contencion and the Rinoceront with the Crocadil the Egle with the Estridge the Elephant with the Minotauro and one man with an other and that which is worst women against men besides all these the continual wars and contencions that is amongst vs for that we haue the perills of death continuallie before our eyes What a number of things there is that doth put vs in great ieperdie threaten vs euerie moment vnto death the earth doeth open against vs the water doth drown vs y â— fier doth burne vs the aire doth disteÌ„per vs the winter doth runne through vs the suÌ„mer doth trouble vs with heate dogges doth bite vs Spiders doth poison vs Gnats doth pricke vs Flies doth ouerpresse vs Serpents doth â—eare vs and aboue all trauailes and cares doth ouer watch vs none can goe with securitie vpon y â— earth for y t euery pace men doth fiue stones to stumble at bridges wherof they fall brookâ—s wheras they are drowned hills froÌ„ whence they tuÌ„ble be ouerthrowne thunder cracks y â— maketh them afraide déepe 〈◊〉 that doth stay their passage thundeâ— bolts that both kill them And now séeing that both land and sea be all full of perâ—lls and whether so euer we doe flie death will ouertake 〈◊〉 I will say no more vnto you but that I am determined to goe a land on the Iland of the Fauno â—or I had rather die wheras I doe aduenture to get honor making my defence with my sword in my hand like a knight then to be drowned in the Sea or to kéepe my bed with sicknesse therefore my good friends I doe desire you to hoyse out your bote on y e water and procure no further to disturbe mée in this my pretence for that I will not let to accomplish this my desire â—or any thing that is in all the world and these my squires I pray you to carrie them with you and not to let them to folow mée neither to giue theÌ„ any ship or bote for y t their deathes shal be vnto mée much more greuous then mine owne Uerie autentiue were all the knights of Candia and the olde pilot vnto all that which the knight of the Sunne had said by the which they iudged him to be discreete wise by the vttering of his words as also in his semblance they iudged him to be valiant wherein he shewed so great grauitie of his person that ther was not one amongst them all that durst speak any more vnto him in y â— matter neither to disturbe him of his will determined purpose for that ther was not any that could say any thing vnto him but that he vnderstode it better thâ—n they yet they sâ—â—ing the perill he put himselfe in they all greued verie much thereat in such sorte that with their wéepings they coâ—ld scare speake but in especiall his two Squires who hauing heard all his speache and sawe the resolute determination of theyr Lord did beate their heads against the shippes sides and gaue such shrickes and cries as though they had bene cut of their wits and although the knight of the Sunne did comfort them with many swéete louing words yet all would not serue for the more he spake vnto them the more did increase their sorow and griefe Then he séeing that all which he did did little profit to goe with their good wills how y â— the longer he staied the worse it was he desired the mariners to hoise the boate into the sea who were not willing therevnto the which being by him perceiued as one which had as great forcâ— strength as anie man in all the world he tooke the boate in both his hands and without the helpe of anie other he hoised it into the sea and caused his horse to be put therein the which being done he would haue taken his leaue of theÌ„ all but his squires when they saw that he would depart they gaue such shrickes and cries that it séemed the noyse to reach vnto the heauens and fell downe at his féete shedding so manie teares that it was great compassion to behold theÌ„ desiring him that he would not leaue them in so great heauinesse and for that it was so manifest that he went to loose his life that he would take theÌ„ in his companie for to dye with him for y â— his life was no longer then he abode in their companie They complained verie much of him for paying theÌ„ with such reward after so long time that they had serued him but the griefe of this good knight was such for his two squires that with the great aboundance of teares that fell from his eyes he could scant speake vnto them one worde especiallie considering with what intencion he departed which was neuer to sée them againe in all his life neither returne anie more into Grecia for that he was determined if God did giue him victorie against the Fauno to remaine in that solitarie Ilande and there to ende his daies But for that he loued his squires verie well and likewise knowing the great loue that they bare vnto him his heart was readie to burst in péeces for to apart himselfe from them Likewise all those knights of Candia and y e olde pilot did labour all that euer they could for to breake him of his purpose but all would not serue and he séeing that his tarrying did him no profit he went vnto the shippes side and with a light heart he leapt into the boate and taking the oares in his handes he began to rowe towards the Ilande leauing so great sorow griefe amongst all them that were in the shippe that there was not one of them but wept bitterlie to see him depart in that sorte as one desperate to receiue a cruell death and being a knight that seemed vnto them all not to haue his lyke in all the world yet all the griefe which they receiued was nothing vnto that of his squires when they sawe their lorde depart who like desperate men would haue throwne themselues into the sea if those knights had not lette them and seemed vnto them to be true and loyal vnto their lord and of a good disposition so with the great care that they had of them they did kéepe them from destroying theÌ„selues After this good knight was departed within a shorte space he ariued at the Iland and those of the ship lost sight of him but there were some of the shippe that saide that it were good to tarrie ther a few daies for to sée what should become of him to whome the pilot saide that it was great follie so to doe for two causes the one for that he was certaine so soone as the knight should come a land with a trice he should be torne all to péeces by that diuelish Fauno so that it were lost labour to abyde anie more newes of him and the other for that all they should be in great perill of their liues if that
the which as one that hath atchiued by his wisedome the acknowledging of things for to come doth giue thée aduisement oâ— some that is requisite and doth accomplish verie much thy honour as shall appeare by the same And in saying these wordes the gentlewoman knéeled downe before the Emperour and kissing his hands she deliuered vnto him the letters Then the Emperour with great loue did cause her to arise and tooke the letters and gaue them vnto his sonne Rosicleer for to reade them who did open them and reade them that all that were present might heare it the contents were as followeth HIgh and mightie Emperour of Grecia although these my letters be strange and new vnto thée yet is it no new thing in the good wil which I haue to serue thée for that aboue all Princes in the world thou doest deserue the same as also for the great dutie and seruice in which we are bound vnto thy sonne doeth constraine vs to acknowledge thée to be our Lord and to giue the counsell as vnto our vâ—rie good friend The hearts of valiant and stout barons there is nothing suffiâ—ient to disturbe them and thereâ—ore in few words I will shew thée the cause wherefore I doe write vnto thée Thou shalt vnderstande good Emperour that all the Pagans of the 〈…〉 against thée and in a short time there will 〈◊〉 together so great an armie that those of Darins Xerxes altogether were not so manie and the chiefe Captaine and generall of them all is the Emperour Alicandro father vnto the Princesse Lindabrides Emperour of the 〈◊〉 king of the Scitas and Lord ouer the orientall region who as thy 〈…〉 will passe into Grecia with determination and good will for â—o destroy thâ—e He hath in his companie so manie 〈◊〉 and valiant knightes other of mightie stature that it shall be requisite thy great power and valiant courage with the ayde and helpe of all thy friends On the other side doth arise the 〈◊〉 regions who with great and mightie armies shall 〈◊〉 all the Grocian fieldes against thée but haue a good heart iâ— all things and make thy selfe readieâ— for that these mightie things are not ordained for hase stomacks but for the mightie and generous as thou art Neither doth the valiantnesse of the heart shew it selfe so much as it doth in receiuing the 〈◊〉 blowes of Fortune who alwaies showeth it selfe most contrarie at such time as he is exalted vnto the highest of her whole And for that all that euer I can declare vnto thée in this matter is spoken of in a Prophesie which the wise Artemidoro writ vpoÌ„ y â— fore front of this palace I wil inlarge no 〈◊〉 but saye that all shall come to passe as it is ther written Also my nephew king 〈◊〉 and I wil be shortly in Grecia with so much people as possible we 〈◊〉 and take you no sorow and griefâ— for the 〈◊〉 of the knight of the 〈◊〉 for although manie daieâ— shaâ—â— passe before you sée him yet the time will come that his sight shal be more acceptable vnto thy royall person then at this present wherewith I conclude in kissing thy Emperiall hands This Letter being read by Rosicleer it caused in them some alteration saue onelie in the Emperour Trebatio and in him that did reade it for the which they 〈◊〉 moued semblance neither did appeare in their faces that they receiued anie trouble thereat although the Letter did import much matter of great importance because in equal sort they could suffer both aduersitie and prosperitie This béeing done the Gentlewoman did straight waies open the coffer that the sauage brought in tooke out thereof a sute of armour all red of so fine a coulour and glittering stéele that all the péeces thereof séemed as though they had béene made of fine Rubies and vpon the â—réast of the 〈◊〉 there a crowne of verie 〈◊〉 and rich sâ—ones that 〈◊〉 them verie wel to vnderstand for whom it was And when she had taken it all out shée turned her selfe vnto the Emperour and saide This armour the wise Lyrgandeo doth send vnto thée for that considering the great daungers and perilles that are ordained against thée hée hath nothing at this present to send thée that shall bée more profitable and hée doth desire thée that thou wilt put on no other armour but this for that hée hath made it with his owne handes and vsed therein all his knowledge onelie for the safegard of thy person The Emperour Trebatio was verie gladde and ioyfull of that armour the which the Gentlewoman brought him but much more of the good aduise and warning the which the wise Lyrgandeo dyd write him as from his good and perfect friend and knew not how to gratifie so great friendship good wil as the wise man did shew vnto him Then those mightie Princes worthie knights which were there present sayde vnto the Emperour that it was good he should vnderstand in putting remedie to preuent that which the wise man did giue him warning of to put all the people of his Empire in a readâ—nesse that he bée not taken tardie and also to write vnto his friendes for their aiâ—e and helpe all that was possible So amongest them all â—he first that arose vppe was the Prince Clauerindo and offered himselfe to departe out of hande into the kingdome of Fraunce and to bring from thence all the people that euer he could make Then straightwaies arose vp the good king Sacridoro and said as much and after him Bargandel of Bohemia and the two princes Rodomarte and Rodofeo and many other mo that were there present and subiect vnto the Emperour whome altogether did offer vnto him ayde with their owne persons and with all the people that they might well bring out of their countries Here the valiant Tartarian Zoylo could not offer anie ayde or helpe vnto the Emperour for that he was certaine and sure that the king his father and all his people would not be against the Emperour Alicandro neither could not that worthy Oristedes for that the people of that destroyed Troy were verie fewe neither could not the king Alamades for that hiâ— kingdome of Cornewall was in great Britaine Likewise the Prince Liriamandro for that he was fullie certified that his Father the King of Hungaria came in the fauour of the king Oliuerio against the Emperour Trebatio but yet all foure of them did offer to ayde him with their persons promising neuer to faile him so long as life did last At which friendly offer the Emperour Trebatio receiued so great ioye pleasure to sée with what good will they did offer themselues that his ioye did much more surmount the anger that he receued when he heard the newes sent him by the wise Lirgandeo and gaue vnto his sonne Rosicleer the charge in aunswering of the wise man gratifying him very much for his good aduice as also for the ayde of his person and people as
a little while that she had there staied she mounted vp the siluer staires y â— carryed her vnto the throne whereas shaking with all parts of her bodie for the sorowfull or heauie newes which she looked to receiue she plast her selfe before the wise man who being in obedience of her soueraigne maiestie did somewhat decline his head whereat the princes receiued great admiration then she humbling her selfe vnto him saide these words following MOst mightie and famous Artidon the high fame of thy great wonderfull meruailes hath brought mée into these strange countries so farre of from mine and if it doe so fall out that I carrie from hence no more then I haue brought yet shall I think my trauaile well bestowed and my selfe verie well rewarded in that I haue séene and vnderstood thy great wisedome for as Plato the Philosopher saith for to sée and know a wise man a man ought for to trauaile throughout all the whole world which was the occasion that many times he passed from Athens vnto Sicilia for to sée his friend the wise and prudent Focion Apolonio Thianeo departed from Rome and trauailed through all Asia sayled through the Riuer Nilus sustained the cold of the mount Caucasus suffered the great heat of the mountaine Rifeos and crossed ouer the whole countries of the Masagetas till such time as he entred into the great India and all this trauaile and pilgrimage was for to see and communicate with the famous wise 〈◊〉 How much more would those haue passed greater trauailes for to haue séene those his meruailous workes if that in their daies and times they science and great wisedome had bene manifest I cannot say that this is the onely cause of my comming for to see thée as it is manifest vnto thee yet I doe say that if there were no other occasion this should bee sufficient for to come and see thée The great care which hath ben the occasion of my comming hether although I doe beléeue that thou doest know it yet will I declare it vnto thée for that he that loued so faithfully and firmely in his time will not meruaile at any force whatsoeuer it be that loue doth vpon humaine hearts I loue the knight of the Sunne aboue all other things in this world so that if my fortune and euill destenie doe permit that he take an other to be his wife I desire to know the trueth thereof for that I may remember my selfe take order what is best to be done It hath bene told mée that he is made sure vnto the princesse Lindabrides and that he loued her with all his heart therefore for that there is nothing hid from thée I doe desire thée for to tell mée if it be true and put me out of all doubt for whatsoeuer that thou shalt tell mée I shall beléeue it to be true and conformable therevnto I wil take order with my selfe what is best to be done This being saide the royall princes held her peace abyding the answere which should be pronounced by the wise man who as then opened his eyes which before were shut and saide as followeth OF trueth soueraigne Lady and Empresse for that your highnesse doth verie well employ the great trauâ—ile the which you haue passed in this your long iourney onely for the sight of those my workes much more may I thinke these my trauailes better imployed the which I had in making of them I being now gratified with so high a reward in that you are come for to sée them And I doe not meruaile that loue hath had so great power for to ouercome your highnesse for that alwaies against the most highest most worthiest of courage there doth he vse the greatest force but in especiall with the knight of the Sunne for that his fortune and destinie doth promise him vnto you as vnto her that in all the whole world doth best deserue him and for you alone is he kept and defended And touching the trueth of this which you haue demaunded of mée I tell you that the knight of the Sunne was neuer made sure vnto the princesse Lindabrides neither hath he hadde any more to doe with her then he hath had with you although the great and mightie Emperour Alicandro her father dyd giue her to him for wife and left vnto him his high mightie Empire of Tartaria with an infinite number of other kingedomes with the which he should be made the mightiest prince and lord in all the whole world And for that he would not receiue her and all the rest cleane contrarie vnto his will secretly in the night he departed and left the gran Cataia almost distract of their wits with great desire for to enioye the sight of your soueraigntie the which time he thought long and after he came to Constantinople and had that rigorous battaile with you the which contencion was so cruell vnto him after that he knew you that desperate and wearie of his life he would goe seeke his death to cléere himselfe out of this worlde So he departed out of Constantinople and went into the wildernesse of Grecia whereas he had battaile with one of the most valiantest and stoutest Pagans that was in all the Paganisme and yet in all that rigorous battaile he would neuer strike him with his sworde for that he hadde smitten you with the same And from thence he departed and went to sea whereas by a rough great tempest he was driuen vnto the Iland of the diuelish Fauno where as one desirous to dye and receiue the death he went a shore and had a meruailous battaile with two legious of infernall diuels and afterward with the diuelish Fauno wherein happened verie strange things as is apparant if you please to goe thether to sée where you shall finde him all alone without anie other companie more then his horse neither is there in all the Iland any other beast or foule There doth he leade and passe the most sharpest and asperest life that euer was holden by man with desire there to ende his dayes and neuer more to retourne and weare armour All this he doth for your occasion and you are in a great fault before God if you doe not finde remedie in the recouering of him againe for that by your occasion there doth languish and dye the best and worthiest knight in all the whole world and one that doth loue you better then any thing therein therefore it doth accomplish your highnesse out of hand to goe and sée him for it is so that if your succour doe stay long it may so fall out that after he shall haue no néede thereof for that at this present his life is in great perill In concluding of these words the wise Artidon closed his eyes againe did put himselfe as he was before without aunswering or speaking any word leauing the royall princes one way with so great ioy and pleasure that she almost knew not her selfe her comfort was so great
THE THIRD PART of the first booke OF THE MIRROVR of Knighthood vvherein is set forth the WORTHIE DEEDES OF THE knight of the Sunne and his brother Rosicleer both sonnes vnto the Emperour of Grecia with the valiant deedes of armes of sundry worthie knights Verie delightfull to the reader Newly translated out of Spanish into English by R. P. Imprinted at London by Thomas East To the right courteous Gentleman my especiall good friend Maister Richard Morris health c. THE famous Philosopher Aristotle being demaunded what benefit he hadde obtained by the studie and practise of Philosophie answered This that vncommanded I can doe that I ought and auoide the doing of that I should not For saith he the ignorant and ruder sort abstain from euill compelled for feare of punishment but the wise and learned doe shun the same of their owne accord because it is euill A worthie saying and well beseeming the excellencie of so noble a Philosopher For what is there that can more effectually expresse the benefit that ariseth by the studie of any thing then to shew the effects that it worketh in them that applie themselues therevnto And what effect is there equall vnto this when a man vncommaunded can conforme his iudgement frame his will and order his actions according to the rule of reason and auoide whatsoeuer is contrarie to the same And as the studie of Philosophie worketh this in the followers thereof so doth the studie of other laudable things also bring foorth verie commendable effectes eche one in their owne kinde For which cause sundrie men in times past haue penned with great labour the laudable workes of antiquitie and some also in these our daies imitating the painefull diligence of those auncient writers haue with no lesse trauaile written Histories of later yeeres which by the reading of theÌ„ might be aswell profitable to repell other vaine delights as pleasant to passe away the tediousnesse of the time Among which I haue caused this Third part of the first booke of the Mirrour of knighthood to be translated out of the Spanish tongue moued thereunto with the earnest request of sundry persons as also being willing of my selfe to further so worthie a worke adorned with all good examples of honour magnanimitie that may serue to the exalting of vertue and weldoing and to the repressing of vice Which being done I aduised with my selfe where I might finde out an English Patron of conformable qualitie hauing heard of your vertuous and euerie way Gentlemanlike disposition by others as also had tryall of your great singular curtesie in my selfe I thought good to Dedicate this woorke vnto you Maister Richard Morris in lieu of better to testifie my thankfull remembrance of your great good will shewed vnto mee desiring you to accept in woorth the presentation hereof if not for the worthinesse of the thing offered and yet I trust you shall not finde it altogether vnworthie of the good fauour and acceptaunce yet as a testification of my affection which by this I here present vnto you declareth what I would if I had better to giue Thus hoping that you will friendly accept of this my doing I take my leaue Yours to vse Thomas East TO THE READER GEntle and friendlie Reader I haue caused to be translated according to my promise this worke entituled The third part of the first booke of the Mirrour of Knighthood which I doubt not will be delightfull vnto thée for that it concludeth the Hystories of these thrée partes of the first booke following orderlie one after another after which thrée partes before mentioned foloweth the second part of the Mirror of Knighthood which booke is diuided into two partes so that now is extant in the English tongue fiue bookes Desiring thée to accept my labour in good part which I present vnto thée wherein thou shalt finde the strange and wonderfull prowesse of the worthie Emperour Trebatio and his two sonnes with sundrie other couragious knights mixed with many lamentable sorrowfull Hystories Thine T. E. WHat hapned with the knight of the Sun the night before he should be married vnto the Princesse Lindabrides Chap. 1. Fol. 1. What hapned in the court of the Emperour Alicandro when they vnderstood of the departure of the knight of the Sunne Chap. 2. 4 How the Princesse Claridiana departed from Constantinople returned vnto the Empire of Trapisond for certaine newes which were brought her Chap. 3. 7 What happened to the knight of the Sun and Oristedes trauailing through Tartaria Chap. 4. 9 How the Empresse Claridiana being in Trapisond there aâ—iued her damsell Arcania and declared vnto her news of the knight of the Sun which brought her almost to the point of death Chap. 5. 11. How Rosideer caried the Princesse Oliuia by sea wher they met with a great storme were in perill and how meruailouslie they were succoured Chap. 6. 17 How the knight of the Sun Rosicleer the rest went a land and wer meruailoustie receiued by the Emperâ—â— Trebatio c. chap. 7. 25 How the Prince Don Siluerio without all hope of recouerie of the Princes Oliuia her returne what happened in the court of the king Oliuerio Chap. 8. 31 How the Princes Lindabrides did craue of her father reuengemenâ— of the knight of the Sun how the Emperor at her request did call a Parliament and what happened in the same Chap. 9. 32 How the Emperor AlycaÌ„dro did consult with his Nobles about his iourney into Grecia what Bramarant did concerning the same Chap. 10. 36 How there came to the Court of the Emperor Trebatio a strange knight did defie the knight of the Sun and of the stout battaile fought betwixt them chap. 11. 42 How the knight of the Sun came againe vnto himselfe as one desperate for the battel he had with Claridiana departed the Court Chap. 12. 49. How the knight of the Sun was found lacking in the court being all verie sorowful there came Letters from the wise Lirgandeo which amazed them all cha 13. 54 How the knight of the Sun came forth of the wildernesse of Grecia and sailing by sea was by a storme caried into the solitarie IlaÌ„d wher the diuellish Fauno was ch 14. 57 How the knight of the Sun ariued at the Iland of the possessed Fauno of the perillous battaile that he had with him chap. 15. 79 What the Empresse Claridiana did after the knight of the Sunne was departed froÌ„ Const. cha 16. 78 How the great armie of the Emperor AlicaÌ„dro ioyned in the port of Tenedon and of diuerse sorts that went into Grecia chap. 17. 84 How the Emperor Trebatio had newes of the comming of the Pagans of his preparatioÌ„ ca. 18. 85 Of the mightie armie the king Oliuerio prepared to goe into Grecia Chap. 19. 86 How the great fleet of the Emperor Alicandro came to Constantinople forcing to go a land the Pagans had with the Christians a great eucounter
fortune did so serue them that they followed the right waie whereas the knight of the Sun had gone and in many places they discouered the steps of his horse which séemed to be new troden followed the same so long till in the end they came vnto the place whereas they found him lying all along the gréene grasse with his face and eies swollen with wéeping and séemed to bée so wearie that he had no power to arise but when they sawe him and were fullie satisfied of knowing him they were verie glad because it was their fortune to finde him and yet not a little amazed to see him in that trance Then Oristedes came vnto him and did awake him saying Sir knight of the Sunne my good Lord verie friend what vrgent cause hath moued you at such time to depart from the Court of the Emperour The Knight of the Sunne knowing them was verie sorrowfull for that they had found him and being ignorant what answere to make them he kept silence but in a great confusion imagining how he might separate himselfe out of their companie Then they all thrée together with great loue requested him to shew them the cause of his departure the occasion of this perplexitie into the which he was brought who determining to giue them to vnderstand the whole effct thereof began to declare to them as followeth My good friends if héeretofore you haue had anie experience in loue then are you not ignorant that his power is such that it doth depriue men of all reason vnderstanding in such sort that they cannot féele nor know anie thing and especiallie them that be conformable vnto their amorous desires and disordinate appetities which is the occasion that we haue apparant before our eies so many thousands of disastres in this world and loue the onelie cause thereof and for to declare them time doth not now serue Euen so I béeing taken prisoner with the loue of the Princesse Lindabrides and blinde without anie discretion had not so much reason for to consider nor to allow more than that which was conformable vnto my wil and amorous desire being bound vnto all inconueniences and perills resistant vnto my will by the which I was brought vnto the point as you my Lords haue séene vndersfood how that this night past was dilated the marriage betwéene the Prinâ—â—sse me foâ— the which I receiued great griefe but that mightie God redéemer of all the riâ—â—es maker of heauen and earth who hath power ouer all things against whose infinit power there is no resistance by his great mercie did permit y â— al my corporal senses which were inchaunted and prisoners vnto the loue of the Princesse was this night set frée from all subiection by the which I was awaked out of that blinde dreame wherein I laie so that I did sée and consider the great errour that I did commit in taking the Princesse Lindabrides vnto my wife for she being a Pagan and I a Christian it is the most reprochfull thing that can be vsed in all Christian religion so that either she must returne to be a Christian or else I must forsake my profession and become a Pagan The other for that I being a Christian shuld euil preserue so great a multitude of Pagans as is in the whole state of the Emperour Alicandro for that they will not haue a Christian knight for their Lord and gouernour neither should I be in securitie amongst so many Pagans Besides all this the great griefe which the Emperour my father and all his subiects shall receiue when they shall vnderstand how that I am married in a strange Country so far distant from his with great reason they may all desire wish my death So my verie good friends I considering of this and many other things which I omit to declare determined this night past to depart because I would not heape one errour vpon another for y â— there is amendement in that which is past so that I am fullie determined not to retourne anie more vnto the Court of the Emperour Alicaâ—â—â—o and therefore I desire you in my behalfe to declare 〈◊〉 him that I craue pardon at his hands and to consider the iust occasions that moueth me not to accept the high proffer offered me and how that in whatsoeuer place I shall become he shall alwaies finde me his true and faithfull seruaunt These thrée knightes were verie much amazed at these wordes of the knight of the Sunne and were verie sorrowfull for that which he had giuen them to vnderstand who replied vpon him with louing requests for to returne againe vnto the Court of the Emperour and to put all such thoughtes out of his minde Who hearing those new replies he arose vp vpon a sodainâ— and finding his horse at hand without anie more tarrying preseâ—tly hée brâ—deled him and with great lightnesse he tooke his backe saying My good Lordes and friends I doe most heartelie desire you that in this matter you will not importune me anie more for that I will first consent to die rather than to accomplish or fulfill your request and rest you in the power of good fortune for I will depart And in saying these words he set spurres vnto his horse and like vnto the winde he ranne vp a high and mightie hill Oristedes when he sawe the knight of the Sunne depart in that sort he set spurres to his horse and sayd vnto his companions My Lordes may it please you to carrie these newes vnto the Emperour Alyâ—andro for that I wil not leaue the companie of the Knight of the Sunne and therewith he forced his pace after him so fast that in the end of an houre he ouertooke him at the top of the mount Tauro whereas they found verie faire plaines and pleasant Forrests but when the knight of the Sunne sawe him follow all alone he was verie glad and tarried for him who certified him how that his companions remained behinde and how that he would not leaue his companie if it were his pleasure to accept it The knight of the Sunne gaue him great thankes gratifying his good will at which instant there was confirmed betweene theÌ„ so great perfect loue that it endured vntil their deaths These two knights trauailed together many daies vppon the mightie mountaine whereas they did not lacke of all sortes of meates for their diets in Castles and houses which they found vppon the mountaine whereas this Historie doth leaue them for to retourne vnto those two Princes that came with Oristedes who remained in great confusion with that which the knight of the Sunne and their companion had done in such sorte that they knew not what to saie But in conclusion they Agrâ—â—â— together for to depart at such time as the night approched they came vnto the mightie Citie of Naptaria whereas they found the Emperour meruailouslie troâ—bled and all the whole Court in great alteration But wheir they had declared
from the knight of the Sunne and of his returne In all this time the Damsell Arcania did not foreslow her selfe but with great care and hast trauailed with desire for to come vnto her Ladie the Princes Claridiana to declare vnto her y â— who le course of y â— disloialtie of y â— knight of y â— Sunne as one y â— was ignorant of all y â— succeded afterward but beleuing for truth y â— he had bene married to the princesse Lindabrides And so not happening vnto her anie thing in her iourney that might disturbe her in the end of certayne daies after her departure from the gran Cataio she ariued at the Empire of Trapisonda and she vnderstanding howe that the Emperour was dead and how that her Ladie was crowned Empresse of Trapisonda she directed her iourney thetherwards came thether at such time as the Empresse was most desirous to heare newes of her knight because his tarying was so long thinking euerie daie to bée one whole yéere So when that Arcania came into the Citie she went straight waies towards the roiall pallace entered in thereat at such time as the Empresse was all alone in her closet occupied with no other thing but with her continual anguish and sorrowful thoughts who being certefied of her solitarinesse made no more adoe but entered into her closet shut the doore after her and comming before the Empresse fell downe vpon her knées and craued her handes to kisse them with so great abundance of teares that distiled from her eies that she had not the power to speake one word The Empresse séeing her on such a sodaine to enter in shée was greatlie ameruailed and went and embraced her saying Ah Arcania the true faithful secretarie of all my secrets what sodaine comming is this of thine that maketh me so much amazed and astonied How is it that thou commest alone and lefte the companie of him that thou wentest withall where hast thou left my knight tell me whether he bée come into this Countrie or not for that there is nothing in this world that at this present can giue me more content or ioy vnto my hart tell me out of hand some newes of him make no tarrying for y â— euerie moment séemeth to me one whole yéere of thy delating The sorrow and griefe the which Arcania had for those heauie newes that she should giue vnto her Ladie was such that â—he could doe no other thing but wéepe and was not able to speake one word the which being well considered by the Empresse Claridiana it brought her into the greatest perpleritie and sorrow that euer shée was in in all her life suspecting the euill newes that she brought for that she was so long in declaring them vnto her And hauing not the heart to suffer any longer but shedding great abundance of teares wherewith she did all to be bathe her face she burst out and said Oh high mightie and immortall God creator of all the worlde what is this that Arcania maketh so long delaâ—e in telling vnto mée her newes if they be anie that appertaineth vnto my long hope desired pleasure let me heare them But oh vaine hope of men how can any of vs liue but in great feare séeing that so many waies and times we are deceited by you with sodaine and vnlooked for doubts Alas what is he dead he that onely y â— hope that I had to sée him did sustaine my whole life As all humaine creatures hath their humours and there is none y â— liueth but euery houre are subiect vnto a thousand euills and misfortunes and the least of them all suffiseth to cause death In the high Firmament is congeled Thunderboults againste humaine creatures the waters doth swell by force of raine the windes doth combat and cause earthquakes the depthes of the Seas doe roare by force that they doe receiue and hoyse the ships at times vp vnto the heauens and straight waies downe vnto the depth of the waters The earth which séemeth vnto vs to be in securitie is full of perills vpon the face therof the terrible lightnings and thunderbolts hath their courses Likewise the déepe and profound Riuers doth excéede their limits Upon the earth is ouerthrowen and doth fall the mightie Mountaines and Rockes wherein doth happen great diseases Horses doth make their course y â— one against the other at whose encounters their riders be ouerthrowen men trauailing quietly by the way vpon a sodaine and vnlooked for are beset and ouerpressed with théeues robbers The furious Tyger cruell Lions the huge Elephant and fearce Griffens vnmercifull dragons and Basilists with a thousand kinde of wilde beasts Serpents that liueth vpon the earth what mortal man is he that is not afraide of theÌ„ as being the occasion that they haue not their liues in anie securitie Alas what shall I say if any of all these misfortunes â—auigating by Sea or trauailing by land hath chaunsed vnto the flower of all Knighthood that my Damsel Arcania is afraide to vtter it and hath no tongue to speake But alas I suppose that none of all these perills hath chaunced vnto him but considering that the world is great and wide and the knight of the Sunne hath trauailed through many countries landes and it cannot be otherwise but that he hath had the sight of many faire Ladies and damsels that theyr presence hath bene the occasion to put mée cleane out of his remembraunce And wen there were no other but the princesse Lindabrides daughter vnto the Emperour Alicandro of the gran Tartaria in whome the soueraigne creator hath bestowed so great beautie grace y â— she alone were sufficieÌ„t w t her preseÌ„ce to cause y â— empres Claridiana to be forgotten This faire Empresse séeing these and many other words of great dolour wherewith her thought was troubled she â—une vnto her Damsel Arcania and embrasing her said Ah my louing and faithful Arcania make an ende and declare vnto mée this sorowfull newes for that thy delaying doth cause vnto mée mortall griefe But Arcania durst not declare vnto her that sorowful and heauie newes for that she knew the great griefe that would procéede thereof but yet she was so much importuned that in the ende she was constrained to vtter it who began as followeth Ah my Ladie and Emprisse I would if that God were so pleased that this newes that I doe bring you were of the death of the knight of the Sunne how that the vnmerciful waues of the Sea had swallowed him vp or else how that the ground had opened and he consumed therein For if that it had happened in this sort then should you haue no occassion to coÌ„plain of him But alas he is wel in good health wheras y â— sight of an other ladie hath made him captiue al your loue forgotten that y â— recouerie is without remedie For after our departure out of Grecia til we came to y â—
valiant knights who with great furie and shouts began to laie vpon their aduersaries and saying Upon them vpon them for they be ouercome But wheÌ„ Rosicleer hearâ— those wordes and sawe no other thing but perdition he began greater to lament y â— death of his friends more than his owne but that which did grieue him most was that after so many troubles sorrows the which he had passed for the Princesse Oliuia and had her in his power alwaiâ—s hoping at her hands to receiue reward for the same he should now be constrained therefore to die and to leaue her in the power of another hauing this in his remembraunce lifting vp his eies vnto heauen to aske mercie of God for his sinnes he sawe his welbeloued mistres in a sound in the armes of Fidelia as she which made no other reckoning but to die the which did cause vnto him so great dolour griefe that it kindled in him mortall wrath and ire determined to sell his life verie déere vnto them that so much desired his death wherewith hée tooke his sword in both his handes and stroke so terrible a blowe at the Captaine Bramides vppon the wast that cutting him in two péeces he ouerthrew him dead to the ground and therewith at other sixe blowes he slew other sixe knightes behauing himselfe so amongest them that they fled from him as from the death But hée as one that had his death certaine without anie care of his life all alone he maintained the battaile against the knightes of Don Siluerio for that his friends could not doe anie thing in his defence they weare so wearie And although the knights of Lusitania were valiant and did charge him with many heauie blowes that had bene sufficient to haue cloue amanfield in péeces yet did he defend the entrie of the ship alone for the space of halfe an houre against all the companie and had about him on euery side a great number of dead bodies shewing so great wonders among his aduersaries that it was scarce credible to the beholders Whereat Don Siluerio receiued great griefe to sée so many of his knights slain but yet he durst not come nigh him himselfe but forced his knights forwards with reproch that it was a shame to him that one alone knight shoulde make his defence so long against so many Who hearing those wordes made no more a doe but put their liues in aduenture for to accomplish that which was their deaths and therewith they leaped into the ship of Rosicleer and charged him so much with so many terrible and heauie blowes that it had not bene possible for him to haue indured long if that by the wonderfull myracle of God he had not bene succoured You shall vnderstand that fortune did serue him so wel that the ship wherein was that valiant and worthie knight of the Sunne and that stout Oristedes was constrained by the force of the storme and tempest past to enter into thâ— same port of Cerdenia and entering in thereat they straight waies did sée the execution of that cruell battaile and were greatlie amased to sée all the water so stained with bloud and how that one alone ship did make his defence against all the rest but when they sawe so few knightes did maintaine themselues against so great a multitude of their enimies their meruaile was the more and remained astonied for a great space to sée the incredible acts that Rosicleer dyd as one that was desperate of his own life which was with so great courage that if he had séene it with his owne eyes he could not haue beléeued that any humane creature could haue done it And as he was with great attention beholding them with great good will for to aide and helpe them The knight of the Sunne did know him by the deuice of his armour although that they were all to be raiâ—d with bloud as also by the comelie proportion of his bodie therewith vpon a sodaine with a loude voice he said O good God it séemeth vnto me that yonder knight should be Rosicleer my brother or els my sight doth deceiue me Oh my good friend now shew forth your great bountie to defend and saue the life of the person of him that I loue best in all the worlde Come on let vs go sayd Oristedes forâ—with verie good will I wil offer my selfe in anie thing that doth appertaine vnto you or to your brother And inâ—saying these words these two good friends did cause their ship to be grapled vnto the ship of Rosicleer and with their swordes drawen in their hands they leapt into the sayd ship and sayd Courage courage good knight and take a good heart héere is come vnto thée thy brother the knight of the Sunne And therewithall turned against his aduersaries and made so great a slaughter amongst them that in a short space al the hatches of the ship laie full of dead bodies and the knights of Lusitania béeing greatlie amased at such sodaine and strâ—â—ge succour they fled before them with all the speede they could into their owne ships and in making such hast many of them leaped short fell into the water so that by this meanes their shippe was quicklie ridde of their enimies But when that Rosicleer heard those comfortable words of his worthie brother and knew him as well by his wonderfull blowes giuen as by the deuice of his armour what ioy and pleasure might bée equall vnto his I saie vnto you it was much more than it was at that time when that he was succoured by him in the Iland of Canâ—â—marte for that his death at that time shoulde not haue béene so grieuous vnto him as at this presâ—nt the death of his good and perfect friends and hauing in his power the fayre Princesse Oliuia And as one who by the aide and succour of his Brother was in good hope to be set frée and at libertie of so rigorous and cruell a traunce with a new and vnlooked for ioye did so hearter and incourage himselfe recouering so great force and strength that hée began to make so great a destruction among his enimies as though the battaile were but as then begun and comming nigh vnto the knight of the Sunne he sayde Oh my Lorde and welbeloued brother what great benefit is this that God hath shewed vnto me that it hath pleased him that I am succoured by your great power and strength and now that I find my selfe in your companie if that all the whole world were against me I should not haue anie feare At this time the knight of the Sunne could not make him anie answere for that he was so occupied amongst his enimies where hée did so great slaughter that there was none that durst tarrieâ— before him Likewise the Troian did so defend his partie that it was wonderfull to beholde at whom Rosicleer was greatlie amazed not knowing who that valiant and worthie knight should be Then the king Sacridoro and the
while in these their gréetings receiuings they entered into a meruailous faire and great quadran where al these knights were vnarmed had giuen vnto them rich precious robes to couer them the which being done with great ioy they sate downe to dinner wheras they were serued with so great maiestie as did wel agrée vnto their high estates Thus with great delight vnto them all they remained certaine daies making great triumphs exercising meruailous feates of armes whereas the stout Troyan the king Sacridoro and the Tartarian Zoylo with the other worthie Princes gaue such testimonie of their bountie that from that time forwardes they were estéemed as their worthinisse did deserue In this time was Rosicleer in so great ioy and pleasure as before hée sawe himselfe in sorrow and sadnesse for he had his welbeloued Oliuia in his power and that there was concluded finished all his cares and mortall griefs that he had receiued for her cause so that there â—as no pleasure in all the world that might be compared vnto his wherewith he went as one from himselfe thinking himselfe not worthie to inioy so great glorie The Princesse Oliuia likewise receiued no lesse contentment for calling to remembrance the great trauaile afflictions that she had sustained and passed for her welbeloued friend and now séeing her selfe frée and cléere from them all and put in so high estate she thought verilie that there was not a Ladie nor Gentle woman in all the world so fortunate as shée so that the ioy of them both was without comparison which was cleane contrarie vnto the knight of the Sunne for that he found not there the Princesse Claridiana her absence caused vnto him great anguish and griefe And béeing in such sort that hée could not suffer nor abide it he determined straight waies to depart toward Trapisonda at such time as he saw that the Emperour his Father was most in quiet and when that his departure should lesse grieue him otherwise he would not for all the world doe that whereby he should receiue anie displeasure For you shall vnderstand that this knight and Rosicleer his brother amongst all other vertues with the which they were indued this did surmount all the rest for that there was not a knight in all the world that better dyd loue their Father than these two for that they did not alonelie serue and honour him but the more to exalt his maiestie not one of them in his presence woulde make anie estimation of themselues but would that all honour and reuerence should be giuen vnto him onlie who for the worthinesse of his person dyd deserue the same So that the knight of the Sunne for not displeasing him in his departure did passe awaie his anguish and griefes as well as he could thinking euerie houre a whole yéere till such time as he might sée his Claridiana This might be a spectacle vnto all such as hath Fathers for to procure and doe as this knight did for to make equall his pastimes and pleasures vnto the troubles and necessities of his Father alwaies desiring and procuring his honour more than his owne hauing before his eyes neuer to haue quietnesse nor rest at such time as his father is in anie trouble for that the gift of the father although it be not profitable to his possessions yet is hée most excellent to giue counsaile and profitable vnto the sonne and is neuer wel knowen till such time as hée is lost when that with many sighs and teares it ought to bée bewailed Who is he that would not séeme to be a good child vnto his parents if he do well consider how troublesome his bringing vp hath bene vnto them and how that his life is but a burthen of anger and sorrowes sonnes of great griefe a continuall labour timerous care How many times are we the occasion to make frustrate their desires a breaking of their sound sléepes taking awaie their stomackes y â— they cannot eate and with our fained teares disturbe their pâ—â—sures How many sodain feares griefs caused by y â— vaâ—â—ance of our actions and many times the disgrace and death of the sonnes is cause of the death of their mothers And y â— which is more many with the ouermuch pleasure and ioy receiued to heare how that their children be aliue dieth sodainlie as it chanced vnto those two the same daie that they returned vnto Rome that dyd remaine and escaped from the losse of Trasimeno when as they sawe their sonnes aliue whereas before it was certified them that they were slaine and hauing no measure to eschue so great and sodaine ioy dyd die presentlie therewith Therefore séeing that the loue of the parents is so great vnto their children he is worthy of great punishment that doth not honour them and shall haue lesse reason to leaue vndone that which is a common Prouerbe that the whole fault consisteth in the Father for that many times the hardnesse of the Father is profitable vnto the sonne and alwaie the cockering of them is hurtfull because we that be sonnes and youthfull be alwaies stubburne and cannot be mollified but by stubburnnesse as many times it falleth out that the pittiful Chyrurgion leaueth the wound euill cured wherof did grow the olde custome that was vsed amongst the Romanes that not alonelie Princes and Consulles vnto whome was giuen the whole power ouer the common wealth against such as did offend but also all perticular fathers had iurisdiction ouer their children to punish them and to put them in prison tormenting them yea and to put them to death The crueltie of Cassio and Fuluio was much estéemed in putting to death of their sonnes not for that they did hate them but because they coulde not correct their customes So that the sonne must vnderstand that the good Father must not séeke who should cocker make much of him but one that may doe him good And many thinges doth séeme vnto the sonne to be verie hard terrible which seemeth vnto the Father to be verie profitable Neither is he deceiued therein for that his affection is not with passion and youth hath no more considerationâ— than that which is before his eies and waring riper in yéeres he séeth many things a farâ—e of and alwaies the seueritie of the father is more profitable vnto the sonne than méeknesse It is a strange thing to consider that a man can better suffer the hardnesse of a tyrannous maister than of his owne Father the which although they be not alowable yet should not they reproue their fathers but rather suffer them We reade that Alexander did neuer incurrâ— so great reproch as in that hee dyd not onelie rebuke his Father but that hée was also enuious and receiued griefe at his ertollings Wise men saie that there is no superioritie on the earth more iuster than that of the Father nor more honester subiection than that of the sonne therefore let children honour their
the Sunne the which séemed vnto the Empresse to be a good occasion and coulour for her to enter into Grecia and to defie the knight of the Sunne she would not discouer her selfe vnto Medea but did dissemble with her saying that â—he did her great pleasure therein and would straight waies depart for Grecia But Medea who was meruailously in loue with her and loth to leaue her sayd that she would beare her companie for that she would be present to sée her make the battaile with the knight of the Sunne The Empresse was verie glad thereof and betwixt them was appointed the time of their departure So after that she had remained ther two daies they went to sea and ariued in Grecia and came vnto the citie of Constantinople in the order as you heard before In the meane time that they were in the forrest after the battaile made with the knight of the Sunne Medea was still deceiued beleeuing that the Empresse had bene a knight and for that they should remaine there all that night after they had supped with certaine vittailes brought thether by her damsels Medea did neuer â—eace requiring the Empresse of loue offering her selfe to be her wife and said that she would take her to be her husband without any other consideration and that it was not her will that she should returne any morâ— to combat with the knight of y e Sunne at the which words the Empresse would haue laughed very much if the great griefe which she had receued in her heart would haue consented to the same but by reason that one waye her minde was occupied in considering what she was of her selfe and to be forgotten for an other damsell And againe calling to remembrance in what estate the knight of the Sunne remained at their departure out of Constantinople she was so full of anguish sorow and griefe that she little minded the amorous words y â— Medea spake vnto her neither could the wrath and anger that she conceiued against the knight of the Sunne doe so much but that y â— loue which was printed within her heart could doe much more and caused her to repent her selfe for that which she had done and to receiue great griefe for y â— estate in the which she had left the knight of the Sunne Likewise in that she had proued his mightie force and courage her loue did so double and increase that she thought verely that there was not in the whole world but he alone that dyd deserue her to be his wife which was the occasion that her griefe was y â— more by reason that she was without all hope And it is to be belâ—â—ued as the wise Liâ—gandeo saith that there was neuer sorow of a damsel for loue equall vnto this of the royall Empresse Claridiana for that she séeing her selfe to be without compariâ—on as well in beautie fairâ—nesse as in all other graces which should be in a gentlewoman likewise in bloud and highnes none did passe her and séeing that a knight whome she did loue with all her heart and with whome she alonely might marrie confirmable vnto her highnesse and he receiuing her for his owne and now to haue forgotten her and changed her for an other of meaner estate And againe seeing that there remained not in all the world a Prince nor knight that is worthiâ— of her louâ— so that the had iâ—st cause to receue grief and sorow more then any other and as her cause is great so much more should her griefe be in especiall hauing as she had so excelent and cleare vnderstaÌ„ding for to conceiue the same So with this mortall anguish doth the Historie 〈◊〉 her Medea for to tell you of the knight of the Sun which was in his bedde How the knight of the Sunne came againe vnto himselfe and as one desperate for the battaile that he had with the Empresse Claridiana he departed the court of the Emperour Trebaâ—o Chap. 〈◊〉 GReat part of y â— night was the knight of the Sunne so farre out of all remembraunce that it séemed to be mortall till such time as was passed the dolour of his senses the which y â— sodaine griefe did cause vnto him and transported vnto a verie â—ound swete sléepe in such sorte â—hat all men did sée that he slept verie qâ—â—ietlie which was the occasion that the Emperour and those high Princes and knights went to take their restes and leâ—â— him all alone with his two squires Biniano and Aurelio In this order he â—lâ—pt a while and being past midnight he dremed that he was in battaile as the day before with the which he awaked and started vs as one that was scared but when he saw him selfe in his bed and by him certaine torches burning he straight way called to remembrance the battaile that he had had with the strange knight and how that it was his iâ—â—stresse the Empresse Claridâ—ana The remembraunce whereof did cause so great sorow and griefe that as a furious man and one from himselfe he threw all the clothes from him and arose vp from his bed and â—inding his apparell he put them on and began to arme himselfe without y â— hâ—lp of anie till such time as his squires wâ—â—â—ere a sléepe with the noyse thereof did awake and séeing what their Lord did with great meruaile they asked him why he did arme himselfe but the knight of the Sun made them no aunswere but made hast to be armed Theâ— they séeing that he made no accompt of their 〈…〉 and did helpe him till that he was wholly 〈…〉 being done he commaâ—nded 〈…〉 horse in a readinesse and â—o bring him 〈…〉 the pallace who séeing his Lord with so 〈…〉 durst not aske him any other question but 〈…〉 and went and made his horse in a redinesse and 〈…〉 were sadled and brydled and brought to the pallace gate the knight of the Sunne descended out of his 〈…〉 when he saw the horse of his squires 〈…〉 asked Biniano wherefore he had 〈…〉 owne who aunswered him and 〈…〉 with him I will none of 〈…〉 there shall none of you goe with 〈…〉 you remaine here with the 〈…〉 may gâ—atifie you for the gread good 〈…〉 vnto 〈◊〉 for that I dâ—e goâ— thether 〈…〉 haue no power to doe you anie good neither 〈…〉 whether euer I shall returne againe into this 〈…〉 no anie more When his squires heard him saye these wordes sor the great good will that they did heare him they began to lament and wéepe for verie griefe and their teares were so great that almost they could not speake yet Aâ—â—cho sake at such time as our father did giue vs vnto you to be our Lorde he did not giue vs for that you should make vs either Kings or Lords neither to giue vs anie recompence for our seruice for that he did not know you as then to be sâ— noble a prince but a trauailing knighâ— but his gift of vs vnto you was onely to serue you and
and an other way with great sorow repenting her selfe of that which she hadde done against the most worthie knight of the Sunne and blamed her selfe verie much in that she sawe not any further proofe of his disloyaltie and giuing him so malicious and euill reward for the great good loue and often perills which he aduentured for her sake and dyd thinke the tyme very long till she departed for to haue remedie for his euill Moreouer she toke her leaue of the wise man he made the like in declining his 〈◊〉 at her departure this soueraigne Princes was not so sone departed out of the inchanted quadran but the swéete Musicke ceased and straight waies Elizea and her knight entred in and when they were mounted whereas the wise man was there they knew all that they desired The knight was her true and faithfull louer so that Elizea departed from thence with great contentment and satisfied of his loyaltie they were not so soone departed out of the inchaunted hall but the steele dores were shut with a great noyse So the princes and the rest went into the galaries and desended into the great court but staied not there long the ioye and contentment of the princesse was such but being forth of that wonderfull and miraculous caue they toke their iourney towards the port whereas they came a shore And at their comming thether the princes would haue informed her selfe where the ylande of the diuelish Eauno was she found many that did giue her to vnderstande of the wonderfull things of that Iland by reason of the great fame that was spread abroade thereof but not one that knew expressely where abouts it â—â—oode whereby she might take her direct course thether which caused a great desire in her heart to commit her selfe vnto fortune for execution of the which she tooke her leaue of Elizea and her knight accompanieng her selfe with alonelie two damsels with whome she ment to enter into the ship with determination not to come any more a shore till such time as she had found the place whereas her knight was and giueing Elizea to vnderstand hereof she was very sad and sorowfull so for to lose her companie for that they accounted themselues happie and fortunate to be in her companie but when they vnderstoode that it was her will and desire with many teares shed of her and her knight they toke their leaue of her alwaies hauing in minde in how much they were bound vnto her for that she deliuered them out of prison from that mightie and famous Rouer Cleonidas The princes being departed from them she commended her selfe vnto fortune began to make saile hauing no certaine way whether to goe but wheras the winde would driue the ship hauing their sailes all abroade for that they would that they might nauigate with the more force all the which she thought to be verie little her desire was so great for to sée the knight of the Sunne who for her sake had put himselfe in so straight a life Being in the cabbin of the shippe all alone she fell downe on her knées listing vp her eies and heart vnto heauen shedding great abundance of teares that ran downe her christalline chéekes she sayde as followeth OH Creator of all things both celestiall and terrestrial by whose will and power the heauens doth moue the starres doth giue their light the Sunne the and the Moone doth giue light vpon the earth and the earth doth sustane all beastes the waues of the déepe and proâ—ound seas doth swel and abate againe the wyndes doth rage and become calme and all things are obedient vnto thee here I doe desire and craue of thy diuine maiestie and great clemencie that the force of this inuisible windes being gouerned by thy will to direct the full course of this my shippe through these déepe seas in such sort that in a short time I may ariue at Iland of y â— diuelish Fauno wheras I may make satisfactioÌ„ and recompence of that great euill and wrong the which I haue committed against the knight of the Sunne Permiâ— O Lord that I may receiue the reward of this my great offence and not he that is without fault Oh good knight if that I had had the eyes of my vnderstanding open no occasion nor newes had bene sufficient for to haue perswaded mée that in a knight of so perfect excelencie more then in any other man should remaine so great treason how is it possible that in so noble and worthie a person should be broken the faith promise which he made vnto mee of trueth no for his amorous words and profound sighes the which he vttered vnto mee he neuer pretended to make so euill a conclusion of Oh vnfortunate that I am how was I deceiued and how lightly was I moued to doe that which I dyd what reason or cause was there to constraine mee to lay hands vpon my knight and to employ all my force vppon him striking him with my sword to procure his death Oh wonderfull case and horrible how am I worthie of great punishment the windes waters of this déepe seas with iust reason 〈◊〉 â—well and rise against mée Oh vnto this day how much â—ell haue I conceiued against my loyall friend and how euell and vniustly haue I condemned him in his absence surely those were smal things that so lightly I should giue credit vnto neither was it in that happie knight to doe them for if that I had considered of the great exelencie and of the high and fortunate destinie of my loyall friend then had it ben apparant to haue bene beléeued and no lacke of vnderstanding but that I alone was she that deserued to be his spouse and alone the whole conclusion of his triumphant ioye And if that I had well considered of all those things what great trauailes sighes sobbes and teares heates and coldes had I euitated and cut of But alas what shall I saye for that true louers in fewe things doe chaunce of the right but in a great number doth erre sodaine chaunces iealous thoughts may be compared vnto the water of this sea being tossed with the surging waues and blustering windes Louers doeth beléeue all things for that loue is full of bread and that which is contrarie vnto his desire he doth lightlie beléeue and vnto that which giueth ioye and pleasure he giueth slender credit and this happeneth most in women for that they are more light and moueable in their actions which causeth vs to giue sooner credit vnto variable and contrarie things Ah good knight although that there ought to be in mée great shame to come into thy presence yet the great and perfect loue which I doe beare vnto thée ought to be estemed in more my desire is to be in thy presence whereas thy sight shal be as ioyfull vnto mée and lightsome to my vnderstanding as the Sunne is vnto all mortall creatures whose light doth beautifie the Moone and the
that curtesie at her hands knéeling downe before her he tooke and kissed her lilie white hande perforce receiuing thereby more glorie then if he had bene made Lord ouer all the world Then the Princes a new did embrace him and almost by force dyd cause him to arise saying your highnes worthie Prince doth not consent that you vse with anie this courtesie much lesse with mée that am whollie yours Then the good knight said ah mistresse as you are all onely she in all the world next vnto God that may shew me courtesie so haue you now this my mortall bodie glad ioyfull and happie I am not onely bound vnto you to kisse your hands but if so be that the great loue which I beare vnto you doe not deserue it then is not my high estate sufficient that I deserue to enioye so great courtesie and héere in I doe receiue so great glorie that if continuallye I may enioy your presenâ—e with a verie good will I would forget all highnes and royall estates and liue and leade my lyfe here with as great ioye and pleasure in your companie better then in any royall pallace and thinke my selfe verely to be in eternall Paradise I would to God replyed the Princes that with our honors and emperial states we might accomplish the same leading our liues here together in this solitarie Iland for that for my pleasure and contentment I request no other thing but onely the enioying of your companie in place whereas I might not be desturbed one minute of an houre but for that fortune hath exalted vs vnto so high estate and that God hath not created vs with so great callings onely to serue our selues but we must as we are bound accomplish and performe our duties to our subiects and goe and sustaine our emperiall estates and in especially you hauing so excelent parentage you are the more bound for to goe and see them and to take from them by your presence the great and long heauinesse which they haue receiued by your absence Then the good knight saide Mistresse I doe receiue so great ioye and contentment of heart onely in beholding of you that as the happie saints vnto whome the losse of parents nor any worldly thing can cause them to féele anie paine sorow and griefe euen so I being in your presence there is no absence nor any other thing that can giue or cause vnto mée sorow and griefe but yet for all this vse you your will and discretion for that I haue no will but whereas is yours These and many other mo amorous words passed béetwixt these two true and perfect louers and yet could neither of them manifest entirely the great ioye and pleasure the which they receiued at their hearts After a while that they had passed the tune in this their ioyfull méeting they sate themselues downe vpon y â— gréene grasse in the shadow vnder those huge and mightie trées whereas with swéete words still more amorous then eloquent they discoursed the one with the other of all thinges that hadde happened vnto them since their departure out of Constantinople And the princes did giue the knight of the Sunne to vnderstand the occasion why and wherefore she made battaile with him and how much sorow and griefe the supition thereof dyd cause vnto her and how and in what sort she was put out of all doubt concerning the same Likewise she tolde him of all the great preparation to the warres which was made in Grecia at her departure and how she vnderstoode that all the whole Paganisme and a great part of Christendome came against the emperour Trebatio for which cause he dyd put himselfe in a redinesse to receiue them and was verie sad and sorowfull for his absence all which when the knight of the Sunne vnderstood he straight waies had a great desire to be in Grecia séeming that in time of so great necessitie there was no reason that he should be absent in especiall for that the chiefest occasion and greatest part of those warres were for his sake Being in this communication they could not be certified the one to heare the other they saw comming towardes them two damsells vpon two palfraies whome the princes dyd straight wayes know to be her Damsells whome she left in the shippe and being greatly amazed that the princes taryed so long and not retourned came a land and went in her demaunde with great sorow and heauines because they could not finde her but when they sawe her and knew the knight of the Sunne they were wonderfully glad as well for the ioye which theyr mistresse receiued therein as also for the strange things which they had séene in that Iland And surely they were verie sad thinking that the knight of the Sunne hadde bene dead because he had not bene heard of a long time When these two Damsells came vnto them they left ceased their amorus communication and receiued them verie courteously Presently vppon the gréene grasse they dyd eate of such vittailes as the Damsels had brought a shore from the ship for their Ladie mistresse whereas y â— knight of the Sunne with the great ioye and pleasure that he receiued at his heart the coulour and semblant of his face was chaunsed so that he séemed an other maner of man and shewed the true and perfectâ—perfection in coulour and presence the which nature had wrought in him And the Princes for to sée him in that sort was so glad ioyful that ther was no pleasure that might be compared vnto hers After that they had eaten well refreshed themselues the knight of the Sunne séeing his good horse Cornerino in companie with that of the Princesse he lured and straight waies he came vnto him for that he had vsed him therevnto so he tooke him and after that that of the Princes and being both desirous to depart from thence they tooke each other by the hande and went vnto the place whereas the knight of the Sunne had left his good armour there he armed himselfe againe with them being holpen by the princes for that her Damsells with the great feare which they had of the diuelish Fauno the which was dead durst not come nigh them And the knight of the Sunne séeing him so fauoured and holpen by the hands of his Ladie and mistresse was in that case that he knew not whether he was in heauen or vppon the earth and being in this glorie readie for to depart out of the solitarie Iland the Historie doth leaue them till time doe serue ¶ Of the strong and well foughten battaile that was betwixt the fiftene knights of the Emperour Trebatio with the fiftene of the Emperour Alicandro Chap. 30. WHen that the day was come of the challenge and that the battaile should be tryed betwéene the fiftene knights of the Emperour Trebatio and the other fiftene of y â— Emperour Alicandro they were all in a redinesse and the field whereas the battaile should
theyr high knighthoode and meruailous feates of armes were without comparison Truth it was for that knight which at that time combatted with Bradaman was Rosicleer who being aduertised by a knight howe that he sawe the Gran Campion depart out of the Campe he hauing a great desire to make an end of their former battaile begunne verie secretlie without giuing anie knowledge vnto the Emperour Trebatio went forth of the Citie and rode so fast vpon his horse Rondarte that hée ouertooke Bradaman as hath béene tolde you before How the knight of the Sunne without knowing Meridian or Brandimardo made battaile for them with the stout Pagan 〈◊〉 Chap. 33. WIth great desire for to know those two worthie and valiant knights Meridian Brandimardo with the mightie Pagan Bramarant was the knight of the Sunne and the Princesse beholding the strong and rigorous battaile that was betwixt them and they séemed vnto them to be the most strongest valiantest knights that euer they sawe in all their liues and for that hée was fullie perswaded that he who made the combat with the gran Campion was Rosicleer so likewise he thought that it could not be otherwise but those who dyd combat with Bramarant must néeds be of his companie and possible to bée those two Princes Brandizel and Clauerynâ—o or that mightie Troyan Oristedes for that they â—id resemble verie much those knights Then the worthie knight of the Sunne being verie desirous for to make peace and quietnesse betwixt them for that they were all valiant and strong knights as also for to know who Bramarant was left the Princesse and went vnto them and putting himselfe betwixt them he sayde Sir knights I shall receiue it in great curtesie if that at my request you will leaue off this battaile betwixt you for that it is a great griefe vnto me to sée such worthie and valiant knightes as you are contend to kill one another without hauing anie iust occasioâ— therevnto Then the two worthie Princes Meridian and Brandimaâ—do séeing the gentle disposition of the knight of the Sun the great curtesie hée vsed in his wordes straight waies withdrew themselues a part in saying that they were verie well content at his request so for to doe for that as then they themselues knew not for what cause they dyd make that battaile But this proude and fierce Pagan Bramarant who was verie furious and wrathfull with a great desire to reuenge himselfe vpon them with a proude disdainefull and horse voyce faming at the mouth sayde Knight get thée away straight waies from that place and so that thou speakest no more vnto mée of that matter for if thou dost I doe sweare vnto thée that in concluding of the battaile with these two I wil begin it with thée and then thou shalt quickly pay mee this anger and griefe which thou haste giuen mée And as the knight of the Sunne did reply in requesting him againe to accomplish his request He verie furious and angerie lift vp his heauie sword and stroke him such a blow vpon the healme that he daseled the sight of his eyes and saide now come you all thrée against mée for I will reuenge my selfe on you all Then the knight of the Sunne who receiued not so much griefe in receiuing that blow as in the discourtesie of Bramarant in drawing out his good sword sayde here I doe promise thée proude and discourteous knight that this which thou wouldest not accomplish nor doe at my request this my mortall battaile shall make thee to doe by force and concluding these words he tourned vnto the other two knights desiring them to let him deale alone with him But they for that they did not know him and had felt by experience the mightie power of Bramarant would not consent thérevnto for that they thought it a thing impossible for him to make defence against that mightie and fierce Pagan halfe a quarter of an houre â—ut yet in the ende he did so much importune them that they were constrained therevnto with condition that they should succour him when that they did see that he stoode in anie néede of either of their helpes Here was the stout Pagan Bramarant greatly amazed to sée how that knight durst venter to combat with him alone and to refuse the ayde of the other two good knights could not immagine who it should be but iudged rather that his bouldnesse should procéede more of folly then of â—orce but he was put quickly out of that doubt foâ— that 〈…〉 as the battaile was begun betwixt them he quickly vndâ—rstoode stoode that he was the most brauest strongest knight that euer he had proued for that many tâ—mes he dyd depart him of his sight and made him to decline his head to the horse necke making him to puffe blow lyke a Lion who waxed therewith more wrathfull and furious which cauâ—ed him with mortall yre to strike such blowes vpon the knight of the Sunne that he gaue him well to vnderstand how great mightie was the power of Bramarant who mused greatly who that mightie knight should be In this sorte was shere betwixt them the brauest battaile that euer was senâ— fought betwixt two All this while were the two Princes Meridian and Brandimardo in great admiration wheÌ„ that they saw the great worthinesse of the knight but the princes Claridiana who also dyd beheld them dyd nor meruaile at that which her knight dyd for that she had before time knowen his great bountie but yet she greatly wondred to sée how strongly Bramarant dyd combat with him who although more then two houres before he hadde maintained battaile against the other two knights yet at this time ther appered no point of wearines in him but rather he shewed himself to be more brauer furious then at y â— beginning Then after when that the knight of the Sunne began to be kindled in wrath and that his yre increased was the battaile worthie to be loked on to sée what he did therein for that his terrible blowes were such that eueâ—iâ— one of theÌ„ was sufficient for to haue clouen an armed knight from toppe to toe if they had not bene defended by their inchaunted armour great aboundance of sparkes of fire flew out of their armour and slew vp a great way in the ayre before they lost their light and with the great noyse which they made in striking theyr blowes all that wildernesse did ring there with and Meridian and Brandimardo that were talking together could scarce heare the one the other but had their eares 〈◊〉 with the noyse thereof 〈…〉 with mortall furie and diuelish wrath stretched vp himselfe in his stirrups on his mightie horse and tooke his sword with both his haâ—ds and stroke this good knight such a blow vpon his left shoulder which glaunced downe from his healme that he thought verâ—ly he had bene clouen in péeces the paine was so great he folâ— and agine if he haddâ— not embrased himselfe about his
Alicandro could not doe and according therevnto they answered and said Of truth Sir Knight your great bountie and courtesie is such that we should accompt our selues for happie for to know you and therby to serue you and to haue you in that estimation as your great worthinesse doth deserue and wée doe giue you great thankes for the trauaile and perill from the which you haue deliuered vs. Your bountie and worthinesse is such so farre forth as I haue seeme saide the knight of the Sunne that of your selues you are a sufficient securitie to deliuer you from all perill neuerthelesse if I haue done any thing it was nothing but by vertue of your great courtesie considering the great villanie vsed by that knight And in that you doe require for to know my name I doe most heartely desire you that for this present you would not request the same for that it is not in my power for to declare it vnto you till such time as I haue accomplished and perfourmed a promise the which I haue made vnto yonder knight who came with mée Then they séeing that he hadde no will for to declare who he was but to kéepe himselfe in secrete would not importâ—ne him anie more for the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 themselues that it could be 〈…〉 the knight of the Sunne and that constrained through some great occasion he would not suffer himselfe to be 〈◊〉 and the more to prouoke him therevnto they â—fted vp the beauers of their helmes in such sort that the knight of the Sâ—nne did knâ—w them and was verie glad thereof for that hée had them in great estimation although at that time he woulde not giue them â—o vnderstand in anie wise that he dyd knowe them In all this time the Princesse Claridiana receiued great contentment in that which the knight of the Sunne hadde done and all foure together did put themselues to beholde the cruell contention and rigorous battaile that was betwixt the valiant knight Rosicleer and the gran Campion who at the great noise of the last blowe that the knight of the Sunne gaue vnto Bramarant did aparte themselues from their battaile to sée what it shoulde bée and they sawe the mightie Pagan cleane voide of anie remembrance and his horse carrying him into the thickest of all that wildernesse Then Rosicleer meruailing greatlie at that knight for that he had so great power for to bring him into that perplexitie made no more a doe but retourned vnto his battaile whose blowes were so many and of great force and strength that it was a wonder to beholde and for that it was more than foure houres since the battaile was begun the graâ— Campion waâ—ed wearie and it séemed that Rosicleer had somewhat the vantage of him but yet with y â— exceding great griefe which he receiued to sée his sonne Bramarant carried by his hoâ—se in that sorte he waâ—ed therewithall so wrathfull and furious that he neither felt trauaile nor wearinesse and charged Rosicleer with such a multitude of blowes that many times he did astonish and amaze him but yet in the ende the cruell destinie of this Gran Campion was such and againe for that his cruell death was ordained from aboue the ire of that worthie and valiant Rosicleer so encreased in him that with a mortall furie he stroke so mightie a blow at Bradaman ouerthwart his wast that he made him decline on the other side almost from himselfe and being in this sorte almost out of his saddle his euill fortune was such that in his stouping he discouered a naked place vnder his arme whereas was no other defence but his shirt of mayle the which being séene by Rosicleer being very desirous to make an ende of that long contencion he thrust at him with the point of his good sword with so great force and strength that he made his sword to enter vp to the harde hiltes and pulling it out all blodied the Gran Campion fel from his Elephant downe to the ground and within a little while after he yelded his soule vnto the Diuell who had deceiued him in the blinde law of his false gods Oh false and weake foundation of man for that they which are most endewed with corporall force doth thinke their liues in most securitie without respecting that contrarie vnto the confidence which they haue in their great strengthes fortune doth double hers and that many tymes with great anger for that he doth finde no equall contemner And for to shew what a weake animall man is with an vnsemely weake and hidden euell be the mightie great Gyants ouerthrowen As he that slew Hercules was very little who was he that had the victorie in all things Likewise Milo the stoutest amongst men an Oke dyd staye him so that he was torne in péeces with wilde beastes so that wée may saye that that force the which was without comparison was lesse then a clouen Oke what doeth he think then to doe that is but of a meane strength what doth he think to haue his lyfe in more securitie and to be more aparted from the lyght and mouable whéele of Fortune then was this stout and fierce Bradaman Campion the most valiant and mightiest of all Gyants one that hadde force and strength for to bringe in subiection those fierce and indomable people of the whole compasse of the Orientall Ilandes and yet at this present he lacked strength for to defend himselfe from one alone knight of a great deale lesse stature than he was of who with one alonelie blow he slew him and dyd abate his pâ—ide the which many thousands of Gyants could 〈…〉 Likewise mortall men doe thinke and doe boast themselues more of vertue than of valiantnesse or strength for that alone the force of the soule in that which receiueth no strength cannot be ouercome neither hath fortune anie power against it and as it is placed in the soule it hath no néede of anie corporall strength and according vnto the saying of the wise Lyâ—gandeo and Artemidoro they were not so much moued by the high knighthood and mortall conflicts of these two so worthie Princes for to write this mightie Hystorie as they were by their great vertues and excellencie of courage and gallant demeanours the which in all their life times did shine in them for which cause saie they they were more esteemed and had greater fame than for the great force and strength which they had and alwaies they did estéeme themselues and delighted more in vertue than in their strength and therefore these wise men saie that if this mightie Hystorie be pleasant and delightfull vnto the readers so shall it be no lesse profitable vnto them that with great care and diligence will note and consider well how these knightes were giuen vnto vertue all their lyfe times Thus as it is verie profitable and necessarie for the taking out of anie worke to haue a patterne before him euen so likewise it is no lesse necessarie and
to take of thée cruell reuengement before she doth depart from hence and séeing that thou wert so hardie and bold for to offend the diuine maiestie make thy selfe readie for to receiue the paine and punishment for the same for that it cannot be otherwise but that the immortall Gods will haue a regard vnto this my great iniurie and for the part of kindred that belongeth vnto them will punish thée conformable vnto thy deserts Lyndabrides In the meane time that this faire Princesse was writing of this Letter at euerie word her eyes ranne downe with water and her anguish and griefe which shée felt was so great that many times before shée coulde conclude the writing of her Letter she fell in a sound In the end when it was concluded she called a damsell vnto her in whome the had great confidence and trust and gaue vnto her the Letter saying that incontinent she should depart vnto the Citie of Constantinople and in the secretest wise that possible was shée should giue that Letter vnto the knight of the Sun and y â— she shâ—â—ld not returne againe in anie manner of wise without an aunswere vnto the same Then the Damsell who was wise and verie well vnderstoode allâ— her secrets did their promise and gaue her word to doe and accomplish all her request So in taking her leaue of her she depaâ—ted towards the Citie of Constantinople and when she came vnto the mightie pallace the askeâ— for the lodging of the knight of the Sun and being certefied therofâ— she went thetherâ— and entering in she found him not there for that he was gone vnto the Emperour but yet the found there a young man by whom she sent him word that there was a damsell tarrying for him at his lodging who bringeth vnto him a message He then so soone as he heard thereof did take his 〈◊〉 of the Emperour and departed with the young man but when he came whereas the damsell did abide his comming he was greatly amazed to see her for that by and by he knew her to be one belonging vnto the Princesse Lyndabrides wherewithall his hart seemed for to turne vpside â—â—wne within his breast according vnto the great alteration that he felt within himselfe but hee was troubled a great deale mâ—re when that the damsell deliuered the Letter and said that it came from her Ladie Mistres and being in a great confusion with a pale and wan colour he receiued the Letter opening it he read the whole contents thereof In the meane time that he was reading the same the damsel that brought it diâ— verie much behold him for so she was commanded by her Ladie to see that is by 〈◊〉 outward semblance he made anie signe of sorrow at which time all his whole members shaked by the which the damsell did verie well vnderstand that he was not a little troubled in the concluding and reading of the same for that his eyes were still full of teares with great pittie which hée conceiued by the wordes of that Letter and hée who had great and force courage for to cumbat with the most furious fierce and brauest knightes and gyantes in all the worlde had not now anie heart for to dissemble the greate pâ—ine and sorrowe manifested by that Letter that the faire Princesse Lyndabrides receiued Then after a while that he had studied with himselfe what was best to bee done 〈◊〉 straight wayes tooke paper and inke and â—orthwith wrote her a Letter in answere vnto that which he receiued the which being concluded he gaue it vnto the damsell sayd that in Gods name she might returne againe vnto her mistres although before she departed he demanded many questions of her touching her estate receiuing great pleasure to be certefied of the same as he who sometimes did loue her aboue all things in the world and as yet he could not so perfectlie cléere himselfe from her but there must néeds remain in his heart some sparkes of that amorous fire before past the which could not but many times trouble his conscience and although the roiall Princesse Claridiana in beautie and worthinesse was without comparison yet was that precious Princesse Lyndabrides so faire and gratious that there was no perâ—on in all the whole world but would haue bene in loue with her in especiall that continuall and long conuersation which the knight of the Sunne had with her did worke so much in effect that what with his procurement as also with the great maiestie wherewith shee dyd alwaies defend her honestie and purenesse was not of so small force but was sufficient of it selfe to worke so great effect in him that he could not by anie meanes wholie roote out the great loue the which he receiued in his heart Thus when the Damsell was diparted the knight of the Sunne returned vnto the place whereas the Emperour â—rebatio was for that with the presence of the Princesse Claridiana he might eâ—â—inguish those firie flames which the remembrance of the Princesse dyd cause desire for to kindle within him the which did assure him in all pointes for that in her presence there was not anie one so much to be desired as the royall princesse Claridâ—ana because shée had so great exquisitenesse and bountie that shée séemed amongest all the whole companie of the other Ladies and Damsells as doth the fragrant Rose amongest the other small flowers When that the Damsell was returned into the Campe shée straight wayes went vnto her mistres who taking her by the hand entered into her Closet with great abundance of teares and profound sighes before that she read the Letter the â—â—ire Princesse dyd aske the damsell where and in what place she did finde the knight of the Sunne whether he was with Claridian or whether hée made aâ—ie token 〈◊〉 or alteration when that he knew her and receiued the Letter Likewise when that he read it if his countenanceâ— dyd continue or altered in anie point These and many other perticular things she did aske and demand of her Damsell which were caused by the hot burning loue that did molest her minde Unto all the which her Damsell did make her answere and gaue her aduertisement of all that she had séene in the knight of the Sunne Which was not vnto her small contentment and ioy to heare how that he was troubled in mind with the reâ—ding of her Letter So that such like comforâ—s although they be small remedies vnto â—â—ue louers yet for all that they be great ease vnto amorous passions though in the end it be occasion of farther heate Thus after a while that they had passed the time in the demauâ—ds the â—aire princesse would reade the Letter but she was so troubled to thinke what should come written therein that she almost wanted courage and heart for to open it but yet in the end with â—râ—at alteâ—ation of colour in her face she did open it which sayd as heereafter followeth A Letter of the knight â—f
as remained aliue which was but the third parte of those which came from the gran Tartaria fled and ranne awaie towards the sea coast whereas they embarked themselues so that there remained but certaine kings and nobles such as were knowen and were prisoners vnto the Gréekes At which time the Emperour Trebatio with all his nobles hauing a great good will to celebrate with triumph the great and ioyfull victorie which God had giuen them were greatlie disturbed by the absence of the knight of the Sunne for without him it seemed that they could not reioyce nor take anie ioy or pleasure for which occasion at that instant departed many knights from the Court in the demaund and seeking of him amongest whom Rosideer was one who departed al alone from Constantinople and in such sorte that he was not knowen neither would he carrie anie bodie with him for that hee had great desire for to méete with Bramarant and to conclude with him the battaile before that anie knight be present for to separate or part them and comming vnto the sea side whereas he could not heare anie newes of him he straight waies there embarked himselfe into a ship whereas we wil leaue him and all the rest in Constantinople for to tell you of the knight of the Sunne who being verie desirous for to ouertake the Emperour Alycandâ—o and the Princesse Lyndabrides naâ—â—gating by Sea was lykewise the same night constrained with the torment that tooke the Emperour for to loose his waie But whether it was by the will of God it should so fall out for that the end thereof was verie good or else by the arte of the wise Lyâ—gandeo or else by good fortune that gouerned his shippe in such sorte the worthie knight of the Sunne was throwen by force of the sayde storme and tempest into the porte of the strong Ilande the which béeing perceiued and knowen by the Mariners they would straight wayes haue departed from thence hauing that quiet pâ—rte farre more perillous than to bée at the Sea with that great storme and tempest whose great feare béeing manifest vnto the Knight of the Sunne hee was verie desirous to knowe the occasion thereof and they declared the cause verie much extolling the force and strength of Roboan and of his sonnes as also of the great crueltie that was vsed there with such knights and damsells as they did take And although the knight of the Sun would first haue accomplished his voyage in following of the Emperour Alycandro and haue left that enterprise vntill some other time yet for all that séeing that it woulde lyttle profite for to returne vnto the Sea by reason that the waues were greatlie increased with the force of the storme hée determined with himselfe to go a land and in the meane time till it pleased God to appease the rage of the weather he would put in practise to sée if hée could doe anie thing against those people for to cause them to breake that euill and diuellish custome and as hée was determined within himselfe hée put it in vre but the marriners would not enter into the Port nor boord their ship aland with a good will but he did so threaten them that he made them by force to doe all that he commanded When that hée was a land and had not well mounted vpon his horse which was that which hée wonne from the king of the Gandaros in the battaile there came forth against him ten knightes on horsebacke and as many on foote all armed with their hatchets of armes in their hands and bad him to yéeld to them as prisoner and some of them approched to laie hands on his horse bridle But this good knight answered not one worde vnto these villanous people but hauing his Speare in his hande stroke one of them such a blowe therewith that his strong armour dyd not profite him but hée ouerthrew him backwardes starke dead vnto the ground and as one that as then was not to learne to shedde the bloud of such vnhappie wretches in a short time hée made such slaughter amongest them that there escaped no more aliue but thrée of them who fledde and ranne with all hast possible vnto the Castle which was vppon the little mountaine whereas were the two oldest bretheren Langereon and Andricardo with Roboan their Father for that after that they had carried prisoner vnto the Castell the Emperour Alycandro and his companie vntill that time they had not descended vnto their Towers whereas they were wont to bée continuallie which was the occasion that the knight of the Sunne was not assaulted but by their Knightes and footmen who remayned belowe in the Towers for to kéepe and defend them for that all the rest were gone into the Castell with their riche praie But when the knight of the Sunne sawe himselfe cléere of all those that came forth against him and that there came no more people out of the Towers hee imagined within himselfe that the Gyantes shoulde bée in that highe Castle which hée sawe before him somewhat a farre off which caused him to take the waie thetherwardes and it seemed vnto him to bee one of the most fayrest and strongest that euer before hee had séene and as yet hée was not come vnto the plaine that was before the entrie which was in manner of a Court when that hee sawe come forth of the Castle by a false doore one of the Gyantes all armed with thicke plates of stéele and mounted vppon a mightie great and strong horse with a great cutting hatchet of Steele in his handes who seemed vnto the knight of the Sunne to bée one of the best furnished and well made and proportioned Gyants that euer hee saw in all his lyfe And this was Langereon the eldest and most valyantest of all the foure brethren who béeing aduertised by one of them that ranne awaie of the great slaughter and destruction that that alone knight had made amongst his people he issued out to séeke him for to take reuengement of the same and at such time as the knight of the Sunne came into the plaine ground by the Castell the Gyant approched nigh vnto him and lyfte vp the beauer of his healme But when hée sawe him of so bigge and gallant proportion and considered the newes which his men had declared vnto him hée helde him straight wayes in reputation and thought him to bée a knight of a most singular and valyant courage but making no account of him he said By thy vnaduised ariuall and comming hether Sir Knight I doe vnderstand that thou knowest not who is Lord of this Iland neither the vse and custome that is héere maintained for if thou haddest béene aduertised thereof then wouldest thou not haue come hether to séeke him whom thou hast so much grieued and angered in the slaying of his knightes With as little feare and gallant semblaunce as hée spake the knight of the Sunne aunswered him and sayd Gyant I doe verie well
their hands for to kisse theÌ„ for the great curtesie they offered vnto her and therewith she returned with them towards the Citie againe and sayd Oh that it were Gods will Sir Knightes that my fortune might be this daie so happie and prosperous as it was vnto another damsell in times past who brought vnto this Court a strange knight for to defend an honourable Ladie from the power of the stout Aridon who alonelie dyd not kill him in battaile but afterwards had so much power and force for to defend himselfe from all the power and force of the King 〈◊〉 maintaining battaile a great part of the daie with more than two thousand knightes till such time as night drew on and they all thought it best to leaue him so that he went free awaie and none of them all able to hurt or doe him anie outrage who afterward was tolde vs to bée the knight of the Sunne and sonne vnto the Emperour â—rebatio and of the Empresse Briana daughter vnto my Lord the king Tâ—berio and if it were not for the greate warres as is tolde vs that doth detaine him and also for the great 〈◊〉 that the king hath against him the Dutchesse would haue sent vnto him in commending her whole cause in hope that hée woulde haue had some compassion on her All this time Rosicleer and Lyriamandro did greatlie reioyce to heare tolde the wonderfull acts and déedes of the knight of the Sun for wheresoeuer they went they found all the world full of his great fame Thus in trauailing they talked of these and many other things till at thrée of the clocke in the after noone they entered into the mightie Citie of Viana at such time as the great place was full of people tarrying for to sée the battaile that should bee made betwixt the Prince Lusiano and Duke Roberto Then they put themselues into such a place whereas they were verie secret and commanded the damsell to goe forth at such time as the Duke and his knightes were in the place that then she should come and tell them for that they woulde not bée séene till such time as they were in the field and for that in this next Chapter you shall vnderstand the whole truth of all that which passed I doe conclude this and referre mée to the next Of the great treason that the Duke Roberto ordained for to haue the faire Polisena to bee his wife Chap. 44. NOw the Hystorie faith that all that which the damsell had told vnto Rosicleer and Liriamandro was most certaine true but yet there was another secret vnknownen and knowen vnto none but vnto the Duke and another damsell of the Dutchesse which was this insomuch as the Duke Roberto had lost all his hope for to haue at his wil the faire Dutchesse Polisena he determined within himselfe to vse some other meanes which was the worst that euer was procured or done by anie knight for when hée sawe nothing could preuaile him he then laboured with all diligence for to know which of the damsels that waighted vpon the dutches was y â— basest of linage poorest for y â— these two things in inconstant minds be easiest to accoÌ„plish their lusts and desires And when he had learned out this and found that there was one amongest them that serued the Dutchesse which had these qualities or better to saie inconueniences he did secretlie practise to talk with her the which being done what with requests gifts and faire promises in the end he brought her vnto the bent of his bow and hauing her at his commandement as he would wish vpon a night at such time as the Moone did shine most cléerest hée practised with her that she should apparell her selfe with the same apparell attire of her head that the Dutches her Ladie did weare the daie before being so attired shée shoulde come forth into a gallant fresh garden which was vnder the window of the Dutches whereas many times shée would recreate her selfe with her damsells and could not bee seene of anie by reason that the wals were so high being there she should present her selfe to be the faire Polisena and hee would méete with her in the sayd garden whereas betwixt them they would plight their faith troth of matrimonie how that he would take her into his armes as though she were his spouse and lawfull wife When this and all the rest which the Duke requested was concluded with that damsell he then began to increase the friendship which before he had begun with those thrée knighâ—s Ricardo Carmelio Ambardo who were thrée of the principallest knights of most credit that were in all the Court vnto whom many times before because he would haue their friendshippes more surer he did impart the secret great loue which hée haâ— with the Dutches did not onelie declare vnto them the sharpe answeres which she gaue him but rather sayd that he was verie well beloued of her and how that she had promised him many times to receiue him for her husband although shée dyd delaie the time from one night vnto an other Then after a while when that they were partlie perswaded of the truth the daie before the night that he had conâ—orted with the Damsell to come forth into the garden hée went vnto these three knights and in great secret he sayde vnto them these wordes It is not vnknowen vnto you my Lordes how long time I haue trauailed with sorrow for to conclude this loue that I haue alwayes had with the Dutchesse to no other intent and purpose but to marrie with her and to haue her in that honour as her high estate and great worthinesse doth deserue shée hath driuâ—n mée off from daie to daie dilating the time and hindering mée of that great glorie and contentment the which I hoped long ere this to haue inioyed as you doe verie well knowe but now by the good successe that alwayes I hoped for of this my Matrimonie it hath pleased God that the Dutchesse hath now conserted with mée that this next night that commeth she will come forth into a garden that is on the backe side of her lodging where as she willeth me to méete her and there she wil accomplish all that I haue desired and for that I doe know and haue proued by experience the inconstancie and varietie of womens heartes I am verie desirous that you my Lordes would shew me so much pleasure as to go with me thether and to be in secret there whereas you may heare and sée all that passeth because if it shoulde so fall out by my euill fortune that the Dutchesse of Austria for feare of displeasing the king or Quéene or by anie other occasion that shuld moue her now pretended purpose shall denie and flie from this her promise that then you if occasion did so serue as witnesses of that ye sawe may declare the truth of all that which you haue séene
would say no more till such time as the Emperour Trebatio who had him in reputation of a man of vnderstanding and greatly meruailed at those his words being spoken at that time asked of him wherefore he spake those wordes I doe speake them sayde the king for that the world doth â—se vs as children at sometimes singing at other times wéeping many times a faire and cléere morning is turned into a clowdie and sorowfull euening And there is no pleasure or pastime can be so great but that sorow and heauinesse doth disturbe iâ— we be like vnto the ayer that being so cleare and faire that we cannot almost discerne it from the firmament vpon a sodaine with a little wind that doâ—h arise is troubled and darkenot so likewise when that vnto our iudgements we are most ioyfull and merrieâ— vpon a sodaine not knowing from whence it commeth we finde our selues put in great sadnesse and teares This doth procéede for that all our felicitie and prosperitie we doe build vpon things that of themselues doe perish and decay We are also like vnto trauailer 〈…〉 Seas whose faire and calme wether is vpon the 〈◊〉 who of it selfe is moueable and of small foundation and looke so many times as they be assalted with the winde so many times their pleasure doe abate and their sorrowes double Euen so doe we put all our felieitie in thirgs wherein is no stabilitie but like vnto the loaâ—es that is caried away with euerie winde as it apeareth in high estates and dignities for the higher he is the greater is his fall In riches difficultie in the getting with care in the kéeping and sorow in the losing vnto manie it causeth death and depriueth all of their case The most fairest in a short time doth 〈◊〉 and fade a way like a flower and he that is of most force strength is ouerthrowen with a little Feauer When a friend doth dye or is lost in especiall of children then swéete mingled by-tternesse Honey mixt with gall miserable fortune rarefull pleasures and many times sorowfull successours of follie vnto them that alonely doth recreate themselues with the blossome of the trée we our selues doe it in that we doe reioyce and shew so much pleasure and pastimes vnto little children who are no lesse subiect vnto misfortunes then the delicate flower Of many things that I haue spoken of you haue had experience so likewise verie shortly you shall see the proofe of the rest that lacketh if that Nature or Fortune doth not disturbe or lette it I will saye no more vnto you for that it is not giuen vnto vs to affirme that which we doe deuine but to declare that which the order of Nature doth show vs to 〈◊〉 the inconâ—eniences which might happen â—f that peraduenture we should be deceiued Héerewith the olde king concluded his reasons for that all those Lords that were there present were wise of great vnderstanding they well vnderstood that his words did extend vnto some thing that should happen vnto that faire young child Claramante and could not let but receiue some trouble of minde but yet for that his Father and brethren were or noble and valiant hearts they did not onelie with equall and quiet minde abide that which the starres did permit but also referred all things vnto the determination of the soueraigne creator so that they answered nothing vnto that which the king had said but the wise Artemidoro that had more vnderstanding in the art Magicke than the king answered vnto his wordes and sayd By your word we do vnderstand wise king of Gedrosia that you would declare some things that should happen vnto this faire child Claramante as of truth it is so for that his parents shall sustaine great sorrow and griefe for him but according as his good fortune and destinie doth promise vnto him it shall be for a greater glorie and extolling of the Gréekish Empire and so much more ioyful shal his prosperitie good fortune be than his sorrowfull peruerse fortune which is ordained great reason hath his father to reioyce of such a son for the excellent frâ—it which shall procéed of so worthie a blossome yet there is no peruerse fortune that can be so contrarie vnto him to be compared in equalitie vnto that which happened vnto his brothren in their first age who hauing now passed all their misfortunes with more ioy and pleasure do inioy the time of their prosperitie So shall it bée of this faire Claramante for that his high and strange birth doth not prognosticate anie other thing When the wise Artemidoro had concluded these words it gaue great conteatment vnto them all whereas before the words of the king of Gedrosia did cause in them great sorrowe thinking that some euill hap and misfortune had béene ordained against that most singular and gracious childe Claramante but most especiallie the beautifull and exouisite Princesse Lindabrides who scarcelie dyd shed many teares as one that dyd â—ouâ— him more then her owne parents onely for the loue of that figure that he dyd represent And for that it is now time that the great griefe ouermuch sorrow of this precious Princesse should cease this Historie doth declare what the two wise men Artemidoro and Lirgandeo dyd for to put remedie in the same ¶ How the faire Lindabrides by arte of the two wise men Artimidoro and Lirgandeo was inchanted and the order of her inchantment Chapter 48. NOw saith the Historie the Emperour Alicandro remaining manie dayes in the Court of the Emperour Trebatio was the occasion that the griefe of the faire Princesse Lindabrides dyd euery daye increase more and more one waye for that the presence of the very faire and worthie Princes Claridiana dyd make her suspect that which her knight he of the Sunne had determined within his heart an other way in remembring that in the ende the Emperour her Father would 〈◊〉 into his countrie againe and that forseably she must 〈◊〉 with him all the which she could not suffer with pacience neither immagine that it should be possible for her to departe out of Gâ—ecla 〈◊〉 â— that in thinking hereof her dolour and griefe was such that many times it brought her â—o the point of death And for that all this was not hyd from the two wise men Liâ—gandeo and Arâ—einidoâ—o and vnto the Quéene 〈◊〉 her damsell many times hauing great compassion on this faire Princesse they dyd determine amongst themselues to put some remedie in the same in such sort that she might not liue in so great sorow and griefe Being fully persuaded in their determination and knowing what afterwards would happen and come to 〈…〉 together all those worthie Princes and knights Ladies and damsells in the emperiall pallace the daie being verie faire and the Sunne cléere and bright vpon a sodaine there came ouer the Citie a great cloude that was so blacke and darke that béeing together they could scarcelie sée one