the ayre rattle and the earth to shake they sette sayle bidding theyr friendes a short farewell who attending theyr enemies comming wée leaue them houering at the sea for a time till they méete againe CHAP. XXII Howe the two armies meeting at sea the Millaine Duke with his power was discomfited THese honourable Armies well appointed both by lande and Sea a generall expectation was made on both sides for their méeting wherein each one hoping for victorie wished for to sée the euent of theyr fortunes long looked for commeth at the last and time hath brought the two fléetes in sight one of the other which descried all pollicie was wrought for the aduantage in the fight wherein those gallants of Genoway shewed their best skill keeping in despight of the Millaine armie the winde and in great brauerie halled the enemies with their warlike musicke in such sort that the skyes resounding the ecchoes of theyr noyse which was not vnaunswered by the Millaine fléete made as gallant a shewe as the other where some time was spent in tryumph betwéene them and the Gallies and shippes within shot their prowesse with great courage was discharged and euerie man with such weapon as he vsed did his best Long time and much powder was spent on both sides with much effusion of bloud eyther parte doubtfull of the victorie which the Generall of the Genowayes perceiuing halling his Viceadmirall and the Admirall and Vice-admirall of each Squadrone with a flagge of parley they drewe neare vnto him to heare what hee hadde to saye who charged them vppon their allegiance without anie more forbearing or consuming of time to boord withall spéede euerie man as hee coulde haue aduantage and so to make quicke and short tryall of their fortunes This counsell of the generall was welcâ—me to euerie man who were verie gladde and ioyfull of that commaundement which was that which they expected for they attended but to sée him béeing aduised to follow his deceiuers And thereuppon forcing theyr Gallies by maine strength of Oares aboord with great courage and vallour they gaue this onset in which was many feates of honour and armes atchieued where many a man of woorth left his life others lost theyr limbes and many spoyled and wounded to the death The Gallies fired and diuers sunke all hazards that daye were with great perrill espaped after many bloudie strokes and much other mischiefe on both sides the houre of the victorie befell the Genowayes who tooke their Admirall gallie flew their chiefetaine and burned and sunke many of the rest such good successe followed their iust cause that fewe of their enemies escaped without great hurt from the fight The fight ended night approaching a retreat by the Admirall was sounded which doone a view was taken of the prisoners and the gentlemen and commanders of the Millenaries sent aboord the generall for the rest order was giuen that they should remaine aboord their seuerall gallies which done a generall laude was giuen to God for their victorie and euery one following the course of the Admirall they made their way for Genoway and in short time with the diligence of the Captiues and good encouragement of the commanders of each gallie they had sight of their port and not long after recouered the same where their ioies were increased by the sight of their friendes happie returne as by their solemne shewes of gladnes was manifest to the great encouragement of al the aduenturers and increasing of the prisoners great gréefe who made such sure account to tryumph in their ouerthrowes and like Lords to command ouer them nowe to be subiect to their enemies Thus their heauie sighes bewraying their sorrow the generall of the fléete moued with pittie of their care beeing a man very debonaire and kind with a countenance ful of pittie his bonnet vayled came vnto the caualleres perswading them to comfort themselues and to extend this vnexpected chance as one of fortunes bandies whose inconstancie was not to bée wondered at for quoth he they that gaine to day may loose to morrow the fortunes of warres are difficil a cleare conscience and a iust cause armeth men with courage they that fight in right are often fortunate Our cause God hath righted whom your duke sought to wrong he is the giuer of victory to whom bee all glorie Yet gentlemen quoth he dismay not neyther clogge your hearts with too much care of your bad fortunes you are fallen into the hands of a kinde and most noble enemie who will well intreate you and for mine owne part which am at the Gouernours commaund I assure you your ransomes shall be so easie as you shall like well of The Milleneres captiue hearing theyr kinde enemie vse such wordes of comfort where hee might menace with death and cruell reuenge béeing at his mercie with courtesie returned great thankes for his most friendly counsell and good perswasions vowing themselues his obedient prisoners neuer to departe or offer any manner of discourtesie in worde or action vntill they were lawfully licensed so to doo Which worde the Generall accepting each man had frée libertie within the Cittie to goe at his or theyr pleasures CHAP. XXIII How the Armies by land meeting what happened them AS God sent the sea power of these Princes to trie first theyr forces so not long after theyr armies approaching the Millaine Duke beeing aduertised by his espialles of their readinesse hearing of the ill succesle of his fléete loath to putte all on hazard without some more pause and resting his people which were verie sore wearied with theyr long and hard trauaile for which cause as well to consult with his leaders and copartners hée caused his Tents to bee picht giuing good directions for sure watch to bee kept throughout the Campe which done and they hauing reposed themselues that night the next day a parley by flagge was sommoned wherein euerie man was heard both for aduise in marshalling the Armie as for pollicie in surprising the enemie where in each mans opinion sayde the Duke melancholike for his ill successe and losse of his fléete was so malcontent that nothing might be said wherein he tooke pleasure yet gaue he leaue to euerie one to say his mind which humours nothing contenting his nobility and such as were drawne thither by his cause loath that his headstrong humours should dishonour them the Ferrâ—ra Duke as one that might be most bold with him sayd Cosin of Millaine for your sake wee haue gathered bordering neighbours maintaining no iust cause of our owne but your intended quarrell wherein if wee reape any dishonour wee haue our deserts Ledde by your counsell wée haue béene as shéepe to bée slaine and now hauing hadde a little crosse dismay you that our people séeing your discomfort may leaue vs héere in the middest of our enemies It is dastardlike to feare in such a cause and may bréede all our euerthrow wherefore resolue eyther to maintaine your honour and with resolution finish what
hee had good cause to loue for maintaining his right and euerie way discharging the honourable parte of a trustie subiect loath that so great fauours should go vnrecompenced hee first on their alleagance to the rightfull heire of the Dukddome charged them streightly to fulfill what he should giue in charge being no disparagement to their honours and estate to which they willingly agréed confirming by oath what he had set downe and then saide In performance of the words you haue giuen this shall you do before thée moneth is fully expired you shall in person repaire vnto Rome where before the imperiall maiestie of my soueraigne Lord the Emperour you shall present these Dukes your prisoners where I will recount your honourable deserts and deserued commendations that your Princesse Vallia may reward your honourable seruice Till when honourable Gouernour weare this ring by which you shall finde me if you forget the name of Philippo Which said and the ring deliuered the gouernour wondering at the grauitie and noble minde of the resolute gentleman ouercome with his noble proffer could not fell what way to recompence the least of his deserts but rendering him many thankes besought him in the most humble manner to acknowledge their duties to their soueraigne Ladie Vallia whose seruadts thee vowed them in all loyaltie These conditions agréed vppon and euerie thing with consent finished the time appointed for Philippos departure a band of souldiours were appointed for his conuay to Rome the captaine of which companie hauing great charge for his honourable vsage vnto whom ten thousand crownes was deliuered at their leaue taking of him The time of his departure being come Philippo taking a solemne farewell of the Dukes of Millaine and Ferrara with the other noble prisoners the gouernour with the most noblest of the countrey conducted him on his iourney of whom when they took their leaues many teares were shed such was the sorrow for his departure whome they had no knowledge of Whom after many loth farewels wee leaue to his iourney accompanied with his guard and the gouernours to manie honourable thoughts of this noble stranger CHAP. XXX How Philippo arriued in Rome and what chanced Alinda THe Gouernour hauing lost our noble Philippo there néeded none to hasten hun whose thoughts was of his Alinda whom he had engaged for his returne As time worketh many effects so long trauell hath brought this noble ladie within one dayes iourney of the Citie her long desired place of rest when calling the captain and his companions hee discharged them from their further trauaile largely rewarding them for their paines where the Captaine was loath to leaue her before hée had séene her in safetie in the Cittie but when no perswasions might serue but they must needes leaue her the Captaine making readie the gold presented it vnto her desiring her to accept it as the gift of his louing friends of Genoway Philippo wondering at the bountie of the Gouernour gaue them many thankes but no entreatie might cause him to touch one penny the Captaine on his part loth to offende the Gouernour againe to returne it protested by his honour in armes and faith of a souldiour to leaue it to his disposition Which oathes Philippo was not willing he should violate but measuring his honourable minde receiued the Golde the one halfe of which he fréely imparted amongst the Souldiours who accepted it without deniall with many thankes the other halfe betwéene the Captaine and his guide he equally shared vnto whom yeelding many thankes for his bountie taking their leaues they left him on his way for Rome and they returned for Genoway The time of her expected returne was now neare expired wherein Alynda was to prooue her wittes yet againe as shée had doone whose cunning by the good helpe of the Frier tooke such effect that the Emperour by his godly counsell was reclaimed from his intended purpose although the Princesses absence wrought his great disquiet yet patienting himselfe hée was content with hearing of her good health for which hee diligently enquired euerie day of Alynda whome to quiet from further care or discontent Vallia arriued at Rome and taking her lodging in an Osâ—ria sent her guyde to the court in secret to giue notise to Alynda of her returne willing her in the euening to méete her at the place where they last parted This tydings to Alynda was welcome who was not a little comforted with that newes of her Ladyes good successe for which giuing GOD thankes for his fauour and kéeping and preseruing her in her iourney shée awaighted with diligence the good howre of her Ladyes home returne where giuing her attendance shée hadde not long stayed before shee hadde sight of her the most welcome of the worlde What ioy at theyr méeting there was with theyr sundrie discourses I omitte vntill in quiet content shee was placed in her lodging from whence after shee hadde discharged her guide shee was not long absent where beeing with her secret Alynda all alone shee questioned her of all the chaunces that hadde happened since her departure from thence Which aunswered Alynda forgatte not to tell her the perplexed estate wherein shes was at the Emperours woordes menacing her to sée her Ladye no occasions whatsoeuer so preuent him with the pollicie shee vsed and ayde of her confessour At which discourse the Princesse might not forbeare heartily to laugh What other prattle happened magine you Gentlemen that are acquainted with woers merrie méetings to let you heare more of Edward and his companie what in their iourney happened them CHAP. XXVII Howe Edward accompanied with the Gouernour of the Rodes and his Ladie hauing performed their ryttes in the holy land returned home and what chanced YOu haue heard gentiles of the recouerie of the gouernour of the Rodes by the noble knight of the Crosse who gathering strength and some ease of his wounds by the knight his good recure arriued at y e holy Citie where they made their stay doing such religious ceremonies as to vowed trauailers appertaineth where their welcome was great for the knights loue whose honour they wished for the seruice done in defence of the holy Citie After the gouernour was well recouered and all things to their content finished the knight desirous to sée his Ladie whom hee neuer heard off since their parting causing their coÌ„panie to be ready to depart and their attendants to puruay them of victuals for prouision passing the mountaines which done taking theyr leaue of the high priests and the chéefe of all the citie who conducted them on theyr way they trauailed without any aduenture vntill they came to the Cittie of Aleppo where they stayed to refresh themselues In this Citie there was resident certaine Spanish marchants who enuying the good countenaunce of the knight and the loue was made him by the viceroy there moued with reuenge of his counte generall slaine by the Knight of the Crosse after their returne from the wars séeking many wayes
their ill successe a shore layd the ship aboord rifled her oâ— what she had and like a most cruell wretch sunke her in the roade which done hoysing his sayles hauing a winde faire for his port hee made no longer stay leauing the Ladie with her companie in a barraine vnfrequented Isle hauing no reléefe at all of any thing but such rootes and hearbes prouided for them by the aged Hermet whose guestes they were Nowe against their willes with this Hrmet wee leaue them a season to attend their deuotions and a time of deliuerance the Maister with the Gallie bound for his home to shewe you what other fortunes befell the Knight of the Crosse CAHP. III. How the Knight of the holie Crosse after some small stay in Peloponenses betooke him to his trauaile with his fortunes EDward hauing reposed himselfe in this Citie thinking the time long vntil hee sawe the ende of his desired iourney taking leaue of the Viceroy betooke himselfe to his good fortunes Two dayes trauailed hee throughout those desarts of Greece onely accompanied with his Page and a Currier which was his guide The thirde day hee had sight of a mightie conuoy of Cammils being at least sixe thousand with their Marchants which came from India bound into Egypt To those gouernours and Marchants he sent requiring them of vittailes to relieue his store his wine and oyle by a casuall happe being lost and no place of refuge néere to relicue it by a farre way which the Marchants verie kindly graunted furnishing his wants of what he required and they could spare With this companie he continued thrée daies very pleasantly passing the time amongst them of whose companie they were all right glad The third day drawing towards the euening as they began to vnfurnish their Cammils and to set vp their Tents determining to lodge there all night their espials descried a companie of armed people well mounted which sped them towards their companie so hardly pursuing the scowts that they had much a doo to escape Of these people the Marchants had great doubt and séemed to be verie much troubled in minde at these tidings which the knight perceiuing chéered them with such comfortable spéeches as he could hâ—st vtter and they vnderstand arming himselfe to withstand their forces and placing his companies with such weapons as they had to receiue them which was scarcely finished before sixe galland Caunleres with their staues charged come néere vnto them and required the marchants to deliuer those goods they had for the vses of their king The Marchants reposing themselues of this noble champion were driuen to a non plus what to aunswer but as men amazed stoode gazing one the other in the face whose timerousnesse the knight perceiuing dreading no colours mounting himselfe with his staffe charged in the rest singled himselfe and putting forwarde required those gallants to say what their businesse was The Tartares perceiuing him to bee a knight at Armes and they souldiours answered Sir what thou art we know not but by thy seeming if wée be not deceiued thou art a man of Armes whom we come not in any sort to molest But for these base fugitiues which haue wronged our King of his customes due to be payde of all men passing his Countrey we come to be satisfied which we will haue or leese our dearest liues in gaining thereof therefore gentle sir as we haue declared the truth of our comming take no part with them if thou louest thine owne welfare The knight which heard their reasonable answeres could not take any thing spoken in ill part vntill he had examined the truth of the marchants and whether there was any such custome due to their king as they required which on there great oathes they denied vowing vnto them by all solemne protestations they could vse that there were none belonging to the King but outlawes and such as liued on the spoyles of trauailers neither was there euer any custome required of anie prince in their time some of them hauing vsed that passage many yeares before The good knight which was loath to wrong either part could not tell what to answer considering the guise of men which is to make the best of their owne matters called the chéefest marchants for in them he had most trust and examining strictlie each particular of their abode their cause of trauaile and their place whither they were bounde swore them to the truth of all what they had spoken which donehe returned againe vnto the armed outlawes which attended his answer saying False villaines and deceitfull wretches how dare you being robbers and disturbers of peaceable trauailers so much to abuse the reuerent name of your king who is altogither vnacquainted with your trecheries as to make his authoritie a shelter for your bloodie mindes and spoyling the goodes of honest men that you haue abused both him and vs you shall all well know Therefore if your businesse be no other then I haue notize it is depart or you shall know to your great sorrow and hearts griefe that you haue met with him which will not bee dared with your high lookes The Tartares hearing him speake so like himselfe and with such resolution could well haue forborne to deale with him or his companie yet setting their rest vpon the courage of their companie which were all well appoynted and better mounted defied the knight who taking all aduantages seeing their resolution such encouraging the Marchants who were all fearefull of loosing what they had began most honourably to assaile them whose power was as brauely resisted a long time in this conflict was most honourable deedes of Armes by the noble knight done who euer cheared his companies which were all likely to runne away So hote and fiercely continued this good knight this assault that encountering hand to hand the principall leaders he gaue them such payment as they could not with all their skill finde fault with their paymaister such order hée tooke with them dealing dole to all their costs that manie of them for feare fled the fielde betaking them to places where they might beholde the woonderfull déeds of honour done by this most renowmed knight which on all sides they so assayled as he had no way to get out but such passage as he made with his well tempered Curtelar of whose mettall he made at that instant sufficient proofe which those outlawes well felt And pâ—rcâ—yuing their power too weake to conquer where such a guider was resolued no longer to abide in hope but euerie one to make such meanes as he best could for his owne safetie which the noble knight perceyuing so hotlye pursued that many Tartares soules hee sent to death Others without armes legges and other limmes lay weltering in theyr owne bloud that it was lamentable to sée such a Massacre amongest men if they had beene such as in men liuing in Princes obedience they should bée These Pessants thus flying and the noble Edwarde wearied with pursute of
you determined before our comming from our owne homes or on mine honour I will drawe my forces againe to theyr owne habitation and leaue you to your best fortunes say therefore your intent for wee may not heere long continue the enemie béeing strong and in their owne confines where wee are strangers assured of no fauour but what wee can purchase with the sword The Millaine Duke hearing his cosin of Ferrara so plaine thought best to make shewe of good content whatsoeuer hee thought wherefore without longer pausing as one that in that extremitie desired some counsell hee sayde Most honourable cosin pardon mee that haue not shewed my selfe in this action as I ought and consider the cause I haue of discontent which hath made mee forgette my honourable good friendes yet good Cosin dishonour me not so much to adiudge me of cowardize for euer my heart hath abhorred that odious fault but what your pleasure is to attempt I will performe and thereon giuing his worde of honour The Duke consented to his will who gaue in charge the next morning euerie man with his companie to bee marching by the breake of day that lying neare the anemie thâ—y might by theyr sedaine scaties see what aduantage there was to be gotten According to whose commaunde euerie thing was effected and the companyes marched neare to the Cittie within halfe a league where the Genowayes campe laie where they strongly en scanced themselues and hauing taken three or foure dayes respit wherewith theyr companie was well refreshed a Herauld was sent from the Gouernour of Genoway to knowe the cause of their comming in armes against the lawes of Christian Princes to disturbe their peace hauing no iust cause so to doo commaunding him and his friends confederates and followers either to rayse theyr campe and be gone or prouide them to battell and therein trie the euent of eythers fortunes The Millaine Duke hauing attentiuely hearkened to the Heraulds message mooued with choller at his brauing spéech without regarde of honour or lawe of armes hadde like to haue beaten the Herauld but beeing perswaded by the Duke of Ferrara from so vnhonourable a fact he sayth Herauld goo tell that vsurping Gouernour of my right that I am come to chastise his insolencie and learne him to knowe his dutie to his leige Lorde neyther shall any one of his rebellious companions escape the furie of my wrath without they come presently in submissiue manner and acknowledge their fault and great offence committed against mée which if they refuse by that time the sunne hath wise made hâ—r recourse about the earth I will méete him and those sléeping curres his companions in the plaine that lyeth Eastward from the cittie so God say Amen Therefore depart my word shall be thy safe concuct for this tune The Herauld hauing his answere without long stay hastneth to the campe where vnto the gouernour and his compeeres in armes he recounted the Dukes resolute determination willing him to prepare against the time appoynted to meete him wherewith the gouernour and the rest were all well pleased committing theyr cause to God and relying on theyr iust Title And thus resoluing to méete him at the time and place appoynied for the same hee presently gaue order to dislodge his Campe to drawe more neare the place by the Duke appoynted sending his most expert men at armes to viewe the grounde for theyr best aduantage which with great care was so accomplished that the sunne nor enemie could not greatly annoye them The Millaine Duke and his accomplises carefull of what they hadde in hande slept no time but with great care and regard procéeded with theyr companies more neare the place appoynted where all things framed by marshall discipline and good aduise of the Captaines they expect a happie day of tryall Time that finisheth all things hath brought the appoynted day in which the carefull leaders so busilie employed themselues that all things were ordered in most honourable and decent manner where no pollicie of eyther part was omitted for the aduantage which doone and the battailes readie to ioyne a Herauld was sent from the Gouernour of Genoway willing him before hee committed the iustice of his cause to the battaile to call to minde the iustice of God in deliuering his sea powers into their handes wishing him not so much to dishonour his noble house and followers to hazard all to fortune If hee woulde accept this proffer and confesse the wrong offered his estate and commons hee would remit the iourney past and giue him frée leaue to passe in quiet through his countrey if not and hee preuailed hée should finde in iustice what it is to disturbe the quiet gouernment of so peaceable an estate This message deliuered the Duke fretting at the Gouernours kinde and courteous motion sware by no small power to acquite his pride and learne him to knowe to his great greefe what it is to mooue his Prince to furie and so with a shâ—rt replie to his message sent the Herald away Scantly had the the Herau'd recouered the Pauillion of his Lorde but a Braueado was made by the Forara Duke who was the first that began the sight and was gallantly encountred with the Duke of Naples who met him hand to hand each knowing other by theyr colours Betwéene those Princes began a fierce and deadlie fight who singling themselues both hoping of honour so applyed theyr forces one against the other that it was doubtfull whether should haue the glorie of the day Both of them by their prowesse giuing courage to their followers betwéene whome many hardie feates of armes were atchieued the battell on both sides béeing very doubtfull In this conflict the two Dukes like Lyons beare themselues vntill the Ferara Duke with long continuance of the fight fell from his horse who was presently rescued by a Band of his owne companie that in the parting had like to haue slaine the Duke of Naples if the Duke his enemie had not béene more honourablye minded that rescued from daunger by his fréendes hée left the fielde that time Night growing on them a retreat was sounded on eyther part and euery man withdrew them to theyr Tents in which battell was taken many Prisoners on eyther part which by compremise of the Gouernors of both paprts was redeliuered Thus for a time wée leaue them to their repose and hopes of theyr good successe to tell you of the Princesse Vallia CHAP. XXIIII How the two childreÌ„ of the lady Vallia was solemnly christned with other aduentures THe most renowmed and noble minded Emperor deuising to honour the Christning of the two children had inuited all the nobilitie and Princes néere bordering on his confines to be witnesses of that solemnitie appointing for that time great tryumphes to be performed and for that purpose caused challenges to be set vp against all commers to be maintained by his champions the winners to haue rich rewards The day of solemnitie béeing come many Princes and Noble
to intrappe him and finding no cause or meane to accuse him of any ill whereby to procure his trouble hee consorted with his Ianesaries who were appointed to wait on him by some pollicie to do him to death promising great rewardes for his paines Thy fact being committed these hell-hounds whom no conscience mooued to remorse in hope of gaine vndertooke the action And vnder shewe of kindnesse and zeale to him that was a knight at Armes intruded themselues into his companie admitting him to many bankets the better to worke their willes on him séeking opportunitie to slay him taking their occasion to quarrell for pledging a carrous which the Knight refusing a sturre began betwéene them where he receiued many iniuries and some woundes before hee offered any offence when the multitude growing about him and he vnarmed winding his Mantle about his arme he reft from one of the Turks his semitarie with which he made such way that they helde themselues most happiest that were farthest off The rumour of which broyle was noysed thorow the Citie that thither they came from al parts to take parts and to be beholders of the fight In which after many déepe wounds giuen and many of the vngouerned Ianesaries sent to hell when he could make no more resistance compelled by the heat of the place and wearinesse of the fight he yéelded himselfe vnto the handes of the Iwae chiefe Iudge of the Citie who promised him to bee his warrant from all men that no daunger should betide him on which promise he deliuerd his weapon The Spanish Marchant whom they called Guido standing on his house top to beholde this tumult hoped well that the Knight had bin slaine but it proued contrarie at which he stormed greatly but more gréeued to pay his promised summes which for his life hee durst not denie fearing the Ianesaries should haue slaine himselfe Which seconde gréefe caused the traiterous Spaniard to séeke his further trouble vrging these Ienesaries to lay vnto the Knights charge matters of treason in the state of the Cittie thereby to cut him off by lawe which hee nor the best Cauileres of his Countrey durst out looke in the face in anie sort to attempt ought against him of force These Ianesaries suborned by large gifts wrought others to take part with them who were néere the Viceroy and the Gawr which vppon their reports summoned the Knight to their iudgement hall from the prison where hee lay chayned vnto whome matter of great vntruth was obiected concerning the state which hee stoutlie denied But those Curres which had solde his life for money storming that hee had fauour to speake offered to sweare by theyr holie Alcaron that he with the rest of his confederates viewing the Citie in theyr secrete walkes had taken notice of theyr forces inquyring by circumstaunces of such as they accompanied wich what numbers of men they had and howe with vittailes they were relieued These accusations so vehemently vttered agaynst him the Viceroy coulde not but examine and finding him guiltie of the same by theyr false iudgement sentence of death shoulde with all seueritie passe agaynst him The Knight séeing his cause daungerous putting his hope on him that neuer left him comfortlesse with a bolde vndaunted spirite and as one that feared not their threates knowing death was the woorst thus sayd Reuerend fathers Iudges of mens causes you haue here by your lawes condemned an innocent man to death for no cause iustly offered but falsely and vntrulie by enuie and of your owne imaginations wrought agaynst me First by force they pretending loue vnto mee in that place where they gaue mée vittailes they sought to take my life from mee Their intended purposes that way failing standing on mine one safetie and defence they haue here falsely accused mee of matter neuer thought on by me But say patrones of iustice and honour that I should haue viewed your forces what may one naked man do where are thousands of braue and gallant souldiours If your wisedome would but in iustice sift the cause you should then find the wrong offered mee that am here a straunger amongest you from whom I appeale to the Grand Seigniorie for iustice or being a souldiour and a man at Armes in your Citie which are most men at Armes let mée in combat trie mine innocencie If to neither of these my lawfull suites you do agrée the worlde which heares of your vniust dealing with mee will scorne your lawes and to your greate reproofe to report your wrongs done a gentleman and a souldier The King which was a Runnagatho an Easterling borne and was not to learne the Christian lawes and good nuriture hearing his resonable request saide hee spake reason and called before his accusers vnto whom he said Countrimen and fellowes you haue here on your wordes brought a Christian and souldier to iudgement whom our lawes hath condemned by your reports whether of truth or in reuenge of some of those who lost their liues in the broile begun by you a-amongst your selues we cannot say but as I am appointed your gouernour and expresly charged by his Emperiall maiestie whose authoritie I beare to vse iustice to all men without fauor in which I hope I haue hitherto borne an equall hande neither sparing my fâ—iends nor fauoring my enemies so in this case you must vse what law of Armes requireth Therfore this is my sentence which if you be souldiers and your cause iust you may not denie that you two his accusers shall in single combat according to the lawes of our land maintain your accusation by fight for which appoint your selues agaynst to morrow or reuoke your words before the whole assemblie The Ianesaries who least looked for this fauor to be shewed a Christian mooued some other of their friends to vrge against him the slaughter of those souldiers by him murthered iustice to procéed for breaking the peace in their citie being the principall fort of the land against the law of Armes which the knight thus answered Your grace hath heard y e malice of those people whose intent if they may haue their wils is my life of which if your grace consider that what I did was in mine own defence and safetie of my life hauing receiued sundry woundes which are yet to be seene before I offred any one a blow if a worme hauing no fence will turne being troden on worthy of blame may not that man be which will defende his life who once lost can neuer be recâ—lled The king interrupting his spéech turning him to the accusers said You are to maintaine your euidence attend your limited time or confesse your accusation false which saide hee committed the gard of the prisoner vnto a Captaine to sée him forth comming at the time appointed CHAP. XXXII How the Ianesaries loath to maintaine the fight laboured the Spaniard to buy his libertie THe faint-hearted Villaines who had séene the feates of Armes done by the Knight doubting their force which was
farre vnable to encounter a man of such woorth and experience in Armes fearing by theyr foyle euer to bee dishonoured perswaded the Spanish Guido in friendship to make offer of loue vnto the Knight who béeing a Christian for a summe of money might deliuer him threatning him if hée wrought not some meanes for to free them from the combatte they would discouer his pretended euill and cause him for his treason loose his heade The Spaniard vexed at the heart to sée his businesse take no better effect perswaded himselfe of two euils to choose the least without any more pause taking accompanied with others of his confederates in the action sléeping no time came to the Knight of the holy Crosse whom with great show of kindnesse and many curtesies he saluted feining great sorow for the wrong offered perswading him to patience for that there was no right to bee expected from them who sold their lawes liues and whatsoeuer for money And quoth the traiterous Spaniard where such gouernment is accursed is the land but more accursed the people wherefore quoth he if you will be ruled by me that am a Christian and bound in conscience to relieue euery man professing God much more a man of such estéeme as your self which with your life hath maintained his honour in many places doing good to all people in distresse Stand not on any thought of your being or what you haue bin but considering where you are rather yéeld your self vnto their fauour for money without further triall or danger I will vndertake to buy your libertie TheÌ„ noble English man prefer not mony before your life for being here if you preuaile against your accusers yet shall you euer go in danger of secret enemies which will not bee satisfied before they haue your life I speake as a friend whose welfare I estéeme Therefore with wisdome censure of your good by being counselled or your peril by being too headstrong if you accept of my profer I will take order for your libertie without any charge of yours which don you shal presently be transported to Valencia a famous citie of Spaine my ship being readie fraughted for that place attending but a fayre wind WheÌ„ the knight which during his long preambulation had considered oâ— his speech he was perswaded y t he spake but truth yet could not iudge his secret intent which made him that hee thought not of any euill to bee pretended by him that professed conscience and christianitie making this account that he were better howsoeuer to be with Christians then in the hands of such reprobates being but a money matter which by his friends wheresoeuer he became might shortly be prouided Wherfore with many kind courtesies returning hartie thanks to his traiterous friend he sayd Kind friend whose friendship offered I knowe not howe to merit albéeit my conscience perswadeth me I shall prosper well in the combatte assuring my selfe on God who protecteth his people yet in regarde of these my followers heere present as for my libertie I accept your offer which I will requite causing the mightiest Prince of Christendome to rewarde thee with thankes and my selfe with large summes to satisfie thy debt wherefore if you intende what you say spéede about it that I may know to what euent our friendship will sort The Spaniard glad to heare his purposed determination grow to so good a passe imbracing him like a seconde Iudas whom he sought to betray besought him not to dismay in any thing for all the goodes he had were at his disposing And so for that time taking his solemne farewell he left the Knight to manie conceited thoughts of his newe professed friend himselfe spéeding to finde the traiterous Ianesaries who were as faine of his good successe in his businesse longing to heare what would become of it whether the Knight cetermined to trie the cause by fight or otherwise by friendship ende it as the next Chapter shall shew you CHAP. XXXIII How the traiterous Spaniard Guido compounded with the Bashaw for the Knights libertie with his departure towards Spaine and what then chanced NEuer was the tidings of pardon more welcome to the condemned prisâ—ner expecting death then this good consent of Edward to Guido who trauailing in care as the painefull woman labouring with childe byrth was in a moment freed from that painfull extacie where with ioy neare ouercome his tongue bewraying his hearts content making small stay but Iudas like as a Spaniard practising treason taking his farewell hee looketh not behinde him vntill hee came to the lodging of the Ianesaries vnto whome he came not before he was long looked for who resting in a quandarie was as fearefull to trie their accusation by fight as the Spaniard to abide the hazarde thereof who noting Guidoes guilfull countenance their guiltie mindes gan presage some good euent Beeing mette as you heare imagine Gentiles whether there were anie questions left vndemaunded of the Spaniard touching his late accomplished businesse which might tend to their welfare or that the knight intended ought which might bréede their discredite Of all which when the Spaniard had at large resolued them recounting from poynt to poynt each seuerall accident chauncing betwéene the knight and him with what curtefie he offered peace and friendship vnto him whose death he most desired cloking his villainie with such shewes of loue and friendship of Christianitie they all laughing for great ioy at the Knights simplicitie and the traitours knauerie spent the time froliking together vntill the next morning where in their quaffing drunken discourses a matter of more perill for the Knight was plotted betwéene them whose heart being frée from all guile had not the least suspect of what was intended agaynst him as you shall heare hereafter where the Historie recounteth it and returne nowe to the Ianesaries who drunke with delight of their glad tydings wished long for the sight of that ioyfull day to ende all their doubts which no sooner appeared but the Ianesaries loath to be preuented in what they intended spéedeth them first vnto their commander the Gaw and vnto him deliuered the Spaniards suite and the Bashaw which was for the deliuerance of the Knight for raunsome beguiling the simplicitie of the Gaw with the earnest suit of the Spaniard for him And offering their good consents so that therewith contented omitting nothing which might giue liking or gaine the good will of those they sought to theyr wish All which reportes of them made was so soothed by Gindo that the Gaw mooued partly with pitie of the knight and more with gaine of the Crownes offered for his fréedome and libertie calling for his companie speedeth vnto the Bashaw whome he found preparing himselfe with all his brauerie to beholde the euent of those Combatters who seeing the spéedie comming of the Gaw thought verily that they had béene alreadie attending for his presence and beganne earnestlie to enquire the cause of his suddaine comming so earlie The Gaw which
shedde many teares This done and euery Nobleman and Gentleman haue don the like enquiring the principall of the Gouernours trayne they equally matched themselues and passed on theyr way discoursing very louingly of many pleasant matters vntill they came to a Castle of the Emperours called Forte Vencencio Where that night they were most royally feasted with all delicacye The next daye after theyr repast taken for theyr breakfast they left that place procéeding on to the ende of their wearie iourney ryding so long and with such pleasure that they had sight of that Cittie The sâ—ituation whereof they admyred to behold with the beautie of Churches and state of the houses of honour but that which most pleased theyr delights was to beholde the most beautifull Riuer Tybres from whose flowing streames so many pleasant Creekes were filled and whereon floated so many huge ships of enestimable woorth and whereon shewed the Emperours fléete of Gallyes who séeming to bée enuironed with the assayling enimies most pleasantly and full of warlike pollicies laye battering one the other with their ordinaunces and as the aduantage was offered here they entred and tooke them others they fired and the Conquerours tryumphing brought the others awaye Captiue after the manner of the Sea No sooner hadde this pleasaunt fight left theyr labour wherein euerie one tooke great pleasure passing on thereof discoursing euery man speaking his opinion of the honourable fight and commending the manner of the same and good performance of the leaders when suddainlye Ambushed on a greenes side where they were assayled by a companie of souldiors which came to giue them welcome in like sort from this Ambuscado discharged they their ordinance and after issued brauelie assailing the horsemen who sodainly were encountred by another companie which in like manner first played on them with their field ordinance and after spent some time in shewing their agilitie and nimblenesse in discharging their shots doing many notable and commendable feates of armes to the great ioy and chéering of their wearied spirits That pastime in liste manner ended the soylers casting themselues by their captaines coÌ„mandement into warlike rings marching close to the stirrup of the Emperour and the Gouernour discharging their péeces in their march with great cunning they bidde the strangers all heartily welcome who with great content and courtesie returned them all most heartie thanks This shewe with excellent commendations of all beholders performed the souldiors marching with their colours displaid conducted the Emperor and his troupe to the citie where with other solemne shewes they were by the senate and states as well abbots as other of authoritie both spirituall and temporal as for the vulgar fort whose cryes and voyces of ioy might wel perswade those strangers for whose sake they were assembled to be all welcome to them as to their soueraigne In this content they arriued at the royall court of the Emperour where their Princesse Vallia accompanied with a traine of beautifull Ladyes gaue them many heartie welcomes vnto whom in all humble acknowledging their loues and duties by their shewes of obedience they were all conducted to their seuerall lodgings royally feasted by the Emperour and his nobilitie during their stay in the cittie of which you shall heare more as it shall be required leauing them to their pastimes seuerall discourses of their common weale and state of their countreyes with the princes to tell you further of the knight and his hard entertainment at the sea CHAP. XXXV Howe the Master of the shippe by the commandement of Guydo their Marchant chained and imprisoned the knight and what chanced him ALso it hath beene in the former history declared of the knights departure to the sea where they had not long béene and they from the shore scantly loosing sight of the shippe but the master which had his lesson before calling vppe his companie together willed them to follow him into the cabine and there to chaine the knight which hee sayde hee must doo for his and their securitie The companie whose loue the knights courtesie had de generally gained hearing this intended euill against him who wished them all well beganne to perswade the master from this intent which would not heare them but prosecuted his will although to his great cost as it after happened for the maister whome no perswasions might enduce from his rigour hauing the chaine in his hand entred the cabine with him other officers of the shippe and without saying any word vnto him violently layde handes vppon him The knight wondering to sée this vnexpected wrong offered him who suspected no such matter and not knowing their pretence force perforce grasped with the Maister and wringing his chaine out of his hands gaue him so sore a blow on the head as his braine was therewith besprinckled and hee lay gaping for that which hee neuer more obtained The boate-swayne and some others of the cheefe who who were acquainted with the treason seeing theyr Maister slaine assaulted the knight entending with great tyranny to reuenge his death and to make him fast as they hadde promised but too easie a reckoning made they for he was more of account then millions of the slaues as with theyr limbes they were compelled to witnesse for when the knight who tooke them all for friendes sawe their intents of euill and could imagine no cause defending himselfe hee so manfully bare him that to the diuell hee sent them all to accompanie him When hée had made way in the cabine and cleared him selfe of those that there assailed him taking one of their weapons hee rushed violently out vppon the rest who fledde like shéepe from a dogge such was the power of an Englishman in multitudes of Spaniards By this time the Page and the knight of the Roades who by trecherie was clapped vppe in a cabine hadde made way for themselues and with such weapons as they coulde gette was come vnto him who noting the timorousnesse of the base villaines sayde Vnfaithfull Spaniards more bruit then beasts more cruell to Christianitie then the enemies of Christ what wrong haue I offered you that thus you goo about to bereaue mee of life whome I loued so dearely But séeing you base gromes quoth hee thus haue without cause mooued my patience I will not leaue one mothers sonne of you all aliue to declare your hapleste tragedyes vnlesse you acknowledge your guiltinesse and timely recount vnto mee the originall of this mischiefe which doo and saue your liues or otherwise prepare your selues to follow those traytours that lie before you The poore Marriners which were as sorie for the wrong which was offered as himselfe greeued humbling themselues at his feete besought him of pardon and not to impute the blame of theyr Maisters crime vnto them for quoth they wée are his hirelings vnacquainted with anie intended euill against you whom we all honor and was glad of if our master had any such charge by the Marchants or otherwise had any motion of