often bring his life to very perrillous exigents notwithstanding so did the heauens fauour Pâ—…lmendos and despise the manifold tyrannies of the Gyant as after a long cruell bloodie fight Baledon had receiued so many woundes as hee was constrained to fall at the Princes merâ—…ie for which Palmendos humblie 〈◊〉 heauen boldlie sette hys foote vpon the Gyant saying Coâ—…fesse thy selfe Baledon vanquished by me and let mee enâ—…y the prysoners which thou vniustlie detainest in thy Castell for the remainder of thy life hangeth on the â—…oynt of my Sword When the Gyant behelde his great pompe so ouerthrowne and hee had no meane nowe left wherewith to defende himselfe he breathed forth these sorrowfull speeches Ah angry Gods howe strange and diuers are your iudgments in suffering â—…othe mee and my Sonne to bee foyled by one Knight Now see I well that myne infinite and wicked offences committed against men without desert hath throwne this wreakefull sentence on me Then calling his Seruaâ—…nts hee commaunded them to conduct the Prince into the Castell and to deliuer all his prysoners to him with any thing els hee shoulde commaunde them So went the Prince with his Cozin Ozalio and two of the Gyants Seruaunts to the Castell the rest remayned to bring theyr Maisters deade bodie and when they were entred the â—…ase Courte they met the Gyantesse heaâ—…ilie lamenting and curssing the Knight who was cause thereof But Palmendos made no account of her wordes commaunding all the prysoners to bee presently brought before him which in sooth were very many both Knights Merchaunts and other trauayling Strangers who had long time beene kept tâ—…ere in captiuitie and nowe séeing they were so generallie called they verilie thought to die or endure some cruell torment but finding the contrarie I leaue their â—…oy to the Readers iudgment Then Palmendos called for the Knights Armour that eache one knowing his owne Armour might bee armed therewith for this their happie deliueraâ—…nce they all â—…ell downe at the Princes feete desiring God to reward his honourable paynes But among the prisoners there were two young Knights of comelie staturâ—… béeing both Moores who had not long time béene held in that seruitude and witnessing by their countenaunces that they were discended of royal parentage The one of them was Rifarano Son to Trineus Emperor of Allemaigne and Aurecinda the Soldans Sister as you may reade in the History of Palmerin d'Oliua the other was named Lecefin Son to the Soldane of Persia béeing the youngest of thrée which he had by the Princesse Zephira These two young Lords were nourished together by the Soldane because hee behelde the towarde inclination of Rifarano whom hee euer imagined would prooue a worthie Knight and for he was Sonne to his Sister â—…nd the Emperour Trineus his great fréende he looued him as Lecefin his owne Childe Rifarano comming to the age of tenne or twelue yeres wexed very forward in all commendable exercises and one day reasoning with his Mother desired her to tell him the cause why she went so continually clad in mourning the truth wherof she discoursed to him and how his Father was the Emperour Trineus of Allemaigne When Rifarano vnderstoode that he was Sonne to one of the chéefest Princes in Christendome hee made greater account of himselfe then he did before and dysposed himselfe to matters of higher quallitie so that béeing of yeeres to receiue his Knighthoode he requested the Soldane to honour him therwith which he with right good will performed causing Ioustes and Tournaments to sollemnize that time withall wherin Rifarano still bare awaie the pryze Following Armes and Chiualrie he still continued and with good successe wunne such fame through all Persia as y â— Soldane thought to ioyne him in marriage with the King Maulerinos eldest Daughter But he would neuer harken to such matters for that hee had secretlie vowed first to sée the Emperour his Father whereto his Mother whose dayes long sicknes had new shortened euermore prouoked him that Trineus beholding the fruite of her loue might thinke the better of his acquaintaunce with her After the obsequies and royall funerall as wel beséemed a Princesse of so great regarde and Rifarano lothe to stay his Mother beeing dead hee desired y â— Soldane that he might trauaile to Constantinople to sée thâ—… Courte of the Emperour Palmerin and thence he wouldâ—… goe to his Father in Allemaigne Albeit very vnwilling yet y e Soldane condiscended whereat the young Prince Lecefin who loued Rifarano as himselfe beganne to conceiue great sorrowe wherefore he intreated his Father that â—…ee might trauaile with him in companie perswading him that it would be a cause of his Cozins more speedie returnâ—… The Soldane liked heereof very well and although he was yet verie young he gaue him his knighthoode and so with â—…iuers presents from his Father Zephira as also Letters to both the Emperours accompanied with thirtie hardie Knights they tooke shypping and by meanes of an excéeding rough tempest on the Sea they were driuen perforce into this Isle of Delphos where béeing hemâ—…e in with the chayne and â—…lattered by the Gyant to come on shore without suspecting anie treason they went to his Castell and finding outward freendlie entertainement they were fetched foorth of their beddes and thrust into pryson twentie of the Knights that came with them cruelly murthered the rest were brought into the Dungion to their Maisters and afterward the Gyant tooke the spoyle of y â— Ship at his pleasure But to come to ouâ—… pâ—…rpose Rifarano and Lecefin seeing themselues deliuered frâ—…m this dâ—…llorous liâ—…e much worse then thâ—…t of the slaues in the â—…allies they spaâ—…e to PalmeÌ„dos in this maner Tel vs in courtesâ—…e good Knight by what meanes haue you obtained our libertie for wee meruaile that we 〈◊〉 not the Gyant who brought vs hether by 〈◊〉 â—…reason Gentlemen quoth the Prince I am a Knight borne farre hence and béeing by the angrie Seas cast vpon this Island I determined to come on shore where beeing no waie able to escape the death present before mine eyes I was constrained to Combat with the Gyant you talke of who to allure me the sooner to the battaile promised me securitie from any saue himself But heauen giuing me strength to erect a mortall Trophe of his slaughtered bodie hath thereby giuen you all freedome againe Might we not saide Rifarano knowe your name to whom wee are so much indebted for our deliueraunce as for vs it is necessarie you should knowe of whence what we are that if we should growe heereafter ingratefull for this kindnes the meanest in the worlde might iustlie condemne vs. This young Prince quoth hee is named Lecefin â—…onne to the noble Soldane of Persia and I his vnworthie Nephew issued from Trineus Emperour of Allemaigne brother by mariage to the incomparable Prince Palmerin d'Oliua heereto hee added the whole discourse of their trouble which you haue heard alreadie In happie time came I hether aunswered
sée innumerable vertues conioyned in â—…ne body I beséech yée hasten your speaking with him and let not the happye houre miscarrie through your default which the fatall destinies haue so graciously appointed hys loouely spéeches shall acquaint yee with his endowments which you may beholde so correspondent in euery point as you can wish for nothing but is to be found in him Now should I speake with him saied Iffida without impeach to mine â—…onor which hithertoo I haue carefullyregarded vnlâ—…sse it be by thy meanes in some secret place free from the hurt of suspected persons wherewith the worlde is nowe mightily stored I shall tell ye how Madame replied the Page you know my Lord your father willed yée the other â—…ay that yée should returne home to him with all possible spéed which will serue as a fit occasion to take your honest sure well of this company if then you will depart hence to morrowe towarde euening you may lodge by the way at my mothers house whether I will go before with the two Knights and cause her to say they be both her Nephewes who now are friendly come to visite her so may ye confer togeather at your pleasure The inuention is good aunswered Iffida yet must ye be very circumspect herein that the drift of our intent be not discouered The complot thus concluded the Page went in the morning to Palmendos and making him not a little glad with these neweâ—… caused both the frends to mount on horsbacke and set forward with him to his mothers house seated in a pleasant place betwéene Tubant and the Castell of Albayzo When the Gentlewoman saw the two knights she was much abashed but her Sonne soone resolued her in euery point and that shee might boldlye call them her Nephewes her selfe being a straunger borne far from that Countrey The mother béeing thoroughly enstructed by her Sonne desired their intent might take good successe wherevpon the Page returned to his Mistresse who had in this while so well ordered her departure as the new married nor any other coulâ—… gather suspicion then forwarde she sets for her iourney had hast so surely had Loue seazed â—…n â—…er hart hauing no other company with her then her foure waiting Damosels and two Squiers of her fathers Nowe is she come to the long desired place where being very graciously entertayned both by Palmendos and Ozalio as also the Pages mother Iffida beeing not to learne her lesson desires to know what Knights they were that so friendly saluted her They are quoth the Pages mother my two Nephewes who hauing not séene mee of long time are come to know if they may stand me in anie stéede as also to offer their seruice to my Lord your father if in any thing it shall please him to imploy them Right hartily welcome are they aunswered Iffida and of dutye I must néeds thanke them for the good will they beare my Lorde and Father for which cause as also their néere alliaunce to you I loue them as they were my proper Bretheren Palmendos comming to her with great reuerence gaue her humble thanks for her honourable kindnes and while they spent the time about other familiar conferences sâ—…pper was set on the table in a pleasant Arbour where Iffida cold digest no meat her eies were so busted in beholding her Champion afterwarde they walked vp and downe the Garden and shee séeing the Pages mother was deepâ—… in talke with Ozalio as one loth to loose so good an eportunity she beginneth with Palmendos in this manner I cannot but marâ—…aile at my selfe Sir Knight that being nothing touched with the loue of sundry gentlemen which heretofore haue diuers times offered mee theyr seruice my heart should by you whcme I neuer saw before these two daies past so vehcmently be prouoked to loue so that I cannot heare or think on any thing but it is broken or râ—…ted by the remembraunce of you let mee then intreat yée not to repute me as carelesse of my chastitye or forgetfull of the modestie beséeming a Uirgin For the worthy behauior I sée couched in your incomparable personage hath fatally depriued mee of my former libertye and yéeldâ—…d me wholie your Captiue not doubting but you wil so esteeme of your conquest as not to impeach the same by any vnhonorable attâ—…mpt considering my noble birth and parcntage And to satisfie my earnest longing desire onelie adicted to haue further knowledge of your estate acquaint me with the secret consideration of your heart and what you wil commaund me in gâ—…erdon of the paines you haue taken for my sake wherein mine honour defended I will yéeld that willingly to you which none els but you can haue of me Madame aunswered Palmendos I cannot expresse my high good fortune finding such grace and courtesâ—…e at your hands béeing on my part no way as yet deserued but tyme may yéeld the due to euery gentle minde and make mee able to requite such extraordinary fauour And thinke not swéet Goddesse of my heart that in pittying the insupportable burthen of mine oppressions you shall any waye encurre the detection of lightnes but rather of honorable and wel gouerned care when you shal beholde the place wherto I â—…ope safely to bring you for Madam setting aside my simple out ward appearance I am a King borne Gouerner of sundry famous Prouinces and this attempt proceeded onely of religious zeale to make you Lady of mee and mine as your woonderful fame at first tooke the soueraigntie of my heart How can I woorthy Lord quoth Iffida but stand amâ—…zed that you being a King and a man of so rare fortune in mannaging arms shold come hither for so simple a Damosel as my selfe not woorâ—…hy to cast mine eies to such preferment yet not to dissemble with yée as concerning my resolution without my fathers consent I neither may or will goe hence with yée because it were both disobedience and iniurie to nature Not withstanding one thing I will doo for yée which neuer heretosore I offered to any Knight I will bring you to my Father and tell him you are one of this Gentle womans Nephâ—…wes she being my nursse in the time of mine inâ—…nice to him must yée offer your seruice and no sooner shall he beholde your Knightly chiualrie but he will gladly accept yée as his Sonne So with my Parents consent you may conuaie mee hence and in meane while I shall kéepe secret your estate alâ—…eit it were good you tolde him the trueth Palmendos who desired nothing but to get into the Castel and to compasse the same by any way he could thus replied Madame such is the extreamitie of my vehement passions as no one can recure them but shee from whome they tooke their originall nor doo my vitall spirites receiue aniâ—… force to execute their office but from your gracious and gentle disposition therefore I will go with you when you please to your Father and say what you can best imagine for
thrusting himselfe among the thickest gaue â—…elcar a very great stroke with his Swordâ—… on the Helmet for which he receiued spéedie repayment for Belcar raysing himselfe in his stirrops returned the Duke such a cruel blow through the sight of his Helmet as he fel to the ground astonied betwéeue his Horse legs Then breaking in amidst the preasse he gaue such sharpe entertainement to all that met him as the King Florendos and the other great estates that accompanied him were driuen thereby into great admiration nor was he knowne to anie there but the Princesse Alderina who being seated on the right hand of y â— Quéene Denisa could not smoother her thoughtâ—… but thus spake What thinke you Madame of the Knight in Greene Armâ—…r What dâ—… I thinke â—… aunswerâ—…d the Quéene certâ—…â—…uer did I sâ—…e tâ—…e man who â—…ight equal or paragon himselfe with hun for that he alone hath doone more in this â—…ourney then all y e other and greatly wold it content me to know if he be discended of noble bloode as hee deliuerâ—… gâ—…d testimonie of his knowledge in feates of Arinoâ—… Madame qâ—…oth Alderina I cannot thinke him lesse then you doubt of in respect he concealeth himselfe so close lie and would not willingliâ—… be knowne of anie Heer with she recounted how she founde him at the Fountaine bare headed without his Helmet and this I can assure you ê™ â—…he that as you confesse him valiant at Armes so canne I witnes him of such braue â—…cature and complexion as there is no one absolute point wanting in him Your spéeches said the Quéene makes me much more desirous to knowe him wherefore I will sende one to him for the same purpose Then I beséeche your Maiestie answered Alderina to sende one of my Pages who shall attend for him til the ende of the Tourney and then coniure him in your name that he send you worde of whence and what hee is and if he stand lothe to be known to resolue him from your Maiestie and me that no liuing creature shal bâ—…wraie him by our meanes Your counsell I verie well allowe saide the newe â—…aried Queene but I woulde that this Embassage should rather goe from you because hee remembring what knowledge you had of him at the Fountaine will happilie manifest himselfe vnto you rather then anie other Heerâ—…vppon Alderina called one of her Pages named Graciaâ—… artificiallie instructing him in his erranâ—…e to the Greene Knight that vsing instant intreatie accompanied with a singuler desire he should gaine the mâ—…ane to returne with his name and parentage All this while Belcar shewed such rare déedes of Chiualrie as hauing well laboured the aduersarie and none left that wouldâ—… confront him hee went aâ—… Coâ—…querour forth of the Lystes where he mette the two Knights that came with him thither who staied more destroâ—…s to note his behauiour in the â—…ight then to intrude themselues in place of such daunger and béeing not a little gladde of the honour he had doone them in that their companion bare awaie the palme of victorie they rode on eache side of him towardes their Tent béeing followed all the way by the Princesse Page who awayting due time to deliuer his message tooke Belcars Horse by the bridle and vsâ—…ng such meanes of secrete conference as Belcar stouped to heare him hee softlie thus whispered with him Sir â—…mght I wold it might like you to ride aside a little that I may deliuer a matter of secrete to you He who was so courteous and affable as anie man coulde be presentlie left his two companions when Gracian thus began his message My Lord Alderina Daughter to the Duke of Pontus Durace hath at this time sent me to ye to let you vnderstand that she hath receiued iust cause of offence towards you in that shee â—…omming to sée this Tourney you disâ—…ained to make offer of your coÌ„panie Notwithstanding if you wil graunt one request that she makes by me forgetting al passed vngentlenes shee will gladlie leaue further to misdâ—…me of you My Fréend answered Belcar the thing must bee very difficult or unpossible that I woulde not enterprise to obtaine the gracious pardon of so choise a Ladie as is thy Mistresse it may bee that I haue trespassed in duetie towards her excellencie but in sooth meere ignorance of her estate was the onâ—…lie cause And when I left her at the Fountaine farre was my intent frâ—…m comming to this Tourney in so much as I was thereto in a manner constrayned notwithstanding excuses of as great importance as those I vsed to thy gentle Ladie It resteth nowe quoth the Page that you graunt my Mistresse her earnâ—…st desire which is to knowe what you are and why you conceale your selfe in such sorte for beholding your noble and valiant behauiour shee sets you beyond all other in her conceit and promiseth withall vâ—…der the word of so great a person as shee is not to reueale it to anie if you be willing it should be so Highlie may I commend my fortune said Belcar that a Princesse so gentle and perfect would daine to enquire after my poore deserts and though I had vowed to conceale my selfe from the whole world yet would I straine courtesie wyth that vowe for her sake Saie to her therfore courteous Page that my name is Belcar Nephewe to the Emperor of Constantinople and the cause why I woâ—…lde not willinglie be knowne to anie is the small portion of time since I receiued my Knighthoode and hauing not yet doone any thing worthie my name or to be accounted among the actions of honor I determined not to publish y e same vntil I might dâ—… it with gâ—…d testimony Thou maist also assure her froÌ„ me y e henceforth I shall serue as her deuoted Knight hoping vnder fauour of her name to gaine such account as I and mine shall remaine perpetually bound to her excellencie And when I haue accomplished anie thing that may be reputed worthy honourable commendation I wil come my selfe and offer therwithall to her my hart which hath receiued such an impression of obeysaunce to her as hencefoorth it will attempt nothing but in her sweete regarde Prâ—…fe may she make heereof in coÌ„maunding me for sâ—…ch is my desirâ—… to be imployed in her seruice as were I assured my death consisted in the attempt yet coulde not anie feare thereof with-holde me Let me further intreate her not to disclose my name to anie one because at this time I will not visâ—…te the â—…ing Florendos and the Quéene albeit I am so nâ—…re allied vnto them With this aunswere returned Gracian to his Ladie who attended his comming in great deuotion that he was no sooner entred the Chamber but she demaunded the successe of his message All wel Madame answered the Page but you must kéepe it very secret because the Knight himselfe hath so desâ—…red Which after she had faithfullie promised to doo hee tolde her that the Knight was Belcar Son to the King of
they seemed good hardie Champions discended of some great birthe in that they were so woorthilie accompanied with women of choyse and singuler beautie as also Gentlemen of câ—…uill behauiour Héerevpon many Knights â—…ousted with the Countie who styll bare away the honour of the â—…elde Lynedes all this while not arming himselfe for the woorthy successe of his Cozin deserued high commendation wherof his Lady was not a little proude to sâ—…e her husbande performe such Chiualrie Rifarano and Lecefin enuying the Counties glory intended to see how they shoulde spéed in the â—…oust yet they desired â—…o defer it til the last day when they vanquishing the Countiâ—… and Lynedes his Cozin might beare away the whole praise of the Tryumph but others came in meane while and altered their intent as you at large shall perceiue heereafter CHAP. XIII Howe Arnedes Sonne to the King of Fraunce and Râ—…inde his Cozin Sonne to the King of Castile came to Constantinople where Arnedes vanquished Lynedes and his Cozin in the Ioust by which occasion they were greatly â—…onoured of the Emperour THe King of Fraunce Father to Lewes Duke of Burgundie bâ—…eing at y â— extreame poynt of his life among other things remeÌ„bred that when the peace was concluded betwéene the Emperour Palmerin and him they determined vpon an alliaunce by marriage if God graunted them issue wherby to doo it to the end that in the heroycall house of Fraunce Sonnes and daughters might be nourished procéeding from such worthie auncâ—…ers as the like might not be found thorow the whole worlde For this cause when the time likewise shoulde conueniently agree therewith he commaunded his Sonne to remember the Emperour of his promise which Prince Lewes promising his dying Father to performe with excéeding sorrow accomplished his funeralles and making â—…hoyse afterward for his owne fancie in hope to fulfill his Fathers desire in his issue hee maried with the daughter to the King of Castile by whom hee had thrée Sonnes and two Daughters that were borne at a byrth His eldest Sâ—…nne was named Arnedes whose minde was euermore giuen to Armes and Millitarie discipline wherein time and vse made him so expert as he was estéemed the oneliâ—… Champion of Fraunce It came so to passe as the King of Fraunce marryed one of his Daughters with the Kyng of Scicilie at whose marriage Arnedes wunne such fame by his Chiualrie as the report of him was blazed thorowe manie prouinces To this marriage likewise came one of his Cozins Sonne to the King of Castile and named Recinde who conceiued so good liking of Arnedes behauiour that they swore an inuiolable league of amitie betweene them twain neuer to forsake eche others companie in matters of Armes where with the Queene was â—…ighly contented because shee looued her Cozin Recinde with intire affection King Lewes seeing his Sonne Arnedes of yeeres to haue a Wife and fearing he should els where dispose hys lyking one day called him into his Chamber and thus conferred with him My Sonne such is the naturall inclination of my looue towards thee as I would not wyshe anie thing to thee but to haue thee as well contented therwith as my selfe to this end I vse these speeches for that our late kinglie Father of famous memorie at the verie shutting vppe of his latest dayes gaue me charge to ioyne thee in marriage with the Emperours Daughter of Constantinople that such issue as no doubt shall procéede from you botâ—…e may some what resemble their famous auncesters Wherefore I am determined right soone to send an Embassage to him to sollicite this mariage which I hope he will like well of and this I can assure thee if Fame tell no leasings that the Princesse Philocrista nowe aged sixteene yâ—…eres is a Ladie of such rare singuler beautie as Nature hath not framed the like vnder the moouing of these eyght Spheres When the Prince Arnedes saw that his Father talked so courteously with him about these affayres he humlye intreated him not to trauaile any further in y e matter for there was time enough heereafter to deale in such occasions wherwith the King paciâ—…ed him because he saw his Sonne so colde as he thought in matter of marriage nor would he trouble him any more therewith afterward But the young Prince wise and aduised in concealing his owne desires hauing long before heard faire Pilocrista coÌ„mended beyond compare as also the deedes of the Knights in the Emperour Palmerins Court he had no leysure now to forbid them his remembraunce so that fayne would hee compasse a secrete iournâ—…y to Constantinople intending if the Princesse pleased to demaunde her of the Emperour in marriage and if his Maiestie would not consent thereto hée intended to doo such exployts in Greece as the honourable prayse of them should compassâ—… his loue Thys was the proiect of Arnedes resolution which in secrete he imparâ—…ed to his Cozin Recind who with mighty perswasions annimated him heerein vowing that till death they would loyalliâ—… 〈◊〉 freendly companions and so well gouerne themselues by disguâ—…ng theyr persons and contrarying their languages in these affayres as the moâ—… skilfull head shâ—…ulde not searche the depth of their intent When the two Cozins were thus determined Arnedes imagining it no wisedome to iugle with his Father went and requested a fauour at his highnes hande the effecte whereof was thus Gracious Lorde and Father quoth hee my desire is without your displeasure that I may got â—…ee the Princesse Philocrista as well to like as loue before any motion of marriage and for my Cozin Recinde will beare me coÌ„pany I wold haue your Maiestie so perswaded y â— in secret disguiâ—…ng we wil passe vnknowne of anie much lesse giue occasion of suspect what we are not doubting but by our vertuous behauiour to yeelde you content by our â—…oyage and our selues good report Beside the worlde is well acquainted therwith that this Emperour of Constantinople had not wâ—…nne such fame and renowne but onely by the innumerable Trophes erected in diuers Regions of hys youthfull trauailes which are examples sufficient for Knights of high desire not to desist from worthy enterpryfes for the obiect of death who without regarde of time or place pursueth in ambush the steppes of the woorthiest Nor let doubt of our stay in Greece hinder vs good father for as we goe not to build any dwelling there so is y â— hope of our returne to be expected more spéedie It greatlie dyspleaseth mee answered the King that I haue promised to myne owne dyscontentment and which much more wyll redownde to your disaduantage but seeing I haue past my worde and in thys sorte you meane personally to vysite Greece goe in Gods name who guyde and sende you safely home agayne els will your stay more hurt mee then you can imagine Humbly taking his leaue of the King because he wold not haue his departure knowne hee secretly gotte him to Marseilles accompanied with none but his Cozin Recinde his
them to vse his Court as their owne and to be as frollike there as if they were in Thessalie Beside hee prayed God so to direct Palmendos in his atâ—…pt as hee might deliuer the King her Husband from captiuitie withal that iâ—… he had requested assistaunce in the cause he shoulde haue had his Maiesties power at commaund then taking Francelina by the hand he said To you Daughter Philocrista I committe the henourable charge of this young Prinâ—…sse vntill such time her Knight be returned My Lorde answered Philocrista I shall right willinglic fulfill your commaundement bee ing no lesse glad of such a companion then to haue y â— Ladie present with me for whom such rare déedes of Chiuâ—…lrie haue béene performed The Empresse fooke the Quéen by the hande and Philocrista her charge Francelina they all sitting downe vnder a sumptuous Canapie where the Knights regarding them especially the Emprcsse and the two Princesses imagined a second iudgâ—…ment for the Apple of beautie And admit we Arnedes for y â— gentle shéepeheard Paris yet hee imagined his Philocrista to bee most perfect although Francelina was very farre beyonde her al the Knights concluding that thâ—… had neuer séene more choyse beautie excâ—…pt the Empresâ—… when shee was in the flower of her youth But Philocrista neuer attained her Mothers perfections albeit shee had two Sisters named Flcrida and Bazilia which by the Author of Palmerin are named Belisa and Melicia that came verie neere her in resemblaunce especiallie Flerida of whcm we shall haue occasion to speake heereafter when wee câ—…me to the noble Prince Edward of England The Emperour intrcated Francelina to tell him if she coulde of whence Palmendos was where to the Princesse modestlie thus aunswered Dreade Lorde I can reueale no further of him then that hee is commaunder of a Kingdome diuers other Signories of great estate what els I knowe of him I am to be excused till his comming when himselfe will manifest his Countrey and originall not his valour courtesie sor that is blazed through moste partes of the world For this discreâ—…t aunswâ—…re shee was greatly commended by the Emperour who noting her comelic gestures and behauiour estéâ—…med her discréete and well aduised and seeing the Ring on her finger that Palmeâ—…dos gaue her he thought it very much resembled hys owne Ring which the Queene of Tharsus gaue him at his beyarture Now coulde hee not containe himselfe but demaunds of her of whom she had that costly Iewell so like one that he held in great estimation She aunswered that Palmendos gaue it her after her deliueraâ—…nce froÌ„ the Isle of Carderia wherat his Maiestie greatlie meruailing imagined this Knight to be the Quéene of Tharsus Son Now was he much more desirous to sée him then before remeÌ„bring what kindnes shee shewed him in the Realme of Pasmeria then causing his owne Ring to bée brought and compared with that the Princesse wore they were founde in euery point so like and conformable as hardly could the one bee knowne from the other Indéede they were made both by one workman and magicallie charmed like in resemblaunce as the perfect signall to discouer the originall of Palmendos which made the Emperour conceiue some suspition that this vnknowne Knight shoulde be his Son especiallie when he called the Quéenes darke speeches to memorie which she vsed after her acquaintance with him Yet woulde he not reueale this doubt to anie one but past it ouer with fresh welcomming the Queene her daughter and deliuering in spéeches that hee was glad Belcar kept not the Bridge when it was PaÌ„lmendos fortune to arriue there yet was hee sorrie for Tirendos mishap albeit he commended the courtesie of the Conquerer in exacting no further on the Prince of Mecâ—…na But leaue we Palmendos and Ozalio trauailing toward Turkie and speake a little of Recinde the Castilian Prince beeing one of them that followed in his search CHAP. XXIIII Howe Recinde pursuing the search of Palmendos reskewed a Merchaunt from fiue Theeues whom he dyscomfited on the mountayne And how by the meanes of an Archer that bent his bowe against him hee came to the mouth of a deepe Caue where hee kylled a Lyon that kept it and deliuered thence a Lady which was enchaunted into the shape of a Serpenâ—… REcinde leauing Constantinople for the same cause as the other Knights did happened to the same place where Palmendos lodged the night before demanding of his Hoste 〈◊〉 he had séene anie such man who made this answer Uerilie the same man that had the honour of y â— Tourney was my gueste this last night and neuer did I sée a more courteous Gentleman which makes me hope he wil ende the aduenture of Francelina whether he is gone as he tolde me he woulde With these words the Spanyard waâ—… well contented minding to follow him to the Isle of Carderia and ryding by the way he heard a verie lamentable cry which caused him to looke about when he espied one hanging on a Trée by y e armes and fiue villaines harde by making a fire to dresse some foode they had killed on the Mountaine Comming to the man that hunge in this wâ—…full plight he cut him downe and vnderstâ—…nding that these villaines had râ—…bd so misused him caused the Merchaunt to take his weapon and so they setting vpon the Thâ—…ues sâ—…ew three of thâ—…m dryuing the other to flight by which meanes the Merchaunt had most of his treasure againe for which hee thanked the Prince and mounting on horsebacke accâ—…mpanied him on the waie Not farre had they gone but they met a Knight vnarmed of huge constitution and euill fauoured hauing a 〈◊〉 Bowe in his hand and a Quiuer hanging by his â—…e full of Arrowes of whâ—…m they desirâ—…d to knowe which way they should get foorth of the Forrest The discourteous Knight without making any answer let flye an Arrow 〈◊〉 them wherewith hee killed the Prince Recindes horse â—…e beeing not a little mooued at this mishap grewe into great choller against him who made no longer staye but ranne from them so fast as hee could Recinde and the Merchaunt still pursued till hauing lost the sight of him and meruailing where he should be hidden at length they founde the mouth of a very dark Cauâ—… which they suspected the Knight had taken for refuge whereuppâ—…n the Prince intreated the Merchaunt to staie there without because hee intended to searâ—…h the Caue and be reuenged on the Knight that had so wronged him Not farre had he gone vnder the earth but hee hearde a pittifull voyce crying for helpe which caused him to returne backe againe when at the entraunce of the Uaute he bâ—…helde a mightie Lyon which came foorth with the Knight and ran â—…ppon the Prince 〈◊〉 furiouâ—…e but he who could not â—…ee frighted with matters of greater moment so valiantlie defended himselfe against the Beast as in short time hee layde him dead at his footâ—… New ranne the Knight backe