reason for his valour good gouernment for that was it which most aduanced him aboue all others All this was nothing neither the assurance which shée saw of her paine to cause Felina to giue ouer her determination but rather increase it attempting one of the boldest most presumptuous enterprises of the world from whence could ensue no other thing but that which followed for vnable to endure to sée her self so little respected she adueÌ„tured to say vnto the prince Daristeo that the princesse would expect him that night in the garden to confer with him of matter of importaÌ„ce There could nothing happeÌ„ more pleasing to the infortunate prince then such a message for as it was a thing vnlooked for now holding him selfe assured thereof he held himself the most happy maÌ„ in the world he held the day for as loÌ„g as a mans life he thought the night fled froÌ„ him euery minute he held for a yere such was his desire to meet the lady princesse The subtil Felina séeing her plot to take effect took a sute of Celibellas which did best set out her beauty clad her self therwith as yâ— heauens would not frustrate what she had exployted so could not the gallant sée whether it were the Princesse or shée But hee comming into the garden lesse armed theÌ„ was néedfull went to the window so passionate that he knew her not The cruell damsell couÌ„terfeyted her speach and sayd I haue hitherto Oh prince of Podolia dissembled how much I haue loued you for some respects which haue forced me thereto but seeing your great deserts I could not forbeare holding it vniust but to impart my faith vnto you and to say that you are more beloued then all the men in the world As he should haue made an answere in an alley among â—ose trées priuily armed came Rosaner for as hee was wise so would hee not come into so suspicious a place carelesly and in danger of his person he had beforetime there spokeÌ„ with the Princesse and séeing a Knight there and that shée stood talking with him well may a man iudge what he felt who held him selfe beloued and with so great affection hee was come somewhat néere when the vnlucky Daristeo said My deare Lady I could neuer imagine that the loue which I haue euer borne you could haue bene so highly rewarded neither can it yet sinke into my head that I could euer deserue so great a good as thus to sée you to bestow such and so particular fauours which wholy is to be attributed to your generositie more then to my loue or desert although the I might hope much for I beléeue that no man euer loued with greater affection then I. The cause hereof is the little confideÌ„ce which I repose in my owne deserts and worthinesse to attayne to so great a good as to bee beloued by your beauty neyther can I leaue to coÌ„sider the high estate you hold without vnderstanding who he was or imagining any thing of his brother for now Fortune would néeds shewe her mutability against these two Louers with the greatest suddennesse of the world the beloued Rosaner ranne vpon his deare brother not knowing who hee was Neuer Eagle turned with greater liuelynesse then did Daristeo against his brother and as they were very valiant so began there betwéene them a most cruell battaile but the elder had the worser not through want of force but of armes fortune Although the other had receiued some hurts yet they were but small The furious louer would néeds close with Daristeo but therein he sought his owne death for the desperate yong man being deadly woundeâ— before hee gaue vp the ghost reuenged himselfe by bereauing life from his mâ—â—t deare brother Rosaner for stumbling forwardes by reason of his wounds he thrust out his sword arme and by chance hit him right in the face The elder brother had not yet so much lost his memorie but that he followed the blow vntil the point of the sword pierced through his brothers braines These faithfull louers came to fall iust together losing with one onely blow their liues ielousies and loue and the greatest good of the world which was the fayre Lady The vnhappy Felina stood beholding this battaile vntill that she sawe them fall then sorrowing their death with her outcryes shée disqueted all the Palace and falling downe in the euill which shee had done without dissembling it neither had she strength to auoid the punishment she her selfe being her owne executioner for euen in the same attyre as shee stood she cast her selfe headlong out at the window falling vpon her head betwéene theâ— and in their death kept them company The greatest part of the people in the Palace ran into the garden and the king with the furious Furâ—ander who when he saw the cruell happe of his two brothers was likely to haue lost his wits which was the cause of altering his condition imagining with himselfe that they were dead through Celibellas occasion Some others did suspect it to sée the brotherly death betweene two louers It caused extréeme sorrow in all the court for the king shewed himselfe very sorrowfull as was reason to sée so pitifull a chance What the Princesse did in her chaÌ„ber I would rather that some other body would report it then I which saw it A thousand times would she haue ended with one death yâ— many deaths which she should endure through â—he absence of her Rosaner which shée beganne presently to shew for the company of her damsels was displeasing vnto her wherein she was woont chiefly to delight the fight of knights and gallants was loathsome and their discourses yrksome so as her whole delight was to be solitarie receiuing some pleasure in me discoursing of the cruelty which fortune had shewed her There was nothing but did put her in minde of her knight and to remember him it was death to her and hauing no more comfort but what shee reaped from her teares which were so many which shee shed for that lamentable mischance that it bereaued her of a great part of her beauty All the Court was in an vproare the king in making search for the murderers could take no rest so as in the citie there was nothing but suspition and mourning The most valiant Furiander disturbed all forgetting what he had promised when he took the order of knighthood that hee should neuer take part against any Lady for as ech of his brothers had discouered vnto him part of his loue and séeing how much they were tormented and how carelesse she was thereof which was not for want of affection but rather of discretion he fully perswaded himselfe that to be rid of their importunities she had procured their deaths he conceiued it with such apprehension that nothing could disswade him neither to see the sorrowfull signes which the princesse gaue for the death of the two brothers for this furious yong man had determined what he would do
certaine aduenture They all offred him their company but then to be alone did best fit him accepting according as was reason of their gentle offer he tooke his way with his Ruvican speaking first to Rosabel whom he entreated that he should not tell who he was vntill hee had performed his chalenge He went directly to the place where he had left the Ladies but went not long to seeke them for by the Nymphes direction they met presently they made that day holyday passing it in reciting what had happened betwéene the Gréekes and the Moores to the which they determined the next day to send their message Their Captaine was much affected to valiant Knights and seeing what the two youthes had done he went to imbrace them who knowing what he was desired to kisse his hands putting off their Helmets discouering more theÌ„ humane beautie which strake them which were present with admiration to sée them so young and so valiant The warlike Bembo imbraced them saying It were no reason that they which haue so good hands of their owne should kisse any mans in the world All the rest of the Princes receyued them with such courtesie as was due to their valour There were no greater friends theÌ„ he with the stars and they all the whole campe did celebrate their comming reioycing to sée them especially the King of Silepsia when he knew that they were his subiects knowing the Knight whom they held for their Father they all supt together in the Soldan of Niquea his tent and to shew them the more pleasure there was that night masking and dauncing the Ladyes méeting there then which the earth bore none fayrer nor more discréete The Princesse of the Romanes séeing there was no possibilitie to effect her good sometimes from her seats with no small affection she beheld the Lord of Achaia séeming to her that next after the Dacian shee might best employ her beautie vpon him Of this Supper grew many new loues for the mightie Argante who till then had béene frée from his snares held the Sophâ— his Daughter to be the Sunne of all beautie and with this conceit he gaue her his life and soule submitting himself to her in such earnest and good fayth that nothing was of power to vntie the knot which blind loue had made Epirabio yéelded himselfe to the will of the gallant Lisiana who séeing his valour did neuer estrange her selfe from him It serued to small purpose for the braue Soldane of Egypt to subiect himselfe to the fayre â—ufionisa who had her eyes soule life and heart fixt vpon her Rosabel and without hope of remedie séeing him otherwise busted Time being come to withdraw themselues for some of the Knights were hurt they all went to their tents carrying with theÌ„ the yong Knights to their vnknowne Grandfather which went coÌ„mending the brauerie of the Gréeks who took no other race but to fortifie their Citie iudging that that war would be of long continuance both the one and the other had néede of truce And so from the Moores there came to the Citie to request it the Kings of Fenicia and Armenia The Gréeks granted it for fiftéene dayes and that into the Citie there might come onely 20. Knights together And séeing that both armies were in quiet the discréete Earle of Modica went to doe his dutie to the Emperour Trebatius making himselfe knowne vnto him who knowing from whom he came graciously receiued him This increased his good liking for he gaue him a letter from 〈◊〉 which the Emperour read alone not without vnderstanding how much hee was bounden to that valorous Queene which had so déerely loued him he read the letter which sayd in this maner A Letter from Garrofilea to the Emperour Trebatius TO the great Emperour of the Greekes Garrofilea sendeth greeting Had I not well knowne mightie Monarch how worthie those errours are to be pardoned when loue is the causer thereof neither would I haue presumed to write neither had I any mind thereto although I haue had it to desire thy death my life depending onely on thee that thou liuest I acknowledge my fault and for amends I send thee these Knights to serue thy person assuring me that the two sonnes which thou leftest heere will doe the like And if the affection which I doe and haue borne thee may moue thee the warre being ended I pray thee to returne them backe to me againe that I may enioy the presence of the sonnes which I hope not of the father The God in whom thou beleeuest grant thee such health as the forgotten Garrofilea desireth If he had to his liking ended all these battailes hee could haue receiued no greater ioy then he did in receiuing that letter from that cruel Quéen which was now become gentle milde amorous Sée of what force loue is for it hath euen melted me being of the countrey of the Tigers The Princes of either side were glad of the truce for the Greeks desired to sée the Ladies in the Moores camp the Pagans were no lesse desirous to sée the Gréek Ladies the fame of whose beautie recahed to the highest heaueÌ„s With this desire we will leaue them to tell what the most mighty Poliphebus did the next day CHAP. XXII How the Prince of Tinacria sent a Letter of challenge to the Pagans camp with leaue from the Emperour of Grecia and of what followed thereof IMagining faire ladies that chaptere of loue would be more pleasing vnto you I haue conceiued so much ioy thereof that it hath eased me of my paine which I begin to feele as the cause of my life if I intreate of any swéete hope it is but to deceiue mine owne fraile vnderstaÌ„ding who as a nomes in loue is of opinion that there can be no remedie for his griefe And my paine maketh me liue euer doubtfull of any good for although I loue in good earnest my Lady doth not yet know it an excuse for that which I endure not to attribute it vnto other but rather to mine owne mishap The valorous Tinacrian goeth free and at libertie for if he loue well hee knoweth that hee is also well beloued There is nothing in the world so swéet as is mutuall loue betweene a Lady her gallant for it sufficeth to make him cheerefull well content for to sée himselfe beloued was the occasion why he sent challenges to the 2. camps by the Nymphs which he brought She which went to the Citie well knowing what she had to doe stayed vntill all those high Emperours and Kings had made an end of their dinner and til that the Ladies were al come forth into the Hall séeing occasion she entred clad in such attire as was fit for such a message At her comming in she did her duty to such as were there and addressing her spéeches to the mightie Emperor Trebatius she sayd Soueraigne Prince whom in reason the world should acknowledge confident in thy generositie I am sent
what the Princes said but seeing them to come hand in hand out of the hall they well knew that the aduenture was ended Let vs goe most noble Emperour said Lirgandeo to receiue these Princes for you and my Lady the Empresse are those which get most therein séeing that you holding Claramante for lost who was stolne away in the Forest the Heauens haue pleased to bring him againe to your sight with the extremities which you haue séene This is he whose name in the most remote and strange Countries shall be feared and he who among the greatest Monarchs shall be and that with great reason renowmed The Emperour was surprised with this new and sudden ioy being hardly able to beleeue it for so great a good as this with much reason may be suspected There was no Knight nor Lord which came not downe accompanying the Ladies who by any meanes would bee absent at this entertainement At the descending downe the Tower staires at the top thereof were foure Nymphes farre more faire then the God Apollo which with their Instruments made the most heauenly harmony that euer was heard and with their voyces extolled the praises of the two Louers saying in this maner Content and pleased may you be Siâ—h Ioue so much your friend you see Your wish effecting in euery thing And constant loue without wauering All griefe from heart you may remoue Sith Claramante is your loue What greater good can be desired Then herein plainely is deciphred Valorous Fortune seek'th your ease And with delights your minde to please Linking you in loue most constant With the valiant louely Claramant The Heauens you grant in blessed state Long to enioy your louing Mate Without suspect or ielousie Caus'd by the angrie Deitie Nothing can disliking moue Claramant being your loue Valorous Prince whose fame doth flie From heere beneath euen to the skie Enâ—oying beautie and the comeliest feature That euer Nature wrought on creature Confirme this good and wauer not Let faithfull loue ne're be forgot This swéete harmonie of the Nimphes did so amaze the hearers that they thought themselues taken vp into the quires of the inhabitants of the heauens only the â—aire Archisilora was in greatest care seeing the whole companie reioycing and her selfe wanting the cause thereof yet with the hopes which the wizard had giuen her shée shewed a most faire pleasant countenance which serued to no small effect to maintaine the opinion which was held of her beautie And the Tower giuing a great cracke vanished away the Princes remaining hand in hand in the place the common people beganne to extoll her beautie aboue all the Ladies in Grecia and I marueile not for according as shee came Venus would haue seemed ougly The valorous Greeke led her by the left arme without his Helmet which one of the Ladies caried and another Theseus his battel-axe the Ladies traine bore the discreete Quéene Iulia. Gualtenor doth not describe the Princes countenance but he saith enough in saying that he resembled his brother when in Gréece he ouercame the great Meridian This most faire Ladie came clad all in white in a gowne with foure sleeues cut vpon cloth of gold set with Gold-smithes worke which shewed like Carbuncles interlaced with certaine knots her yellow haires were sufficient to darken the Sun-beames which she ware after the Egyptian fashion made vp in tresses whereon hang many precious stones of sundrie colours neuer was Phoebus so curious in guiding his chariot as at that time for seeing her beautie it was feared that faster then with a good pace he would haue come downe to the earth but for all that he kept his course beholding the beautie of the Princesse of the Scythians I know not worthie Ladies how I am entred into this déepe sea which here presenteth it selfe to me for if I should describe all those Ladies which came to salute the faire Lindabrides there would be no end thereof They did all malice her not somuch for her beautie as to sée her matched with Claramant Some receiue the prince glad to renew their old acquaintance others reioycing at the happie estate whereâ—o Loue had brought him Those which hee knew hee entertained with the grace wherewith the heauens had endued him and as for the rest with such countenance as was requisite hee not knowing what they were Who is able to set downe what these two felt béeing competitours in all when they came to embrace one another Clandiana being secure holding her selfe assured of Alphebo and shee with her new Loue contented with her change This is a passage worthy Ladies which without your fauour I know not how I shall get out of it Worthy Empresse said the frée Princesse I would the heauens would haue graunted vnto me in time past to doe that with as little care as now I doe séeing how little this Knight hath had of me Mine was neuer so much answered the Emperour Alphebus supreme Princesse of the Scithes as the care which your comelinesse put mee to so as to defend my selfe from the force thereof I was enforced to shield me with the beautie of my Ladie the Empresse The rest of the Ladies left not to come forwards which came to entertaine her some to know her and others to behold her brauerie They wholly valorous Prince caried away both my wit and penne after them and it is no great maruaile for where Ladies are there Knights are not to be spoken of for that were to doe them wrong and were it not for Claramante I would not returne to whom his mother holding him in her armes vttered a thousand pittifull spéeches But leauing at last most glad to sée him before her dissembling the ioy of her heart there came his seuere Father who embracing him said No man vpon earth hath more reason to be glad then I séeing that when I thought least thereof it hath pleased the high heauens to cherish our old age with your faire presence The Princes and Knights which were there tooke him out of the Emperours armes saying Let vs in part enioy this Knight séeing hee hath béene as much desired and wished for by vs as you which are his parents These were those which tolde him what all those Knights were which came to speake with him he receiued al with so great grace and discretion that they al loued him I should spend more time then were reasonable if I should particularly set down the whole entertainment onely this I say that with such contentment as is requisite in such a case they went into the Emperours hall where each Ladie called to her her gallant entertaining with them the rest of the time which remained with great desire to know Don Heleno and the Princesse Rosamundi and no lesse to know Rosabel and his beloued Liriana In the middest were the gallant Claramante Lindabrides in all things answered him I would not Knight that thy comming as an Ambassadour should haue emboldned thee to speake without any good maners
Knight I am of that opinion answered the sonne although I assure your Maiestie the courage which those thrée knights shewed which were that Knight with the Starres and the two new Knights made mee to wonder and I greatly desire to sée them tried with him That will quickly be seene answered the Father for as he layeth about him there are few within the Lists to resist his arme as it was true for turning againe to behold the battell the aduantage was apparant of Tinacrian his side although that the other by defending and offending himselfe so well deserued the name of valiant notwithstanding that hee should remaine ouercome for now they said it was no disgrace to be so by such a Knight as that was for the gods had not reserued to themselues any greater valour then they had infused into him It seemed vnto him that fighting with such deâ—teritie and skil hauing so much to doe it was to spend much time And so caring for nothing but to end the battell hee griped the Pagan so hard that he knew not where he was and would also with a blow haue ended the fight for taking his sword in both his hands hee made towards his enemie he made many afraid to sée him come with such furie assailing him at one side The Tinacrian would haue bettered it but it was like to haue béene to his owne dammage for the Moore was subtill and perceiuing that hee warded not his head he gaue him the greatest blow that euer he had smitten hitting him at one side hee beat his Helme round and made him to lose part of his sight casting out much bloud notwithstanding all which he was stil very heedfull which in such extremities was that which did assure him of yâ— battel forâ—losing with him with his dagger for therewith great adueÌ„tures were to be performed although not with the Tinacrian but by another yong maÌ„ as in the fourth part of this History he which ruleth the heaueÌ„s giuing me health shall be declared he gaue him two mortall wounds and left him although on horsebacke yet breathlesse and seeing him in such sort hee shouldred him and threw him to the ground There was no fault in this Prince but that in particular battailes hee was verie cruell vntill they were ended He caused him to be borne out of the field leauing his shield for a pawne All the Moores were mooued and Bembo would be the first but that Flora would haue him to be the last Into the Lists came the famous Thorisiano with his accustomed armes which were as good as any in the world He was not enamoured but yet was sent by the Ladyes And as he was knowne to the Gréekes and held for so valiant they were in doubt of the Tinacrian but not they which knâ—w what belonged to the wars and much lesâ—e Rosabel who was ouerioyed to see how wel his vncle had acquitted himselfe and he did the more reioyce to thinke what contentment his mighty Grandfather would conceiue when he should know him to be his sonne If your fauour were euer disagreeable faire Ladies sayd the Empresse Briania to the yong Ladyes in my opinion it is now for with this comming of the aduersarie all the companie doth mutter doubting of your Knight There is no cause of feare soueraigne Empresse sayd the faire Aurelia our warriour being so much loued and fauoured as he is They had not stept a foot from the place when they heard a great noyse in the field which was that the one ranne at the other with a greater swiftnes then an arrow flyeth out of a bow The Pagan was extreme strong but hee met with one which in fighting renewed his courage for comming to encounter in the cariere their Launces flew into small splinters and Thorisiano hardly escaped falling for he was driuen to seize on his horse neck without knowing what hee did Luzelaes gentle louer was somewhat troubled which was well perceiued by the assistants whereby they iudged of his enemies valour who drawing the braue Astrutio King of the Medes his good Sword made towards the Tinacrian At one instant they strake two mortall blowes which made them both to sée a thousand stars in the floore The Challenger had the best horse in the world for which cause his enemie could not meete him although hee returned with excellent swiftnes against him but rather carryed away with his furious blow gaue place to the Louer to giue a terrible blow behind vnder his righâ— shoulder which did so torment him that hee scarcely felt his sword arme The paine was soone gone which was an aduenture for the yong man for the Tinacrian was come with another with greater haste then good speede for he came so neere that Thorisiano might well strike him The Greeke neuer receiued a greater blow for hee smote him on the brimme of the Helmet and with a little more had stricken it from his head making him bow lower then he would haue done and before he could recouer himselfe he gaue him a sore thrust and hit him luckily in the ioynt of the vaunthrace and was the first that dyed his sword in the Tinacrians bloud The rest which remained freezed in his bodie and roring within himselfe more fiercely then a furious Tiger he ranne vpon Thorisiano Had Mars himselfe seene him come with that furie he would haue beene afraide of him There was no steeled shield nor plankes of fine steele but all was too little against the furie of the Tinacrian Hee strake away his shield and it was a great chance that hee had not done as much by his arme the blow passed to his Helmet with such force that it made it flye from his head breaking the buckles leauing all his face bloudie which came out at nose and eyes Wherewith was heard a great shout in the field crying The Moore Ladyes Champion is dead The Tinacrian séeing him so fayre and so amazed was mooued with compassion and to doe that which he neuer did which was to hold his hands for if he had striken him againe it had been the last battaile that euer that Prince had fought But he stayed to let him take breath when hee was fully recouered making himselfe readie for his defence he sayd vnto him I would not sir Knight that your great mind should bee any occasion of your disgrace for which I should bee sorie you are wounded and disarmed the best course will bee to giue euer the battaile without farther contention The vnknowne Thorisiano was of good behauiour and séeing his gentle offer hee sayd I am verie sorie sir Knight that by so many wayes you haue the victorie of mee but séeing the heauens haue so ordained it all is for the best and which best fitteth mee The Tinacrian tooke his answere verie kindly calling to his Squire for the Helmet which he gaue him saying I wil not that your Shield remaine with mee as a signe that you are ouercome but for a token that
made them equals to the end that as brothers and so like in proportion but that by their names no man could haue knowne them the elder was called Daristeo of Podolia and the yonger Rosaner Both at their comming affected the Kinges fairâ— Daughter wooing her with many Tiltings and Turneyes which they caused for her sake wherein they were both coÌ„mended in equall degrée As to subiect the mind in these louers cases is reserued to loue onely it ordained for the greater euill that Celibella most affected the younger not for that he had more then the other but that fortune thought it an honourable trophe to triumph of these two louers with her eies did this faire Dame giue her beloued gallant to vnderstand to what estate fortune had brought her but they had so small hope of béeing beloued that notwithstanding that she shewed it with a thousand good countenances yet he could neuer be perswaded that she loued him for as that Lady is the Phoenix of beautie hee held a fauour from her hand to be such a thing as loue it selfe could not deserue and so they procéeded in their loues a-vie without acquainting the one the other with the secret of their mindes It was no small griefe to the Ladie that Rosaner could not perceiue how well she loued him and for the Lady to make shew thereof by any signes or other meanes she would not for any thing in the world well knowing how much she should therein preiudice her honour with the often fauours and publike prayse which she gaue to whatsoeuer this gallant did he was partly perswaded that she loued him but yet he could hardly beléeue that fortune would be so fauorable At this instant wherein Celibella shewed her selfe most affected vnto him accepting of the endeuours and exployts which Rosaner performed in her seruice there was brought to the Court a kinsewoman of this Ladies who was the beginning and ending of all these mishaps She truly was fayre for somewhat being of kinne to the Kings daughter claue to her As my Lady was young and a nouice in loue she was of opinion that it was much ease to disclose it some others are of the same opinion but for my part I vtterly condemne it for there is no greater griefe then to reueyle the secrets of the heart whereby the renowne may be touched and from whence nothing is drawne but the Lady to subiect her selfe to the party to whome shee reueyleth her secret who also peraduâ—â—ture will hold her for more light in discouering it then for being in loue This hapned sometimes The vnwary Lady trode these reasons vnder foot told all to Felina for so was her kinswoman called The discouery of this secret serued not to yeeld any ease to the Lady but to incite her kinsewoman to fall in loue with the Prince Daristeo and that in so good earnest that shée spéedily made it appeare But as hee was so engoulfed in the loue of Celibella he tooke no notice with what affection Felina shewed her selfe to be his The Lady Princesse perceyued it well and receyued no small pleasure therein imagining that therewith Daristeo would leaue to bee so enamored of her for the beauty of her kinsewoman was â—ell worthy to be beloued There were often meetings in the hall betwéene these foure louers but I know not who is able to agrée them for with my tongue I am not able for neyther partie left to loue though it were not accepted It appeared in their eyes for the two brothers fixed theirs vpon the Princesse and she with new spoyles beholdeth her Rosaner making her eyes fat with beholding him But her cousin being touched to the quick with apparant signes giueth testimony of her loue in beholding her Daristeo in whom she onely delighteh and from whom she draweth her life and although she were but a nouice in that occupation the carelesnes wherewith the prince answered her put her in such care as I thinke no body hath béene more carefull for from that time forward her griefe was such as her cousin was very sory for This amorous passion did so much pinch her that shée knew no meanes how to remedie it neither saw any possibilitie for the prince neuer tooke any regard of the fauours which shee shewed him which was worse then death to this afflicted Lady who growing desperate would haue taken any course for remedy although somewhat dishonourable As the king loued these Princes holding them in place of sonnes although he had not yet determined vpon whom be would bestow his daughter Celibella so had they opportunitie to discourse with the lady who seeing that her father was well pleased therewith forbare it not making shewe that to be the cause concealing the trueth Rosaner being the man who wore the palme his brother could neuer imagine it thinking with himselfe that if the Ladyes affection were guided by reason he was rather to be beloued theÌ„ his brother but loue led it another way without respect of the large kingdoÌ„ whereof he was prince for to him which perfectly loueth it neuer representeth the qualities of the thing beloued but only what is in self which otherwise were but a fayned loue and so the Lady loued the fortunate yong man not with a litle enuy of loue séeing what was enioyed The passionate cousin was shée who sped worst in this businesse for although that the Princesse loued not Daristeo yet he was neuer perswaded that shee loathed him for the discreet Lady bestowed some fauours vpon him which were a meane to entertaine the Prince and hée held himselfe happy to obtaine so much at her handes But poore Felina neither perceiued any shew that she was beloued neither was there any end in vnderstanding her ill hap in being not regarded by him whom shee loued better then her selfe In this meane while the braue Furiandro bastard sonne to the king of Podolia which hée gat in his yong yéeres vpoÌ„ a most strong woman in the mountaines Rifei came to the court to séeke these 2. brothers he proued so fierce and valiant that they say that in valour he doeth exceede the great god Mars for there is no knight no although they be ten nay twenty that are able to kéep the field against him neither any Gyant how fierce so euer he be he is beloued of the common people for hee is not of that condition which such men commonly are of which excéede all other in force and strength of body but he is rather courteous and a great friend fauourer of Ladies although that in this occasion I maruaile not he haue shewed himselfe cruell to Celibella Much did the princesse reioyce at his comming all the whole court for the feastes were renewed wherein it is incredible not to be beléeued what that furious knight did for he was séene at one blow to strike downe both horse and man all men gaue him the prize for valiant The king respected him according as was
it be determined that you become loueâ— vassâ—ls flye crueltie which is that which doth most blemish and dishonour those that denâ—e therein In the rest I would haue you resemble your warlike father but not in crueltie who doeth tyrannize ouer her who bare in her wombe Oh my Selia I am of opinion séeing the strangenesse which this prince sheweth vnto mée that to sée me in his countrey will yeelde him new cause of lothing which to imagine there is no death comparable to it Soueraigne Lady answered the Damsell you liuing so assured whereof would you more then to loue him with your soule which maketh shew to abhorre you But I am of opinion that your going into Grecia should ease you of your sorow and yéeld you much content I shall neuer be so happy my Selia as to attaine to the â—ight of a thing so pleasing as that might be and the greatest that fortune could giue me to sée him acknowledging how much I haue loued him This shall bee some ease to my paine séeing the heauens haue made all other impossible that he is husband of the Infanta of Niquea Herein did this Lady passe her wearisome dayes taking no other pleasure as I haue said but to walke abroad in the fresh shadow in a groue of poplar trées It hapned one day that walking abroad somewhat early euen when the sunne from the highest heauens sent his heate into the world being somewhat annoyed there with they came to the fountaine to refresh them where they saw the valorous Tinacrian who to passe the afternoones heat was come to this fountaine This frée yong Batchelour was washing his fayre face when they approched beeing somewhat out of countenance for that they had left their company behind them and also to finde him so alone hand in hand they came thither at the instant when the sonne of Garrofilea lifted vp his head to behold them The TinacriaÌ„ did some what resemble Rosabel and so the new and sudden sight caused so great alteration in the enamoured Princesse that she certainely beléeued that he was her beloued prince Ioy so much suprized her amourous heart that shee therewith fell breathlesse into a swoone giuing an amourous scritch saying Oh my Rosabel This could not so be coloured but that the frée Tinacrian might well vnderstand that his deare cousin-germane had trauailed into those countries that this Lady much loued him he spéedily came to the place where Selia held her in her lap with so great heauinesse that it caused the prince to accompany her therein What sudden mishap is happened to this Lady said the sonne of Trebacius If it be anything wherein I with the hazard of my life may procure her remedy I will performe it so farre foorth as it to me shall be possible The cause of this disease is so inueterate answered Selia maruayling to sée a man so fayre assuring herself also that it was not Rosabel for that he was more strongly set that notwithstanding that many haue attempted to remedy it being men of much worth yet all that they could doe hath béen but to remoue the humours The faire Ladie giuing a déepe sigh came againe to her selfe sheadding many bitter teares which vpon her faire chéekes shewed like Orientall pearles she fixed her deceiued eyes vpon the faire yong man vntill that at yâ— last she was assured that he was not Rosabel It grieued her very soule that shee had giuen so manifest a signe of her being another mans and not her owne in presence of that gentle Knight who although that he had no experience in loue yet he might neuerthelesse wel perceiue that shee was in loue Hee againe reiterated the offer of his life to be employed in her seruice for the recouerie of her delight The Gods requite you gentle Knight answered the Lady for your noble offer which is correspondent to the great valour which your personage doth represent My annoy is so rooted in my soule that any remedie whatsoeuer to be applied will but double my sorrow onely sometime as now it yéeldeth me some ease to make shew of the euil which I endure and it hath not béen to any smal purpose séeing I find that it hath moued those to pitie mée which neuer knew me The dutie faire Ladie which I acknowlege to owe to al those which please to vse my seruice is so generall that it forced me séeing the great extremitie whereunto this euill as you say had brought you to offer my life in quest of some meanes to bréed your rest It may be well perceiued valorous Knight said the Ladie that if we should entreat you to shew your valour to purchase our contentment you would doe it as he which best might The amorous reasons of the faire Ladie could no further procéed for that they heard a most terrible great noise This yong gallant betooke him to his weapons because that to be found without them it should not put in doubt that which his valour did assure he had hardly laced his Helmet and embraced his strong shield when through the thickest of the wood he saw approch two most â—â—erce Gyants and with them a Knight of a gallant resemblance richly armed hée would not remayne on fâ—â—t but getting to his gallant courser skipt into the Saddle and with his lance in his hand stayed to sée what they would willing the Ladies to draw néere to the fountaine for the maner of their comming seemed not to bee to doe them any pleasure By this they were all thrée ariued and the Knight putting vp his beuer somewhat more discouering his face said Many dayes soueraigne Princesse Silepsia with costly experience to my heart I haue made shewe of my sacrificed faith to your beautie procuring to my cost by all possible meanes your content and yet could neuer obtaine any the least hope not that I would be beloued for that were to renue my life but you would not so much as once regard my paine not withstaÌ„ding that you were the cause thereof The heuens haue now permitted me to come so in the nick to vnderstaÌ„d how little you shal lose to answere to my payne knowing this maruell not though I procure that by force which I deserue should be fréely bestowed on me and so you are to haue patience for you shall be mine in despite of all the world Well haue I vnderstood Prince of Libonia answered the Lady the affection which you haue euer showed me and to be such as deserued worthy correspondence but neuer faithfull louer which delighted in the renowme of a worthy Knight tooke pleasure to winne affection which was already setled for therein he should rather resemble a rigorous louer then a man of that faith which you say you haue borne vnto me and so séeing the impossibility in my behalfe I haue procured by all possible meanes to let you vnderstand how small meanes I had to yéeld you remedie Such affection as is mine said the
wrestling should passe in obliuion without witnesses and these which came were no lesse theÌ„ the most mighty Alphebus the two pillers of fortitude brought him betwéene them Bramidoro and Brandafidel with the gentle Tirifeo of the other part came Torismundo the braue Lord of Spaine with his sonne and his valiant brother in law they mist not the venturous Zoilo with the beloued Lisart and the Prince of Argentaria so as a man may well say there was at that méeting the best and most tryed company that was in the vniuersall world All this comming could not cause them to giue ouer the battell for the Dacian séeing his Ladie in danger it made him draw new forces euen out of his wearines and to giue the aduersarie worke inough to doe who condemned himselfe of cowardise to suffer one Knight to vse him so in the presence of his father and other friends They were both out of breath and they could not continue and maintaine their obstinate fight but the one thrust the other a great way off from him the Gréeke fell downe hard by where Rosamundi stood and where hee had left his battell axe he tooke it vp and with a wonderfull readinesse hee made towardes the Dacian but before that he was come néere him Archisilora stept betwéene them saying Hold you out Knight in the yellow for the Prince of Dacia is not a Knight with whoÌ„ this battel may be suffred to be ended The Greeke stayed vpon his Ladies words and then knew the valorous Dacian for he had no desire to do ought but what might please his Queen But the noise of a most fierce blow which Bembo gaue the Lady suffred him neither to giue any answere neither to procéed forwards The fierce Claridiano turned about as malicious as a serpent to see his faire Ladie on the ground vpon her knées and had somewhat lost her senses and that the Pagan forgetting from whom hee came would haue closed with her There is no Pard that more lightly rampeth after his pray theÌ„ the Gréeke did to defend her he came in good time for before that his sword alighted on her he reacht him a blow on one side of the helmet with his axe and made him fall on his hands and his axe pierce his target smiting him with both his hands standing on his left foot againe smote him a full blow on the brest and made him with greater haste then he would withdraw himselfe three or foure paces from the Ladie the which free from danger hauing bene busied with him had not perceyued the people which shee there beheld vntill shee was about to assaile her aduersary her husband slept before her saying Shall I neuer deare Lady leaue to haue cause to complaine of your crueltie sith comming to so apparant danger you would not bée defeÌ„ded by him which was borne to loue youe These Ladies good Sir are in the fault which alone desired to take vengeance on the Romanes which is done in such sort that those which remaine shall haue whereof to talke of the Gréeke Ladies In fewe words shée told him what had past and how they had ouercome theÌ„ in the Iusâ—s and of the death of the two Giants and of the comming of Claramante with the other Knight more furious then a Lion and how they had waged battaile with those in that black to whose ayd came the rest which there remayned rouÌ„d about had that famous company compassed those famous warriours whole battaile seemed to Mars to be but new begun according to the dexterity wherewith they charged and the quicke retiring of them all foure The battaile-axe seemed somewhat trouble some to the Gréeke in a priuate battell chiefly because he had neuer bene vsed thereto wherefore pitching the blunt end thereof into the ground he left it for a testimony of the owners valour and so drawing out his good sword with his shield in his hand he assayled the mighty Bembo O Apollo I would thou wouldest recite this battaile which made all men to wonder for the dexteritie of them both was without comparison they were both wel breathed by reason of their long exercise in armes and for that cause hastening their mighty blowes so thicke that it séemed to them which saw them not that Vulcans Forge was thereabouts for according to the noyse it was to bee thought there had bene a great many of Knights to the close came these two most rare men at armes with their swords aloft But that warre lasted but little for both fell which was a meane much to prolong the battell in that maner and so againe entring with their left féete forwards and their swords in both hands they made hard Anuils of their Helmets There was neuer particular battaile in the world better fought for eche of them both was the flower of his Nation and exercised in the Arte as well of Loue as in this wherein no man excelled them no not loue it selfe nor Mars The Moore had the worse by reason of the Christians good Armes but supplied that with his strength giuing and taking blowes which would haue beateÌ„ a rock to péeces The Gréeke would play the fencer thinking with a thrust to haue striken his aduersarie in the face but hee had not well fastned his blow when the Moore soundly gaue him a knocke on the top of the Helmet he tooke him at vnawares and so the blow lighted so much the heauier made him set one of his knées to the ground and in that warde he stood to sée if he would second his blow which had lifted vp his sword but the young man would not attend the weight wherewith it came but with a iumpe standing on his féete he let slip the blow on one side leauing the Moore deceiued who gaue so fierce a blow that it turned him round about smote the one halfe of his sword into the hard floore Upon the armes the nephew of the great Trebatius gaue him a great blow he was much distressed being assured that hee should lose his sword breaking the little chaine with a skippe hee turned about for in agilitie no man excelled him and if the Gréeke had not the better looked vnto it the like had happened vnto himselfe But seeing the Pagan giue way he let slippe one hand to weaken the blow hee stayed but little herein but it was enough for the nimble Pagan who like an Eagle séeing his sword was lost he suddenly tooke vp the Axe wherewith he was a second Mars In many dayes before he had not receiued the like contentment as in séeing that in his hands assuring himselfe now of the victorie he now made roome in the spacious gréene field All men knew him to bee verie expert with that kind of weapon many were sorie for it but hee whome it touched euen at the verie soule was Archisiloraes louer who framed a thousand complaints against himselfe calling himselfe coward séeing that so retchlesly he had committed so
the noyse which they heard in the Campe but it gaue them greater to see some which they loued better then themselues for Eufronisa with the sight of Rosabel was stricken speechlesse The faire fearefull Arbolinda accompanied her in delight The mightie Generall which was not acquainted with Loue became suddainely enamoured for seeing Clabela the daughter of the mightie Assyrian so faire and so young he gaue her his heart for a recompence they were some of those which deerely loued which endured much as shall be declared in the fourth part The first which spake was the beloued Tinacrian to the faire Eufronisa saying I haue trauailed with such paine most excellent Princesse seeing my selfe your detter and vpon my word that I haue sought all meanes to accomplish it to bring you to this Knight pointing to Rosabel to the end that you take such reuenge of him as your beautie deserueth With such hazard to these Ladies valorous Prince of Tinacria I would not that you should haue accomplished it although that therein you haue done me a fauour according to the hope conceiued of your valour There is no reuenge to be taken of this Prince my griefe sufficeth mee which shall serue for a punishment for his vnkindnesse I was neuer so worthie Princesse answered Rosabel the much which I owe you bindeth me to lose my life for your sake They could no longer continue their discourse for the greedie Spaniards made such a noyse and such shoutings as though the skies would haue fallen Let this satisfaction suffice said the most faire Quéene of Lira putting off her rich Helmet whose rare beautie made them all to wonder vntill you come to the Citie where shall want no meanes to fauour your cause And so I beseech you in behalfe of all these Knights and my selfe you wil be pleased to come with vs for so faire a prise is not to be left for any thing in the world and more I being the cause and onely instrument which hath ordained it To many of them it was no griefe to goe prisoners thither and although that others grieued yet perforce they dissembled it Loue tooke good order herein for the faire Arbolinda seeing her beloued Prince Florisarte of Argentaria was glad to goe in his Armes Clabela with Oristoldo which was life to the young man Eufronisa at length came to see her selfe in the Armes of her beloued Britanian as though that shee had neuer beene there before Claridiano tooke the Sophie his daughter Claramante the kings of Fenicia Poliphebus the Souldans of Egypt all the rest which I leaue out whose beautie was great the Spaniards tooke so as they departed with the most rich bootie of the world which were sixtéene daughters of the chiefest Princes in the armie with a sister of Bemboes verie young whose beautie in her time caused no small troubles There was much to doe to get the gréedie Spaniards out of the Campe vntill that they saw their Princes goe pestered and loaâ—en with rich spoyles vp the hill at which time rescue came from the Armie but it was too late for they had alreadie made their boote and put the same in safetie for hauing the hill at their backes they would haue defended themselues against all the armie These warriours descended at that point which leadeth downe into the valley on which 〈◊〉 the Citie was not battered for the strength thereof There they entred with their pray a better then which and without bloudshed Alexander neuer tooke with all his Monarchie neither the famous African much more victorious The newes was presently knowne in the Armie where the battell was fought of the taking of these Ladies which was an occasion to encourage the Pagans O who had séene the migâ—tie Bembo the redoubteâ— Brauorante with the brothers of the Wood with this â—n sickle newes They fought not like men it is not to be imagined what hurt they did fourtéene Knights of the Gréeke Emperours chamber by their hands lost their liues 〈◊〉 a number which were troden vnder foote and wounde â—â— but yet they had the worser and although that the Princes were absent that was no hindrance to the victorie which they had wholly ended had not the warlike Sarmatia and Bembo his mightie cousin come to their aide who séeing him fight so desperately came to him saying In such times valorous Captaine you are to take order not with your disliking but with fortune which declareth it selfe for your enemie for I see all the Armie at the point to bee lost The Campe is spoyled the Sea died in your bloud so as there is no remedie but to take this blow with patience and know that it commeth through the small equitie of your cause which was great to couet those spoyles which the heauens had prepared for the Brittish Prince Looke well to it for you ought to giue ouer a thousand battels whatsoeuer rather then to giue cause of offence to your Ladie whome you make shew to loue so much and seeing that shée is not able to doe you pleasure put mee in trust and I will so employ my selfe as shal be to the contentment of all The discreet Ladie had taken off her Helmet and thereby the Captaine knew her who wel considering that what shée had said was wrought by the Almightie hand and preserued for some great Christian hee put the matter in the Princesses hands willing her to doe as best pleased her although that being so many which hold themselues agrieued it will bee a hard matter to obtaine any peace in the middest of such a tempest I desire nothing but that some occasion may bee offered wherein I may bee able to doe Liriana any seruice Leaue this charge to me quoth the Ladie for I will obtaine it of those which can doe most in this warre Shée tooke so good order that shee perswaded the Souldan of Niquea to peace séeing how much it concerned him seeing he thereby should recouer such friends and kinsmen Shée obtained the like of the Emperour of the Romanes and all perceiued being of the losing side that it better fitted with their Nobilitie to offer them peace then when they had the better of the warre And as of these men depended the commaund of all the rest and the new enamoured Oristoldo agreeing herein for the loue of his Ladie with all haste the retreite was sounded betwéene both armies that valiant Ladie being the occasion of all that good they were parted at an instant for it behoued them that were ouercome séeing it was for their good and the others to please their Princes sheathed their swords The Pagans would not that night enter into the Citie because they would take order for their hurt men and to burie their dead which were so many as made all men amazed thereat from the Citie they sent many dainties to the Campe which were not a little estéemed for the want which there was thereof in both Campes There was as great ioy
dagger hee had â—â—ne a greater harme which he had done had not his old Aunâ— Cleonta preuented it the which in her kind being angry vsing her accustomed inchaunâ—ments put him farre from mee Shée came to mee and pluckt out the dagger and putting certaine herbes into the wound cured me of the hurt and said vnto me Notwithstanding that the resisting of your fathers passion be very worthy of commendation yet in that that thou wast not sory for his payne as was reason being his daughter it is iust that thou make satisfaction therefore in straight and close inchauntment where thou shalt remaine vntill that the braue Lion shall enter into my strong Castle breaking by force of Armes the strength thereof and ouercomming the gards which I shall there set and then thou shalt begin to feele some comfort although thy father haue none for it is requisite that he pay more for the iniurie which he hath committed not onely against thy renowne but against his owne honour But the â—â—siliske shall be giuen him when he shall least think thereof She sayd no more vnto me but at that very instant me thought I began to want my wits and without knowing what I did I went to that lodging from whence you set me free where I did nothing else but be waile the absence of my father holding him for dead She would neuer tell me any thing of him although that sometimes she came to visit me giuing me hope hereof and she told it me so playne that I now perceyue how much is therein contaynes and I am giuen to vnderstand that the time shall come that I againe shall sée my father Yea it will come answered the gallant Louer for the heauens giue not one contentment without another In this and other pleasing things they past the greatest part of the night wherewith the young man began to ware somewhat bold it was not wholly to offend her but to shew with the mouth what the heart felt He was of opinion that this Ladie was sent to him from the heauens wherefore with the greater ioy they past the rest of the time It suffiseth that to take their rest they went to their Cabin with a determination on eyther side that nothing should hinder their loue Before that Aurora had done the Sunnes Ambassage to the world shewing his câ—mming the master aduertised the Prince that in the top he had descried somewhat neere another Galley Hee leapt out of his bed not willing to shew any carelesnesse for the defence of his Ladie With the masters helpe he put on his rich Armour and being at all peeces armed he went to put the Princesse of Egypt and his soule also out of feare and with reuerence being wholly ouercome with loue he told her that there was an enemies Galley discouered willing her that shee should not therefore bee afeard for the sight of her good grace did assure all With greater valour valorous Prince sayd the Ladie I would very gladly accompany you for the succour which hereof can come vnto you except the good will is so little that it will rather be a hinderance Ill should I gallant Ladie quoth the Tinacrian goe to fight if not going wholly yours and in fighting it shall bee onelie for you By this time the two Gallies were come neere together wherin in seeing the Princes Gally was heard a great cry bidding them amaine if not they should all dye The young man did it but to another intent for hee commaunded that all those which could beare Armes should take them and should stand at the ships side As the Marriners with all diligence had ended the casting of grapples aboord the other to the ende that shee should not fall off and that they might with their swords fight aboord it was no euill counsell for it gaue them the victorie vpon a sudden there came some twelue Knights which bade them to yeeld The valiant young Prince stayed vntill that they had fastened the Galley and getting a club in his hand hee set himselfe vpon the poope where hee gaue so good account of himselfe that two of them lost their liues with one blow which he gaue amongst them They were many and for feare of their Commaunders they set vpon the Prince but it was to come with their liues and there to meete their death for hee neuer stricke blowe which killed not a Knight and sometimes two of them together payd for their folly before that they could returne he had made an end of them By that time there came forth three most fierce Giants out of a withdrawing place in the ship where the Tinacrian heard cryings as of forced Ladies Those thrée most cruell Pagans were much amazed to sée how soone that Knight had made an ende of all their Knights All of them forgetting the order of Knighthood drawing out their monstrous faulchions came to the shippes side and one of them assuring himselfe of his agilitie setting his one foote vpon his shippe side leapt into the Tinacrians Galley and had done it if the young mans cruell club had not by the way taken him a blow on the pate and bereauing him of his life in the ayre throw him in back againe into the ship dead at his friends feet which were in a cold sweat He which lost least occasion was the Tinacrian for with a light leap he set himselfe against the Giants Whether that she which loued him better then herselfe tooke pleasure therein there is no doubt thinking that no man could be loued with more reason then the Tinacrian seeing his great valour conioyned with so much beautie as hath bene aforesayd He was one of the most gallant personages in the world so as many times he would not put off his Helmet especially among Ladies to whom he was as a Cockatrice Uery ioyfull she set her to behold what he did in the Galley He somewhat reposing himselfe with a troubled voyce sayd How now you traytours and so easily did you thinke to beare away the prize First you shall leaue your liues in pawne for your foolish presumption The valiant Louer stayd for no answere but whorling his club about his head he smote one of them vpon the shield which hee brake in péeces and there withall his arme which it hung vpon He escaped not without his paiment for in the warres for loue neuer giueth the palme without it for they both smote him vpon the inchaunted Helmet and made him set his knees to the ground they there strake the Prince and his Ladie in the shield which her soule hath that faithfully loueth this they which know what it is to loue call the heart hee saw that these fierce Giants againe smote downe right at him Hee on one side crossed the blow with his club and the other he shunned by skipping to one side The club was no defence against the force of the blow which brake it in the middest It was good fortune that the Tinacrian
gaue back with his body letting goe his club which was the cause that he escaped the blow which if he had not done he had falne on his face the handle onely remained with the valiant louer which he would imploy in his Ladies seruice which he saw did behold him it did the more encourage him to doe it for that that by reason of the noyse there came cut of a Cabbin in the Galley a most braue dame clad all in blew cut vpon rich cloth of Gold with her haire made vp more bright then the Sunne beames vpon her head a net-worke of Siluer the swéete prison of loue which to him had béene life if they would haue letten him alone although somewhat painefull in that place It was long since that the Prince had séene that Ladie but he presently knew that shée was his beloued sister the gallant Rosaluira a cold sweate to sée her in that place ran ouer all his bodie he would defer no longer time but threw the péece of the Club which hee had in his hands at one of the Giants if it had béene shot out of a Culuerin it could not haue fline with greater force he smote him right on the Helmet him who had alreadie lost his arme the gallant neuer in his life gaue blâ—w more worth the séeing for lighting on the end it sheathed it selfe in his head he therewith stept backe and drew out his rich sword and with a skip was with the Giant who was yet troubled with the last blow and with all the strength that he was able hee gaue him a thrust in the middest of the brest His strong douâ—le brest plate auailed him not but that his sword entred euen vnto his shoulders and in drawing out his sword cut came the Giants soule He which remained aliue was much vexed therewith and séeking reuenge with his sword in both his hands he made towards the youth he could not auoide the blow and to haue receiued it was like to haue béene the Princes last for striking him on the top of the Crest hee made aboundance of bloud gush out at the visor of his Helmet he was readie to fall The Moore came vpon him with another which made him fall vpon his hands and knées vpon the ground hee would haue troden him vnder his feete but the warlike Prince had not yet lost his good resolution séeing him come running slipt to one side letting him passe with greater force then a thunder-bolt The young louer followed him and as hee turned about with his sword in both hands hee smote him athwart the Helmet and strake away all that side and left him shrewdly hurt hee prouided for him another because hee should â—â—aie and with a backeward blow hee left him astonied for to smite him on the side of the head euerie blow was death to him hee closed with him séeing the aduantage which then he should haue The Giant with the pangs of death griped him with such force that his armour entred into his flesh But the fierce youth with his dagger ended the warres and throwing them all into the Sea hee went straight to his sister putting off his Helmet and said I know not Madam and my beloued sister how I shall estéeme this good hap which the Gods this day haue powred vpon mee séeing they haue brought me where I might doe you seruice for I beleeue you were forced to come hither with such euil companie By this the Ladie knew him and imbracing him with a thousand teares like Pearles for ioy shée said Who that hath gained valorous brother hath béene my selfe séeing that in giuing me libertie you haue giuen me means to reioyce at your Cheualrie They againe imbraced for there were no brothers that more déerely loued then these two he acquainted her with his aduenture and the course which he held The Ladie beyond all measure reioyced to sée the prince Poliphebus so well employed shée would then goe to speake to the Princesse of Egypt taking much pleasure to knowe her for her Ladie and sister The Prince carried her in his armes aboord entertaining her with such courtesie as was expedient and knowing her to bee his sister whome shee so deerely loued shee shewed her great affection which lasted so long as they liued The Princesse was verie sorie to thinke how much her mother grieued for her absence wherefore they tooke order that two of their people should goe in the Giants Galley directly for Tinacria where they should bee well paid for their labour which they did carrying certaine letters from the Prince to his mother They tooke their course for Grecia where in few dayes they arriued and those with the letters at Tinacria where they were well entertained knowing for whome they came The Quéene read the letters reioycing to know what was become of her beloued sonne the contents whereof were these Poliphebus his letter to Garrofilea his mother MY businesse hath beene such so much Soueraigne Queene and deare mother that they haue not giuen me leasure to bee my owne messenger notwithstanding that I much desired the same occasion was now offered me when verie merily I tooke my way towards the Greeke Empire in companie and as husband of the Princesse of Egypt and the high heauens willing to fauour me ordained that in the middest of the Sea I met with my Sister whom three cruel Giants carried prisoner The gods were so fauourable that I gaue her libertie and with her am going to doe my dutie to our father who is vexed with most cruell warres and if mine and my sisters intreatie may ought preuaile with you we beseech you that forgetting what is past you will not onely pardon but also assist him with men from your kingdome which wil be much esteemed through the world and to vs it shall be much honour to be the children of such a mother We hope that your wisdome wil consider that this is verie requisite and much importeth The gods preserue your royall person and graunt vs life to returne againe to doe our dutie vnto you Poliphebus of Tinacria and Rosaluira of Grecia your louing children The sonnes reasons did so much mollifie the hard hart of the cruell mother that shée presently altered her mind In the end as shée was a woman yet therefore shâ—e lost no part of her authoritie but presently commaunded Proclamation to bee made through all Tinacria that they all should within few dayes with the greatest force that they should bee able to leuiâ— make their repaire to her Citie Her subiects obeyed for shée was well beloued of all and when they knew what voyage they should make they leuied thirtie thousand men all verie well armed shée issued of her treasure what was néedful for although that the warres would be long yet there should bee nothing wanting shée was a thousand times in the mind to haue gone for Grecia but she found so many inconueniences that shée was enforced to stay Shée sent for