reason for his valour good gouernment for that was it which most aduanced him aboue all others All this was nothing neither the assurance which shée saw of her paine to cause Felina to giue ouer her determination but rather increase it attempting one of the boldest most presumptuous enterprises of the world from whence could ensue no other thing but that which followed for vnable to endure to sée her self so little respected she adueÌ„tured to say vnto the prince Daristeo that the princesse would expect him that night in the garden to confer with him of matter of importaÌ„ce There could nothing happeÌ„ more pleasing to the infortunate prince then such a message for as it was a thing vnlooked for now holding him selfe assured thereof he held himself the most happy maÌ„ in the world he held the day for as loÌ„g as a mans life he thought the night fled froÌ„ him euery minute he held for a yere such was his desire to meet the lady princesse The subtil Felina séeing her plot to take effect took a sute of Celibellas which did best set out her beauty clad her self therwith as yâ— heauens would not frustrate what she had exployted so could not the gallant sée whether it were the Princesse or shée But hee comming into the garden lesse armed theÌ„ was néedfull went to the window so passionate that he knew her not The cruell damsell couÌ„terfeyted her speach and sayd I haue hitherto Oh prince of Podolia dissembled how much I haue loued you for some respects which haue forced me thereto but seeing your great deserts I could not forbeare holding it vniust but to impart my faith vnto you and to say that you are more beloued then all the men in the world As he should haue made an answere in an alley among â—ose trées priuily armed came Rosaner for as hee was wise so would hee not come into so suspicious a place carelesly and in danger of his person he had beforetime there spokeÌ„ with the Princesse and séeing a Knight there and that shée stood talking with him well may a man iudge what he felt who held him selfe beloued and with so great affection hee was come somewhat néere when the vnlucky Daristeo said My deare Lady I could neuer imagine that the loue which I haue euer borne you could haue bene so highly rewarded neither can it yet sinke into my head that I could euer deserue so great a good as thus to sée you to bestow such and so particular fauours which wholy is to be attributed to your generositie more then to my loue or desert although the I might hope much for I beléeue that no man euer loued with greater affection then I. The cause hereof is the little confideÌ„ce which I repose in my owne deserts and worthinesse to attayne to so great a good as to bee beloued by your beauty neyther can I leaue to coÌ„sider the high estate you hold without vnderstanding who he was or imagining any thing of his brother for now Fortune would néeds shewe her mutability against these two Louers with the greatest suddennesse of the world the beloued Rosaner ranne vpon his deare brother not knowing who hee was Neuer Eagle turned with greater liuelynesse then did Daristeo against his brother and as they were very valiant so began there betwéene them a most cruell battaile but the elder had the worser not through want of force but of armes fortune Although the other had receiued some hurts yet they were but small The furious louer would néeds close with Daristeo but therein he sought his owne death for the desperate yong man being deadly woundeâ— before hee gaue vp the ghost reuenged himselfe by bereauing life from his mâ—â—t deare brother Rosaner for stumbling forwardes by reason of his wounds he thrust out his sword arme and by chance hit him right in the face The elder brother had not yet so much lost his memorie but that he followed the blow vntil the point of the sword pierced through his brothers braines These faithfull louers came to fall iust together losing with one onely blow their liues ielousies and loue and the greatest good of the world which was the fayre Lady The vnhappy Felina stood beholding this battaile vntill that she sawe them fall then sorrowing their death with her outcryes shée disqueted all the Palace and falling downe in the euill which shee had done without dissembling it neither had she strength to auoid the punishment she her selfe being her owne executioner for euen in the same attyre as shee stood she cast her selfe headlong out at the window falling vpon her head betwéene theâ— and in their death kept them company The greatest part of the people in the Palace ran into the garden and the king with the furious Furâ—ander who when he saw the cruell happe of his two brothers was likely to haue lost his wits which was the cause of altering his condition imagining with himselfe that they were dead through Celibellas occasion Some others did suspect it to sée the brotherly death betweene two louers It caused extréeme sorrow in all the court for the king shewed himselfe very sorrowfull as was reason to sée so pitifull a chance What the Princesse did in her chaÌ„ber I would rather that some other body would report it then I which saw it A thousand times would she haue ended with one death yâ— many deaths which she should endure through â—he absence of her Rosaner which shée beganne presently to shew for the company of her damsels was displeasing vnto her wherein she was woont chiefly to delight the fight of knights and gallants was loathsome and their discourses yrksome so as her whole delight was to be solitarie receiuing some pleasure in me discoursing of the cruelty which fortune had shewed her There was nothing but did put her in minde of her knight and to remember him it was death to her and hauing no more comfort but what shee reaped from her teares which were so many which shee shed for that lamentable mischance that it bereaued her of a great part of her beauty All the Court was in an vproare the king in making search for the murderers could take no rest so as in the citie there was nothing but suspition and mourning The most valiant Furiander disturbed all forgetting what he had promised when he took the order of knighthood that hee should neuer take part against any Lady for as ech of his brothers had discouered vnto him part of his loue and séeing how much they were tormented and how carelesse she was thereof which was not for want of affection but rather of discretion he fully perswaded himselfe that to be rid of their importunities she had procured their deaths he conceiued it with such apprehension that nothing could disswade him neither to see the sorrowfull signes which the princesse gaue for the death of the two brothers for this furious yong man had determined what he would do
would draw his comfort for the lesse of the two princes brothers from the death of a lady whom to be hold I know not who but would haue veÌ„tured his life for her It hapned most valiant prince that one day the king being despised for that he could not be certified concerning the death of these princes as he had newly dined the fierce Furâ—ander armed at al pieces in blacke of bright and shining stéele armour without any deuice sauing onely in the midst of his shielde hee bare reuenge most liuely painted Being thus furnished his comming into the Hall made al those which beheld him change countenances who with the fiercenesse wherewith nature had endowed him making a little reuerence and a litle lifting vp his visor said with a hoarse voyce for yet I haue not forgotten what feare I was in to heare him Mightie king of Samogacia not withstanding that I am of opinion that my comming in this maner will not a little offend you the great griefe which I endure to sée the most dearely beloued princes of the world slaine in the palace doth enforce me a thing euen the heauens should lament for so vniust a death that gods doe know how much it grieueth me to come in this maner considering howe much my deare brothers were boundeÌ„ vnto thée but the feare that I am in to returne again to Pâ—dolia to the king my father who sent me to séeke theÌ„ hath forced me séeing that nothing can be done against that which the heauens haue decréed and to the end that the common people shall not say that they dyed and that no man would reuenge their death and séeing the many certaine signes which in their life and since I haue perceiued I say that I will maintaine against any one two thrée or foure knights together with my horse and armes that they were slaine by order from your daughter the princesse Celibella which from this day to the end of 4. moneths I will maintaine because the princesse shall vnderstand that I desire not to preuaile by reason of the shortnes of the time but that she may haue time to send whither for whom she wil to defend her honour so as shee may not be accounted murtheresse of princes The diuilish knight held his peace and there was no man so valiant that durst so much as moue The king stood some what in a doubt pondering on the waight of the case and at length resolued and I beléeue hee was forced â—eeing how much Furiander was feared to admit the challenge and so he caused the princesse to be called which God knowes was sorowfull ynough for their deaths shée imagined straight what the matter was and so halfe amazed foorth she came The king propounded vnto her the Pagans occasion she could not answere for I thinke no body could vntill the qualme was past which had almost bereaued her of her life and then she answered with so great stomake as made mee wonder it was the equitie of the cause and the great wrong that was done her did thus animate her thereto saying that it was a lye that she would take such order as should be requisite to recouer the honor whereof she was thus robbed with so great trechery she being innocent of the death of those Princes but séeing the one failed she was to séeke who might giue account of her honour Her father the king commanded her presently to be committed to prison because he would shew himself a Iuâ—â—icer notwithstanding it was against his owne daughter whom he so dearely loued and of whose life depeÌ„ded his own for it was yâ— kings law held inuiolably although very rigorous that whatsoeuer person were accused of an offence coÌ„mitted within the palace that doeth not either of himself or some knight for him answere the challenge within the time lymitted in the challenge shall be condemned to be burnt the most cruell thing that euer was heard Then came your fame valorous prince flying through Samogacia with the highest pitch that euer knight enioyed The poore distressed Lady was of opinion as in deed it is true that she could not repaire with more reason and assurance vnto any then to you and so shee sent mee to seeke you I came from the citie with that care which a matier of such importance as this is doeth require and vnderstanding of the great feasts which were in Grecia I was of opinion to finde you there among your brothers for by the way I vnderstood that you are sonne to the great Emperour Trebatius with whose fame the whole world is replenished seing it was my hap to méet you in so good coÌ„pany I am the gladdest womaÌ„ in the world assuring my self that bringing you I bring life to the princesse although that we haue bin hindred in our sayling with tempests yet the wind being fauourable wee shall I doubt not come in time to Samogatia for there yet remaine twentie daies before the challenge bée expired and this is Sir Knight the cause that hath mooued me to take the paines to seeke you and I beléeue it shal not bee in vaine for seeing the wrong that is done to the Princes you will not suffer it to proceede for the fame of your valour importeth no lesse but that you imploy it in fauour of those which are distressed as is this Ladie The lady hauing ended her story with some teares which fell from her eyes remembring how much it would grieue the Princesse seeing her long stay that valorous Tinacria was verie pittifull especially in the behalfe of women holding it for no honour which was gotten against them and so he answered I would that the heauens had giuen me farre greater force faire damsell to the end that your businesse might be the better assured although hauing so much equitie on her behalfe I hope that it shall suffice to yéeld that contentment as such an excellent Ladie as shée is doth deserue against any that without reason shall procure her griefe and I refuse not the houre to méete that Knight of so little discretion Great comfort did those couragious spéeches yéeld to the Damsell which the Prince vsed the weather was fauourable vnto them for foure daies before the time was expired they landed néere the Citie of Adibia for so is it called with great pleasure to them both to sée themselues so neere shée to her soueraigne Ladie bringing so good a returne and he which much desired to shew all his valour in defence of the Princesse and but that it was onely his it had neuer béene accomplished with that good hap for the Pagan was one of the most strong men in the world One day and a halfe did they spend in comming to the Citie which was full of strangers although neuer a one so valorous as to answere the challenge notwithstanding that Furiander came daily to the lists They passed the night in a groue of poplar trées where what happened vnto them
made them equals to the end that as brothers and so like in proportion but that by their names no man could haue knowne them the elder was called Daristeo of Podolia and the yonger Rosaner Both at their comming affected the Kinges fairâ— Daughter wooing her with many Tiltings and Turneyes which they caused for her sake wherein they were both coÌ„mended in equall degrée As to subiect the mind in these louers cases is reserued to loue onely it ordained for the greater euill that Celibella most affected the younger not for that he had more then the other but that fortune thought it an honourable trophe to triumph of these two louers with her eies did this faire Dame giue her beloued gallant to vnderstand to what estate fortune had brought her but they had so small hope of béeing beloued that notwithstanding that she shewed it with a thousand good countenances yet he could neuer be perswaded that she loued him for as that Lady is the Phoenix of beautie hee held a fauour from her hand to be such a thing as loue it selfe could not deserue and so they procéeded in their loues a-vie without acquainting the one the other with the secret of their mindes It was no small griefe to the Ladie that Rosaner could not perceiue how well she loued him and for the Lady to make shew thereof by any signes or other meanes she would not for any thing in the world well knowing how much she should therein preiudice her honour with the often fauours and publike prayse which she gaue to whatsoeuer this gallant did he was partly perswaded that she loued him but yet he could hardly beléeue that fortune would be so fauorable At this instant wherein Celibella shewed her selfe most affected vnto him accepting of the endeuours and exployts which Rosaner performed in her seruice there was brought to the Court a kinsewoman of this Ladies who was the beginning and ending of all these mishaps She truly was fayre for somewhat being of kinne to the Kings daughter claue to her As my Lady was young and a nouice in loue she was of opinion that it was much ease to disclose it some others are of the same opinion but for my part I vtterly condemne it for there is no greater griefe then to reueyle the secrets of the heart whereby the renowne may be touched and from whence nothing is drawne but the Lady to subiect her selfe to the party to whome shee reueyleth her secret who also peraduâ—â—ture will hold her for more light in discouering it then for being in loue This hapned sometimes The vnwary Lady trode these reasons vnder foot told all to Felina for so was her kinswoman called The discouery of this secret serued not to yeeld any ease to the Lady but to incite her kinsewoman to fall in loue with the Prince Daristeo and that in so good earnest that shée spéedily made it appeare But as hee was so engoulfed in the loue of Celibella he tooke no notice with what affection Felina shewed her selfe to be his The Lady Princesse perceyued it well and receyued no small pleasure therein imagining that therewith Daristeo would leaue to bee so enamored of her for the beauty of her kinsewoman was â—ell worthy to be beloued There were often meetings in the hall betwéene these foure louers but I know not who is able to agrée them for with my tongue I am not able for neyther partie left to loue though it were not accepted It appeared in their eyes for the two brothers fixed theirs vpon the Princesse and she with new spoyles beholdeth her Rosaner making her eyes fat with beholding him But her cousin being touched to the quick with apparant signes giueth testimony of her loue in beholding her Daristeo in whom she onely delighteh and from whom she draweth her life and although she were but a nouice in that occupation the carelesnes wherewith the prince answered her put her in such care as I thinke no body hath béene more carefull for from that time forward her griefe was such as her cousin was very sory for This amorous passion did so much pinch her that shée knew no meanes how to remedie it neither saw any possibilitie for the prince neuer tooke any regard of the fauours which shee shewed him which was worse then death to this afflicted Lady who growing desperate would haue taken any course for remedy although somewhat dishonourable As the king loued these Princes holding them in place of sonnes although he had not yet determined vpon whom be would bestow his daughter Celibella so had they opportunitie to discourse with the lady who seeing that her father was well pleased therewith forbare it not making shewe that to be the cause concealing the trueth Rosaner being the man who wore the palme his brother could neuer imagine it thinking with himselfe that if the Ladyes affection were guided by reason he was rather to be beloued theÌ„ his brother but loue led it another way without respect of the large kingdoÌ„ whereof he was prince for to him which perfectly loueth it neuer representeth the qualities of the thing beloued but only what is in self which otherwise were but a fayned loue and so the Lady loued the fortunate yong man not with a litle enuy of loue séeing what was enioyed The passionate cousin was shée who sped worst in this businesse for although that the Princesse loued not Daristeo yet he was neuer perswaded that shee loathed him for the discreet Lady bestowed some fauours vpon him which were a meane to entertaine the Prince and hée held himselfe happy to obtaine so much at her handes But poore Felina neither perceiued any shew that she was beloued neither was there any end in vnderstanding her ill hap in being not regarded by him whom shee loued better then her selfe In this meane while the braue Furiandro bastard sonne to the king of Podolia which hée gat in his yong yéeres vpoÌ„ a most strong woman in the mountaines Rifei came to the court to séeke these 2. brothers he proued so fierce and valiant that they say that in valour he doeth exceede the great god Mars for there is no knight no although they be ten nay twenty that are able to kéep the field against him neither any Gyant how fierce so euer he be he is beloued of the common people for hee is not of that condition which such men commonly are of which excéede all other in force and strength of body but he is rather courteous and a great friend fauourer of Ladies although that in this occasion I maruaile not he haue shewed himselfe cruell to Celibella Much did the princesse reioyce at his comming all the whole court for the feastes were renewed wherein it is incredible not to be beléeued what that furious knight did for he was séene at one blow to strike downe both horse and man all men gaue him the prize for valiant The king respected him according as was
you shal heare in the next Chapter CHAP. III. Of that which hapned to the Prince of Tinacria with a Knight much affected to Celibella and how he ended the battell for her IT should bee past midnight most Noble Lord when a Knight with his lamentations did awakeÌ„ the valiant Poliphebus who a little from him had laid him down to sléep The sonne of the cruel Garriofilea saâ—e vpon the gréene grasse and being frée from loue he harkned and gessing which way the complaint came fully armed not knowing what might follow for he would not goe vnprouided he saw by the Moone light which shined very cléere at the foote of a great Oake a great Knight stretched all along vpon the ground richly armed in blew armour wrought all ouer with many knots of gold bee séemed to the Tinacrian to be some Knight of good account In his shield which he had fastened to his necke was painted loue with a merry countenance and fortune in the skirt with the most piercing aspect that euer was séene with these letters vnderwritten Fortune being so contrary With angrie valour taking part Though constant loue be on my side Yet nothing can assure my heart The Knight séemed to be in a trance séeing he moued not as indéed he was for the griefe to lose the faire Celibella had put him out of his wits But when he came againe to himselfe with a sigh being out of breath he began to say O Fortune with how many trials doest thou shew thy mutabilitie tyring my heart with so many troubles If I did imagine blind Goddesse that I had euer béene rebellious against thée that I had not respected thée that I had not put my trust in thée that I had doubted of thy power and of what thou art I should haue taken this rigorous touch for a reward for my patience But séeing that without any occasion thou wilt shew thy selfe my greatest enemy I hauing giuen thée no iust cause thereof I cannot forbeare to complaine and onely of thy mutabilitie séeing that with what or for what thou hast brought me to the point that nothing but death onely can yéeld mee ease O â—â—wardly heart séeing that for being so thou suffrest her to die which might giue thée life in distresse succour thée Pardon mee worthy Princesse for now I sée the iniurie which with my cowardise I haue done thée in not daring to oppose my life in thy behalfe and séeing that so many wayes I sée it lost and that now fayling with thée the remainder wil be worse then death it selfe the Gods defend that I sée thy vniust death but rather that I with iustice bereaue my soule thereof for in so long staying I wrong the loue I beare thée and herewith in a diuellish furie hee snatcht vp his sword and lifting vp his bresâ—plate hee would haue thrust it into his owne bodie saying Herewith soueraigne Ladie I make amende for not vndertaking the battell although that I had seene my death before mine eyes by how much more then beeing for thée it might haue béene accounted life The Tinacrian tooke hold of him and before that hee could effect his diuellish intent he seized vpon his sword which he pluckt out of his hands saying Oh desperate Knight and with committing so vilde an act wilt thou soader vp that which thou hast done against the Ladie whom thâ—usâ— much louest The Moore came to himselfe who was Prince of Prussia a countrey very néere adioyning to that of the most faire Celibella and beholding that Knight so tall and so wel armed being perswaded that he saw his remedy he said vnto him Do me not Sir Knight so great displeasure but suffer me to satisfie with my life that which I haue committed against the most faire Lady that the world containeth séeing that vndertaking the battell for her although with the losse of my life I might haue done her particular seruice but being against so furious a knight with very cowardise I lost that which I might haue gotteÌ„ although I had remained without life and séeing that now to hold it it will be to my further hurt giue me leaue to procéede according to my determination if you will not that I make a larger payment for the error which I haue committed which was the greatest that euâ—r Knight committed against her whom he so loued Leaue off your so much sorrow said the warlike Tinacrian for men are not bound to vndertake matters aboue their force for in such case you of your part are excused That cannot bee said the Pagan who owing his life and would not venture it for her in any daunger how doubtfull so euer the successe thereof were cannot be excused therefore you cannot denie me the wrong that I haue done my Ladie Notwithstanding all this I will not yéeld that any such crueltie bee committed in my presence neither is it weldone but ill you see the end of this aduenture to torment your selfe in such sort as may put you in such despaire as this which dooth so much disgrace the valour which appeareth in your person And because I came from farre about this businesse and to fight for this Ladie I pray you be satisfied and hold me companie to the Citie where I will trie my lot with Furiander Who can presume Sir Knight said the Moore to come into that Citie where hee hath committed so great a fault such as the like hath not beene séene I haue not the power neither can any thing make me thereto able It hath not beene so great said the Tinacrian but it may be amended if fortune fauour vs. The Prince told him so many things that in the end hee offred to hold him companie to the end that he might see the forces wherewith hee should fight for Celibella By this time it was day and so they tooke their horses and with the damsell and the Tinacrian his squire they tooke the way towards the Citie and by the way hee knew that this Knight was the Lord and King of Prussia where he fel in loue with the Princesse Celibella although he neuer knew the necessitie wherein shee was vntill hee came with his armes onely disguised to the Court to see her which for her beautie was extolled through his whole Dominion and comming thither he vnderstood of Furiander his challenge But the fame of his valour was such that hee durst not vndertake the battell for the Princesse notwithstanding that hee loued her much more then his owne soule and falling into consideration of what hee had done going forth of the Citie he meant to haue slayne himselfe The Tinacrian recomforted him the best that hee could and he did not a little preuaile being the most fearefull yong man in the world They ariued when the King was newly risen from the table and had that day inuited the famous Furiander purposing with some good reasons to haue disswaded him from that attempt being very sorrowfull for that he perseuered
in his determination he saw néere at hand the certaine death of his déerely beloued daughter for hee continued so obstinate in his vniust challenge that nothing could withdraw him from his damned resolution The two Princes came in whose presence gaue no small ioy to all that were in the hall principally the Tinacrian for no man had a greater grace in his countenance In ouer-looking the hall with iudiciall eyes the sonne of great Trebatius doing some reuerence said God saue the great King of Samogacia and graunt thée that peace which thy personage deserueth this Knight and I come from farre countries onely to defend the wrong as we haue vnderstood which is done by a certaine Knight vnto thy Daughter and casting lots whether of vs should first enter into battell for her it fell to me which gaue mee no small content to doe thy daughter this seruice and performe that whereto by the law of Knighthood I am bounden and therefore you may commaund her to be called and wee shall sée whether shee will commit the equitie of her cause into my hands The Gods requite thée the band Sir Knight wherein you haue bound me with offring your person to such danger as this present which is one of the greatest that you haue séene which might be ended by some other meanes if this Knight would who is the defendâ—nt to the challenge but séeing it must goe as fortune will appoint there is no more to be done but to come to the battell which the Gods graunt may end according to the equitie of the cause To be of the Princesses part mightie King hath compelled me to come answered the Tinacrian The fierce Pagan being somewhat moued rose vp saying I would not Sir Knight that you should haue so great confidence in the Ladies innocencie but that you should come so well furnished with forces as are needfull for the battel and so you may take this Knight to helpe you for my challenge doth extend to foure It shall not néed said the sonne of Trebacius to haue any more companie theÌ„ the equity of my cause doth giue me for if I be in the right my person will sufâ—ice for a greater matter if in the wrong little will great forces preuaile against iustice and I much desire that such a Knight which is so famous as you are before so many people should not make shew to trust more in the strength of your arme then in the equitie of your cause which most commonly fayling valour is of little effect The furious Pagan beeing there with â—ffended answered saying I thought not Knight that my curtesie had animated thee to be so proud but because thou maist know that I will not passe the time in words being more fit to vse deeds we wil no longer deferre the battell As he had ended his answere came the most faire Celibella all clad in mourning attire which did greatly encrease her beautie The Tinacrian had neuer séene greater beautie for there were few in the world that did excell her Her father told her at her comming how that Knight vndertooke the battell for her The faire Princesse knew him straight by his deuice of a bough which he bare in his shield that hee was the man for whom she had sent She presently gaue him authoritie with greater contentment then can be spokeÌ„ although that when she remeÌ„bred the infortunate Princes her most pleasing thoughts were watred with teares These two valiant Warriours made no delay for the fierce TinacriaÌ„ taking his leaue of the King went into the lists taking with him the Prince of Prussia who stood to looke on On the other side of the lists presently came in the valorous Furiander much people accompanying him although there was no bodie that would he should winne the palme or weare those armes wherein hee had accused the Princesse who was set vpon a scaffold with a sufficient gard where she prayed to her false Gods that her Knight might obtaine the victorie séeing the in so iust a cause he vndertooke the battell Face to face stood these two warriours whose lookes and gestures were such that he which stood farthest off did scarcely account himselfe in safetie at the giuing of the fearefull signe they drew with more swiftnesse then an arrow flieth In the middest of the place was appointed the course of their Carriere making a greater sound in their meeting then if two hils had runne together they bowed not in their â—addles with the force of the lances which brake like Kâ—xes whose splinters flew so high that they were out of sight These two rare men in valour turned their horses with their swords in their hands approching the one iust to the other they gaue so fearefull blowes as would haue beaten a rocke in pieces eche of them could testifie his aduersaries force they redoubled the second with greater courage then dexteritie either of them féeling his owne blood in his mouth they began to make benefite of the nymblenesse wherewith they were endued closing and beating by the blowes in such exquisite maner that Mars himselfe could not haue done the like The valiant Moore spurring his horse thinking by swiftnesse to get aduantage charged carrying his sword firme with the point forwardes The great Tinacrian was well aware thereof there was neuer seene any Eagle more swift then hee in giuing blowes and making his horse to giue a bound hée passed before the Moore and turned him so sodainly that hee wondred at the Sonne of Trebacio they came to ioyne and the Moore would giue the first blow hee did it which was more swift then the wind and strake him vpon the rich Helmet whose finenesse warranted his life for otherwise hee had clouen him to the saddle it sounded like a bell and therein the Tinacrian saw a thousand starres in the skies he fell vpon his horse necke and the Moore doubled his blow but if hee had giuen the third the battell had béen ended for it came with such force that he was quite senselesse he had closed with him if he had not séene that more furious then a Basiliske hee returned with his sword aloft There was no man in that place that yeelded not the victorie for the Pagan the Ladies fainting confirmed the same for losing her Rosiall colour it became like snow séeing the blowes which her Knight had receyued who was nothing discouraged therewith but casting his shielde at his backe grinding his téeth against the other he assayled the Moore giuing him so mightie a blow vpon his helme that he left him al that part vnarmed charging him so vehemently that there mist but little to haue laid him in the dust hee tooke hold of his horse necke The Tinacrian ioyned with him accounting the victorie for his owne and with both his handes gaue him another blow which imprinted his sword in his flesh wounding him in the shoulder as the Moore setled him selfe losing no occasion he gaue him two thrusts one
it be determined that you become loueâ— vassâ—ls flye crueltie which is that which doth most blemish and dishonour those that denâ—e therein In the rest I would haue you resemble your warlike father but not in crueltie who doeth tyrannize ouer her who bare in her wombe Oh my Selia I am of opinion séeing the strangenesse which this prince sheweth vnto mée that to sée me in his countrey will yeelde him new cause of lothing which to imagine there is no death comparable to it Soueraigne Lady answered the Damsell you liuing so assured whereof would you more then to loue him with your soule which maketh shew to abhorre you But I am of opinion that your going into Grecia should ease you of your sorow and yéeld you much content I shall neuer be so happy my Selia as to attaine to the â—ight of a thing so pleasing as that might be and the greatest that fortune could giue me to sée him acknowledging how much I haue loued him This shall bee some ease to my paine séeing the heauens haue made all other impossible that he is husband of the Infanta of Niquea Herein did this Lady passe her wearisome dayes taking no other pleasure as I haue said but to walke abroad in the fresh shadow in a groue of poplar trées It hapned one day that walking abroad somewhat early euen when the sunne from the highest heauens sent his heate into the world being somewhat annoyed there with they came to the fountaine to refresh them where they saw the valorous Tinacrian who to passe the afternoones heat was come to this fountaine This frée yong Batchelour was washing his fayre face when they approched beeing somewhat out of countenance for that they had left their company behind them and also to finde him so alone hand in hand they came thither at the instant when the sonne of Garrofilea lifted vp his head to behold them The TinacriaÌ„ did some what resemble Rosabel and so the new and sudden sight caused so great alteration in the enamoured Princesse that she certainely beléeued that he was her beloued prince Ioy so much suprized her amourous heart that shee therewith fell breathlesse into a swoone giuing an amourous scritch saying Oh my Rosabel This could not so be coloured but that the frée Tinacrian might well vnderstand that his deare cousin-germane had trauailed into those countries that this Lady much loued him he spéedily came to the place where Selia held her in her lap with so great heauinesse that it caused the prince to accompany her therein What sudden mishap is happened to this Lady said the sonne of Trebacius If it be anything wherein I with the hazard of my life may procure her remedy I will performe it so farre foorth as it to me shall be possible The cause of this disease is so inueterate answered Selia maruayling to sée a man so fayre assuring herself also that it was not Rosabel for that he was more strongly set that notwithstanding that many haue attempted to remedy it being men of much worth yet all that they could doe hath béen but to remoue the humours The faire Ladie giuing a déepe sigh came againe to her selfe sheadding many bitter teares which vpon her faire chéekes shewed like Orientall pearles she fixed her deceiued eyes vpon the faire yong man vntill that at yâ— last she was assured that he was not Rosabel It grieued her very soule that shee had giuen so manifest a signe of her being another mans and not her owne in presence of that gentle Knight who although that he had no experience in loue yet he might neuerthelesse wel perceiue that shee was in loue Hee againe reiterated the offer of his life to be employed in her seruice for the recouerie of her delight The Gods requite you gentle Knight answered the Lady for your noble offer which is correspondent to the great valour which your personage doth represent My annoy is so rooted in my soule that any remedie whatsoeuer to be applied will but double my sorrow onely sometime as now it yéeldeth me some ease to make shew of the euil which I endure and it hath not béen to any smal purpose séeing I find that it hath moued those to pitie mée which neuer knew me The dutie faire Ladie which I acknowlege to owe to al those which please to vse my seruice is so generall that it forced me séeing the great extremitie whereunto this euill as you say had brought you to offer my life in quest of some meanes to bréed your rest It may be well perceiued valorous Knight said the Ladie that if we should entreat you to shew your valour to purchase our contentment you would doe it as he which best might The amorous reasons of the faire Ladie could no further procéed for that they heard a most terrible great noise This yong gallant betooke him to his weapons because that to be found without them it should not put in doubt that which his valour did assure he had hardly laced his Helmet and embraced his strong shield when through the thickest of the wood he saw approch two most â—â—erce Gyants and with them a Knight of a gallant resemblance richly armed hée would not remayne on fâ—â—t but getting to his gallant courser skipt into the Saddle and with his lance in his hand stayed to sée what they would willing the Ladies to draw néere to the fountaine for the maner of their comming seemed not to bee to doe them any pleasure By this they were all thrée ariued and the Knight putting vp his beuer somewhat more discouering his face said Many dayes soueraigne Princesse Silepsia with costly experience to my heart I haue made shewe of my sacrificed faith to your beautie procuring to my cost by all possible meanes your content and yet could neuer obtaine any the least hope not that I would be beloued for that were to renue my life but you would not so much as once regard my paine not withstaÌ„ding that you were the cause thereof The heuens haue now permitted me to come so in the nick to vnderstaÌ„d how little you shal lose to answere to my payne knowing this maruell not though I procure that by force which I deserue should be fréely bestowed on me and so you are to haue patience for you shall be mine in despite of all the world Well haue I vnderstood Prince of Libonia answered the Lady the affection which you haue euer showed me and to be such as deserued worthy correspondence but neuer faithfull louer which delighted in the renowme of a worthy Knight tooke pleasure to winne affection which was already setled for therein he should rather resemble a rigorous louer then a man of that faith which you say you haue borne vnto me and so séeing the impossibility in my behalfe I haue procured by all possible meanes to let you vnderstand how small meanes I had to yéeld you remedie Such affection as is mine said the
Barbarian accepteth no such fained excuses as these which you make vnto me And séeing the heauens beare record how much I desire your content there is no prolonging of time séeing my fortune hath ordained it Hee had scarcely ended his spéeches when one of the Giantâ— drawing néere stretched out his arme to seize on her which being dismaied giuing a great 〈◊〉 cast her selfe to the ground which 〈◊〉 the cause that the Giant could take no hold of her But he had no néâ—d to doe it for the fierce young gallant sonne of Garrofilea brandishing his reuengeful Launce raiâ—â—ng himselfe vpon his Stiâ—râ—ps hurled it with such forâ—e that Mars himselfe did malice to sée how great a 〈◊〉 he gaue for hitting him right 〈◊〉 vnawares in the middeâ—â— of his spacious brest the well stéeled Trenchant made so great a â—â—ud-gate that the hâ—rd plates of Stéele were not sufficient to sâ—ay it from appearing out at his backe coloured with his fresh bloud There néedeth not any great question to bee made whether the Ladie were glad thereat or no séeing it gaue her courage to raise vp her selfe to sée with what force the frée Tinacrianâ—urned â—urned heat against his two enemies the which little remembred what to Knightâ— did appertaine both at once charged their â—aunces in the midest of his â—rée brest they made him vilely to bend in his Saddle striking his head against his horse buttocke and it was no maruaile for these two valiant men charged him in great furie to sée their friend slaine The valorous Tinacrian recouering againe his seate and ward returned vpon them the Giant he found alone who with a waightie Maâ—e of stéele came towards him giuing place and time to the Prince to seize on the Ladie who lifting her voice to heauen cried to the Tinacrian for helpe The Giant gaue him so much to doe that the Prince had time to depart in safetie with his praie which so much despited the sonne of Trebacius that he was readie to burst with anger calling himself coward that one Knight should bee able to withhold him from helping that faire Ladie so vniustly taken hee doubled herewith â—o thicke and furious blowes as would haue rent the most hard rock But he had before him one who held himselfe to haue no equall in the world the faire Poliphebus desired to hazard the fortune of the battell at one blow and so approching to the Pagan made shew to stay for him he lifted vp his fearefull Mace and had not fully done it when the Youth flew within him and with a blow strake it out of his hands and helde the victorie for his and séeing that delayes might bréed danger redoubling his force hee strake him on the head the blow was so terrible that it made him sencelesse The Tinacrian was not a yong man which would let slippe oportunitie particularly in a matter of such importance which concerned no lesse then the Ladies libertie and so the Moore beeing in this trance hee with the greatest care of the worlde with his sword in both his hands with all his power strake him vpon the crowne of the head the helmet could yéeld no defence for he claue it so as it fell at his horse féete and dispatched him suddenly He turned about as swift as thought following the trace of the bold aduenturous Prince and fortune was fauourable vnto him for without any let within one mile where the battell began hee saw the Prince with his pray flying swifter then the winde the Falcon neuer slew so swift after the fearefull Hearon as this valorous Tinacrian who giuing the spurres to his horse made him to run swifter then the stéeds of golden Apollo And thus riding he called to the Prince to stay whose voyce caused this gallant louer whose haste to himselfe séemed slow still to spur his horse for it sufficed him not to sée and hold his Ladie in his armes but with her to escape the armes of that yong man who as a furious Lyon his sword died in bloud approached and in his flight strooke him vpon the rich Helmet and if it had hit right it had ended the warre with that blow But it was not to any small purpose séeing it made him for his owne defence to set her to the ground being wholly sencelesse The sonne of Trebacius returned saying Ill it beséemeth him who reckoneth himselfe a worthie Knight to doe â—o vile a thing as that which you haue committed and against such a Lady as is this he came not so little offended as to stay for an answere but that with the well stéeled point hee smote him in the brest with such force that hee made him to féele his sword within his flesh The Moore was most nymble and skilfull and if hee had gone away with this blow he might haue prolonged his life but to his greater harme he would néeds close with the valorous Tinacrian where al happened acrosse vnto him and the Moore well perceiuing his strength gathered new forces from his most mortal wounds considering with himselfe how much he lost in losing that battell and so he suffered him to enter and with his sword in both his handes hee smote him vpon the rich helmet and had reuenged the death of his two companions and recouered the Ladie had not the well tempered fine mettall béene betweene the which although it gaue the yong man his life yet it could not defend him but that it brought his head as low as the pommell of the saddle casting out blood both at his nose and mouth he reached him yet another which made him almost forget himselfe Neuer was Eagle more furious in defending her nest then the Tinacrian shewed himselfe turning towards the furious Pagan and hitting him vpon the helme it sounded like a bell and made him tremble like an Aspen leafe being shaken with the fresh winde in Autumne he smote off his crest leauing him mortally wounded and séeing him stagger he claspt him in his well brawned armes whose betters the world contained not and pulling him from his saddle hée bare him in his armes to the place where the Ladie was being perfectly come to her selfe who ioyed to sée how well he had reuenged her quarrell Hee leapt with him from his horse and with his ponyard ended his life and loue in the sight of the Ladie whom hee best loued in the world the which ioyfull and secure rose from the place where she sate and with a countenance which would haue made loue it selfe in loue shee went to the frée young man casting her armes about his necke which I know not who would haue refused and with a cloth wiping his armour sparkled with blood said Well hath my friendly fortune ordayned valorous man at armes that although that your first offer serued not for a medicine to cure the wounds of my soule yet with the second restoring my life and honour you haue wholy bound me vnto you and so I entreat you in the
culuerine striking the one halfe thereof into the hard ground leauing the rest shaking in the fresh winde which did so much amaze all those that were present as the ouercomming of the prince of Campania with a soft pace hée came to the Knight There was no body there but did note the honour which the Gréeke did vnto him he was very neere vnto the prince wheÌ„ he put his hand vnto his sword more to defend himself theÌ„ to offend the other as he made it to be plainely séene for the Prince of Lucania assailing him with his whole force smote him so great a blow vpon the top of the helmet that it made him beÌ„d downe his head so low as his brest he came againe with another which the Gréeke tooke so ill that had not Florisiano bene present he had forgotteÌ„ his generous determination With all this not with the valour that he could but to put him froÌ„ him he smote him euery where where he could This is gallant noble Ladyes no ill will said the sayre Troyla that my Knight hath shewed to his enemy seeing how carelesly he procéedeth in a matter that so much coÌ„cerneth him but I beléeue that the iustice of his cause detaineth him which he seeth in the behalfe of his aduersary They could not answere her for the great noise which was in the place which was for that that the Greeke imagining that the time was now expired had closed with the prince clasping his body within his brawny armes he did not plucke him so soone froÌ„ his horse as he would for that that the valiancy of the louer séeing what he had lost did animaie him so as he did somewhat detaine him but it was but for a small time for with a strong pluck he dismounted him desiring him that he would not be ouercome but that he might hold him for his friend I desire no more answered the prince then mine eyes haue séene that by so many wayes you haue won the palme of the battaile but séeing the heauens wil haue it so all is yours so wil I be as long as I liue Many thanks did the Gréeke giue him for his offer so he mounted on horsebacke the valour of the knight of Crueltie being admired There was none in that place notwithstaÌ„ding that it was against their prince but did extell with high praises the knight in the yellow The coÌ„ming of the most valiant Asternio stayed their procéedings whom shew more mightie theÌ„ Mars himself came mouÌ„ted vpoÌ„ a most â—urious flea-bitteÌ„ coloured horse al his furnitures being of rich greene cloth of gold soweÌ„ ouer with hearts which made a very faire shew for the defence of his horse vnder this furniture there was excellent fine mayle in his crest hee waâ—e a most faire plume all spangled with gold his armor was of the colour of his furniture sauing that in the midst of his shield in a field azure he bare a Lady so fayre and well made as it gaue delight to al the beholders before her was a Knight knéeling shewing her a burning heart enflamed with a strange fire in the border this Mot. Well may this Sacrifice Giue hope assurance Of great confidence Much did the fayre Laydes extoll the deuice of this gallant louer But to the fayre Polinarda who remembred her Florisiano all this was a death for shée had yéelded her self to loue who loueth faithfully is not forgetull but absence rather reuiueth the memorie of those which loue perfectly preseruing the touch of their faith The gentle disposition of this Moore did well please the Greeke but séeing that without his death hee could not accomplish his promise made to the prince of Apulia without further pausing on the matter he turned about and went to the place where the lances were where with his owne hands he made choise of one of the greatest and most stiffe and tough among them I am of opinion sayd the fayre Troila séeing what hee did that the affection is not alike which my Knight shewed to the prince of Lucania to that which hee beareth to him which is now before him The occasion should not be smal sayd the fayre Solersia who in her soule was grieued that Asternio should by so many meanes procure Polinarda to be his wife Let vs see quoth shée what will become of this enmitie I am perswaded this battaile will bee worth the seeing Now were these 2. famous warrious confronting the one the other when the Gréeke with a soft pace came towards him saying You already know Sir Knight the conditions of my demaund which are that you tel me your name and the name of the Lady whom you serue for to be assured that her beautie doth excell hers which is Lady of my life without any battayle I will yéeld the prize I would not that wee should haue made so long delay sayd the furious yong man to make so long a discourse for I am perswaded to resolue you sooner with the battaile then to shew you in fight the Lady whom I serue Yet vnderstand that I am called Asternio prince of Calabria and the Lady whom the heauens haue ordeined for my Soueraigne is the kings daughter of this land To haue a good foundation said the valorous Gréeke for you to haue presumed to lift your affection to so high degrée it were without question no great matter to giue you the palme of this battaile and so I will haue it not in regard of the beauty which the heauens haue adorned the Lady withall but to let you know how presumptuous you haue beene to make shew to loue her These discourteous spéeches said the warlike Moore deserue the fury of the braue Asternio being as red in the face as a burning coale without regard of what to a knight did appertaine séeing him so neere vnto him stung with that which he had sayd with more force then discretion hee hurled his well pointed lance onely the excellence of Claridiano his shield saued his life for beeing vnable to pierce it the lance flew backe againe whole but not in such sort but that it was likely to haue made the Gréeke to haue lost his Saddle for it made him strike his head vpon his horse buttocks which stood him in no lesse stead then the earth did Anteus for redoubling his courage hee setled himselfe with such wrath that nothing could be more cruell there was neuer séene so angry countenance in any Knights it made aboue foure of the most valiant to lose all the colour in their faces to sée their furious encounters a good palme he raised himselfe vpon his stirrops whorling his lance about his head with greater agilitie then Mars himselfe hée hurled it at the Pagan who was about to draw his sword The thunder maketh not so great noyse in renting the clouds as the Gréeke made hitting in the middest of the Pagans shield It preuailed not that it had more folds of well tempered stéele in
all others of his time he gaue him a perillous stab in the midst of his brest had slaine him if he had not giuen back drawing out his bloody dagger at what time as he with the battaile axe came wel strengthned on the left shoulder he would haue run him in with the point the Gréeke could do no more but with his force and his dagger shun the fearefull halbard but not so but that he first wounded him shrewdly going foorth in the arme he feared ill successe because the battell was very vnequall with so apparant disaduantage yet for all this although he saw himself hurt in some places the hal sprinkled with his blood hee made no shew of want of courage but rather with greater theÌ„ he had held in former battailes he charged and retyred vpon his enemies and ranged them couered all ouer with their owne bloud Those which sawe the battaile did wonder assuring themselues that they had neuer seene the like in their liues and it was so indeed for fewe had there past like this for those of the towre liue onely to fight and our Claramant to be feared so as the heauens had the more enabled them both to the end to yéeld the battaile the more cruell I beleeue sayd the mighty Trebacius that the heauens doe take compassion on this Lady séeing that to relieue her they haue sent sâ—ch a Knight We are no lesse bounden said the fayre Litiana for this theÌ„ for the enchanted towre that I not hauing the Knight of the Lyons could not be called your Maiesties daughter neither sée the maruailes which it performeth God spéed him and grant him well to ende this present battaile said the gallant Archisilora for there wil not want Ladyes to loue him O fortunate Knight said the gentle Clarintea of Celandia séeing that before it is knowen who he is the Ladyes dispose of themselues who shall best loue him This followeth valour well employed said the gallant Venus who drew néere although I haue knowen another Knight no lesse worthie to be beloued then he of the Lyons and heerein the Lady Laysa will take my part For this which is so well knowen who would but drawe néere although with hazard of life answered the Lady for there would want no Knights to helpe me I would not bee the last sayd the venturous Dacian for me thinketh that with those of the towre al runneth at euen hand It is no small matter to come to so doubtfull battaile with this apparant disaduantage said Claridiana and in requital of what these Ladyes haue shewed the Prince of Dacia shall tell vs who this Knight is He hath héere so much kindred sayd Don Heleno that whereas he might fight for iustice here he might doe it for affection He presently shewed them in what maner he met with the Prince of Grecia and Trapisonda in Sclauonia and what had happened vnto him concerning the fayre Venus I now say said the gentle Rosamundi that I marueile not though a Lady so much beholding returne for him which set her in so happy estate as it is to be beloued They could procéed no further for the great noyse which the people made which were in the Court and beholding the cause thereof they saw that the Knight of the Lyons after two houres space in a most bloody battaile defending himselfe from him with the halberd ioyned with him and clasping the same néere where he held it with a sudden touch hee pluckt it out of his hands thrusting him a good way off from him he gat it not so scot-frée but that hee receiued a greater wound then he had of all that day giuen him in one of his thighes so as without great paine he could not stir it he felt-it not for ioy that he had gotten this wished for halberd wherewith hee was a Phoenix in Armes With this perilous weapon he made roome in the Hall There can no sorrow be compared to theirs which were in the towre especially his which had lost it For al this they would grant him no entrance but with two poinyards with a soft pace he made towards the Gréeke and in comming néere him making shew with the greatest force quicknes in the world to come within him he hurled one at him the Lord defended him for the great good which for his sake he should accomplish In throwing this cruell poinyard hee mist his brest but strake him thorow the arme from side to side the payne pierced him to the very soule but before they parted he gaue him his deserued payment welding his halberd so wel as he could hee reatch him such a knocke on the pâ—te that if it had béene of Diamond he had broken it felled him dead at his feet His companyon seeking reuenge would néeds close with him but knowing his meaning hée held out his halberd before him and the other was so blind that he ran vpon the point thereof and as the yong Gréeke holpe him with his due he threw him on his back in the midst of the Hal where in a moment winning the entrance to the fast lockt Chamber hee bereaued him of his life with the greatest ioy of the world making account that all had bene ended The Greeke tooke vp the good sword and without staying for the rest of the furnitures he went thinking to enter into the lodging very desirous to sée the end of this aduenture he had but one foote within the doore when hee heard a new al-arme giuen so hideously that the Gréekes were in great doubt of their Knight séeing him so shrewdly hurt but he who feared nothing without any mistrust with the battell-axe in his hand would enter but without being able to auoide it a fierce wild sauage man couered all ouer with okeÌ„ leaues clasping him in his armes said Didst thou thinke prince of Grecia that there was nothing els to be done Know thou that for thy presuming to come into my lodging thou shalt neither see nor know thy parents which then seest here present It shal be as it shall please the heauens to appoint it said the furious yong man closing with him where you might haue seene one of the most gallanâ— wrestlings in the world for notwithstanding that the Greeke was so sorely hurt that which this monster had sayd vnto him gaue him such courage that he would that the monster had bene stronger then he was to the end that he might the better haue bene able to shew his ownâ— although that that was such that lifting him from ground he drew him out of the lodging carried him so farre as the Hall getting grouÌ„d of him in wrestling The youth tooke footing holding himselfe disgraced to be so handled and raysing himselfe against his enemie recouered what he had lost and on a sudden entred with him into the lodging where they strugled a long space vntil at length fortune shewing her selfe fauorable in the behalfe of the Greeke with a strong
Claramante drew néere and séeing the Gréek Dames hee suddenly put off his caske and discouered his faire face saying I know not how I could haue come without great errour valorous Dames but to sée the work of your hands vpon these Gyants but séeing this battell is fought in the behalfe of the gallants I in their name doe come to giue thanks and yéeld acknowledgement for the much which they owe for such a matter as this which admitteth no other requitall but what procéedeth from your valour We would not Sir Prince said Archisilora who loued him extremely for hauing so long accompanied her louer that you should discharge your selfe of the debt wherein these Ladies haue set you That should be too much want of acknowledgement quoth he Who would not be thankefull and to liue onely thereof for what greater good can come to the Gallants of Gréece then to acknowledge what they owe to such Soueraigne Princesses In this maner wee may then in safetie returne with the spoiles gotten on the Romane Knights who reposing such confidence in their pride little regarded our valour and as I thinke as little our beautie The furious Bembo could forbeare no longer but like a Uiper although with mild spéeches aduanced himselfe forwards before these Dames should returne into Gréece saying Wee would not Knight of the Lyons that you should haue come so assured and with such confidence in your owne valour that before whom you haue so much displeased as this Knight and me you should be disarmed and were it not that the order of Knighthood doth detaine vs we would with small cost take reuenge of our wrongs The confidence Sir Knight is not so much of my selfe answered the Gréeke as of these valorous Dames who with their presence are able to encourage and giue new valour to the arrantest coward that liueth and moreouer behauing your selues as to Knights appertaineth you should first tell me the cause of your displeasure because I doe not remember that I haue offended any man That is the condition of those which doe wrongs for they write it in the sands but those that receiue them imprint them in their hearts quoth the bold Bembo Well let it not grieue you quoth Claramante for there is time and now the best that can be wished hauing such witnesses for your satisfaction which as you say you prosecute with such vehemencie Why then quoth the Pagan there is nothing that giueth vs any cause why wee should deferre the battell any longer so as there may rest time for our companions In stead of this Knight quoth the proud Claridiano séeing with what pride they had defied his Uncle hee may fight with me for my death will bee no lesse lamented then his and it will ill befit vs to stand by dallying and sée our friends maintaine fight with manifest perill Let it be as you wil said the furious Pagan Brauorante furning about his swift running horse the like did all the thrée and that so suddenly that notwithstanding that the Ladies would haue hindred it séeing the matter so farre past they durst not for offending the Gréeke assuring themselues of his valour and that hee would end that fight with victorie And Archisilora rather to kéepe them company said turning towards Coriandro I am of opinion that you are desirous to haue occasion to helpe your friends and because you shall not say when you come to Rome that you could not come to all kinde of battels wee giue you leaue thereto and to that ende returne you your shield againe The Pagan was so proud that without giuing thanks for what was offred hee said Why then by and by you shall sée how â—oundly the Iusts shal be reuenged The two Gyants made no longer delay but drawing out their huge Cemitars they made towards the Ladies which had already put on their Helmets they left although against their will the gentle Sarmacia for Iudge and so with their swords in their hands their shields on their armes they attended their comming Face to face stood the foure most famous in armes in the whole world whose rigorous contention I will not describe in this Chapter for it deserueth a new CHAP. XI Of the cruell and bloodie battell fought by the foure Knights IF the Heauens should giue mee so long a life as to bring to light all the bookes of this long Historie there would valorous Dames be the like occasion as this to craue your assistance without the which I shall but stumble at a matter worthy to be written by no lesse personage then Mantuan or that Orpheus should sing it to particularize the mightie blowes which were giuen with the discreet and aduised retreats and cunning assaultes Heere might the god Mars haue learned to fight for leauing his fifth Throne accompanied with those which whiloâ— did most flourish and were most famous in armes hee descended to behold the battell worthie to be recorded Venus beautified her selfe accompanying Mars to behold the Ladies which made her seeme to be vgly and Mars enuious for hurling ouer the field with a most fearefull noise came these pillars of valour and fortitude vntill the caâ—riere being ended they encountred in the middest of the field neither of them mist in the encounter for they would not haue done it for their liues But they mette Claramante and the fearefull Achaian with such a noyse as if two shippes had encountred so as the splinters of their launces flew quite out of sight there was no mouing out of their saddles for they were fast lâ—â—kt into them they returned with their drawne swords where at Bembo was well pleased for hee stood in some feare of the battel-axe which he left when he saw him therewith and as he was most exercised in armes so hee gaue the first blow which he reacht him vpon the toppe of the crest but the good temper kept it from breaking but not him from féeling the blow so as it made him to bow downe his head to the Saddle pummel it was not possible it should doe lesse he seconded it with another of no lesse force so that the skies containe not so many stars as he saw within his rich Helmet This serued but to vrge him to take reuenge for setling himselfe in his Saddle considering what had passed as fierce as a Basiliske hee charged Bembo who warded it with his shield whereon hee receiued so great a blow which was such that it beat it to his Helmet and made him almost sencelesse hee holpe him with a thrust in the brest which set him on the arson of his Saddle and reaching at him with another nothing doubting to ouerthrow him but his sword winding in his hand so as he smote him on one side of the Helmet which holpe to bring the Pagan againe to his remembrance There was neuer Lion which so fiercely assailed a heard as this young man did his aduersarie they were close together and at one time they smote
each the other vpon the top of their Helmets and bowed downe their heads downe to their brests The Moore was most nimble and knowing that therein he had some aduantage spurring his horse hee ioyned with the Gréeke who stoode not at his defence when the Moore gaue him two such thrusts the one after the other that if they had not lighted on Theseus his armes either of them had parted the soule from the bodie and made him sore against his will to fall backe on the arson of his Saddle The Achaian knight was not a man which would lose the benefit of any occasion for before that he could come vpon him againe with all his whole power hee smote him on the middest of the visor and made him starke blind and yet Lirgandeo saith that he made him readie to fall All these blowes gaue occasion to put the young man in choler there was no defence in the Moores armes against the strong arme and good temper of his sword but that hee hurled the one halfe of his Helmet to the ground hee had scarcely done this when with another blow no lesse furious then the last with his sword hee smote a great péece of his shield to the ground and the sword lighting on his shoulder smote away the one halfe of his Poldron All this was nothing to that which passed betwéene his nephew and the valorous Brauorante which encountring with a greater noyse then the thunder maketh betwéene the cloudes they smote their Launces into little splinters which flying in the ayre gaue signe of the fortitude of these warriours The Pagan lost one of his Stirrops but he recouered it so soone againe that no body perceiued the fault That serued but to enflame him like a Uiper against the Christian they both together encountred with their swordes aloft there were no better Armes in the world then those which they two did weare but they were not of force sufficient to kéepe their Masters being tormented with blowes from bowing downe their heads to their angrie brests they seconded them with such force as set them on their Saddles pummels the Greeke was better in breath and therefore he first recouered with such quicknesse as is requisite in such a case hee gaue him on the side of the Helmet such a terrible blow that made him make a foule bending backwards in his Saddle hee was so gréedie to giue him another that hee came more néere vnto him then was requisite and for that cause being vnable to strike they were constrained to make shew of friendship being brought to this streight as to claspe one the other with their armes there was neuer séene a more dreadfull strugling for although that they could not help themselues with their féete yet they did so tug with their hands that they were quite out of breath their horses knéeling on the ground gaue two furious cries They both came on foote where the one to shew the other the valor of his person with a suddaine hurled the one at the other with greater force then is in a bullet when it flieth the fire out of the mouth of the Cannon All the battels were renewed séeing these two on fâ—â—te for the valorous Ladies whose battel was cause sufficient to make all the battels in the world to be forgotten for as there was no defence against their weapons so were their enemies couered all ouer with their owne bloud especially Coriandro who fought with Rosamundi who séeing the Knight in the yellow in the ground much affected to the valour which he had shewne and assuring her selfe of the strength of her Tirian shée assailed Coriandro doing him greater fauour then he deserued for shée clasped her faire armes about his necks with such force that shée haled him out of his Saddle he fell on his féete where againe began the battell but with apparant aduantage for shée gaue him neuer a blow but that did cut his armour and his fâ—esh withall Shée which had the worst happe in this furious affray was the Empresse Claridiano for the great Bembo and Brauorante beeing come on â—ooâ—e thinking that they had faine with some aduantage to the Moore shée tooke her course with her horse against Bembo who slipping aside let her passe whose horse flumbled so on the trunchions of the Launces that comming to the ground hee gaue her a shrewd fall After her came a Giant who was the cause that Claramante shifting Bembo from him with a thrust at two skips he was with the Pagan making him lose his Saddle and then he charged Bembo who with a great pace went towards Claridiana who being sore brused with her fal was now risen The valorous Ladie had gotteÌ„ nothing by dealing with Bembo but the new louer approached doing wonders incredible to any mans iudgement The fierce Giant which had a fall on the ground seeing his sword broken with the fall ranne to Claramante his horse to get the Battel-axe But hee could not do it for the Quéen of Lira as fierce as a Serpent met him with her horse brest so as she tumbled him to the ground By that time was the braue Claridiano come and thinking that he should doe good with his Axe on foote he tooke it from the Saddle bow hee was not so nimble with this terrible weapon as his vnkle was for euery blow that hee gaue was mortall he put it in practise against the Giant which remained on horseback who with his monstrous sword had giuen the Quéen such a blow vpoÌ„ her rich helmet that being vnable to breake it the buckles thereof being loose hee smote it from her head leauing her amazed at the strangenesse of the blow The Pagan would haue seconded it and without all doubt had slaine her but that Claridiano came couered al ouer with a cold sweate to sée the mistresse of his soule in so notable a daunger he aduanced his Battel-axe with greater furie then discretion fortune was his good friend for hitting him vpon the top of the shoulder the edge of the Axe turning inwards it smote off his head so easily that Mars was amazed thereat hee came to the Quéene who yet had not put on her Helmet who presenting himselfe vnto her said Kéepe you aloofe valorous Ladie for although that you bee cruell to him which dooth most adore you yet it is not lawfull for me so long as I liue to permit any crueltie to be done against your worthinesse These words were so imprinted in the middest of the Quéenes heart that shée was of opinion that without any doubt that was hée whom shée best loued shée had taken him by the arme and asked him a thousand questions but that they were otherwise so much busied that notwithstanding yet shée said vnto him with a tendernesse of heart Follow worthie warriour the fortune which the heauens haue ordained for thy greater fame such a seruice as this is not requited with thankes but you haue made mee bounden vnto
wrestling should passe in obliuion without witnesses and these which came were no lesse theÌ„ the most mighty Alphebus the two pillers of fortitude brought him betwéene them Bramidoro and Brandafidel with the gentle Tirifeo of the other part came Torismundo the braue Lord of Spaine with his sonne and his valiant brother in law they mist not the venturous Zoilo with the beloued Lisart and the Prince of Argentaria so as a man may well say there was at that méeting the best and most tryed company that was in the vniuersall world All this comming could not cause them to giue ouer the battell for the Dacian séeing his Ladie in danger it made him draw new forces euen out of his wearines and to giue the aduersarie worke inough to doe who condemned himselfe of cowardise to suffer one Knight to vse him so in the presence of his father and other friends They were both out of breath and they could not continue and maintaine their obstinate fight but the one thrust the other a great way off from him the Gréeke fell downe hard by where Rosamundi stood and where hee had left his battell axe he tooke it vp and with a wonderfull readinesse hee made towardes the Dacian but before that he was come néere him Archisilora stept betwéene them saying Hold you out Knight in the yellow for the Prince of Dacia is not a Knight with whoÌ„ this battel may be suffred to be ended The Greeke stayed vpon his Ladies words and then knew the valorous Dacian for he had no desire to do ought but what might please his Queen But the noise of a most fierce blow which Bembo gaue the Lady suffred him neither to giue any answere neither to procéed forwards The fierce Claridiano turned about as malicious as a serpent to see his faire Ladie on the ground vpon her knées and had somewhat lost her senses and that the Pagan forgetting from whom hee came would haue closed with her There is no Pard that more lightly rampeth after his pray theÌ„ the Gréeke did to defend her he came in good time for before that his sword alighted on her he reacht him a blow on one side of the helmet with his axe and made him fall on his hands and his axe pierce his target smiting him with both his hands standing on his left foot againe smote him a full blow on the brest and made him with greater haste then he would withdraw himselfe three or foure paces from the Ladie the which free from danger hauing bene busied with him had not perceyued the people which shee there beheld vntill shee was about to assaile her aduersary her husband slept before her saying Shall I neuer deare Lady leaue to haue cause to complaine of your crueltie sith comming to so apparant danger you would not bée defeÌ„ded by him which was borne to loue youe These Ladies good Sir are in the fault which alone desired to take vengeance on the Romanes which is done in such sort that those which remaine shall haue whereof to talke of the Gréeke Ladies In fewe words shée told him what had past and how they had ouercome theÌ„ in the Iusâ—s and of the death of the two Giants and of the comming of Claramante with the other Knight more furious then a Lion and how they had waged battaile with those in that black to whose ayd came the rest which there remayned rouÌ„d about had that famous company compassed those famous warriours whole battaile seemed to Mars to be but new begun according to the dexterity wherewith they charged and the quicke retiring of them all foure The battaile-axe seemed somewhat trouble some to the Gréeke in a priuate battell chiefly because he had neuer bene vsed thereto wherefore pitching the blunt end thereof into the ground he left it for a testimony of the owners valour and so drawing out his good sword with his shield in his hand he assayled the mighty Bembo O Apollo I would thou wouldest recite this battaile which made all men to wonder for the dexteritie of them both was without comparison they were both wel breathed by reason of their long exercise in armes and for that cause hastening their mighty blowes so thicke that it séemed to them which saw them not that Vulcans Forge was thereabouts for according to the noyse it was to bee thought there had bene a great many of Knights to the close came these two most rare men at armes with their swords aloft But that warre lasted but little for both fell which was a meane much to prolong the battell in that maner and so againe entring with their left féete forwards and their swords in both hands they made hard Anuils of their Helmets There was neuer particular battaile in the world better fought for eche of them both was the flower of his Nation and exercised in the Arte as well of Loue as in this wherein no man excelled them no not loue it selfe nor Mars The Moore had the worse by reason of the Christians good Armes but supplied that with his strength giuing and taking blowes which would haue beateÌ„ a rock to péeces The Gréeke would play the fencer thinking with a thrust to haue striken his aduersarie in the face but hee had not well fastned his blow when the Moore soundly gaue him a knocke on the top of the Helmet he tooke him at vnawares and so the blow lighted so much the heauier made him set one of his knées to the ground and in that warde he stood to sée if he would second his blow which had lifted vp his sword but the young man would not attend the weight wherewith it came but with a iumpe standing on his féete he let slip the blow on one side leauing the Moore deceiued who gaue so fierce a blow that it turned him round about smote the one halfe of his sword into the hard floore Upon the armes the nephew of the great Trebatius gaue him a great blow he was much distressed being assured that hee should lose his sword breaking the little chaine with a skippe hee turned about for in agilitie no man excelled him and if the Gréeke had not the better looked vnto it the like had happened vnto himselfe But seeing the Pagan giue way he let slippe one hand to weaken the blow hee stayed but little herein but it was enough for the nimble Pagan who like an Eagle séeing his sword was lost he suddenly tooke vp the Axe wherewith he was a second Mars In many dayes before he had not receiued the like contentment as in séeing that in his hands assuring himselfe now of the victorie he now made roome in the spacious gréene field All men knew him to bee verie expert with that kind of weapon many were sorie for it but hee whome it touched euen at the verie soule was Archisiloraes louer who framed a thousand complaints against himselfe calling himselfe coward séeing that so retchlesly he had committed so
oration The Oration IT hath pleased him valorous Princes and excellent Knights which hath formed the mould of the whole world this day to put the Greeke valour in these spacious fields to the end that the world may know the force of your armes In praise whereof I would spend some speaches but that the necessitie of the time doth force mee to be briefe Onely this I would call to memorie The royall blood from whence we are descended and that we haue a cause in hand which may be for our aduantage The lot is already cast and the destinies haue permitted it that at ease wee may see our selues not compassed with enemies for that your noble hearts could not endure But at the point to let vs vnderstand that wee defend our Countrie with the edge of our swords I speake to my Knights for to returne to our Countrie it is impossible except we ouercome or lose our liues And so seeing the Greekes themselues haue chosen and called vs to their aide consider that it is honour to die to aduance theirs our enemies exceed vs in number and we excell them in valour and courage equitie is on our side and we shall haue as firme ground to fight vpon as they There resteth nothing but to fight with discretion for that and readinesse to be commaunded maketh the most doubtfull enterprises easie neuer any nation made but one Generall vnder whose commaund an Armie be it neuer so great is to be gouerned attributing to him the glory of the conquest or the dishonour of being ouercome This I haue said in regard of mine honour and of the Office which you haue bestowed vpon mee for fighting in order and vpon firme land and the enemies in the water if they should get any thing vpon vs we should lose the hope of any good successe as for me it shall be glorie to liue or die in your seruice and there is no more to bee said but to march forwards whither victorie shall call vs. THe valorous young Gallant pulled downe his Beuer leauing them all much affected vnto him for the discrete Oration which hee had made vnto thē being al wel pleased to haue such a Captaine and so they drew néere to the shore spreading themselues at large ouer all those fields where it was a world to see the wauing of their ensignes the soundings of Drummes and Trumpets the neighing of horses the deuices of the Commanders which to describe requireth an eloquenter tongue and riper wit then mine All the Ladies were put into Venus Castell which stood towards the Sea from whence some with sighes beheld their Louers praying to God to saue their liues they which could doe it did publikely giue them skarfes and fauours the better to encourage them to aduenture their liues for them Already was the mightie Astrusio on the Shores side who leaping into a Friggot went to the Emperour reciting to him all that passed and how neere they were to the enemies Fléet Wherefore if your Maiestie please commaund what people you like of to enter into this Ship Royall with you for your Gard for wee are in readinesse for the most memorable battell that hath béene fought vpon the Sea where if fortune be our friend they shall dearely buy their comming although I assure you that Xerxes Fleete was but small in comparison to that which now commeth But I haue so great confidence in the valour of your souldiers and in mine owne desire to fight with them that I doubt not but that we shall ende it with honour Do valorous Captaine in all as to you shall seeme good answered the noble Emperour for neither now nor at any other time none shall resist your order Presently he embarked with the company aforesaid all the Princes which remained repaired to their Gallies where it was a thing worth the séeing to behold so many Gallies together so many standardes so many flagges streamers and penons such thundring of Ordinance the brightnesse of the armours did so glister that it beat backe Apolloes glistering beames the valiant Warriours made so faire a shew on the toppes of the poopes as gaue good hope of victorie and so being put in forme of a Crescent or halfe Moone they beganne to make towards the enemies Fleete the which they discouered in order veering in the wide Sea holding their direct course towards Constantinople with resolution although there were among them many opinions to winne the mayne Port with pure force of armes The desire which the Ladies had to be on land did moue them thereto and so the two Nauies came to encounter where they discharged sundry Cannon shotte in token that they should charge The mightie Astrusio had in the vauward of his Fléet fiftie great Brigandines which had no other commission but on the one and other side to discharge great Cannon shot which put the valorous Captaine in good hope The valorous Thebane with an hundred Gallies gaue many sudden assaults and was euer in readinesse to giue aid where néed was the battell being ioyned the Sea waxed calme Oh who had euer séene so vnhappy a day when almost all was betwéene the water and the flaming fire the noyse of the shotte bereaued many of their hearing with such furie that all the world séemed to shake for the smoke the fire the noise of prows and broken mastes the callings cryings and sundrie noises made a confusion Priamus his Citie did not make so great a fire neither were there so many braue swords drawne neyther with such spéed and noise as these two Nauies made the one shewing to the other the valour of their souldiers A thousand masts were broken in pieces their high carued workes swamme vpon the water it séemed that the water the fire and the winde had concluded a peace whose effect was so fearefull that the sea was on fire as if heauen and earth would come together the sundry deaths which were giuen that day my slender wit is not able to expresse neither would the great confusion which was therein giue place to a man although he had Argus eyes to see the particular encoūters for after the furie of the Ordinance was past they came so néere as to strike with their swords they were so néere on boord where with much shedding of blood and many deadly wounds were made many braue assaults In this most cruell battell death which daunteth the stoutest was not of power to discourage them or put them in feare for no man refused any labour or perill although he saw the Cānon bent against his brest they entred by the began to burne in a light flame Death was not there feared but yet séeing before their eyes so manifest danger they began to fly from her and to abandon the ship The great Astrutio his people followed so hard in chace who were most expert at sea that some of those Princes were almost in danger But there is no danger where Commaunders are diligent onely the
gaue back with his body letting goe his club which was the cause that he escaped the blow which if he had not done he had falne on his face the handle onely remained with the valiant louer which he would imploy in his Ladies seruice which he saw did behold him it did the more encourage him to doe it for that that by reason of the noyse there came cut of a Cabbin in the Galley a most braue dame clad all in blew cut vpon rich cloth of Gold with her haire made vp more bright then the Sunne beames vpon her head a net-worke of Siluer the swéete prison of loue which to him had béene life if they would haue letten him alone although somewhat painefull in that place It was long since that the Prince had séene that Ladie but he presently knew that shée was his beloued sister the gallant Rosaluira a cold sweate to sée her in that place ran ouer all his bodie he would defer no longer time but threw the péece of the Club which hee had in his hands at one of the Giants if it had béene shot out of a Culuerin it could not haue fline with greater force he smote him right on the Helmet him who had alreadie lost his arme the gallant neuer in his life gaue blâ—w more worth the séeing for lighting on the end it sheathed it selfe in his head he therewith stept backe and drew out his rich sword and with a skip was with the Giant who was yet troubled with the last blow and with all the strength that he was able hee gaue him a thrust in the middest of the brest His strong douâ—le brest plate auailed him not but that his sword entred euen vnto his shoulders and in drawing out his sword cut came the Giants soule He which remained aliue was much vexed therewith and séeking reuenge with his sword in both his hands he made towards the youth he could not auoide the blow and to haue receiued it was like to haue béene the Princes last for striking him on the top of the Crest hee made aboundance of bloud gush out at the visor of his Helmet he was readie to fall The Moore came vpon him with another which made him fall vpon his hands and knées vpon the ground hee would haue troden him vnder his feete but the warlike Prince had not yet lost his good resolution séeing him come running slipt to one side letting him passe with greater force then a thunder-bolt The young louer followed him and as hee turned about with his sword in both hands hee smote him athwart the Helmet and strake away all that side and left him shrewdly hurt hee prouided for him another because hee should â—â—aie and with a backeward blow hee left him astonied for to smite him on the side of the head euerie blow was death to him hee closed with him séeing the aduantage which then he should haue The Giant with the pangs of death griped him with such force that his armour entred into his flesh But the fierce youth with his dagger ended the warres and throwing them all into the Sea hee went straight to his sister putting off his Helmet and said I know not Madam and my beloued sister how I shall estéeme this good hap which the Gods this day haue powred vpon mee séeing they haue brought me where I might doe you seruice for I beleeue you were forced to come hither with such euil companie By this the Ladie knew him and imbracing him with a thousand teares like Pearles for ioy shée said Who that hath gained valorous brother hath béene my selfe séeing that in giuing me libertie you haue giuen me means to reioyce at your Cheualrie They againe imbraced for there were no brothers that more déerely loued then these two he acquainted her with his aduenture and the course which he held The Ladie beyond all measure reioyced to sée the prince Poliphebus so well employed shée would then goe to speake to the Princesse of Egypt taking much pleasure to knowe her for her Ladie and sister The Prince carried her in his armes aboord entertaining her with such courtesie as was expedient and knowing her to bee his sister whome shee so deerely loued shee shewed her great affection which lasted so long as they liued The Princesse was verie sorie to thinke how much her mother grieued for her absence wherefore they tooke order that two of their people should goe in the Giants Galley directly for Tinacria where they should bee well paid for their labour which they did carrying certaine letters from the Prince to his mother They tooke their course for Grecia where in few dayes they arriued and those with the letters at Tinacria where they were well entertained knowing for whome they came The Quéene read the letters reioycing to know what was become of her beloued sonne the contents whereof were these Poliphebus his letter to Garrofilea his mother MY businesse hath beene such so much Soueraigne Queene and deare mother that they haue not giuen me leasure to bee my owne messenger notwithstanding that I much desired the same occasion was now offered me when verie merily I tooke my way towards the Greeke Empire in companie and as husband of the Princesse of Egypt and the high heauens willing to fauour me ordained that in the middest of the Sea I met with my Sister whom three cruel Giants carried prisoner The gods were so fauourable that I gaue her libertie and with her am going to doe my dutie to our father who is vexed with most cruell warres and if mine and my sisters intreatie may ought preuaile with you we beseech you that forgetting what is past you will not onely pardon but also assist him with men from your kingdome which wil be much esteemed through the world and to vs it shall be much honour to be the children of such a mother We hope that your wisdome wil consider that this is verie requisite and much importeth The gods preserue your royall person and graunt vs life to returne againe to doe our dutie vnto you Poliphebus of Tinacria and Rosaluira of Grecia your louing children The sonnes reasons did so much mollifie the hard hart of the cruell mother that shée presently altered her mind In the end as shée was a woman yet therefore shâ—e lost no part of her authoritie but presently commaunded Proclamation to bee made through all Tinacria that they all should within few dayes with the greatest force that they should bee able to leuiâ— make their repaire to her Citie Her subiects obeyed for shée was well beloued of all and when they knew what voyage they should make they leuied thirtie thousand men all verie well armed shée issued of her treasure what was néedful for although that the warres would be long yet there should bee nothing wanting shée was a thousand times in the mind to haue gone for Grecia but she found so many inconueniences that shée was enforced to stay Shée sent for
loued as his sister and the other as his loue the greatest in all Cupids band He pluckt downe his Beauer with his Launce in his hand hee marched away like Mars and came downe into the valley hee did not bow the grasse where his horse went hee flew so swift with the enamored gallant It was a luckie cōming for the Frenchman who was taken prisoner and sore wounded whome three most strong Giants and foure Knights carried away towards their Campe to goe in the more securitie Both princes saw them but the Tinacrian like an Aspicque in furie was the first that came for knowing the Knight which was prisoner by his armes ful of Flowers 〈◊〉 Luce he held him for a man of worth and of the Gréeke partie He would aske no questions but rather charging his Launce assailed the Giants who held him for a mad-man one of thē opposed himselfe against him who with his life paid for the young mans displeasure for in méeting him before that the Launce brake hee passed it a third part thorow his backe and like a Lion returned against the rest of the rascals Foure times he hurled about his strong sword wherewith hee dispatched the foure Knights remaining alone in the field with the two fierce Giants where O valorous Ladie newly mistrisse of his soule who can depaint this combat in such sort as you may take pleasure therin He which carried the valiant Frenchman prisoner was constrained to set him downe vpon the hard ground and with his Club to turne against the sonne of Trebatius who making a hard rocke of his rich and sure shield attended the blow bearing his sword aloft and séeing that the blow came hee spurring his Rubicane came so néere the Giant that hee made him lose his blow Luzelaes louer came with a good will for with a thrust he hit him on the middest of the brest came with such force that it past halfe thorow at one side his armour was so thick that he scarce hurt him His other companion came with a great Cemiter in his hand hee slaied for his comming but before that he could make any resistance he smote him vpō the rich Helmet and made him sée al the least stars in the skies and the bloud in great aboundance to gush out at his mouth had it not béene Poliphebus which fought this battel without al doubt they had ouercome him for the two Giants were the best in all the Camp therfore Bembo had recōmended vnto thē the kéeping of the good Frenchman but they met with the sonne of Garrofilea who more fierce then a Basiliske againe rusht in betwéen them from him who had so handled him on a suddain he smote his shield to the ground with the gretest part of his arme The yong mās fury rested not here seeing that he came néere to the knight who also saw him not knowing whether he were his friend although that indéed hee was the greatest that hee had in the world he would not méete him in this hurly burly with the Giants for turning to the second he smote him vpon the Helmet and left his head all vnarmed and therein a great wound By that time came his lame enemie who séeing himselfe without one arme lifted vp his crooked Faulchion but it was to smal purpose for his wound tooke away the greatest part of his strength with a leape he cleared himselfe from him and iust as Rosabel came with his sword in both his hands hee smote him vpon the top of the shoulder there was no defence in the hard Stéele for hee strake away all that quarter throwing him downe dead at his horse féete Hee had so fatned himselfe therwith that he gaue opportunitie to the other being in despaire of his life to giue him a blow yea he smote him a full one and strake him downe vpon his horse necke past all féeling sencelesse and so hee continued a great while giuing place to the Pagan to second it with another and had not Rosabel come in time to hinder it hee had striken him againe The furious Breton returned and smote the Moore on the side of the shield the one halfe he flung away with great part of his Uant-brace leauing him sore hurt By this time was Garrofileaes sonne come againe to himselfe who seeing the Gréeke so néere him hee presently knew him and was wonderfully glad to sée him in that place but he would not that he should end the warre for giuing his Spurres to his strong horse for there were few such and for such did the wizard giue it vnto him and ioyning with the Pagan desirous to giue his Cousin to vnderstand that he was no lesse then himselfe with both his hands hee smote him vpon the vnarmed head and as he hit him on the skull so hee cleft him downe to the brest and then as though hee had done nothing wyping his victorious sword he went to his Cousin Rosabel saying I would gladly know Sir Knight of whether of these two Camps you are for if you bee of the Gréekes my mortall enemies I shall bee enforced to become ingratefull for that which for mee you haue done by challenging you the combat hauing farre better confidence in the equitie of my cause then in my owne valour In vnderstanding this worthie Knight in denying my selfe to be a Gréeke I might auoide the combat But because that you shall vnderstand that you come ill enformed let our fight begin presently and in what maner you will whereby you shall vnderstand that the equitie of our cause will giue vs the victorie Your personage valorous Rosabel is worthie of all the triumphes in the world and putting off his Helmet he went to imbrace him saying Why did you thinke Sir Knight that I would not haue come into your Countrie to sée you you hauing offended a Ladie in Silepsia such as is Eufronisa by whome I am commaunded to challenge you the single combat The yong man could giue him no answere for ioy Sometime Madam a suddaine ioy bereaueth me of my sences especially when it commeth vnlooked for but that qualme being past imbracing him againe he said I did assure my selfe valorous Prince and my Lord that considering how much néed Gréece hath of your aide you would remember it let vs bee gone to acquaint the noble Emperour your Father herewith That may not bee yet answered the valorous young man but it behoueth rather to conceale my name for the loue of certaine Ladies which come in my companie whome I haue promised to maintaine their beautie in the middest betwéene these two Campes against the Moores for against the Gréekes who shall dare although it were Mars him selfe Rosabel being of their side Séeing that you so please answered the nephew there is no man that will gainesay your will but first I would that wee might to day before the Sunne goe downe let them know what your arme can doe and it commeth well to passe
froÌ„ the Knight with the Eagle who knowing that thou hast granted truce to the Moores for 15. daies although that hée came from farre to serue thée as all men ought to doe he would in the meane time with thy leaue entertaine the louing gallants giuing them occasion to shew their valour for in the middest betwéene these two camps hee will maintaine after to morrow that the two Ladyes which are come in his companie are indéed the most faire of the world and this at all perils of battaile This is my demaund and if it please thee that he come he will doe it and if not he will stay vntill the truce be past to come to thy seruice This seemed to the Greeke Princes to bee a great presumption in a Knight and so they desired that the Emperour should giue him leaue to come The Gréeke Lord himselfe had beene so greatly enamored that hée would haue gone in person to answere the challenge but trusting in his sonnes he sayd Faire Damsell I thanke the Knight much for that which he wil do for me which deserueth that a greater request then this should bee granted and so you may tell him that hee may come in safetie for no man shall offer him violence excepting such as shal fight in combate with him which will not fayle to doe it The Damsell would haue kist his hands for the fauour saying Then Soueraigne Emperour with your leaue I will deliuer a message to the Ladyes which I haue brought for them Do all that you will answered the Emperour So she weÌ„t directly to the cloth of estate where they were which might be sayd to be a new Paradice of beautie for they were come forth to recreate themselues some to fauour their Gallants with their looks which sufficeth for I would be glad to take it of my Lady if it might be permitted to come to sée her In séeing the Damsell comming quoth the gallant Policena daughter to the faire Venus Polidolpho which stood hard by the secoÌ„d Helen daughter to the Prince of Babilon Persia Bransiniano with the fayre Aurelia daughter to the great Tartarian Zoylo and the Princesse Tigliafa thrée Ladyes which did darken the Sunne in the middest of his carriere they were those which being but children gaue hope to be most faire There was neuer a one there that passed Rosabela daughter of the fayre Oliuia although she were yonger All which foure sate hard by Rosamundi Quoth the young Girle I beleeue that this Knight will challenge vs too Your Ladiship néedeth not to feare it quoth the second Helen for where these Soueraigne Ladies are there may wee liue safe from any defiance It will end according to the equitie of the cause quoth Aurelia and not for our beauties Take no care for that quoth Rosamundi for there will want no Knights which will take pleasure so goe forth in our behalfe It is to be doubted quoth Policena séeing how vnpleasing wee are By this time was the Damsell come who knéelde downe before the Empresse of Trapisonda which stood close by her daughter shée deliuered the letter to her hands desiring her to be pleased to read it because shée was spéedily to returne to the knight who had sent her It is a great confidence that that Knight reposeth in those Ladies said the Empresse séeing that my Lord the Emperour hath giuen him leaue we confirme the same Rosiluera presently read the letter with great laughter of all the Ladies imagining that it came for her it would not haue grieued Rosamundi nor Archisilora to haue tried theÌ„selues against him with gratefull hearing the Ladies gaue eare to the letter which said thus The Letter THe Knight with the Eagle to the Greeke Princesses greeting It hath beene my fortune Soueraigne Lâ—dies so wholly to estrange my selfe that I am enforced to vndertake the most difficill thing that can bee imagined I acknowledge the great difficultie your beautie whose fame flieth ouer all the world I haue presumed to entreat your leaue to vphold the beautie of my Ladies in the midst of the field against the Pagan army wel knowing that my owne smal valour deserueth it not but therein shal your generosity appeare The gods haue you in his keeping This Knight said Rosiluera is in the right in making no questions against the Gréeke Ladies which may also returne without armes for his part séeing he hath such confidence in vs it séemeth good to me with leaue of my Ladie the Empresse Claridiana to send it him with all the fauour possible to the end that through our fault he lose not the assurance of those Ladies beauties which are in his companie We passe not for that said Aurelia for hauing no experieÌ„ce of this Knight it should bee ill done to graunt him so much fauour Rosabel came to the end that his vnkles businesse might be so handled as he did deserue and said If my being suretie for the Knight with the Eagle gallant Dames may be a meanes to procure this fauour to be done him I presently impawn my word There is no cause to stay from giuing it said the gracious young Rosabella séeing that my Lord and brother hath taken vpon him the charge of our fame They all laught at the girles spéeches which was not yet aboue twelue yeares old for so long time had the Pagans spent in leuying their troupes They all went to Rosamundies lodging where Rosiluera in all their names wrote to the Knight giuing it to the Damsel shée tooke her leaue with great contentment leauing them very desirous to sée the Knight I beléeue Soueraigne Prince quoth Policena that you doe better know this Knight then we doe séeing you haue forced vs to fauour him in such a matter as this His acquaintance and friendship answered the gentle Britanian hath cost me so much bloud that I stand bound to bee his friend so long as I liue And this Soueraigne Princesse Serinda being so much bound vnto his valour I maruaile that shée intreated not for him Presently at the intreatie of the Ladies hee told what happened when hee first knew him fighting with the most strong Astratio for the libertie of Serinda as in the third booke hath beene declared where they two fell acquainted concluding such friendship as was the greatest in the world besides they being so néere of kin Now I say quoth Liriana that the fauour hath béene verie small that hath béene done vnto him and séeing that there is Truce wee will encourage him with our presence And that wil be a meane quoth the faire Troyla wholy to vanquish the Moore Ladies for yet they had neuer carried her to her Father the King of Argel it was so for her pleasure The Tinacrian very ioyfully receiued the answere reading it in presence of his Ladies in this maner The Answere THe Princesses and Greeke Ladies to the Knight with the Eagle greeting Thy thankfulnesse valorous knight hath so bound vs
Knight I am of that opinion answered the sonne although I assure your Maiestie the courage which those thrée knights shewed which were that Knight with the Starres and the two new Knights made mee to wonder and I greatly desire to sée them tried with him That will quickly be seene answered the Father for as he layeth about him there are few within the Lists to resist his arme as it was true for turning againe to behold the battell the aduantage was apparant of Tinacrian his side although that the other by defending and offending himselfe so well deserued the name of valiant notwithstanding that hee should remaine ouercome for now they said it was no disgrace to be so by such a Knight as that was for the gods had not reserued to themselues any greater valour then they had infused into him It seemed vnto him that fighting with such deâ—teritie and skil hauing so much to doe it was to spend much time And so caring for nothing but to end the battell hee griped the Pagan so hard that he knew not where he was and would also with a blow haue ended the fight for taking his sword in both his hands hee made towards his enemie he made many afraid to sée him come with such furie assailing him at one side The Tinacrian would haue bettered it but it was like to haue béene to his owne dammage for the Moore was subtill and perceiuing that hee warded not his head he gaue him the greatest blow that euer he had smitten hitting him at one side hee beat his Helme round and made him to lose part of his sight casting out much bloud notwithstanding all which he was stil very heedfull which in such extremities was that which did assure him of yâ— battel forâ—losing with him with his dagger for therewith great adueÌ„tures were to be performed although not with the Tinacrian but by another yong maÌ„ as in the fourth part of this History he which ruleth the heaueÌ„s giuing me health shall be declared he gaue him two mortall wounds and left him although on horsebacke yet breathlesse and seeing him in such sort hee shouldred him and threw him to the ground There was no fault in this Prince but that in particular battailes hee was verie cruell vntill they were ended He caused him to be borne out of the field leauing his shield for a pawne All the Moores were mooued and Bembo would be the first but that Flora would haue him to be the last Into the Lists came the famous Thorisiano with his accustomed armes which were as good as any in the world He was not enamoured but yet was sent by the Ladyes And as he was knowne to the Gréekes and held for so valiant they were in doubt of the Tinacrian but not they which knâ—w what belonged to the wars and much lesâ—e Rosabel who was ouerioyed to see how wel his vncle had acquitted himselfe and he did the more reioyce to thinke what contentment his mighty Grandfather would conceiue when he should know him to be his sonne If your fauour were euer disagreeable faire Ladies sayd the Empresse Briania to the yong Ladyes in my opinion it is now for with this comming of the aduersarie all the companie doth mutter doubting of your Knight There is no cause of feare soueraigne Empresse sayd the faire Aurelia our warriour being so much loued and fauoured as he is They had not stept a foot from the place when they heard a great noyse in the field which was that the one ranne at the other with a greater swiftnes then an arrow flyeth out of a bow The Pagan was extreme strong but hee met with one which in fighting renewed his courage for comming to encounter in the cariere their Launces flew into small splinters and Thorisiano hardly escaped falling for he was driuen to seize on his horse neck without knowing what hee did Luzelaes gentle louer was somewhat troubled which was well perceiued by the assistants whereby they iudged of his enemies valour who drawing the braue Astrutio King of the Medes his good Sword made towards the Tinacrian At one instant they strake two mortall blowes which made them both to sée a thousand stars in the floore The Challenger had the best horse in the world for which cause his enemie could not meete him although hee returned with excellent swiftnes against him but rather carryed away with his furious blow gaue place to the Louer to giue a terrible blow behind vnder his righâ— shoulder which did so torment him that hee scarcely felt his sword arme The paine was soone gone which was an aduenture for the yong man for the Tinacrian was come with another with greater haste then good speede for he came so neere that Thorisiano might well strike him The Greeke neuer receiued a greater blow for hee smote him on the brimme of the Helmet and with a little more had stricken it from his head making him bow lower then he would haue done and before he could recouer himselfe he gaue him a sore thrust and hit him luckily in the ioynt of the vaunthrace and was the first that dyed his sword in the Tinacrians bloud The rest which remained freezed in his bodie and roring within himselfe more fiercely then a furious Tiger he ranne vpon Thorisiano Had Mars himselfe seene him come with that furie he would haue beene afraide of him There was no steeled shield nor plankes of fine steele but all was too little against the furie of the Tinacrian Hee strake away his shield and it was a great chance that hee had not done as much by his arme the blow passed to his Helmet with such force that it made it flye from his head breaking the buckles leauing all his face bloudie which came out at nose and eyes Wherewith was heard a great shout in the field crying The Moore Ladyes Champion is dead The Tinacrian séeing him so fayre and so amazed was mooued with compassion and to doe that which he neuer did which was to hold his hands for if he had striken him againe it had been the last battaile that euer that Prince had fought But he stayed to let him take breath when hee was fully recouered making himselfe readie for his defence he sayd vnto him I would not sir Knight that your great mind should bee any occasion of your disgrace for which I should bee sorie you are wounded and disarmed the best course will bee to giue euer the battaile without farther contention The vnknowne Thorisiano was of good behauiour and séeing his gentle offer hee sayd I am verie sorie sir Knight that by so many wayes you haue the victorie of mee but séeing the heauens haue so ordained it all is for the best and which best fitteth mee The Tinacrian tooke his answere verie kindly calling to his Squire for the Helmet which he gaue him saying I wil not that your Shield remaine with mee as a signe that you are ouercome but for a token that
mightie strength but I beleeue that no man can compare with the Knight with the Eagle And had I not séene his face thereby assured that it is not Claridiano I should haue thought that it had beene the same for I neuer saw man so like him in lordly grace and comelinesse in battailes as hee is Your highnesse saith truth answered the great Zoilo and I beleeue that the Pagans haue met with one who will giue them inough to doe I expect nothing quoth the fayre Archisilora vntill the two youths come in for men of greater courage the world contayneth not The warriours lost no time which being out of breath were yet more furious then the raging sea It séemed vnto the vnknowne Macedonian that hee spent much time in that battaile and the Tinacrian thought no lesse It séemed also that they agreed in one for lifting vp their swords they smote so great blowes that cleane without any feeling they fell vpon their horses neckes Garrofileaes sonne within a while came againe to himselfe hee was neuer woont to charge at aduantage but now hee was so blind with passion and furie that he forgate himselfe carried away with desire to ouercome and so seeing his enemie who as yet was scarcely come to his remembrance with two iumpes he was with him iust as he came to himselfe yet he could not strike him but tooke him at such aduantage that hee pluckt him out of his Saddle giuing him so great a fall against the ground that he could hardly rise he was so sore brused therewith All the Pagans campe was verie sory for Don Celindo his mishap Luzelaes Louer leapt after him and before that he knew where he was he gaue him two blowes one after another which put him past all remembrance leauing him breathlesse vpon the ground taking from him the best Shield that euer hee got and was glad in his soule that he had so ended the battaile Much did those foure shining Lampes of beauty extoll the valiancie of the Tinacrian Let vs attribute it quoth the fayre Policena to our fauour for it is not possible that it should come elsewhere He would make a new challenge hereupon sayd the fayre Aurelia for I rather beleeue that it procéedeth from the Ladies which hee bringeth in his companie who are endued with no lesse beautie then courtesie in fauouring so warlike a Knight Well may hee bee called fortunate sayd the fayre Iewish Artimisa seeing that they striue to giue him contentment who are able to giue and take it away in despight of loue it selfe There remaineth yet fayre Ladyes quoth the secretly enamoured Rosaluira so much for him to doe that in my opinion this may be referred to the end of all these battailes She sayd this in regard of Bembo whome she loued with her soule The proude attempt of Floralisa put them from this matter who séeing her brother ouercome there was no Uiper that shewed it selfe so malicious This Lady had a most delicate horse for in his course he would haue outrunne euen thought it selfe Shee gaue him the spurre who passed his carriere swifter then any Eagle and at their meeting made a greater noyse then when a great high built house talleth to the ground they passed with an excellent grace the one from the other There was no man among the Gréekes that knew the Lady for shee came disguised for feare that the Knight should refuse the battaile against her And hereupon was much suspicion among them who this might be séeing it was the first that matched the yong man in the carriere The Lady was of a mightie courage for if Mars himselfe had béene in the field she would not haue refused him in the single combat with that Lords sword which was the Troians greatest enemie Shee made towards the Greek so spéedily that it wan his good will although hee much felt the blew for in receiuing it it made him bow downe as low as his Saddle The Lady lost no opportunitie for shee was one that vsed all diligence and so before that the Gallant could recouer himselfe shee which loued him farre better then her owne soule gaue him a second O strange effects of loue The warlike Damsell entred with her shield somewhat farre from her brest and came so neere to him that before that he could deliuer his blowe shee gaue him so strong a thrust as had almost set him besides his saddle and made him to lose the halfe of his streÌ„gth The Lady gat hereby otherwise it had gone hard with her for with that little which hee gaue her hee made her to sée a thousand stars vnder her faire browes and troubled her so with the blow that thereby he gat meanes suddenly to giue her another He smote her crosse the Helme and smote her so much to one side that he had almost ouerthrowne her to the ground There was neuer any Dunce like her for she plyed the yong man so well that shee put the battaile a thousand times in doubt which his Lady gaue him to vnderstand for she carryed her selfe so in her standing as though the blowes which he receiued vpon his armour had pierced to her heart The Tinacrian perceiued it and imagining as it was hee charged the Daughter of Meridian in such â—oâ—t as made all the assistants to wonder The Ladies haue made some signe to that Knight sayd Venus for the fiercenesse wherewith he set vpon his aduersarie can proceede from no other cause for nothing doth so much encourage warriours as the fauour of their Ladies The second Venus sayd not so without reason for hauing seene his Ladyes countenance hee was so grieued that hee would that that Knight had beene Mars But for all that he could doe the Lady defended her selfe so well as could bee wished The Tinacrian entred like a master at the warres meaning at his pleasure to haue giuen her a great blow bearing his sword aloft but the warlike Matron vnderstood his pretence and suffering him to come neere to her with an excellent quicknesse shee foyled his ward and with her sword in both hands shee gaue the Prince vpon the Beuer one of the most cruell blowes that euer hee receiued in his life for falling vpon his horses necke the bloud began to spout out at his mouth and eyes There came a cold sweate all ouer those 2. Ladyes when they saw their Poliphebus in the taking But that being past there was neuer any Lion so furious as he shewed himselfe For very desperately he flung his Shield at his backe There were few in the place but were afraide of his angrie countenance and gnashing his téeth he spurred his angrie Rubican and was so soone with her that she had no time to defend her for he smote her vpon the rich Helme so aswash that he could not pierce it yet he brake all the riuets on that side which the yong man well perceiued and giuing her another that the bloud sprung out hee set hand to
her Helmet and with a touch pluckt it away leauing her couered with a fine Cawle of gold All the companie was stricken with admiration when they perceiued that shee was a woman The Queene of Lira knew her and doubting that Poliphebus would haue vsed her discourteously she would haue gone down to entreate him to giue ouer the battaile for the great loue which she bore her euer since they had beene together in Tinacria as is aforesayd But the Greeke was so gratefull considering how much loue this Lady had shewen him in time past He sayd vnto her You hauing so good assurance of your part valorous Lady haue wronged your beautie to séeke it with your victorious hands which if in ought I haue offended as I doubt not but that I haue much you may with lesse cost take iust reuenge although that comming hither vpon commandement it may somewhat excuse mee The victorie is yours and so are all in the world due to your beautie and worthinesse and so I beseech you in token thereof to take my shield To beare a pawn from so warlike a Knight quoth the Lady ought to haue béene done by some valorous knight for it is not iust that wee should take that which to your worth belongeth séeing that you haue so well woonne it for I am yours ouercome in battaile which otherwise I will not bee She would haue left her Shield which was held for an excéeding greatnesse of mind for it was one of the fayrest in the world But the Tinacrian would not yeeld thereto but rather accompanying her forth of the Lists offered her his seruice and so returned to his tent deâ—â—râ—ing the rest of the battels vntill the euening for these already ended had somewhat wearied him Bembo seeing what honour that Knight had gotten vpon his deare friends came forth like a Lyon There was a great hope of those which remained that they should againe recouer that which the rest had lost In the standings whither the Emperor commanded meate to bee brought for dinner there was no speech so long as it lasted but of the valour of this Knight If euer he had neede fayre Ladyes of your fauour sayd Liciana it will be this euening for I am of opinion that there remaine some behind which will put him to his shifts and God grant that hee fall not into their danger Hee shall not sayd the fayre Rosamundi for sith that these Ladies fauours haue serued his turne for so good a beginning and middle it will be no doubt sufficient to make a glorious end of that which remaineth They all wished it for they loued him in their soules and were neuer well vntill they might againe returne to see him Those of the campe stayed not long at dinner they were so sharpe set and the Greekes being aware of their comming came to the standing windowes to behold them whose sight deserueth a new Chapter CHAP. XXVI Of the cruell battaile fought betweene the youth Clecbulo and Poliphebus of Tinacria with what happened to Floriâ—arte of Argentaria FAire Ladies by often crauing your ayde as is reason I am become troublesome to you But my necessity so great occasion is offered me that I cannot forbeare to reâ—â—ire anew vnto you for some new fauour whereby I may bee able with a pleasing stile to deliuer vnto you the maner of foure of the most famous battels that euer were fought in the world for they which fought them were the flower of all valiancie and for such a cause as would haue made a Lambe a Lion There were many cruell blowes giuen but those which the Ladies gaue to those youths could neuer be cured but by them which gaue them No man employed himselfe so well nor with â—ore reason then the sonnes of Eufronisa which notwithstanding their braue and couragious hearts yeelded their soules to two Princesses of Grecia whose braue beautie would haue expelled the first Venus She to whome the gentle Leobulo subiected himselfe was the gallant Aurelia daughter of the valorous Tartarian Zoylo and the fayre Princesse Tigliafâ— whose loue gaue occasion to this Prince and his elder brother to worke wonders as I will the Muses assisting mee declare in the fourth part Well did Lupertius know what peace would grow of these warres and that hee should be a friend to the Greeks But hee was so much offended for the imprisonment of his fellow Scholler Selagio that he sought to bee reuenged of the Greeke Princes The destruction of Troy was neuer so much desired as was now the ruine of Grecia And although that he would that these youthes should haue dyed thereby to haue despighted Rosabel yet he forbare to the end he might see the bloud which they would shead in the Gréeke fields and in the behalfe of the Pagans And for this cause seeing the furious enemie with whom they were to encounter and the lucke of his hand hee sent them certaine most rich enchaunted Armours which were of the best in the world all russet with certaine knots of colours which made a marueylous faire shew They both bare one deuice for the gallant Claribel had chosen for his Soueraigne Lady the fayre Policena daughter of the valorous Polidolphus and of the second Venus In the middest of their shields they bare the God of Loue giuing him for tribute the spoyles of their hearts and soules with these words What may accounted pleasure Which doth yeeld no greater smart If loue therein haue no part Both the camps tooke great pleasure to sée these two gallant contented youthes which passing ouer the place tooke the first standing although there were some question about it for the Knight with the Starres had first desired the battell Brufaldoro was almost mad because hee could not be first The braue Lord of Achaia challenged it to bee his These fiue had fallen out about it had not the Emperour of the Romanes and the Souldan of Niquea taken vp the matter which brought them to agréement which was that they should draw lots whereto they agréed because they would not fal out The first lot happened to him which in all was equall to the best which was Leobello and the second to his brother the third to the Knight with the stars and next after him to Brufaldoro and the last of all to the furious Bembo who was as fierce as a Lion who imagined that after those Knights there would bee no meanes left for him to fight the battell but the Tinacrian did so wel discharge himselfe that hee gaue them all their hands full The youth came into the field with so gallant a countenance that all affected him for putting vp his Beauer hee went to the Tinacrian who entertained him verie courteously for they were maruailous like to whome the valorous youth said Mightie Knight with the Eagle although it bee a presumption for me to enter into the Lists with you yet for that my Ladie is fairer then shee whome you haue made Ladie
of this matter fortune was her friend desiring to doe that Princesse some new fauour and there being no fit companie to stay with the Prince if hee would haue anie thing shee offered her selfe to stay for that purpose which the young man much esteemed and more would haue done if hee had knowne the occasion thereof And seeing her selfe alone with him shee came to his beddes side saying I would valorous Knight that you could impart your paine to her who feeleth the same as much as your selfe Your visiting me faire Damsell answered the yong man is a sufficient ease for all that I feele being from my Ladie the Princesse Eufronisa which in conclusion doth that which is annexed to her valour which is to remember them which are in need as I am And to remedie it with losse of her owne contentment answered the Damsell I doe beleeue that shee gladly would doe it And for my part I should take it for much fauour to know what marke that is vpon your brest which I saw when you were a dressing I know not the cause thereof answered the young man but that I was borne with this face and my brother Claribel with an heart crossed and hitherto we knew no other but that we were the sonnes of the discreet Sergio for hee brought vs vp but within these two dayes hee hath put vs out of doubt telling vs that we be not his children but that in Silepsia néere vnto the Citie of Golbergt he found vs newly borne and his mother brought vs vp in stead of her owne children wherein as I say we haue continued vntill now that hee hath otherwise assured vs. The pleasure which this Damsell conceiued was such that shée presently taking her leaue of him went into her Ladies Chamber and without speaking one word shee imbraced her The Princesse maruailing at the newes asked her the cause thereof which should not be little So great answered the the Damsell is the good which the heauens deare Ladie this day haue done you that you may liue merrie and contented all the dayes of your life for know that the two famous youthes are your two lost sonnes The Princesse could giue no answere shée was so surprised with suddaine ioy which was then the greatest that could happen vnto her Ah my Selia I cannot beléeue that so great a good as this can happen vnto so vnluckie a woman no way deseruing it and therefore it cannot be possibly Without doubt it is as I tel you for I haue seene the verie markes wherewith they were borne and that which Cleobulo hath I saw this night when hee was a dressing and then shée told her what had passed betwéene the Prince and her whereof the Princesse was not able to containe the pleasure and being vnable to make an end of renewing her delight she said It behooueth me to see it to the end to make me liue cōtented That shal be an easie matter to doe answered the Damsell for now euerie body being at rest I wil leade you thither without discouerie but why will you not beléeue that I haue told you of him She presently came forth with her for the hope to sée him did encourage her in such sort that she would aduenture to come to the Princes lodging to whome at her comming she said My Damsell Sir Knight hath told me so many and so rare things of you and your brother that being somewhat hard of beléefe although it may be noted for lightnesse that I in exchange to see it haue put my selfe in danger to be noted It is to me Soueraigne Princesse a great fauour that which you doe and the cause being manifest bringeth therewith the defence as for the rest seeing it is your pleasure there is no more to be done but to sée it with your eies and so putting his shirt a little by he shewed that faire face The Princesse had so imprinted it in her heart that shee presently knew it She had almost discouered her selfe but considering what might ensue thereof and to publish her contentment shee tooke her leaue of him the most ioyfull of any woman in the world Well did shee deserue it hauing recouered two such sonnes as shee had being in all so accomplished Shee was now of opinion that fortune could doe her no greater pleasure then that which shee had receyued with the sight of her two sonnes They withdrew them to their lodging with determination neuer to marry seeing she had two such children neyther to make them knowne to the Greeke their father for feare that they would stay with him in Greece Heerewith they passed the seuen dayes which remayned shee in one campe and be in another vntill that that wished day did come wherein should be the generall death of him or of his enemies It seemed that Apollo this day hastened his course to the end that there should want no time for this bloudie warre he appeared of a bloudie colour and Mars with his armed Trident appeared low wherewith he touched Vulcans Shield There was neither Faune Satyre nor god in the woods which came not to the top of the Mountaines to sée the battell In the Campe before the Captaine Bemboes Tent was pitcht vp a blacke standard the sides being of colours a signe that the warres should be made with fire and sword and bloud and that he should die for it which tooke a prisoner he drue forth his Infanterie which was innumerable making thereof his maine battell lyning it with the fierce Parthians which were aboue a hundred thousand men al Archers with their bowes and quiuers wherewith they did notable harme for being on horsebacke before they came to charge their Launces they wrought great hurt in the head of the Cauallerie which were diuided into twelue mightie squadrons Foorth came those two mightie Princes the Soldan of Niquea and the Emperour of the Romanes whose persons compassed with huge Giants were garded with no lesse care then Achilles was with the Mirmidons With the rest of the people he made 2. Battaliōs one of which he tooke for himself leading them to the right hand At one side of him went those two braue competitors Brauorante and Brufaldoro with the most principal troups of Achaia In the Arrere gard with the Africanes came those thrée mightie young men he with the starres Claribel and Leobello whose comly personages were pleasing to al. The Duke Ferrer bare the Standard royall with all the fierce Almaines hauing twentie foure Giants for his gard On the other side went the mightie Soldan of Egypt bearing downe towards the valley of willowes in whose companie went the fiue of the faire wood with the flowre of Giant land which séemed as high as Pine-trées The King of Fenicia and the mightie Assyrian had in charge the gard of the Campe the charge of battering the Citie with all the Chariots with Sithes and the strong Castles vpon the mightie Elephants wherewith they thought it an easie matter to
Gréekes were in such readines that as he left they marched as swift as the fresh wind A sorrowfull day for a great many for there they met with their deaths in a thousand maners The earth shrâ—nk it was so oppressed The Sunne hid his beames because he would not sée so many deaths The noyse wherewith the battel 's ioyned was so terrible that rebounding vp to the skies it made there also a great slaughter for the flying soules wanting ayre to maintayne their flight came dead to ground The 2. Nauies at sea although they had already ioyned heard the noise which was at land In came the mighty Trebatius accoÌ„panied with his sons so furious that he séemed like death it selfe they did so well gard him that he neuer receyued blow The famous Tinacrian was the best armed and mounted of any man in the world and so earnest that sometimes his kinsmen could not follow him notwithstanding that they wrought miracles But the Pagans were so many that although that they where they went had the aduantage yet the Moores had it in the rest of the campe fighting sometimes foure against one and sometimes at more ease On that side where the Souldan of Egypt was there the Gréekes had the better because on that side happened to fight the inuincible Alphebus with the no lesse furious then redoubted Knight Oristides who séemed no other then as Hercules among the Giants in the plaines of Egypt or as Samson among the Philistims Lirgandeo reporteth that before that hee had euer drawne his sword hee had felled ten Giants those with that in his hand he sought and not the weake simple Knights They made a broad stréet for him but Don Celindo taketh him in hand with his sister friends he rushed in among them vpon a sudden seized vpon Thorisiano he made him lose his reynes and almost his saddle and therewith his life had not Don Argante come at one side who with his rich sword when as this braue Emperour would haue seconded his blowe there with haue stinted the strife entred with a strong thrust which he made at him hitting him in the brest shrinking vp his sword arme with the paine and so he could not strike the yong man but turned against the Fenician more fierce then a Leopard smote his plumes from his head had he borne his hand a little lower he had endangered him he returned a thrust at the Assyrian who séeing what the knight did which knew him not for he would neuer enter into any battell but as a priuate soldier had aduauÌ„ced himselfe forwards with a desire to strike him he hit him in the middest of the brest and vnable to pierce it for the goodnesse of the mettall hee pushed him so farre backe that hee tumbled him out of his saddle There was neuer a better blowe giuen in all the battell Claridiana was glad to sée it who had taken Floralisa to taske Their battell was apart for the high heauens in valour although not in beautie had made them equals No man came to their ayd séeing their equalitie in fight But Don Celindo who was of greater force then the Troiane sorry for his friends blowe parted from him and assayled the TrapisondaÌ„ Lord. He was neuer weary with fighting for therewith he was refreshed he let him enter and with all his might stepping aside as he was more nimble valiant seizing vpon him with his armes he pluckt him out of his saddle and but for feare to bee ouerborne by the beasts which the Giants rode on he had kild him hee let him goe spurning him with his feete but he was presently remouÌ„ted The Souldan of Egypt was extreamely sorry to sée that of his side they had the worst of the battell and therefore he fought not but did more in giuing directions for by turnes he brought new succours where they were ready to fly Those in the middest charged with all possible force Rosabel his sonnes and the vnknowne young man with the starres had desceÌ„ded more lower into the valley They séemed like the bright Sun beames amidst the black clowds and amazed all the army to see how they plaid the deuils They resembled Auteus in strength and Cesar in fighting They left not a Knight wounded for they strake them all starke dead The orchard kéepers beat not downe fruite so fast with their long poles as they did the Gréekes with their sharpe swords No man durst abide them and so climing vp a little hils side and séeing that in all the rest of the battell their friends as fast as they could goe did get ground although that they saw them fall by heaps yet they were so many that there was no man mist leauing the staÌ„dard in his hands who well knew how to defend it they came downe the hils side The two brothers wore seuerall coloured Scarfes which their mother had giuen them although not by that name but as their country woman they were séene by both armies Hee which went to méete them was no lesse then the fierce Don Heleno with his beloued Ladie who was knowne to haue the aduantage of all men with those cruell Armes which sometime did belong to Semiramis on his left side went that valiant Spaniard Thorismundo to whose trust might be committed any charge although not this for without doubt Claribel was more valiant who fel to his lot who as this was the first battell that hee had séene so would he therein purchase fame Hee suffered the Spaniard to enter vpon a faire horse of the race of Corduba in whome he did put too much trust to his valor giuing the young man a great blow who was nothing mooued therewith and preparing a second hee entred striking him vpon the rich Helmet which then gaue him his life but for all that it set him vpon his Saddle bow casting bloud out at his Uisor and with another hee would haue ended the warre and had done it had not his sonne come running who séeing his father in such case drawing force out of feare with both his hands tooke reuenge it was enough to make him to lose his â—â—ow for thereby hee recouered his Fathers life who with the helpe of his sonne set vpon the young youth who was glad thereof the better to make them to know the strength of his arme which tired him more then they knew for This was nothing to the battell betwéene Don Heleno and Rosamundi with his brother and the Knight with the starres Shée reposed great trust as there was reason in her rich weapons and for that cause shée ioyned euerie foote with the youth cutting both his armour and his flesh he went more enraged then a chafed Bull to see himselfe so hurt for before that hee could cleare himselfe from this Ladies hands he had receiued foure wounds which were the first that he had receiued in all that battell The Ladie was no lesse tyred and endangered then if she
had bene cruelly wounded for in parting from him and at the arriuall of troupes of either side shee was constreyned to put vp her Beuer to take breath Don Heleno came to her intreating her to goe forth of the battell Doe not desire it my beloued Heleno answered the Matrone for what pleasure can she which loueth you haue in rest without your presence and to bee perswaded to this were a notabid iniurie for yet my mind doth serue me to conquere another Don Heleno and therewith she pulled downe her Beuer and calling for a Launce to them which had the charge to giue theÌ„ shee turned to her husband saying Now see what it is to haue you by my side It seemeth that fortune had brought into her presence the King of the profound Iland in proportion like to a strong Pine trée hee had a crowne vpon his head and aboue a thousand Giants in his company The Dame meant to charge him passing through those Giants and sure there was neuer any better encounter giuen with a Launce for hitting him in the middle of the shield she sowed it fast to his brest striking a fadome of the launce thorow the other side Her Knights did much reioyce thereat holding themselues for happie to serue such a Ladie He which most reioyced was the Dacian and to be equal with her with a new Launce aboue hand hee bereaued a Giant of his life whereat the Ladie was very glad Now was he with the starres parted from the Spanyards both the one and the other entring among the thickest of their enemies the which I meane the Pagans with their great number with their ensignes displayd draue vp the hill all the Greeke Cauallery to that part where the braue Trebatius was who séeing the ill successe of the battell with new griefe recommended it to God It seemed that his force was two fold increased for lifting vp his voice saying Goe to my sonnes this is the most fortunate day for those which shall die séeing we shall doe it in defence of our couÌ„trey and if death must come let vs sell them our liues as deare as we can O who had séene Poliphebus his eies full of water with his fathers speaches for all the armie séemed little vnto him he gaue not one blow but that therewith he threw downe a Knight He saw the gentle Epirabio who to him seemed to be a man of account although he had before ouercome him and made to him and giuing him a fierce blow laying hands vpon him hee pluckt him from his horse and for all that his gard could doe hee tooke him giuing good direction for the carrying of him to the Citie There came into that quarter 2. famous warriours doing many faire exploits vpoÌ„ the Gréeks which were the Princes of Niquea and of Calidonia The Tinacrian rushed in betwéene them giuing them so much to doe that he made them both past remembrance He closed with Astorildo trusting to his Rubican he ouerbare him to the grâ—uÌ„d with his horse brest he would haue kild him for he meant to leap vpon him if the signe agréed vpon with Astorildo had not letted him to the end that they should repaire to the campe who winded his horne so lowd that it resounded making both armies afraid sauing those two the Uncle and Nephew Poliphebus and Rosabel who séeing that their people had somewhat the better asking their fathers blessing departed when the Generall sounded In their passage they ouerthrew the flowre of the Moores for the furious Rubican meeteth with no body but he treadeth them vnder his féete The valiaÌ„t Nephew Rosabel vpoÌ„ his courser doth no lesse for with his horses brest with the strength of his arme he leaueth no man aliue They were beheld by all the campe knowne to some who although they followed the chase it was to their owne hurt for these 2. went resolued to passe any aduenture were it neuer so difficill Rosabel saw certaine Gréeke Knights at whose féete were 2. Knights at the point either to die or bee taken prisoners for there followed theÌ„ the 2. Spanish brothers and the Princes of Bohemia and Hungarie each of which had 24. Knights in his gard whose betters were not in the army Lirianaes louer knew them both which were no lesse then his Ladies father her brother His bloud fréezed in his body to see theÌ„ for he presently imagined how sory Liriana would be for any hurt that might happen vnto them The Uncle Nephew furiously entred and the troupe knowing theÌ„ gaue place thinking that they had come to the same purpose that they were The yong man being somewhat doubtfull of his father in law leapt into the middest of the prease and in â—oing thitherwards the Soulâ—an thinking that he would â—trike him as he was a man of high courage he gaue him a strong blow Trebatius his nephew skipt aside letting the blow passe then closing with him hee tooke him in his armes saying Soft Soueraigne Souldan I know no cause why you should so shew your selfe towards your daughter me and therefore you shall see how much you are in the wrong séeing I could in despite of all mine enemies kill you or take you prisoner but I will not but performe the dutie of a sonne so will doe euer and so giuing a leape with him hee set him vpon a mighty horse of one of the Gréeks And to do his kinsmaÌ„ a pleasure Poliphebus had done the like by Lindoriano and so without speaking one word more or attending any answere they kept on their way for vpon a little hill they saw the Generall The father son were so amazed with the geÌ„tle acts of the Gréeke both which they knew the one by his deuice of the Eagle the other by his voice that they knew not what to say Who can froÌ„ heÌ„ceforth my beloued son beare armes quoth the Souldan against those which haue giuen vs our liues liberties I haue heretofore told your Maiesty quoth the sonne that the gods doe take especiall care for the Gréeke Empire séeing we are now in the field we may not returne againe without some honorable agréement otherwise we shall remaine with perpetuall infamie They had no loÌ„ger time to discourse for certaine Gréeks coÌ„ming thither forced theÌ„ to withdraw them to their squadron A new band of courtesie if the passion had not blinded them altogether Great cryings were heard that way which the 2. warriors went which was that the King of Giant land with aboue 200. Giants had taken their passage where it is incredible what they did for giuing head to the best horses in the world with their shields at their backes and their swords in both handes they did wonders they were euen together for they were equall in valour doing things although lawful yet pittyfull for rushing in betwéene those Giants they smote theÌ„ downe as if they had bin ordinary horsemen but they were so many
being so many and well angred they â—lue his horse hee leapt from him like a Bird and on foote he began to defend himselfe so valorously that no man durst come neere him vntill that they seeing him somewhat wearied with the Launces which they darted at him afarre off then those furious Giants drew neere putting him in such a straight that he was out of breath vpon his knees in the ground But the dead bodies which hee had before him were as good as a Rampart to defend him especially against horses so as they could not trample him vnder their feete and so he prolonged his life which had beene but a while if the most strong Brauorante had not come to part the affray who like as the Sunne parteth the clouds euen so made he a lane thorow his enemies some he troad vnder his feete others he slue with the sword and those which came néerest to him he defeated with his fist He saw from his high horse his braue competitor and being able would not leaue to giue him assistance which hee esteemed to bee nobly done which in deed was verie worthie At his comming hee bereaued foure or fiue of them of their liues and leaping from his horse he said Courage King of Mauritania for Brauorante being here there is no cause of feare for the gods will graunt thee life to losâ— it by my hands the time being expired which wee haue agreed vpon These wordes gaue such paine and courage to the most furious Affricane that with a leape hee came on foote saying Because I will not shew my selfe ingratefull for the helpe which thou proud Knight hast giuen mee therein giuing mee my life without stirring any one steppe from this place I would kéepe touch with thy desire and my credit for my valour is not yet so decayed that I will giue thée any preeminence Now to doe it answered the prowd Pagan agreeth not with my honour but the time will come wherein I shall make you knowe the valour of my person The two couragious warriours could passe no farther forward for the Giants were so many which came against them that they had much to doe to recouer their horses but being mounted séeming to the world to be friends they began to kéepe themselues side by side so close and in so good earnest that they did much harme but they were but two onely and had lost through the force of the Tartarians aboue a flight shot of their ground retiring backe as farre as the Almaines which led the vaunt gard with which they began a new stir but as they were newly come and the young man led them there was no resistance in all the army against the force where with his standard maâ—ched All this in respect of what his father did at his first comming is nothing for with the mighty and tryumphant Charriot with those with the Elephants hee did mortall hurt with so much glittering armour with such puissance with such cries and shoutings that all the campe was troubled O cruell Nero haddest thou séene this spectacle how much it would haae eased thy mind for presently streames of bloud began to runne ouer all the field I speake it not without teares for the most part of the Almaines and Parthians he tare in pieces O cruell Roselia it sufficeth that thou wast a Romane to extend thy wrath so farre as that thou mightest sée the Gréeke fields dyed with Romane bloud and of the Almaines Heere the Souldan of Niquea séeing his army goe to wrack considered of his error Héere the Souldan of Egypt repented for comming to his ayd although another thing grieued him more then this The mightie Andronio vpon his Chariot cast his eyes about to sée his two friends and their good hap would that hee found them in good time for they were in danger for they had entred so farre among the Assyrians which gaue them so much to doe that the bloud flowed out at their Uisors and had wounded Rosamundi with a stab With a great crie knowing them hee enâ—red calling them by their names His Chariot ouerthrew aboue two hundred to the ground and when hee saw them at libertie hee sâ—ayed and lifting vp his Beuer he intreated them to come vp into his Chariot They presently knew him for they loued him as themselues and they all thrée leapt vp putting their horses in sure kéeping of those Giants which tooke care of them I cannot in so great a warre spend so much time as particularly to expresse the pleasure they conceiued in séeing their friends but will leaue it to their consideration which haue felt the like In companie they returned to the Camp making a great slaughter so as where so euer they went the Moores lost ground the Gréekes taking more courage seeing such succours and most of all when they heard them sound in their Camp in signe that they were in distresse which was such that the most part of those which battered the Citie were constrained of necessitte to leaue the batterie to goe to succour them The braue Earle of Modâ—ca and his valiant sonne were no small let vnto them verie ioyfull for the fauour which Poliphebus had done the young man giuing him his owne companie for his greater honour Those of the ancient Tinacria did so long and so valiantly detaine the Pagans that the Captaine Generall with his couragious companions might set vpon the Campe although that those Princes whose force was to bee feared were left to gard the same and had defended it notwithstanding that they were surprised had not those Pillars of humane fortitude led the way which were Oristoldo Claridiano ClaramaÌ„te Poliphebus Rosabel and the faire Archisilora with the beloued Floriâ—arte who went ioyfully in hope to sée his friend Artimio and also to know his Ladie As hee was put in hope by the letter the furious Spaniards entred being gréedie of spoyle doing notable harme for not content to cut and ouerthrow the Tents they presently set them on fire which in a Pater noster while was greater then that of Troy They are not things to bee written what those seuen Princes did in this iourney for I know not whether I shal be beléeued or no for keeping themselues together they brought death to those in the Campe which in the middest of them were slaine and troâ—en vnder foote In lesse then halfe an howre they had ouerthrowne all their enemies they happened all together to enter a Tent leauing at the entrance fiftie Spanish Knights for a gard which would haue held it against Mars which Tent was the Emperours where waued an ensigne with the Armes of Rome all the Ladies of the Moores were there assembled which were no lesse faire then those of the Citie The seuen warriours entred being besides themselues to see such braue beautie At an instant they all excepting the faire Queene put off their Helmets putting them out of feare assuring them that they should haue no harme notwithstanding
the noyse which they heard in the Campe but it gaue them greater to see some which they loued better then themselues for Eufronisa with the sight of Rosabel was stricken speechlesse The faire fearefull Arbolinda accompanied her in delight The mightie Generall which was not acquainted with Loue became suddainely enamoured for seeing Clabela the daughter of the mightie Assyrian so faire and so young he gaue her his heart for a recompence they were some of those which deerely loued which endured much as shall be declared in the fourth part The first which spake was the beloued Tinacrian to the faire Eufronisa saying I haue trauailed with such paine most excellent Princesse seeing my selfe your detter and vpon my word that I haue sought all meanes to accomplish it to bring you to this Knight pointing to Rosabel to the end that you take such reuenge of him as your beautie deserueth With such hazard to these Ladies valorous Prince of Tinacria I would not that you should haue accomplished it although that therein you haue done me a fauour according to the hope conceiued of your valour There is no reuenge to be taken of this Prince my griefe sufficeth mee which shall serue for a punishment for his vnkindnesse I was neuer so worthie Princesse answered Rosabel the much which I owe you bindeth me to lose my life for your sake They could no longer continue their discourse for the greedie Spaniards made such a noyse and such shoutings as though the skies would haue fallen Let this satisfaction suffice said the most faire Quéene of Lira putting off her rich Helmet whose rare beautie made them all to wonder vntill you come to the Citie where shall want no meanes to fauour your cause And so I beseech you in behalfe of all these Knights and my selfe you wil be pleased to come with vs for so faire a prise is not to be left for any thing in the world and more I being the cause and onely instrument which hath ordained it To many of them it was no griefe to goe prisoners thither and although that others grieued yet perforce they dissembled it Loue tooke good order herein for the faire Arbolinda seeing her beloued Prince Florisarte of Argentaria was glad to goe in his Armes Clabela with Oristoldo which was life to the young man Eufronisa at length came to see her selfe in the Armes of her beloued Britanian as though that shee had neuer beene there before Claridiano tooke the Sophie his daughter Claramante the kings of Fenicia Poliphebus the Souldans of Egypt all the rest which I leaue out whose beautie was great the Spaniards tooke so as they departed with the most rich bootie of the world which were sixtéene daughters of the chiefest Princes in the armie with a sister of Bemboes verie young whose beautie in her time caused no small troubles There was much to doe to get the gréedie Spaniards out of the Campe vntill that they saw their Princes goe pestered and loaâ—en with rich spoyles vp the hill at which time rescue came from the Armie but it was too late for they had alreadie made their boote and put the same in safetie for hauing the hill at their backes they would haue defended themselues against all the armie These warriours descended at that point which leadeth downe into the valley on which 〈◊〉 the Citie was not battered for the strength thereof There they entred with their pray a better then which and without bloudshed Alexander neuer tooke with all his Monarchie neither the famous African much more victorious The newes was presently knowne in the Armie where the battell was fought of the taking of these Ladies which was an occasion to encourage the Pagans O who had séene the migâ—tie Bembo the redoubteâ— Brauorante with the brothers of the Wood with this â—n sickle newes They fought not like men it is not to be imagined what hurt they did fourtéene Knights of the Gréeke Emperours chamber by their hands lost their liues 〈◊〉 a number which were troden vnder foote and wounde â—â— but yet they had the worser and although that the Princes were absent that was no hindrance to the victorie which they had wholly ended had not the warlike Sarmatia and Bembo his mightie cousin come to their aide who séeing him fight so desperately came to him saying In such times valorous Captaine you are to take order not with your disliking but with fortune which declareth it selfe for your enemie for I see all the Armie at the point to bee lost The Campe is spoyled the Sea died in your bloud so as there is no remedie but to take this blow with patience and know that it commeth through the small equitie of your cause which was great to couet those spoyles which the heauens had prepared for the Brittish Prince Looke well to it for you ought to giue ouer a thousand battels whatsoeuer rather then to giue cause of offence to your Ladie whome you make shew to loue so much and seeing that shée is not able to doe you pleasure put mee in trust and I will so employ my selfe as shal be to the contentment of all The discreet Ladie had taken off her Helmet and thereby the Captaine knew her who wel considering that what shée had said was wrought by the Almightie hand and preserued for some great Christian hee put the matter in the Princesses hands willing her to doe as best pleased her although that being so many which hold themselues agrieued it will bee a hard matter to obtaine any peace in the middest of such a tempest I desire nothing but that some occasion may bee offered wherein I may bee able to doe Liriana any seruice Leaue this charge to me quoth the Ladie for I will obtaine it of those which can doe most in this warre Shée tooke so good order that shee perswaded the Souldan of Niquea to peace séeing how much it concerned him seeing he thereby should recouer such friends and kinsmen Shée obtained the like of the Emperour of the Romanes and all perceiued being of the losing side that it better fitted with their Nobilitie to offer them peace then when they had the better of the warre And as of these men depended the commaund of all the rest and the new enamoured Oristoldo agreeing herein for the loue of his Ladie with all haste the retreite was sounded betwéene both armies that valiant Ladie being the occasion of all that good they were parted at an instant for it behoued them that were ouercome séeing it was for their good and the others to please their Princes sheathed their swords The Pagans would not that night enter into the Citie because they would take order for their hurt men and to burie their dead which were so many as made all men amazed thereat from the Citie they sent many dainties to the Campe which were not a little estéemed for the want which there was thereof in both Campes There was as great ioy
as though there had béene no such slaughter All the Gréekes awayted the morning to goe foorth to receiue the Moores what passed shall bee declared elsewhere for certainely with iust reason hee may bee wearie who hath ended a warre so cruell as was this CHAP. XXXI How the Princes of the Campe entred into the Citie and of the feasts which were made them and the Marriages which were contracted for the confirmation of the peace SO swéete is peace most excellent Prince that Dion said that a man was to fight a whole yeere to enioy one day of peace it is so pleasing a good that it cannot bee valued being so highly extolled So said hee which desired it as Aristophones That it grieued not the maymed man to eate his bread poorely in peace although it had procéeded from a cruell warre Well did the famous Bembo vnderstand that when he so easily yeelded to all that which the Princesse of Lacedemonia required who the better to make her doings more famous had spoken to the most principall gallants to the end that the next day they should in her company goe forth as with her which had ended that which séemed impossible to receyue the Pagans They were all content to please her séeing that therein she had done the like by them The next day with new beautie not with any bloudy colour the Sunne shewed himselfe hastening his course to behold so much brauery as there was among those Gallants which by that time were gone forth of the imperiall Citie in a well marshalled squadron all light with their swords onely with such costly attire as a man would not desire to see more in all his life time Betwéene Claramente and Claridiano went the fayre Sarmatia armed with most rich Armour which Lirgandeo had giuen her without any Helmet and in stead thereof a coloured hatte of the colour of her Armour with such costly workmanship that the price thereof could not bee valued In the middest of her brest for shee bare no Shield shee ware Peace paynted so at life that it was very pleasing to behold it with these words The name of peace is passing sweete Which to obtaine Wee ought to take payne Shee had so good a grace besides her beautie that all men reioyced to see her By that time beganne to come forth of the imperiall Pauilion those mightie Monarchs the Souldan of Niquea and the Romane Emperour Constantius with the Souldan of Egypt and the rest of the mightie Kings inhabiting thereabouts which came to this most sumptuous sight being in all aboue thirty There were neuer séene so many together nor that commanded so many countries in comming so neâ—re that the one might see the other the warlike Ladie said Soueraigne Princes and valiant Knights because you shall know how much the Gréekes doe estéeme of the peace graunted on your behalfe they commend them vnto you praying you to accept of their Citie at your seruice wherein they will shew you in doing you seruice that if they fought it was but to come to enioy this day there is nothing sweete but what is gotten with paine which seeing it hath beene betweene both Campes it is reason that they both should enioy that which is redounded thereof Ualorous Ladie answered the courteous Bembo although it were but to be delighted with your valour and discretion after so many tempests they were all employed and we will accept of the fauour which those Princes offer vs entring into their Citie from whence it will be more hard for them againe to put vs out in peace then in open warre They all tooke their way towards the Citie where was nothing to be seene but Knights and Ladies the sight where of excéedingly much pleased the Pagans I know not how discreete reader I am entred neither the middle nor ending of these entertainments for euen to imagine it is as much as for mee to wade thorow the swolne Sea drie-foote Who is able to describe what Bembo felt when the faire Liriana came to speake to him saying I neuer thought famous Prince that your arme should haue wrought me so much displeasure but now to content you I will requite you praying you to dispose of all for although I haue gone with you in the opinion of a tyrant I will draw you from that by experience The young man could not suddainely answere her vntil that feare was past and then hee said Most excellent Princesse I euer thought that your beautie would one day come to take compassion of my griefe but not to remedie it I neuer pretended but that all the whole world might knowe of what power my sorrow was and if I came to this warre I was forced thereto to the end to enioy the sight of you Let those old quarrels proceede no farther said the most fayre Lindabrides for hearing of this Prince his valour I had affected him without offence to Claramante for hauing him in our power he shall see how much worse it shall be for him to get out of our hands then from the Gréeke Princes As these things passed it was a life for Bembo for it séemed to him that fortune would turne to fauour him The excellent Sarmatia had made such haste and taken so good order that shee had procured for Bembo no lesse then for Rosiluira which was to giue him what hee desired and her what shee desired although that Don Celindo was grieued thereat in his soule who by Lupertius his order who was there present was made knowne to bee Meridian his sonne Hee restored to the Assyrian his sonne and to the King of Fenicia and the Sophy theirs a thing which anewe renewed their content and for them also for they knewe that their father Selagio was at libertie who what hee did when hee sawe himselfe frée shall bee declared hereafter The Emperour of the Romanes was very glad that Don Celindo was so high a Prince which was the cause why hee gaue him his daughter The fayre Arbolinda vpon the way séeing herselfe in the armes of her beloued Florisarte told him the effect of all her loue hee made them to betroth Rosabel and because that there should bee perpetuall peace they gaue to the prince of Niquea Lindoriano the fayre Tinacrian Rosiluira whom hee loued as his soule to Astorildoes lot fell the faire Clarintea of Celandia and to the Prince of Fraunce Clarindo the fayre English Artemisa to the Princes of Bohemia and Hungarie to the one the fayre Troyla and to the other the faire Feniciana sister to Don Argante The mightie Tartarian Daristeo was so enamoured of the young Rosabela that her Gréeke parents were glad to giue her seeing how much they were beholding to him which cut the heart of the Knight with the starres for therevpon grewe a great quarrell which lasted long to the losse of much bloud as you shall heare All these marriages were deferred for the space of fifteene dayes because that Bembo was to bee christianed