of the content which to be beloued of so faire a Lady would yéelde kindled such a fire in his breast that he could in nothing delight saue in contemplation of Syrindas bewtie whose loue so opprest him as it bereft him of his best sences and diminished his health He resolued to passe vnto Tentoria and colourably procure alone what his father with so many men had mist He was not of shape and feature nothing so deformed as his Syre but certainly farre stronger and higher he is a handfull then any knight being no Giant Arriued in my Ladies countrey he brought in his company eight Knights his neare Allyes of no lesse force then himselfe Disguised he entred the Citie where the Quéene kept her Court and knowing that she vsed to walke abroade vnto a neare adioyning Groue he watcht his time and hauing opportunitie one day followed her tooke her and setting her before him on his horse carried her away not dooing nor offering her any discourtesie though she had most cruelly slaine his father he tolde her his desire desiring her not to refuse his marriage since all the world knew how much it honoured her to doo it Whereto she aunswered If like a good Knight most cruell Abstrusio thou haddest procured my good will it had not bene much I had yéelded to thy request but since thou hast imployed thy force vpon a poore weake Lady I will rather bee my owne murtherer then consent to any such thing Why then said the louer that thou mayest know what assured confidence you may repose on my strength and arme I le giue thée leaue for sixe moneths space to send and séeke about for that Knight whose Fame aboue al others shal memorise his déeds to be the greatest with whom hand to hand I le Combat about thée proouing that none but I merits thy bewtie so that if I prooue Conqueror thou take mee for thy husband with willing and blythe minde but if I be conquered I vow and protest by all I may to remit and release any action I may pretend of marriage towards thée for which cause and that the battle may be effected I le set thée frée with all pleasure to enioy thy libertie and this because thou shalt not doubt I wil deny the Combat or violate my word Somewhat pacified was the imprisoned Ladie hearing the Pagans offer and considering that was her best agreed thereto Which gladded the Pagans verie soule supposing himselfe sure of the Lady thinking none able to take her by that meanes from him While these things past newes were thither brought of the neuer dying honor ye had obtained in the Iousts of Grecia ending them to your immortal glorie Wherevpon my Ladie thought to none safer then to you this dangerous aduenture could be recommended because the strong Abstrusio is the valiantest in all those parts She put me in trust with this businesse being from a childe brought vp in her seruice which I promised to performe with all diligence and either loose my life or let you knowe the necessitie wherein I left her trusting that a knight so absolute in all excellencies would be pitiful lending his help bound by lawes of knighthood to a distressed Lady and let not my report of the Gyants strength put any doubt in your vnconquered brest for hauing on your part the strong shield of Iustice it wil be sufficient to giue you the eternal honor of so glorious a Conquest This is the cause braue knight that hath from such remoted countries brought me to séeke you and consider whether my iourney be not lawful and your liberal offer iust It is kind damzel and am much amazed at the Gyants tyrannie said the Prince to force the Lady against her wil to marry him and wold I were already with him that Lady you might know your Quéenes remedie if it lie in me is made voyde for want of power and not wil to hazard my person in her seruice and my life I wil aduenture in any danger to right the wrong and violence she doth sustaine Why then braue knight said she I may goe merry séeing you so willingly affected to my businesse and may the Goddes giue you the due merits your bounteous care deserueth and séeing that for my Lady you must vndertake such a fight she sends you Armor and Horse conuenient to cope with such an aduersary She drew forth the Armor which were indéed as she said and excepting his of Hector he neuer sawe better of colour they were purple crost with sanguine barres garnished with some flowers of rich glistring stones which more adorned them The Gréeke put them on which fitted him as they were made by his measure On his shield was brauely figured the pictures of Iustice and Chastitie embracing and ouer their heads this motto Vpon each other both relies Twinnes kil one the other dies This deuice greatly pleased the Prince because it iumpt with his businesse With these armes was gallant Rosabel armed in neither in these affaires nor the thought of his hoped battel forgetting his Lyriana whose absence not a litle gréeued him for none had lost such happinesse in loue as he with so many sighes obtained and so his sorrow was tollerable loosing so great good for none will gréeue at a losse if the cause be not respected Not méeting any aduenture worthy memory he arriued at the I le wherereof Abstrusio was King Straight leapt he on shore mounting a mightie roane courser which the néedy Dame had sent him then which he neuer bestridde a better his Bollador excepted The Damozel masked her selfe for feare of being knowne by any of those that brought her away when the Princesse was stolen They approched very neare the Citie where the fierce king made his abode It was admirable chiefly the Castle where the King kept his court which séemed inexpugnable both by nature and scituation of the place About it were many pleasant Groues and Meades where the Pagan often recreated himselfe with Syrinda who by continuall conuersing with the Pagan his valour and gallant disposition had excéedingly mollified her obduracy And Lyrgandeo saith shee had repented her selfe for sending her damozel to séeke any by force to plead her cause being to her honor to take him for her husband that was able to protect both kingdomes that vnited was one of the mightiest in the world The like imagination had stirred the Gréekes thoghts thinking that he being so far different from the condition of others his marriage much aduanced her On this considered he along the Christal Current of a bubling streame when the mightie Abstrusio walked on the other side armed in strong plates of stéele bare headed without helme to take the coolenesse of the fresh ayre onely two knights without armor attended him bearing his who was horsed on a furious Courser his sight greatly pleased the Prince for his damozel knowing him told it Rosabel At his right hand rode the beautious Syrinda on a milke-white Palfrey
with many valiant straungers that about it were thither come As these two warriours passed through the stréetes al the peoples eies they drew after them admiring to sée them so well armed of so braue disposition Gallanter Knights were not in that Cittie séene of many yeares before As too and fro the streetes were crossed by passengers that went to the Court and they doing the like the sunnes splendent rayes reuerberated on their glittering armour as no sence could more desire The amorous Eufronisa lost not this sight for standing on a turret she sawe the maiesticke pacing of her gallant and said vnto her selfe shée had giuen him but litle to make him Lord only of her hart There is no. Ladie saide Loues newe Scholler that hath more reason to loue then I since in my opinion the Gods haue not reserued vnto themselues more grace more brauerie nor more woorth then they haue bestowed on this knight Somwhat did this deefied couple prick their horses and passing vnder the Ladies being the Gréek made his bend his knées to the ground and his head lower then his brest The Ladie séeing it raised her selfe to do him courtesie which as a fauor she bestowed not respecting how she might be noted for it Near her stood her wittie Selia that burst into these words I cannot blame you soueraigne Princesse for louing him that was borne to be beloued and if for him you suffer he hath with him a remedie for your greatest maladie and therefore doo not complaine for if you do I le sweare you do dissemble She answered If there wore any with him that would so well plead my deserts to him as hee hath here to read his merits to my beléefe it might bee I should bee able to dissemble my paine when it takes me yet can I not denie what thou alledgest for his gallant behauior is a comfort in middest of my greatest woes The two famous Knights alighted for the hall being one of the fairest in the world was full of knights that expected the proofe of the Louers Pauillion In the outward yarde they left their horses and as friends togither entred into the hall hauing round about an infinite of rich seates excepting a corner purposely hung and reserued for the Ladies that then entred whose beautie and brauerie delighted euerie heart The most beauteous Eufronisa would not differ in her colour of garments from the Brittains armor apparrelling her selfe al in white imbrodered with red roses that neuer to the Ladies sight it admitted no compare The Gréeke did note it well smiled at it This occasion expected Cupid to yoake the brest of warlike Astorildo that in scorne of him had long time led his life and so with the sight of the Ladies rare beautie he was beset with new desires féeling his heart subdued A wound was this he receiued that onely death cured for that solely had power to remedie it for the Ladie busied her eies gazing on the Gréek he thinking on Lyriana in whom his hopes life felicitie consisteth So that only Loue must please this third intruder for Astorildo alreadie loues his life depends on his alienation now he gréeues for appoynting combat with the Greeke séeing it toucheth what hee adores and with a word he hath euen now changed his opinion by beeing in loue and without hope euer to obtain any recompence for his distresse And yet the Ladie scorning the firmnesse wherewith he loues her placeth it in affecting him that laughes at her because he dotes vpon Lyriana So the Ladies sate them down being aboue a hundreth in number daughters to the chiefe Nobles of the Realme When all were silent an ancient graue man for so he was that brought the Tent did set it in middle of the hall A fairer péece was neuer séene it was all of blew Sattin imbroderad with Artechokes of golde set with so many stones that their splendor depriued the sight of it At the doore thereof appeared two knights richly armed that séemed to challenge the fight of euery one present within was séene a faire throne wheron sate a Lady of excéeding beautie holding in her hands a crowne of inestimable value Thus euery one expecting to knowe of the ancient knight the sum of the aduenture the Ladies and knights yéelding him gratefull audience he beganne to recite the cause of his comming whose relation deserues a new Chapter inferring mee to intreat of you faire wonders of natures beauties like attention for now haue I most néede thereof expressing a matter of it selfe so worthie to be knowne CHAP. XV. How the knight ending his relation of his aduenture his knights began to prooue it and what them befell MOst high and mightie King of Sylepsia began the ancient knight in the Southerne parts and regions of the world there sometimes dwelled a man in the hidden and secret misteries of Art and Nigromanticke spels the skilfullest of his time whose knowledge and great wisedome could not keepe him from the snares of deceitfull loue who intrapt him with the beautie of Belisa daughter to the king of Arabia the Felix one of the fairest Ladies on the earth who gouerned with higher thoughts admitted not the wise Nycostratos affection He atchiued many woorthie déeds in her seruice yet all would not preuaile to mooue the Ladies loue nor yet to shew him one counterfeited fauor which put him in such desperation as daily he neglected the estimation of his credit more more lost his health On this Ladie were also inamored two Princes alike in valour and deserts though one was more happie hauing the Ladies fauor who fedde him with those hopes that they are woont to giue their louers al which was woorse then death to the wise man as also to the other knight reiected So Nycostrato knowing it as also the approach of his liues fatall houre finding that Belisa was cause thereof purposed ere he lest the world to be reuenged so formed he this wondrous Tent where hée inchanted the Ladie bereauing her of iudgement for the litle respect she had made of his great loue Also he enchaunted the two louers to defend the entrance vntill there were a knight so amorous and valiant but as vnhappie as eyther that by vanquishing might restore them their lost libertie And Belisa by the Lady that without exception best deserued the tytle of constant Louer yet woorse rewarded for onely this to be fayrest must frée enchaunted Belisa In the estate they be they suffer many torments for so pleased it Nycostrato the more to satisfie his reuenge That knight that is fauoured by Fortune shall end the Combat must after leade the Lady that will prooue the aduenture In many courts of mightie kings haue we bene hoping to finde some knight to set a periode to our trauell but the Princes being valiant and the Lady very faire none hath preuailed no not so much as in the entrance Almost dispairing euer to finde remedie for these
thought he was able with them to subdue all the world For most of the Princes were accompanied with furious Giants and many Sagitaries especially the Soldane of Egypt because his country affoorded most With such noyse they arriued at the Tower as if heauen and earth had met Yet for all this did not the two Combattants desist from the cruell sight vntill the strange knight saw how great a Fléete made thitherward and then thinking it no wit longer to stay with a cruel point thrust the sturdie Brauorant from him and turning his barke put foorth into the sea leauing the inraged Pagan so furious that hee was about to follow him Hée was nothing daunted with the sight of so huge a Nauie but rather wished they would assault him that hee might execute on them the wrath that the knight had put him in who was none other but the bewtious Archysilora who séeing the flames came to the Tower Within sight she stood and so did the sixe Gallies to sée what order they tooke With soueraigne prayses did Lupersio extoll the merits of the Knight of the Tower so euery one called him They all reioyced knowing whose sonne he was and how he would take their part He aduertised his friend Bembo to honour him for in him consisted the sure hopes of that doubtfull victorie The Prince did so sending a Galley to salute him in his name A little did not the Pagan estéeme the account that was made of him much honoured Bembo being acquainted with him By Lupercios counsell the thrée most mightie Pagans Bembo Brauorant and Brufaldoro his competitor placed themselues before the Arches for he â—…red what after did insue and there had it not beene in respect of Bembo would Brauorant haue had assaulted the Mauritanian There was neuer a Prince in all the Fléet but went to know him all whom he receiued with singular courtesie But how he tendred Floraliza requires a new storie hers was the third voyce in counsel of war for that dignitie had Lupercio procured her by whose direction all the armie was gouerned Neuerthelesse greatly sorrowed the Soldane of Nyquea for his sonnes absence thinking his presence would haue assured his hopes Scarce had that mightie Nauie cast about the Tower when another no lesse puissant then it appeared Eastward froÌ„ the coast of Grecia the which but stripping the windes purposed to get the aduantage of his enemies It was the Emperour Trebatios that with fiue hundreth shippes and galleyes made towards the highst part of the Tower somewhat a farre off and from the toppes of their masts they could descrie the Fléete at the Tower which they iudged to be their enemies Neuer did Neptune on the seas behold a thing more stupendious for both armies seemed two populous Citties In the royall Admiral all the Princes were met to consult on the giuing of the battel The Emperor brought with him the best men in all his Empire and in his guard his sonne Rosicler the warlike Rosamond with famous Brandafidel and the stout Bramidoro king of CerdenaÌ„ For the Ladie perswading her selfe that in so renowmed an enterprise her beloued Dacian would surely be would not stay in Grecia but rather clad in her rich armour was one that wonne most honour both on sea and land With him also came the sonnes of the mightie Croanto Lord of the Carmenian Iles knights whose like the world contained fewe No lesse guarded was the Emperor Alphebos Admiral within which there was besides himselfe his deare Empresse Teffereo and the two valiant Spanish brothers for his more safetie he had with him twelue Gyants his neighbours then who in all the aduerse armie there was none valianter nor that with more trust and care defended their Prince The Spanish Admirall was one of the brauest and best furnisht shippe in eithers Fleet for therein would Torismundo shewe his magnifisence with his brother in lawe Clauerindo and both their sonnes that were in her and at their guard fiftie Spanish knights that against Mars neither of them would refuse the combat The new King of Thessaly would néeds manifest how much he was bound vnto the Greekes to whom with his Sarmatia the first onset was committed and to be seconded by the Spanish and French as meÌ„ most hardiest at the first assaults The Emperor Trebatio like a wise Captaine shewed himselfe in sanguine coloured armor for this deuice pleased him best and mounted the hatches of his ship that euery one might sée him With him came the two wise men Lyrgandeo Aâ—tomidoro who as yet knew not the end of the aduenture for it was in Medeas bookes and he that had them was their friend Nabato that in a Cloude houered ouer the Tower for his deare Don Elenos sake least Lupercio with his exercismes might deuise some newe treason against the Lady enchaunted there The counsell was ended with resolution straight to begin the battel although there wanted the Kings of Antioch Babylon and Persia whose presence was greatly missed Euery Prince and commaunder passed to his owne ship to order theyr necessarie affaires And while the quiet waues with gentle calme hore their vesselles the great Emperour of Greece leaped into a Frigat wtth his Helme off on the one side went his sonne Rosicler and on the other Don Elenos faire Lady and hauing gone round about his Nauy encouraging his souldiers set himselfe in middest of them all and thus began Come is the time most valiant knights wherein déeds will be more requiset then words hauing such multitudes of strong enemies to cope withall if I be mooued to speake thus beléeue me it is but to renew the memorie of the royall blood from whence we descend the glory the our predecessors froÌ„ age to age haue maintained eternizing their fames therby to all posterities intreating you as friends that none would fight otherwise then to make their enemies confesse the worth of their persons not for desire of spoyle or gaine and to expresse his duty loue fidelitie towards his God Prince and country for this nothing but this will assure his victorie And let not their ouermatching numbers daunt our couragious mindes but still vphold our woonted valor wherewith in despite of foes we made our names to be feared There can be no greater honor then with glory here like good knights to die if sates haue so appointed And since euery one of you knowes the right and iustice of our cause let vs confidently trusting thereto make them know how vniustly they haue topsey-turuey turned the world Here ended the braue Emperour and with amiable Maiestie commaunded his frigate to his former place leauing his souldiers so animated with his words that they thought euery minute long till they met with their enemies Straight he ordered his battels diuiding his Fléete into thrée parts The middle most he himselfe conducted being all the Gréekes and Macedones whose Generall was Meridian The right squadron guided the Emperour Alphebo with all
her comming for they intierly loued Then the Emperor sent for Venus and Layssa who brought with them their two litle daughters whose bewtie euery one admyred There also the graund Trebatio greatly thanked Pollidolpho for his good aide And euery one in generall were busied in the entertainment of so woorthie a successe Through all the Fléete the Emperour commaunded the two knights to be sought for that had ended the aduenture but not finding them he was aduertised how they departed in the greatest haste possible After them had the Emperor sent but that Nabato staied him that would not depart without visiting his Dacian and speake to the Emperor who entertained him as his déeds and merites deserued He made reply according to his wisedome perswading them not to gréeue for the two knights absence whom they should sée in other new contents which the one should conceiue vntil death although the other is so tormented with amorous cares that the earth can affoord him no pleasure because the giuer thereof is in this shippe None could directly suspect who he was yet some iudged him to be Claridiano and they were the two gallant Ladies Rosamond and Archysilora who was comforted with hope to sée him in Grecia where she would assure him of his glorie and how that if she were beloued he was no lesse It was presently knowne by spies how their enemies were withdrawne homewards It nothing gréeued them in that for Lyrianas sake they willingly would haue accorded to any good motion Before that Nabato departed he aduertised them they should not dissolue theyr Hostes for that they would returne vpon Crecia with the greatest powers on the earth against which the fierce Lyonesse would rise stirred vp by the Russet Lyon With this he tooke his leaue of the Gréekes leauing them much bound vnto him A great while he conferd with Don Eleno to whome he declared the cause of the future warre and that since he was the greatest cause thereof he should procure to make knowne the vtmost of his vallor because that partie which should most respect him would most oppresse him and would many times put him in imminent daungers of his life yet all should honorably ende to his lasting fame and Rosamonds So he imbraced him vanishing far from thence The next morning the victorious Gréekes in tryumphant manner made towards Constantinople hauing finished the famousest nauall fight that was heard or read of Forewards did King Sacridoro put forth to be the first should beare those happy tydings vnto the Empresse which he accordingly performed And with prosperous windes not long after they arriued all at Constantinople in whose welcome there happened what the next Chapter shall declare CHAP. XXIIII How the Emperour Trebatio with all his Fleete arriued at Constantinople His welcome with what else happened NO sooner were the furious horses of the Sun harnest in theyr bright Caparisons of shining light readie to drawe the golden Charriot of heauens glittering eye through the Christal paued wayes of the Azure skies expelling thence the duskie Cloudes of leaden melancholy darkenesse when the Gréekes gallant Fléete containing so many Princes and braue Knights appeared in sight of the famous Citie of Constantinople sounding so many millitary Instruments as if that were the instant of the earths generall desolation Such thicke smoake of smothering fiery mysts raised the discharged ordinance in wel ordred peales that one vessel could not discerne the other Which past the Gallies and Shippes beganne to showe themselues daring the windes with their proude streamers and all their toppes with dauncing Banners made of silke whose méeting displayed in the aire rauished the beholding sences with ioy which on the other side was a corsiue to the hearts of the afflicted prisoners séeing theirs as trophies of the victorie set vp among their aduersaries The eccho on the water of mellodious harmony of concordant Musicke was a comfort to the poore wounded souldiers who were all committed to the warlike Troians charge The discréet Citizens were not all this while carelesse but rather in preparations to feast their Prince had bene most carefull All the Castles in the Citie welcommed them according to their vsuall custome placing on the highest of euery one the Emperours Imperiall standards To the sea side came all the gallant youthes brauely Armed and euery one a blew scarfe and in their hands swords and daggers wherwith they skirmiged as they went In two parts they diuided themselues to take the Princes in the middle that then were comming forth of Abstrusios Admirall A most faire Bridge they set vp from the Galleon to the shore with many stately Arches all couered with gréen cloth of golde and they with many curious Pictures containing all the Gréeke Princes Battles and aduentures Who issued foorth in this manner First marched the Emperor Trebatio betwéene his two sonnes representing such Maiestie and chearfull semblance that therewith his subiects were much gladded A little behinde them appeared those thrée Myrrors of beawtie Lyriana Archysilora and Rosamond who to please the Princesse of Nyquea had put off their strong abillements of warre They were all thrée attyred in gréene cut vpon cloth of siluer and tackte with knottes of Pearle and betwéene euery cut a button of rich Dyamonds on whose sparkeling light the reuerberating sun dazeling thereon depriued the beholders of the Ladies sight Large wide were their garments with long sléeues hanging to the ground all richly Embrodered euen much like the fashion now vsed in France Other shorter they woare on their arms laced ouer with great Orient Pearles with cuts drawne through with finest cloath of Golde faced with white and crimson according to the vsance of the Parthians Their disheueld hayre dangled downe in tramels whereon there is not any but would haue hung thereon a thousand soules and iudge them too fewe for their merits To conclude they were so excéeding absolute in all perfections that Apollo blushed to bee excelled in bewtie by humane creatures who to enioy the contemplation of their excellencies and surfet in imaginary conceits of their rarieties curbed with his raignes the hastie galloping of his fierce and vnstayed stéeds A little after them followed other thrée no lesse bewtifull then they These wer the gallant Venus the braue Layssa with the faire Syrinda They would not change colour and therefore were all in Crimson cut vpon Golde Next to them the excellent Empresse Claridiana attired according to her Maiesticke state and grauitie yet with such exquisit bewty that the former sixe became enuious of her faire She passed on with the mightie Abstrusio whom all the Gréekes much affected The rest of the ladies were al richly apparelled At the end of the bridge vpon a tryumphant arch stood thrée images most liuely representing the first thrée ladies Not far from them thrée Syrens with Amber tresses dangling to the ground came forth and playing on seuerall Harpes sung seuerall notes one after the other thus From the Lillies is she
his life since you attribute to me what onely is due with such right to this Ladies beautie in whose deliuerance the ending of this aduenture was nothing Readie to burst with anger stood Lindauro séeing with what kindnesse Venus spake to that knight which made him suspect his ending the aduenture and what he had done in the place had mooued her to affection He could no longer indure it but called him saying Come sir Knight and relate vnto the King what befell you with the Louers for we shall all reioyce to heare it From the Ladies he went leauing the Persian with them betwéen whom they admitted him for which place Phoebus had exchanged his throne celestiall Venus while Don Eleno discoursed with the kings demaunded of him in this manner Sir knight quietly and without grudge if you will enioy so great a fauour as this you must tell vs your name raising your beauer and this small satisfaction shall satisfie so high a benefit The Persian replied I had ere this done it sacred Princesse without demaunde but I feared to displease thereby the knight in russet for although hée hath not knowne me I could not haue met with better hap then him in this countrie and if he bee here knowne I will declare my name else I beséech your excellencie do not commaund it me I onely am she of all this kingdome containes said Venus that knowes him and he not a little ioyed discouered himselfe to me and so without feare may you tell me yours for this Ladie and my selfe excepted none shall euer knowe it To satisfie your content excellent Ladie answered he I le no longer conceale it I am Bransiniano Prince of Babylon and Persia the greatest friend the Gréekes haue by reason my father was brought vp in company of the Emperour Alphebo and I in Claridianos in whose demaund I wander as this knight is his so neare kinsman I cannot but affect him and had I not this reason yet his valour bindes me to his loue and raising his vizor shewed his faire face saying Because you shall be assured diuine Ladies how much I desire your seruice I haue discouered all that of my selfe I can I do highly estéeme braue Prince replied Venus the account you haue giuen me of your stocke and because I will not long be your debtor for the same I will giue you newes of that Gréeke you séeke who in this Pallace is prisoner vnknowne to any what he is saue to the Prince of Dacia and me who shall at large acquaint you with the cause which is not lawfull any other should know and so I intreate your soueraigne beautie my deare Laissa to conceale it So eleuated in contemplations of her new amorous thoghts was the Lady that neither it nor what else was talked of did she marke for of none did euer loue with more power take possession willingly making her submit séeing how great a Prince he was She replied not to the purpose saying I greatly desire excellent Princesse that since your knight hath recounted to them their demaundes he doo it heere to vs. Venus knew not to what end shee so replied but being wittie quickly conceiued what might be the reason so dissembling it said There is no reason but we should bee satisfied herein So calling their Damzell Fausta sent her in their behalfe to Don Eleno But they could not end to giue her her charge by reason of a suddaine tumult that arose where the king was The Persian hearing it stood vp and closing his beuer taking leaue of the Ladies went towards the Dacian at what time somewhat mooued hee thus beganne Gladly most mightie king of Esclauonia would I haue deferde vntill some other occasion what I will now say because I would not disturbe this present ioy But so great is the necessitie I haue to depart that it forceth me to beseech thee in respect of the iustice thou haste alwaies maintained thou wouldest be pleased to giue me the prisoners whose libertie cost me so much blood and my companion much more whose words haue not suffered him to come with me although he requested me I should on his behalfe intreate so much of his Maiestie since as it séemed you rested content wee should about their discharge vndertake the battell Consider it well and answere me straight for I will immediately depart publishing the iniustice I haue in thy Court receiued through all the world Here he ended doing his dutie Well said the king he had reason but he was so subborned by the Prince Lindauro that to please him he chose rather to reiect it answering I know braue knight you haue reason to demaunde these prisoners but séeing they slew such great Princes whose kindred crying out for iustice forceth me to detaine them To this saide Lindaura your Maiestie doth wrong your royall Crowne and seat by so many waies and in so many respects to giue this knight so many satisfactions of what with great right and iustice is done These words so inraged the Dacian that hee was almost resolued to strike him but hee staied himselfe not willing to raise the whole Hall vppon him so hée replied It better would beséem thée Prince of Siconia to make known thy valour defending thy owne iustice with thy proper person by honourable meanes and not by so infamous a manner And that thou maist know what wrong is done me I here alone challenge the fight against two knights whom thou shalt appoynt about this matter or if thou wilt like a good knight accept my gage I defie thée person to person giuing thée aduantage for the combat that thou mayest sée and know my iustice I will combat on foote in armour without weapons as sword dagger and launce and thou shalt take the fielde and haue thy choise in armes So great was the aduantage that it was able to turne a tender Lambe vnto a fierce Lyon and not regarding his honour hee did accept it presently from which the king could not disswade him None in the Hall except the Babylonian Prince but iudged the knights challenge to procéed of meere madnesse Don Eleno as he had done nothing demaunded the battell to be straight first requiring the prisoners to be brought in field Who were straight aduertised thereof The Gréeke was nothing astonished thereat well knowing the fury of his vncle The prisoners surely guarded were conducted to a Scaffold of purpose made for such matters They gréeted one another as their affection did deserue with ioy hoping for the good successe of the battel For Pollidolpho knowing the Challenger doubted not of victory On foote did the Dacian enter the fielde without any weapon which the Prince of Persia carried and his page ledde his horse to giue it The Combat ended with a leape did the furious gallant take the Lists compassing it about with such quicke paces as he were mounted Then stood he still gladly gazing how the Citie did vnpeople it selfe to sée the Combat The Ladies
lamentably falling on both sides but the Princes being inuincible where ere they went were assured of the victorie Clearly had they obtained it if Phoebus hastening his Westerne downfall had not hid his light in Thetis watrie lap leauing almost half of the Esclauonians dead with foure thousand Croatians besides the wounded On either side retrait was sounded for feare of the nights approach Pollidelpho being in warre most polliticke commaunded many fiers to be lighted that his enemies might thinke they would stay til the morrow which he nothing lesse minded iudging it mere follie because the king had his succors so neare and they theirs so far off marcht away to the sea side causing all manner of lights in the Galleyes to be fired that the souldiers might imbarke themselues They did so leauing neuer a man on land except the two Princes whom another aduenture expected The next morrow the Pagans thinking their enemies had stayed scarce had Aurora welcommed Apollo the East when they began in rankes and files orderly to draw their men in field No griefe is comparable to that which the king and Lindauro conceiued being aduertised by their spies what happened So soone as it was knowne they followed towards the shore thinking to ouertake them but being thither come were assured of theyr departure which made the King Prince most wofully with bitter laments to exclaime and more missing their kinsman Tarsides they wanted present means to follow them which forced their returne to Xantho where they gaue order to prepare all the shipping in the land The like did the Sophi knowing how his son was mocked They gathered 600. sayles which was the most famous Fléete that euer came on those seas They wasted 200. thousand men and 400. Giants of the fiercest in the world with so great and puissant armies he thought he might make warre vpon the greatest Potentate therof Lindauro was appointed Generall by sea and land that had hée not bene troubled with fantasticke vaine imaginary boastes he had discharged the office with immortall Fame Some time was spent in the preparation and assembling of this mightie army in which season the Princes with their sayles spread in the winde fearelesse of any thing with their Ladies ioying in their company within eight dayes landed at Geua the chiefest hauen in all Croatia The inhabitants receiued the Princes with such ioy and costly triumphes that to shun prolixitie wée ouerpast day by day the rumor stil increast of Lindauros cōming For which cause as also for the ladies that were with child they intreated the princes to abide with them til they were in peace or with assurance of agréement with Venus father who knowing the imprisonment of her Coozen Tarfides procured his libertie with such entertainment as his merits deserued It did so win him as also séeing how well beflowed his Coozen was that he determined to pacifie the proclaimed wars Therupon he writ to the king of Esclauonia alleaging what honor and greater disaduantage he incurred to persecute his daughter since shee had chosen for her husband the Prince Pollidolpho rather then any other And if she gaue her promise of marriage to Lindauro it was onely to please his honor and not to satisfie her owne will hauing before made it obedient to an others command This letter a thousand times made him so recant his intent as he was about so often to haue shewn it the Prince yet he could not so close kéep it but he discerned it Who dissembling séemed to take no notice of it so that for all that they set their fortunes on the feas purposing to land in Croatia They had done it and it had béene one of the cruellest warre in the world if the wise Nabato considering his Don Eleno was there detained thereby had not succoured them by crossing the huge King with stormes and tempests that the third part of the Fléete was ouerwhelmed in the deuouring waters They returned to Esclauonia where taking counsell Lindauro knowing that the Soldan of Nyquea with the greatest part of Asia and Affrica did assemble themselues togither against Grecia resolued to ioyne with them that with so many multitudes his reuenge might be the more easier As it was determined he put it in execution and repairing his tempest beaten ships directed his voyage towards S. Georges promontory where it was reported all the generall forces met Thus far admired Ladies procéeded the sole spoyle of the ioyes it procured that by so many means sought the easie passage for his reuenge vpon the robbers of his contents who without remembrance of what hee poore soule indured past the time in sports and reuels till the season of the Ladies deliuery was come both who brought forth two Girles whose beauties being in their prime darkened Apollos clearest light The childrē were borne with seuerall tokens for the Persians had on their brests Loues bowe and quiuer of arrowes Venus daughter had also in the breast a hand whiter then the snow that twixt the fingers held a heart as red as blood Much adoo there was to name them in the end it was remitted to Claridiana who therein shewed the sharpnesse of his wit for considering they had got the mothers by force of armes named the Babylonian Helena he did not so amisse because for her sake there were no lesse cruelwars thē Troye sustained about the first as it is in the fourth part of this Historie Venus girle was called Pollixena in remembrance of her whose loue so dearly Gréeke Archilles did abide Euery one praised the wittie naming of the Ladies by the Prince who expressed his ioy and loue in the performance of a famous iouster He craued leaue of the Ladies to depart thinking he wronged his owne to liue so long in those pleasures which he obtained with great difficultie The day before the two Princes wold depart Pollidolpho thus spake It is so manifest most mightie Prince that many infinit recoūtlesse fauours and benefits I haue at your hands receiued which soring to so high prized valor my life is insufficiēt to satisfie the least degrée of gratitude but neuerthelesse that you may knowe the zeale of my thankfull minde and how I account my sole felicitie in your deare amitie I am determined to become a Christian for all my land will haue it so by which act I do eternally propagate my loue with such excellent warlike Princes and therefore I will receiue the Baptisme at your hands togither with my wife and daughter The Princes conceiued excéeding ioy with Pollidelphos déed whereto Don Eleno thus replied Wee cannot but credibly beléeue most noble Prince so illustrious a déed hath long since béene prophecied with more diuine inspirations then humane determination to corroborate our friendship there was no cause to intimate this for to obserue the lawes of honourable true Loue the least ground with so costly experience were ynough Happie be this amitie and confirmed with such bounds of faith wee cannot feare
shed teares those teares will I repay Ten teares for one a hundreth teares for ten Hath my proude rigor hunted thee astray I le loose my life or bring thee backe agen Each sigh I le quittance with a thousand grones And each complaint with a whole age of mones And when I finde thee as I finde the will Or loose my selfe in seeking what I loue Then will I trie with all true humble skill Thy pittie on my great offence to moue Till when my griefes are more then tongue can tel My daies are nights and euerie place is hell With a heauie sigh shee ended but as if singing had but in part discharged her sorrowes she beganne with saying to prosecute them as followeth Ay me Quéen of Lyra said the Ladie that hauing no cause to complaine do suffer thus deseruedly a iust pay for such deserts Of whom else might I hope to bee loued beeing by the Gréeke Prince adored On the earth of whom couldst thou expect any good if not from thy Gréeke Oh woe is me that the trust of my small consideration should bring me to this passe that I must make the winds witnesse of my paines and that to my vnblemisht honours cost I must hue and wander by sea and land demaunding for him Archysiloras loue when I mought haue liued with ioy with pleasure and in quiet by giuing him a little signe of that happinesse I my selfe receiued by being his but séeing it is thus brought about loue I will and patiently embrace this iust imposed toyle Here was her languishment renewed séeing a knight come directly towards her shippe lying a long the hatches of another exclaiming against Cupids ordinances Who euer suffered said he his heart to followe and séeke his owne dishonour What lawe allowes the soule to disclose that whose secrecie preserueth no lesse then life Accidents be these onely incident in loue for he as the King of extreames enforceth me not regarding my fame to procure anothers consent Oh most valiant Knight who shall beléeue thou shouldest with mee violate thy word Thou knowst I loue thée also the I follow thée but I know to aggrauate my woe thou fliest my presence What is become of those swéete words at our parting thou spakest where is the faith wherwithon my hands thou vowedst loyaltie protesting if any pleasure thou shouldest haue it would procéede only from thinking thou art mine Thou doest ill guerdon the bountie wherewith I laide open vnto thée the secrets of my soule making my selfe tributary vnknowne to whome I did it when thou iudgedst it newe life newe ioy newe ease and newe content But now altogither forgetfull thou fliest from me that liue to loue thée So ouerwhelmed in her owne thoughts was the bewteous Floralizar who departing from the furious Brauorant followed the searche of the Tinacrian whom shée so intierly affected that shée regarded not whether any heard her By the complaints did Archisilora knowe her to be a Ladie and pittying her caused her Barke to be grappled with the other and saide No maruell heroicke Ladie that since the lande hath alreadie beene acquainted with your constancie you nowe participate your faith vnto these inhospitable waters Be of good courage for you haue company in your woes and such as wil neglect his owne to remedie yours At the voyce rose Floralindas daughter and replied Who are you Syr Knight that so kindly doo commiserate my paine which is the greatest that euer was inclosed in any humane breast I am hée saide Archisilora who with my soule valiant Ladie will procure your quiet and therefore pray you accept such seruice as my Barke wil yéeld for it may be the recitall of your griefs to me and I mine to you wil be a mittigation of some sorrow I le not forgo the enioying of so good company as that you offer mee Syr knight said Floraliza intreating I may know who you be that alreadie knowes my gréefs The Ladies gallant behauior had attracted the Lirian Matrons affection who replied In more then this doo I desire to satisfie you soueraigne Ladie but first step into my ship where I wil do it at full To know your name answered Floraliza a harder enterprise would I attempt So leapt she into the Quéenes Barke saying Aduantage hath my Barke got sir knight with my absence to which being alone the winds and waters may now be more fauourable then when I was in it and since we haue this opportunitie deare sir defer not my desire With neuer a word the haughtie Quéene vnlaced her Helme resting more faire then was Latonas sonne when onely for loue he kept Admetus shéepe Floralizas was also of whose beautie was equalled by fewe and that want was with valour supplied Let it not gréeue you Soueraigne Lady said the Quéene that I knowe she cause of your mones for mine are no lesse which I suffer séeking for him that ought to dye louing but since I am the cause therof it is reason I endure the extremitie of gréefe and séeing loue hath equalled vs therein I le no longer kéepe from you who I am So she related vnto her euerie thing she could not naming Claridiano Why now said Alicandros Néece I do account my paine a pleasure being pittied by you and haue assured hope we shall quickly finde redresse wherto the Quéene answered Gladly would I know who he is to labor your content Any certaine thing I know not replyed she more then that I am an others for a brother of mine called Celindo and my selfe were brought vp without knowledge of father though since we receiued the order of armes we haue met with certaine tokens to be children vnto the prince Meridian Excéeding ioy conceiued the Quéen of the Ladies company resoluing to enioy it so long as she would They vowed firme amitie which towards the peace was of no small effect for this Lady was of highest estimation among the Pagans in the Grecian warres By little and little being tender of yeares and knowing that the manifesting of their loues was some ease to their borthering cares either vnderstood who was the Louer to the other Vppon which occasion Floraliza thus saide So that our fortune doth permit most Péerelesse Princesse the Gréeke Princes to tryumph ouer our hearts Séeing the heauens will haue it so excellent Lady aunswered the Quéene and so haue fauoured them from their birthes we cannot but acknowledge their Soueraigntie specially the Tynacrian Prince knowing how great his gaines are thus being loued To which Floraliza made aunswere Stay my good Quéene how well by knowing your selfe to be loued doo you iudge a straungers distresse who would not liue contented in middest of the greatest euill were wée certaine of that assurance What paine would not then be a pleasure or what could make mee a stranger to my selfe onely séeking the company of my woes But I feare illustrious Ladie that as the heauens haue made them absolute happie so some one of them wil place his felicitie
she was gallantly attyred for being well intreated by the king she by dooing the like did more allure him and he lost nothing by vsing her in that manner forcing her to doo nothing against her will which to his soueraigne gentlenesse may be attributed Comming more neare the Lady knew the Armor and horse which she sent vnto the Knight shuld combat for her She was so amazed though his disposition greatly contented her that the stoute Pagan noted it and demaunding the cause halfe trembling told it Oh Iupiter said the Pagan how doest thou shew thy immortall power to honour me sending him at such time hither whom I heartily expected Now shal you sée faire Lady whether my valour deserue not some estimation in thy brest beeing so neare to sée it by experience So daunted was the Lady that she could not answere reuoluing many things in her thoughts against her selfe for if she should stay the battel from procéeding it were to dishonour the knight hauing sent for him so far onely to that and if she suffered it then she imagined she wronged her Louer towards the Pagan so that she was set betwéen two contraries altogither opposed against her happinesse and which shee might iudge the least to lay hands on she knew not The hastie comming of the Gréeke suffered her not to chuse for crossing the riuer ouer a bridge brandishing his Launce went towards the Louers that greatly admired his comely grace The Pagan nothing doubting his hoped victorie expected him in a faire plain ioyning to a thicket of tall Pynes called the Groue of Aduentures for neuer any entred it but found something to try the valour of his person The Gréeke being come to him raised his Beauer and saluted him thus God saue the valiant Abstrusio I thinke I shall not néede to relate the cause of my comming because it was with thy consent neuerthelesse if without battell thou wilt remit the sute thou doest pretend thou shalt obtaine a sure vnconstant friend for I doubt not but thou knowest how it staines a Noble minde by force to force a Ladies will for it neither belongeth to a good knight nor a true Louer yet for all this if thou wilt insist in thy enterprise let vs no longer deferre the combat which instantly to be done will bee too too long While he spake the Pagan stedfastly gazed on him and iudging him of great strength because his constitution was not much lesse then his owne and this imagination he confirmed noting the libertie of his words which he said procéeded of valour for others at his sole sight were ready to tremble So he answered In faith Syr knight I sée no reason but any thing should be done to obtain your friendship which oght not be litle estéemed by him that hath it But you sée if I leaue the battell it redounds to my dishonor for it will be said I did it for feare which could neuer yet be reported since I knew what armor ment so now to giue occasion of such spéech he wil not permit that knowes the estimation of true honour and how it ought to be embraced So let our battle be presently although I assure you more then this I neuer doubted the ende of any witnesses we shall néed none for my promise past to this faire Princesse shall be sufficient It is so replyed the Gréek for since the one must of necessitie sacrifice his bloold in this field let the suruiuer be Conqueror Iudge to carrie away the Lady Who came to speake vnto the knight so amazed that the Gréeke conceiued the cause and quickly assured himselfe thereof It gladded him purposing if he vanquisht to marrie her to the Pagan Defied eache other had these combatants and sought for a conuenient place to make the battell when from the thicket issued a knight vpon a nimble Coueser he did no more but take viewe of the number that was there and returned Euery one noted him and mused what he intended by such haste But the desire the two had of their Combat made them forget him They turned their fierce horses about whose successe an other Chapter must vnfold for it deserueth much more CHAP. XI The aduenture that befell vnto the two most mightie warriors being in their combat and what else happened VVIth a thousand amorous doubtes the bewteous Syrinda expected the two braue warriors encounters greatly fearing the Gréeke because she sent for him and the Pagans successe good or badde shee felt in middest of her soule and eythers blowes shee receiued on her brest So that deare Ladies neuer had Combattants a more suspitious Iudge because she through loue pleades the merits of the one and the Gréekes worthinesse the bountie wherwith he vndertooke her cause inforced her to defend him Oh sacred Damzels Natures chéefest bewties lend me some litle fauour that I may woorthily relate the rarest single Combat fought vppon the earth for the one is Rosabel of whom the world alreadie trembles the other the haughtie Abstrusio mirror of the Pagan Nations The nimble swiftnesse of their horses was occasion of their quicker méeting making more noyse in their carrier then Vulcans forged fire ratling through the skies renteth his passage flashing among the darkened Clowdes Big and knottie were their Launces but incountring with their stéeled shields they séemed of slender willowes Whose shiuers mounted so high that their sight gaue notice of that Combat aboue the fourth spheare Neither miscarried by the shocke though both warriours were assured of the others strength Amazed was the Pagan séeing his aduersary in his saddle for in all his life til then he neuer incountred any but he ouerthrew him to the hard ground The Greeke drew foorth the Troyan Hectors sword glad to sée the Pagans valour And flourishing it aloft with that celeritie he vsed in all his hattles let flie at the Pagan who turned to warde it yet his diligence preuailed not for he had not scarce offered his defence when the skilful Gréeke redoubled the strength of his proffered blowe and brauely discharged it on his aduersaries shielde it bootes not to be of fine tempered stéele for all it reached was throwne to the grassy plaine Sometimes would they proffer aduantages as in a schoole of Fence is accustomed which would redownd vnto the offerers disaduantage as now it befel the Gréek Prince For spurring his horse he wold haue giuen the Sarracen another blow before he setled himselfe he did so but the vnbrideled fury of the horse most fiercely ranne beyond the Pagan whose course Rosabell on a sudden staying the plaine being wet his hinder féete slipt so that both headlong stumbled downe Galtenor saith the Gréeke lost not his saddle but Lirgandeo affirmeth it adding that his fall was the cause he performed one of his vsual acts for being on his féete in a drie place he awaited The Pagan comming that eagerly ranne to ouerthrow him his Horse he would not kil but méeting brest with brest with no
giuing it the shadow and her heart the substance which being so tender and vnacquainted with change tooke such impression that neuer Lady yéelded more to loue then Eufronisa Now she desires to speake to him then feares she Already becomes she suspicious that neuer learned to loue Before she knew who he was she became so skilfull in the Art that she feared whether he loued whether he could loue or acknowledge anies soueraigntie Now she that staines the blushing of the mornings Sunne becomes enuious of her owne thoughts and doth distrust her owne worths séeking new deuises and inuented meanes to be beloued deseruing for her owne bewtie Ioues immortal worship Oh Cupids blind snares happinesse in misery a plague in pleasure and grief without remedy found vnsought for and yet a torment that contains a most swéete life By her amazednesse perceiued the damzel her Ladies maladie wherefore she merily said Let vs awake this knight and try whether his bewtie haue more force waking or sléeping Doo what you wil replied she although it be no modestie considering who we be Rather waighing that I thinke it best to do it said the wittie Selia to sée what he is that hath such power ouer Ladies for if his merits equals all other parts requisite in a good knight he may call himselfe one of the happiest in the world So long continued the Ladies in their amourous chat that the Prince awaked with these words Oh fortune how doest thou flatter my hopes for if thou giuest me any good t is only dreaming that when I wake to see it I finde it but an illusion He said no more for the Ladies sight staied him both from the publishing his woes as of the cause of them He rose admiring the Ladies bewtie who first spake thus You should séeme to haue fewe enemies sir knight séeing so carelesly you lye and sléepe in passages so open that any by you offended may at his pleasure right himselfe He answered So crosse and austere hath my fortune alwaies bene most bewteous Ladie that it did neuer let me knowe the state wherin I might say I had a friend for euen my owne thoughts doo most within my brest make warre against my rest wherefore hauing none to trust vnto forceth me to set my selfe in the hands of euery one that one in this generalitie would shewe the office of a friend by taking away my despised life then as such a one I should account him for by the déed giuing me one death he riddes me of a thousand that I suffer in continuall languishment and it might I wel call life for he liues well that féeles no more pain Great is your griefe answered the Ladie and of force to drawe commiseration from the hardest heart and greater it is séeing that none pities you were it but with a counterfeit remedie noting the waight of your complaints In faith faire Ladie said the Prince so mightie are my oppressions that although I know them and the paine I endure by them yet I must suffer them for if I liue it is by liuing in paine so that should I but neuer so litle ease this paine it would be séene in the want of my health If it doth so please you replied the Ladie vniustly you complaine and I thinke you greatly wrong your Ladie terming her cruel My complaints most soueraigne Ladie are not so much ment against my lifes directnesse as against my vnhappie starres that make me infortunate in fauours but not in my imployment for neuer was any better but in such a place where my griefs be scorned Some reason you haue said the Lady hauing this occasion to bewaile for where sorrow is not regarded there is a double griefe and gladly would I know who you are and where borne for you séeme a straunger in these parts I cannot but obey your soueraigne commaund most excellent Lady answered the Gréeke I was borne in the farthest Confines of great Tartaria and am called Corolano cast by fowle weather and tempest of the sea on this Countrey passing so many troubles that had I not receiued such vnexpected comfort with your faire sight no doubt but that my soule séeing the bodie drenched in misery and as vnworthie to containe it had it forsaken me but to enioy within it the view of your happie sight gaue life to her liuelesse habitation And that I may commit no error for it is impossible but I haue incurred some suffer my prayers by your admittance to make me deseruer to know the name of the land so happie in the possession of such admirable brauery Quickly doo you require a payment for the discouery of your name Sir knight replied Selia for the Princesse could not busied in her new and painfull businesse but because you shall not altogither iudge your selfe vnfortunate in your pretences know this land is called Sylepsia whereof this Lady is Princesse and going on hunting we lost our company and our selues yet wee haue not hunted ill hauing founde the amourousest knight in the world and so according to your showes none like you haue better assuraunce of the Louers Tent whose aduenture was newly brought into this Cittie and the proofe thereof shall within these foure daies be begunne and little shall you not please vs to hazard your person in the tryall I am so ill prouided of Armor and other necessaries faire damzell answered the tender Prince that though I were vnwilling to do it yet to content your bewties with them I would try it assured that for louing and being vnfortunate to me the glory is onely due This want shall not hinder you said Eufronisa for I will furnish you with the best armor that euer you saw earst belonging to the first king that raigned in this countrey named Tersio equall in soueraigntie of Fortitude and Wisedome strengthened by Art and skill wherewith he forged them and neuer were séene by any These I le send you by this damzell first swearing you shall not absent your selfe from this Kingdome without my leaue and in our Pallace shall you be cherished The amorous Lady spake so plainly as the Prince could perceiue Loues new wound There is none so destitute of iudgement but wold haue weighed what he obtained to be beloued of so faire a dame for if the Prince had euer séene pure bewtie she was the perfect stampe therof in whose creation Nature the olde Mars of liuing forme had shewed the vtmost of her skill modeling her liniaments more absolute then thought could wish Among so fewe yeares as they both had was neuer seene completer excellencies so he answered Who dares most soueraigne Lady shew himselfe so vngratefull to the fauours imparted by your rare bewty as to commit a fault so hainous to depart from you without your license I am so long since captiue to anothers wil as now to acknowledge it anew is no pain but rather chéefest happines knowing to whom I owe seruice Why then said she we may be gon