honest talke and familiare conference which more and more serued to prouoke forward his loue and from milde amourous conceit to make him more violent inducing this cruell enemie to an euill and pernicious intent such as heereafter ye shall knowe more of For in this Chapter I must tell yee what chaunced meane while in the enemyes Campe. whether safely were retyred as yee haue read in the first booke the king Guittard of Baccaleos and the Carybes who had beene in the thickest of the hurlie burlie and not a little offended were they to be thus shamefully driuen and repulsed from their enterprise It is necessarie then that wee consider howe almightie God dooth sometime send afflictions on the good to make tryall of theyr perseuerance in well doing supporting with pacience the aduersities wherewith they are exercised so it séemed now that he would permit the Pagans of all countreys farre and neere to assemble together with their inexpugnable forces to peruert and ruinate altogether the estate of Christendome whereof the kingdome of England was the great and strongest colour For the day after this meruaylous assault there arriued in the enemies campe for theyr helpe and succour a great multitude of theyr allyes and confederates such as had vowed with them the euersion and totall ruine of Christendome Among others there came a Captaine sent by the king of the Turkes named Grimoaldo a man hardie and valiant of person who conducted vnder his Ensignes fiftie thousand braue fighting men and in goode quipage Hee with his troope was welcommed and receiued by the heads of the Pagan armie especially of the old king Grandowin who feasted and entertained him in the best manner he could deuise for hee knâ—w well that this Grimoaldo was a man of marke as skilfull in feates of armes as any in all the host He caused him to he lodged in the reregard of his Campe whereof he was the head and gouernour and this fresh supply made the Heathen so glad and ioyfull as nothing was heard among them but sounding of Tabourines Trumpets and other warlike instruments expressing no little ioy and pleasure amongst them with menaces against them of the Cittie of quick discomfiture and extermination This ioy endured a great many dayes together and as theyr succour encreased so did theyr iouissance for beside this Turkish Captaine there came a puissant and meruaylous Pagan of monstrous forme and Giâ—ntine stature a proud monster mutinous and a mightie drinker He had thrée heads or faces vppon on neck that supported them all and when he entred the Campe he wore a massie Crowne of golde triple fourmed according to his heads the crownes were made high like the Turrets of a strong Tower and vnderneath was written this verse I am Triphon the great and puissant king of Scythia The most valiant and strongest in combate I conquer This arrogant and proud subscription was no leasing for he was so strong and puissant as himselfe was able to foile a whole Armie and therefore to this assembly he brought with him but ten thousand combattants with whome hee thought himselfe sufficient to subiugate all Christendome And the cause why he â—are these thrée crownes was not in respect of his thrée faces so combine together but because he was king of thrée kingdomes and held thrée cruell kinde of people vnder his obeâ—sance to wit the Geâ—es the Seythians and the Sarmates or Sauromates He shewed in the middest of his troope as a great high Pine trée in the midst of a little wood where the braunches beeing but young and tender do begin to spread for beside his vnmeasurable â—â—ature he was mounted on a furious bull of excéeding height more prompt and apt to beare a saddle run and carrire then any horsse that was to be found in the world as fit was he likewise eyther for the ioust or combate because if the Pagan seated on his backe ouerthrew his aduersarie the bull immediatly with his hornes would beate downe the horsse whereon the knight that fought against him was mounted In this manner enuirâ—ned with his men eâ—â—red hee the Pagans campe many of them being surprized with meruailous feare to sée him of such a terrible aspect and furious â—orme The other that were of better spirite and courage knew well that his arriuall would bee greatly succourable to them because his force and valiancie was vnspeakable and inuincible farre beyond any other humaine strength And he that ioyed most to sée him was the arrogant and fierce Brandissant who sent for him and at his request he came for they two had long before beene companyons together in many robberies and cruelties by them doone ioyntly and by their association forcibly violently and thorow tiranny they had gotten kingdomes many rich booties and heritages which they deuided betwéene them as brethren that parte the common herritage of their Father when hee is deceased So by reason of the wunted familiaritie and acquaintance that the one of them had with the other they vsed many sundrie ceremoniall embracings to each other being glad they had so fortunately met in this place where they assured themselues of the pillage and spoyle of the famous and wealthie Cittie of London beside the rich treasure of king Floridamant after they had vsed towards him and his people the like or more bloodier crueltie then euer the Grecians in times past did shew to Pryam and his warlike Troyans And surely this good Christian king was verye sad and sorowfull in his heart seeing himselfe so weake against such a puissant armie wherein were so many hardie and strong knightes as but fewe like them could bee founde through the whole world and aboue all the rest this monster of Scythia was most redoubted in that he was most to be feared for his force and crueltie yet notwithstanding putting his trust in God the walles of his cittie beeing strong and well appointed hee was pacient in this perill expressing meruaylous hardinesse in his countenance encouraging his people with fayre speeches and exhortations that by their generous actes and behauiour they should be vigilant and carefull for the defence of the cittie giuing them to vnderstand by woorthie examples how religiously euery subiect stood bound to their king and countrie in that behalfe The enemyes on the contrarie side for the reasons alreadie declared were so merrie and ioâ—â—nd as through their campe was nothing but songs of ioye and pleasure dronken pastimes beastly gourmandisings and such like insolencies for beside the succour before rehearsed came to the Pagan hoste two strong and puissant kings from the coast of Barbarie the one named Phoas king of Alger and the other Orontes king of Marocco both coâ—sens germaine and kinne in the same degree to Adylas king of Thunis and to the king of Phez whom we spake of before beeing of no lesse force and valour then those two Withall they brought in theyr companie a great multitude of armed men good archers bearing Persian Bowes and
loyall companie As Gerileon spake these words and further would haue proceeded his purpose was preuented by the sudden course of a goodly horsse that trayled along a Knight well néere â—ead hanging by one foote in the stirrop and holding a Launce in his hand but the Fayrie knight catching the horsse by the bridle tooke of the knights Helmet where he found a very dangerous wound in his head then getting his foote foorth of the stirrop perceiuing some life yet remained in him and that hee was not but in an amazed â—raunce with the helpe of the prince Phynander and the Ladie Orphisa he was recouered againe Beeing come to himselfe he knew well the place where hee was which made him thus speake to Gerileon For Gods sake sir knight help vs and let vs quickly get vs hence for héere â—wels the most cruell and inhumaine monster of the world who as yet I hope hath not séene vs therefore I aduise ye presently to be gon as for my selfe I had rather bee dead then tarry in a place so daungerous as this is Feare not the monster you speake of quoth the Fayrie knight for if hee that hath thus shrewdly dealt with you had had no more power then the monster at this instant â—at you should be more healthfull and in better disposition then ye are I sée well sayd thâ— wounded knight that you haue not heard the inexpugnall force of the Sauage Polyppe for if ye had once experimented it yee would sorbeare to talke of him and tary in this place lesse while then yee doe I know more of him then you doe quoth the fayrie knight for you know nothing but by heare say and that which I knowe is by experience the mistresse of vertue and true discouerer of all things And to let yee sée that I speake not by hart I will giue ye some instance Then taking the knight by the hand he shewed him the Sauage monster dead which when he beheld hee trembled as full of feare and astonnishment as if he knew not whether this 〈◊〉 a dreame or a certainâ—ie and beholding well Gerillions countenance sayd Sir knight haue you then beene one that 〈◊〉 this monster to his death surely I beleeue that since you had the stomack to come so neere in vsing courage against him while hee â—ed and are one of the braue â—rmie that hath discomfited him you dare as boldly doo something for the Christians and I iudge if yee be a Christian and such a one as I imagine ye to be you will not refuse to reuenge the shame and outrage that hath beene offered me Beleeue me Sir quoth the Fayrie knight I am a true Christian and to any bee they Persians Arabians Syrians or Assirians I would giue succour according to my power and their necessitie wherefore I pray ye tell me in what affaires haue the christians need to vse my helps and who hath thus vnmanlie outraged yee to the end I may assuredly giue them assistance and also do my endeuour to auenge your wrong tell me the trueth without any further feare of the monster concerning both the one and other Sir answered the knight héerein will I gladly satisfie yee but because I haue verie much to discouer if I should recount each necessarie pointe therto belonging that ye may the more bréefely vnderstand these high affaires I wil shorten the discourse conueniently as I may reueling nothing but the very principal matters Know then sir that I am a knight my natiue countrey is the kingdome of Persia neere to the great cittie of Tauris and not long since was I sent in company of twelue other knights with the strong puissant Ariodant a knight of great reputation neere coosen to the mightie Mutiuell king of Persia who was elected and chosen by the greater part of the inhabitants of that countrey to goe to the great Emperour of Constantinople to intreate his succour for a multitude of good knights and christian souldiours whom the young prince Mauspasian brother to the great Sophie of Persia very straitlye besieged in the citties of Susa and Tauris beside diuers other places of the Persians kingdome And to the end ye may know wherefore we went ye must note that some while since the great Sophie a man worthie of great dignity for the high prowes where with he is indued hauing séene a portrait curiously drawn of the faire princes of Constantinople daughter to the Emperour became so carryed away with the loue of this most beautifull Ladie as he immediatly resolued to make her his wife what hazard or aduenture so euer stood thereon And to compasse the same he sent ambassadours to the Emperours to demaund her in marriage but the Emperour at that time made refusall because hee was contrary to him in religion and it was not lawfull for a Christian to marrie with a Pagan neither for a Christian to ioyne in any conuersation with a heathen Which was the cause to take away this difficultie which onely séemed to hinder the mariage that the great Sophie of Persia with all his people would become Christians and should be baptized And because the popular sort should frame their actions and fashion their manners answerable to their king himselfe was the first that receiued holy baptisme and commanded in all the countries of his kingdome that the Christian law should be anounced and preached Which being doone according to his will and commaund many willingly receiued the faith and religion others finding the alteration very strange withdrew themselues in displeasure some other that would not at all receiue it but were constrained thereto thought better to forsake their houses lands and possessions to liue in another kingdome with libertie of conscience and so continue the rest of their liues in the Pagan law After these things were thus ordered it chaunced that the king absented himselfe so that no one could tell what was become of him some sayd that as in former times hee had beene accustomed so now like a knight â—rrant he was gon in search of strange and perillous aduentures with especiall intent to make proofe and combate body to body with the puissant Nabot and Squamell who were counted the most hardie knights in the world Others sayd that being transported with this amourous passion hee was gon to the Emperour of Constantinople to demaund of him the Princesse his daughter for if he found her to be of such â—erfect beautie as the Painter by his art had discouered surely by force or fayre means he intended to haue her But which way so euer hee tooke very true it is that soone after his departure the Prince Mauspasian his brother whom hee had left to gouerne the Realme in his absence would by force of armes compell such as had abiured the pagan lawe and were become christians to take againe their former religion saying that what the king his brother had doone and intended to doo was but onely to induce the Christian Emperour with more
arrowes with poysonned heads the number of theyr men was fortie thousand By these meanes it seemed that God being angrie and displeased with his people would now thorowly scourge them suffering in so short time such a mightie power of enemies to be assembled whereof heere I purpose to speake no more but in the following Chapter you shall heare what happened CHAP. 15. How the Pagans reioysing for the succour that thus came daylye to them from all partes the prisoner Angrafolt had minde of nothing but the looue of the fayre Princesse Polydamie In meane while the olde Grandowin assembled his councell of sixteene puissant kings who concluded on an vniust resolution whereof king Floridamant made no account but minded to defend himselfe and withstand the furious assaultes of his enemies And howe hee heard tidings of helpe from Spaine and Fraunce ALl the Pagan Armâ—e being in this ioy and metriment for the newe supplyes that came to them as before yee haue heard some hoping to loade themselues with rich bootles and pillage others in the destruction of the Englishe Citties and townes which gréedie desire made them to vndertake this warre and this they would obtaine or die in pursuite thereof as at this day too many are found of like disposition others incited and enflamed with desire of honor but they were very fewe in number to the former sorte wishing for spéedie fight with king Floridamants hardie and valiant knights the conquest of whom would bring them immortall reputation and this desire especially made them be seene in this warre because many of their friends and kindred were slaine in the assault before the Cittie and for their deaths they had reason to séeke reuenge but aboue the rest the olde king Grandowin chéefe of this Armie the most ancient and malicious enemie in the troope appeasing his conceiued greefe for the imprisonment and captiuitie of Angrafolt his eldest sonne quicklye sent him woord of these good newes and how daye by day there came to him from many places fresh supplyes whereof if I should héere make report it would require a very large discourse neuerthelesse in running thorow the progresse of these affayres and state of this warre he may gather some breefe perticularitie heereafter And to admit comparison not Alexander Darius Xerxes no not the Romaines nor the Greekes before Troye assembled so many fighting men together at one instant as now was before the Cittie of London so that according to generall oppinion especially of the besteged it was held for certainty that all the kingdom of great Brittaine was ruined and lost Of all these things was Angrafolt aduertised and exhorted to worke some meanâ— of secret commotion within the Cittie if he could deuise any way whereby to compasse it but this two-folde taken prisoner made full reckoning of all these newes and aduertisements his thoughts onely at some secret cogitation howe or which way hee might most commodiouslie steale away the young princesse Polydamie or otherwise gaine some amourous iouissance the onely medicine for his languishing passions which continually maistred his wunted humours making sometime a courteous and affable knight contrary to his nature and sometime againe so drowned in melancholly as the sight of any one but his fayre mistresse offended him A thing questionlesse very strange that he who was such a sauage and cruell enemie to all humanitie not to bee conquered by anye kinde meanes whose former desires aymed at nothing but to sée himselfe in the middest of a battayle holding his bloodie Launce or Courtlaâ—e in his hand burning with enflamed affection of fighting without measure should now bee so subiected to the lookes of a soft and delicate maiden carying him dayly as it were bound after her without thinking eyther on battayle armour swoord shield horse or 〈◊〉 his minde was howe to conferre familiarly with Polydamie or counting it a cheefe felicitie to bee in sight of her for all things else were death to his amourous desires Grandowin in meane while being ignorant of this vnexspected accident one day called an assembly of his kings and such as were the chéefe of his armie to the Pauillion where councell was accustomed to be holden to the end they might deligently deliberate on their present affaires and by what meanes they were likeliest to gaine home againe their prisoned friends At this councell there met about fiftéene or sixteene puissant kings all wearing Crownes and were placed according to their auncient honor and degrées The first was king Brandissant next the puissant Tryphon king of Scythia king Tauladas king Guittard of Baccaleos king Marton of Cantabres king Phoas of Alger Orontes king of Marocco king Grimoaldo king Pagotroff king Salazard king Kambarell the strong king Zorlet Borant king of Carybe Maurus king of Bohemia with the proud and arrogant king Phorban of Moeotides a braue Pagan and a worthie knight All these being assembled to set downe some resolution touching their busines after they had long debated on diuersitie of opinions such as were seuerally deliuered in councell they concluded in the end to write to king Floridamant that within three dayes following he should come vnto them and bring with him the two prisoners Angrafolt and Mycrophon commaunding him to bee guide to the prisoners himselfe accompanyed with the best knights that then were in the Cittie six in number Likewise to bring two hundred of the fayrest maidens all Uirgins and of mariageable yeeres not excéeding fifteene or sixteenâ— at the most that they might vse theyr pleasure with them In meane while to sende all the riches and treasure which both himselfe and his Cittizens had in their most secret coÌ„fers or cabinets for search whereof they would send fiue hundred of theyr Souldiers into the Cittie and euer after it should continue as a yeerely tribute to the chéefe of theyr Armie twenty Uirgins of noble familie and exquisit beautie beside two Millions of Golde Moreouer he and his knights should come bare headed and without any armour to aske parden of great king Grandowin for the death of his sonnes in reuenge whereof this warre was commenced withall that hee and his knights should voluntarily submit themselues to his mercie that hee might dispose of their liues and goods as seemed best to him when peraduenture he would take pittie on them not putting them to death so cruelly nor race the Cittie nor murther all the rest of his people as otherwise he intended to doo if he denied theyr demaund with such ruine and desolation as neuer was mention made of the like To carrie these newes of this fayre resolution was immediatly dispatched a messenger towarde king Floridamant to whome the gate of the Cittie was presently opened to vnderstand the cause of his comming and hauing performed what hee imagined concerning his deuoyre deliuering the before named Letters to the king wherevpon his maiestie grewe presently into excéeding great anger and rage yet cunninglye shaddowing his conceiued displeasure hee made no other answere to
a Fiction first deuised in French Yes So shall it be in English Why tell mee art thou so impudent to abuse the worke of so noble a Gentleman as the French Author was wherein such excelent pollicie such morrall prudence such singular conceipted passions are included Go too let me not take thee publishing a counterfet part thereof in print if I doo I will hang Saint Peters Church Corner with such Scutchions of thy shame that Mannering musing what it should meane shall neuer cease bestirring him with his tip-staffe till at Landen Hall all the Ballad-â—ingers be gathered into one Assembly and there in rime doggrell like thy Winter bitten Epitaph carroll thy rude conceipts But whether runne I Let this bee 〈◊〉 for a warning and so wil I leaue him to the mercie of his mother wit Beseeching you to proceede as you haue begun in that delectable Hystorie which as it is much desired for the delightfulnes therof so shal you be no lesse commended for your diligence therein Your friend T. N. THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE PLEAsant Historie of Gerileon of England Cap. 1. How the Infant Porphiria daughter to the Emperour of Constantinople being very sick for the loue of the Fairie youth that was sent by Ozyris is brought by the meanes of Sagibell her Phisition in the companie of Marcella and Harderinâ— her â—ousin to a Castell neere Constantinople for change of ayre Where the wise Sagibell promised to let her see by art Magique in what estate her friend was the Knight of the Fayries with his originall and aduentures THe Princesse Porphiria hauing taken no rest since the day and houre when falslie the maide Dynamia sister to Pharisor and Amidrea who déerely loued him notwithstanding shee receiuing no loue againe came to informe her how the Fayrie youth on whom she had fastened such earnest affection as it was not possible for any King or Prince like him selfe to be belooued of any Princesse as he was of the Infant Porphiria was slaine with Pharisor who had wun like conquest of the Uirgin Amidrea and that the murderer was goâ—e to make his vaunt in the Emperour her fathers Court of such a monstrous and vnhappie déed clad in his Armour and mounted on the good Knights horse that had vanquished the Giants as is declared in the xvi Chapter of the first Booke of this nistorie After she had by insupportable gréefe swounded many times she fell into an extreame burning feauer as what with the violence therof and her balefull passions of loue together she had at this instant dyed but that she was continually comforted by the Ladyes Harderina and Marcella after that the Giant Ergoferant who followed in quest of the vnknowne Knight and hauing found him brought him to the Emperours Court where in eight dayes his wounds were healed By meanes whereof these Ladyes who knew well the cause of the Inâ—ants disease perswaded her so much as they could with this hope grounded in them that the death of the Knight and Fayrie youth was no more certaine or to be credited then the report of Pharisor And that the vnknowne Knight who rumourd foorth these tidings had doone it but for the aduantage of his glorie or to couer the dishonour he receiued in the Ioust which made her somewhat to recomfort her selfe so that but for her feauer she might easily haue recouered her former state of health But if she suffered such anguish for her friend the Fairie youth endured no whit lesse for her in that his loue tooke life at that instant when she did him the honour to girde on his sword with her dellicate hands but he fearing that their loues were not reciprocall languished in selfe same fits as the Infant did esteeming him selfe so vnfortunate and flenderlie fauoured by loue that he thought their wounds to procéed from shafts of contrarie nature whereby the cure of either would prooue as different Thus did the fire search through the bone to the marrowe and he was so distracted in himselfe as hath béene toucht in the former Booke as wandering from the care hee had to séeke the vnknowne Knight to reueâ—ge the death of his good friend Pharicor he now hath lost himselfe in thinking and contemplating on that heauenly beautie which lay neerest his hart and aboue all things else he most prefered So that in steed of taking the right way for embarking himself so some strange countrey hee returned with his Squire Geliaste towards the Cittie of Constantinople imagining neuerthelesse that he rode farre enough from it On the other side the Princesse Porphiria was euen at deaths doore for the loue of her knighth and so farre extended each extremitie as notwithstanding all soueraigne remedies appplyed from one houre to another a daungerous end was still expected The Emperour and Empresse were wonderfull gréeued at their daughters sicknes not knowing whence the occasion thereof procéeded and therefore wholy committed her to the care of Sagibell her Phisition a man most expert and skilfull in the art of medicine This Phisition was likewise greatly experimented in the art Magique and the Princesse of long time discerned in him very speciall affection and fidelitie towards her wherefore among diuers contrarie opinions which day and night combatted in her labouring thoughts she imagined how to finde some ease for her afflictions and sent for him by the Lady Marcella who knewe much better then the phisition where the disease pained her she beeing then to Harderina participating these secrets Right prompt and readie was shee to obey the Princesse will and suddenly went to finde this wise man who was altogether confounded with greefe and pensiuenes because he could not attaine the meane whereby the faire Princes might recouer footing againe for to her seruiâ—â— he was intirelie affected considering that all his happines depended on her safetie and health and shee recured it would enrich him for euer for the Emperour had promised him that if by his skill he could restore his daughter he would returne him such a recompence as should both exalt and content him for euer But without any such promise Sagibell was carefull enough of the Infants health and failed not in his very vttermost endeuours and Porphiria for her part was willing to bestowe on this skilfull man what euer she might enioy by the Emperour and Empres prouided that her amorous sicknes might finde desired recouerie Wherevpon Marcella hauing tould him the Princes would speake with him and that with speed he should repaire to her chamber without further questioning with the Lady he went thither immediatly not a little ioyfull of this message which he hoped might presage some good to ensue because hauing so lately left her he was now so suddenly sent for When Sagibell was come to her he demanded how she felt her selfe When the Princesse breathing foorth a déepe fetcht sighe from the bottome of her hart thus spake vnto him Ah Sagibell impossible is it I should be well considering the estate
pittilesse and dangerous stormes THe skilfull Ladie Orphisa began then to recounte her aduenture to the Fayrie Knight in this manner You must vnderstand sir Knight that I am daughter to the wise and vertuous king of Lusitania a man by reason of his prudence and valour sufficiently knowne to all the world as hauing doone many things worthie of memorie the â—ame whereof is bruted euery where He being named Diegonde was in his younger yeares a most accomplished knight euen in the time of king Dorino father to the king of Spaine at this instant reigning who had a daughter in yeares mariageable called Pollyda This Ladie beside her excellencie of beautie could cunningly twist spin sowe as is most proper to women likewise she was well instructed in good letters and the liberall Artes in such sort as she was able to disgrace the most wise and studious Philosophers of those times so subtillie could shee dispute of matters depending in Morrall and Naturall Philosophie concerning her selfe By reason héere of shee became so proud and audacious as shee imagined no man then liuing in the world was worthie to ioyne with her in mariage and therefore despised all so that there was no one how woorthie so euer that durst enterprise to demaund the question no not the great King of England who in those dayes was the most fayre and accomplished knight in the world and highly loued of King Dorino because of his valour But the King my Father who was become amorous of her would put it in aduenture either to gaine her in marriage or be altogether refused And in this resolution hee wente to the king of Spaines Court where within short time after his arriuall the Daughter hauing heard the cause of his comming thither gaue him to vnderstand by one of her Pages that he could win nothing but losse of time by séeking to ioyne in marriage with her and therefore he should do much better to imploy his purpose about other occasions Héereat although the king my father was extreamly offended yet left he not for all that to pursue the cause and made his request to the king of Spaine who would not marrie her against her will with such importunitie as in the end the Father and the daughter were constrained to graunt the pretended marriage yet vnder this condition That eight dayes before the nuptials my Father should be bound to hold open Ioust a whole day together against all knights that should present themselues at this generall tourney which expresselie was there appointed for honour of that day and if hee were vnhorsed by any knight hee should desist from his importunate sute and request of mariage But if fortune smiled so fauourablie on him as that he went away conqueror in this enterprise then eight dayes afterward the desired mariage should be accomplished My father who was caryed away with ouer hot and â—urious heat of marrying this faâ—re and skilfull Pollyda accounting no danger to be in the enterprise willingly yéelded to the mariage vnder the condition proposed although he knew right well that those times affoorded great number of most hardie and braue knights that knew how to behaue themselues in the Ioust and could dismount such as carryed better estéeme then themselues But amongst all and beyond all the rest was reckoned as most strong and valiant in each point of chiualâ—ie the young knight Floridamant sonne to the great king Brandismell of England and him onely my Father doubted as sundry times before hee acquainted me withall Weighing then aduisedly the valour of this young knight he began somwhat to dispayre of the issue of his attempt and as in this thought he stood pensiue and troubled he concluded to put in practise what heretofore was sayd by the great Lacedemonian Admirall Lysander to wit that where the Lyons skinnâ— fell out to short to peece it out with the Foxes case minding to vse industrie and cunning in these affayres where hee thought strength and manhood might happen to fayle hauing to deale with such mightie and puissant aduersaries In this determination vnderstanding that the great king Belligande of Gaule had a Launce the yron poynte whereof was so inchanted as all such as were touched therwith should bee dismounted eyther by sleight or force hee resolued to be possessed thereof imagining which of these meanes were lykest to speed and to aduenture both rather then fayle of his intent To bring about this stratageme he went with all speed into the realme of Gaule where beeing hee heard that in a Forrest appertayning to that kingdome dwelt a certaine man which termed himselfe a knight but commonly hee was called the cunning Théefe and so subtill was hee in robbing as nothing could escape his fingering and all his attempts were so artificially compassed as such as had lost any thing or were otherwise robbed presently the blame of their losse was imputed to him he likewise séeing each one estéeme him such a famous théeâ—e and so admire his sleights and pollicies tooke great pleasure therein and oftentimes would sit solemnly smiling thereat To this man the king my father foorthwith trauailed and promised him very large summes of money if he could rob the king of this enchaunted Launce which he so safelie kept in his Cabinet as it was thought impossible to get it thence The cause why hee held it with such vigilant care was for the loue of a fayrie named Oziris who thereof had made a present to him hoping withall hereafter to leaue it to a sonne of his which as yet was but a very yong infant Notwithstanding the great difficultie consisting in this busines yet in respect of the large summe of money the théefe promised to deliuer this Launce into my fathers hand as he did the day after my father had this conference with him but first he thus bespake him Knight quoth he to the king my father in that hee had no other knowledge of him it is necessarie if yee would haue this Launce that to morrow you goe with me to the great Cittie of Poictiers where the king of Gaule at this present maketh his abode and where hee is determined to holde a generall tourney because as to morrow is the day when he wan the victorie against the Giant Perceuall who had long time before greatly trauayled and molested him with warre I will stay for ye néere the place where the Torney is to bee kept and you shall go to the king telling him that I am the Knight Lorgolio Cosen to the Giant Perceuall whom hee slew by treason wherefore I am come to defie him in combate man to man to reuenge the death of the Giant my Cosen with which reuenge I should thinke my selfe satisfied might I but breake a couple of Launces with himselfe no other in his defence to offer me iniurie beside hee shall not strengthen himselfe with his enchaunted Launce whereby my Cosen receiued his death and for better assurance heereof he shall deliuer that
Launce into your hand to keepe whâ—le we Ioust which I am assured he will not refuse to do thus may you depart and beare away the Launce with yee but if this deuise should faile vs assure your selfe that quickly we will finde another for I will receiuâ— no money of yee before yée haue this Launce so much desired in your possession My father liked well of this councell and to make short it came to passe euen as the theefe had before deuised for the king of Gaule hearing the defiance and weening that all my father tolde was true made no doubte of giuing the Launce into his hand and my father being possessed thereof while the king of Gaule went to put on better Armour both he and the cunning theefe departed so that none could tell what was become of them The king and all his Court at the first tidings hereof was greatly abashed but vnderstanding soone after the cause of this theft and who was the inuenter of this pollicie it was made but a merrie iest of In the end notwithstanding this pleasure did not so con-continue but this fine theefe fearing to be taken was glad to flye from the kingdome of Gaule and passed thence into England where afterwarde hee liued and remained a long time As for the king my father he returned againe by Sea to Lisbone and from thence to Saragossa where the king Doriâ—o then held Courte where beeing arriued he behaued himselfe so well with this slie gotten Launce as all the knights that Iousted against him yea euen the braue knight Floridament were foyled and dismounted to the ground whereâ—â—t the Princesse Pollyda who bare no loue at all to the king my father beeing greatly displeased would haue reâ—used the mariage before agreed vppon by the king Doriâ—o saying that for her parte shee had giuen no consent and without the Brides consent hardly can any mariage be accorded especially with such a one to whome shee could not vse any affection Héereat the king my father being highly offended in furie flunge foorth of the Spanish kings court giuing him many hard tauntes and iniurious speeches for the diâ—â—oyaltie that he sayd remained in him On the other side the king was full of rage and anger against the infant his daughter whom he ceased not dayly to perswade that shee should like well of marrying with king Diegonde of Lusitauia least his credit and reputation should be condemned in vsing trecherie and perâ—idie to so great a Prince So what thorow loue and pleasing spéeches as also force and frowning countenances in the end she yeelded to his wyll But this was after the Lady had had conference with a noble and excellent Fayrie named Ozyris who had beene greatly helping in her birth endowing her with manifolde vertues and riches of spirit for which she was not a little commended and after the decease of her mother Sister to king Barachen of Scotland she had sometime nourished her in her rich inuinsible palace which was in the realme of great Brittaine and euer afterward shee perswaded her that she should not marie with any liuing man which was the cause shee helde so aloofe from this aforesaid marriage After she had well schooled her concerning this matter the noble and vertuous Fayrie sayd that in respect children by the diuine lawe ought obedience to theyr parents and it was her fathers will she should match with the king Diegonde who alreadie had doone so much for her looue and was euen readie to despaire if he fayled thereof shee councelled her not to withstand her fathers appointment And although in former time she had diswaded her from mariage it was because she discerned by her skill that such issue as discended from her in mariage if shee fortuned to haue any should haue hard hap and prooue very vnfortunate which would be such gréefe both to her husband as the greater part of theyr youth would bee spent in greefe and pensiuenesse Notwithstanding if this marriage must néedes be accomplished she promised to vse the matter in such sort as by this coniunction she should neuer haue child And so found she meanes to comfort them sufficiently as heerafter yee shall vnderstand the manner how without iniurie to the beautifull Pollydon but my father by himselfe and his should féele the euill and misfortune whereto yet she promised a day of finall conclusion The Princely maide giuing credit to hir propheticall speeches was greatly comforted and satisfied and so resolued to marie with the king my father after which determination once knowne soone was hee sent for by the King Dorino when with great pleasure and content to euery one he espoused Pollyda with her he liued more then twentie yeares yet could he haue no issue by her which so greeued him confounding his thoughts with sadnes and melancholly as the most part of the time he eat his bread in mone and teares for I imagine it a meruaylous hart breake to a man that desires to liue after his death and perpetuate his memorie by his children to sée his mariage consumed without any generation that might make mention of him when he is dead And such heerefore was his intire conceit of gréefe as oftentimes he meant to repudiate his Queene Pollyda but such againe was the woondrous loue he bare her fearing to offend God and displease king Dorino her father as hee was still diswaded when such thoughts entred his fantasie All this likewise the Queene very well noted and notwithstanding her former despisings yet after her marriage she loued him exceedingly pittying his gréefe but shaddowing her owne so much as possibly she could séeking by all meanes to remedie both as in the end she did by the aduise and counsell of the wise Ozyris who euery daye and in all places assisted her perswading her to doe as followeth One of her wayting Damosels whome my father vsed good countenance towards because she was of perfect beautie being named Olympia daughter to he Duchesse of Terciede a chaste and prudent dame with her the Fayrie aduised the Queene that my father should haue dalliance She following this councell one night when the king my father sent woord to haue her company in bed so cunninglie handled the matter that this damosell lay there insteed of her for the maide was likewise secretly amourous of the king which was the cause that being where she would be she disliked not this swéet and pleasant deceit but without any shew of displeasure shee gladly endured the kings pastime with her séeing the Quéene was so well content to affoord her her place and priuiledge To such effect grew my fathers labours who little thought he was thus beguiled as the Maide was conceiued with childe when afterward the Queene comming to sleepe with the King sayd that she felt her selfe conceiued answerable to his so long desire for which good fortune hee should applaude the heauens from whence procéeded so great good to her Héereof was the king my father glad
it happened as ye shall read hereafter for now we are to speake of other matters CHAP. 14. Of the warre betweene the Christians and the Pagans that had layde siege before the famous Cittie of London And howe king Angrafolt prisoner to king Floridamant became enamoured of the princesse Polydamie And how many sundry sortes of nations came by heapes to the Pagans Campe for theyr succour IN this place the Authour of this Historie discontinueth a while from speaking of the heroycall gestes and déeds of the knight Gerileon to take the discourse againe heeretofore begun touching the cruell and bloodie warre betwéene the Christians and Pagans that held siedge before the proud and famous Cittie of London ensuing vpon that you haue read in the former part of this Booke where alreadie hath beene told yee how the hote and fierce assault against the Cittie vnder the conduct of furious Angrafolt was ended Now remaineth to acquaint ye with what happened after the Pagans were chased thence sustaining so great losse and slaughter of their men beside their cheefe heads and conducters Angrafolt and Mycophon beeing taken prisoners then thus we procéed The night after this meruaylous assault against the good and vertuous king Floridamant dooing a déed becomming a king that feared God and looued his people as euery prince that is called to so high dignitie ought doo séeing and knowing how without helpe of the celestiall bountie he was in most great danger of totall ruine which had béene no small hurt to all Christendome also that as yet he had some aduantage of his enemies hauing subiected one of the principall heads to his will and an other of the best knights in all their troope he would not now shew himselfe slothfull but perfourme the act of a good Christian by yéelding thanks and prayses to God with intreatance to continue towards him and his people these fauourable effects of his almightie goodnes cheefely in a quarrell so iust and equitable as was the cause of this seuere and outragious warre To this end the same night that eche was retired from the fight hee commanded the belles in all the Churches of the Cittie to be â—noled to assemble and call together all his people from the highest to the lowest that had knowledge of God willing them to render dutifull thanks to God praying that in mercie he would assist them against his vnbeléeuing enemies who would not acknowledge him which euery one did very deuoutly and there was no holye place thorowout the Cittie where lampes torches and tapers were lighted but the people flocked thither in exceeding number And for this purpose the aforenamed places were persumed with incense and Aromaticall odours beside the musicall and mellodious voyces of Priests Moonkes singing children and other seruants of God who with hearts full of heauenly deuotion sung Canticles of prayse with prayers agréeable and pleasing to God Continuing thus well néere all the night such as were more apte for warre sayled not to be on the walles in their glittering Armour to impeach the enemie that hee should presume so prowdlye as the daye before hee had doone in which time they that were in guarde and kept the night watche went to thanke God and afterwards to their rest Angrafolt whome king Floridament had taken prisoner séeing all these things admired the meruaylous foresight of the king the industrie care and vigilance he vsed for preparation of the Citties defence and people when well hee perceiued that many of the Pagans should loose theyr liues before they could vanquish the people beloued of God but beyond all other things he was astonned at the sight of the faire Infant Polydamie who by commaundement of the king her father entertayned him beningly and shewed him good countenance because the king had determined to intreat and vse him with such contentment as the force of his kindnes and benignitie might mollifie the hard crueltie of his enemies And so making them against their nature soft and gentle they might bee induced to vse humanitie courtesie to foure worthie Christian knights Accial of Surrie Ramelin of Uuich Melchior or Ireland and Frangard Countie of Durford whom the Giant Brisard and Rongemont had taken prisoners in combatting For this cause he perswaded Angrafolt to write vnto king Grandowin his father to vse those foure hardy knights so kindly as might be which he did fearing if they misdealt with the Christians by ouer sharpe or inhumaine seueritie like rigour would be vsed towards him and he should be as cruelly tormented Heere vpon the Pagans did not put them to death as otherwise they would haue doone for the liues of these foure valiant knights was desired of king Floridamant more then the death of fiue hundred of his enemies considering the present necessitie he was in And although Angrafolt before his taking was abooue all other a fierce and cruell aduersarie against him yet now hee was so ouercome by the courtesie and kindnesse of the king vsed toward him as more gladly would he continue in this prisonment then returne againe to his companions for in such sorte was hee arrested by the fayre Infants beautie which in his eye excelled all other hee had séene before as made him more desirous to abide in this fayre prison so that when libertie was offered him hee had no will to forgoe this swéet seruitude For yee must vnderstand that beyond her naturall perfection which was no lesse absolute then I haue tolde yee shee was adorned with such sumptuous garments iewels and other trickes of embellishment as like stately princesses are accustomed to weare that the barbarous king feeling himselfe altogether surprised with her loue desired nothing more then dayly to liue in contemplation of her good graces and albeit thereby he receiued some pleasure and contentment yet was it a gréefe and martirdome to him to enioy nothing else his amourous conceit being vnable to compasse any other effect then this vaine imagination and fantasticall contemplation so lying figured in his hart And if by chaunce he dreamed on some little shew of hope that perswaded him he should enioy the pleasant skirmishes of loue yet presently againe was hee kild and discomforted not vnlike the angrie and arrogant boot-haling Pirate that was wâ—nte to tyrannize and triumphe ouer poorer théeues then himselfe seeing he is for some offence by him committed bound fast by the leg with a chaine blames the houre of his birth exclaming on God and his iustice without any feare or regarde of his supreme greatnesse Euen so was this proud Pagan tormented and in his torment oftentimes to himselfe hee imagined some subtill and detestable meane whereby he might rauish the young and tender princesse or forcibly carrie her awaye When shee good Ladye without any thought of euill or mallice vsed him most gratiouslie and courteous euermore shewing him freendly and smilying countenances and according as the king her father had giuen in charge would manie and sundrie tymes entertayne him with
the messenger but that his intent was not to accomplish and performe anie of those seuerall demaundes in that they were ouer iniurious and vnreasonable and not to bee allowed of in any wise Beside that hee said if his enemies eyther had or should set downe such a resolution concerning his ruine and destruction hee with his councell and Nobles were concluded to stande on theyr defence in resistance of the least euill that might â—e For the rest each one should doe their vttermost endeuour according as himselfe hither to had doone and neuer yet could any enemy compell him to matters against his will wherefore it was too late for him now to begin and so quoth he to the messenger yee may returne with this answere Which presently he did whereat the Pagans greatly meruayled that a man hauing so few to helpe him should containe such hardinesse as to talke to them of resistance aboue all the rest old Grandowin was extreamely eâ—raged saying that this was not the first act wherein appeared the effects of king Floridamants oure-wéening wherefore he would spéedily take such order with his people as should sharpely make him repent his follie and rashnesse Wherevppon within thrée daies following at the most each one should prepare himselfe readie to armes when such an assault should be made against the cittie as not one stone should be left standing vppon another but bee rased and extermined altogether In regard whereof euery one should withdraw himselfe to his quarter and giue order for all things needfull against the day of assault Heereof the Christian king being aduertised commaunded the Pagan Mycrophon to bee closely locked vp to the end that during this troublesome time hee might compasse no meane of working any treacherie or treason But as for the king of Corse hee restrayned not him of libertie which hee had to walke within the walles of the Pallace royall where was roome sufficient and verye spacious well perceiuing that he was so carryed away with the loue of his daughter with whom and the Queene Bellizene he still kept company assuring them that he would expose himselfe rather for theyr defence then offence and in respect of the conuersation he had had with them no iniurie should bee offered to theyr honor In which spéeches the Queene reposing some confidence but the mayden especially the more willingly they would conuerse with him and among other familiar conferences the Quéene made him recount the number of straunge nations the diuersitie of kings and great captaines that were in theyr Armie their estate forces and deedes of chiuaâ—rie by them in former times performed By which reports they cunningly gleaned from this imprudent Pagan what best might serue for the defence of the Cittie and thorow ouermuch talke he discouered how on which side and by what secret meanes the enemyes had concluded to assaile and seaze on the Cittie withall hee declared to them the manner and custome that those nations were wunt to obserue and vse in such warre which was most likelyest and which not By these meanes king Floridamant had knowledge of many things that serued as speciall rules of discipline to his Court of guard and therfore appointed his men in readines against the threatned daye continually trauayling day and night with Grandilaor Fertand Candior Sylban and other hardie knights of name that were in the Cittie with him who according to his commaund busied themselues very carefully letting nothing flip that any way concerned theyr change During which time one night secretly arriued at the Cittie wall the two valiant knights Andregon Duke of Suffolke and Lampridion Countie of Norffolke both Cosens germaine and highly belooued of king Floridamant The first came from demaunding helpe for the Christians of Dorian king of Spayne and the other from the like affaires in the kingdome of Gaule whether they were sent before the Pagan armie had engirt the Cittie with siedge and both returning at one selfe same time after many aduentures befalling them in the expedition of theyr voyages met together on the way and so trauailing in company arriued there about the houre of midnight not being espyed by any of the enemies Campe who then were in their dead sleepe and comming to the foote of the wall on that side where the king of the Suitzers had charge and where as then a good Cittizens was Sentinell one of the richest and best Souldiours of the Cittie being called Hoaster that knew them very well because he had familiarlie frequented the houses of these two Christian knights and and they well perceiuing that Hoaster knew them by their spéech sent presently woord of their arriuall to king Floridamant who caused the neerest gate of the cittie to them to be opened when they safely entred not being at all discouered by the enemie Hee that came from Spaine aduertised his maiestie how king Dorian vnderstanding his war against the Pagans concluded immediatly to come himselfe in person attended on by a strong and puissant armie to assist king Floridamant his old companion and the christian people that inhabited great Brittaine for which cause he summoned a méeting of his subiects promising to be in England in very short time These tidings brought Andregon and Lamprydion deliuered the like from king Belligand of Gaule how forward hee was in deuoire to send him succour his armie being leueyed and readie to depart and had â—re then set forward but that the king daylye expected the Prince Diodamas his sonne a man of great valour who had not long before receiued his order of knighthood being gon in quest of an other knight that had in his keeping a Fayrie Launce where of hee had robd the king his father which Launce hee heard was againe recouered by the young prince and he returning home ward when being come hee should away to England with the armie For these glad tidings king Floridamant thanked God trusting in him and to the speeding supplie each houre expected resoluing to defend himselfe if he should be assayled without any issuing foorth to the enemie neither to sight except he should be enforced there vnto vntill these Armies were ioyned with him Attending which time he thought good to prolong day of the assault kéeping their enemies in breath and these affayres in good foresight which to compâ—sse he thought on euery likely and expedient remedie as yee may perceiue in the Chapters following CHAP. 16. Howe the Princesse Polydamie beholding from the height of a Tower the Campe and countenance of the Pagans was shewen by Angrafolt who were the cheefe commaunders in so great a multitude And the Princesse seeing the Scythian monster swouned with conceit of feare when Angrafolt conueyed her thence into the Queenes chamber MEane while to finde some meane of deferring the generall assault which the Pagans in their councell had determined against the Cittie of London king Floridamant consulted with the hardie knights of his councell and other noble personages that then were in the Cittie with
are knights of marke and great reputation the one is king of Niuarie a riche and opulant kingdome that with one Launce brought to death thirtie Cantabres when king Brandissant my brother made warre vpon them wherefore at this day he beares them all depainted in his shéeld as yee might behold if the gréene shaddow were away wherewith it is couered As for the other two they are the valiant Cambarell and Pagâ—traff Kings of the Iunonian Isles in riches and valour they are not equall to their two former brethren but in age onely and nothing else and further of in midst of the troupe where ye sée yond multitude of goodly pauillions are their people tarrying but when they shall bee ranged in order for the assault toward king Grandowin are they now martching to vnderstand his aduise and councell in what place they should assemble while the rest of their companie beeing merrily disposed fall to such pastimes as martiall men are wunte to exercise And fronting that troope yee may behold my six Giants which shew so high aboue the other as stéeples in a cittie ouerpéere the lowest buildings and they are prepared as they were when I maistred them to resist a verye puissant armie But what is he quoth the princes on the right hand that rides on the roane Courser managing a strong launce vppon his thigh clad in blacke Armour grauen all ouer with golde glittering so brauely as hee rides to an other troope some what further off You meane he Madame said Angrafolt that beares thrée golden Sunnes in his sheeld deciphered in a greene field and bordered round about with purest golde He I meane answered the Princesse that talkes with another knight of like apparaunce hard by the multitude mounted on a sorrell Courser with a very strong Launce in his hand and in his shéeld thrée Leopards heads in a Sable field It is replyed the Corsean prince the worthie king Tauladas of Canada a man woonderfull aâ—â—able and debonaire albeit no lesse hardie with swoord or Launce then anye other in all the Campe euen so is he with whome you see him talking the redoubted Barant king of Carybe they both being come to associate this warre rather for proofe of man to man in combate against king Floridamant your father the fame of whose renowmed vertues called them hither then any desire to doo him hurt or damage but true it is that to fortifie our Campe they haue brought with them from theyr countries and kingdomes great store of armed men and well appointed I am much deceiued sayd the princesse if he whom I see standing with his face toward vs bee nâ—t some Pagan king of great name he I meane that now marcheth 〈…〉 all bearing Ensignes or Guydons of diuers coullers in their hands and he riding somewhat aloofâ— before them on a horsse more whyte then any Swanne harnessed with â—â—mosin veluit the â—â—uddes and buckles of perfect golde and if mine eyes fayl me not he 〈◊〉 three 〈…〉 sheeld and those I take to be his armes Madame answered the Pagan I did not well note his countenance beacuse he suddenly turned back toward his 〈…〉 but if hee beare such arms as you speake of it 〈…〉 Marton king of Biscay or 〈…〉 among other things to conduct men of warre on the Seas where in our â—omming hithâ—r hee was cheefe leader of all our Armie hauing the whole gouernment and charge thereof by reason of the great valour abiding in him and long experience in manie affayres they that follow him are all knights of esteeme whose charge is to manage the Ensignes and Standards in the ships I haue not yet séene sayd the Princesse Polydamie two more braue and comely knights then these two that ryde hitherward ech on a black Stéed marked alike with white in their foreheads their backs and legges richly harnessed with greene veluet one of them beares two Collomes in his sheeld figured in an Azure field the other a flourishing braunche of Roses carrying theyr liuely Roses in a golden field and each hath in his hand a Iaueling pointed with golde and garnished with siluer studdes theyr horsses trot alike both of one 〈◊〉 and height I am 〈◊〉 they are none of the mâ—anest in your companie I pray ye sir tell me what they are These two Madame are arriued heere since I was taken but as I haue heard by messages from my noble father they are the two princes Orentes and Phoas the one king of Marocco the other of Alger two neighbouring kingdomes on the coast of Barbarie abounding in riches and treasure so likewise of their persons they are as hardie and valiant as any in the world and as heauie enemies to the Christians and their religion the expresse cause of theyr comming hither to hurt and destroy them so much as possiblie they may As the Corsean king held on this speech to the princesse the kings Maurus and Phorbon and betweene them the monstrous Tryphon king of Scithia Gotia Sarmata and Geta came foorth of their pauillions to dorayne theyr people and as the young Ladie noted theyr gestures and countenance intending to enquirs what they were câ—â—â—ing her eyes vppon the Scythian Mouâ—â—er mâ—unted and â—quipped in such forme and manner as before I haue tolde yee shee was so surprized with feare at the verye sight of him her heart beeing tender daintie and delicate as giuing a loud shrike she fell in a swoune or traunce which the Pagan king perceiuing and dreading some wurs inconuenience would ensue he tooke her vp in his armes and caryed her thence verye gentlye and modestlie into the Queenes Chamber where he declared the occasion of her feare and continued to them the discourse of those thrée before named kings which the Ladyes heard very attentiuely and while the Pagan bethinkes himselfe where to breake off his discourse heere thinke I good to conclude this Chapter CHAP. 17. How king Floridamant hauing assembled his Councell to receiue aduise from the cheefe of his friends and well wellers concerning what was best to be done in this necessitie After he had heard the diuersitie of their oppinions in the end hee set downe his rest on the councell of the wise and aged duke Candior of Normandie KIng Floridamant was all this while in Councell to be aduised as I tolde ye in the former chapter how hee might best delay the assault and by likelye meane deâ—erre it till the expected ayde from Gaule and Spaine were arriued In which councell there were many of different and contrarye oppinions for some thought good to temporise a while without fighting vntill they should bee somewhat stronger to endure so sharpe and cruell an assault as the Pagans intended against them because in very déede they were ouer-weake to withstand so fierce a charge as was like to be offered for if theyr mishap should be such as the issue of fightes and battaâ—les is most certainlye vncertaine to be vanquished and the Cittie taken in the assault the hoped for
themselues to the assault and how the besieged Christians endeuoured to the contrarie in such sorte as they withstood it valiantly How many braue bickerings passed betweene them compelling the Infidels after a great slaughter and on needfull occasion to withdrawe themselues toward their Campe and Pauillions WHen the Christian Princes departed from Councell it was almost night and hauing a lighted Torche before him as is the manner in the Realme of England the chéefe and most noble Lordes went to the Pallace royall to take theyr repast in companie of their king who feasted and entertayned them very magnificently the better to encourage them in their deuâ—ire After supper was ended the guarde and watch was orderly placed each one of the inhabitants thus resoluing rather to die the death then turne their backes on their enemies or forsake the walles which they manned and fortified very strongly expressing iuuincible and neuer quayling courage The princes were there in person and hauing in the night made sundrie roundes about the Cittie to see if any thing wanted in any place they found all well and in good disposition through the carefull dilligence of the Captains by them appointed and according as the king had commaunded for conduct of the footmen This doone they departed for a while to the pallace againe that they might take a little rest because they had beene so ouertrauailed the dayes before Not three houres or thereabout had they slumbringly slept but they heard a great rumour and noyse thorow all the Cittie the cause whereof was in respect the enemies had sounded their drums and trumpets giuing an allarme to the inhabitants wherevpon king Floridamant arose immediatly and all the Christian kings and Princes that bare him companye who betooke themselues as the king had appointed to the rampiers and contremures seuerally prouided to withstand this first and sudden assault of the Pagans And as each one was come to his place of charge they found the enemies alreadie verye busie against foure places of the Cittie at once with their Trepans Rammes Bricolles Scorpions Crowes with other such like engines and instruments for warre wherewith in those times they vsed to breake and beat downe the walles of Citties they saw withall that they had erected theyr high terrasses and platformes that commaunded ouer the Cittie and on the principall of these Fortes they had builded certaine bastils or houses of wood wherein were placed great store of Archers and crossebows who standing with assurance against the enemie might greatly iniurie such as attempted to impeache the escalade appointed in these places and for this purpose For this cause likewise they commanded their Elephants to be brought neere the wals to the number of two or three hundred carrying little castles of wood vpon theyr backs wherein also were a number of Pagan Archers hid Beside many were appointed with Torches and burning firebrands against the gates of the cittie where they layde store of pitch barrels to make the fire the sooner do his office when the gates being burnt downe they entered in great number the citty while the christians was busied to defend the breach or scaling of the wals when king Floridamant his hardie knights had notice â—éereof with all spéed they hasteâ—ed thither where séeing how they laboured against the high bulwarks of earth with their pioners they made new fortifications vpon them casting such déepe trenches round about as should hold them rougher worke then the wal had done for the trenche was made with speciall good soldiours the number of thrée or foure thousand being armed wyth pikes and stéeled cuirasses so worthily stood vpon theyr defence as the Pagans who verily thought they had won the daie alreadie were quickly repulsed from that bridge for king Grandilaor Andregon and Lampridion who were appointed to kéep that quarter with their companies droue them so furiously ouer the false rouered déepe trenches as at this first onset fell therein wounded slaine and spoyled fouretéene or fiftéene hundred Pagans together that were striuing who should be formost before his fellow Whereat the fâ—erce proud Brandissant chafed out of measure when being followed by the foure Pagan kings his vassalls all armed in most goodly glittering armour each hauing in his hand a mightie mase garnished with sharpe stéele pointes round about they laid vpon the Christians so outragiously as the port of the bulwarke where into the greater part ran for safetie of their liues being too straight to let them in so fast as they came there were presently slaine out-right in this brunt more then fiue hundred men Brandissant pressing still on by chance met with the Citizen Hoaster who had charge of a braue armed troup in the citie and such was his vnconquerable courage as hee woulde resist this bloud-thirstie pagan but he receiued such a stroke on the creast of his morion where stood a faire plume of snowie white feathers as pearcing quite through the harnes into the brains there this worthie citizen yéelded vp his soule to God which when his sonne behold the sole heire of a meruailous wealthie patrimonie which his father had heaped together for him beeing a valiaunt young man and of towardly hope he was ouercome with such extreame rage and despight as in the heate of his â—urie not dreading the force of this stout pagan he ranne vpon him to reuenge the death of his father and hauing his sword drawen in his hand he deliuered such a stroke at the pagan as but for the goodnes of his shielde had deeply wounded him for the swords point brake of with out anie further harme to his enemie but the Pagan making no account of the blow thought in scorne to passe by him and meddle no more with him whereat the yong man called Dondye was so vexed as running againe at Brandissant he challenged him the combat when the Pagan entering into his wonted choler made him die the same death his father had done before and holding on his waie in this furie made such hauocke of the Christians as before hee wold take a breathing he slew fiue twentie or thirtie men of marke as braue and hardie as any in that companie Agaros a man of authoritie who before time had lead men in the warres of the deâ—eased king Brandismel was slayne as he fought verie couragiously for after hee had killed foure pagan souldiers hand to hand himselfe fell downe deade by the hand of this cruell and bloudie Brandissant So likewyse did Taurisque the braue leaper and the good drinker Grinos albeit he tooke not his drinke well inough that morning for which it séemed he was so sorrowfull in dying as he yelded forth his soule at his mouth crying for some friend to bring him his liquor With them bare companie Anglidor King Floridamants player on the Lute and the valiaunt knight Andron who somtime had bene his page with his two brethren Iumeaux Marcis and Mausis goodly young men of the wealthiest familie of the citie of
of his birth and valour The young princesse lending eare attentiuely to these wordes cheered vp her thoughts and tooke great pleasure in contemplating the excelling beautie of this fayre Noiade as also to heare her swéete and gratious language the sence and substance whereof concerned the thing shee most desired and was so agréeable to her So that longing to heare what the Nimphe had promised after a modest and ciuill kinde of questioning she thus made answere Whatsoeuer thou be most faire and gentle Nimphe right welcome art thou into this place and albeit thy presence at the first brought me some cause of feare and displeasure yet now on the contrary I am as glad and ioyfull héere to beholde thee for reasons as yet knowne to thy selfe and this ioye I receiue by sight of thée procured the motion and change thou didst note in my countenanâ—e not any fright feare or discontent receiued through thy beeing with mee If then thou hast any thing to tell mee chéefely concerning that I most desire to know I pray and intreat thée againe and againe by the reuerence and respect thou bearest to thy Mistresse Ozyris by these Fountaines and waters which thou hauntest and wherein thou delightest vsually to bathe thy selfe likewise by the loue and honest affection thou bearest my knight by the golden tresses of thy haire with the swéet fauour and beautie I beheld in thy face I coniure thée not to depart from me vntill thou hast tolde me who and what the knight is that beareth name of the Fairie of whence hee is where and in what part hee is at this present and whether he be dead or liuing Tell me withall if his affection be such to me as mine is to him what ease helpe and comfort or loue like recompence I shall receiue in the end for the loyall affection I beare him and what will bee the issue of both our loues Thy knight faire princesse answered the Fayrie is a man vertuous and of great valour for he is the onely valiant and most accomplished knight in all perfections that at this day liueth or heereafter shall liue vppon the earth in like manner his exhorâ—ation or originall hath he receiued from a father that is the most hardiest king on earth no one so worthie to weare a crowne royall namely the great monarch Floridamant of England a prince so perfect and accomplished as may be possible He being in quest of sundrie strange aduentures which long time hee exercised as a knight errant onely to acquire honor and reputation left his quéene conceiued with childe wherof she was deliuered in the absence of her king and he was nourished vnder the wing and gouernement of the quéene his mother vntill the age of seauen or eight yeares when the skilfull Fayrie Ozyris who all her life time bare good affection to the king in the countrey where shee her selfe inhabited as also to all that were of his familie knowing and perceiuing well by her skill that if the young prince should remaine long time in his fathers Court hee was destined to incur some great misâ—haunce euen no lesse then a strange and cruell death by sudden inuention she found the meane to rob her of her Son in respect that if this misfortune had happened it would haue prooued such an exceeding domage and preiudice not onely to all the realme of great Brittaine but likewise all the Christians that liue vnder heauen neuer felt the like in regard of the good they should one daye receiâ—e by him Hauing then so subtilly gotten him away I will not tell you how or in what manner because it requireth too long a discourse and I intend to tell yee but breefely the principall points of this historie She nourished and brought him vppe long time in her riche and opulent Fayrie which is as huge big or rather greater then the wydest kingdome in the worlde and there enstructed him in all good manners vntill hee was of able age and capable to beare knightly armes whereby hee might discouer what hee was She prouiding him of all things necessarie for a knight chusing and appointing him as her loyall and faithfull seruant she being the wisest and most faire princesse liuing as likewise he is the most valiant and vertuous knight in the world directed his course sending him as thou knowest and canst very well testifie and witnesse to the princely Court of the great Emperour thy father where what befell him thou canst tell without my reporting as also thou wast not ignorant of his departure What is become of him euer sithence his departure would require a long time to recount the houre of my departure so vrgently presseth me as at this instant I can tel thee no more because I am constrained to leaue thee But to morrow at the selfe same houre I came this day I promise to returne againe not onely to tell the rest of his aduentures but to let thee sée them all to thy great pleasure and contentment Hauing thus spoken the Nimphe plunged her head at the first into the water of the Fountaine and so departed where likewise I meane to finishe this Chapter CHAP. 21. How the Nimphe Aegle by the will of hir Mistresse Ozyris appeared another time to the fayre Porphyria and made her for to see her knight in a Sphere withall the aduentures that happened to him since the time she saw him last THe nymph Aegle hauing thus left the company of the yong princes she remained very pensiue more desirous than before to know the newes of her knight for now shée would faine bee acquainted with what the nymph had concealed not contented with what was alreadie reuealed though in some sort pleased by knowing that her part and amorous desires aimed at no meane or base obiect but so sortable and worthy as she could make choice of And verie certaine it was that in those times there was no Empire or monarch more renowmed nor anie king or Christian prince more esteemed then was the realme of great Britaine the worthie king Floridamant For his predecessors and himselfe had inlarged and augmented theyr gouernment further a great deal then the continent of England not onely by their force and prowesse but likewise by their swéete curtesse and benignitie so valiant did they euermore shewe themselues to bee as also humane and affable withall yet al this aduantage was not sufficient to satisfie the princely maide but rather vrged her to more pensiuenes and impatience vnderstanding him to be of such rase and originall whome before shee reckoned and estéemed but as a simple knight arrant now proouing to be of so high extraction and great birth hauing seated her affections in place of such dignitie she remayned still doubtfull whether he were aliue or dead for so long absence might verie well raise great and vehement suspition thereof Here vpon she withdrew her selfe secretly into her chamber beeing much discomforted and verie passionate as before musing
with him in such sort as yee haue read in the Chapters treating thereof The shape heereof was so fearfull to her as shee became troubled in minde out of measure which made the Nimphe quicklye remooue it from her sight and plunging into the Fountaine water vanished away with whose departure we knit vp this two and twenteth Chapter CHAP. 23. How the king of Phez recited his genealogie and aduenture to the holye Hermit and the fayre Pilgrime and howe the Hermit tolde him a goodly discourse to confirme him in the Christian religion Moreouer howe Squamell was conducted by diabolicall artes into an obscure Chamber hard by Auernus hoping to bee healed of his woundes by the helpe of deuils with that which happened to him afterward BEcause the change of discourse brings no lesse delight to the Reader then the varietie of daintie viands contenteth such as take theyr repast for a while I intende to change our purpose leauing a part the amourous flame of the fayre princesse Porphyria to come againe to the historie of the valiant king of Phez not long since made a Christian miraculously as yee haue heard before To let ye vnderstand withall according to the truth in writing of him his genealogie and aduenture whereof himselfe maketh recitall to the holy Hermit and fayre pilgrime when hee was thereto by them required beginning in this or the like maner It is a long while since that Artabaz sometime king of Persia was enamoured on the â—ayre Quéene Lyxandra the most fayre and wealthie Ladie in riches and other goods of fortune that was in those times for vnder her obedience and Empire as also her lawes liued in flourishing prosperitie the people of foure opulent kingdomes which are on the coast of Barbarie to wit Phez Marocco Thunis and Alger But Looue had not touched with selfe same shaft the hart of Lyxandra as he did the hart of Artabaz because the more earnestly he loued the more mortally she hated â—y reason that in the life time of king Brunon her father hee had dayly vexed him with warres seeking to depriue him of his kindomes and Signories For this cause he trauailed and molested him as no man in the world could doo the like so that being ouercome with weaâ—ines of the passed warres Brunan finished his dayes after hee had made some treatie or accord of peace with the king of Persia euen then when first he began to loue the fayre Lyxandra who hauing auncient mallice engrauen in her heart continued dayly in resolution to hate him more and more Héerevpon she not willing to graunt marriage with the Persian king nor to listen his solicitings requests and temptations which stretched so farre as he could deuise the perticuler discourse whereof were too long to rehearse hee concluded to winne her by force of armes and to renew the former warres against her more sharpe and cruelly then euer hee did against the deceased king Brunon her father Which being thus pursued he brought the vertuous princesse into such necessitie as hee left her neither kindome Cittie towne nor burrough place nor Castell but all was brought vnder his obeysance and all of them spoyled the strong Cittie of Phez onely excepted wherein being constrained to shut vppe her selfe he so long time continued the sâ—ege against it as she was on the pointe of yeelding to his mercie or else to take away her owne life but then by good hap a young Knight so highly accomplished as any other whatsoeuer arriued on the coast of Barbarie euen as the Quéene was in this great perplexitie deuising with her selfe what she were best to doo he hearing by the common reporte blazed abroad what harde holde the Queene Lyxandra had against the Persian Tyrant beeing brought so neere the place by violence of the windes that droue him on the seas was willing to succour her beeing touched partly with pittifull affection which the goodnes of nature had endned him withall and partly prouoked on by fayre desire to make appearance of his hardie valour the fame whereof alreadie was bruâ—ed through most places in the world but seeing at this first attempt that his accesse and entraunce into the Cittie so narrowly besiedged on eueriâ— side would prooue very difficult the gates being ramd vp and the walles enuironed with Persian men at armes An indifferent while he deuised with himselfe by what meane both easily and couertly hee might get entrance Hauing some space considered heereon the Historie saith that he especially noted one side of the cittie wall where the enemies had made a very great breache to enter thereby on the morowe vpon the answer Quéene Lyxandra should returne to king Artabaz and this breach was guarded by certaine armed men of the Cittie while the Quéene assembling her councell should agree on some expresse resolution of answer concerning her submission to her enemie The assaylants on the other side of the breache were making banquets passing away the time very merrilye vnder certaine assurance that now the cittie should be yeelded or taken vppon theyr request within of composition and well ye wot that a Cittie comming to composition is more then halfe taken This was the cause that the young knight beeing come neere the breache and séeing they that kept it were verie carefull of their charge hee softly whispered with them to know by what meanes hee might enter the cittie to haue some spéech with the queene Lyxandra concerning matters of importance that would prooue profitable to her desiring them to let her vnderstand thereof in that the cause of his comming thither was earnest desire to impâ—oy himselfe for her defence in this warre The Souldiers made him answere that one should presently goe do his errand and the Queene being aduertised heereof was very glad knowing well by his renowme and valour that he was the gentle knight of the Flower for so was he called because as then hee loued a Ladye named Florixa in regard of whose name he bare a Uermillion Gilliflower painted in his sheeld a man so hardie and valiant as hee was esteemed beyond all the knights of that time Héere vpon she gaue commanâ—dement that he should be let into the Cittie by a doore that passed from her Castell to the Towne marrie it was to be doone in the dead time of the night and that so couertly or closely as might be thus escaped the knight in vnseene of the enemie with his armour and horsse and one Squire that bare him companie In breefe to tell ye what passed betweene them the quéene letting him vnderstand the occasion of this warre the successe thereof and the extremitie whereinto she was brought farre more in effect then the knight had heard reported she fell downe on her knées before him and with the teares trickling downe her chéekes intreated him to helpe her both with councell and valiance promising to deliuer vp all the treasure of her kingdome into his handes if in this darkenesse he could illuminate them with some
diuâ—ded the kingdomes betwéene vs appoynting to one the realme of Phez Adylas Phaos and Orontes my cousins had giuen to them the three other seigniories to witte Morocco Thunis and Alger wherewith wee all haue beene well contented without quarrelling or falling at debate for anie cause whatsoeuer But we being as yet verie young were assayled again by Mutinel the king of Persia in reuenge of Artabaz death his predecessor and would haue depriued vs againe of our kingdomes but we so well defended our selues as he coulde not altogether defeate vs of our right but in regarde of our ouer young yeres we promised him certayne yerely tribute and obeisance or homage when he woulde commaund vs to haue it done which euer since we haue dayly continued and in consequence hereof being charged by him to arme themselues agaynst the king of great Britaine in companie of king Brandissant and his brethren to ruinate and destroie all christendome together wee entered on the seas with a goodly great armie thitherward and sayling merrily certayne daies in our voiage we were surprized with a greate tempest which separated vs one from another in such sort as I know not what is become of the rest Well wot I that my ship was wrackte against a huge rocke and none saued aliue of all that were with me but my selfe alone Since when hauing recouered horse and armour such as by fortune I brought with me into the forrest of great aduentures wher méeting a proud and arrogant knight that challenged all passengers to combate with him promising for prize of theyr victorie a goodly horse a fayre armour and a golden cup of inestimable value desirous to gain these thrée if I could I entered the combat with him and all daie wee fought together without apparance of victorie on either side till the verie declining of the daie when wee were euen on the point to knowe where the lot woulde fall when another knight no lesse valiant than proud came to trouble our intent very suriously assayling vs both In which sirange conflict it chanced that this curteous Lord came and seeing our confused order of fighting behelde howe I was wounded of which hurts through the mighty and supreame diuine vertue I am now healed Thus good Father haue I fully satâ—sfâ—ed your request if ye will command me anie other seruice assure your selfe I will doe it verie gladly Thus king Florent of Phez ended his discourse when the olde hermite began an excellent exhortation to confirme him soundly in the christian fayth charging him to liue and die in defence thereof and not to persecute it as before he had done Taking occasion by the example of Saint Paul to incite him forward to his dutie according as he procéeded in Gods soruice after hee was so diuinely called When he had finished his sermon wher with the king was highly satiffied and contented after hee hadde humbly thanked him for so great good receiued he departed in companie of the faire pilgrime with him to go visite the holy sepulchre of Iesus Christ where what happened to them afterward you shal reade at large in the third volume of this worthie historie which if God permit you shal see verie shortly The discourse of the Giant Squamell SQuamell the ouer wéening proud knight mightie in strength and of Giantine stature was conducted on the blacke riuer as yee haue heard very farre vnder the earth by the diabolicall arte of the Necromancer Charonifor euen into a dark chamber full of fyre and smoake the verie next neighbout to black Auernos wherein hee was no sooner arriued but certaine young spirits or deuils the waiting seruants on the sorcerer came quickly about him foure bringing vnguents others clothes another a candle of Rosen to light their maister that he might make readie his necessarie emplaisters wherewith the Giants wounds should be healed And he being halfe dead was laid along on a banke before a great fire that burned extreamly within the chamber which onely serued to giue them light night and day thrée times he swouned while Chironifer his chirurgion felt the depth of his mortall woundes which notwithstanding by his speedy helpe succour and dilligence within few dayes after were made verye whole and sound Right well he knew how to thank the Necromancer vowing his loue for euer after to him and Charonifer likewise as glad of his health exhorted him still to follow his aduenture and returne to the Forrest where hee was wounded there to stay till he met a knight in black armour mounted on the horsse which was one of the prizes of the combate assuring him that hee was one of the best knights in the world If therefore he 〈◊〉 at honor and reputation such as beséemed â—he order of knighthood hee should not rest till he had fought with him and slaine him otherwise it he failed in this 〈…〉 great 〈…〉 performe 〈◊〉 departing froÌ„ his nightly shade after he had taken leaue of the Necromancer he was conducted back againe by the same way he went entring the black Boate to goe view the light of the sunne which hee had neuer seene since hee â—ame thither Beeing in little while arriued in the forrest of high aduentures and riding by the morning light the space of an houre he found a Ladie of meruailous beautie hanging by the neck on a Tree the fatall instrument being the laces that bound vp her hayre which being discheueled round about her hung downe to her very feete The Giant presently knew her to be the Lady Lucinda whom somtime he loued and now so mortally hated as hee was not a little ioyfull to behold this sight lauding his gods especially Cupid who so meritoriouslie reuenged the rigour which shee in former time had vsed toward him for when he intirelie loued her she scorned him wherfore in â—esting maner he imbraced the dead bodye swinging her about from one side to another but at last hee was ware of a paper which with a small thred was fastened on her bosome which hee taking downe and seeing them to be verses read them to himselfe in this manner The verses written on a little Labell and fastned about the Ladyes neck as she hung vpon the Tree THou that goest by if pittie thee possesse then take compassion on this noble dame Who foyld by loue and fortunes forwardnes heere as thou seest hath doone a deed of shame Making her hands the engines of her death And on this Tree sent foorth her latest breath If â—hou be knight and valour doost containe doo thy deuoire to wreake her haplesse end On cruell Squamell honors foulest staine whom teares nor treates could make a Ladies frend But full of rancor pride and high disdaine Still made her breath her sighes sutes in vaine If thou be Lady or some vertuous dame and knowst the man that holds thy fauours deere Loue him againe and thinke not on my name in whom the effects of scorne dooth well appeare I was beloou'd and then