but yet kéeping his saddle they met together so furiously with their bodies that they were both horse men tumbled to the ground to the great meruaile of the prince Don Edward and the other Knights which were standing on the battlements of the Castle beholding the same who greatly commended him in their harts then quickly recouering themselues they drew foorth theyr swords and comming together they began a most cruell and dangerous combat the Knight still fearing his mighty blowes did often voyde the same by the quicknesse of his bodie but yet many times receiued wound vppon wound himselfe likewise giuing many Thus continued they the spare of two howres without any great aduantage to be discerned betwéene them the Giant at length beginning to be out of breath beganne to giue back a little which the Knight perceiuing folowed him the faster and the Giant still giuing back hapned to stumble on a péece of the Knights Launce wherewith he fell to the ground so that before he could recouer himselfe he had receiued two great wounds the one in his thigh the other in his right arme whereby béeing againe gotten on his féete he could not so well handle his Semiter as before hée did which was soone the occasion that the Knight of Fortune got the victorie yet very déerly for hauing the Giant at this aduantage he determined to end the Combat quickly and croching neere the better to giue a full blow at his head he performed the same with such force that hée caused him to tumble to the ground receiuing withall so mightie a blow from the Giant on the right side that cleauing his shield in two he was thereby sore wounded in the shoulder and in his arme But euen as he was going to be reuenged thereof by cutting of his head the Gyant Furoll came vnto him and by force taking him in his armes doe what he could he carried him into the Castle where being disarmed he had his wounds very carefully looked vnto at the intreaty of the Prince who greatly liked him for his vallour which he had showed in the combat with Brandofell And beeing cured of his wounds was alwaies by the Prince held as a companion vnto whom hee declared the deliuery of his daughter from the Gyant Latron and of the great sorrow which the Princesse Emilia indured for his imprisonment All which was a great increase of the loue and amity béetweene them whereby they passed away the time of their imprisonment with the greater content which was not now very long for God pittying the losse of so many braue and hardy Knights sent not long after the imprisonment of the Knight of Fortune the Knight of the Lions and Adresto as you shall heare héereafter But first we will speake of the sorrow of the Court of Saxonie for the sudden departure of their Prince CHAP. XVII Of the great sorrow that was made by the Duke of Saxonie the whole Court when the Prince was found missing and how by finding a Letter in his chamber window it was knowne what was become of him I Haue a long time forgotten to declare vnto you the great sorrowe and griefe which the noble Duke Mauris the Dutches and all the rest of the Court sustained when the Prince Iago was found missing which was the next day after his departure for the Duke his father finding him wanting the next day demaunded where he was as being giuen to vnderstād that his Squire Stephano only in his companie departed towards the Sea side that since they were not returned Wherefore the Duke caused inquiry to be made for him and hearing no certaine newes thereby hee grew meruailous discontented therewith and comming into the Dutches her chamber hée found both her and her daughter in as great perplexity not knowing what to coniecture of his absence and demaunding whether they knewe the cause thereof the Dutches told him that since the departure of the Gentleman of the Forrest she had neuer séene her sonne to showe any content being denied often to follow him in séeking strange aduentures her minde did giue her that hee was now departed by stelth to follow that which otherwise hée could not be permitted to doe The Duke being almost of the same opinion beganne to rent his haire from his head and to rage and take on mightily the Dutches his daughter and all the rest that were present bearing him compapany in his griefe but euen as they were in the midst of this sorrow the Prince Iagos Chamberlaine came and brought a letter which the Prince had left behind him in his chamber windowe the contents whereof followeth To my Soueraigne and louing Father the Duke of Saxonie MOst high and mighty Prince and louing father let not I beséech you this my sudden and disobedient departure any way vex or trouble your noble minde but consider and iudge of the same not with this your ripe and stayed grauitie but looke into the same with a remembrance of your more young and youthfull yéeres when by your noble prowesse heroyick déedes of Armes you caused all the Regions of Europe and Asia to resound with the eccho of your name consider I beséech you what a griefe it is to a noble and vallerous minde to be kept alwaies in the bounds of his owne natiue Country yea like a Hauke to be as it were cubbed vp in a mewe and thinke withall I beséech you what the world doth already and will héereafter say of me if I should still spend my daies in this easie kind of life will they not say that I doe degenerate from being sonne vnto so noble a Sire as your selfe and that this effeminate bringing vp vnder the winges of my mother and in a Court giuen altogether vnto pleasure and idlenesse will in the end be the only subuertion of this florishing estate when it shall please God to call you hence vnto a more happy and delightfull life Call to minde I beséech you the florishing state of the Romane Empire and consider how many noble youths rose to honor by sloth and idlenesse nay rather were not by those meanes the ouerthrow of their families What thinke you of Tarquinius Superbus was not his sloth and effeminate liuing in his youth the cause of his inordinate lust and his lust the cause of his ruine What shall I speake of Nero Commodus and diuers others whom I could recite that only by effeminate ill education degenerated from their noble predicessors on the contrary side looke into Caesar the Catoes yea and the Scipioes who not lying at home but euen in their childhood as it were followed the warres to their great immortall fame What shall I say farther to commend the following of strange and hard aduentures considering that you already know the same better then I can discribe wherefore pardon I beséech you this my departure which I doubt not will be prosperous vnto me and to the future benifit of your Country I
monthes hand had also as then somewhat the better cullor being norished with more wholsomer diet After they had a while beheld and played with the children the Duke declared vnto the Dutches and rest of the Lords and Ladies there present the manner of his finding as before is recited and likewise willed to haue him brought vp as acompanion with his sonne desiring the Dutches to bee as carefull of him as of her owne assuring her that his minde gaue him how that the childe was issued of a Noble bloode because they knewe not by what name to call him the Duke willed him to bée called the Gentleman of the Forrest which name we must vse vntill such time as fortune shall make knowne from whence he is procéeded Héere againe will wee leaue him and returne to speake of the Quéene his mother whom we left in a traunce in the Caue where hauing line a long while and at length come vnto herselfe againe and remembring the losse of her childe fell to wéeping and renting and tearing her face with her nailes pulling her haire from her head and cursing herselfe which had taken no better care of him then comming foorth of the Caue she went crying vp and downe causing the woods to resound the eccho of her son séeking whether shee could in any place perceaue either by bloud or other signe if he were deuoured of the wild beasts and finding none she fell againe to séeke in euery bush if happily hee might be crept therein but all in vaine bestowed she her paines good Lady to séeke for him which in that place could not bee found for God had otherwise ordained for the bringing vp of the child as you haue already heard though vnknowne to the good Ladie his mother who was now in such extreame griefe not finding nor knowing what was become of her childe that she became as franticke wéeping crying vp and downe the Forrest all that day and most part of the night till being forced with wearinesse she sat downe and rested herselfe Where sitting a while and contemplating her sorrowes one whiles there would come into her minde the remembrance of her husband and her former estate being in ioy and prosperitie the calling to minde whereof did strike into her the greater sorrowe for being in miserie there is no greater griefe then to call to minde forepassed pleasures then againe would come into her minde her vision which she sawe in the Forrest and the hope of future ioyes which thereby was promised which did somewhat againe mittigate her sorrowe thus passed shee away all that night in weeping and lamentations neither caring nor thinking what might become of her so excessiue was her griefe CHAP. VII How the Queene the next day got out of the Forrest and how she placed herselfe in a Monestrie neere to the Citty of Maiance THE night béeing past and beautifull Aurora comming againe to the viewe of this hether worlde whose welcome the chéerefull Birds rang forth with many a pleasant tune to the comfort of all earthly creatures the wofull Lady who of all the night had not once suffred her eyelids to close nor giuen nature her due by fléepe rising vp from the place where she had remained all night began againe to renew her former sorrow sometimes cursing raging at her euill fortune then againe blaming herselfe for her impatience which was not able to indure those crosses which God for her tryall had layd vpon her Thus at length somewhat comforted with the hope shee had that the prouidence of the most Highest might turne all her afflictions and crosses into ioyes and blessings and likewise that in time she might recouer according to the Vision which she had séene at her first comming into the forrest both her husband and sonne shée determined to make triall if she might get forth of the Forrest which if she could she would vnknowne trauell vnto some Monestary or religious house where shée meant to spend the rest of her time to her soules comfort but first she determined to make triall if her husband were returned or not So hapning on a by path onwards she went so farre that by the time that Phoebus golden Chariot was ascended into the midle heauens shee found herselfe euen at the place where first in company of the King and theyr traine of Lords Ladies shée entred the wood at such time as they were set on by the Out-lawes Where beholding the place and calling to minde that there beganne the head and well-spring of all her troubles and miseries which shée had since that time indured brake foorth into these or such like spéeches O thou accursed place reserued onely of the diuine powers to be a plague and hell to those who willingly not so much as in thought offended against them I beséech the Almightie protector of heauen and earth that thou mayest for euer-more prooue barren and vnfruitfull and that these thy goodly trées and bushes which were a couert vnto those damned wretches which seperated me from that péerlesse Prince and my déere loue may héereafter neuer beare neither fruite nor leaues but may presently wither away and die as did that figge trée which thou O Sauiour Christ diddest curse for not yéelding of fruite in the time of thy hunger going frō Bethania to Ierusalem Thus accursing that place and the whole Forrest shee directed her course towards Maiance where by reason of her long absence and the altering of her apparrell through time her best skill shée entred vnknowne of any where shee found such an alteration that she could scarcely belieue that to be the Citty which in former time shée had séene so much to florish in costly and braue shewes and not knowing well what to imagin shée secretlie inquired as well the cause of this strange alteration as also whether there were any certain newes of the Kings being aliue or dead All which at large was declared vnto her as well the cause of sorrow which generally did appeare through all the Cittie for the losse of the King as also the new gouernment of the state which was disliked of many but whether the King were liuing or no that was not knowne so secretly did that Tyrant Griffory cause his imprisonment to be conceald But at length hauing made what inquirie she could not minding to make her selfe knowne she returned againe out of the Citty and went vnto a Monestary some three miles distant called the Monestry of our Lady where comming to the Gouernesse she intreated to be entertained amongst the Religious Votaries Affirming herselfe to be a poore desolate widdow who béeing by death dispoyled of all cōfort had determined to end the remnant of her life in prayer and thanksgiuing vnto her Creator trusting thereby to find comfort for her soule in the world to come The Abbesse béeing a very deuout and religious woman marking not onely her outward gesture which was a plaine demonstration of inward griefe but also
without you had therein béene guiltfull you would not haue persisted in this your wicked persute after my honesty The Duke knowing himselfe guilty in that wherewith she had accused him also growing into chollor with her rude deniall briefly replied Lady I perceaue that that which cannot be obtained by faire meanes must now at length be wonne by foule and séeing that you wil not willingly consent vnto the thing which in kind and milde sort I haue intreated of you know for a certainty that I will winne it by force whereas you accuse me of murdering of thy vnfortunate husband assure thy selfe that the guilte thereof shall lighten on thy owne head which I my selfe will iustifie against thée And thus saying he departed her chamber changing all his former loue into cruell hate alwaies pondring in his minde reuenge till such time as his Nobles being come together for the solemnizing of the funerals at which time comming as if hee would haue viewed the dead corpes with some of his nobillity laying his hand on his head on a sudden he séemed to féele the nayle when fetching a déepe sigh hee cryed out that his déere friend Hostinius had béene slaine by treachery The nobles beholding this sudden accident came and beheld the same euery one imediatly iudging that by that wound he receaued his death The Duke aboue all others séemed most to wounder héereat and at length turning to the company sayd that he hoped to find out the murtherers séeing God so strangely had giuen knowledge of the déede which vntill now was not so much as once dreampt of Wherefore presently causing Vitella with all her Damsells and attendants to be atached he examined them euery one and comming to Estonio whom hee before had instructed examined him in such sort that he declared how that the Lady Vitilla had many times made proffer of her loue vnto him and that he as often had denied her because he would not wronge his Lord and Maister how that she had proffered him both to murder her husband and afterwards to marry with him if he thereunto would giue his consent still clearing himselfe as much as it was possible This confession being vttered shee poore distressed Lady was foorthwith condemned not being suffered so much as once to speake for her selfe Estonio was likewise committed to prison there for to remaine a while to bléere the peoples eyes who could hardly belieue that which hee had iustified The same day the Duke procéeded in iudgement against Vitella where he iudged her for her fault to loose all her lands which he imediatly seased on and that except within sixe months she could find a Knight that should maintaine her cause against the Duke in single combat for he as a déere friend vnto her deased husband would be the man that would prooue that she had comitted treason and murder against him with these conditions that if he were vanquished that then she should be deliuered frée and all her lands and goods restored vnto her but if it hapnēd that he remained Victor that both shee and the weake Knight which should put himselfe in her defence should be burned a liue at one stake which he caused for the same purpose to be set vp in the midst of the Market place This sentence pronounced she good Lady was committed vnder safe kéeping no body but such whom the Duke appointed being suffered to come vnto her Which caused many to iudge the Duke rather to be guilty then she especially such who had knowne the great loue betwéene her and her deceased husband considering also that onely by this meanes he had gotten her inhearitance into his hands which was the chiefest marke he aimed at Now to returne againe to our purpose the Lord Gwaltero and his company comming as before wee haue said into Viena hapned to take vp his lodging in a kinsmans house of the Lady Vitellas who by reason of her mishap was very sad pensiue and béeing sitting at supper was demaunded the cause of his sorrow by the Lord Gwaltero vnto whom hee declared the former discourse with the loue of the Duke vnto Vitella which he had likewise learned of her not forgetting in any one poynt to declare the cōmon wickednesse of the Duke therby the easier to perswade his crime likewise in this Gwaltero hauing attentiuely listned vnto this discourse meruailed greatly at the strange tyranny of the Duke and béeing halfe resolued of the Ladies innocencie determined with himselfe to put himselfe in her defence wherefore demaunding how hee might come to speake with the Ladie and also how néere the time appointed for her execution was expired for that he was loth to tarry ouer-long in any place because of his returne vnto his Lady Mistrisse his Host replied that the time of her death was now within sixe dayes and that as yet shee was not prouided of any Champion because the Duke was a strong puissant knight and the condition of the combat such that euery one feared to entermedle therein and as touching the meanes to speake with her if he would vouchsafe to take the paynes he would supper béeing ended conduct him to the place where hee should from her owne mouth heare what shee would say to cléere herselfe Gwaltero béeing by nature pittifull and also by oath of Knight-hood bound to helpe and succour those that were distressed consented to goe with him to the prison Where béeing come and brought into the presence of Vitella her Cosin declared the cause of their comming who after thanks to them giuen and lifting vp both her eyes and hands towards heauen protesting her innocencie she declared as much as she knew touching the same vtterly denying any loue towards Estinio or any other saue onely her Lord Hostinius Gwaltero being fully resolued of her innocencie demaunded if she would put her case into his hands who would for her deliuery aduenture his life and no doubt but her cause béeing iust God would prosper theyr quarrell Shée humbly thanking him answered that séeing he so curteously offered himselfe to him and God onely she committed her case desiring that according to her innocencie he might spéed therein and no otherwise Then taking theyr leaue till the day came he departed leauing her somewhat comforted with hope of her Knights good successe and equitie of her cause CHAP. XVII How Gwaltero combatted with the Duke and slew him of the kind proffers that were made him by Vitella the Nobility with his departure thence THE day béeing come wherin the Lady Vitella was either to bring foorth her Champion or else to commit her body to the fire the Duke béeing royallie accompaned entred the Lists causing her in continent to be sent for and béeing come demaunded for her Champion shée aunswered that God had prouided her one who at the sound of the trumpet would likewise appeare The Duke hearing that shée was prouided of a Knight wondred what he should be
considering withall the goodnesse of his Armor vnwillingnesse of the defendants to come foorth determined to enter whilst the wicket was open wherefore stepping a little to the right hand he gaue one of them so sore a blow on the left shoulder that caused him to fall to the ground and héerewithall hee lept suddenly to the wicket and got in thereat which they of the Castle perceauing and with all fearing the sequell bee ganne to arme themselues and all at once to assault him some with swords other with Launces some others againe betooke them to throwing of stones diuers engines of iron at him where with he was greatly troubled But seeing no remedy but either to conquer or die he couered himselfe with his shield and with his trusty blade in his hand hee made such way amongst them that he thought himselfe surest that was farthest off from him so that within the space of two houres he had not left aboue sixe of them liuing all which were likewise very sore wounded beeing vtterly voyd of hope to escape his conquering arme determined to submit themselues to his mercy hoping thereby to saue their liues which otherwise they could not long preserue Wherefore falling on their knées with one voice they craued mercy which he soone graunted vnto them being as I haue many times before said naturally inclined to pitty And willing them to stand vp hee demaunded what prisoners there were in the Castle and for what occasion that custome was there erected all which one of them at large recounted declaring how that the King of Denmarke as yet remained there with diuers other noble and gallant Knights Which when the Knight of the Lions heard hée commaunded straight waies to be conducted vnto the prison and likewise that Adresto should be brought in and his wounds dressed by the Surgian of the Castle which was a man greatly experienced in that science all which was presently performed And one of the Knights running to one of them that was slaine tooke from him a bunch of keyes wherewith he opened a little iron doore and discending downe a narrow paire of staiers they came to a dungion vnderground at the entry whereof was another iron doore which they likewise opened then hauing a torch lighted in their hands they vnchained all the prisoners amongst whom they found King Frederick the Lord Gwaltero his Cosin the Duke of Litsenburge the Lord of Menew Sir Henault and diuers others to the number of a hundred all or most part Knights of Denmarke Many of which were sore pined away and almost famished through their extreame griefe and course fare but the King the Lord Gwaltero Sir Henault were little or nothing altred for all their long imprisonment And now being all brought foorth into the great Hall of the Castle they with one accord gaue harty thankes vnto the Knight of the Lions and then falling on their knées with one consent they gaue praises to almighty God which being ended the King with the noble men came vnto the Knight of the Lions desiring him to declare who hee was that they were so much bound vnto for their deliuerance To which hee aunswered that hee was commonly called the Knight of the Lions But as touching his parents or Country he knew not only this he had heard that being a child he was taken vp in a Forrest in the Kingdome of Denmarke by the Duke of Saxonie who since that time had carefully brought him vp as his sonne Which when the King had heard hée imbrast him in his armes desiring him to accompany him into his Kingdome where hee would showe himselfe so thankfull vnto him as hee should not thinke his labour ill bestowed The Knight beeing by the instinct of nature greatly affected vnto the King soone consented héereto although it were farre out of his way towards Spaine whether he was trauelling For which the King gaue him harty thankes and withall beganne to haue an inward loue towards him héere continued they by the space of eight or tenne daies to refresh their weake bodies as also for the curing of the wounds of Adresto and making preparation for their Armors whereof they had great store in the Castle some horses others they got abroade in the Country néere adioyning for their monies And now hearing that Grifforie was gathering his forces to come against them they departed towards Flaunders where hearing of the warres and rebellion in Denmarke they determined vnknowne to hasten thether and naming themselues to be all Knights arrant met together by chance and hearing of these warres were minded to entertaine themselues in the armie of the States With this determination arriued they at the Citty of Gaunt which was still held by the Danes and héere they remained to prouide themselues of such things as they néeded CHAP. XX. How King Fredericke the Knight of the Lyons and the rest of theyr company arriued in the Army of the States and how the next day they gaue battell vnto the Scots where by the vallour of the King the Knight of the Lyons and theyr company the States got the victory and howe the King made himselfe knowne THe King and the rest of his company hauing prouided themselues of all things necessary for theyr iourney departed from Gaunt towards Denmarke béeing in all to the number of an hundred Knights wel furnished and prouided for the warre And marching thus together through Flaunders and other prouinces of Germany they arriued within thirtie dayes at Rensberge where the two Armies by the space of sixe daies had line incamped one against the other continually skirmishing but neither side daring the one to assault the other And now béeing héere arriued the King and the rest béeing disguised for feare of being knowne came vnto the States desiring entertainement and withall declared a long fained circumstance how they had met together and béeing all minded to ayde theyr right and iust cause against the Scots and traytors they were come together to proffer their seruices The States béeing glad of this succor and withall knowing diuers of them as the Duke of Litsenburge and others whom they receiued with great ioy and gaue entertainment to all the rest who by the meanes of the Duke were placed in commaund and entring into counsell they determined to send presently vnto the Scots to demaund battell which by the Earle Dowglasse was soone graunted and the next day it was appointed that it should be tryed by a pitched battell who should haue the victory The morning béeing come and both Armies ranged in the field the States had deuided their forces into thrée battalions the first whereof was ledde by the Lord Louden and the County of Mildrope containing eight thousand the second or maine battell was ledde by the Duke of Litsenburge and the Lord of Opencade containing twelue thousand the third last battalion contayning nine thousand was led by the Lord Itzenho and the Lord of Rensberge The King the
turning to the Squire hee intreated him to tarry till the next day séeing the two young Gentlemen were so desirous The Squire to satis-fie the Duke willingly consented although he had no great hope of theyr successe The two Princes carefull of their charge hauing theyr Armor and other necessaries prouided kept theyr deuout watch all night sometimes accompanied by the young Princesse and diuers other Ladies they passed away the time till the morning at what time the Duke cōming vnto them accompanied with many Lords Knights with his owne hands buckled on theyr spurres and then drawing foorth their swords gaue them the gentle Accolado Then raysing them vp desired GOD to make them both good and valiant Knights Then hearing deuine seruice they returned into the great Hall to make triall of the inchaunted Sword where first the Prince Iago as the elder made tryall but by no meanes was able to draw it then taking it to the Gentleman of the Forrest he said Brother God giue you better luck then I or else this Squire is like to indure more labour True replied he I doubt it greatly séeing that you haue mist then putting his hands on the Hilts he drew it foorth as easily as if it had béene an ordinary sword to the great wonder of the Duke and all the beholders Then the Squire falling on his knees tolde him that the boone which he required was to goe into Ireland with him where he should combat with a Knight béeing the falsest Louer that might be and therewith declared the whole discourse of his Lady and Adresto as is before recited Héere wee will leaue the Gentleman of the Forrest preparing himselfe to goe with the Squire into Ireland to combat Adresto concluding the first part of our History FINIS The second part of the famous History of the two Princes Euordanus Prince of Denmarke and Iago Prince of Saxonie with their seuerall aduentures and fortunes in Loue. CHAP. I. How Euordanus called the Gentleman of the Forrest hauing receaued order of Knighthood departed towards Ireland with the Squire of Lenarda Dutches of Toledo YOu may remember how that in the former part of this historie the young Princes Euordanus and Iago hauing receaued the order of Knighthoode and the aduenture of the inchaunted sword being finished by Euordanus he was thereupon to trauell into Ireland to combat with Adresto and now hauing stayed by the Duke and Dutches intreaty some thrée or foure daies in which time there was a small Barke prepared for his better transporting himselfe and such necessaries as in his iourny should be néedefull vnto him and now the winde seruing fitly for their intended course he was hastned on by the Squire to depart who declared vnto him the great griefe and heauines which in this meane time his noble and excellent Lady the Dutches Lenarda indured then which hée was sure there could be no greater torment possible And now all things béeing fitted in readinesse for their departure hee came before the Duke to take his leaue where falling downe on his knées proffering to kisse his graces hands the Duke lift him vp from the ground imbracing him in his armes and with teares trickling downe his manly chéekes commended him to God desiring him that he would returne againe vnto his Court his aduenture being finished with as much spéede as might bee whereas he should be as hartily welcome as his owne natural son the prince Iago These many other such like spéeches the Duke then vsed vnto him which draue the Knight into a great admiration especially of the words that hée should be as welcome vnto him as the Prince Iago By which and the strange name he was called by it was to be doubted whether hee were the Dukes sonne or not which before this time he had neuer heard nor so much as once dreampt of so secret had his finding béene consealed from him And being about to demaunde the same of the Duke he was put from his purpose by a messenger which was sent vnto him by the Dutches to will him to come vnto her in her chamber where hearing of his taking leaue of the Duke she attended his comming being accompanied with her daughter the Princesse Egisena who was now attained to the age of 15 yeares and by continuall frequenting the company of the Gentleman of the Forrest somewhat touched with loue towards him and vnderstanding by her mother who desired nothing more then to sée them ioyned together in marriage that they were no kin had set downe her rest if he thereto consented to accept of no other husband Thus leauing the Duke not a little grieued for his departure he came vnto the Dutches her chamber where as he found both the mother and daughter so ouercharged with sorrow for his departure that of a long time they were not able to vtter a word But at length the Dutches recouering the former vse of her tongue with a déepe sigh procéeding from her hart which manifestly showed the inward griefe she sustained for his departure and with her eyes stedfastly fixed on him spake as followeth Gentleman of the Forrest for sonne I may no longer call you the great loue which I haue alwaies borne vnto you I am sure you know to be no lesse then that either to your supposed brother the Prince Iago or your sister Egisena although as by my former spéeches you may perceaue you were not my owne naturall childe but in your infancy found by my Lord the Duke in a Forrest in the Kingdome of Denmarke of which place you haue euer since béene called the Gentleman of the Forrest no man knowing of what parentage you are discended nor what other name then this which the Duke gaue you to call you by These things I haue now thought good to declare vnto you before your departure that béeing absent you may the better if occasion so happen to find out your true and naturall parents whom I doubt not but to be such as your selfe shall haue no cause to grieue at nor we cause to be sorrowfull for the education bestowed vpon you your vertues already manifesting the same Farther would she haue procéeded but the teares trickling downe her chéekes stopped the passage of her farther spéeches when the young Knight hauing attentiuely listned vnto her former words to the which those of the Duke séemed to concure Replied most worthy Princesse these your spéeches hath strooke such an amazednesse into my vnderstanding that I knowe not well what to speake or thinke but my vntowardlinesse did alwaies foreshowe that I was not discended of so royall an ofspring as my Lord the Duke yet notwithstanding my minde foretelleth me I am not so basely descended but that I may hope for to challendge my selfe to be a Gentleman and make knowne this high order which my Lord the Duke hath bestowed vpon mee of Knighthoode not to surpasse my estate wherefore I vow and protest before God héere in your Graces presence
vnto the Princes minde as not any thing might be greater The shield also he tooke on his arme and although it was impersable yet was it framed of such a substance that it was as light as any ordinary shield the deuice béeing in a fielde Verte thrée Lyons rampant or signifying indéede thrée Lyons which the famous Lyonell slew in the Kingdome of Spayne as you may reade in that History and from which likewise hee was called Lyonqueller CHAP. V. How the Prince Euordanus departing out of Walles arriued in Ireland naming himselfe the Knight of the Lyons and what hapned vnto him on his way towards Dublin THe Prince hauing throughly recouered him selfe of his wounds which he receiued of the Monster and hauing gained the Armor and shielde of the famous Lionell departed towards the harbor of Milford taking his leaue of the courtious Hermise and the rest of the inhabitants of the Country many of whome were desirous to haue kept him company but he would not in any wise accept thereof And now being come vnto the harbor he found his shippe in a readinesse and hauing the wind indifferent faire they set saile towards Ireland where the next day they arriued in the famous Riuer of Waterford where beeing come to an ancor they went on shore to view the pleasantnesse of the Country Which at that time was indifferent delightfull by reason of the many pleasant springs which descended from the Mountaines causing with their rumbling noise a most delightfull harmony The next day the Prince accompanied only with his owne Squire and the Squire of Lenarda whom hee willed in any wise not to make him knowne otherwise thenby the name of the Knight of the Lions Departed towards the Citty of Dublin whereas Adresto remained in the delightfull companie of Valeria for so was the Merchants daughter named of whom he was so greatly enamored and for whose sake he accomplished diuers and sundry combats defending her beauty against al commers to his no small fame and renowne for that within the space of two yeares he had ouer-come and subdued aboue a thousand Knights not at any time himselfe hauing receaued the foyle Thetherwards rode the Knight of the Lyons coasting ouer Mountaines and Vallies the first day not hapning on any aduenture worth the recitall The next day in the morning a little after hee was departed from the place whereas they had line that night there met him a Damsell mounted on a small hackny making meruailous hast and comming vnto him casting her selfe from her horse to the ground spake in this manner Most courtious and valiant Knight for so much my minde assureth you to bee let the humble petition of the most distressed Damsell in the world mooue your nohle hart to pittie and relieue this my cruell disaster which without the ayde of you or some other valiant Knight is now vncurable wherefore by your solemne oath of Knight-hood by which you are bound to defend all distressed persons especially Ladies and Damsels and also by her whom you loue most I coniure you to ayde and defend me in a most right and iust quarrell The Knight beholding her wofull iesture with her solemne coniurations which she vttered with such aboundance of sighes and teares flowing downe from the fountaines of her eyes as might haue mooued the hardest hart to relent caused her to stand vp and willed her to declare the effect and cause of this her complaint assuring her that if her cause were corespondent to her sorrowes she had met with one who would either loose his life or worke her content The Damsell béeing comforted with this his promise rose vp from the ground and wiping the teares from her eyes began thus Most woorthy Knight know that not passing fiue leagues hence there dwelt sometimes a famous valiant Knight who in the flowre of his age prooued still fortunate in all his enterprises especially in his loue towards a noble Dame of this Country named Molenda whom at length by the consent of theyr friends hee inioyed in lawfull marriage and liued together a long time in great ioy and content and in their latter yéeres GOD blessed them with a faire daughter whom they named Modesta happy in that shee was discended from so vertuous Parents but afterward most infortunate as by the processe of my spéeches you shall vnderstand For Eugenius for so was the auncient Knight my father called béeing striken in yéeres hauing no more children but my selfe who then had attained vnto the age of twelue yéeres my Father as I haue before sayd béeing striken in age and also grieuously vexed with an extreame malady called vnto him my mother and my selfe and after some fatherly exhortations to me giuen he turned vnto my mother sayd My déere and most beloued Molenda knowing that my fatall time is at hand and that death who spareth no man hath already seased on my body I haue thought good before my death to recommend this our daughter vnto your most louing and motherly care desiring you in any case not to permit or suffer her béeing come vnto ripenesse of yéeres to match with any of this Prouince which vnto my soule would be most grieuous and that during her nonage you would sée her most carefully instructed in vertue wherby she may be worthy of this patrimony whereunto shee is borne My father hauing vttered these or such like spéeches and finding himselfe to draw towards his end imbraced vs both in his armes and turning about his face immediatly departed out of this wretched world leauing vs to bewaile this our crosse fortunes Now after wee had solemnised his funeralls and had according to the vse of thys Country by the space of one whole yéere in mournfull attire bewailed his death it hapned on a time that my mother béeing desirous to recreate her ouer-troubled minde with some delightfull pleasures desired a great number of her neighbours as well Knights Ladies Gentlemen and Damsels as also others of meaner sort to come vnto her Castle where they were all hartily welcome and worthily feasted by the space of thrée dayes during which space they past away the time with many sundry disports to the content of vs all But alas héere began the head or spring of all my griefe as by the sequell of my spéeches you shall perceiue for amongst this company there was a Knight whose liuelihood ioyned with ours a man indued with rites sufficient had the Gods graced him so well with vertue and good conditions This Knight I say fayning himselfe to be attached with my beauty desired mee of my mother in marriage But she respecting more the riches of the mind then the worldly wealth of the man gaue him a flat deniall alleaging my youth to be such as was very vnfit for a husband and that to match a young gerle without a setled affection was the next way to leade her into a life farre worse then death for then to be matched where one cannot
Ireland and knew well how to defend himselfe but yet farre vnequall to the other who pursued him with so many huge weighty blowes breaking his shield and Armor in péeces that he caused the blood to issue foorth abundantly himselfe through the goodnes of his Armour not hauing receiued any wound so that it manifestly appeared which way the victory would bend it selfe had it not béene that the rest of Callapins company who perceiued him almost ouercome put themselues in his defence Héere againe the battell began to grow doubtfull they béeing eyght and all on horsebacke whereby they had the far greater aduantage which the good Knight perceiuing and séeing there was no way to auoyde this danger but by his owne prowesse gaue Callapin so sound a blow on the head that cleauing both Helme and head to the téeth caused him to fall dead to the ground and making as if he would haue fled hee came to Gillimo and mounting himselfe on horseback he incountred one of them who breaking his staffe on his good shield was sent besides his saddle to measure his length on the ground where to make him sure for dooing any further harme Gillimo tooke paynes to cut off his head But now was the other seauen come vnto him who all at once charged him with their Launces in such sort that his horse not béeing able to indure the incounter fel vnder him but soone was hée againe remounted by his Squire who brought him Callapins horse then began hee to lay on such blowes as well he gaue them to vnderstand that they could not long indure against him frō some cutting their armes from their bodies ouerthrowing others to the ground who neuer could rise againe for that the two Squires and Gillimo made them safe by cutting their throats thus continued the battell two long howres the Knight of the Lyons neuer hauing leisure to breathe himselfe so obstinate were they in the séeking of theyr owne deaths which by thys time sixe of them had gained the other two séeing theyr fellowes all slaine betooke thēselues to flight hoping thereby to saue theyr liues but béeing pursued by the Knight they were soone ouertaken leauing theyr liues for a satisfaction of theyr former offences Which when Molenda perceiued with her Daughter who by this time was come vnto her cast themselues at his féete and gaue him most hartie thankes for theyr deliuery proffering him all that they had if hée would accept thereof But hee raysing them from the ground willed them to render thankes to GOD who had sent him as a scourge to punish such wicked offenders as were those whom hee had vanquished Then taking theyr way into the Castle they remained there all that night where they were feasted by the Mother and the Daughter who séeing him so young and beautifull admired how he could be of such force to effect such déedes as hee had brought to passe therefore desiring to know what hee was Molenda beganne in this sort Most valiant Knight séeing you will not receiue any thing of vs whereby we might manifest vnto you the thankfulnes of our mindes yet I beséech you let vs know vnto whom we are so much bounden whereby in our prayers we may record this your memorable action The Knight aunswered As for that you demaund I cannot satisfie you because I know not mine owne estate but where I am knowne I am called the Knight of the Lyons by reason of these Lyons which I beare on my shield Farther they would haue questioned with him but fearing to displease him they gaue ouer and hauing brought him vnto his Chamber they committed him to GOD where that night by reason of his extreame wearinesse and his watching the night before hée slept very soundly Where wée will leaue him awhile and returne to declare what hapned in the meane time to Prince Edward of England whom you may remember in the former part of this History intended to demaund the beautifull Princesse Emilia of her Father the King of Fraunce CHAP. VII How the Prince of England demaunded Emilia of her father in marriage and of the strange aduenture that hapned in the French Court whereby all the chiefe Knights were forced to forsake the Court. IT is declared in the first part of this history how that Prince Edward of England being in the French Court where he ouercame the Duke of Orleance and after maintained the Princesse Emilia to be the beautifullest Lady in the world of whom hee grew so farre inamoured that hee determined to demaunde her of the King her father Wherefore one day being in a melancholly humor walking in a delightfull garden ioyning to the Pallace to recreate himselfe the King likewise came thether being accompanied with one page only and finding the Prince somewhat pensiue demaunded the cause thereof to which he replied The cause of this my dumpes in which you say I now am in procéedes partly from your selfe in regard I feare your deniall in a matter for which I minde to be a suter vnto you which feare driues me into a doubt whether I were best to speake in the same fearing to bee denayd or else conceals the same to my selfe which likewise may bréede a farther danger The King a while studying with himselfe what the matter might be at length gaue him this aunswere Most noble Prince the loue which I bare vnto you is such that it causeth me not to dissemble with you wherefore knowe that I cannot chuse but take these your spéeches in very vnkind part howsoeuer by you spoken for if the matter be reasonable which you would request then how farre you wrong mee in doubting my consent therein I referre to God only who knowes the thoughts of my hart If vnreasonable to your selfe who knowes what it is from ones friend to expect those things which hee cannot well without his great preiudice graunt wherefore declare boldly what it is that troubles your minde and assure your selfe you shall finde me willing to satisfie you therein if it bée not greatly to the preiudice of my honor and state of this my Kingdome The Prince hearing this friendly and to him ioyfull conclusion replied that he did greatly thanke his Maiestie for that great loue which hee did assure him of wherefore now putting all feare and doubte aside hée would declare the same vnto him which was this that being greatly wounded with the vertues and beauty of the Princesse Emilia his daughter whom in hart he had vowed to loue and fearing least he had otherwise disposed of her indéede was the cause of his pensiuenesse Which when the King heard with a smiling countenance made him this aunswere and is it possible that beautie can cause such alteration in you or else that loue can so soone take possession of your hart as comming frée to this my Court where you haue scarcely remained one month but indéede your combat with the Duke our Cosin and after hazarding your selfe in the same Challenge
the decke with his sword drawne in his hand his shield vpon his arme replied that they meant to defend themselues as not béeing accustomed with wordes to be daunted The Pirat Geroll hearing this aunswere commaunded to grapple with the English shyp The prince at the first incountring with a great lubber who proffered to leape aboord their shyp gaue him so sound a blow on the sconte that it caused him out of the shrowdes to tumble headlong into the Sea and after him another and another so that in the part of the ship where hée was the fight began to grow excéeding hote many of the Pirats souldiers béeing gotten aboord but by the helpe of his Squire and the Maisters mate who was a lustie fellow they quickly cléered theyr shippe againe and the Prince hauing receiued a wound by one of the Pyrats who was aboord theyr owne shyp not knowing which way to be reuenged leapt foorthwith into theyr shyp béeing inraged laid on such blowes that euery one thought himselfe happiest when they were farthest from him for by this time there were slaine aboue twenty of the Pirats Which Geroll perceiuing knowing right well that if the Knight were slaine he should easily vanquish the rest and hoping to performe it with his owne hands he came stealing behind him but the Prince who was ordained to finish greater matters perceiuing his intent turned his face towards him giuing him such a salutation with his sword that it caused him to bend with one of his knées euen to the deck Now began betwéene them two a most cruell Combat the Pyrat béeing a strong and lustie fellow one that had foughten many dangerous battels and also béeing ayded by those of his partie assaulted the Prince with great fury and were as gallantly by him resisted to theyr no smal preiudice for within lesse then halfe an howre hee had slaine sixe of them wounding the rest very grieuously And by this time the English Ship hauing tackt about came to the rescue of the Prince which so dismayed the Pyrats that béeing but tenne of them left aliue and they for the most part hurt as before-said determined to intreate for mercy and falling downe vpon theyr knées besought the Prince with one voyce to saue theyr liues which he easily yéelded vnto And taking course for the safe custodie of the shyp they hauing with great deuotion giuen thankes vnto almighty GOD for this so happy victory which they had so luckily obtained without the losse of any one man dressing those that were hurt with such salues and other néedfull things whereof they found good store aboord the Pyrat they directed theyr course for Douer where the next day they safely arriued where the Prince at the request of the Owner of the Ship stayed by the space of three dayes during which time there arriued many of the Country people to behold him for by this time was his fame spred abroad by the Marriners to his great renowne And the Lieuetenant that had the gouernment of that Fort vnder the King of England béeing then returned from certaine affayres which he had to doe entertained him with the greatest honour that might be To whom the Prince would not make himselfe knowne but as a Knight arrant minding to trauell to the Court of the King of England the fame whereof had brought him from his natiue Country And now hauing rested himselfe by the space of tenne dayes for the curing of such wounds as he had receiued in the former conflict and séeing the Pyrats executed according to the Lawes of that Realme determined to depart the next day towards London where the King then kept his Court hauing remained a long time in great pensiuenesse for the losse of his sonne Prince Edward CHAP. X. Howe Jago comming to the English Court tooke in hand the defence of a Lady falsly accused and what hapned thereof THE Prince Iago hauing taken his leaue of the Gouernour of Douer tooke his way directly towards London accompanied onely with his Squire vnto whom for the more pleasant passing of the time hee recounted his dreame in a vision which hée had séene at his comming out of Saxony Thus past they away theyr wearisome iourney till on the fourth day comming within fiue miles of the Citty they heard one most pittifully wéeping and drawing somewhat néere the same there béeing a high banke betwéene them and the voyce which they heard they stayed awhile to vnderstand the cause of that lamentation When suddenly they might heare the wéeping cease and the party to fetch a déepe and grieuous sigh saying Is it possible that God will altogether forsake the distressed innocent and suffer such great iniustice not raysing vp any one to helpe or succour theyr rightfull cause against so euident a treason O that it would please him to raise vp another Daniell to find out theyr accursed forgeries and to frée this his distressed Susanna or that it would please his almighty power to indue mée with strength and courage whereby I might force them to confesse theyr most wrongfull and false accusation against the most vertuous Lady liuing but alas I sée mine own forces béeing a weake and féeble woman too too far vnable to accomplish the same and the eares of the Almighty so stopt against my prayers that he dooth not heare thē But what doo I meane so much to blaspheme his holy Name as to say hée dooth not heare when alas it is our sinnes which causeth him not to grant what we require or peraduenture he may deferre the same to the greater setting forth of his glory that when all hope is past euen then hee may shew his omnipotent power by some strange deliuerance Héere againe she paused And Iago mounting vp the banke perceiued that shee was a comely young Gentlewoman whom hee saluted and béeing by her againe resaluted he demaunded the cause of her griefe which by her complaint he imagined to be very great assuring her withall that if the matter were correspondent vnto truth and to be tryed by dint of sword she had met with one who would willingly hazard his life in defence of the innocent The Damsell hearing his kind proffer and withall viewing the comly proportion of his body began somewhat to comfort herselfe hoping that God had sent him of purpose to defend the iust cause of her distressed Lady answered him Most curteous and valiant Knight for so much my mind dooth assure you to be I render you infinite thanks for this your kind willing offer hoping by the time you haue heard my wofull narration you will be throughly assured of the equity of the cause which hath mooued in me many more this sorrow which euen now you found in me and the vniust and trecherous dealing of the most disloiallest Knight that liues Knowe then that whilst this Court of England enioyed their most vallerous Prince Don Edward who now by the space of eyghtéene yeres hath continued
throughly resolued of the innocencie of her Lady was desirous to sée her to know whether she would accept of him as her Champion And being by the Damsell conuaied vnto the place where shee remained imprisoned he was by her most kindly welcomed giuing him a thousand thankes for his proffered kindnesse by her not any waies deserued and admitting him for her Champion she sayd Noble Knight I heere fréely deliuer vnto you the defence both of my life and honor desiring God no other way to spéede you then according to the truth and equitie of my cause which he knowes best assuring you farther that the death of my brother for which I am accused is more grieuious vnto me thē any torment I can indure It is true replied the prince euery vertuous wight regardeth more the losse of their friends then of themselues and I belieue the same of you wherefore I doe not doubt but to your eternall fame I shall make manifest your innocencie Thus departed he away making preparation against the battaile what happened therein you shall reade in the Chapter following CHAP. XI How the Prince Iago fought with Roberto and caused him to confesse his treason against Beleriza THe day being come in which the beautifull Beleriza was either to present her Champion or suffer death for the surmised murther of her brother The King with diuers of his Nobles being already placed on their scaffold to behold the battaile the prisoner was brought fourth attired all in blacke hauing a farre white Laune cast ouer hee head being accompanied with many beautifull Ladies of the Court attired also in mourning apparell bewailing her misfortune thus was shee conducted vnto a scaffold appointed for her after her came the Appelant mounted on a stately bay courser all in tauny armor as sorrowing for the death of his kinsman And comming before the King bending himselfe in his Saddle as doing obedience to his Maiestie spake as followeth Most dread Soueraigne I humbly beséech you to cause that detestable murtherer either presently to bring foorth her Champion if she be of any one prouided whom I may foorthwith to the manifestation of her crime ouercome or if she be not prouided that then according to the lawe shee be foorthwith executed The King disliking this is presumption as also greatly affecting Beleriza for her fathers sake sayd Signior Roberto I know not whether the prisoner be prepared of a Champion or no but your presumptious boldnesse in going about to teach mee what I haue to doe causeth me thinke that your great pride will soone take a fall for you might well haue stayed your hast vntill I had caused the trumpets according to the vse of Armes to summon the deffendant and then if he had not come foorth at the third summons you might boldly haue demaunded iustice Then staying a while the trumpets were willed to sound to warne the defendant who foorthwith being mounted on a milke white Stéede his Armor all gréene beset with Couslips of gold and bearing in his shield in an Azure field a beautifull Lady with his word in letters of gold Vbi nescio representing thereby the Lady whom he sawe in his dreame In this manner entred hee the Lists and trotting with a comly soft pace towards the King with his Beauer lifted vp to whom he did reuerence demaunding which was the Knight who had so falsely accused the sorrowfull Lady The King beholding his comly grace and perceauing by his spéech that he was a stranger most courtiously showed him Signior Roberto vnto whom Iago spake as followeth Sir Knight I doe not a little meruaile how you béeing a man honorably discended could harbor so base and vild a thought as to accuse this Lady your kinswoman of a murder wherein your selfe séemeth to be an Actor otherwise you would not so suddenly haue killed that wicked homicide your seruant but haue suffred him to haue liued and openly to haue confessed that which you in your conscience did greatly feare hee would denie but I doubt not but God by my arme will manifest that which by his death you did hope to haue concealed Roberto raysing him selfe in his stirrups and raging to be so touched with the truth and trusting in his owne might and force replyed in this manner Foole-hardy Knight thou shalt soone know what thy folly hath gained by béeing allured with her lookes to hazard thy life in a cause so vniust as this is which thou doost defend and how farre thy false and opprobrious spéeches hath incensed my choller against thée that whē as recreant thou shalt aske mercy in stéed thereof thou shalt receiue cruell death The King hearing these proude spéeches commanded the Iudges of the field to take the othes of both knights then the trumpets sounding warned thē to prepare to the battell Thus béeing by the Iudges placed in the lists hauing wind and sunne equally distributed vnto them they set spurres to their horses placing theyr Launces in theyr rests they met together with such fury that breaking their staues to theyr hands Roberto was throwne frō his horse and the Prince hauing likewise lost one of his stirrups passed on without any great semblance of moouing and comming to the end of his course turning about his horse hee saw Signior Roberto addressing himselfe for the foote combat which he no sooner perceiued but alighting from his horse drawing foorth his sword went to méet him where betwéene them began a most cruell and doubtfull combat no man knowing to which party victory was like to insue Don Roberto béeing a very strong and mightie Knight layd on blowes amaine as trusting in his great strength which surely was much and had hee beene indued as well with vertue as vallour he might well haue béene estéemed for one of the best Knights in England Don Iago on the other side béeing very nimble quicke of body although not altogether so strong as his enemy auoyded his blowes with very great skill many times wounding his aduersary both with thrusts and blowes himselfe sometimes receiuing wounds likewise so that the ground was besprinckled with theyr blood which issued out in many places through theyr Armor Thus continued they by the space of one whole howre neuer so much as once taking breath by which time their Armor was broken in many places especially that of the Prince Iago which béeing not altogether of the best though gallant to the eye was broken the sooner with his huge blowes although on the contrary side Roberto had receiued more great dangerous wounds through the thrusts which the Prince had made And now béeing both breathlesse they rested themselues awhile viewing each other and studying which way most how to indammage his aduersary At length they hauing well rested thēselues they fell to theyr combat afresh the Prince Iago séeming more lustie and quicke then at the beginning began now to follow his aduersary with many mighty blowes and sharpe thrusts causing him in a manner
méete me in the Lists how much thy ouer-weaning folly hath desceaued thée farwell Thy vndoubted enemie Don Adresto The next day no sooner had beautifull Aurora rowling herselfe out of old Nox his couch stept foorth into the viewe of this world being raide in her wonted garments of gray and as it were halfe blushing to haue remained so long in the loutish armes of her late old bed-fellowe went to welcome her new Bridge-grome the sonne but our two noble Knights being mounted on their stately Stéeds and armed at all points entred the Lists scarce dayning one to speake to the other And now hauing fetcht their carere met together with such force that their Launces were broken into a thousand shiuers the splinters thereof flying into the aire themselues both passing on without any motion of moouing in their Saddles and hauing ended their course and turning about their horses Adresto intreated the Knight of the Lions to breake a staffe or two more vntill such time as one of them were dismounted to which he willingly agreed and at the commaundement of Adresto there was a bundle of Launces brought the Knight being willed to chuse first Then running againe they incountred with such force that Adresto loosing both his stirrups was likewise forced to take hold by his horse mane the other béeing in the same sort driuen to take hold hauing lost his right stirrup she reynes of his bridle yet passed they both onwards and cōming to the end of theyr course tooke new Launces each confessing to himselfe neuer to haue receiued the like incounter and then setting theyr spurres the third time to theyr horses Adresto vsed these or such like spéeches to him selfe Fie fie Adresto what is become of thy former vallor which wast wont to send euery one with whom thou incountredst to take measure of his length on the ground is thy strength growne weaker then it hath béene or dooth thy conscience accusing thée of disloialtie towards Lenarda cause thy force to diminish no it is neither but onely the vallor of this Knight with whom thou doost contend On the otherside the Knight of the Lyons calling to his minde his beloued Lady the Princesse Egisena said Déere Lady sée héere thy féeble Knight as it were mated by this false Adresto nay onely the feare of your dislike is the cause that he hath béene able to indure against me but I beséech you call to minde your former kindnesses and confirme the same with your constant assurance and then I doubt not but to be well able to vanquish this Knight whom for his vallor I cannot chuse but loue These spéeches on both sides were scarce ended when méeting together they brake theyr staues hard home to theyr Gauntlets and méeting with theyr bodies they rushed together in such sort that theyr horses had much to doo to stand vnder them but were forced to ramble backwards but at length hauing recouered themselues the Knights béeing both wearied with theyr rough incoūters not minding any more to Iust drew foorth theyr swords and preparing themselues to the Combat the Knight of the Lyons was the first that assayled his aduersary and tutching his horse with his left spurre came close with Adresto deliuering him such a blow on the shield that slyeing away a great part thereof wounded him a little on the left thygh which Don Adresto soone requited for comming in with his left side and making as if he would haue giuen a thrust at his body suddenly by the agillity and quicknesse of his horse he was on the other side of him and deliuered a full blowe at his head taking him so sound a knocke that had it not béene for the goodnesse of his Armor he had then ended the battaile but the Armor beeing of approoued goodnesse saued his Maister from any hurt although the weight thereof did halfe a stony him but comming soone to his memory raising himselfe in his stirrupps he gaue Adresto a mighty blowe which had he not warded with his shield had assuredly claue him to the téeth for notwithstanding the goodnesse of the shield which was of pure well tempered steele he claue it in the midst and entring through both Helme and coyfe wounded him in the head to the great astonishment of his sences Thus continued they a great while with equall odds not one knowing which had the a vantage for although Adresto had receaued many wounds yet the vertue of the King which he weare on his finger was such that he lost not one droppe of blood Thus hauing continued by the space of two houres at last the Knight of the Lions hauing giuen him a mighty blowe on the head which caused him as one in a traunce to réele on his horse and before such time as he could recouer himselfe hauing deliuered another blowe betwéene his head shoulders caused him to fall from his horse in a traunce which the Knight of the Lions perceauing immediatly dismounted thinking to haue taken off his Helme and to haue giuen him ayre but before hee could come vnto him Adresto had recouered his féete and taking vp his sword which hung by a small chayne fastned vnto his arme sayd Knight of the Lyons I had thought before this time there had not béen any Knight able to match mee on horsebacke but now I find my selfe deceiued wherfore I suppose thou maist thanke thine Armorer which hath so well fitted thée but I doubt not now beeing on foote to deale with you some what better It is well sayd answered the other and were not my cause more iust then thine I should greatly feare mee of the victory but considering the wrong which thou doost vnto that vertuous Lady Lenarda it causeth mee to hope the best wherefore once more let me intreate thée to consent to returne vnto her Nay aunswered Adresto I both defie thy intreates and her loue and therefore defend thy selfe Then againe hurred they together more fiercely then at the first but not with like aduantage for Adresto before was greatly ayded by the quicknes of his horse and now béeing on foote although he were very quick and nimble yet the paine which he sustained by his wounds were a great hinderance vnto him On the contrary side the Knight of the Lyons béeing before on the backe of a horse daily vsed to trauell was not altogether of the quickest but now béeing on foote and in his chiefe prime not hauing receiued any wound was farre more quick then his aduersarie by which meanes he both saued himselfe and hurt his enemy euen at pleasure And at length taking Adresto at aduantage gaue him a sound blow on the side of the head which caused him so ramble and before hee could recouer himselfe gaue him one or two more so that hee was forced in a traunce to fall to the earth which the Knight perceiuing stept vnto him and before hee would giue him ayre tooke of his gauntlet and then finding the ring tooke it
Adresto to be sent for and his wounds to be dressed declaring vnto the Prince Iago that it was the same Knight for whom he left Saxonie to goe into Ireland to combat with all Héere after they had rested themselues by the space of fiue daies hauing sent word of this fortunate deliuerance to the Court of Fraunce they determined altogether to ride thether where in thrée daies they arriued with easie iournies by reason of the wounds of Adresto And at their comming foorth of the Castle with a mighty clap of thunder the Castle and dead bodies of the Gyants were vanisht cleane out of sight to the great astonishment of them all And now being as I haue sayd come to the Citty of Parris they were royally welcomed and intertained by the King the Quéene the Princesse Emilia Oliua and all Nobles of the Court vnto whom the Prince of England declared the whole discourse of euery particuler accedent touching their imprisonment and deliuery Which when the King had heard he made a solemne vow to be reuenged on the Duke of Orleance and his whole family but at the intreaty of the Prince he pardoned Sir Pestrell who afterwards prooued a good and hardy Knight Thus passed they away the time in the French Court by the space of thrée wéekes each friend recounting to other their seuerall aduentures and making preparation for the solemnizing of the marriage betwéene Prince Edward the Princesse Emilia in which time Adresto was fully recouered of his wounds and being desirous to see his old loue the Dutches Lenarda hastned on the Knight of the Lions to depart whereunto he was very willing by reason of the desire he had to speake with Adriano CHAP. XIX How the Knight of the Lions departing from the French Court with Adresto landed in Holland where comming to the Castle of Coruew hee deliuered the King his Father ANd now beeing ready prouided to depart they came both into the great Hall where with many ceremonious courtisies they tooke their leaue of the King the Quéene the Princesse Emilia and Oliua with all the rest of the Nobles of the Court The two Princes Edward and Iago séeing they would néedes depart accompanied them two daies iourny onwards on their way during which time the Prince Iago desiring pardon of his brother for not bearing him company made knowne vnto him his loue to the Princesse Oliua which by his abode in Court he doubted not but to obtaine considering the great loue and amity which was betwéene him and her father The Knight of the Lions being well contented héerewith desired him at his returne or sending into Saxonie to remember his duty to the Duke and Ductches and his beautifull sister the Princesse Egisena whom hee intirely loued assuring him that as soone as he could learne any certainty of that which he now went to séeke for he would returne thether likewise which hee did not doubt but would hapen very shortly Then taking their leaue of each other with many kind imbracements the Prince Edward most earnestly intreated him to sée him at his returne out of Spaine at the English Court to which he easily consented Thus they departed the two Princes towards the Court the Knight of the Lions Adresto towards the Sea-side where their ship remained for them where béeing arriued and setting into Sea they sailed merrily by the space of two daies but on the third day the wind altring and the Seas growing very foule they were forced to put to hull and being thus tost to and fro by the wind and Seas by the space of fiue daies they were at last put on shore on the coast of the Dutchy of Holland where going on shore and taking their horses and Armor minding a little to take the aire after their storme at Sea they rode onwards in a narrow way fast by a pleasant groues side where they heard one very pittifully weeping and listning attentiuely they might heare these few words pronounced And is it possible that God will suffer such cruell and iniust customes to continue to the destruction of so many braue and hardie Knights as haue béene by this wicked custome of Coruew destroyed O false and disloyall Griffory that fearing to shew thy malice openly hast ordained so vild a custome The two Knights hearing this complaint and imagining thereby that there was some cause extraordinary which mooued the party so to complaine alighted and went into the Groue where they found a Squire lying on the earth his face all blubbred with teares and demaunding him the cause of his sorrow was giuen by him to vnderstand of the custome of Coruew where not long since the Duke of Litsenburge his Lord and Maister hauing bin by the space of 20. yéeres trauelling in search of his soueraigne the noble King Frederick of Denmark during which time he had accomplished many great and hardy déedes of Armes and now returning home into his owne Country with intent no longer to séeke after the which was impossible to be found trauailing along by a Castle not passing a daies iourney hence where the Duke of this Country hath erected a custome that no Knight shall passe that way but first he shall leaue his horse and Armor behind him vnlesse hee conquer the Gardants which is a thing impossible because of the number and then he declared the fame as it is more at large expressed in the first part of this history The Knight of the Lyons and Adresto hearing of this custome and greatly pittying the losse of so many hardie Knights as were there daily imprisoned beganne to grow into a great longing to make triall of the same wherefore sending backe Gillimo vnto the ship for such things as they wanted and to giue direction to the Marriners that if with in ten dayes they did not returne that then they should direct their course for Spayne whether they would peraduenture trauell by Land and willing Gillimo to follow them with as much spéede as hee could they departed towards Coruew that night lying at a Village not passing a league and a halfe from the Castle And the next day early in the morning hauing heard Diuine seruice and taking a small repast they rode directly towards the Castle Adresto hauing desired to make the first triall of his vallour and now beeing come vnto the place where the Shield hung at the bridge-foote Adresto strooke the same so hard and rudely with the blunt end of his Launce that he caused the whole Vally to resound with the noyse thereof Presently issued foorth one of the Knights gardants and mounting on his horse came vnto Adresto demaunding what hee sought Entrance aunswered Adresto which if it be denied I will purchase with my sword Then setting spurres to theyr horses they met together with such fury that the Knight of the bridge was sent headlong to the ground and after him came foorth another who was likewise sent to beare him company breaking his necke with the