nothing done he went to the Knights with these wordes Had I bene assured of so good helpes Sir Knights with more hope had I performed my combat Small neede had you of our ayd braue Knights said the amorous dame and if we came it was only to know you and the cause of your battel That was soly to right this Damsell answered Trebarios sonne the came in my demaund for certain businesse and so was she taken by these gyants that lyke vyllanes doe nothing else but robbe in the high wayes whose fame now your vallour hath liberated Touching the rest ther is no reasō I should disobey you I am called the Knight of the golden Branch and no other thing do I know of my stocke Euery one had heard wounders of him and so the ladie to bind him to asmuch a lighted frō her horse saying dismoūt braue warriors that we may rest To content her Don Celindo hauing some feeling of his sisters affection did so as much did the Tinacrian But the Dacian rather desiring to seeke his Rosamond excused him selfe the best that he could alleadging the necessity he had to part away but ere he went he tooke the vallorous Tinacrian aside and thus said I am sure Soueraigne Prince that you know me not but many daies a goe haue I had perfect knowledge of your hauty deedes and since our kindred bindes me to tell you whom I am knowe that my name is Don Eleno of Dacia your louing cosen he that for the liberty of your natiue soile imploied the vtmost of his power Immeasurable ioye receaued the Prince to knowe him and rendring him many thancks for it replied In faith none with more reason ought to liue contented but I seing my happie starrs so highly blest me as to create me kinsman vnto so mighty Princes though great is my bonde to procure by desert in something to resemble them and for this would not be knowen of the Emperor vntill my déeds might make me worthy to be estemed his Sonne Those are already so well knowen most valiant Prince replyed the Dacian that you maye deseruedly bee called the Sonne of such a Father and because it behooues me presently to depart I must commit you to God in me while life indures shal you be assured of a perpetuall friend his companye desired the Tynacrian but thinking it discourtesie so to leaue the knights that taryed for him woulde not admit it but taking his leaue of all he entred through the thickest of the Forrest leauing them in loue with his valour and gentlenes dismount did the Tynacrian and lifting vp his Beuer he went to the Lady that trembling expected him to whome she sayde I thinke sir Knight of the branch that yonder Knight in the Russet did knowe you considering how hee vsed you and I wonder not for some I knowe that only by hearing of your valour beare you no small good-will hauing left their farr remoted countries soly to enioy your sight That 's the conditiō of true magnanimety valiant knight replyed he that becomming affectionate in nothing doe they better shew the noblenes wherewith the Heauens haue inriched them then in honoring those in reputation inferior and in credit And therefore doe not I maruell that more to ingreten your fame then for any my deserts you haue vndertaken so great a toyle wherefore if gratefulnes there maye bee any for so great and vnderserued fauour or if the imployment of my person in your seruice be part of any payment I will doe it euen with my verye soule for of much more doe I iudge your worthines worthy of No lesse was hoped of you sir Knight of the branch aunswered the Ladye and you liue not deceaued in what is desired you This opportunitie looked Don Cellindo for to leaue his Sister alone who gaue him a Thousand blessings for it for taking occasion to stall their Horses went away frō them with such content of Floraliza to see her selfe so nere him she loued that she could not speake The gallant Tynacrian altogither toke of his helme for the Knights conuersatiō gretly pleased him but with such quicknes she put of hers that when he regazed on her the seemed to disgrace Venus in her pride a blow was it for the Tynacrian which he so sone forgot not for first it cost him much blood he was amazed and I maruell not for with more experience the like had befallen Apollo that did to the vnwarie youth Well did the Lady note it and was not sorrie for it but the ioyfullest in the world seing that occasiō said what haue you felt sir knight for as I thinke by your exterior signes you should not iudge amisse of the sight of Ladies Nay rather replyed the wounded youth so great is the ioy it giues me that the good was part to interrupt my sences as the thing that excéeded their dull conceipts More doth that astonish me sir Knight of the Branch replyed the Lady that you should make me belieue so difficult a thing yet I would credit it liued I not vndeceaued that the grieuous shewes of gallants many times prooues but conceipts by which they would obtaine their Ladies fauours onely due to those that truely loue Such as the former valyant Lady replied he do not with reason ponder how great good it is to liue alienated and for that cause fayning their losse demaunde a costly remedie And for them woulde I haue no other punishment then what a distrust doth cause them seing what fauors the true louers doe inioy Nay then sir Knight sayd the Lady the experience that you seeme to haue makes you condemne what others take for good A little is for that needefull sayde the sonne of Garrofilea hauing at hand the reason that shal confirme it Neuerthelesse sir Knight answered she you cannot perswade me but the thought of your good imploymēt makes you haue that opinion Neuer sayd he would fortune make me happie with so rich a fauour most soueraigne Ladie as to let mee taste of some good that by louing is obtained and so thinke I long for the hower to imploy my selfe that I may iudge thereof I say replyed she I would not haue for my gallāt a knight the onely procureth his owne pleasure As that must proceede from the Ladies hands answered he first should I measure my affection by her will and according to that proceede to her content and not mine Your purposes be not so ill said Floraliza but that if your deedes were correspondent to thē you might finde her that would loue you The Lady could speake no plainer nor he see euidenter tokens to be beloued but her beautie was so excellent that he thought all past but as chat to driue away the time Neuerthelesse he would once trie the fortune of his desire saying In these matters of loue most excellent Lady I haue often heard that Ladies are alwaies sharpe and coye towards their gallants and so this feare hath sometimes driuen me
they would be found by reason of the triumphes cōmaunded their ship to be guided to Arrissa a hauen some thing remote from the Citie where the eight day they arriued and taking land they entred through the grene Forestes taking the next waye to Constantinople but first determined to linger thereaboutes the time that wanted for the feastes which might be some vii or viii dayes So their Fortune led them to passe away the night hard by the place where the iealous Sarmatia bewailed her woes For after she had parted from Brandafidell she cast her selfe from her horse lamenting her misfortuns supposing that her beloued Oristides had forsaken her to Loue Floralinda wife to the Prince Meridean And they arriued at such time that forced by a Ielous spleene she said Oh rauning experience that before I can begin to Loue I must with Ielousie be tormented Oh Cupid if this be one of thy blowes established in all harts how is it possible thou shouldest be honored or to thee appeale why shold any as to the Soueraine Prince and Iudge of the earth how wilt thou haue that Ladies shall worshippe and adore thee if with such extreames thou plaguest their tender harts Apparent signes did I see in that valiant Prince to loue me but more certainer haue I met in Greece that he abhorrs me Oh happie Land only to me vnappie I blame not thee but curse my starres that doe oppose their influences to ruinate my glory who would haue tould me thou shouldest be a sepulcher to her that to thee came to seeke her life O Gods how farre better had I done to split my hart in Lacedemon with my deare friends swoord then to come to so great miserie in Greece mightie will be the wrong I doe to Ladies when my death shall be published to haue been because I was not beloued But wretch that I am why impute I in him the sin of disloyaltie hauing to his owne cost assured mée by militarie déedes his soule to be soly thine then rather procuring thy victorie then the conquest for himselfe And séeing it is yet doubtfull I will cherish my selfe till I know it and finding it so not that I loued him without hope of like but for the dishonor I did thereby commit against my puritie I will vpon my life execute the cruellest death that ere the world was guiltie of in recompence of my rash foolishnes and affection so ill repaied So somewhat quieted she could not so continue long remembring what the Lady had tould her whereuppon a little to prorogue her griefes shee tuned her voice with this Dittie to her Lute with a more melodious harmonie than Mercury did sound whē Iupiter did send him to bewitch with musick the hundred eies of watching Argos charge Perswaded still maye be My sowle and pensiue hart That If I liue in smart It is by louing thee His life was neuer sweete That euer learnt to loue Vnlesse his minde did meete With what his Loue did moue There doth he striue to liue Both with his soule and hart That If he die with smart His death his loue might giue The acte that most is praised And worthie of most renowne Is I Loues heauenly crowne That makes dispaire amazed Which when it shall assure The soule and amorous harte Then is a life no smart To Loue if it indure With so short a winded hay me ended the warrelicke Dame that the Princesse which ouer hard it could not but greatly pittie her hauing begun to tread thē inextricable maze of Loue not a little wondring to see how general that passion was where with they cheefely liued So afflicted remained the beautious Sarmacia that she could passe no farther giuing occasion to the Brother and Sister their beuers closed because they would not be knowne to go to her and the Ladie being naturally more tender to the other said What haue you felt Sir Knight to expresse parte of your hearts aboundance to the aire and part to these harde and sencelesse Oakes which is but to increase your smart the which if in any thing we may diminish we will effectually accomplish it At the noise did the Ladye start for being drowned in imagination shee did not remember her selfe and hauing her thoughts dispearsed abroad had giuen no eare to the Princesse wordes and so seeing those Knightes in that place shee said Greatly may you fauour me Sir Knight to leaue me to my solitude for that onely hath the power to ease my paine and strengthen my mynde to suffer it add greater if greater may be imagined And this I intreat vnlesse any necessitie requires my person which I will vse most willingly in either of your behalfes Braue Knight replyed Floraliza the sight of your present state so penetrated our harts that it caused this Knight and my selfe to come and demaund the reason of it offering our persons at your neede I doe highly esteeme your offer renowmed Knight aunswered Sarmacia which could not proceede but from you But my infirmitie is of such condition that the remedie on your partes will augment it and for mee to relate it were a griefe past griefe and a newe kinde of torment For I haue no leaue to publish it to any much more to you because it will but serue to refresh the memorie of passed griefes and present euils And therefore I praye you either to goe from mee or giue me leaue that I may doe it For the verie sight of companie is to mee troublesome I neuer sawe a Knight saide Floraliza so deepely possest with Loue but would delight to communicate his paynes and ioyes For the one he mittigates by communication and the other he encreaseth by relation And so I thinke you are a Nouice in Loue seeing you knowe not there is no griefe how great so euer but will by company be asswaged Rather replyed the Lacedemon Ladye this proues you a fresh Scholler in Cupids schoole seeing you ignorant what wrong is offered to the Ladye loued publishing her secretes For to immagine them is secrete treason committed against her And nowe I saye I woulde not keepe companie with a Knight that so quickely desyres to blabbe the thoughtes cloased in an amourous soule being soly to be imagined and not made common to euery voyce Oh how braue a louer woulde you make gyuing place in your hart for euery loue tale Oh that I knew your Mistres be assured she should not longer liue deceaued in her hopes although I thinke she doth not yf this be not to her vnknowen you speake more then befits you said the hastie Floraliza and with more bouldnesse then you should which belike our simple well meaning spéeches did cause that rather is answered Sarmacia the truest testimony that any can haue of his Fortitude and not the vaunting beasts that many vse and commonly bragge of And seing this way you haue brought it about restore me the honour I did you esteeming you in the degrée of a good Knight
attributing due glorie to your seming merits and when you haue so done then doe what you wil for I giue you leaue What I will haue sayd the angry Ladie is to let you vndestand the discourtesie you haue committed which is greater then the strength you boast of Then stay replyed Oristides Lady and you shall sée how well I can shew the one when the other dependes thereof and so leaping on her light horse hee turned him about defying her to mortall battle In matters of warre woulde not the Macedonian Princesse dissemble with her brother much more with whom she knewe not and did challenge her Oh Appollo the desire to see so braue a combate made thée hasten Auroras splendor to her wonted light because without thy presēce none could witnesse their hawghtie déedes or was it because forgetfull of thy Alcestes loue thou wouldest surfeite on this beautie Which séeing it so why doest thou not dippe my dull penne in the Nectar of thy Diuinetie for if they each other wouunde this and my tongue must memorize it Now is the season thy liberall influence to impart with mee when the whole worldes beautie is here like to perish There was left no Cittie in the first Heauen to guard their habitations onely to be spectators of so rich a fight for euery of them would willingly loose their liues to bee wounded by such beautie They met by the swiftnes of their nimble Coursers in such manner that the strength of their incounters made the Brother shrinke at the viewe No harme happened betwéen the Ladies most gallantly passing by ech other their méetings serued but in shéeuers to sende their launces through the emptie ayre to Phaebus middle Mantion At once drewe they the two admirable swords the one of Camilla and the second of Pyrrhus by succession Come to Oristides who gaue it to his deare Sarmacia in Lacedemon as the president booke reported With them hoysted on high together did they ground them on their helms resting either alike assured of the others strength for the Heauens had in fortitude and beautie in euerie respect equald them They began one of the fiercest battailes that the world did euer recorde for being Ladies increasing in wrath their blowes were able to dissolue a Rocke But such were their strong armours that it assured them from all perils Neuerthelesse with such furious strength they layd vppon each other that the flesh more fairer then Venus in her chiefe pride they mangled The desperate Sarmacia gaue her gallant enemie a dangerous blow a little belowe her Beuer it was to no small effect for it made her bend her head below her Horse maine She would not omit the aduantage for sieldome like to this there happens none and so with both hands she layd on the circuite of her helme that shee struck her from all féeling made her blood run through her visor and mouth loosing the guiding of her horse which sencelesse bare her about the fielde a good while till recouering her selfe the rage that with furie ioyned to settle her firmly againe in her saddle is not set downe for casting her Romaine shielde at her faire backe she let flie at her helme with such strength that had she carried her arme stiffe that blow had terminated the controuersie Notwithstanding the blad vnable to penetrate the magick temper it went slyding downe the same falling on the shoulder lighting so heauily that shee thought all that quarter had been beate asunder She fell with her brest on her saddle pummell and with the weyght of the stroake the horse set both his knées on the earth Scarse had she executed this blow when worthy with admiration to be celebrated at the wounded Sarmacias rysing shee helped her with two thrustes one after the other with such force that her owne handes trembled therewith casting her aduersaries head vpon the horse croopper shee would close with her to ouerthrowe her with her Steede but with this desire she spurd hers with more force then néeded for it made him furiously passe further then she would that stumbling on her aduersarie she had like to fall which to preuent she nimbly leapt from her owne to the ground It was aduisedly done for the Lacedemon Ladye arriued with a stroake in such blinde furie that had she met her she could not but haue incurred certaine danger For not méeting her the blowe fell in middle of the saddle deuiding it the horse in two Tremble did the Prince with the sight of this blowe iudging the Knight of mightie valour in no lesse reputation did the aduerse Ladie accompt him that seing him in some amaze lying along the horse necke following the winde of the blowe with a leape she stept thyther casting her strong armes on her shee snatcht her from the saddle and séeing her in some confusion therby because one foote hung in the stirrope which shee could not take foorth shee so striued that shee pluckt her dagger from her backe Hereat the hawghtie dame séeing her disgrace feared a sudden death dishonourable and so shee had no other remedie but loosing her sworde with all her strength to drawe her to her and strongly setling her selfe on one foote she did in sight of her aduersaries brother a thing worthy her beautie for casting her arme at Floralizas dagger shee drewe it out of the sheath and with it hadd slaine Alicandros vnknowne Neece yf she had not stept away with feare seeing her owne weapons in her aduersaries handes It was no little good fortune for the valerous Sarmacia hauing thereby time to drawe her foote out of the stirrope and with hard plucking shee had almost disioynted which founde to her griefe for going to follow her enemie she could not treade thereon which was the cause she had almost fallen on her She dissembling yt as much as possible she might expecting her enemies comming which was not longe for like a chaffed Lyonesse seeing that was her first battle and what little honor vnlesse she spéedily did finish it she should get she flung against Sarmacia and with both handes she layde on her so thicke and so quicke that breathlesse shee hadde almost tyred her and yet she hawghtlie defended her selfe often making Floralindas daughter rest on the grounde both wyth handes and féete till the paine of her foote was paste and then she seemed but newly to begyn the combate for the ligeritie wherewith shee entred and salyed deserued admiration With a florish they crossed aloft their putting swordes procuring that way to conclude their warre But it lasted not long for Alicandros Néece thrusting her somewhat more inwards stepping in with her right foote and with imagined swiftnes she gaue her a venturous blowe for taking her vnder the skirt it wounded her though little on the thigh It was no newe matter for the Ladye to receaue such blowes it made her loose her patience and like a rauenous Vulture did shee become with the sight of her owne blood
with his enemie The Greeke well noted it so entred to the wrastle with more aduise then strength for ere his enemie had tooke hould of him he had stabd his dagger into his left shoulder Out of his hand did the Mauritanian snatch it and with it would haue had recouered what he did loose But the couragious Greeke that saw himselfe in such manifest dāger had no other remedie but with his left hand strongly to stay it and with his right to take his frō the Moores backe wherewith he had ended his life if the Emperor with all those Princes had not then arriued saying With-hold I say braue Knights for this is no battle to be ended with such crueltie about a matter of so small consequence Then came the beauteous Oliuia like an angry Lyonesse The Greeke seing such Nobilitie before him could doe no lesse then withdrawe apart through the great ymportunitie of his friendes They intreated the Mauritanian King to go with them to Pallace where he should be cured but reputing them all his enemies refused it and rather with extreame fayntnes mounting vpon his horse hee went out of the Cittie with the greatest need of cure that euer knight had and neuer perswading himselfe otherwise thē that his aduersarie was one of the Greeke Princes In the first village he arriued at he stayed where his wounds were boūd and by his Lady cured with such care as louers still haue in such cases there he continued till he was able to trauell which he did vntill he arriued in his owne Kingdome intending fully to be reuenged on Constantinople where there was much griefe by reason of the wounded Prince None would his Mother suffer to speake with him So they drest him expecting the ensuing day wherein happened no lesse battailes then in the last CHAP. XV. The end of the Tryumphes and howe Brandafidell arryued to them bringing with him the beauteous Floralinda WIth a kinde of newe content by the rising splendor the nexte daye of the all-comforting Sunne did the whole Cittye of Constantinople seem to reioyce when thorow it was published the good amendmēt of Rosicler whose indisposition most proceeded from a weary brusement of his body the which was no cause the daye beeyng as it were somewhat spent to keepe him from comming forth to beholde the battailes of the same which he thought would bee woorth the sight In his gowne he toke his place betwene his deare Oliuia Oriselua and her Sacridoro whose swete friendshippe forst them as often as they could to meete delighting to discourse what eyther had done for the other in the dangerous aduentures for the obtayning of their Ladies Alreadie was the furious Bembo entred the listes for at one side of the place appered two Knights in the richest armor and of the gallantest disposition of anye that thitherto had Iusted The warlike abillements of him on the right hande were all white garnished with manye inestimable stones and on the brest a hart of Rubies his grace attracted the beholders affection Vppon the shielde that was no lesse rich then his armor was portrayed his cōpanion that accompanied him At his feet a most faire hand that held a scrowle with these words This hart that loue hath wounded In it findes his reliefe In rich exchange for griefe For louing it is againe beloued This cōming so sure denoteth that he in the white is Rosamond the hawghtie Princesse of Callidonia that came with her deare Don Eleno who was clad with his precious arms he wonne in Roome excepting that on the shield which his friend Nabato had sent him he bare the portrature of his Lady drawen in that manner when with his owne hand hee guirded on her sword with this Rotullo The crosse of cruell absence Eternizeth his fame Being assured of his dame They past their course with such gallantnesse that euery one iudged that hee in the blacke was like to sustaine some disgrace The vulgar sort with a shrill noyse beganne to publish it The Princesses and Grecian Ladies were amazed to see so many louers in the place and euerye one with such firme hopes as rather they would loose their liues thē leaue to Loue. Another thing they did see which made them not a little suspect what they might be for they saw him in the Russet with wonderfull courtesie stept to him in the white armor and demaunded his shield for the Iustes The Ladie gaue it him wishing that her fauour might not hazard what the Dacians valour did assure Notwithstanding with soueraigne Maiestie he turned the best Horse that the world contained and with his strong launce hee spurred against his aduersarie Be a while attentiue to mee sweete Mistres of Natures perfect beautie Surcease your cōmon asking whether of thē was most gallantest or with whome the Heauens cōmunicated more brauery For considering the swiftnes that conducts the flower of Chiualry the least winking with your eyes howe much more so Iealous a demaunde may loose the sight of a memorable incounter The terrible noyse of twoo roaring Cannons belching foorth the furie of their powder fiered bowels caused not more horror then did rebound from their fierce incounter It was no maruell to see the Dacian here get the best with so braue a horse So he met him with all the power his strength affoorded that cleane ouer his horse backe he made him leaue the measure of his length imprinted on the earth but quickly leaping on his feet he had recouered his saddle before the Dacian did returne vnto himselfe Who in all his life before had not receaued a more stronger incounter for hee lost his his bridle and his stirropps and had not his Ladie beene present that in such extremities with newe fauors did reuiue him he had also lost his saddle but valiantly hee sustayned himselfe for the losse of his life in that presence were more honorable then the leauing of his horse hee returned praunsing with maiestike gate till he approched his Ladie and with exceeding ioy demaunded his shield with a thousand thousand imbracements shee would haue giuen it for she loued him as her soule but she contēted her selfe be saying Courage deare Prince for with so sure a faith t is easie to bare away the victory With the noise of many Instruments and high prayses wherewith the popularity celebrated the russett Knight Don Eleno with both sheeldes went where the famous Bembo had hung vp his in whose place taking away that hee set his Ladies leauing the Greeke Nobilitie of Lordes and Ladies pensiue in guessing who both they might be The angry Achayan at this time cursing his vnhappie starres prickt through the multitude more then one derely did abie his rage By this time a gallant knight had leapt into the Lists yet in more despayring colours of any that day seene for he was all in yellow and blacke with some barres of a sad russet on his shield he had a Ladie at whose feete himselfe lay all
brought the fortunes of his loue to that passe that he manifested apparant tokens of the same loosing the roseat colour of his face shunning the conuersation of all his friends kinsfolkes who in nothing more than in pastimes busied themselues All the Court did note it and some that would shew themselues his friends required of him the cause of his discontent he denied it to them all for none loued with more secrecie A deede most meritorious for his Ladie to fauoure him But she was so free that to continue it for all shee loued him as her selfe she would neuer let him know it and so thence forwardes the opportunitie that occasion appointed him she would disappoint by choosing foorth some other companie which was a new kinde of tormenting martirdome for the afflicted Prince He tooke counsell vnable longer to dissemble with the Countie of Acantos sonne a youth wittie and discreet called Palisandro to whome he disclosed his griefes whose repetition séemed to encrease them his squire comforted him the best he could saying how in that age it was so common to be alienated that to be so meanes was found therein to suffer any crosse and willed him to consider with what troubles his Father had loued not noly to his cost but of al Greeces that he shold know there could be no pleasure with a desired end vnles the meanes thereto were difficult and vnpleasant for they are the reward of the thing procured making the end to be esteamed according to their value T is true good Palisandro answeared the Prince yet thou knowest with what sinceritie my Father was beloued And being the cause of such bloodie cruell warres in Grecia yet knew he not what it was to be in the Empresse my mothers disgrace And I am sure should I demaund her for my wife my Lord the Emperour being a mediator I should not be denied her But there are a thousand incōueniences and all to defame my Fame and stayne the honor and reputation of my hopes for it wil presently be sayd that the feare to attaine vnto the winter of my deedes to recoumpt an haruest of honourable actes accomplisht aduētures hath daūted the nonage of my glory mixt the springing of my yeres with ignoble slothfulnesse therefore since I must loue giue me some remedie to quyet my thoughts be it but in disguise or fayned I finde none other sayd the Page but that you wryte for when she sées by experience how constantly she is loued she cannot be so cruell but will be moued reading vnder so firme a firme what the soule hath most firme Oh Palisandro replyed he who may write being thus with woes tormented vnles hee should set downe he knoweth not what T is that sayd the Page which must with effect speake in your behalfe besides there is no carelessenes betwene louers but procéedes of care well seing t is so spake the Gréeke how wilt thou conuay it to her I shall sayd hee want no good occasion for the deliuery in the Court So they went to write with more feare in the louer then if hee went to combate with his father The page tooke the letter promising to deliuer it in her owne hands though hee indāgered his life therby fortune gaue him leaue to do it oh if she would effect as she giues occasion none would euer complaine of her For Rosamond and she being at a windowe that looked to the Sea discoursing of loue though Don Elenos were already knowen yet the Quéene delighted with the newe maner of woing in Calidonia Sometimes in their talke wold they stumble on the gallant Prince whose qualities the Princesse praysed aboue the skies without suspition of any thing else and sayd I doe not doubt sweete Quéene but some absent loues doe make him thus to languish for his sodaine change in so few dayes cannot come from any thing else Euery time deare Princesse replyed the Quéene that gallants will seeme so their Ladies are not bound to fauour them to their honours costs though they greatly loue Then Rosamond neuer did any liue by louing that woulde not remedie the thing loued seing it languish in paine for herein is the tryall of loue not to consent the languishing of the thinge loued although the louer in that remedie doe a Thousand times indanger his life And considering your highnesse words I now estéeme the Gréeke Ladies as cruell as they are beautifull for on that ground they built their crueltie a thinge that so much blemisheth the noblenesse the adornes them T is not so much answered the Quéene as is their small sufferance to dissemble their Ladies coynesse Then the wary Palisandro caused to passe that waye with slowe paces because he might be seene who straight knowing him they called to whom Rosamond spake .. Come hither gentle Page it hath been told vs that your Lord Prince Claridiano wil absent himselfe from Court because he cannot brooke so long absence and truly hee doth well if he thinke the sight of his Ladie will adde more content vnto his thoughts then now he sheweth heere flying from vs all publishing he liues best in solitude Of his departure I knowe nothing answered Palisandro sauing of his woes as he that dayly receaueth them no lesse to see how he pines away and I dare well affirme no Knight euer loued with a more constant faith nor none intreated with more crueltie a thing that would haue mooued a Tygre to pittie and so I thinke yf the Ladye continue in her rygor we shall very shortly see him dead Oh God forfend it sayd the dissembling Quéene but tell me hath not he manifested to his Lady the sorrow payne that norishes him His eyes replyed he are they that speak by signes Why then sayde Rosamond shee is in Gréece that is cause of his maladie So farre as I haue spoke replyed he knowe I of his departure life and loues for hee would not wrong his Lady as to tell me her name or who she is In faith answered the Princesse yf his loues agrée with his outward effectes he is iniustly vsed There is no doubt thereof sayd he for what the face expresseth procéedes from the aboundance that is inclosed in a little corner of his brest that yeildes assurance of the ouermuch the soule indures Thy Lord will loose nothing sayd the Quéene by aggrauating the little he doth suffer Then he I am so fearefull most excellent Quéene of his life that I cannot but acquaint euery one with his discontent which hath not been to small effect since it is a meanes to moue his Soueraigne Princesse to pittie him They could no lōger talk for the Empresse Briana called thē As they past they being so nigh the bould Page thrust the letter into the Queenes hand She could not choose but take it least the Princesse should perceaue it seing her somewhat moued Shee presently procured to withdrawe into her Chamber not to read it for a Thousand times shee was
commodiousnes of the place haue forced me to beare you company although respecting the sorrow your armour doth expresse I belieue it will discontent you delighting in solitude a meanes that loue hath inuented to louers costes to ease their paines and incorage their pensiuenesse Amorous was the Pagan and vsed to saye hee merited not the to bee named a Knight that woulde not in a Ladies behalfe aduenture his life hazarding his owne affaires to doe them seruice and so answered In faith faire Damozell though all humane conuersation were troublesome vnto mee yet yours shall not bee so because I thinke you are a little schooled in the good of solitude a manyfest token that hee that spares none hath pleased to make you his tributarie these discourses beeing those the soule conuerseth al alone to haue nowe one to aunswere mee will make my paines more tollerable perswading my selfe of good lucke in all thinges in his lande where my fortune hath cast me being welcomed by such a good beginning where shee replyed It well séemes sir Knight you bee in loue seeing with your reasons you woulde so soone launche into the déepe of beautye a common thinge amonge Knightes that only loue for the present there is no cause you should assure mee of my beautye for with it the Fountaine restes more gladded then that wherein Narcissus gazed So that Sir Knight you must séeke other meanes then these to Court the Dames of Trebizound which is the Lande you nowe are in for this here is too common and they knowe it verye well that presume so on their beautyes for telling them of it is to increase their rygor against them that in this land so wooe I am much bounde vnto your seruyce pleasaunt Ladye replyed Bembo gladde to heare the chatte of the riggish Dame for this aduise for as a Nouice in thys lande not knowing the manners thereof I talked according to the practizes of other Nations at this time since there is no content to Ladies equall to the calling of them beautifull receauing griefe by the contrary and not the least in compting them not fayre although the heauens haue towardes them byn niggards in their influences making them not of the absolutest She answered They doe so that will not beléeue what they are contrary to vs in Trebizound and therefore be they pleased to be tearmed by what they are not giuing their louers fauors though faygned for it who more by insinuating then a firme faith procure the content of beeing beloued Not for all the Ladies so saying to their gallantes sweete damozell answered the Pagan Cease they to be liberall carefull and for their Mistres good most ready The damozell replyed with that t is so for it doth more euidently shew how the hart loues and on the last groūding what abroade is vsed I saye that Ladye is ingratefull that will not shew her pittie being assured shee may by a Thousande new fauors that her gallant may be animated knowing if he liues by louing that his fayth is also repayd by loue This is that which best assures the hoped good betwene louers on the Ladies behalfe their glory of being beloued Other maner of courting vse you here faire damozell sayd Bembo thē in those places I haue trauailed for the gallāts in my countrey onely procure by louing to assure their Ladies thereof that they may be pleased to condescend therto making their wills knowen vnto them In respect of the intollerable paines suffered do they neuer require any guerdō but only procure to propagate that magnanimitie wherwith they sacrifize thēselues vnto their Ladies setting in their hands their hearts soules expecting nothing hereby but the glorious sirname of their amorous knights Strange things haue you tould me sir knight said she gladly would I know whome you loue to be certified whether it be so or no but perswaded it is so I know not what the Trebizound Ladies meane so much to debase their beauties And far more thē to receaue a iewel of great prize would I esteeme to haue longer time to discourse with a knight so grande a seruitor to Cupid but the hast that cals me away constraines me to depart for my Lady the Princesse expects an answere of some busines by my returne who to rest a while remayned not farre hence in a house of pleasure and with her is the Princesse Artemisa of England and to my thinking not so frée as were conueniēt So sir knight I pray you pardon me for fortune maye appoint better occasion that I may enioy your amorous conuersation which hath not a little attracted me At all times faire Ladye replyed the Moore that you will so fauour me will I accompt past my deserts reputing it according to your many merits the discretion of so faire a dame And if my power may any way procure your content commaund me for with all diligence necessarie will I accomplish it With this she departed leauinst the amorous Pagan affected to her witty wantonnes And mounting on his horse he cōtinued on his way wherein befell him what the next recounteth CHAP. XXI What in the Forrest happened to the couragious Bembo with the Princesse of Trebizound and her guard with other aduentures MOunted on a brauer horse then anye they which drawing the goulden eye of heauen compasse about the Terrene Orbe somewhat after his meridionall decline trauelled the mighty Bembo with his pilgrime thoughts onely on his Lady that to driue him from them was the wanton damozels prettie chat no meanes desirous ere he left that Empyre to see that Court so famoused throughout the world by reason of the excellent Princes that gouerned there On this ranged his pensiue imaginations with some ease which the pleasant sounde of the chirping birdes mooued seing that to among them loue hath his cōmaund For if they will striue either to excell other in their notes it is because he raignes among thē that makes the rusticke countrey swayne more excellenter then Demostenes in eloquence of speech so he be toucht with loue What tongue or pen hath he subingated that hath béen poore in skill and not rich in wit who could euer vtter the aboūdance of a copious and artificiall tongue vnlesse mooued by the sonne of his moother Venus The Sarracine Prince did not call himselfe deceaued for yeilding of his faith but considering he had past any time without Loue he tearmed it lost and that life worse thē death that is not troubled with Cupids amorous passions In this and in a thousand complots which Loue propounded him was he occupied when from out a fragant thicket he saw comming a companie of Knights richly armed not farre after them there came three attending on a sumptuous Carre wherein he thought hee sawe some Ladies till approching more nigh he was assured it was so ouer-viewing the riches of the knights Two of them were of one deuise all gréen with the spanish armes vpon their shields wherby he
of the Princesse whose aduantage in not small by the exchange None in kindnesse went beyond Bembo and therefore made this reply Most Heroyke Knight the Gods defend that through my meanes you loose the merits deserued by your person and worthy to these Knights for if I must attend on the Ladies it shal bee as your friend in your companie or otherwise I will returne the way I came Wee will not haue you sayd one of the Spanyards to vanquish vs in all thinges and since the condition was ours there is no cause why we should not suffer it and so le ts speake to the Ladies for t is time they were going Be it as you wil haue it sir Knight answered Bembo seing I must not diobay Already approched the Charriote with the Princesses who in respect of the Knights séemed sorrowfull though the beauteous Rosiluera was the ioyfullest in the world seing how wel the Knight in the blacke had defended himselfe so she spake I beléeue Knights we must impute to our small merits and lesse good fortune the cause of our changing new guard which being so henceforth sir Knight begin to execute your new charge which I feare you will thinke painefull procuring better lucke now then our kéepers had before Abashed were the vanquished with Rosilueras words who accompted him in the blacke the sole owner of her hart who made her this reply I doe rather remaine so fearefull of my Crosse fortune most excellent Princesse that seeing howe aduerse she hath still shewen her selfe will now with newe paynes discharge her selfe of this my present so I feare momentary good which last if it be equall to the former no hart is able to indure the griefe though mine hath had the power to promise it selfe to be yours vntill the latest minute O God how great was the ioy the Lady receaued with the answere thinking t is common amongst them that loue he vttered it with the firmenesse of his soules truth and not as words of course tending on the ceremonious dutie that her kindnes bound him too They toke their way to the purling of a clere bubling brooke that sprung somewhat more within the thicket minding there to passe the heate of the afternoone where the Princesse séemed the ioyfullest in the world seeing him goe close to her stirrop whom shee had pictured in her hart whose silence she thus brake How fare you Sir Knight with your new office I am in doubt it makes you already repent to haue it vndertaken T were so most soueraigne Lady replyed the gallant Achayan Did I not cōsider the supremacie of the high glorie wherin my thoughts haue placed me combinde thereto stopping al passage to my imagination of hoping other happines loosing the present I do enioy Hereupon the beauteous Artemisa tooke occasion thus We would not sir Knight you shold so soone haue acknowledgd it onely passing with the imagined glory of the Princesse commaund he made answere As my hart beauteous Lady hath alwaies byn full of continuall miseries torments now feling it selfe discharged of his heauy oppressing loade it straight iudged that fortune prepared greater paines yeilding mee this present extenuation in middest of which thought to expell the worse from remēbrance made me breake into that passion I call it so for though I séeme being not continuall as such a one but litle to féele it publishing it with such rudenesse how should I doe were it perpetuall but oh inconstant chance why name I a perpetuitie when I know this good more then felicity is but the prologue to an vnterminate end of greater paines by bringing me to the accōplishing of your commaund whose greatnes excéeds all worth of happines cōpared here Artemisa replyed Why sir Knight we required not to know more thē the princesse demanded for whosoeuer doth guard our chariot must haue his hart so exempt of imaginary thoughts that his care may be only busied on the present obiect of his eie with these and such like spéeches they arriued to the fount where the ladies descended ioying to refresh their heated beauties in the coolenes of the water or to speake more aptly to purifie it with their presence The like did the foure Princes the Achayan discouering his louely countenance Newe amorous launces to pierce the tender brest of the all wounded Lady though not knowing who he was she would not disclose it to any willing rather to suffer liue with her maidē honor but with paine then to blemish it by other meanes yet the eyes wherewith she gazed on him with such particuler care were euident ynough of her affection had the Prince noted it Together hand in hand the two Ladies walked into the thicket alone to enioy the freshnes of the aire which was so pleasant that it made them go further then they would and being thicke without pathes they could not when they would returne which not a little grieued thē Wherupon the Princesse said What shall become of vs Lady if we shold remaine in this remoted place great hath béen our carelessenes to part so far without the companie of our Knights for we might vnhappily miscarrie if any wilde beast should yssue out of these woods I maye goe secure replyed Artemisa for seeing you I shal be left to repaire vnto the fayrest Hay me sayd she I pray thee saye not so for my flesh trembles to heare it In these Feminine feares were they busied when frō the wood there came a mighty bigge Knight in bignes like a gyant all in armor with foure Knights with him of no lesse force then the Maister who was Lord of the famous Isle of Rhodes situate in the Carpatian Sea not far disioynd from the Frōtiers of Egypt and Lycia he was called Valdanio the stronge who inamored by heare say of Rosiluera came to Trebizoūd with 16 Knights whome hee disperst foure seuerall wayes for this intent which was by anye meanes to steale her away for once in safety set in his Isle gainst all the vniuerse he would defend her In seing the Ladies he knew whom he loued and with extreame ioy hee cryed out Oh Ioue may it be thou hast kept for me such good fortune I wil acknowledge it with rich sacrifices vntil the death He would not deferre it supposing there might bee thereabouts her attendance so went he to the Ladies that séemed more like dead coarses then liuing creatures She whome he loued did she barbarous Gyant take in his armes a better prize neuer any made had Fortune fauored him to the end The English Lady had more courage so she ran into the thicket whether the Knights would not followe her but seing their good occasion spurring with greatest spéede their horses toke their way to the Sea coast where their Galley expected thē with her sayles ready spread This while had Artemisa time to send her clamors through the emptie aire kéeping on her slight whose eccho broght her where their knights expected thē to whom