THE Honorable pleasant and rare conceited Historie of Palmendos Sonne to the famous and fortunate Prince Palmerin d'Oliua Emperour of Constantinople and the Queene of Tharsus Translated out of French by A. M. one of the Messengers of her Maiesties Chamber Patere aut abstine AT LONDON Printed by I. C. for Simon Watersonne are to be sold in Church-yarde at the signe of the Crowne Anno. Domini 1589. Fortissimo et militiae naualis Peritissimo viro Domino Francisco Draco Equiti Aurato DEsinat Herculeas iam Grecia vana columnas Mirari aut Minyas Dulichiâ—…mue ducens Amphitryoniadem super as fortissime Drace Iasonaque et comites Penelopesque virum Neptunusque suum credit tibi iure tridentem Cedit Sceptra libens imperiâ—…mque maris Palmendos tanto latus tutusque Patrono Audet in innumeras peruolitare manus Zoilus inuideat rumpantur et ilia Codro Palmendos Draco vindice tutus erit It volat et gaudet spernit que minacia verba Nempe soles tumides spernere Drace minas Antonius Mondaius To the courteous Reader HAuing finished this History of Pâ—…lmendos I commit the same to thy fauourable censure And though it bee not floorished foorth with borrowed phrases of eloquence yet hope I thou wilt accept it freendly as thou hast done heertofore my works of the like matter To make any commendation therof to thee I will not first reade thy fill thereon and after iudge as thou findest occasion yet with thy wonted fauour to encourage me in proceeding in translation of 〈◊〉 which by the next Tearme I hope will be accomplished From my house at Cripple gate the fifth of Februarie 1589. Thine in all courtesie Anthâ—…ny Monday The history of Palmendos sonne to the famous Palmerin d'Oliua Emperour of Constantinople and the Queene of Tharsus Discoursing likewise of the Prince Rifarano Sonne to Tryneus Emperour of Allemaigne Aurecinda Siâ—…er to the Soldane of Persia theyr Kâ—…ghtly deedes of Chiuâ—…e 〈◊〉 aduentures and woorthy resolutioâ—… CHAP. I. Howe Belcar and Tyrendos beeing in the Câ—…urte of the Emperor Palmerin receiued theyr order of knighthoode and how Belcar departed secretly from Constantinople and of the Câ—…mbat hâ—…e fought in the Realme of Macedoâ—… against tâ—…e three Sonnes of a Knight thaâ—… lodged him NOt long after the destruction of the magniâ—…cent and proud Monarchie of the Romaines waâ—… erected a new Empire in Greece which the 〈◊〉 bountie diuine fauoâ—…red with continual happines placing the good Prince Palmerin d'Oliua in the Crowne and lawfull gouernment therof as wel in respect of his great prowesse high and knightlie paradores which with vigilant â—…are he vsed for the defence of such an estate the onely renowne whereof brake the desseigâ—…es of manie that by hostilitie sought to disquiet him aâ—… alsâ—… in regarde of the notable linage posteritie discending from him of whose vertues and heroycall perfections this present Historie of Palmendos his Sonne is contriued and therefore to be placed at the ende of his Fathers trauels In which discourse alreadie extant gentle Readers you haue vnderstood howe the Emperour Palmerin so looued and honored Knights errant that from the furthest parts of the world they came to his Courte because yéerelie hee continued a sumptuous spectacle in forme of a Tourney for the exercise of knightly and millitarie discipline and with such religious zeale was this worthy practise folowed as the Court might well be called y t Schoole of Armes and Nursse of ciuilitie For this cause many Kinges Princes and great Lordes sent their Sonnes to bee there educated among whom the good Knight Frysoll King of Hungaria sent one of his named Belcar and the Duke Eustace of Mecana another called Tirendos that they might deserue their knighthoâ—…de at the hand of the Emperor the true mirrour and Idea of manhoode and so consequentlie they to participate some part of his bountie and prowâ—…sse THe time then béeing câ—…me that Belcar Son to King Frysoll shoulde 〈◊〉 his order of knighthood he humbly intreated the Emperour that he might enioy it at his hand and Tirendos Sonne to Duke Eustace of Mecana desirous of the selfe same honour made like request vnto his Maiestie whereto the good Emperâ—…ur who looued them both with singuler affection knowing hâ—…w well Chiualrie woulde bee imployed by thâ—…m â—…ight willinglie condiscended Héereupon after they had performed the accustomed vigill he knighted these two Princes with great royaltie desiring God to bestow such fauour on them as at no time they might degenerate from their famous prâ—…decessours And to Belcar â—…mbracing him in his armes he sayd My good Nephewe heauen accomplish in you such perfâ—…ctiens of manhoode as each one may knowe you to be the Sonne of the worthy Knight Sir Frysoll a Prince so hardie and valiant as anie that euer followed Armes The ceremonies béeing ended they all returned to the Pallace where the newe Knights béeing vnarmed rich Robes and Mantles were brought them for greater honour of the feaste which in the Courte at this tâ—…e excéeded But Belcar tooke little pleasure in beholding the diuers occurrences at this assembly because his minde was more busâ—…ed with expectation of future glorie which made him thus to commâ—…ne with himselfe Belcar thou hast now no longer time to rest séeing thou hast recâ—…iued the honorable order of knighthood and that at the hande of the Empeâ—…ur thynâ—… Unckle whom the diuine prouidence hath endued with so manie laâ—…dable vertues nor dooth any thing want in the King thâ—… Father that is required in a man at Armes If then hetherto thou hast liued in pleasure delights hencefoorth thou must bequeath thy selfe to trauaile to shewe that thou doost resemble and imitate in some things thine Auncestors who with great labour and industrie haue attained such fame and renowâ—…e as the memory therof shal remaine immortali And if thou wilt not darcken this honour then must thou hasten thy departure from y â— Court and follow the search of strange aduentures as they dyd in their daies for thine example After many and sundry thoughts that fought together within his spirit he concluded to depart acccmpanied but with one Squire and that so secretly as could be deuised Thence would he trauaile directly towards Macedon to make the first proofe of his valour in y t aduenture of Francelina who was enchaunted in y â— Iâ—…le of Carderia as was declared in the History of Palmerin d'Oliua And at thys time was little talke of any other thing then of the number of Knights that daily sought to winne her in marriage and with her the Kingdome of Thessalie for such 〈◊〉 the promised guerdon and recompence to him that coulde deliuer her out of the enchaunted Castell but hetherto all the Knights lost thâ—…ir labour for no one was able to finish the â—…duenture Belcar béeing earnestly prouoked with the fame of this occasioÌ„ which was generally râ—…puted strange and full of â—…aunger resolued to frame his iourney thether because heâ—… earnestly
seate wherat Palmendos and his Lordes meâ—…ie laughed but theye pastime was soone altered into admiration for after the Woman arose againe shee séemed of such huge deformed stature as eache one was amazed that had beheld her before and turning her selfe angeâ—…lie towardes the Prince vsed these spéeches Ah Palmendos little regardest thou to resemble the Emperour of Constantinople thy Father whose gentlenes and swéetnes stretcheth as wel to the meanest persons as them that are Lordes and of great account What gaineâ—…t thou in reioycing at the iniurie doone mee by thy Knight I pray that the great imperious Monarch Cupid ê™ shee with lifting her eyes and handes to heauen may so cruellie wound thy hart with the looue of faire Francelina and cause thee to conceiue such gracious thoughtes of her as thou maist leaue this idle and delicious life thou leadest to winne the honour that is got with paine and trauaile So did thy Father heeretofore for the Princesse Polynarda whom he loued so religiously as with the dexteritie and strength of his bodie he assaied to gaine y â— reward which Fortune prouideth for her cheefest fauourites whereon imperially he is now amounted accompanied with y â— greatest felicitie that can happen to anie one vnder this Hemisphere Leaue then these wanton and Courtlie surfettings wherein thy Mother laboureth to containe thée and noâ—…e beginne to 〈◊〉 Armâ—… which may make â—…hy name perpetuall and yeelde the rewarde of immortal glorie for it will redound to thy great shame béeing Sonne to so rare and 〈◊〉 a Knight not this way to imitate his laboriouâ—… dâ—…des And when I shall sèe thee thorowlie wrapped in the passions of loâ—… I will thinke my selfe satis-fied with â—…uenge of the diâ—…honour which thou hast suffered to be 〈◊〉 to me in thy presence The olde Woman so breaking off immediatly vanished away to the great terrour of all the beholders especiallie of the young Prince Palmendos whose sences were for a while eâ—…raunged and walking vppe and downe musing on the olde Womans wordes his hart was so enâ—…amed with the loue of her he knew not as he was enforâ—…d thus to commune with himselfe What may the Ladie be with whom at the report of this Woman I find my selfe so distraughted Daubtles if her words be no Fables â—…t that I am Sonne to the Emperour of Constantinople it behooueth 〈◊〉 to enterprise such actions as I may be iudged soâ—…what to resemble him While his spirit was â—…hus buâ—…ed with diuersitie of these thoughts and no one daring to interrupt him Ozalio went into the Quéenes Chamber and tâ—…lling what had happened she was therewith greatlie displeased Immediatlie she came downe into the great Hall and â—…ding her Sonne thus perplexed tooke him by the hand causing him to sitte downe by her and then began to him in this manner I knowe not my Sonne what follies it should seâ—… the olde Hagge hath trâ—…ubled your minde withall but refraine from giuing credite to them and I shall tell yée the verie trueth of all Madame aunswered Palmendos I am certaine you will not dallie with mee notwithstanding I cannot but meruailâ—… that you woulde all this while conceale the originall of my byrthe for â—…he Emperour Palmerin béeing such a woorthy 〈◊〉 Knight as he is estéemed of eâ—…erie one little occasion haue I 〈◊〉 â—…isdaine to be his Soâ—… and you much leâ—…e to keepe it from me Wherfore I humblie iâ—…reate your Maiestie to resolue me faithâ—…ullie of this present doubt to the eâ—…d if it be so I may â—…e we my selfe forwarde in duetie in â—…sing the bud to floorish that came from such a noble vertuous stalke And feare not that for his sake I will abandon you because it is impossible for me to leaue the Law wherin I haue hethâ—…rto liued for a strange opinion which I am ignoraunt in Ah my Sonne quoth the Queene the Gods so inspire and direct your desseignes that you may perfectlie accomplish what you haue prâ—…mised for the onely feare to loose your companie hath caused me conceale the thing you are so desirous to know But seeing you haue hearde what I can no longer dissemble assure your selfe my Sonne that the olde Woman hath tolde nothing but trueth Héerevâ—…n she recounted the whole Historie howe to haue issue by such a péerelesse Prince imitating Thalestria Quéene of the Amazons who for like cause acquainted her selfâ—… with the valiant King Alexander fhe by the counsell of a wise Magitian amourously beguiled the Emperour Palmerin Lastlie shee intreated him not to â—…orsake her while she liued because her life was onelie prolonged by his presence Great matters haue you tolde me answered the young Prince the Emperour then knowes not that hee â—…ath anie Childe by you No verilie replied the Queene nor would I he should know for the whole world Nor can hee I thinke vnderstand 〈◊〉 by anie saide the Prince yet in mine opinion I count it necessarie that one day I should goe sée my Father but trust me Madame it shall not hée without speedie returne because I am determined not to leaue you or giue ouer with my will the Countrey and Kingdome which the heauens haue appointed me to rule and gouerne Thus reasoned the Mother and her Sonne on diuers matters and hencefoorth the Prince shewed himselâ—…e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vâ—…ry shâ—…rtlie to be armed Knight and to be calleâ—… the Knight of Cupid bearing for his deuise an hart 〈◊〉 with an Arroâ—… For 〈◊〉 hee 〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉 as redde as 〈◊〉 anâ—…â—…or Ozalio whâ—… hee loued as his Brother a fairâ—… white Armour and were bothe knighted by Ozalio 〈◊〉 Father whâ—… was one of the best Knights in all those parts Hauing thus receiued their order a very sollemne â—…east was made in honour thereof during which time Palmendos gaue away sundry sumptuous gifts yet coulde he not be 〈◊〉 of Francelina or forget one iote of the olde Womans words because he had loâ—…ged them so neere his hart as they were a martirdome in manner to him For â—…ase whereof he minded to goe sée Greece as also to visite the Emperour his Father and learne some tydings of his â—…nknowne Ladie for he perswaded himselfe that the old Womans speeches grâ—…w vpon no small occasion And finding the Queene his Mother one afternoone at good leyâ—…re among diuers oâ—…her prâ—…éedings betwéene them Palmendos earnestlie entreated her to graunt him one requeâ—…t which the Queene who looued him as her proper life and not thinking he wold hauâ—… desired any such thing agréed vnto verie willinglie Then woulde I good Madame quoth he not haue you conceiue anie displeasure if I make a bréefe voyage to Constantinople to sée the Empeâ—…our my Father and the good Knights in his Courte for 〈◊〉 the time you assured mee that I was his Sonne my desires haue beene vnmeasurable to trauatle this iourney Yet I sweare by the sincere inuiâ—…lable â—…aith which the Child aboue all other oweth to his Mother to returne againe with all
youth and very well gyuen who earneâ—…ly intreated his Mother to obtaine so much of the Soldane his Father that after his Sisters mariage he might stay a while at Constantinople which sute at her request the Soldane graâ—…nted and therefore sent him by Sea well aâ—…companied with Knights Abenunco sayâ—…ing along the cost of Thrace mette with Ocurites King of Culaquin who was Sonne in law to the great Turke and reputed the hardiest Knight among al the Turkiâ—…h Nobilitie his Maiestie hauing giuen his Daughter in mariage to this Barbarian shee béeing one of the most accomplished Ladies in all Heathenesse Ocurites knowing the â—…rate mallâ—…ce betwéene the Emperour and his Father in Lawe the more to please him prouided himselfe 〈◊〉 good strength by Sea and dailie came vppon â—…he Coastâ—… of Greece sending 〈◊〉 with stroÌ„g Brigandines beâ—…ore him to disâ—…ouer what Christians stirred abroade and sundry tiâ—…es tooke many of them captiues as nowe he intended to doo by the Soldans Sonnâ—… When Ocurites by y â— streamers and banderolles heard of the Babilonian Prince and knewe withall that his father was a chéefe Freende to the Emperour in great furie with his Ships he sette vpon him Abenunco with his Knights defended themselues so well as they coulde During this conflicte â—…almendos approched very néere them and of a Galley â—…illed with Christian slaues he demaundeâ—… the cause of this â—…erce encounter Sir answered one of the â—…aues he to whom this great traine of shypping appertaineth is Ocurites King of Culaquin and Sonne to the great Turke that with diuers of his â—…eague faction dailie coastes on Greece to endamagâ—… the Emperour Palmerin enemie to his Father and those he hath nowe mette withal belong to the Soldane of Babilon they sayling as we vnderstand toward Constantinople When the Prince heard what the Christian had said he â—…rauelie encouraged his Cozin Ozalio in aâ—…isting the welâ—…willers tâ—… the noble Emperour so comming to the Kings Ship he thus spake Nor shalt thou Ocurites offend so good a Prince as is the Emperour of Constantinople heerewith he beganne to lay about him valiantlie and Ozalio not one inche behind him made the enemie well vnderstand his inuincible courage Palmendos knowing the King by his rich Armour gaue him such a peazaunt stroke with the hâ—…lttes of his Sword on the Helmet as made him stagger and at length fall downe wheÌ„ offering to rise againe Palmendos caught hâ—… so strongly by the Helmet aâ—… he pulde it violently froÌ„ of his head kéeping him stil vnder his Sword in such subiâ—…tion as at length he was caryed prisoner into the Princes Cabin and there committed him to the charge of foure trustie Knights In meane while Ozalio fought with the Kings Brother who vnderstanding that Ocurites was taken prysoner did what he coulde to recouer him againe but Ozalio stept betweene him and his purpose still labouring him with so manie hardiâ—… strokes as at length he smote his head froÌ„ his shoulders The rest beholding theyr King taken and his Brother slayne besâ—…e the great massacre made among them and that they were no way able to withstand theyr fortune a number fel hedlong into the Sea rather then they wold die vnder the enemies sword Palmendos séeing no further resistaunce but y â— the Turks were vtterly discomâ—…ted he caused such prisoners as were taken to be made sure the Ships likewise to bee seazed on as his owne then comming to Ozalio whose forwardnes he commended he willed him to see all things disposed as beséemed such a victory afterward he embraced y â— Soldans Sonne and diuers courteous ceremonies passing betwéen them the one for his happy deliueraunce the other reporting what he had doone was for the Emperours sake at length Palmendos vsed these spéeches My Lorde willingly woulde I beare yee companie to Constantinople but that a voyage of great importance dooth vrgentlie call me to another place yet séeing you are deliuered from the Tyrant Ocurites and all your Knights in sufficient safety let me obtaine this fauour at your hands to take the King with ye to Constantinople and all y â— Christian prisoners deliuered from captiuitie Them shall yee present on my behalfe to the Emperour Palmerin requesting that this auncient Christian enemie may be safelie kept vntill I come to sée his Maiestie which shall bee with all the expedition I can Woorthy Sir aunswerâ—…d Abenunco it greeues me that your iournâ—…y lyes not presentlie to Constantinople because I shoulde thinke my selfe happie in hauing your companie béeing the man to whâ—…m I am continuallie bounde for my life and libertie and â—…eereof I am assured that ouer and aboue your gracious welcome you shall winne the honour of the famous Tryumphe ordained by the Emperour at the marriage of my Sister with the Prince of Hungaria And hartilie sorrie am I aunswered Palmendos that I cannot be present in so woorthy an assemblie whereof at this time you may well excuse mee not doubting but I shall come with some sufficient amends for my stay These speeches he vttered his thoughts beeing farre otherwise for so soone as he heard of the Ioustes at Constantinople he determined to goe thether secretlie without making himselfe known to anie but as a strange Knight to aduenture his fortune among other wherefore he departed from Abenunco who offered him manie riche presents for hys great kindnes yet woulde not hee accept of anie Abenunco returned him manie thankes cheefelie for hys promise that hee woulde in shorte time visite the Emperour in personne so after many courteous speeches and sundry familliar farewelles Palmendos commaunded his Pilot to launche into the high Seas for that he intended an other kind of course CHAP. XII Howe Abenunco arriued at Constantinople whose comming greatly reioiced the Emperour but much more his Sister Esquiuela And howe Lynedes Lorde of the Isle of Lique the Countie of Pelada his Cozin came to Ioust against the Knights of the Courte attending the Tourney for the mariage of Ditreus GReatly did Abenunco coÌ„mende his fortune in finding so good succour at a time of such necessitie and all the Knights in hys coÌ„panie held opinion that Palmendos was the only flowre of Chiualrie but aboue all other the Christian slaues accouÌ„ting their deliuerance for a miracle imagined the Author thereof was some great Freende to the Emperour In this ioy they sayled till they came to Constantinople where his Maiestie béeing aduertised that the Soldans Sonne was arriued commaunded Primaleon Ditreus and many of hys best Barons to goe conduct him to the Court. In meane while Abenunco clothing himselfe most sumptuously caused the King Ocurites and the Christian prysoners to be carryed on shore that hâ—…e might not fayle in the charge giuen him by Palmendos so the Babilonian Prince riding to the Courte with all the prisoners going orderlie bâ—…fore him he gaue charge to one of his cheefest Knights that hée should present them to his Maiestie and béeing come into the Emperours presence
the Knight deliuâ—…red these spéeches High and mightie Monarche of the world bâ—…hold héere the King of Culaquin Sonne to the great Turke who keeping the Seas with a stronge power to endaunger your Empire our Maister the Prince Abenunco and wee â—…ell into his â—…aunger from which â—… woorthy Knight named Palmendos by deedes of rare and hautie Chiualrie deliâ—…ered vâ—… in a time most needefull and therefore hath sent bothe vâ—… and hiâ—… to your excellencie â—…esiring that Ocurites should be safely kept till he come himselfe These sundry good turneâ—… receiued from a Knight vnknowne droue the Emperour into wonderfull admiration and for hee could not imagine whence they should proccede therefore he was the more desirous to beholâ—…e the Knight wherevppon hee committed the King into a strong Towre commaunding hee shoulde haue all thinges necessary for hys health and a Page to attende on him least he shoulde offend himselâ—…e But nowe is Abenunco by Primaleon and the other Princes brought to the Emperour who embracing him very honourably in his armes gaue him such entertainement as beseemeâ—… his estate for hee was not yet knighted he willed he should be beâ—…fellow to his Sonne Primaleon which vnited a faithfull league of amitie betweene them hoping one day to trauell as companions in Armes together Abenunco hauing likewise tolde the Emperour of his good successe and wonderfull deliueraunce by the meanes of Palmendos gaue no little contentment to Rifarano and Lecefin who imagined themselues as mnch beholding to the Prince as anie Afterward he was conducted to the Empresse Chamber where she and her Ladies graciously welcommed him but especially the Princesse Esquiuela his Sister because hee came to confirme what she most desired My Lord and Brother quoth she nothing coulde happen to my greater contentment then to haue your presence in the honour prepared for me whereto séeing our gracious parents coulde not come they haue for my sake sent you in their place and doubt not but your â—…ntertainment shall be such as shall agrée with theyr expectation and your owne woorthines Faire Sister aunswered Abenunco the Soldane our Father â—…earing what honour the Emperour intended by giâ—…ing you in mariage to the Prince Ditreus his Nephew hath sâ—…t me to thaâ—… the Emperour on his behalfe offering for this contract to articulate with his Maiestie in all such thinges 〈◊〉 with honour hee shall demaunde As for our gracious Mother Alchidiana she hath sent ye by me Iewels 〈◊〉 Treasurâ—… beséeming your degrée that on your mariage â—…y yee may witnes the royall race from whence you are discended not doubting but before you depart this Courte to make the magnificence of the Babilonian Prince so famous as thâ—… most opulent Lorde of Asia shall not compare therewith Diuers other spéeches passed betwéene the Brother the Sister till the Coffers of Treasure were brought and deliuered to the Princesse which when Ditreus behelde hâ—… iudged them to excéede the limits of all frugalitie might full well beséeme the greatest state in Christendome Now did the Emperor cause the Tourney to be openly proclaimed and the fift day following the mariage was solemnized great store of worthy Knights resorting day by day to the Court that all y â— field appointed for Tryâ—…mphes was couered ouer with Tents Among other came thether Lynedes the Lorde of Lique he that hazarded himselfe so farre in the aduenture of Francelina béeing in sooth reputed one of the most valiant men at Armes in all Greece and the renowne of thys mariage drew him from his Castell accompanied onelie with the Countie of Pelada his Cozin who albeit hee was younger then Lynedes yet was he thought little inferiour to him in Chiualrie This Countie had espoused a Ladie of great parentage and louâ—…d her with such singuler affection as hee brought her in company to sée the Ioustes at Constantinople Béeing there arriued they woulde not enter the Cittie but sette vppe their Tent far distant from all the rest and afterward sent a Squire to the Courte to publish that whosoeuer would haâ—…ard himselfe in y â— Tourney shoulde â—…nde two Knights there ready in the fielde that woulde Ioust with anie one durst enter the Lystes such therefore as were minâ—…d to make prâ—…ofe of their valour might be entertained for thrée or foure courses These spéeches béeing heard by the Duke of Pera he stept to the Squire and thus answered You may my Freende returne to your Maisters and say that such as are minded to â—…oust will not stay long ere they enter the Fielde then turning to the Knights of the Court he proceeded in this manner Doubtlesse these Knights are valiant and hardie that are lothe to she we themselues â—…othfull in any veruous exercise With this aunswer the Squire went backe to the Tent and the two Cozins béeing satis-fied there with prepared â—…rong Launces at the entraunce of their Pauilton for all such as shold come to â—…oust against them but the Countie intreted Linedes to suffer him make y e first triall of his fortune which he did in regarde of his loue to his Ladie who had causâ—…d the Tent to be so commodiously placed as shee might at pleasure beholde all the pastimes decking hâ—…rselfe in most gorgious attire and brauelie attended on by hâ—…r waighting woman to out countenance such as came against her Lorde and Husband The Emperour vnderstanding what mâ—…ssage y â— Squire had brought imagined that these two Knights were Palmendos and his Cozin Ozalio for when one thing continuallie beateth on a mans conceit hee imagineth â—…uerye thing conformable to the same Wherefore hâ—… tolde his opinion to the Prince Rifarano who could not think thâ—…m to be the Lordes of Tharsus yet to satisfie the Emperâ—…urs minde he mounted on horsebacke and accâ—…mpanied with other Knights of the Court râ—…de to the Tent where the two Cozins 〈◊〉 Saluting the Squirâ—…s hee â—…ntred finding Lynedes vnaâ—…ed but his Cozin was prouided at all pâ—…ints except his Helmet whereuppon he demaunded if they were the Knightes that sent the challenge to the Court to whom the Lord of Lique aunswered that they were thâ—…n Rifarano proceeded thus Gentlemen ye haue attempted a thing in mine opinion but little for your ease but I thinke you did it to this ende that you might meete with â—…me one to abate your pride and presuniption When that comes to passe aunswered Lynedes wee shall but accompanie manie other who vnable to effect their hautie enterprises haue remained frustrate in theyr disseignes in vaine therfore shal ye take any further care for our affaires but if you wil goe Arme your selfe return and prooue what this Knight can doo who is more destrous to fight with his Sworde then his tongue other wise you offer iniurie to the order which euery noble minde preferreth as his proper life Rifarano some what moouâ—…d wyth these words tooke his leaue and returned to the Emperor assuring him that these Knights were not Palmendos and Ozalio not withstanding
him but all was in vaine shee was so resolutly grounded in her wickednes as shee accounted it pleasure to be selfe-willed therein Wherupon the Quéene hartily sorie to sée Belcar so sore wounded vnderstanding the obstinate refusall of the Damosell she accompanied with the Duchesse of Pontus and the Princesse Alderina her Daughter came altogether and desired her to discharge her Knight of his promise and the Quâ—…ene would entertaine her among the Ladies of honour in her Court But these prayers and requests nothing auailed to mooue any pittie in this inexorable Damosell which the Quéene perceiuing and that she continned so obstinate in crueltie she made a sollemne othe that if she did not presently pardon the two Knights hearing a murmuring among the people how her accusations against Belcar were false and flaunderous that her selfe should die a most shamefull death The Damosel séeing the Queene so displeased was affraid of her cause and beside she greeued to beholde the teares of faire Alderina wherfore she alighted from her Palfray and falling at the Quéenes féete desired her not to regard her great errour of ingratitude which she had shewed to y â— King her husband in denying a matter consisting in her power but for her Maiesties sake shée was coÌ„tent to pardon both y â— Knights The Queene embraced her in signe of thankâ—…s sâ—…nding word to Recinde that hee shoulde proceede no further in battaile so the Damosell went with the Quéene and her Ladies to the Pallace and bothe the Champiâ—…ns acccmpanied the King who bringing them to their Chambers commaunded that his cheâ—…fe Physitions and Chirurgions should giue dilligent attendaunce to sée their wounds healed Dailie woulde the Queene accompanied wyth the Duchesse of Pontus and the fayre Princesse Alderina her Daughter come to visite them so that at length they reconciled the two Princes to amitie and shortly after the Queene in regarde of her promise caused the Damosell to bee very honourablie married when Belcar made her openly confesse that her accusations were mâ—…st false and vntrue in respect that hee neuer sawe any of her Bretheren before that night wherein hee was intreated by her Father to lodge at his Castell But leaue we these and let vs nowe returne againe to our noble Knight Palmendos whom we left preparing his voyage towards Turkie CHAP. XXVI How after Palmendos and Ozalio were embarqued for Turkie they landed at a port neere the Cast ell of Albayzo where the King of Thessalie was kept prisoner and howe Palmendos intended to bee at the Tourney which was prepared for the marriage of the Captaines sonne and what was his successe AFter that Palmendos and Ozalio had left the Quéene of Thessalie her daughter Francelina they posted with al spéed to theyr Ship the Marriners hauing in the time of their abode there happened on a Turke left therein the Hauen by reason of extreame sâ—…cknes wherefore they of Tharsus knowing him to bée a Moore tooke him into their ship and by the time of the Princes arriuall he had verie wâ—…ll recouered his health He vnderstanding that Palmendos woulde saile into Turkie desired to graunt him passage thither and in recompence of that gentlenes hee would direct him whether hee pleased because hee knewe all the portes and créekes of the 〈◊〉 and most of the Citties and Townes on the land Palmendos ioyfull of this good hap accepted him for his patrone and without concluding to what place they would first saile hee wylled them to make toward the neerest port to the Citie of Tubant demaunding of the Turke if he knew any harbour of suretie neere that place My Lord quoth the Turke I will conduct ye if you please into a straight of the Sea which is verie secret where oftentimes ride diuers great vessels and no other place of lodging is néere at hand but my fathers house onely which standeth a daies iourney from Tubant and thâ—… like from the Castell of Albayzo where the great Turke at this present kéepeâ—… the king of Thessaâ—…e and all his treasure vnder the charge of a good â—…night who is the Captaine of the Castell and this plâ—…ce hee reputeth aâ—… the strongest holde in all the Countrey Moreouer this I â—…are 〈◊〉 Sir that there is no part so little in all that Coâ—…ntrey but I knowe it as well by night as by day â—…uen as perfectly as the porte whereof I tell ye there may you abide in 〈◊〉 and dâ—…e what best your selfe shall please vncontrouled by any this wyll I make good for â—…e gâ—…eat 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 found Palmendos seing how Fortune faâ—…oured him coâ—…mitted his conducting to the Turke who was named Orycano when at length they came to the porte neere Tuâ—…ant then Oricano went on shore with the Knightes to take some order for their good entertainement but â—…nding not his father at home entreated his mother 〈◊〉 two bréethren who were not a little glad of his â—…afe return to vse those Gentlemen so curteouâ—…y as might be expressing what kindenesse hee hád found at their hands Palmendos reioyced that they were in a place so sore and secret and â—…éere Albayzo Castell where the Kâ—…ng of Thâ—…ssalie was detained in captiuitie yet kept he on his rich black Armour which the Fairies left for him at the Castell of Carderia his good sworde likewise hee had by his side wherewith hee could enchaunt and bring asléepe anye one by drawing it foorth It was large and short as a woodknife or Fauchion most artiâ—…cially damasqued and garnished with three sortes of Diamonds the whoâ—… sheath béeing composâ—…d of one the mosse-barre and pomell of an other and the handle of the crost raâ—…e and pretious Calamite that euer was séene the blade of the finest tempered stéele that coulde bee in any sworde in bréefe the like weapon was hardly to be found through the worlde By this time Orycanos father was come home who reioycing to beholde his Sonne shewed very louing 〈◊〉 to the princeâ—… for his sake wheâ—… among other talke Palmendos requested to knowe of the olde man whence he came â—…o late whereto the poore man humblie 〈◊〉 answerâ—…d I come Sir from a Town not far hence whether I went in the morning to sell fish becauâ—…e greatâ—… number of Knightes are assembled there againâ—… thâ—… mariage of the Lordes daughter with the son to the Captaine of Albayzo Castell and I staied the longer â—…o sée the Bridegroome and his Sister who is reported to bee the fairest woman in the worlde By manie great Priâ—…ces she hath béene requâ—…sted in mâ—…riage but â—…he hath refused euery one saying she will neuer be marriâ—…d but with him that can winnâ—… her by Martiall prâ—…wcsse for which canse many braue and gallant Knights are come thither and on the third daye of the feast haue appointed a Tourney for her loue the resort being so great to sée this Ladie as iâ—… the great Turke with all his Bassaes aâ—…d 〈◊〉 kept Court there Palmendos attentiuely noting this tale conâ—…idered
departed against her Fathers will accompanied onely wyth two Squires to séeke Belcar intending to be auenged on hym by one meane or other CHAP. II. How Belcar came vnknowne into Macedon where he bare away the pryze of the Tourney which King Florendos had appointed to honour the marriage of the Princesse Denisa and â—…owe hee discouered himselfe to Alderina Daughter to the Duke of Pontus and Durace BElcar ryding in great haste towarde Carderia sinding y e heate of the day very troublesome he alighted at a faire Fountaine to refresh himselfe a while where long he had not stayed but in a pathe leading directly to y â— same place hee behelde a company of Knights and Ladies comming attended on with a very sufficient trayne It was the Duke of Pontus and Durace who rode to Macedon to the mariage which the King Florendos had made betwéene his Daughter Denisa the King of Thrace Nephew to the Wife of Caniano This Duke had his espoused Lady Laurana with him as also one of his fayre Daughters named Alderina who rode formost â—…n the troupe beguiling the time in talk with her Ladies yâ—…t intending to stay tyll the heate was past and in the meane while to sollace herselfe at the Fountayne There shee arryued before Belcar had pâ—…t on his Helmet so that she beholding his amiable countenaunce his rich Armor and yet hauing no company but one Squire as a Ladyâ—… wyse and wâ—…ll gouerned she saluted him very graciouslie wherat Belcar was somwhat amazed doubting she knâ—…w of whence and what hee was But soone did hee alter that opinion and rather thinking this kindnes to procéede oâ—… â—…ebonaire curtisie imagined her of high calling for which cause he made her humble reuerence and séeing how manie followed this Lady among whom he might peraduenture be knowne he called for his Horse minding to ryde a contrarie waie Alderina héerat â—…om what mooued because shee desired to knowe of whence hee was thus spake Sir Knight abide héere hardlie at your ease and for our comming doo not for sake a place so swéete and delectable you sée the heate of the daie is such as scantlie will permit yee to trauaile If you goe to aduenture your fortune in the Tourney at Macedon you may ride with the Duke my Father who will be verie glad of your companie much more my selfe because my good hap was first to finde you héere Belcar humblie thanking her for this courtesie made an excuse that he could not goe to Macedon because he had vrgent asfaires els where and whether he must trauel with all spéede wherefore taking his leaue againe of her hee rode which waie him liked best onely to escape vnknown of this companie And méeting a Squire that came after the traine with the cariage he demaunded if he knew the Lord that rode by so well accompanied to whom y â— Squire aunswered that it was the Duke of Pontus who rode to Macedon to the feaste of the King Florendos for the mariage of his Daughter Denisa and y â— the Duke had his fayre Daughter Alderina with him to sée the Iousts and Turnament which was nowe prepared So soone as Belcar heard these words he presentlie coniectured that the Lady which came first to the Fountain was the Dukes daughter of whom report had made great commendation Héervppon he determined to goe sée this assemblie in the most secrete manner he could deuise for he had time enough to accomplish his voiage So for sooke hee the way to the Isle of Carderia framing his iourney toward Macedon and com ming néere the Cittie he ouertooke two Knights y â— rode to the Tryumphe they hauing riciprocallie saluted eache other the two â—…nights demaunded of Belcar if he came to Iouster I come quoth he to sée what men at Armcs wil enter the fielde at this time of braue â—…rercise Then let vs ride together if you please said they for wee left our Countries for the selfe same cause Thus rode they on fréendlie together and arriuing at Macedon they founde the Fielde all couered with Tents which belonged to the Noble personages that were come to the feaste For this cause the two Knights gaue in charge to their Squires to prouide their Pauillion which was purposelie brought with them intreating Belcar like wise to kéepe them companie whereto because hee woulde not enter the Cittie he gladlie consented thinâ—…ing hee shoulde hardâ—…ie finde a more conâ—…enient lodging On the morrow there arriued the Duke of Pontus before whom rode y â— King Florendos as one willing to welcome his newe kinred but Alderina shewed such maiesly in countenance as euerie eye wondred at her rare perfections not withstanding she was some what sad pensiuethe cause proceeding from her desire to know the Knight she saw at the Fountaine whom yet she could not by anie meanes forgette When Belcar behelde her arme in arme with the King of Thrace and in what costlie garments she was attired hee imagined her more faire then when hee sawe her at the Fountaine so that he resolutlie intended if hee coulde not â—…nish the aduenture of Francelina to giue himselfe to trauaile and to enterprise such attempts as might be thought worthie the loue of this Ladie All thys while the Quéene Griana wife to the King Florendos verie honourablie entertained the Duchesse Laurana the young Princesse Denisa accompanying Alderina woulde not for sake her till the marriage night On the morrow following the King the Nuéene and the newe maried couple came into the Field to behold the Turney where they were no sooner mounted on the Scaffoldes which were sumptuously adorned as beséemed so great personages but bothe on the one side and the other they might behold great store of armed Knights chéefelie they that came from the Court of the Emperour who because he could not be present at his Sisters mariage sent manie of his balde Barons to honour the assemblie The braue exploits in feates of Armes there performed surpassed them of greatest reputation among other the Dukes of Anemon and Mensa so well behaued themselues as they had well néere gained the honour of the first assaulte if Belcar had not suddainlie arriued who staied a while to behold the order of the Ioâ—…stes intending to helpe y â— weaker part when at length he saide to his companions follow me my Freendes to assist the vanquished So giuing his Horse the spurres he ranne fiercelie with his Sworde drawne against Bellequin the Sonne of Mosso who dyd the greatest harme to the other side and with him he met â—…o brauelie in his carire as Horse and man went bothe to the grounde Afterward he delt so roughlie with all them that durst méete hâ—…m in the face as in short time courage began to reuiue in those Knights who in the iudgment of all the beholders were before estéemed vanquished Which the Duke of Anemon perceiuing and his companie to grow into such disgrace he was therat excéedinglie offended
often bring his life to very perrillous exigents notwithstanding so did the heauens fauour Pâ—…lmendos and despise the manifold tyrannies of the Gyant as after a long cruell bloodie fight Baledon had receiued so many woundes as hee was constrained to fall at the Princes merâ—…ie for which Palmendos humblie 〈◊〉 heauen boldlie sette hys foote vpon the Gyant saying Coâ—…fesse thy selfe Baledon vanquished by me and let mee enâ—…y the prysoners which thou vniustlie detainest in thy Castell for the remainder of thy life hangeth on the â—…oynt of my Sword When the Gyant behelde his great pompe so ouerthrowne and hee had no meane nowe left wherewith to defende himselfe he breathed forth these sorrowfull speeches Ah angry Gods howe strange and diuers are your iudgments in suffering â—…othe mee and my Sonne to bee foyled by one Knight Now see I well that myne infinite and wicked offences committed against men without desert hath throwne this wreakefull sentence on me Then calling his Seruaâ—…nts hee commaunded them to conduct the Prince into the Castell and to deliuer all his prysoners to him with any thing els hee shoulde commaunde them So went the Prince with his Cozin Ozalio and two of the Gyants Seruaunts to the Castell the rest remayned to bring theyr Maisters deade bodie and when they were entred the â—…ase Courte they met the Gyantesse heaâ—…ilie lamenting and curssing the Knight who was cause thereof But Palmendos made no account of her wordes commaunding all the prysoners to bee presently brought before him which in sooth were very many both Knights Merchaunts and other trauayling Strangers who had long time beene kept tâ—…ere in captiuitie and nowe séeing they were so generallie called they verilie thought to die or endure some cruell torment but finding the contrarie I leaue their â—…oy to the Readers iudgment Then Palmendos called for the Knights Armour that eache one knowing his owne Armour might bee armed therewith for this their happie deliueraâ—…nce they all â—…ell downe at the Princes feete desiring God to reward his honourable paynes But among the prisoners there were two young Knights of comelie staturâ—… béeing both Moores who had not long time béene held in that seruitude and witnessing by their countenaunces that they were discended of royal parentage The one of them was Rifarano Son to Trineus Emperor of Allemaigne and Aurecinda the Soldans Sister as you may reade in the History of Palmerin d'Oliua the other was named Lecefin Son to the Soldane of Persia béeing the youngest of thrée which he had by the Princesse Zephira These two young Lords were nourished together by the Soldane because hee behelde the towarde inclination of Rifarano whom hee euer imagined would prooue a worthie Knight and for he was Sonne to his Sister â—…nd the Emperour Trineus his great fréende he looued him as Lecefin his owne Childe Rifarano comming to the age of tenne or twelue yeres wexed very forward in all commendable exercises and one day reasoning with his Mother desired her to tell him the cause why she went so continually clad in mourning the truth wherof she discoursed to him and how his Father was the Emperour Trineus of Allemaigne When Rifarano vnderstoode that he was Sonne to one of the chéefest Princes in Christendome hee made greater account of himselfe then he did before and dysposed himselfe to matters of higher quallitie so that béeing of yeeres to receiue his Knighthoode he requested the Soldane to honour him therwith which he with right good will performed causing Ioustes and Tournaments to sollemnize that time withall wherin Rifarano still bare awaie the pryze Following Armes and Chiualrie he still continued and with good successe wunne such fame through all Persia as y â— Soldane thought to ioyne him in marriage with the King Maulerinos eldest Daughter But he would neuer harken to such matters for that hee had secretlie vowed first to sée the Emperour his Father whereto his Mother whose dayes long sicknes had new shortened euermore prouoked him that Trineus beholding the fruite of her loue might thinke the better of his acquaintaunce with her After the obsequies and royall funerall as wel beséemed a Princesse of so great regarde and Rifarano lothe to stay his Mother beeing dead hee desired y â— Soldane that he might trauaile to Constantinople to sée thâ—… Courte of the Emperour Palmerin and thence he wouldâ—… goe to his Father in Allemaigne Albeit very vnwilling yet y e Soldane condiscended whereat the young Prince Lecefin who loued Rifarano as himselfe beganne to conceiue great sorrowe wherefore he intreated his Father that â—…ee might trauaile with him in companie perswading him that it would be a cause of his Cozins more speedie returnâ—… The Soldane liked heereof very well and although he was yet verie young he gaue him his knighthoode and so with â—…iuers presents from his Father Zephira as also Letters to both the Emperours accompanied with thirtie hardie Knights they tooke shypping and by meanes of an excéeding rough tempest on the Sea they were driuen perforce into this Isle of Delphos where béeing hemâ—…e in with the chayne and â—…lattered by the Gyant to come on shore without suspecting anie treason they went to his Castell and finding outward freendlie entertainement they were fetched foorth of their beddes and thrust into pryson twentie of the Knights that came with them cruelly murthered the rest were brought into the Dungion to their Maisters and afterward the Gyant tooke the spoyle of y â— Ship at his pleasure But to come to ouâ—… pâ—…rpose Rifarano and Lecefin seeing themselues deliuered frâ—…m this dâ—…llorous liâ—…e much worse then thâ—…t of the slaues in the â—…allies they spaâ—…e to PalmeÌ„dos in this maner Tel vs in courtesâ—…e good Knight by what meanes haue you obtained our libertie for wee meruaile that we 〈◊〉 not the Gyant who brought vs hether by 〈◊〉 â—…reason Gentlemen quoth the Prince I am a Knight borne farre hence and béeing by the angrie Seas cast vpon this Island I determined to come on shore where beeing no waie able to escape the death present before mine eyes I was constrained to Combat with the Gyant you talke of who to allure me the sooner to the battaile promised me securitie from any saue himself But heauen giuing me strength to erect a mortall Trophe of his slaughtered bodie hath thereby giuen you all freedome againe Might we not saide Rifarano knowe your name to whom wee are so much indebted for our deliueraunce as for vs it is necessarie you should knowe of whence what we are that if we should growe heereafter ingratefull for this kindnes the meanest in the worlde might iustlie condemne vs. This young Prince quoth hee is named Lecefin â—…onne to the noble Soldane of Persia and I his vnworthie Nephew issued from Trineus Emperour of Allemaigne brother by mariage to the incomparable Prince Palmerin d'Oliua heereto hee added the whole discourse of their trouble which you haue heard alreadie In happie time came I hether aunswered
agame into the Caue and the Prince after him so fast as â—…e could till at length he came into a goodly Hall which was hanged rounde about with gorgious Tapistrie and â—…herein might one beholde all such as passed by the mouth of the Caue as if they had discernd the same in a Classe While he stoode beholding this beautiful prospect he saw the Knight comming towarde him Armed and drawing his Sworde thus spake â—…o the Prince 〈◊〉 â—…ight 〈◊〉 foolish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 brought thee to this place for I shall let thee 〈◊〉 the dâ—…unger 〈◊〉 by thy presumption More 〈◊〉 ê™ the Prince hast thou behaued thy selfe in killing my horsâ—… without 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of offence Hâ—…erewith they 〈◊〉 a long while together till tâ—…e Knight séeing himselfe vnable to resist the Prince 〈◊〉 haue 〈◊〉 himâ—…lfe in the Chamber he came from offering to keepe the doore against him as his defence but Recinde thrusting after him into the Chamber behelde a great 〈◊〉 Dragon lying there the â—…ght wherof made him somwhat aâ—…azed yeâ—… seeing the beast stirred not against him 〈◊〉 his â—…ormer quarrell with the Knight bringing him at length into such subiection as with his Sword he 〈◊〉 his heaâ—… from his shoulders The Serpent terreâ—…ed with extreame feare began to shrinke backe when Recinde â—…ting â—…p his Sword â—…o strike the Sâ—…pent spake in this 〈◊〉 Sir Knight â—…or 〈◊〉 sake pâ—…ttie me and séeke not to â—…hed my blooâ—… hauing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye so shall I beâ—… perpetually 〈◊〉 at your commaundement for deliuering me from â—…his cruell Knight who hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mee 〈◊〉 â—…he space of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Princâ—… 〈◊〉 these wordes helâ—…e doâ—… his Sword wheâ—…the Serpâ—… thus procéedâ—…d I am no Serpent Sir as happily I 〈◊〉 in your eyâ—… but a most infortunate and abuseâ—… Daâ—…osell hauing sâ—…fered the most miserable 〈◊〉 that euer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lyuing agaâ—…t my will in the 〈◊〉 of thys 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If thâ—… aâ—…t a 〈◊〉 creature 〈◊〉 Recinde I merâ—…le thou 〈◊〉 haue the 〈◊〉 of such a deformed beast I know sayd the 〈◊〉 what representation I haue in your â—…dgement but I 〈◊〉 assure yâ—… on my life that I am 〈◊〉 Sâ—…rpent or any thing els but a most 〈◊〉 Woman Which well she might afâ—…me because the Knight nowe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her the more cunningly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 â—…by Arte â—…gicke as you shall 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 at large He loued this Damosell so extreamelie shée béeâ—…ng the Daughter of an auncient Widdowe dwelling not far â—…ff as séeing he could not obtayne her in mariage by reason of his badde manners and euill fauoured bodie so laboured with a Magiâ—…ian a fréende of his to cause her resemble a Serpent to any but himselfe Her Mother 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ignoraunt of this trecherie seeing â—…uch an ougly Serpent among them affâ—…ghted at this strange 〈◊〉 presently fled foorth of their 〈◊〉 The Mayden foâ—…wing to vnderstand the cause of their feare wandred sorowfully after them thorow the â—…ldes where she was 〈◊〉 by her Louer and brought to the 〈◊〉 preparâ—… 〈◊〉 the Sorceâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that apperaunce till one of the â—…est â—…nights in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 arriue there and valiantly 〈◊〉 her cut of his 〈◊〉 only by his death to be deliuered and â—…ixe yeeres shee had abode in that place seeming a beautifull 〈◊〉 to her â—…uer onelie and to all 〈◊〉 â—…er a 〈◊〉 Serpent 〈◊〉 driuâ—…n into 〈◊〉 aâ—…miration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spake In sooth this is the most strange accident that euer 〈◊〉 heard of but séeing your Louer â—…s dead boldlie may yee depart this Chamber and returne home to your 〈◊〉 againe for in time perhaps this hidious shape will forsake yée My Lord. quoth she I haue manie times â—…ryuen to get foorth of this pryson but all my labour hath béene in vaine for by like sortiledge hath the Knight bounde mee héere as he got me from my Mothers Castell So am I perswaded aunswered the Prince wherfore séeing of your selfe ye cannot depart I will trie if my strength will release yâ—…e of this seruitude Then taking his Arming gyrdle from about him hee made it fast about the Scrpâ—…nts mâ—…ddle and forciblie thought to pull her out of the Chamber but the strength of the enchauntmâ—…nt ouer-maistring him when he had gotten her to the veriâ—… doore would violently pluck her back againe Yet Recâ—…nde beeing all hart and courage gaue not ouer for all these resistaunces but at length by exceeding labour and trauaile hee gotte her into the open Hall and then she séemed a verie beautiful Woman who falling downe at his féete intreated him not to forsake her till he had brought her to her Mothâ—…rs Castâ—…ll So going foorth of the Caue she told the Mâ—…rchaunt all that had happened which made him aunswere hâ—…r in this sort Madame bothe you and I are highly beholding to this Knight for he hath miraculously râ—…called you frâ—…m a lamâ—…table sufferaunce and not onelie hath he saued my life but holpe me to my goods againe which were vtterlie lost wherefore wee haue good cause to thinke that hee is the onelie Paragon of Chiualrie So breaking off these speeches they tooke the Knights horse because hee had slayne the Princes and mounting the Damosell behynde him brought her home to her Mothers Castell the auncient Ladie béeing not a little ioyfull to sée her Daughter whoÌ„ shee reputed vtterlie lost likewise her Bretheren were verie glad to sée their Sister restored hâ—…me againe As for their freendlie entertainment you may iudge it by the cause which béeing of nature must needes surpasse all other whatsoeuer CHAP. XXV How Recinde arriued at the Isle of Carderia where vnderstanding that Palmendos had ended the aduenture he went to seeke Belcar at Macedon and of the Combat he had with him by the false perswafion of the Damosell that followed the reuenge of her bretherens death FOurâ—… daies staied Recinde and the Merchant at y â— olde Ladies Castell and then taking theyr lâ—…aue the Prince committed the Merchaunt to his owne occasions and hee rode straite toward the Isle of Carderia desirous to trie his fortune in the aduenture as also to finde the Knight hée sought for but béeing there arriued he vnderstoode how Francelina was deliuered Palmendos gone toward Turkie and Tirendos abode at the Castell with Lypes his Sisters froÌ„ whence he sent a Squire to Macedon to certifie Belcar what had happened as also to intreate him staie thâ—…re for his comming As for the Prince Belcar he béeing now with Alderina his chosen Mistresse to speake of all circumstaunces entercoursing between them woulde bée more laboure to me then pleasure to you Shee accuseth him with a great manie articles of vngentlenes that he would trauaile for Francelina béeing before her vowed Knight and he excuseth al vnder this point that what he did in a place of such triâ—…ll was onelie to eternize the name of Alderina and nothing to the aduantage of Francelina nor could y â— greatest Monarch on the earth haue
commaunded him from that seruice but only the gracious Letter sent by her whcrfore he desired to returne thether againe to make her more famous til the aduenture were ended To stay her aunswer and appease his hote desire at that very instant the Courrire arriued sent froÌ„ Tirendos whose message being heard highly wâ—…s the Princesse contented but Belcar ouercome with excéeding greefe because fayne he would haue tryed his fortune against Palmendos Nowe come we to the Damosell againe that pursued Belcar for the death of her Bretheren according as you suâ—…ficientlie heard before she vnderstanding that hcâ—… was in the Court of Macedon so highly loued of y â— King Quéen and the whole nobilitie she was out of hope to worke him iniurie there wherefore she intended to returne hâ—…me againe and by the way she happened to méet with y â— Prince Recinde when beginning her accustomed complaints she deliuered the same discourse which she had doone to Cardino and Tirendos saying that the Knight who had so trayterously slain her brethren soiourned in the Court of Macedon Recinde desirous to win honor by succouring the distressed and hoping he might find the Knight he sought for at Macedon answered her in this maner If it be Damosel as you say that the Knight in such trayterous sortc sic we your bretheren I proâ—…se ye by the faith I beare to Chiualrie that to my power I will reuenge your wrong because all 〈◊〉 receiuing this ordcr are bounde by dutie to assist Damosels iniuriously wrongâ—…d by dâ—…storall varlets The crafty deceiuer fel at the Princâ—…s séete affirming what she had saide with many othes Gâ—…e thâ—…n with me ê™ Recinde to shew me the Knight and either I will loose my life or mâ—…ke him coÌ„fcsse his villainy The â—…nted palliard mounted on her Palfray and such spéâ—…de thcy made in trauaile as at length they arriued at Maccdon when entring the great Hall they â—…ounde there the King Belcar and diuers noble Barons whereupon the Dâ—…inoscl thus spake to Recinde Sée here my Lord the Knight that slew my Brethren I beséech yee make him knowe before the King the teason he committed against harmeles men for his Maiestie not knowing the enormitie of the case reputeth this offendour one of the most courteous Knights in his Court as my selfe perceiued at my last béeing here Recinde hauing with humble reuerence saluted the King Florendos turned to Belcar w t these spéeches Sir Knight this Damosell hath sworne to mee that yeu haue trayterouslie slaine her two bretheren after you had béen fréendlie entertained at her fathers house if yee did so surelie it was an act far vnbeséeming you and by force of Armes I shall make ye so to confesse it if you haue the hardines to enter the field with mee Belcar greatly offended to heare himselfe so charged and euermore by one that sought to bring his life in danger in anger thus replied In sooth Knight I cannot but think thy discretion very simple in saying if I haue the hardines to enter y â— fielde with thée and thy presumption is as insolent as this Dâ—…mosell is trothlesse and disloyall in accusing mee without anie cause notwithstanding I hope to recompence ye â—…or light beléefe that false woman likewise the instrument of thy follie After these spéeches he went and Armed him selfe for the Combat which the King many waies laboured to hinder but Recinde continued so resolutely against Belcar as the King could not diswade the matter wherfore he thus spake to Recinde Séeing you wil not at my intrea tie giue ouer this rashnes let me vnderstand the name of him that will not graunt so smal a matter specially to one that is able to yéeld thanks therfore I amm ê™ Recinde a Knight of a strange Country who came to the Emperors Court at Constantinople meane while the nuptiallâ—…s of the Hungarian Prince were sollâ—…mnized whether likewise came a Knight vnknowne bearing a siluer flower in hys Shéeld hée hauing wun the honor of the Tourney departed secretly from the assembly which made me followe in searche of him and in respect I am but a poore Knight errant I desire no wrong may be offered me in the battail Be thâ—…rof assured answered the King that none shal meddle with you but your aduersary onlie trust me it greeueth me to the very hart that comming from the Court of the Emperour Palmerin my Sonne you should héere enter the fielde against Belcar who is one of his Maiesties cheefest fauourites When Recinde heard Belcar named on the one side it displeased him y â— he was to deale with a Knight so famous and renowned on the other side it gréeued him as much when he considered the néere alliaunce betwéene him and Melicia whom he loued as his verie soule so that willinglie he would haue forborne the Combat but that he could not with honor gaine say it Nowe the King desires the Duke of Pontus and another of his cheefest Barons to iudge the fight according to conscience and without any exception of person Soone after the Champions enter the Listes where breaking theyr Launces brauelie in the carrire they were both dismounted notwithstanding they quicklie recouered themselues and drawing their Swordes fell to the Combatte Long while they continued a most furious fight sharpe cruell woundes being deliuered on either side that iudgement could not be giuen who was in greatest daunger but his Maiestie séeing Belcar were very feeble and that it was like this â—…ght would ende bothe their liues as one loth to sée the death of eyther he threw his staffe of peace betwéen them then comming downe from the window where hée stoode into the â—…eld he desired them at his request to giuâ—… ouer the fight My gracious Lord answered Recinde that may we not consent vnto vnlesse the Damosell that complained of Belcar will first remit the iniurie he hath doone her My selfe will thereto perswade her said the King in meane while doo you trauaile no further in this controuersâ—…e séeing you haue bothe shewen sufficient and haughtie Chiualrie So went the King to the Damosell who was wonderfull glad to sée Belcar in such daungerous estate as no Knight before had brought him in the like Damosel ê™ he séeke not the death of two so good Champions as these are but for my sake pardon Belcar if hee haue in ought offended and I shall cause him to make such amendes as your selfe shall like well thereof beside such courtesy shal ye find at my hand as happilie shal yéeld occasioÌ„ of thanks while yee liue Héereto will I neuer consent though I die quoth she and more wold the present death of Belcar content me then if the whole Monarchie of y â— world were vnder my puissaunce considering the enorme and deteâ—…table treason wherwith hee villainously wronged my Father and Bretheren which makes mee I cannot discharge my Knight of his promise The King with great instance intreated her againe and so did all the Lords attending on