my attempt I will prosecute it if you followe me and dye with me you shewe your obedience you shewe your courage you shewe you loue you shewe your loyaltie you shall be déere to your Lord who will dye for your safeties let the resolute therefore sweare reuenge on their swords wee haue Auberts warrant for our safetie wee haue rewardes prefixed for our warfare followe me therefore and let vs finde out the miscreant who hath spoyled vs and either dye or rid the worlde of this murtherer After hee had discoursed in this manner the whole assemblie swore to followe him to the death so that each one of least expectation inforced himselfe to bee most forward The Duke caused the bodie of his sonne to bee borne out of sight and entombed with a rich and sumptuous funerall and priuilie marching by night he layd his meÌ„ in ambush in the Wood neere adioyning the Castle of Turingue waighting the approach of the morning at which time he assuredly hoped to asswage his displeasurâ— The bloodie and cruell battaile fought betweene the Duke of Constances and Robert the Diuell and his traine and what thereupon insued As soone as the watchfull morning had opened her purple gates in the East and discouered her pallaces full of Roses and the Sunne adorned with a wreath of Chrisolites began to shake his deawie lockes lately washed in the baine of Eurotas Robin surnamed the Diuell called vp his companie of rakehels and commanded them to armes where after they had glutted themselues with their mornings refectionâ— they marched on with mightie showtings astonishing the Woods with their cryes which when the Espials of the Duke apperceaued they gaue their Lord a secret intelligence and each one prepared himselfe to the fight By this time had Robert with all his traine entered within the compasse of the Ambush where sodainly the Duke of Constance commanded the allarum to bee sounded and couching his speare ranne into the thickest of the enemie seeking on euery side for the murtherer of his Sonne if happelie hée might espie him Prince Robert apperceauing the pretended treason arranged his men entering y â— thickest throngs that each one wondered at his prowesse he was a man of tall stature bigge boned of a stearne and maiesticall countenance of much forwardnesse and courage and had his brutish nature béen answerable to his force and valour assuredly he had béen a man of high accompt euen at that time Fatall and bloodie was the fight on both sides the one kindled by the iniurie they had receiued the other combatting according to the prouerbe Pro aris focis hope they had none of life but in their valiant resist and that which encouraged them the more was the valour and holdnesse of their Generall which the Duke of Constance apperceauing he gathered together thirtie of his most brauest Caualiers with them all at one time assaâ—led Prince Robert It was now about euen tide and the Princes souldiers were either al of theÌ„ sore wasted or wounded when the Duke by maine strength dismounted Robert and gaue him a great and deepe gash in the thigh the Catines that followed him seeing theâ— master distressed desperatly sought his rescue and were euery one of them put to the sword onely Robert of himselfe recouered a horse and so valiantly continued in his defence till the darke night parted the Combattants and he found conuenient meanes to auoyd the danger the Duke of Constances seeing the Enemie was hotly ouercome and that it was impossible to followe the Prince being most expert in the secret waies of the Wood sounded the retreate causing the dead bodies of his Souldiers to be buried and sending Aubert worde of the bloodie victorie attained against his sonne Thus in triumph leaue we him reioycing mightilie in his reuenge and resorting with sollace vnto his Castle and returne to Robert who sore trauailed with his wounds and hauing his horse tired posted with all speede he could possible now this way now that way searching for some place of securitie where he might hide himselfe from the enemie but euill fortune pursuing him euery way his horse at last tired vnder him so that he was constrained to forsake his armes and trusting onely to his sword to walke through the Forrest on foot many were his sighes and bitter curses many his exclamations and complaints whilest desolate Eccho the faithfull companion of such as be sorrowfull vouchsafed some pitifull replie in his pensiuenes but the great expence of blood the long and wearie course of trauell the cruell and daungerous pursute of his foes did not sufficiently amaze him but to the more increase of his griefe a hidden affliction of the minde began with such horror to attaine him that he euery way grewe desperate Oftentimes did he prepare himselfe to complaine but knewe scarcely how to complaine he felt himselfe mortall and that he was a man he examined the changes of fortune and bethought him on the causes of his fall neither knowing how to amend then they were so infinite nor reconcile himselfe he had béen so dissolute and lifting vp his eyes to heauen he beheld the Moone performing her course the Starres ministring their dueties and by their celestiall beautie began with himselfe to imagine the beautie of their maker then called he to remembrance the olde rudiments of his master as touching the essence and power of God the wonderfull workmanship of the heauens the beautifull order of the spheares the strange creation of man the influence of the celestiall bodies in these inferiour parts and considered that all thinges were made by a determinate and inuiolable lawe limitted by prescript of Nature and that if in the earthly compact of man the imperfection and griefe of one member afflicted the whole compact much more a contrarietie in the powers both of soule and bodie threatned a confusion Then called he to mind that since there was a Moouer which disposed ordered al things so in due ordinance of gouernment it was requisite too as hée prescribed rewards for good deserts so he should also ordaine punishments for vice Hereupon began he to meditate on the nature of sinne the causes of sinne and the effects of sinne and him thought that a voyce sounded in his eare the reward of sinne is death Oh how great was the horror and confusion of his soule at this time his burthen heauier than Aetna his affliction more fiercer than may bee imagined and sodainly a shower of teares burst from his eyes his heart was inflamed his thoughts troubled and the eye of reason long time obscured at last began to break foorth with inestimable brightnesse so that falling downe on his knees and thumping his wounded breast he at last in bitter termes entered into this extasie I wonder thou maker of heauen at thy workmanship thy worthines is knowne by thy workes I see that thou art iust in dealings and I desperate through my delayes I haue had a portion with
of Fraunce was vpon his returne sent to warre in the ayde of the Loraynes against the Vermandois and how at his returne from the warre Robert his sonne was borne who for his villanies was surnamed the Diuell NO sooner was Aubert returned to his Court but certaine messengers saluted him with letters of credence from King Pepin crauing his ayde in the behalfe of the Loraynes against the Vermandoies The noble Duke being naturally inclined to famous exploites not effeminate pleasures reioyced at this occasion and taking kinde leaue of his Dutchesse he leuied his men at armes marching by long iornies so speedilie till at last he arriued where both the battailes were pitched in fight of one another his present assistance encreased the hope of the Loraynes and ruinated the hearts of the Vermandoies who that night dislodged themselues in secret seeking all occasions of delay whereby they might either weaken their enemie or strengthen their armie Fiue moneths and more dallied they the time with light skirmishes wherein Fortune now smiled on the one part now laughed on the other but Aubert who detested delaies and by their protraction suspected their policie so incessantly incensed the armie of the Loraynes that finally they disolued either to decide the controuersie in fight or die in the enterprise so that following y â— Vermandoies in to what place soeuer they withdrewe themselues at last they inclosed the Eneme in a faire plaine encompassed with high hills where was neither hope of flight nor expectation of delay whereupon both the aduersarie hoasts vpon a prefixed day encountered where the Loraynes had the victorie losing onely sixe hundred men in the battaile and the Vermandoies beside those that were taken prisoners lost the flower of their Nobilitie beside nine thousand Commoners who fell in that fight But Auberts courage was of no small expectation in this encounterie for with his owne hand he slewe the Generall on the aduerse partie and renting the Colours from the staffe trampled it vnder the feete of his horse in contempt of his maligners The Loraines in this sort being Lords after they had raunsomed their prisoners and concluded their peace returned to their countries and Aubert no lesse inriched than honoured returned to his Citie of Roan where discharging his traine of Souldiers hée intended his accustomed pleasures But Editha during the absente of her husband was so fortunate and fruitfull after their last intercourse that she increased daylie and at last the quickning babe in her wombe depriued her of all her wonted suspect but at such time as y â— Duke was returned and the appoynted time of her deliuerie expected the heauens intimating some prodigious sequell were afflicted with continuall thunders the earth shooke as if amazed at Nature the lightnings flashed with great furie and midst all these Commotions Editha was brought a bed of a sonne who by his fathers ordinance was in great pompe carried to the Church of S. Owens in Roan and christened by the name of Robert This infant in his swathing cloutes gaue certaine testimonie of his future outrages for being borne beyond the custome of nature with all his teeth according to the opinion of the Historiographers was inchaunted for in stead of drawing nutriment from his Nurse hee bit off her nipples and being kissed in the cradle by the Ladie of Sanserres hee bit off her nose in his foode he was rauenous in his fashions behauiour rigorous in stead of his infantly cries vsed seuere smiles planting in his parents more occasion of suspition than caâ—se of hope At seauen yeares of age his mother diligently intending his amendes sought out a man of good life and great learning who might instruct him in the feare of GOD and resolue him in the secrets of Arts she accompanied him with his equalles in birth his companions in studie leauing no meanes vnsought to reclaime him nor perswasions vnapplied to reforme him but as the Oke sooner breaketh than boweth and the Sallowe being bowed in the twig is crooked in the tree so Robert by nature inclined to vice coulde in no wise bee induced by aduice hee was in wit pregnant but applied the same to loosenes reioycing as much at diuelishnes as other in their doctrine in reading the Poets he despised the precepts of worth and delighted in the poems of wantounes hee was eloquent but in impietie diligent but in mischiefe hauing nothing in more estimate than murther flying nothing more earnestly than modestie and in regard of this his intemperance it was by some supposed that his mother at such time as he was begotten was inchaunted each one seeing his inclination fled him as a Serpent his equals he banished from him with buffetings his elders with reuilings hauing neither feare of God nor regarde of godlines If his mother went to see his wretchednesse he became more wicked if Aubert sought to reconcile him with good counsailes he laboures the more to defile himselfe with larcenies and cruelties yea such and so many were his mischiefes that it was wondered at y â— the earth did not sink vnder him in respect of his vngratiousnesse no one of his fellowes escaped from him vnwounded Hearing his Tutor one day discoursing vpon the nature of Câ—euta he gaue diligent attention to his doctrine and finding out the simple he prepared the same according as hee was instructed and presented it to his masters sonne a childe of rare towardnesse who no sooner tasted thereof but with vehement and bitter agonies gaue vp the ghost the father wonderfully astonished at this action and inquiring the cause of him with many pitifull bemouings he receaued this answer Master sayd he I haue but put in practise that which you haue taught me in precept and since I find you a man of such credite I will boldly write vnder your lesson probatum est he was naturally inclined to intort all good principles of Philosophy and to apply the earnest secrets of antiquitie to notable insolencie hee dissembled most holines when hee was irreligious supposing it vertue to inuent sinne and shame to be ignorant in sinne his prouident Tutor knowing as the Prouerbe runneth the Tree by his fruite the Lyon by his naile and the Crocadile by his teare knowing by daylie experience that too much impunitie is the cause of too much impietie that it is easier to stop the riuer in the spring than withstand it in the streame that the Lyon restrayned being a whelpe is tractable in his greatest yeares that Custome was a meane if not to subdue yet to alter Nature thought good by crueltie to correct that which by leâ—â—â—ie hee could not confound for which cause seeing that gentle admonition preuailed nothing he exchanged his strict perswasions to sterne lookes his sound rudiments to sharp rigor hoping to recouer that by displing which he could not reforme by discipline But as their labour is frustrate who seeke to bring Cancasus into a plaine to bereaue India of gems Candia of oyles Cochim
this is hée what greater 〈◊〉 before my God than Emines testimâ—nie hath not God giuen her an instrument to open desert which before time was closed with dumnesse and that this is hee what greater proofe than the very Armour the very Sword the very Steede concealed and kept by me for greater secrecie Behold the wound not inforced by a voluntarie stroake as is the Souldans but by a fauouring hand who laboured to discouer him if therefore trueth being opened bee preferred before error and coâ—digne worthines before impietie and wickednesse Emperour accept this Prince of Normandy for thy sonne who procured thy securitie for thy kinsman who reskewed thy Countrie so shalt thou performe the duetie of a iust Prince and be commended for thy prouidence This sayd he discouered Roberts thâ—gh and presented all the titles of his claime and crauing priuate conference with him was permitted to conuerse with him alone in a hidden chamber meane while the Pallace was in an vprore and some swords were drawne to assaile the Souldan who abashed ashamed at his discouerie seemed rather a dead than a liues man But the Emperour who sawe in his lookes the tenour of his loosenes being a gracious and benigne Prince withstood the assailants and after thankes giuen to the heauens and kinde embrace to Emine he spake in this manner to the Souldan Pagan though it be in my power to cut thee off it is not my pleasure to vse discourtesse I see it was fancie that made thee faine and follie that hath procured thy fall I know thy estate is desperate thy souldiers spent thy Musulmahs discomforted and in that I disdaine to combate with these who are welny conquered I pitie thee and pitying thee grant thy peace If therefore thou wilt presently depart my Court diâ—lodge thy Campe and leaue Christendome thou and thine shall enioy both life and libertie and that for Emines sake if not resolue thy selfe to dye to see thy Nobles destroyed and the memorie of thy name entirely exterminate and extinguished The Souldan pondering with himselfe his perilous estate seeing his loue recureles and his libertie rechles except he accepted the opportunitie answered the Emperour in this sort If my fancies haue made me foolish beare with me Emperour more mightie than I haue fallen for the attainement of Emine if I haue fained I must now onely repent it bearing a deepe wound in my thigh but more woe in my heart for my life I respect it not were it not I regard my subiects for thy bountie I accept it and will depart Christendome and so relying on thy word I take my leaue surrendring thee thy Christianitie since thou hast hereâ—t me of mine Emine This sayd reuiling and exclayming on destinie the Pagans departed and truâ—â—ing vp their baggage shipped themselues leauing both the siege and Christendome which was mightily comforted by their departure By this time had the Recluse absolued Robert and acquited him of his penaunce and aduising him to put on a robe of maiestie he brought him into the great Hall vnto the Emperour when as kneeling vpon his knee the braue Norman began thus Since my penaunce is performed and my conscience discharged most mightie Emperour I must acknowledge thy inestimable bountie who for this seuen yeres space hast maintained me being an abiect in mine own countrie and â—dious both to God man for which bountie if I haue done your maiestie or Christendome any seruice it was my duetie who hauing defaulted in my former life time ought in my reconciled yeres to follow honorable actions The Emperour hearing his graue and wise salutation seeing him an amiable and comely Prince embraced him and lifteâ— him vp replying thus I thanke my God braue Norman Prince that he hath opened truth to discouer trecherie in stead of a Pagan hath recommended my Emine to a Christian for which cause hold take the honour of my estate and the hope of her father take Emine who by diuine prouidence was ordained for thee and by right and duetie appertaineth to thee and in so saying hée caused the Ceremonies of Marriage to bee solemnized betweene them to the wonderfull reioyce of all the assistance Pepin of Fraunce séeing one of his Péeres so fortunate wept for ioy neither was there any one Potentate that entertained not Robert with heartie loue and kindâ—esse the Empresse reioyced in him Emine hartely embraced him and such was the sollace throughout the Citie as may not be expressed During these pompous solemnities the Emperour bethinking him on his promise caused the Princes to be assembled where hee inuested Robert with the Emperiall Diadem proclayming him heire apparant of the Empyre after his decease In which pompe and triumph I leaue them returning a while into Normandy where our Historie began How Aâ—bert hearing no newes of his sonne after the terme of seauen-yeares dyed leauing the possession of his Dukedome in the hands of Editha and the Lord Villiers with the lamentable treasons that thereupon ensued AVbert the olde Duke of Normandy after the departure of his haplesse sonne Robert liued a desolate and discontented life hearing no certaine notice of his safetie or securitie for which cause he tooke such inward thought that at such time as seauen yeares were ouergone and expired he gaue vp the ghost leauing the charge of his Dukedome till Robert his sonne might bee founde out in the handes of Editha his Duchesse and Villiers a Peere of his signorie At such time as his funerals were fully finished Villiers séâ—ing Editha was a Princesse of a milde and mercifull nature nothing delighted with troubles or worldy affayres tooke vpon him the handling of all controuersie and so swéete was the baite of signorie to him in a short time that from being an agent for another he began to imagine the meanes how to take the whole possession into his handes Little suspected hee that Robert was liuing and as for Editha since she was a woman he supposed it an easye matter to supplant her and her power for which cause after many conclusions and melancholie deliberations he suborned two false witnesses who accused the Dutchesse of poysoning her deceased husband so couloring the accusation with probabilities and corrupting great men by bribes that Editha was emprisoned and after a while adiudged which was either within the tearme of a yeare to finde out a Champion to defend her truth or else to be consumed with fire The chaste Princesse seeing iniquitie preuaile against equitie perceiuing the Iudges eares were shâ—t and the great mens toongs silent and beholding her former friends how like sommer birds they forsooke her she cast off all care of life grounding her selfe vpon her innocencie and returning to prison led therein a solitarie and lamentable life whilst Villiers enioyed the Signiorie Often and many were her complaints accompanyed with feruent prayers and diuers times called she to remembrance her former offences and bethinking her selfe of her sonne wept bitterly One day looking out of
her prison windowe from whence she might beholde the thicke Forrests and pleasant Meades she bethought her selfe how wretchedly she had curssed her wombe and the vnhappie fruites of her tempting God for which cause humbling her selfe on her knees and sheading teares of compassion she spake thus O my God thou art iust but I iniurious I tempted thee by vnlawfull curâ—â—es thou chastisest me with deserued crueltie I imputed my barrainesse to thy wrath not to my wickednesse and sought helpe from the Fiend in hope to be fruitfull this my tempting of thy Maiesty exempteth me from thy mercie and my lewd desires are the cause of my lamentable destruction O Mothers learne by me let him that made all things moderate all things let him that graunteth increase prefixe the time of increase except not against his glory least he exempt you of his goodnes his delayes are no dalliance his decrées are deuine since therfore he doth dispose of vs let vs not oppose our selues against him O father of mercy pardon my impietie let mine innocencie haue rescous as thou art the God of the righteous thou that sauedst Susanna succour me thou that relieuedst Daniel deliuer me in this sort and with these sighes full often and many times did this poore Princesse bemone her mischiefe exclaiming on the impietie of her accusers whilst suspitious Villiers thought euery houre an age and euery day a yeare till her dares were determined yet in outward shewe he bâ—moned her visiting her oftentimes presenting her with many delicates enterprising with all possible industrie to rid himselfe of suspition and â—buse her simplicitie diuers of the Princes priuily murmured séeing his ambition by his behauiour and his crafâ— cloked vnder curtesie but as times haue their reuolutions so truthes are discouered which shall manifestly appeare by the sequeale that inâ—ueth wherein it is euidently prooued that God neuer faâ—leth those who put their trust in his mercie How Robert after he was inuested in the Empire heard of his Fathers death and departed to take vpon him his Dukedome accompanyed with Emine his Empresse and Pepin of Fraunce with other Princes VVHen Robert surnamed Deuill had in this sort attained to the Monarchie enioying the tipe of worlds felicitie wherewith ambitious mindes are greatly delighted yet shewed he himselfe to be so farre estranged from vaineglory that he wholy attributed his good fortunes to the deuiâ—e Maiestie his delight was to conuerse with holie men his studie the heauenly doctrine he entertayned Hermits with great deuotion and Pilgrims receiued great presents at his hands in this sort remained hâ— beloued of his equals and honored of his subiects â—ffected by the Emperour fancied by Emine till a desire tooke him to reuisit his owne Countrey conuerse with his owne friends and â—o to the fâ—â—therance hereof how occasion ministred it selfe It chanced at such time as all the Christian Princes prepare to make returne into the Countries in that y â— warres were finished that Pepin had certayne letters sent vnto him whereby hee vnderstoode of the decease of Aubert and the estate of the Duâ—hy which he imparted with Robert whose sodayne sorrow caused the whole Court to be detayned with discoâ—tent In briefe his heart so earned at the slender and weake estate of his natiue Countrey that at last he attayned licence from the Emperour to goe visite the same Emine likewise was permitted to accompany him with many other great Lords so when all things were in a readynesse hee tooke his leaue of the Emperour who with entire affection and tender fauour embraced both his Sonne and Daughter recommending them to the safecoâ—duit of the Almightie and King Pepin who accompanyed them and so long they trauayled with gracious entertaynement in all great Cities that at last they arriued on the frontires of Normandie when as Robert bethinking him of his Fathers losse began to weepe whome Emine comforted with many amiable consolations and Pepin perswaded with sound and sage reasons They had not long trauayled but they met a Damosell galloping in great haste and lamenting so piteously that it greeued the beholders aged shee was yet goodly of personage and being earnest in her hast would haue ouerpassed the Princesse had not Robert stayed her demaunding the cause of that her so great expedition O Prince sayd she for no lesse thou seemest hinder not my haste least thou harme an innocent for why my let is the losse of such a 〈◊〉 who hath not her equall in the world for vertue yet shortly is like to perish through treason and villanie Robert knowing her countenance questioned further and his minde perswaded him that the cause neerely touched 〈◊〉 as in sooth it afterwards prooued for the Lady ripped vp vnto him the whole discourse of Edithas imprisonmeÌ„t her â—ccusatioÌ„ for poisoning her husband y â— subtil malignaâ—t insinuatioÌ„s of Villiers neither pretâ—rmitted she any thing that might concerne his Mistresse or moue affection she tould how his Ladie was adiudged to death within three dayes if she found not a Champion for onely three dayes remayned of the yeare she declared the earnest haste of the accusers and concluded thus Now noble Prince since thou knowest the cause of my trauaile if courage serue thee in the attempt O be forward and helpe the forsaken for more noble canst thou not fight for more gratious canst thou not aduenture for but if thou preferre thy reioyce before iustice pleasure before prowesse and beare the name of a Knight but not the nature O stay me not stay me not good Prince I will seeke out Pepins Court of Fraunce where are valiant Knights and vertuous sterne in rigor studious of right who if they forsake this cause are worthie to entertaine none This discourse finished she with aboundant teares neither was there any in the company so hard harted who be wept not Edithas miserie Robert inflamed with displeasure replied thus Lady thou hast found a Champion seeke no further heare is Pepin to allow him and a Princesse to appoint him this sayd he in priuate conferred with the King of Fraunce and Emine desiring them to take easye iourneys whilst he and the messenger intended the safetie of Editha the request was so reasonable that it was quickly graunted him wherevpon he tooke his horsse and armour and trauailed with the auncient Lady resoluing himselfe in euery respect of that he suspected yet concealed he himselfe though she required his name verie earnestly and taking vp his lodging neere the Citie of Roane he charged the Lady to goe and comfort her Mistresse assuring her that she had a Champion that either would dye or acquite her The Lady was not â—â—ack to accomplish his commaund but so schooled her Mistresse by comfortable admonitions that she who before times was altogether comfortlesse began to gather some consolation And now the prefixed day was arriued when Villiers desirous to effect his pretended tirannie had erected an ample and faire Listes in the chiefest and fairest playne
that containeth such an honor which if I attaine not it is but your discontents my death if my death what though oh happy death if for her grow my durance This abrupt conclusion was followed with such a bitter sigh as all men expected no other but his finall ouerthrow or her consent wherevpon his Nobles priuatly consulted and by his consent Behenzar was made Embassalor and with ritch presents sent to Rome to craue Emine in Mariage and if the repulse should be graunted the conclusion was that priuie intelligence should be giuen and Ships rigged to the ende that on the sodaine the Souldan might inuade Christendome and rid himselfe of all the obstacles of his happines These conclusions well liking the Souldan were briefely debated the Embassadors dispatched the Ships rigged the souldyours leuyed and the despaire that the Souldan conceaued at the first was turned into a fresh hope yet the sweet grounds of his pleasant discontents so alluref him that in seeming to hope he pretended despaire and in the absence of his Lords who intended the furtherance of his affayres he traffiqued nought else but fancie drawing on three Iuorie colombes enuironing the statue of Emine these three succeeding Sonnets vppon the first he placed a Camelion in a sea of bloud with this Mot vnderneath it Mututus ab illâ— and vnderneath the same this Sonnet The first Sonnet IN how contrarious formes haue I conuersed Since first mine eyes and hart by loue were chained Now like the Hart my bosome hath been pearsed Yet no Dictamnum seru'd when I was pained Now like the babe of Climene inclosed In piteous barck Electrum haue I stilled Now like the Nimph of craggie rock composed The rocks and woods with sorrowes haue I filled Now to a dying Swan haue I been turned With dolefull tunes my funeralls waimenting Now to the Salamander neuer burned Yet in the fire for euermore frequenting Oh loathed life on nought but sorrow grounded Where who so triumphs most is deepest wounded Uppon the second he placed a Barck perished in a stormy Sea a Furie guiding the helme the Sky ouercast the Gemini appearing vnder which was written Sic perij and vnder that this Sonnet The second Sonnet SAyling the sea of my forepointed greenaunce My will the helme of my misfortune guiding Expecting gaine suspecting no mischeeuaunce With stailesse keele I cut the waters gliding The faire liurnall lampe whilst that I sayled With neuer partiall eye my course assisted But when the lights delightfull bewtie fayled And wauering cinthia in her course persisted In siluer â—ould two brother Starres appeered That in the cloudy iorney I attempted Incenst the Seas and more my Shop they necred Though faire in forme my Barck from hope exempted Amidst the storme my will the helme forsaketh And thus my Ship a lucklesse shipwrack maketh On the third he painted Mens Fortuna and Natura all striuing to rayse a dead man who had foure Cupids two hanging at his hands two et his féete which kept him downe with this Motto Hic labor and vnderneath the same this Sonnet The third Sonnet IF all things are ordained to an end In semblaunce good or perfect good in deed What finall bent haue these my teares I spend Or all the drops my wounded hart doth bleed Or to what fat all period are you aimd My bitter sighes that haue my bosome maimd Oh my effects of passion euery thing That to a certaine purpose is applied His finall hope at last to end doth bring But such successe alas is you inuied For though mine eye his teares my hart his bloud My brest his sighes bestowes they doo no good For why the end for which you trauell sore Is not attained by the threefold gifts Of mind of body or of fortunes store Which man to tipe of matchlesse honnor lifts For what you seeke no limits doth admit Nor yeelds to time nor is subdewd by wit Cease then my teares and bleed no more my hart Restraine your stormes my sighes you toyle in vaine For your felicitie exceedeth arte Whereto nor toyle nor labour may attaine For loue it is subtill influence Whose finall force still hangeth in suspence In these passions and fantasies consumed the Souldâ—â— the most part of his time now imagining hope of successe now fearing cause of repulse adoring Emine as his Saint and placing his follace in his amorous conceits vntill such time as he heard the fatal message of his ouerthrow till wheÌ„ we leaue him returning to Behenzar who hauing a prosperous winde and a better will sayled so fortunatly and trauailed so forwardly that he arriued at Rome where what successe he had you shall vnderstand in the Chapter following How Behenzar arriued at Rome and of his repulse and dispatch The valiant courage of Robert hearing the name of Christ blasphemed The loue of Emine towards him and the assembly of the christian Princes in the ayd of the Emperour THe rumor was no sooner spread throughout the dominions of the Empyre but all contributarie Princes assembled together in the Citie of Rome to doo the Emperour seruice and make his estate more pompous and after letters of safeconduit presented to the Embassador Behenzar mounted on a braue Barbarion Horsse trapped in Tissue and Pearle himselfe attyred after the Barbarian fashion with his Algozin of cloth of gold embrodered with rubies being led betweene two Kings was in all solemnitie conducted vnto the Emperours Pallace who in his great Hall set among an innumerable troupe of Courtiers as Phoebus amidst the lesser Scarres whome Behenzar after small or no salutation attempted thus Emperour of Rome amongst all the blessings thy God hath bestowed on thee among all thy fortunes that haue befalne thee from thy youth hitherto the onely good is this that out Souldan of Babylon the terrour of the world for armes the Lord of Conquerours for actions dayneth to salute thee who hearing of the beawtie of thy Daughter the young Princesse Emine and vouchsafing to grace thée with his alliance craueth her as his Wife in Marriage which bountie of his if thou neglect know that thou fosterest the shadow of thine owne ruyne thy Kingdomes shalbe spoyled thy Princes flayne thy Crowne troden at his féete and thy ruines shalbe so grieuous that thy royalties were neuer so great If thou entertaine his demaunds hold take these presents whereupon he caused twentie Moores to discharge their carriages of gold siluer and lay it at his feete if not be lendeth thee it as a pledge of his reuenge till he redéeme it with the sword Great was the murmure throughout the hall at the insolence of the Pagan and among the rest Emine was exceedingly moued who sitting at her Mothers féete by her teares began to testifie hir cause of terrour The Emperour being a Prince of a haught hart disdayning to be outfaced by the brauest warriour in the world hauing long since determined neuer to marrie his Daughter out of Christendome returned Behenzar this magnificall answer It
in briefe some one better horssed than the other seeing that the hazard of their credits depended on their knowledge hauing the swiftest Horsse pursued the Norman Prince and so egerly indeuored that he gaue him a deepe wound in the thygh and sodaynely returned to his companyons knowing that the bitternesse of the same and the eagernesse of his griefe would soonest disclose the obscuritie of the sufferer And now began the night to giue freedome to the afflicted and Robert meanes of escape who arriuing at the Hospitall of the Recluse set vp his Horsse bâ—und vp hys woundes and in his Idiotlie habbit entered the Court. Emine that had seene the battaile could hardlie contayne her selfe entertayning the supposed Ideot with many solemnities beeing onely priuie with the holie man to his ordinarie rescouses Often did she offer in signes to shewe he was wounded but Robert so cunningly concealed his agonyes as the world could not discerne his greeuaunce In conclusion the day closing vp the daungers were manyfest the Christians had the vpper hande the Pagans were discomfited and the Emperour returning in tryumph vnto his Court was solemnelye receyued with Procession and euery valiant Prince entertayned also with publique applaudings In the Pallace was prepared a most sumptuous Banquet aud such Bonefiers and beneuolence was bestowed in the Citie as if the Emperour had been but newly established After such as were wounded were with comfortable Oyles and Medicines reuiued they set them downe to Supper yeelding to almightye GOD most hartye thanks for their so forâ—unate victorye passing away the night in such mirth and iollicie as if they had at that tyme solemnised some Festiuall The Emperours Treasurie was opened and benefites were employed on euery side with great bountie the Io Peaâ—s of triumph resounded in all places and amongst the rest a braue Poet yet deuout after the solemne harmony of Musick presented this Hymne Eurilochus Hymne WHen wastfull warres fruites of afflicting time Haue left our soyle deuoyde of all suspence When barraine hope the flowre of earthly Prime Perceiues that grace exceedeth mans offence What may we worke or what may man pretend Whereof to God he not ascribes the end Our dull and fruitlesse fruites of fleeting earth Are sinfull like our selues that them suppose Sinnes haruest neuer failes but grace hath dearth Oh how contrarious mortall men are those That ground on this that God hath griefes withstood And yet from God acknowledge not the good All Empires are exchanged and changing thriue Yet only God is cause of euery change Estranged the men that were from men aliue Affections thus still liue by being strange In changes yet since God alone directs He makes a change from grace who so neglects In colours thus we compasse mickle worth All senselesse in suppose thus sense we vse Great Princes grace from secrets wendeth foorth Which proffered some accept and some refuse Let those who tast the fruites commend the tree This I from God and God hath taught it mee And besides all these reuelings Robert notwithstanding his wounds was in apparance maruellous pleasant for neyther the greeuousnesse of his sinne nor the greatnesse of his misfortune could alter his delights in this publike reioyce He made prettie skirmiâ—hes with his hound and after he had attayned the conquest seemed in choller to leade the kinde creature in his leash Now began he in signes to discipher his sollace presenting the Emperour with Palme bowes in stead of victorie and peace and with an Oliue Garland in token of a Conquerour which gaue the Monarck mightie occasion of reioyce but the Monarck after his minde had for a while béen detayned with pleasure in midst of his thought of victorie began to enquire of him who was the occasion of his victorie and conferring with his Princes he resolued himselfe by their counsayles in what manner he might requite his curtesies then calling vnto him the thirtie Knights he questioned with them about him who could no otherwise informe him but that through the swiftnesse of his Horsse he escaped from them and was by one of them wounded in the thigh by which meanes they thought he should onely be knowne and by no other this made the Emperour amazed considering his voluntarie obscuritie and great desert but Emine still poynted at Robert Emine still intimated Robert some suspected this man some that man To be short in that Christendome had béen saued and Rome preserued by his meaâ—es by common consent it was ordered and the next day most solemnly proclaymed that he who had so well deserued of the Common weale if leauing his voluntarie obscuritie he would bring foorth his white horsse and armour and shew the wound that was inflicted him in the last combaâ—e he should inrecompence of his good deserts towards Christendome be made heâ—re apparant to the Empire and receyue in Marriage faire Emine the daughter of the Emperour This being thus concluded Emine seemed to reioyce and imbraced Robert in open assembly mouing hir Father and Mother thereby to 〈◊〉 admiration Each one thorough the Court began to descant vpon this euent and the whole Citie was sodainely stiled with the rumor At last the houre of midnight approched whereby the wâ—erie trauailed Princes were called to rest and Robert agreeued with his wound layd him downe in his Cabban and the â—ound supplying the office of a Surgeon licked vp the clotted bâ—oud of his wound How meruailously the Souldan was discontented after his ouerthrow with the tidings that was brought him as touching the Proclamation BUt where the Emperour sollaced for victorie the Souldan sorrowed in that he was vanquished and entering his royall tent altogether discontent he began to exclaime on the destenies to complaine of his desaster to expostulate with loue to repeate of his losse yea so was his hart â—urthened with incessant griefes his mind broken with remedilesse grudges that from a reasonable man he became inraged Alasse sayd he preposterous and iniurious â—ortune the variable goddesse of human estates and the 〈…〉 of worldly stabilitie thou temperest the indignities of those that trust thee not and ouerturnest the dignities of those that tempt thee not Thou hast made me who whilome might comparâ— for felicitie with Caesar complaine my misfortunes with Sertorius I am bereft of delight banished from loue and is not this misrrie I am robbed of my friends reuiled of my foes and is not this martyrdome Oh that I had béen buried in my Cradle or bereft of thy crueltie or thou hadst béen more câ—nstant or I more 〈◊〉 Worldy misâ—ries haue their medicines discontents are â—elieued by counsailes wants and decayes by works aâ—d diligence reproofes by patience in complections all contrarie humors haue their helps Anticira purgeth Melancholy Rubarbe Chollâ—r Scency Flegme Woundes haue their 〈…〉 philosophy to helpe it but loue the 〈…〉 the determined pestilenâ—e of 〈…〉 poyson of the hart 〈◊〉 vnconquered 〈◊〉 of the soule that hath no Antidotes to preuent nor electâ—aries to comfort nor
ought yee Normans to accâ—mpt me for your Lord and accompanie my care for you with your loue towardes mee and for this loue and duetie you imploy on mee I must leuell out and deuise meanes to preserue you which can no better bee administred but by iustice which ordereth all things with so determined iudgement that the good are maintained for their goodnesse and the bad punished for their iniustice Since therefore in the entrance of my gouernment I finde cockle that hath choked the corne weedes that haue ouergrowne the herbes and peruerse meÌ„ who haue inuerted policie I will take the sword in hand like a commaunder and roote out this cockle from the corne these weedes from the herbes these rebells from the righteous that the good may better flourish and the bad stand in more feare for which cause ye Normans since it is confessed and approoued that Villiers with his competitors haue conspired against the Ladie Duchesse my mother our will is that they perish in the same fire they prouided for the faultles and suffer the same punishment they ordained for the innocent All the whole people applauded his righteous iudgement and iustice was orderly executed whilest each one meruailed at his excellencie and wisedome After then that he had receaued homage of the Péeres and was inuested in the Dukedome at such time as hee was entering Roan with his Ladie mother the King Pepin with faire Emine richly accompanied presented themselues great was the gratulations twixt Pepin and Editha who courted her in this manner Madame though your sonne Robert departed from you a rebell hée is returned in royaltie being not only Prince of Normandy but Emperour of Rome this his Ladie and wife these his followers and welwishers so is your sorrowe paied home at last with great sollace and the griefe you haue endured requiâ—ed with gladnesse Editha when she heard these tydings was rauished with ioy humbly entertayning Emine and honouring her sonne great was the triumph in Normandy for the libertie of the Duchesse the returne of the Duke and after long and festiuall sollace Pepin receaued homage and fealtie for the Duchie and returned to Paris in great pompe Robert Emine and Editha remained in Roan till afterwards being called to Rome vpon the decease of the Emperour he became of an irreligious person the onely royall paragon of the world Epilogus GEntlemen I haue giuen colours to a rare conceit as ful of wonder as worth as full of perfection as pleasure in which I haue satisfied humours and performed historie obseruing with Apelles the proportion of lines as Protogenes did the disposition of lineaments keeping such method in my humours as the spheres in the heauens where Venus is placed neere Mars to correct his mallice and mirth is planted in this discourse to detect the imperfections of melancholie If Prosperus seeke for contemplation hee shall finde it if Quintilian for inuention hee may meete it yet are all things tempered with that equabilitie that wee contemplate no more than we may auowe nor inuent no more than wee can verifie Here may the dispayring father finde hope in his sonnes vntowardnesse and the vntoward sonne take example to please his dispayring father here is Eben though blacke in colour yet abyding triall let those that make no Idoll of their wits be masters oâ— this work for the rest they shall if they reade finde a thorne where they seeke a thistle and a reason to condemne themselues though they commend not this sequell and so courteous Gentlemen relying on your fauours I bid you farewell FINIS
Courtiers then were Lists set vp and Trophies erected and nothing sounded throughout Rome but the marriage of Emine who vnawares was called for by the Emperour and certified by signes of his determination The poore Ladie expecting nothing lesse than marriage of him she 〈◊〉 sent out plentifull teares and spent many bitter sighes to the astonishment of her father and the whole assembly continually poynting at Robert who in the thickest of the assembly had heard all the â—oloured falsehoods and smiled at them but he that rather haâ— care of GOD than the world set all pompe and 〈…〉 nought acknowledging his actions to haue been attempted for conscience sake not promotion Merueilous was the 〈◊〉 of Emine whose eye was neuer off of Robert séeming as though with piteous teares she claimed his protection which wrought in him a change of colour and made him together with the grieuousnesse of his wound to depart out of the assembly Emine astonished hereat fell downe in a sound and being at last dawed after many milde perswasions of her father alleaging how her repulse was disparagement of his maiestie she condescended and vouchsafed the accord great was the ioy of the Souldan the reioyce of the Souldiers the content of the Princes y â— delight of the priuate in briefe the day following y â— solemnisation was to be accomplished The rumour of the Souldans successe was no sooner spred thorow the Campe but if there were applause in the Citie there were merueilous triumphs in the Trenches in such sort as it happeneth among Saylers who when a bitter storme hath béen past and their ship in daunger of drowning forget their olde domage and reioyce their late escape so fared it with these Barbarians who seeing the farie of warre ceased the cause of peace commenced forgot their former broyles and reioyced at the preseuce of fortunes benefites In great delight and iolitie were these Princes conuersant all the day long and at night with no lesse expectation of pleasure each one betooke himselfe to his rest onely Robert who knew the determined day of his penaunce was expired and sawe that the Princesse Emine did mightely affect him began to coÌ„ceaue some sparks of pitie gréening that an impâ—ous Pagan should enioy such 〈◊〉 and in such sort fared hée as those that play at the game of Chesse still preuenting but alwaies fearing a mate his minde was wholy addicted to God but the portion of the flesh began to conspire great was the combat all the night long betwéene hás affections now of zeale then of compassion straight of loue for there is no generous heart but is capable of the same The morning meane while began to push â—oorth her beauties wéeping her 〈◊〉 swéet 〈◊〉 and pearlie mâ—ysture on euery tree plant and flower in the medowes the hills were adorned with the golden beames of the Sunne and Rome inriched with all the beauties of Nations the spacious galleries 〈…〉 pearles and tissue euery street was adorned with 〈◊〉 virgins with lampes of siluer with sweete perâ—umes and odors apparelled in white with Coronets of pearle their haire scattered about their bosomes attended for the Bride and a noyse of melodious musick accompanied with delicate voices awaked both the Princes that were to be espoused First entered the Souldan into the great Hall attended with his brauest Musulmahs so rich gorâ—â—ous that the Sunne which beheld them seemed to dazle at their deuises after entered the Pope with all his Clergie singing most melodious himmes when sodainly all the Princes attending the Emperour marched forwarde who twixt himselfe and Pepin of France the greatest of crowned Kings brought faire Emine apparelled like Iuno in all her pompe and attended with all the beautifull of Europe Robert among the rest in a newe fooles attyre was a speciall attendant and oftentimes his heart earned and his soule sighed to see that another should enioy his title faine would he haue spoken but religious zeale closed his lippes In briefe when the solemne seruice was accomplished the Pope in all solemnitie presented himselfe in his Pontificalibâ—â— to couple these two magnificent Princes together Emine was brought foorth the Souldan addressed the Ceremonies were begun and the soothfastnesse was to be plighted when loe the wonderous workes of almightie GOD Emine at such time as their handes should haue béen ioyned violently drewe hers backward and suspited by diuine prouidence â—â—ter she had béen 〈◊〉 from her infancie thethertâ— she began thus Unhallowed Pagan who to performe thy lust counterfeitest Religion and to attaine my loue hast coyned a lye knowe thou that though thou canst dissemble with the world thou canst not bée hidden from GOD with what face 〈◊〉 Souldan canst thou claime anothers right or intitle thy self to that honour which thy vetters haue deserued It lyes not in that weake hand to containe such hardines in that 〈…〉 firmnes couldest thou reach to that honour wanting faith It was not man ye Princes it was no humane power dread father but the diuine working of God by the meanes of this supposed Idiot that gaue vs conquest This Robert surnamed for his wicked life in times past the Diuell who hath turned his damned deedes to deuotion is he that reskewed the Emperour was armed by mee was horsed by my command and if he be searched is the very man who was wounded by your Knights this Souldans armour is magicall his Stéede infernall himselfe perfidious why permit you Princes that he who hath soyled his hands in your blouds should be serued like a Prince of high bountie Lay handes on him inflict bonds on him flay the viper ere he sting and the Crocodile ere he can deuour These words were vttered with a confident and bolde spirit and all the assembly was abashed at this wonder the Souldan stood as a man that had lost his senses and the best Romanes began to flocke about Robert During these miraculous euents whilest each mans tongue was kept mute with meruaile the holy Recluse entered the presence ordayned as it is thought by diuine ordinance in his hands bare he the true Armour and about his neck the girdle and sworde hauing a religious Nouice at his heeles who led the white Steede who taking Robert by the hand marched throught the prease and prostrating himselfe before the Emperour and Pope began thus How many waies you tyes of Christendome hath God permitted error to supplant the righteous to the ende that beyond expectation he might expresse his righteousnesse The lippes that were shut hath he opened and the things that were hidden hath he reuealed Patroclus is not Achilles ye Princes though he weare his armour nor the Foxe the Lyon though he weare his skinne nor the Crowe the king of birds though hee hath borrowed the feather nor this Souldan the deseruer though he hath claimed the title but most sacred Emperour this man is the cause of your safetie Christendom is beholding to this prince and Normandy famous in this Robert and that