this wound yet must it néeds marueilously offend and displease me that so good people by a false and miscreant Dog should be so outraged Neuerthelesse séeing I can no other way redéeme it I sweare and protest before yée all hereafter to be a cruell and capital enemie to these harbarous and vnbeléeuing helhounds making them dearely to buy before hand the infelicity destinyed to this moane-worthie countrie And euen so it came to passe in that both he and Palmendos in his Kingdome of Thessalie did great and infinite dammages to the Turkes for euer after there was continually open warres betweene those Nations But the Emperour then somewhat mittygating hys choller with a more pleasing countenance and milder tearms thus spake to them about him Wherefore should I offend my selfe wyth such things as we shall neuer behold I pray yée for all this let vs not leaue the fruition of such pleasures as God hath sent vs at this instant for séeing it is hys will that happy successe shall betyde the affayres of my time and they that follow of my posterity likewise I haue no reason to passionate my selfe but rather to repute me the most happy Prince that thys day inhabiteth betweene the two Poles Therfore I pray you quoth hée to the Messenger on my behalfe thank the Lord of the enclosed Isle your Maister for putting mée out of those doubtfull imaginations striuing to vnderstand what these two figures shoulde signifie assuring him withall that he hath no friend in this world who can make more account of his goodwill than I doo nor shall hee finde any iot lesse in me towards him when pleaseth him to make any triall therof so breaking off the Gentleman went a little lower toward Primaleon who likewise was there present thus spake to him Happy fortunate Prince the Lord of the enclosed Isle my master who louer you as himself hath sent yée this good sword and rich shield the two best and most exquisite weapons that at this day are to be found in all the world and them hee thinks méete for so valiaunt a Knight as you will prooue aduertising you that the clouen rock being thus separated as you may beholde héere figured in this shield signifieth the partialitie and little looue betwene you and her who in after time shall make one sole heart of twaine so that on the day of this riciprocation hapning betwéene you this impregnable rock shall then remaine intyre closed againe and without any impeach to testifie your reconciliation Tell your Master from me answered Primaleon as one abashed to heare such spéeches that as it hath pleased him to send me this fayre present which I shal wel carefully hope for his sake so wold I haue him commād me any thing wherin I may do him pleasure when he shall aduertise me as the mā that may command my vttermost whom I highly thank for his curtesis albeit I cannot but remaine in pensiuenes 〈◊〉 I vnderstand more clearly the matters you haue told mée The time will come replyed the yong Gentleman when you shall knowe them sufficiently although at this instant they séeme so hard and obscure to yée and then shall ye recompence the seruice which now yée receiue from my Maister Then commaunded Primaleon that one should fetch a rich present for the Lord of the enclosed Isle in requitall of the excellent Armes he sent him and another in like manner for the Gentleman that brought them which immediatly was perfourmed in euery respect when the youth with great reuerence taking his leaue returned presently towarde the Isle leauing all the Court meruayling at the newes before rehearsed The Emperour and his Barrons long looked on the weapons each one commending the artificiall workemanship of them meruayling what the strange seperation of the rocke should meane being thus foretold that one day it should ioyn together againe which made the Emperour deliuer these wordes before all there present I am perswaded wee shall behold great matters of importance when this halfe deuided Rock shall knit together againe So that as séemes to mee my Sonne speaking to Primaleon for thée are reserued many aduentures which none but thou canst effectually finishe Wherein I pray God to bee thy directer enduing thée with such strength and hardines as thou mayest honorably make an end of them So doe I deuoutlie pray my selfe answered Primaleon els shall I repute all my life verie careleslie bestowed and I vnworthie to come in companie of so great personages if I shuld not resemble in some good part or other the noble Lord that begot me and that I may attaine thereto it is necessarie I should passe through many perillous tranayles knowing that without excéeding endeuour it is impossible to reach such honour as doth for euer make men to be estéemed For this may serue me as a most worthie crample yea and an infallible mirrour of all vertues proceeding from your excellencie so great a president as not onely hath sweetly conquered the loue of your subiects but gayning likewise a priueledge of euerie ones good will hath beside constrayned the enemie and most barbarous Nations to admire and honour yée for al perfections being the cheefest peece of workemanshippe that euer Nature made These gentle and gratious speeches of the Prince Primaleon made the Emperour his Father so pleased as possiblie might be hearing from him such honest commendations yet collourably ayming at a third person as thence forth he reputed him verse magnanimous and remembring Achilles Alexander Themistocles and other such valiant Champions which Greece in former time had brought forth he began to conceiue some hope that one day he should see him go beyond all other of his time Whereupon hee gaue commandement that the weapons sent from the Lorde of the enclosed Isle should be verie charilie layde vp and for this cause if afterwarde in any place Primaleon would not be knowen he named himselfe the knight of the clouen rocke From that time all the whole day there passed no other speeches among them but of the meruaylous knowledge of this great Magitian the Emperour entring into so good opinion of him as he could neuer forget that the Empire of Greece should be sackt by the Turkes which was a continuall griefe to his heart yet would hee not outwardly deliuer any show thereof but with Princely iestures shadowing them still seemed as pleasant as euer be was before Primaleon likewise on the other side was very pensiue desiring also to know her name who already by the very words of the yong Gentleman had inflamed his thoughts with the heauenlie fire of Venus for till this houre hee had no knowledge of amourous passions but now his heart was so liuely touched therewith as there they had taken a perpetual dweling place as yee shall perceiue by the following discourse of the Historie But now he fell to make prouision with the other knights giuing order that all thinges might bee readie against the
triumph day which was appointed for the Nuptialles of his Sister And for the more magnificent gracing thereof the Emperour grently desired to see the king his Father and the Queene his Mother there present which made him send a pest in this behalfe to request them The like did hee to the king of Sparta and Arismena his Aunt whome hee had not seene since their espousalls hee sent for King Frisoll also with the residue of his chiefest friendes that they would honour him with their presence at his Daughters wedding because soone after she was to depart for Fraunce The Horseman which the Emperour sent for Macedon found king Florendos in exceeding pleasure in that hee had married Belcar with Alderina Daughter to the Duke of Pontus and as yet the feast endured where Recinde was enforced to abide at the earnest intreatie of Belcar who promised afterward to accompanie him to Constantinople So that when the Poste arriued there they were prouiding to set forward on the way Now were the king and Quéene not a little ioyfull when they vnderstood that Palmendos was their Nephew Philocrista should marrie with so great a Prince as was the son to the king of Fraunce Hereupon they concluded not to frustrate the Emperours desire which hee had to see them at this solemnitie Then the messenger recounted to them how Arnedes had remayned vnknowen in the Court without any intent to make him selfe knowen untill the Ambassadours of Fraunce arriued there With whome quoth hee there came a knight of Spaine that enquired after Recinde Son to the Castile king because his eldest brother being deceassed the Subiectes of the Realme desire him for their king Recinde hearing these newes beeing vnable longer to endure deliuered forth meruaylous sorrowe for the death of his Brother saying that hee more desired his life than all the Kingdomes in the world Sundrie other mournefull spéeches hee procéeded in when the king and Balcar wundring that two such knights had so long concealed themselues reioysed not a little thinking themselues happie that they had done such honors to Recinde with whome they vsed many reasons and sweet perswasions to comfort and put him from his sorrowfull dumpes The messenger being likewise glad because hee had found the end of the Spanish Knights perigrination thus spake My Lord Recinde cease these teares which serue to no purpose for recouering the thing that is out of all hope of men but rather to hinder the Castillians who desire shortly to see yee as their Lorde and King Soueraigne For which me thinkes ye haue greater occasion to thanke God than thus to torment your selfe against all reason considering that the Scepter of Castile is one of the most rich and honourable in all Europe And if yee meane shortly to see the Prince Arnedes in Constantinople who is not a little pensiue for your cause of heauines yee will procure great ioy both in him and the whole Court of the Emperour because each one doth wish your presence there especially vpon so good occasion as is now offered When Recinde heard the Gentleman vse such spéeches he began to remember himselfe that nowe hee was to deliuer some Heroicall spectacle for better attayning his Lady Melicia whome by the sad and certaine newes of his Brothers death he thought the sooner to recouer as his owne Wherefore he determined to make one in this Tourney and as hee resolued on this honourable purpose many secret discourses combatted with his spirite which he generally imparting to Belcar receiued this answere from him My Lord and Brother although I durst not enterprise to goe so soone to Constantinople yet would I gladly beare you companie as well to grateste yée herein as any thing els I am able to deuise because you are the man to whom I would haue my nearest thoughtes knowen throughout my whole life with this assurance beside that yée shall not find any man lesse sparing of him selfe in such matters as may be déemed agreable to yée Seigneur Belcar answered Recinde I may well say that if Fortune heretofore hath slenderly fauored mee entertayning me often with verie rigorous tearmes yet might it bée interpreted but as a presage of vnspeakeable content in future prosperitie for the ioy I take in being of so good account with you surmounteth all the mishaps that haue befallen mee So knitting vp these courteous entercourses they purposed to take order for their voyage each one according to his owne best contriuing desiring the King not to make ouer much haste because they minded to trauaile together For Belcar Recinde and Tirendos required to go thither before meaning to perfourme some matter at honour and worthie commendation in the sight of the Emperour who had neuer seene anye deedes of Belcar and Tirendos whereto King Florendos agréed verie willingly who notwithstanding hee was aboue thréescore yéeres old yet was hee neuerthelesse of strong nature able to endure the paine of trauaile Nowe when hee had appointed euerie thing in equipage with a goodly companie he set on towarde Constantinople whither the Duke of Pontus could not come so soone as hee for certaine businesse of importaunce that had befallen him to the great griefe of the Princesse Alderina that shee should so long be absent from her deare spouse Belcar So leaue we them voyaging as time fauoured to speake of such things as happened in the Emperours Court in meane while CHAP. III. How Ozalio intreated Palmendos to accomplish the promise he made him and he vnwilling to deny him any thing gaue him Marencida to wise as also the Kingdome of Tharsus And howe they both embarqued themselues with a gallant companie of Knights to goe thither And what hapned the Queene Mother to Palmendos at their arriuall WHile the Horsemen and messengers were thus busied about their charge the Emperour commaunded preparation for the great triumph feasting his Sonne Palmendos and the French Lords entertayning them with all pastimes his hart could deuise so that the whole Court exercised themselues in nothing els than in such things as might yéeld greatest pleasure to this honorable assemblie Among them all that were thus contented Ozalio had little minde of pleasaunce séeing his Cosen altered from the Law of Mahomet wherefore he intreated him according to his promise that he would giue him the Princesse Marencida to wife with leaue to returne againe to Tharsus which motion highly pleased Palmendos knowing that by these meanes the Queene his Mother should heare certaine tydinges of him Marencida on the other side was in no lesse paine than Ozalio and albeit the Princesse Philocrista euermore comforted her with such honorable meanes as became her calling yet could she not fasten vpon any thought of pleasure but continuing daylie solitarie like solitude it selfe would not come forth of her Chamber but there all the day streamed foorth fountaines of teares complayning without ceasing of her aduersitie Of one thing she might iustly make vaunt that her eyes were
become sources dishlling foorth water more cleare than Christall and if she tooke any finall pleasure or recreation it was only with Ozalio who euerie hower fayled not to visite her At length Palmendos went one day to conferre with her concerning the former determination of ioyning her in matriage with Ozalio but so soone as he entred the Chamber shee began to renewher wonted griefes and passions saying Alas Sir Knight wherfore come yée to renue my sorrowe so extreame and insupportable as death it selfe is readie to seaze on me in this place I intreat yée séeing the destinies haue fatallie appointed me to this endlesse torment that yée woulde not vrge it the more by the meanes of your presence Madame answered Palmendos if heretofore I haue procured yee any iniurie or griefe of minde I hope at this instant to make a final end thereof by the meanes of an inestimable gift which I meane to bestow vpon yée giuing yée the Knight to your husband who estéemes and loues yée aboue al thinges in the world Nor could the King Ocurites compare with him for valour and vertue the heauens bearing witnes of his prowesse and dexteritie in Armes as I know no Gentleman of the Turkish Nation séeing him once manage déedes of Chiualrie that dare méete him in Tourney or field-battaile without repenting it dearely afterward Neyther could King Ocurites equall him in riches and possessionâ— enuoying the kingdome of Tharsus which hereafter shall be his a state more wealthie than the Prouince of Culaquin For this cause Madame appease the violence of your passions consider that your comming into this Countrie will bring ye great honour and felicitie if yee please to accept as your lawfull husband the Prince Ozalio my Cosen whose affectionate dilligence yée behold in your seruice But should yée be so vnmercifull as to refuse him yée may easly hill both life soule together a matter too irregular and differing from Ladies reputation in that by nature they are rather benigne pittiful than bloodie and cruell though verie often ouer firme in peruerse obstinacie Lord Palmendos quoth Marencida how is it possible to condiscend vnto the matter you propound mee but by forces well may you guesse by the small delight I take in béeing in this Countrie I will neuer doe this with my good will asâ—â—â—t Sergnent Ozalio seemeth vnto me such a one as I could not better bestow my loue vpon any who meriteth more sauour at my hand than he doth but alas my fortune hath reduced me into so pittifull tearmes that I cannot accommodate my selfe to any thing which delighteth my spirits Notwithstanding if so it bee that against the good will of your handmaide and captiue you haue determined to effect this businesse I pray you before I espouse the Prince Ozalio your Ecseâ— that I may see the king Ocurites my â—â—st husband to the end I may aduertise him of my disaster 〈◊〉 of that which I am now forced to doe being not able by my reasons any way to resist Thereunto do I accord most willingly answered Palmendos and addressing his speech to Philocrista thus hee procéeded Madame I humble beseech you after dinner to take her with you into the Emperours great chamber to gratifie her in that which she hath presently requested So sell it out after the Infant had constraynedly made her to 〈◊〉 on her richest habillunenis in which it was a godlye sight to behold her for she was both faire and of the best grace Being come into the presence where the Emperor was conferring with the king of Theslalie with manie other Princes and great Saigneurs Palmendos commanded by and by to send for the king of Culaquin who seene after was brought thither looking so leane chaunged and meager of countenance that Marencida did not know him and had not Palmendos shewed him to her she could not will haue guest it to be he Then she rising vp from a chaire where shee sate went to embrace him the teares standing in her eyes when she cried out Alas king Ocurites which of the Planneds haue wee prouoked that doth submit vs both to this sinister fortune and inexplicable mischaunce euen by the meanes of one onely knight the same who vanquished and tooke you prisoner in the Leuant-seats hath brought me away by force out of my Countrey from my Father and friendes into this place where not contented to held me as his slaue but will moreouer in my despite giue me to another husband And that which I haue receiued of him as great sauour is this that he hath onely permitted me to let you vnderstand hereof to the end I hauing once tolde you you may not blame mee hereafter knowing not for my part howe to remedie it otherwise Ah I wish the fatal Goddesses would quickly shread a two the thrid of my life before I consent by my will to any such occasion Ah! If it might so will befall me I should repute my selfe happie as receiuing the onely contentment which I desire is to saue mee from contaminating the excéeding loue I bare you But infortunate and miserable woman that I am séeing death sheweth himselfe herein inexorable I must spend in extreame sorrow the rest of my dayes Alas poore King Ocurites who was wont to be so much esteemed off among the Princes and Kings of Turkye whose prowesse and haughtie courage did farre surpasse all the brauest and hardiest Knights of Asia where are now become thy riches and great estates who hath dimmed the so signall and samous renowne of thy Heroicall gestes captiuing both thée and thy loyall spouse How did fortune vngently abandon thée in this manner O it was ambition and desire of winning he nor which hath put this slauish chaine about thy necke placing thée among Gallie-slaues where it shalbe vest for thee to die immediatly séeing the Emperour is our mortall and capitall enemie O diuine prouidenes how hast thou permittet fortune to rebell thus and to execute against vs so enorme and woful a mischiefe's Assuredly I can well vaunt that the celestiall bodies haue more fauored vs than thou hast béene friendlie and gentle towards vs. She vttered manie other lamentable discourses still detesting her accursed life When the King Ocurites who had giuen attentiue eare to her knowing that she was Marencida felt him selfe so confounded and out of his wits that he could not pronounce aboue fiue or sixe such like wordes Alas Mahomet did it not suffise thée to haue so austerely afflicted me but thou must reduce into so pittifull and base extreamity the soule which did not merrite the least of all these sorrowes which doth so much the more agrauate my torment Ah the most outraged King that euer was borne of his mother sée alloweth downe patiently the potion mixtured with bitternes which thou haste prepared for him Speaking these wordes hee fell his height to the ground and Marencida fell downe heard by him where they vsed such strange gestures that
shall you neuer vnderstand by my meanes quoth the Spaniard hereof can I well aduertise you that happen to mee what may I will not couch my Launce against you You will tell mee then a reason quoth Arnedes or you shall presently die of my hand Such inhumanitie shall I neuer sée in you replyed Recindes albeit I had no will to desend my selfe By the liuing God said Arnedes hastily you wil constraine me to bée discourteous indéede and therefore at your owne perill be it I can no longer forbeare quoth the Emperour then who heard this controuersie but I must néedes knowe who are these two Knightes nowe in fielde for me thinkes I see none other than the true representation of Belcar and Recindes When he had thus saide he descended with manie Nobles after him and finding the two Combattants yet in dispute the one séeking to knowe why his aduersarie woulde not encounter him the other excusing himselfe that hee might not tell the cause willed Arnedes to goe aside And taking Recindes Horse by the Bridle hee prayed him of all loue that hee woulde satisfie the great desire hee had to knowe him My Lord quoth he I cannot doe it without insâ—â—â—ging my faith therefore I pray you vrge mee not to be perâ—urde Assure you replyed the Emperour you shall neuer sée me depart from hence before I knowe and looke you in the face so that by excuses you may not preuaile Therefore I pray you put off your helmet and thinke in so doing you shall not breake your faith and promise For Gods sâ—ke replied Recindes do not offer to force me in your countries This force will I offer you answered the Emperour for that in my mind it stayneth neither your honor nor mine The Knight in a perplerity not knowing what to say further seeing it was a matter of constraint held his peace and not a word Then Belcar who had verse well heard all the whole circumstance seeing hee coulde no longer conceale himselfe threwe incontinent his helmet to the ground and went to fall on his knees before the Emperour in kissing whose handes her saide My Lord pardon vs if it please you if wee haue not béene so prompt to obey you as your greatnes requires for wee determined at our departure out of Macedon to come vnknowne into this place to exployte before your eyes some honourable attempt wherein you might take some delight pleasure Notwithstanding seeing wee are frustrate of one intention hauing perfourmed nothing worthie to giue you contentment it is the verie reason why wee dissembled our selues vnto your Maiestie of whom both the one and the other of vs two reputeth himselfe a most happie man to haue receaued so great honour Ah my deare friends quoth the Emperour then you be exceeding welcome into my Court wherein I may well assure my selfe cannot be founde two Knighte in whom can be found so much anâ—â—rosity as in you onely but tell mee I pray you whether the King my most honourable Father will come speedily vnto this Cittie My Lord answered Belcar I am sure it wil not be a wéeke before he arriue here For he was readie to depart when I entreated him to let vs goe before to bring you newes thereof The Emperour maruellous ioy full of this aunswere turning himselfe with a laughing countenance towardes the King of Hungarie saying to him Brother receaue to you Belcar your Sonne whose vertues and good manners make him so amiable that euery braue man of good iudgment wold be to him in steede of a Father in this behalfe As the Dominators of Greece spake these words Belcar falling vppon his knees kissed honourably his Father King Frisols hand who embraced him with great loue the trickling teares standing in his eyes and at length the French Prince seeing his Cosen Recindes in face ranne vnto him with open Armes to giue him the accolladâ—e and could not almost speake for extreame gladnes which seazed his heart in recognising him Which the Spaniard perceauing alighted quickly from his Horse to embrace him and after they had shewed manie familiar louing cherrishings one to another he went to doe his dutie to the Emperour who receaued him most ioyfullie as did likewise all the â—eigneurs and Barrons of the Court whereof the greatest part esteemed themselues verie happie if they might come next to offer them the gentle welcome and if all the beholders were very glad of this sodaine and inexpected ioy whereof euerie one had a good share that of Pinedes was so abundant that it could not be expressed hauing seene him perfourme the valiant and famous acts which you haue to fore vnderstood Then tooke the Emperour Recindes by the hande and the King of Hungarie his Sonne Belcar whome they lead straite to the Pallace where beeing disarmed they went honourably to kisse the Empresse hand who entertayned them with most kinde spéeches During which Melissa who heard them by the only instinct of the vnspeakeable ioy which she felt in minde reuested in the superficies of her face such a naturall beautie that it was an admirable thing to behold Full well did the two knights marke it when they came to doe reuerence to Philocrista Francheline and to her who represented the third Goddesse So that thinking her selfe thrice happie to haue bin knowne worthie the presents of two worthy and excellent Princes embraced many times her brother Belcar amiably Neuerthelesse with more than a singuler affection and without any meane as it falleth out manie times to those who are striken with the same Dart that shee was shee entertained Recindes her loyall and perfect louer And beleeued firmely by that which her Brother sent her when the youngman brought her the first coate of Armes that shee knewe indéede the whole discourse of their secretes wherein she found great consolation shewing oftentimes to her louer by many signes gratious aspects and other duâ—â—â— Embassages of loue what was her intention which Recindes did the like for his part toward her In this meane time Belcar was busie in beholding the extreame beautie of Franchâ—line whereof he was greatly astonished not without thinking Palmendos a most happie man to haue won so much honour in winning her for his wife And albeit hee was well contented with Alderine the onely Lady of his heart yet hee could haue wished to haue had this for his Mistresse which passion could not be so well dissemble but in embracing Palmendos hee must néedes tell him in smiling manner Truely Sir it was for my great good I was not present at the bridge of Carderie when you arriued there for obtayning nowe so caste victorie of me what would you haue done when your heart was so much pricked forwarde to purchase so rich a treasure as Francheline is No marueile then if you haue shewed that prowesse vpon me which euerie man hath manifestly knowen in you seeing before your eyes a beautie sufficient to make able the most coward and faint harted knight that
I will craue none aduenture at thy handes After these words he alighted from his horse and séeing his enemie disarmed hee would not drawe his sworde but closed with him which Prince Edward did in like manner and so they tugd a good while together In the end fortune woulde so much sauour the Prince that he laide his enemie a long setting his knée vppon his breast he cut a two the stringes of his Helmet thinking presently to cut off his head but as he was about to do it he pecceaued it was a verie faire woman so that maruelling much at this mummery he rose vp incontinent being in great admiration Faire Lorde then ganne the Damsell admire not to sée now a woman in Armes séeing that there haue bin and as yet are some which are couragious and warlike and take it not in disdaine that you haue sought against one of them for Acâ—illes estéemed that one of his most signall victories which he obtained against Penthasilia the Nunne of Amazonians and the valiant Mithridâ—tes King of Pontus neuer craued better aide than that of Hipsicratea his wedded wife the which béeing in mans attire after the Persian manner did enter into all dangers vnto which her husband did aduenture himselfe during the war which hee had against Pompeius So much I say because I sée you make a wonder at this strange noueltie Neuerthelesse if you will graunt me but one beene I will conduct you into a place where you shall sée things far more admirable than these Uerie willing will I accord thee whatsoeuer it shall please thee to demaund at my hands answered the Knight vnto hir for the great desires sake which I haue to follow straunge aduentures Mount then replied the Damsell vpon my Horse and come presently away with me But Prince Edward would first goe fetch his Armes and make his people priuie to his departure to the end they should not trouble themselues to seeke after him then the Ladie told him that to compasse their attempt it was expedient for them to set forward of their iournie forthwith So then he mounted vppon a Courser and she vpon a palâ—râ—e which attended not farre from thence Fiue dayes iourney they made and met nothing which might hinder them in their way and vppon a Saterday morning they arriued at a faire Cloyster of women built vpon the top of a high Mountaine in a verie solitarie place There did the Damsell cause this Knight to alight whome shee lead afterwarde into a faire Chamber whether the Abbesse and all her Nunnes came to entertaine him when his guide began to vtter these spéeches vnto him Faire Knight knowe that in this Monasterie there is a most strange and maruellous aduenture which as they saye cannot be ended but by one of the best Knightes of this age for that you are reputed one of those whom the celestiall plannets haue adorned with so manie excellent graces in preheminence of Chiualrie we haue hope that you will bring it to a finall end Now within the precinct of this Religious house is enclosed a verie faire Orchard planted with diuers sortes of fruit trées which in their seasons doe bring forth their fruites in abundance and within the whole compasse of our Conuent is there none more delightfull place than that except on the north side from whence out of a fearefull caue euerie Saterday about Euensong there cometh forth a most hideous and ill fauoured old woman bearing a rich Faulchâ—on in her hande where with she striketh flatting when she méeteth by chaunce with any Religious Nunne so furiouslie that shee sendeth her quicklie to the ground in such sorte that the poore wretch can not rise againe nor a long time after get out of this traunce so much doth she féele her selfe astonished with the blowes this â—lend of hell giueth her Which done she returneth within her den lamenting in most strange maner And I tell you faire Knight that a great number of valiant Knightes haue come hether thinking to follow her and to see the place of her residence towards which none can apprethe nearer than ten paces but he is immediatly repulsed verie rudely so that we haue no hope euer to see an end of this aduenture vnlesse you accomplish it now For this effect haue I brought you hether hearing by report in diuers places that your prowesse valour doth exceede farre that of the most hardiest Knights of all the West Madame replied Prince Edward then it falleth out some times that many Knights which are esteemed hardie and valiant Champions shewe in the end the contrarie of this vulgure opinion And vppon me first of all may such an example bee shewed Notwithstanding séeing I finde my selfe brought vnto this place I will not let to proue what I can do in the aduenture whereof I haue heard so great speech Towardes the which feeling not my selfe endued with the force addresse which is expedient for him to haue who shall finishe it I should not presume to bee so hardie as to march my selfe so that béeing not able now to bring it about I will only leaue as others haue done the honour thereof to whome God hath reserued it CHAP. XIX How Prince Edward entred the Caue where hee vanquished a Knight who would haue kept him out of the gate of the Pallace which was there within And howe passing further in hee founde two Gentlemen within a Marble Sepulcher whome he deliuered out of strange paine and the sequele THe houre of Euening praier approching Prince Edward Armed himselfe carefully with a Harnesse that some Knight who had béene there to proue himselfe in the aduenture of the Caue had left behinde him in the Abbye then beeing brought into the Orchard by the Damosell and by one of the Nunnes hee put himselfe néere the mouth of this hole where hee stayed not long before the old trot came foorth and quickly popt in againe seeing the English Prince before her eyes who was not slow to follow her in when she casting her armes about his necke by no force or strength soeuer that he could employ hee could neuer stay her nor once loose her from him but stil the further he went in so much more did his labour paine increase and torment him for that finding the farther he was in the way more darke and obscure it seemed vnto him that some bodie stroke him on euery side pushing him backewards to make him recoyle But hee who was magnanimous enduring this paine thumping and thrusting without euer letting goe the old trot came at the last into a great Pallace very sumptuously wrought and set forth Then the old woman crying for ayde there came a Knight vppon him verye richlie Armed bearing a shield vppon his arme whereon were painted two Damsels wherof the one which appeared very beautifull held betwéene her handes a hart wounded which the other that had a vaile vppon her face made semblant to take away from her by force Helpe me
vnto them the whole discourse of their History after that they had all supped most daintely The morrow morning Prince Edward rose at the point of day-breake and departed alone with the Damosell leauing the two brethren among the Nunnes in the Conuent where the Abbesse made them good cheare for his sake and kept very carefully the sword which he gaue her whereuppon it fortuned afterward that he being King he augmented much the reuenues of this Nunnerie remembring the promise which hee had made to the Abbesse and to all the religious Nunnes her sisters CHAP. XX. How Prince Edward was brought by the Damosell into the house of the Duke of Borsa where her sister thought to enchaunt him to make him marry a Niece of hers beeing Daughter to the Duke who was inamoured of him onely by the great fame which was bruted of his valour and what ensued there upon THis Damsell who guided the English Prince wayted in the house of the Duke of Borsa Nephewe to her for whom her father enchaunted the two brethren within the Sepulcher the which was afterward married with the Earle of Brabant vnto whom he had promised her as ye haue read before But this Duke had onely one sonne and one Daughter which was his eldest excelling farre in beauty all others of that country for which cause hir father loued her a great deals the dearer so that more carefully to haue her nuctured in all feminine ciuility hee caused her to bee brought vp in the house of a sister of his being a widdow a most prudent Lady beeing well aduized and verye well seene in the Arte of Magicke and secret Philosophie a Profession very peculiar to the most part of their familie This Dukes Daughter called Rene hearing the famous report of the generous valour of Prince Coward so publikely talked of in the mouth of all men tell so farre in loue with him without euer séeing him that she became wonderfull pensiue and melancholly and by reason of the continuall teares and complaints which without ceasing shée powred out to the winde when she could secretly retire her selfe into her Chamber apart to ease the passion of her minde a little shee so defaced her beauty in fewe dayes that the Duke her father was aware thereof Whereupon seeing her sometimes to fetch déepe sighes déerely requested his sister for he loued his Daughter entirely to sound by some subtle meanes from whence this her melancholly sadnes might proceede Whereunto the good Lady made reply how she had not as yet perceiued any such matter notwithstanding shée woulde worke so wisely that shée woulde learne the truth And from thence going strait to her Néeces Chamber shée found her continuing her daily complaints So that sitting downe by her she began to pray and to coniure her that shee would no longer conceale from her the cause of her griefe then the young Damsell with a bashfull and blushing countenance answered to her with these words Madame I knowe not what to answere you in this case but that I am the most wicked and most disastred Damosell that was euer borne vnder the celestiall Spheares séeing that I haue imprinted in my heart a thing which redoundeth more to my totall ruine than to the least lote of any contentment whose â—sâ—ue shall be my spéedy death which shall bring an ende to my detestable and too too languishing life Then shée proceeded to tell how she loued with a most vehement and excessiue flame Prince Edward of England who would be the onely cause that shee shoulde speedily sée her selfe dissolued to dust and ashes forasmuch it séemed altogether impossible euer to haue any fruition of her desire because the Prince and she were not of equall estates The Aunt who sawe her in such a pittifull taking would not prolong her furthee torment but presently began thus vnto her Deere Neere I pray you gouern your selfe with some constancie of minde in this passion and in the meane time blotte out of your minde this impossibilitie which you alledge for the principal point of your anguish for I promise you so to imploye my Art that the Knight who will loue ere long more than anie liuing creature shall arriue in this place to espouse you So great and vnspeakable was the ioy of Rene that taking her Aunt about the necke shee embraced and kissed her manie times saying O my swéete Aunt if you procure me now this blisse and felicitie inferiour to none in this world you may well vaunt and say you haue deliuered a sorrowfull and desolate Niece of yours out of the most inâ—â—icate Laborinth which euer was deuised in this earth yea if it were that which Dedalus inuented so artificially in Crete to include the infatiable Minâ—taure My louing Niece take you no care replied the Lady but haue a little patience that all things may be done in these due time With that shee departed from the Chamber to conferre this busines with the Duke her brother with out whose priuy consent she would in no wise begin to set this worke abroach and discoursing to him at large the whole matter told him what hope shee had to carrie this businesse to circumspectly that ere long Prince Edward shuld wed his danghter so that after their conclusion she went to turne ouer hir bookes of Negromancie where she found that the Knight was sure in loue already of Gridonia Notwithstanding hoping to crosse and reuoke his affection by her Magicke shée dispatcht away immediatly the Damosell of whome you haue vnderstood before to bring him vnto Borsa True it is shée commanded her not to leade him vnto the aduenture of the Cloyster but thether she conducted him her selfe because of a sister of hers who was a Nunne in that place from whence departing together as ye haue read before in the former Chapter in two dayes he arriued at the Citty of Borsa But before the Knight did enter into the Citty the Damosell prayed him to stay for her a while in a Hermitage neere the Suburbes till shée returned from dooing a message to her Mistrisse who was very willing so to doo And abiding with the Hermit shée went to the Infant Rene who right glad of his â—â—rsual trickt vp her selfe most richly to entertaine her Louer sending backe with spéede the messenger to conduct him secretely into her Chamber Shée being quickly arriued at the Hermitage sayth thus to the Knight Syr you must leaue your horse here and come on foote with mée who will bring you into a place whether you shall finde your selfe a glad man to bée arriued I pray God quoth the Prince then that I be not deceiued nor circumâ—uented by you in any thing Alas That God whom you haue innocated forbid that I should euer seeke to entrap my Liege and soueraigne in any Ambush I pray you onely come with mee assuredly and without any feare of ill encounter vpon condition if it shuld fall out otherwise by my meane I will bee reputed the most
woulde come thither ere it were long to marrie her In the meane time her Aunt went to speake with the Duke her Brother with whome after shée had giuen him to vnderstand that â—ot knowledge was not to 〈◊〉 to work Prince Edward to this passe she aduised him to go accompanied with twenty Knights Armed into his Daughters chamber Where sayning himselfe ignoraunt of the matter and shewing himselfe fore displeased against them hath hée should â—eaze vppon his body and put him in prison and so they might worke their matters as they lifted The Duke than putting in prâ—â—tize this stratageâ—â—e came with twenty men all in Armes who the chamber dore wherin he 〈◊〉 entred all alone 〈…〉 â—ignes of adâ—â—cation began thus to say Alas my God what a bayâ—â—â—â— case â—â— Isle Am I awake or doâ— I meaning beholde this 〈◊〉 Ah! I should haue thought to haue had a vertuous 〈◊〉 and chast â—â—â—den to my Daughter more 〈…〉 than any other in these Northen Regions and 〈…〉 I trustrated of mine opinion for I sée before mine owne eyes she is more vitious and corrupt than euer was 〈◊〉 as Messalina Truely I may well vaunt my selfe to make thâ—â— both dye in prison by the most 〈◊〉 torment that may bee 〈◊〉 séeing they haue shamefully dishonoured 〈…〉 all my posterity Enter then and come in my Knights to â—â— handâ— vppon this murthering Palliaâ—d to the ende I may know who be is and who hath counselled him to enter to râ—shly into my house for all those who are culâ—able and in any 〈◊〉 consâ—crate in this misdéede I shall make them pay deareâ—â—â— for it by a most 〈…〉 shamefullend of their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that hee â—ept out of the Chamber doore to â—et â—â— his 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 come in did nothing animâ—â—â— nor terrifâ—e the English Prince who setting band to his sword and with an inuincible 〈◊〉 putting his shield on his arme 〈◊〉 them thus Come now hardly who 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 and I shall shew him 〈…〉 from all 〈◊〉 this 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 gathâ—ring 〈…〉 〈…〉 â—et for all thâ—t 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 about him so 〈◊〉 thâ—t he 〈…〉 them all 〈◊〉 not the 〈◊〉 after gone to worke with her magicke spels as you shall heare Shée forsooth darkened all the light of the Chamber making a sulphurous and obscure ayre 〈…〉 darke than hell itselfe in stéed therof then deliuering forth the Knights with the Infant◠〈◊〉 who would willingly haue bin in his place who was dead she shut Prince Edward fast within the Chamber vntill the morrow morning when she saw seuen of the Dukes Squiers lying along on the ground one staine outright and other 〈◊〉 sore wounded Now could not the Duke tell what it were best to doo with him because if he should deliuer him it séemed to him but to hasten too shamefull a death for himselfe and if hee should kéepe him any longer in his house it should but encourage him to forethinke all meanes to put him to more cruell torment so that he passed the night in this conflict vntil the morrow morning when an auntient Knight reprehending him sharpely because he suffered himselfe to be gouerned by women counselled him to cause Prince Edward to bee secretly conuayed out of his house by the same Damosell which giuded him thither The Duke who liked well of this aduise caused the Damosell who had béene the messenger to come before him vnto whom after he had shewed some signes of great heauines his made this spéech It grieueth me much that my sisters pretence hath not sorted to so good effect as she expected and for so much as you are the cause hauing conducted the Knight into the aduenture of the Cloyster where hee hath conquered such a it well which safe-gardeth him from all her enchauntments néeds must you your selfe get him by subtle meanes from hence saying you onely haue meanes so saue his life and for you should thinke your selfe greatly culpable of his death if it should chaunce to happen vpon the assurance which you gaue him bringing him into my house you will willingly set him frée from hence into the fields if hee will promise you neuer to séeke any reuenge of the Duke nor of any of his family Hereunto willingly condescended the Damosell when departing from the Duke troubling like an Daken lease shee came to the Chamber where Prince Edward was who studied already how he might breake open the doore to sackage them who would come against him Shée prostrating her selfe before him with the teares in her eyes beginneth thus the â—enour of her words Fayre Prince great is the occasion which I haue nowe to complaine of fortune for I hauing brought yâ—u into this house vnder a protext of the extreame loue which my Mistris beareth you they haâ—e deuised a spéedy and most shamefull death for vs all thrée for you especially whome the Duke hath surprised with his Daughter whom albeit he should pardon the vainousnes of the case which hee supposeth falsely to haue béene aâ—â—â—â—knowing you should 〈…〉 will 〈◊〉 ther owne bosome with some sword or 〈…〉 some nowe kinde of death as did â—ortia the Daughter of Cato where shée heard of the death of her husband Brutus As forme you may well thinke my Lord the Duke 〈◊〉 of the sourâ—â— of this occurrence as he beginneth already to doo most tractly finding out at last my priuy practiâ—es which I protest before God I neuer went about to carry to any euill end I shall be most sharpely punished of vs all thrée Neuertheles yet iâ— I dye will I not surcease as being the person of this Trinity which know I haue best deserued as wel I know I must die for it to employ my self in some subtle inuentions to make vs escape this imminent perrill so that ye will aâ—â—are mee neuer to séeke any reuenge for the offence which hath béene offered you in this place Wherefore I beséch you fayre Lord most humbly to graunt me generall remission to the ende that declaring it to the Duke at the article of my death hee may bée moued to compassion to pardon me also himselfe and this is the meanes whereby wee may peraduenture saue our liues from the mortall punishment which they prepare for vs euery day So well knew the Damsell to colour her spéeches that she wone the mercy of the Prince who answered her thus Fayre maiden for the loue of Rene who surely meriteth much more at my handes I haue willingly pardoned this iniurie to the Duke and to all his familie albeit it is one the most vilest touch and outrage which might bee offered to any Knight And albeit the death which they determine to make vs die be horrible and cruell yet I shoulde take mine in very good part if I might execute vpon those vaâ—less who woulde lay hands on me such a massacre as they deserue Neuerthelesse séeing the occasion presents it selfe to auoyd this scandall I am content to followe it so that no greater dammage may
ensue Ah my Lord replied the Damsell I giue you leaue to shew your surie on me the very first of all if euer I bring you into any further perrill with that shee kist his hande and letting him forth by the same doore hee came in at shee conducted him to the Hermitage where taking leaue one of another the Knight tooke his way toward the Cloister being most ioyfull of the vertue of his sword which he had purchased there but very sorrowfull and pensiue for the wordes which the Dukes sister told him which hee also saw so haue some relation to the Presage of the figures painted vpon his shield Afterwardes beeing arriued at the Abbey after the entertaimnents and welcommings accustomed taking the two Knights whom he had deliuered along with him in company he returned strait vnto the Court of the King his father who for that hee could heare no newes of him was in great heauines and melancholly the which at his arriuall was all changed into extreame ioy and gladnes when embracing him hâ—â— thus began to welcome him My deare sonne I cannot sufficiently woonder how ye departed without making me any thing at all priuy to your intent My Lord and father answered the young Prince I beséech you to pardon me for so much as I was forced sore against my will so to doo and then hee recounted vnto him the brauadâ— of the Damsell in the woode who carried him afterwards to prooue his valour in the aduenture of the Numâ—ey where hee deliuered also these two with the whole discourse of their History Whereat all those who heard him wondred greatly and espeacially the King his father who beeing filled with an vnspeakeable ioy welcommed them in the best manner vnto his Court and with kinde spéeches embraced them whereby they thanking him in most humble manner bowed themselues verie low to kisse his hand so that after this Royall entertainment they had great honor done them by al those of the Court who could not be satisfied with beholding them but did extoll vnto the heauens the inuincible valour of their deliuerer The Duke of North-Wales the verse same who was at that time Successor to their Father came to visite them as his néerest kinsmen with many other Knights and Lordes of his blood whereof they were wonderfull ioyfull especially to see themselues in the place where they were brought vp in theyr tender age and yet not knowing any one body of all those whome they beheld there And after they had made some abode in this Court for the loue of the King and of Prince Edward his Sonne so soone as he departed they went their waies also to yeeld themselues religious men within the Monastery of the Caue where they vowed the small residue of their liues vnto the seruice of God The King and all the great Lordes of his Court beheld with much admiration the rich sworde and all the rest of the Princes Armes estéeming the knowledge of the auncient Duke of Borsa to be most wonderfull who had â—â—â—ented so cunning matters in his house where to returne to the Infant Rene after shee saw her hope desperate shee besought her Father to make her a Nunne in the Monastery which had béene cause of her disafter protesting neuer to loue any other Knight but he Whereunto her Father easily condescended because this Ahbie was within the Country vnder his obedience and long since founded by his auncestors In this place the Damsell liuing at her great case felt cuerie day more and more some accesse of the languishing passion which shée indured for her deare and perpetuall friend Prince Edward who after hee was Crowned King of England knowing of the austere life she lead after his refusall came to see her as farre as the Connent was from him where hee bestowed great riches on it for the loue of her and of the Abbesse who by meanes of his sword which he left there remembred his promise The English Prince then being greatly estéemed of his father and of all the Lordes and Barrons of his Realme hée made small account of that reputation for that his spirit was rather occupied to séeke out the meanes how hée might secretly depart to goe followe straunge aduentures by the which hee might finde out her whom hee loued more entirely than himselfe In the meane time hee tooke his chiefest delight to visite many times her image and representation vnto the which hée discoursed and recounted the extreame affection be bare her as if he had beene in presence of the liuing creature and by this meane tooke he some comfort when vppon a day fortune presented before his eyes a fit opportunity to depart and to goe into any part of the world whether so euer he desired which was in this manner When he was walking vpon the bankes of the Thames mere London be spied a vessell laden with merchandize ariue which a rich Merchant of Hungarie accompanied with diuers others had laden together to sell and to traâ—sique by whom vnderstanding whence the ship was for he knew long before howe the Duchy of Ormeda bordered vpon the kingdome of Hungarie aduised himselfe that hee might secretely depart with this ship when it should bee ready to set sayle towards the North. By this occasion beeing returned into his Chamber purposing to get his equipage in a readines calleth aside a Page of his who was very faithfull named Clawde of whom hee demaunded if hee knewe not the Master of the shippe with whom he had spoken Who made answere he did then hée tolde him further howe hee must néedes make a voyage into Hungarie and to Constantinople about matters of great importance And because this shippe sayled directly into those Countries hée commaunded him to certefie the Pilot how a Knight who desired to passe into Hungarie would giue him willingly what he would demaund if hee would spéedily make for those parts The Prince made no creature priuy to his departure for that he meant to carry no more company along with him but his man Clawde only and Maiortes for to make him pastime by the way Claudius hauing thoroughly vnderstood his Masters mind went incontinent strait to the Hauen where hee concluded with the Master for the time of their embarkement and deliuering him a good summe of money to prouide necessary furnitures returned backe to his Lord and told him all who was very ioyfull of this opportunity And as secretly as hee could by night time be caused his Armes to be carried a boorde the shippe with such sea prouisions as were necessary for this voyage and after that the Merchant had made good trafficke of all his merchandize Prince Edward embarked himselfe with his man Clawde and his Dogge Maiortes onely The King and the Quéene missing Prince Edward at his vprising as he was accustomed to salute them were in great he aâ—nes for him and yet supposing he had but absented himselfe from the Court for a while they comforted themselues herein
hands of any Knight who were issued out of that so noble and generous race of Palmerin de Oliua Notwithstanding séeing without doubt it is an inâ—uitable extremity I must patiently yéeld my selfe his humble captiue beséeching God I may finde so much curtesse in him as once did my mother in the like accident receaue of the so redoubted Prince Palmerin de Oliua Prince Edward afterwardes hauing vnderstoode by the More the interpretation which the Infant had accompanied with so heauy a sigh he would take the charge of her himselfe saying to the Master of the shippe that of all the booty they had taken he demanded nothing els for his share but this Damsell So Prince Edward lead away into his Chamber the Princesse Zerphira with fower of her principall Damsels onely who carryed with them theyr rings and iewels giuing the rest of the pillage to the Merchant and his companions then procéeding in theyr voyage the Knight called to minde how there were diuers Christians within his shippe who did him seruice with great reuerence whereupon mistrusting lest they should know him he tooke aside a little the Master of the Shippe saying thus vnto him my friend I perceaue you know who I am whereby men may thinke great simplicity in me to conceale my selfe hereafter Understand therefore that I departed out of the King my fathers Court with an vnspeakable desire to come to sée as well the good Knights which are in the Court of King Frisol as also in that of the Emperour of Constantinople therefore I must request you not to manifest mee to any one considering that what I doo now is but for some good respect And â—o the ende wee may auoyde the inconuenience which might ensue by the enquiry made of mée you shall doo mee hereafter the least honour you can reputing me but for a simple and poore wandring Knight whom you shall call the Knight of the Dogge and say I am of some farre Nation to you vnknowne who wandring thorough the world to séeke strange aduentures and arriuing at the King of Englands Court soiourned there a while with Prince Edward his sonne with whome I was so well acquainted that he would haue kept me there a long time with him whereby it procéedeth that I can better speake that language than any other yea than mine owne naturall tongue And if yee doo so and God giue mee grace to liue the age of a man I will reward you so that you shall thinke it a blessed hower wherein you first met me Syr replyed the Merchant you haue already done me more grace than I shall euer bee able hereafter to deserue at your hands which may well assure you I shall neuer dare disclose you seeing the great care and dilligence you your selfe vse not to bee descried of any whatsoeuer and whereas there is others beside in this vessell who knowe you as well as I doo I will make them all come before you to the ende they may promise not to make knowne your name but when and to whom you shall please So it fell out when they arriued afterward with great gladnesse at Arriace which was the place of the birth and dwelling of the chiefe Merchant who was owner of the ship Being a Cittie verie strong and of good defence situate in the Kingdome of Hungarie on the one side confining with the Countries of the Soloan of Nicea There came they into a Hauen and for the Merchant was rich and had a faire lodging hee tooke the Knight with him into his house who would néedes bring along Zerphira with him leading hir by the arme where they were Honourably entertained by the Merchants wife who at their arriuall vnderstood secretly by meanes of her husband the discourse of this Nauigation But all those of this ship hauing purchased by the helpe of the Knight of the Dogge great riches from the Instdels the brute thereof came quickly to the eares of this Ladie who found her selfe at that instant in a wofull case because King Frisoll went about by his Soueraignâ—ty to take from her this Cittie to fortesie it as beeing the next frontier to the Mores Country And also because her deceased husband had rebelled in his tune against Netrides his Father when after the conquest of this Kingdome hee sought to inuest himselfe with the principall Citties wherein no man gaintsaide him but he onely who died in this reuolte Under this pretexte then sent King Frisoll for this Lady to come vnto him so dispossesse her of the Cittie promising neuerthelesse to recompence her in good sort But shee who had but one only Sonne as yet a tender pupill vnder age would not exchange it for any other Cittie of his Kingdome as well by reason that hers was well seated for all kinde of commodities as also for that she saw all her subiects and inhabitance growne very rich and wealthy So that this Lady had no more but eight dayes of tearme remayning when she was to appeare before the King when also Prince Edward arriued at Arriace and hauing not as yet found out any that durst appeare to answere for her so that she wared very sad beeing in perplexety knowing not howe to resolue what was best to be 〈◊〉 in this cale when she vnderstoode of the prowesse and magnanimitie of the Knight of the Dogge bruted abroad in her Cittie Whereuppon it fortuned that shee sent incontinent for the principall Merchant to come to her Castell who arriued there soone after with two handmaides of Zerphira which fell to his share whereof he made a present vnto her and declared vnto her as much as yon haue read before wherewith thee had her minde so troubled that she lost almost both her sence and reason and therefore she prayed him to moue the Knight to haue some compassion of her woefull distresse Whereuppon he protesting vnto her of a troth the great curtesie and generousnes of Prince Edward shee made no farther enquirie but beeing accompanied with the Marchant with some one of her Damsels she went presently to him and falling downe prostrate before him thus she began Braue Knight if the affliction of any poore desolate widdow hath euer found place of pittie in your noble minde I beseech you most humbly you will now vouchsafe to regard mée in the necessitie wherein I am And after shee had vnfolded the whole matter vnto him the Prince made her this aunswere Madame I am verie sorie and sore displeased at your sadnesse and cause of melancholie on the other side I am verie glad that so good an occasion doth offer it selfe now to make you knowe the desire I haue had euer since mine Infancie to helpe and succour to my small power all Ladies who would employ mee and especially those who feele themselues oppressed and destitute of aids and counsell And for this cause will I willingly present my selfe before your King making him to vnderstand that corrupting the inuiolable lawes of Iustice he
doth you wrong and great iniustice to take your Cittie away from you by force and authoritie And if there be anie Knight in his Court will maintaine the contrarie I hope by the helpe of God to make him confesse it by force of Armes Thus much hee said for that he knew before howe Belcar one of King Frisols Sonnes was lately married with Alderine the Duke of Pontus Daughter and brought away his wife into Hungarie whereupon that occasion they held great feastes and Tournies so that growing vppon this quarrell in this contention with him or with the Prince Dutreus and killing him in single combat he hoped to do acceptable seruice to his Ladie Gridonia being this house néere allied to that of Constantinople The Ladie thanking him for this honest and curteous offer tolde him that if it pleased him to bare her companie shee feared nothing and that leauing her Sonne vnder good sure garde shee purposed to depart verie soone with some number of Knights for her safer conduct Whereunto the Knight answered that he was readie at any time when so euer she pleased And therefore shee caused good order to bee taken for all thinges which might be needfull in this voyage desiring before her departure to get into her possession for the Knightes sake the Damsels of Zerphira which remayned still in the Marchants hands paying for euery one of them a reasonable ransome according to their estate All that night was Prince Edward very sad for hee could not resolue with himselfe whether he should first goe to Gridonia to present vnto her the Infant Zerphira or whether he should passe vnto Constantinople to end the Combat with Primaleon In fine after many resolutions he concluded that with himself which he put in execution very early on the morrow morning for hee came to request the Marchant his Hoast that it would please him to commaund a sonne of his called Diazan to goe doo an errand for him as farre as the Clouen-Rocke wherein he was more willingly obayed than hee coulde commaund then went he strait to the Infants chamber whome he told that he would send her to an excellent Lady who wold honour her and vse her with all humanity and hee besought her to bee willing to goe hoping to come to visit her there ere long and to bring her such newes which should giue her no occasion to repent her going thither The yong Princesse albeit this offer went néere her heart answered him neuerthelesse in this manner In good faith it is great reason sir that as your prisoner and captiue I should obay your requestes without any contradiction especially knowing they deriue from the sincere and honest amity which it pleaseth you to beare me albeit I am sure I shall neuer be able to merite it on my behalfe neuerthelesse I beseech you to cause my Damsels to be called hether vnto whome if it please you I will speake some few words before my departure most willingly will I cause it to bee done replyed the Knight So hee caused them to come into her Chamber forthwith where these young Damsels séeing their Mistres in strange manner to hate her owne life in deploring and bewayling her infortunate disaster they began altogether to make such a strange and pittifull complaint that the Knight was constrayned to separate them and soone after to send away Diazan with the Infant Zerphira towards the Castell of the Clouen-Rocke to present her to the Princesse Gridonia from a Knight vnknowne with a letter whose tenour followed in these words Prince Edwards Letter to the Princesse Gridonia TO the rarest Paragon of Princesses the Lady Gridonia the onely Phoenix of her time future Quéene of Polonia and lawfull heyre of the Duchy of Ormeda a Knight who desireth to serue her perpetually sendeth gréeting kissing with all curtesie the hand of her Excellency The perfect Idea of your neuer perishing beauty accompanied with so many other singuler gifts of grace which the celestiall prouidence doth distribute equally to diuers persons hath so dimâ—ned the cléere-séeing eyes of her burning and vnquencheable beames that the Artizan in pourtraying of his liueliest péeces helpeth himselfe with your diuine lineatures as it were beauty it selfe descended into these lower Regions to bee séene amongst vs Such an example séene with mine eyes besides the testemony of another strange accident haue as it were a fatall arrow so liuely pierced my breast that I can take no rest but in trauelling to aspire vnto that which shoulde giue mee the swéete fruition of so precious a rarenes of fortune which is onely to reuenge the death of Perrequin of Duas your Cosen vppon the false traytor and fellonious bomâ—â—â—de Primaleon of Greece Continuing which tranquâ—â—lity of spirit by traueile of my body I saylâ—d merrily towards Constantinople and for the same effect when by great fortune I met a Brigandine of Mores tossed by tempest of weather into the North sea which would haue taken me prisoner But the Soueraigne of all Gods constrayning these mine enemies to passe the edge of my sworde hath safegarded and reserued me to the end to be your comforter and the reuenger of your iust quarrell For assurance whereof in attending that happy season I send you in Hostage a Damsell issued of great parentage whom I found within the vessell of those nuscreant Mores whom so I pray you to vse and entertaine as you shall know her vertue and Princely deâ—â—anor doth deserue as well in regard of the anguish which she shall suffer perceiuing her selfe thus captiue as also in respect of the sincere and perfect amity which she will shew vnto you all her life time He who hath not his match in good will to doo your Ladiship all dutifull seruice So then departed Diazan with Zerphira and all her sewels accompanied with many Merchants who conuayed them very willingly and holding on their iourney they arriued at the Castle of the Clouen-Rocke where after they had giuen Gridonia to vnderstand that there was a Damsell which they had brought her in the behalfe of a Knight Incontinent the Draw-bridges were all let downe and the great gates set wide open Then Diazan tooke the Infant by the hand to lead her strait into the Chamber of the Princesse who séeing her so richly attyred and so curteous to doo her honour and reuerence supposed she must néeds be extracted from some high and illustrious Linage wherefore shee came to welcome and to entertaynâ— her honourably and perceiuing that the Lyon which neuer styrd from her began to fawne vpon her she said alowd Sister I cannot beléeue but that this Lyon knoweth you considering the gentle semblant and ioyfull entertainement bée sheweth you which as yet I haue neuer séene him doo to any since he was with me Zerphira vnderstood nothing shee spake but stedfastly beholding her excellent perfect beauty reputing her selfe most happy to become into the power and custody of so gentle and rare a Princesse Neuerthelesse Diazan