forgotten his word Leauing further to descant on this plaine song returne we to the Princesse who was aduertised by her woman what had passed betwéene the Knight and her not omitting his heauy lookes and pitifull spéeches And then againe as glad to please the Princesse whom she was assured loued the Knight letted not at large to set out his honors gained his comelinesse of person bountie and whatsoeuer the world admired in him she highly aduanced to the great content of y e Princesse who thought euery minute a yeare vntill she saw him whome she with hartie desire expected long looked for comes at last And Nutania who at a casement wayted diligently his coÌ„ming espied her beloued Knight what ioy it caused let them iudge which better experience haue made perfit in louers delights The Princesse hauing the sight of her so long desired Knight sent Guenelia to entertaine him and to bring him to her presence The Princesse studying to frame her countenance for his welcome bethought her selfe of sundry meanes eftsoones doubting by her too pleasant and kinde vsage to be thought too forward in loue then what discomfort her heauy lookes might moue to him whom she most desired to please In this quandary fitting on a Pallet leaning her head on her pillowe Guenela hath brought the Knight to her presence who doing his dutie was by the Princesse againe saluted Attending like the guiltie condemned his sentence from her mouth which was to giue him either life or death the Knight thus at an nonplus ouercome with the beholding of the Princesse exellent perfection was by her the mirror of all honor and curtesie remoued out of his dumpes in this maner Sir Pheander whether I should chastice thy presumption in writing so boldly vnto me or no I am not yet resolued but before I acquainted my father therewith I thought good to heare thée speake for that I would not sodeinly disgrace thée whom I haue so often graced as well to heare thy intent committing so great a follie as what thou canst say in excuse thereof Princes are not to be ieasted with nor to be attempted in such maner by their inferiours and therefore thou hast highly erred in that thou hast done and encurred the daunger of our strictest lawes by which thou art already coÌ„demned were thy fact known The Knight standing at the bar where Bewlie sat chiefe Iudge was surprized with so many griefes that he might hardly vtter any word yet reuiued by hope of those comfortable and swéete wordes pronounced by Guenela hée saith Gracious Lady that I haue presumed farre I cannot but acknowledge yet that I haue encurred such punishment as your highnesse inferreth I deny vnlesse death be the guerdon assigned the faithfull for dutifull seruice and entire affection vrged me to séeke thy fauour in loue without which I may not liue so déepely is thy vertuous perfections imprinted in my heart which if I enioy not I desire no longer to breathe Therefore Madame if thou disdaine his loue that liuing dieth continually for thée doo but say the word and this blade so often imbrued in the blood of mine enemies shall sacrifice his maisters owne true heart before thy face that thy cruell selfe maist witnesse to thy selfe how faithfully thy seruant hath loued thée The Princesse gréeued to heare these spéeches moued with great ruth could hardly forbeare sheading of teares yet modestie the ornament of womankinde caused her to feine a counterfeit show of displeasure to him whose teares wroong droppes of blood from her tender heart yet that she might not too sodeinly confesse her hearts desire nor giue him cause of vtter dispaire she saith Pheander that thou maist sée and séeing report in all places where euer thou shalt become of womens pitie I grant thée pardon for thy fault and with my pardon thy life which was wholly in me to dispose For louing me as thy Prince I heartily thanke thée but in séeking to obtaine my loue as thy wife that haue bene denied to diuerse and sundrie Princes in that thou errest let each estate frame themselues in loue to their equall so shall they sooner obtaine their desires and their loues in more tranquilitie be mainteined Thou knowest thy birth how base it is and though for thy vertues it pleased my Princely father to aduance thée who cannot of his Princely nature but rewarde the dâ—serts of the well deseruing If for his good to thée thou séeke to robbe him of his childe therein thou shewest a verie vngratefull minde and laiest open to the world thy base condition Therefore persist to prosecute thy sute let reason vanquish that brain-sicke humor which so afflicts thée in doing which thou shalt shewe thy selfe to be thy selfe For no greater conquest can be atchieued then conquering a mans owne effects Doo this and thou shalt finde Nutania thy faithfull and assured friend who will be as carefull to aduaunce thée as I haue found thée readie to pleasure me Alas good Madame answered the Knight I haue often heard the whole néeds no phisition it is easier far to giue counsell then to take it The full gorged Churle litle regardeth the staruing creature at his gate but madame could you conceiue the least part of many thousand griefes that afflict me you would pitie me at least though you yéelded me no farther fauour If thy heart be not harder then the Adamant pittie me swéete Lady and yéeld thy grace to augment my life or vtterly deny me your fauour for euer I exspect but your answere for my resolution is no other then I haue profest dastards feare to die but the Noble minde preferreth death which endeth all sorrowes before a life to be continued with discontent The Princesse which was at her wits end as full of griefe as he of sorow turned her spéeches from her matter to question him of his Country the maner of the Court and state therof thinking so to be guilde the time and put him off for that season But so long dalied she that she was forced in the end to confesse her loue to be no way inferior to his Thus as I haue said demaunding of the Knight many questions she earnestly entreated him to resolue her whether the Prince Dionicus were such as the world reported him who had name to be a Paragon excelling in all actions required in a Noble man The Prince hearing his name called in question by the Princesse on such a sodaine beléeued verily that she had some secret knowledge of him which made him with blushing chéekes to say what reportes soeuer your Grace hath heard of that Prince Dionicus I know not a subiect I was to his father and ought to speake reuerently of him yet what is truth and not for affection or despighte to say other then I will with my blood auow Wherefore Noble Lady I will truly answere your demaunds The Prince whose father was matchlesse gaining the loue of all men with care and honor mainteined the reputation
these comfortable words albeit she hoped of small reliefe from him partly to ease her heart and a litle to disgrace her aduersary which was mightie all the reuenge she could take thus said 〈…〉 that I may not séeme discurtious to you whose curti 〈…〉 ed is more then I can any way deserue but in 〈…〉 your welfare which pittieth a poore widowes e 〈…〉 e weale is the good of her poore fatherlesse Or 〈…〉 with pittie my case and consider thereof as 〈…〉 ease Then drying her eyes which like gutters bedeawed her chéeks she said Not far from hence gentle sir is my poore cabinet where this fiftie winter I haue mainteined y e port of a poore woman my husband in his life delighting in hospitality on his death bed gaue me charge to do the like which I haue obserued hurting none nor neuer denying anie good to them that sought me the néedie I 〈…〉 bored whom with my bread such vyands as God sent 〈…〉 e fed But now sir quoth she and therwithall a déepe 〈…〉 itnesse of her harts heauines restrained her spéeches 〈…〉 some pause said But now sir such is the oppressi 〈…〉 couetous in authoritie that my liuing is taken froÌ„ 〈…〉 ith my family compelled to séek harbor where we can 〈…〉 if God the comfort of the distressed prouide not within 〈…〉 e months for vs longer we haue not there to abide Telâ— me woman quoth the King what he is that thus iniureth thée and the maner how and as I am a true subiect to the king I wil neuer leaue thée til thou art with iustice reueÌ„ged on him Oh sir quoth she vrge me no more to that for my aduersary being honorable of account with y e king although y â— wrong I sustain be great yet wil he reueÌ„ge him self so on me mine as my life wil be the least last such is his bloudy mind who hath neither conscience nor thought of any good â—le after so many yeares of peaceable possession of this tennement in name of my husbands auncestry as our euidence doth specifie he wold not thus extréemly deal with those whome charitie would he should comfort but such is his crueltie who ought to be curteous that his couetousnes is neuer satisfied halling all from the poore profitting none but himselfe his children or seruantes who reape the benefite of manie mens labours for whâ—â— suite passeth but what he must like of or what w 〈…〉 King denie that he will grant Lamentable is it 〈…〉 the complaints of the commons of al estates ho 〈…〉 they murmure nay not onely against him bu 〈…〉 by others reportes that the Kings name is 〈…〉 stion of many all procéeding of this canka 〈…〉 guiding all abuseth all The Souldier seruing 〈…〉 his countries honour wanteth his pay which causeth him fall to robbery and other vnlawfull exercises The Farmer Grasier and such that liue of the benefite of their tillage féeding cattell and other hard labours haue their cattell taken their corne and what they enioy and driuen to séeke their mony by long suites and in the ende glad to besto 〈…〉 the one halfe to be assured of the other yet dare none 〈…〉 plaine how great so euer the oppression be Thus sir 〈…〉 tisfie you I haue spoken the truth what I haue he 〈…〉 partly that I know which I and many more ma 〈…〉 but cannot remedy it But sir what I haue spoke 〈…〉 you will conceale for if you be friend to him w 〈…〉 not name yet you can imagine If vnder your f 〈…〉 words lurke deceit and that you haue sifted me to beâ—ay me to his cruelty such il befall thée as I wish him whom I haue cause to curse others with me whoÌ„ he hath likewise wroÌ„ged But had the king knowledge how hée vseth his subiects especially his tenants who is our good Landlord and thus many yeares hath bene he wold redresse it but he hauing y e charge of al hath receiued a great fine to thrust me from my right which God remedy and grant our king to vnderstand his tyrannie Amen quoth the king May it bée possible that he whom I know the King hath loued so déer and fixed where their cause should bee heard and restitution made which in such sort was accomplished that his lands leases plate and Iewels were distributed to the wronged The widow who first gaue notice thereof the King enriched with greater possessions to maintaine her hospitality and Zachary for that his Dania shuld not for want of welth refuse him he bountifully rewarded so that euery one was pleased and returned content to their homes Now Gentiles the History shall shews you how Theophilus King of Thessaly expected the ayd of Thrace for restoring him to his kingdom which promise the King so regarded that in short time through the diligence of those Captains to whom the charge therof was committed the number appointed was furnished with shipping munition and victualls for the Army of whome the Thracian king tooke the Muster appointing their leaders The chiefe by name of Generall for the seruice was the Mayden Knight who was vrged vnto it by the two kings in such maner that no excuses nor delaies which he could make might be accepted vnlesse he should by his too much refusall purchase the name of coward this choyse greatly disliked the Knight whose warres in loue had but newly begunne to take successe who scarcely assured of the Princesse although her promised faith might put him in comfort yet weighing the vnstability of their sexe he doubted least his absence might drawe her to that which he would héedfully regarde being present The tydings of her fathers election made of her loue for generall as nouelties are rife and flieth with swift wings came vnto the hearing of the Princesse vnto whom if they were irksome suppose you that know how gréeuous the parting of two faithfull louers are who hauing her only felicitie in contemplating of her beloued Dionicus their ioyes but now in the blossomes was so nipt in the spring as care banished all future happinesse and sorrow began to claime her wâ—nted place in both but especially the Princesse who framed of the weaker mould heauinesse had taken the more impression in her so that forsaking all company her chéefest delight was to be solitary where shee might with déepe sighes and many brynish teares vnburthen her ouercharged heart cursing bitterly the cause and causer of seperating her loue In this melancholy vttering such spéech of dispaire as though shée sawe the dreadfull messenger Death alreadie seized vpon the valiant knight The knight who could take as litle rest as his Lady pleasure could finde content in no place vntill hée came to the Princesse lodging whome founde in this passion which was more gréeuous then all the rest her blubbred eyes pressyng bloud from his heart beholdyng her in that plight whose happy content was his onely ioy But how cumbersome so euer it was vnto him with
such honour as to her estate required whose obseques finished Barnardine regarding the benefit of the Common-weale and the Princes good of whom their hope was to learne knowledge vsed so kinde persuasions to the whole estate in a parlement holden of purpose that the regiment was deliuered by consent vnto sixe of the chiefest nobles who were solemnely sworne to maintain the dignities of the Crowne in absence of the king his sonne vnto whom being lawfull heires to the same they shuld resigne their titles whensoeuer they should chalenge y e same Now Gentiles leaue we these distressed people lamenting their kings absence the quéenes death to tel you of the Maiden Knight This gallant Prince the hope of Thrace carefull of his honor not vnmindful of his new mistres whose loue was the marke he aimed at hoping by accomplishing this victorie against the Souldane to gaine that place of reputation with her that hée desired for the better accomplishing of which he proclaimed by sound of Trumpet that all such as would in y ◠action aduenture their liues with him should bountifully be considered all estates from the Cauileare to the Mercenary caused many to offer him their sonnes so that in short time he had gathered more able men thē euer in so smal warning were séene such was the loue his bountie had gained among all estates that of their kindnes many repaired more then for of money although the thought therof is able to draw y e coward to fight so highly was this stranger honored The diligence was such of this Prince that in short time he had his companies which were so furnished as he liued not in those territories that euer saw the like Al things furnished for the field he became an earnest sutor to the Princesse his mistresse to procure the king to view his army which with smal sute she obteined for him gracing him with all the fauours she might more delighting in him then in all the men that euer she saw The time appointed for his muster after he had giuen directions to all such Leaders other Officers what course to take with their seuerall charge they were conducted to the place appointed by himself who mounted on a stately Courser passed on through the Citie his Captaines attired in Gascoin coats of watchet veluet hauing on the breast back embossed with goldsmiths work a Mayden head according to his deuise on his armes with the colour of his mistresse scarfe euery vnder officer in like sutes of satten his mercinary men in Iackets hose and hats coloured alike which caused the beholders to admire the stranger more then their princes When the king beheld this mirror of honor least thinking he was sonne to his louing frend the Numedian king and had with great delight viewed each seueral officer and their charge with their order of march and ranging in battell all accomplished in such warlike maner as sildome he had séen and withall noted his person with his brauery in armor his gallant sitting a horse and manuring the same his charging running and other signes of ensuing good giuing him great thanks he caused him to dismisse his companies for that time to attend his pleasure at the Court which he caused suddeinly to be done attending the kings pleasure at the Court as he was commanded the newes of his arriuall being brought to the Princesse who had séen with what cost and rare deuises each thing by her seruant was performed iudging likewise his loue to her was some cause by his cullours and deuises willing to let him know how graciously the same was accepted she came into the Presence where finding her Knight after she had with a kinde and louing Conge saluted him calling him to a baye Windowe with a modest and comely grace shée said Syr how much I finde my selfe indebted vnto you for your preffered seruice and forewardnesse in performing the same I will not say that in time what wants in me to accomplish my kingly father wil recompence who hath séene and well noted your diligence vsed for his safetie with your cost and great charge which he wil not forget In the meane time good seruant for so I will hencefoorth call you so you will vouchsafe to accept of the tytle I will pray for your good successe and happie victory wherby your renowne may passe the farthest parts of the earth and our Country by your prowesse deliuered from heathen thraldome Vertuous Princesse answered the Mayden Knight might it please your exellence to conceiue of my well meaning as my desire is to deserue my fortune might be compared with the happiest that liueth For on the faith of a Souldier and by the Maiestie of that saint my heart most adoreth there is none breathing life vnder the celestiall globe that shall commaund the simple seruice of Pheander but your Maiestie bound thereunto by your Princely fauours Inough my good seruant quoth the Princesse I take your word hauing great cause to beléeue you séeing your forwardnesse But good seruant if I might vnder Benedicitie know the saint vnto whom your deuotions are bent I would be so bolde to offer a virgines prayer at her shrine for your good successe The King ouer hearing their talke brake them off thus How now Madame what haue you that Gentleman at shrift if so and that his confection deserue a sharpe pennance yet be good to him he may in time amend Your grace quoth the Princesse mistakes your selfe your highnesse knoweth I neuer tooke orders therfore my authoritie is not to absolue and if by presumption I offend therein I doubt the Fathers of our Church would reward me thereafter But to let your maiestie know the truth perceiuing the desire he hath to do you seruice I was bold to giue him thankes further recompence I leaue to your exellence who at your pleasure may better reward him Thou hast well said daughter quoth the King putting me in minde what I should do least forgetting my honour to such as well deserue I be reckoned amongst the number of those Princes who with faire words and kind lookes féed their subiects so long as they haue either Patrimony or other to do them seruice to the vtter ouerthrow of their posterities for euer and they so farre in debt they dare not shew their heads then shall they get perhaps some suite worth a hundred pounds a yeare that haue consumed many thousands maintaining a braue port for his Princes honors What said I a hundred pounds a yeare nay not that without the fauour of such as be chéefest in authority and are néere the prince whose good will if they can procure it may be they shall obtaine some small thing scarce able to maintaine the porte of a good yoman for I tel thée such must be pleased or els let the princes mind be forward to reward them and by their bountie reléeue their wantes their good natures by perswasion of such as thinke all too
they boorded and by hundreths entered my shippes and gallies who were valiantly repulsed But men can doo no more then God will giue them leaue so long they continued the fight that the scupars gushed bloud as they had often with the water deliuered by the Pompe And here laye one maimed and there a number slaine This pittifull stratageme when my heart with heauinesse behelde being so hardly assailed my selfe after that I was cleared from the Fléete the winde fauouring mée with a happie gale and my ship being good of saile I forsooke the fight in hope to haue recouered in my owne Countrey and by a new supply haue giuen him welcome thither But my hopes herein deceiued a boysterous storm growing the sea who is mercilesse arose in extremitie swelling with such outrage that my weak barke no longer able to endure her crueltiâ— was put against our wils on thy coast my Pylot vnacquainted with the same and a hoary myst ouer spreading the land sodeinly the ship stucke being neare the shore which draue vs to great terror To remedy the which the Mariners did their best but in vaine striue they that labour against his will that commaundeth all What should I say the outrage of the storm was such as forced the ship vpon the Lée shore which gaue vs all cause to remember our maker and with heartie prayer to craue his assistance but our comfort was comfortlesse our shyp split and we all driuen to make what shift we might my self happening on the main yard after that I had bene gréeuously beaten at sea the whole night was driuen a shore on your Confines I neuer heard of any other that were saued With this the teares restrained his spéech that he could not speake which moued the King to more pittie of his estate and friendly imbracing him he sayd No more my Lord at this time I am sorie that I haue giuen you such cause of griefe thus by recounting so lamentable a state renew your passed griefes But comfort good King when tides be at the lowest they spring againe If the Egyptian King be so extreame reason with curtesie will not content him the cause being no other but to force the loue of a woman vnto him of which perhaps he were better be without On the word of a King and by my honor I sweare I will not leaue you vntill I sée you setled in your kingdome Thus the King whome sorrow had ouerburthened was by the comfort of this noble King his hoast recomforted whose whole studie was now in preparing of an Army to ayde him to which care we leaue them Nutania whose restlesse passions neither time nor place could alter burning in these remedilesse thoughts considering the penance her louing heart was like to endure she fell into this humor Nutania how haue the Fates ordeined to make thée vnhappie that thou being deliuered from an oppressing enemy then steppes in loue to beginne a new Tragedie Thou seest her fawnings is but flattery then séek to eschue them enter not too far in the forde least minding but to wet thy shoe thou plunge ouer head and eares Thy yeares albeit not many with the examples of others whom then hast read may learne thée to be wise if thy fancie be fixed on such vanitie as may bréed thy sorrow expell it as thou maist suffer not loue to harbour in thy heart for harbored he commonly pleades possession and once possest neither force nor entreatie may remoone him so ambitious a tyrant is he that voyd of pittie against law and all hostility he holdeth what hée list Alasse Nutania if thy enemy be such what auayleth thée thou maist wish to be fréed from his tyrannie but canst neuer auoyd it so imperious is hée yet not manly but as a Coward making the breach where the wall is weakest poore women is the marke whereat most commonly he aymeth who being by nature pittifull are easie to beléeue and by â—oo light credite are taken by them they best like of Thus poore wench doest thou nothing but heaue feathers against the winde which returne into thine owne eies thy speaches vttered in loues dishonour will be challenged and like a traiterous Rebel to his Deitie shalt thou be conuicted arraigned and condemned for deprauing his Godhead If it be death fondling to speake against the maiestie of a Prince what is it to contemne the powers aboue The best remedie thou hast is reconciliation wherewith the Gods are pleased and hartily sorrowing for thy misse yéeld thy selfe vanquished yéelding séeke by fauour to attaine the end of thy desires Thy loue is matchlesse and doubtlesse honourable his countenance sheweth the true badge of Nobilitie and his valour and bountie doe answere what his other perfections promise I haue often heard it spoken that womens helpes in extremitie haue bene great if that be true proofe Nutania cal thy wittes together and so end thy tormentes by enioying thy heartes content so much discontent by yéelding to the same Thus resolued without longer stay shée called vnto her Guenela her chiefe attendant who from her infancy had bene brought vp with her In this Guenela she conceiued her greatest hope vnto whome she saide Guenela since I had reason to discerne good from euill thou knowest how I haue tendered thée and how willing I would be to séeke thy preferment make triall when thou please so shalt thou be assured of that which iustly thou maist hold in suspence But leauing these coniuring words I must Guenela commit vnto thy secrets a matter of import wheron my honor and reputation dependeth for I tell thée Guenela I haue made choyce of thée amongest all those which I may command as of her I loue and haue best cause so to do hauing had such societie else should I rather chuse to dye ten thousand deaths then reueale it Guenela which had her whole hope of good from the Princesse hearing her spéeches with teares standing in hir eyes procéeding of ioy for the honor done her by her Lady protested vnto her by heauens maker and what else he framed to be secret in her determinations and do her best endeuour to accomplish whatsoeuer she commaunded The Princesse taking her word for currant in whom she neuer found deceit said Guenela that it is incident to all creatures in their kinde to loue I know thy wittes be not so simple but thou canst conceiue and he that frameth vs directeth our likings as best pleaseth him be it prince or begger from the highest to the simplest and he my Guenela hath linked my liking to a most braue toward Gentleman on whom I thinke if affection which is blind deceiue me not is worthie to be mated with the greatest in degrée on the earth To kéepe thée with friuolous spéech is no time now hauing other matter inough to discourse therefore that thou maiest knowe him to whome my loue is vnited Pheander the new adopted Knight is hée Pheander famous for his valour renowmed for his
wisdome hée aduisedly weighed that cares must be comforted in tyme least takyng déepe roote they will consume the heart subiect vnto it Therefore after many kynde perswasions vsed hée layde before her the honour of the place assigned him and what infamy woulde redownde vnto him refusing it with the dishonour of him and staine to his Proginy for euer the cause being right and the action of her Princely father so charitable whereon the welfare of a whole kingdome consisted The Princesse whome gréefe had neare ouercome hearing her beloued speake so honourably and well considering it was greatly to his infamie to denye her father though hardly wonne to patience yet armed with hope of his valour and fortunate successe in his iourney reason and wisedome subduing griefe and sorrow shée graunteth her consent heartily praying for his safe and suddaine returne to his eternall honour and encreasing of the hearts content Tyme that staieth not causeth these Princes to part Pheander to giue directions for his iourney his prouision being all to make but such care had he of the same as hée was sodeinly prouided of all néedfull things expsecting a faire wind for imbarquing his companies which God sent as they desired when ech one taking leaue of their friends with many a loath departing farewell hée betooke himselfe to the mercy of the waues who by his goodnesse that commaundeth and gouerneth all things fauoured them with so happie a gale that in short time they might discry the high lande of Egipt which being by his skilfull Pylottes knowne they strooke their sayles to Hull vntill a generall Councell was called where euery man had libertie to deliuer his aduise for the benefit of the action Where after long debating and eache perill aduisedly weyghed it was determined the Fléete should put againe into the Sea least they being a huge number should be discried and their intent thereby made frustrate To bring their purpose to better effect a Frygate was slenderly manned to auoyd suspition who in the night rowed hard aboord the shoare with Commission to take what ere hée were they could first lay holde off that they might be the rather aduertised of the state of the Countrey and where the King was This deuise sorted to such effect thet through the great diligence of the Lord Cariolus who was appointed for the same as one desirous to gaine honour by dawning of the day they recouered a Rocke which opened with one of their principall port vnder which vnséene they might shelter themselues and yet haue sight of eache shallop whether hée were fisher or other that came or went Long had they not laine exspecting their desires But Fortune who fauoured their enterprise discouered vnto them a a Galley bounde for Babylon fraighted with many passengers of honour and exceeding rich with plate money and Iewels This Galley first discryed halfe dismayed the company who feared shée had bene a man of warre sent of purpose to surprise them so that each one had greater desire to be gone againe then to attempt any thing against them But in extreames is the Noble minde best tried as the Lord Cariolus in this who séeing the cowardise of such base companions first by faire perswasions encouraged them to the attempt shewing in his countenance his resolution and arming them with hope of victorie not omitting the reward of so honourable an action which if they escaped with victorie being the beginning of their enterprise deserued more to be recompenced then all the rest To giue you courage my hearts quoth he I say not to you go but follow me your Leader who will either winne her or leaue my life in so good a cause But these spéeches with those dastards preuailed not at all who séeing the match vnequall cryed stil to be gone but Cariolus who weighed his honor farre aboue all moued with great impatience at their deniall with his Rapier drawne came amongst them reuiling them with odious spéeches and protesting what ere he were that should in the least sort either by word or countenance make show to return should with his own hand be murdered and so long as he might breath no faint hearted villaine should dishonor him who came to gaine honor Therefore swéete blouds quoth he take courage and feare not death with honor is to be valued more then life with a kingdomes possession who so followeth me shall finde me euer his friend and what ere I possesse shall haue interest in it The company how loath so euer they were to be wonne to so hard an aduenture yet séeing the noble man so resolute thought it bootlesse to refuse him or to make semblant of dislike holding it more wisedome to kéepe his honorable friendship by their forward aduenturing then procure his enuy by their cowardise and seeing it high time to resolue the galley approaching them neare they cried to procéed and they would all follow him Cariolus pleased with their willingnes had scarce leisure to giue directions for the fight before the galley came within hayling whose force being such and so wel manned as she was made small account of the Frygat who although they halled many times yet making as if they heard not bore vp with them and valiantly without words entered her in the Prow putting them from their Ordinance where they within boord with their Pistolles Semitaries and other néedfull weapons valiantly behaued themselues Cariolus crying still courage courage Thessalie so long that in short time the Cauileres were all stowed and his company leauing his Frygat entered all the Galley as lawfull Prize to be shared amongst them The Noble Cariolus hauing ended the fight he kindly with words of fauour and promise of libertie with great reward to the slaues vrged them to apply their labor which with so willing hearts accomplished his request that in short time they had sight of their Fléete and beare with them all they might which being descried they could not imagine whether the Galley were friend or no wherefore the Generall to auoyd perill as wisedome with valour is requisit doubting that by firing or other mischiefe they might annoy them he called by his flage of Councell the commanders of each ship frygat and galley aduising them to take great regarde how they suffered the galley to boord them By that time the whole Fléete was prepared in squadrons rowing fiue and fiue warlike and braue Cariolus came vp with them when the fléete halled them they espied his owne cullors aduanced on the Poope and an other Ensigne hanging vnder her sterne which sight gaue them great cause of ioy to signifie their gladnes for his successe each ship in the foreward with their Ordinance and small shot according to the maner of the sea bad him welcome In which Tryumph vnhappily with a scowrer which negligently was shot from a Hargubâ—ze was the Noble Cariolus wounded to the great griefe of all the Nobles The Generall hauing vnderstanding therof in his shalop boorded him withall the
in short time his body was so weakened that rather he desired to accompany the dead then liue in such discontent the mother Quéene with ouer much care and watching néere pined and few which felt not some part of the Princes griefe such was their faithful loues vnto him whereof the father gloried not a little and the mother if women may be proud was not a litle spiced with y â— disease But neither the heauines of the father the extreame griefe of the mother the daylie lamenting of the Courtiers nor the complaints of the Commons might any way auail the Prince who smothering his own sorrowe could not by al art Physicke allowed for mens reliefe be any way comforted The ouer grieued burthen of whose miseries the Quéene with his kinglie father séeking to ease and coulde not as he desired accomplish such extremity likewise assailed them that the learnedst coulde not iudge the difference betwéene them so that by their ill suppose the subiectes griefe which reuerently honoured them and could willinglie haue offered their owne liues for their reliefe and ease But in vaine striue they that séeke helpe for him whome none but the beautifull Nutania could release who was the Load-starre of his life and the loue of her the speciall Physicke which muste restore him or dye hee would past all recouery but by Nutania that Paragone of fame Dianaes glorie Natures onely darling and delight Weake and féeble past recure of Physicke became the King and Quéen voyd of hope euer to see their Princely sonnes recouerye wherefore forgetting all worldly pleasure and Princely delightes such as become Princes ofso high estéeme quyte abolishing all the vanities of the worlde they minde wholly the euerlasting comfort and ioye in nothing but his death that from death by his blood redéemed them In this extremity when all hopes wer past help of men behold the mercy of him that preserueth and destroyeth at his pleasure who mooued no doubt at the intercession of some their vertuous subiectes or taking pittie of their distresse as wee read in holie writ testimony of our soules comfort how Abraham beloued of God mooued his diuine Deitie for those Cities for sinne by his iust iudgment consumed if fiue godlie people had bene founde within their walles they had bene preserued so either for the vertues of the King or the intercession of those sorrowing subiects the giuer of all comfort sent them comforte as you shall heare The Numedian King whose prime of youth was spent in manie honourable actions holding in great regard the loue of his neighbour Princes liued in such tranquility that he was honoured of all that heard of his gouernment The report of whose long sicknesse and weake estate moued the Kings of diuers regions by their embassage to comfort them and to bee aduertized of the trueth of their estates Amongst which those honorable Princes that held his health in such regard Thelarchus King of Thrace dispatched his Ambassadour Who for the more honour of their King was accompanied with diuers Gentlemen both of honour and great worship These Ambassadors ariuing at the Court of Numedia their cause of comming vnknowne many matters were of the commons supposed who will entermeddle with Princes affairs so that amongst them diuers things were imagined and sundrie dangers suspected but no assurance of anie vntill their day of hearing which the king appointed to be as sodaine as they could require Against which time royall preparation was made with all the pompe could be deuised where for feasting there wanted no daintie how rare soeuer nor diuersitie of Vyandes to please the appetite with many pleasing showes and pastimes the better to giue them occasion of welcome all which notwithstanding the Kings weaknesse was so exquisitlie performed that it was admirable The day of hearing come as time stayeth not Manpelious hauing summoned his councell and chiefest Nobilitie against that time to attende his pleasure these seuerall Ambassadors were brought to his presence where with more shewe of hartie welcome then his weak bodie could deliuer hee gaue them such honourable entertainment as beséemed the messengers of such Princes and highly contented them whose curtesie the strangers Nobles applauded and gréeued the more at his extremity by how much the more they saw his debilitie After some talke passed betwéen the King and these Nobles and that hee had enquired with all kindnesse of the health of their Princes and welfare of their countries and receiued their Letters with diuers Princelie presentes they were dismissed but yet not suffered to depart without gracious thanks to their kinges and kind shew of good acceptance of their paines leauing them to their repose with great charge to his Nobles and those in authoritie to sée their entertainment such as if their soueraigne Lordes were present which charge was not forgotten of those which prized their Princes honours as dear as their liues but with such pompe and coste accomplished each seuerall commaunde of his Highnesse as the Strangers might wel admire to beholde it Their diets so diuerse and so aboundant as they had neuer séene the like furnished with so much sundrie musicke and so cunningy vsed as might well delight the Goddes To acquaint you with other pastimes for recreation as Playes Maskes Tilting Turneying Barriours and other Courtly pastimes besides their hunting of Tygers wilde Bores and Lyons which mooued suche delight as other sportes pleasure vnto them Thus in vsing dayly those pleasures when the Nobles had spent some time in the Court euerie one content with his royall entertainment hearing amongst the Nobles of the countrie such generall honour of the Prince Dionicus whome they had not yet seene an especiall desire mooued them to visite the Prince bewayling greatly that mooued such aduerse chances should nip so braue and honorable a Prince in the blooming time of his princely yeares The Prince Dionicus albeit the imbecility of his body denied those nobles his preseÌ„ce at their pastimes in which seueral sport he much delighted yet that they might not depart of him vnséen he commanded a sumptuous banquet in his lodging to be ordained â—o which he inuited the straÌ„ger Nobles their companies who wishing to sée the Prince were as glad to accompany him as hee desirous of their companie and graciously with many humble thankes accepted the Princes good wil. The youthfull Nobles attendant on the Prince carefull to sée each thing ordered for the honour of his Maiestie wanted nothing that might bée desired only exspected the comming of their guestes who not vnmindful of their promise as dinner time drew nigh prepared themselues towards the Prince vnto whome by his Nobility in most gorgious maner they were conducted no sooner entred they his presence but Dionicus whose curtesie was such as gained the loue of his subiects and all strangers that had séen his demeanor yet at this time had better knowledge how to entertaine them then abilitie to performe what he would stretching himselfe in his
not one from the Prince to the begger liue not liue not thou Dionicus but let that hand that committed the euill finish thy life which liuing can neuer be vnremembred In this furie resoluing to haue mischiefed himselfe his Nobles taking him in their Armes with such comfortable spéeches as they could pacified him who séeing his sorowfulnesse were partakers of his grief and much lamented his extremitie as men might for their Soueraign Yet casting of care seeking the best for their quiet they could they laid him in his bed where with solemne musicke they procured him to sléepe Where for a time I leaue him Time that finisheth all things hath now wrought an end of the Kings affaires for the dispatch of the Embassadors whome the King with great entertainment and Iewels of high estéeme so rewarded as they all had cause to speake of his royall bountie The Embassadors receiuing their Letters and the time appointed for their departure their ships with victuals at the Kings cost replenished and all other necessaries Cariolus who had bene often solicited by Barnardine to visit the Prince and by his report whose word was of account with all that had knowledge of his simple dealings was perswaded of the Princes sorrow for the wrong offered him Wherefore that it might appeare vnto Dionicus he departed not in displeasure but that he had forgotten all wrongs offered kindly before his departure came to take his leaue Where vpon the curteous demeanour of the Prince who manifested his griefe by the aboundance of sighes which he powred foorth they were reconciled and an inuiolably league of friendship vowed betwéene them which with solemne oathes they protested should neuer quaile in either of them The hast of the noble Embassadors who desired to be with their Loues at home is more now then Cariolus wished But what must be shall be how loth soeuer Wherefore after many friendly gratulations betwéene them and great gifts of the Prince on his new Amico bestowed they take leaue each of other Cariolus solemnely praying for the Princes health and Dionicus wishing him all happinesse Thus all thinges fitted by the King commaund they were honourably conducted vnto the Porte where their shippes readie furnished attended their comming where they had not long stayed but a faire winde to serue their turnes God sent them and they embarqued themselues each one for his seuerall country and the Nobles returned to the Court where to their carefull regard of their king Countries benefite we leaue them to let you knowe further of the Prince whose is troubled as you shall heare The Prince whom Nature had formed so exquisite in lineaments of body as could be required hauing wisdome and valour enferiour to none when he had considered with great wisdome from poynt to point the extremitie of his estate and found that his disease was grieuous and so great that he rather desired death than life in that agonie to bée continued weying all dangers which might befall him in séeking secretly for such helpe as by his owne industrie he could procure with the pleasures and hearts content the obtaining of his loues delight would bring him resolutelie determined as much as he might to cherish himselfe and disguising himself in habite of a traueller vnknowne of any man so soone as his strength would permit him hée departed his Countrie towards Thrace and either gaine his Ladie or trie in shorte time the ficklenesse of fortune hazarding all on this rest he secretely procureth all his Iewels and such summes of money as hée coulde and by little and little recouering himselfe vsed his woonted familiarity amongst the Nobles and Courtiours which did cause no small content and heartes ioye in the King Quéene and Commons yea such was the generall reioycing of the whole people in the Realme for his recouery that there was not one which shewed not some signe of gladnes by his outward appearance As there is not the clearest day which is not ouerwhelmed with some cloud so lasted this ioy amongst these louing subiects not long for Dionicus continuing his determination cōueyed his summes of mony and Iewels into a groue within the Parke neare the Court at such seuerall times as he would chuse to be solitarie wrought so close and with such discretion that he was altogither vnperceiued of any man Each thing wrought to his content secretly in the euening his companions by him appointed to kéep the Courtiers from idlenesse by such pastimes as he had deuised as Masking Barriors Dycing and other recreations whom he refused to accompanie alleaging that he might not be long absent from the King and that his sport determined was to recreate the Quéene who since her sicknesse was verie melancholie which coyned excuse passed for currant as what was it they would not credit which hée should report Hauing thus politikely fitted all things supper ended and euerie one attending the beginning of the sportes and pastimes Dionicus who had more stringes to his Harpe then one had no care but how to conuey himselfe from their presence which hée tooke opportunitie to doo telling the Quéene mother hée had giuen his word to be one of the Maskers which shée being glad of as reioycing to remooue his melancholy by anie meanes suffered him to depart But too soone alas gaue shée credite to his feined spéeches which turned them all to great sorrow and heauinesse for Dionicus minding least what they supposed he most ioyed in conueyed himselfe with all the hast he possibly could into the Parke where his footeman attended his comming with his horse on which hée was no sooner mounted to driue suspition or iealous thoughts of his late trauaile from his man hée commaunded him presently to spéede him with all the haste he might vnto the house of a Knight dwelling not farre off with a deuised message pretending the businesse to be of great waight and importaunce and straightly charging him not to depart from thence before his comming which should be the next night With this commaundement the seruaunt departed least suspecting the losse of so bountifull a maister was so neare But the Prince whose chiefest content was in beholding the Idia of that Paragon whom Fame had so extolled had his heart fired with desire that he thought euerie day a yeare and euerie minute a moneth vntill hée beheld the excellencie of Natures worke the onely performed worke of Bewtie and the soueraigne goddesse of his thoughts of which Dionicus hauing no small regard doubting to be missed of the King and loth to lose that opportunitie poasteth with all spéed vnto the groue where his coyne and Iewels laie where the better to escape the suspition of Officers in his passage crossing the seas he attired himselfe in the habit of a marchant which he had readie prouided for that purpose and so making small staie he ceaseth not his coriours pace nor spareth any hors flesh vntil he came to the port where he pretended to imbarke him selfe No
fathers sonnes vnto whom my minority denyed such reuenewes and liuinges as might sufficiently maintaine my estate which caused me to employ my stock in trade of merchandize by which in time of peace I gained in your countrie wealth sufficient which with my body I offer in your highnesse seruice and doubt not but to frée thy princely daughter from this vsurper whose vertue the worlde so much renowneth for by that faith which I receiued at the Font-stone so long as I may breath life neuer shal vnhalowed Cur triumph in your Graces ouerthrow nor in her dishonor The king ouer ioyed at these frank affaires of his champion expressing by his outward signes the inward delight of his heart and the desire he had to accept this yonglings offer taking great pleasure in his countenance which was louelie and no way inferiour to the best in his court for person wisedome and other good graces which with aduise considered he saith Pheander wel doest thou showe thy selfe a Gentleman for vnder the habit of a Merchant Gentilitie cannot be hid no poore estate can blemish the Noble nor aduerse fortune whatsoeuer but as golde is soone brought from the baser mettels to his forme by the skilfull finer so are the Noble knowne by their vertues Pheander I haue cause to honor thée for thy loue and forwardnesse as also for thy countrey which without slattering thée or any ther abiding I loue for your Kings sake But to our matter thou séest my déer Pheander the millions of cares heaped vppon my gray head through the oppression of this heathen Prince whereby I am made more miserable than the meanest subiect in my dominions and the more is my miserie by recounting the wretched estate of my louing subiects whom I hold as deare as my life and with that by resigning my life and crowne I might frée them from bondage were it nothing els the tyrant required But toward Gentleman whose loue wretch that I am I cannot requite my daughter oh sorrow worse thaÌ„ death to recount Nutania the only solace of my life and lines sole good in whose weal consisteth my good by violence offered her what good can be tide me she she my deare Pheander it is that drencheth my soul into so déep a hel that almost forgetting my self liuing I dayly dy only recounting the miseries â—he should endure if y â— tyrant triumpht in our ouerthrow but he that in extreams sendeth comfort hath reuiued me relieued my ouercharged hart by thy kind offer whose courage and hope of victorie being such as thou wilt hazard thy déerest blood for my daughters fréedom Thanks my good Pheander is all that I can yet yéeld thée yet tâ—ad more courage to thy noble mind fighting for vs our honor my daughter for whose good thou aduenturest shall inuest thée with the order of Knighthoode the first honour that euer she gaue to man of Armes and shal pray for thy good successe so calling for the Princesse who was so discontent that nothing could be pleasing vnto her who being come before him after her humble dutie done desirous to knowe her kingly Fathers will hée recounted the zeale of the merchant vnto her who had not onely offered his goods but also his proper life to trie in battel his fortunes against their enemie wherefore Nutania quoth the king for that he hath so voluntarily offered the same for thy sake and I relying on my God and in his prowes haue accepted him for my Champion by thy hand he shall receiue the honour of knighthood his title The maiden Knight and so prosper he in his honorable action and in all others as we wish and himselfe desireth The Princesse which diuers times had noted the courtlie behauiour of Dionicus was not a little pleased at her fathers motion as one that in hartie good wil wished him better then modestie would suffer her to vtter yet harkening to her fathers speaches shee behelde him with more gracious countenaunce and vewing the lineamentes of his person each grace well regarded she inwardly bewailed his hard hap that the goddes had framed him of no better reputation than a marchant who might well deserue the title of a king put from her memento by recounting her fathers wordes pausing thereon sometime with modest blushing countenance she said Kind sir whose honorable seruice offered for my fathers good and all our weales his subiectes if I yéelde you not such recompence as your desertes doe merit blame me not of discourtesie which haue no better knowledge of you but accept the hartie thanks of a Virgin vnto whome I holde my selfe so farre indebted as I can no other way recompence then wishing your good yet in earnest of better good refuse not at my hand to receiue the honour of Knighthood séeing my Lords pleasure is such and drawing his rapier the Prince knéeling shee inuested him with the order by name of the Maiden Knight pulling a iewell of rich price froÌ„ her gowne she tied the same in a most beautiful scarffe beséeching him to weare it for her sake wishing all happie fortune in his attempts The new adopted Knight whose heart ouer ioyed for so great a fauour receiued from the saint his heart wholy honoured with manie thankes dutifully rendered kissed the Princesse hand vowing himselfe her humble seruant and in all places to maintaine her modest bewtie Princely honour with his dearest bloud The time thus passed word was brought the King that dinner was readie whereby they were interrupted whome for a time we leaue to their repast discoursing diuersly at table of the valour of the Mayden Knight whose towardnesse the King admired which made his hopes the greater not doubting but his Champion would proue no lesse valiant in Armes then they exspected At which the Princesse gloried not a litle and the Nobles pleased at both their comforts passed the time with more content then many dayes before whome we leaue to their mirth and the Mayden Knight to the ordering of his affaires The Numedian King exiling himselfe from his Court in habite of a Pilgrime trauelled many vncouth places in search for his sonne of whom he could hear no tidings neither could Barnardine for all the industrie he could vse attaine to any knowledge of him his heart so much desired through which the heauines both of the Péeres Comons were daily increased And no maruel when their soueraign the mirror of all princely curtesie had thus vnknowne in the declining of his age when his yeares required rest banished himselfe his countrey louing subiects and what else he enioyed the griefe of which so oppressed the heart of the Quéene that nothing might yéeld her any comfort But pining in continuall sorrow vtterly abandoning the worlds comfort to séeke her comforter whose dwellings are in the highest heauens she yéelded her due to death whose funerals with the effusion of many brinish teares of the Nobles and sorrowfull lamentations of her subiects was performed with
much which goeth from themselues such as they please to bestow it vpon shall be abused Thus haue I heard gentle Knight and gréeue that honour should so vnkindly bée rewarded or that any subiect should forget his dutie so much as for his owne lucre cause those that spende their bloud in their countries defence their landes and possessions with emptie purses and heauie heartes like men forlorne to walke the streets exclaiming on them that should sée their seruice better rewarded to the dishonor of the state they liue in This my Pheander I often recount least in forgetting it I fall to infamie by committing the like but he that gaue me reason to know good and to follow it wil neuer suffer me to fall into so great folly nor let me liue to forget those maimed braue men that venture for my good and my countries weale for while I may breath the souldier shall be honored in Thrace and shall reape the reward of his merites neither shall these Drones which in such times of perils hide their heads suck the hony off my garland Like mindes I wish all princes with carefull eies to looke into the doinges of such who as the moth deuoureth the fine cloth consumeth their princely reputation drawthe commons who by dutie are bound to loue from their alleageance While the king was in this speach worde was brought him that a Heralde from the campe attended his pleasure at the gate requiring parlie which he suddenlie granted commanding him to be broght to his presence this vnhallowed pagan who neuer feared God nor was endued with any humanity come vnto the kings presence with a shameles countenance vsed this peremptory spéech King of Thrace Mustaffa Cela great commander of the empire general of those royal armies sendeth thée by me thy choyce either of wars or peace peace if thou deliuer thy daughter vnto him whom he hath so oftē required yet wheras his loue vnto her hath bene such to make her his wife his noble mind dispiseth her so much as his highnes wil neuer so much honor her but in despite of thée and to abate the pride of that disdainful dame he wil vse her as his concubine when he shal haue taken the flower of her virginity giue her to the basest villain in his camp Thou knowest my embassage deliuer her liue or by me return thy resolute answere for it shal not be many dayes ere thy citie shal flame with fire about thyne eares The king vexed at this vnexspected message could not answer him so mooued was his choller yet with as much patience as nature would permit he saide Pagan I haue heard with great paine endured thy Lordes peremptorie message and that thou that Cur from whome thou commest shal know the great difference betwéen a Christian him that he vnderstand how honorable we hold the lawe of arms I pardon thée thy life which thy presumption doth require sharply to be punished For answere to thy Lord this briefly say his threates I regarde not for my daughter as God hath giuen her me and for she is the onely ioy of my aged life I wil shield her in despite of the Pagan and his greatest power defend her chastity therfore depart and say to thy Lord from me his threates Iwey no more than the words of a child it is not his multitudes can dant me were they ten times more then they are my daughter I wil hold in despite of his beard proud vsurper that hée is Thou knowest my wil make no stay The Herald noting the stern countenāce of y ◠king and hearing his resolution thought it not good to stay a replie least his tongue swelling in his mouth might not be eased without losse of his head but glad to escape his furie conueyed him from his presence with al speed he could posting to the pauilion of the prince vnto whome he deliuered the kinges resolute answere which hee no sooner heard but like one besides himselfe he vowed in three dayes to be reuenged of y ◠old churle who should fast the bitternes of his youthful furie Litle knoweth this proud enemie the preparation made to bid him welcome or that his own destruction was so néere as after it prooued The Maiden Knight which with no smal grief had endured this proud demaund of the herald whose whole request was for dishonor of her he so much honored awaked from melancholy as out of a sound sléep prostrating himself before the king he saith renowned Soueraigne with what grief I haue endured the presumption of this vsurper my heart denieth my tongue to vtter neither shal I haue ioy of any thing til I reuenge the wrongs offered your M. your princely daughter vpō that dog Wherefore dread Lord grant me licence to issue out of the city with my companies in the silent of y ◠night I hope ere long to returne his proud challenge with my sword in his throte Thanks good knight quoth the King I accept thy offer as much as if thou hadst giuē me the whole world in possession yet would I not so forward a man shuld aduenture himself without my company whose cause it is my selfe will accompany thée in the fight and by my herald bid him battell in which I doubt not of successe The Knight was not a litle mooued to hear his suit take no better successe yet not willing to endure any competitor in the honour he hoped of humblie besought his Maiestie of the honour he bare to Armes in this attempt to giue him leaue the rather for the reputation of the Princesse which had geuen him his first honor The king which saw by his countenance how malecontent he rested at this deniall howe loth so euer he were to graunt the same yet yéelded to his desire and taking him from his knée louingly embracing him he saith Braue man at armes take not in ill part that I haue denyed neither thinke that it was in any sort to disparage you or the hope I haue of your forwardnes but for maintaining my owne honour yet séeing your will is to aduenture for mée goe in Gods name and he be your defence that euer comforteth his distressed and so pulling his signet from his finger he gaue it him willing that it bee deliuered to the Gouernour of the citie let him vnderstand his Highnesse pleasure was that he with his armie passe at his pleasure and so taking his humble leaue of the king and gracious mistresse which affecteth him more then he could conceiue he departeth more ioyful of this honor then to be richlie endowed No sooner parted he the kings presence but slacking as litle time as was possible he summoned his captaines and officers straitly charging thē with al the diligence he could vse to gather their companies to attend him in the market place in which charge no negligence was vsed so that by shutting in of the euening ech captaine
with his charge both horse and foot attending the comming of their general who was not vnmindful of his busines after thanks giueÌ„ to their leaders he marched with them to the gate that led them to the camp of the Souldane was vpon sight of the kings signet let out Thus marched the noble Prince vntil he came halfe way betwéene the campe the city where hée called his principall men together and said Friends and coparteners in armes you are now to consider what we haue taken in hand for that on our weal dependeth y â— whole estate of this common weal if we preuail what good it is to be freed from such an enemy there is not the simplest but can conceiue hauing tasted the extremity which is incident to warres and the pleasure of peace Contrarie the slauerye and seruile liues which these are compeld to endure that fall into their hands you may imagine by their opprobious vsage of your gracious Prince and example of other Christians which haue fallen into their handes Wherefore now is the time to shewe your selues in this battle if you shewe your force no doubt of happie successe to your eternall commendations and to the benefit of your Country and fréedome of your wiues children and families with these and other such spéeches hée so incouraged the hearts of his followers as they vowed to follow him with the hazard of their dearest blood When the Knight sawe the willingnesse of his men and that there resolution by outward motions were as hée expected after he had giuen them many thankes he made choyse of fiue hundreth to beare him company And after he had giuen directions for the Armie to follow he with his elected company marched on as closely as they might for descrying of the enemie who kept a Court of guard not far from thence vpon whom in the dead of the night they entered and finding them at aduantage which litle doubted any assault hauing neuer before bin assailed were some sléeping some gaiming others as ill imployed surprized and not one left to beare tydings of their ill fortune This first attempt well performed he passed on with all spéed towards the Campe where the Prince laie suddeinly entered the same where like a resolute and noble Gentleman he so behaued himselfe that it filled the harts of his followers with great courage who behaued themselues in such maner that fewe escaped with life but such as were gréeuously maimed so that they rather desired death then longer to liue The Prince who was by one of his Bashawes counselled to flie as the least euill for auoyding of death was brauely mounted on a swift running Gâ—nnef of which the Mayden Knight being enformed leauing the fight hée poasteth after with so good spéed as the harmles Hare from the cruell iawes of the Grey-hounds such haste made this worthie CConquerour that in euill time for the Prince he ouertooke him accompanied with twelue of his principall Bashawes whom he with courage so assailed that in a moment he had vanquished them all leauing some breathlesse some without armes others without legges no one escaped his furie In which conflict the Prince escaped but all in vaine the Destenies had determined there to finish the honour of that iourney by the hands of the Mayden Knight Who ouertaking him gaue him so gréeuous a blow with his Curtler betwéene the necke and shoulders as made him forget his way saying staie proude vsurper and take my Ladie the Princesse with thée And pulling him vehemently by all the force he could by the helmet vnhorsed him that the Knight verily supposed he had bene slaine wherefore dismounting himselfe hée reuiued him againe vnto whome he sayd My Lorde this is not for your honour to braue a King in his owne Dominions and in his Court by your Heralde and then to haue so small care of your worde In faith Pagane for thy sake ile neuer credite anie Heathen on his worde hereafter Pittie is it a Prince of your extéeme shoulde after so manie Lectures reade plaie the Trewant trust mée were I your father I should twigge the youth well to learne him hereafter to be more carefull of his businesse The Prince hearing himselfe so frumped was more gréeued there at then all the losse hée had receiued Wherefore with a heart full of carefull heauinesse he saith Braue man at Armes what ere thou be to whom fortune hath made me thrall ill beséemeth such wordes of disgrace to any one whome the Fates haue ouerthrowne but cursed my selfe which gaue thée this opportunitie cursed that negligence which maketh my foe thus to tryumph in my fall Thou Mahomet suffer me not as thou art a Prophet to liue thus disgraced to beholde the face of anie man surprized by so cowardly a curre who daring not to thrust his head out of the cennell but by stealth hath wrought my vtter ruine and ouerthrow taking his aduantage But glorie not in this victorie for it may be thou shalt haue so great cause to repent thée thereof as pleasure to behold me now thy prisoner Your Lordship is disposed to be pleasaunt quoth the Knight but it is the vse of Christians to giue losers leaue to speake if it so happen my fortune shall be the worse In the meane time your Grace shall be my guest I haue an hostes prouided wil bid you welcome who by this time I doubt not doth heare of your comming that you néede not feare of your dinner The Prince full of heauinesse could not tell what to answere wherefore Arming himselfe with all the patience he could to endure it he was by this Conquerer commanded to horse Long had they not ridden towards his Armie but he was encountered by diuers his Captaines who missing their Generall at haphazard put themselues in search for him and happily well they met him who reioycing for his good fortune taking the Prince prisoner they recount vnto him the ruine and spoyle of the whole Armie for which their diligent courage and valour shewed he yéeldeth them moste great and heartie thankes beséeching them to take charge of his Armie and diuide the spoyle amongst them which done repaire at their pleasures to the Cittie while he with his prisoner made haste to the Kings presence The tydings of the Knightes successe was by some such as honoured him with spéede reported at the Court in which no parte of his honours was left vnrecounted whose pollicie and valiantnesse in Armes the King with al y â— Courtiers admired Imagining him by these worthie déedes of Chiualrie to be the onely man at Armes deseruing honour in all that Region of whom there was no small ioye and such fame and renowne of his actions as both in Citie and Court there was no talke but tended to the honour of the Mayden Knight which liked not the Princesse Nutania a little to heare her seruant in these his first attempts venturing for her to haue such fortunate successe so that
â— swéetnes of your words which disdaineth to vse the vtmost cruelty you might or take his life that had vowed to vse you with more extremes then if by the greatest torments I could haue afflicted you withall I had caused you die many thousand deaths if it were possible so many could â—e incident to one bodie Had I preuailed of thy curtesie famous Princesse I cannot say what I would but vow vnto thée by the honour of my fathers Crowne while I breath to remaine a true liegeman vnto thée vertuous Nutania whose curtesie hath subdued my chollor and put my oppressed heart from a million of cares wherewith it was opprest My Lord quoth the Princesse your Lordship is merily disposed indéed women are gods children wonne with a toy such fooles they are yet my Lord I wold you did know how litle I estéem the flattery of men of what estate soeuer they would spend their friuolous spéech elsewhere for your Lordship though you please to iest I thanke God you haue such cause so to do whom I praise for the victorie receiued and next his dutie my seruant for his paines imployed for our safetie And with these words she gaue him so gracious a looke as well might the standers by sée it was not feined but that her spéech spoken in his praise procéeded of the inward motions of the hart which of the captiue Prince was not vnperceiued which caused him to replie thus Madame for auoyding of that odious sinne of flattery which my heart hath euer contemned I dare not say what I would yet séeing the destinies are so pleased to yéeld me a prisoner to my enemie I reckon my vnhappinesse the lesse which haue so gracious a Ladie for my kéeper of whom expecting no better then death I am by your comfort quite depriued of that feare And for this noble Gentleman how Fortune and the Fates hath fauoured him in this victorie wherein I am so dishonoured euery man cannot conceiue But were the honor therof a million more yet not to be weighed in the ballance where your Grace doth counterpease the same which is more to be estéemed then the worlds good how you hold him in regard I know not but if an enemies praise may any way honour him I say and with my blood wil auouch that for his valour none liueth on the confines of the earth his equall wherefore madame boast you of his worthinesse which is péerlesse and worthie for all perfections to be honoured of the mightiest Monarke that liueth Thankes my Lord quoth the Princesse for your good opinion of my seruant I doubt not but he will say as much for you when opportunitie shall serue who I assure you is as curteous as otherwise honourably endued While they were thus pleasantly discoursing word was brought the King that Theophilus Prince of Thessaly who by the outrage of a cruell storme had suffered shipwracke was found on a raft driuen a shore vpon the farthest parts of his confines where being vnknowne to any his subiects but by his owne report was by the Gentlemen of his country entreated as beséemed his estate and accompanied with a princely traine was within halfe a dayes iourney of the Court The sodaine report whereof brake their talke the King commanding his traine presently to be readie horssed to accompany him who with diligence failed not to obey his commaund and so orderly marching through the Citie they ryde easily paced vntill they méete the straunger King betwéene whom great curtesie was vsed The King gaue thankes and louing countenance to the Gentlemen who had to their great cost so honored him by enterteining this straunger whereby his countrey was made famous Thus with diuerse discourses they passed the time till they came to the Court where a stately lodging was puruayed for him and Officers appointed to attend his person as royally as if he had bene in his owne Pallace where solacing with the King and his Nobles we leaue him to return vnto Pheander the Mayden Knight whose entrailes frying with the scorching flames of his mistresse bewtie had so much changed his colour and impaired his strength that enforced by great griefe and extremitie of his loue he withdrew him to his chamber where casting himselfe on his bed with a million of carefull thoughts eftsoones determining to séeke the Princes fauour And then by contrarie motions fearing the successe of his sute carrying the report of no better then a Merchant which might giue cause of great dislike and disparage his sute he saith miserable Dionicus whom the Fates continually causeth by their hard hap daily to complaine cursing the time of thy natiuitie and the starres which gouerned thine aspects which neither time or place can remedie faint hearted wretch that séeking thy owne ouerthrow encreaseth thy griefe by consealing the cause Leftes not thou thy Princely father to come hither where thou mightest enioy the presence of thy beloued mistresse and in doing her seruice to acquaint her with thy loue and coward like shamest thou to let hir know thy zeale whose curtesie is without compare and euerie way sheweth in what regarde shée holdeth thee that hath procured her libertie in aduenturing thy life a pleasure that of a thankfull minde can neuer be forgotten What knowest thou whether her loue be as much to thée whom womanly modestie denieth to reueale else mightst thou happily knowe it No no fondling thy fortune is not so happie which euer hath liued in vnhappinesse yet dispaire not nor like a wretch die in thy Cabenet Rowse thée and consider what thou art giue not ouer thy desires to miserable death without acquainting her with thy loue spare to speake and spare to spéede A Prouerbe not so old as true which if thou follow will either giue thée comfort by her curteous grant or by deniall hasten thy death by which thou shalt be freed from these torments enioying life and liuing enioy thy swéete delight or by death endâ— these torments In this resolution hauing banished dispaire arming himself with hope of good successe stretching his weake limbes he hasteneth to the Presence whose absence had bene noted of moste Courtiers attendant there but especially of the Princesse who albeit found the companie vnfurnished wanting his companie yet durst not enquire of him doubting the suspition of iealious eyes But Fortune who had so long spurned at him with her foote gaue him this opportunitie to raise him whome she had like to haue ouerthrowne chauncing to looke out of a windowe which opened into a Parke belonging to the Court hée espied the Princesse pleasantly passing the time with her Traine of Ladies which opportunitie hée was not willing to lose but with all such spéede as his fainting legges could make reuiued by the sight of his swéete chase with all sayles spread in short time hée recouered his wished desire who was no sooner of the Princesse séene his humble dutie done and she hauing requited the same giuing him the time of
the day with a most pleasant and friendly countenance she challenged him of negligence whom she had not séene in two or thrée daies and leading him politikely pretending matter of importance to impart vnto him from the companie she brought him neare the side of a faire Copes which so ouershadowed them that the Sunne beames could not offend them where they might both boldly say whatsoeuer it pleased them without being heard or séene of any which might interrupt them which caused her take opportunitie to discusse with him thus Seruant quoth she I pray thée say of y e duty thou hast vowed thy mistresse and by those swéete thoughts which are best pleasing vnto thée what is the Lady to whoÌ„ thy loue is dedicated for loue doubtlesse thou doest thy countenance bewraieth it which I haue noted with more regard then becommeth a maiden yet of care to thée whose health I tender for thy curtesie good seruice done which I wold requite in the best maner I might and for thy lookes sheweth thy heart craueth to be pitied of thy Ladie let mée know her who may chance stand thée in some stéed for women may preuaile much one with an other The Knight wrapt into a heauen of ioyes hearing the goddesse of his deuotion with such fauour and kindnes to vse him with a blushing countenance standing at the bar before her whose sentence pronounced was either life or death he saith Honorable and gracious mistresse giue me leaue so to call your highnesse since you haue dained a captiue the title of your seruant and pardon my presumption answering your demand that I loue I cannot deny which argueth your skil in phisick great whom my tongue is restrained to reueale but if your highnesse could iudge whose loue I most adore and long haue and iudging ease me I should haue cause to say no phisicke proferer on the earth whatsoeuer might compare with my gracious mistresse for skill I dare say no more fearing to offend The Princesse all this time gazed on the perfection of her seruant as déeply enamoured on his perfection as the Knight inueagled with hers for her eye made a suruey of his excellent feature which shée founde more perfit by how much the more she had bent her liking to loue him Thus loue which had assailed both their harts endued them with such a siâ—pathy of ioy beholding themselues all alone that with ouer much ioy they were striken mute so that how much soeuer their hearts desired to let each other knowe their loues they could not reueale the same In this heauen of happie content they had not long bene Guenelia a Ladie that attended the Princes brought her word the King her father with the King of Thessaly was comming into the Parke which place they had chosen to recreate themselues Where passing on by faire Paris they diligently listen to the swéete recordes of the pritie birds who skipping from trée to trée gaue as well the content beholding it as the eare pleasure in their notes great was the delight they receiued viewing the bewtie of the place which for pleasant walkes swéete groues and fruitfull trées of all sortes was matchlesse into which manie pleasant brookes had recourse on the bankes of which finding the place bewtified with Natures gifts they sat them downe earnestly beholding the pleasure of the fishes how pretely they chased one the other with many a plesant conceiued toy which they noted censuring of each seuerall action as they thought best to encrease their mirth When some time was spent on this pleasant manner Philarcus King of Thrace finding himselfe all alone with the King of Thessaly hauing neuer questioned of him his vnhappie fortune began with him thus Let it not be displeasing vnto thée famous King that I intrude my selfe so far into thy familiaritie to require the cause of your graces trauaile through which your life was so dangered if you vouchâ—aâ—â— me this fauour you shal commaund a matter of more import so please it you at my hands The Thessalian King attending this vn 〈…〉 question was driuen into such 〈…〉 thoughts that his colour showed better his discontent to recount it then his tongue ablenesse to answere the kings demand how willing so euer he was to satisfie him yet after some pause taken he saith Right curteous and mirrour of the world for Nobility though nothing can be more displeasing to my grieued heart then recounting my aduerse fortune yet that your Grace shall not find any ingratitude in me at whose hands I haue receiued such honourable entertainment attende me It is not many yeares since Mantonna my father deceised who left me vnhappie I his successour to inherite the crowne which I did not long enioy before Donatia King of Egypt required of me my sister in mariage who being beautifull and in the flourishing time of her yeares hauing not yet attained to the full of fiftéene yong ynough to be bestowed yet of that wisdome that I referred y e choise of her loue to her owne liking induced thereunto by the many euils happening by such made marriages wher the children are forced by the couetous desires of their parents to ioyne wealth to wealth others for great patrimonies all for lucre fewe or none for loue But whether the beauty of my sister Phedera for so was she called or the desire of her dowrie which was great or either of them or both I cannot say â—ut my sister being made acquainted with his sute I craued her answere for which his Ambassadors attended in my Court with the best entertainment I could giue whome my sister Phedera with her owne mouth answered woe is me vnhappy the tongue that pleaded deniall to his suite but most of all vnhappy the houre when first of all hee determined to craue her at my handes in whose power it was not to graunt no sooner arriued his Nobles at the Court and he scarslie had receiued the sum of her answere but as one bereft of all honour reason and gouernment he vowed reuenge on me and my countrey And leuying a mighty power both of horse and foot assailed me in mine owne territories whome by the mighty power of the Almightie I expelled my lande to their great dishonour and no small losse to my subiectes yet how great soeuer his ouerthrowe was an honourable minde I must say were the cause iust he ordeined a mightie power by seas whereof being by my espyalles aduertised of the time as neare as they could gesse they would be readie with a power well shipped and furnished I met him neare his owne Confines where a mortall fight was begunne and moste valiantly continued neyther side giuing any shewe of fainting But alasse too soone commeth that grief which meiteth my hart into thousands of teares to recount the Admirall of mine owne Squadron being suncke and two others forced by the cunning hand of their Gunners to lye by the Lée the rest fainted which béeing perceiued of the enemie
bountie and admired for curtesie he he Guenela is the ioy of my heart and my hearts sole delight without whom I cannot liue no I wil not liue I neither may I liue such is the seruice my heart hath vowed in loue vnto him therefore if thou loue me as thou hast profest by thy industrie séeke to â—aue my life which cannot but perish not obteining my desires Guenela listning to her discourse willing to become second in this Comedie had her braines beating alreadie in search of the charge committed vnto her yet would shée not answere any thing sodeinly considering how displeasing spéeches spoken out of time be vnto louers corasiues yet chearing the Princesse shée requested vntill the next morning respite for answer which the Princesse granted affying greatly in her which was wise and wel demeaned many wayes sometime doubtfull sometime pleasing sifted her sences to the proofe whom to her study we leaue The Mayden Knight whose extremes were far more if more might be after his abrupt parting with his mistresse that he grew so melancholy as nothing were it vyandes to relieue his weake corpse neither the daintinesse of pleasing sweete Musicke wherewith his friends presented him might any way delight him so that in outragious maner he exclaimed on his misfortune cursing the tidings bringer of the Kings repaire to the Parke and his tongue for not reuealing his griefe his Phisition so readie to hear that dispairing of his hope to enioy her he was likely to mischiefe himselfe yet reason affirming that the learnedest Phisition could not discouer the disease of his Patient without he shew it how neare soeuer he gesse Entering further in consideration of her fauourable spéeches shaking off feare like a hardie souldier he determined in writing to let her know his loue since he had no hope to méete her againe at the like aduantage Therefore like the condemned hoping of pardon liueth the Knight yet desirous to be resolued either of comfort or dispaire he calleth for Penne and Inke and write thus To willingly vouchsafe him as partner of her best fortunes yet making a kinde deniall she said Sir though I could willingly do you more seruice then modestie will I acquaint you with it is not the part of our Countrey Gentlemen to make peasts of Gentlewomen hauing Pages fit for the purpose if I refuse your request attribute it to no discurtesie in me which am very loath to offende her highnesse not knowing whether the sentence of your paper may discontent her or no. That many messengers haue incurred displeasure yea and losse of life as the cause hath deserued I hope it is not vnknowne vnto you yet hath the harmelesse messenger knowne as litle what he carried as I desirous to know of you Swéete Guenela quoth the Knight that it is wisedom to beware by others harmes I deny not yet is it discurtesie to deny the request of a Gentleman which haue euer shewed my selfe a dutifull seruant to his highnesse and honoring him can I frame my heart to preiudise that Ladie of incomparable vertue No no heauens neuer permit me life to offend her in the least sort Therefore doubt no such matter for on the word of a Gentleman my life shall be offered and fréely giuen to excuse thy friendship wherein I am so greatly pleasured by you Guenela noting by the often changing colour in telling his tale his heart was not his owne but had some more businesse in hand then hée would impart loath to offend his patience by her deniall sayd Sir perswading my selfe of your loyaltie I will for this time become your Embassador although it should impaire my credite with her Exellence whose fauour I hold as deare as my life and that you shall assure your selfe of my trustinesse herein so please it you to méete me in this place to morrow by that time the Suns power shall haue drawne the deawe from off the earth I shall returne you answere as you desire Thankes good Guenela for thy curtesie assure you I will not dye in thy debt if euer Pheander may requite it by any industry In the meane time quoth he fauour me so highly as weare this for my sake and pulling off a Dyamond of great prise gaue it her which she was loth to accept yet giuing thanks for his curtesie she sayd Sir would you did vnderstand I prise not my paines that you shuld reward me with hyre or do you good in hope of benefit or as it is vnfitting a gentle woman to take gifts bestowed in such maner so is it discurtesie and no part of a woman like condition to refuse the gift of a friend therfore accept my thankes till I may better deserue it Thus time passing away Guenela taking her leaue departed towards the Princesse and the Knight to his lodging where how many sundry thoughts assailed him I leaue to them that haue endured the like Guenela come to the Princesse presence by her pleasant iesture was of the Princesse perceiued who was iealous of her being acquainted with her maladie who calling her to her bed side she enquired where she had spent the time so long from her knowing that all her Attendants were combersom vnto her but onely Guenela with whom she might passe the time in discoursing her loue Madame dutie commands me answere your demand yet hauing bene to search some daintie that might yéeld delight to your weak stomake and cause better dâ—gesture by chance prying in y e garde in for such things I was encountred by the best skild in the dominions of Thrace who gaue me a receit which I iudge by my simple skil wil giue your Maiestie great ease yet doth the Phisition doubt whether your stomacke wil disgest it This gracious Ladie quoth Guenela hath bene the cause of my absence and no other Alas good wench how am I beholding to thée that caring to recouer my strength searchest the depth of thy skill but Guenela in vaine sâ—ekest thou her health whom no phisitiaÌ„ with all his hearbs drugs simples balmes emplaisters or what Art may prouide can remedy onely God the great commander must by his grace bring my desires to ende or by death ende my dayes of life What Madam euer in this tune once alter these discords which maketh your musick iar sing y â— beliefe with a chéerful voice so may your mind be a litle eased and the receit I haue to minister worke with the more effect I speak this Madam of experience for euery skilfull Phisitian wil prepare the bodie of his Patient before he minister Therfore Madam if you wil shake off this melancholy you shal haue a taste of what I promise if not your grace must pardoÌ„ me it were great pitie so precious a thing should be cast away Well Guenela quoth the Princesse thou art disposed to crosse me with thy words which doth but increase my disease yéelding small comfort therefore leauing those Iests say me my good wench if thou haue
excellence to take so great a matter vpon me yet shal I so please it you to heare me deliuer my simple opinion as I would do my selfe in the like action The olde wiues say they that féede with the deuill must haue a long spoone and they that goe about to master Loue had néed of manie good precepts disswade your Grace I will not to forget it for I sée it is vain neither would I wish you to answere by writing for a paper is soone lost and lost to whose finding it shall come tis vncertaine as soone to some enuious enemie as a wel-willer in which some word simplie meant of you or me may be construed by them at their pleasure whereby your name may be brought in question and a slaunder raised is not so easily suppressed writing is a specialtie whereof the subtill Lawyer takes no small aduantage to auoyd all which casualties this may you doe pretend some matter of conference with him and appoint the time when hée shall attende your pleasure at your lodging comming secretely vnto you and at such time as the King your father shall bée employed in serious affaires so may you vse your spéech at your pleasure this would Guenela doe your Grace may vse your discretion I like thy deuise wel good wench and giue thée manie thankes quoth the Princesse therefore faile not to méete him for thy promise what els I refer to thy best indgemeÌ„t Nowe in faith Madame quoth Guenela you haue made a good choyce for a solliciter but take me as I am this is the first suit that euer I was retained for nor I doubt not if I spéed well now of manie elpantes As they were thus pleasant betwéene themselues they heard a trumpet sound to horse which caused the Princesse to sende her Page to enquire the cause who returned her answer that the king with his traine were setting forward to hunt a wilde bore which his Forrester had roused this newes gaue them cause of ioy hoping that Fortune fauoured them with a happy time which they were both loth to omit doubting the like opportunitie the Princesse especially who coulde not be quieted in minde vntill shée heard her Knight aunswere for himselfe wherefore a Page was presently commanded to search for y e Knight willing him with such conuenient spéed as hee could to meet Guenela in the garden the Page vsed such diligence y e soone he was brought vnto the Knightes presence whome he found solitary as a holie father at his Orizons whome the Page awaked with his ioyful message which was welcom vnto him albeit doubtfull whether of weale or woe either to augment his sorrowes or vtterly to extinguish them The sudden hearing of which caused him to pause a while when hauing determined curteously returned answere to the Gentlewoman that he would attend her he rewarded the Page so bountifully as he had cause to boast him of his wel employed seruice Guenela hauing receiued his answere by the Page aduertized the Princesse thereof who commaunded her to haste least she gaue the Knight cause of discontent by her long stay but for al her spéed Pheander was long there before atteÌ„ding her comming who was no sooner of him perceiued to enter the place but his heart prâ—â—aging some good was more delighted thereat theÌ„ all the motions that could be imagined after his curteous salutations done thus said Swéet Guenela I know not what to imagine of thy sudden message yet willing to be resolued as one that by thy answer exspecteth his doome either of life or death I attend thy pleasure say therfore swéet Lady what faith the Princesse to my letters with whom Guenela purposed to be somthing pleasant not to cloy his stomacke with such plesant confections that he should surfet therewith and framing a countenance to her spéech she said Sir Knight of all the Gentlemen in the Courte of Thrace my good opinion was such of you that on your word I durst haue hazarded my greatest credit which expectation thou hast farre deceiued and therefore not worthie to be accounted among such honorable men at Armes which take their principall honor holding their word with Gentlewomen At the deliuery of which spéech he that had tooke regarde to the Knightes countenaunce might haue thought him past phisickes recure And withall standing so mute it verely perswaded Guenela that he was readie to deliuer his interest of life whiche made her alter her rough words and with a smoother methode new file them doubting that her Comedie begun in mirth should prooue a Tragidie to the great grief of the whole Country which generally honored him Wherfore taking him by the hand she sayd Sir Knight I am sorie I haue charged you so far what cause soeuer I had but tis womanlike to be slaine with words and no fit passion for a man of your profession That you may comfort your selfe I first pardon the offence against me committed and enioyne you as you tender your credit with the Princesse Nutania that you faile not to repaire at such conuenient time as you best can to her lodging where if you hold your word you will excuse your messenger Oh Guenela how haue thy spéeches tormented me filling my entrailes with suche a confusion of comfortlesse thoughts as haue ouercome my senees Yet Guenela if thou be curteous or haue any sparke of gentilitie abide in thée Say my good Lady what countenance gaue the Princesse to my bashfull paper Vouchsafed she the reading of them Or how to discomfort you good Knight quoth Guenela it were pittie being alreadie at so low a datum which pitieth me to behold Comfort can I giue none to thy desires but this thy sute is loue as your Letters import in which dispaire not for thy mistresse is a woman though a Princesse and how pitifull our sexe is I will not boast but wish thée not dispaire If thy birth were as great as thy vertues thou mightst boord and bedde as good as the Princesse Nutania vnto whom I wil be a faithfull soliciter Mistake me not Pheander I speake as a friend and so leaue thée vntill thy comming to my Lady which detract not for time lost is such a precious thing as can neuer be recalled Before whom when thou shalt come pleade thine owne cause and discouer thine owne grie And so farewell Pheander which had some greater hope by Guenela her last spéeches was so ouer ioyed that he could not bid her farewell yet after his memento past he saith farewell the faithfullest friend in my distresse that euer I founde Oh Guenela happy maist thou be in thy loues and highly honored amongst men by whom my cares are thus comforted faithfull Guenela the worker of my hearts happie content by whom past all hope I am by thy faithfulnesse and trueth in deliuering my message freed of so heauie a burthen as was likely to haue torne my poore oppressed heart in a million of péeces Thus vplawding Guenela he had almost
of his Countrey which by his carelesse sonne is blemished who neglecting the dutie of a child without regard of father crowne or kingdome exiled himselfe no man knowes where or whether he rest aliue or no since which time the king his father who loued him too dear if fathers loue may be too deare hath likewise absented himselfe and liueth in exile The mother Quéen hath resigned her due to death leauing by losse of those honorable persons their country without a head and their state by subiectes to bée gouerned wherby a ruine of the kingdom is like to ensue all procéeding from the Prince A miserable country is that quoth the Princasse to be lamented but more the losse of so noble a race the father hauing bene such and the sonne as report saith so toward But say good Knight quoth she was there neuer cause supposed of their departures nor did not the father through his harsh demeanor for youth in these times take vnkindly their fathers vnkindnes age is froward which frowardnes might minister great cause of discontent Madam quoth the Knight to my knowledge this I wil say my father being a Courtier in some regard whereby I became familiar with the Prince and as youth will make choise of some one to participate with so it pleased the Prince louing my father wel to vse my company in all his exercises through which I saw his demeanor with such reuerent duetie to the king acknowledged and as kindly requited of the king as on the earth might not bee found loue more perfect til his speach fayling in his mouth he could vtter no more The Princesse giuing héed to each word by him pronounced albeit she sawe the repeating of the Princes life was somewhat cumbersome vnto him yet ceased he not to vrge him to shew such sorrowe in deliuering the storye so of her desired Ah Madame quoth the knight at his departure began our Countries grief and my sorrow from whome in life I could neuer bée seperated such was my loue to him which refused himselfe his Crowne and dignities Adolefull tale hast thou deliuered quoth the Princesse which I perceiue mooueth you to impacience wherefore one demaund and an ende The Prince Dionicus made choyse of you for his companion Then vnder benedicitie let me craue all law of friendship exempted did he not acquaint you with his determinations for me thinkes it is scant credible that such an vnity should be amongst men their loues being so perfect but he should disclose each secret intent whatsoeuer many reasons draweth me to suppose it which I will omit for I perceiue I am too tedious Your Ladiship vrgeth me far yet will I accomplish your request who haue power to commaund me The Gentleman who neuer offended but in committing of this great offence long before his departure hauing belike some motion of desire in his thoughtes became of a pleasant Gentleman the most melancholiest that could be found that quite abolishing all company hée best contented himselfe with his secrete cogitations continuing this homour so long that he fell sicke of an extream Feuer which so encreased vpon him as all Physickes reliefe was quite giuen ouer so that small was the hope of his recouerie whose distresse the kind King with the mother Quéene grieued in such wise to beholde as in shorte time it was hard to be iudged which of the thrée endured most extreames But God that in aduersity sends comfort restored the Prince to some streÌ„gth belike receiuing some comfort in his imaginations by his recouery the King Quéene were both so comforted as in short time they were raised from their sicke cabinets to frolike it amongst their noble subiects who ioyed in nothing so much as in their healthes But how soone the Sunshine of their happinesse was ouershadowed with cloudes of comfortlesse care grieueth me to recount yet dare I not gainsay your Ladiships request The Prince recouered of his maladie made semblance of such content that none but himselfe could witnesse vy the least suspition his hearts discontent yet oftentimes should I being seldome from his company sighing with a number of far fetched sobs heare him say Péerlesse Ladie would my loue were as wel known to thée as to mine own heart then doubtles wouldst thou pitie me which lanquish for thée that art the only Princesse on the earth excelling in al vertues which beautifie the honourable the report of which hath fettered my fancies to thée that I protest to bée thine or neuer mine owne then looking with a gastly loook about him to sée if any ouerheard him hee woulde fall into some other discourse euer applauding y e rare perfections of his mistresse who was vnknowne to all but only to himself I who froÌ„ the first he acquainted with y e same briefly Lady for I weary you with my discourse the loue of his Lady hath drawn him from his country whose absence caused the kings exile the Kings exile the Quéens death The Princesse hearing all these extreams to grow from affection knowing well her owne hearts discontent with a sigh from the déepest which wroong tears from her heart she said Alasse noble Gentleman whose ioy so soone ouerwhelmed hath heaped so many cares vpon me what folly was there in thée that wouldest not disclose thy loue which burned so vehementlie was the dame so base that thou fearest thereby to ignoble thy issue or of such high estate thou doubtest to obtaine her if either by perswasions all griefs might haue bene mittigated if a Monarch why thou by report deseruest her if a begger thou mightest make her noble what ere she were hearing thy distresse could she forbeare to pitie thée No no were her heart more harder then the Diamond it could not choose at y e hearing therof but relent else wel woorthy were she to bée scorned of al Ladies and neuer to bee named amongst the number of women The Prince séeing the Princesse in this pitiful humour thought it good striking wheÌ„ the iron was hot taking the opportunity answered her thus Is your Ladiships censure such of hard-hearted Ladies wil not be entreated of him whose loue to you is no whit inferior to the Pr. Dionicus as himself wold confesse wer he present hard me recount y e many griefs wherwith loue hath afflicted me might he â—e Iudge wold allow me recoÌ„pence for my seruice in loue But Madame if without offence I might demaund this say Nutania the Princesse of Thrace were the Saint vnto whome this vnhappie Prince had vowed his deuotions and that all the passions he hath endured are for your loue would you vouchsafe him loue in recompence thereof The Princesse driuen to her shiftes at this demaund could not tell what to answere yet sharpening her wittes as women can doe she said Pheander Loue is not to bée dallied with as I haue heard them say which speake by experience therefore I cannot directly answere thy question but were
first séemed hard yet of two euils the least is to be chosen as these Nobles of Egypt who séeing their liues wiues children and what they possest to be in the hands of strangers whom they could not withstand making a vertue of necessitie were the rather wonne to yéeld themselues vnto the Kings pleasure at the intercession of their wiues whose teares shead in abundance moued them to ruth in such wise that subiecting on these conditions to his Exellence they proclaimed him king of Thessaly and Egypt swearing fayaltie vnto him and deliuering hostages for their loyaltie This done the king with generall consent Crowned the Commons gan conceiue an especiall hope of his honorable loue to them whose kindnesse was such that hauing the Citie and whole kingdome at his pleasure would not suffer his souldiers to imbeasell or purloyne in any sort but rather made choise to reward the Mercenary men out of his owne treasury which honourable beginning gained their especial lyking when order was taken for the gouernment of the state Pheander who was mindfull of the Princesse Phedera hasted the King on for Thessaly often putting him in mind what daungers the good Lady was likely to abide if she consented not to the King who was more cruell then curteous wherefore taking their pledges he left the noble Cariolus his Vizegerent to take the gouernment vpon him in his absence and with the next fauourable wind they set saile for Thessaly where to their good successe wée leaue them to tell you more of Mustapha the Heathen Prince who was in the Princesse Nutania her custodie The mightie Emperour of Constantinople vnderstanding the ill successe of his sonne with the great slaughter of his men was moued at the first to such chollor that he had determined for euer to abandone his sonne and neuer to haue knowne or regarded him but being perswaded by his nobilitie which tenderly loued the prince he was at length by their motions wonne to conceiue how vnstable fortunes chances are and how victories sometimes happen as well to the coward as the valiant not forgetting to vrge vnto him how dishonourable it were for a Prince to leaue the meanest subiect he had at such an exigent that should aduenture his life in his seruice much more was his Maiestie bound by natures lawes to reléeue his sonne and not suffer him as one forsaken to remaine in the handes of his enemies vpon which motion of his Bashawes the King caused two Gallies to be rigged and furnished appointing of his chiefest Nobles too for that voyage to Thrace as wel to aduertise him of his sonnes welfare which he fauoured as also to agrée vpon the summe of his ransom all things furnished for the voyage the Bashawes hauing taken leaue of the Emperor and the rest of their friends fauoured with a happy gale they shortly arriued in Thrace of whose arriual the king by his messengers was aduertised who being of nature honourable and curteous in behauiour caused a sumptious traine of Courtiers with all the honorable maner they could to receiue them at their Port of landing taking lyke order in all lodgings and places of repast his Officers at his charge to attend them which in such exquisit manner was performed as the Bashawes with their retinue admyred their entertainment Thus by easie iournies came they to the court where the king with the princesse gaue them many welcomes enquiring kindly after the good health of the renowmed Emperour their maister whome hée maligned no whit at all how hardly so euer he had measured his friendship with him when the King and these Nobles had spent some time in discoursing they enquired of the welfare of their Prince Mustaffa whome the King caused to be sought and brought to their presence before whome they bowed themselues in all humblenesse as to the sonne of their soueraigne whom he againe with all kindnesse imbrased passyng the time with much pleasure ioying in the welfare of his friendes The King dooing them all the honour that could bee deuised passing the time with suche recreation and gentle sportes as the Countrey affoorded at length a summe of money for the Princesse raunsome was agreed vpon to their content for that it was reasonable and the cōditions honorable which obteined their vittailes by the king was reléeued all necessaries at his charge purueyed in such maner and with so much bounty as they had great cause to report honorably of the kyng Long had they not tarried but a winde pleasant and fauourable presents it selfe which good time they neglected not but taking leaue of the king their prince princesse Nutania who accompanied them onwards to their gallies thrée whole daies iournies they leaue them to the care of their iourny who being imbarqued in short time arriued at Constantinople where how welcom they were to the Emperour his Nobles I omit to let you vnderstand of y ◠honorable reports made of their entertainment in Thrace and the welfare of the prince whose company there were fewe but desired The strangenes of this report made of Philarcus was excéeding admirable in the Emperors eares who wondered not a little that a king whome he had so much wronged should vse such kindnes to his son and curtesie to his messengers extolling highly the honourable condition of the king and much lamenting his owne follyes so rashly without any occasion offered to iniury him so farre as to spoyle his Countrey and to robbe him perforce of his onely child his sole delight comfort To recompence all which and to kéep his friendship he presently elected other nobles for Thrace to be employd which with the princesse ransom and many rich presents to the king and his daughter were dispatched with Letters of loue and desire of amitie all which comming to the Thrasian king were so heartily accepted as they could wish and in presence of the nobles and states of both Realmes was the peace concluded and a band of euerlasting friendship promised to all their ioyes Thus with great delight at the earnest intercession of the king spent those Turkish nobles sometime in Thrace till their prefixed time ganne drawe to ende when receiuing their Prince with great rewardes and many thankes for their paines they put to Sea and were not long before they recouered theyr famous Cittie of Constantinople where they were most royally welcommed but especially the Prince for whose safetie many pastymes was ordeined with Iustings Turneyes Barriers and other pleasing delights wherein the Prince honorably bare him selfe to the great ioy of his father and pleasure of the whole state who gloried greatly in him which was likely to proue a most honorable Prince and their ensuing comfort But while I digresse let it be considered that y ◠Mayden Knight who thirsted to sée the ende of his desires slept no time but made all possible meanes he could as winde and weather would giue leaue vntil he arriued in Thessaly which he recouered in so good
with grief WheÌ„ they had passed some time in parley about their affaires and that some offers were made by these Nobles of their ayde and assistance a generall Councell was called where by consent of such as had gouernment vnderstanding the power of Donatio the vsurper was no more but such as guarded his holdes it was determined after the army had refreshed themselues two or thrée daies to martch forewarde to the Cittie there to beleager the King and cut off from them all supply of prouision for victualles whereof they had small store In the meane time the Lordes of Thessaly to giue notise to all their friends with all spéede as they tendered their owne liberties to repaire with such power as they could make vnto the Campe. This deuise was no sooner determined on but the Noble Mama Bacha without returning to the King spared not his paines and all others which hée could command or entreate proclaiming in euery place as they passed Theophilus their lawful king straightly charging all naturall subiects of Thessaly to make repaire vnto the Campe. These tydings at first were hardly beléeued yet such was the rumour of a forreine power landed that all which could beare Armes repaired to the King whome they founde at the assault of the Cittie where the vsurper kept such was the multitudes of people which from all countries in his Regions came vnto him that in short time he had power sufficient to ouerrunne a kingdome The vsurper Donatio who had least thought euer to heare or sée the Thessalian King when the report of his being in the Campe was brought vnto him his courage quailed and his hope of enioying the Crowne was quite extinguished so that dispairing he became lyke a man lunatike that nothing whatsoeuer might moue him to any mirth or content so that giuing ouer all he cared not what became of himselfe or his yâ—t was he carefully counselled by his Nobles who regarded both his honour and their owne safetie but whatsoeuer they might counsell or determine was ill imployd at his hands was nothing to be had wherefore after they saw his small care and that he was not to be aduised they determined either in field with vnappoynted battell to try their fortunes or by some such composition as might be for their Courtries safetie and their reputation to giue ouer their tytle pretended to the Crowne of Thessaly Before that any thing was of them resolued the Mayden Knight which had his minde on his Lady as well as of other affaires could not rest in content vntill he had finished and either gained what they came for or séene the euent of fortune Wherefore to auoyd further delaies hée summoned the Citie to parley wherein he required their answere whether they would receiue their lawfull King or no if yea they should suffer him in peace to enter or otherwise vpon their answere to abide the hazard incident to Armes which he protested should be voyd of all fauour if he preuailed and they refused this offer of his These summons caused the Nobilitie to looke with better aduise into their estates and with consideration to wey each particuler perill which they found to be very many and daungerous especially séeing the multitude who were naturall subiects and did rather affect their owne King how so euer they professed in outward appearance then the vsurper which made them the more earnest with their King vnto whom they declared the offers made by the Maiden Knight with y â— doubts they had of his successe who were nothing in number to the Kings power which daily increased and contrary his decreased wherfore they aduised him to yéeld vnto such Articles of honour as they would require which should be both for his honour and safetie of him and his The vsurper hearing these perswasions from them wheron his chéefest hope consisted forgetting all former friendship and loue to any of them with most odious words reuiled them calling them traytors dastards and vpbraiding them with cowardise which were neuer founde but euer forward in all his actions onely this excepted wherin was no hope These spéeches moued his Nobles to such furie that departing from him in discontent they resolued for their owne safetie to séek what means they could and not by delaies to incurre his displeasure whose friendship they were by all meanes they could vse to intreat Wherfore in name of all the rest the Lord Philiago principall Treasuror vnto the King by whose direction the rest would be gouerned sent for the Princesse Phedera from prison whom he vsed with honorable spéeches comforting her with hope of her kingly brother who liued and was in person come with a strong power to deliuer her from that captiuitie which so long she endured humbly beséeching her grace to become a fauourable soliciter to his Highnesse for them who were to be commaunded by their soueraigne whose subiects they were protesting that neither for enuy to him or his they vndertooke the action but at commaundment and to auoyde the ignomious tytle of cowardize which all of honorable birth or mind ought to detest The good Princesse which could not tell whether she might giue credit to his words or no answered him thus My Lord Philiago vnder the gréenest grasse lurketh the most perillous poyson and experience hath taught me in my durance the knowledge of friends these sodeine offers of loue to my brother whom you all know is long sithence dead causeth me the more to dread I am going to him and that your proffered friendship is but to that end to bereaue mée of that which long since I wished to leaue if it bée so good my Lorde hyde not the truth thereof from mée for therein shall you shewe your charitable minde to a distressed Captiue Farre be it from my thought Noble Ladie quoth Philiago that I should any way delude you or moue you to credit any thing other then truth whom I haue my greatest hope of good to assure you of which so pleaseth your Exellence I will my selfe bring you to his Maiesties presence When the Princesse heard him make these proffers of fauours and perceiued by his iesture he did not counterfeyt ouercome with ioy she was in a traunce from which reuiued by the carefull industry of the Lady Vrania wife to the Lord Philiago shée gaue the Noble man great thanks for his tydings assuring him on her word that she would so recompence that good as hée nor his should haue any cause to complaine of her vngratefulnesse Vrging him with her curteous spéech to detract no time but to bring her to the Campe where the King was which he willingly yéelded vnto and causing a stately Charyot to be ordeined and richly apparrelling the Princesse as befitteth her accompanied with his Ladie and two daughters of rare bewtie himselfe wayting on her disrobed issued out of the gates and in short time came neare the Campe and were by the Sentronelles discouered and brought to the
Kings presence who séeing the Princesse whome hée had great doubt the tyrant would haue murthered so sodaine a ioy surprized him as he might not speake yet ouercomming his passion ioyning his face with hers after many kinde imbrasings he saith Phedera how haue the heauens blessed me in giuing me life to behold thée more deare vnto me then a million of liues whom sithence I possesse as the onely ioy I conceiued hope of in this world I account my happines more then to be possessed of the worlds reuenew But tell me Phedera what are these that accompany thée strangers to me they are how frendly soeuer they haue vsed thée Most gracious soueraign for these noble persons I am to intreate hauing passed my word to be their safe conduct froÌ„ any violence should be offred them therefore good my Lord receiue into your fauour the Lord Philiago Treasurer to the vsurper his Ladie and daughters such as are by them protected so shalt thou honor me the more by mainteining my word which relying on your princely nature I haue past The Mayden Knight willing to hold her honor in regard sayd Madame how his Maiestie on the sodaine may be wonne to fauour your sute I cannot say hauing had such great cause to reuenge him on their crueltie but for his life let him thanke your grace if he enioy it The King whose heart pittie moued to tender the sute of the princesse comming towards the noble Philiago and his Lady with great curtesie tooke them from the earth wheron they knéeled accepting them to his maiestie vsing them with such honor curtesie that they admired him After he had reuiued with his kinde confections these sorrowing suters hée said Philiago as I haue pardoned thy life so faile not to tell me thy Kings determination whether he will yéeld or in battell try the euent of our fortunes Gratious soueraign quoth Philiago that he determines to séeke your grace is more then I can say for such desperate humors assaileth him that he is not himselfe friends faileth him from the Noble to the peasant whose wisdoms haue with graue aduise considered what wrongs hath bin offered your grace and hath vpon your Princely motions of mercy solicited him to pittie them and yéeld vnto your grace which when he could not be perswaded vnto we all left him and I in name of all the Nobilitie humbly beséech your highnesse of mercy who onely attendeth but my returne at which time on your gratious word they will deliuer the Citie My Lord quoth the King what cause so euer I haue in the most extréemest maner to reuenge me on you all yea to the very childe that sucketh that I omit And that thou and they all shall know I delight not in bloud nor wish I the life of my mortallest foâ— returne vnto them and from mée say that if in submissiue wise they issue their gates and at my féete craue mercy bring with them their vsurping king I will accept them so that thou and they shal sweare your dutifull alleageance to me and mine shall be hereafter mainteined in such maner as becommeth faithfull subiects to their Prince I will admit them to my grace and will be vnto them a louing and gratious soueraigne Philiago which had that he most desired vttering with many déepe sighes the ioy his hart conceiued for his good successe after many humble and heartie praiers for the kings long life in all happines to be mainteined he besought his grace to giue him leaue with his happy tydings to make glad the hearts of those sorowfull Nobles which exspected his returne which the king granted deteining his wife daughters to attend his sister whose ioyes excéeded the extremes of her misery enioying her Noble brother which she was out of all hope euer to behold againe To their recreation we leaue them and passe on with the Lord Philiago who made no staie vntill he came to the gates where diuerse of his friends exspected his comming No sooner entered hée the Cittie but sommoning the Nobles and Gonernors of the Citte togither he deliuered vnto them what fauour he had receiued of the King and how willing he was to shew lyke clemencie vnto them all vpon those conditions specified whereunto he perswaded them to yéeld not omitting any thing to make them mindfull of the litle hope they had of the vsurpers successe for which they had no reason to encline vnto him who had so small regard of them but rather let him endure the reward of his owne follies then that so many should perish for one mans wronges Resolued thus they hastened vnto the Couâ—t at whose sodaine entering the King was greatly appalled considering in what discontent they parted with him yet shewing a countenance voyd of all feare he required the cause of their comming whome they soone resolued letting him know each particuler of their euent perswading him to patience for what they had determined should be accomplished The King hearing his owne doome of misery pronounced albeit it moued him to great impatience yet restraining chollor he with his smooth spéech besought them of respite for his answere till the next morning which they willingly consented vnto And so leauing him they departed each one to his seuerall mantion But he in whose heart reuenge harboured hauing his minde wholly bent on their ruine after he had conferred with such as were as full of mischiefe as himselfe of crueltie and was by them aduertised what power they were off he caused them secretly in the night Armed to assemble at the Court where in very couert manner they remained vntill the time came that the Nobles should come to receiue their answer who void of all suspect of euill entred the Pallace desirous to know his pleasure touching the matter thâ—â— betwéene them in question No sooner câ—â—â— they to tâ—â— kings presence but the cruel tyrant shewing in his couâ—teâ—â—nce the pretence of his heart began in â—â—â—â—mes of great reproach to exclaime against the Nobles whome he accused of treason and vniust dealing against him and the state of his countrey that flying from him which was their lawfull soueraigne sought to supplant him to Crowne another But Traytors quoth hée you shall reape such reward as your treachery deserueth and therewithall giuing the watch-word his confederates which for the purpose was ambushed issued vppon them and sodeinly surprized as many as they could come by the the rest that fled entring the Citie proclaimed the lawfull king offering in his name frée pardon of life and goods to as many as folowed them At which offer of grace the commons wearied with the oppression of the vsurper in multitudes assembled themselues and guided by Philiago they fiercely assailed the king in his Court fleying as many as they could reach vnto and reskued their fellowe Nobles whose death by the Tyrant was determined had not the valour and policie of this noble Philiago preuailed In this exployt many of
with one not so worthie as the Lord Cariolus And yet Nay Madam quoth the King leaue not off so abruptly with an aparentizes your words are doubtfull Tell mée therfore is there any other before me if there be and thou hast made choyce and you both agreed I will not gainsay it nor tye thée to any other then thy owne content in mariage Therefore say what those words and yet imported Pardon my ouer boldnesse gracious Lord answered the Lady which vnaduisedly ouerpast those spéeches and credit my word which haue no loue fixed in my heart but will endeuour my selfe to the liking of him whom you shall commaund me yet will I answer your demaund and meaning of those words taken so by your grace at rebounde though I must and will frame me to the loue and liking of the Lord Cariolus Yet had the noble Generall bene pleased and with that a déep sigh staid her tongue in such wise as she could go no farther The King vnderstanding which way the winde of her desire blew though he could haue bene better content with her choyce yet to put her from other thoughts and to haue his sute take effect he perswaded her to let slip such fonde imaginations for that he had placed his loue on a Ladie of his Country whom he would not leaue for all the world With these happie tidings for the Lord Cariolus after some other kinde spéeches to y ◠Lady the King departed so ioying in his good successe y ◠he could not rest vntill he had comforted the Lord Cariolus with his answer whose mind egged on by the Mayden Knight was so fixed on the Lady that she was become the mistresse of his heart and he ioyed in nothing but in contemplating of her loue thinking euery day a yeare and euery houre a month vntil he heard the Kings answere musing thus on his Loue tossing with a minde disquietted from one side the bedde to the other his Page brought him word that a Gentleman from the King attended to speake with him which sodaine newes reuiued so his spirits as made his heart more light then long time before it had bene hoping to here such happie tidings as his louing sute required The Messenger hauing deliuered his messuage iudge you that be louers whether you could slack any time vntil you heard the doome of your mistresse which he was assured to do by the King vnto whom he hasteneth with such spéed as he could To whose presence being come the king as ioyful for his good successe and his sisters grant as the Lorde Cariolus to heare it with a smiling countenance which shewed the ioy of his heart said My Lord though my skill in wooing be but small hauing neuer accustomed my selfe to any such practise yet haue I playd the cunning Aduocate for your Lordship and will assure you so you holde your word and promise the Princesse shall be yours and thereon take my word of honour Cariolus so ouer ioyed at these tydings could not well tell whether he heard the King speake or dreamed of this happinesse But standing a while in an extacie his sences being come againe with eyes gastly beholding the King thus said My honourable and gracious Lord what may I doo to requite your Princely fauour who hath vouchsafed me so great honor not onely to bestowe your onely sister on me but to become my honorable soliciter what I would say modestie compelleth me to conceale Only this I assure your Maiestie my loyall seruice shall euer be ready at your commaund in such dutifull maner that your Maiesty shall haue no cause to repent you of so great a good done vnto a stranger Inough my Lord fewe words doth suffice among friendes wherefore forbeare these spéeches loue my sister and for her sake thinke of me as a friend which will be euer ready to do you what pleasure I can To giue you some interest of my faith appoint the marriage day at your pleasure and for her dowry accept this kingdom of Egypt which shall remaine to you and your heires for euer onely this homage shall you yearely tender in my Court of Thessaly two swift running Coursers of this Countrey and so God make you happie in your loue and a ioyfull father of many children With this the Mayden Knight entered his presence vnto the King what man so welcome his dutie done the King louingly imbracing him said Sir Knight I haue not long sithence comforted your friend with my happie tydings and not onely assured him of a wife which I hope will prooue louing and kinde vnto him but haue inuested him with the tytle of King of Egipt of both which I wish him so much ioy as I desire to haue ioy his wedding day let him appoynt at his pleasure which shall with the greatest honour I can be performed Most gracious and dread Lord quoth the Knight how this your honourable curtesie haue tyed mee vnto your seruice I omit that at my request hath thus fauoured my deare friend whose good I estéeme as mine owne and euer will be readie with my best endeuour to serue at all times and places where my force or seruice may do either your Maiestie or my Lord Cariolus good And séeing it is wrought to his content and your Graces good lyking let mée intreate this fauoure of you both that the wedding may sodainly be solemnized for that my staie may not be long here such desire I haue to sée my soueraigne Lorde who I am sure exspecteth my return long before this time Sir quoth the King did you knowe how displeasing those spéeches of your departure were to me that desire nothing in the whole world so much as your company you would neuer harpe so much on that string But how long so euer your staie shall be this day eight dayes I doo appoint for the wedding so my Lorde Cariolus be agreed and say Amen Neuer quoth Cariolus let him be allowed for Clarke which refuseth to say Amen to such a parson the Orizons bringing such content séeing your Maiestie referres it to me Amen say I and humbly thanke your Grace for your honourable fauour The wedding day appoynted and assigned the King sent for the Princesse who that night supped all togither which being ended the Princesse in presence of many of the Lordes of Thessaly and Egypt was betrothed vnto the Lord Cariolus and the marriage day appoynted against which time were all the nobles sommoned to be at Court to attend the King by whose commandement all the preparation for honour of that day might be deuised was ordeined the time of night being spent sommoned their watchfull eyes to sléepe wherefore after many solemne adues taken one of the other they hastened on all sides to their rest onely Cariolus and the Princesse best content shée ioying in her Loue and kingly brothers lyking and he blessing a million of times the day wherein he first saw the Prince procurer of his so great good What
other imaginations assailed them let those suppose and thinke which haue felt the swéet cōtent in loue To which I leaue them to recount vnto you y ◠sorrow of the Thracian Quéen who ruling with honor beloued both of Pheres and Commons in as much royaltie as might be desired endured so many sundry torments of minde wanting her most desire that the day was irkesome vnto her and the night ordeined for rest restlesse she consumed that with her continual watchings and others passions he◠bodie became weake and a gréeuous sicknesse assailed her the cause none could imagine neither might phisicke minister any cure to her disease so that giuen ouer to the death she lanquished in great extremities not daring for modestie to reueale the cause onely this was her chéefest comfort when she could be freed from the company of such Ladies and counsellers which visited her with Guenela to recount her loue sometime extolling his valour and person and eftsoones accusing him of disloyaltie exclaiming on her hard fortune which had engaged her libertie to a Knight carelesse of her honour and good cursing and accusing Guenela being soliciter for such a wretched Knight whose spéeches oftentimes was so answered by the Mayden Guenela as in iesting wise would she turne her words of despight into laughter such was the sharpnesse of her wit which left no meanes vnsought that might procure in the least maner her content Oppressed with great griefe we leaue the Princes for a while to returne vnto Cariolus whose wedding day being come great was the ioy on his side but more the preparation of al courtiers who were ready with many costly shewes at y ◠Tilt Turney and Barriers to try their valour and fortunes in Armes But as the fairest day is ouercast with cloudes so was their mirth chaunged to great and gréeuous lamentions and their ioy to sorrowfull complaints which thus befell The King now in prime of yeares desirous to try his force at the Tilt with his presence to honour his Nobles and do the Princesse fauoure at her marriage in these pastimes made choyce of the Mayden Knight to encounter him as the worthiest in Armes who being of all others most vnwilling to deale against him humbly besought his grace of pardon and accept of some his Nobles who was more worthier of that honor But the King with whom no intreaties might preuaile wold not be denied which made the Knight with great heauinesse of heart to wish hée had not Armed him that day such was his discontented minde which doubtlesse presaged some ensuing euill as to y ◠great griefe of all the whole company hapned them Thus when no denials might preuail the trumpets sounding a charge they set forward with such swiftnesse as the earth trembled vnder their horses both breaking their staues in such manner as all the company with ioyful shoutes applauded their excellent skill in that exercise But alasse in midst of this pleasing practise how suddainly their ioyes were eclipsed woe is me to recount The King and his elected companion at the trumpets sound setting with courage forward to encounter one the other in braue maner brake again their staues but in an vnhappie time a splinter of the knights staffe by most vnfortunate chaunce entered the sight of the Kings Beauer which pearced the head to the brain in such wise that with the heate of his trauaile and griefe of the wound he was enforced to forsake his horse This suddaine mishap to the company brought such discontent that all their mirth layd apart sorrow was made Lady of the feast But amongst those that most lamented this vnfortunate chaunce the Maiden Knight had his part whose griefe was such that had not the Lord Cariolus bin by fortune present in the extreame of his melancholy passion he had slain himselfe such was the wisedome of the Noble Cariolus as his reasonable perswasions preuailed so with him as he caused him forsake his dolefull Lodge to accompany him to the presence of y ◠king whose masters of Chirurgery had newly ended their trauaile of dressing his woundes them the Knight questioned of the danger therof and besought them in curtesie to acquaint him therewith whether hée held it mortall or no which how vnwilling so euer they were as loath to discomfort the King or those which loued him such was the curteous entreatie of the Knight as he could not conceale the daunger thereof but reuealed vnto him the little hopes they had of his life and the reasons that induced them thereunto which newes was little pleasing vnto the Knight who with many teares lamented that mishap but griefe ministreth no phisicke to the diseased nor sorrow auaileth not to mittigate extreames Wherefore by Cariolus comforted hée ceaseth in so excéeding maner to lament determining to abide the Kings doome vnto whom he purposeth to reconcile himselfe and to that intent awaiteth the waking of his Maiestie who was after his dressing fallen a sléepe whose griefe was such as hée could take small rest But rowsing himselfe awaked from his slumber called for the Lord Cariolus who was wayting for the same purpose vnto whome being come hée saith Cariolus let no man boast himselfe of happinesse which is mortall for that they are subiect to crosses and casual mishaps as thy selfe maist witnesse with me and many others that haue séene this mischaunce befallen mée when I least expected it the originall of my griefe procéeding from my selfe which woulde perforce my good friend to the action whereunto he was so vnwillingly drawne but what heauens haue ordeined what man can gainsay The omnipotent power of the Almightie hath laid his crosse on me for my greater good to call me from these worldes vanities to séeke his euerlasting kingdome Yet ere I leaue this fraile life swéete Cariolus let me sée that honourable Knight by whose hands death sent his sommance deare he was vnto mée and his loue worthie to be imbraced of the mightiest Monarke Oh Pheander couldest thou but imagine with what faithfull loue I loued thée thou maist sorrow for my losse whome thou and all the worlde cannot reclaime from this great hazard wherein I remain With this the knight which was not farre off presented himselfe vnto him who knéeling at his beds side said Most gracious soueraign might my gréeued hart which ouerwhelmed in sorrow is 〈…〉 in a sea of many miseries consume it selfe with griefe for my euill committed against you how happie a creature were I which haue bin the occasion of your highnesse so great vnrest yet how vnwilling heauens record with me And therefore my dread soueraigne pardon my fault so vnwillingly committed against your Maiestie as deare to me as mine owne soule whose life if ten thousands liues depended thereon I wish might be sacrificed for thy health and the louing subiects of of my gracious soueraigne whom by my ouer-hardinesse I haue robbed of so louing a Prince Let me I say chiefe causer of your sorrow reape the guerdon
The aged father ouer worne with griefe and long trauell was so much altered in his face as he that had wel known him might very well haue mistaken his feature which made the King who oftentimes had noted his comely person his Pilgrimes attire and other ornaments to religious belonging greatly to affect him litle suspecting it was the aged Barnardine But as time reuealeth greatest secrets and bringeth friends to knowledge so the King taking pleasure beholding this Pilgrime noted him so often that his phisiognemy to his memory presented the feature of his beloued Barnardine which imagined thought began to take such roote in the King as he greatly desired to haue some conference with the Pilgrime euermore perswading himselfe that it was his noble Tutor and carefull Phisition To assure him of that doubt he determined to haue knowledge of the aged man if he might and for that intent caused his Pages to giue diligent héed if they sawe him in the Court to bring him tydings thereof which they did according to his Maiesties commandement attending with such care at that vsuall time he was accustomed to come that he passed not of them vnperceiued whereof they gaue the King intelligence by whose commaund hée was sommoned to his Presence The aged Pilgrime at this first somance of the messenger was in such dread of wrong to be offered him as hée greatly feared some ill to betide him knowing that Princes haue many eyes and strangers are markes how poore so euer their estates are specially frequenting the Court as he did yet he whose conscience could not accuse him of any euill intent against the King had this hope that God whom he serued doth protect the innocent and would deliuer him Thus casting his care on him that commandeth Kings not without many imaginations what should be the cause he came vnto the Kings Presence vnto whom as one that knew his good he prostrated himselfe praying hartily for the Kings prosperitie The King which saw the old man bowing before him kindly tooke him from the ground tendring his age which he honored whom the more he noted the more the louely face of his beloued Barnardine presents it vnto his memory the thought of whom caused his heart to much sorrow yet shaking off griefe of father kingdome and friend he sayd Aged father in whose face appeareth grauitie tel me of that dutifull loue thou owest thy most beloued friend of what Countrey thou art and what fortunes hath brought thée to this region that honoring thée whose age requireth the same I may further thy sutes if thou haue any or wanting wealth I may leléeue thée The wofull Pilgrime reuiued by those honorable spéeches of the King sayd Renowmed Prince the mirror of honor of whose fame the world is filled to satisfie your Exellence know that occasions of importance thereunto mouing me I forsooke my natiue Countrey in search of those whom my fortune was neuer yet to méete yet haue I trauelled many kingdomes and in my trauell haue séene many Princes Courts and noted their seuerall demeanors yet moste gracious soueraigne neuer tooke I pleasure in any as in this Countrey of Thrace the nobles especially giuing me cause to admire them whose minds shew their true Gentilitie as the frute maketh the tree knowne in which taking delight I haue though more then beseemeth a stranger so often frequented thy Court wherewith if your grace take any offence I humbly beséech your pardon which am now readie to depart The King which had heard that tongue so often reade him many Lectures and giuen him instructions of honor was not deceiued him though albeit he forbear to acknowknowledge him whom he desired so hartily to sée vnto whom he was more welcom then any man liuing yet concealing himselfe he said Father thanks for thy loue and honorable report of our realme and people for which I rest thy debter But say me aged man of what Countrey art thou and what account were those friends with thée whom thou with such trauell hast sought whether thyallies or thy friends by adoption At this motion of the King the old man ouercome with the thoughts of those of whom his pittifull tale was to be told could not forbeare teares which with such aboundance of sobbes and heauy sighes were vttered that it moued the King to great ruth séeing those siluer haires which he honored bedeawed with sault droppes the witnesse of his his discontent Wherefore like the carefull Phisitian hauing ministred bitter Pilles to his Pacient seasoneth the same with some swéeter tast he comforteth y e aged Barnardine with words so pleasing that it cheared the old man yet would not pardon his report which caused him say Famous King if pittie of my age may any way mooue you vrge not my faltering tongue to vtter a tale of suche ruth as it importeth the remembrance whereof ouercloyeth me with sorrow and will bring your Exellence small delight Therefore soueraigne Prince pardon me which cannot reueale the truth of so pittifull a tale as yet without the hazard of my life my heart so ouercharged with griefe that to thinke thereon halleth me neare to death then pardon me But how loath so euer the King might not be entreated whom with such pleasing spéech he halled on that comforted by his maiesties kind words whom he would not gainsay he sayd sithence nothing may perswade your Exellence to pittie mée accept in woorth my rudenesse and pardon it Which sayd humbly doing his dutie as one that could his good he thus procéeded Dread Lord know Numedia is my natiue soyle where through the grace of my thrise noble Prince I consumed my youth in that happinesse fauoured by his fauour with the best of account in that Region so graced by the King that he committed y ◠gouernment of his deare sonne more deare to him then his life to be trained vp by me of whom as dutie willed me I had that care as is required of a subiect to his Lord ioying in nothing the world possesseth so much as in the towardnesse of the Prince whose verteous youth might be a loadstarre to all that euer I saw for curtesie matchlesse bountifull as Tymon more valiant then Hector or the best deseruing y ◠liued cunning was he in the liberall Artes what should I say of him whose honourable praise no tongue can with such commendations vtter as his honors and vertues requireth so generally beloued of all men that death is more swéeter to many thousandes of his subiects then the remembrance of that Noble Prince Here teares restrained his spéech that he could not vtter a word standing so astonied that he rather represented the Image of death then a liuing creature whom the King put from his heauy passion thus Father thou hast filled my heart with a worlde of wonders at thy strange talke which I coniure thée of that loue thou owest the Prince whom thou sorrowest so to remember not to leaue in such abrupt maner but
procéed dyed the King and the Prince so of thée honored and through their deaths gan thy trauaile Say swéete father Though the reporting of this dolefull history more gréeuous vnto me then death should finish my dayes yet such is the penance by your maiesties coniuring spéech enioyned me that what griefe so euer I endure I will satisfie your grace The Prince oh my Lord that it would please you to pardon the rest growing to yeares of discretion I know not through what meanes neither could I for all the diligence I vsed attain vnto it but sicke he was and so opprest with such a straunge agony that no phisicke could minister reléefe vnto him or yéeld him any ease so that there was smal hope of his recouery the strangenesse of each maledy being such as sometime faring lyke a man frantike no perswasions of reason night preuaile with him who in his health was to be ruled in all things This passion so long assayled the Prince and so little hope of his recouerie that the extremitie thereof gan touch the King and Quéen mother whose carefull loue was such as nature could not require more in parence whatsoeuer The continuall griefe of the prince wrought such care in the aged King Quéen that it was not to be founde which of them was most gréeued or whose lot it was to giue his due to death first yet as no care is so great but hath some comfort so the commander of men when all hope of life was past hope of men restored the Prince to health and by his health recouered the King and Quéen for whose weale the Commons more reioyced then of their owne good so that a general ioy was throughout the realme tryumphing at this happy recouery of the Prince the King and Quéene But as the fairest day is ouershadowed with cloudes so was the sunshine of their ioy eclipsed through the great folly of the Prince who vnknowne of all men or acquainting any with his pretence left his father Crowne and subiects and liueth no man knoweth how or where for whom the King felt a million of woes griefe so assailing his aged corpes as he was like to rest with death but reason subduing affection he recouered his sicknesse and leauing his land without a gouernour likewise departed whither no man knoweth The mother Quéene being of nature weake resigned her due to death whom as dutie commands me I entombed with such honor as beséemeth the person of a Quéene and so perswaded with the Commons in a Parliament for the same intent called as the gouernment of the Realme was committed to six of the nobilitie who are bound to resigne their authoritie when the lawful succéeded shall require it which done I forsooke all I enioyed and Pilgrime like as your highnesse sées haue trauelled many Countries in search of my soueraign the Prince but for all the diligence I can vse of them can learne no tydings Thus with teares standing in his eyes he ended his lameÌ„table history which the King was assured to be true but least was the thought of Barnardine that he had deliuered this dolefull tale to the Prince which had likewise some cause of griefe which so neare touched him as he could not for teares vtter what he would yet putting by his passions as he could he said Aged father matter of great ruth hast thou deliuered which to heare is most lamentable and may touche that carelesse Prince neare by whom this chance hath chanced his parence and subiects but tell me father all griefe layd apart in what state liueth the subiects of thy King vnder their gouernment which hath the charge yet is your grace not satisfied quoth the Pilgrime but will exact on mee more to encrease my griefe which séeing you delight in I shall vnfolde that which in recounting will finish all yéelding my breath to him that gaue it mee therefore attend Not long sithence vnknowne I chanced to accompany in my trauaile a Gentleman of Numedia to mée well knowne which for I sawe I was out of knowledge with him I questioned him of many matters as your grace hath done me which amongst other his newes of discontent reported that those elected gouernors whose hearts broyling with ambition and desire of the whole authoritie as the title of King to the ambitious is swéete so these couetous wretches taking part one with the other some enclining one way some to the other part that ciuill discention was raised where the father beare Armes against the sonne the sonne against the father and kinsman against kinsman one imbruing their hands in others blood through which many a woman is left a widow and many a swéete Infant fatherles which makes me greatly feare without his help that sendeth all help to the helplesse the land will be impouerished and our King and Prince returning shall from their proper right be debarred by these vsurping vilaines whose hearts my aged téeth in reuenge of their treachery and wrong done the Commons I could teare The Prince hearing that tale of discoÌ„tent was moued more at y â— wrong offered the Commons then all the former history which made his say Father I haue noted thy long talke which hath moued 〈…〉 th to sorrow and desight gréeuing for the Commons 〈…〉 〈…〉 ioying that any Prince should haue a subiect of such woorth as is rare in these times to befound wherfore father that thou maist liue in my Court to draw others to their 〈…〉 iue to their Prince I will here detaine thée and for thou louest that carelesse Prince Dionicus will honour thée 〈…〉 g my life enduing thée with treasure and what else thou shalt at any time commaunde for all I enioy is â—hâ—â—e â—â—â— if hereafter thou shalt think it conuenient I wil with ◠〈…〉 ng power â—â—â—er their distressed Confines and â—h 〈…〉 ing those Rebels leaue thée Regent in their place vntill further tydings shall bee of thy King or his sonne whom I am â—â—re will not abuse them The aged father hearing thâ—se honorable spéeches from the mouth of the King was astonied knowing well that Princes of estéem honor themselues holding their words yet not minded to giue ouer search for his soueraigne he returned the King humble thankes beséeching his highnesse to pardon him which hath vowed to ende his life in performing his vâ—w to the Prince and either heare tydings of him or neuer sée his Countrey the place of the worlde moste pleasing vnto him The King hearing his wordes hauing great experience of his fidelitie coulde conceale himselfe no longer but imbrasing him in his armes â—â—deawing his aged haires with drops lyke raine he 〈…〉 Faithfull Barnardine the mirror of true friendship whose equall in loue is not to be founde what cause haue I to honor thée whose care is such of me that haue so ill deserued but forgiue me Barnardine my misse against thée committed forgiue me noble father and you subiects of Numedia who by me vnhappy creature haue bene so much wronged and thou Barnardine my carefull Tutor forgiue mee I â—ntreate and continue thy loue to mee vnhappy Prince whom