so fortunately as in lesse then half an howr these arrogants were cut in pieces That execution done I was going towards Ormand whom I had never seen before meaning to invite him home with me to have his wounds looked unto but he prevented me and lifting up his cask said unto me You have Madam nobly preserved my life which doubtlesse was otherwise in my enemies power but I desire you will be pleased to imploy it in your service and not to spare it whensoever you shall think me fit for any design of yours I am heer without all acquaintance and find my self constrained to presse yet once more upon your goodnesse beseeching you to spare me one of your servants for to guide me where I may have my bloud stanched which runs out at three or fowr wounds I should but half oblige you if I should leave you in the estate you are in but Sir I will make you see that I esteem more of your life then you think for wherfore go along with me and you shall find all that is needfull for you wherupon departing with all speed we got in lesse then an howr to Heautefleur where I put him into the hands of a Physician that within a month so recovered him as he was able to bear arms during which time I visited him daily and finding him to be of a most gentle cariage I conceived a certain kind of good will towards him which converted into a violent love assoon as he had told me who he was and that he had sworn to affect me more then all the world beside I will not heer tell you the pleasure I received in hearing him sigh nor the contentment I had in the praises he gave me for taking all his actions for testimonies of his love and my merit I felt such infinit sweetnes in his conversation as all other delights whatsoever were nothing to me in comparison therof To what end should I spin out this discourse any longer Opportunities being fit and our passions violent I yielded him up that which I ought to have held most dear under the assurance of a thousand oaths that he made me to marry me publikely when he had craved the consent and permission of his Father whose authority he held not fit to be contemned which seeming to me very reasonable I gave him leave to return into his Country after he had tarried five months with me hoping
desire to speak unto her and as I was opening my lips so to do after she had a little viewed me she prevented me thus If you be Sir as courteous as handsome you will not refuse me a Boon I desire of you Men use not replied I to send away those of your merit with discontent you may therefore freely command of me what you please and be assured not to be denied You shall then follow me presently said she to Nicopolis the capitall citie of this kingdome and there put your selfe into the hand of Arthemisa with protestation to defend her against the King of Nicomena a dreadfull Giant and ugly as may be exprest who now holds her besieged in that place because she will not give him the title of her husband She is a Princesse so faire and withall so nobly enclined to acknowledge any service done unto her as you will never repent any assistance you may give her To what end should I spin out my discourse any further she did so highly extoll the beauties and perfections of this Princesse as I loved her before I saw her so that I rode away most desirously to Nicopolis whereinto I entred with much facility by the cunning and direction of this wench I had a little affection to her before as I told you but as soone as I saw so many charms in the eyes of Arthemisa I reserved no more power over my selfe but well contented to present her with my liberty never to redemand it again The King of Morcassia her father was much afflicted to see the enemy so neer his walls yet did he a little cheer up himselfe when he saw in a skirmish that fell out two dayes after my arrivall that my blows were weightier then those of all his Knights and that the King of Nicomena's people did no lesse redoubt the incountring with me then his did that of the Giant whereupon he made extreamly much of me all things were directed by my advice but that which gave me most satisfaction was that I saw Arthemisa did love me and was delighted to see me sigh at her feet Leaving them with this tranquillity of minde I accounted my selfe the most fortunate Knight of the earth especially when as a little after I was the cause of all their happinesse by the death of Balistan so was their capitall enemy called whom I slew in single combat routing afterward his whole army with a horrible slaughter This victory gained me the hearts of the Morcassians and absolutely possessed me of the good graces of Arthemisa who to tell you in few words being no lesse in love with me then I was with her yeelded up herselfe wholly unto me and so made me taste the sweetnesse which is found in the caresses of an amorous woman Two months past amidst this felicity at the end whereof she counsellâ—d me to demand her of her father to the end our secret privacies might not at length be the cause of our ruine The assurance that I had of the Kings favour made me approve of her opinion so that I went presently to him and putting him in minde of the service I had done him I besought him to reward me for them by the possession of Arthemisa Your vertue answered he doth oblige me to give you all contentment but first for the satisfaction both of my self and my subjects I desire to know who you are This request replied I seemes so reasonable that I cannot refuse it without wrong to my self My father is called â—nomander Prince O ye Gods said he stepping back two or three paces say no more that name is no stranger to mine eares O heavens have you suffered me to be obliged for my life to the son of the greatest enemy I have Get you gone continued he unto me get you gone Knight and that instantly for Arthemisa shall never be your wife And were not the memory of your services a bar to my displeasure I would make you feel what is due to the hate of your father Think now I beseech you how I was vexed at the hearing of these words so contrary to my hope In truth I was ready to die but my rage kept me alive to make him this reply Ingratefull King thou hast forgot that without my assistance thou hadst now been a slave and not knowing what curtesie means thou refusest me that which I have justly purchased but thou shalt one day see what thy heady fury will avail thee and that it had been more expedient for thee to have past by the enmity which thou carriest to my father and a thousand times repent the little esteem thou makest of me for be assured I know the way to abase what I have so generously exalted Thou threatenest me here in thine own Palace but beware of comming neer me for I carry the same sword that spilt the bloud of thine enemies and think not my courage any whit abated by two moneths rest Saying thus I past into my chamber armed my self and mounting on horsback I retired into a forrest which was not far from thence with a designe to return the same night for to know of Arthemisa how I should bear my self in this affair But alas I found her not alive for having been acquainted with the quarrell between her father and me she fell upon the floor with so violent a grief as she was therewith suffocated before she could be succoured From hence proceeds the excessive sorrow that I have now these three moneths endured and from this so untimely death of hers are those hourly complaints derived which you have heard and which I would have continued to the end of my dayes had not your perswasions diverted me from them This discourse ending with many sighes Fulgoran began afresh to comfort him remonstrating unto him that a noble courage ought equally to receive the assaults and caresses of fortune and thus discoursing they arrived at the Army which the unknown Knight liked very well of when he knew the occasion wherefore it was there Not long after Fulgoran perceiving the terme of the truce ready to expire called the chiefest of his Commanders into his tent and with a Majestick countenance thus spake unto them Excellent Princes did not the bloud of the innocent rather move us to pity then carry us to cruelty I should advise you once again to hazard that remainder of our men which the fury of our enemies hath left us and seek in their destruction the honour of an happy victory but unable to see them suffer so for the satisfying of our pleasure I am of opinion that it is best our quarrell be determined by a company of selected persons and that we should secure our people with the venture of our lives I am the authour of this proposition and therefore it is reason that I also should be the first in the danger Our adversaries are valiant it is true and all the world ascribes to them the glory of knowing
a Shepherd which within these few dayes he hath assumed though with a purpose far different from mine for I wear it to exempt my self from the câ—res of the world and to seek for pleasures in these woods and he without doubt to make me beleeve that he loved me in this change of condition as that of his affection made me hold him inconstant and perfidious He was worthy of my love I do confesse for his fault shall not keep me from giving him his deserved commendations but his light and sickle humour hath made him incapable of so good a fortune He saw me and finding as he pretended charms in my eyes came to present his service to me with so good a grace that from that time forth it was impossible for me to approve of the resolution I had taken never to love again for fear of being once more in the danger of the misfortune which had made me complain so long howbeit good manners obliging me not to accept him at the first tender of himself nor my affection permitting me to reject him with too much rigour I made him an ordinary answer which yet might let him perceive that I had no inclination to neglect his good will To what end should I spin out my discourse with delivering the particulars of the beginning of our passions Our love did so increase that every body held our marriage for concluded and that it would be consummated as soon as the yeer was expired which the modesty of the world allows to the mourning for the dead and indeed I had resolved upon it â—â—s I told you but now had not his inconstancie put him by that fortune The faithlesse man seeing among the Ladies which my quality had made my friends and that often bestowed visits upon me a maid called Cloria beautifull indeed and of parts to make the most insensible feel the power of love could not refuse to yeeld her that which she was able to command from all those that looked on her and did in such sort become her slâ—ve as he scarce remembered that ever he had sighed for me If he came into my company it was with a ceremonious respectivenesse now he no longer besought me to quench that fire which I had â—indled in his soul his lips where unto he was wont to rivet me did no more meet with mine our looks no more incountered together I was no more acquainted with his minde though I did clearly let him see what was in my heart In brief his discourses being of a strain clean diffrent from what they had been before made me suspect not any ill in him for I was too full of love to think him a villain but that some mishâ—p had caused this change What â—il you Filismond said I to him and why do you appear so cold Hath any man told you tales to the prejudice of the good opinion which you had of me Or do you not think me as beautifull as for these three moneths past you have done If it be repentance that you have loved me which doth trouble you and that you hold me unworthy of your affâ—ction you are yet in your own power to make a fair retreat for I will never force your humour but rather do my best for your content nor will I be displeased with the liberty you shall take to ingage you other where so as the cause thereof may excuse this mutability in you Now if you have heard any mis-report in me give me leave to clear your minde of any doubts may be in it and I make no question but you shall finde me without â—aint or shame for any fault I have committed I should wrong my judgement as well as all theirs that know you answored he if I should think you other then discreet that is not the cause Orâ—stea of this change in me no more then my being sorry for that I have loved you for you deserve to be served by a more accomplished and eminent man then my self but I must accuse mine own weaknesse and by confessing my fault lâ—bour to obtain your parcton I love but alas it is not you 〈◊〉 posseâ—â—es me with an absolute power and that Deity which disposeth of our affections is not pleased that I shall have any content in this world but in enjoying her Iudge I beseech you what my misfortune is that cannot move but by the impulsion of another and that am constrained to crave favours of Cloria by your mediation Verily I blush for shame and know well that it were better for me to seek them in your imbraces but I have not power to dispose of my self and can think of nothing more conducing to my happinesse then your assistance which you promise me But alas I fear you are not so minded My promises are inviolable answered I without any shew of discontent for his bâ—sâ—nâ—sse and it may be Filismond Cloria will love you sooner at my intreaty then for your services wherefore I will go presently to her to begin the making good of my word Gâ—ing out thâ—n exceeding full of grief I went to Cloria unto whom I discovered the desires of my waverer praying her to have respect to his meâ—iâ— and to the advantage that his affection might bring her This discourse of mine sâ—emed a fiction to her at first for she was not ignorant with what passion Filismond had wooed me but seeing that I spake seriously and withall found some other pretences for cause of our separation she answered me that time and my advice should resolve her of this businesse and that in the mean while she would entertain Filismond at my request This good news I delivered to my Turn-coat and though displeasâ—d with the office the next moâ—nâ—ing carried him to his new Mist is to whom and in my presence he made the same protestation of love that at other times I had received of him O ye Gods said I when I heard him What traitours are men and what fools are we to give any credit to their promises Hark if these be not the very same speeches that Filismond hath used a thousand times to me all which the wind hath blown away as without doubt another puffe will do these he swears only that he may be perjured whereof I am to make my benefit grow wise with my losse never trust any but my self and draw my fuâ—ure content out of the knowledge of Filismonds treacherie Entertaining my self in this fashion whilst these lovers were laying the first foundations of their affâ—ctions the day insensibly slipt away and night comming on made me return home in a strange distâ—mper for not to dissemble all my resolutions could not keep me from wishing that these new fansies had never come into Filismonds Head but being as then fuller of despâ—ght then love I determined to live no more in the wâ—rld since the lives of those of quality were subject to so many mutations and from hence orth onely to frequent the
vow never to depart thence till you have performed your promise let us make good his words and permit me to send him to a grave rather then into the armes of a creature so divine from whom he doth not merit so much as a look I am in case to fight there is yet day enough if he have much strength I do not want courage make use Sir of a stranger who hath not the honour to be known of you nor so much as can tell where he is If fortune prove mine enemy you will be the lesse sensible of my losse in regard you know me not and if the dice chance to turn from how much care will you be delivered The knowledge which I have said the Emperour of the incomparable forces of this warrior will not suffer me to permit you the combat with him and the reasons you bring to perswade me thereunto are proper to disswademe from it for if you undertake a businesse out of the onely pity which you have of my affliction have not I much cause to lament you if for my sake you should die Yea I should bewail the losse of you more then of a thousand other men who it may be could attempt the danger out of the hope of recompence whereas you propound nothing to your self but the glory you expect from your travell put your self in head of those armed troops that they may take assurance from this courage this way you will much more endear me unto you then any other Sir answered Rozalmond the Knights of our countrey never fight with advantage at leastwise those who hope for honour from their actions your enemy is accompanied but with one Squire and with your favour I will carry none along with me but this damsell who hath alwayes followed me onely in regard I am on foot permit me to chuse an horse in your stable Seeing you will have it so said the Emperour I will no longer oppose you and the Gods I humbly beseech to favour your valour and return you with as much glory as you have justice in this quarrell This resolution of Rozalmond having astonished all the Knights of the Court who beheld him as a wonder seeing with what confidence he went to affront a man that scorned to draw his sword against whole troops greatly troubled the Princesse who discontented with her fathers consent would fain have drawn the Knight aside absolutely to forbid him the fight but seeing she could not possibly do it without discovering her affection she was constrained to retire and have recourse unto teares for the easing of her grief CHAP. II. Rozalmond combats and defeats the dreadfull Fulmigadan who would have married Armazia against her fathers will WHilest the Princesse bewailed the losse of her Knight which she held to be inevitable he went to finde out his rivall with an incredible content for that he had so suddenly met with an occasion to employ his sword for the service of a beauty which his soul adored but he was vexed with himself for that he had not been so curious as to demand her and her fathers name Intertaining himself in this manner the thought of his Mistris from whose fight he was not absented made him fetch some sighes whereupon Cassandra took occasion to say unto him Ah Sir did not I assure you that you should see strange things to day and you should not come out of the city again with the same power you had of your self in the morning You have been but too true answered he for acknowledging my captivity I may say to you that now I have seen the fairest thing in the world But Madam Why do you not tell me in what countrey we are the name of this courteous Prince who hath made me Knight and that of this incomparable beauty which hath left me nothing free but the will to serve her Why what important affair had you answered Cassandra smiling that hindered you from informing your self thereof My passion replied he may serve to excuse me for that and I said she was restrained by the respect I had not to withdraw you out of the rapture wherein the object of this Princesse had cast you but to satisfie your desire Know that you are now in the mighty Empire of Gardacia which is so far distant from the Kingdoms of Christendom that they have never heard so much as speak of it the Sovereign thereof is this Prince by whom you were Knighted valiant in his younger yeers and so redoubted by all his neighbours that never any one durst offer to trouble the quiet of his state but Fulmigadan the same against whom you now go to fight who not being able to look upon Armazia so is your Mistris named without rendring unto her that which is due to her from all men in the world found means to surprise her father and oblige him by the restitution of his liberty to make him master of the felicities which he imagines to himself in the possession of a thing so rare But it is time to leave off this discourse for another which touches you somewhat neerer you are approaching an enemy so pâ—issant and hardy that the Emperour hath with a great deal of reason made difficulty to let you go single to so dangerous an enterprise howbeit doubt not but this combat will bring you very much glory so as you call to minde the renown which your fathers have acquired in the world and that this affair doth mainly import you in regard it so much concerns Armazia who if she were in place where she might behold the fight would questionlesse much advantage you for her presence would exceedingly augment your forces and give you far greater courage wherefore I am minded to request so much of her in your behalf Then will you oblige me much more then you think for said Rozalmond but I fear she will not willingly take so much pains Leave me the care of that said Cassandra and I am perswaded she will make no difficulty at all of it Whereupon returning presently to the Court she went to Armazia in her chamber and perceiving some tears upon her cheeks she said unto her Beautious Princesse I imagine that the pity which you have of our Knight makes you lament his losse as inevitable being to encounter Fulmigadan but it lies in you to hinder that mishap and to make him this day triumph over so brave an enemy Would you know how By not disdaining to appear upon the city walls your presence will animate his forces redouble his courage and I am perswaded render him invincible upon this favour your own good and his life depend wherefore Madam seek assurance in his victorie as he will finde glory in your service you shall not repent any pains you can take to go and see him fight for you for I am confident that you will return with more content then you have grief at this present I were not worthy to live if I would
which I most desire in the world let us get to horse we shall have leisure enough to talk of this matter Then returning to their way they began to discourse of the means Clarisel was to use for to fall in with some shepherd and left the beautifull Miralinda to a million of new thoughts which giving her occasion to consider of all things made her sometimes apprehend the misery of a deceit and by and by confirm her anew against the assaults of that weaknes CHAP. XIII Clarisel turns shepherd his contentment and the jealousie of Cesander IN the mean time Clarisel being returned home published his good fortune before Orizenna who seeing him in so pleasing a humor gave order to make him up instantly a caslock and hole of white fustian tied together with cornation ribands provided the next day a flock of sheep for him put a very curious sheephook in his hand a scrip at his side and giving him a boy of fifteen yeers of age to tend his sheep whilest he entertained his shepherdesse she sent him to a Farmer unto whom she had communicated the secret with a charge not to disclose it to any body living beseeching love to render his intentions prosperous As soon as he was in the field he reflected on himself and considering the habit he was in it seemed to accuse him of imprudence and weaknes wherfore he said O God! How great is the imbecility of man and how justly are Lovers condemned who renounce their own wills for to give themselves over to their passions Doubtles I am now subject to the mockeries of the wise and though I may find some excuse in the example of an infinity of great personages who have erred like my self yet can I not hinder the jeering of those which are more advised and that will say with reason too how I should rather draw instruction from the misery of others then imitate them in their faults Howbeit if I consider the recompence which I am to attend from my design I cannot be charged with folly nor guilty of blame but I may maintain before all the world that the beauties of so accomplished a shepherdesse may extenuate this act of mine I must pursue my course then not stand upon such weak considerations and yeeld more to mine own satisfaction then to the opinion of those that are fools and think themselves wise Thus intertaining himself with a world of thoughts he arrived at the pleasant meadows of Bellombre where extreamly desirous to find his shepherdesse he looked round about and not seeing her appear he was strangely troubled not knowing whither to go when he heard a rebeck the sound whereof came from out certain Eâ—ms which he perceived on the left hand whence he conjectured that Miralinda might be there and that some amorous shepherd courted her in that maner Driving on his flock then within a little while he came to those trees at the foot wherof he saw his shepherdesse with another nothing neer so fair and two shepheards upon their knees who seemed to implore her pity His goodly presence and the grace wherewithall he saluted this company fastened every ones eies upon him but Miralinda knowing him arose contrary to her custome and giving him an amorous look asked him what occasion brought him thither That is not to be questioned answered he since it is most sure that I come as others do to sigh out my passions and to tell you that you never saw shepherd before that adores you with more respect then my self She hath more cause to recompence my services answered one then to hear you make these protestations but I beleeve you will reap no more benefit by them then I have done by my complaints If the defect of your merit and the judgement of this shepherdesse answered Clarisel have given you no part in her favour you must not think shepherd that others are as unhappy as your self the condition of our service obligeth a woman and when our actions are disposed to please her we are to expect an acknowledgement of them If I cannot constrain her to love me I will be contented with the sight of her and if my presence offend her you shall see me continually upon these banks singing my misfortune and her beauty behold shepherd how I will accommodate my desires to hers accusing my self without rendring her culpable and if I receive any thing from so great an obedience I will beleeve it proceedeth rather from her goodnesse then mine own merit otherwise I will say that I am justly punished for having been too daring How now shepherd said Miralinda is any man so light as you are thus freely to discover his thoughts I never saw you till now and will you already have every one to know that you love me Yes without doubt answered Clarisel and if I should use lesse freedome I should not have so much affection Is it likely that I should be heer for your service and it not be known my designs would then be without honour and my ambition without glory I can no more forbear beauteous shepherdesse to publish my captivity then to suffer and if you be displeased with it I will hold my peace and think to profit more by my silence then by my speech Shepherd answered Miralinda reaching him her hand for to make him sit down by her I do not purpose to forbid you to speak and what I said was but to let you know that I love a man that is discreet howbeit let us leave this discourse and tell me from whence you are come whither you go and what accident brought you to this place Your beauty which is so famed over all answered he hath made me to forsake the banks of Seine with a resolution never to abandâ—n this Country without you or at the least till I see you ingaged under the power of some shepherd which is the reason why I crave your leave to deliver my passions as love shall make me feel them I will not refuse to speak unto you answered she but never be importunate if you hope for any part in my favour O God! said the shepherd who had not spoken yet what cause have I to complain I have served you these two yeers with all the fidelity that can be imagined and yet you have never done me the grace which now you have shewed unto this shepherd who is but newly arrived for advising him to live according to your humor you seem to take care of his content Ah! that I were permitted to let him see even at this instant how unworthy he is of so great a blâ—sse I would throw him at the first bout and by his fall conserve unto my self that good which I think is belonging unto me Miralinda not being able to forbear laughing at this shepherds anger that seemed to be extreamly jealous cast her eie upon Clarisel who conceiving he was bound to answer him said unto him rising up Foolish shepherd I
shield to it and for the most part avoided it with such agility as he gave most of his blows in vain wheras his never fell but to purpose so that having cut Narsanders shield in an hundred peeces he drew bloud from him in I know not how many places Having then a quick eie a confident judgement a strong arm and a resolute courage his addresse gave marvellous contentment to the people who beholding his youth prophecied that in time he would prove one of the most accomplished Knights of the world Narsander almost in despair to see himself reduced into so ill a plight and cursing his spirits for neglecting to advertise him of the force of this Knight verily beleeved that the justice of heaven was armed for to punish his wickednes nevertheles hoping yet to prevail he took his sword in both his hands and therwith struck Alcidamant so dangerously on the helmet that he made him knock his chin against his breast almost despairing of his sences and without doubt if he had quickly redoubled upon him he had been in perill but the Knight having time to resettle and come again to himself grew so furious that Narsander was exceedingly troubled with the apprehension of a most horrible blow which lighting on his head overthrew him in the place without moving either hand or foot wherewithall the Knight not being satisfied was going to disarm him for to take his head from his shoulders when as the Iudges declaring Melania to be innocent desired him to save his life So wicked a creature as this is answered he deserves no favour howbeit deliver this gentlewoman into the hands of her friends with the ceremonies requisit in such a case and then at your request I will spare him Heereupon they caused Melania to be conducted to the house where her friends were assembled into the which she was no sooner entred but she was presently restored to her former understanding free from the charms of her Unkle who being come to himself would not suffer his wounds though very dangerous to be looked unto the grief to see himself vanquished making him desire rather to die then to live CHAP. XVIII The loves of Alcidamant and Melania WHilest the people talked of the exceeding valour of Alcidamant and that Narsander infinitely enraged vowed to revenge his disgrace Melania suffered her self to be carried with the perfections which she found in her Knight his person was a wonder to her eie she admired such unmatchable force in an age so tender a matute and setled judgement in this youth an extraordinary prudence in his actions and briefly observing nothing in him that was not capable of love she felt the violence of certain desires that touched her to the quick and that seemed even to enform her to discover her thoughts unto him nevertheles retained by shame she resolved to suffer with silence and in the mean time to let him see that she loved him Emploied then whatsoever she had of charm and attraction in her and all the art that maidens use for the captivity of men she indevoured to gain and possesse him but there needed no great labour to bring her designs to passe for Alcidamant being naturally amorous seeing so beautifull a creature and occasion so favorable said unto her one day as they were walking alone under the trees of a fair and pleasant orchyard Madam I did not think that my ruine should have been drawn out of your preservation and that your deliverance should have been the cause of my thraldome but now I perceive to my grief that I have not freed you but to suffer the more my self unles you be as sensible of my pain as I was of your misfortune I do not know answered she exceedingly contented to hear him upon those terms which she so much desired what cause you have to complain of me for I have laboured to serve you and by all waies sought to give you that which your assistance hath deserved but if what I have done doth not suffice Sir you may dispose of all that is mine and there is nothing in my power that I do not most willingly make you the Master of that so at least I may not rest unthankfull And if so be this house be distastfull to you as indeed it is not very pleasing I am to be excused in regard I have not staid you heer but only to shew you how desirous I am to give you some entertainment befitting your merit Alas said he that is not the cause of my complaint for these pleasant walks these delicate gardens curious water works stately buildings and even this very orchard wherein we are set with a multitude of excellent trees might give content to the saddest disposition that could be much more to me that can never be enough satisfied of them but I will explane my self seeing it is your pleasure I said that I did not think my ruine would have been drawn out of your preservation Ah Madam will you not soon understand the meaning of these words when I shall tell you that your beauty hath left me nothing free but the will to do you service and a desire to enjoy you Yes and will think I have reason to complain if you should leave me in distresse from whence I have delivered you I did not know my power till now answered she with a smile nor could ever imagine that my eies had been of more force then the fury of the bravest Knights of the earth neither did I think of bringing any remedy to your disease because I was not acquainted with the cause but now that I am assured of it I will take time to resolve my self and let you see that I cannot be ingratefull You shall never meet with better opportunity to make me happy said Alcidamant and this place free as I conceive from all danger of discovery may invite you not to let me languâ—sh any longer Look now replied Melania how your impatience would wrong us would you have the Sun be a witnesse of my dishonour or would you have me espie some one peeping on us in the midst of our pleasures which could never taste well accompanied with such fear We will finde a more seasonable time and safer place till when I shall intreat you to rest contented with this assurance that I am won to your desire and withall that you will give me the satisfaction to look more merrily upon me Why this said he kissing her hand is as much as I can wish whereof I were most unworthy if my looks hereafter do not give you the content you require onely be mindfull of me and make the way to my felicity as short as possibly may be You shall not complain of me answered she and I shall hold my self most happy in your affection provided you be constant and do not forsake me to sigh for another Sigh for another said he Ah Madam never fear that for I have not the power so to
damsell a vessell fit for your purpose God refuse me said Arnides if ever I come neer it I le rather return again into my mothers womb then bury my self in the intrails of this creature How now said the damsell laughing at the fear he was in will you be more faint hearted then I and fear a danger which I will passe thorow Not more faint hearted said he but wiser and more advised then to cast my self away after your example do or say what you please you shall never perswade me to be so desperat and if my master will be ruled by me we will soon take a safer course Alcidamant who took exceeding delight to hear him talk thus and that was well assured this vessell was made by enchantment said unto him Wilt thou forsake me then Arnides That I will said he rather then die in this fashion for I pray you tell me what glory is there to be gotten by putting our selves in the claws of this Dragon Let us go away Sir and leave these women heer which are alwaies more ready to deceive Knights then to succour them in their enterprises Thou art in the wrong said Alcidamant for women have no malice in them No have answered Arnides in choler what say you to her that put you t'other day in the hands of your enemy trust them not too much I beseech you for if we are to beware by other mens harms we are to make use of our own not to fall into the mischief we have once avoided It is true indeed said Alcidamant that a woman brought me into the danger wherof thou speakest but a woman also was the cause of my deliverance you are rather to thank your own handsomnes for that which charmed her answered the Squire then her good nature for if you had wanted that perfection by my faith I know how it had gone with you What said the damsel shall the fault of one naughty one make all others guilty It is no consequent said Arnides but alwaies note this gentlewoman that we usually mistrust a naughty generation and talk as much as you will I resolve never to lodge my self there And for my part said Alcidamant I purpose to question the entring into it no longer for I will not give that offence unto these Ladies as to doubt either their goodnes or good will whereupon taking her unto whom he had spoken by the hand he past along upon the neck of the Dragon who held it stretched out upon the strand and finding himself presently in one of the richest chambers that ever he had seen he stood a good while observing a thousand rarities which presented themselves to his view but missing Arnides he mounted upon the wings of this dragon for to call him where he saw him stamp with his foot on the ground and listning to what he spake he heard him say Well it is all one if I do cast my self away now I shall not need to fear another time whereupon crossing himself three or fowr times he was about to have thrown himself into this Dragons throat when as he saw him plunge his head into the water and so vanish away in an instant Oh God! said he tearing his hair for grief thinking his master was drowned Oh God! what a losse have I made and whâ—t comfort is there now left me in the world Oh! that so great a Knight should be thus cast away by the instigation of a woman after he had proved the malice of so many Accursed sex that bringest forth nothing but mischief I utterly detest you all and I protest never to look upon you more but with hatred well did my fear presage this unlucky accident and how much wiser was I then my infortunat master that hath lost himself by contemning dangers But what say I wiser No I am far more unhappy then he I remain in the miseries of the world with just occasion to lament all the daies of my life he is now in the Elizian walks where souls enjoy a sweet and pleasing rest I must follow him into the same tombe and pertake the felicities which he finds in his new life as I was ready to suffer with him all the pains and miseries of this With these words he was casting himself into the sea when as he beheld a burning rock come out of the calm waters the top whereof served Love for a throne who leaning upon an armed man seemed to draw his power and glory from him Three maids of marvellous beauty appeared sitting at his feet one bearing his bow the second his arrows and the third a multitude of hearts in her lap Twelve Syrens guided by Neptune drew him a little esloigned from the rock behind the which were two Tritons who seemed to publish the greatnes of this mighty God This wonder arrested his fury and suffered him not to put his purpose in execution but that which most troubled him was to see his master in the middle of the flames of the rock and to hear him call him The same weaknes which made him fear the teeth of the Dragon not permitting him to enter into the fire he was ready to run away when as he felâ— himself taken up by a wind that set him at the feet of his Master who having been much astonished at these marvellous things could not chuse notwithstanding but laugh to behold his Squire so pale and trembling Arnides said he unto him iâ— thou confessest the truth sure thou wilt not die at this time without fear How without fear answered he being grown somwhat more hardy by the presence of his master I know no body in the world but would be afraid for who could be confident in such apparant danger my countenance doth suffiâ—iently witnes that the best part of my bloud is congealed and I doubt we shall meet with no wine heer to restore it unto its former heat again Heerat all fell a laughing especially the damsell who perceiving it to wax dark furnished the table with exquisit meat and having satisfied their stomacks therwith she and her company retired leaving the Knight to take his rest Certain daies being sweetly past in this maner the rock staid in a port of Greece to the infinit content of Alcidamant who resolved to leave glorious marks behind him there of his incomparable valor Landing then and seeing their horses which came as it were out of the dragons breast they presently mounted upon them crossed over a large plain and came neer to a great forrest at the entrance whereinto they espied two pavilions pitched a great many lances reared up and a number of shields hanging on the trees all about We shall not passe heer without combat said Alcidamant No doubtles said one of the damsels that followed him for to that end only we brought you hither and the boon which you promised me is to deliver my mistris out of the power of the great Ariston one of the most â—edoubted men of the
These ceremonies are to no purpose said the damsell that conducted Alcidamant you must defer them till another time and rejoice now at a secret you are ignorant of Do you know that gentleman pointing to him that Alcidamant had found lying on the tomb no surely answered Persides I doubt not of it said the damsell for he knows not himself nor hath not known hitherto that he is son to the puissant Amadis of Greece and the beautifull Empresse Niquea but it is time to acquaint him with it that the glory of his predecessors may render him desirous to be such as they have been and greater too if it may be He was taken away as you have heard when he was in his cradle and the intent of his ravisher who is this Giant heer named Dorion was to prevent the destruction of the altars of his Gods which must be overthrown by the valour of this gentleman how beit they that have taken upon them the protection of the house of Greece have not only preserved him in the midst of his enemies but have changed their minds and have purposely brought hither this famous Knight casting her â—iâ— on Alcidamant for whom this adventure was reserved and have given me in charge to declare unto him that his name is Amadis of Trebisond that he must now acknowledge one only God denying them whom his foster father hath made him to worship untill now and be presently made Knight to give a happy beginning to the wonders which shall be performed by him Heerwith those fowr Knights went and saluted Amadis who exceedingly well satisfied with the knowledge of his estate very kindly returned their complements with the like Whereupon Amadis who would lose no time leaving all the rest of the company went and kneeled before Alcidamant and desired him to remember the boon which he had promised him Ask said Alcidamant and you shall not be denied Make me then instantly Knight said Amadis and give me leave to depart to morrow for to begin to imitate you Most willingly said Alcidamant and beleeve it I may boast then that I have made one of the best Knights in the world But how will you do for arms We shall find some in the tomb said the Giant which are worthy of so generous a Knight and though I give them somewhat unwillingly at this present yet I am perswaded that one day they will much avail me howbeit Sir we shal have need of your assistance for to get them out Whereupon Alcidamant breaking the christall of the tomb with the pomell of his rich sword Amadis drew forth of it certain blew arms covered all over with ciphers of gold in the midst wherof appeared a P. where withall he presently armed himself and kneeling down at the feet of Alcidamant who gave him his oath and afterwards blessed and imbraced him he then received the sword from Persides his Unkle the helmet from Lucibel of France and the rest of his arms from Prigmaleon and Russian which being done they saw a charior descend from the clouds drawn by fowr furious Griffons whereinto the damsell Inchantresse having taken leave of Alcidâ—mant and the Princes of Greece caused Amadis to enter with her and immediatly they were carled out of sight to the great amazement of those Knights who forth with separated themselves Alcidamant went his way attended only by Arnides Persides and Lucibel tooke a clean contrary way Prigmaleon and Russian another and all the strange Knights directed their courle towards Coâ—stâ—nâ—inople with the skins of the Serpents which they had caused to be stuffed with straw to acquit themselves of the promise wherein they were ingaged to Alcidamant whom heer we will leave for to speak again of the Knight of the Roses CHAP. XXV Rozalmond following after the fantesms of Alcander arrives at an Hermitage understands the loves of Argenia with Meliander and Clidor and departs for to combat Orfuron THE Knight of the Roses having all night followed the fantosms which represented Armazia unto him in the arms of a horrible and cruell Giant as you have formerly read found himself at break of day upon a wild vast plain where being much troubled for that he had no hope in so desert a place to meet with any body that might tell him any news of that he sought for he was much amazed perceiving his horse upon a sodain to make a stand when looking all about he espâ—ed a dwarf holding him by the bridle and saying thus Knight coorse not up and down in this maner for thou art in an error to think that Armazia is in the power of an enemy that which thou hast seen is but an illusion and they which have practised it upon thee did it but to prevent a mischief which would have given thee cause to repent all tâ—e daies of thy life Keep the way thou art in since fortune hath presented it unto thee and heerafter be better armed against the crosses of the world Heerwith the dwarf vanished leaving the Knight more contented then amazed who giving his horse a little breath rode on fair and softly till about two of the clock in the afternoon he discovered an Hermitage towards the which he directed his course with a purpose to refresh himself there if he found any body in it Alighting then and knocking at the door it was opened unto him by one in a gray gown who seemed by his countenance and speâ—ch to be a man that had not been long exercised in praier and austerity Father said the Knight pardon me I pray you if constrained by necessity I do thus interrupt your devotions it is now full two daies since I have eaten wherefore let me intreat you to supplie me with a bit of something God doth not give us that which we have only for our selves answered the Hermit but to impart it to such as want in regard whereof you may be assured to command whatsoever this desert place doth furnish me withall which it is liâ—ely that at this time you will find more favoury then the delicate meats you are every day cloied withall Saying so he laid a clean napkin by a fountains side and setting him bread and apples upon it he went and tied his steed unto a bush Rozalmond observing somthing in this man more then ordinary in Hermits could not forbear saying unto him Father I must beseech you not to be offended with the desire I have to know somewhat of you your youth and fair demeanor will not suffer me to beleeve that devotion hath brought you into this desert now if it be otherwise do me the favour to discover the cause which hath made you to change your life and what have been your fortunes whilest you were in the world Your judgement is not amisse answered the Hermit for indeed I never was inclined to this solitude and he that would have told me two or three months since that I should have lived as now I do and clad with this
Having rode all day long then they turned aside unto certain houses which they espied on the left hand with a purpose to lodge there when as they met a Squire who staying to observe them because their apparell and arms were strange Rozalmond said unto him Sweet heart I could wish you would do me the curtesie to tell me some news of this countrey the name whereof I do not know as also whither you go and from whence you came to day Your fair demeanour answered the Squire obliges me to satisfie you in few words you are in the kingdom of Florertan neer to the Capitall city thereof called Valderic there is no great news stirring for the King by his wisdom maintains all in peace as for the occasion of my journey I think I shall not give you much satisfaction in relating it I am going to seek a Gentlewoman of this Countrey who hath not been heard of these two moneths What is her name said Rozalmond Carinda answered the Squire as fair as any in this Kingdom but unhappy in loving a man that now dies with grief for building her dispair upon a false opinion Explain your self a little I pray you said Rozalmond and discover this matter more clearly unto me That can I easily do answered the Squire Clerastes and so is he called of whom I speak loved Carinda Carinda no lesse affected him each joyed in the other and now both expecting the hour that should fully make up their happinesse when as fortune would needs divide two united hearts the King of Florertan became enamored of Carinda solicites her a thousand wayes by speech by letters and by the charms of presents Neverthelesse this maid firm in affection to her lover never yeelds to his desires but wisely defends her self howbeit she kept some letters written unto her by the King rather out of vanity I am perswaded then any inclination she had to cherish any thing that came from him which falling afterwards into Clerastes hands rendred him so jealous that without further informing himself of the businesse he sent Carinda word that he would love her no longer whereat the poor maid fell into such dispair as she quite abandoned this Countrey at leastwise must think so for Clerastes having caused her to be sought in vain even to the uttermost parts of Florertan it is presumed that she is not in it Why does he seek for her now said Rozalmond since he does not care for her Excuse me Sir said the Squire he loves her more then ever he did and her absence hath made him see that he was jealous without a cause for having been surprised by the King in his complaints against the inconstancie of women his Majestie assured him that she had alwayes with an untainted modestie refused his affection howbeit desiring to be further cleared presuming that the King out of his discretion and to preserve her reputation might be drawn to make these protestations he sent for an old inchantresse who for a summe of money made him behold in a glasse all the actions which Carinda had done in her life amidst the which observing nothing but respect in the Kings suit to her he condemned his rash humour and blaming himself for having been so credulous and cruell he wrote a letter full of amorous lines tending all to asking of pardon caused forty or fifty copies to be made and giving them to severall messengers he sent them to all parts of the Kingdom but hearing no news of her he had recourse unto the said inchantresse who told him that he shall meet with her at a time when he least hopes for it and counselled him in the mean space to have some still watching at the sea ports which is the reason that amongst others I am now going by his commandment to wait there in expectation of some good fortune for him that way This said he spurred on leaving Carinda as much contented as she had been troubled all the time of his discourse What say you to this Madam said Rozalmond Do not you beleeve now that after a tempest follows a calm and that there is no bitternesse but is accompanied with some sweet Yes an-answered she with a smiling countenance I confesse that the Gods do give us blessings after crosses and that they recompense our miseries with contentments but I feel a new care arising and know not how I should present my self at Court for to write to Clerastes I do not hold it fit and still to conceal my self is not the way to my happinesse What shall I do in this case Madam answered Rozalmond leave this to me I beseech you I will so carry things that you shall have as great cause to commend me and when Clerastes understands of your return it shall be for your glory By this time being come to a village they were kindly entertained by a rich shepherd who having given them a good supper prepared two chambers for them to lie in but Rozalmond having another designe in his head desired the shepherd to ride along with him and leaving Artander behinde him caused him to conduct him to Valderic where arriving very early in the morning he went to the Court and there enquired for Clerastes who being awake was informed by his Squire that a man armed at all points required to speak with him Let him come in said he for he comes not so early but upon some important occasion Whereupon Rozalmond entring the chamber and finding Clerastes out of his bed in his night-gown he said unto him Sir get on your clothes and as I am arm your self that I may receive satisfaction for the wrong you have done Carinda in refusing to acknowledge her for your wife after you have obtained all your desires of her under a promise of marriage Alas Sir answered he I would to God she were heer and then we should enter into no quarrell upon this occasion for there is nothing grieves me so much as that I cannot discharge my duty in that regard Are you resolved to give her all content said Rozalmond Yes verily answered he and if you knew what I suffered since I fell into that fault you would rather pity then destroy me Follow me then without more delay said Rozalmond and I shall quickly make you happy since you will become an honest man as I was ready to have spoiled you if you had persisted in your malice for Carinda is hard by Is my Carinda hard by said Clerastes Ah Sir how am I obliged to you Come bring me my clothes and let one saddle an horse for me Whereupon having suddenly made himself ready he rode away with Rozalmond unto whom he gave a million of thanks by the way and they made such speed that within five or six hours they arrived at the shepherds house where at the first approach Clerastes fell on his knees before Carinda and made demonstration of his true repentanâ— with a world of sighes and tears whereof
behold so fair a Princesse bear Arms they arrived at Tarsipolis where the first thing they did was to go straight way to the Camp to combat the King of Dramir whereof the Emperour being advertised betooke him presently to the windows as much admiring the gallant carriage of the Knights as satisfied with his daughters return whom he easily knew by her Arms and that having espied him went up instantly to him to do her dutie Your long stay abroad said he hath extreamly discontented me but your safe return makes a full amends for it You will have more cause to rejoyce Sir answered she when you understand how I have brought you that famous Knight who hath filled all the regions hereabout with wonder he that slew the mighty King of Licagena that with a handfull of men cut his Army in pieces that killed the monster of the Island of Silvana and in my presence three furious Giants with fingle might had made the greatest Estate of the world to tremble What a rich booty hast thou got my daughter said the Emperour if thou canst keep him here He comes with an intent to be of the number of your Knights answered she wherefore may it please you to affoord him as gracious entertainment as possibly may be for I assure you Sir he merits it more than any other Knight whatsoever Be confident daughter said he that I will give him very much cause to abide in my court for all my treasures shall be upon him and my chiefest Princes shall yeild him place But let us see how he will carry himself against the King of Dramir which would prefer a common beauty far before yours whose excellencie onely deserves the title of Divine Whereupon going to the windowes they saw Brandamar flye over the crupper of his horse and the valiant Knight of the Palms passe on with an admirable grace Behold an encounter of the Lance said the Emperour that does not belye the fame which this Knight hath acquired in the world and if he can manage a Sword as well our Amoroso shall misse of the content he expects here Trasiclea was about to reply but was retained by hearkening to her lover who was alighted because he would not fight with advantage and said to his enemy that made but little haste in rising having been shrewdly shaken with his fall Why how now King of Dramir are you no forwarder in defendidg the beauty of your Mistresse questionlesse she will have but little reason to caresse you up up it may be you shall rest in another fashion by and by These words which made all the people fall a laughing at him having put him into an extream rage he rose as if he had received no hurt and drawing out his Sword went and struck at Alcidamant in a most violent manner but he wifely avoyding it with admirable agility discharged a full blow on his left arm cutting it off sheer from his body Whereat this lame lover being strangely incensed returned another with all his force on the Frenchmans Shield which proving impenetrable it recoiled in vain howbeit nothing abashed therewith he laid about him most furiously and rendred the combat very doubtfull but Alcidamant confidering that he fought before the Father and for the glory of his Lady and disdaining to have the victory any longer disputed he advanced his Sword and let it descend in such a terrible manner on Brandamar that it divided him to the very girdle wherwith all the assistants were so amazed as they could not beleeve that this blow could proceed from any other then the great God of Battles and for such would have adored him would he have endured such vanity but sheathing up his Sword and going to the Palace he presented himself to the Emperour who received him with all the testimonies of a most extraordinary respect Sir said he kneeling down before him the report which runs of the worthy esteem your Majesty makes of good Knights hath given me the confidence thus to become an humble suitor that you wil be graciously pleased to accept of my service I am more contented with your presence said the Emperour then with the addition of another Empire whatsoever you desire in my Court shall be yours and my people shall honour you no lesse then mine own person I shall never be worthy of this favour said the Knight But Sir I will perform such deeds of Arms for your service that you shall never repent any grace you have conferred on me Then turning himself to his fair Princesse and kissing her hands with incredible delight he assured her of the continuance of his vowes This done the Emperour would have had him conducted to his chamber but being moved with the complaints of that beauteous Infanta which he saw in the middest of the flames of the burning rock he besought the Emperour that he would vouchsafe to entertain himselfe a while with beholding the triall of this adventure and desiring the same from his Lady he was drawing out his Sword when as he perceived Rozanel advancing towards the rock with the countenance of a man half bestraught My noble friend said he unto him whither run you thus Either to dye with my Angelea said hee whom I see in that fire or deliver her out of her pains Herewith the Emperour being advertised by Alcidamant of the love between this Knight a great Prince among the Christians and that beautifull Infanta which he beheld in the rock he stood to observe the success of this enterprise saw that having touched the rock with his Sword a Knight came forth of it whose armour was covered all over with great flames and that shewing a confident look began one of the roughest combats with Rozanel that could be between two Knights their blows were mighty and according to the extream fury which Rozanel expressed in his fight every stroke he struck gave an expectation of the end of this combat howbeit the glory being reserved for another he remained a little after extended in the place with an opinion that he should be consumed in his armour neverthelesse the heat allayed as soon as he touched the ground nor was he further tormented therewith when he was once unarmed but such was his grief and displeasure that he would have thrown himself into the Rock for to die with Angelea had he not been restrained by Alcidamant who staying him by the arm declared unto him the fault he had committed by shewing himself so weak Wherewithall being somewhat pacified Alcidamant drew his sword and seeing a man all in flames issue forth as before he charged him with such fury that all the hall was full of sparkles The combat growing terrible gave a world of expectation to the beholders every one looked with passion upon the Knight of the Palms who preferring death before the shame of not vanquishing in the presence of his Mistris prest the inchanted Knight so hard that ever and 〈…〉 made him set his knoâ—s
the Emperour or his Daughter who with good reason prefer that which you have now performed far before yesterdaies offence but the Gyants death having rendred their kindred your enemies all the Princes favour cannot protect you from being treacherouslie murthered wherfore be carefull if you mean to abide here to keep your self unknown Saying thus and and reaching him his hand he helped him up with such case that he remained very much amazed to find so much strength in so little a bodie Being able then to walke a little they descended down the mountain on that side that looked to the Sea and entred both into a Grott where Amadis was instantly unarmed that done he layd him down upon a bed which seemed to have been set there expressely for him and discovered his wounds to this little man who having bathed them with a very odoriferous liquour and afterwards laid certain plaisters to them he covered him and willed him to sleep In the mean time the Emperours Chyrurgions were much troubled for being come where the Monster lay and missing the knight that had been so recommended to their care they were exceedingly afflicted but especially the poor Shepherd who bitterly weeping cried out Alas this is the place where I left him the grasse is yet wet with his bloud and it is not long since he could be taken away surely some god came hither and hath carried him to heaven Ah noble knight why was not I here that I might have participated a little of thy glory or if some worse chance hath befaln thee that I might then have run thy fortune Hereupon the Emperor arriving and understanding how the knight could not be found he was exceedingly discontented but Palmirenna much more for the matchlesse valour of this stranger whereof she had been an eye-witnesse and the extream perill wherun to he had exposed himself in the combat with the monster for her sake had so taken her as she was marvellous sensible of his losse howbeit her Father commanded his knights to disperse themselves in the search of him she comforted her self in hope to heare of him ere it were long and so went to observe the Beast which seemed still so dreadfull as it made all the assistants to tremble O ye gods sayd the Emperour much astonished at the sight of so horrible a figure what a courage had he need of that durst encounter so deformed a creature when as being dead it terrifies all that behold it Ah incomparable knight then the which a more valiant never breathed upon the earth thou art afraid to present thy selfe before me in regard of one poor offence but be assured no man shall ever be more welcome to me then thy self Go then and seek him out and place the skin of the Beast stuft with straw on the highest Tower of Cardana valiant persons cannot be too much honoured Saying so he returned into Palmirenna's Coach where all the way to the Citie he entertained her with the praises of this knight which he thought could never be sufficient for so transcendent a merrit CHAP. IIII. Floridan of Persiabeing delivered out of Captivitie by the victorie of Amadis becomes enamoured of Amplamira The invention that Amadis useth to see Palmirenna CArdana having just occasion to resent the death of this Monster which in short time would have rendred it desolate was replenished in a moment with a world of bonfires and nothing was heard but shouts of joy confusedly mingled with the musick of a million of instruments in such sort that the Emperour arriving therupon was conducted to his Palace with more magnificence then if he had triumphed over the greatest Monarch of the earth This Prince beholding his people amidst their content chaunting his greatnesse and the praises of our Warriour remembred the Gentleman that accompanied him in the slaughter of his servants and being magnanimous commanded him to his Presence wherupon being presently brought before him in irons he said â—nto him It were unreasonable that in the eâ—nesse of a publike joy derivâ—â— from the valour of your Companion you alone should have cause to complain of fortune wherefore passing by the displeasure I received from you yesterday It is our pleasure that you be freed from these chaiâ—s and that you have the same power here of your actions as you had before your arrivall in these parts provided that you let me know who the Knight is and that you likewise conceale not your own condition Mighty Prince answered hee the generosity of Kings appears alwaies in their Clâ—mencie and as the cruelty of Tyrants tenders them subject to a thousand kind of mischiefes so doth mercy assure good Princes even in the middest of greatest dangers being a Prisoner I expected as much reliefe from your pitty as from mine own innocencie for I knew that reason would at length have drawn you to consider that I was forced to fight and that a man cannot commit a fault in preserving his life with the losse of theirs that sought to deprive him of it howbeit I acknowledge my self infinitly obliged to your Majestie for making me without languishing any longer in misery of a slave your most humble and faithfull servant in which regard your Highnes shall alwayes and absolutely dispose of the life you have now given me And if I do not satisfie your Majesties desire by telling you the name of this Knight to whose valour you say that you are ingaged in such powerfull obligations bee assured Sir that it is because I do not know it not having had the honour of his acquaintance but since yesterday that hee drew me out of the middest of the waves where by the casting away of the bark which carried me I was like to have perished for my own particular you behold Sir a poor Gentleman of Persia commonly called the Knight of the Flowers who having nothing at this present but the honour of the favour which you are pleased to promise him will labour to deserve it by the greatnesse of his service This good will of yours said the Emperour doth content mee and beleeve that you shall have no cause given you to depart from hence commanding him then to be accommodated with all that he should need hee appointed him a Chamber that opened into the Gardens and so fell to talk of the discretion sweet carriage and handsomenesse he had observed in him which seemed so extraordinary unto his Courtiers that they were wonderfully taken with his rare perfections Hee retired then free from those chains which might have fettered his hands but not from those love had prepared to bring his heart into subjection for the excellent beauty of Amplamira second daughter to the Emperour having bin still present before his eyes all the while that hee was in the Hall had made so deep an impression in his soul that hee had wholly surrendred it into her power But it is time to leave him to the comfort of his deliverance and to the pleasing
your presenting of me unto him may produce These Knights embracing so safe an offer and leaving the dead bodies in the place went away with her to the Citie where arriving at the Court before the Emperour Corazinda with a sweet and modest look fell on her knees and making the same relation to him which shee had done before unto his Knights she besought him to have some compassion of her fortune not permitting her to be any way injured Pretty one said he very much wondring at her beauty and already feeling some secret flames that began to scorch him you shall not want my favour seeing the gods have been pleased to cast you on my territories and to shew that your arrivall here is acceptable unto me I will give order that you be lodged neer my daughters with whose company you may the better passe away the time Oh! how pleasing was this saying unto our Warriour and how easily might one have discerned the alteration of his soul by his change of colour if one had had the least suspicion of his sex verely his desire â—â—ew and hee thought it long till hâ—â— saw himself at the liberty to consider at leisure all the perfections of his Lady but remembring that discretion was more then necessary for his designes and that hee was to govern his actions if hee meant to assure his happinesse hee made little shew how much hee was transported by this speech contrarily bowing himself even to the ground with the best grace hee could use in acknowledgement of so much favour he kissed his hand and raising up himself again he very modestly followed him that was to conduct him to his Chamber wherein at first he fetched a thousand turns blessing the good hap which had so prospered his desires In the mean time the Emperour acquainted his daughters with the acquisition he had made of one of the fairest slaves in the world Her eyes said he hath so many winning charms that my heart frozen with a multitude of yeeres hath felt the violence of their beams her hair sweetly set forth under a strange Attire is not to be paraleld her form is goodly nothing can be desired more in a face most delicate in her skin briefly next to you who excell in all perfection shee may vaunt her self to bee one of the most beautifull creatures of the earth judge then whether I can think upon her without love and whether it be not an hard matter for him that shall converse with her to preserve his liberty without doubt said Palmirenna who had much adoe to forbear smiling at this her fathers rapture being such as you describe her shee may work great effects even upon the most insensible But Sir I marvell that you will let her bee a slave seeing shee so deserves to be served Thinke not said he that I wil commit so great â— fault whereby I should â—ffend the gods and my judgement which forbid mee to entreat her with rigour shee shall have as much liberty as you but I will call her the fair slave till such time as we better understand who shee is your discourse said Amplimira then hath possest mee with a great desire to see her will you be pleased Sir to grant us this contentment Very willingly answered he for I would have you acquainted with her and use her with the respect which I am perswaded shee deserves for her carriage assures me she is nobly derived Herewith Amadis being called forth came out of his Chamber strangely perplexed hee had resolved with himself not to be moved but as soone as hee appeared in the Hall and was fallen on his knees before his Mistresse who was exceedingly taken with the sight of such a comely person hee found himself to be so lost that hee was not able to utter a word howbeit shee that beheld him with a particular good will which shee could not call love and that was no lesse ravished then hee desiring to confirm him said unto him Fair stranger what ayl you will you not let us know who you are and from whence you came Madam answered he marvell not if I have not spoken till now to give you humble thanks for the honour you have done mee in receiving me thus I had no eyes but to admire the excellency of your beauty which certainly cannot bee humane you aske me who I am vvhy here is before you a poor Damosel of Greece the object of the mischances and misery of the vvorld yet not so unhappy but that she applauds that fortune vvhich hath brought her hither to enjoy the blessednesse of your presence Arise svveet heart said Palmireâ—â—a and you shall see that vve shall so cherish and caresse you as you shall have no cause to complain Saying so shee stooped and kissed him wherewith Amadis was so transported as he was ready to sound with extremity of pleasure but recollecting his spirits which were wandring in this extasie hee was going to render the like unto the two incomparable Infantaes when as they prevented him with their kisses after the example of their elder sister and not suffering him to kneele led him by the Emperours permission into Palmirennaes Chamber who began to affect him no lesse then shee did her sisters CHAP. V. The life that Amadis led with Palmirenna Floridans passions for Amplamira Amadis and he knowes one another AMadis his behaviour accompanied with most extraordinary sweetnesse made him to bee beloved of all Palmirenna and her sisters held nothing so dear as his company their women idolatrized him and as his habit beguiled every one the Gallants of the Court were as much enamoured of her as she was of her Mistresse Tarsander the Prince of Balivana Nephew to the Emperour sighed often at her feet howbeit so discreetly that the Emperour who notwithstanding his old yeeres was extreamly passionate for her could never perceive it Every one adored her but hee that shewed least feare and most affection was Bustrafard the Gyant whose cruell soul delighted more in blood then in the exercise of any Gentlenesse This Colossus having heard it often said that handsomnesse had as much power over the will of a woman as the continuance of services that were done her laboured to sweeten his look which was most dreadfull caused his horrible rough beard to be perfumed combed his hair that was harder then any horses Mane painted his swarthy face apparelled himself in the richest robes hee could get which made him more hideous and omitting no occasion to accost our Gentle-woman entertained her with the discourse of his valour of his wealth and of the antiquity of his race and propounded unto her incredible contentments in the possession of him Behaving himself thus in the sight of all the world it exceedingly vexed Tarsander who would willingly have been revenged on him had his forces been answerable to his courage but knowing full well that it would have been in vain for him to have attempted any thing against him
were ever in love before for it were unfit for me to have an unknown servant Madam said he trembling with joy that he had obtained his desire it is very meete I should satisfie your demand I am a Knight errant of the Kingdome of Macedon neere unto Greece who have no other fortune then that of my hopes and sword and most unworthy to behold you as a lover unless you will vouchsafe to stoop so far as to weigh the greatness of my services and affections with that of your beauty My name is Griolanis my Parents noble and eminent but Scepters Madam are wanting to their merit which to my grief I fear considering the difference of our conditions will be too just a motive for you to reject the humble tender of my service As for any other Mistress beleeve me Madam and I swear it by the soveraign power of these your eyes whose beauteous splendor I adore that my soule was never sensible of the allurements of any beautie that ever yet I saw Your word sufficeth without swearing replyed she and I am exceeding glad to be the first object of your vowes and so consequently to bee free from competitors For what concerns our conditions that shall put no difference betwixt us since fortune doth not alwayes confer Crowns upon such as have best deserved them and seeing you are a Gentleman both valiant and vertuous I shall esteem better of you then if you possessed whole Empyres without courage or glory This Kingdome is spacious enough to limit our ambitions only carry your self with respect untill time shall produce a happier change And so parting equally satisfied they went to supper after which having recreated themselves with dauncing each withdrew himself untill the morrow CHAP. XXV The brave Jousts that were held at the Court of Corolandaya and the issue of a most wonderfull adventure that happened there GRiolanis spending his time in most incomparable delights highly favoured by his Mistress bonoured and respected as if he had swayed the Scepter of Corolandaya wanting nothing he could desire but the fruition of that happiness which love doth yeeld his impatience was great enough to make him to require it but the doubt of displeasing his Mistress would not suffer him to move it in so much as the torment of his fear was no whit inferiour to the pleasure of his hope Twelve dayes were insensibly spent in confused thoughts in raptures in sighs and moans till the Knight unable to withstand the flame that consumed him any longer was about to seek some rest in the confidence of his words and by his tears to work his Mistress to a compassionate regard of his sufferings when behold there comes into the Hall a fair and comly Damosell who falling on her knees before Adalazia said unto her Beauteous Princesse the fame which is spread abroad of the incomparable valour of the strange Knight that resides in your Court hath bred an extream desire in four of the most warlike Princes now living to maintain here two dayes together that the Mistresses they shall bring are the fairest in the world The first is the valiant Armoran Caliph of Paran who leades with him the faire Alarina Infanta of Zizima The second is the mightie Grinaldo King of Pergaza with Marselia inheritrix of Corangia The third Falemond the brave Duke of Cardambes with the gracious Philotea Princesse of Oriana The fourth Crisander the warlike Duke of Marsingues servant to the most lovely Elymena Daughter to the King of Filamonna They will begin with Jousting neither shall it be lawfull for any to use his sword whilst they are able to keep their saddles now what answer will you please to make us That which their merits may expect replyed the beautifull Queen they shall find hearty welcome and if any indevour of mine may requite the honour they intend to doe me it shall not be wanting unto them Hereupon the Damsell taking her leave in most humble manner departed leaving the Courtiers somewhat troubled for knowing what reputation those Knights had acquired abroad in severall adventures especially Almorand and Grinaldo esteemed the best Warriours of all the neighbouring Provinces they very much doubted that they should not be able any longer to maintain the glory of Corolandaya unless it were by the valour of Griolanis who comming close to his Mistress spake thus softly unto her I have reason to thank Love for affording me occasion to serve you and to purchase your beauty the just estimation it deserves These Princes come hither fraught withglory through the numberlesse enterprizes they have most couragiously atchieved and the Ladyes that accompany them hold the victory of their beauties most sure in the force of their mighty arms but Madam having justice on your side I dare promise without ostentation to bring them in triumph unto you and to make them acknowledge you to be incomparable so that to the right of my cause you would be pleased to adde but the obliging me by some favour It would be unreasonable replyed she smiling to refuse ought that lyes in my power since beautie is in question which by our sex is had in highest estimation tell me therfore freely what you desire of me Two things said he trembling would infinitly satisfie me The first some Scarre of yours that I might wear in the Combat The other that in commiseration of my sufferings you will permit me to come to your Chamber when your women are asleep that so I may with more libertie represent unto you the violence of the flame that consumes me Ah my Knight answered she you doe not consider how neerely this request of yours concernes mine honour the grant wherof when it comes to be divulged would make me odious to my people Alack said he such a fear befits not your Majestie you may do much more then that without caring what eyes or speeches passe upon your actions but if it be your pleasure to see me languish in my pain I shall submit to your will without opposing it or repyning at my torment yet withall youchâ—afe to considâ—â— that when I am brought to extremitie I shall be unfit for remedy Well said she I le rather overcome my self then give you the least cause to complain of me to morrow you shall have your desire but upon condition you will not be too importunate and that all your actions shall be governed with respect Madam replyed he half transported with joy my passion shall never make me abuse the freedome which you are pleased to grant me nor shall you ever repent this grace you have conferred on me But a sudden noyse in the Court-yard having put a period to their discourse they presently looked out and saw four Knights in very good equipage with each a Lady in his right hand of excellent beautie and richly appareled who lighting off their horses turned their faces towards the Windows to salute the fair Adelazia that returning them the like again sent to
extreame discontent of Armorand and the gallant Crisander who suddanly charging him made him recoyle two or three steps back wherwith he was so incensed that with his two first blowes he overthrew them both on the floor That done he advanced towards the stayres and no whit dismayed either with the Serpents fearfull hissing or the dreadfull howling of the Monster which made at him with horrible rage he went to incounter them and began one of the most terrible combats that ever was seen He sustained 〈◊〉 incredible courage the blowes which the Monsters cutting hatchet layd off his shield his Curtelas was alwayes deseending on the Serpent and finding himselfe so shrewdly prest by two such mighty enemies hee fought with such unreasonable furie as made all the houses round about to shake This bâ—ckering having lasted almost two houres the Monster advanced his mighty arms and discharging a thundring blow at the head of Gorgophon the combat without doubt had been terminated if warily observing the comming of this tempest he had not lightly slipt aside letting that dangerous steele enter into the earth which flying out of the Monsters hands he fell down instantly thereupon altogether without vigiouror force whereat Gorgophon was exceeding glad for thinking he had then no more to deale withall save that huge Serpent he valiantly opposed his shield to him but he presently saw a Knight descend covered all over with fire who giving him a cruell blow on the head made him set his hands to the ground and straight way redoubling another on his cuirace layd him all along on the earth from whence he was suddenly carryed not knowing by whom beyond the outer gate of the Palace Hereat when he came againe to himselfe he was so mad that he made a vow never to depart out of the Island before he saw the end of the adventure and because said he full of rage and despight that the destinyes have not reserved it for me I will combat first with all such as shall present themselves to prove it Wherupon he caused Armazia and her cousin to be put into a little tower which was hard by the Gate under the guard of the Gyant that accompanyed him and compelling those of Agricant to set him up a rich Tent he lodged himself therin protesting anew not to suffer any to trye the adventure before they had combatted with him whence it came to passe that being endued with extream forces he vanquished in the space of a moneth above fortie Knights which came from all parts thither But let us give him time to fill the world with the renown of his valour and to garnish the walls of Armazia's Tower with shields whilst we discourse a little of Rozalmond CHAP. XXVIII Rozalmond arrives in Martaria undoes the Inchantment of the Crystall Tower delivers Amadis Floridan and Lucibel with their Mistresses they are afterwards driven into Câ—rolâ—ndaya and prove the adventure of Adelazia's Martyrdome FOrtune doth ordinarily crosse the designes of men Rozalmond having left Alciâ—â—mants Hermitage with a resolution to goe unto Tramazond sayled for two daies together with a prosperous gale but but upon the appearing of the third the wind grew high and so contrary as the Marriners were constrained to turn their sayles and comply with it Being carryed then by the ordinance of heaven he continued a whole weeke and better in some danger of shipwrack but at the end therof the rage of the Sea being wel allayed he came to coast along by the Isle Du-bois in the Empire of Martaria where the Tower of crystall in which Amadis Floridan and Lucibel with their Ladyes were inchanted possessing him with a marvellous desire to know what it was he caused himself to be landed and going to the place by fortune he found the Emperour newly arrived there with a Pagan Knight who more audacious then strong and valiant was come thither with a purpose to combat the Lyons howbeit his courage that contemned the greatest dangers when he was in a chamber proved so abject at the sight of those furious creatures as he would not so much as touch his sword remonstrating unto the Emperour that to undertake a Combat where death was so assured was nothing els but rashly to cast away his life Which observed by out Warriour that could not choose but laugh at the Pagans boutade he approached to the Tower wherupon beholding written in letters of Gold The Paradise of the Princes of Greece he fixt his eyes attentively upon them and presently knew not Amadis whom he had never seen but Floridan and Lucibel whereat being wonderfully glad he was in doubt whither he should deliver them for to render them again to the world or leave them still in a place so full of blisse neverthelesse considering that a Prince oweth more to his glory then his pleasure he resolved to employ all his strength for to bring this inchantment to an end whereupon he was going to draw out his Sword but desiring first to inform himself of the cause of so sweet a captivitie he returned to the Emperour and setting one knee to the ground he said unto him Great Monarch I could be willing to undertake the finishing of this Inchantment so as your Majestie would be pleased to declare the story of it unto me That were to renew my sorrows answered the Emperour notwithstanding I will satisfie you in few words The Sea that many times brings strange Vessels into these coasts having one day landed two Knights not far from hence they were incountred by some of my men at Arms who more insolent then I would have had them set upon them for to make them my prisoners but being very valiant they defended themselves with such courage as they left thirtie or fortie of them together with two Gyants dead in the place and which is more one of them retyred into a wood thereby in despight of certain troups that came to succour their friends the other who fought unarmed remained behind so wounded that he was fain to be carried to my Palace where I committed him to my Chirurgions care reserving him for a sacrifice to my gods but I quickly fell from that resolution and set him at libertie in acknowledgement of the service his companion did me two dayes after by killing a great and dredfull Monster which spoyled all the Countrey and considering the exceeding valour he had shewed in the combat against my people I began to affect him very much In the mean time I caused the other Knight to be sought after that I might recompence him for so great a benefit howbeit he would never present himself in Arms whether it were that he feared my displeasure or that he had some other design as we have conjectured since but disguising himself in the habit of a woman he caused himself to be brought hither as a slave and to make short being indued with a most rarebeautie he appeared so amiable as my Daughters could not to indure to
astonished that he knew not what world he was in and Fulgoran following his example wounded Gorgophon very dangerously in the thigh by which means having very happily the leisure to releeve one of the Cenophales who being unable to withstand an heavy stroak lent him by the Grand Salvage he had fallen at his Horses feet had he not been sustained by him Furiander in the mean time had received a sore hurt on the arm by the other Cenophales These astonishing strokes putting the Pagans into the extremity of rage they addressed themselves again to be revenged threatning no less then death with their tempestuous swords but the Princes who well understood they were accomptable for the people under their charge and that knew the safety of the souldiers consisted in the preservation of their Leaders retyred to their troops leaving the Pagans in dispair of having that revenge upon them they so much hoped for The Christians having thus prudently made their retreat they desired to know the names of the Commanders of the new Army and finding that it was the brave Russian of Media with the beautifull Amazon Brandimanda who departed from Corolandaya by the advice of the wise Vrganda before the others were in the field gave them a million of thanks and especially to Brandimanda whose matchlesse beauty joyned with that invincible prowesse whereof they had so lately experience they could never sufficiently admire then causing the Amazons to be led into a quarter a part and the Souldiers into the trenches they conducted them to the Palace where disarming themselvest they found every one hurt except Russia Brandimanda the valiant Esquilan Cilindor and Leonidas of Mesopotamia who with Alteria was left in the Town if need were to make good the retreat Prigmaleons hurt was on the arm and head Fulgâ—rans on the shoulder the Cenophales in two or three places Grandimore on the left arm by the sword of the proud Gyant Antamedon Perion and the rest in divers parts of the body notwithstanding which they had some cause to rejoyce for the losse the enemy had amounting to the number of threescore and seventeen thousand men three and twenty Gyants and the Kings of Brutaxia and Parmondia as they understood by their Spyes besides those that were hurt in the number wherof were Roussardan Gorgophon the Grand Salvage Furiander Antomedon and the valiant Artogant Soldan of Francapia with a multitude of common Knights But when they bethought themselves of the losse of the gentle Florizartus of Trapobana and of thirty three thousand men that remained dead in the field the greatest part whereof perished rather by the sword of the Gyants than the multitude of the souldiers they could not beleeve that Fortune had much obliged them by the advantage they had gained neverthelesse putting on a brave resolution they comforted themselves with the hope of some other succours and so placing trustie Sentinels in all places requisite they went to refresh themselves with a small repast Afterwards those that had escaped without hurts assembled themselves in Prigmaleon and Fulgorans Chamber who would by no means lye asunder where it was resolved that Russian and Brandimanda with each of them a troope of ten thousand Horse should sally upon the Enemie two houres before day wherupon they went to repose themselves for a while In the mean time Falanzar enraged at the massacre of so many of his men and for the losse of his Kings and Gyants by so small a number environed three parts of the Citie and causing great Trenches to bee cast up and covering the field with his Souldiers for the space of two myles round he promised to himself that he would gain the Walls at the first assault seeing all his Gyants should have now elbow-room to bestir themselves but his opinion deceived him as you shall see in the Chapter following and made him conclude that the end of his enterprize would not prove so feasable as he expected CHAP. XXXIX The brave feats of Arms performed in a Sally by Russian of Media and Brandimanda the furious assault given by the Pagan Princes unto the Town which being reduced to extreamitie is marvellously relieved THis mighty Fleet of the Enemies having gained the Shore the night was almost wholly employed in making of Trenches and setting up Tents and Pavillions so that it being neere that time of the day which chalengeth a kind of securitie over all things the Souldiers annoyed with the Sea wearied with their late travels and importuned by sleep betook themselves all to their rest being confident that the Christians durst not so much as once peep out of their Walls But they like brave spirits who thought there was no glory equall to that which was gotten in the midst of dangers and hating all rest which might be accompanied with disgrace had no other designe than continually to be pulling some feathers out of their enemies Wings whereby they might stop the fury of their flight they rose presently after midnight and arming twenty thousand of their best and lustiest Horses they divided them into two Troups whereof one was commanded by Russian Cilindor and Leonidas the other by Esquilan Brandimanda and the fair Alteria and so sallying out at two severall Ports they advanced softly towards the Pagans till it was break of day which affording them light to discover their Sentinels all asleep they presently cut their throats without any noyse and so falling aboard with the rest who were in no better estate to make resistance they began to commit so great a slaughter that the ground was covered over with dead bodyes before the Alarum was taken in the Camp Russian Cilindor and Leonidas over-runall Souldiers they cut in peeces Knights they cleft down to the shoulders Tents and Pavilions they turned upside down and meeting with little or no opposition they made a strange havock Falanzar Generall of the Pagan army who lodged not far from the place where they first fell on easily hearing the fearfull cryes and groans which came from his men as they were dying rose up immediatly and finding Brufaldar King of Gedrosia Brizardan the redoubted Soldan of Aralafia with Moranteon Soldan of Circassia he gave them thirty thousand men to resist the fury of their enemies whose number he conceived to be fifty thousand at the least and so ran speedily himself thorow all parts of the Camp to put the rest in battell array These three proud Pagans who had not been at the last nights service cheerfully embracing this charge began presently to march forward and being conducted by the noyse which continually encreased they forthwith encountred the Christians and plainly perceiving the smalnesse of their number divided their troups with an intent to environ them and to charge them on every side but those valiant Knights not affording them the leisure to put their Designe in practise broke thorow them with such a tempest that the blood ran along the ground in little rivers which put the incensed
little cause left them of boasting and so there began the most dangerous Combat that ever man beheld between these six Knights On the one side the Gyants made huge massacres Esquilan Brandimanda Grandimore and the Christian Princes bestird themselves lustily on the other and their brave example made the courage of their men supply what they wanted in number so that above threescore thousand Knights being slain both parts the victory remained as yet doubtfull Wherupon the Pagans impatient of delay caused their second Battalion to advance which being led by Marmaran Sophy of Bultara accompanied with those incomparable Warriours Bravorant king of Morimont Marisgolfus and Gorgophon Collonels of the Gyants gave so fierce an assault upon the Christians first Squadron that they had cut them all in pieces if the Emperour Spheramond had not opportunly opposed their furie By this time the ground was all covered with dead men and the confusion so great and crpes so loude that a thousand claps of thunder would not have been heard amongst them Bravorant Gorgophon and Marisgolfus having addressed their Launces against Galard King of the Barren Ilands Alvida his Wife and the Duke of Laiaret they ran them quite thorow the body and so did in like manner to five or six more before they brake but great was the slaughter they made when as they hod drawn out their great and heavy Fauchions for the Lightning falls not with more violence than did their blows which meeting with no resistance sufficient to oppose them they strewed all the ground with dead bodyes Spheramond having encountred Marmoran Sophy of Bultara they both brake their staves upon each other and so pressing in amongst the multitude they slew as many as had the ill hap to come within their reach Alastraxerea made such havock amongst her enemies that every one fled from her as from some deadly contagion Melindus Clidor and Amiano of Astrea did no lesse wonders But the Enemies were so mighty and Bravorant joyning with Gorgophon made so bloudy a massacre that this second Squadron in spight of the best resistance Spheramond Alastraxerea and the Grecian Princes could make had been utterly routed if Florisel wisely fore-seeing that the flight of those forces might cause a generall ruine of the whole Army had not opportunly given order to the young Cavaliers that he had armed the day before to advance who desirous to season their first undertakings by some memorable testimonie of their valour made so fierce a Sally upon the Gyants that with their Launces they overthrew twelve of them to the ground then laying their hands on their swords they began to do such strange things that the Greekes recovering as it were a new courage gave their enemies so furious a charge as they made them begin to startle nay almost to betake themselves to plain flight Neverthelesse being detayned by the only valour of Braverant Gorgophon and Marisgolfus and the brave Sophy of Bultara who resembled so many furies they continued the fight so stoutly that the blood made large Rivers through the midst of the fields the earth was covered with the bodies of those that were already slain and the ayr filled with the groans of those that were then dying Spheramond wheresoever he passed carried death on his sword Bravorant and Gorgophon ran up and down raysing mountaines of dead bodies Marmoran and Marifgolfus appeared like lightning Alastraxerea Melindus Clidor Cassianus met with no resistance unlesse it were from the Gyants who did often times as well as their fellows taste the keenesse of the Christian blades In briefe it was a spectacle full of such horrour as the like hath seldome been beheld by the eye of man and the slaughter so indifferent that it was heard to say to which side the victory did most incline The Pagans who could not endure to be idle whilst their Companions were busie in the pursuit of glory marched up with their third sqadron conducted by the valiant Astrurion Soldan of Brutacan Antomedon the proud Caliph of Francapia Brizardan Soldan of Aralafia and Mercelian Emperour of Media These vast troops led by such proud and mighty Commanders fell on the Christians with such fury as promised no lesse then utter ruin at the very first onset But the Emperour of Persia seconded by Lucendus Dorogel Silvian the faire Salvage the noble Silverin of the Desart Gadard King of Hungaria Filadart of Polonia Oriander and Oroncus charged them so fiercely that made them quickly turn their faces to defend themselves from the cruelty of their weapons This brave Prince encountring Antomedon with his Launce ran him through the shield and arme yet not without great danger to himselfe for from the Gyants Launce he received such an encounter as tumbled him upon the crupper of his horse ready to have fallen to the ground if he had not been upheld by some of his followers Thus the third Squadrons falling to it pell mell there continued a most cruell battell the valiant Dâ—rigil did deeds worthy of himselfe following the brave example of his father who held all the enemies in admiration to see him alone act such wonders the noble Silverin of the Desart stopped the fury of Brizardan and behaved himselfe so bravely against him that by those that saw him he was judged no whit inferiour to the best Warriours of the world Lucendus sent Marcelian Emperour of Media to keep company with the dead Filadart Gadart and the Princes that followed them fought with so much courage and vigour that in a moment they covered the fields with the slaughtered carkasses of their enemies In the meane time Don Rogel and Lucendus seeing the great massacre made by Antomedon the mericilesse Sultan of Brutacan immediately assaulted these two proud pagans who were almost ready to swim in christian blood shed by their own swords upon whom they bestowed a couple of such violent blows as Antomedon was layd flat upon the crupper of his horse the blood gushing out at his mouth and eares and the great Soldan received such a stroak from Lucendus as rendred him in little better case then his fellow These terrible blows which probably should have been the cause of the Christians victory contrariwiâ—e exposed them to extream danger for these two great Warriours recovering themselves again and taking their swords in both hands advanced with so eager a desire of revenge that meeting with Filadart of Polonia and Gadart King of Hungaria they fell upon them with such a tempest as the one was cleft downe to the shoulders the other to the girdle which being soon perceived by Don Rogel he made with his best speed towards Antomedon upon whom he discharged so furiously as he quite dismounted him and put him in great danger of being trampled under the horses feet but being suddenly releeved by his friends he was by them immediately carried to his tent The retreat being known of these two mighty men it gave a fresh supply of courage to the Greeks
Rodomart King of Fortan Armositan King of the upper Indies and Tarsides King of Pergazus perished by the swords of Silvan the fair Salvage his wife and Dorigel and fifteen Giants being instaÌ„tly slain by the other christian princes the pagans began to give ground when in the nick arrived Falanzar with the redoubted King of Balivan the dreadfull Tipheus Bucargant Burcandar King of Russia Palamedes King of Cassandria the excellent Knight Artogant and the incomparable Alceus and on the other party Don Florisel of Niquea with his troops who mingling themselves in a furious fight with those Pagans caused on the sudden such a generall confusion that the earth the ayr and the Heavens seemed to be but one and the same thing for the Leaders some of them were no lesse terrible than so many furies others begat an stonishment in those that had the ill hap to encounter them equall to that of thunder and lightning and the Souldiers animated by the example of their Captaines fought with so much courage and cruelty that nothing was to be seene but blood and slaughter Falanzar charged Florisel with an incredible fiercenesse who was no whit behind hand with him in the requitall Roussardan Gorgophon and Braverant threatned such a ruin where they went that the very glittering of their swords frighted the faint-hearted to death neither were Spheramond Prigmaleon and Fulgoran lesse terrible to their enemies than they the Grand Salvage Furiander his son Marmoran Brufaldor and Policastoleon charged the Christians through and through till they scarce left a ranke unranked Silverin of the Desart Russian Brandimanda the Cenâ—phales and Brandimore did as much to the Pagan troops In briefe these mighty Armies sustained by the valour of the Princes that commanded them had as yet gayned little advantage of one another which raysing Bravorant Gorgophon and the proud Knight Arastron to the utmost extremity of rage they fell all three with such a violence upon Don Rogel Florisel and Spheramond that they beat them all down to the ground where they made no long aboad though they were much astonished but be took themselves to their feet again and on the instant made themselves such elbow room that except these three mighty enemies who pressed upon them with a mad kind of fury none durst come neer them neverthelesse divers others of the Pagan Champions comming also to assaile them the three Princes were in danger to have made a glorious end of their days had not Prigmaleon Fulgoran Russian and Silverin seeing them in this necessity come in to their ayd and let fly at these three mighty Pagans with such a force that they had almost lost their saddles and so affording leisure to the Christian Knights to supply themselves with the next fresh horses they met they began to cover the earth anew with dead bodies These fearefull blows adding rather anger than feare to the bold Pagans they rose up more furious than ever they had been before and not finding those that had put them into this disperate plight they fell upon Oriander Atletta his wife and Parmenian of Cyprus dealing such marvellous stroaks that two of them were cut in two peeces and the third cleft downe to the teeth so the battell waxing more bloody on every side every thing appeared so full of horrour that the Sun appeared as it were mourning for the expence of so much noble blood obscuring his face behind a cloud The Pagans sounded a retreat and the Christians rallied their disordered troups to the great grief of Gorgophon Bravorant the Grand Salvage Arastron and Roussardan who seeing their own wounds and dispairing of a present victorie retired to their Tents and the Christians part into the Town and part into their Trenches where being at leisure to number up their losses which amounted unto two hundred and threescore thousand men besides the King of the barren Island and his Wife the Kings of Hungaria of Polonia of Licaonia of Moldavia of Sardimira of Cataya the valiant Lady Arletta Parmenian of Cyprus Râ—zafar Quadragant Agrian of Scotland Dardanio of Rhodes and the gentle Armond of Bohemia they had a just cause of lamentation but seeing that their chief Leaders were preserved and that it was in vain to murmure at the chastisements of a mighty God they comforted themselves and causing their wounds to be searched which they found to be dangerous enough they all betook themselves to their beds except the valiant Esquelan of Polonia that was much afflicted with the death of the King his Father Cilindor and the twelve new Knights whose brave feats of Arms performed that day had acquired them an immortall fame On the other side the Pagan Princes had no lesse cause to mourn and repine at their sad fate having lost an hundred and sixteen Gyants Tâ—rismâ—nd Arcilles Celiander Gloridian Celianis Panizell Armelion three hundred and forty thousand men the Kings of Fortan of Gianazana of Salberna of Pergarus the Emperour of Media Polidarchus king of Amazia Bemond king of the lesser Iava the king of Sisiphalta of Zambar of Cartagena of Maramor of Argocana of Zaphotir and almost all the rest were confined to their beds except Falanzar who had received onely one slight hurt in the arm by the sword of Florisel Palicastaleon Fierastrâ—n and Brufaldâ—r but not withstanding these losses they desiring to appeare invincibles they made no shew of discontent in their countenances lest thereby the courage of the Souldiers might be abated and to give a testimony of the care they took for their dead they sent immediately to demand a truce for twelve days which being granted and agreed on both parties every man sought out his acquaintance to performe unto them the last office of a friend The Christian Princes were solemnly interred and the bodies of the Pagans burned as their custome was which being done Falanzar gave Broncaldion King of the Arcofibrats a party of fourscore thousand men with order to surprise Goraxa and Zeiden two of the strongest Cities of Ethiopia supposing that the remainder of his horses which amounted to the number of three hundred and threescore thousand was powerfull enough to give an absolute defeat to their enemies And now let us leave them bewayling their losses and devising new stratagems for the ruâ—ing of the Christians and let our discourse return to those Knights which are departed from Corolandaya to goe to the surprisall of the Castle of Treasure CHAP. XLII Rozalmond Alcidamant and their company arrive at the dangerous Forrests of the great Kingdome of Martan the carrying away of the Princesses and the adventures of Rozalmond inextring of the Castle of Treasure ALcidamant Rozalmond and the other Princes that left the Court of Corolandaya to goe to the Castle of Treasure having been three and twenty days upon their way without any adventure that might yeeld them either trouble or content they entred into the dangerous Forrests of Martan and continuing on their Iourney at length they arrived at a place where
that they might surprize the Enemie asleep and accordingly they entred into a little thicket where having taken a little rest they arose and advancing towards their Enemies they entred pell-mell amongst them with such fury that above five hundred men lost their lives in lesse than halfe an houre the Tents went to ground Pavillions were overturned and the massacre continued with such horrour as the Sun seemed loth to appeare because it would not be spectatour of so cruell a butchery The famous Amadis of Gaule pressed thorow them like lightening Amadis of Greece thundered every where the invincible Knight of the Sun over-run all like a torrent Belianis of Greece carried himself like a fury the foure excellent Ladyes Trasiclea Claridiana Pentasilea and Hermiliana did wonders Belstoran Rosicler Claramant Poliphebo Don Silves Fortiman of Greece Amadis d' Astre and â—he rest cut off arms cleft men in two hewed Knights in peeces and nothing appeared before them but went to the ground the uprore increased the whole Camp put themselves in Arms the Christians were amazed and could not imagine from whence so great a disorder should proceed were it not from the Army of Martaria that was every day expected briefly all was in confusion and the Commanders not able to be informed by those that fled of the cause of this tumult knew not what to resolve upon neverthelesse Falanzar a prudent and couragious Prince advancing with Brufaldor King of Gedrosia Roussardan the furious Bravorant King of Morimont Marisgolf the grand Salvage and Furiander his son encountred these fifty redoubted Warriours and seconded by twenty thousand Horse thought to vanquish them very easily but Amadis of Greece the Knight of the Sun Amadis of Gaule Rosiclere Poliphebo Belianis and Belfloran having arrested the furie of these seven proud Pagans that were perswaded they could carry all the world before them the rest flew in amongst their troops so couragiously that after they had past two and thirty Gyants by the edge of the Sword they put them to flight with an incredible slaughter In the mean time the Combat between these fourteen Knights became most horrible and cruell howbeit our Pinces not meaning to stay till the whole Campe were in arms to invest them having valiantly dif-ingaged themselves out of their hands drew towards the Citie but encountring the proud Knight Arastron who came accompanied with Marmoran Sophy of Bultara Brizardan Soldan of Aralafia Gorgophon 〈◊〉 the great Caliph of Francapia Moranteon Soldan of Circassia Fierâ—sâ—on the redoubted King of Balivan Barcandor and Bucarguant their pastage thither grew more difficult than they expected neverthelesse Trasiclea Don Silves Amadis d' Astre Claridiana Claridian her son Claramant Fortiâ—â—â— and the gentle Doliftor of Nubia opposing themselves to these nine Warriours there began a most cruell and furious fight between them whilst the rest had much adoe to save them from an hundred thousand men that came in from all parts and questionlesse they had been in great danger if Florisel of Niquea who imagined that they were some valiant Knights that laboured to passe unto his Camp had not suddenly issued forth with thirty Princes of Greece and fifty thousand Horse which falling furiously on these disordered troups overthrew so many to the ground as it was almost covered with them Then it was that those brave Champions hearing Grecia cryed on all sides took new courage and flying amongst the Pagans made so great a slaughter that if Falanzar had not caused his Forces to retyre his Army had been in danger to have been cut in peeces although he was assisted with two hundred Gyants but this prudent Monarch and his followers after his example having quit the combat which they had with Amadis of Gaule and his friends the Christians had liberty to return to the Citie where that great Amadis of Gaule with Amadis of Greece and Don Silves being discovered Florisel Don Rogel and the other Princes of Greece were so confounded as they remained a good space without speaking a word beleeving that this succour proceeded from the art of Alquif or Urganda and that those personages were no other than Fantosmes but being cleered from that by the speech of these great Princes who declared unto them how they had been preserved in the Castle of Treasure and delivered by Rozalmond Alcidamant and their Companions together with Belianis and the Knight of the Sun whom they made known unto them Florisel Don Rogel and Spheramond were ready to swoun for joy they fell on their knees before their Grandfathers embraced Don Silves Pentasilea Amadis d' Astre Agesilan Fortumian and the rest and with much honour caressed the Knight of the Sun Don Belianis of Greece and their companions My Lord said Florisel of Niquea embracing the knees of Amadis of Greece am I so happy as to behold you again I never thought it possible and when I saw you enter into the crystall Chamber of Cenotaph where you were inchanted I verely beleeved that the clap of thunder which brake forth at that instant was the signe of your death But how true O great Alcander was your prediction then and now I understand the meaning of those secret words you wrote unto me as also the Prophecie you left at Constantinople for the Crowes which were to assemble to possesse the sleeping Eagles neast are with out doubt these enemies that lye about our Walls and now I see that Prophecie fulfilled which said The Earth shall open to render forth the treasure it concealed and the tears shed for a losse not suffered shall be changed into gladness The truth hereof is unquestionable and the excess of my content past all expression Florisel having said thus Prigmaleon Fulgoran and Russian made themselves known to the new commers and Silvan having with a thousand embraces received Don Silves and the faire Pentasilea his mother some hours were spent with incredible rejoycing at the end whereof and just as they were sitting down at a table a souldier entred who as a most prodigious matter delivered that Zeiden had been recovered by the valour of six Knights alone who in one day had slain six Gyants and seven thousand five hundred Knights that guarded it looke said Amadis of Gaule here is new occasion of joy which doubtlesse arrives unto us by Rozalmond Alcidamant and their companions who are said he speaking to Florisel the best Knights of the world my Lord answered Florisel I have seen them in fight and must thereupon conclude as you have done Herewith sitting down to dinner they were served in great state with all the exquisite meats that possibly could be had where we will leave them and return unto the Pagans CHAP. LI. The Pagan Princes present the Combat of an hundred to an hundred unto the Christians they accept of it the forces of Martaria with the assistance of Rozalmond and his friends defeats Artogants Army that besieged Goraxa WHilst the Christian Princes were drowned in pleasure and gladnesse the
be without his company especially Palmirenna who was to succeed unto my Crown had not her bad life given me just cause to dis-inherit her To tell you all that passed between them I am notable but so it was that mistrusting no practice amongst them I left themto so great a libertie as Amplamira the middlemost of the three that you behold being made acquainted with the secrets of her eldest Sister and her Slave yeelded to the affection of that strange Knight unto whom I had given his life and the third which would shew no more obedience than the rest became passionately in love with the Knight whom you see there in the upper part of the Tower with her Nature that obligeth us to the care of our childrens well-doing having perswaded mee to bestow them richly in mariage I made choyce of the heir of the mightie King of Cabilla the valorous Soldan of Aralafia and the King of Filzandria to support my Crown with their greatness but being upon the point of leading them to Church this Slave with the first Knight comming armed at all parts under colour of succouring two infortunate Lovers which they said were at the Court-gate in a Coach they caused my Daughters to goe thither who being intelligent with them got suddenly into the Coach and galloped away with that speed as they were instantly out of sight wherof being exceeding sensible I commanded them to be pursued when as this Slave lifting up the Visier of his Helmet told me that he was not a woman as I had beleeved untill then but a Knight named Amadis Prince of Greece and Trebisond At these words some of my Knights advanced for to stay him howbeit he layd him that first presented himself dead at my feet with a blow of his fist and discharging his Sword on the Helmet of a very valiant Gentleman called Meander who arrived but that morning he cleft him down to the shoulders and so departed like lightning for to follow the Coach To what end should I relate all things in particular unto you briefly they got to the Sea-side after they had slain above six hundred Knights and with the assistance of three or four Knights errant that came thither by chance they imbarqued themselves in despite of a thousand Knights which endeavoured to arrest them Away they sayled them as they hoped with a prosperous wind but the gods who never suffer so foule a crime to rest unpunished drove them the very same day into this Iland where having invested them with four thousand Knights I had taken them in their beds and executed some horrible vengeance on them if I had not been prevented by the arrivall of an old Sorceresse who unexpectedly appeared with a flaming Torch in her hand made certain circles and muttered divers obscure words which were no sooner uttered but there fell so cruel a storm of huge Hayl-stones as above five hundred of my Knights were knocked down therwith and my selfe constrayned to fly for shelter to these houses you see from whence after the sky was cleared again I beheld this Tower erected in the place of the house wherein they were Now judge Sir whether this be not a strange affliction unto me and whether I have not reason to wish them in my power for to wash away the affront they have done me with their blood Mighty Prince said Rozalmond who had been much delighted with this discourse the Heavens doe sufficiently testifie by the care they have taken of these Knights that they doe not approve of the revenge you desire I could give you better counsell if your Majesty could be pleased to accept of it These Knights of whom you speak are all Lords of a quality nothing inferiour to yours of whom the first according to report is sonne to the mighty Amadis of Greece the second whom I know very well is Heir to the Soveraign Monarch of the Persians and the third is Nephew to the great King of France seek not their ruin then for an offence they have done you compelled thereunto by love but receive them like a gentle and mercifull Father and if you wish for their deliverance let it be to rejoyce with them in their alliance which shall so secure you as all the Princes of Paganism shall not dare to look on you but for your service If therefore you can carry a mind inclined to pardon then I am ready to undertake the restoring of them unto the world if not I wil never be the instrument of their destruction by putting them in your power You amaze me said the Emperor in telling me that these three Knights are such great Princes in which regard I blame not my daughters so much as I have done but my resentment will not permit me so lightly to passe by such enormous an offence O but you must Sir replyed Rozalmond at least wise if you will appear as generous as I know you are and in the assurance thereof I will no longer defer this Enterprise Whereupon drawing out his rich sword he advanced towards the Lyons which rose with fury and at the first onset discharged so mighty a blow on the leg of him that was next him that having cut thorow all the hair he gave him a great gash in the flank whilst the other fastning his claws on his Shield laboured to tear it from his arm neverthelesse he bravely resisted him and desiring to lose no time he struck him so strongly on the paw that he sent it divided from his body to the ground which made him roar most dreadfully at the noyse whereof Armelina Orestia and Melia which seemed to be asleep at the foot of the Tower presently start up and transforming themselves into horrible Centaurs flew all at one instant on Rozalmond who was therewith marvellously troubled not knowing well where to bestow his sword the Lyons prest him with their claws the Centaurs showred blows on him with their heavie clubs and thinking to avoyd the fury of the one he fell into the rage of the others howbeit nothing dismayed he layd with such violence at the body of one of those Lyons as he cut him in two peeces and turning withall towards a Centaur he struck him so dangerously on the head that though his Sword lighted flatling he overthrew him to the earth where instantly changing her shape she reassumed that of Almerina who began to slumber as before which made him resolve not to strike the Centaurs any more with the edge of his Sword turning all his fury then against the remayning Lyon that had plucked his Shield from his arm he ran him so lustily into the belly as he layd him dead by the other Being very glad at the defeat of these enemies and the recovery of his Shield he made head afresh against the Centaurs which so layd upon him that he felt himselfe bruised all over with their heavy stroaks neverthelesse he avoyded them as well as he could and at the length