dayes in the Damzels caue till the Prince was able to trauaile who gréeuing much for the sorrowe the Emperour and Empresse would sustaine and acknowledging how much bound he was to that Ladie determined to depart yet greatly desired to know the end of that aduenture Wherefore the prince Arsileo a day before their departure intreated her to declare vnto them the whole occasion of her being in the Caue and what she would require them to do in her seruice although they néeded not make many offers being as they were so bouÌ„d to her for so many fauors that at her coÌ„mand without intreaty they ought to do euen with the hazard of their liues The damzell with a sorowfull countenance as one that remembred her forepassed misfortunes could not withhold her teares but with watry chéeks eies like flowing springs with ruÌ„ning streams at last thus began I cannot excellent Princes so intirely expresse vnto you the cause of my griefe as I could desire for the great sorrow my gréeued heart sustaines suddenly suppressing me breaking into a salt shower of brinish teares will not giue place vnto the exact vtterance of my wordes yet as I may I will do it I was most noble Princes daughter vnto Pompeiano not long since king of Antioch and am called Aurora that being at the Soldan of Babylons court accompanying his daughter the most beautifull Florisbella whose perfected beauty absolute vertues so far surpasseth al other of her time as doth y e sun al lesser stars To this court came a knight whose name for a long time was not knowne sauing by certaine Images in his shéeld was called the knight of the thrée images who shewed himselfe so valiant that there was no ten knights in the whole Court so strong and hardie as durst maintaine the field against him This Knight throughout the Soldanes Empire performed such déedes of haughtie prowesse that in generall among all men he was accounted a second Mars and the Soldane did no lesse esteeme of him alwayes hauing him in his companie whereby he thought himselfe worthie of greater dignities and so became amorous of the diuine Florisbella for whose loue a long time he suffered great gréefe and much solitude not daring to manifest it to any at length seeing nothing preuaile to expell that desire when one day the Soldane with all his Court was gone a hunting he remained alone in the Pallace and after some pleasant discourses discouered vnto me the secrets of his loue intreating me that in his name I would intreate the princesse to accept him for her knight wherwith shée finding her selfe agreeued aunswered that by no meanes she would do it commanding him no more to imagine any such madnesse least the Soldane her father should by chaunce heare thereof which if he did it might cost him little lesse then his life But he nothing weighing this her answere found meanes that the Princesse might know the extreame anguish of his perplexed heart inthralled by her beautie so that I thinking that some harme might thereby insue declared it to the Soldane who thereupon commaunded him to depart his Empire but he not knowing the occasion very heauily before his departure told him that what he did was against reason in commanding him to leaue his Dominions for he was a prince able to shew him that such as he ought not to be so vsed And departing the Court towards the Soldane of Siconia called the great Sophi of Persia where suspecting I was cause of his exile beganne with fire and sword to enter the king my fathers territories in such sort wasting and spoyling them that slaying the king he tooke possession of the whole Kingdome giuing it to the knight of the kindred called the Prince Don Galaneo reputed a man of great vallor In which time not knowing of his successe I went from the Soldanes Court home to my fathers fearing to fall in their hands by counsell of a wise woman called Bellona entred in a boate with these Damsels you here sée togither with the sayde woman and by hir direction arriued in this countrey and was by her conducted to this caue where she bad me remain for I should quickly be deliuered by the Prince of Greece and his cosin of Hungarie foretelling me euery thing that hitherto hath happened and moreouer she bad me giue you armor and horses which here she left wherwith you shall be knighted by a strange aduenture but what it it was she would not tell Thus haue I declared the occasion of my being here and the fearefull Beare the wise woman here left was hither to bring the Prince Arfileo as you sawe and the mightie Giant which you slew remayned keeper of the caue who might not be slaine with any weapon but the sword which you drewe out of the Piller that hee guarded So that great Lord the remedie of my misfortune resteth in your handes and our departure may be when and so soone as you shall think good I am content answered he wonderous amazed at the Damsels discourse but I would willingly take with me an hoast of men that you may more easily recouer your kingdome I attend here no other hope but yours sayd she and as for any other I was informed we shall not néede Whereat the Prince séeing that was her will commanded straight prouision to be made for his departure so al necessaries being ready they mounted a horsback the damsels on their palfraies accompanied with the two ancieÌ„t knights that carried y t armor that the princesse Auroâ—a had spoken of which they séeing tooke it forth of y e cases which were as appertained to nouel knights The prince Don Belianis armor was of colour Orange-tawny with a sea waue so big that it séemed to ouerwhelme a ship there figured In his sheeld was pourtraide the picture of a most beautifull Lady with a knight knéeling before her as if he craued mercie at her hands from whom she turned her face in anger with an inscription to this effect Let him die for so departing At our first and sudden meeting Leauing thereby my deare sight dim Of his when I desired to see him Which was written in Arabian letters that the Prince well vnderstood The prince Arfileos wer murry in y e midst wherof was fighting a griffon with a most terible dragon which were parted by a damsel that made peace betwéen them which when they saw so faire became desirous to put them on causing the princesse and damsel to stay were armed with them which so wel fitted them as if of purpose they had béene forged for them wherwith being armed set forwards on their iourny hauing gone not far from the caue spied before theÌ„ a faire Castle which til then they had not séene nor yet when they entred the caue The princesse the Ladies masked themselues because y e heate of the sun was great the rest were disguised that they might not be knowne approaching the
you So haue you got your armor which you had lost answered Arfileo for which you are beholding to the knight of the golden Image I haue no reason to thank him for it replyed hee for he did it more to keepe his owne that are so excellent then because I should not loose mine Then were it good said don Bellianis since you wil not thanke me for them that you restore them backe to me We shall not so soone ende this quarrell as you did the other replied Don Bryanell for the knights looking for yours would to haue them willingly let me haue mine Let this passe saide Don Gallaneo for had you lost these your gallant dispositions you would haue gotten others In this manner at length they arriued at the Cittie euen at the dayes departing giuing place vnto the mighty glistering stars twinckling in the firmament where they founde the people attending for their comming with lights and torches who in troupes filled vp the stréetes that they had no way to passe for the newes being spread that one knight had vanquished the keepers of the vnhappie Bridge they all flocked to sée him as a wonder demaunding one of another which was hée neuer inough satisfied with his sight that all this while talked with Don Gallaneo till they all came to the pallace gate where they alighted The beatious Persiana was dismoūted by don Bellianis that said to don Brianell I haue at this time Sir aduenturous knight deceiued you of the reward of your labour hauing on foote obtayned more thē you in all this iourney You are all against me replyed hee but I may haue a time to crye quittance with you for it Don Gallaneo taking the Princesse Aurora in his armes they all entred the royall Hall whence all their companye departed The Souldan importuned the three knights to stay within the pallace which hee could not obtaine For they answered they would in no wise leaue the Duke till the triumphes were ended so said the Princesse Aurora that neuer woulde disassociate her knights so with leaue of the Souldan and his daughter they also departed Well did don Bellianis note when they were taking their leaue how the Duke Alfiron shewed no good will towardes Gallaneo wherefore hee was desirous to bee certified therof and beeing come to the Dukes Pallace that was one of the best and greatest in the citie Don Bellianis would not stay for supper but finding himselfe weake through the much bloode hee had lost cast himselfe on a bed that was made for him where his damzels did againe dresse his woundes whyle the Duke and the rest satte to supper where they were so well serued as they had beene in Constantinople and after went to visit Don Bellianis whence departing they went to repose their wearied bodies CHAP. XIIII The conference betweene the Princesse Persiana and the Duke Alfyron with the knight of the golden image THe next morning scarce had the sonne mounted on his fierie wayne to make his orbed course about the world but the Duke Alfyron went to visit the Knight of the Golden image for by no other name would hee bee knowne to them vnlesse it were to the Princesse and ladies and entring his chamber he found him rising though his wounds were great The Duke with a kinde congye gaue him the goodmorrow and said Trouble not your self to ryse sir knight for your wounds may put you in great pain Thinking you went to the tourney aunswered the Prince I would make me readie What shall wee doo there to daye replyed the Duke but I beléeue if the Souldane knewe you were so weake he would come to visit you Then were it not amisse sayde the Prince that I did rise to saue him that labour With this entred the Ladies also to visit him bidding him in no case rise till they further aduised him wherewith hée lay still and so the Ladies left him with the Duke But he hauing great desire to be auenged on don Gallaneo by reason of the promise he had made his father and perceiuing the Duke had like intent and desiring to knowe it said to him Tell me sir which of all those knightes was the Prince don Gallaneo of Antioch That was he replyed the Duke that led the Princesse Aurora by the raynes of her palfray borne to rob mee of my earthly ioyes What is the cause thereof demaunded he for so great a Lorde as you shoulde easily bee reuenged on any person whatsoeuer being mooued therto That is not the thing that may remedie my gréefe said the Duke yet I pray you let me know it sayde Don Belliani◠Then thus beganne the duke I was a long time captiuated in the loue of the beatious Princesse Persiana and of her so highly fauoured that with little labour I might haue obtained her for my wife if my reuoluing fates had not opposed themselues against my happinesse◠and so declared to him the whole processe of his loue with such sorrow that Don Bellianis could not restraine his teares taking great compassion of him though glad in that this might be a meanes to effect his owne intent and thus answered De not thinke your matter so happelesse but imagine you may by some meanes attaine the Princesse Persiana to your wife I cannot perswade my selfe replied the Duke there may bée any remedie for my gréefe For to morrow after dinner the iousts beginnes and the same morning the Princesse is married to Don Gallaneo wherby I sée no hope but death for anchorage and end of all my paines or to depriue my life of my vitall senses before my eies do view it Do not so afflict your soule sayd Don Bellianis for I haue thought vpon a meane which if you agrée thereto is that to morrow we all méet at the Tourney where if Don Gallaneo thinking himselfe the best Knight within this Court doth enter there also I meane to bee in an vnknowne armour and méeting with him will disappoint him of his new betrothed loue For I haue no lesse desire then you to sende him out of the world And to the end with more secrecie wee may do it you shall giue out I am so sore wounded that I rest vnable to rise and so Don Gallaneo shall not scape my handes and your intent shalbe at full accomplished If this faile you haue such knights that with thē maugre all the court I will conduct her where you will The duke hearing this knew not where he was with ioy imbrasing him said Not without great cause renowmed knight of the golden image did I from the first houre I saw you comprize such loue of you was so suddenly affected as the man in whom might consisted the remedie of my torments although we know not fully howe wee shall accomplish it by reason at this present there is aboue fiftie thousand knights in the court that I doubt we shall not so easily scape with our liues for all I little regard my
lodge in his pallace vntill the battell were paste The King easily condiscended thereto hauing already purposed that if he remayned victor of the fight to require the Soldan to pardon his daughter and giue her him with the kingdome of Antioche as his right being next Heire to Don Gallaneo for which cause hée remained there where the Soldan greatly honored him The Prince Arfileo Don Bryanell with the Kinges Dukes and Earles returned to the Dukes Pallace to tell Don Bellianis the order taken and entring where hee was they founde him nowe somewhat better then they before had left him to whome they then declared all that had passed betwéene them and the Soldon and how the day of battell was assigned and that the Duke had in Champion for himselfe and how they had accepted the combatte no his and the Princesse Persianis name expressing also the great fiercenes of the Gyants particularly descrybing y e deformed mishapen features of the King of Cyprus protesting they had neuer seene the like Don Belhanis conceiued an extreame rage hearing that discourse how the Soldane would not permit him to the combate at such time wherein hee was reputed a traytor wherewith beeing almoste besides himselfe with vnrestrained fary saide What thinkes the Soldane this shall be suffered that hee hath ordayned and that with so greate maliciousnâ—s against the law of armes his desire shall bée fulfilled No the powers diuine will not permit it And therewithall hee rose and sat vppon his bedde and in all haste called for his cloathes The Damsels séeing him thus determined intreated him not to doe it which hee would not but in all haste made himselfe ready resisting al their requestes also the Princesse Auroras and commanding that none should accompany him saue the Princes there present that led him by the armes least hée should fall But a little after the Princesse Florisbellas Damzells followed him in which manner they went through the Cittie vntill they came vnto the Soldanes Pallace who béeing séene and knowne by the common people said one to another viewing him so fainte and weake Beholde heere the knight which ouercame the knights of the vnhappybridge and that tooke the Dukes parte in the last turney Many followed him to knowe the cause of his so going in such ill disposition who being at the Pallace gate sent the Soldane word hee was come to speake with him WheÌ„ it was so told the Sophy he was at table accompanyed with the King of Cyprus his brothers who vnderstanding hée was there commaunded hee should bee admitted to his presence Is this the Knight of the golden Image demaunded the King whom I come both to accuse and challenge for the treachery he committed by the deathes of my deare Cosins This is he replyed the Soldan and doe assure you that his peere the sunne shines not on to equall him in strength and valour That may bee saide the King mong such as himselfe and it were a blotte to my honour to make any account of 100. such as hee You wrong your selfe to thinke so answered the Soldan for if hee should enter in the fight I would not for the world assure you of the victorie and therefore I ordered what I did Now you haue told me so said the Gyant it behoues me in any wise to craue the combatte against him for if I should not doe it I am for euer dishonoured I wil haue no more wordes héereon sayde the Sophy for in dooing otherwise I should not bee reuenged on him and the Duke as I desire The king disdainfully laughed at his wordes and said If the others that in this battell shallenter were as you make him yet should my will be accompliwed But since you wil haue it otherwise I yéelde vnto you Thereon sayde the Soldane giue mee your hand and word not to accept at this time any battell against him I promised you so to doe said y e Gyant though it bée to my lasting blame CHAP. XXII What speeches passed betweene the Knight of the golden Image and the Soldan and how hee was stayed in the Pallace till the end of the battell DON Bellianis beeing before the Sophies presence shewing no kinde of dutie thinking that one of his state and pretending such a challenge shuld rather seeme sterne and fierce theÌ„ humble and milde though his weakenes through the gréenousnes of his wounds was so great that no Knight vnder the cope of heauen was able with such patience to endure half the paine y t he perforce sustained which notwithstanding with a cleare voice that he might bee heard of all the assembly dissembling his sorrowe as much as he could said I am most mightie Lord forced to come to your presence in this manner that you sée by hearing certaine things that here haue bin debated in preiudice of my honor and reputation which most excéedingly haue augmented the pain and grief of my great sicknesse for which cause I feare I shall not be able to vtter the imaginations of my pensiue hart with so great decoram and reuereÌ„ce as appertaineth to so high a personage And I protest I had not hither come but presuming on y e equalnesse of thy iustice The Soldan séeing him in such distresse coÌ„manded him ere he further procéeded to sit downe a chaire being brought him he humbling himselfe for the courtesie sat him downe being in such case that he had like a thousand times to haue sounded as he stood through y e great debilitie of his bodie But drawing strength from his neuer fainting courage séeing Filistone that fierce gazed on him resting astonished at his great monstruositie turned to the Souldane with these words If according to the iustice of my cause most mightie lord committed to the administration of those men to that ende placed by the immortall gods on this terrestriall ball promising such large guerdons in their future life of euerlasting happinesse if with equitie and right they execute the function of so high commanding powers whereunto the spacious territories of your vaste Empery bindes you you looke into this whole matter searching y e true ground therof not suffering the vnbridled passion of base parcialitie to blinde the eyes of your admiring iudgement which most often is woont to obscure and vtterly with ignominy besmeares the magnanimitie of the Noblest mindes Then I cannot but greatlye meruaile for what reasons you haue so farre procéeded in my affaires séeing my selfe indeuoured with the vtmost of my strength to shewe my prostrate seruice to your highnesse whose gentle regarde might haue bene the cause that the least reason procéeding from your royall selfe should haue contentedly satisfied mee at your command And I vow by the high immortal gods no reproach shuld haue scandalizde your mightinesse nor any iniurious infamy stained the honour of your estate if my selfe had béene first heard and my consent graunted to the assigned Combatte For in my iudgement it is against all naturall reason that I béeing
not enter for the Knight of the golden Image is a sléepe and so sicke that I feare he will hardly escape the danger of these wounds and I come to tell these knights that for a fewe daies they should suffer none to visit him for it woulde be very troublesome to him and now I will go to know what the Duke determineth about his cause The Kings hearing this would goe no further but charging the guarde to let none enter his Chamber returned back leading Don Bellianis with them whom they knewe not through the obscuritie of the night and had it not béene his pensiue sullen melancholie they could not but haue knowne him by the tallnesse of his body although he stooped as much as he could and being all without the pallace the Kings would accompanie him to the Dukes Tower but he thanking them for that courtesie would not suffer them and so parted going alone and being nigh the Dukes Pallace hee espied his companions talking with many knights and because hee would not be knowne he tooke an other by way which led him without the Cittie gate through which hee went till hee came to a fayre groue of trees somewhat out of the high waye where vnder a spreading beech hee lay till the Moone began with her light to shewe her selfe there washe surprised with the remembraunce of the beautie of the most honourable Princesse Florisbella which he so contemplated that hee was caryed away with the déepe imaginations of her diuine persections that hee knewe not whether hee was in Heauen or in earth and drawing foorth the picture that the Damzells hadde giuen him with heart-breaking sighes he vttered these words procéeding from the bottome of his loue sicke soule Oh diuine and most Angelicall beautie of the absolutest Princesse liuing on this mossey orbe vnhappie was the houre wherein I heard thée named and more vnfortunate when my eyes were captiuated in the admyred sight of thy pictured beautie for séeing the sole shaddawe of thy nominated rarenesse hath the power to drowne mee in heauie soule-tormented passions what then will the substance of thy immortall deitie doo when the fruition of that sight shall robbe mee of my ioying sences Then must I onely call and continually crie for death as chéefest anchorage and remedie of my wound and with my life to end these my extreame and intollerable sorrewes But foole that I am where may I obtaine more glorie then to norish such conceits or what happie fortune then possessing this sight burthening torment if I do not altogither dispaire of y ◠curing salue for my mortall wound Oh wise Bellona not without cause didst thou bid me come to the Soldanes Court and remember me I should not there in my greatest affections loose the reignes of my high courage But who is he that is able to do so hauing no strength to counterpoyz◠my greefes nor cure for my oppressed heart being so far remooued from the causer of my torments whose supreme thoughts cannot deigne to bēd their fauors on so mean a knight if they did how shuld I merit deserue them by conioyning both desires in one when the large continents of the spacious world doth not containe two greater enemies then hers and my father or where is there a greater difference of lawes and religion then betwixt them whereby I maye not onely dispayre of remedie but liue perpetually the disgracest Knight that in this age suruiueth Oh Floriana when or wherein did I so much iniurie thee that thou shouldest on mee so cruelly be reuenged and herewith fixing his eees on his imaginary sorrowes and vnable to resist the violence of the suddain pasion fell in a trance Wherin he continued till a knight arriued there which trauailed that way by the light of the then shyning Moone who séeing that Lady lye with the picture in manner rehearsed alighted and tyed his horse to a trée and going to her tooke her in his armes vsing those remedies that he knewe to recouer her if she were not dead which he feared séeing her stur neither hand nor foote Don Bellianis with what was done vnto him returned to himselfe greatly amazed to see that Knight there thinking he had heard his complaint But the Knight rested no lesse astonished to see his excellent beantie that he could not vtter one word yet with a trembling voice caused by the suddaine fyēt of loue that burnt his heart said What great misfortune hath befallen you most fayre Ladye that in this sollitarie place should put you in such extreame And I sweare by the order of knighthood I receiued that with the vttermost of my power euen with my death to procure your present remedie Therefore I beseech you courteous damsel to tell it me for I shall account my selfe more happie to be imployed in your seruice then to bee created Emperour of Constantinople séeing your rare beautie bindes all the world to your seruice no more being therein to desire then to liue and dye at your command The Prince Don Bellianis hearde his spéech to the end and smiled in himselfe to sée the Knights deceit although those words added a greater flame to his burning fier with remembrance of his mistresse And he determined to answere him according to his opinion that his owne purpose might not bee discouered though he should thereby more torment the knight greatly delighting with such discourses hoping himselfe to vse them if at any time he saw the Princesse Florisbella and therfore replyed thus Truly sir knight although my misfortune were not for no other cause then now to ioy your presence I should haue taken it for my greatest consolation And I think my self most happie that the Gods haue permitted me to arriue in this place to inioy the promise which you of your méere bountie and courtesie haue so liberallie made For my chaunce is the strangest that euer you heard and therefore it behooues me that you graunt me a boone nothing disaduantaging your selfe thereby The Knight ioying more thereat then at any thing in all his life answered Command me what you will faire Ladie for you néede not demaund any thing by intreatie Then before wée procéede any thing further said Don Bellianis vnclaspe your helme and after you shall know what I require The knight straight did it and sitting down hauing thitherto stood discoursed togiter of diuerse things chiefly touching amourous matters Don Bellianis was greatly pleased with his talke and the more to ease his owne gréefe It is néedlesse to describe the features of the Knight béeing of a gallant disposition and yong not aboue fiue and twentie yeares of age of whom don Bellianis demaunded his name whereto he said he would do it if she would accept him for hers Don Bellianis said I will if that will please you and so forwarde with your discourse Then my deare Ladie know my name is Don Contumeliano of Phenicia sonne and heyre vnto the King of that countrey and by
poynt almost a finger within the flesh The Knight of the Crownes féeling himselfe so wounded and séeing his aduersarie so nigh him wold not strike him with his sworde but with one of his hands got helde of his sheelde and so strongly pluckt him thereby that he had not time to second any more blowes vppon him and letting his sword hang downe drew his dagger and therewith gaue him two such blowes that penetrating his harnesse they déepely opened his flesh that any other but he could no more haue fought The knight of Fortune seeing his enemie so vse him tooke his body ouerthwart in his armes with such furie that both had like to haue fallen The knight of the Crownes did the like and so strongly pressed each other that through diuers places they lost much blood in which manner they continued halfe an houre neuer able to ouerthrowe one another and so parting asunder withdrew a while to breathe but with their fight they coulde scarce stand on their feete yet walked the best they might because theyr woundes might not close with cold blood least they should not after end their fight Who may expresse the wonder of the gazing multitude to see so fierce a fight whose like none euer heard of and with that the night so suddainly came vppon them that they could by no meanes end their Combat The Princesse Persiana that very well knew her brother saide to Don Bellianis Suffer not deare sir that such knights here dye with out cause for if you do the whole world will blame you for us besides that our royall vertues will therby be scandalized with reproach to my euerlasting gréefe if it should happen Don Bellianis buckled on his Helme and mounted vpon his horse accompanied with all those Kings Princes and Lords who shewed him as great honour as in the Emperour his Fathers Court he could not haue a greater and togither they went to the field in the place where those knights were fighting who for all their approach would presecute theyr Combatte calling for knights to ende the same But the Knight of the Golden Image then stepping betweene them thus began and said These Jousres renowined knights were begunne onely for pleasure that our Knights might shewe their vâ—lour and not that any controuersie should bee desided in iâ— by the vncertaine ende of so cruell a battell especially betweene two so braue knights Wherefore séeing the heroyke vertues of your vntamed hearts needes no farther experience hauing amply shewed the rare strengths of your strong bodies leauing no time for others to doo the like since your comming In the behalfe of this roiall company and knightly presence and for my owne sake I do intreat you to be pleased to leaue this Combat in the state it is procuring on neither side the end thereof since neither side may tollerate it giuing no more honour nor adiudging more praises to the one then to the other The knights being as courteous as valiant adorned with no leâ—e vertue and bounty theÌ„ courage and fortitude intreating each other to answere thinking that he which first replied should be lesse accounted in leauing of the battell which neither of them wold do which and so stood answering neuer a word the knight of the Crownes séeing requested Don Beiliants to suffer them to â—â—â—â—sh theyr worke I may not do so replied he and therefore doo againe intreat you to leaue it for I should be reputed of little woorth if my intreaties might not so much preuâ—â—â— with you The knight of the Crownes requested him to stand a while aside till 〈…〉 spoken with his aduersarie which Don Belhanis dooing the other thus said to the knight of Fortune You see sir Knight what great discourtesie â—â—â—s were to discontent such Knights therefore let vs leaue our battell at this time as it is and we will ende it thirtie daics hence where you will I am content so to doo aunswered the Knight of Fortune and let our meeting be in the Vâ—â—ley of the three tountaines which is thrée miles from this Cittie where you shall finde mee onely with my Page This agreed betwéene both the knight of Fortune turned to Don Bellianis saying Remember sir knight how against our wills you disturbe our tembat for this present time which makes me rest discoâ—tented of you You haue no reason to say so replted Don Belliaâ—s for as I haue perceiued what hath beene done is to your aduantage and if you so think stay with vs where you shall haue your wounds cured to your content and after will I answere you as you will I may not stay answered the Knight of Fortune but heereafter wâ—â— may meete when all this shall be seeâ—e and so awayting no other answere mounted vpon a horse which don Beâ—liaâ—s presented him and taking his leaue went out of the way he came And here the Historâ—e saith this knight of Fortune was the valiant â—rince Perâ—aneo who hauing vnderstood the estate of these affayres came with intent to doo by thâ— Dâ—ke if he entred in the icusts what he had done by Don Gallaneo but seeing his purpose to sort otherwise went so out of the Cittie causing his knights to binde his wounds which done he neuer rested accompanied with them which were his nigh Allyes the one called Don Fermoseâ—â— of Solshâ—â—a the Prince of that Iland and the others were Brothers named Don Câ—â—salaneo and Don Gâ—amalâ—s of Thâ—â—ce till he came to Persepolis Where to bee breefe we leaue out the great â—oye that the Souldane coâ—câ—iued with their arrwall That straight many prepared themselues to march forwards thinking euery houre a yeare til they might constent their enemies And the generall â—oy of all was so great or the arriuall or their Prince that it very hardly can bee â—â—to downe CHAP. XXXIIII How the Knights with the imperiall Crowns were knowne to bee the Emperour Don Bellaneo and Fabâ—â—â— of Trebento And how the Emperour went to the Valley of the three fountaines to Combat with the Prince Peâ—iano of Persia DOn Bellianis rested something maleconâ—ent after the departing of the Prince Peâ—aneâ— thinking he had made little acâ—ount of him and was dâ—uers times about to followe him but that her membred hée was sorely wou ded and so lâ—t him goe hoping to méete with him ere those wâ—ts ended greatly commending his high valour remaining greatly satisfied of the manner of his fight hauing neuer seene any knight that therâ— in more contâ—nted him except the same that with him combatted whose admirable courage and supreme excellencie he not a little admyred and going to him that was going away with his compaâ—â—ons said You shall not so much discontent me magnanimious knight as hee did that with you fought and therefore I earnestly intreat you both to tell mee your name and to remayne with vs vntill your most daungerous woundes bee very well cured The knowing of my name is needâ—lâ—sse Syr Knight for I shall not any way bee knowne hauing
the Emperour and said Withdraw your selfe sir vnlesse you wil haue vs al destroied for they within the citiâ— haue néede of present helpe Is it possible said the Emperor Assure your selfe replied the knight that if the Cittie bee taken which is easily to be done we shalbe all vtterly destroyed The Emperour remembring it might be so and the Sunne being verie high was in their faces commanded a retreat to be sounded whereupon there enemies thinking they fled set furiouâ—â—y vpon them But the Emperor gathering his men in forme of a Pyramedes defended them in such such sort that none miscarried and they entred safely within theyr trenches where the Emperor leauing sufficient guard made most of his men enter the Citie to defend it where because the assault of the wall might some what slaken opened one of the Gates which hée with the Phenician Prince and Florispiano valourously kept by whose handes manie their died with tenne of the terriblest giants in all the aduerse campe But ouertaken with the darkenesse of the night they were forced to leaue and returne to their Tents The like did the Emperour King and Princesse who leauing good guarde in the Citie returned to the Pallace where they were receyued with more outwarde gladnesse then inwardly was conceiued by the princesse Persiana and Aurora the one for greafe to sée those wars the other wanting the presence of her deare friend the Prince don Bellianis And supper being ended the Emperour withdrawing himself to his chamber was taken apart by the Princesse Aurora that sayde vnto him I beséech your Maiestie tell mee what is become of Don Bellianis for I feare some diaster accident may haue befallen him The Emperour to comfort her tolde her all that had happened in the valley of the thrée Fountaines and howe the sage Bellona had taken him with her Now am I verie glad sayde the Princesse for I am assured hee shall haue no harme in her companie And so giuing one another the good night departed The Emperour to his Chamber and she to hers with the Princesse Florisbellaes Ladies that were verie sorrowfull for the absence of the knight of the golden Image The Princesse told them that the wise Bellona had conducted him with her which were some better newes for them In this muner remained the besieged knights and euery day came fresh supplie vnto the Soldane with which he euerie day assaulted the Citie sometimes winning and sometimes loosing as in such accidents is often séene But they within the Citie receiuing no ayde had commonly the woorst Where we leaue them till we haue dilated the straunge aduentures of the knight of the Golden Image conducted by the wise woman CHAP. XL. Whap happened the Knight of the golden Image going with Bellona and how he proued the aduenture of Brandezar on the Nycaonian mountaines IN maner aboue expressed the knight of the golden Image posted with such swiftnesse that by the next morning Sun he found himselfe vpon a high mountaine the barrennest that might be seene and turning to the sage Bellona with whoÌ„ thitherto he had not spoken said vnto her Tell me Ladie what Country is this where we are for I assure you I neuer sawe woorse We are nowe replied shee in the Kingdome of Egypt on the mountaines of the King Nycaon and there must you end an aduenture which will be to your eternall benefite excelling all that hitherto you haue done And therefore know that this kingdome in times past being the mightiest Monarchie ouer the worlde many yeares in which time there swaied the empyre a worthy king called Nycaon by whose name this mountaine is called that you are on This king was at great iarre with another named Brandezar Emperor of Babylon whom so pursued him that he was fame to immure himselfe within a strong Citie hee possest hard by the riuer Euphrates where Brandezar begirt him with a fearfull siege that hoping of no remedie to obtaine his libertie was driuen to vse his Art being the greatest Magician in his time that euer had bâ—â—n before him and resolued to do what you shall nowe heare One night by his Arche went to Brandezars Campe and caused him to be brought vpon this Mountaine but first hee called his Subiects togither and counselled them to compounde with those Caldeans and Babylonians for hee had determined to leaue them because his enemies should not execute their reuenge on him His subiects that greatly loued him with great sorrowe intreated him to stay and see howe they woulde spende theyr lyues in his seruice But hee promising them quickelie to returne assured them he would ease them of their gréefe caused by Brandezar And so hee did for comming hither hée wrought such inchauntments vpon him that hée remayned in the greatest torments and paines that any tongue can expresse and thinking that if by his inchauntments hée lost his vnderstanding and sences hée shoulde not bee reuenged at his pleasure resolued to leaue in his perfect iudiciall wittes and for that cause inchaunted a King with such vertue and coniuration that hée which on his finger weares it should neuer bee offended by any inchauntment but inioy his true sences with all the libertie his heart else might wish sauing bodies imprisonment This might he well doo as the onelie man that in this Arte tutered Medea béeing neuer equalled in this sâ—ience And a while after that hée knewe his vassalles were quitted minded to returne and descending this mightie Monntaine mette with his valianâ— brother who in his absence was crowned King Nycaon as is sayde méeting and knowing him ranne to imbrace him But his brother busied with other imaginations was greatly displeased to see him and thinking hee shoulde loose that mightie Empyre by his comming closing within him stabbed him till hee died and after commaunded his followers to say they founde him so there which they did And he remained king and Nycaon was buried at his mountaines foote That which you néede this present time is to ende this aduenture and to take the King from the Emperour Brandezar which you must vse in a deare imploy and without it you shall liue the grieuousest life that may bee thought And because you shall haue the greater desire to attempt it I tell you that the sage Fâ—â—stone did ordaine all those things you sawe to disturbe your battell and is nowe gone into the Citie of Babylon for hée knoweth by his Art wherein hée excelles all those of his profession that if at this present hée get not in his power the Princesse Florisbella to giue her to his friend the Princesse Perianeo of Persia hée after shall not so easily obtaine her at least by force and therefore intendes hée by one meanes or other to haue her for the Prince Perianeo verie shortly Wherefore it behooues her to haue that King that his determination may bee frustrated And if from the same Emperour you can take the armour hee weares they woulde greatly auaile you for hée that
cause of them which shée by great importunitie declared which was no small comfort to her after woes But here wee leaue them till their time with the Soldane greatly doubting whether this was the Prince of Persia which hée confirmed to bee because he would not discouer himselfe But his Lords perswaded him to the contrarie saying This Knight better became his armour then he But now the storie turnes vnto the Prince don Brianell whom we left in his iourney towards Antioch CHAP. XLV What don Brianell did after hee was gone from Bollera and how he was informed of the state of Antioch WIth great desire to procure the good successe of his Ladies commaund deparded don Brianell to Antioche thinking that to effect so waightie a matter as that his foundation was weake But continuing his voyage meeting with no aduenture woorthie the rehearsall at length arriued at a Citie not aboue twelue miles from Antioch called Miriana where hee resolued to stay and learne the stâ—te of the kingdome And alighting at a house of good credit was verie well 〈…〉 by the owner of the house that was one of the best Knights in that Countrey So supper ended discoursing alone with him of diuerse matters he demaunded who was King of that Countrey â—eeing then troubled with ciuill mutâ—â—eâ— The hoasâ— with teares in his eyes thus answered You shall knowe siâ— Knight that after the King Pompeiano ouâ— soueraigne was siaâ—â— by the men of the Persian Soldan a kinsman of his called Don Gallaneo became our King who gouerned vs in peace maintaining law and iustice with all vprightnesse But since we haue vnderstood he was â—lame at Persepolis by soâ—â—e of the same Soldans subiects and in whâ—se absence there gouerned vs as Viceroy a noble man named Damartyno who with great wisdom and diâ—â—â—â—tion kept vs in quiet concord till a brother of the King of P 〈…〉 a by name the fearefull Tremolcano knowing y t in reuenge of the death of don Callaneo of Antioch the king of Cyrus with two more brethreÌ„ of his were slaine in Persia calling vs traâ—tors and rebâ—â—â— with a great power came vpon vs sâ—â—uâ—â—ng the Country Gariano which is a great Lord in his Countrey tooke our Gouernor saying he would haue rebelled with the land and hath imprisoned him in a castell taking possession of the whole kingdome saying Don Gallaneo hath no nigher allie then he and so executeth daily such tyrannies on the afflicted people that we desire rather to die then liue This is sir the truth of your demaund But tell me sayde Don Brianell left your King Pompeiano no issue to inherite his kingdome after him He did replied his hoast one daughter called the Princesse Aurora whome we thinke to bée dead for wée haue neuer since heard of her But if she be not dead sayde Don Brianell and comming hither will you not receyue her We will all die in her bâ—halâ—e replyed hee But these traytour are so stronglie fortifiâ—â— that wée shoulde hardly effect anie good vnlesse there were some to incourege the people of the Countrey and for this none better then she Gouernour Damartyno but that his imprisonment forbiddes it for euer Is his guard so great sayd Don Brianell that you thinke he may not be liberated The guarde replied he is not so great but that the Cittie is so nigh vnto the Castell that vpon the giuing of the watch-worde aboue thirtie thousand men would arme themselues And within the Castell there is a Mine that reacheth vnto the King Tramolcanos Pallace How know you this said don Brianell Because you seeme a man on whom I may repose greater trust I will tell you answered the hoast I was Lieutenant of the castell vnder Damartyno thrée yeares and then knew I it and that way went I often to speake with him which makes me the more pittie his imprisonment Don Brionell liked well of his hoasts wordes and perceiuing hée wished well to the affayres of the Princesse Aurora sayde Can you tell mée howe I might get vnto that Mine to go into the Castell I do replied hée but what dooth it concerne you that you will vndertake so daungerous an enterprise I am his nigh Aâ—â—â—â— sayde don Brianell and woulde willinglie put my selfe in hazarde to set him at libertie Although it seemes impossible to scape with life in this enterprize sayde the hoast because there is within a Cousen of the Giantes with tenne Knightes I will notwithstanding doe it and helpe herein while I liue and therefore will goe with you to Morrowe to Antioche béeing an honour to loose my life in companie of such a Knight Don Brianell thanked him for it promising that if their enterprize had a good successe his paynes shoulde bée well quitted The deedes doo bring with them theyr recompence sayde the hoast and more then this am I bounde to doo for Damartyno The next morning saying that hée must goe about certaine affayres to Antioche clad himselfe all in Armour For though he were poore yet was hee one of the valiantest Knights of that Countrey all his life trained vp in chiualdrous designes Which don Brianell séeing wondered at it not knowing hée was a Knight and so departed towards Antioch CHAP. XLVI What don Brianell and Palineo of the venture did arriuing at Antioch and the daunger they were in WIth intention aforesaid trauailed these two Knights till they came within sight of the citties of Antioch which was one of the best and well peopled Citie of the world for there was within aboue a hundred thousand great housholds Don Brianell highly admyred the Turrets and Towers of the same which were numberlesse and the Sunne reuerberating on them made the Citie séeme of a burning flame What thinke you sir of this noble Citie demaunded the hoast Well replied don Brianell for I haue not séene a more fayrer and that better contented me Not without reason doo you say so sayde his hoast for I assure you there is but thrée fayrer at this present which are Babylon Memphis and Constantinople which notwithstanding scant in fayrenesse equals this I pray you tell me your name said don Brianell for I greatly desire to know it séeing we shall be better acquainted hereafter My name is sayde he Palineo of the Venture and seeing this occasion requires it I woulde gladlie knowe yours before wee come to Antioche I am called the aduenturous Knight answered don Brianell and do beléeue you neuer heard me named hauing neuer trauelled this way before I haue no doubt of it sir replied Palineo but you must now chaunge that name here for it is said a knight so called was present at the King of Cyprus death Thus went they till they met a Knight sore wounded going in great haste Don Brianell staying him demaunded the cause of his hastie iourney in that manner You shall know sir replied the knight that the Countie Gariano to exercise his knights order yesterday a tourney of a thousande on each side so
many of his agaynst the like number of the fierce king Tramolcanos which on either part this day was begunne verie bloodie but in the meane time entring there in two of the kings cousens haue made such a massacre of the Counties knights that none dare confront them and my selfe being wounded as you sée am thus going to be cured in a Castell not far from hence and so past away What were we best to do sir Palineo demaunded don Brianell That we go to the iousts answered he and there we shall sée what we haue to do And thus resolued arriued at the Tilt-yard where but 500. of the counties knights were left and they so wounded that they could no longer withstand their aduersaries by reason of the cruell strokes of the kings causes Which don Brianell perceiuing and his valiant heart abhorring to be idle saide to Palineo Let vs succour those almost vanquished Be it so replied he Whereupon â—â—wching their Launces entred the listes and at the first encounters ouerthrow two of the Giants knights and don Brianell before his Launce broke vnhorsed more then sixe Palineo with a loude voyce cried out thus Courage courage knights of Antioch and shew the valour of your mindes least now you bee reputed vanquished which neuer hitherto hath happened Who â—â—boldned with this speech seeing the haughtie deedes of don Brianell couragiously renued the bloodie skirmish The two Giants séeing that noueltie in the Cities knights and how the Prince don Brianell like a bloodie Dragon persecuted their men did both togither assaile him to giue him his death But he that in greater perils had beene in awaited them couragiously well couered with his sheeld and they arriuing both at one time with their slycing semilers discharged two mightie blowes vpon him But don Bryanell spurred his horse â—orward within them that the blowes lighted not full on him notwithstanding his sheelde was cleft cleane in two and he wounded one with a mightie thrust that the sword appeared at his backe 〈…〉 g dead on the ground And seeing an other furious blowe from the other gyant descend vppon his head and being destitute of a shéeld câ—â—st the sâ—â—itor with his sword which beeing of a better temper then the Gyants it cut it in two and straight thereupon strooke the Giant on his arme which from his shoulder fel to the earth Who seeing himselfe maimed of his lims turned his horse and roaring fled away Who were able to expresse the greefe and rage of Tramolcano to sée one Cousin slaine and the other wounded to death Thereupon calling out to his mâ—n to take that Knight that had committed so great treason whereat many incompassed Don Brianell wherfore Palineo went to help him amazed at his haughty déedes The count Garianos men brauly defended him yet had hee remained prisoner for the diuellish Tramolcano descended with all his men had not Palineo that foresawe the daunger pluckt him by the arme and said to him Follow me sir knight if you wil saue your life for it will be reputed no lesse valour to saue it thus then sâ—aying to kill all this company Don Bryanell allowing his counsaile rained his horse backwards went away in despight of all that looked after him So soone as the king was come downe froÌ„ his window the tourney was parted and he commanded of those and other knights aboue 4000. to follow the murtherers as hee called them of his Cousins and dead or aliue they should bring theÌ„ to him and he taking with him the dead bodies of his slaine Cousins returned to his pallace to arme himselfe minding in person to follow the search all which was but in vaine for Palineo knowing all those wayes nookes and lanes that was thereabout issued out of the Cittie in sight of all the knights spurring without â—â—â—gring till they came into a litle Groaue turning on the right hand entred into a garden vnséene of any and passed to the farther side thereof vnto a house where shepheards in stormy weather withdrew themselues and there staying don Brianell said séeing they were not séene of anie Let vs light here if you please that our horses may rest and from hence may we well sée if any followes vs. Wherevpon looking from the high Mountaine and espying none dismounted from their horses and put them in a stable that there was giuing them hay and prouender they there found And with great ioy of their good successe discoursed of their late aduenture greatly pleased with the death of these two giants whoÌ„ Palineo sayd did great outrages in that land I hope said don Brianell we shall easily enter the castell Hardly shall we do it replied Palineo yet we will trie it séeing we are come to that effect In the meane time were it good we had somewhat to supper That were not amisse replied don Brianell if our prouision were better Let me alone for that said Palineo so soone as it is night for I also greatly desire to sée what is done in the Pallace the better to order our affayres And thereupon expected the approach of the couerer of nightly actions CHAP. XLVII What don Brianell and Palineo did going out of the Cittie of Antioch how they entred the Mine and of their fight withthe Castell about the libertie of Damartyno THe darke night béeing come so obscure as they wished Palineo vnarmed himselfe and leauing don Brianell behinde put on a cloake he found in the house which the day before a shepheard had there left and muffling his face went to the Citie where taken for a shepheard he passed vnknowne till he came to the Kings Pallace where he found many armed knights that returned from the search among whom was the King himselfe mad with anger that hée could not heare of the two knights that slue his Cousens Among this troupe had Palineo occasion to go in and so went vnto the Mynes mouth whose doore was shut and seeling whether it might bée opened hée found the Locke verie weake for the doore vsed onelie to bée shutte because that secret might not bée discouered And so returned to the Citie and brought some victualles for himselfe and his companion wherewith béeing almost tenne a clocke he came to Don Bryanell where with a good stomacke they supt hauing eaten nothing since their comming from Miriana and hauing done Palineo said Let vs be gone for if longer wée staye the King and the Countie may haue supt and so wée bee locke out of the Pallace But what shall we do with our horses said Don Bryanell for I would not willinglie loose mine because this Cittie containes none so good If replyed Palineo wée dye in this enterprize wée shall not néede our Horses but if wée scape liberating according to our desire our friend Damartyno the matter will be lesse in loosing them Don Bryanell replying neuer a word armed himselfe and carrying his Helme in his hand put on the shepheards cloake which Palineo had before woorne who said vnto