with him in such sort as yee haue read in the Chapters treating thereof The shape heereof was so fearfull to her as shee became troubled in minde out of measure which made the Nimphe quicklye remooue it from her sight and plunging into the Fountaine water vanished away with whose departure we knit vp this two and twenteth Chapter CHAP. 23. How the king of Phez recited his genealogie and aduenture to the holye Hermit and the fayre Pilgrime and howe the Hermit tolde him a goodly discourse to confirme him in the Christian religion Moreouer howe Squamell was conducted by diabolicall artes into an obscure Chamber hard by Auernus hoping to bee healed of his woundes by the helpe of deuils with that which happened to him afterward BEcause the change of discourse brings no lesse delight to the Reader then the varietie of daintie viands contenteth such as take theyr repast for a while I intende to change our purpose leauing a part the amourous flame of the fayre princesse Porphyria to come againe to the historie of the valiant king of Phez not long since made a Christian miraculously as yee haue heard before To let ye vnderstand withall according to the truth in writing of him his genealogie and aduenture whereof himselfe maketh recitall to the holy Hermit and fayre pilgrime when hee was thereto by them required beginning in this or the like maner It is a long while since that Artabaz sometime king of Persia was enamoured on the â—ayre Quéene Lyxandra the most fayre and wealthie Ladie in riches and other goods of fortune that was in those times for vnder her obedience and Empire as also her lawes liued in flourishing prosperitie the people of foure opulent kingdomes which are on the coast of Barbarie to wit Phez Marocco Thunis and Alger But Looue had not touched with selfe same shaft the hart of Lyxandra as he did the hart of Artabaz because the more earnestly he loued the more mortally she hated â—y reason that in the life time of king Brunon her father hee had dayly vexed him with warres seeking to depriue him of his kindomes and Signories For this cause he trauailed and molested him as no man in the world could doo the like so that being ouercome with weaâ—ines of the passed warres Brunan finished his dayes after hee had made some treatie or accord of peace with the king of Persia euen then when first he began to loue the fayre Lyxandra who hauing auncient mallice engrauen in her heart continued dayly in resolution to hate him more and more Héerevpon she not willing to graunt marriage with the Persian king nor to listen his solicitings requests and temptations which stretched so farre as he could deuise the perticuler discourse whereof were too long to rehearse hee concluded to winne her by force of armes and to renew the former warres against her more sharpe and cruelly then euer hee did against the deceased king Brunon her father Which being thus pursued he brought the vertuous princesse into such necessitie as hee left her neither kindome Cittie towne nor burrough place nor Castell but all was brought vnder his obeysance and all of them spoyled the strong Cittie of Phez onely excepted wherein being constrained to shut vppe her selfe he so long time continued the sâ—ege against it as she was on the pointe of yeelding to his mercie or else to take away her owne life but then by good hap a young Knight so highly accomplished as any other whatsoeuer arriued on the coast of Barbarie euen as the Quéene was in this great perplexitie deuising with her selfe what she were best to doo he hearing by the common reporte blazed abroad what harde holde the Queene Lyxandra had against the Persian Tyrant beeing brought so neere the place by violence of the windes that droue him on the seas was willing to succour her beeing touched partly with pittifull affection which the goodnes of nature had endned him withall and partly prouoked on by fayre desire to make appearance of his hardie valour the fame whereof alreadie was bruâ—ed through most places in the world but seeing at this first attempt that his accesse and entraunce into the Cittie so narrowly besiedged on eueriâ— side would prooue very difficult the gates being ramd vp and the walles enuironed with Persian men at armes An indifferent while he deuised with himselfe by what meane both easily and couertly hee might get entrance Hauing some space considered heereon the Historie saith that he especially noted one side of the cittie wall where the enemies had made a very great breache to enter thereby on the morowe vpon the answer Quéene Lyxandra should returne to king Artabaz and this breach was guarded by certaine armed men of the Cittie while the Quéene assembling her councell should agree on some expresse resolution of answer concerning her submission to her enemie The assaylants on the other side of the breache were making banquets passing away the time very merrilye vnder certaine assurance that now the cittie should be yeelded or taken vppon theyr request within of composition and well ye wot that a Cittie comming to composition is more then halfe taken This was the cause that the young knight beeing come neere the breache and séeing they that kept it were verie carefull of their charge hee softly whispered with them to know by what meanes hee might enter the cittie to haue some spéech with the queene Lyxandra concerning matters of importance that would prooue profitable to her desiring them to let her vnderstand thereof in that the cause of his comming thither was earnest desire to impâ—oy himselfe for her defence in this warre The Souldiers made him answere that one should presently goe do his errand and the Queene being aduertised heereof was very glad knowing well by his renowme and valour that he was the gentle knight of the Flower for so was he called because as then hee loued a Ladye named Florixa in regard of whose name he bare a Uermillion Gilliflower painted in his sheeld a man so hardie and valiant as hee was esteemed beyond all the knights of that time Héere vpon she gaue commanâ—dement that he should be let into the Cittie by a doore that passed from her Castell to the Towne marrie it was to be doone in the dead time of the night and that so couertly or closely as might be thus escaped the knight in vnseene of the enemie with his armour and horsse and one Squire that bare him companie In breefe to tell ye what passed betweene them the quéene letting him vnderstand the occasion of this warre the successe thereof and the extremitie whereinto she was brought farre more in effect then the knight had heard reported she fell downe on her knées before him and with the teares trickling downe her chéekes intreated him to helpe her both with councell and valiance promising to deliuer vp all the treasure of her kingdome into his handes if in this darkenesse he could illuminate them with some
and téeth of the Sauage was infected Heereby he became meruailouslie spent and ouercharged and euen readie to fall into a mortall feauer when suddenly he being in this paine heard the water which as I tolde yee before enuironed the dungeon to mooue with a great murmure as if some one had bathed himselfe therein Héerevpon he presently lifted vp himselfe as it were to knowe the cause thereof when hee beheld come foorth of the riuer the fayre Nimphe Olympia chamber maide to the Fayrie Ozyris She hauing oftentimes seene him was fresh in memorie and knowne immediatly when suddenly running to him embrasing him louiugly she entred into these spéeches My sweete friend within these two houres am I come hither guided by the channels of vnder-ground from whence these waters ascend to this place euen from the Pallace of the Nymphe Ozyris thy Nursse whome I serue and reuerence shee louing thee extreamly as well thou knowest Hither am I come from her to preserue thee and to tell thee withall that if thou suffer me not to embalme the wounds on thy body with this precious vnguent which she expressely commaunded me to bring in this golden bottel thou beholdest in my hand thou art in very great danger of thy life so that thou canst hardly escape the death if thou continue in this estate but till to morow morning Therfore disdaine not to discouer where thy wounds are that I may put in execution the command of my lady wherto I dare in no wise be disobedient I may not quoth he faire Olympia my friend refuse the succour of my most deare Oziris nor of thyselfe likewise for albeit the necessitie wherin I now am did not incite me to take it yet the obeisance which I owe both to the one and the other of ye marie more great to the mistres than to the seruant commands me to obey all that you can command in a knight So saying he discouered his woundes to the Nimphe who applyed to them the precious ointments in the golden bottell which was no sooner spread vpon them but presently he felt no paine at all and became immediatly as whole and sound as if he neuer had béene wounded Hereof was he not a little ioyfull when imbrasing colling and kissing the Nimphe more then a thousand times who was in part the cause of so great good to him he often enquired of the health of her Lady and the rest of the companie and chéefely if she had receiued any charge froÌ„ her to tell him what issue the combate should haue which he had begun whether he should be the conquerer or himself he brought vnder and vanquished Enquire not at all gentle knight answered the nimphe what shall happen to thée either in this combat or any other enterprises wherein thou art to hazard thy life for it is not lawful that mortall creatures should know things to come Only be thou of good courage and take no gréefe of the multitude of trauailes which thou must procéed in Let it suffice that I say to thée in generall howbeit I néed not specifie so much before hand to thée that thou art destined to vndertake finish before thou diest many hautie enterprises And of all them to behold the end it behooueth thee to endure much to expose thy self to a thousand thousand dangers and perilous hazards especially before thou canst know who is thy father or maist behold the place of thy birth or what thy cheefest desire is to see as oft times I haue heard the great princesse of the Fayries the high mightie Ozyris my mistres say to whom it is necessarie that I quickly returne because shee so commanded me Therefore I say God be with thee to whom I recommend thée desiring him to guarde and preserue thée from all mortall daungers Hauing so sayd she kiss the Knight and then vanished suddenly before him he not séeing her till she came néere the Fountaine where he beheld her plange her golden tresses into the siluer waters whereinto likewise she diued her whole body being for this time séene no more notwithstanding the manifolde intreaties for returne that the knight made whereby he continued all the night so displeased that he could entertaine no thought of rest but when the vermillion blush of day breake began to showe his red locks and disperse his splendour ouer the earth hee put on his Armour againe and wenâ— before the Caue to attend the Polyppes comming to the combate whereout if hee would showe himselfe this day yet hee intended to speake with the Lady he saw the day before to enquire of her the cause of this aduenture as also for his Squire for whose losse which he imagined vnrecouerable hee remained full of gréefe and sorrow Long had he not stayed there before the Polyppe came foorth in the shape he had taken the night before which was like a mightie huge Lion fierce rauenous and very fearfull to behold farre differing from the naturall beasts of the same kinde which ordinarily are not so great hideous and monstrous in view which had terrified the Knight with feare but that hee remembred the last woordes of the Nymphe Olympia and as they began to quicken his memorie so they made him become more hardie fierce and terrible then the Lion himselfe who comming â—haâ—ing foorth of his den to run vpon him seeing him stand with such resolued hardinesse minded once to returne againe into his Caue But the fire of his rage was so violent for loosing the combate the day before as his heate could conteyâ—e no gouernement but that in all furie hee would flie vppon him and snatching at him stroue to teare away his shield that hung about his neck and with such vigour did he catch hold thereon as he brake the arme braces of strong brasse and the buckles of steele wherewith it was fastened in dooing whereof he well néere had ouerthrowne him in the place had not the worthie knight more braue then the Lion himselfe reached such a blow at his head as but it was quicklie defended hee had beene cleft therewith to the shoulders But the sturdie beast who the day before had made proofe of such like weightie strokes let goe his hold to make a step backward from the blowe Euen as a mallicious enraged dogge seeing a waffâ—ing man with an yron piked staffe passing before a doore in a village where he lay sleeping without any noyse or barking runneth suddenly vpon him tearing with his téeth the flesh from one of his legges wherewith the man being agréeued turneth the yron poynt of his staffe to strike and kill him which the dog fearing giueth back and turning againe vpon the man enforceth himselfe to runne againe vpon him to get a greater morsell from him and he still standing vppon his guarde threatnes the yron pointe more dangerouslie to the téeth of the Mastie who perseuering still in his rage constraines foorth himselfe still to giue him more woundes yet being constrayned to
a Fiction first deuised in French Yes So shall it be in English Why tell mee art thou so impudent to abuse the worke of so noble a Gentleman as the French Author was wherein such excelent pollicie such morrall prudence such singular conceipted passions are included Go too let me not take thee publishing a counterfet part thereof in print if I doo I will hang Saint Peters Church Corner with such Scutchions of thy shame that Mannering musing what it should meane shall neuer cease bestirring him with his tip-staffe till at Landen Hall all the Ballad-â—ingers be gathered into one Assembly and there in rime doggrell like thy Winter bitten Epitaph carroll thy rude conceipts But whether runne I Let this bee 〈◊〉 for a warning and so wil I leaue him to the mercie of his mother wit Beseeching you to proceede as you haue begun in that delectable Hystorie which as it is much desired for the delightfulnes therof so shal you be no lesse commended for your diligence therein Your friend T. N. THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE PLEAsant Historie of Gerileon of England Cap. 1. How the Infant Porphiria daughter to the Emperour of Constantinople being very sick for the loue of the Fairie youth that was sent by Ozyris is brought by the meanes of Sagibell her Phisition in the companie of Marcella and Harderinâ— her â—ousin to a Castell neere Constantinople for change of ayre Where the wise Sagibell promised to let her see by art Magique in what estate her friend was the Knight of the Fayries with his originall and aduentures THe Princesse Porphiria hauing taken no rest since the day and houre when falslie the maide Dynamia sister to Pharisor and Amidrea who déerely loued him notwithstanding shee receiuing no loue againe came to informe her how the Fayrie youth on whom she had fastened such earnest affection as it was not possible for any King or Prince like him selfe to be belooued of any Princesse as he was of the Infant Porphiria was slaine with Pharisor who had wun like conquest of the Uirgin Amidrea and that the murderer was goâ—e to make his vaunt in the Emperour her fathers Court of such a monstrous and vnhappie déed clad in his Armour and mounted on the good Knights horse that had vanquished the Giants as is declared in the xvi Chapter of the first Booke of this nistorie After she had by insupportable gréefe swounded many times she fell into an extreame burning feauer as what with the violence therof and her balefull passions of loue together she had at this instant dyed but that she was continually comforted by the Ladyes Harderina and Marcella after that the Giant Ergoferant who followed in quest of the vnknowne Knight and hauing found him brought him to the Emperours Court where in eight dayes his wounds were healed By meanes whereof these Ladyes who knew well the cause of the Inâ—ants disease perswaded her so much as they could with this hope grounded in them that the death of the Knight and Fayrie youth was no more certaine or to be credited then the report of Pharisor And that the vnknowne Knight who rumourd foorth these tidings had doone it but for the aduantage of his glorie or to couer the dishonour he receiued in the Ioust which made her somewhat to recomfort her selfe so that but for her feauer she might easily haue recouered her former state of health But if she suffered such anguish for her friend the Fairie youth endured no whit lesse for her in that his loue tooke life at that instant when she did him the honour to girde on his sword with her dellicate hands but he fearing that their loues were not reciprocall languished in selfe same fits as the Infant did esteeming him selfe so vnfortunate and flenderlie fauoured by loue that he thought their wounds to procéed from shafts of contrarie nature whereby the cure of either would prooue as different Thus did the fire search through the bone to the marrowe and he was so distracted in himselfe as hath béene toucht in the former Booke as wandering from the care hee had to séeke the vnknowne Knight to reueâ—ge the death of his good friend Pharicor he now hath lost himselfe in thinking and contemplating on that heauenly beautie which lay neerest his hart and aboue all things else he most prefered So that in steed of taking the right way for embarking himself so some strange countrey hee returned with his Squire Geliaste towards the Cittie of Constantinople imagining neuerthelesse that he rode farre enough from it On the other side the Princesse Porphiria was euen at deaths doore for the loue of her knighth and so farre extended each extremitie as notwithstanding all soueraigne remedies appplyed from one houre to another a daungerous end was still expected The Emperour and Empresse were wonderfull gréeued at their daughters sicknes not knowing whence the occasion thereof procéeded and therefore wholy committed her to the care of Sagibell her Phisition a man most expert and skilfull in the art of medicine This Phisition was likewise greatly experimented in the art Magique and the Princesse of long time discerned in him very speciall affection and fidelitie towards her wherefore among diuers contrarie opinions which day and night combatted in her labouring thoughts she imagined how to finde some ease for her afflictions and sent for him by the Lady Marcella who knewe much better then the phisition where the disease pained her she beeing then to Harderina participating these secrets Right prompt and readie was shee to obey the Princesse will and suddenly went to finde this wise man who was altogether confounded with greefe and pensiuenes because he could not attaine the meane whereby the faire Princes might recouer footing againe for to her seruiâ—â— he was intirelie affected considering that all his happines depended on her safetie and health and shee recured it would enrich him for euer for the Emperour had promised him that if by his skill he could restore his daughter he would returne him such a recompence as should both exalt and content him for euer But without any such promise Sagibell was carefull enough of the Infants health and failed not in his very vttermost endeuours and Porphiria for her part was willing to bestowe on this skilfull man what euer she might enioy by the Emperour and Empres prouided that her amorous sicknes might finde desired recouerie Wherevpon Marcella hauing tould him the Princes would speake with him and that with speed he should repaire to her chamber without further questioning with the Lady he went thither immediatly not a little ioyfull of this message which he hoped might presage some good to ensue because hauing so lately left her he was now so suddenly sent for When Sagibell was come to her he demanded how she felt her selfe When the Princesse breathing foorth a déepe fetcht sighe from the bottome of her hart thus spake vnto him Ah Sagibell impossible is it I should be well considering the estate
hee vnderstood that I was named Pharisor a knight of some fame and Nephew to the Emperour most kindely hee came and embraced me suffering mee to doo the like to him by whom I had receiued so great a benefit Then began I to remember according as I had often times heard talked of before and that by no meane personages in times past that we should account the day of our desiuerance from any miserable bondage much more happie then the daye when first we were borne into this world because from the day of our birth we gâ— on still forward into diuersitie of misfortunes but on the day of our deliuerie wee were restored from such a feare as we neuer need to stand in doubt of any more thus are we no lesse bound to the cause of our deliuerance then to our parents from whom wee receiue life And beere vpon wee contracted together such an intire lâ—agne of amitie as death should not seperate or extinct our affections nor was the loue of the valorous Achilles to Patroclus Nysus to Eurialus or Pylades to Orâ—stes worthy to be compared with my affection to him For albeit by vngentle fortune wee are sundered the one from the other the greefe and sadnesse I endure for his absence hath constrained me to disguise my selfe in these habillements as yee sée thus barefooted as I am to goe and visit the holy Sepulthre wherein was buryed the precious body of the redeemer of the world to which place I am bound by a solemne vowe long since made to giue him hartie thankes for my deliuerance and with great deuotion and humilitie to intreat that it would please him I might soone recouer and sée againe my true Achilles to whom I owe not onely this office of freendship but an hundred liues if possiblie I could haue so many and this I doubt not but hee will permit me As thus the young Pilgrime continued his discourse on the way they came to a place in the Forrest which was very spatious and plaine in the midst whereof stood a great thicket of meruailous high trees and there they heard such a clanching of swordes vppon armour as all the whole forrest ecchoed therewith which caused the Sophie and the young pilgrime direct their course thither ward to see what it was but as for the olde pilgrime so soone as hee heard the noyse he set foote forward more speedie then the winde to seeke some corner where he might hide him And there will wee leaue him and proceed with the Sophie and the young pilgrime what happened to them shall bee declared in the other chapter for in this hath beene sufficient said alreadie Cap. 3. How the Sophie found in the forrest two strong and puissant Knightes that fought together at all extremities for a faire horsse and other things of great value exposed as guerdon to the conquerour And how the Sophie would haue taken and carryed away perforce the horsse for which the knights combatted which made them run violently vpon him and of the dissention that ensued betweene them three how it tooke end and what happened afterward Where out may be gathered how hurtfull a thing arrogancie is to such as inconsideratly will enterprise more then they are assured of power to effect and how in all affayres whatsoeuer it is necessarie to place aduise and knowledge in the forefront ere we vndertake to performe any matter of importance THe great King of Persia being come first to the plaine where the noyse caused him forsake his way to know the occasion of that hurly burly beheld two Knights of more then common stature being armed capape who fought very violently together to sley each other The one of them was more mightie of body then the other because hee was of monstrous and Giantlike composition but in dexteritie of armes and valour of courage he went not so farre beyond his enemie but that the greater part of the day was spent yet little aduantage was gained on eyther side For if the Giants shield were battered in pieces his body wounded and his strength much diminished the knight with whom he dealt had likewise his armour sore mangled and his bodie iniured in many places from whence the bloud issued in great aboundance and at the time of the Persians arriuall there they were vpon the point to pause a breathing while being vnable to withstand each other any longer so were they ouertrauailed with a sharpe and dangerous conflict which as it had so was it still to continue betweene them The Sophie without enquiring the cause of their debate or speaking any word to the knights for he was meruaylous proud and arrogant allighted from his horsse in great hast and went to vntie a goodlie faire horsse which he saw bound to a tree with great chaines of â—ron but as he was about to do it being somewhat to néere the horsse he smote him such a violent stroke with his héele vpon the shéeld as made him tumble along so amazedly that hee lay a good while ere he could recouer himselfe againe and had not his sheeld beene of some temper indéed he had not liued to complaine of his hurt But the goodnes of the mettall saued his life for this once when being risen againe from his astonishment he would not desist from his former enâ—erprise which was to take and beare the horsse that so highly liked him as well for the beautie and likelihood of goodnes to be in him as also for the necessitie he was in of one at that time his owne horsse being ouer much wearyed with trauaile When the two Combattants perceiued what he intended they cryed to him that he could not carry thence the horsse so easily without buying him more dearly with the price of the combate and that if he did not forbeare and let the horsse alone he should by them be well beaten as his boldnes did deserue no lesse The King of Persia hearing these hardie menaces was enraged with such choller that hauing fastened his Helmet on his head and gotten his sword in his handâ— he made presently toward them with resolution to deale with them both striking first at the Giants legge with such force as if he had not quickly clapt his shéeld before he had cut it quite off at that blowe But the Giant who was readie at armes as any man of his qualitie in those times to defend this stroake thrust forward his shéeld the greater part whereof was pared away with the blowe and laide on the ground which the other knight perceiuing to whome the Persian addressed him selfe aiming at a part of his body which he sawe was bare by losse of some of his armour but he escaping the thrust gaue the Sophie such a mightie stroke on the Creast as had it beene any other Helmet beside this meruailous one and not to bee equalled as before I haue told ye he had cleft his head downe to the shoulders but of such soundnesse was the helmet
and bemoue their estates more miserablie then did this Princesse of whom we haue made mention in the former Booke and whom ye now behold consounded with folly discheneled running about the fields hauing forsaken the king of high Misia her father to meet the strong and puissant Giant Squamell who thus badly recompenced the seruices she did him by manifold hazards wherein shee aduentured her life onely for his looue Let Ladyes then bee carefull least they fall into any such inconuenience and so making like proofe there ensue like punishment for they are better taught that learne to be wise by others harmes then they that fetch wisedome out of their owne follies So comming againe to our historie we will speake of the two knights whome wee left halfe wounded to death in the Forrest The Historie speaking of them saith that they both reuiued from their traunce the one so soone as the other and that the Giant was he who first espyed the Sophie to be gon hauing caried away the horsse with him wherefore all wounded as he was he ran presently as he had béene mad into the Forrest wherein when hee was but a little entred hee met the old pilgrime wee spake of before who ran thither to hide himselfe when hee heard the noyse of the combate betwéene the Giant and the Knight This was an old Necromancer that could foretell to passengers their good and euill fortune to come and knew by the lineature of theyr handes till what age they should liue and what day what houre by what aduenture and howe they should dye He knew by heart all the bookes of the Sibelles of Circes of Medea of all the old liuing Magitians and the Magitians of former times And because he knew that the Fairie Ozyris was his aduersaire and the greatest enemie in the world to his charmes and enchantments likewise that she had greater skill and knowledge then he and specially that for his ruine and such as he loued she had nourished the onlie knight the cause of our historie he had opposed by an anticharme this strong Giant Squamell and his brother who by theyr owne nature were endued with most high prowesse yet notwithstanding by deuillish subtiltie hee preserued them still from death and to them oft times he gaue admirable and supernaturall strength So that knowing him to be in quest of his horse his shéeld and other aduentures and chéefely that he earnestly desired to haue the enchaunted Cup whereof he sometime had heard great report hee had put them all into the custodie of this strong Giant hauing withall incited and perswaded him in a dreame that he should combate against the most puissant knight on the earth and so set downe as prizes for the conquerour the sheeld the horse and the Cup whereof wee haue spoken Heereupon hee should holde open Ioust to all commers and goers in the Forrest causing the Forrest to bee commonly called The Forrest of great Aduentures and alreadie had he performed many fayre exploits by meanes whereof he was much renowmed thorow the world and very â—arre were his deedes talked of wherevpon the knight so hardly handled came to combate with him of whom heereafter we will speake more liberallie as also by what aduenture and for what reason he was thither conducted But now let vs a little while speake of the Giant who séeing the olde man of whome hee had no more knowledge then if hee had neuer seene him because hee could disguise himselfe in diuers sortes as now he did in the habit of a pilgrime to deceiue such great numbers as passed that waye and as he had deceiued Pharisor if the meeting of the Sophie had not preuented it The Giant at the first sight of him began to be somewhat afrayd seeing him looke so vgly and hidious but the old Enchanter that very well knew him began to reason after this manner Most generous and puissant knight as this day liueth not thy like vnder heauen who now being mortally wounded doost trauerse this darke forrest of high aduentures stay thy selfe and forbeare if thou be wise to run thus as thou doost to finde and recouer what the destinies will not permit thée as yet And if thou art not enemie to thy selfe but hast regard of thine owne life heare and credit my councell and doo as I shall presently direct thée concerning what I say vnto thée who I am and for what cause I am so carefull of thée the effect shall acquaint thee withall Know then that I am the old and auncient Necromancian Charonifer father to great Minofoll of whom it may bee thou hast sometime heard some spéech such as thou nowe seestmee haue I liued and reigned more than a thousand yeeres It is in my power to make the black night a fayre and bright day and the fairest day againe to make the most darkesome night I can make the Moone and all the starres to discend from heauen downe to the earth by my charmes and enchauntments but a woman of great wisedome oftentimes hinders me from dooing what I would Iknew thy graundfathers who were great kings and Monarches on the earth I haue seene to my ioy the mightie Horfella thy mother who in her life time was very deere to me and whome I looued as mine owne life for of thy forefathers and great vnckles did I receiue my first nourriture and was brought vp from my very youngest yeeres in recompence whereof I haue euermore cherished and looued such as were discended of them especially thee and thy brother Nabot whom I esteeme as much as thee you twaine beeing the most hardie and valiant of all your linage and race So that for your aduancement I haue dayly preserued yee from infinite perrils and â—â—ortall dangers whereinto according to your destinies you were readie to fall but by mine arte I haue preuented all inconueniences which I perceiued were threatned against yée And namely let me remember thée of the deuillish spirits that were in the Castell of the Enchanteresse Melanda which could not be chased thence but by one of the best knights in the world likewise the Combate thou hadst with them by commaundement of the Lady whom thou seruest then maist thou likewise bee mindfull of the great sorrowe and vexation thou wert to endure before thou couldst vanquish them and from which for â—ertaine thou couldst not haue escaped without death but onely by mine arte and by my meanes which succoured and defended thee for there did I so handle the matter that in the end thou didst obtaine the victorie as thy selfe doost very well knowe and nowe againe thou art in farre greater daunger of death if thou doost not as I shall say vnto thee Goe then and follow the path which now thou treadest thorow the forrest vntill that hauing many times turned by my circle made in manner and forme of a Laborynth thou perceiuest thy selfe to be in the middest thereof where thou shalt see a great Trée straite as any Ceder
which neuer had braunches leaues nor fruite since first it sprang from out the earth In that tree thou shalt behold a doore open which notwithstanding is now so fast shut as no one can discerne that euer it hath beene opened neither shall such as come néere it sée it except it please me those onely whome I will shall perceiue it but others that by chaunce light vppon it shall imagine it to bee a huge great Rock wherein is a strong Caue full of Lyons Tigars Beares and other sauage and cruell beasts But see that boldly thou enter thereinto and discend lowe vnder the earth by certaine stayres which thou shalt finde made expressely for this cause and when thou art discended an indifferent waye thou shalt finde a floud the water whereof runneth so violently as the flood is very fearefull to behold Uppon this water thou shalt sée a black Barque furnished with oares and sayles necessarie for conueyance to the place where I make my continuall abiding Enter boldly into the vessell enter as thou art without dread of any thing and coutching thy selfe therein keeping thy selfe alwayes beneath and thy mouth fast closed remooue not at all for from thence vppon the flood which continually runneth downewards shalt thou bee brought to a place where thou shalt receiue helpe for thy mortall woundes for in very déed thou art somewhat daungerouslie wounded Afterward thou shalt be aduertised what is expedient for thée to doo to merit glorie and reputation among the Gods that make their aboad in the inferiour part of the world and if thou doost other wise then as I haue tolde thee thou canst not any way escape the death If the Giant were amazed at the first beholding of this olde man no doubt hee was much more now hearing his wordes and yet was it more meruaylous then all the rest that when he had concluded his spéech there appeared in his place a flame of fire which béeing conuerted into smoake was carryed héere and there thorow the ayre without appearance left of any other thing which caused the Giant to stand along while pensiue without aduenturing on any resolution an indifferent space but after hee had considered with himselfe the wordes of the old Magitian he gaue credit to them and determined to do as he had willed him by reason that the losse of his bloud from foorth his wounds made him feele his strength to diminish very much and a very great weaknesse conquer all his body In this determination he put himselfe vppon the way to finde the Tree whereof the olde man had tolde him in which searche wee will leaue him to speake of the other knight so cruelly wounded He as writes the Historian being come to himselfe againe so soone as the Giant could not yet arise so readily for hee was of a more weake and soft complexion Which Pharisor who had béeneah eye witnesse of their encountring beholding went to him and hauing vnlaced his Helmet saw that his visage which naturally was faire was now so spent and discoulloured as one could perceiue nothing of his wunted perfection Héereat he began to greeue for hee was of good nature very pittifull and succourable to the afflicted and séeing the knight complained verye much of his woundes which made him now feele a dangerous and mortall anguish he began to comfort him so well as possiblie he could And séeing that still his bloud wasted in great aboundancâ— he despoyled himselfe of his shirt which was so whitâ— as hart could wish and hauing torne it in pâ—eces ther with he bound vp his wounds very handsomly When the knight féeling more ease then he did before and that his vigour in better sort encreased he intreated to be mounted vppon his horsse which he did by the helpe of Pharisor who leading the horsse by the bridle guided him by sundry pathes thorow the Forrest séeking where he might finde any village or house or any one that knew howe to cure the knights woundes with kinde comfortings and other fréendly spéeches he thus conducted him along the forrest when the night being spent at their entrance thereout they came to a very great champion plaine when the auaunt courrer or messenger of the day began to sâ—ew his Christalline beautieâ— thorow his siluer locks whence soone after followed the bright splendour of the goulden Sun Then can they discerne a farre of in this desert a smoake that séemed to come from the Chimney of some house which made the fayre pilgrime to guide the horsse that way But hee had not gon much ground till hee sawe the Knight giue a signe of falling from his horse for he was suddenly surprised with the trembling fit of an extreame agâ—â— caused thorow the deadly pain of his wounds which beeing vnbound for ease let the bloud againe issue foorth as thorâ—w pipes or gutteâ—s This was no little gréefe to the pilgrime who tooke him from his horse in his armes when setting him to the grounde the knight began to swoune againe wherewith Pharisor was so troubled as fearing he was néere his death hee layde him along on the the grasse and bound againe his wide gaping woundes Then taking him in his armes hee got vp on the Knights horse and so caryed him before him ouerthwart the saddle and hauing long ridden that way as he beheld the smoake there ensued as you shall heare in the following chapter Chap. 5. How the wounded Knight which the faire Pilgrime conducted was brought into the lodging of a good and holy Hermit where his wounds were healed by the praiers which the good Hermit made to God The great miracle that happened likewise howe the Knight was baptized and made a Christian. Whereby is signified vnto vs how God disperseth the effects of his almightie power to such as serue him who are oftentimes found rather in poore and simple Cottages and in desert places then in the golden Pallaces or wealthie Citties Likewise is in this Chapter remembred that the ayde and succour of the meanest may serue and profit the greatest personages PHarisor the fayre Pilgrime so long and by so many sundry pathes in the desert conducted in sort as yee haue read in the former Chapter the halfe dead body of the hardie and vertuous knight that about the houre of mid-day hee discouered the place whence he saw the smoke to ascend â—oorth Thither hasted hee with all the speed hee could vse hoping in that place to méete with some one that could giue remedie to the knights wounds for very great care he had of him because of the bountie and valour he had discerned in him But drawing néerer to this long expected place hee thought his hope would be deceiued by reason he sawe it to be but a little lodging couered with Reedes and Rushes in which he could not be perswaded to finde what he would This made him halfe minded to change his way to some other part yet something still houered about his heart that hee should
Notwithstanding he stood firmely against him and entered into such coler against the monster that his face and bodie became all red and his eyes â—parkled as fire so that the sauage who neuer before feared anie man and imagined that this was but a signe of feare in him sodainly thought that he beheld the knightes ladie enuironed in a flame of fire that séemed as it were to issue out of him This happened not to him of himselfe but by the succor and aide of his nurse Oziris who made him appeare in this fearefull resemblance thereby to weaken the vntonquetable strength of the sauage against whome the knight so abuanced himselfe with his broade brandishing swoord in his hand and reached in furie such a stroake at him that had it met with the head of the monster as it 〈◊〉 with his staffe which was as great as the most of a shippe he had 〈◊〉 it in two partes But the vnâ—â—nted sauage hauing quickly aduaâ—ced his staffe before was not hurt by the stroke only his staffe was néere cut in sunder although it was very hard wood and beset round about with knagges and knottes which lifting vp againe he 〈◊〉 so rigorously vpon the knightes helmet as it was broken through the middest Gerileon likewise beeing so aâ—â—â—nied as hee knewe not whether it was daie or night and staggering therewith he was readie to fall to the earth yet he fell not but recouering fresh courage smote with his swoord to cut off the monsters head who espying the blowe comming ranne fiercely vpon him and grasping him about the bodie stroue to ouerthrowe him or by his fast holde to strangle him Then forcing him to the Dragons head which naturally was fixed right against his nauell most cruelly he bit him by the vpper parte of his thighes his armour for that part not auailing him but the two crooked téeth entered quite thorowe The knight felâ—e verie greate paine hereby and entered into such excéeding fury when by strong wrastling he had gotten forth of the monsters armes and withdrawing himselfe thrée or foure paces backe hee smote fiue or sixe terrible blowes at his bodie all thicke together not one â—arrying for another With one of them hee cut off his arme albeit it was couered with rough and harde haire which was of great defence for his bodie but that the knights strength was meruailous and incomparable By the other blowes the sauage receiued fiue great wounds as well on his head as on other partes of his bodie which iniured him more then the losse of his arme because in stead thereof immediatly sprang forth of the same place a Lyons clawe of meruailous greatnes so that he felt no defect of the other losse but the paine of his other woundes made him â—rie and roare so horribly that the knight saued from shipwracke and the marriners in the shippe at the sea side not knowing what it was trembled with feare some of them swouning and falling into trances especially when by this â—oise they beheld the sea moued with so great a tempest as the cables that held the anchors were almost broken in the middest and Gerilcon himselfe beeing amazed yet not that he minded to giue ouer the fight though immediatly he felt himselfe caught by the shoulders with the Lions clawe so â—ately risen vppon the Polyppe as therewith hee was verie grieuously wounded euen to the losse of verie much bloud But being by meruailoâ—â— force and vinacitie gotten once more out of the monsters hold he doubled many strokes vppon him slicing the haire and skinne awaie by greate gobbets notwithstanding the extreame hardnes thereof And the sauage defended himselfe couragiously wounding and offending with his clawe and téeth the vertuous nurse child of the faire Ozyris who in this manner combatted all the rest of the daie vntill such time as the night being come the sauage hauing lost great store of his bloud and with the losse thereof féeling great weakning of his forces chaunged himselfe from his first forme into the shape of a huge meruailous roaring lyon which so soone as hee had giuen the knight to beholde he fled into the obscure caue where the Ladie and Geliaste were hidden whereby Gerileon remayned verie greatly perplexed CHAP. 8. How Gerileon being in great trouble feeliâ—g mortall paine of the wounds which he had in combat against the Sauage Polyppe was succoured by the Nymph Olympia of the talke likewise they had together And howe afterwarde hee fought againe with the same monster hee beeing in the shape of a Lyon and beeing vanguished by him the second time was constrained to hide himselfe againe Whereout may bee gathered that a vertuous man feeling himselfe iniured and wounded by sinne being in great griefe and displeasure with himselfe is euermore succoured by the good Angell that comforts him so that by such good and speedie remedies which giueth him courage to resist it manfully he proceede vntill hee haue altogether vanquished and chased it awaie By the diuerse mutation of the monster into the forme of cruell beastes is signified nothing else but sinne what sundrie shapes so euer it receiueth yet it is alwaies cruell onely to trie the consciences of such good men as itassaileth WHen Gerileon sawe that the sauage had changed his shape and was departed from the combat he knewe that hee shoulde haue somewhat to doe to vanquish him and withal hee considered that if hee could escape this vnexpected danger he shoulde deserue praise and reputation for euer which was the greatest guerdon and â—â—compence that all his aduenturous 〈◊〉 aimed at for which he not at all dreaded the hazard of his life There vpon hee determined to abide in that place yet not in the caue or dungeon but aboue vnder the trées where he had rested himselfe the daie before attending when the Polyppe should come forth againe in his new receiued forme to finish the combat he had begun yet hee not knowing the originall or behauiour of the monster nor for what cause he abode in that place but in this determination hee went from the caue and layde him downe to rest for that night vntill the cleere light of a new day should shew it selfe to the world But it was not possible for him to take anie rest hauing as one sayth thrée tinglinges in his eare that hindeâ—ed him The principall whereof was the continuall thoughts whereby he was rauished in contemplation of his Mistresse The second was his feare of his squire least he was slaine or outraged by the monster for he loued him so deerely as he could not sleepe vnlesse he were assured that his Squire was as well as himselfe such was the care he had of him The third which was no lesse hurtfull to his body then these other twaine were to his minde was the great paine he felt in his thighes and shoulders by the téeth and clawes of the monster by meanes whereof all his body became enflamed by reason of the venim wherewith the nailes
Launce into your hand to keepe whâ—le we Ioust which I am assured he will not refuse to do thus may you depart and beare away the Launce with yee but if this deuise should faile vs assure your selfe that quickly we will finde another for I will receiuâ— no money of yee before yée haue this Launce so much desired in your possession My father liked well of this councell and to make short it came to passe euen as the theefe had before deuised for the king of Gaule hearing the defiance and weening that all my father tolde was true made no doubte of giuing the Launce into his hand and my father being possessed thereof while the king of Gaule went to put on better Armour both he and the cunning theefe departed so that none could tell what was become of them The king and all his Court at the first tidings hereof was greatly abashed but vnderstanding soone after the cause of this theft and who was the inuenter of this pollicie it was made but a merrie iest of In the end notwithstanding this pleasure did not so con-continue but this fine theefe fearing to be taken was glad to flye from the kingdome of Gaule and passed thence into England where afterwarde hee liued and remained a long time As for the king my father he returned againe by Sea to Lisbone and from thence to Saragossa where the king Doriâ—o then held Courte where beeing arriued he behaued himselfe so well with this slie gotten Launce as all the knights that Iousted against him yea euen the braue knight Floridament were foyled and dismounted to the ground whereâ—â—t the Princesse Pollyda who bare no loue at all to the king my father beeing greatly displeased would haue reâ—used the mariage before agreed vppon by the king Doriâ—o saying that for her parte shee had giuen no consent and without the Brides consent hardly can any mariage be accorded especially with such a one to whome shee could not vse any affection Héereat the king my father being highly offended in furie flunge foorth of the Spanish kings court giuing him many hard tauntes and iniurious speeches for the diâ—â—oyaltie that he sayd remained in him On the other side the king was full of rage and anger against the infant his daughter whom he ceased not dayly to perswade that shee should like well of marrying with king Diegonde of Lusitauia least his credit and reputation should be condemned in vsing trecherie and perâ—idie to so great a Prince So what thorow loue and pleasing spéeches as also force and frowning countenances in the end she yeelded to his wyll But this was after the Lady had had conference with a noble and excellent Fayrie named Ozyris who had beene greatly helping in her birth endowing her with manifolde vertues and riches of spirit for which she was not a little commended and after the decease of her mother Sister to king Barachen of Scotland she had sometime nourished her in her rich inuinsible palace which was in the realme of great Brittaine and euer afterward shee perswaded her that she should not marie with any liuing man which was the cause shee helde so aloofe from this aforesaid marriage After she had well schooled her concerning this matter the noble and vertuous Fayrie sayd that in respect children by the diuine lawe ought obedience to theyr parents and it was her fathers will she should match with the king Diegonde who alreadie had doone so much for her looue and was euen readie to despaire if he fayled thereof shee councelled her not to withstand her fathers appointment And although in former time she had diswaded her from mariage it was because she discerned by her skill that such issue as discended from her in mariage if shee fortuned to haue any should haue hard hap and prooue very vnfortunate which would be such gréefe both to her husband as the greater part of theyr youth would bee spent in greefe and pensiuenesse Notwithstanding if this marriage must néedes be accomplished she promised to vse the matter in such sort as by this coniunction she should neuer haue child And so found she meanes to comfort them sufficiently as heerafter yee shall vnderstand the manner how without iniurie to the beautifull Pollydon but my father by himselfe and his should féele the euill and misfortune whereto yet she promised a day of finall conclusion The Princely maide giuing credit to hir propheticall speeches was greatly comforted and satisfied and so resolued to marie with the king my father after which determination once knowne soone was hee sent for by the King Dorino when with great pleasure and content to euery one he espoused Pollyda with her he liued more then twentie yeares yet could he haue no issue by her which so greeued him confounding his thoughts with sadnes and melancholly as the most part of the time he eat his bread in mone and teares for I imagine it a meruaylous hart breake to a man that desires to liue after his death and perpetuate his memorie by his children to sée his mariage consumed without any generation that might make mention of him when he is dead And such heerefore was his intire conceit of gréefe as oftentimes he meant to repudiate his Queene Pollyda but such againe was the woondrous loue he bare her fearing to offend God and displease king Dorino her father as hee was still diswaded when such thoughts entred his fantasie All this likewise the Queene very well noted and notwithstanding her former despisings yet after her marriage she loued him exceedingly pittying his gréefe but shaddowing her owne so much as possibly she could séeking by all meanes to remedie both as in the end she did by the aduise and counsell of the wise Ozyris who euery daye and in all places assisted her perswading her to doe as followeth One of her wayting Damosels whome my father vsed good countenance towards because she was of perfect beautie being named Olympia daughter to he Duchesse of Terciede a chaste and prudent dame with her the Fayrie aduised the Queene that my father should haue dalliance She following this councell one night when the king my father sent woord to haue her company in bed so cunninglie handled the matter that this damosell lay there insteed of her for the maide was likewise secretly amourous of the king which was the cause that being where she would be she disliked not this swéet and pleasant deceit but without any shew of displeasure shee gladly endured the kings pastime with her séeing the Quéene was so well content to affoord her her place and priuiledge To such effect grew my fathers labours who little thought he was thus beguiled as the Maide was conceiued with childe when afterward the Queene comming to sleepe with the King sayd that she felt her selfe conceiued answerable to his so long desire for which good fortune hee should applaude the heauens from whence procéeded so great good to her Héereof was the king my father glad
their Launces without any further iniurie vnto him but hee had better successe for the first he met felt so soundly the sharpnes of his launce as piercing quite thorow his bodie layd him dead on the earth Two other that maâ—e out after these foure began very fiercely to assaile Taffinor but for all that they vnhorssed him not yet one of them receiued a deadly wound on his shoulder at his hand and so was forced to fall to the ground They that came after hauing their swordes naked in their handes couragiously aduentured on the Christian knights who being ready prepared receiued the valiant strokes of the Pagans on their sheelds without any hurt vnto their bodyes marie each of them stood so stiffely to the Pagans as Gerileon sent one of their heads roundlie from his shoulders and Taffinor slicing off an others arme from his bodye made both Gerileons stroke and his owne agree in an hermonie for the first Pagan dyed immediatly and the other caught such a sudden sicknes as his bloud abâ—undantly streaming foorth called his life soone after The rest of their companions were not a little amazed heereat especially at the puissant strokes of Gerileon with the exceeding vertue valiancie and addresse that they discerned in him so that sixe of theyr fellowes lying dead before theyr faces the other fearefully fled to the troupe of Adylas that they might to him declare theyr misfortune but they were followed euen thither by Gerileon and Taffinor at whose hardinesse Adylas stood greatly abashed and the rather because in his presence Gerileon ouertaking two of the tardyest fugitiues from one he lopt the eare cheeke and shoulder together and tooke off the others head so neatly as if the kéenest Rasor in the world had beene the instrument All the troupe standing affrighted heereat durst not boudge one foote but taryed to heare the pleasure of theyr king who was surprised with no common kinde of pensiuenes imagining that Gerileon was one of the Gods whom he adored to wit Mars the God of battailes and as they supposed that hee was highly displeased with them When hee beheld what hauock the Fayrie knight made of his people hee came foorth from the middest of his troupe to know for certaintie what he was and if he were one of theyr gods with praiers oblations and sacrifices he would appease his anger but Gerileon that made no regarde of such folly prepared to endure the braue against all the rest And for this cause hee entred further in among them with Taffinor where sundring themselues no one durst stirre to approach néere them for in Gerileons countenance they noted such high resolution as they reputed him alone able to foyle a farre greater hoste of men Euen as a lustie Mower in the haruest time in the middest of a well growne field with a sharpe Scithe in his hand cuts downe the grasse and hearbes about him in very great quantitie euen like â—eare had the Pagans of this noble warriour verily thinking him to be some celestiall deitie and many times had they béene brought into such errour for when they beheld any one who by his haughtie déedes séemed to surpasse the common valour of men and had some thing in him to out goe other in hardinesse they easily were induced to beléeue that this was one of their imaginarie Gods This false perswasion serued very well for these two Christians because if all the troupe had risen against them you quickly may conceiue their daunger but the good Angell that conducted them by the helpe of God assisted them in such sort as Adylas alone offered spéech to Gerileon and that in this manner I pray thée if thou bee one of the Gods whose habitations is in heauen tell or shew me by some signe if I haue offended theâ— and wherein I haue giuen cause that thou shouldst thus destroy me and my people assuring thée that if by prayers oblations and sacrifices thine anger is not to bee appeased and thy furie qualified thou shalt no sooner bee returned to thy celestiall mansion but presently thou shalt in aboundance feele the pleasant perfume and exquisite Sabeene odour with large gifts in thy Temple and offerings on thine Altar by me bestowed to thine honor and glory Or if thou be some mortall creature that hast reason thus to come and assayle me killing Argontes my faithfull Achates beside so many of my souldiours then onely tell to me the cause heereof and assure thy selfe that I will repaire whatsoeuer iniurie which thou pretendest to haue receiued by me neither shall any of my men once mooue to offend thée for the great valour and vertue I estéeme to be in thée But if without any reasonable occasion thou hast dared thus boldly to abuse me thou mayst be well assured that thou shalt be chastised according to thy deserts Knight answered Gerileon I imagine thée to be the most apparant man of al thy troope and as I haue heard thou art called Adylas king of Thunis a knight verye famous and of great reputation as I gather because I see thée affable and courteous Wherfore I fréely tell thée that I am none of the supposed Gods thou talkest of but credit me I am a knight errant ignorant of the place wher I was borne and the parents that gaue me life but trauayle thorow the worlde whether fortune and my deâ—â—â—â—e conducts me in search of such aduentures as merrit fame Not long since and not far hence I slew a cruell monster called the sauage Polyppe where I met this knight who told mee what causeles shame both thou and thy company being ods of too great aduantage offered a Christian prince called Ariodant one of whose traine he was thou hauing discomfited him and his men detainest some of them as prisoners which iniurie he intreated me to reuenge and I haue vndertaken it both vpon thée thine for well thou knowest that by the lawe of chiualrie inuiolably obserued among such as are woorthie to beare the title of knighthood all errant knights séeking aduentures are bound to reuenge the opprobrious wrongs that the ouerstrong offer to the ouer weake hauing no iust cause or reason therefore and to defend them against all forcible violence indirectly throwne vppon miserable and afflicted persons maintaining euermore the quarrell of the wronged that haue no helpe Beside the quarrell for which thou hast so hardly dealt with Ariodant and his people is publique touching all good Christians of which number I am one and for euer will be so by consequence it appertaineth to mee inciting mee to wreake reuenge for the iniurie doone to my confederates that are of selfe same religion as I am against all that are of the contrarye and aduersarie faith Because then thou hast nothing else now to do prouide thée presently to the combate with me if thou be so desirous as thou hast expressed for thou séest I haue reason to assaile thée and for whatsoeuer else I haue doone beside Hauing thus spoken
his least that our enemies who are Pagans and in whome yet neuer appeared any sparke of loyaltie or fidelitie as well we knowe should intend some thing against our prisoner both hurtful vnto them and vs and I am of opinion that if vnbeléeuing men containe such good thoughts as to vse kindnes and benignitie towarde their enemies the like or more ought appeare in them that professe faith and loyaltie Wee then that follow the right path of a farre better religion should thinke on no fraude or trumperie whatsoeuer and much lesse in time of a kinde intreaty as we promise to our prisoned enemie vnder hope whereof they whom our enemies detaine of ours may receiue such fauour from them as they shall not be compelled to doo any thing hurtfull to themselues Let vs not then constraine him to any thing against his will much lesse let vs speake or once open our mouthes concerning any marriage in that it will seeme a matter incredible to our enemies that against the lawes of our religion wee would permit the marriage of a Pagan with a Christian this were but to make them veryly beléeue that we would altogether forsake our God and the conâ—idence we haue hitherto reposed in him to worship with them their false gods Iupiter Mahomet Mercurie Phoebus and such like idols as they reuerence as things celestiall so altogether to take their parte whereas we ought not shew them the least attaint of our thoughts but firmely to stand on our strong faithfull foundation toward God who euermore hitherto hath maintained and preserued vs by his exceeding mercie and inuincible dower And still in his goodnes we ought to resolue with our selues that all the Bethulians were in times past deliuered from the miserable and cruell siedge of cruell Holofernes onely by power diuine that for their deliuerance raised vp a woman who by vndauntable stomach cut off the head of their chéefest enemie we by the like or greater miracle by his supreame and diuine grace shall be deliuered from our proud enemy for whose destruction if our strength be two feeble or in any sort wanteth hee can by his will if we firmely trust in him make flye on them againe eyther the Sword of Gedeon or Aioth or else an other Iudeth to ouerthrow and exterminate theyr dayes altogether so to preserue and deliuer them that abide in faithfull obedience and trust continuing theyr firme hope and assurance onely in him We sée by many holy and sacred misteries and examples wherewith the diuine and holy Scriptures are plentifully stored and furnished from how many euils and mischiefes he deliuered and miraculouslie preferued the Children of Isaack and Israell that trusted in his goodnesse and mercie and did with hearts full of deuotion and penitence call for his helpe and succour in theyr calamities and afflictions let vs then altogether trust hope in him beleeuing that he is at this present euer hath beene and for euer will bee as gracious and mightie as then hee was and in this hope let vs take paine valiantlye and couragionslie to defend our selues for if we had this resolution in vs though we were as men without hart or power I am perswaded that fiue hundred of vs shall suffise to impeache the entrance of our enemie were they as many more in number as they are and so attend the arriuall of our hoped succour albeit they should tarry a moneth yet longer in comming when he had concluded in this sorte the wise and vertuous king Floridamant seeing by â—xteriour demonstration that the greater part of the assistants approoued and highly praysed the good councell of the valâ—ant olde Candior Duke of Normandie fastened on his words and thus began himselfe My good friends and faithfull companions if in this aduersâ—tie which hath not béene common with you or mee I haue some cause of greefe to sée my selfe in extreame danger of loosing my estate and Crowne which my predecessours by their prudence and vertue so long time happilie preserued in all flourishing ioy and prosperitie yet withall I haue now great reason to comfort my selfe séeing so manie vertuous and valiant persons embarqued in the same ship readie to run in like daunger of fortune with me who not onely by effects of their prowesse and valour lets mee apparantly behold what good will they beare to the conseruation of the christian weale publique but likewise do trauaile by their aduise and councell to acquaint both mine eyes and certaine experience with what zeale and affection they embrace the conduct of mine estate and howe forward they are for the preseruation of all Christendome which would bee meruaylously shaken if this wofull distressed kingdome at this instant the most flourishing estate of all where the name of Iesus Christ is knowne honored and glorified should fall as a praye to the enemie that séeke to take and vtterly ruinate it For which I ought chéefely to thanke my God as vnfaynedly I doo that he hath not altogether forsaken mee in this calamitie and miserie but not onely hath prouided me of such valiant knights and warriours as you all are but withall hath lent me men so skilfull and aduised It séemeth then good to me that according to the discréet councell of Duke Candior of Normandie that we should not séeke to delay but patiently endure the enemies assault when they shall againe with their great number giue the attempt and without any shew of feare eyther without or within the Cittie carrie no regard of our liues or goods but imploye our selues together manfully to defend so iust a quarrell as this for which we fight And let vs so behaue our selues that our enemies may know how the Lord God that assisteth vs and can if hee please take our caâ—se in hand is onely mightie and will by vs deliuer such testimonie of fortitude to the worlde as neither is in their power or the false idolatrous Gods which they worship to doo in vaine then shall they thinke to feare vs or worke such ruine to vs as they intended In this deliberation each of you take courage and he assured that whosoeâ—dr dyeth in hardie tryall of this fight it shall bee a perpetuall honor to him in this world and a glorious life to him in the endlesse world where he shall triumphe of the fayrest victorie Neuertheles I doo not reiect the good councell and aduise of the king Ferrand Grandilaor and others agréeing with them whereto if we sée vrgent necessitie constraine vs wee may vse them as we find cause to vphold our selues on our feete what euer betide vs marie yet we must not so slightlie condiscend thereto without further feeling of our enemies force then as yet we haue without any great disaduantage Hauing thus sayd ech commended and agréed on this resolution and so rysing from councell they went to prepare to withstand the assault as héereafter ye shall read because we must héere conclude this chapter CHAP. 18. How the Pagans prepared