fresh bloud and each of them a scrole shewing their names On the first was writ Don Celthdo the hidden And the figure of the faire Floralisa séemed the most excellent in the world and by the gallant haire which was more yellow then that of Apollo they perceaued and knew her to be a woman and for her name she had onely these letters F. and L. But betwéene them both there was a scutchen whereon was this written To change the sea is not sufficient But the greene earth shall streame with purple gore When the three brethren fierce and violent Intend their slaughters on the sea and shore As this gallant and gentle Assirian was beholding this warlike Princesse there increased within him a thousand thoughts and that alone sight caused that to succéed which séemed impossible I meane the subiection of a hart more frée then euer yet was knowne in the Assirian nation And with great affection he asked of the wise man who that deuine Lady should be To whom Gelasio answered laughing Loued sonne it is not conuenient to know who she is at this present to auoide the knowledge of death before you see the cause thereof But the time wil come that you shal sweare in her hands my reuengement and vow to be hers although first it will cost you full deare A little more forwardes from those gallant youthes they sawe painted vpon a sea stained with bloude this writing which the Phoenecian Prince read Mars ore the new world giues me victory And sweares no strength shall passe my chiualry With a gallant demeanor said the Phoenecian Prince of truth discréet father there must be more experience of our persons ere we be exercised in the sight of such rigorous figures as these be Let not this grieue you answered Gelasio for he that did paint it did not ground his painting vpon the worke but vpon the déeds which vnto these three as a fauour from heauen granted them shal be attributed being so many that the seas vast spaciousnes shal be filled with wonder yet euery one for his part must enamell it with some of his owne bloud And when this shal happen the braue Torisiano shall loose his liberty At the end of all he shewed a rough youth one of the bâ—â—t proportioned in all that quadrant although the last with this deuice his féete were setled vppon a world like vnto a gloaâ—e all embrued in bloude as a victor thereof and in his left hand a banner where in was this written Mars ore the new world giue me victory And sweares no strength shall passe my chiualry In his right hand he had a sharpe dagger turned with the point against his owne heart with this writing What doth auaile my purâ—hast soueraignty When of my selfe my selfe shall butcher be With a hearty sigh did the wise man solemnize the leauing of these Emblemes saying Louing sonnes this is he of whom I tremble in my hidden dwelling This is he that together with his brethren shall not care to giue battaile to all the Pagan countrey this is he whom I feare to whom destiny at his birth did promise triumph and victory of the vniuersall world This is he whom the world shall feare till such time as the little tame lambe shut vp in the inchaÌ„ted tower for that she had him in his armes being a childe he do acknowledge her for his owner swearing at her first sight that he is the same that so long time past was promised vnto her So of this furious youth I can say no more All the Princes exceedingly reioyced to behold so faire figures and thought the time long to sée themselues armed Knights to goe foorth into the world to séek out such valiant Youths as were there shown to prooue themselues with them And so being dinner time they went into an Arbour and Gelasio commanded their meate to be broght thether in such princely manner as though they had béen in their Fathers Pallaces Dinner beeing done they there passed away the day till their wonted time of walking Gelasio not suffring them to sée the pallace where as the Brother and Sister were for that the two Princes Torisiano and Don Argente of Phoenicia should vndertake shortly a great Aduenture NOw am I carried with a swift course to the two gallant Youths the Brother and the Sister who after the great roaring they heard let slippe theyr greyhounds and with their blades in their handes they passâ—d thorough a great thicket and came into a Playne nigh the sea side whereas they saw two deformed Satyres who had slaine a Knight that came thether in a a Barke at which déed the monsters taking great content made those horrible out-cryes and detested roarings These two Princes verie much mused to sée people of that shape for that they had neuer beheld other but the Wise-man and their Pages yet not forgetting the generositie of their couragious hearts with their swords in their hands they went against those diuelish monsters as though they had béene verie well armed and long exercised to their weapons Now want I excellence of Art to describe the heroike resolution of this yong Princesse O happie Satyre that deserueth to receiue blowes of so glorious a Damosell The swift Chariot Driuer of the Sunne sometimes the Shepâ—ard of Admetus in his course the better to beholde this battle The deformed beast would haue caught her in his armes But this Scithian Ladie would not giue him that fauour which Iupiter himselfe hardly deserued but put her swoord betwéene them and hit him in the brest such a furious blow that there issued great aboundance and flakes of bloud It séemed not strange vnto the Amazonian warrier equalling in strength the auncient Bellona to sée that great wound which would haue caused a thousand faire Ladies to haue sowned But shee who was borne to giue it did second another with such swiftnes that the Satyre was not able to defend it but she haue him â— wonderfull wound vpon the thigh which done she retyred with the swifnes of an Eagle leauing her enemy very sore hurt So rauished am I with declaring the déedes of this excellent Floralisa that I remembred not the new fearce Mars her brother Don Celindo whose battell was worthy to be recorded by the deuine Pierides or by some if any such could bee more excellent Poet that sense rauishing Homer With an admirable swiftnes did hee encounter the other mightie Satyre who with a knotty oake stroke at him a wonderfull blowe and this hardy youth without experience abode the same with such gallant semblance that Mars in his glorious Orbe had enuie at it and at the fall of that mightie clubbe with a light leape on the one side closing with him he stroke him with his short swoord on his right wriste that he cut it cleane a sunder and the mizerable Satyres deformed ryght hande and hys great and mightie Clubbe fell both to the ground together The worthie Gentleman séeing the
returne and bring them to Gréece whereas the Princes will was hee should abide his comming They sawe that their shipp made such great way that it séemed it did â—lie bearing most towardes the Orient to the parts of the desert of Arabia In this sort they nauigated fiue daies till the sixth when as the golden heauen began to shew her fairenesse they discouered not farre from them a boate which sailed that course which they did and by reason that their Ship sailed so swiftly in a moment they ouertook it in it discouered a mightie Knight with white armour quartered with blewe full of many and costly stones and a gréene hat vpon his head of a strange work with many feathers full of spangles of golde which caused the lookers on to wonder hee was to seeme but of fewe yéeres but more browne than white of colour he was with a Lute in his hand as one that was intended to sing and play but when he saw the Princes in their ship likewise armed and well proportioned he reioyced much at their gallantnes but could not imagine who they should bee for that eyther of them had russet couerings vpon their armour and couers likewise for the deuises on their shields The Princes were verie ioyfull when they saw that wel proportioned knight who entred vnder hatches and came foorth again with his helme on his head and on his arme a shield of the same color of his armor verie gallant in whose fielde was portraied a Lady with a sword in her hand at her féete a knight with the same armor that he wore who was knéeling on his knées with this posie My seruice shall approue That I deserue thy loue The Princes receiued great pleasure at the deuice of the stout Knight The Troyan did request the other two Princes for that al the Country was fildwith their valors that they would suffer him to answere whatsoeuer that Knight should demaund The princes with very good will did grant it vnto him and in ioyning their boate vnto his there came foorth from behinde a wéeping Lady that caused great compassion who séeing that the knights did cause them that gouerned their inchaunted boate to ioyne with them being nigh she said Worthy knights as you would fortune to giue you rest in your desires tell me some newes of the Gréeke Princes or of some of their friendes for that I doe come in their demaund from a far countrie because I was giuen to vnderstand that they alone doo protect and defend those that cannot help themselues of which number I am one and shee that sent mee to séeke them another Comming from the mightie Citty of Lira in the kingdome of Lacedemonia and going to Sea I met with this gentle Knight who demaunded of me wherefore I came And giuing him to vnderstand my necessitie he made me answere Well séeing that those whome I came to séeke were so mighty as al the world doth know that although he went to receiue the order of Knighthood by the handes of the mightie King of Mauritania who is the most famous Pagan that is now knowne yet he ioyed to change his pretence and caused me to enter into his boate saying that he likewise would séeke them and demaund of them the order of Knighthood that of their great valors somewhat might come vnto him So it is answered this gentle youth as the Damsell hath said and it shall be greatly to our content to tell vs that we demaund The knightes greatly reioyced with the demaund of the Knight and the Troyan answered him Of truth gallant Knight you could not haue met anye that so perfect newes could giue you of these Princes as I for it is not long since my companions and I did departe from one of them although I beléeue it will be difficult to finde them now for that they goe in secret on a certaine aduenture For the rest I beléeue that there is none more friends to them theÌ„ we thrée for that their bounty is as an adamant to the will of him that will imitate them in their procéedings The Knight with the white armour answered Sir Knight I giue you great thankes for the newes you giue me of them and for that the finding of them is difficult it is sufficient for me to haue met some of their friendes for to giue mee the order of Knighthood and therefore I doe request you Sir Knight to giue it mee foorthwith although I haue not done you any seruice for I haue somuch to doe that the little time I am detained will be the occasion of my eternall lamentation Therefore doe it foorthwith and I shall receiue great content therein for that you are the first Knight that I haue met of the Christian sect and he of whome I haue demaunded first this thing Then the Troyan said I would gentle Knight as I am their friend that one of these Princes of Gréece were here for to make more certaine your honor as to receiue the order of knighthood at their handes yet seeing it cannot be otherwise but I must be hee that must receiue the curtesie to giue you that which you demaund with license of my companions although it were better to be done by them I doe giue you leaue for to shewe your power in defending all such as are in necessitie of your person And therewith he kissed him on the chéeke and hee remained armed the best knight of all the Pagans although without the feastes requisite for so high a Prince yet for all this the Sea did celebrate the day with bearing the name from that time forwards of Happy which indured a great time vntill it was stained with bloud as shall be told you in the fourth part of this historie This furious Moore was ioyfull and content that hee was an armed Knight and rendring thankes to the gentle Troyan he said Gentle Knight Iupiter rewarde you the honor which you haue done me in performing that which my soule so much desâ—red but although this exceeding great curtesie bindeth me to serue you al my life yet I beséech you receiue no griefe at that which I shall say for so I am commaunded and I wel vnderstand that the cause is more difficulte séeing by this charge I may assaile all the world But it is better to performe my word though my hart dye than not performing it to liue without honor in perpetuall infamie and disgrace of my Lady which I estéeme worse then rigorous death So setting apart whatsoeuer perrill and the duetie I owe you I say from this time foorth I defie in mortall battaile hee that will deny that the faire and soueraigne Princesse Flora of Argentaria doth not excéede all that liue and haue liued in fairenes and beautie and this I will defend against the princes of Gréece so estéemed in the world The cholar was great that entred into the Knight of Cupid and a thousand times he was about to answer him but
imaginations he answered And thou knight indued more with pride than good manners doost not thou sée vs that are héere and aske license for to come in The Moore would not indure that answere euen of Mars himselfe and therwith layed hand on his sword as also did thrée or foure of his knights that came with him But when the Dacian did sée that all the mirth was turned vpside downe he quickly made a large way for that at two blowes he ouerthrew two dead to the ground and recouered the doore because they should not be compassed about The Spaniard who was verie desirous the Carthaginian reached him a little blow on the head which was the occasion that all the kings Guard were in an vproare The which these two Frends séeing with a trice they were in the Court yard and making so good shift as they could they left sixe dead and so went towards their lodging til such time as the people in the pallace were in quiet The King straight waies commaunded search to bee made who it should be that were the doers br but reason there were so many it could not bee knowne who they should be The tumult was only that night for that from that time forwards there should none enter into the Pallace with armour noâ— without license on any day that daunces were admitted The Spanish and Dacian Knights as they were yong men and that their bloud wrought more in them thaÌ„ sléep would not goe to rest till they had gone round about the Pallace and for that it butted vpon so gallant and delightfull gardens they might there passe away the time till the night were farther spent and drew nigh to that quarter whereas the Ladies were which butted towards the gardens The Prince of Spaine knew it for that hee was there before and comming more nigher they heard a deuine voyce which at the recording of a Base did sound verie swéetly which gaue great comfort vnto the Princes they were verie light and giuing the one the other their hands they leapt into the Garden being within they went by little and little till they came so nigh the windows that they might discerne who played which were thrée Ladies that stoode at an Iron grate window in the Moone-light the one of them had a Lute and beginning a new to sing they came so nigh y t not onely they heard the musicke but also what they did talke and they heard one of them say Faire Grisalinda if the Knight with the blacke armour were so fully certified how you loue him as we are of your voyce there should not néed any other helpe but his presence for you to ease your sorrowfull life The Princesse answered Ah Orosia I am so fortuneles that I beléeue none is able to certifie what my soule requireth or what my heart doth suffer for as yet I know not whome to loue it may be the Empresse of Trapisonde or the péerelesse Quéene of Lira who hath taken that armour and pittying my necessitie hath taken vpon them the battell Of this you may liue well assured said the Damsell Alcisa for they are men although in grace and beauty they may be compared with these worthy Ladies Well if it be so answered the afflicted Ladie how can they liue who so truelie loue and haue so little hope or none at all of remedie for by his absence it appeareth hee hath a mistresse to whome he doth pay the true tribute of his thought and this is the cause that I onely in the world am fortunelesse I am perswaded answered the other Lady that he respecteth something in this Pallace for that if you remember at such time as he looked towards the place whereas you were he was intranced in his imagination which is a plaine shewe that there is something that causeth his griefe in our company I beséech God said the Princesse that it proue sâ— then shall I liue in hope to sée him but in the meane time giue mée that instrument for I will make these trées witnesses of my griefe and the birdes that build in them with this she playde like a second Orphens and to the instrument she song this song with an Angellicall voice If Mars vnbinde these bands of Venus Sonne Wherein the boy intangled hath my thought Ioy and delight vnto my heart will come Els valors sight I haue too deerely bought And ceaseles I compelled must complaine Loue layd the plot to kill me with disdaine Or if braue knight thou twist thee in these bands That me insnare and nere will be vntwinde I le yeeld mine honor to thy princely hands Or dye distrest if thou doe prooue vnkinde And Swanlike sing vpon my dying day Of life and loue no more no more away This Lady concluded her song with 〈◊〉 earnest sigh so that I know not any but would haue béen moued thereat and after a small pause shee said Oh Princesse of France how is it that in thy tender age thou beginnest to féele loues lawes Little but cruel God why hast thou made me subiect I know not to whom Ah nowe I perceiue my life is but short séeing in the beginning thereof so much griefe hath béene reserued for me If thou delight proud Loue to haue me serue thée why hast thou bound mee to one whom I knowe not where to find What triumph hast thou in such my affliction Ah faire Orosia help me to ban this false bewitching boy this théefe of hearts but all is vaine he will bewitch and wée must honor him all our exclaimes are idle and bootlesse passions Then taking the Lute she againe sung as followeth Gentle Loue commaundeth me To his hests I must agree Though my loue I neuer see Yet must I his louer be Sweet loue from this rigour stay No no no no thou must obay If I yeeld how can I tell Where my wandring loue doth dwell His regard would please me well His disdaine prooue worâ—e than hell Loue then from this rigor stay No no no no thou must obay If I yeeld I thee inioyne By thy Psiches gentle eyne And thy beauteous Mothers shrine That my loued may be mine Els thy cruell rigor stay No no no no thou must obay She ceasing this swéete and amorous song they heard the other Lady sayd Hope faire Grisalinda in thy good fortune what comfort your griefe with courage seeke helpe of the beloued which must remedie you of all paine other hopes but illusiue If this werr so answered the Infant that I knewe where to séeke reamedy my griefe should not hurt me It is not so vncertaine answered Alcisa for I will tomorrow séeke these Knights and if occasion be offered I will certifie your Knight the paine that for his sake you suffer Ah my Acilsa said the Princesse if you doe so you may reuiue soule for now liuing I dye hauing surrendred my wil haue no power but to loue there is no end set for this tempesttuous trauaile of my thought
aduenture my life for your vnstayned honour Then said the Princesse if in yéelding mine agayne were a satisfaction assure ye Prince Arlando I would doo it But if you loue me you would not haue anie liking that with the price of my fame I should pay so great debt Touching the battel which you intend to attempt for my honours defence I appeale to your owne selfe that haue tried my vnspotted chastitie Yet I vrge not this in my owne behalfe but it is anie Knights dutie whatsoeuer to helpe a wronged Ladie that standeth in necessitie with his sword This couragious Youth was somewhat comforted although he little enioyed that comfort for the furie of that vntamed King required a greater resistance althogh the battell was verie well fought but in the ende he tooke away his life and loue at one instant wherwith the gréefe of our Princesse increased the more who from a high gallerie sorrowfully beheld the mortall contention betwéene the two louers Shee then well vnderstood that the Pagan would goe thorough with his businesse that so soone had cléered fréeed himselfe of the Prince in whose death she would haue béen a companion not for that she loued him but to ende her trouble and gréefe Now I would you should consider what the sorrowfull Princesse suffered who liuing in hope from the 18. daye on which wee sent out a Damsell to séeke her worthie Brother till this which is the 24. and yet she is not returned I know not anie so hard hearted but would take compassion of so vertuous ladie that so vniustly doth suffer affliction Therefore faire knight I séeing the oâ—her Damsell returned not imboldened my selfe in the right and iustice of this poore Princesse to put away all childish and womanly feare and come foorth into these solitarye wayes publishing my misaduenture And now séeing I haue no reason to doubt hauing met so gallant a Warrier as it séemes you are I will not loose my hope but sée how your worthie arme wil returne vengeance for the infamie of that poore ladie And hauing so great equitie on our behalfe there is no doubt it wil little auaile the vniust and proud accuser though his huge proportion strength were doubled Héere you vnderstand sir knight the assured cause of my lamentation which deserueth to be pittied the more in regard of the â—louds of tears which euerie day are shed in the wofull and afflicted Court of France And if as most constantly my minde perswadeth mee there bee in you the valor which appeareth by that worthie countenance Fortune can neuer offer you so good occasion as this to shew it Here the heauie Damsel stayed ending her talke with a thousand sighes accompanied with pearly teares that distilled downe her chéekes which caused great compassion in the frée breast of the Dacian Prince who answered Of a truth faire Damsell you haue reason to séeke punishment for so great an euil as this is for there is no credite to be giuen to so vnreasonable a Knight as that false Pagan especially against the Daughter of so great a King But sure it gréeueth me that she suffered the amorous yong Prince of Alexandria to enter into that deadly combat although not long since I did know a Knight that would haue enuied him for to haue ended wyth hys death a great number of griefes that by his meanes hee suffered But for the principal matter though I loose my life in séeking to defend your Ladie I doo accomplish no more than that which I am bound vnto and now séeing it is more than time that we were on our way let vs trauell forward for I hope to giue comfort vnto the Princâ—sse And therewith he called his Page Fabio to bring to them his horse and the Damsells palfray and leaping into their saddles they tooke the direct waye towardes Paris This furious Dacian trauelled on a better horse than anie of the stéedes of Titan who in their course doo compasse daily the circle of the Earth the French Damsell carried his helmeâ— as well to honour him as for the desire she had to behold his excellent beautie And as they rid she noted the Deuice vppon his armour and gessing him a discontented Louer with some gréefe at his sorrow she said In truth sir Knight if your Mistres bee the occasion that you beare this sad Deuice she is without reason in that she hath not attained to know the much loue which the proportion of your person deserueth Herein iudge I that she is in fault because it séemeth vnto mee that you lacke nothing to make you a perfect Louer but some experience to make you shew the strength that Loue requyreth and follow the fashion which courtly Ladies in that case expect At another time could this gallant Youth haue answered with more passion than now when as his liberty was in the handes of them that made a iest of it but finding himselfe more at ease he answered Of truth faire Damsell you had reason to say that it is more néedfull to haue strength than anie other thing against this furious frenzie of Loue for that I had a frend who while he thought to haue cure in loue found first the ouerthrow of reason inforcing his sense contrarie to that which he willed rather than vnto the good which was ordeined although I now can boldly say both for him my selfe we know not to what part of loues rules to incline our selues Then it appeareth that you are not amorous sayd the Damsell No verily answered the Prince for that I could neuer know what it was to bee beloued therefore as â— neuer enioyed the name of a beloued I hate longer to be called a Louer for that he is not equally to bee iudged wise that passeth his time celebrating alwaies with ioy y e euening of death but rather I account him that liueth in this sort a wilfull foole than a discréete louer For each man should indeuour to lessen his gréefe and chéere vp his fainting spirites scorning to hope for or couet that desired gold which onely couereth the bitter pilles that by their hatefull operation purge the sense of all reason and vnderstanding The Damsell spéedily to this thus replyed In another Schoole haue you learned this erronious doctrine not in Loues Uniuersitie at Paris which through all the world is so much estéemed I am sorrie that I carry with me a Knight which estéemeth not a Louer to be most discréete What creature haue you in the world that liueth without loue What picture doth giue contentment to the eye if by the beautie the beholder presume not that the painter was enamoured of his worke vsing affection as his pensill It is well séene that where loue dwelleth gentlenes and valor haue their habitation What hath béen the occasion that the Gréeke Princes haue filled the world with their worthie actes but that they haue been amorous Against these faire Damsels answered the frée Dacian my iudgement reasons
Lady The Pagan gloried that he had slaine verie many and straight way they sawe when as hee had concluded to ouerthrow those which were there to prosecute their Iorney they sent vnto Alsino a Page to know the condition of the defence the which gaue the Knights great cause of laughter and the Dacian turning to the Spaniard said It séemeth that if we had not drunke of the water of the fountaine we should not haue had contention about the iustifiyng of the beauty of your auncient Mistresse Although this were not said the French Damsell vnto Don Heleno I would commaund you in recompence of the sodaine passions which I had in beholding the passed battaile that you should doe it in my name The Prince receiued great content in that which the damsell said and therewith shaking his Lance he entred But I am most certaine more than ordinarie sorrowe tooke seazure of her heart for the amorous Princes death So much for her I dare affirme for my selfe to be plaine with ye I had rather neuer haue a louer than to dissemble his reward for I delight not in their mourning sonnets neither am I pleased that euery eye should bee fixed on his dispairing face and euery finger point at my disdainefull folly If I perceiue hee deserue loue I will crowne him with Loues garland but if I finde him halting he shall be sure to know that I can play the cripple But faire Knights I am yet no Mistresse of any amorous gallant my thoughts are not captiued onely I find my selfe to your worths so many waies bounde as till I dye I will indeuor to deserue it with duetie And indéede she prooued as good as her word as ye shal after heare in the loue of Torismund and Grisalinda In this sort at tenne of the clocke in the morning they came vnto the great Citty of Paris at such time as all the place was full of people abyding the comming foorth of the mightie Partomio for that according to the lawes of the realme the Princesse not finding within the terme set any to come and conquer the accuser the King was to pronounce the sentence All the windowes and galeries of the Pallace were hanged with black and a heauie and sad rumor was heard amongst the people at which time the two valiant Friends entred the place whome the eies of those that were present did much behold wondring to sée their armor and horse They were straight waies known by them that were at the bridge and they began to say there commeth the valiant warrier that at one encounter made the Louer that kept the bridge sée starres vpon the ground The Damsell went verie gallantly betwéene them that were the flowers of Knighthood with her face couered in such sort that it made the people to suspect her to beâ— more fairer then she was Almost all the people in the place followed them imagining wherefore they did come and at the Pallace gate they alighted from their horses with so gallant demeanor that euerie one meruailed at them The worthie Spaniard did take the Damsell in his armes from her horse and so with them she went vp into the great Hall at such time as the King was going forth all in mourning apparell so sad and heauie that the princes to sée him had great compassion And for they would not delay the time the mightie Dacian did somwhat lift vp his beauer the better to expresse his words saying verie curteously God kéepe and deliuer thée from traitors thou mighty king of great France The fame of a wrong that is done to thy onely Daughter came vnto the Countrey where I dwell and it séeming vnto mee a thing impossible that the daughter of so royall a king should be carelesse in any thing that is agréeable to her honour and honestie it dyd constraine mee to come hauing better confidence in her right than in my valour but such as it is I will imploy it in her defence Affirming that she did not commit any such thing and besides that it is euill and dangerous that so rigorous a law cannot bee referred into the kings hand but to giue credit to whosoeuer without any more consideration that either for passion or for that a Ladyes will is not answerable to their loathsome demaunds wil then forsooth false knights as they are bee so bold to vse their slanderous tongues euen against Princesses and the royall chast Daughters of holye and Emperiall Fathers But least these traytrous accusers should say that â—nely with armes I come to defend that which is put to the tryall of battaile cause him to come foorth that doth accuse the princesse séeing time doth passe away and I will with armes answere him And heerewith he concluded his reasons leauing all but especially the King very wel satisfied with his words and gallant disposition In returne of answere the King said Sir Knight I do estéeme as it is reason the trauaile which you haue taken for my cause and the battaile which you will vndertake for my daughter and beléeue mee gentle Knight I doe liue deuoide of care for that I know truth or falshood wil haue successe answerable to their deserts but for that hee who doth accuse her is a King and a person that in all thinges is to be creditted and on the other side my lawe hath admitted it to battaile I hoped alwaies that some would be found which would combate for her and in signe of the confidence I haue in her right and your valor I refer all into your hand being perswaded your desert to bée much more I doe kisse your Royall handes answered the Dacian for the confidence you haue in me but whether it be much or little all is at your seruice There was y e Prince of Geneua and his Dutches who came in with the Princesse whan they vnderstood there was a knight that tooke vpon him her battaile he came and saluted the Prince of Spaine knowing him by his blacke armor and offered vnto him his lodging for the ayde and succour which he had done vnto them Unto whome the gentle Torismundo surrendred thankes but could not procéede any further for that they sawe comming the mightie king Partomio and his Nephew the sâ—out Alsino who for that they were lodged in the Pallace came foorth without armor and when hee came where as the king was hee sayd with a lowde voyce I do much reioce king of France that you haue knights that will accept this battaile and I come to giue them knowledge that whatsoeuer Partomio doth speake in pallace he knoweth how to defend it in field The wrathfull Dacian did put himselfe before him saying in this manner to his furious and prowd aduersarie Truly valorous king hauing such confidence in your strength you had no néed to raise anie slaunder against so excellent a Ladie Thou art verie bold answered the pagan the cause of it is in that thou séest me without armour to be plain I
wil stand for my knight and deale in his affaires as for mine owne and more earnestly hauing occasion But thys I would that you would consider of for I told him that hee might come this night and talke with vs by the Garden whereas yesternight we were singing Ah speak no such thing answered Grisalinda for to imagine it is a gréeuous offence to my reputation There can be no offence nor danger said the Damsell séeing you loue and they knowe the place For you shal vnderstand that yesternight they heard all your singing and conference Therefore séeing your affection is to him manifest let me perswade you to méete and conferre whereby you may know who hee is and if there be no disparagement in his birth I know not wherefore you should refuse to receiue him for the knight of your seruice And now let vs looke what they doo for I am certainly assured that these Iustes will be lamentable to some So all thrée the better to talke of their loue did put themselues together and beheld the knights at such time as the mightie knight of the Groue for so wee will call the Dacian came and talked with the knight of the Pellican which was the Spanish Prince and his conference was to this effect that he wold let him haue the first Iustes in the mean time y t he contemplated on his Lady who apparelled all in russet tinsell with manie and costly stones was leaning on her breast at the window and a garland vpon her haire which séemed like Ariadnes Coronet that beautifies the heauen The bodies of her gown were somewhat open and part of her snowie breast appeared to her knight who had pitched the great end of his speare on the ground to behold that swéete prospect wyth so great negligence that it caused all the people to say he séemed as good a Louer as a Warrier With this the worthie Dacian came to the victorious Pagan and said Gentle knight seeing this is the office of Gallants in seruice of Ladies I would know if the Iusts be frée for all perils So that you would agrée answered the Moore that it might be from the Tilt I am content You vnderstand me right said the Dacian let it be at your pleasure and therewith they went into y e great Court taking big speares with bright stéelie heads so that all had great regard vnto their incounters and imagined that the knights were of great force Being in the great Court they came to méete with so mightie incounters that it séemed vnto all and vnto themselues especially that their armour had broken to péeces The Moore made his incounter in the midst of the Dacians shield with so worthie a blow that he made hym fall backwards on the buttockes of his inchaunted horse and if the speare had taken a little more hold hee had ouerthrowen him but he incountred the strong Moore in such sort that piercing his breast-plate with a little wound he ouerthrew him to the ground He was no sooner falne but he rose vp againe with all lightnes possible with hys sword in his hand abiding his Contrarie who with an easie pace on his horse came gretly amazed at that strong incounter and at his comming the Moore said vnto him Knight thou art bound to perform the battel with swords séeing it was at all perills I doo not now receiue anie delight therein answered the Dacian for that we will not trouble other Knights that would iust for they that doo demaund battell in generall Iustes make show as if they before had some perticular defiance which hath not béen betwéene you and me but for that the Tilt was somwhat troublesome I desired the open place onely at more ease to prooue my launce This Knight hath reason in all hys spéech said the Iudges and is not bound to admit the battell not hauing anie will thereunto Then you doo mee wrong answered the Moore Let it not greeue you sayd the Dacian Prince for if you thinke to receiue such pleasure by triall of a battell I will abide your comming ten dayes hence within the woodes of Ardenia where if you doo not ease your stomacke it shall be your owne fault none in mée for the performing of my word Let it be as thou wilt answered the Moore although I should receiue greater pleasure if it might bee now Well since thou wilt néedes said the Prince mount vpon thy horse and he that first looseth his saddle or anie part thereof let hym be ouercome and remaine at the will of the other This is great curtesie said the Moore and so with a trice he moūted his horse and put hand to his sword and imbracing his shield he went against the Dacian who met him and together they strooke such blowes that they humbled thēselues to their saddle bowes All that were in the great pallace stood still to behold that cruell battell sauing onely the amorous Spaniard whose powers of his body wer all in suspence remaining onely glad by sight to get ease for his soule Whereat the gracious princesse receiued no small content to sée him so busied onely in beholding her beautie The worthie Heleno raised vp himselfe very angerly for the great blow hee had receiued and séeing that in giuing and receiuing of blowes was onely a delaye of the battell and a cause not to giue place to his Frend for to doo that which was reason he determined to aduenture it vpon one alone blow trusting in the strength and nimblenes of his inchaunted horse and therewith séeing that the Moore retourned more furious than a lyon hee made show as though he would stand and abide him and at the time he should receiue the blow hee spurred forward hys light horse and made him at a spring to enter so nigh that the Moore could not strike him but with the hilt and pommell of his sword and although it was such a blow as the Dacian felt yet it was more troublesome for the Moore for that hee felt his wrist thereby greatly pained Thys skilfull Youth desired no other thing but at that instaunt stretching foorth his left arme he let fall his shield and hauing time he laid his strong hands on the Moore and held him so fast and so quickly spurd forward his furious horse that ere he returned to himselfe the Prince carried hym by the armes out of the saddle with a great shout of them that were in the Court publishing his valour In this sort he carried him vnto the place whereas the Iudges were demaunding of them if hee were bound to doo anie more No of truth sir Knight said they for yours is the honor of the battell in the face of all the world The Pagan made no reply but desired to returne and prooue himselfe again with the Knight and defied him to mortall battell which the Iudges would not suffer The Prince with quiet pace put himselfe into the Court choosing no iusting speares but speares of fine and
comforter and I will giue you knowledge of that little loue I haue and I am so certain that it will be shortly that I shall not erre ere long to say God giue you ioy of your alteration Meane while let vs depart for feare we be too long mist. They gone the Tartare stood confounded at the grace of Grisanea at length he said vnto his Frends Of truth worthie Princes although I had verie earnestly iniurde you yet you could not haue taken better reuengement than to bring me to a place where I haue lost my libertie not knowing who hath tooke mee captiue The harme is so common sir Knight answered the Spaniard that it is estéemed as the most certainest thing among Gallants which professe the seruice of Ladies But it is so strange to me answered the Tartarian that I cannot iudge thereof but according to y e gréefe which it causeth Thus conferring and on the death of the Phrigian Lord they tarried the retourne of the Damsell who likewise gréeued that the Princes were forced to giue so long attendance At last they came both in their petticoates vnto y e window the princely Ladie trembling to sée her selfe before her beloued Knight imagining what offence she did vnto her fame in comming in such sort but the amorous passion did ouercome all so that they came vnto the window without feare and made a little noyse for a signe So the prince came vnto the window which was somwhat low and hauing no power to speake a word he knéeled on his knées demaunding her hands to kisse They both remained silent which thing is common betwéene them that loue well for when they méete their eyes onely speake their tungs are mute The Ladie séeing his dumbe passion making strength of weaknes said I would not sir Knight that my comming hether at so vnfit an hower should cause you to iudge it rather rashnes than the bond wherein I stand bound to you for the good you haue done me Besides Alcisaes perswasion is the greatest cause of this boldnes Deuine Princesse answered the fearefull Youth I sée well that your excellence intendeth euerlastingly to binde mee more and more by your manie fauours That I should conceiue either rashnes or lightnes in this your humble visitation of mee were agaynst my soule irreligious sacriledge and against your deuine curtesie vnpardonable blasphemie I rather blesse my Fates that haue reserued me to this happie hower honor your pittie that hath respected my passions and acknowledge my dutie to Alcisa for solliciting my sute so effectually Your owne deserts sir knight said Alcisa was onely the solliciter in your loues sute I for my life and precious honours preseruation am till my death your bounden hand maid And though vppon my soule I durst vndertake that neuer anie disloyall thought will enter into your couragious breast yet is my Mistres charie of thys loue bargaine for gentle knight manie knights haue dealt vngently with gentle Ladies Therefore ye must protest déeply ere she will beléeue and kéepe religiouslye what you doo protest Ah gentle Damsell said the Spanish Prince to myne harts sorrow your eyes haue béen the witnes And if yee doubt me I sweare by the religion of true knighthood by all the vnstained honour of rightfull armes by the famous remembrance of my thrice reuerent Predecessors if Grisalinda will be gracious to her vowed knight of a more constant seruant should no Lady in the whole world boast I doo confesse sir knight said the princesse that I am infinitely bound vnto you and your vowes I verely beléeue for true but you shall pardon me for setting my affection much more for plighting my faith to a knight whom I know not Souereigne princesse said the Spaniard after I had séene you and that this Damsell declared vnto mée your worthines I haue procured things that redound vnto your honour séeking the certainest meanes to performe the same and I haue not found any thing with more content than to put my life in your seruice and desire no other paiment but your acceptance Touching my birth I assure you I am the Sonne of a most royall king and sole Heire of a rich and populous kingdome all which hopes with my true hearts spotlesse loue I humbly offer at your féete The Princesse held her peace awhile pondering the weightines of the cause but the discréet Alcisa said vnto her You néed not Madam make anie stay hereat but performe his sute although it be the greatest curtesie y t may be granted I will be his suretie he will be thankfull and neuer contradict your pleasure séeing with what plainnes you doo accept him And therewithall perforce shee tooke her hands and gaue them vnto the Prince who inclosed them in his not hauing anie power to speake till y e princesse said At my pleasure I make no question but I shal be reuenged for so manifest wrong done thus against my will The prince séeing her somewhat angrie sayd Faire Ladie if the righting of these wrongs must bee satisfied with my death let me now receiue it and I will account it welcomer than death And therefore answered the princesse will I not this time with deserued death punish you Doo not procéed anie farther said the Damsell but pardon vs and therewith he offered to kisse her hands Then she told him the next day she should goe to a house of pleasure charging him not to leaue France without her licēse Thus parted they he returning to his Frends the ioyfulst man liuing and so his passion led him that hee spake not to them till they came to their pages The princes markt it wel and laughed thereat and the Dacian though he were somwhat drowsie requested to be partner in his ioy He would haue answered but their desire to sléepe with another accident that happened which shall be handeled in the next chapter brake off his pleasant discourse at that time What chanced to the Princes by Brandarte King of Cyprus and his Knights and how they deliuered out of his power all the Queenes and Princesses that he had taken prisoners Chap. 9. THe worthie Torismundo rauished with ioy to sée himselfe so fauoured intended to pertake his ioy with two frends who being wearie were laid to sléepe and hée hauing as much néede meant to beare them companie but they wer scant asléep when a noyse of horses did disturb them yet they let them passe till by and by there followed others which disquieted thē in such sort that they prepared to take horse and followe them but on a sodain the Damsel who before had broght them their armour came foorth with a fardle and making her selfe knowen vnto them she said The Wiseman my master commendeth him to you and biddeth you to weare this armour to day and to you valiant Tartare for the ayde and helpe that one daye the Empire of Grecia shall haue of you he doth send these armes for with them shall happen the greatest first content
said the Damsell I giue ye and I do receiue it for the greatest curtesie that nowe you can shew mee in that the busines of my Lady is so dangerous and séeing so ventrous and valiant a knight as you are doe deale in it I am secure and I doe beléeue your companions will thinke well of it And to shewe the valor of their persons they shall not lacke occasions in this country for it is said by wise men there are héerein maruelous aduentures They al reioyced in that the Troyan Prince would take vpon him the battell for the Princesse And Meridian said it séemeth vnto me faire Damsell that this knight féeleth the effect of the Country séeing hee hath begun to follow your band in putting his life in aduenture for women a thing which before séemed impossible And I beléeue worthie Prince said the Damsell hee wil shewe more than this it may be we shall sée him leaue the battaile or if he ouer come bee ouercome by his enemy many more frée than he haue lost their liberty in this country of Lacedemonia and it shal be no strange thing vnto her to subiect such a frée heart as he hath séemed to haue for I am certaine in seeing him of so gallant disposition he will bee amorous then shal be séeâ—e the truth that a while since he reproued At this time they beganne to discouer the populous Citty whether as they iourneyed and therefore tooke their helmets which their Pages caried and pulled downe their vizors they kissed her on the chéeke aduisâ—ng her not to tell who they were so they tooke the most swéetest way to the Citty and came thether at the third houre when the king as yet had not gone out of the Pallace They entred in at a gate called the serpent gate the people that were in the stréetes following them and the eyes of Ladies waiting on their gallant proportion yet not any able to imagine what knights they should be In this order they arriued at the Pallace where as they alighted and mounted into the Royal hall where as they did see a great number of Ladies and Knights the Ladies in companie with the Quéene and her daughters and Knightes did accompany the vertuous King The entring of these thrée warriers did not a little trouble the whole Hall for that they knew not what they would haue but when they saw them goe directly to the King they all pacified themselues So when as the heroycke Troyan had done his bounden duetie in lifting vp somewhat his visor hee directed his talke vnto the King in this manner Worthy King of Lacedemonia my companions and my selfe trauelling to séeke aduentures to procure fame as Knightes should did heare somwhat far off from this place that in your Court is great wrong done vnto the Prince Liuio of Laodicea and vnto your daughter Thomiriana For as it hath been told vs you granted your daughter to him with great ioy whereat arose your second Daughter with confidence of her owne strength and made contradiction thereof whereas of right she should haue procured the effect for many reasons that shee hath knowne And so although I neuer combated against any woman héere I saye that I will defend the Princesse cause agaynst whome soeuer from the Sunne rysing to Sunne set if he be content to commit it into my hands Sir knight said the king for your commendations of my vertue I thanke you but for the rest it is put to the order of battell so that there is nothing to stand vpon but to sée if the prince will admit you for his Champion Therewith came foorth the prince apparelled in crimsâ—n taffeta cut vpon cloth of gold richly laced with so great gallantnes that the princes did all affect him All did vnto him curtesie which he graciously returned and humbly thanking all the knights for their great trauell hee sayd vnto the Troyan Sir I referre to you my whole right although if it pleased the king that I might defend myne owne cause I would bee loth to indaunger anie knight but he saith it is against his law That law said the Grecian prince is verie preiudiciall in a Common-wealth for some may be accused that can find none to defend theÌ„ This is not to be iudged by you sir knight said the king somwhat angerly for those that ordained the law did it with more reason than you haue shewed to contradict it The Gréeke prince being vexed thus answered All that you say sir king in your person I gainsay not but I defie anie other that thinketh I presume to iudge any thing which I will not defend Neither doo I beléeue sayd the king that there will want knights to answere you if ye make anie Challenge and therfore you may vse your discretion Then answered the Grecian your person excepted for the vertue which thereof hath béen reported I do defie two knights together so they be naturally borne in this kingdome that will affirme this law to bee good and iust And I doo defie other two said the prince of the Scythians that will maintaine there hath béen vsed iustice according to the right of Nations towards the prince of Laodicea but rather great and manifest wrong Which Challenge we will foorthwith defend by armes because will not multiply their anger by delaye y t be affected to maintaine this most vniust violent and intollerable law There did not lacke foure knights that came foorth of the Principallest and moste valiant in all the Kingdom such as were iealous of the honor of their king and gaue their gages vnto the Princes thinking thereby to get great honor Then came the faire Sarmacia not adorned in her shining armour but in a gowne of blew cloth of goldfull of Precious stones vpon her head she wore a vayle so white that thorow it was plainely séene her golden haire about her necke hung a rich swoord by a red sendall and although it were vpon the garment yet it séemed to be wrought in it Ind this sort she passed by all the knights who gaue her way to passe where the Princes were who greatly maruelled to sée her gallant disposition And when shee came to them being affected to their gallant proportion she said which of you gentle Knights is he that must make battaile with me All of vs answered the heroycke Grecian are Knightes faire Lady to defend your beauty but he whome fortune hath made choise of for this is this Knight pointing to the gentle Troyan She iudged him of high valor and hee could scarce turne his head to behold her his sences were rauisht in such forte that hee knewe not what thing could giue him content but to serue that gracious Princesse and it séemed to him that she came from heauen to make conquest of his heart and performe that which the Damsell has said Oh false and rigorous Cupid shall I not put my hand to my penne but thou must put thy selfe before me with thy cruell