Gerileon to be nourished and taught and of his childishe gentilitie and noble actes in youthe Duryng whiche tyme Prince DORIAN of Spaigne which was gone to seeke after Kyng Floridamant his frende was driuen by Tempeste into the Greene I le where he vnderstoode that the Traitour Mynofoll did leuie an Armie too inuade the Realme of Greate Britaine Wherefore beeyng gone thether he slewe the say de Minofoll at one stroke with a Speare and with the ayde of the couragious Knightes of greate Britaine discomfited all his Hoast Duryng whiche while the yong Gerileō lost hymself in the Forest by pursuyng a Phaisaunte whereby the Queene through grieues and sorrow outraged had slaine her selfe but for the sodaine arriuall of kyng Floridamant who disturbed her in the Acte ¶ The fift Chapter THE Iustynges and Tourneys solemnized in the Citty of London for ioye of the late child birth of the Queene Bellizenne dured the space of fiue daies In which season the Princes Ferrand and Grandilaor made suche proofe of their valiaunt prowesse haughtie chiualrie that they still rested victours to the great cōtentment of the faire Antiziliane To whom Grandilaor gaue all the Iewels by hym conquered whiche he had wonne of the vanquished knightes But at th ende thereof the vertuous Quene hauyng abandoned and lefte her childbed caused them to cease not able wholie to forget the sorrow and anguishe whiche the long absence of her loyall spouse brought vnto her but onely at suche tymes as she takyng her little Infant betwene her armes to yelde some release to her dolour she embraced hym with a multitude of beholdinges kisses coming of natural loue Not knowing whether she ought to waile the long and yrkesome absence of her Husband although not wholy voyde of hope to see hym once againe or rather to reioyce and content her selfe with so luckie a burthen And in this perplexitie she remained more then twoo yeres now sad nowe somewhat merie liuyng still and sustainyng her self by the foode of a certein hope whiche yet sometyme fed her with some consolatiō During whiche tyme she was so curious and tooke so great hede well to nourishe brauely to bring vp the yong Gerileon that at two yeres endes he was so big and ioyly that already he could both goe and run and prattled so pretily that he could demaund and aske for what ere he would haue In so muche that eche one cōiectured muche of his future boūtie and valour by his yong childishe actes accompagnied with such a naturall gentilitie and magnanimitie whiche in hym within processe of tyme had suche an encreasement that they seemed to surpasse the selfe same course of his tender and yong yeres For scarsely had he arriued to the fourth yere of his age but that if by chaunce he sawe any one beyng dolefull and sad to lament he had therof so greate compassion that knowing the cause of his dolour he endeuoured to recomfort him the best that he could offering him all that he had for his contentmente and especiallie to the Queene his Mother to whom on a daie when she heald hym on her Lappe hearing her geue a profounde sigh he spake moste gentlie on this sorte and saied Madam what ayleth you I praie you tell mee why you sigh Is there any that hath geuen you occasiō of being angrie For if it bee so I assure you it shall not bee vnreuenged The Queene hearyng hym speake with so good a grace began to smile at his childishe wordes who with suche and other like matters yelded often most great lightnyng to her passions and distresses Moreouer he neuer remained idle and moste commonly one should finde hym either neere to some horse wherevpō leadyng him to some blocke or suche like thing he set him self with so good a grace that at sight thereof a man would haue iudged hym to haue been the moste dexterious squire or knight of all greate Britaine or els takyng a Staffe he wente to assaile some one or other to trie hym self that wayes againste hym to whom albeit he surpassed hym in bignesse of bodie yet he raught hym some tymes by his nimblenesse and actiuitie suche harde blowes that commonly he was forced to plaie double or quitte with hym For in the science of Defence thei trained and brought hym vp so curiouslie that at laste he was therein as experte not onely as his teachers but also as any other in the world in his tyme Then againe with a Darte in hande he wente tracyng through the Forest to finde some wilde beastes without feare of the whiche no more then if thei had been Dogges if perchaunce he recountred any he pursued theim so faste in the Forest that often tymes the Quene whiche neuer was at ease he beyng out of sight sette and sent folkes euery waie to seeke hym But what should I thus muche striue to discourse vpon this point seyng that as it is found by the writinges of the Chronicler Galarx one can not recite any thyng fitte and cōuenient to an harte fraight with noblenesse and generositie to whiche this little prince applied not his minde and behaued hym self so well in all his childly enterprises that makyng them tende to some gentle ende he semed rather a man of ripe iudgemente then a skillesse Child and Infant Duryng the tyme that the yonge boye Gerileon thus encreased bothe in ago vertue strengthe and gentlenesse of Spirite the Queene his mother had made enquirie on all partes as well for her brother Hubert of Scotlande whose losse brought muche annoye to many as also for the good knightes Candior Grandilaor Acciall of Surrye Sylban of Flanders Melcior and many others of the couragious of Greate Britaine to knowe the cause of the long abode which so muche anoied her of king Floridamant who being sent out to seke him towardes al partes of the earth could in nowise heare any newes of him Whiche thing beyng come to the eares of Prince Dorian of Spain he was by reason of the feruent loue he had to him so distressed for his losse that he vowed and sware neuer to slepe quietly or in good reste vntill suche tyme as he might heare some newes of hym in so muche that makyng inquirie for hym he wēt first into Thrace where hauyng heard nothyng of hym he put hym self on the sea to returne to Greate Britaine or to some other countrie farther of But he was surprised by a marueilous and horrible tempeste whose blastes after a while caused his Barke to be cast on shore in the Grene Ile where by a Cloune of the same coast he was assured that for certaintie the traitour Necromancien Minofol helde and had hym in his prison of the Redde Castle enchaunted and caused hym daiely to bee whipped and beaten by fiue or sixe villaines with greate and bigge coardes all to make hym miserably languishe till the ende of his daies and he knew moreouer that he addressed a greate Armie by Sea traitorously to
which came to giue the onset on the Painims with whom thei ioyned Battle in suche sort that many there died ¶ The xix Chapter FOrasmuche noble Lordes and Ladies as I am sure you are not ignoraunte that as there is no meate what sweete or delicate taste so euer it haue were it Ambrosia it self the foode of the Gods as Poetes faine which with too long vsage semeth not to vs yrkesom and vnsauerie In like maner beeleue I that there is no discourse or Historie bee it neuer so sweete or delectable but beeyng too longe continued without intermission or successe of some chaunge or other nouell chaunce which as it were a newe kind of meate may be agreable to the hearers eares or delite of the readers may be dulsome or pleasaunt vnto you For this cause knowyng that whiche I will recite vnto you in these Chapters followyng shall be no lesse delectable vnto you nor smell worse to your coÌ„tentations then the valiauncies of the Youth of the Fairies from whence we wander a little to bringe hym in hereafter with more pleasure delectation and astonishment of haughtie feates of Armes then you haue heretofore heard if you haue the pacieÌ„ce I deme you to haue hopyng that the generositie and singuler bountie of your sprites will not refuse to holde on to reade this myne Historie set forth and put in light both for greate pleasure and profite that you may haue therein I will as now therefore recompt vnto you albeit brieflie and succinctly as is possible that whiche chaunced and happened to the valiaunte and inuincible Kyng Floridamant of greate Brittaine and chieflie in the selfe same time that his Sonne the Youth of the Fairies was in Gréece in pursuit of the vnmatcheable and valiant vnknowen Knight accordyng to the veritie of the CoÌ„mentaries of our auncient Galarx whiche in the same maner also maketh therof mentioÌ„ You ought therefore to knowe that after the deliueraunce of this illustrious Lorde from the Traitor Minofols Enchaunted Prysons as in the Chapters precedente I haue moste brieflie declared vnto you after hee was ariued into his countrie as is aforesaied he went into the gréene I le with a greate Hoast of armed men and so dispeopled it and destroyed al the Townes and braue buildynges that there were not left aliue any of the race or house of the traitrous Enchaunter who beeyng apprehended was also putte to the point of the Sworde amongest whom also was slaine twoo Children of the Kynges of Cornewaile Vncle to the Traitour Minofoll the one of whom if ye marke it well was slaine by the Kyng Floridamant at the same time that the Damozell whiche afterwarde was hanged on a Tree led hym traiterously into the Prison of the red Castell as you haue heretofore heard and then when his Horse failed hym in the Forrest when hee had heard the crie of the Damozell complainyng he encountred hym by chaunce as he was goyng to London to woorke some Traison and this same was called Mawgard The other was then slain in the greene Ile where he was Lorde and Maister through the death of his Cosine by the Prince Hubart of Scotlande againste whom hee would haue defended hymselfe and this had to name Vaspazell the prowde whereat the Kinge of Cornewaile beyng vexed without measure hauyng heard so dolefull Newes and angrie at kinge Floridamant more then afore although he long had borne hym mortall hate determined resolued now to reuenge the death of his two Sonnes with the destruction of those of his kinne And to doe this as one that was riche both in substaunce and frendes of alliaunce to greate Lordes and Princes and who also was stout of person valiaunt as was possible he sent Ambassadours to his Frendes on all sides and chiefly to two Sonnes which he had yet lefte one of the which was king of Corse named Angrofolt the Cruel who failed not to come to reuenge the death of his Brethren and Parentes with a Nauie of a hundred and fower score Shippes and sixtie Galleis well furnished wherein he brought aboute thirty thousande footemen and tenne thousande horsemen braue and in good order and moreouer hee brought with these Syxe Giauntes the greatest and biggest that euer were seene since the memorye of man who onelie serued hym for men of Armes to garde his person yea with them was hee better guarded then any other Kynge although he had sixe hundred horsemen in his companie And for this cause was he of his Neighbours and borderers so renowmed feared that none were he neuer so puissaunte durst once offer to do hym the least iniury in the world although for his greate cruelty and tyrannie to his neighbours many had iust cause so to doe And besides this he was so valiaunt of his person that fewe there were at that tyme in the worlde which in corporall force dexteritie and skill in Armes might or could surpasse hym for through his valiauncie and prowesse he had with a small power brought vnder his obeisaunce the I le of Corse and hauing expelled kynge Pollinestor who had married Kinge Belligent his Sister of Gawle who was true possessor and owner of the said Iland he maried perforce a daughter of his so to couer his tyranny to insinuate hymself the better into the peoples grace and fauour of the most parte wherof as one fauoured and loued hee was Kinge peaceably as a Riche and Mightie lord Yet neuerthelesse not like his other youÌ„ger brother who by his graund force and extreeme prowesse was beecome King of the Iles Fortunate whiche are beyond the furthest partes of Mauritayne Westwarde and are at this daie called Canaries because they abound in Dogges of all sortes This same king called Brandissant who in valour and prowesse exceeded far all other knightes hauyng hard the pittifull tydinges whiche king Grandowyne his Father had sent hym of the death of his Brethren Mawgard and Vaspazel whiche were slaine by kyng Floridamant incited with an extreeme pricke of reuengement staied but a while after his brother but went with an Army of an hundred thousand footemen and fower twentie thousande horsemen to inuade great Britaine whith such a fury that in euery place where hee passed or came there was no Toune Castle nor House were it neuer so greate whiche was not by hym destroyed yea to the first foundation neither men women nor little Infauntes were there whatsoeuer that could escape the pearcing blades of his Gensdarmes and Souldiers who all the waie as they wente made both Earthe and Water tremble at there presence such hauocke made they deming all their owne alreadie For the saied Brandâ—ssant kinge of Canaries had with hym fower puyssaunte kynges Paynims his Vassalles which all were Brethren and the moste strong and monstrous that euer Nature bred For firste of all the youngest of theim whiche was kyng of Ombrione named Sallazart was so strong and puissaunte that in closse Campe he once slewe fower Huige Giauntes and
O thou Serpentine Youth replete with poyson how lucklesse and vnfortunate for me the daie was wherin thou diddest here arriue and come in presence for since first I sawe thee I knowe not how nor whither myne affectioÌ„ is transported I know not where my teÌ„der hart is become I know not what rage what furie hath surprised and holdeÌ„ my sencés raison so captiuated that I caÌ„not alas I cannot see nor knowe how nor by what meanes I may deliuer my self from this mischaunce and miserie without greate losse and blemish of mine honour Ah cruellâ—â—â— felonious pitilesse Is it possible that as well it appeareth thou art come to this Coast for no other occasion then to cause me to pine in this dolour distresse by thy beauty and behauour whiche I well beléeue thou haste bought or borrowed by Charmes and Enchauntementes of some skilfull Fairie yea rather Sorceresse whiche hath sente thee expressely hither so to captiuate and depriue mée of my pristinate and auncient liberties â–ª But alas sot sencelesse foole that I am sufficeth it not mee enough to be vexed tormented but that therevppon I must also curse hym who neuer in his life either wrought or thought my displeasure and who perchaunce if I required hym thereto would not seme to denie mée his seruice For if he knewe that for his loue I languished as I doe I am ascertained by the affabilitie bountie courtesie wherewith as I surely coniecture he is complete and furnished that he would be muche vexed and agreeued at mine infortunate encombraunce not hauyng as I suppose giuen any attempt either in thought woorde or deede to procure or worke neuer so little woe or displeasure whereof I may iustlie accuse hym I can not therefore imagine from whence it is that this traunce now troublyng my Soule proceedeth if it be not from the fountaine of frettyng loue The which beyng naturall as ofteÌ„ I haue heard say now in some parte haue proued it is great iniurie that I should blame hym so yea rather I ought to reprehend mine owne nature or the cruell desteny guider of my yeres which yea and possiblie for my prefermente hath ordeined that hee shall one daie be the Lorde and true Maister of my hart and bodie likewise For the which cause I will enforce my selfe yet still cloakyng the coulour of myne ill chaunce the beste that I can to bring hym if he yet be not so muche to obaye me as I am at his commaundemente in that hee can not chuse but that I may loue hym hauyng his perfections imprinted in me with so sure a Seale that the processe of time is in no wise able to deface it Seyng that the loue whiche I entende to vse is a thing holy and constituted of God on hie And thereon let come what will let the Emperour my Father fret and fume hereat at his pleasure let all thinges herein tourne vpsidedoune if it may chaunce that in anie wise I maie vnderstande that hee is atteinted and caught with the same sicknesse that I am But seeyng that I my selfe can not bryng this to passe and because also that my Maladie whiche proceedeth from loue hath this particularitie in it selfe that it may receiue no redresse if it bee conceiled and kept secret I am in mynde to discouer and make it knowen to my Cosin Harderine and to the Ladie Marcella who not bewraiyng mee shall gene mee counsaile in this myne harde affaire When she had ended her speach to this purpose the Maiden Harderine whiche was at the scoute watch hearyng this resolution went awaie thence making the smallest noise she could so passed through the Gallerie into the Empresses chamber where hauyng found the lady Marcella who was a woman right wise and honest widow to the late Duke of Chalcyde to whom because of her modestie and demeaner was giuen the custodie of the young ladie Porpharia she recompted to her all the complaintes whiche of her Cousin she had lately heard Whereat she not greately marueiled as one whiche doubted by the countenaunces behauors of louers in doyng the duetie of courtesie of that whiche was veritable true in deede Wherefore â–ª she and Harderine hande in hande went into the young ladies chamber whoÌ„ thei found sadly walkyng vp doune who discriyng them died her face with a more ioyfull hewe and showe then her harte had of contentment and adressyng her speache to Harderine she saied My swéete cosin is it not true that wheÌ„ I told you I had slept I should be better Aha said the other whiche knewe the greatest secretes of her harte you haue not as yet the meane to bee so whole as to vs ye make semblance for the desease whereof I heard you not long since coÌ„plaine receiueth not so soone recure without apliyng of an other remedy theÌ„ you haue yet had What Cousine saied the yong Ladie of what Maladie haue you heard me make my moane whereof I am not yet ridde and deliuered of Of the feuer whiche proceedeth of the heate of Cupids burnyng infections saied she Porphirie seeyng that her Pot was discouered and her Secretes knowne caused them both to sit by her and saide Although it should bee so that you had in no wise knowne my misfortune yet in no wise could it so continue that you beyng the persons onely in whom I haue confidence more then in any others whatsoeuer I would haue hiddeÌ„ from you any of my sinister fortunes and distresses knowyng you euer to haue continued loyall faithfull towardes me and so that I haue no cause to complaine my self sith I haue neuer concealed and couered from your so laudable taciturnitie all that although of greate importauÌ„ce whiche I haue stil made you partakers of whiche maketh me hope that not to purchase my anoyaunce or displeasure but rather to succour me in this my so vrgente affaire you would not beginne at this tyme consideryng the consequence of the deede from whence the question cometh and what dauÌ„ger I haue vsed at the first to discouer it vnto you I praie you deere Cosin be not thereat displeased For though I was loath to make you priuie of it yet it is not good so to doe thinges rashely without premeditatyng what issue it may haue and consultyng therof which was the chief cause that assured of your loyaltie which neuer yet failed me I was of purpose to imparte my secretes to you bothe I knowe it well saied Harderine for if I had not heard your resolution whiche did manifest vnto vs the cause of your Maladie whereof wee neede not now to trouble you with talke seeing we are sufficiently enformed of the matter it self I would haue had regarde not to haue so manifested it to Maistres Marcella and to bryng her hither for feare of doyng a thyng displeasaunte vnto you But intendyng that wherof you were tailkng and the confideÌ„ce whiche you haue in her beyng to me not vnknowen I pray you take no
Gerileon doe aduaunce W. M. THE FIRST BOOKE of the Hystorie of Gerileon After the death of the most puissaunt and vertuous king Brandismell King of greate Britaine there succeeded hym in the gouernement of the said Realme a Sonne of his called Floridamant The whiche beyng in hys Pallace at London feastyng his Lordes and Barons and making preparatiō one afternoone to go course an Harte in the company of the Princes Huberte of Scotlande and Dorian Sonne to the Kyng of Spaigne which Harte he had seen in a wood neere to the Castle of Mirandoll There entered into the Hall a Damsell who hauyng recounted to hym a certaine aduenture had hym away with her The first Chapter THOSE whiche haue been curious in readyng of auncient Histories are nothing ignoraunte howe amongest those Realmes whiche for their fertilitie and worthinesse haue in tymes paste merited any Commendations Brittaine the Greate hath not only matched but also farre surpassed them all As well because of naturall beauty goodnes therof as in that it is the country vnder heauen which of all Antiquity hath bene more populous better stoared of strong and valiaunt Knightes then any other whatsoeuer thether drawen and allured partlie by the excellent and deuine beautie of the Ladies there inhabityng partly by the merueilous and straunge aduentures there accustomably found In so much that for this occasion it hath béen often called the Lande aduenturous Neither might any one of forraine Coastes or Countries name hym selfe a true and valiaunt knight if in it hee had not made proofe of his worthines there atchiuyng some straunge aduentures But especially in the tyme of the moste Puissaunt and vertuous king Brandismel whiche hauyng by his prowesse and valiauncy conquered many Realmes and Prouinces as Norwaie Swethlande and Denmarke instituted also the order of the twelue couragious knightes of greate Britaine beyng suche and endued with so greate force and valiauncie that fewe their likes were as then to bee founde in the whole worlde Amonge whom for moste valiaunt was the kinge Ferrande of Norwaie Dom Grandilaor and Dom Murcibel king of Denmarke The rest also because of their bounty dexteritie and bouldnesse in matters of Armes were greate praise worthy For this occasion was king Brandismel much feared and redoubted of his neighboures and borderers yet no lesse beloued of them for his courtesie liberalitie lenitie and humanitie with other vertues infinite whiche were resplendisaunt in hym And in suche forte that there was not hee whiche doyng hym the most toylesome and agreable seruice hee coulde did not yet estéeme himself most happy to be insinuated into his good grace and fauour so to gaine his gratious amitie But the fatall Sisters most impious and enuious of the good successe and felicitie of humaine kinde and of those especially whiche retaine a singular contentment and pleasure to bee in the fellowship and acquaintaunce of a Prince so vertuous and debonaire bereft them the shinyng gleames of noblenesse and myrour of Chiualry out of this worlde shreading a sonder the last thréede of this so vertuous a king the yere of grace after the death of our Sauiour Iesus Christ 418. the 66. yere of his age and 32. of his raigne Whervppon I can not rightly expresse the dolour sorrow that the couragious knightes his Subiectes receiued with his most priuate and best frendes In so muche that as recounteth vs the Historie there were suche of them as remained twoo or three Monethes without power to refraine themselues from weeping and lamenting most bitterlie when as it came to them in minde of the Bountie and Vertue of that noble Prince And chieflye the worthy olde Candior Duke of Normandy a Prince surelie amongest the Sage and hardy muche commendable Neuerthelesse as there is noe griefe so greate whiche in course of tyme a quite consumer of all thinges is not put foorthe of remembraunce So for iuste cause this good Lorde of Normandy together with the reste whiche were moste dolefull for the losse of a King so debonaire and vertuous at laste made ende of their plaintes and lamentations And for iuste cause saye I in that he lefte them for successour a Sonne of his begotten by his deere and loyall Spouse and Wife Florixe whiche not many yeres before had departed this life whiche saide sonne after the death of his Father was Heire not onely of his terreine Dominions and Possessions but also of his most rare and singuler vertues For besides that he was a good knight prudent and hardy past measure beeyng of a large stature his members well made formed and proportioned in equality the one with the others of sixe or seauen and twentie yeres of age ▪ or there aboutes he was also had in reputation for the most sage modest courteous Prince of his tyme In so much that to make briefe no man could require or wish any thing proper or conuenient for so great a personage as his whereof his valiauncie and inuincible prowesse was not beautified and adorned This same was called Floridamant the which did neuer finde man of what force or puissaūce soeuer he were who daring to Iust with hym hadde not geuen plainly to feele and vnderstande that he was peerelesse and not matcheable For this cause there was no knight in all Brittaigne the Greate whiche at his newe arriuall to the Crowne did not deliberate and determine to conuerte and tourne the lamentations and weepinges of his Fathers death into ioyes and gladnesse for hauing after the losse of a good Lorde and Master recouered and receaued a better kyng To whom there lacked so litle that he should degenerate from the bountie and goodnes of his predecessour that by his vertue whiche rather more then lesse did hym illustrate he did in suche sort striue and endeuour in equalitie of valiauncie and good behauiour to imitate and counteruale hym that his Knightes Princes and Barons with other of his Vassailes and Seruauntes thought in no wise to haue chaunged their Maister who vnwillyng to omit anye iote of his greate magnificence a while after his Coronemente made and gaue so many faire and Godly Giftes and Presentes not onely to the couragious knightes his Subiectes but also to such straungers as were come to visite him and to make offer to hym of their seruice beeyng nothyng ignoraunt that liberalitie rendreth men subiect and bounde towardes those whiche vse it that there was not he whiche pricked and prouoked with a desire to doe him agreable seruice so muche his lenity and liberality had charmed and enchaunted their affections would not willinglie haue put his life in hazarde for the maintenaunce conseruation of his honour And for that that a little afore the decease of the good king Brandismel his Father he had espoused the daughter of king Barrachen of Scotlande named Bellizenne a Princesse as sage and vertuous as faire and gracious for fewe there were who then for beauty good grace durste compare with her There were come to visite
he bee not singularly proportioned and of a passyng grace and also skilfull in so gallantly guidyng his couragious Horse verely Cousine answered the Maiden you saie well know you not whēce he is or what he would I promise you saied the Ladie I neuer sawe nor heard of hym till now These and suche other small communications had the twoo Maidens together so long till at the laste the Emperour ariued who commyng from out of his Chappel entered the greate Halle of his Pallace hauyng in his Traine many braue Knightes and Gentlemenen followyng hym Whiche thinges the gētle Youth of the Fairie beholdyng descendyng incontinent from his Horse whiche he deliuered to keepe to his Squire entered incontinently after the reste and apperceiuyng the Emperour placed in his Imperiall Seige to deliberate vpon certeine matters he kneelyng humbly before hym spake on this maner Moste puisaunte and moste vertuous Emperoure I deeme vndoubtedly that you and semblably all this noble Assistance do greatly merueile in that I haue so temerariously and vnrenerentely dared to presente my self poore soule before the highnesse of your Imperiall Maiestie doubtyng leaste this my audacitie and rashenesse whiche I haue vsed herein will tourne towarde me your displeasure and bee odious to all the reste if I had not suche confidence in the consideration bountie wisedome clemencie lenitie and other vertues wherewith as a riche and pompous Iewell is illustrified and pollished with Pearles and precions Stones so are you fraught and adorned that not onely you will willingly pardon mine indiscretion but also I truste in your great bountifulnesse and courtesie that you will in no wise denic mee of that which I am purposed to request of you that is to wit that I maie receiue the order of knighthoode by your handes for that I haue heard you aboue all others farre extolled I haue beene desirous thereof euer frō my Cradle The Emperour who whilest he thus spake had his eies eares bent to regard heare such witty wordes so good a grace taking him by the Armes caused hym to stande vp before him afore he had fully ended his speache knowyng euen by his pleasaunt grauitie that he could not choose but be come of a good house Princely race gaue vnto hym this gracious aunswere Faire sir frend of mine although it were not true that your youth could not excuse you if as contrarie it is you had vsed any rashnes or temeritie in makyng to mee the request whiche late you did yet neuerthelesse the great beauty and singuler coūtenance whiche I note in you and likewise the honest maners and behauour which you haue obserued in this point would constraine me not only to condiscende whiche I offer you as now to haue that which you demaūded but also if there had appeared auie indiscretion in you they woulde haue incited mee to remit and pardon it totally Assuryng my selfe although as yet you seeme too tender of age to be called to suche vocation that if the bountie of your harte bee correspondent to the beauty and appéeraunce of valure whiche I deeme and coniecture to be in you you are sufficient and capable to discharge such a charge as well as any other that now liueth whatsoeuer and for that cause there resteth no more as nowe but that you goe to prepare your selfe as the custome is for to receiue the order of knighthoode when as you shal please and be thervnto ready Then the Youth thanking hym humbly as well he could retyred secretly thence to goe make his praiers in the Chappell of the Pallace as the custome was where re remained till it was the next daie mornyng at what tyme hee came to present hymselfe to the Emperour who dubbyng hym with the Necke stroake put on his right Spurre and the Lady Porphyria who had scene hym come descendyng doune girt his Swerde about hym by the commaundement of her father Whiche to doe she was well pleased and the Youthe who whiles shee did her deuoyre in this behalfe muche marueiling at her miraculous beautie was not ill contented that the chiefest fairest beautifullest Princesse vnder Heauē did vnto him so great a seruice This done the Emperour who the more he beheld him and saw him so garnished in all pointes the more he was willyng to wit who he was he required and asked of hym his birthe and the estate of his race and progenie To whiche the youth made a most ciuile aunswere that he was of the Realme of greate Brittaine but of none of his Parentes had he any knowledge and that for this cause it might please him to excuse hym if he were constrained herein to kéepe silence true it is said he that I know well neither will I conceale it from you most noble Lorde that I was nourished by a Fairie who sent mee towardes you so furnished as ye see she is called Ozyris The Emperour who aforetime had heard talke of the Fairy deemed doubted that she had kept hym for some occasion as most certaine it was beyng proceeded frō the progeny of the noble kynges of Great Britaine as she had aforetime done by the vertuous king Moridant father to Brandismel which was the first extoller of that magnificent Realme and much marueiled thereat Neuerthelesse without more talke with hym he commaunded some of the Assistauntes that they should conduct hym into the Empresses Chamber to passe foorthe the tyme with her Damozelles and to discourse with theim of many an honeste amorous deuise as well it seemed he could But the Youth willyng to excuse him selfe herein praied hym humbly that it would please hym to geue him leaue to retourne into Greate Britaine there to seeke aduentures so to assaie if the order of knighthoode whiche he had obtained were well or euill employed vpon hym And also that he had greate desire to Juste and Combate with king Floridamant which as then was had in prise for the beste and valiauntest knight in the world The Emperour not well pleased in that he would so soone departe from his Courte saied to hym Why faire sir will you so soone abandon vs and our Court not in any wise feasted or cheared there as yet accordyng to your callyng I promise you that if you will remaine with vs but the space of fiftene daies that besides the good and honeste entertainement whiche I hope thereby to bestowe on you you shall here also finde knightes both braue and strong to make proofe of youre valour and prowesse seeyng your ardente desire is so to doe For I must one of these daies make a moste sumptuous Feaste duryng the whiche neither Iustis nor Tourneis shal be lackyng wherein you maie experiment your valiance in this behalf therby to prepare your self the better against the worthy knightes of greate Britain whiche are the flowers of chiualrie in the worlde and chiefly as you saie against kyng Floridamant who hath not his match vnder heauē And I suppose that otherwise
it would soner turne to your dishonour then aduauncement and that it should rather be imputed to your rashnesse then courage The Youth hearyng the Emperour speake with so greate modestie and charinesse cōceiued a certain singular loue of his prudencie and suche a one as forced hym with a reuerēt feare not to offende his hestes neither to doe any thyng disagreable vnto his mynde knewe that he had erred in willyng to departe hauyng receiued farre aboue his desertes so muche honour of so greate a lorde as he was without doyng hym any deede of duetie of seruice Wherefore to couer his fault he said vnto him Seing it pleaseth your Maiestie to doe me so muche honour as to reteine mee in your court it shal be then my dutie to go about to do you the best seruice I canne Assuryng you that no worldlie felicitie could happen as now more greater nor more agreable to my mind then to haue the meane hereby to satisfie your hestes and desires And ouer that I shall thinke my self moste happie it I maie gratifie your contentment in dooyng you ought whiche male bée to you pleasaunt and agreable that I maie ridde my self out the bandes of foule Ingratitude wherein I were faste linked if I did not putte in practise to atchiue your commaundementees and accomplishe your desires Seyng you haue alreadie so bounde and made me yours that it is paste my power euer to shewe you so muche seruice but that still I shall bee farre in your debte and daunger Wherfore I am not of power since so it pleaseth you to passe the limites of your will. The Emperour well contente and satiffied with the gracious aunswere of the Youthe of the Faieries commaunded againe a Damozell whiche was there presente that she should conducte hym to sée the Empresse Chamber Whereto she promptly obeyed And takyng hym by the hande she ledde hym neere where she was accompanied with so many faire Ladies and Damozelles that at his entraunce within the Chamber he semed to se so many Angelles in Paradise as there were Ladies waityng aboute the Empresse who talkyng with certaine Princes there with her she made theim stande somewhat a side the better to see the Youthe of the Faieries who enteryng into the Chamber saluted her humblie to whom when she had vsed like curtesie seeyng hym so faire and courteous she could not sticke being muche astonished to see a young manne so comely to saie to them whiche were about her I beleue that if this Youth haue the bountie and prowesse of the minde equal and matchable to the makyng and proportion of his body he will be the best and worthiest knight vnder the Skies And whiles she saied these woordes the Youthe beyng approched more nere she beganne to aske hym of his birthe and why he was come into a coūtrie so farre to receiue the Order of knighthoode seeyng there was in Great Britaigne King Floridamant who was reputed the moste royall Kyng and valiaunt Knight of the whole Earth and suche other odde talke whereto he aunswered so aptly that she remained well satisfied But after that she had ended her speache her Damozelles which still attended when she would leaue him for them beganne here and there to enforce theim selues to please hym the beste thei could bothe in woordes and other thinges to eche of whom hee answered well and honestly accordyng to their demaunde assuring you that none gaue hym a quippe in any cause but that he requited her againe quicklie with the lyke coyne But hee whiche well knewe howe to shifte betweene two walles was scarce contented to be conuersant with them for that there he could not see one sparke of the beautie of her which girded his Sworde about hym wherwith hee was somewhat attached for that she whiche had caste her eyes on hym so attentiuely beganne alreadie to haue her senses troubled through the loue of hym wherevpon she was retired secretly into her chamber much pensiue at whose issuyng foorthe that chaunced vnto hym whiche you shall heare The Ladie Porphyria beyng come out of her Closet to enter into her mother the Empresse Chamber seeyng the Youth so faire and comely was so attainted with his Loue that she fell in a sound before the Empresse her mother and the rest of her companie who thereat beeyng muche astonished and abashed conueyed her as well as thei could into her Chamber againe where she hauyng recouered her late loste senses the Princesse Harderine her cousin whiche would haue knowen the cause of her desease went also out of the chamber for that the Lady made deniall to tell it vnto her listenyng at the doore heard her cōplain of the of the Youthe of the Faierie Wherefore goyng into the Hall and findyng the Damozell Marcelle she recounted to her the Ladies woordes who goyng thither to visite her had with her suche communication as I will recoumpte vnto you ¶ The. x. Chapter FAtall desteny daughter to God almightie hauyng once by the cōmaundement of her Father purchased some misfortune to any mortall wight what prudence pollicy or humaine deuise so euer a man applieth to euite and shunne this eternall decrée of thinges yet is it so still that shee rageth and hath swaye ouer all oure dooges I say this for that what meanes soeuer the Lady Porphyrie could inuent to eschue and flee the loue of the Youthe of the Faierie whiche as now began to weaken the strongest yea the soundest of her inner partes yet notwithstanding was it vnpassible Destenie so apointyng to exempte her self from any parte of those amourous cogitations whiche through their violence tooke still encrease within her clogged harte with this want of senses which you shall heare Wherin it is to be noted that whiles the wise gentle Youthe of the Faieries conuersaunt emongest the Damozelles of the Empresse did hold them in with many a merie ieste and honest deuise though therein hee tooke no great pleasure because he sawe not her whose Idea of perfection he had somewhat imprinted in his harte to witte the faire Ladie Porphyrie who as then was of the age of fowertene or fiftene yeres an age without doubte capable enough of the contagious scorchinges of cruell Loue beholde where she came halfe sadde and sorrowfull into the Halle of purpose to see hym Neuerthelesse feignyng that she came not for other occasion then to solace and sporte her self accordyngly as sometymes she had accustomed with the Maides of the Empresse her Mother Emongst whom in euill tyme apperceiuyng the fostered sonne of the noble Faierie Oziris and hauyng espied her commyng did his endeuour to salute her and she reciprocally also rendered the like seyng hym I saie so faire and beautifull that it was vnpossible to saie ought more she was so ententiue to entertaine hym in salutations with semblaunce of likyng as no lesse he did to her that the sweete denime of Loue whiche on this wise is supped beganne to inebriate the hartes of the one and of
the other so muche that the Vermilion red whiche retired from the middle of their visages gaue coniecture to some of the Damozelles who were more skilled and conuersaunt in the case then others of that whiche was happened For there wanted not much but that the Youth transported with a beautie vnmatchable and neuer hauing felt suche impressions of loue in his phantasie afore had almost fallen doune in a slumber but takyng harte to him he dissembled his dolour the best he could But the ladie were it that she was charged with more matter of this Marrowe then he or that she was lesse couragious and able to beare out these bruntes bestowed by the little God on thē whom he inwrappeth in his nettes was through phansie forced to fall in a soūde sodainly in the place where she stoode Wherof wée neede not doubte if the Empresse her Damozels who sawe her fall were afraied and marueiled for thei thinkyng that she was deade with an infinite number of cries and lamentations moste pitifull ran speedely on this side and on that to lifte and raise her vp stil tremblyng astonished for feare which thei had leaste she were deade But after thei had felte her poulces findyng her yet a liue thei appeised and moderated the vehemencie of their dolours to recomforte the Empresse who hauyng her harte cloied with distresse could not speake a woorde saiyng one to an other that some defaulte of harte had surprised her or els that not hauyng eaten any meate that Mornyng her senses and stomacke failed her some other saied that possiblie it was her goune beeyng to straight for her And thus these women Philosophatyng vpon her sodaine sounynges thei tooke and caried her charelie into her chamber where beyng laied vpon her bedde thei caste certaine droppes of colde water in her visage and then she beganne to reuerte and come again to her self and openyng her eyes she was altogether amazed to se so many people busied about her and chieflie to heare her cousine Harderine wéepyng so bitterly that kissyng her she watred her cheekes with teares to call her with a loude voyce Wherefore with a feeble and lowe voyce the Ladie badde her that she should shutte all the windowes of the chamber and then cause all the rest of the Damozelles to depart because she had great desire to slepe Then the ladie Harderine asked her saiyng Will you not that I tary here with you Madame that if in case any necessitie perturbe you I maie preuent it to my power That is as it shall please you cousin saied she and incontinently all the Damozelles wēt out and made reporte to the Empresse how her daughter was somwhat better amended then afore and that this sounyng proceeded not of any other cause then of the quaisinesse of her stomacke whiche had surprised her in that she had not rested the Nighte before because of the Alarmes whiche the Giaunte Ferclaste and his twoo brethren made nightly to the Citie wherewith the Empresse was somewhat satisfied and ceassed her teares The Ladie Harderine who remainyng solie in the Lady Porphyria her Chamber willyng to knowe the cause of her dolour beganne to fetche her in with these woordes I am greately astonished and abashed Madame whence or how you should haue this greate default of harte that so sodain lie you should fall doune soundyng before the Empresse doe you feele your self euill Is there any interiour maladie or secrete sorrowe within your corps whiche through his violence hath caused this auoydance of senses I praie you not to conceale it but rather to communicate it fréelie to me so that it maie be amēded For if you secretly shroude and shadowe it I assure you your self shall bee the speedie procurer and seker of your owne decaie whiche if it should once chaunce I should not long after liue Wherefore I praie you once again my swete Mistres saied she in kissing her vouchsafe to make me knowe your maladie Ah cosine saied she to her thinke you me so sottishe vndiscrete and suche an enemie to my self that if I felte any euill to anoye me whereto the Phisicions might apply the order of amendement that I would conceale it from you hauyng heretofore manifested to you all the motions of my mynde and secret thoughtes that I euer suffred The Ladie Harderine hearyng her so speake had at the firste greate feare least she had felte some corporall maladie within her self daungerous and incurable but hauyng pondered somewhat apart vpon her speaches she doubted sodainly that perchaunce she was pricked with the perillous darte of Loue whiche onely is vncurable either with Hearbes or Siropes Wherefore to lighten her doubte she thought good to trie the watche further saiyng on this sorte And how then Madame doeth the cause of your doloure and sounyng procede from any maladie whiche the Phisicions by no meanes can cure I can not rightly deeme what desease paineth you seyng there is no sicknesse so sore that Sir Sagibell your father the Emperours Phisicion who is the moste skilfull and tried man in his Arte can not by his medicines giue some recure and helpe vnto Cosin replied the faire Ladie you knowe well that I neuer concealed from you any of my secretes though verie priuate were thei neuer of so greate importaunce And therefore I will not now hide from you my langour seeyng you are so destrous to knowe it and that whiche I aunswere proceedeth not from ought els but of the greate desire I haue to slepe Wherfore since ye knowe it presently I praie you no more to disquiet me but do so muche as depart the chamber that then I maie slepe the more at my ease And an hower hence you maie returne to awake me at what tyme you shall perceiue my maladie muche amended I se wel said Harderine doubtyng more now then asore of an eele vnder the stone that the case standeth not so that you maye hide it well enough For the Fire was neuer yet in a place so secrete neither hid in a denne so déepe but that some smoke thereof appeared and was seen at whiche woordes she went for the of the chāber shuttyng the doore after her and feining to goe along the Gallerie correspondente to the issue of the same she went not farre but retourned softely againe to harken at the doore if in any pointe she could heare the distressed Ladie complain who as sone as she sawe her departed had begonne her plotte to this purpose drawyng moste sorowfull sighes from the bottome of her harte Woe is me what passiō of mynde might this be that I fele O miserable and desolate that I am what straunge dolour what vnknowen alteration dde I feele to martire and crucifie my hart with suche outrage that I attende nought els but the arriuall of that cruell and inhumain death to ende my doleful daies and to deliuer me from the passions and anguishes wherewith like friyng fire I now still feele my bowels to burne Beholde
as I vnderstande wherat all the best knightes of Constantinople wil bee as Assistauntes and Don Gillant de Burtage of Create Britaine who is merueilous valiaunt will bee there also against whom we shall see howe he can beare hym selfe and what he will doe moreouer if he haue any affection towardes you For if it bee so I assure my selfe that if hee maie vanquishe any he will sende hym to bee your Prisoner or will vse some suche gentlenesse or courtesie in your behalfe for verelie it seemeth mee that if hee bee of so hie linage or if he bee so valiaunte as in appearaunce he seemeth certes he is worthy to bee beeloued of some greate and beautifull Princesse Wherefore Ladie I praie you ceasse your Teares that you giue not out any suspicion of your distresse be temperate till to morow and then I promise to giue you counsell vpon further deliberation more wholsome and agreeable then presently I can For now we must goe towardes the Empresse to deliuer her of the dolour wherein shee yet resteth supposing that by this time you are neere hande dead And keepe the best countenaunce you can therby to cloake your care so God will aide you soone you shall see in some sorte Then taking her by the left hand and Harderine by the right who saied vnto her good God Cosin I would not for any thing in the world be so amourous as you and for this cause will I keepe my selfe quiet from blaspheming of loue euer hereafter seeyng that his puissaunce punisheth so pitifully those whom he once taketh in hande And then they ariued in the Empresses Chamber who was exceedyng glad when she vnderstoode that her daughter seemed as nowe to haue no further malady where wee nowe will leaue them and tell what chaunced to the Youth of the Fairies Of the perplexitie of the Youthe of the Fairies after the sight of Porphyria her surpassing beauty and how the Emperour sente to seeke hym by his Squire Geliaste who came and founde hym beeyng all sad and pensiue and lettyng hym vnderstande howe the Emperour had asked for him he went into the Hall where the Table was couered for dinner where he being set with him in the coÌ„paignie of his Barons Knightes much marueiled to see them dyne in their Harnesse whereof he makyng enquirie the Emperour recompted to hym the aduenture of three matueilous Gyantes Ferclaste Androfort and Ergoferant whiche caused that shortly after hee departed secretly from the Courte to goe fight with theym and of the aduentures whiche he found by the waie ¶ The xi Chapter AND on the other side was the Youth of the Faieries who hauyng seen the incomparable beautie of Porphyria felte hym self when as he firste sette his eyes uppon her wounded and smitten by the same shaft seniblable prickes of loue True it is that his passion was not at the first shewe so violence that like her he should presently sounde in that he was more manly and strong to suffer assaultes or perchaunce to speake more plainly he was not burthened so muche as she then presently but longe it was not ere their passions were equall For seeing her to fall into a traunce emongest her Maides and Damozelles who bare her vp and brought her into her Chamber he all astonished passed by a Portall from out of the Hall into a Gallerie whiche bordred on a faire and pleasaunte Gardein at the ende whereof hee founde certaine steppes to descende doune and so walked long time solely descantyng vpon the newe cogitations of his loue And herein he imagined so well and called so curioussy to remembraunce that Angelicall shape which he had seen and which helde hym so rauished and wherein he had entred so far that becommyng ardently amourous he felt for certainty the finall losse of his late power and libertie But worte ye how Frsooth this impression imaginatiue tooke suche encrease in hym that he knew not where he was for his harte yet tender yonge and easie to receiue suche like violente impressions did nought but imagine how to finde meanes to let her vnderstande his griefe and to wynne her fauour Well daryng although hee knewe not of whence hee was to aspire so farre as too promyse hym selfe the Alliaunce of as greate a Lorde as the Emperour of Constantinople as well as if he had been assured of the house whereout he was descended so magnanimous an harte had hee and in suche forte was his haughtie mynde settled But moreouer considering the impossibilitie of the facte be chauÌ„ged soone his opinion and became astonied as once was the lame Smith of Iupiter at what time through Choller he was cast doune headlong from heauen For he tormented hym self through the vehemencie that he felte broiling in the fire which continually encreasing in flames made him to suffer more torment and affâ—tition when sagely he considered the inequalitie of his louyng Ladie and hym Finally all these thynges considered seyng his affaires fell out so ill and that the fire encreased in his breaste by the imagination of his Miffresses feature and beautie whiche in beholdyng had dimmed and darkened his eyes and senses also with their dulcet venime whereof feelyng the alteration and violence more vehemente seeyng he durst not to make semblante thereof to his Dame hee resolued to separate hym selfe from that pleasaunte infection to the ende that being absent from the Coales he might rake the reste of the Fire vnder the Cinders of his Cogitation And verelie this his counsaill was verie good and wholesome if the bodie beeyng absent hee could also haue estraunged his thoughtes forgotten the obiecte of his tormente On the other side he waied the promesse whiche he had made to the Emperour which was to remaine in his seruice whiche thing for any worldes good seyng hym selfe so bounde and vowed vnto hym he would not breake nor violate In this perplexitie rested he more then two long howers still walking vp and doune the Cardeine while the Princesse Porphyria who drewe with hym the yoke of equall tormentes was in counsaill with her Damozelles as you haue heard in the Chapiter precedent And I deeme he might haue remained so longer had it not been for his Squire who sought hym on all sides by the commaundement of the Emperour to come to Dine with hym who wente so farre from chamber to chamber and in suche order that in fine he founde hym dreamyng and musing in the Cardeine in suche wise that he called hym twise or thrise beyng verie nere vnto hym before he heard or apperceiued hym who approchyng more neere to hym called out on this sorte Hola Maister what meane you are you become deaffe or blinde For now it is a whole hower since I haue been here with you to tell you how you muste come to the Emperour to Diner in all whiche while ye haue not made semblante either to heare or see me And how In Gods name more then an hower Saied the Youthe of the
or to beare Scepter Neuerthelesse ponderyng vppon the vehemente Passion and iuste occasion whiche had moued him thereunto he chaunged opinion and then again blamed his Meynie for being so bold in this attempt On thus wise assailed with these two cōtrarieties which in greate furie made hym walke vp and doune fretting and fuming none daryng to presume presently to comforte or counsell hym there entered into the Hall a Page who certified hym that a greate Lorde of Persia was ariued who greatly desired to speake with hym and had brought hym Letters on the behalfe of the greate Sophy whereupon the Emperour chaungyng and dying his countenaunce with a certaine feined coulour of gladnesse and ioye caused hym to be brought in to heare his Message and so to aunswere hym where wee leaue them for a certaine tyme ere we tell you any further The pitifull and dolorous complaintes whiche the Lady Porphyria made when she heard of the death of her louer the Youth of the Fairies and the Maidens Dynamia and Amidree also heard that Pharisor was slayne whiche thing beeyng knowen by the Giaunt Ergoferant hee put hym selfe in queste of the vnknowen Knight to reuenge their deathes ¶ The. xvi Chapiter WHiles the Emperour was much enraged towardes the vnknowen knight as you haue heard in the Chapter precedent the Empresse with other great Dames and Damozelles were at Dinner in her Chamber and the Lady Porphyria with her Cosin Harderine were in theirs to prate and parlee of the Personage prowesse of the Youth of the Fairies whom they deemed to haue bene at Dinner with her father the Emperour the Lady Porphyria was purposed to haue spoken to hym after Dinner and giue hym some certaine secret signe and testimonie of the amorous alterations whiche with an infinite number of griefes and dolours still distressed her poore hearte But the Empresse hearing into her Chamber the prefull woordes of the Emperour who cried and spake lowde and also the sound of Swerdes and Harnesse in the Hall when as the Emperours folkes would haue slaine the knight vnknowen desirous to vnderstande the cause of this tumult she had sent one of her Damozelles doune expressely to knowe the newes and to bryng her word therof who hauyng learned the matter came againe all amased and sorrowfull to tell her of the pitifull death of her Neuew Pharisor whom she so much loued and of the valiaunt Youth of the Fairies whō she no lesse estemed for the great good tournes which he had doone them in deliueryng them from the continuall care that clogged them all whiles the Giauntes Ferclaste and Androfort were aliue and vnslaine of hym The Empresse and her Damozelles hearyng so piteous a styrre and disorder cast foorth a most lamentable crie accompanied with a floud of Teares distilling from their radiant eies along their most amiable faces and so quite dispossessed with newe distresses ceassed not to weepe and lament some for the loue of Pharisor who to many of theim was frende and Parent other some per compagnio to see their fellowcs weepe so extremely tooke thereat so greate compassion that as women are alwaies most enclinable to the chaunge of affections as I saied to beare their frendes companie more then for grief they had they made such accordaunt moane and dose that neuer hearte was so harde whom it would not haue moued to pittie and compassion especially if he had heard the cōplaintes lamentations of the Damozell Dinamya sister to Pharisor and Amidree who though he were in no wise amourous of her yet burning in loue towardes hym she made suche lamentations that as it were halfe mad shee ranne awaie shritching and criyng into her Chamber whiche was adioyning to that where faire Lady Porphyria was not knowing ought of all this with her Cosin Harderine who hearyng the lamentable moanes of Amidree went presently into her Chamber where thei found her dead sounded in the place Whom after they had with cold water and other suche like thinges recouered to her former sences they asked and praied her deepely to declare vnto theim the cause of her dolour and greate lamentations whiche she not able to keepe it couered any longer confessed and with a lowe and troubled order of voyce saied thus Alas and wellawaie Ladies myne Ah my deere frende Pharisor is dead what saied the Ladie Porphyria may that be and is he dead in deede O my deere Cosin But tell mée Amidree in veritie who hath reported these newes For I can not persuade my self that it is so seing he had in his cōpaigny a Knight by whose safconduite as well of his valiauncie hath experience béen shewed he was sufficiente to discomfite a whole armie but I beleue it is some one who to make a kinde of proofe of your loue toward hym hath dashte you out of countenaunce with this craftie cloaked tale Ah Madame saied Amidree would GOD you now saied true but there is nothing more certaine as well his murderer is lately come to vaunte hym self thereof within armed with the Armes and mounted on the same Horse whiche was once that gentle Knightes that ouercame the Giauntes whom he hath also slaine and spoiled thereof And hereat the Emperour is so enraged that he hath ignominiouslie chaced hym out of his Court although the Caitiffe was he a thyng whiche makes me rather to beleue it whiche lastlie bare hym self so valiaunt in the Iustes that none could resiste the poise of his puissaunce but to death he went were he neuer so well Armed At these last wordes was the Ladie Porphyria so surprised with a sodaine shiueryng of dolesome feare that she could not speake a word more her hart mouth beyng as it were closed vp rounde with a sodaine passion of those pitifull newes in so muche that she fell doune flatte in the place rather as one deade then in a sounde as she was and became so pale and wanne that it was wounderfull not moouyng nor stirryng more then a corps quighte destitute of vitall breath Where of the Maidens Harderine and Amidree had so greate feare that tremblyng for sorrowe thei ranne redoublyng still their complaintes with speede to recompte to the other mournyng Maidens whom thei founde although quite drouned in teares yet enforcyng them selues the beste thei could to cōfort the desolate Dinamya this second mischief and mournefull hap of the death of the yong Princesse Wherat they all leauyng Dynamya ran sodainly to see her and firste of all the Empresse who firste enteryng into Amidrees Chamber where she was she sawe the corps of her miserable childe liyng flatte in the place for dead and running to imbrace it it is impossible to expresse and muche lesse to write the dolorous complaintes bitter cries which she cast foorthe bedewyng her I beleue with greater aboundaunce of teares tricklyng from her tender eyes then the gaie spryng tyme is wonte to shewe of Flowers and Plantes in quantitie and quality bothe to decke and illustrate the greene fertile