the messenger but that his intent was not to accomplish and performe anie of those seuerall demaundes in that they were ouer iniurious and vnreasonable and not to bee allowed of in any wise Beside that hee said if his enemies eyther had or should set downe such a resolution concerning his ruine and destruction hee with his councell and Nobles were concluded to stande on theyr defence in resistance of the least euill that might â—e For the rest each one should doe their vttermost endeuour according as himselfe hither to had doone and neuer yet could any enemy compell him to matters against his will wherefore it was too late for him now to begin and so quoth he to the messenger yee may returne with this answere Which presently he did whereat the Pagans greatly meruayled that a man hauing so few to helpe him should containe such hardinesse as to talke to them of resistance aboue all the rest old Grandowin was extreamely eâ—raged saying that this was not the first act wherein appeared the effects of king Floridamants oure-wéening wherefore he would spéedily take such order with his people as should sharpely make him repent his follie and rashnesse Wherevppon within thrée daies following at the most each one should prepare himselfe readie to armes when such an assault should be made against the cittie as not one stone should be left standing vppon another but bee rased and extermined altogether In regard whereof euery one should withdraw himselfe to his quarter and giue order for all things needfull against the day of assault Heereof the Christian king being aduertised commaunded the Pagan Mycrophon to bee closely locked vp to the end that during this troublesome time hee might compasse no meane of working any treacherie or treason But as for the king of Corse hee restrayned not him of libertie which hee had to walke within the walles of the Pallace royall where was roome sufficient and verye spacious well perceiuing that he was so carryed away with the loue of his daughter with whom and the Queene Bellizene he still kept company assuring them that he would expose himselfe rather for theyr defence then offence and in respect of the conuersation he had had with them no iniurie should bee offered to theyr honor In which spéeches the Queene reposing some confidence but the mayden especially the more willingly they would conuerse with him and among other familiar conferences the Quéene made him recount the number of straunge nations the diuersitie of kings and great captaines that were in theyr Armie their estate forces and deedes of chiuaâ—rie by them in former times performed By which reports they cunningly gleaned from this imprudent Pagan what best might serue for the defence of the Cittie and thorow ouermuch talke he discouered how on which side and by what secret meanes the enemyes had concluded to assaile and seaze on the Cittie withall hee declared to them the manner and custome that those nations were wunt to obserue and vse in such warre which was most likelyest and which not By these meanes king Floridamant had knowledge of many things that serued as speciall rules of discipline to his Court of guard and therfore appointed his men in readines against the threatned daye continually trauayling day and night with Grandilaor Fertand Candior Sylban and other hardie knights of name that were in the Cittie with him who according to his commaund busied themselues very carefully letting nothing flip that any way concerned theyr change During which time one night secretly arriued at the Cittie wall the two valiant knights Andregon Duke of Suffolke and Lampridion Countie of Norffolke both Cosens germaine and highly belooued of king Floridamant The first came from demaunding helpe for the Christians of Dorian king of Spayne and the other from the like affaires in the kingdome of Gaule whether they were sent before the Pagan armie had engirt the Cittie with siedge and both returning at one selfe same time after many aduentures befalling them in the expedition of theyr voyages met together on the way and so trauailing in company arriued there about the houre of midnight not being espyed by any of the enemies Campe who then were in their dead sleepe and comming to the foote of the wall on that side where the king of the Suitzers had charge and where as then a good Cittizens was Sentinell one of the richest and best Souldiours of the Cittie being called Hoaster that knew them very well because he had familiarlie frequented the houses of these two Christian knights and and they well perceiuing that Hoaster knew them by their spéech sent presently woord of their arriuall to king Floridamant who caused the neerest gate of the cittie to them to be opened when they safely entred not being at all discouered by the enemie Hee that came from Spaine aduertised his maiestie how king Dorian vnderstanding his war against the Pagans concluded immediatly to come himselfe in person attended on by a strong and puissant armie to assist king Floridamant his old companion and the christian people that inhabited great Brittaine for which cause he summoned a méeting of his subiects promising to be in England in very short time These tidings brought Andregon and Lamprydion deliuered the like from king Belligand of Gaule how forward hee was in deuoire to send him succour his armie being leueyed and readie to depart and had â—re then set forward but that the king daylye expected the Prince Diodamas his sonne a man of great valour who had not long before receiued his order of knighthood being gon in quest of an other knight that had in his keeping a Fayrie Launce where of hee had robd the king his father which Launce hee heard was againe recouered by the young prince and he returning home ward when being come hee should away to England with the armie For these glad tidings king Floridamant thanked God trusting in him and to the speeding supplie each houre expected resoluing to defend himselfe if he should be assayled without any issuing foorth to the enemie neither to sight except he should be enforced there vnto vntill these Armies were ioyned with him Attending which time he thought good to prolong day of the assault kéeping their enemies in breath and these affayres in good foresight which to compâ—sse he thought on euery likely and expedient remedie as yee may perceiue in the Chapters following CHAP. 16. Howe the Princesse Polydamie beholding from the height of a Tower the Campe and countenance of the Pagans was shewen by Angrafolt who were the cheefe commaunders in so great a multitude And the Princesse seeing the Scythian monster swouned with conceit of feare when Angrafolt conueyed her thence into the Queenes chamber MEane while to finde some meane of deferring the generall assault which the Pagans in their councell had determined against the Cittie of London king Floridamant consulted with the hardie knights of his councell and other noble personages that then were in the Cittie with
Launce into your hand to keepe whâ—le we Ioust which I am assured he will not refuse to do thus may you depart and beare away the Launce with yee but if this deuise should faile vs assure your selfe that quickly we will finde another for I will receiuâ— no money of yee before yée haue this Launce so much desired in your possession My father liked well of this councell and to make short it came to passe euen as the theefe had before deuised for the king of Gaule hearing the defiance and weening that all my father tolde was true made no doubte of giuing the Launce into his hand and my father being possessed thereof while the king of Gaule went to put on better Armour both he and the cunning theefe departed so that none could tell what was become of them The king and all his Court at the first tidings hereof was greatly abashed but vnderstanding soone after the cause of this theft and who was the inuenter of this pollicie it was made but a merrie iest of In the end notwithstanding this pleasure did not so con-continue but this fine theefe fearing to be taken was glad to flye from the kingdome of Gaule and passed thence into England where afterwarde hee liued and remained a long time As for the king my father he returned againe by Sea to Lisbone and from thence to Saragossa where the king Doriâ—o then held Courte where beeing arriued he behaued himselfe so well with this slie gotten Launce as all the knights that Iousted against him yea euen the braue knight Floridament were foyled and dismounted to the ground whereâ—â—t the Princesse Pollyda who bare no loue at all to the king my father beeing greatly displeased would haue reâ—used the mariage before agreed vppon by the king Doriâ—o saying that for her parte shee had giuen no consent and without the Brides consent hardly can any mariage be accorded especially with such a one to whome shee could not vse any affection Héereat the king my father being highly offended in furie flunge foorth of the Spanish kings court giuing him many hard tauntes and iniurious speeches for the diâ—â—oyaltie that he sayd remained in him On the other side the king was full of rage and anger against the infant his daughter whom he ceased not dayly to perswade that shee should like well of marrying with king Diegonde of Lusitauia least his credit and reputation should be condemned in vsing trecherie and perâ—idie to so great a Prince So what thorow loue and pleasing spéeches as also force and frowning countenances in the end she yeelded to his wyll But this was after the Lady had had conference with a noble and excellent Fayrie named Ozyris who had beene greatly helping in her birth endowing her with manifolde vertues and riches of spirit for which she was not a little commended and after the decease of her mother Sister to king Barachen of Scotland she had sometime nourished her in her rich inuinsible palace which was in the realme of great Brittaine and euer afterward shee perswaded her that she should not marie with any liuing man which was the cause shee helde so aloofe from this aforesaid marriage After she had well schooled her concerning this matter the noble and vertuous Fayrie sayd that in respect children by the diuine lawe ought obedience to theyr parents and it was her fathers will she should match with the king Diegonde who alreadie had doone so much for her looue and was euen readie to despaire if he fayled thereof shee councelled her not to withstand her fathers appointment And although in former time she had diswaded her from mariage it was because she discerned by her skill that such issue as discended from her in mariage if shee fortuned to haue any should haue hard hap and prooue very vnfortunate which would be such gréefe both to her husband as the greater part of theyr youth would bee spent in greefe and pensiuenesse Notwithstanding if this marriage must néedes be accomplished she promised to vse the matter in such sort as by this coniunction she should neuer haue child And so found she meanes to comfort them sufficiently as heerafter yee shall vnderstand the manner how without iniurie to the beautifull Pollydon but my father by himselfe and his should féele the euill and misfortune whereto yet she promised a day of finall conclusion The Princely maide giuing credit to hir propheticall speeches was greatly comforted and satisfied and so resolued to marie with the king my father after which determination once knowne soone was hee sent for by the King Dorino when with great pleasure and content to euery one he espoused Pollyda with her he liued more then twentie yeares yet could he haue no issue by her which so greeued him confounding his thoughts with sadnes and melancholly as the most part of the time he eat his bread in mone and teares for I imagine it a meruaylous hart breake to a man that desires to liue after his death and perpetuate his memorie by his children to sée his mariage consumed without any generation that might make mention of him when he is dead And such heerefore was his intire conceit of gréefe as oftentimes he meant to repudiate his Queene Pollyda but such againe was the woondrous loue he bare her fearing to offend God and displease king Dorino her father as hee was still diswaded when such thoughts entred his fantasie All this likewise the Queene very well noted and notwithstanding her former despisings yet after her marriage she loued him exceedingly pittying his gréefe but shaddowing her owne so much as possibly she could séeking by all meanes to remedie both as in the end she did by the aduise and counsell of the wise Ozyris who euery daye and in all places assisted her perswading her to doe as followeth One of her wayting Damosels whome my father vsed good countenance towards because she was of perfect beautie being named Olympia daughter to he Duchesse of Terciede a chaste and prudent dame with her the Fayrie aduised the Queene that my father should haue dalliance She following this councell one night when the king my father sent woord to haue her company in bed so cunninglie handled the matter that this damosell lay there insteed of her for the maide was likewise secretly amourous of the king which was the cause that being where she would be she disliked not this swéet and pleasant deceit but without any shew of displeasure shee gladly endured the kings pastime with her séeing the Quéene was so well content to affoord her her place and priuiledge To such effect grew my fathers labours who little thought he was thus beguiled as the Maide was conceiued with childe when afterward the Queene comming to sleepe with the King sayd that she felt her selfe conceiued answerable to his so long desire for which good fortune hee should applaude the heauens from whence procéeded so great good to her Héereof was the king my father glad
honest talke and familiare conference which more and more serued to prouoke forward his loue and from milde amourous conceit to make him more violent inducing this cruell enemie to an euill and pernicious intent such as heereafter ye shall knowe more of For in this Chapter I must tell yee what chaunced meane while in the enemyes Campe. whether safely were retyred as yee haue read in the first booke the king Guittard of Baccaleos and the Carybes who had beene in the thickest of the hurlie burlie and not a little offended were they to be thus shamefully driuen and repulsed from their enterprise It is necessarie then that wee consider howe almightie God dooth sometime send afflictions on the good to make tryall of theyr perseuerance in well doing supporting with pacience the aduersities wherewith they are exercised so it séemed now that he would permit the Pagans of all countreys farre and neere to assemble together with their inexpugnable forces to peruert and ruinate altogether the estate of Christendome whereof the kingdome of England was the great and strongest colour For the day after this meruaylous assault there arriued in the enemies campe for theyr helpe and succour a great multitude of theyr allyes and confederates such as had vowed with them the euersion and totall ruine of Christendome Among others there came a Captaine sent by the king of the Turkes named Grimoaldo a man hardie and valiant of person who conducted vnder his Ensignes fiftie thousand braue fighting men and in goode quipage Hee with his troope was welcommed and receiued by the heads of the Pagan armie especially of the old king Grandowin who feasted and entertained him in the best manner he could deuise for hee knâ—w well that this Grimoaldo was a man of marke as skilfull in feates of armes as any in all the host He caused him to he lodged in the reregard of his Campe whereof he was the head and gouernour and this fresh supply made the Heathen so glad and ioyfull as nothing was heard among them but sounding of Tabourines Trumpets and other warlike instruments expressing no little ioy and pleasure amongst them with menaces against them of the Cittie of quick discomfiture and extermination This ioy endured a great many dayes together and as theyr succour encreased so did theyr iouissance for beside this Turkish Captaine there came a puissant and meruaylous Pagan of monstrous forme and Giâ—ntine stature a proud monster mutinous and a mightie drinker He had thrée heads or faces vppon on neck that supported them all and when he entred the Campe he wore a massie Crowne of golde triple fourmed according to his heads the crownes were made high like the Turrets of a strong Tower and vnderneath was written this verse I am Triphon the great and puissant king of Scythia The most valiant and strongest in combate I conquer This arrogant and proud subscription was no leasing for he was so strong and puissant as himselfe was able to foile a whole Armie and therefore to this assembly he brought with him but ten thousand combattants with whome hee thought himselfe sufficient to subiugate all Christendome And the cause why he â—are these thrée crownes was not in respect of his thrée faces so combine together but because he was king of thrée kingdomes and held thrée cruell kinde of people vnder his obeâ—sance to wit the Geâ—es the Seythians and the Sarmates or Sauromates He shewed in the middest of his troope as a great high Pine trée in the midst of a little wood where the braunches beeing but young and tender do begin to spread for beside his vnmeasurable â—â—ature he was mounted on a furious bull of excéeding height more prompt and apt to beare a saddle run and carrire then any horsse that was to be found in the world as fit was he likewise eyther for the ioust or combate because if the Pagan seated on his backe ouerthrew his aduersarie the bull immediatly with his hornes would beate downe the horsse whereon the knight that fought against him was mounted In this manner enuirâ—ned with his men eâ—â—red hee the Pagans campe many of them being surprized with meruailous feare to sée him of such a terrible aspect and furious â—orme The other that were of better spirite and courage knew well that his arriuall would bee greatly succourable to them because his force and valiancie was vnspeakable and inuincible farre beyond any other humaine strength And he that ioyed most to sée him was the arrogant and fierce Brandissant who sent for him and at his request he came for they two had long before beene companyons together in many robberies and cruelties by them doone ioyntly and by their association forcibly violently and thorow tiranny they had gotten kingdomes many rich booties and heritages which they deuided betwéene them as brethren that parte the common herritage of their Father when hee is deceased So by reason of the wunted familiaritie and acquaintance that the one of them had with the other they vsed many sundrie ceremoniall embracings to each other being glad they had so fortunately met in this place where they assured themselues of the pillage and spoyle of the famous and wealthie Cittie of London beside the rich treasure of king Floridamant after they had vsed towards him and his people the like or more bloodier crueltie then euer the Grecians in times past did shew to Pryam and his warlike Troyans And surely this good Christian king was verye sad and sorowfull in his heart seeing himselfe so weake against such a puissant armie wherein were so many hardie and strong knightes as but fewe like them could bee founde through the whole world and aboue all the rest this monster of Scythia was most redoubted in that he was most to be feared for his force and crueltie yet notwithstanding putting his trust in God the walles of his cittie beeing strong and well appointed hee was pacient in this perill expressing meruaylous hardinesse in his countenance encouraging his people with fayre speeches and exhortations that by their generous actes and behauiour they should be vigilant and carefull for the defence of the cittie giuing them to vnderstand by woorthie examples how religiously euery subiect stood bound to their king and countrie in that behalfe The enemyes on the contrarie side for the reasons alreadie declared were so merrie and ioâ—â—nd as through their campe was nothing but songs of ioye and pleasure dronken pastimes beastly gourmandisings and such like insolencies for beside the succour before rehearsed came to the Pagan hoste two strong and puissant kings from the coast of Barbarie the one named Phoas king of Alger and the other Orontes king of Marocco both coâ—sens germaine and kinne in the same degree to Adylas king of Thunis and to the king of Phez whom we spake of before beeing of no lesse force and valour then those two Withall they brought in theyr companie a great multitude of armed men good archers bearing Persian Bowes and
with him in such sort as yee haue read in the Chapters treating thereof The shape heereof was so fearfull to her as shee became troubled in minde out of measure which made the Nimphe quicklye remooue it from her sight and plunging into the Fountaine water vanished away with whose departure we knit vp this two and twenteth Chapter CHAP. 23. How the king of Phez recited his genealogie and aduenture to the holye Hermit and the fayre Pilgrime and howe the Hermit tolde him a goodly discourse to confirme him in the Christian religion Moreouer howe Squamell was conducted by diabolicall artes into an obscure Chamber hard by Auernus hoping to bee healed of his woundes by the helpe of deuils with that which happened to him afterward BEcause the change of discourse brings no lesse delight to the Reader then the varietie of daintie viands contenteth such as take theyr repast for a while I intende to change our purpose leauing a part the amourous flame of the fayre princesse Porphyria to come againe to the historie of the valiant king of Phez not long since made a Christian miraculously as yee haue heard before To let ye vnderstand withall according to the truth in writing of him his genealogie and aduenture whereof himselfe maketh recitall to the holy Hermit and fayre pilgrime when hee was thereto by them required beginning in this or the like maner It is a long while since that Artabaz sometime king of Persia was enamoured on the â—ayre Quéene Lyxandra the most fayre and wealthie Ladie in riches and other goods of fortune that was in those times for vnder her obedience and Empire as also her lawes liued in flourishing prosperitie the people of foure opulent kingdomes which are on the coast of Barbarie to wit Phez Marocco Thunis and Alger But Looue had not touched with selfe same shaft the hart of Lyxandra as he did the hart of Artabaz because the more earnestly he loued the more mortally she hated â—y reason that in the life time of king Brunon her father hee had dayly vexed him with warres seeking to depriue him of his kindomes and Signories For this cause he trauailed and molested him as no man in the world could doo the like so that being ouercome with weaâ—ines of the passed warres Brunan finished his dayes after hee had made some treatie or accord of peace with the king of Persia euen then when first he began to loue the fayre Lyxandra who hauing auncient mallice engrauen in her heart continued dayly in resolution to hate him more and more Héerevpon she not willing to graunt marriage with the Persian king nor to listen his solicitings requests and temptations which stretched so farre as he could deuise the perticuler discourse whereof were too long to rehearse hee concluded to winne her by force of armes and to renew the former warres against her more sharpe and cruelly then euer hee did against the deceased king Brunon her father Which being thus pursued he brought the vertuous princesse into such necessitie as hee left her neither kindome Cittie towne nor burrough place nor Castell but all was brought vnder his obeysance and all of them spoyled the strong Cittie of Phez onely excepted wherein being constrained to shut vppe her selfe he so long time continued the sâ—ege against it as she was on the pointe of yeelding to his mercie or else to take away her owne life but then by good hap a young Knight so highly accomplished as any other whatsoeuer arriued on the coast of Barbarie euen as the Quéene was in this great perplexitie deuising with her selfe what she were best to doo he hearing by the common reporte blazed abroad what harde holde the Queene Lyxandra had against the Persian Tyrant beeing brought so neere the place by violence of the windes that droue him on the seas was willing to succour her beeing touched partly with pittifull affection which the goodnes of nature had endned him withall and partly prouoked on by fayre desire to make appearance of his hardie valour the fame whereof alreadie was bruâ—ed through most places in the world but seeing at this first attempt that his accesse and entraunce into the Cittie so narrowly besiedged on eueriâ— side would prooue very difficult the gates being ramd vp and the walles enuironed with Persian men at armes An indifferent while he deuised with himselfe by what meane both easily and couertly hee might get entrance Hauing some space considered heereon the Historie saith that he especially noted one side of the cittie wall where the enemies had made a very great breache to enter thereby on the morowe vpon the answer Quéene Lyxandra should returne to king Artabaz and this breach was guarded by certaine armed men of the Cittie while the Quéene assembling her councell should agree on some expresse resolution of answer concerning her submission to her enemie The assaylants on the other side of the breache were making banquets passing away the time very merrilye vnder certaine assurance that now the cittie should be yeelded or taken vppon theyr request within of composition and well ye wot that a Cittie comming to composition is more then halfe taken This was the cause that the young knight beeing come neere the breache and séeing they that kept it were verie carefull of their charge hee softly whispered with them to know by what meanes hee might enter the cittie to haue some spéech with the queene Lyxandra concerning matters of importance that would prooue profitable to her desiring them to let her vnderstand thereof in that the cause of his comming thither was earnest desire to impâ—oy himselfe for her defence in this warre The Souldiers made him answere that one should presently goe do his errand and the Queene being aduertised heereof was very glad knowing well by his renowme and valour that he was the gentle knight of the Flower for so was he called because as then hee loued a Ladye named Florixa in regard of whose name he bare a Uermillion Gilliflower painted in his sheeld a man so hardie and valiant as hee was esteemed beyond all the knights of that time Héere vpon she gaue commanâ—dement that he should be let into the Cittie by a doore that passed from her Castell to the Towne marrie it was to be doone in the dead time of the night and that so couertly or closely as might be thus escaped the knight in vnseene of the enemie with his armour and horsse and one Squire that bare him companie In breefe to tell ye what passed betweene them the quéene letting him vnderstand the occasion of this warre the successe thereof and the extremitie whereinto she was brought farre more in effect then the knight had heard reported she fell downe on her knées before him and with the teares trickling downe her chéekes intreated him to helpe her both with councell and valiance promising to deliuer vp all the treasure of her kingdome into his handes if in this darkenesse he could illuminate them with some
and bemoue their estates more miserablie then did this Princesse of whom we haue made mention in the former Booke and whom ye now behold consounded with folly discheneled running about the fields hauing forsaken the king of high Misia her father to meet the strong and puissant Giant Squamell who thus badly recompenced the seruices she did him by manifold hazards wherein shee aduentured her life onely for his looue Let Ladyes then bee carefull least they fall into any such inconuenience and so making like proofe there ensue like punishment for they are better taught that learne to be wise by others harmes then they that fetch wisedome out of their owne follies So comming againe to our historie we will speake of the two knights whome wee left halfe wounded to death in the Forrest The Historie speaking of them saith that they both reuiued from their traunce the one so soone as the other and that the Giant was he who first espyed the Sophie to be gon hauing caried away the horsse with him wherefore all wounded as he was he ran presently as he had béene mad into the Forrest wherein when hee was but a little entred hee met the old pilgrime wee spake of before who ran thither to hide himselfe when hee heard the noyse of the combate betwéene the Giant and the Knight This was an old Necromancer that could foretell to passengers their good and euill fortune to come and knew by the lineature of theyr handes till what age they should liue and what day what houre by what aduenture and howe they should dye He knew by heart all the bookes of the Sibelles of Circes of Medea of all the old liuing Magitians and the Magitians of former times And because he knew that the Fairie Ozyris was his aduersaire and the greatest enemie in the world to his charmes and enchantments likewise that she had greater skill and knowledge then he and specially that for his ruine and such as he loued she had nourished the onlie knight the cause of our historie he had opposed by an anticharme this strong Giant Squamell and his brother who by theyr owne nature were endued with most high prowesse yet notwithstanding by deuillish subtiltie hee preserued them still from death and to them oft times he gaue admirable and supernaturall strength So that knowing him to be in quest of his horse his shéeld and other aduentures and chéefely that he earnestly desired to haue the enchaunted Cup whereof he sometime had heard great report hee had put them all into the custodie of this strong Giant hauing withall incited and perswaded him in a dreame that he should combate against the most puissant knight on the earth and so set downe as prizes for the conquerour the sheeld the horse and the Cup whereof wee haue spoken Heereupon hee should holde open Ioust to all commers and goers in the Forrest causing the Forrest to bee commonly called The Forrest of great Aduentures and alreadie had he performed many fayre exploits by meanes whereof he was much renowmed thorow the world and very â—arre were his deedes talked of wherevpon the knight so hardly handled came to combate with him of whom heereafter we will speake more liberallie as also by what aduenture and for what reason he was thither conducted But now let vs a little while speake of the Giant who séeing the olde man of whome hee had no more knowledge then if hee had neuer seene him because hee could disguise himselfe in diuers sortes as now he did in the habit of a pilgrime to deceiue such great numbers as passed that waye and as he had deceiued Pharisor if the meeting of the Sophie had not preuented it The Giant at the first sight of him began to be somewhat afrayd seeing him looke so vgly and hidious but the old Enchanter that very well knew him began to reason after this manner Most generous and puissant knight as this day liueth not thy like vnder heauen who now being mortally wounded doost trauerse this darke forrest of high aduentures stay thy selfe and forbeare if thou be wise to run thus as thou doost to finde and recouer what the destinies will not permit thée as yet And if thou art not enemie to thy selfe but hast regard of thine owne life heare and credit my councell and doo as I shall presently direct thée concerning what I say vnto thée who I am and for what cause I am so carefull of thée the effect shall acquaint thee withall Know then that I am the old and auncient Necromancian Charonifer father to great Minofoll of whom it may bee thou hast sometime heard some spéech such as thou nowe seestmee haue I liued and reigned more than a thousand yeeres It is in my power to make the black night a fayre and bright day and the fairest day againe to make the most darkesome night I can make the Moone and all the starres to discend from heauen downe to the earth by my charmes and enchauntments but a woman of great wisedome oftentimes hinders me from dooing what I would Iknew thy graundfathers who were great kings and Monarches on the earth I haue seene to my ioy the mightie Horfella thy mother who in her life time was very deere to me and whome I looued as mine owne life for of thy forefathers and great vnckles did I receiue my first nourriture and was brought vp from my very youngest yeeres in recompence whereof I haue euermore cherished and looued such as were discended of them especially thee and thy brother Nabot whom I esteeme as much as thee you twaine beeing the most hardie and valiant of all your linage and race So that for your aduancement I haue dayly preserued yee from infinite perrils and â—â—ortall dangers whereinto according to your destinies you were readie to fall but by mine arte I haue preuented all inconueniences which I perceiued were threatned against yée And namely let me remember thée of the deuillish spirits that were in the Castell of the Enchanteresse Melanda which could not be chased thence but by one of the best knights in the world likewise the Combate thou hadst with them by commaundement of the Lady whom thou seruest then maist thou likewise bee mindfull of the great sorrowe and vexation thou wert to endure before thou couldst vanquish them and from which for â—ertaine thou couldst not haue escaped without death but onely by mine arte and by my meanes which succoured and defended thee for there did I so handle the matter that in the end thou didst obtaine the victorie as thy selfe doost very well knowe and nowe againe thou art in farre greater daunger of death if thou doost not as I shall say vnto thee Goe then and follow the path which now thou treadest thorow the forrest vntill that hauing many times turned by my circle made in manner and forme of a Laborynth thou perceiuest thy selfe to be in the middest thereof where thou shalt see a great Trée straite as any Ceder
which neuer had braunches leaues nor fruite since first it sprang from out the earth In that tree thou shalt behold a doore open which notwithstanding is now so fast shut as no one can discerne that euer it hath beene opened neither shall such as come néere it sée it except it please me those onely whome I will shall perceiue it but others that by chaunce light vppon it shall imagine it to bee a huge great Rock wherein is a strong Caue full of Lyons Tigars Beares and other sauage and cruell beasts But see that boldly thou enter thereinto and discend lowe vnder the earth by certaine stayres which thou shalt finde made expressely for this cause and when thou art discended an indifferent waye thou shalt finde a floud the water whereof runneth so violently as the flood is very fearefull to behold Uppon this water thou shalt sée a black Barque furnished with oares and sayles necessarie for conueyance to the place where I make my continuall abiding Enter boldly into the vessell enter as thou art without dread of any thing and coutching thy selfe therein keeping thy selfe alwayes beneath and thy mouth fast closed remooue not at all for from thence vppon the flood which continually runneth downewards shalt thou bee brought to a place where thou shalt receiue helpe for thy mortall woundes for in very déed thou art somewhat daungerouslie wounded Afterward thou shalt be aduertised what is expedient for thée to doo to merit glorie and reputation among the Gods that make their aboad in the inferiour part of the world and if thou doost other wise then as I haue tolde thee thou canst not any way escape the death If the Giant were amazed at the first beholding of this olde man no doubt hee was much more now hearing his wordes and yet was it more meruaylous then all the rest that when he had concluded his spéech there appeared in his place a flame of fire which béeing conuerted into smoake was carryed héere and there thorow the ayre without appearance left of any other thing which caused the Giant to stand along while pensiue without aduenturing on any resolution an indifferent space but after hee had considered with himselfe the wordes of the old Magitian he gaue credit to them and determined to do as he had willed him by reason that the losse of his bloud from foorth his wounds made him feele his strength to diminish very much and a very great weaknesse conquer all his body In this determination he put himselfe vppon the way to finde the Tree whereof the olde man had tolde him in which searche wee will leaue him to speake of the other knight so cruelly wounded He as writes the Historian being come to himselfe againe so soone as the Giant could not yet arise so readily for hee was of a more weake and soft complexion Which Pharisor who had béeneah eye witnesse of their encountring beholding went to him and hauing vnlaced his Helmet saw that his visage which naturally was faire was now so spent and discoulloured as one could perceiue nothing of his wunted perfection Héereat he began to greeue for hee was of good nature very pittifull and succourable to the afflicted and séeing the knight complained verye much of his woundes which made him now feele a dangerous and mortall anguish he began to comfort him so well as possiblie he could And séeing that still his bloud wasted in great aboundancâ— he despoyled himselfe of his shirt which was so whitâ— as hart could wish and hauing torne it in pâ—eces ther with he bound vp his wounds very handsomly When the knight féeling more ease then he did before and that his vigour in better sort encreased he intreated to be mounted vppon his horsse which he did by the helpe of Pharisor who leading the horsse by the bridle guided him by sundry pathes thorow the Forrest séeking where he might finde any village or house or any one that knew howe to cure the knights woundes with kinde comfortings and other fréendly spéeches he thus conducted him along the forrest when the night being spent at their entrance thereout they came to a very great champion plaine when the auaunt courrer or messenger of the day began to sâ—ew his Christalline beautieâ— thorow his siluer locks whence soone after followed the bright splendour of the goulden Sun Then can they discerne a farre of in this desert a smoake that séemed to come from the Chimney of some house which made the fayre pilgrime to guide the horsse that way But hee had not gon much ground till hee sawe the Knight giue a signe of falling from his horse for he was suddenly surprised with the trembling fit of an extreame agâ—â— caused thorow the deadly pain of his wounds which beeing vnbound for ease let the bloud againe issue foorth as thorâ—w pipes or gutteâ—s This was no little gréefe to the pilgrime who tooke him from his horse in his armes when setting him to the grounde the knight began to swoune againe wherewith Pharisor was so troubled as fearing he was néere his death hee layde him along on the the grasse and bound againe his wide gaping woundes Then taking him in his armes hee got vp on the Knights horse and so caryed him before him ouerthwart the saddle and hauing long ridden that way as he beheld the smoake there ensued as you shall heare in the following chapter Chap. 5. How the wounded Knight which the faire Pilgrime conducted was brought into the lodging of a good and holy Hermit where his wounds were healed by the praiers which the good Hermit made to God The great miracle that happened likewise howe the Knight was baptized and made a Christian. Whereby is signified vnto vs how God disperseth the effects of his almightie power to such as serue him who are oftentimes found rather in poore and simple Cottages and in desert places then in the golden Pallaces or wealthie Citties Likewise is in this Chapter remembred that the ayde and succour of the meanest may serue and profit the greatest personages PHarisor the fayre Pilgrime so long and by so many sundry pathes in the desert conducted in sort as yee haue read in the former Chapter the halfe dead body of the hardie and vertuous knight that about the houre of mid-day hee discouered the place whence he saw the smoke to ascend â—oorth Thither hasted hee with all the speed hee could vse hoping in that place to méete with some one that could giue remedie to the knights wounds for very great care he had of him because of the bountie and valour he had discerned in him But drawing néerer to this long expected place hee thought his hope would be deceiued by reason he sawe it to be but a little lodging couered with Reedes and Rushes in which he could not be perswaded to finde what he would This made him halfe minded to change his way to some other part yet something still houered about his heart that hee should
For there is no other difference betwéene vs bâ—t that you are oftentimes armed when I am not and then I honour yee when yee make no account of me but in dooing yee seruice It then ensueth by like reason that when I am armed and you not you should doo such dutie to me as I haue sayd In other things wee are equall and alike as by reason I will prooue vnto yee which as yee know should alwayes be held of greatest trueth For when you laugh I laugh likewise when you weepe I weepe also when you goe I goe when you are on horsseback I am not on foote and when you are on foote I am not on horsseback If you be agreeued so am I if you be amorous I am so as well as yee when yee eate I eate when you drinke I am thirstâ—e when you sléepe I snort What will yee that I shall say for further proofe in breefe there is no other difference betweene vs then as I haue sayd By my faith sayd the knight who tooke great pleasure in hearing him thus prate like a Parret Thou saist true Geliaste but tell me I pray thée howe canst thou saue thy selfe from this answere and not confesse thy selfe to bee vâ—â—quished Thy father thy mother and mine are they one selfe same persons are weâ— two as great the one as the other thou well perceiuest we are not for I am far greater then thou art we are not likewise of one teiucture nor of haire alike When we dine when we eate or drinke we â—â—t not both at one table thou dinest and suppest at my dispence or by my meanes I neuer dine or sup at thine nor by thy helpe When I combate thou doost not I looke the enemie in the face and stand to him thou turnest thy back and flyest when I am assured thou art fearefull and sometime when I smite thou bearest away the blowes or takest thee to thy heeles and so escapest Continuing these speeches with diuers other to passe away the time as the Knight was highlye contented with this pleasant kinde of arguing they followed still the path that had conducted them from the Sea and were come now the space of two good myles when a far off the Knight discouered a little thicket which was round beset with fayre Bushes this gaue him some hope that there hee should find soâ—e Spring or Fountaine where bee might quench his thirst which pained him greatly and shaddow sufficient to take the frew ayre and rest himselfe as he had some néed Here vpon he continued his way thither ward and beeing there arriued was glad hee had found the thing he desired For this place was round enuironed with great goodlye Trees where vnder was a most pleasing shade and in one part thereof was a most fayre cléere fountaine the sourse whereof was engirt with a daintie sweet spring the greatnes whereof contained three acres of ground The grasse was there so greene and cheerefull as possible might be and cheefely there more then in any other part adioining wherat the Knight greatly meruailed and without care of seeking after any other particuler occasion but contenting himselfe with the naturall fertilitie of the place proceeding from the riuer the onely cause thereof hee went about to beholde and mounting on a higher part of the ground to rest himselfe vnder a coole shaddowe he fell a sleepe and so did Geliaste likewise where for necessitie sake we wil giue them leaue to rest a while Chap. 7. How Gerileon being at rest and sleeping in the wood neere the fountaine which he had so fortunately found was awaked by his squire to heare the pleasing lamentable voyce of a Lady that did sing there hard by which hauing vnderstood he intreated the Lady to sing the same Song againe The talkes which the Lady had with him during which time there came vppon them an horrible cruell monster called the sauage Polippe wherewith Gerileon began a fierce and daungerous fight From whence may bee gathered that there where man dooth purpose to be safe and at quiet sleeping long time in delight and voluptuousnes there sinne which is a sauage monster and which changeth and enchaunteth it selfe into diuers fourme yet all most dangerous commeth and assayleth him so fiâ—rcely as hee hath worke enough to defend him selfe But if hee can ouercome him then is he greatly to be commended and merits wonderfull renowme and reputation THe good and vertuous knight Gerileon remained a sléepe according as you heard in the end of the former chapter about the space of two houres but Geliaste could not sleepe so long because in his slumber he dreamed that he heard a swéet hermonie wherein his thoughts tooke very great pleasure So that when he awaked he plainlye heard what he dreamed on no imagination but a very perfect voyce singing a song He heard a femenine voyce very swéete and mellodious which sang with pleasure to the eare yet pittifully in regard of her cause a song in the Spanish language the substance whereof héereafter followeth Nor was there any humaine heart that heard it but as it would haue beene highly pleased so could it not choose but compassion would haue mooued it The Song was thus The Ladyes Song while Gerileon slept BLinde cruell bowe-man looue that with enuenomde dart Outragiously enflamest my brest and murdrest my poore hart Alas what wouldst thou more thou makest me lingring stay And wilt not send Phinander home whom all my thoughts obay The promisde day is come when fayre Ozyris sayd My long distresse should haue an end and all my greefes allayd Yet am I still detaynde within this cruell prison Of fierce inhumaine Polyppe who keepes â—e gainst all reason Alreadie six times together had the voice sung this song ere the Squire would arise to awake his maister who as yet had heard nothing but the seauenth time as the song was halfe finished or at this place where we haue paused he well vnderstanding both the words and sence arose and awaked the knight that slept saying My Lord I pray yee take your armour for I imagine you shall finde some aduenture heere that will incite yee to the combate As for me I shall not because I haue bound your armour so long as I am wearyed therewith I pray yee this once stand in my defence and fight for mee and in my place because I finde my selfe so spent with choller by reason of the greefe I conceiue at the Ladyes song which ye heare that if I should lay hand to my weapon in this rage and agonie I am afraid I should kill my selfe which I should be very sorry to doo not so much for the looue of my selfe but because if such inconuenience should happen you should be left all alone and so haue no body to carrye your armour Well Geliaste quoth Gerileon thou hast reason to be so carefull of me and I take it in very good part but what Song is that thou tellest me of and
and téeth of the Sauage was infected Heereby he became meruailouslie spent and ouercharged and euen readie to fall into a mortall feauer when suddenly he being in this paine heard the water which as I tolde yee before enuironed the dungeon to mooue with a great murmure as if some one had bathed himselfe therein Héerevpon he presently lifted vp himselfe as it were to knowe the cause thereof when hee beheld come foorth of the riuer the fayre Nimphe Olympia chamber maide to the Fayrie Ozyris She hauing oftentimes seene him was fresh in memorie and knowne immediatly when suddenly running to him embrasing him louiugly she entred into these spéeches My sweete friend within these two houres am I come hither guided by the channels of vnder-ground from whence these waters ascend to this place euen from the Pallace of the Nymphe Ozyris thy Nursse whome I serue and reuerence shee louing thee extreamly as well thou knowest Hither am I come from her to preserue thee and to tell thee withall that if thou suffer me not to embalme the wounds on thy body with this precious vnguent which she expressely commaunded me to bring in this golden bottel thou beholdest in my hand thou art in very great danger of thy life so that thou canst hardly escape the death if thou continue in this estate but till to morow morning Therfore disdaine not to discouer where thy wounds are that I may put in execution the command of my lady wherto I dare in no wise be disobedient I may not quoth he faire Olympia my friend refuse the succour of my most deare Oziris nor of thyselfe likewise for albeit the necessitie wherin I now am did not incite me to take it yet the obeisance which I owe both to the one and the other of ye marie more great to the mistres than to the seruant commands me to obey all that you can command in a knight So saying he discouered his woundes to the Nimphe who applyed to them the precious ointments in the golden bottell which was no sooner spread vpon them but presently he felt no paine at all and became immediatly as whole and sound as if he neuer had béene wounded Hereof was he not a little ioyfull when imbrasing colling and kissing the Nimphe more then a thousand times who was in part the cause of so great good to him he often enquired of the health of her Lady and the rest of the companie and chéefely if she had receiued any charge froÌ„ her to tell him what issue the combate should haue which he had begun whether he should be the conquerer or himself he brought vnder and vanquished Enquire not at all gentle knight answered the nimphe what shall happen to thée either in this combat or any other enterprises wherein thou art to hazard thy life for it is not lawful that mortall creatures should know things to come Only be thou of good courage and take no gréefe of the multitude of trauailes which thou must procéed in Let it suffice that I say to thée in generall howbeit I néed not specifie so much before hand to thée that thou art destined to vndertake finish before thou diest many hautie enterprises And of all them to behold the end it behooueth thee to endure much to expose thy self to a thousand thousand dangers and perilous hazards especially before thou canst know who is thy father or maist behold the place of thy birth or what thy cheefest desire is to see as oft times I haue heard the great princesse of the Fayries the high mightie Ozyris my mistres say to whom it is necessarie that I quickly returne because shee so commanded me Therefore I say God be with thee to whom I recommend thée desiring him to guarde and preserue thée from all mortall daungers Hauing so sayd she kiss the Knight and then vanished suddenly before him he not séeing her till she came néere the Fountaine where he beheld her plange her golden tresses into the siluer waters whereinto likewise she diued her whole body being for this time séene no more notwithstanding the manifolde intreaties for returne that the knight made whereby he continued all the night so displeased that he could entertaine no thought of rest but when the vermillion blush of day breake began to showe his red locks and disperse his splendour ouer the earth hee put on his Armour againe and wenâ— before the Caue to attend the Polyppes comming to the combate whereout if hee would showe himselfe this day yet hee intended to speake with the Lady he saw the day before to enquire of her the cause of this aduenture as also for his Squire for whose losse which he imagined vnrecouerable hee remained full of gréefe and sorrow Long had he not stayed there before the Polyppe came foorth in the shape he had taken the night before which was like a mightie huge Lion fierce rauenous and very fearfull to behold farre differing from the naturall beasts of the same kinde which ordinarily are not so great hideous and monstrous in view which had terrified the Knight with feare but that hee remembred the last woordes of the Nymphe Olympia and as they began to quicken his memorie so they made him become more hardie fierce and terrible then the Lion himselfe who comming â—haâ—ing foorth of his den to run vpon him seeing him stand with such resolued hardinesse minded once to returne againe into his Caue But the fire of his rage was so violent for loosing the combate the day before as his heate could conteyâ—e no gouernement but that in all furie hee would flie vppon him and snatching at him stroue to teare away his shield that hung about his neck and with such vigour did he catch hold thereon as he brake the arme braces of strong brasse and the buckles of steele wherewith it was fastened in dooing whereof he well néere had ouerthrowne him in the place had not the worthie knight more braue then the Lion himselfe reached such a blow at his head as but it was quicklie defended hee had beene cleft therewith to the shoulders But the sturdie beast who the day before had made proofe of such like weightie strokes let goe his hold to make a step backward from the blowe Euen as a mallicious enraged dogge seeing a waffâ—ing man with an yron piked staffe passing before a doore in a village where he lay sleeping without any noyse or barking runneth suddenly vpon him tearing with his téeth the flesh from one of his legges wherewith the man being agréeued turneth the yron poynt of his staffe to strike and kill him which the dog fearing giueth back and turning againe vpon the man enforceth himselfe to runne againe vpon him to get a greater morsell from him and he still standing vppon his guarde threatnes the yron pointe more dangerouslie to the téeth of the Mastie who perseuering still in his rage constraines foorth himselfe still to giue him more woundes yet being constrayned to
wherein poore desolate Princesse that I am I haue beene too long a time detained Thinke and consider vertuous knight I intreat thee wherin my wretched selfe may doo thee any seruice My father hath great store of riches and treasure beside more store of welthie and honorable friends to whom if it may please yee to beare me company I am assured for this my deliueraunce he will returne sucâ— recompence as ye shall haue no cause to be discontented Ladie answered Gerileon riches and treasure are no such recompence as my trauailes do expect neither did desire of any such matter incite me to knightly deeds following the execution of dangerous exploits of Armes but an earnest affection to do good and bringing to passe such things as are pleasing in the sight of God as is shortning the liues of the wicked that ordinarily commit a thousand cruelties displeasing to his maiestie Nor am I ignorant that among men of honor and vertue I shall beare away more account and fame by the effects of this affection then should I bee possessed of massie heapes of riches the greedie desire wherof oftentimes prouoketh men rather to do euill then good And this is my assurance that thus I shall obtaine more easilie the fauour of the better sort and no other guerdon doe I require eyther of you or your father if the pleasure I haue doone ye in deliuering ye from this monsters captiuitie may merit any recompence at all on my behalfe But I repute the déed to bee of so slender valew in regard of your deserts as for all my labour bestowed I require no other thing of yee but that ye would tell me the first effects of this aduenture and especially of whence ye are how and wherfore ye haue beene thus deteyned by this monster also why ye sung the Song before the beginning of our combates perswading your selfe that with this onely courtesie I shall holde my selfe sufficiently requited If I should most vertuous knight answered the Ladie recount from the beginning to the end the whole Historie and progresse of all my misfortunes three times would the sunne and moone make their course about the world before my discourse were ended and so yee might thereby receiue more discontent then pleasure But for your sake I am content to reueale what you desire to know and when my tale shall growe yrkesome and offensiue to ye then will I end if so ye please to commaund mee As the Lady procéeded in this kinde of language the knight who held her by the right hand espyed her chéekes suddenly died with a Uermillion blush surpassing the Rose whereby her beautie which was nothing lesse inferiour thereâ—o receiued more splendour then before it did when the monster with feare still dismaied her heart and this inward dismay greatly altered and changed her beautifull complexion making her looke pale wanne and coullerlesse Now began Gerileon greatly to meruaile heereat and withall stood as amazed when be beheld the vnlooked for companie of a young Gentleman so néere him fayre and of good grace who had procured this loouely change in the Lady nor did he take it anie iote displeasantly though with a smiling and debonnarie countenance the young Gentleman approached néere to touche her saluting her with a swéet kisse humble reuerence and kinde embrace expressing his inward affection and goodwill which immediatlie was pursued with amiable and gentle spéech to Gerileon full of gratulations and thankfull courtesies as well for his deliuerance as the Ladyes there present where to when the knight had kindly replyed as he was not to learne his court-ship the Gentleman ran and embraced the Lady in such sorte as they are wunt to doo that haue béen long time without the sight and company of such as they extreamely loue and affect and she like wise as finding no small ease heereby to her amourous flames so strictly bound the Gentleman in the circle of her armes ouercome with loue and intire affection as if he had not had more discretion then the Lady fearing least Gerileon would be offended at these ceremoniall actions of loue I thinke they would neuer haue sundered till the worlds end but he shewing a bashfull countenance for these amourous behauiours which neuerthelesse were performed modestly and comely winding himselfe though loth from the anchorholde of his ioye brake foorth in these spéeches to the Ladie Swéet Mistresse I heard that you made a promise to this knight to whome both you and I remaine so highlie beholding as you ought not delay any longer time but to reueale what ye haue promised aboue all things be so good as your woord and obey whatsoeuer he shall please to commaund yee being assured that hee will command no other thing then what shall be agreeing with honor and honestie My good Lord and fréend answered the Lady I doubt not but this woorthie knight will pardon me if I be a little forgetfull of my dutie towarde him considering the sight of you rauished my hart with such ioy that if euer he knew to loue and what his conquering passions are he will rather referre the fault to his power then to any disgrace or discourtesie on my behalfe committed At these words Gerileon sighed and changed couller féeing to kindle againe within him by this new touch or remembrance the liuely amourous flames which not long since tooke beginning in his youthfull brest and so much the more they encreased in him as hee stroue to couer and dissemble the same which the Ladie and young Gentleman well enough perceiued albeit they made no shewe thereof tearing to displease him to whom they were so greatly indebted In this time Geliaste came foorth of the Caue quaking and trembling which made the knight so glad fearing hee was dead as he forgot some part of his late remembrance for next to his Ladie hee intirely looued his Squire and would not lose him for any thing in the world His comming causing pleasure and content to them all they went further from the Caue and laye downe in the shade vnder a great goodly Trée where sitting very kindly together the Lady began her discourse in forme and manner as ye shall read in the Chapter following CHAP. 11. Orphisa recounteth the whole progresse of her aduenture to the Knight Gerileon how the King Diâ—gonde of Lusitania after long triall of his fortune hauing espoused the Princesse of Spaine named Pollyda and hauing no issue by her she beguiled him with one of her fayrest Damosels called Olympia of whom he begat the fayre Orphisa who was carryed away by the Sauage Polyppe and afterward deliuered as yee haue heard Whereby we may note how variable fortune is in this world and how after she hath by her inconstancie ouertrauayled such as are vnder the guarde of their good Angell in the end they escape with pleasure and contentment more easily after they are brought to the porte of so many euils then if they had neuer beene tossed in those
it happened as ye shall read hereafter for now we are to speake of other matters CHAP. 14. Of the warre betweene the Christians and the Pagans that had layde siege before the famous Cittie of London And howe king Angrafolt prisoner to king Floridamant became enamoured of the princesse Polydamie And how many sundry sortes of nations came by heapes to the Pagans Campe for theyr succour IN this place the Authour of this Historie discontinueth a while from speaking of the heroycall gestes and déeds of the knight Gerileon to take the discourse againe heeretofore begun touching the cruell and bloodie warre betwéene the Christians and Pagans that held siedge before the proud and famous Cittie of London ensuing vpon that you haue read in the former part of this Booke where alreadie hath beene told yee how the hote and fierce assault against the Cittie vnder the conduct of furious Angrafolt was ended Now remaineth to acquaint ye with what happened after the Pagans were chased thence sustaining so great losse and slaughter of their men beside their cheefe heads and conducters Angrafolt and Mycophon beeing taken prisoners then thus we procéed The night after this meruaylous assault against the good and vertuous king Floridamant dooing a déed becomming a king that feared God and looued his people as euery prince that is called to so high dignitie ought doo séeing and knowing how without helpe of the celestiall bountie he was in most great danger of totall ruine which had béene no small hurt to all Christendome also that as yet he had some aduantage of his enemies hauing subiected one of the principall heads to his will and an other of the best knights in all their troope he would not now shew himselfe slothfull but perfourme the act of a good Christian by yéelding thanks and prayses to God with intreatance to continue towards him and his people these fauourable effects of his almightie goodnes cheefely in a quarrell so iust and equitable as was the cause of this seuere and outragious warre To this end the same night that eche was retired from the fight hee commanded the belles in all the Churches of the Cittie to be â—noled to assemble and call together all his people from the highest to the lowest that had knowledge of God willing them to render dutifull thanks to God praying that in mercie he would assist them against his vnbeléeuing enemies who would not acknowledge him which euery one did very deuoutly and there was no holye place thorowout the Cittie where lampes torches and tapers were lighted but the people flocked thither in exceeding number And for this purpose the aforenamed places were persumed with incense and Aromaticall odours beside the musicall and mellodious voyces of Priests Moonkes singing children and other seruants of God who with hearts full of heauenly deuotion sung Canticles of prayse with prayers agréeable and pleasing to God Continuing thus well néere all the night such as were more apte for warre sayled not to be on the walles in their glittering Armour to impeach the enemie that hee should presume so prowdlye as the daye before hee had doone in which time they that were in guarde and kept the night watche went to thanke God and afterwards to their rest Angrafolt whome king Floridament had taken prisoner séeing all these things admired the meruaylous foresight of the king the industrie care and vigilance he vsed for preparation of the Citties defence and people when well hee perceiued that many of the Pagans should loose theyr liues before they could vanquish the people beloued of God but beyond all other things he was astonned at the sight of the faire Infant Polydamie who by commaundement of the king her father entertayned him beningly and shewed him good countenance because the king had determined to intreat and vse him with such contentment as the force of his kindnes and benignitie might mollifie the hard crueltie of his enemies And so making them against their nature soft and gentle they might bee induced to vse humanitie courtesie to foure worthie Christian knights Accial of Surrie Ramelin of Uuich Melchior or Ireland and Frangard Countie of Durford whom the Giant Brisard and Rongemont had taken prisoners in combatting For this cause he perswaded Angrafolt to write vnto king Grandowin his father to vse those foure hardy knights so kindly as might be which he did fearing if they misdealt with the Christians by ouer sharpe or inhumaine seueritie like rigour would be vsed towards him and he should be as cruelly tormented Heere vpon the Pagans did not put them to death as otherwise they would haue doone for the liues of these foure valiant knights was desired of king Floridamant more then the death of fiue hundred of his enemies considering the present necessitie he was in And although Angrafolt before his taking was abooue all other a fierce and cruell aduersarie against him yet now hee was so ouercome by the courtesie and kindnesse of the king vsed toward him as more gladly would he continue in this prisonment then returne againe to his companions for in such sorte was hee arrested by the fayre Infants beautie which in his eye excelled all other hee had séene before as made him more desirous to abide in this fayre prison so that when libertie was offered him hee had no will to forgoe this swéet seruitude For yee must vnderstand that beyond her naturall perfection which was no lesse absolute then I haue tolde yee shee was adorned with such sumptuous garments iewels and other trickes of embellishment as like stately princesses are accustomed to weare that the barbarous king feeling himselfe altogether surprised with her loue desired nothing more then dayly to liue in contemplation of her good graces and albeit thereby he receiued some pleasure and contentment yet was it a gréefe and martirdome to him to enioy nothing else his amourous conceit being vnable to compasse any other effect then this vaine imagination and fantasticall contemplation so lying figured in his hart And if by chaunce he dreamed on some little shew of hope that perswaded him he should enioy the pleasant skirmishes of loue yet presently againe was hee kild and discomforted not vnlike the angrie and arrogant boot-haling Pirate that was wâ—nte to tyrannize and triumphe ouer poorer théeues then himselfe seeing he is for some offence by him committed bound fast by the leg with a chaine blames the houre of his birth exclaming on God and his iustice without any feare or regarde of his supreme greatnesse Euen so was this proud Pagan tormented and in his torment oftentimes to himselfe hee imagined some subtill and detestable meane whereby he might rauish the young and tender princesse or forcibly carrie her awaye When shee good Ladye without any thought of euill or mallice vsed him most gratiouslie and courteous euermore shewing him freendly and smilying countenances and according as the king her father had giuen in charge would manie and sundrie tymes entertayne him with
his least that our enemies who are Pagans and in whome yet neuer appeared any sparke of loyaltie or fidelitie as well we knowe should intend some thing against our prisoner both hurtful vnto them and vs and I am of opinion that if vnbeléeuing men containe such good thoughts as to vse kindnes and benignitie towarde their enemies the like or more ought appeare in them that professe faith and loyaltie Wee then that follow the right path of a farre better religion should thinke on no fraude or trumperie whatsoeuer and much lesse in time of a kinde intreaty as we promise to our prisoned enemie vnder hope whereof they whom our enemies detaine of ours may receiue such fauour from them as they shall not be compelled to doo any thing hurtfull to themselues Let vs not then constraine him to any thing against his will much lesse let vs speake or once open our mouthes concerning any marriage in that it will seeme a matter incredible to our enemies that against the lawes of our religion wee would permit the marriage of a Pagan with a Christian this were but to make them veryly beléeue that we would altogether forsake our God and the conâ—idence we haue hitherto reposed in him to worship with them their false gods Iupiter Mahomet Mercurie Phoebus and such like idols as they reuerence as things celestiall so altogether to take their parte whereas we ought not shew them the least attaint of our thoughts but firmely to stand on our strong faithfull foundation toward God who euermore hitherto hath maintained and preserued vs by his exceeding mercie and inuincible dower And still in his goodnes we ought to resolue with our selues that all the Bethulians were in times past deliuered from the miserable and cruell siedge of cruell Holofernes onely by power diuine that for their deliuerance raised vp a woman who by vndauntable stomach cut off the head of their chéefest enemie we by the like or greater miracle by his supreame and diuine grace shall be deliuered from our proud enemy for whose destruction if our strength be two feeble or in any sort wanteth hee can by his will if we firmely trust in him make flye on them againe eyther the Sword of Gedeon or Aioth or else an other Iudeth to ouerthrow and exterminate theyr dayes altogether so to preserue and deliuer them that abide in faithfull obedience and trust continuing theyr firme hope and assurance onely in him We sée by many holy and sacred misteries and examples wherewith the diuine and holy Scriptures are plentifully stored and furnished from how many euils and mischiefes he deliuered and miraculouslie preferued the Children of Isaack and Israell that trusted in his goodnesse and mercie and did with hearts full of deuotion and penitence call for his helpe and succour in theyr calamities and afflictions let vs then altogether trust hope in him beleeuing that he is at this present euer hath beene and for euer will bee as gracious and mightie as then hee was and in this hope let vs take paine valiantlye and couragionslie to defend our selues for if we had this resolution in vs though we were as men without hart or power I am perswaded that fiue hundred of vs shall suffise to impeache the entrance of our enemie were they as many more in number as they are and so attend the arriuall of our hoped succour albeit they should tarry a moneth yet longer in comming when he had concluded in this sorte the wise and vertuous king Floridamant seeing by â—xteriour demonstration that the greater part of the assistants approoued and highly praysed the good councell of the valâ—ant olde Candior Duke of Normandie fastened on his words and thus began himselfe My good friends and faithfull companions if in this aduersâ—tie which hath not béene common with you or mee I haue some cause of greefe to sée my selfe in extreame danger of loosing my estate and Crowne which my predecessours by their prudence and vertue so long time happilie preserued in all flourishing ioy and prosperitie yet withall I haue now great reason to comfort my selfe séeing so manie vertuous and valiant persons embarqued in the same ship readie to run in like daunger of fortune with me who not onely by effects of their prowesse and valour lets mee apparantly behold what good will they beare to the conseruation of the christian weale publique but likewise do trauaile by their aduise and councell to acquaint both mine eyes and certaine experience with what zeale and affection they embrace the conduct of mine estate and howe forward they are for the preseruation of all Christendome which would bee meruaylously shaken if this wofull distressed kingdome at this instant the most flourishing estate of all where the name of Iesus Christ is knowne honored and glorified should fall as a praye to the enemie that séeke to take and vtterly ruinate it For which I ought chéefely to thanke my God as vnfaynedly I doo that he hath not altogether forsaken mee in this calamitie and miserie but not onely hath prouided me of such valiant knights and warriours as you all are but withall hath lent me men so skilfull and aduised It séemeth then good to me that according to the discréet councell of Duke Candior of Normandie that we should not séeke to delay but patiently endure the enemies assault when they shall againe with their great number giue the attempt and without any shew of feare eyther without or within the Cittie carrie no regard of our liues or goods but imploye our selues together manfully to defend so iust a quarrell as this for which we fight And let vs so behaue our selues that our enemies may know how the Lord God that assisteth vs and can if hee please take our caâ—se in hand is onely mightie and will by vs deliuer such testimonie of fortitude to the worlde as neither is in their power or the false idolatrous Gods which they worship to doo in vaine then shall they thinke to feare vs or worke such ruine to vs as they intended In this deliberation each of you take courage and he assured that whosoeâ—dr dyeth in hardie tryall of this fight it shall bee a perpetuall honor to him in this world and a glorious life to him in the endlesse world where he shall triumphe of the fayrest victorie Neuertheles I doo not reiect the good councell and aduise of the king Ferrand Grandilaor and others agréeing with them whereto if we sée vrgent necessitie constraine vs wee may vse them as we find cause to vphold our selues on our feete what euer betide vs marie yet we must not so slightlie condiscend thereto without further feeling of our enemies force then as yet we haue without any great disaduantage Hauing thus sayd ech commended and agréed on this resolution and so rysing from councell they went to prepare to withstand the assault as héereafter ye shall read because we must héere conclude this chapter CHAP. 18. How the Pagans prepared
themselues to the assault and how the besieged Christians endeuoured to the contrarie in such sorte as they withstood it valiantly How many braue bickerings passed betweene them compelling the Infidels after a great slaughter and on needfull occasion to withdrawe themselues toward their Campe and Pauillions WHen the Christian Princes departed from Councell it was almost night and hauing a lighted Torche before him as is the manner in the Realme of England the chéefe and most noble Lordes went to the Pallace royall to take theyr repast in companie of their king who feasted and entertayned them very magnificently the better to encourage them in their deuâ—ire After supper was ended the guarde and watch was orderly placed each one of the inhabitants thus resoluing rather to die the death then turne their backes on their enemies or forsake the walles which they manned and fortified very strongly expressing iuuincible and neuer quayling courage The princes were there in person and hauing in the night made sundrie roundes about the Cittie to see if any thing wanted in any place they found all well and in good disposition through the carefull dilligence of the Captains by them appointed and according as the king had commaunded for conduct of the footmen This doone they departed for a while to the pallace againe that they might take a little rest because they had beene so ouertrauailed the dayes before Not three houres or thereabout had they slumbringly slept but they heard a great rumour and noyse thorow all the Cittie the cause whereof was in respect the enemies had sounded their drums and trumpets giuing an allarme to the inhabitants wherevpon king Floridamant arose immediatly and all the Christian kings and Princes that bare him companye who betooke themselues as the king had appointed to the rampiers and contremures seuerally prouided to withstand this first and sudden assault of the Pagans And as each one was come to his place of charge they found the enemies alreadie verye busie against foure places of the Cittie at once with their Trepans Rammes Bricolles Scorpions Crowes with other such like engines and instruments for warre wherewith in those times they vsed to breake and beat downe the walles of Citties they saw withall that they had erected theyr high terrasses and platformes that commaunded ouer the Cittie and on the principall of these Fortes they had builded certaine bastils or houses of wood wherein were placed great store of Archers and crossebows who standing with assurance against the enemie might greatly iniurie such as attempted to impeache the escalade appointed in these places and for this purpose For this cause likewise they commanded their Elephants to be brought neere the wals to the number of two or three hundred carrying little castles of wood vpon theyr backs wherein also were a number of Pagan Archers hid Beside many were appointed with Torches and burning firebrands against the gates of the cittie where they layde store of pitch barrels to make the fire the sooner do his office when the gates being burnt downe they entered in great number the citty while the christians was busied to defend the breach or scaling of the wals when king Floridamant his hardie knights had notice â—éereof with all spéed they hasteâ—ed thither where séeing how they laboured against the high bulwarks of earth with their pioners they made new fortifications vpon them casting such déepe trenches round about as should hold them rougher worke then the wal had done for the trenche was made with speciall good soldiours the number of thrée or foure thousand being armed wyth pikes and stéeled cuirasses so worthily stood vpon theyr defence as the Pagans who verily thought they had won the daie alreadie were quickly repulsed from that bridge for king Grandilaor Andregon and Lampridion who were appointed to kéep that quarter with their companies droue them so furiously ouer the false rouered déepe trenches as at this first onset fell therein wounded slaine and spoyled fouretéene or fiftéene hundred Pagans together that were striuing who should be formost before his fellow Whereat the fâ—erce proud Brandissant chafed out of measure when being followed by the foure Pagan kings his vassalls all armed in most goodly glittering armour each hauing in his hand a mightie mase garnished with sharpe stéele pointes round about they laid vpon the Christians so outragiously as the port of the bulwarke where into the greater part ran for safetie of their liues being too straight to let them in so fast as they came there were presently slaine out-right in this brunt more then fiue hundred men Brandissant pressing still on by chance met with the Citizen Hoaster who had charge of a braue armed troup in the citie and such was his vnconquerable courage as hee woulde resist this bloud-thirstie pagan but he receiued such a stroke on the creast of his morion where stood a faire plume of snowie white feathers as pearcing quite through the harnes into the brains there this worthie citizen yéelded vp his soule to God which when his sonne behold the sole heire of a meruailous wealthie patrimonie which his father had heaped together for him beeing a valiaunt young man and of towardly hope he was ouercome with such extreame rage and despight as in the heate of his â—urie not dreading the force of this stout pagan he ranne vpon him to reuenge the death of his father and hauing his sword drawen in his hand he deliuered such a stroke at the pagan as but for the goodnes of his shielde had deeply wounded him for the swords point brake of with out anie further harme to his enemie but the Pagan making no account of the blow thought in scorne to passe by him and meddle no more with him whereat the yong man called Dondye was so vexed as running againe at Brandissant he challenged him the combat when the Pagan entering into his wonted choler made him die the same death his father had done before and holding on his waie in this furie made such hauocke of the Christians as before hee wold take a breathing he slew fiue twentie or thirtie men of marke as braue and hardie as any in that companie Agaros a man of authoritie who before time had lead men in the warres of the deâ—eased king Brandismel was slayne as he fought verie couragiously for after hee had killed foure pagan souldiers hand to hand himselfe fell downe deade by the hand of this cruell and bloudie Brandissant So likewyse did Taurisque the braue leaper and the good drinker Grinos albeit he tooke not his drinke well inough that morning for which it séemed he was so sorrowfull in dying as he yelded forth his soule at his mouth crying for some friend to bring him his liquor With them bare companie Anglidor King Floridamants player on the Lute and the valiaunt knight Andron who somtime had bene his page with his two brethren Iumeaux Marcis and Mausis goodly young men of the wealthiest familie of the citie of