maist be deceiued but God is alwaies fréende to iustice and equitie and enemie to such as goe against them But because you shall know the occasion why these foure Knights would haue taken the glass from Vrbanillo you must note that they were all Sonnes to a great Lorde of a Castell which was a daies iourneie off the Mountaine Artifaeria who hauing intelligence by Shéepe-heards and other pesants what good fortune had befallen Palmerin to kill the Serpent and bring away the fatall water repined greatlie thereat for the Lorde did highlie mallice the King of Macedon because he had enforced him to surrender a Manour which he against all right held froÌ„ one of his Sisters and for this cause knowing that by the vertue of that water the King shold recouer his health hée sent his foure Sonnes to take it from Palmerin whose successe in their attempt fell out as you haue heard Now Palmerin by this time is come to Macedon to the King whom with great reuerence he saluted on his knée when yâ— King embracing him so well as he could saide Trust me my good Fréende next God I must néedes estéeme you dearest for that as he by his Godhead hath made me breath this ayre though weake and sicklie by diuine prouidence hee hath sent you to restore me my bodilie health from hencefoorth therefore I shall intreate you to commaund mee and mine at your pleasure My gratious Lorde saide Palmerin the heauens giue me successe to doo you seruice for I knowe no Prince liuing this daie for whom I would more gladly aduenture my life I thank you good Sir quoth the King but the gréefe I haue sustained for the sorrow of my Sonne Florendos brought me into such a long and lingering extreamitie as well may I blesse the time that by your good successe am so happilie deliuered let me therefore entertaine you as my seconde Sonne and perswade your selfe of such a Father who wil loue you as if you were his owne naturall Childe in that I and the greater part of my Kingdom shal be at your disposition Woorthy Sir saide Palmerin woorthilie might I be reputed amongst the worst in the world refusing the honour you please to offer mee especiallie in such an extraordinarie kinde of fauour for the rest beeing thus accepted in your princely grace I haue sufficient béeing furnished with Horse and Armour to doo me seruice With these wordes the King embraced him and méere ioy caused the teares to trickle downe his chéekes so that Palmerin staied longer with him then he made account to doo till the Duke of Durace sent for him as you shall reade in the discourse following CHA. XIX How Duke Astor of Durace sent to the King of Macedon desiring him to sende him the Knight that had slaine the Serpent on the Mountain Artifaeria to ayde him against the Countie Passaco of Mecaena who laide straight siedge to one of his Citties SO farre was spread the fame of this victory which Palmerin in had against the Serpent on the Mountaine Artifaeria as at length the Dake Astor of Durance hearde therof against whom the Countle Passaco of Mecaena wargeâ— battaile and seeing himselfe vnable to resiste his enemic minded to sende to the King of Macedon requiring ayde of teh Knight that slewe the Serpent at the enchaunted Fountaine and heereuppon he dispatched one of his Gentlemen towards the King who made good haste till he came thither when dooing his reuerence and deliuering his Letters of credite to the King he saide Dreadâ— Lorde the Duke of Durace my Maister most huÌ„bly salutes your Maiestie by me The King hauing read the Letters and noting the contents bad the Messenger discharge the rest of his message It is so Sir said the Gentleman that of long time my Lord and maister hath béene assaulted by the Countie Passaco and in such cruell sorte hath warred on him as he hath well neere destroyed his whole Countrie for he hath taken the Cittie of Mizzara and againste all right dooth challenge it for his owne After this the Duke my Maister raysing his siedge to bid him battaile Fortune hath béene so contrarie to my Lorde as his noble Sonnes are slaine and the greater part of his worthyest Gentlemen Yet not contented with all this the Countie pursues him sâ—il to his very Cittie of Durace which he hath begirt with siedge so stronglie as hee is doubtfull of a further daunger But within these eyght daies he vnderstood that your highnesse hath heere a Knight that slewe the Serpent on the enchaunted Mountaine in whose valour my Lorde reposeth such confidence as woulde you graunt him licence to come thither my Lorde will accompany him with so manie hardie men at Armes as he doubts not to enforce the Countie to leaue his Country and for that the matter requireth expedition he desires your assistaunce with all possible spéede I am sorrie quoth the King that the Duke my Nephew is in such extremitie and I promise you I did not thinke as yet to part with Palmerin but séeing the necessitie is so vrgent I will intreate him to goe with you and so manie approued Knights with him as the Countie shal perceiue I am not well pleased with his hard dealing towardes my Nephew Nowe was Palmerin present when the Gentleman deliuered his message which pleased him not a little because he would gladlie leaue the King to followe his fortune and was thus held from his desire by importunate requestes but seeâ—g the King had graunted to sende him to the Duke he fell on his knées vsing these spéeches In respect my good Lord that the Duke your Nephew hath vrgent occasion to imploy me and in that his sute is onely for me without any other of your people I beséeche you suffer me to goe alone to him for my hope is so good in a cause of trueth and 〈◊〉 that wee shall bee sufficient there to ende the controuâ—â—ie Not so my good fréende Palmerin said the King you 〈◊〉 not haâ—arde your selfe alone but take such companie 〈…〉 with you My Lord quoth Palmerin he demaundes me without any other companye and therefore let mee perswade you to satisâ—fie his request so turning to the Gentleman he bid him prepare to set forward for he was readie Worthie Sir answered the Messenger with what expedition you please for neuer was Knight expected with more earnest longing for then you are This suddaine resolution of Palmerin displeased Florendos wherefore taking him aside he said I sée then my déere Fréende you will needes bee gone albeit your companie hath giuen mee greater sollace delight then any thing els since I lost mine onelie content yet is my regarde of your honor such yâ— I feare more to heare your mis-fortune then I pittie the necessitie of my Cozin the Duke of Durace Yet let me intreate you that finishing your intent with fortunate successe you make your present returne to the King my Father whose loue and whose liberalitye you neede not
death but that the Quéene and the Lordes of hys Counsel founde meanes to quallifie his displeasure declaring what discredite his highnes shold receiue if he did not suffer them to be openlie conuicted of their offences All this while good Princes were they ignoraunt of this detection till at length the King discoursed the whole matter to theÌ„ and likewise who was their accuser nor did the Countie faile to maintaine his wordes openlie offering to make it good in fight against any that durst say the contrary and because he had two Cozins hardie and valiant Knights conspirators likewise in this faction there could be none found that would enter the Combat against them Which when the noble Prince Adrian vnderstoode very gréefe had well néere slaine him in respect he had no Child but this Dyardo as also for yâ— hee was accused with yâ— hee neuer thought Héereupon he went presently to the King his Nephew and preuailed so well with him as he obtained the space of two Monethes to bring with him one or two that might maintaine the innocencie of him his Sonne Dyardo and the Princesse Cardonia against the Traytour Domarto and his Cozins And this is the cause he sent mee to seeke you foorth in hope that you are as much his Freende as hee is yours which you may somewhat perceiue by the freendlie presents he sent you by mee to Macedon So helpe mee God saide Palmerin you haue reported a most strange dyscourse and neuer did I think that such treason could enter the thoughts of any Knight or other inferior person All this is true quoth the Damosell and it is appointed yâ— the Prince Dyardo with his aged and crazed Father shal defend their owne causes without séeking helpe of anie other but he neuer as yet receiued the order of Knighthoode and therfore is constrained to desire your assistaunce And that shall I doo with all my hart saide Palmerin would God we were there where he expecteth vs for the desire I haue to sée him as also to vnderstande what he knowes of my following fortunes Those matters are hid from mee quoth shee yet this haue I hearde him say diuers times being in talk of you that he accounted you the most honorable Knight in the worlde and that if he euer chaunced to sée you he wold aduise you to goe to the Emperour of Allemaignes Courte to be the knightly Seruaunt to the Princesse Polinarda When Palmerin heard the name of Polinarda he remembred that it was her name whome hee had so manye times séene in his fraunces for which cause he asked of the Damosell what the Lady was of whom shee spake My Lord quoth the Polinarda is Daughter to the Emperour and Niece vnto my Lorde Adrian the most beautiful Princesse that euer eye behelde By my faith saide Palmerin yâ— more easily may I be induced to graunt her my seruice and thether intend I to trauaile when I haue finished your Lords busines So rode they with much more haste theÌ„ before tyl at length they came to the Cittie of Almedya where the King remained and the Prince Adrian expecting Palmerins comming which when he hearde hee came to meete him eache embracing other with meruailous courtesie and the good olde man with the teares in his eyes thus saide Ah good Knight what may counteruaile this your exceeding paines to maintaine the right of my Sonne and mee who are falselie accused of such villainous treason as on the perill of my soule we neuer did imagine Thereof am I certainlie perswaded aunswered Palmerin and therfore am I come to enter the Combat with him that dare affirme otherwise Mine olde age quoth Adrian might excuse mee henceforth from bearing Armes but béeing vnable to endure so vile a slaunder so long as life and soule will holde togeather shal I doo my deuoire so please your companion to make the second as olde as I am I will be the thirde for the trayterous CouÌ„tie hath two of his Cozins yâ— take part with him And if my fortune so fall out as I die in this tryall I shall receiue my lot very contentedlie if mine eyes might first beholde mine iniurie reuenged I pray you said Palmerin goe presently to the King to the ende that hys highnesse may graunt vs the fielde for my Freende and I thinke long till we haue made your accuser knowe his trecherie Adrian immediatly went to the King and on his knées thus began My Lorde you knowe that the Countie of Ormeque hath accused mee my Sonne Dyardo and Madame Cardonya of the cryme of Lesae Maiestatis and in that we all are innocent I am readie to maintaine that he hath falsely and malliciously belied vs which I my selfe will approoue vpon him or two more with me against him and his Cozins if they dare enter the fielde with him in this quarrell where we will either make known their villainie or receiue the reward belongs to disloyall Traitors As for the wrong which you my Lord haue doone me béeing your Uncle and my Sonne Dyardo your Cozin germaine that I referre to God to recompence and to the better knowledge you shall receiue of mee héereafter béeing â—owe too olde to bee a Traytour and my Sonne too louing to proue disloyall The King was abashed to heare his Uncle speake so audaciously doubting nowe whether he should giue credite to what had béene reported especially against him so neere his highnes in bloode who so liberally offered to enter the Combat notwithstanding his white heade and aged body made him vnfit for such actions wherefore hee thus aunswered Good Uncle impute not mee any thing faultie in your accusation and that the proofe shall manifest that must be made The Countie beeing present was strooken in a quandarie at these wordes and gladly he wold haue demed this former slaunder but he could find no waie cleanlie to doo it wherefore seeing of force he must néedes enter the Combat he boldly fell on his knées before the King with these wordes My Lorde what I haue saide is verie certaine and most true it is that by the counsell of Prince Adrian héere present his Sonne practised with Lady Cardonya to poison you that he might be King which to make good there is my gadge on the behalfe of my selfe and my Cozins Thou lyest Traytor in thy throate said olde Adrian I take thine offer and as he woulde haue gone on with further spéeches Palmerin stept before the King saying Worthy Lorde séeing the effect of the wordes must be put in execution which haue béene heere spoken on bothe sides before your Maiestie may it please you the Prince Dyardo and Lady Cardonya may be sent for to take with vs their oathes as in such cases is required and in meane time let eache one goe put himselfe in equipage for the Combat Good reason said the King and presently hee commaunded the Princes to be brought who beeing come Palmerin demaunded where they were that tooke part with the Countie whereupon he
with him into England where he founde the Countrey very much desolated with warres to his no little greefe but leaue we them and returne to Palmeâ—in CHAP. XLII Of the great courtesie the King of Fraunce vsed to Trineus and Palmerin and of their returne into Allemaigne SO dilligently were Palmerins woundes attended which he had receiued by the hand of Frysol as not long after hee recouered his health whereof the King and Prince Lewes were highly glad and much more Trineus to whoÌ„e the King desired to giue his Daughter Lucemania in marriage which to compasse hée intended a sumptuous banquet whereto hee woulde inuite these twaine yet first he would acquaint the Quéene therewith and therefore began the matter with her thus I see Madame that our Daughter Lucemania is of yéeres sufficient for a Husband and because I euermore desired her highest preferment and that I would knâ—w if the Prince Trineus to whom I could wish she were espoused were anie thing in loue that waie affected for hardlie in my iudgment shall we finde a greater Lord béeing heyre to the famous Emperour of Allemaigne for this intent I say will I ordaine a banquet whereto hee and noble Palmerin shall bee inuited and our Daughter to beare them company in yâ— best sorte you can deuise The Quéene who more desired this marriage then the King her Husbande aunswered You doubt not my Lord that I request her chéefest aduantage wherefore let it be as you haue determined and shee shall be present as you haue appointed This matter thus procéeding two daies after were Trineus and Palmerin called to this banquet and to honour them the more the King caused his Sonne Lewes with a braue companie of Knightes and Gentlemen to conduct them into the Pallace where they were royallie receiued by the King and Quéene and so led vppe into the Chamber appointed for their banquet After they had washed the King caused Trineus to sitte by him and Palmerin against him aboue whom sat faire Lucemania his Daughter béeing placed iust opposite to yâ— Prince Trineus the Quéene to furnish the Table satte downe by the King And albeit nature had bestâ—wed on yâ— Princesse most exquisite beautie yet her sumptuous accoustrâ—ments made her appeare most amiable but all coulde not mooue the hart of Trineus to forget her to whose shrine hee was dedicated The banquet ended and yâ— Tables withdrawne Trineus daunced with the fayre yong Princesse courting her with manie honest decent spéeches which made Lucemania suppose he loued her but the Prince noted it well enough albeit his affections were bound to English Agriola In this time the other Ladies were conferring of Palmerins knightlie valour when the Countie of Armignac his Sonne intreating the Duke of Orleaunce Daughter to daunce was thus staied by her spéeches to yâ— other Ladies You sée faire Ladies quoth shee that Palmerin hath misprized our beauties to reuenge our iniurie let vs all fall vppon him and shut him in some place where hee may neuer come foorth for if he escape vs the Allemaigne Ladies shall beare the honor from the French which will bee to vs perpetuall discredite These wordes she spake with such a pleasant countenaunce as mooued all the other Ladies to smile whereupon the Duchesse of Burgundie answered In sooth it is necessarie we should doo so and let vs not suffer him to gette out of our handes so easilie as he did from the Knights that came to the Combat All the companie lyked this motion well but the King said Ladies I will not consent that Palmerin shall haue anie wronge because I haue taken him into my guarde And who shall make recompence quoth another Ladie for the wrong hee hath doone vs You ought to suffer for satis-faction saide yâ— King and bee glad that you had the meane to sée the best Knight in the world for mine owne part I promise you I rest so contented Palmerin hearing the King so commende him bashfullie thus aunswered Alas my Lorde there is no such matter in me as pleaseth your Maiesty to report but what my abilitie is it remaines to doo you seruice accounting my selfe more then happy by comming to your Courte to haue knowledge of a Prince so noble and vertuous and no man liuing next my Lord the Emperour that maie commauÌ„de me more then your highnes Among other speeches yâ— King broke the matter of his Daughters marriage to Palmerin desiring him to labour in the cause to Trineus which hee promised but al in vain for after they had taken their leaue to returne towards Allemaigne though Palmerin was earnest in the matter in respecte of the beautie and nobilitie of the Princesse as for the support he might haue by matching with the Daughter of Fraunce yet Trineus thus answered I thanke you my Lord for the good you wish mee as also the honour the King affoordes mee but another beyond her whose renowne hath conquered me is Lady and Mistresse of my affections And because you are hee frâ—m whom I will not hide my most secrete thoughts know that it is Agriola Daughter to the King of England to whom though my Father be an enemie yet by your aide mine owne good endeuours I doo not doubt to compasse my loue You knowe my Lord quoth Palmerin that I wish as wel to you as mine owne hart and when occasion serues tryall shall make manifest And séeing you haue fixed your loue on faire Agriola of England imparting likewise the same so confidently to me I am perswaded you coulde neuer make a better choise therefore let nothing chaunge your opinion Thus rode they on with manie sundrie spéeches not a little gladde they were returning to the Emperour but Palmerin much more then was Trineus for the desire hee had to sée his Ladie Polinarda wherefore with the consent of the Prince he sent a Squire before to aduertise the Emperour of their comming before whom he had no sooner doone reuerence but he was presentlie knowne and demaunded in what estate his Son Trineus and Palmerin were where he had left them what accideÌ„ts had happened in Fraunce Then the Squire rehearsed the Combats and victories of his Maister against the Princes of Fraunce and the Dukes of Gaule Sauoye with their royall entertainment by the King and his Sonne howe manie portraits of Ladies Palmerin had conquered with the whole discourse of euerie action Whereof the Emperour the Empresse and all the Lords Ladies were maruailous glad yet was not theyr ioy comparable to the Princesse Polinardas hearing the Squire reueale the honourable déedes of her loue so that her conceit might be discerned by her couÌ„tenance needes she must thus demaunde of the Squire I praie thée tell me my Fréende howe fares my Lord and Brother with his noble companion Sir Palmerin The Squire wel abuised because he knewe the loue betwéene her and his Maister sette his knee to the grounde againe with this aunswere I left the Prince your Brother accompanied with
King and Palmerin with fifty Knights more came to assist them for Palmerin hauing slayne the Giant mounted on his horse because it was one of the goodliest yâ— euer he saw and espying the King comming with his trainâ— set on with him and found Trineus in great danger because so many of his side were slaine but this fresh assistance brought by the king was the meane that all the Giants knightes were slaughtered and they knéeling down thanking God for their victory The king alighting came and embraced the quéene saying Now happy may we thinke our selues Madame hauing so well preuented this trecherous villaine for neuer did I thinke to sée you againe but that God these knights so highlie befréended vs. The Quéene and her Daughter were as yet so dismayed in remembraunce of theyr former daunger as beholding so many lye slaine before them and ioyfull beside béeing so fortunatelye deliuered as betwéene these extreames they knew not what to say but desired spéedilie to sâ—t forward thence which they presently did yâ— king commaunding his Nephew Cerides to sée Franarco and his men burned to ashes and honorable Sepulture to be prouided for the other When the Quéene heard that Eranarco was dead Tell me my Lord quoth she who hath doone such a gracious acte to kill that monstrous villaine Euen hee Madame said the king that was cause of my victorie in battell the knight héere in blacke Armour to whome I am so far indebted as I cannot imagine any recompence sufficient for him and this can I not speak without great maruaile séeing so rare valour performed with so little danger on his behalfe Long may the good knight liue saide the Quéene that hath so defended vs and may they all thrée prosper in their affaires for their knightly seruice to the Realme of England While these spéeches endured Trineus béeing sore wounded was brought betwéen two squires and set vpon his horse but the king the quéene and chéefely faire Agriola was glad when she heard there was no such danger but he might well escape it Wherefore mounting al on horsebacke they rode to sée the Giants bodie which made Agriola repute Palmerin for no lesse then his Dwarfe commended him Then the king commaunded to vnarme the body and one of his knightes should bring away his Helmet and Shéelde which would be tokens sufficient for him to recouer the Castle of Garbones which he seised on and all other things belonging to the Giant he sent the Count of Bonneroy with fiue hundred men to confiscate and return to his Maiesties vse The Count well knowing such matters would not easily be accomplished if they in the Castle should make resistance therefore politikely he sent the Giants Targe and Helmet before as sent from Franarco who was with the king and they should open the gates because they were comming thither for witnes wherof they shewed the giants signet of arms The guard too crâ—dulous and thinking it vnpossible for any man to conquere the giant opened the gates wherupoÌ„ the Count presently entred with his power putting all to the sword not sparing any not so much as the giants yonger brother who escaping aliue from the battel was the cause who Franarco dealt thus villanously Thus did the Count yéeld the Castle into the Kings obeysance remaining Captaine thereof vnder the Kings authoritie the like hee did in many other places where the people aduertised of the Giants rebellion and that the Castle of Garbones was taken there was nonâ— would resist the kings commandement whereof the Count was not a little glad returning as soone as he could with the glad tidings of his successe to the Court certifying the King how all things happened Chap. LII Of the conference Palmerin had with the Princesse Agriola after he had slaine the Giant Franarco BY this time the King was come to his Pauillion where he caused his Chirurgions dilligently to attend the thrée knights for the curing of their wounds who found that the prince of Allemaigne was worst of al hurt yet the king vnderstaÌ„ding he was in no danger of life was the better pacified because he loued him déerely and intended to honour him so much as lay in his power promising not to depart thence till hee recouered his health and because he would preuent like mischances he caused dilligent watch to be made euerie night as though he hadde lien in field encamped with the enemie During the Princes sicknesse â—ee was oftentimes visited by the Quéene and fayre Agriola not vnthankfull of the courtesie receiued by him and his companions and for which they requited him with manifold thankes Trineus estéeming himselfe worthily recompenced séeing that heauenly spectacle whose presence healed a greater wound then any hee had receiued in fight desiring the continuance of the outward hurts for comforting of his inward oppressions And while the quéene thus conferred wiâ—â— Tâ—ineus Palmerin came to the princesse Agriola seeing the time so lawfull and commoâ—â—â—â—s that hee might thorowly acquaint her with matter long enough before premeditated but because shee was desirous to talke with him she first began in manner following I know not sir Knigâ—t how the king my Father will satisfie the great seruice you haue doone him in so many hazards to his Realme and himselfe but for mine owne part I think my selfe so bounden that after life which he gaue me by generation my deuoted soule shall remaine to honour you And if these occasions passed doo giue mée iust cause to thinke my selfe happie what lesse account may I make of that vertuous Prince Trineus your companion who came into this Countrey onely for my loue as I am perswaded yet doubtfull to be lightly carried away with report I should accept it for more sound assurance so please you to speake the truth herein Madame quoth Palmerin if I haue doone any seruice to the King or you it is rewarded with much more theÌ„ sufficient séeing it pleaseth you to make such account thereof and I promise you you haue two knights wholly at commaund for the loue of the third who is so confidently â—owed your friend and seruant as no man in the world can bee more this is he that lieth wounded in his bed the princely sonne and heire of the Emperor of Allemaigne in which report my Dwarfe hath not deceiued you And giue my word this credit Madame that since the time hee first heard of your excellent beautie béeing then in Fraunce he neuer had other determination but to spend his life in your gracious seruice and making refusall of many faire Ladies especially of Lucemania daughter to the most christian king of Fraunce set downe this princely and commendable resolution neuer to espouse any other but you so it may stand with your liking to accept him for your husband think then aduisedly swéete madam of the incomparable happines ordaiâ—ed for â—ou and stand not in your owne light to loose so good fortune In truth my Lord quoth the princesse I
frenzie or wicked iealousâ—ie woulde haue slaine him whereby such fortune fell out as the King receiued what he would haue giuen Nor can Florendos hée worthily blamed for comming to sée me in respect of the long time since our last companie beside hauing not forsaken his Pylgrims wéede wherein hee trauailed to the holie Lande he came to acquaint me with the maruailes in his iourney Sée héere in bréeâ—â— the whole truth of his Historie and if the Kings Nephewes auouch otherwise I say my Lord they lie falsely In this respect as well to proteâ—t mine owne honour as the Princes I humbly desire your Maiestie that our innocencie may be discided by Combate for such is my hope in a rightfull cause as I shall find some Knight to fight for me The Lords of the Empire were altogether of the same opinion and instantly desired the Emperour to graunt his Daughter her lawfull request whereto hee answered that he would take counsell thereon and iustice should be doone her as it ought Héereupon the Emperour went into his Chamber and the Quéene was brought to the Empresse her Mother where the poore Lady was assaulted afresh for shée was no sooner entred the Chamber but her Mother thus beganne I knowe not Daughter how badly thou hast béene counselled that since the day of thine espousall to the Prince Tarisius who loued thée so déerely thou hast continued such hatred against him that at length thou art become the onely cause of his death Madame quoth the Quéene you speake your pleasure but in regarde of my reuerence to you I aunswere that I neuer though it Wherefore I intreate you to forbeare such spéeches and if you consider all things well your selfe will be founde in greater fault then I. For conâ—rarie to my solemne promise which I had made to the Prince of Macedon you compelled mee to marrie with him and if Florendos had the opportunitie and in defence of his owne person hath slaine him ought you then to impute the crime to me With these words the Empresse held her peace and sate conferring with the yong Princesse Armida in meane while came the Duke of Pera who had the Quéene in charge and conducted her to her Chamber and afterward by the Emperours commandement he shut Florendos into a strong prison The next day Promptaleon and Oudin came to the Pallace where with great and audacious impudencie they came before the Emperour saying Why haue you not my Lord prouided the fire to burne your Daughter and her adulterer Florendos Soft and fayre aunswered the good Remicius bee not so hastie I finde them not so faultie as your accusation deliuereth for no other harme was committed then talking together and because Florendos was disguised is that a consequence my daughter must die Nor will I encurre with infamous report in putting such a Prince to death without hearing how he can answere for himselfe you therefore my Lord of Pera go fetch Florendos that hee may answere to their propositions The Duke obeyed his commandement and brought the Prince so spent with extreame gréefe because hee had caused the Quéene into such danger as hardly he could sustaine himselfe but after he had with great humilitie prostrated himselfe before the Emperour he began in this manner Most mightie Loed and Emperour of Greece maruaile not that with such heauinesse I come before your maiestie when in stéede of dooing you seruice according as my dutie commandeth me I bring you cause of offence and displeasure Neuerthelesse I repose my self on your benignitie and princely iustice wherein I must intreate you to haue regard on the Quéene your Daughters innocence for the fault that is committed if it deserue to be called a fault was doone without the Quéenes knowledge or so much as a thought of the matter on her part before it happened Moreouer there is none of so harsh iudgement or reason but will consider what familiaritie and friendship both passe betwéene Princes and Ladies in occasions of honour Which may serue to answere the cause of my comming to sée the Quéen being thereto bound by dutie and honest loue wherewith in my yonger yéeres I faithfully serued her And this I did without any iniurie to her honor much lesse occasion of offence to the King which hee would néedes interprete in that sort when with so good indiscretion hée came and assailed me These are fables quoth Promptaleon for the conspiracie and treason betwéene thée and the Quéene is so manifest as euerie one knowes it And if the Emperour doo not this day consumate your liues both together in one fire he offereth the greatest iniurie that euer Prince did and before the whole world wee will héereafter accuse him Darest thou maintaine by Combate in fielde saide Florendos what thou with such brauerie affirmest in this Hall that will I by mine honour quoth Promptaleon and let the Knight come that dares aduenture on this condition that if I be the conquerour the Quéene and thou may beâ— burned as ye haue deserued and the Princesse Armida declared not legitimate and so disinherited of the Kingdome Now hast thou reuealed thy villany saide Florendos and for the last condition doost thou follow the cause so earnestly rather then by any matter of truth and equitie but thou art deceiued in thine intent and thy death villaine shall deliuer assurance of her succession So please my Lord the Emperour of his grace to prolong the day of Combate till I haue recouered some health my selfe alone against thée and thy Brother will prooue ye false Traytours and that maliciously yée haue accused the Quéene The Emperour seeing the Prince so weake and sickly and yet with so good courage willing so defence his Daughters wrong resolued himselfe that shee was innocent Remembring then his noble seruices in defende of his Empire and how 's iniuriously he denied him his Daughter he was mooued in such sort as he could not refraine from teares thinking for vengeance of that offence that heauen had iustly permitted the death of Tarisius wherefore beholding Floâ—eâ—dos with pittifull lookes pronounced the sentence in this manner You Promptaleon and Oudin Nephewes to our deceased déere and beloued sonne the King of Hungaria shall mainteine your words in open Fielde against two such Knights as my Daughter and the Prince Florendos can deliuer on their behalfe and that within twelue dayes after this instant one of which the Prince himselfe shall bée if he be not furnished with another to his liking alwayes prouided that the vanquished shall be declared Traitors and attainted of the crime of Lese Maiestatis and so punished according to the exigence of the case The two Brothren accepted these conditions béeing so farre ouercome with their owne pride as they reputed themselues the most valiant Knights of the world Florendos féeling himselfe so weake of body would gladly haue demaunded a longer day but the sentence being giuen the Emperour likewise promising to appoint another knight in his
as in short time he arriued in Allemaigne where hee was graciously welcommed by the Emperour and especially by the Princesse his Daughter to whome he reported the honorable behauiour of Palmerin and howe he was sworne Prince of Greece and Macedon Héereof was she so ioyfull as neuer coulde shée be satisfied with the discourse making many demaunds to the Duke as well of the Tryumphes Tourney and disports as also of the marriage celebrated at Constantinople whereto the Duke returned such fitte aunswers as nothing wanted to extoll her Fréendes honor yet without anye occasion of iealouzie to the Princesse wherto amorous Ladies are commonlie subiect But nowe returning where wee left before you must note that Palmerin béeing departed the confines of the Empire entred his Fathers Realme where in euery Cittie he was entertained with great tryumphing especiallye in the Cittie of Hermida where the Merchaunt dwelt that was Palmerins Maister for whom he sent but hée was aduertised by his Wife that her Husband was gone to the Sea and his two Sonnes with him wherefore he gaue her manie rich gifts and Letters for his Maisters frée enfranchise and libertie At his departure from thence he came to the place where Vrbanillo his Dwarfe was borne whose father was there liuing a poore auncient Knight and his Sister of as tall stature as Vrbanillo whom Palmerin at her Brothers request sent to Constantinople to his Mother And for the honor of the order his Dwarfes Father had receiued hée gaue him the Uillage wherein he dwelt and in the presence of the Macedonians put him in possession thereof who not a little commended the discréete and liberal mind of the Prince From thence he iourneyed to the chéefe Cittie of Macedon where remained the aged King his Grandfather but how the Cittizens entertained him and what honorable Tryumphes were made at the Court I list not héere sette downe because it would be more tedious then benificiall As for his Aunt the Princesse Arismenia shée at his comming mette him in the base Court with all her Ladies and as Palmerin fell on his knée before her to kisse her hande she stayed him in her armes saying God forbid Sir Palmerin that the Knight of the greatest fame in the world should reuerence so simple a Damosell as my selfe but rather am I bound by duetie to honor you as the man by whose especiall vertues our linage is this daie crowned with perpetuall memorie Fayre Aunt answered Palmerin if before I knewe you to be my Fathers Sister I deuoted my selfe to your seruice with much more affection shall I desire to followe it nowe wherefore suffer me swéete Madame to kisse your hand as being the Ladie to whome I rest continually bounden I beséech you my Lord quoth the Princesse to pardon me for neuer shall Macedonian Maiden be so repâ—â—â—ued but that she well knowes her dutie to her betters At these spéeches came the King of Sparta the Dukes of Pontus and Mecaena and the Prince Eustace whom the Princesse welcommed with excéeding honor After all courtesies ended Palmerin said I vnderstand Madame that the king your Father is crazed and sicklie if it be so I am verie sorrie I praye you therefore let vs goe sée howe his Maiestie fareth When you please my Lord quoth the Princesse for I thinke if héeretofore hee receiued health by you Fortune may at this time affoord the like and yet as I haue read there is no remedie for troublesome age but onelie death it selfe which is the Gate to immortalitie and endeth all diseases whatsoeuer So entred they the Kings Chamber and the Princesse going to the bed side to her Father saide My Lorde sée héere the good Knight Palmerin your Nephew may it please you to speake to him and bid him welcome Well know I that he is right welcome to your Maiestie were there no other cause then the happye recouerie of your former health which his aduenturous trauaile héeretofore brought ye The good olde King whome the palsie caused to shake and tremble raysed himselfe vppe a little and beholding Palmerin with weake and féeble voice thus spake Come néere my noble Sonne that these armes halfe deade may embrace thée and my lips now drie and withered may once kisse thée before I die So holding him betwéene his armes and lifting his eyes to Heauen said O my God for euer be thy name honored and praysed in vouchsafing me to sée my Sonne before my death Ah swéete death the ende of all miseries and beginning of felicitie now art thou welcome forbeare not thy stroke in that I haue now séene the honorable defence of my Subiests héereafter yea such a worthie Fréende for them as neuer had they the like Ah my Son howe déerelie ought I to loue thée how gracious hath thy remembraunce béene of mee yet féele I my selfe so weake and feeble as nature cannot prolong my life thrée daies Alas I knowe not which of vs twaine hath greatest cause to reioyce eyther the Father seeing his Sonne euen when he is readie to leaue him or the Sonne finding his Father attending his comming before he giue vp the ghost I hope my good Lord said Palmerin that you shall not leaue vs so soone therefore take a good heart and that no doubt will prolong your life Alas my Sonne quoth the King vnweldie age hath so weakened my body and euen dried vp my vitall blood as longer I may not liue and had not hope to sée thée lengthened my languishing daies thou hadst found my bodie breathlesse which yet sustaineth féeble life onely by thy presence Now that I may leaue this worlde with content and trauaile with better quiet to mine ende tell mée good Sonne the whole matter concerning thy Father Florendos with the perfect discourse of thine owne fortunes Then Palmerin rehearsed euery circumstaunce both of his Fathers deliuerie howe hée had maried the Quéene Griana and in what estate he left them both at his departure Chap. XL. How the aged King Primaleon of Macedon graundfather to Palmerin dyed and how the King of Spaâ—ta espoused the faire Pâ—incesse Arismen Sister to the prince Florendos NOt two dayes had Palmerin stayed in the Court of his Graundfather but the aged king resined his life to the celistiall powers for which cause all the triumphes ceased and generall sorrow entertained for the losse of their good king Arismena who so reuerently loued her father as in his life time she would not match in mariage with any one because it was his will it should be so neuer shewed her selfe disconted therewith but her Father béeing now dead shee committed the whole affayres of the Realme to the Counte Roldin one appointed for that office by generall good liking With such honorable pompe was the funerall obsequies executed and the Princesse gracious behauiour therein so especially commended as the young King of Sparta became amorous of her discouered his mind to Palmerin intreating him so to fauour the cause as he might make
Emperour said I beseech you my Lord graunt me one request which shall be no way preiudiciall to your Maiestie Arise sir Palmerin quoth the Emperour aske what thou wilt and thou shalt haue it My Lord Tryneus and the Princesse Agriola saide Palmerin are religiously married betweene themselues let me intreate your highnesse to confirme it witâ— open solâ—mnization before the Duke of Mecaena héere present whom I meane to send into England that he may resolue the King howe himselfe was an eye witnesse of their marriage The Emperour liked so well of Palmerins motion as soone after the wedding was solemnized and he comming to Bryonella courteously taking her by the hand said My good friend Brionella I am now to be discharged of the promise I made at my last being here in witnesse whereof I haue brought your knight sir Ptolome and him I commend to your further fauour So highly am I beholding vnto you my Lord quoth shée as neuer shall I bee able to returne sufficient recompence but were we equall in ioy with the Prince Tryneus and faire Agriola then would I think no storme could wrong vs. Palmerin at these words presently left her and perswaded the Emperour so well as Ptolome and Brionella were likewise espoused togither when Palmerin conferring with the Princesse Agriola thus spake to her Now may you iudge Madame whether I deceiued ye or no and if the estate of my Lord Tryneus be any lesse then I told ye Had I not giuen faithfull credit to your spéeches answered Agriola I would not haue forsaken my Parents and friendes so rashly but I hope they will pardon me in that I haue done nothing but to their honour On the morrow with excéeding ioy and rare tryumphs were Palmerin and Polinarda married togither and thus was long and faithfull loue worthily requited Ptolome was now created Duke of Saxon and Dyardo tooke his leaue to goe sée his wife Cordonya whom he had not heard of since the time he was taken by the Pirates Chap. LXI Howe Palmerin sent Ptolome Duke of Saxon as his Ambassador to the King of France and the Duke Eustace of Mecaena to the King of England to treate of the peace betweene them CErtaine dayes before the departure of Dyardo toward Bohemia Palmerin in the presence of the Emperour and all the Princes gaue the charge of his Embassade to the Duke Ptolome which he should deliuer not onely to the most Christian King of France himself but also to his yongest sonne who now had espoused the Duchesse of Buroundie So departed Ptolome from Vienna accompanied with many Lordes and knights and at length arriued at Digeon where the Prince Lâ—wes being acquainted with the cause of his comming thus answered the Ambassadour My Lorde sometime I had acquaintance in Fraunce with the most renowned Palmerin and because hée is the onely man of the worlde to whom I owe all friendly affection I will perswade my Father to ioyne in peace with him Nowe was Ptolome in good hope that his trauaile woulde sorte to successiue ende wherefore they presently iourneyed to the King who as then was with his estates at Paris and hauing hearde Palmerins request who nowe was wedded to the Princesse Polynarda and therefore his intended warre with the Emperour would extende to the hurt of the man he loued thus answered Duke of Saxon I am sufficiently acquainted with the bountie of thy Maister and verie well I doo remember that at his béeing in Fraunce he combatted for his Ladie Polinarda yet was I ignoraunt till nowe of that hath happened But leaste hée should conceiue that I séeke to make a commotion in Christeâ—dome let him enioy his Ladie and Wife in peace although shée was sometime promised to mine eldest Sonne reseruing the conditions of our amitie that our first Nephewes and Néeces may match togither in marriage therby to continue the honour of their predecessours As for the Kings of Spaine and England who moued me to giue them assistaunce on there behalfe I can make you no certaine answere vntill my Messengers be returned home againe Gracious Lord quoth Ptolome I dare assure you in the name of my Maister that hée hath euermore estéemed your fauour among the best Christian Princes and will not refuse the marriage betwéene your Children héereafter And this coniunction of your amitie will cause that neither the Kings of Spaine or England will séeke to molest him but with your highnesse ioyne in loue and friendship With this answer Ptolome returned to Vienna where the Emperour and Palmerin welcommed him with excéeding honour and by this time had the Duke Eustace taken landing in England where deliuering the summe of his charge to the King his highnesse returned him this answere Although my Lord Ambassadour both your Maister and the Prince Tryneus did me manifest dishonor yet not to withstand peace which still ought to bâ—â— preferred before warre I graunt his request and will presently call home my Garrisons shaking hands with him in honourable concord As for the wrong doone to my Daughter I am content to excuse it beléeuing that shée was not conueyed hence but with her will thanking the Prince for the honour he hath done her séeing she would leaue her Parents and friendes so lightly I thinke my gracious Lord answered the Duke that when you consider what your Daughter hath done you will not touch her with want of witte or iudgement for in respect of the long enmitie betwéene the Emperour and you shée desired that her marriage might sort this happie ende Nor would she haue departed hence with the Prince Tryneus without a faithfull and resolued promise of marriage which is performed with as great honour as euer was done to the daughter of a King Thinke you quoth the King that had not the great friendship of Tryneus when against his Fathers will he came with Palmerin to assist me quallified the weight of mine anger against him but I woulde haue pursued the iniurie he did to me yet did I referre his seruice to the iudgements of my Lords of England who perswaded me to reuenge which you well perceiue as yet I haue not done Prince Palmerin quoth the Duke is so vertuous as rather woulde hée haue runne on a thousande deathes then your daughters honour shoulde anie way haue béene impeached but béeing assured of this fortunate issue both hée and Tryneus aduentured as they did And sorrie am not I said the King that all things are come so well to passe but séeing we are entred thus farre in spéeche tell mée I pray you how Palmerin came to the knowledge of his Parents and howe hée finished the aduentures at the Castle of the tenne Rockes and the daungerous Isle of Malfada which neuer any Knight could compasse before Then the Duke rehearsed euerie accident how amourous the great Turke was on the Princesse Agriola and each seuerall occasion as they fell out at which report the Quéene with her Ladies were present who hearing the discourse
to the King Tarisius of Hungaria whome Paâ—merin and Frysoll slew at Constantinople hée was their Brother and Sonne to the Duchesse of Ormeda Shée vnderstanding the death of her two Sonnes could not conceale it from the Duke her Husband who presently died with very conceit of gréefe whereuppon shée to reuenge this mishappe caused by her report as also the death of her twâ— Sonnes made promise to Nardides then béeing eightéene yeeres olde that so soone as hée was knighted hee should go to Constantinople and there if it were possible to murder the Emperour and Frysoll All this he â—owed to performe and two or thrée dayes after hauing married the Kings Daughter of Polonia hee embarqued himselfe with â—orty Knights determining by a Combat for treason to compasse his intent These wreakfull aymers at reuenge landed all in one instant at Constantinople when the old Magitian calling to Nardydes sayde hee would gladly sprake with him in secret as concerning matters greatly for his auaâ—le Hereupon they went all closely together into one of the Cabins and the olde man entred into theâ—e spéeches Sir Nardides néedelâ—sie is it for you to hide your affaires from mee for I knowe that you depart from Poloma with fortie Knights disguised like Merchants onely with this determination to destroy the Emperour in reuenge of certaine iniuryes done to your Brethren But if you will giue credit to mée and go to worke in such sort as I shall aduise yée yée shall happily obtayne the end of your desire By God sayd Nardides you 〈◊〉 mée wonders there is not one in the shippe that knowes mine intent yet you haue sayde the truth whereat I cannot maruaâ—le sufficiently Seeing then you know so much it were but follâ—e to dissemble say then your minde and I will heare yée This night sayd the old man the Emperour wil suppe in the great Hall with the Prince Olorico and the Princesse Alchidiana the King of Sparta and his Queene with many other great Princes and Lordes so that such store of people are in the Pallace as little regarde will bee had of strangers or housholde sâ—ruants You then with my Sonne Mâ—nadeno beeing Armed as beseeâ—es a cause so 〈◊〉 shall sodainely enter and â—ill the Emperour my Sonne Lycado and I will stay your returne heere and I that can commaunde the winde and weather will carrie ye hence without danger of following And true it is that there is a Bird pearched in the Hall which the wise Muzabelino hath so enchaunted as neither good or ill tydings can come to the Emperour but she bewrayes the same by her song or fearefull crie yet doubt not you thereof strike boldly there will be none Armed so that you departe againe at your owne pleasure My Friend said Nardides happie be the houre I â—ette with thée assure thy selfe that if I can kill the Emperour and thou afterwarde deliuer me safely such recompence will I bestow on thée as both thou and thine shall for euer remember me Other recompence I demaund not sayde the olde man then the death of the Emperour prepare thy selfe therefore so follow thine intent The night béeing come these Traytors Armed themselues and casting their mantles about them entred the Pallace were among the Pages and seruants without suspition they came into the Hall leauing Lycado and his Father at the Port where hée threwe abroade such enchauntments that all such as came foorth of their houses presently fell downe a sleepe in the stréetes No sooner were the Traytours entred the Hall but the Bird gaue a horrible and fearefull crie beating her beake against her breast with such furie as though shee would haue rent foorth her heart My God sayd the Emperour in mercie behold mée for the cry of this Birde dooth foretell great misfortune Looke about my friendes quoth he to his Guard and sée if any Stranger or vnknowne body is entred our presence Nardides by these spéeches knew hée was the Emperour wherefore drawing his Sword hée thought to haue cleaued his head yet hée fayled of his intent for the Emperour séeing the blow comming with a great Golden Cuppe awarded it indifferently notwithstanding the Sword in slipping from the Cuppe gaue him a â—ore wound vpon the head Olorico sitting on the other side the Table ranne at the Traitour but the Emperour had receiued two strokes more ere he could come at him so that his maiestie fell from his Chaire as he had béene dead As the Prince Olorico held the Traytor Nardides by the armes Menadeno strâ—oke at him so rigorously as if Ptolome had not borne off the blowes with a great siluer plate Olorico there had lost his life Duke Eustace séeing this shamefull outrage wrong the Sword out of Nardides hande and gaue him such a sounde stroke therewith on the head as made him tomble his héeles vpwarde and by the helpe of Bellechino who founde the meanes to gette off his Helmet hée smote his head from his shoulders Bellechino who had béene newly baptised loued the Emperour as hée had béene his Father and comming to Menadeno whome Duke Ptolome strongly helde in his armes gaue him so many stabs on his throate that he likewise fell downe at his féete The Empresse séeing her Lord so wounded rent her garments tore her comely locks of hayre and smote her faire face with maruailous violence Ah my Lord quoth shée thou art not wounded alone for if thou die as God forbid right soone will my ghost follow thée Cease Madam your complaints saide the Emperour and comfort your selfe so wel as you may for this is the houre wherin I must leaue you I haue lost such aboundance of my bloud as longer may I not liue with you O my God forgiue my sins and receiue my soule In vttering these words he swouned againe and the Empresse with him for companie to the no little amazement of all the Lords and Ladies who were well néeâ—e at their wits ende to be holde this vnexpected alteration Alchidiana likewise was in wonderfull perplexitie fearing also that her Lord was wounded to the death but to comfort this sorrowfull and desolate Court good fortune sent this helpe ensuing CHAP. LXVI How the wise Muzabelino knowing by his arte the cruell treason doone to the Emperour came to succour him and of that which followed MVzabelino the Nigramanâ—er of whom we haue alreadie spoken by chaunce this day was turning ouer his Booke and â—ound the dangerous stratâ—gâ—me deuised by these Traitours and calling his familiars together demaunded the danger that would ensue by this treason whereto one of them replied that if hée went not spéedily to Constantinople the Emperour the Prince Olorico and their Ladies would hardly escape that day with life Then armed he himselfe in the selfe same maner as he was when he succoured the Prince Tryneus and calling two spirits of the ayre resembling Giants their faces so vglie and fearefull as no humane creature durst beholde them them hee commanded to carrie him to
no Knight whatsoeuer came into his Court without verie honourable receite and bountifull rewardes expressing the good nature of a vertuous Prince whose déedes were helde of no small reckoning amongst his verie enemies He maried with the King of Hungarias Daughter a Princesse for witte and beautie equall with any of her time which caused her to be so especiallie loued of her Lord the Emperour as hee altogeather gaue ouer y◠exercise of Armes notwithstanding his Court did not diminishe one lote of the former glorie for good and hardle Knights but dailie increased in such sort as he tooke great delight to haue yong Princes Knights and Gentlemen nurtured and educated from their verie infancie in his Pallace especiallie after the Empresse had brought him a Sonne which was named Caniano at whose birth was no little reioycing through the whole Empire Within two yéeres after she was likewise deliuered of a goodlie Daughter named Griana who growing to fourtéene yéeres of age was of such rare beautie and singuler good grace as those that behelde her estéemed her for the chiefest péece of workmanshippe that euer nature framed Héereupon it chaunced that Tarisius Sonne to the King of Hungaria who had béene brought vp in company with the yonge Prince Caniano fell into such amorous conceite of the yong Princesse as hee deuoted him selfe onelie to her seruice béeing vnable to conceale the obiect of his affections but that time made her acquainted with the cause of his alteration Manie meanes he founde to entise her good opinion towards him but she carrying a religious zeale to loue in some other climate made no reckoning of his imporunate and dilligent seruice which drewe a Hell of tormentinge thoughts vppon Tarisius séeing his sute and seruice so déeplie despised Neuerthelesse to compasse his intent he desired his Cozin Caniano to cause a Tryumphe bee published whereunto all Knights might be summoned as well straungers as others not doubting but hee should spéede so well in déedes of Armes as thereby hee might deserue the loue of the faire Griana and so afterwardes make meanes by the Empresse to demaunde her in mariage all which hée concealed from his Cozin Caniano who verie gladlie didde consent to what Tarisius had requested watching oportunitie to finde the Emperour his Father at leysure when he made his highnesse acquainted with the whole enterprise of himselfe and his Cozin Tarisius desiring him that all Knights might haue warning for preparation against a day the next Moneth appointed for the purpose The Emperour was verie well pleased with his Sonnes requeste accounting himselfe highlie honoured by his demaunde whereuppon he caused Heraulds of Armes presentlie to bée dispatched to signifie his intended Tournament through al Countries farre and néere In the meane while Tarisius coulde not rest daie nor night but still endeuoured to doo what he iudged might please the Princesse Griana to whō as yet he had not vttered the effect of his longing desire albeit by exteriour actions he dailie made shewe sufficient of his tormenting passions But it so fell out not long after that one daie in her walking he had sorted her alone from al the other Ladies Gentlewomen in a place commodious for a Louers discourses where falling from one argument to another the furie of his oppressions imboldened him so far that at length he brake with her in manner folowing Madame you are not ignoraunt of the honourable assembly that is appointed at the feaste ensuing when I hope to receiue the order of Knighthoode and if it shall like you to thinke so well of mee as to graunt mee one request easie enough for you to affoorde me perswade your selfe that I shal imagine my fortune equall with the happiest Knights that euer liued in that it may be the onelie meane whereby I shall enioy the prize and honour of the Triumphe Griana knowing assuredlie that Tarisius bare her great affection as I haue before rehearsed returned him this aunswere In sooth Cozin it would please me meruailous well to bee the meane of so good fortune as you promise your selfe Neuerthelesse I haue not learned so little modestie as to grant anie thing before I knowe what is desired When Tarisius vnderstoode her modest excuse he perswaded himself that he should nowe obtaine that of her whereof vntill that instant he had liued in despaire whereuppon the teares standing in his eyes he began in this manner I humblie beséech you good Madame to take in worth what I am to acquaint you with for when I determined to smoother my gréefe in secrete the extremitie of my affection grew to such a surplusage as it brake the stringes of my thoughts almost vowed for euer silent to reueale that to you which my selfe dare but reuerentlie thinke such is my feare to displease you otherwise I knowe no meane canne warrant me from suddaine and cruell death so setled is y◠vnspotted loue I bare you which when I striue to ouercome and my selfe also the more I would decrease it the more it augmenteth and that so strangelie as while you are in presence my spirite forsaketh euerie part of mée to liue in you onelie For which cause I haue determined if you thinke it good to request you of the Emperour your Father for my Wife and if he regarde me with so much honour the Realme of Hungaria may well challenge and my selfe likewise the highest roome in earthlie felicitie hauing a Mistresse of such vnspeakable qualitie In the meane time if you please to bestowe on me anie Iewell or fauoure commaunding mee to weare it as your Knight and Seruaunt you shall wel perceiue how aduenturous loue will be in defence of my right by the aduantage I shall recouer in the vertue of a gifte so acceptable Griana who made but slender account of his passions and béeing not well pleased that he held her with such vaine discourses modestlie returned him this aunswere If you had such regarde of me as I well deserue you woulde not attempt me with spéeches so vnfitting my hearing for if your desire be such as you giue me to vnderstand you ought to make it knowne to the Emperor or Empresse who haue greater authoritie ouer me then I haue my selfe Therfore I desire you hencefoorth not to aduenture the like on perill of your life otherwise I shall let you knowe howe highlie you offend me on which cōdition I am cōtent for this time to pardon your want of discretion in that I perceiue my selfe to be the onelie cause thereof in graunting you time and leysure thus priuatlie to assaile me for which ouersight I repent mee at the verie harte With which wordes shee floong away and left him alone declaring by her countenaunce to be offended with his request in that shee desired rather to die then accept him for her Husband or to allowe him the name of her fréende If then Tarisius was driuen into a quandarie wee néede not meruaile wherefore troubled as he was and not caring greatlie
sorting vs so commodiouslie togeather that I may shewe you before I enter the Lystes royall the occasion why I left the Realme of Macedon to visite my Lord the Emperor I sweare to you vpon my knightlie faith that your gracious selfe was the onelie cause of my iourney and while I liue I shall euermore aduenture my selfe in ought that may stand with your fauour and liking and the first argument of my happinesse I should account if you would commaunde mee this daie to arme my selfe for your Knight otherwise I must be content to absent my selfe béeing assured that with out your regard it is vnpossible for me to doo any thing that can returne me estimation or honour And albeit I haue not as yet doone anie seruice to you whereby I shoulde deserue to be so accepted yet such is the hope I repose in your vertuous nature as you will not refuse my honest request beeing the first I euer desired of you and not the last I truste shall doo you honour Nowe as you haue heard before Griana earnestlie affected Florendos neuerthelesse as a modest and well aduised Princesse doubting leaste hee faigned those spéeches of course dissembling her selfe to be somwhat displeased returned this aunswere I did not thinke my Lord Florendos that you woulde so farre forget your selfe to holde mee with spéeches not beséeming the Daughter of so great an Emperour as I am neuerthelesse knowing you are a Stranger and ignoraunt it may be of the modestie which shoulde defende Knights deuising with Ladies I will not vse such rigour towards you as I ought yet must I tell you that I finde my selfe offended You desire that as my Knight you may enter the Tourney for that I graunt ye to the ende I may perceiue the effect of the prowesse which each one so much commendeth in you the rest it is my pleasure that you forbeare Madame quoth he if I haue vsed anie such spéeches as agree not with your patience for Gods sake in my excuse accuse my small compasse of libertie which remaineth onelie at your disposition What quoth she thinke you that I wil loue anie but he that must and ought be my Husbande Ah swéete Ladie said Florendos that is it I so earnestlie desire and thinke not that I sollicite you with anie other kind of loue but onelie to make you the Mistresse of my self and altogeather to dispose of me and mine for proofe whereof I will héereafter imploy my selfe in the Emperours seruice in such sorte as if you like it I hope to purchase his consent Truelie Sir quoth she that onelie appertaines to the Emperor and not to mée to whom you are to make known what you intende for hee hath authoritie to commaunde and I am bounde by duetie to obey At which wordes the Empresse called her awaie when Florendos making her courteous reuerence departed to his Chamber to arme him selfe for manie Knights were entred the Lystes and he in short space came thether for companie where hee behaued himselfe with such valoure as he not onelie got the honour of the first daie but of the foure daies folowing while the Tourneie endured and wonne the prize which Caniano had prepared for him that best deserued it which made him bee greatlie estéemed of the Emperour and of the whole Court ingenerall espeâ—iallie of the faire Griana whose harte by little and little Loue brought in subiection to the no small content of Florendos which doubtlesse had the Prince Tarisius beheldâ— I imagine hee woulde haue hardlie liked it But nowe during the time of these great Feastes and Triumphes Fortune the sworne enemie to all quietnes presented the Emperor with other occasions to cut off these pastimes and courtlie deuises for after many of the Knights assembled at his Courte had taken leaue to returne into their Countries Gamezio Sonne to the Soldane of Babilon who was on the Seas with a mightie Armie intending to conquer Alexandria was by extreamitie of winde and weather driuen into the straights before Constantinople Which when the Pilots and Marriners perceiued not onâ— amongst theÌ„ but greatlie reioyced at this good fortune but chéefelie Gamezio who perswaded himself yâ— his Gods had sent him thether that the moste noble florishing Cittie of the world might fall into his handes whereupon the windes somewhat appeased and the Seas calmed he assembled the chiefe and principall Captaines of his Armie and thus began My good fréendes I beléeue assuredlie yâ— our great Gods would not suffer vs to arriue in Alexandria because wee went against them of our owne Law and Religion but rather it liked them better that we should addresse our selues to this Countrie of Christians either to ruinate it altogeather or at least to bring it vnder our obeysance Therefore I am determined for this time to defer the reuenge of the iniurie which the King Calameno did to the Soldane and as much as in me lyes imploy my forces in conquest of this Countrey for which cause I desire that each of you would particularlie encourage your people assuring them if wee can conquer this Cittie the riches thereof will counteruaile their paine and trauaile The Captaines failed not to accomplish their charge to the vttermost summoning euerie one presentlie to Armes so prouiding their Shippes their Ensignes all thinges els néedefull for their defence they hoysed their sailes making towards yâ— Shoare where with such prouision as they had they tooke landing making such a noyse with their Drummes Trumpets Clamors as was heard with no small feare in euerie part of the Cittie Neuertheles they were receiued with better resistance then they looked for as following the discourse of the Historie you shall at large vnderstand CHAP. III. Of the battayle fought before the Cittie of Constantinople betweene the Emperours power and the Armie of Gamezio IMmediatlie was this huge Armie on the Sea discouered by the Sentâ—rnelles of the Cittie whereupon the rumour arose so greate as the people ranne on heapes to defende the Hauen where the Moores thought to haue made their first entrie In the meane while Caniano Tarisius and the other principall Knights with their men of Armes put themselues in equipage doraynning their Armie in such warlike maner as nowe they marche forth of the Cittie to succour those places where the Moores gaue most eager assault The Prince Florendos béeing left behinde made no little haste to gather his companie and as he galloped with them by the Emperours Pallace hee espied the Princesse Griana standing at her Chamber windowe casting manie a ruefull looke towardes the 〈◊〉 of the Cittie which so déepelie peirced the gentle Princes harte as immediatlie hee saide within himselfe By Heauen swéete Ladie either will I die this day or remooue the gréefe that séemeth so néere to touche you And with this resolution he gaue the spurres to hys Horse when it was not long before hee got among the thickest of the Moores where he behelde the enemie so strong and the
howe he excused his consent by the promise he had made before to Tarisius through the dailie and earnest perswasions of the Empresse Notwithstanding quoth he in respect you haue not consented thereto I hope they shall finde themselues farre beyonde their reckoning Nowe for the Princesse she neuer knewe that Tarisius had laboured to haue her to hys Wife because she made so light account of him as she wold rather die then consent thereto whereuppon shee returned Florendos this aunswere The Emperour my Father hath reason to thinke hardlie of my Mother and great discredite will it be to her to procure my mariage against my wil for neuer shall I consent thereto and therefore my Lord I desire your aduise how I may preuent this ensuing daunger Madame answered Florendos my deuise is layd already so please you to accept thereof I will conuey you hence secretlie and before the Emperour or any one know of it into my Countrey of Macedon where I and mine shall entertaine you with great and reuerend honour and you shall be our gracious Lady and Princesse Beléeue me sayd she it is doubtfull in such a iourney what daungers may happen notwithstanding hauing vowed my selfe onlie yours be it to the lyking or dislyking of my Father and Mother I had rather breake through the straights of a greater hazarde then be forced to marrie him whome while I liue I can not like therefore doo you expecte the aduauntage of the time and I will aduenture with you whether you please Madame answered Florendos continue you this resolution and referre the rest to my charge which you shall see effected ere thrée daies be past in the meane while I entend to take my leaue of the Emperour your Father with this excuse that the King my Father commaundeth my returne home for which cause I will sende my traine before reseruing onelie but tenne of my best Knights to accompany me For that quoth Griana doo what you thinke best without anie further expecting me in this place certifie me how things happen by your Cozin Frenate or my Maide Cardina But nowe you sée the daie beginnes to breake wherfore let me desire you to depart that no sâ—andall or suspition arise of our méeting Florendos kissing the Princesse hand though longer hee woulde haue stayde humbly tooke hys leaue and by the helpe of Lerina hee got ouer the Wall againe where Fâ—enato stayed his comming to whâ—m when he was entred his lodging hee imparted the appointment betwéene him and the Princesse desiring him to discharge his trayne except ten of his best approoued Knights to help him if any hinderance preuented his intent as for the rest they should be going on before and stay his câ—mming at an appointed place thrée daies iourney from Constantinople In the morning he awaited the Emperours câ—mming abroad to whom he said that he had receiued Letters from yâ— King his Father with expresse commaundement to make spéedy returne home therefore my good Lord sayd hee I desire to depart with your fauourable lyking and in respect I may not contrary where I am bounde to obey I intend to morrow to set forward on my iourney assuring your highnesse that in what place I shall chaunce to come I am yours in loyall and faithfull seruice My good Cozin aunswered the Emperour I giue you thankes with all my hart for yâ— honour you haue doone me with your gentle presence and if you haue occasion to vse mâ—e in ought you shall perceiue howe highlie I loue and estéeme of you My Lord said Florendos I desire to deserue the great kindnes I haue found alreadie so taking his leaue the Emperour embraced him and as he issued forth of the Chamber he met the Prince Caniano of whom he tooke his leaue likewise who desired him to staie thrée or foure daies loÌ„ger In which time there came to the Courte certaine Ambassadours which yâ— Kinge of Hungaria had sent to the Emperour to conclude the mariage betwéene his Sonne Taâ—â—sius and the Princesse Griana the Duke of Gramay béeing chéefe in this Embassade who was accompanied with manie Knightes and Gentlemen of name and account to whom the Empresse gaue verie gracious welcome in that shee had priuatlie procured this their comming As these Ambassadours entred the great Chamber Caniano and Tarisius who accompanied them perceiued Griana to withdrawe her selfe aside very sad and mellanchollie whereupon Caniano came vnto her greatlie abashed at her angry countenaunce and thus hee began Fayre Sister at this time when you ought to shewe the moste cheerefull countenaunce you are more sadde then of long time I haue séene you me thinkes you haue good occasion to be merrie séeing the Emperour my Father hath prouided you so braue a Husbande as is my Cozin the Prince Tarisius who I am sure loues you as his owne life Ah brother quoth she I knowe not what should mooue him so to doo séeing I neuer thought so well of him and more gladlie could I entertaine mine owne death then bee constrained to loue where I cannot These words did Tarisius easily vnderstand notwithstanding he made shewe as though he did not but going to the Empresse he desired her to stay there with the Emperour séeing the Ambassadours were come from the King his Father that what was begun as concerning him and Griana might nowe be finished according to her promise Uppon this occasion the Empresse called Griana aside and with smoothe and swéete spéeches began to breake with her howe for her good shee had induced the Emperour to giue her in marriage to her Cozin Tarisius and what honourable aduantage she shoulde receiue thereby wherefore faire Daughter saide she resolue your selfe with childlike obedience to thinke well of that your Parents haue determined All these perswasions coulde not drawe one pleasing word from the Princesse but shee excused her selfe still by the desire shee had to remaine as sâ—ee was and rather then to marrie shee would take a religious life vpon her with which words she brake into such teares as the Empresse was constrained to leaue her alone not doubting to finde her the next time in better tune Griana then considering with her selfe how she shoulde be enforced at length to yéelde whether she woulde or no if Florendos did not the sooner accomplish his enterprise called Cardina vnto her and sent her with this charge to Florendos that that present night he shoulde not fayle to méete her in the Garden where she would be readie to depart with him otherwise he should neuer gaine the like opportunitie with which message Cardina departed CHAP. VII How Florendos came that night to the Garden to conclude what he and Griana had intended and what happened to them FLorendos vnderstanding the will of his Mistresse with great dilligence laboured to execute what they had intended and taking his leaue at yâ— Courte feigned he woulde returne no more but take his waie straight towards Macedon Tarisius whose iealousie increased
to the aged King Primaleon by the fauoure of the Ladie Arismena SUch spéede made Palmerin beeing departed froÌ„ the Marchant as on the fourth day following riding by a Riuers side he found a Dwarffe sitting heauilie wéeping of whom he demaunded the cause of his mourning Alas Syr saide the Dwarffe as I was riding by the commaundement of my Maister to a Lady whom he déerelie loueth a Knight euen nowe tooke my Horse from me and very villainously offered me outrage which yet dooth not so much greeue mee as beeing thus on foote I know not howe to get ouer this Riuer Mount vp behinde me said Palmerin and at the first Towne wee come to I will prouide thée of another Horse Then mounted the Dwarffe vp behinde him and hauing past the Riuer desired to know of Palmerin whether he trauailed for quoth he I neuer sawe man whom I had greater desire to serue then you Dwarffe answered Palmerin I nowe iourneie towarde the Court of Macedon to the King where I hope to find the Prince Florendos who is accounted one of the woorthiest Knights in the world and by his hande I desire to be knighted if I may And after you haue receiued your order said the Dwarffe I hope you will not be so vnwise to hazard the aduenture wherein so manie haue failed and lost their liues What aduenture is that quoth Palmerin To goe to the Mountaine Aâ—tifaeria said the Dwarffe in hope to kill the Serpent which hath béene the death of so manie valiant Knights And what occasion said Palmerin mooued them to fight with the Serpent That will I tell you answered the Dwarffe The King Primaleon father to the Prince Florendos whom you séeke thrée yéeres since fell into a verie strange disease for which no remedie can yet be found notwithstanding the dilligent endeuours of the Quéene and Ladie Arismena her Daughter one of the fairest and most vertuous Princesses that euer was hearde of who séeing her Father in such daungerous estate hath often assembled the best Phisitions in the whole worlde who haue practised al possible means to recouer his health yet hither to all hath béene to no purpose Whereupon she sent to an auncient Knight the most skilfullest in the arte of Nigromancie this daie liuing who returned this answere that he should neuer bee healed except hee bee first washed with the water of a Fountaine which standeth on the top of the Mountaine Artifaeria whether fourtimes a yere resort three Sisters Magitians of the Isle Carderia to gather vertuous Hearbes which there they wash and wherof they frame all their enchantments This place is so defended by the Monster wherof I tolde you that no man as yet durst approche it Which newes when the Princesse Arismena vnderstood hoping by strength of men to recouer the water and vanquish the Beast leauied a great number of Souldiours well appointed who were no sooner entered the Mountaine but the Serpent came furiouslie foorth of his Den throwing fire and smoake out of his mouth and beating his winges togeather with such terror as the very hardiest durst passe no further but were all glad to take themselues to flight yet coulde they not depart with such expedition but the greater part of them paid their liues for their bolde attempt the Mountaine was so stored with Lions Beares Wolues Harts Tygres Ounces and other wild rauenous Beastes that deuoured them Nowe at length manie Knights haue tryed themselues in this aduenture thinking by their Prowesse to performe more theÌ„ the other but all the worse for not one of them returned backe againe aliue And why goes not the Prince Florendos him selfe said Palmerin that is estéemed yâ— most valiant Knight thorow all Greece Alas Sir said the Dwarffe some other matter hath so drowned his minde in mellancholique as he liues like one that dispiseth himselfe While the Dwarffe continued his discourse the desire of honour and renowne did so liuelie touche the spirit of Palmerin as he said to him selfe It may be that Arismena was the Lady which in my sléeping thoughts visited mee so often if the Destinies haue vowed her mine why should I feare the Serpent or all the other Beastes wherewith this Dwarffe doth so terrifie me Haue not I slaine a Lyon alreadie with a staffe Tush the more daunger is in the place the more honor depends vpon the victory If I leaue my life there I am not the first if I returne with conquest I shall be beyonde anie yet in fortune therefore fall out as it will no perrill shall dismaie me from giuing the aduenture whereupon he sayd to the Dwarffe But tell me my Freende hee that bringes the water from the Mountaine to the King what aduauntage shall he deserue My Lord quoth hee it hath beene manie times published that his rewarde shall be the best Cittie in all this Relame Sée then Dwarffe said Palmerin one man more will hazarde his life in this enterprise albeit I should receiue but thanks for my frauaile wylt thou goe with me That will I aunswered the Dwarffe if you please and neuer will I forsake you while breath is in my bodie Thus set they on till they came to the great Cittie of Macedon at what time Florendos was gone to the Temple in such heauines as he séemed a man of another world béeing accompanied with manie Knights and his faire Sister the Ladie Arismena to whom Palmerin boldlie addressed himselfe and as though hee had beene a Courtier all his life time with séemelie modestie he set his knée to the grounde before her and thus began Madame I humbly â—eséeche you to vouchsafe mee one request which well you may not denie me in that I am a Straunger as also in respect of the desire I haue to doo you seruice And trust me Sir quoth shée you shall not bee refused what is it you woulde haue me doo for you That at your request said Palmerin the Prince Florendos your Brother wyll giue me my Knighthoode Arismena seeing Palmerin so amiable and well disposed of bodie meruailed of whence hee was and said In good sooth Sir such matter nothing appertaineth vnto me for as I iudge such a motion shoulde procéede from your selfe yet taking him by the hande shee presented him to her Brother saying I pray you my Lord graunt to this yonge Gentleman as yet not knighted the thing he hath desired mee to demaunde Florendos hauing not as yet behelde him looked vppon him when an excéeding passioÌ„ presenting the Princesse Griana to his thoughts suddainlie touched him and béeing rapt into more conceite of ioy then he had béene accustomed demaunded of Palmerin if he would be made Knight With right good wyl my Lorde quoth he if it shall like you to doo me so much honor for aboue all thinges els it is my onelie desire My freende said Florendos it is necessarie I should first know whether you be noble borne or no. My Lord quoth Palmerin as yet I neuer knewe my Father or
and after he had long lyued in rest and prosperitie hee dyed leauing the yong Prince Netrides fiftéene yéere olde and in the custodie of his elder brother Tarisius This Netrides growing in good constitution of bodie and behauiour béeing well beloued generally so gracious gentle and well gouerned he was as the Lords Knights Gentlemen the people of Hungaria esteemed him more then their King Tarisius who béeing crowned after his fathers decease loued Netrides as brotherhoode required till Fortune enuious of this concorde not willing that the vertues of this yong Prince should be there extingushed changed his affection into excéeding hatred by an occasion héereafter following One daie the King Tarisius walking in his Garden to take the ayre left his Brother Netrides in his Chamber accompanied with the Quéene who without imagination of any harme nor that his fatall staâ—s woulde sort him anie mis-fortune sactte downe in the Kings chayre as he talked with the Quéene and continued there so long till Tarisius came vp and founde him there sitting which he tooke in such ill part as in a great rage he thus begaâ—me Who made thée so audacious and presumptuous to sitte in my seate against thy duety and my liking By mine honor thou hast doone more then thou wéenâ—st and if I sée the like againe or I may but heare thereof thy heade shall pay the price of thy folly Netrides who of his owne nature was humble and gentle fell downe on his knée intreating the King his Brother to pardon him for what hee had doone was not with any intent to displease his Maiestie but an ouersight and that so he would permit it to passe The King made him no aunswere because hee tooke Netrides reasons for no payment but conceiued a secret hatred in his minde by this occasioÌ„ of so slender moment which increased thence forward as the matter prouoking a fierie Meteore so that he did repine at his Brother so much as he would not speak to him nor affoorde him a good countenaunce Then called he to remembraunce the loue of his people towardes hys Brother and if this hatred should come to their knowledge for so small a cause he imagined they woulde displace him and make Netrides King For which cause hee intended to haue him slaine and the execution â—â—reof hee committed to one of his Archers but God who is euermore the preseruer of the innocent would not suffer such a damned déede of paracide to take effect Which Tarisius perceiuing and finding one day his Brother alone enflamed with this dyscontented humour sayd Netrides thou hast offended mee more then I will now stand to argue on I therefore banish thée my Court and Kingdome and looke that within three daies thou get thée hence and on thy life not to discouer it to any man or take any one with thée to beare thée coÌ„pany The yong Prince obedient to his Brother made answere that he wold accomplish his charge and so withdrew himselfe into his Chamber not declaring to any one hys cause of heauines Then willing one of his Squires to saddle hys Horse departed so closely as he coulde forbidding anie of his Seruaunts to follow him and such expedition he made as not resting but one night in any lodging he left his brothers kingdome wandering without anie care of himselfe or which way he tooke but went héere and there as fortune pleased to guide him Hauing long time trauailed in Alâ—lemaigne his money fayled him in that at his departure hee was but badlie prouided yet could not his priâ—celie minde abase it selfe to begge so yâ— béeing without meate or drink or anie place to rest himselfe in ashamed of himselfe hee sought to shroude him where none might discrye him and so entring a great Forrest very thicke set with Trées shrubs and bushes hee estéemed this a conuenient place to rest in wherefore alighting from his Horse and turning him to féede layd himselfe downe at the roote of a Trée and thus began to breathe foorth his complaints Ah inconstant Fortune and to me most of all inconstant didst thou erecte me so high and reiect mee nowe thus lowe well then may I saie that more wrong thou doost a man in one houre then right all his life time for it héeretofore thou diddest lende me pleasure and delight thou nowe makest me pay for it and that with vsury too rigorous not leauing anie hope to comfort mee Ah tirranous King cruell and vnmanlike Brother thou hast with shame banished me and brought me into this poore estate wherein I must die Oh happy if I might rather then to liue in the vile estate of beggery So saying he layde him downe among the Hearbes and was supprised with such extreame féeblenes as he fell into his lamentations againe thus Ah my Lord and Father too soone diddest thou leaue me woulde God I then had borne thée company or that at this instant I could come to thee Ah men of Hungâ—ria I am well assured knowing the loue you euer bare me that you will pittie when you heare my afflictions and calamities alas I neuer deserued this vnhappy ende And béeing vnable to continue longer spéeche he there determined to finish his life But better fortune befell him then he expected by the meanes of an auncient Knight named Lombardo who béeing néere hearde all his dolorous complaints This Knight béeing rich and of noble blood had neere that Forrest a strong delightfull and sumptuous Castell and delighted to walke among the woods for his recreation as good hap it was fore Netrides that he walked this euening He hearing these sad and sorrowfull regrets pittie so touched his hart as the teares bedewed hys â—héekes yet would he not trouble him while he continued his mones but afterward came and tooke him by the hand saying Arise my Freende and take courage for you are in the place where you shall finde more good to benefit you then harme to offende you therefore cherish your spirites and forget this heauines which may endaunger you beyond recouerie Netrides séeing this honourable Gentlemanne with his bearde so white as snowe hearing his courteous offer and for him nowe so necessary with ioy feare bashfulnes all coupled togeather accepted it and humbly thanked him albeit quoth he a contented death is better to me them a miserable and dispised life The Knyght comforting him aunswered that it was not in his power to chuse lyfe or death but the founder of the heauens reserued that authoritie in his owne handes With these wordes hee tooke him by the hand and conducted him to his Castell where he was worthilie entertained by the Knight himselfe his Ladie and her Daughter one of the fairest Uirgins in all that Country Lombardo hauing heard all his mis-fortunes and hard aduentures in the night discoursed the whole to hys Ladie wherefore good Wife quoth he entertaine him so well as may be for I assure you he is discended of high degrée and if his manners and vertues bee
were in yâ— same predicament for he knowing her to be of the noble and auncient ligne beside sole heyre to the house of Saxon might count himselfe highly honored with such a Wife and therefore the like coniunction was made betwéene them so that nowe these Knights and Ladies were espoused before God there wanted nothing but the ceremonie of yâ— Church to confirme it But nowe comes Vrbanillo and hee breakes of this pleasure because yâ— time was so farre spent as they must néeds depart which with much a doo they did leauing their Ladies examining theyr content the Princesse soone after thus conferring with Brionella Alas faire Fréende it is doubtfull what danger maie arise because you haue contracted your selfe to Ptolome without the Emperors consent howe will you answer when you are charged with the fault Brionella who now feared nothing but the preuenting of her loue aunswered In sooth Madame you speake with great reason you nowe giue counsell when the déede is doone and cannot bee reuoked till it be dispatched woulde you haue all the good fortune your selfe and suffer your Freende to enioy no part with you trust mee that is vnconscionable dealing for he that made you to loue framed me of the selfe same mettall But I sée you make the occasion to me to learne howe to aunswere your owne déede let vs referre all to him Madame that appointed your choise by destinie and mine by mine owne lyking Manie other pleasaunt spéeches passed betwéene them and diuers times their Knights came to visite them till Fortune who will neuer suffer thinges long in one estate sent an occasion to hinder this delight of theyr loue for there was a Messenger come to the Courte from the King of Norvvay Nephew to the Emperour who beeing admitted audience thus deliuered his message Woorthie Lord the King of Norvvay my Maister requires your assistaunce in his great distresse against the King of England who with a mightie and puissaunt Armie is entered his dominions where he hath made great wast slaughter of his people in diuers skirmishes and conflicts passed betweene them so that he neuer had likeâ—néede as at this instant Trust me quoth the Emperour I will assiste him with right good will and his mis-fortune dooth not a little gréeue me but I will take order for it immediatlie and my power shall be with him so soone as possiblie maie be with which aunswere the Messenger departed Nowe as concerning the cause of these warres betwéene the Kings of Norway and England it was procured by displeasure of succor that the King of Norway gaue to the King of Scots his Brother who helde warre with England about the taking of certaine Shippes the Emperour likewise his heauie enemie and for that cause he promised helpe so soone to yâ— King his Nephew Which when Trineus vnderstoode that his Father declared himselfe displeased with the Father of his beloued Agriola whose loue no occasion coulde alter hee was greatlie discontented yet dissembling his conceit determined rather to aide the King of Englande then his Cozin and therefore intreated Palmerin to accompanie him to his Chamber where hee woulde acquaint him with some part of the sorrow he conceiued by the succour his Father would sende to the King of Norvvay against her Father whose Seruant he had vowed himselfe and therfore quoth he let me desire you to conceale a request I shall make to you You knowe my Lorde said Palmerin that I will no lesse obey you then the Emperour your Father commaund therefore what you please and be it in my power it shal be executed So it is quoth Trineus that I woulde haue you not accompanie the power my Father sendes by Sea but doo so much for me that you Ptolome my selfe vnknown to anie may assist the King of England in his warres by which meanes I doubt not to compasse the thing I most of all desire And this I dare tell you that my life is only dedicated to her seruice and so well doo I hope to imploye my paines that she shall haue cause to loue me and regard the paine I suffer for her sake and but I gaine the fortune to to purchase my loue right soone suddaine shall you heare of my death You that haue felt the like torments can censure of mine which I dare not impart to the Emperor my Father because of the hatred hee beares the King of England aduise mee therefore good Fréende what I shall doo These spéeches were nothing pleasing to Palmerin seeing he must nowe againe depart from his Ladie but because he earnestly affected Trineus and knew how wel he might helpe him in his loue answered Assure your selfe my Lord that I will labour dissigentlie for your good and shall assist you to my vttermost in that you beare such loue to yâ— Princesse And I am of the opinion that hauing receiued the order of knighthood which the Emperour your Father wyll not denie it woulde auaile you much to tell your Father howâ— you desire vnknowne to aide the King of Norway For my part if he demaunde my aduise I will like it so well as because the Annie cannot bee readie so soone your honor Ptolome and my selfe will ryde before towards the King and so may we accomplish what you so earnestlie desire This counsell pleased so well Trineus as he intended on the morrow to request his order of the Emperor as also how gladlie he wold assist yâ— King of Norway and howe necessary it was for him to goe before the Armie as Palmerin and he had deuised togeather CHAP. XLIIII Howe Triâ—eus was knighted and what happened to him afterward ON the morrow this yong Prince seeing that to accomplishe his intent it was ecessarie hee shoulde be knighted he gaue attendaâ—ce to finde the Emperour at leysure when he might sollicite his highnesse with his sute and vnderstanding that hee was walking in his Gallerie hee went to him and on his knée thus began Dreade Lâ—rd and Father so pleased your Maiâ—stie it is nowe time I shoulde receiue my order of Khighthoode and more necessâ—â—y now then at any of her time in respecte of my earnest desire to aide the King of Norway my Gozin in his warres The Emperour meruailing whence this humour shoulde procéede answered Why Trineus doo you thinke your selfe able to take so waightie a charge in handâ— truely such honor is soone receiued but to maintaine it as it ought to be and preuent the dangers incident therto is more hard then you weene and maketh proofe of the most couragious 〈◊〉 in that neither paine â—eare or danger must hinder what a matter of so great consequence dooth command And perswade your selfe that such as councelled you thereto knowe â—â—aut theÌ„selues their duetie in those affayres wherefore for a 〈◊〉 haue patience and referre it 〈…〉 abilitieâ— for I wil send good store of other Knights in this expedition who shall well excuse you to yâ— King my Nephew 〈◊〉 not contented with this
nowe set forwarde to Corfania where wee will make you better entertainement then we can héere in the field Then mounted they all on horsebacke and rode to Corfania where the King remained till he and his Knights were better recoueced and where the King made the Duke of Tintriel high Marshall of England committing to his charge sixe thousand men commaunding him to chase all the Scots foorth of his Kingdome wheresoeuer he could find them and to seaze to his highnes vse the Townes and Casâ—elles which they before had in vse which the Duke executed with such expedition as hee left not a Scot in anie Uillage or Hamlett placing faithfull Officers for the King in euerie iurisdictioÌ„ During these labours of the Duke the King euery daie visited these thrée Knights and finding Palmerin at a time coÌ„uenient he requested to knowe of whence hee was and the names of his companions Let me intreate you ê™ hee not to hide your selues form me because I shall not be in quiet till I know that I may remunerate your deserts according to your persons Palmerin who feared to bee discouered coulde not readilie deuise what aunswere to make yet at length in great humilitie thus said We would desire your Maiestie that it might stande with your good liking at this time to excuse the knowledge of our present affaires as also what wee are yet thus farre will I resolue your highnes that we are all Gentlemen of Greece nourished in the Court of the King of Macedon who in séeking strange adueÌ„tures haue trauailed manie prouinces and nowe at length came into your Kingdome wel stored at this time with Knights errant and gouerned as wee well perceiue by a King so gracious as to such persons alloweth honor and good affection as no King where we yet haue come doth the like For this cause my Lord as also vnderstanding that the King of Scots menaced warre against you came we into your Countrey to serue you in all obeysaunce as the verie simplest among your Souldiers Trust me said the King I haue wel noted your seruice and a man might bee deceiued in expecting better assistaunce for which I rest yours in ought I may while I liue but if you would name your selues then should I knowe to whom I were indâ—bted as also that my Subiects might honor you accordinglie That ê™ Palmerin will neither profit or preiudice your Maiestie let suffise then I beséeche you the vnfeigned good will and seruice we owe to your highnes The King séeing hee coulde not gette what he would changed his talke saying Was it you Sir that on the daie of battell was armed all in blacke Yea my Lord said Palmerin and this Knight pointing to Trineus is my Brother who shéelded you from daunger against the King of Scots Ah déere Fréends quoth the King this made me so importunate may it like you to stay in my Courte I will regard you according to your especiall deseruings as the onelie Knights of the worlde in my fauour yeelding thankes to heauen for the good I haue receiued by your meanes Humblie did the thrée Knights regratiate the King promising for a while to soiourne with him CHAP. XLIX How the Queene of England was aduertised of the victorie against the King of Scots and the ouerthrowe of his whole Armie AFter the King of Englande had sent tidinges to the Quéene of his good fortune and the honour he intended to the thrée Knights of Greece the Messenger was so spéedâ—e as the seconde daie following he arriued at the Cittie wher the Quéene kept her Court and presented her the Letters from the King her Husbandâ— reciting the whole manner of the battell with the rare exployts of the thrée Greciaâ— Knights and how one of them preserued the Kings life omitting nothing that was néedfull to be reported as how the King intended to come with the thrée Knights in great royaltie to London and therfore she shoulde prouide equall entertainment The Queene highlie contented with these newes demanded of the Messenger if hee knewe the thrée Knightes that gaue such assistance to the King No indéede Madame answered yâ— Messenger neither did I sée them but at the time I was dispatched with my message Agriola finâ—ing in herselfe the puissaunce of the little God that made looâ—e suddainlie suspected that these Knights were they which shee sawe at the Chappell and therefore saide I pray thée tell mee my Fréend what Armes beare the Knights One of them Madame quoth he the verie best Knight in the worlde is in Gréene Armour and that is he that saued the King your fathers life when the King of Scots had néere slaine him but he remounted my Lord giuing his enemy such a dangerâ—us wound with his Launce as it was greatlie doubted he had kild him he lost so much blood and this was one of the principall occasions of our victorie This Knights companion in Blacke Armour behaued himselfe with wonderfull chiualrie for as a Lion makes hauock in a heard of Cattell so did he cut slashe mangle the Scots as the very hardiest durst not abide before him The third is in Black Armor sparckled all ouer with white Roses a Knight of no lesse courage then his companions and one that fought for England with incredible prowesse Let me die said Agriola to yâ— Quéene if these be not the Knightes that past by this Cittie when we went to the Chappell to performe our exercise therwithall she rehearsed what spéech her Gouernesse had with them and what she commaunded them In sooth Daughter quoth the Quéene your Gouernesse and you may well bee blamed for the slender account you made of them I praye you therefore when they returne let your former faulte be sufficientlie recompenced That shall I not fayle to doo said Agriola So the Quéene honorablie rewarded the Messenger sending him backe with answer that the Kings charge should be effectuallie executed The King aduertised of the Quéenes replie set forwarde with the Knightes of Greece and his traine to the Courte and by the way remembring the power sent by the Emperour of Allemaigne to the King of Norway he said to Palmerin I cannot sufficienlie maruaile gentle Knight why the Emperor should declare himselfe mine enemie and giue assistance to the King of Norway against mee considering I neuer did any thing might deserue his displeasure but I sweare by the faith of a king that I will reuenge my wrong and let him asâ—ure himselfe that while I haue one foote of ground or a dozen of my Soldiâ—rs to helpe me I will neuer haue peace with him to mollest me so within mine owne dominions by God my Freends I cannot forget it These words greatlie displeaâ—â—â— Trineus but especially Palmerin who answered In my opinion my Lord the Emperour did but reason and as duetie bound him in respect he could not honestly refuse to aide the King of Norway his Cosin and hereof I can assure you in that I haue sometime béene in his
Court that hée is one of the wisest and best gouerned Princes that euer I heard of Wherefore bee it spoken vnder correction your Maiestie should forget this light offence and consider if the like had béene towards you you would haue done no lâ—sse When the King heard him to support the Emperors cause he presently iudged him to be of his Course and therefore sayd Are you he Sir that woonne such honor and renowne in Fraunce at the combat maintained by the Prince Lewes for the loue of his Ladie If you be so I pray you do not denie it for I shall henceforth thinke my Court most happie to harbour the most excellent among all Knights and I promise you I am so iealous of mine owne conceyte as you can hardly pâ—â—swade mee otherwise such experience haue I made of your bountie and vertue Palmerin blushing at thâ—se worâ—es and doubting he should nowe be certainlye knowne answered Wee humbly intreate your Maiestie héeretofore and so we doo now againe that you would not enquire whence we are sufficeth your highnesse that wee are his humble Seruants in any thing that shall like him to commaunde vs. The King this hearing repented himselfe that hee had béene so importunate for hée feared least his spéeches would make them forsake his company wherfore by this time béeing come neere his Pallace hée sayde What I haue sayd Gentlemen I hope shall not offend you in my excuse admit my earnest desire to know you By and by ouertooke them the Duke of Tintriel who went to restore the Crowne as you haue heard what the Scots vsurped and he aduertised the King that the Quéene and her Ladies were ridden to a Castle foure miles from London to sollace themselues whereupon the king resolued to rydâ— thither Whereof the Prince Trineus was not sorie such was his desire to sée his faire Fréend whose loue still crossed him with so many passions as hée séemed a man of another world and did not his woundes sâ—rue somewhat to couer his disease hardly could he haue sounde any shift to conceale it so closely wherefore he beganne with Palmerin thus You knowe my chosen friend that the hope of my loue made me leaue my fathers court and to preuent my meaning consists onely in you now in respect of my forcible captiuitie béeing vnprouided of strength sence or any meane to discouer my loue to her who only can helpe mée I intreate you by the inuiolable league of our amitie that when you chaunce to speake with the Goddesse of my life my paines and anguishes may serue for my salutations and imparting to her the extreamitie of my sorrowes shee may perceiue in what estate I am and what néede I haue of her gracious pittie These wordes were deliuered with such sighs and teares as Paâ—merin was amazed thereat albeit hee knewe howe heauy the burthen was and howe it excéeded patience in suffering comparing his absence from his mistresse Polinarda to be as insupportable as the presence of Agriola not daring to speake to her was to Trineus whereupon he answered My Lord repose your trust in this matter on me which I doubt not to handle in such sort as you shall haue no cause to be mal content or the Princesse any reason to be ingratefull But what thinke you if my Dwarfe did carrie this message in my opinion through the whole world you could not finde a more fitte fellow such is his subtile and present inuention as hee wil prooue the onely string to your bowe Alas sayd the prince I care not who were imployed héerein so I were sure of comfort Then was the dwarfe called to whom Palmerin in this sort began It is wel knowne to thée Vâ—banilâ—o with what good will I would do any seruice I could to my Lord Trineus as well for the incomparable kindnes I haue receiued of my Ladie his Sister as for the affiâ—â—tie I hope shall one day be betwéene vs by his meanes So â—ften haue I made experience of my loyall seruice and fidelitie in my chiefest and very nâ—erâ—st affayres as well may I impart to thée the secrets of my noble companion pâ—rswading my self of thy suretie and secrecie It now remaines that thou pleasure the Prince Trineus in breaking his loue to the Princessâ— Agriola as thou diddest for me to my Mistresse Polynarda but aboue all things haue regard that thou bewray not of whence or what we are yet must thou assure her that the Prince is one of the greatest Lords in Europe My Lord quoth the Dwarffe I was neuer yet disobedient to you in all my time and very loath were I now to beginne but because I am such a little writhen fellowe you make me your Broker in these perillous loue matters Notwithstanding I will doo it though I died for it esteeming my life well bestowed to pleasure such Princes There can no inconuenience arise hereby to thee quoth Palmerin but profite euerie way be not enemie then to thine owne good That will I neuer sayd the Dwarffe and well might the Ladie be iudged vnprouided of reason and verie farre from vnderstanding if she make refusall of the Princes honourable offer the King himselfe if he knew it woulde imagine his dayâ—s blessed the issue then of this enterprise can not but sort to good The Dwarffes wordes pleased so well Trineus as he tooke him in his armes saying I commend my selfe and my happinesse to thée Let me alone quoth Vâ—banillo if I bring you not hearbes that shall coole this hote feuer then let me neuer bee counted for a tall man so went he about it as you shall vnderstand hereafter Chap L. How the King of England went to the Castle to the Queene and her Ladies and of the honourable entertainment made to the three strange Knights NEwes béeing brought to the Quéene â—hat the King was not farre off shée sent a verie honourable traine to méete him and with them his sonne the yong Prince Fredericke ten yéeres olde but beautifull and of such perfection as promised great hope in time to come Hée hauing made reuerence to his Father and the other Princes demaunâ—ed for the straunge Knightes and saluting them with such kindnesse as was rare in a Childe he rode betwéene Trineus and Palmerin giuing them harty thanks for theyr fréendly succour to his Father without which sayd hée as the Quéene my Mother tolde mee hée had dyed and wée all béene distressed By this tyme they were come to the Castell all the way so thicke pâ—stered with people as there was no roome to stirre among them euerie one crying Happie be the Knights that foyled our enemyes So entring the Castell in the vttermost Court they mette the Quéene and her Ladyes among whom fayre Agriola shyned as beautifull Venus among the other starres wherewith the Prince of Allemaigne was so nipt in the head as an offâ—nâ—our with his guilt before a Iudge so that not regarding what yong Fredericke or the other Lords courteouslie sayd to him he
towards them so fast as his Horse could gallop Palmerin doubting some vnhappy chaunce and remembring his dreame said to the king Neuer credit mée my Lord if this squire come not to you about some speciall affaires as well maye be gathered by his spéedie pace At these words the GentlemaÌ„ came to the king reporting how the Giant Franarco Lord of the castle of Carbones since his departure came to his Tents and from thence had violently taken the Quéene and her Daugter Agriola notwithstanding the resistance of manie knights who striuing to defend her lost their liues The King with these words strooken in wonderfull gréefe said Ah Gentlemen this villainous Traytor hath notoriously wroâ—ged vs. How is it possible to recouer them againe before they be dishonoured Trineus and Paâ—merin mooued at these newes asked the Squire which way he went with the Quéen and her Daughter In truth my Lord quoth he I cannot tell yée which way he tooke we all were so troubled and misused by his traine except they went along the Forrest and so are gone to the next village Then Palmerin clasping on his Helmet and snatching his Launce from his Dwarfe Galloped amaine after the Giant not speaking a word to Trineus who accompanied with Ptolome rode apace after him and as they passed by the Quéenes Tent they saw the Ladies and gentlewomen heauily lamenting especially Eufemia the chéefe companion to the Princesse Agriola Diuers Knights beside armed themselues to pursue the Giant but Trineus not a little enraged followed the tracke of the horse demaunding of all he met if they saw the villaine that had stolen away the Ladies As concerning this Giant Franarco you must note that hee was the cruellest tyrant and most notable fellon in all the Realme hauing a dayes iourney from the Forrest where the King hunted a Castle so well fortefied and furnished with munition and all things necessarie as in England was not the like which was left to him by the death of his Father who forciblie tooke it from a Lorde his neighbour and diuers other places especially the Isle Magdalen There succéeded â—e the royall dignitie after the death of the elder Brother who as you haue heard was slaine in the battaile by Palmerin and hée vnderstanding the death of the king of the Isle Magdalen was so â—ighlie displeased yâ— although he had alwaies before boorne allegeaunce to the king hée nowe solemnly swore to reuenge his Brothers death béeing so feared of the whole Countrey as none durst enterprise to deale with him So to reuenge the slaughter of his eldest Brother with diuers of his kindred and Fréendes likewise â—layne in the battaile he strengthened himselfe with thirtie hardie knightes intending to displease the king so much as hee coulde And hearing yâ— he was comming to London to feast the knights that were the cause of this victory but chéefely him that slewe his brother came with his coÌ„pany this way in hope to finde them all vnprâ—uided And coâ—ming that morning the king was gone on hunting hée â—ound these hée desired to méete withall for the hatred he bare them thinking himselfe sufficiently reuenged if hée could carry away with him the Quéene and her Daughter which he accomplished to his owne desire causing them mount vp behinde two of his Knights The gentlemen that were left to kéepe the Quéene companye offended to sée such villany offered theyr Ladie and Mistresse defended her so well as they could but all auayled not against the Giant and his power because they were armed and they with the Quéene were vnprouided so that a number of them were slaine and sore wounded and more had béene but that he feared the return of the King which made him in hast ride thence with his spoyle sending them somewhat before and loytering behind himselfe to fight with anie that shuld come to reskew them Trineus hauing gotten the sâ—ght of them came passing to the Giant saying Stay trayterous théefe for thou maist not so cary her away that is worthy the greatest lord in the world With these words they ran fiercely togither Trineus giuing the Giant a sore wound on the shoulder but the Prince reâ—eiued such a mightie stroke from the Giant as he fell froÌ„ his Horse with his héeles vpward Palmerin béeing not far off and doubting least the Prince had béene slaine came in a great rage to Franarco saying Monstrous enemie to menhoode who made thée so saucie to lay violent hands on Ladies of such account by my Sworde villaine I shall make thée déerely to pay for thy folly So couching theyr Launces they met togither the Giant fayling but Palmerin gaue him a shrewd wound on his body and their horsses roughly shouldring one another as their masters were both thrâ—wn to the ground Franarco béeing heauie and vnweldie had such a fall as easily he could not recouer himselfe Palmerin nimbly getting vp againe gaue the Giant such a wound on his right legge as the flesh hung downe pittifully to beholde The Giant béeing not able to stande any longer on that leg set his knée to the ground béeing glad to defend the strokes of Palmerin who reached him such a sound blowe on the forehead with the hils of his sworde as the Giant fell along on his backe when Palmerin soone setting his foote on his breast with his Sword deuided his heade from his shoulders During this fight Trineus Ptolome made after the Quéene and her Daughter whome the Giants Knights droue cruelly before them Nowe was it a matter well worthy memory to sée the braue behauiour of these two Knights but cheefely of Trineus before his swéete Mistresse whose presence endued him with such exceeding courage as hée thought himselfe able to conquer the whole world and therefore sufficient for all them were they as manie more in number But strength dooth not alwaies equall courage and louers thinke more then they are able to doo as to Trineus perill it had now fallen out but that a companie of the Kings Knights arriued whereupon began a hote encounter betwéene them and Trineus comming to the Knight yâ— had Agriola behinde him set him soone beside his horse with his neck broken in his fall so that the princesse getting forth of the throng and séeing her beloued so valiant in prowesse bâ—twéene ioy and gréefe she said Ah happie Knight the mirror of all such as follow armes I desire thy fortune may prooue such as thou thy company may haue victory ouer these traytors Now may I bée well assured of the loue thou bearest me for which if we may escape this hard brunt perswade thy selfe not to passe vnrecompenced Trineus hearing the words of Agriola was enflamed with such a spirite of conquering desire as breaking in among the thickest his strokes gaue witnes he fought for a wife But the Giants Knights were men of such proofe as the fresh sâ—pply that came were all wel-néere slaine and doubtlesse the rest had borne them company but that the
friendly commers in all which time there wanted no sports delights as such times rnd occasions do necessarily require Nowe came all the Princes Lords and renowned Knights in England to the Court except the Duke of Gaule who excused himselfe by the warre in his owne prouince which yet was not the chéefest cause of his absence but the shame hée reputed to himselfe for his foyle in Fraunce when hée entred the Combatte for the beautie of the fayre princesse Agriola These knights thus worthily intreated they were at no time denied entrance into the King and Quéenes Chambers by which meanes Trineus might when himselfe pleased conferre with the Princesse till this instant among all other the prince thus began to his Ladie and Mistresse You may easily presume swéete madam what secret Conbattes I continually endure for your loue and no helpe is expected but the onely hope of your fauour which as you haue promised to my especiall friend Sir Palmerin I doubt not but you will perseuer in that gracious opinion and what promise hee hath made of my seruice to you thinke not but I obserue with religious care deuotion though not sufficient to equal your deserts yet because ingratitude shal not insult against me So many thanks quoth the Princesse I returne you my Lord as good opinions can bee imagined betwéene vs both and accounting you for my friende which is a higher degrée I héere discharge you of my seruice and mine honour guarded from blame I shall iudge my selfe happie to yéelde you any content which I will fulfill notwithstanding any daunger towardes mee But I praye you tell mée my Lord what is the intent of your loue in this action Madame quoth the Prince Syr Palmerin who is nowe come to beare vs companie shall crediblie enforme you so please you to rest contented therewith Palmerin thus entred and imagined theyr talke was not about affayres of Merchandise wherefore hée sayde to the Princesse God spéede you Madame pardon mée I should call you Ladie and Wife to the Prince of Allemaigne for I doubt not but you haue chosen him your Husband in heart Agriola blushing and smyling â—eereat made no aunswere Wherefore Palmerin went forward in this manner In faith Madame if you haue doone so I would counsell you to accomplish it presenâ—lie and prouide to go with vs to Allemaigne where the Emperour will entertaine you with such gracious fauour as you will not loose if you beare the minde of a Princesse beside you shall be the meane of euerlasting peace betwéene the King your Father and his Maiestie To which wordes Agriola thus discréetly answered I promise you my Lord there is no Prince thys daye lyâ—ing whome I would more gladlie accept for my Husband then the Prince Trineus notwithstanding for mée to departe without the knowledge of the King or Quéene my Parents is an acte in mine opinion farre dissenting from duetie and honest reporte Therefore my Lord louing myne honour as you say you doo I pray you let our behauiour be with better wisdome least we both fall into dangers not râ—couerable Palmerin perceyuing Agriola contrary to the most necessary occasion vsed such arguments and played so well the Oratour that the poore Princesse had no power to resist considering the great loue shee bare the Princâ— Trineus which made her yeelde more easily to his perswasions so that shée agréed to accomplish their determination and depart with them towards the Realme of Allemaigne Tâ—ineus ioyes nowe excéeded measure and Palmerin for his sake was no lesse contented in respect hee should the sooner sée his mistresse Polinarda whose very rememberaunce gaue him life as the ayre doth the Camelion But fortune beholding each thing prosper as liked their fancies woulde nowe néedes beginne to play her Pagant crossing them with the vnhappiest stratageme that euer could happen to so noble Princes as in the sequell shall bée laxgely discoursed They little expecting such a chaunce are earnestly following their serious enterprise which was secretly to carrie Agriola with them into Allemaigne for which purpose they prouided shippes and skilfull Pilots to conduct them conueying all their necessaries abroade at what time this aduenture following happened in the Court of England Chap. LIII Howe in the time of this pleasant and great assembly there came a Damosell to London who desired the king to do her iustice against a knight of his owne Court DUring the time that this royall company continued at London minding nothing but pleasures pastimes and courtly recreations there came a â—amosell so faire as might be accompanied with two auncient knights and a lustie Champion brauely armed with sixe Squires attending on him The Damosell entring the Pallace came before the King and on her knee beganâ—e in this manner Dreade Lorde hauing long time hearde your good iustice towardes your Subiects without any fauour or exception of persons I am the more bolde albeit he that hath iniuried mee is reputed for a Man of good quallity and holdeth place of authority in your Court humbly to craue of your highnesse one request against the most false and disloyall Knight that euer was whom when I but remember more weightie and gréeuous oppressions fall vpon my soule then this wretched body of mine is able to endure Damosell saide the King I shall right gladly reléeue your heauines if it ly in my power to doo it therefore tell mée the cause of your offence and what hée is that hath so wronged you Knowe my good Lorde quoth shée that I loued a Knight so déerelye as contrary to the lyking of my Parents and Fréendes and two much forgetfull of mine owne selfe I tooke him to my Husband thinking he loued mée so faithfully as his shewes and behauiour gaue demonstration But the Traytour had no other meaning then to beguile and falsely deceyue mee for after I hadde made him Lorde of mee mine and brought him to a Castle of mine so strong and fayre as anye in your highnesse dominions the Traytour expulsed mée thence violently pretending that wée were so néere allyed as he might no longer account mee for his Wife Since which time notwithstanding all the humble intreaties I haue made hée will neither restore mée my goods and possessions againe nor yet accepte mee as his espoused Wife Therefore I beséeche you my Lord as becomes a good vertuous Prince for the honour of nobilitie and regarde of womanhoode you will take pittie on a poore distressed Ladye and that in such a rightfull demaunde you woulde doo mée iustice which I had sooner demaunded but coulde not by the occasions of your troublesome warres Ladye sayde the King as yet you haue not named the man that hath offered you this surpassing iniury My Lord quoth shée this is the man in your presence name Miseres a vile Traytour and publique adulterer And if he dare affirme that I haue spoken vntruth I haue héere brought a Knight with mée who by Combatte shall make him confesse his
thy beautie of such value that the Knight to whome my Father and I haue doone so great honours would leaue vs and depart with thée trust meâ— thou art farre from thine account for if thou vauntest to doo him such honor in thy Fathers Courte as his nobilitie deserueth it consisteth in my power to exalt him more in one howre then thou canst doo in a thousand yéeres mightest thou liue so long I did neuer thinke that such audacious and incontinent tempting a man could any way enter thy heart but if such bee thy disposition thou oughtest rather to abide in thy Fathers Courte where thou maist haue leysure to followe thy base affection with some of the 〈◊〉 or youthes attending on thy Father then to offer the 〈◊〉 héere in my Chamber Hence hence foorth of my presence for I will not kéepe company with such an intemperate Woman What regard hadst thou of thy great linage or the place from whence thou art discended Yea what comfort will it be to me when I shall heare that a Ladie issued of the blood royall should bée more shamelesse and impudent then a 〈◊〉 a villaine or an high way begger Many other such like hard spéeches vsed Alchidiana all which gréeued her not so much as to 〈…〉 of him whom she reputed as passionate for her loue as shée was for his These high words of the Princesse caused the Ladies attending on Ardemia to enter the Chamber which maâ—e her then breake off because she woulde not haue euerie one knowe the matter and they séeing their Mistresse so sad and discomforted brought her to her owne Chamber where on her bedde shee sorrowed so impatiently as each one 〈◊〉 she would 〈◊〉 her selfe and faine shée woulde but that their presence hindered her therefore shee deferred it till better opportunitie And because shee had spent the most part of her yonger yéeres in reading the workes of 〈◊〉 as wel Greekes as Arabians she remembred the mouâ—nfull Tragedie of Biblis which caused her to frame a Dittie that shée had translated from the Greeke 〈◊〉 of Sapho into her vulgar spéech and turning towardes her Ladies and Gentlewomen she began in this maner The lamentable Dittie of Ardemia dying for loue MVsenot fayre virgins at Ardemia Although her end be hard and dolorous For death is pleasant as mine elders say To any Ladie sometime amorous For as the Swan in cold Meander glide By mournfull notes foretelles her speedy death So my complaint doth bid me to prouide For sweetest loue makes hast to stop my breath The ill that endlesse and vncessantly Torments my heart is fayre and choysest beautie And this vnhappie awkwarde desteny Falles to my lot through spotlesse loyaltie For fond conceit that ouer-rulde my wit More wretched then fayre Biblis maketh me And he I loue more stony hard is knit Then Caunus who could ken no courtesie Yet Bibliâ— oftentimes could ease her heart By sweete deuising with her louely freend But he I honor recks not of my smart Nor will vouchsafe one gracious looke to lend And as her sorrowes cheefely did arise Because the secrets of her loue were knowne So I reueald each one will me despise VVhich death can stint ere it too farre be blowne Vnhappie wretch that could not this foresee And be more chary of so choyse a thing But all too late I wish the remedie Therefore my folly doth due guerdon bring if loue that is esteemde a power diuine Vnto his Seruaunts giue so sharpereward VVhat merit may vile hatred then resigne Vnto his vassayles that his Lawes regard Oft haue I heard mine auncient elders say That such as loue not are vnwoorthie life Yet doth my loue imagine my decay And throwes my hope into whole worlds of strife And yet the paynes I wish for my mischaunce May not be valued with my present woe For to compare them is meere dalliaunce And neither sence or reason should â— shoâ—e Life is to me lothsome and burdenous All pleasure seemes to mee tormenting hell Ah poore refused and abused thus Must thou needes die for louing all too well O sacred Venus patrâ—nesse of loue In this distresse wilt thou not pittie me And thy fayre Sonne that thus his shaft did proue VVill he forsake me in this ieopardie If you forsake me in this iust request And will not fauour what you did procure Giue leaue to him that bringeth all to rest And he will ease the torments I endure You fatall Sisters that haue spunne my thred And now thinke good it should be cut in twaine Fulfill the taske as you are destenied And let my heart abide no longer paine Come sweetest death expected too too long Ende all the euils vnhappie loue begun If thou delay I challenge thee of wrong Hast then good death that loue and life were done Her complaints thus finished shée commaunded her Ladies to depart the Chamber and being alone by her selfe shee againe began to consider the rigorous refusall of Palmerin the conceit whereof gréeued her so extreamely as also the reproachfull wordes of her Cozin that making a conscience of her sorrowes and raging with extreamitie of this despight brake the vaines of her heart in sunder and the artiries of her bodie as the bloud issued foorth at many places aboundantly and therewithall in short time she was strangled The nxet morning her chéefest Lady that attended on her and loued her excéedingly came to the bedde side to sée how shée fared but finding her dead and so 〈◊〉 with her owne bloud gaue such a loude shrieke as Alchidiana and her Dâ—moselles affrighted at the noyse ranne in all haste to the Chamber The Princesse knowing the cause of this mischaunce was maruellous sorrowfull assuring her selfe that the wordes shée spake in her anger occasioned this bloudie 〈◊〉 And the â—umor of this mishop was so soone spread through the Palace as all the Ladies Damoselles Knightes Squires and other câ—me to beholde the harde fortune of Ardemia What lamentation was made on all sides is not to be expressed especially the Ladies attendant on Ardemia and her Brothâ—r Guâ—â—haran who brought her with him thither but her Gouernesse not able to endure the burthen of her heauinesse without feare of dread of any thus openly complained Ah swéete Princesse Aâ—demia the flowre of beautie howe deare hast thou bought this precious gift for I knowe assuredly that for this cause onely thy death happened vnhappie was the houre when thou didst leaue thy Fathers Court to accompanie the Princesse Alchidiana After her mones and the funerall pompe accomplished the Soldane erected for her a most beautifull Tâ—mbe with a sumptuous Coronet on the toppe thereof being vpheld by two inestimable Pillâ—rs of engrauen and guilded Alablaster the like whereof were neuer séene since the first King of Greece Yet was hée ignorant in the cause of her death and Palmerin not imagining whence this inconuenience did arise was so sorrowfull for the death of the Princesse as day and night hee mourned for her and
that he 〈◊〉 spâ—ken 〈◊〉 of her in the presente of the 〈…〉 with maruailous anger and disdaine returned him this aunswere Amarano the most rash and 〈◊〉 Knight that euer I sawe I wonder howe thy folly could make thée so audacious to come and accuse me of treason against all truth before my Father and his 〈◊〉 But thy spéeches well noted and considerâ—â— shew nothing but carelesse youth 〈◊〉 and too vaâ—nglorious conceit chiefly in this that thou armed 〈◊〉 and accompanied with so many well appoynted Knights commest in this sort to molest a poore maiden who neuer to thée or thine committed any offence but all seruiceable honour especially to her on whose behalfe than offerest the combat As for the valour thou reputest in thy selfe that 〈◊〉 which this slaunder doth encourage thée withall 〈◊〉 thy hartinesse and resolution of heart thou oughtest rather oppose against a Knight able to aunswere thée then a siely Uirgin who hath no weapon but her â—onour wherewith to defende her selfe I confesse I am a Ladie but not traiterous or false as thou auouchest yet of so noble courage as were I of thy sexe thou neuer shouldest depart this Hall before I had that conspyring head from thy shoulders to witnesse thy falshoode and maleuolent spirit Notwithstanding as I am so please my Lorde and Father with a Kitchin cudgell I shall let thée know that thou dotest in thy spéeches and against thine owne conscience chargest me with the murder of my Cozin Examine thy thoughts what likely reason might induce mée to such an offence If shée was fayre thanks to our Gods mine owne talent is so good as I néede not enuie her beautie If shée made account of her rich dowrie I béeing sole heyre to the Signories of the Soldane might iudge my selfe farre beyond her being desired in mariage by many Kings and Princes whereof I am well assured shée neuer had the like I knowe not then what cause should anie way induce me to request her death But what néede I make such prâ—â—estations to thée séeing that by some one of my Fathers 〈◊〉 thy pride will bee abated and I reuenged of the iniurie thou hast doone me Amarano not aunswering her a 〈◊〉 spake to the Soldane in this sort It is not decent my Lord that a Prince or Knight of qualitie should stay on the wordes of a Woman so little considerate who more by anger then vertue thinkes to reprooue and annihilate a 〈◊〉 accusation Wherefore according to the agréement 〈◊〉 determined cal for the knight that dare vndertake the quarrell of your daughter to whom I will manifest in plaine Combat that what I haue said is trueth and if hée bée vanquished your Daughter Alchidiana and he shall bée burned togither as the greatnesse of the offence well deserueth contrariwise if Fortune denie mée successe I will request no other iustice then what shall please you to appoynt for me Maulicus séeing that well he could not denie the Prince though to his gréefe pronouced the sentence that his Daughter that day shoulde present a Knight to sustaine her cause according to his conditions alleaged This hard prescription made neuer a Knight willing to aduenture the Combatte so much they feared Amarano for the great report they heard of his prowesse but stoode all silent as though themselues were condemned to death Alchidiana séeing the courage fayle of so manie Knights whom shée estéemed for men of great account knewe not to whom shée should haue recourse and therefore ouercome with excéeding sorrowe but that her Ladies assisted her had twise or thrise swouned before her Father Palmerin beholding her and knowing that his refusall was greater cause of Ardemiaes â—eath then the iniurious wordes of Alchidiana pityed her estate and hauing before his eyes the loue she bare him the great honours was done him for her sake and the pustillanimitie oâ— the Soldanes Knights was so mooued 〈◊〉 forgetting all daunger and his dissembled dumbnesse which hitherto hée had so cunningly obserued as though he had béene borne in that Countrey hée thus began in the Arabian tongue 〈…〉 vnwoorthie hencefoorth the name of Knights how can your hearts endure that a proude and presumptuous Prince shall come into your 〈…〉 to accuse your Ladie and Mistresse and not one of you daring to defende her right By the celestiall powers 〈◊〉 may you bee accounted heartlesse men and in suffering this wrong to be depriued of all noble titles and to bee solde in the market as slaues and villaines Thinke you the Prince Amarano is come hither for anie other intent then to make tryall of his great hardinesse Can you be destitute of reason and so easily abused as to thinke 〈…〉 Princesse Alchidiana whom nature hath so worthily 〈◊〉 with beautie and with whom no other may make comparison could be prouoked to murther Ardemia for this onely occasion because she was faire And you Lord Amarano for a matter so slender haue you enterprised to blame a Ladie so vertuous as is the Princesse Alchidiana I accept the Combat on her behalfe auouching that shamefully and without reason you haue accused her behold me readie likewise to maintaine in open fielde that falsely and maliciously thou lyest in thy throate in witnesse whereof there is my gage and I beseech your highnesse affoorde vs presently Iudges that may discerne the issue of our Combat I take thy offer quoth the Prince and before the Sun set will giue thée the payment that belongs to such a frollickâ— companion Who can nowe imagine the ioy of Maulicus and his Daughter séeing him whome they reputed 〈◊〉 by nature thus to recouer his spéech assuredly they were all so amazed that they thought Mahomet had come from the 〈◊〉 to performe this myracle The Soldane thus surprised with vnspeakeable comfort forgetting the maiestie of his person 〈◊〉 Palmerin in his armes saying Ah 〈◊〉 Knight hâ—we may this bée dreame I or dooth but my fancie delude me with your spéech O Mahoâ—et for euer bée thou praysed for this great grace By the highest God I am more ioyfull of this good fortune then 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 the fayrest Island in the Mediterâ—â—â—ean Sea Nowe will I dismay â—o longer 〈…〉 Daughters fortune séeing that you take her quarrel in hand and for her sake wil comâ—at with Amarano with all my heart I graunt you the Fielde and thinke that my Daughter will not denie it But tell mée noble Fréend howe you haue so happily recouered your speech Palmerin abashed that hee had so forgotten himselfe knewe not what excuse to make neuerthelesse â—éeing nowe there was no remedie and that the 〈◊〉 throwne could not bée recalled imagineâ— some likely â—â—militude of his suddaine spéech saying I promise you my Lord that the cerâ—itude of your Daughters iâ—â—ocencie and the great griefe I conceyued séeing your Knightes so cowardly and faint in courage mooued mée into such choâ—ler as the Catarrâ— which of long time hath hindâ—red my spéech dissolued it selfe and â—â—th giuen my tongue libertie
to reueale what I was enforced to bewraye before by signes And this is not a thing altogether strange for I haue heretofore read in Histories that a Knight called Aegle Samien dumbe from his byrth when one of his companions would vsurpe the honour of a victorie which iustly appertained to him was so enraged and incensed with displeasure as that very passion with the helpe of the Gods restored his spéech And thus hath it happened to mée for which I honour theyr names with immortall thanks not so much for my speaking as that I may nowe declare my earnest affâ—â—â—ion to do you seruice and fayre Alchidiana your Daughter to whome I am so greatly indebted for the manifolde honours shée hath dooâ—â— mée without dâ—sert as I shall neuer be able to recompence Ah my noble friend quoth the Soldane this liberall offer for the defence of 〈◊〉 Daughters honour contents mée in such sort as both shée and I 〈◊〉 to requite your paines Amarano 〈◊〉 at the braue disposition of Palmerin but specially at the great honour Maulicus did him knew not well what to thinke and did not feare and reproch ouer-rule him I thinke hé◠would haue deferred the Combat till another yéere Notwithstanding to couer his new opinion he be thought him of a pretie subtâ—ltie and saide I beséech your Maiestiâ— to tell mée of whence this dumbe Knight is to whome ouâ— Gods by miracles haue restored such brauing language Iâ— is necessarie that I know what hee is and whence he is discended because the fight béeing enterprises for two such Princesses as sometime was fayre Ardemia and your Daughter present if hée be not the Sonne of a King as â— am hée may not be permitted the Field with me Amarano answered the Soldane I know not what hee is for 〈◊〉 this time hée hath continued dumbe in our Court to him therefore you shall frame your demaund for this opinion I holde of him as hee will answere you nothing but truth but if you go about so craâ—tily to excuse your selfe each one may iudge that in you which but ill beséemes 〈◊〉 of a noble man that is to bee double in your speech And which is more hee béeing a Knight as good as your selfe you may not refuse him because you demaunded the Combat against any Knight in my Court and in your challenge made no exception Perswade your selfe quoth the Prince that if hée be not the sonne of a King hee shall not enter the Fielde against mée therefore if hee bée none such hée hath not to meddle with Armes in this cause and so the fight on his behalfe is finished If thou make such doubt said the Soldane aske him the question thy selfe I hope hee is able to resolue thée in these subtill cauils and sophisticall questions During this contention there entred the Hall a fayre yong Damosell bearing betwéene her handes a goodly Helmet the richest and most beautifull that euer was seene and falling on her knées before the Soldane with such gracious salutations as stood with her dutie shée demaunded which was Amarano of Nigrea who had accused his Daughter and which was likewise the dumbe knight who enterprised her defence Maulicus without any other inquisition shewed them both to her whereupon the Damosell arose and comming to the Prince thus began Amarano of Nigrea the Quéene of Tharsus my Lady and mistresse beeing certaine that this day thou wouldest be in this place sent mée hither to aduertise thée that the dumbe knight is of higher linage then thou art aâ—d such a one he is as the greatest Lorde or Prince may not compare with him in bountie And if thou wilt knowe the certaintie of his discent more then any other as yet dooth shee aduiseth thée for thy profit to desist from the Combat whereto thou hast challenged him in defence of thy false accusation against Alchidiana And further shée doth admonish thée that if thou doost not as shee commandeth the knight late dumbe surpassing all other in knightly chiualrie shall ouercome thée and thou shalt not bee able to stande against him Damosell quoth the Prince you may answere your mistresse that ouerlate shee sent me her counsell and I am not accustomed to giue credit to such sorcerers besides I will not loose mine honour at the simple wordes of a Woman I knowe not And it doth not a little content mee that this knight is such an one as hee should be wherefore being so sure of his bounty I am the more desirous to Combatte with him to make experience of his renowne yet this I still maintaine that what I haue spoken is true and thereon wee will presently enter the Feeld so please the Soldane to giue consent Maulicus séeing the day was too farre spent adiornde if till the day following wherefore the Prince withdrew himselfe to his lodging reposing great confidence in his owne strength and after his departure the Soldane taking Palmerin by the hand sayde I knowe not my Lorde how I may acknowledge the honour you do my Daughter whom I estéeme as mine owne selfe but if the Gods affoord me life I will deuise some rich recompence as I hope shall returne your owne content Then the Damosell sent from the Quéene of Tharsus approching to Palmerin presented him the Helmet saying Noble and vertuous knight the Quéene saluteth you with this taken of her good will in remembraunce of your speciall loyaltie whereby you deliuered the Prince Maurice for which she so much remaineth yours as you shall command her any seruice hence forward albeit she could haue wished him longer torment that proued so vnfaithfull to her She likewise desireth you to weare this Helmet in fight with Amarano for it will greatly auayle you and more then anyother for such is her hope that after you know this present seruice you will not deny her one request which one day shée intendeth to craue of you Palmerin taking the Helmet answered Fayre Uirgin most humbly thanke the Quéene on my behalfe and tell her that wheresoeuer I am she shall finde mée ready to fulfill any thing shee will commaunde The Damosell departed and made such spéede as in short time she came to the Queene her Mistres whom she acquainted with her whole message whereof she was very ioyfull especially of Palmerins great courtesie whom she beganne to affâ—ct very greatly Chap. XII How Palmerin entred the Combat with the Prince Armaâ—ano of Nigrea whom he slew and the great honors the Soldane and his Daughter did him THe Princesse Alchidiana hearing the words which the Quéene of Tharsus canoâ—ell reported before the Soldane her Father beeing likewise glad that Palmerin was of so noble parentage and so â—enowned in the region farre thence distant began to loue him more extreamely then euer she did before and resolued with her selfe that seeing for her sake hee vndertâ—ke the Combate hee bare her more secret affection then hee durst bewray and in this opinion shee practised howe to coâ—ferre with him
againe which this day shee could not compasse because hee was continually with the Souldane But when Palmerin tooke his leaue for that night the Princesse had a little leysure to thanke him for his honorable kindnes and how glad she was that the Gods had restored his speech againe Soone after she sent him a most sumptuous golden Armour desiring him for her sake to weare it in the Combate which Palmerin thankfully accepting assureâ— the messenger that hee would sufficiently reuenge his Ladies iniurie In meane time the Soldane commanded his Knight Marshall to see the field prepared in readinesse and the Scaffolds for the Ladies prouided and to haue two thousand Armed men in place for defencâ— of his owne person All which the next morning was duely executed the Soldane appointed two Kings and Amarano his two brethren Iudges of the field who going to their teâ—t and all the nobilitie to their appointed places expected nowe the issue of the fight The Ladies came to their standing among whom Alchidiana shewed like fayre Vesper among the other stars and soone after came the two Combattants so brauely and richly appointed as nothing wanted that could â—e imagined especially Palmerin before whom a King bare his Helmet and the great Admiral of Assiria his Sword and so brauely did hee mannage his Horse with such sightly behauiour and gallant countenance that each one iudged hee had learned his knowledge before he came thither into Turkie and cause Maulicus to perswade himselfe that the victorie was destenied to him In the ende that they might the sooner begin the Combat the Iudges tooke their seates commaunding silence through the field which was pestered with wonderfull resort of people and then the Heralds fulfilling their charge gaue liberty to the Champions to doo their deuoire Palmerin clasping his Helmet gaue the Spurres to his Horse and encountred Amarano with such furie as they were 〈◊〉 dismounted headlong to the grounde but Palmerin 〈◊〉 to be so â—oyled before the Soldane recouered himselfe quickly and aduaunting his shéeld gaue Amarano such a found stroke on the head with his Sword as made him stagger in great amazednes Notwithstanding his courage 〈…〉 as well declared hee had 〈…〉 â—â—rokes Which when the Polâ—â—ces two Brethren be helde they were marâ—ailously â—bashed for they imagined that through the East parts 〈◊〉 Knight might bee sounde to equall him wherefore one of them sayde I thought my brother would haue dispatched this companion at the first encounter but séeing he hath held out so long no doubt beâ— is more expert in Armes then wée at first made account of him The two Kings were somewhat mooued with these words willing him to be silent vntill such time as the end was determined Amarano hearing what his brother had spoken offended with himselfe because hee could not ouercome Palmerin began to encourage himselfe and albeit hée was sore wounded in many places on his body yet he followed his intent so nobly as taking his sword in both his handes hée stroke Palmerin so violently on the Helmet as made him set one of his knées to the ground to saue himselfe But hee perceiuing that if he had many such blowes it would returne his disaduantage intended to play double or quitte and remembring the honour of his Mistresse Polynarda he ranne with such valour on Amarano as cleaâ—ing his Shéelde in two péecâ—s cut away a great parte of his arme The Prince féeling himselfe so maimed begaâ— to faint hardly enduring to defende his enemies strokes which Palmerin perceyued and chased him about which way him listed first héere then there where best the Prince had hope of safetie but all these delayes little auayled him for Palmerin left not till he got him downe when Amarano thinking to helâ—e himselfe drewe a little packet Dagger and therewith thurst Palmerin vnder the short ribbes which wound so mooued him as renting his Helmet from his head immediatly smote it from his shoulders Paâ—merin beeing then so gladde and well disposed as though hee haâ— but no wâ—â—e entred the fielde tooke the heade of his enemis by the haire and presented it to the Princesse Alchidiana 〈◊〉 Madame I nowe thinke my selfe acquiteâ— of the promise which I made to my gracious Lord your Father for héere is that conspyring head that first accused you bethinke your selfe therefore if there be anything else to bee 〈◊〉 for you because I remaine heere readie to accomplish it The Princesse excéeding ioyfull for this worthie victory aunswered Truely my Lord you haue doone so much for mée that although my Father my selfe and all my friendes should bequeath our liues to your seruice yet could wee not recompence the very least of your noble courtesies chéefely this one surpassing all the other and beyonde our abilities to remunerate Yet let me intreate you to carrie the Traytours head to the Iudges that they may censure my innocencie in this slaunder and whether the accuser hath not receiued condigne punishment Which he did and threw the head before the Princes brethren whose gréefâ— excéeded measure for their brothers ill fortune and taking â—ppe the head with the body likewise they caused it to bee sorrowfully conueied foorth of the fielde Immediatly was Palmerins Horse brought him whereon he mounted and was conducted with great pompe by the two Kings that were the Iudges and other mightie Princes as well Caâ—â—ffes Agaz as Taborlanes to the gate of the Pallace where the Soldane to doo him the greater honour attended in person his comming the like hee neuer did before to any king or Prince how mightie soeuer hee was and therefore his Subiects maruailed not a little hereat Palmerin would haue 〈◊〉 him reuerence on his knee but he would not suffer him for taking him in his armes he thus sayd For euer geâ—tle Knight be the honour of thy victorie against our 〈◊〉 and thâ— false accuser of our Daughter for which I 〈…〉 so bound to thee that all the dignities 〈…〉 I am able to giue thée may not counteruaile 〈…〉 desâ—rts therefore I will remaine so much at thy disposition as I and mine shall be at your command So 〈◊〉 him by the 〈◊〉 he conducted him to his Chamber 〈◊〉 where himselfe hâ—lpe to vâ—arme him commaunding his Chirurgioâ—s to be so carefull of him as of his owne person Thus leauing him to haue his wounds dressed he returned to the great Hall where hee found his nobility attending his comming to whom he sayd What think you my Lords of our state if our Champion had béene foyled I had béene the most forlorne and abiect Lorde in all Assiria to haue béene forced to do iustice on myne owne Daughter But thanks to our Gods hee deliuered mée from that â—aunger therefore maruaile not if beyonde my custome I welcommed him with reuerence and honour for one that renowmeth himselfe by vertue and prowesse through the whole world ought to bée so entertained rather then such as liue in vayne pompe and glory whispering deceitfull tales into
Ladyes eares Neyther can you in my iudgement honour him sufficiently because my Daughter and mée hee hath shéelded from death expulsed our ignominious slaunder and slaine our false accusing enemy to make vs liue in perpetuall fame and memory The most part of them well 〈◊〉 his words and confounded with the remembrance 〈◊〉 theyr shame when they 〈◊〉 not enterprise the Combat for their Lady knew not what to answere but fearing to grow in further offence sought how to change his minde to some other talke Alchidiana béeing all this while in her Chamber prepared her selfe to goe visite 〈◊〉 not knowing how to shape her 〈◊〉 for fresh bewraying of 〈…〉 for the Goddesse Iuno when shée stoode before Syr Paris for sentence of her beautie was not more sumptuously adorned then the Princesse Nowe be 〈◊〉 shée to dispute in her thoughts the honourable graceâ— of Palmerin his nobilitie so farre renowmed his knightly prowesse and magnanimitie whereof herselfe had so good experience as shée resolued neuer to haue any other Husband Then 〈◊〉 she of her Ladies how she might 〈◊〉 her Knight if her head â—yre 〈◊〉 orderly if her 〈…〉 were tressed as they ought and if her garments were braue enough For conclusion the louely Mayden knew not how to dispose of herselfe to gaine his loue shée so earnestly longed for In this equipage she goes to sée her Friend and in his Chamber shée findes her Mother who hindered her languishing Daughter from discouering her sicknesse to him that onely had the power to helpe her wherefore liuing in hope of some better oportunitie for this time she smothered her gréefes so wel as she could finding other talke with her Ladies least her mother should suspect her Chap. XIII How the brethren of Amarano would haue buried his bodie in the Tombe with Ardemia which Alchidiana would not suffer but constrained them to carrie him home againe into his Countrey AMarano thus slaine his Brethren according to his charge thus giuen them before hée entred the Combat tooke his bodie and with great mourning they brought it to the Princesse Ardemiaes Tombe thinking to burie him there with her but Alchidmia aduertised héereof came presently and intreated her Father that hée woulde sende an Herauld to the Brethren of the vanquished Prince to charge them not to leaue the bodie of Amarano in his Dominions for if they did he would cause it to be burned as a Traytor deserued Moreouer that they themselues should depart within foure and twentie hours on paine of the daunger should ensue by their default For good Father quoth she if you should permitte their boldnesse it will be great blame and dishonour to you in that it is commonly knowne with what great pride and arrogancie he came to your Court thinking to iniurie your good report and eyther to shut mée from your presence for euer or else with open scandale to ende my life The Soldane well regarding her wordes willingly graunted her request whereupon the Princesse Brethren were certified of the Soldanes pleasure by a Trumpet whereat they maruailed not a little but séeing they could no way remedie it they said Herauld it is reason that your Lord should bée obeied within his owne territories neuerthelesse you may say vnto him that the crueltie he shewes to a dead bodie is verie great and against all equitie which he héereafter happilie may repent So opening the Tombe againe they tooke foorth their Brothers bodie and the Princesse Ardemiaes likewise conuaying them into a Litter of Cipres to kéepe them from corrupting and thus returned with them to Phrygia where the Princes death was greatly lamented but chéefly by the aged King his Father who séeing his Sonne dead before him after many dolorous passions thus complained Ah Fortune howe cruell doost thou shew thy selfe to the mightie as well as the meanest Ah my Sonne Amarano too déere hast thou bought thy loue to Ardemia Wretched and dispised olde man howe vnfortunate art thou among all other For when thou perswadest thy selfe to haue ioy and comfort by thy Sonnes thou findest the chéefe cause of sorrowe and discontent O death thou sufferest me too importunate Yet if the Soldane had graunted thée buriall where thou diddest desire it before thy death the lesse had béene my gréefe But soone shall I cause him repent his hard dealing and reuenge thy death with sufficient requitall The second brother to Amarano named Gramiel séeing his father in such extreame heauinesse assayed by all meanes he coulde to comfort him promising in the presence of all his Knights with all possible spéede to reuenge his Brothers death and so did all the sixe Brethren solemnly vowe togither Which spéeches did somewhat comfort the aged King who commaunded the bodies of the two louers to be taken from his presence and for a perpetuall memorie of his Sonnes death he caused a sumptuous monument to be made of marble and Porphire whereon was grauen the cause of their vnhappie death All this while Gramiell who vndertooke his Brothers reuenge gaue charge to the people round about him as also to the Kinges and Princes of Suria who were then enemies to the Soldane to prepare themselues in readinesse so that within a Moneths space hée had assembled a power of fiue thousand hardie Soldiers himselfe béeing appointed leader and generall ouer them In this sort they tooke themselues to the Feelde hoping to ruinate the Soldanes Countrey with fire and sworde but they were better entertained then they expected as hereafter shall bée largely discoursed Chap. XIIII Howe Alchidiana ouercome by vehemencie of her loue offered her selfe to Palmerin as his wife and of the aunswere he made her REmembring what hath past in the chapters before we may not forget how by the message of the Quéene of Tharsus sent to the Soldanes Court Alchidiana who began as it were to despise Palmerin was coÌ„strained to renue her loue thus conferring with her selfe that if so great a person as the Quéene of Tharsus commended estéemed and honoured him hauing neuer séene him the better meane had she béeing dayly in his companie to practise the furtheraunce of her earnest desires Shée therefore continually awayted oportunitie to discouer the fire newly raked from the embers and which day and night consumed her with languishing but so well it came to passe that not many dayes after the Combat with Amarano hee came to visite her in her Chamber right ioyfull of the talke hee had with the Soldan as coÌ„cerning the prouision of his strength to goe ruinate the Citie of Constantinople which gaue him hope of his returne to Allemaigne Alchidiana hauing courteously saluted him and shewing better countenaunce then before shée did caused him to sit downe by her and soone after began in this sort I desire you Sir Knight by the reuerence you beare our Godâ— and the â—ayth you owe to her for whose loue you tooke the enchaunted Crowne from the Prince Maurice to tell me your name what your Parents be and of whence
desired nothing more then the fight that hée might accomplish his promise to the Princesse Alchidiana when hee receiued of her his rich Shéelde and Launce perswaded the Generall that hée should the next morning summon the Bretheren of Amarano that within foure and twentie howres they should depart the Soldanes confines or else endure the daunger of the Sworde The King of Balisarca aduising héereon in counsaile founde it verie necessarie and expedient wherefore calling his Sonne Sir Paâ—merin and the Prince Olorico hee committed the charge thereof to theyr present dispatch They béeing come to the Armie of Gramieâ—l were immediatly conducted to the Princes Tent who was then deliberating with his Brethren and other Captaines of the Armie So soone as he vnderstoode the arriuall of these Ambassadours he caused them to come before him and their message béeing deliuered the Phrygian Princes who were of meruailous haughtie disposition aunswered that they would not obey any such commaundement Moreouer they intended to chase thence the Soldanes Lieuetenant euen to the verie Gates of his owne Cittie for that contrarie to all equitie hée withstoode the buriall of their Brothers bodie in his kingdome Gueresin Sonne to the King of Bâ—lisarca could not suffer such iniurie to his Lorde in his presence wherefore he said that the Soldane had doone them no wrong but receiued their Brother and his traine with greater honour then they deserued and that none of them should haue the like againe So went hée foorth of the Pauillion Gramiell and two of his Brethren following him whereof the one had béene in Asiria with his Brother Amarano who séeing Palmerin that all this while kept himselfe without the Tent and marking his Shéeld wherin mockage was painted his Brothers head he knew him immediatlie and in great rage pulling himselfe by the haire said Uillaine that I am how can I suffer in my presence the Traytour that murdered my Brother Bold and presumptuous catife how durst thou aduenture before mee thus to deride me with thy villainie Trust me saide Palmerin I dare come before thée with better assuraunce of my selfe Then thy Brother had when he entred Combat with me Whereore if thou be such a Gallant as thou wouldest haue me iudge thée by these brauadoes and likewise hast any stomacke to reuenge thy Brothers shame Arme thy selfe and an other of thy Brethren with thée and come to me in place conuenient where I my selfe will iustifie to you both that Amarano was woorthilye slaine and as such a false accusing Traytour well deserued I desire nothing more saide Orinella for so was hée called that gaue these hotte spéeches but my Brother shall not deale with thée till I haue tried my fortune alone and if I faile of my purpose then shall he afterwarde Combat with thée this prouided that thou assure mée from any in thy companie but thine owne person That will I vppon my Knighthoode said Palmerin thou perfourming as much on thy behalfe yet I thinke before the sport be doone that thou wilt wiâ—h thy fellow with thée Thus Palmeriu Olorico and Gueresin withdrewe themselues Orinello and his brother presently going to Arme them and accompanied with manie Knights came into the field Palmerin likewise as readie as the formost came in with a good traine of Souldiers hee had brought with him least any treason shoulde bée wrought against him Olorico shewed himselfe greatly discontented because hée might not accompanie his Fréende in the Combat but Palmerin perswaded him that more néedefull occasions were reserued for him which should returne him greater honour and whom he should court in better sort then euer he did the Ladies of Arabia Gramiell being verie richly armed woulde néedes come see his Brethrens Combat which hée had good hope would sort to theyr honor but Palmerin séeing Orinello readie to the carrire encountred his enemie with such puissance as his Launce passing through his boyd caused him fall dead from his horse without moouing eyther hand or foote Hauing performed his course hee returned to take his Launce out of his enemies body striking him with the great Trunchion ende on the stomacke to sée if any life was left in him but séeing his soule was departed to Lucifers Pallace hée coutched his stafe to receiue the other Brother who met him with such strength as he was well néere dismounted yet in the ende hée was sent after his Brother though manie hardie strokes first passed betwéene them Héereupon was such a suddaine crie on all sides some with ioy and other with sorrowe as made the ayre resound theyr voices And I thinke that the Greekes when they receiued their libertie by Quintus Elaminius made not the like clamour when as Valerius rehearseth the Byrds fell from the ayre with the furie of theyr cries In the meane while the King of Balisarca hauing hearde héereof came into the Fielde accompanied with maniâ— Lords and conducted Palmerin with great honour and tryumphe backe to his Tent especiallie the Prince Olorico who excéeding ioyfull for the good fortune of his companion embracing him saide Ah gentle Palmerin how brauelie haue you accomplished your promise to the Princesse the like successe heauen graunt you in labouring my cause Beléeue me good Prince quoth Palmerin so well will I imploye my selfe in that action as I hope you shall haue cause to thanke me Now to returne to Gramiell he caused his Brethrens bodyes to be conuaied thence and embalmed them in two Chests of leade referring their Funerall till his returne and with the teares in his eyes he thus began to encite his people Not knowing howe my louing Freendes and Countreymen to animate your mindes sufficiently with remembraunce of the tirannie exercised by the Soldane on the bodye of my Brother and your Prince vnhappie occasion presents you with a fresh memory of reuenge séeing these two yong Princes the beloued Sonnes of your King so shamefullye slaine in your presence For this cause déere Fréendes that each of you may take a newe couragious spirite to morrowe to encounter these effeminate Assirians let vs all be resolute togither and cause them to vnderstand that you who haue lead your liues in the Deserts of Affrica much better know how to mannage Armes then such loyterers in theyr Mistresses Chambers who can doo nothing but before theyr Ladies Héerevpon two hundred Knightes aduaunsed themselues before him swearing and vndertaking to bring Palmerins bodie to him the day following and therefore all that might they prepared themselues strengthening theyr Shéeldes and Armour and all other things necessarie for the fight thinking the next morning by Sunne rysing to bid them battaile these knightes inuenting to ambush thâ—mselues as you shall heare Palmerin beeing brought thus honorablye to his Tent called for the Chirurgions to visit his woundes which they founde so easie to bee cured as they assured him of spéedie recouerie Hée then â—mmoning the whole Counsaile togither aduised them that in his opinion hée thought it expedient to dislodge that place
in your fathers Pallace and which no death can make me falsifie or change vnlesse you please to suffer me take another wise wherein I shall satisfie the importunate requests which daylie thâ— Lords of Macedon make to me for marriage that I might leaue them an heyre of my linage Which is a matter so gréeâ—ous to me in that I failed of you to whom I first gaue my fayth as I resolued neuer to take any other which I knowe not how I shall performe without losse of my life As he thought to haue procéeded further in spéeches and the Quéene hauing not answered one worde vnhappily the King entred which the Quéene beholding swouned with feare But she was immediately recouered by her Ladyes When the King séeing her in such estate and in what secrecie the two Pilgrimâ— talked with her hée gathered some suspition and ouercome likewise with the force of iealousie saide Madame what make you here at this time and in so slender companie of Ladies how dare you stande talking with these Straungers I woulde gladly know the matter and what hath made them so bold to enter your Chamber Florendos séeing his affaires to growe from badde to woorsse and that his Ladie was so threatned entring into choler he drew his Dagger from vnder his Frocke and taking the King by the bosome said Tarisius I will not hyde from thée who I am it is more then twentie yéeres since I promised thy death and nowe I am come in person to performe it With these wordes he stabde the Dagger to his heart and downe fell Tarisius dead at his féete which when the Quéene saw she on the other side fell in swoune again Frenato greatly amazed hereat sayde to Florendos For Gods sake my Lord let vs shift for our selues before this misfortune bée blazed abroade Content thy selfe sayd Florendos neuer shall it bee reported that I left my Ladie to suffer for mine offence or that for the feare of death which is the ende of all mishaps I will endure such intollerable anguishes and torments Now by ill fortune one of the Pages of honour attended on the King and hauing séene this homicide hastiliâ— ranne downe the stayres crying aloude Arme ye Knights arme ye and reuenge the Kings death who by a trayterous Pilgrime is slaine in the Quéenes Chamber Cardino one of the Quéenes Squires her brother that caried yong Palmerin to the mountaine had no leysure to take anie other armes then a Sword and Shéelde wherefore he was the first that came to the Quéenes Chamber where hee found Florendos guarding the entraunce who presentlie knew him saying Depart my good Friend Cardyno vnlesse for the Quéenes loue I shal take thy life from thée And what art thou sayde Cardyno that knowest mee so well I am thy Fréend quoth the Prince the most vnfortunate Florendos Straunge it is my Lord quoth Cardyno that you durst venture into this Court but take héere my Swoorde and Sheelde and defend your selfe for I thinke you will stande in great néede thereof In the means while I wil go aduertise the Duke of Pera of this mishap he is your good fréend and by his meanes you may haue some succour for oftentimes haue I heard him say at Constantinople that he wished you as well as my Lord the Emperour Dispatch then said Florendos that thou be not found héere with me assuring thée if I may escape this daunger I will acknowledge this seruice to thine owne content Florendos armed himselfe with the Sword and Shéeld whereof hée was so glad as if hée had béene backed with manie trustie fréends vowing before he died to make such a spoyle among his enemies as should remaine for an after memorie Cardyno went with all diligence to the Duke and secretly acquainted him with all this misfortune whereat the Duke greatly amazed answered I will do my vttermost for his safetie because full well he hath deserued it And so accompanied with many Grecian Knights he went to yâ— Quéenes Chamber and thrusting through the throng in despight of them that guarded the stayres bée got to the Chamber At the entrance whereof he found Florendos defending himselfe with such manly courage as nine or ten lay slaine at his féete The Duke and his men caused the Hungarians to withdraw themselues saying that himselfe would not suffer the matter so to escape for the offence ought to bee punished by iustice after the truth were knowne and thorowlie vnderstoode Hereupon the kings two Nephewes came in great rage saying to the Duke of Pera that the Quéene and the Pilgrime ought presently to die What quoth the Duke depart you likewise your willes shall not héere stande for Lawe nor is the Quéene to bée intreated with such rigour So drawing his swoorde and his Knights likewise resisted the Hungarians so that manie of them were slaine vntill certaine Gentlemen came who louing and estéeming the Quéene appeased this tumult Then was it agréed vpon that the Duke should take him into his charge who had murthered the King on whom such punishment should bee inflicted as the cause required and héereupon the Duke tooke his oath before all the companie In this sort the Kinges Nephewes were quieted who presentlie departed the Chamber causing the dead and wounded to bee conuayed thence that the people might receiue no further occasion of offence and the Duke comming to the Prince Florendos said Yéeld your selfe to me my Lord and I will promise you on the faith of a Prince that I will maintaine both your right and the Quéenes whatsoeuer daunger I hazard therby If you will not assure your selfe that your bodies cannot suffice the villainous surie of these people for they haue confidently sworne your deathes I know my Lord quoth Florendos that you speake the trueth and I repose my trust on your nobilitie which is such as you will not suffer anie iniury to the man béeing in your guÌ„â—rde I yéelde my selfe to you and earnestly intreate you not to imprison the Quéene for on mine honour she is guiltlesse And if any offence hath béene committed it was by me yet not without iust cause and in defence of mine own life My comming hither-was because I am newly returned from Ierusalem and remembring the manifold honours which sometime I receyued of my Ladie in the Emperour her Fathers Court in my passing by I was destrous to do my dutie to her At the instant time I was saluting her the King came into the Chamber who moued with an auncient hatred which you verie well know would haue slaine me but I preuenting his intent with the ayde of my weapon bestowed that on him which he wished to mee I beléeue well what you haue sayd quoth the Duke yet must you néedes abide triall in this case Frenato perceyuing his Cozin in such daunger sought about the Chamber for some weapon to defende him and finding the Kings Sworde by the Quéenes bed side shewed it to the Duke that he might
too much their enemie Then declared hée their troublesomâ— time on the Sea in what manner he lost them and how he now trauailed to finde them againe Since fortune hath so appointed quoth Frysoll that this loue and friendship should bee begunne betwéene vs to continue the same I will beare you companie and will not forsake you till yée haue found them may it like you to accept me for your companion If it like mée quoth Palmerin you néede not doubt thereof and rather you then any man that I knowe for which noble kindnesse I thinke my selfe most fortunate In this manner beganne the concorde betwéene Palmerin and Frysoll which continued with vertuous and perfect constancie as in the Chapters following you shal perceiue Thus soiourned these Knights there louingly togither till Palmerin being recouered and able to beare armes they departed thence leauing the poore Lady Leonarda in great heauinesse because her friend Frysol left her so soone Chap. XXX How Palmerin the prince Olorico and Frysoll went to Buda thinking to finde the Court there where beeing arriued they heard newes howe the prince Florendos was taken whom they went to succour with all diligence at Constantinople FFysol because he would not haue his Ladie Leonarda too much discontented made promise of spéedie returne to her which words somewhat pleasing her he departed with his two friendes and such quicke hast they made in theyr iourney and within sixe daies after they arriued at Buda There were they aduertised of the Kings death whereof the Prince of Macedon was accused and the Quéene likewise for which cause they were as prisoners conuaied to the Cittie of Constantinople At these tydings Palmerin was very displeasant wherefore he sayde to his companions Beléeue mée good Friends my heart will neuer be in quiet till I haue beene before the Emperour who ought to bée an indifferent Iudge to Florendos and hée is the onely man of the world to whome most gladly I would do any seruice therefore let vs make hast to Constantinople to the end we may succour him if he stand in any néede of our ayde I am ready quoth Frysoll and let vs sette forwarde when you please Héerewith hee remembred his father to whom the Crowne by right appertayned if Tarisius deceased without anie heire where to by this meane hée might attaine right soone Perswading himselfe with assuraunce héereof hée was now more â—arnest to be gone and hastened his companions in such sort as they came to Constantinople two daies before the appointed time for the Combat As they entred the Cittie they met a Knight riding on hunting whome after they had saluted Palmerin questioned with all if hée knew any thing of the Prince Florendos his misfortune what the Emperor intended to doo with him Sir quoth the knight the Emperour hath resolutely set down that the Prince and his daughter shall receiue their triall by Combate against the two Nephewes to the deceased King and furnished they must bée of their Champions before the limitted time of ten dayes bée expired and nothing else as yet is doone to my knowledge I thank you good Syr quoth Palmerin it is happie the matter is no further forward So leauing the â—â—ight they prauncâ—d merrilie into the Cittie and because it was 〈◊〉 soone to take vp their lodging they rode to the Pallace to knowâ— at full the certainetye of the matter thus beeing all Armed except their Helmets which their Squirâ—s carrâ—â—d after them they made a séemely shew as they rode in thâ—t they were all thrée of one stature and verye beautifull young Princes they were especially noted and followed by many Knights and Gentlemen who imagined suâ—h persons went to the Pallace for other matters then Coâ—â—tlie dauncing These thrée companions béeing entred the great Hall which was hangâ—d rounde about with blacke veluet in signe of mourning â—â—ey meruailed what might bée the occasion thereof wherefore Palmerin falling on his knée before the Emperour and hauing humblye kissed his hande thus spake Most renowmes Monarch of the worlde my Fréendes héere and my selfe within these fâ—we dayes as we trauailed through the Realme of Hungaria were aduertised that you kéepe in pryson the Prince of Macedon whom so please your Maiestie to vouchsafe I woulde gladlie sée in respect that hée is my Lord as for the desire I haue to deale in the Combat appointed if it like him to make choyse of me The Emperour perceiuing Palmerin so faire modest and couragious began with himselfe to conceiue well of him and imagined that his Sonne Caniano was againâ— receiued so néere did he resemble him in countenaunce stature and all proportions of the bodie wherefore hée returned him this answere It shall not in ought displease mée my Fréende to let you sée him to the ende you may conceiue no suspition of iniustice So calling a Gentleman Usher commaunded him to conduct the Knight to the Towre where the Prince Florendos was afterwarde enquiring of the Prince Olorico and Frysoll what the Knight was that so hardily did enterprise the Combat Dreade Lord quoth Frysoll he is called Palmerin d'Oliua a Knight in my iudgment of the verie highest qualitie in the worlde Then hée and the Prince Olorico rehearsed the prowesse and déedes of Chiualrie by him accomplished in France England Allemaigne Bohemia and Turkie which béeing heard by a Bohemian Knight then present he came to Frysoll saying I pray you Sir is this that Palmerin who kild the Serpent on the Mountaine Artifaeria and brought the water from the Fountaine which healed the good King Prymaleon Father to Florendos It is he Sir quoth Frysoll and no other Then dare I say gracious Lorde quoth the Knight that you haue séene the most valiant and vertuous Gentleman that euer came in Thrace Héereuppon he discouered the noble victorie he obtained in Bohemia against the two Gyants Daâ—â—aco and Mordano whome hée slew before his woorthy Combat on the behalfe of Dyardo Coâ—i◠〈◊〉 to the King and fayre Cardonya against the Counte of Ormeque and his Cozins in the Companie of Prince Adrian and Ptolome Héereat were all the Princes and Knights present amazed so that the Emperor himselfe saide Well maye Florendos nowe aduenture the tryall of his rause hauing the onelye Champion of the woilde on his side and in this manner they deuised of him till his returne from the pryson againe Palmerin entring the Tower Florendos was astonied because no person was wont to come sée him but chiefely when he sawe him on his knées to him vsing these spéeches Alas my Lord Florendos how gréeuous to mée is your imprisonment in vnhappie time did you knowe him that hath caused you to bée so ill intreated I pray you my Lord comfort your selfe and take courage for héere may you beholde your Seruaunt Palmerin who will be hewed in a thousand péeces but hée will deliuer you from this miserie Florendos whole eyes and facâ— were greatlie swolne with incessant wéeping onelye with the
sorrow hée conceiued for his Ladie knowing him to bée the same man indéede was so excéeding ioyfull as infinit embracings and kissings woulde not serue to bewraye his comfort for such gracious welcomes reuerence and courtesie he vsed as Palmerin bashfull to bee vsed with such honour said Unseemelie is it my Lord that you should thus much abase your selfe to mee for vnder correction it ill agrees that the Maister should honour the Seruaunt The poore Prince could not but still holde him in his armes and with teares and meruailous affection thus aunswered Ah Palmerin mine onelie hope and comfort in trouble where hast thou beene what fortune hath kept thee so long from mee My déere Fréende howe manie yrkesome thoughts haue I endured expecting thy comming so that when I saw thou didst not returne and I could no way heare what was become of thée the verye conceite of thy absence had néerâ—â—laine me Then carelesse what became of my selfe being depriued of my loue and honour of my life I am fallen into these miseries farre excéeding death which Fortune I sée hath permitted because I am perswaded that thou must deliuer me from all mishappes and by thée shall I attaine my chéefest desires Ah happie and fortunate hower well worthie for euer to be celebrated with tryumphâ—s finding thée the onely cause of my good whome long since I feared was consorted with the dead but séeing thou art now so happilie come acquaint me with the fortunes that â—raied thée thus long for very desirous am I to knowe them Palmerin was so gréeued to sée him in such weake sicklie estate as hée could hardlie make any aunswere yet striuing with himselfe said My noble Lord the time requireth now other occasions héereafter shall I tell you the whole discourse Graunt mée I beséeche you without further intreating that I may enter the Combat in your name against one of those Traitours who haue accused you for such is my hope in God that I shall spéede luckilie and bring him to the end such a villaine deserues With all my heart quoth the Prince I am contented assuring my successe so well in your vertues as if fiue hundred of my Knights did enter the fielde for mée And to the ende that without feare or doubt you maye take my cause in hand I sweare to you by the liuing God that since Tarsius espoused Griana I neuer sawe her till when the King came and found me with her which was so short a time as she had not the leysure to make mée any answer True it is that I kild the King but howe I did it in respect hée was mine enemie and abused my Lady and lawful wife What though they were espoused togither the mariage was not to be allowed in that it was doone against her will she béeing as I haue said my Wife by solemne spéeches before God married to me It suffiseth said Palmerin I haue enough You shall likewise vnderstande my Lord that I haue brought with me another Knight who will gladlie aduenture the Combate on the Quéenes behalfe and such a one he is as the other accuser will scant dare to stande against him wherefore let mée intreate you to comfort your selfe expecting our happy and fortunate successe Florendos falling on his knée gaue thanks to Heauen for this luckie euent and hauing an indifferent while conferred togither after Palmerin had aduertised Frenato of his Sonne Ptolomes health and that in short time hee had good hope to finde him he returned to the Emperour to whome making great reuerence he saide Now my gracious Lorde I come to vnderstand your answer I pray you sir Knight quoth the Emperour holde me excused if I haue not welcommed you as your nobilitie bountie and highe Chiualrie deserueth but after the Combat is ended which for my part I graunt ye what hath wanted now shall bée supplyed so that your selfe shall rest contented I thanke your Maiestie for this extraordinarie fauour said Palmerin and séeing the Prince hath committed his cause to my fortune I beséech you send for the Kings Nephewes that the appointed daye may not bee preuented by any further delayes And if the Quéene your Daughter be not prouided of a Champion this Knight poynting to Frysoll my vowed Fréende and companion shall vndertake her cause in that he came hither for no other businesse and such good experience haue I made of his valour and hardinesse as if by knightlie Chiualrie her right may be defended assure your selfe my Lord this is the man I thinke said the Emperor she is not as yet determined of anie one albeit full manie haue made offer of themselues and for wee will expect no further this Knight shall be preferred before all that come I humbly thanke your Maiestie for this fauour aunswered Frysoll yet would I bee loth to presume too farre before I vnderstand the Quéenes pleasure The Emperour caused him to be conducted to the Quéenes Chamber and his two companions with him who desired to sée the Ladies where béeing entred Frysoll humbly vpon his knée began in this manner Right noble and excellent Quéene so far through Christendome is spread the report of your rare vertuous and integritie of life especially your innocencie in the crime wherewith you are accused as from farre Countreyes I am come to be your Knight if you will vouchsafe me such honour as to accept me Assuring you that vnder your commaundement and in the companie of my noble Fréend who vndertakes the Combat for my Lord Florendos right willing am I to aduenture life and credit Alas Gentle Knight quoth the Quéene this offer procéedeth from your courtesie and bountie not by any vertue on my parte deseruing for too contrarie hath Fortune euermore sette her selfe against me But verie ingratefull might I bee accounted and neuer be reckoned among Ladies of regard if hauing taken such paines for me I shoulde not accept you for my Knight especiallie in so vrgent occasion Therefore I entertaine you into this seruice and I desire of God that you may be as easilie deliuered from the charge you take in hand for me as my conscience is cléere from the faulte wherwith I am accused I hope Madame quoth Frysoll that my Lord your Father shall ere long perceiue your loyall perfect and pure nobilite which neuer can kéepe companie with seruile anâ— detestable treason All this while Palmerin beholding the Quéene séeing her swéete face so stained and blubbered with teares mooued with naturall remorse was constrained to turne his head aside to hide the teares that trickled down his chéekes The Quéene likewise regarded him so earnestlye as when â—he behelde him wéepe she imagined that one gaue a violent pull at her heart which shee dissembled so well as she could determining not to demand the cause thereof vntill such time as the Combatte were finished So taking their leaue of the Quéene and the Princesse Armida they returned to their lodging till the next morning when the Emperour
Iousted and euerie one knewe that hee woonne the prize of the last daies Tryumphe the sorrowe of the Princesse Armida was conuerted into pleasure reputing it an honor to her Knight to bée vnhorssed by her Brother When the Emperour vnderstoode that Palmerin was iesting with the Knights hée came into the Hall and taking him by the hande merrilie saide Sée héere my Fréendes the white Knight whome you all were so desirous to knowe but if you finde your selues agréeued with him you must laye the blame on mée for I was the onely cause of this enterprise to the ende that hauing made open proofe of himselfe you all might witnesse his valour and bountie who after me decease must be your Lord and Gouernour Nowe were all the Knightes well contented againe especially the Prince Olorico and Frysol who though hée was somewhat brused with his Horse falling on him came and embraced Palmerin saying In sooth my Lorde the strength of your arme and Launce yesterdaye hath giuen vs good experience of your vertue yet our desire to reuenge our companions foyle was such as had you béene our Father we shoulde not haue knowne yée It may bee said Palmerin that yee made no reckoning of the Knight who handled ye in this rough manner or that you thought him not woorthie to beare a Launce because you refused to Ioust with him the other daye A kinde â—loute quoth Frysoll perceiuing how Palmerin iested and queintlie deliuered is this your recompence to the Knights that Fréendly spared you If I had knowne so much before I should haue cryed quittance with you before wee parted These words Frisoll spake in such sorte as Palmerin imagined he was in choller wherefore he thus answered Good brother I pray you excuse mée if in dooing my deuoire I haue offended yée when you please I will doo penaunce for it if it be but to please her who cannot hide her good will towardes you Héereuppon all the thrée Fréendes embraced togither taking leaue of each other till the next morning when a newe Tourney was begunne againe and continued for fiue daies togither the honour whereof to make shorte happened to Frysoll vntill the last daye when a strange Knight came into the Fielde and brought one with him resembling a Giant in statâ—re who with a Turkish Bowe and enuenomed arrowes â—lewe and wounded verye 〈◊〉 So that Palmerin séeing the spoyle of his Fréendes was constrained to go Arme himselfe and defying the Giant ouercame both him and the Knight that brought him Some haue reported this Giant to be a Monâ—ter informe of the Centaures that encountred Hercules at the nuptials of Hippodamia but such rediculous follies are not héer to be inserted and though the Spaniard in his Historie affirme it yet carries it no likelihoode wherefore leauing such impertinent discourses let vs procéede as occasion doth lead 〈◊〉 Chap. XXXVIII How the aged Knight Apolonio found Netrydes father to Frysol and brought him to Constantinople where hee was made Gouernour generall of Hungaria and how Frysol espoused the Princesse Armida APolonio hauing receiued Frysols Letters and a briefe direction for his iourney to the place where he should finde his father Netâ—ydes followed his intent with such â—iligence as he came to the Castle where hée remained and founde him sitting at the Gate being newly returned from hunting in yâ— Forrest No sooner 〈◊〉 Apolonio beheld him but he presently knew him 〈◊〉 â—eigning that he his company were Knights errant saluted him and demâ—unded if he woulde giue them entertainment for that night because they knew no place of lodging neare at hand Netrydes who was euer of a most noble minde 〈◊〉 them verie courteously commaunding their Horsses to the stable and themselues to be honourably feasted at Supper All supper time Netrydes verie earnestly eyed Apolonio perswading himselfe that hee had seene 〈◊〉 before and Apolonio likewise well regarded Netrydes neither daring to question with other for â—â—are of misconceiâ— In the end Apolonio thorowly resolued that this was the man hée â—â—ught and séeing two yong Gentlemen sitting at the Table by him hée thus beganne I pray you Sir tell me are these two Gentlemen your Sons They are Sir answered Netrydes Haue you not one more quoth Apolonio elder then these Then Netrydes remembred his sonne Frysol whom he iudged to be dead because of his long absence wherefore breathing foorth a verie great sighe saide In trueth Sir I knowe not whether I haue 〈…〉 for it is long since I lost 〈◊〉 eldest Sonne by great misfortune and hetherto hearde no tydings of him nor know I whether hée is liuing or dead By what mishappe I pray you Sir quoth Apolonio did you loose him Whereupon Netrydes discoursed the whole circumstaunce in selfe same manner as Frysol had reported whereby he was now assured that Frysol was his sonne and so without dissembling any longer said I can resolue ye my Lord that hée is yet liuing and in very good disposition O my God answered Netrydes if these newes may be true then am I the most happie Knight in the world And so are you said Apolonio for hée is liuing recouered of the disease hée had when hée departed from you and is nowe one of the most estéemed Knights in all Greece so that hauing deliuered the Quéene Griana â—rom prison which victorie hée obtained in the company of noble Palmerin against the two Nephewes of King Taâ—isius hée is found to be neare kinsman to the Eâ—presse For which cause he hath sent and I am expreslie hither come to bring you with me to Constantinople to the ende you may receiue your owne by right I meane the principall regiment in the Realme of Hungari Ah Heauens answered Netrydes for ouer be your prayses in reuealing the wrong my Brother did when causelesse he banished me my natiue Countrey but that I may bee resolued in one doubte I praye ye tell me were ye not sometime of my Brothers Court Yes truelâ—e answered Apolonia and to your Father I serued as a Page in his Chamber nowe in respect of the manifolde courtesies I receiued at your hands for euer I vowed my selfe to doo you anie seruice desiring you with all possible spéede to hasten your departure for I greatlie doubt wée shall not else finde your Sonne at the Courte because hee determineth to iourney with Palmerin in the search of Trineus the Emperours Sonne of Allemaigne Héereupon Netrides leauing the charge of his house to one of his Cozins departed with his Wife and his two Sonnes making such spéedie dispatch in their iourney as not manie daies after the Tryumph they arriued at Constantinople Which when Frysoll vnderstood hée went to méete them béeing accompanied for the greater honour to his Parents with Palmerin the King of Sparta and manie other yong Princes There were manie salutations and welcomes giuen with great ioy by the Sonne to his Father Mother and Brethren and by the Parents likewise to their Sonne with such excéeding â—ignes of loue
and say to her what you would haue mee know because shee is a Lady both vertuous and faithfull No lesse Madame haue I alwaies found her quoth Palmerin therefore I beséech you make account of her and acquaint her with your greatest affaires for shée is daughter to one of the most gentle Princes in the world But Madame I would gladly know what became of Trineus after that so vnhappily I departed from you The Admirall Olimaell quoth shée came with his Gallies so soone as you were departed who tooke vs and then seperated vs in sunder scant permitting me to speake to him or Ptolome nor knowe I what is become of them It sufficeth then Madame aunswered Palmerin that I haue founde you for on you dependeth the life of Trineus who shall not long I hope bee concealed from vs therefore aduise your selfe on the day when you will departe for I haue a shippe readie to carrie you from this seruitude Thanks be to heauen quoth she for so good fortune I will be so readie as you shall not stay for me Now entred Hippolyta who brake off theyr talke to other occasions where we will leaue and returnâ— to the Prince Trineus Chap. XLII How Trineus beeing enchaunted into the shape of a Dogge in the Isle of Malfada there came a Princesse of the Moores who requested him of the aged Enchauntresse to whom he was giuen and what happened to him afterward I Thinke as yet you remember without repetition of the former discourse in what manner the Knight Cozin to the Admirall Olimaell to whome the Prince Trineus was giuen arriued by tempest in the Isâ—le of Malfada and how he with his people were transformed into diuors shapes of Beasts among whom Trineus bare the likenesse of a goodly Dogge Béeing thus disguised a yong Princesse named Zephira Daughter to the King of the same Countrey came to demaund counsell of the aged Enchauntresse Malfada for the cure of a certain disease which by strange aduenture happened to her in this manner This yong Princesse one day béeing pleasant in her Fathers Court among many of her waiting Ladyes entred a goodly Garden which abounded with great diuersitie of swéet flowers and after shee had walked a prettie while in an Arbour of Muske-roses shee espied a Gille-flower which séemed so faire and beautifull in her eye as shee was prouoked to goe crop it from the stalke Hauing this dellicate flower in her hand wherein by misfortune a venemous worme was crept she tooke such delight in smelling it as her breath drewe vp the worme into one of her nose thrilles not béeing able to get it out againe So the venome and poysome of this little worme engendred a putrifaction and other like worms which gaue a smell so filthy and lothsome as hardly could any abide to stand by her Her Father not a little agréeued at this mischaunce sent for the most skilfull Phisitions to sée what remedie might bedeuised but all their paine and trauaile was in vaine for the disease continued still without any amendment In the end the King fearing it would change to a Canker incurable and hauing heard what straunge actions the Enchauntresse Malfada performed sent the Princesse Zephira to her where shée béeing arriued without anie daunger because she would not hurt anie inhabiting in the Isle declared to the Sorceresse the whole manner of her misfortune The Enchauntresse answered that shée could giue her no remedie and hardly should she finde any at all except it were by an ancient Knight who remained in the Court of the King of Romata and Grisca Realmes subiect to the Soldane of Persia and the knight was named Muzabelino The Princesse was so displeased at this answere séeing her intent frustrated as shée would receyue no sustenaunce wherefore walking in the Féeldes to represse her anger and so to the Sea-side where the Ships lay confused shée behelde the Dogge which was the Prince Trineus and so farre in liking was shée with him as she desâ—red the Enchauntresse to giue him her and hauing obtained her request returned to her Father who lay sicke in one of his Citties called Nabor whereof the whole Realme bare the name When the King saw his Daughter returned without cure his Melaâ—cholie conceit so strooke to his heart as with in thrée daies after he died Hauing made his Testament before his deceasse hee gaue his Daughter as her portion a Citie called Elain one of the greatest and surest strength in the Realme with all the signories belonging thereto To Maulerino his yongest Sonne he gaue an other like portion which was a dayes iourney distaunt from Elain After the Kings funerall rytes were solemnized the Princesse with her brother Mulerino went to their owne possessions doubting the furie of the Prince Tyreno their eldest Brother who alwayes had showen himselfe proude and contentious Shée béeing thus in quiet by her selfe tooke no other pleasure then in playing with her Dog because hée seemed verie subtile and politique so that shée prepared a Couch for him at her beds féete Tyreno béeing crowned King after his Fathers deceasse began greatly to despise that his Sister should enioy the fayrest Cittie in the Realme for which cause hée practised all the meanes he coulde to put her to death And that he might the better compasse his purpose hee secretly sent a Messenger to the maister of the Princesse horses that if hée woulde kill or poyson his Brother and Sister hée would giue him thirtie thousande Seraphes and make him gouernour of Elain The wicked noble man gréedie and couetous séeing the large promise of the Tyrant consented thereto so that one night the Princesse béeing asléepe he entred her Chamber with his Sword drawne there to haue murthered her and afterward the Prince her Brother Trineus who had lost nothing belonging to a man but bodily shape and voyce seeing the Traytour enter his Ladies Chamber with his weapon drawne started vp presently and setting his two foreféete on the villaines breast bit him so cruelly by the face and thraote as he being vnable to helpe himselfe was constrained to crie out aloude With this noyse the Princesse awaked and her Brother likewise who lay in the next Chamber comming in haste to sée the cause of this outcrie and knowing the Traytour beate him so fore with the Pommell of his Sword about the stomacke as in the end enforced him to confesse his treason Whereat Maulerino not a little maruailing and wrathfull at his villainous intent smote his heade from his shoulders In the morning he appoynted such guarde in the Cittie as no straunger might enter without great examination The Princesse knowing howe her Dog had saued her life loued him afterwarde so tenderly as shée would féede him at her owne Table and none but her selfe might giue him anie foode Héere will we likewise pause a while and declare the deliuerance of the Princesse Agriola Chap. XLIII Howe the great Turke became enamoured with the Princesse Laurana by means wherof he
of further daunger I will then saide Palmerin goe séeke such a one as shall ende these enchauntments and because you shall not be iniuried by anie in the Castle wée will make them fast in prisons till my returne After they had so doone they went to the stable where Dyardo gaue Palmerin a lustie Courser and taking leaue of him set forward on his iourney Chap. XLV How Palmerin departing from the Isle of Malâ—ada came to the Court of the Princesse Zephira shee that kept Tryneus transformed where he was entertained to ayde her against her eldest brother who vexed her with dayly troubles SO soone as Palmerin had thus left the Isle of Malfada and had yâ— day likewise passed a very dangerous riuer at night he came to a little village where taking vp his lodging he fell in talke with his host in yâ— Arabian tong if he knewe any one that was expert in Nigromancie I knowe none quoth the Hoste but an olde Ladie in an Islande harde by to whome our Princesse not long since went for remedie of a strange disease wherewith she is tormented Where abideth your Princesse saide Palmerin Not past thirtie miles thence quoth the Hoste in a Cittie called Elain Perhappes quoth Palmerin by her I may be better resolued So bidding his Hoste good night withdrewe himselfe into his Chamber where many imaginations passed him concerning the Princesse Zephira It may bee quoth hée within himselfe that the Enchauntresse vnable to helpe her hath yet assigned her to some man more expert in that diuellish Science who compassing her health happily may giue mée some counsell to amende my misfortune In this opinion the next morning he rode to the Cittie of Elain heauie and sadde yet in hope of comfort and as hee came neare the Cittie hée was enclosed with two or thrée hundreth light Horsse men whome the Prince Maulerino Brother to Zephira had there ambushed to taste all auaunt currers and Knights passing by them Yet obserued they these conditions that who so would take the Princes paie and sweare faithfull seruice shoulde sustaine no harme but such as refused so to doo were carried into the Cittie their Horsse and Armour taken from them and they enclosed in strong prison These Moores were amazed to sée Palmerin so richly armed and much more beholding him so brauely mounted wherfore they said to him Yéeld your selfe Sir knight and sweare to maintaine our Princesse quarrel or else be assured thy death is present The condition is very harde said Palmerin but for I haue heard the wrong offered by the king to your Princesse I will sustaine her cause not as a prisonrr enforced héereto but of mine owne good will as all knights errant are bound by dutie to definde the iust quarrell of distressed Ladies Presently was Paâ—merin brought to the Princesse and her Brother who were conferring togither about these earnest affaires when the Knight that conducteth Palmerin stept to the Prince Maulerino and thus spake Sée héere my Lord a Knight latelie taken whome wee haue found honest and courteous we haue suffered him to remain Armed and commit him to your opinion While the knight continued these spéeches transformed Trineus who layâ— at the Princesse foote séeing Palmerin with his beuer open ran and leaped on him whining and fawning on him so louingly as euery one greatlie meruailed thereat In bréefe they might discerne by cries colling about his legs and pittifull mourning that faine he would haue spoken and shewed his loyall Fréende his inward complainings The Princesse meruailing at this strange occasion said I thinke Sir Knight my dog knowes you for since Malfada gaue him me I neuer could sée him so faune on anie body In sooth Madame answered Palmerin to my remembraunce I neuer sawe your dog before this present Héereupon shée called him to her and made many meanes that hee shoulde come to her yet would he not leaue Palmerin but shaking his head still whined to his Fréende as crauing aide and succour at his hand wherewith the Princesse mooued thus spake I praye thée Knight conceale not any thing from mee for I perswade my selfe that thou hast beene héeretofore some Fréende to the Enchauntresse Malfada seeing my dogge is so loth to come from thée Let mee vnderstand the truth I praye thée and if thou likewise wilt assist mee against my cruell Brother thou shalt be honourablye vsed and thy ordinarie paye redoubled Madame answered Palmerin héere may you beholde the most distressed Knight liuing and a Christian whose harde fortune hath béene such as arriuing in the Enchauntresse Isle whereof you spake I haue lost fiue Fréends my true and honourable companions and with them two Ladies who in all vertues may not be equalled Yet haue I reuenged their losse on the olde hagge and her seruaunts whose breathlesse bodies remaine for foode to the foules of the ayre And because I hearde fayre Princesse your selfe was not long since with her for councell in some vnhappie fortune befallen you faine woulde I knowe maye it please you to graunt mee so much fauour if shee assigned you to anie other more skilfull then her selfe by whom you not alone shall finde remedie but my tormenting gréefes maye likewise bée comforted Good Knight aunswered the Princesse the Gods themselues will trauaile to helpe thée and it may be I haue learned of her by whose death thou hast reuenged the wrong of manie noble persons some hope of further good to ease those passions which thy spéeches bewray True it is that I stayed with Malfada the space of eight daies yet not learning any thing of her woorthie the rehearsall this onelie excepted she tolde me that in the kings Court of Grisca and Romata remained an auncient Knight named Muzabelino by whome if my maladie were curable I should finde helpe and by no other man whatsoeuer so did she extoll him beyond all other And had not the king my Father died soone after my returne and my iniurious brother euer since molested mée long ere this had I gone to that skilfull man whome I meane to finde so soone as I can bring my troubles to anie good ende By all our Gods quoth the Prince Maulerino séeing Malfada is deade Muzabelino maye finish all the enchauntments but during her life neither he nor all the Magitians in the world were able to compasse it As for the kingdome of Romata it is very farre from this Couutrey the greater will your paine and daunger be in trauailing thither Right pleasant will the paine bee to me said Palmerin so may I recouer my déerest Fréends againe and for you swéete Madame will I aduenture my life eyther to winne you peace with your Brother or a happie victorie by his death that wee maye the sooner sette forward to Romata A thousand thankes good Knight quoth the Princesse and this day shall we knowe what our Brother intendeth if peace it is welcome if warre we must defend our selues so well as we may Still did the dogge cling about
by and sée not the Pillar send one of the Ladies to them to let them vnderstande that they may not passe before one of them haue 〈◊〉 with the Prince and his Knights If they be vnhorssed by him the Ladie must be deliuered to him yet with this condition that he refuse not to graunt her one demaunde By Mahomet sâ—yd Drumino husband to the Lady I will not meddle in this matter he may be such a one as if he hap to winne my Wife he will be loth to restore her backe againe Feare not that quoth the Magitian hee is so courteous and hath so faire a Fréend himselfe as he neyther may or will with-holde her By heauen said Tomano I will cope with him and to morrowe let the Pillâ—r and Pauillions bée erected there will I with my companions stay his comming Sée heere the cause why the King Aâ—imar commaunded the Princesse Zephira and her Knights to be so honourablie entertained By this time is the Princesse come within a daies iourney of Romata and Tomano with his Brother Sister Ladies and knightes betake themselues to â—he pauillions hearing that Zephira was come so neere and being themselues Armed their sister decked likewise in most sumptuous ornaments they vowed to breake many launces for her sake Chap. XLVIII How Palmerin Iousâ—ed against Tomano Drumino and their knights whome he all dismounted and what entertainment the king Abimar and the wise Nigromancer Muzabelino made them BY this time is the princesse with Palmerin and her companie come to the place where the pauillions were erected and not séeing the Piller they passed on wherefore Tomano sent a Damosell to declare the conditions of the passage Palmerin feigning himselfe somewhat wearie made this answer Damosell you may saye to the Prince and his knights that the Princesse Zephira is not in our guarde as the Lady he fights for abideth with him Nor comes she hither to he fought for rather doth she intreat him to spare vs the Ioust in that it will be small honor to him to conquer knights ouerlaboured in trauaile and whose horses are not able for that exercise The Damosell certifying the Prince of this aunswer he grew into anger swearing they should not passe before they tryed their fortune wherefore hee sent the Damosell againe who thus spake to Palmerin Sir knight your excuses may not serue you you must eyther Ioust or leaue the Princesse behind you Trust me Damosell answered Palmerin sorrie woulde I be to accompanie her so far and leaue her in the custody of one I know not did your Prince shewe more courtesie if woulde agrée much better with his order but because he shall not think that we refuse the Iouste through feare or cowardise say hee shall haue his desire both he and all his shall try their fortune ere wee passe further This answer returned to the Prince Drumino first shewed himselfe in the Fielde and by importunate intreatie certaine of the Princesses Knights would first try their valour but such was their ill fortune as Drumino vnhorsed them one after another Zephira somewhat offended heereat intreated Palmerin eyther to win them passage or else with his successe she was content to staye Prisoner I goe Madame quoth Palmerin and Fortune spéede mee as I regard the safetie of your honor Muzabelino hauing acquainted the King with this pastime they came in habits disguised to beholde it at what time the Prince Drumino encountred Palmerin But not to hold you with tedious discourse considering which way the victorie is intended the twe Princes and all their knights were manfullye foyled by Palmerin The Ioust béeing ended and the king returned again to the Cittie Muzabelino came to Palmerin and hauing saluted him with great reuerence thus spake Woorthie Lord who onelie deseruest the name of chiualrie let mee intreate you to excuse the kings Son who to make proofe of your valour by my meanes attempted this noble aduenture from which you haue escaped with great honour and to their shame that made the challenge What are you Syr said Palmeiin that know me so well and the cause why I came into this Countrey Your Fréend Muzabelino quoth he whome you haue taken such paines to finde and who knowing you to be a Christian will kéepe you from all dangers among these Mahumetistes Palmerin suddainlie allighting from his Horsse came and embraced him saying Noble Fréend suffer mée to kisse your hand as a witnesse of my reuerence to your honourable age Not so my Lord answered Muzabelino rather suffer me to doo my dutie to that incomparable person by whose meanes ere sixe Monethes be past the greatest nobilitie in the world shall receyue incredible honour While these courteous ceremonies endured the conquered Princesse with her Ladies came from the Pauillion and saluting Palmerin with great courtesie sayde Sée héere Sir Knight the Lady who trusting in your honourable benignitie commeth to submit her selfe at your disposition béeing woonne with more choyse chiualrie then euer any other Ladie was Notwithstanding I hope that you will not refuse to graunt me one demaund according to the conditions agréed in the Ioust Palmerin séeing her so discréet and modest so sumptuous in apparell and accompanied with so manie Ladies iudged that she was the Kings Daughter and Wife to the Prince Drumino wherefore entertaining her verie graciously hée thus replyed Unfitting it is faire Ladie that a Princesse of so high and speciall qualitie shoulde bée subiect to a poore and vnknowne Knight and though the agréement of the Ioust bee such yet do I humblie thanke you for this honour bequeathing you to your former libertie and restoring you to him that hath best right to you A thousand thankes worthie Lorde said the Princesse now I se'e the words of Muzabelino to my father are true that the Knight who conducted Madame Zephira as in chiâ—alrie hée surpasseth all other so in sranke ininde and ltberalitic hée hath not his seconde which was the chéefest cause why I aduentured my selfe in this hazarde of Fortune Madame quoth Palmerin if the wise Muzabelino hath vsed any speach of mée in mine absence and to my honor it procéeded not by my vertue but his good will in so â—â—â—ing which if I liue I will one day acknowledge Right welcome are you saide the Princesse and faire Zephira the rather for your sake and such be the houre of your arriuall héere as you may obtaine the ende of your desires Zephira humblie thanked the Princesse Tomano Drumino and all the rest embracing Palmerin thinking it no dishonour to bâ— conquered by him they mouâ—ted all on horsebacke and comming to the Cittie founde the King there readie with an honorable traine to receiue them who saluting the princesse Zephira verie kindly said No maruell Madame if you durst vndertake so long a iourney hauing yâ— only knight of Fortune in your companie as my Sonnes haue good occasion to witnesse and shée that ommits her selfe to his charge may bée well assured of 〈◊〉
of so straunge and variable fortunes said I thought my Daughter had learned more modestie then leauing her Fathers Court to followe a Knight vnknowne to her in straunge Countries but séeing the ende hath fallen out so well hencefoorth I shall remaine in better contentment séeing a Prince of so great renowne hath now espoused her While this conference endured the Duke earnestly beheld the Princesse Sabinda Daughter to the Prince of Sansuega and Néece to the Quéene and of such excellent grace and beautie he estéemed her as forgetting the death of his Father who deceased since his departure from Allemaigne hée became so amourous of her that he demaunded of the Quéene if shée were her Daughter Shée is not my Daughter quoth the Quéene but the Daughter of my Brother the Princes of Sansuega Right glad was the Duke thereof and resolued to request her of the King in marriage who knowing the honourable place he held among the Prince of Greece and what account Palmerin made of him consented thereto so that within fewe dayes after they were espoused togither Herevpon to accompany the Princesse and to confirm the peace the King sent the Duke of Gaule and another great Lorde with them into Allemaigne the Quéen likewise sent twelue English Ladies to attend on her Daughter Thus returned the Duke of Mecaena to Vienna where 〈◊〉 was worthily welcommed by the Emperour Palmerin and Tryneus especially the yong Duchesse and the Ambassadours of England by whom the peace was faithfully ratified and confirmed Chap. LXII How Palmerin and Polinarda departed from Vienna toward Constantinople where after the decease of the aged Emperour Remicius Palmerin was crowned Emperour of Greece and what ioy was made at the byrth of Polinarda her first sonne AFâ—â—er the Ambassadours of England were returned home Palmerin pereciuing the Empire of Allemaigne was in quiet tooke his leaue of the Emperor minding to conduct his Polinarda to Constantinople not without manie sorrowfull lamentations of the mother to forgo her daughter and faire Agriola her new acquainted sister yet the Emperour pacified them well inough by shewing what benefit this contract would be to Christendome and so procéeded to his daughter in this maner Thou goest Polinarda to the séate of a great Empire but more pleaseth mée the péerelesse name of Palmerin d'Oliua thy husbands then the regiment of such a mightie Monarche Farewell faire Daughter continue in faithfull loue and obedience remembring the reuerende honour a Wife oweth to her Husband Polinarda hearing with what earnest affection her Father spake was so ouercome with modest duetie of a Childe to her Father as shée was not able to aunswere one word which Palmerin beholding kissed the Emperours hande embraced Tryneus and tooke a courteous farewell of all the Ladies commaunding the Pages presently to bring away the Princesse 〈◊〉 saying to her Madame the longer you staie héere the greater will be your conceit of sorrow by absence the griefe will be forgotten let vs then merely iourney to the Cittie of Constantinople where they that neuer sawe you wil reioyce more at your comming then all the Allemaignes can sorrow for your departure With like comfortable spéeches Palmerin frequented his Ladie by the way till at length they entred the Realme of Hungaria where Frysoll with his chéefest Lords attended their comming to whom Palmerin in iesting said Brother I haue aduentured to bring your Sister Polinarda into your Kingdome take héede if you laie claime to her now as sometime yée did for I am readie to defende her against whosoeuer dare I perceiue my Lorde quoth Frysoll that you will haue my follie generally knowne I pray 〈◊〉 let no such youthfull pranckes be nowe remembred for as you are the chéefest in chiualrie so haue the destenie giuen you a Ladie whome no one in the whole world may paragon Well may it be said that God and Nature fore-pointed this match nothing inferiour to louelie Paris and faire Helena or puissaunt Hector and wise Andromacha Frysoll accompanied them so farre as Alba where courteously parting from each other Frysoll returned to his Kingdome and Palmerin soone after came to Constantinople where no litle ioy was made for his safe arriual especially for the Princesse Polinarda who was a right welcome Ladie into Greece the olde Emperour prouiding such deuises and tryumphes as the Chronicles to this daye recorde the memorie thereof About tenne or twelue Monethes after Polynarda was deliuered of a goodly Sonne who was named Primaleon whereat the good olde Emperour so inwardly reioyced as his spirit onely comforted in the good fortune of his Sonnes and fearing afterwarde to sée anie sinister chaunce fall to them departed this fraile and transitorie life whose death was signified thrée dayes before by the enchaunted Bird. His Funerall was performed as beséemed so great an estate and faine woulde Palmerin haue had his Father the King Florendos crowned Emperour earnestly labouring the Princes in the cause But he desiring them to holde him excused returned them this answere Great offence were it to God my Friendes that the honour due to him who gaue me libertie defended my renowne and saued my life shoulde bee taken from him and giuen mée for if vertue authoritie and good fortune are the properties whereby to make choyse of an Emperour Palmerin is verie many degrées before me As for his generositie it is so well knowne to you that it were but lost labour to make report thereof For his authoritie the â—arbarous nations among whome hée hath liued and conqueringly controlled deliuer sufficient testimonie And for his high good fortune in all his enterprises where is the man that may bee equalled with him or what hath hée at anie time attempted but he hath finished the same with wonderfull honour I could name Kings and Princes that raign onely by his meanes To speake of the victories he hath obtained either in battell or single Combate your eyes haue beheld and the whole worlde apparantly witnesseth This dare I boldly say and some of you doo know it better then I that his onely name will be more feared in Greece then all your fore-passed Emperours haue bene by their greatest puissance So well did the people like what the King Florendos had sayd as immediately was the Prince Palmerin proclaimed Emperour of Constantinople and the same day he was crowned according to the accustomed rites and ceremonies Not long afterward did the King Florendos stay with his Sonne but returned with his Quéene to Macedon where hée goueâ—ned in loue and iustice among his Subiects daily sending Messengers to Constantinople as well to vnderstand the health of the Emperour and Empresse as also of yong Prymaleon who daily increased in strength and beautie Chap. LXIII How the Prince Olorico and Alchidiana thinking to trauaile to Constantinople to see the Emperour Palmerin and the Empresse Polinarda strayed on the Sea And what sorrowful mone she made and how she was found by Palmerin IN one of the Chapters before you