to me the extreame desire he hath to present to you his seruice so that vpon this hope I haue willingly brought him in here estéeming it a thing of very rare and great consequence the purchasing of such a personage to augment so much the more the forces of your guard Hée is then quoth the father very welcome hether in recompence of his good will he shal haue the best cheare we may prouide for him For all that his purpose was otherwise because the more his daughter commended them the more angry was he to see them within the castle their very presence striking into him a feare and suspition neuertheles to dissemble it and not to let them perceiue therof he procéeded thus with a pleasant countenance daughter goe you in to salute your mother in the meane time these knights well disarme them This he spake meaning to cause their armes to be lockt vp and kept safe from them till they were out of the castell But Marcomyr who heard those spéeches doubting some such euent cared not much to talke with him any further but went strait away with the page of Leifida who brought him vp into a very faire chamber where in stéed of disarming themselues they caused their squiers who carried their armes alwaies after them to lace their helmets quickly then betaking them to their shields with vnconquerable courage they salied out hauing their naked swords ready drawn in their hands Which the yong man séeing was more amased then if at the same instant he had lost his forme by some new metamorphosis began to crie out in strange maner O detestable and vile act of disloialtie running downe amaine to aduertise the gard wherein he was soone preuented for Marcomyr knowing he might not delay his enterprise any longer made spéedily down into the court where he saw the captain blaming and rebuking the porters for letting him in who made their excuse vpon Leifida that brought him in with her And perceiuing him to make furiously against him he cried alarme O my loiall and faithfull knights take armes slay me these vilaines who are come to betray vs in this rash manner then the prince hauing instructed Ozalias before to win the wicket and kéepe it against all those that would come in to succour or goe forth to flie remembring his lady Celestina that he must either die in the place or deliuer the king her father out of prison began to strike without pity those of the gard the captaine séeing his honor and life reduced to so pitiful an exigent laid suddainly hold on a pâ—leax which by chance he found at hand wherewith he went to giue Marcomyr such a knock vpon his morion that had not the creast thereof ben tempered with fine steele he had seperated his soule from his bodie This constrained the knight who would not haue stroke him otherwise for the loue of his daughter to strike againe so that he gaue the old man such an ataint with a blow returned to his head that he cleft his skull downe to his iawes giuing the like entertainment to thrée or foure other knights who let driue at him thinking to massacker him quickly but in a small space he made so cruell a slaughter of al those which came to encounter him that the most hardie and valiant remained in the place either dead or dangerously wounded And if peraduenture any coward made to the gate thinking to get out that waies to saue himselfe by flight he fell into Ozalias hands who shewed them but small courtesie so that in this skirmish there remained not one man of the castle aliue except the page which was master of the ship that brought the two cousins into this good hauen who ran imediatly to his mistres Leifida telling her thus Madame we are all traiterously betraied by the false and inhumane knight whom we haue brought in hether Therefore I know my selfe worthy of a thousand deaths if I might haue so many one after another for I was the cause that my lord your father and all his guard are put to the edge of the sword When the Damsell and her mother heard these piteous tidings they ranne forth almost out of their wits not knowing what to do séeing this horrible discomfiture they begaÌ„ to wring their hands and poure forth the most pitifull complaints that euer any liuing person heard Leifida who accused her selfe of all this blame fell downe halfe dead vpon her fathers corpes vttering a spéech in this sence Alas deare father pardon me who am the only cause of your death which séeing I haue aduanced innocently thorow the â—ained and cautelous circumuention of a Tyrant I will presently end my daies and to accomplish better the expiation and ceremonie of your obsequies and funerall pomps I will let this transitory life fréely offer vp my soule vnto the gods to accompany yours before their throne Pronouncing these words with a spent voice by reason of the continuall sighes which from her breast followed one another so thicke she would haue moued the most pitilesse and diamantine heart to compassion Marcomyr who reposed himselfe at the foot of a piller went directly to her where she made this mone who perceiuing him come ran vpon him as a lionnesse enraged when her whelpes are taken from her crying out amaine Ha cruell and fellonious knight séeing thou hast slaine my father all his guard and people why doest thou not make an end of me also How long wilt thou linger before thou send my woefull soule out of this languishing passion which it endureth in this my dying bodie Tell me Barbarian what moued thée to render this sorrowfull recompence for the extreame loue I bare thée now conuerted into all deadly hatred and more then mortall malice How durst thou deceiue a poore maiden thus trecherously considering the great familiarity into which I so soone admitted thée at the first sight Ha dissembler that hast thus surprised me through the false apparence of thy faire and sugred words saying thou wert a king a prince a great siegnior I thinke it wel but of théeues and murderers who camst hether but to pillage the treasure in this place O foolish more then miserable girle to credit so lightly thy cogging and deceitfull persuasion whose issue is but too tragicall and full of calamity Surely if all those who knew me euer haue reputed me a sage and an obedient daughter now they shall from henceforth account me for the most disloiall and wickeddest maiden that liues hauing thus wrought the death of mine owne father And although it be against my will shall I for that cease to exclaim of the inconstancie of fortune which by the only report of I know not what cloked and friuolous ostentation hath so easily chaunged my heart What will you my lord the great Turke say when you shall vnderstand the tidings of this massaker which hath ben so cautelously wrought to steale hence your treasor Alas why
enterprice But so soone as Belcarin could endure the trauaile of armes he sailed not to endosse them to be in a readinesse if perâ—dueÌ„ture any thing chanced in the mean time so it fel out that the Marques of Trosse who came then to make his assay in thâ—t aduâ—nture arriued there the same day He was a braue and a hardie mâ—n at Armes and albeit hée parted from his countries wel accompanied with knights pages and gentlemâ—n he had neuerthelesse caused them to stay behind short of this place and towards him he marched with one onely squire who bore his launce When Belcarin saw him come so couragiously directly to the bridge he mounted incontinent on horsebacke then drew néere him saying Gentleman this way can you not passe before you Iust with me because I haue established this for a law that no knight shal haue battle with him on the bridge who hath not first ouercome me for a fewe dayes past my strength hauing failed me in the assay of this aduenture I will that no other shall accomplish it if he cannot preuaile against me This your rashnes séemeth to me verie great replied the Marques seeing you enterprise to carrie a burthen of such weight but I beléeue you doe it to depart hence more ashamed and dishonoured 〈◊〉 you haue done heretofore Happen what shall 〈◊〉 Belcarin then with some disdaine you must passe 〈◊〉 my handes and take héede of me if you thinke good The Marques had alreadie drawne his sworde which was the cause that in the violent running of the horses they made a furious encounter and hauing both a desire to behaue themselues brauelie brake their Launces downe to their handles brushing one another with their Shéeldes and shouldring so fiercelie that the Marques fell to the ground féeling himselfe hurt a little â—ith his fall gâ—tteth quickly on his 〈◊〉 drâ—w â—orthwith his sword with which he 〈…〉 such a blow on the ribs that he made 〈…〉 but Belcarin who was nimble lâ—apt 〈◊〉 the saddle and setting hand to his blâ—de likewise ran vpon him in a great rage Ill for thy profit saith he learnest thou euer to vse such cowardise in combating for thou shalt receaue by and by thy deserued guerdon then charged him with two such deadly blowes vpon his helmet that before the sword was from it the bloud ran downe in the place The Marques who was actiue and couragious went alwaies eagerly to worke and defended himselfe with a wonderfull stomack neuertheles Belcarin who surpassed him in valor and actiuity fetcht him quickly so liuely about that the Marques who could not almost stand before him did but void the strokes Which his aduersary spying laid so fiercely vpon the edge of his shield that he laid him along at his féet where the miserable Marques lost all possibility and meane to defend himself for so soon as he was down Belcarin began to batter him cruelly with the pommell of his sword saying Catif yéeld thée now for vanquished and sweare vnto me thou wilt neuer séeke to meddle or make any more in this aduenture if not I send presently thy soule to the diuel In good fâ—ith knight answered the Marques you haue passed me so far that I warrant I shall neuer passe further in it and of fauour I beséech you to leaue me in this pittious estate in the which now I yéeld my self at your mercy Belcarin who heard him speake so gently thought he was in danger of death therfore withdrew himselfe a side a little whilst the Marques squier approched him to sée in what state he was who when he had quickly raised him on his féet bound vp his wounds with a kercheif which he tore in péeces he set him faire and softly on his horse which he took at the end of the carrier But before the Marques departed from thence he requested Belcarin very amiably to tell him who he was to the end he might know the name of his vanquisher which hee graunted him willingly Hâ— quoth the Marques truely I haue no cause to complaine nor to bée sorrowfull for my mishap séeing it is by the hand of so valiant a knight that I see my selfe now vanquished the Marques hauing spoken these words marched towards the place where he had leâ—t his people from thence to a town from whence he stirred not til he had recouered his perfect cure health then toâ—ke his iourny directly into Macedon there recounted what had happened to him with Belcarin The king Florendos and the quéen his wife were very ioifull hearing so good report of Belcarin for they said they had a nephew so called who might very wel be the same then demanded him what arms he caried the Marques answered green As sure as God liues theÌ„ said the king it is none other but he getting a few daies since the best at the tourney departed thence secretly fearing to be discouered whereof I am very glad and con him thanke that he can doe so well for that in Prowesâ—e and chiualrie he séeketh to resemble king Frisol his father Great was the ioy that the nobles of the court receiued by this news but aboue al other was Alderine most ioifull because she had set her heart and all her most secret thoughts vpon him and loued him euery day more ardently then other for the great praises she heard were euery where spread abroad of his singular déeds of armes so that by the only blast of this renowne many knights departed from that court to goe trie themselues against him who being all vanquisht augmented his fame daily more and more But to return to the damsel who pursued to be reuenged of Belcarin for the death of her brethren after that she had thrée daies serued Sergin very courteously séeing him on the fourth well amended she purposed to depart his companie honestly to follow after her enemie It fell out by fortune Tiraquel son of duke Eustace who weÌ„t to sée his companion Belcarin euery where abroad arriued the same euening in a lodging where seeing the Damsel make such pittious mone for she could very well play her part at the arriuall of any one was moued at the last with pittie and compassion to promise her his aid if she stood in néed therof and as he demaunded the cause of her lamentation and sorrow she made answere how shée hauing two brethren slaine treacherously by a disloial person whâ— her father lodged one night in his Castell did put her selfe presently in pursute after him and méeting by the way a courteous knight besought him to take reuenge of the murtherer who had committed that vile act in briefe that this valiant Gentleman also had béene by him daungerously wounded which caused him so much the more to gréeue and sorrow at her fortune Full well knew she how to worke him by her enticing and sugred words so far that Tiraquel promised her once more his aid and enquiring what was become of the wounded
in vain for in troth he held a contrarie way to that Marcomyr had taken knowing not what to resolue on whether to returne to the court or to goe on still to séeke his man it chanced he pâ—ssed hard by a fortresse ioining to a little cittie albeit very strong and defensible belonging to the countesse of Iseland a very faire and gratious damsell This countesse was a widdow and had béene but two yeares without her husband who in the end of his daies for that he had no children and loued his wife with a singular affection made her the inheretrix of all his estate and siegnorie whereat was greatly wroth a brother of the earls called Diolas a fierce and hardy knight who as a yonger brother was little the better by succession of his father but for a small farme being al he could pretend for his part and willingly would he haue made warre vpon his sister had he not séene her well beloued of all her vassals By reason whereof he feared to loose his labour and all the time he should employ therein thinking to get more another way caused her daily to be sollicited and aduertised if she did not forsake quickly that possession shée held vniustly surrendring it willingly into his hands he would cast her out by force and violence as he who next after the death of the deceased earle his brother ought by right and reason to inherit The countesse was in a great perplecity through these threatning spéeches yet determined to defend her selfe if he went about to molest her and by good fortune the same day Rifaran came that way when Diolas went the round without the fortresse with fiue other knights well appointed to espie the féeblest part where they might scale and surprise it The countesse thereof aduertised presented her selfe presently vpon the battlements of the wall where leaning ouer the top of a rampire iust at the arriuall of Rifaran she began these pittifull and sorrowful lamentations Alas why will you thus ruine me What hath moned you to be so angrie and furious against a poor damsel a widow to dishonour her to outrage her vassals and best friends who neuer committed against you the least offence which in any thing might exasperate the choller of a maÌ„ were he neuer so malitious or mutinous to take so austere and rigourous vengance as you séeke to offer me I pray you in the fauour and for the deuoire of that honest and vertuous amitie you haue alwaies séene in me towards you you permit me to liue in peace suffering me to enioy without disturbance during my life that little which it pleased him to inuest me with by the ordinance of his last wil I promise to render it you vndoubtedly at the end of my daies for now to depart with it were to me a heartsgriefe vnspeakeable Diolas returned her a thousand villanous spéeches to terrifie her saying she had empoisoned her husband and that he would otherwise haue dispossessed her of all that she did wrongfully possesse by the law of the twelue tables TheÌ„ Rifaran who staid there to heare those alterications betwéene them perceiued well what the cauill meant Wherefore moued with pittie towards the damsell could not containe to reprehend Diolas for his discourtesie in outraging with such vile spéeches the ladie who shewed farre more modestie and wisdome then he counselling him if by her he found himselfe wronged to take his way to the emperor who would minister good iustice to him for his right The explorator was in a rage and ful of indignation hearing Rifaran speake to him in this sort who in great choller cut him of thus You who speake before you be bidden will you take vpon you to maintaine the right of this ladie surely I wil quoth he and albeit I know not the cause whence procéedeth this quarrel yet I vnderstand you offer her violence wherein for as much as I haue taken vpon me the order of knighthood with intention to aid to my power those whom I sée iniuried without cause I cannot nor I ought not to faile but succour her And if herevpon thou wilt enter the combat with me I hope by the helpe of God in whose hand are all victories to make thée repent this villanie offred her I will neuer be accounted knight quoth Diolas if I doe not make thée pay too deare for this thy foolish rashnes and to the end thou maiest be an example to all other presumptuous and witles fooles such as thou art to defie a gentleman whom thou knowst not resolue now to defend thy selfe well for I cannot thinke otherwise but thâ—u art of the faction and one of those who with this disloiall and accursed woman hast murderously slaine my brother Knight you surmise too great a lie quoth Rifaran séeing that I know not this ladie nor haue I euer séene her in my life but now no more then you which I will make good in any forme of combat which you like best Upon condition notwithstanding that for any accident which may befall you none of your complices shal once stir in your behalfe to offend me more then your selfe alone No sooner had he spoke these wordes but he commaunded all his companions to withdraw themselues from the place and that none of them should bée so hardie as to come to his aid whereat the countesse greatly meruelled because she knew not the knight who vndertooke her defence Meane while the two knights who had great desire to grapple encountred with such courage and furie that breaking their lances to their gauntlets they brusht one another so puissantly with their shieldes and bodies that Diolas was dangerously wounded in one of his shoulders and turning bridle incontinently began to hew on another fiercely with their swords all the time of this recharge the countesse who wel knew how valiant a knight her enemie was estéemed in these countries praied God deuoutly for her champion wondering much how without great cause his heart serued him to enter this combat But Rifaran being valerous and a perfect warrior shewed within a little space he would quickly carie away the victorie for he made his fight with meruellous dexterity neuer profered blow but hurt his aduersarie so as in lesse then halfe an hower he tamed him so well that with a stroake which he lighted aloft on the creast of his helmet he made him fal from his horse to the ground Then Rifaran alighted from his and running hastely vpon him cut a two the laces of his helmet and withall his head from his shoulders saying to the countesse who looked on thorow the loopeholes of the platform Madame now are you secure from the vexation which this peasant did worke you so that from henceforth you néed not feare him any more The ladie was much abashed at his suddaine spectacle and much more affraid were Diolas fiue knights who séeing their maister alreadie dead came like mad dogs to charge vpon Rifaran crying to
I may haue no griefe to forsake this world but that only she may haue some coÌ„passion to sée breathlesse the seruant more deuoted to her seruice then any other whom she may find in these lower regions when she should séeke from Boreas to Auster and from the Indians to the Moores So he held his peace when Diocles and those who did accompanie him demanded of him the occasion of his so suddaine trance whom he answered not a word he felt himself so perplexed and confounded in his thoughts as no lesse was Philocrista for her part knowing her selfe the principall cause of his maladie with which he had quickly finished his life had hée not had spéedie remedie as you shall heare by and by CHAP. XXXI How the Embassadors of France arriued at Constantinople where they were honourably receiued by the Emperour who hauing vnderstood the effect of their embassage and therevpon conferred with the prince Arnedes immediatly affianced to him his daughter Philocrista by whose hand the Embassadors presented him their kings letter of commission THe post which Arnedes had dispatcht from Constantinople into France made such expedition that within few daies he arriued in the famous cittie of Paris where the king vnderstanding the will of his sonne resolued soone vpon the conclusion of this busines and did chuse out incontinent for the chiefe of this embassage the duke of Orleans a very sage prudent Siegnior commaunding the Marques of Oliuet and the Countie Peter one of the best knights of his court should accompanie him and many other Barons of Marke so braue and richly suted in their habilliments that they shewed euidently how much the French excéed all other nations in magnificence and many other good parts which now we will not speake of being besides our purpose The king hauing deliuered them their letters of commission instructions in the state of their embassage sent them away with many attires pretious gifts which he sent to Philocrista to the prince Arnedes but before they were departed there arriued in his court a knight who came froÌ„ the court of the Castilian king to aduertise Recindos how his brother being departed without issue al the people did much reioice that the scepter of such a kingdome fel into the hands of so valiant a prince as he When the king of France vnderstood this newes by the Spanish gentlemaÌ„ named Pinedes he answered him that Recindoâ— was gone with Arnedes his sonne into Constantinople where as he had since heard they won daily great honor renowne this was cause that Pinedes purposed to passe ouer into Gréece with his Embassadors for the same occasion they went to TollaÌ„ in Prouince to embarke themselues in the Mediteranean sea where sailing with a prosperous wind they arriued at ConstaÌ„tinople almost at the same time that Arnedes fel into the same trance you read of before Being come within the hauen two little Frigates which went alwaies before the vessell of the Embassadors were the first who cast ankers there and soone after by coÌ„mandment of the duke of Orleans began those within boord tokens of ioy to render thanks to God for their fortunate nauigation Whereof the Emperor being aduertised sent incontinent to sée what might those actions of ioy meane And vnderstanding they were the Embassadors of France he felt a great gladnes in himself hoping Arnedes might recouer some amendment by the report of this news So y t he coÌ„maÌ„ded they should forthwith let him know therof praying him to be of good chear séeing y e noblemeÌ„ of his couÌ„try were ariued theÌ„ in those quarters We néed not ask whether Arnedes found himself any thing eased at these tidings séeing the sodain recouerie he had in a moment by that meane skewed well therein did consist the true Phisicke of his griefe the which he left the same hower behind him in his bed to goe with Diocles towards the Emperor who séeing him come so lustie was a glad man of his amendment when he said vnto him siegnior Arnedes it seemeth to me the arriuall of these French Gentlemen hath made you strong and to recouer of your maladie You say true my lord quoth hée it is that which is mine onely restoritie and sole remedie Philocrista who knew full well the meaning of Arnedes affectionate desire was not glad a little of this occurrance so that to behold her in face and countenance one might plainely haue read in her heart and soone knowne whence this her gladnesse procéeded wherein she secretly declared to the French prince that which his tongue durst not manifest alowd a thing wherein he néeded no interpreter but thanking her with like signes went strait from thence toward the hauen to sée vnto which of his seruants the king his father had committed this legation The Emperor sent with him many of his barons to the end to accoÌ„pany the embassadors to his pallace for the greater honor of whoÌ„ Diocles himself would néeds go with Arnedes who sent his dwarf before to aduertise theÌ„ of his coÌ„ming towards y e port for this cause y e duke of OrleaÌ„s his other two coÌ„mpanioÌ„s came quickly aland in one of y e two seigats wher seeing y e prince first of all ran vnto him bareheaded to kisse his haÌ„ds in y e which doing he imbraced theÌ„ then said to y e duke of Orleans Ah my sweet cousin how many pleasures doth your arriuall in this cittie bring me Surely many more then you may thinke but tell me I pray you without passing farther how doth my lord the king my father My lord the ioifullest man in the world answered the Duke and as he who hath an extreame desire to sée you ere long sendeth you word that soâ—orning as little as possibly you may in these parts you would take your iorney quickly to returne into your good countrie of France Therein will I obey him willingly replied Arnedes before any long time passe after this day in the meane time doe your honor vnto Diocles the emperors son who of his grace would néeds take the paine to come so far as hether to receiue and entertaine you TheÌ„ Diocles maruelling all these knights and French Nobles did so much honor and reuerence to the prince Arnedes imagined presently he must néeds be their kings son And in regard therof vsing many amiable spéeches to the duke of Orlians and the other Embassadors he praid them very gratiously to aduertise him of Arnedes busines who vntill that hower would neuer manifest himselfe to any bodie My lord answered the Duke he is our prince and soueraigne siegnior who through the ardent desire which hée had to offer his seruice to the Emperor your father determined to come vnknowne into this court and to remaine here dissembling his person till he might sée the things designed by him to come to so good issue as he desired wherin I hope according to the embassage which the king his father hath committed to our charge
all ye will be glad in heart to heare me make the discourse therof God graunt it may be so and may he fortunatly direct him in his courses and so well prosper the generous forwardnesse that all men may beholde shining in him that hée maie winne thereby honour and aduauncement such as his heart desireth Surely this act of Belcarin did well please them except Tiraquâ—l who wâ—s greatly offended because he imparteâ— to him no part of his entent for he would glâ—dly haue kepâ— him companie so that he resolued immediatly to put himselfe in quest after him as soone after it fell out In the mean time Belcarin made such expedition in his iournies that without any let by the way he got out oâ— the boâ—ds of the Empire in a small tiâ—e and being entered the frontiers of the kingdome of Macedonie he lodged the first night in an old knights castle who very affable and courteous séeing him passe before his gate because it was alreadie late geÌ„tly desired him to take his rest that night with him which offer he willingly accepted at the instant request of the venerable old father who tooke great pleasure in beholding Belcarin after he had disarmed himself as well for his goodly stature and proportion of members as for his eloquence and affability wherewith he much enriched and graced his language which was occasion that they conferred long time together and falling from one matter into another in the end the old man discouered that this knight was one of the chiefest fauorites of the Emperour Cleodomyr But the Gentleman had three sonnes very vngratious â—mpes and of a wicked natâ—re who were veâ—y much offended at the courtesie and liberall hospetallitie their father vsed toward strangers wherefore he who knew well their mallice went to méet them in the way homeward for at that present they were hunting abroad to admonish them how they should welcome and entreat this new guest Know my children quoth hee we hâ—ue this night in our house a knight descended of the Emperours house whose physiognomie bewraieth him to come ofsome great and high linage for which cause I pray you do him all the honor you can in the best sort deuise and feasting him with all chéere and gladnesse speake nothing before him which may not beseeme his honourable estate Father answered they we shall doe all your commandements But assoone as he was gone they conspired to assaile this knight on the morrow at the entraunce into a forrestnot farre distant from the castle to proue if he were so braue a man as their fâ—ther had signified vnto them Therefore came not thâ—y to supper as they promised but on the morrow morning betime salied out of the castle all three wel mounted and in armes The honourable and good knight séeing the ingratitude and disobedience of his childeren did his best to do all the honour he could to Belcarin who returning him many thanks the next day departed and tooke his leaue of him to put himselfe againe into his way wherein hee had rode little more then two miles but he met the thrée brethren lying in ambush for him at the side of a wood the eldest hauing his launce vanced vpon his thigh stept before him and thus began to play the champion Faire knight you must ioust with me otherwise you can passe no further for now I will try whether you be so hardie and valiant as your report is or no. Belcarin who doubted a greater ambuscado tooke a lance out of his esquiers hand and speaking very courteously made him this answer Knight ye offer great wrong to assaile thus the Emperours gentlemen perhaps you may quickly find one who will giue you both your hands full and little leisure to repent your hast Trouble not your self therfore replied the eldest brother haue don and prepare your selfe to breake a launce This said they retired from ech other the length of a good carrier then setting spurs to their horses they came to encounter with such a violent â—ury that the assailants staffe flying in shiuers could not stir neuer so little Belcarin out of the saddle who on the other side for that he was strong and puissant hit him so soundly with the first blow oâ—his launce that piercing his shield and armour he ran him more then a foot and halâ—e thorow the body with his sword so that there was no néed to send for a Chirurgion to cure his wound The two other brethren which beheld this piteous spectacle supposing truely their elder brother had his deaths wouÌ„d came in a great rage galloping towards him called to him aloud Ha knight in a curled hour didst thou strike that blow for thou shalt presently receiue thy death So they can boâ—h full at him but the one misâ— his blow and the other lighted vpon his slanke where he made a little wound wherof when Belcarin felt the smart he began to stir himselfe couragiously in his owne defence And albeit these two brethren dâ—d trouble him sore yet the bickering lasâ—ed but a while for this yong prince being very resolute and experâ— in armes did deliuer such a full blow vpon the massard of one of them that hée set him tumbling to the ground to beare his brother companie And to make briefe with his falchion doubled his blowes so thicke against the other that hee was faine to fall from his horse al amased to the earth where he lest them all three thus vanquished and betooke himselfe to his voiâ—ge againe The squier who came with the brethren hauing séene the end of the skirmish rode backe presently towards the castle and finding their father in his chamber certified him of this heauie news Alas sir quoth he man vnlucky houre did you lodge yesternight the strange knight who euen now hath made an end of sâ—aieng your three sonnes Thâ—â— hâ— began to rehearse the whole discourse of the combat whâ—â—e sorâ—â—wfull issue drew vp the fludgates of a stream of tears which distilled froÌ„ the miserable fathers eies who bewailing their so great disaster called them many times fellonious and prowd children His vassals vnderstanding afterward the occasion of his gréeuous lamentation went incontinent to the place where their young lords were discomfited Two wherof they found stone dead and the third in danger of his life if he had not present succour Whom they put into a litter and the other two they laid vpon a Béere couered ouer with dolefull black and so did they conuey them with much sorrow and mourning into the castle where was their wéeping mother powring forth a sea of salt teares wringing her hands with pittifull and lamentable complaints sâ—réeching vp to the heaueÌ„s with continuall yelling and crying that you would haue iudged her rather to haue resembled some senceles thing then a woman in any thing partaking humaine wit and reason The like did her daughter also who after she came againe to her best senses did protest and déepely sweare before
for that he himselfe who could not be present at his sisters feast had sent thither many of his knights to honour it the more The great feates of armes that were exploited in this conflicâ— surpassed truelie the most maruailous that had béene séene before and amongst the rest the Dukes of Anâ—men and of Menâ—e behaued themselues valiantly who were vpon the point to haue woon the honour of the first assault if Belcarin had not come in who standing still a little to behold the skirmish with intention to succour the weaker part began at last to rowse himself when he said to his companions Follow me brethren to helpe the vanquished Then setting spurres to his horse came with such a fierce sallie with his Launce charged against Beâ—laquin sonne to Mosâ—a vpon him whom he saw doe greatest domage to the aduersarie partie and such was the encounter that he dismounted him and sent him like a feather to the ground Quickly set hand to his courtelare and began to strike so furiously all those that fought against him that within a little while he put force and courage againe into the side which was reputed before for vanquished Whereat the Duke Anemon who saw his side put to the woorse was in a great rage against them and as hée perceiued all this to procéede from the comming in of Belcarin he began presently to gather in towards him and to salute him with a great blowe of his swoorde vppon his helmet of whome by and by he receiued quicke paiment for that Belcarin lifting himselfe vppon his Stirrops reached him a full blow so right on his Beauer that he set him packing in a maze vnder his horse heeles Then passing further made way thorow the presse and bore downe to the ground all that euer he met in such manner that king Florendos and the other Nobles who did accompanie him were in a great woonder and none could discrie nor giue anie knowledge who hée should bée except Alderine who then sitting there hard by Quéene Denise coulde not holde her tongue but must prattle of him thus Madame how thinke you of the knight in the gréene armour What I thinke quoth she I neuer saw man at Armes who might compare with him séeing that alone hée hath done more in this Tourney then the rest put all together and I should bée verie glad to knowe whether hee bee of so noble bloud as he is valiant and skilfull in the exercise of Armes Madame replied Alderine I beléeue hee cannot be but a great personage séeing that he kéepeth himselfe so close and will not bee discouered of anie Moreouer shee tolde her howe shée found him at the Fountaine bare headed his Murrion lying by him And knowe ye quoth she procéeding further that if hee bee valiant at Armes as you sée yet he wanteth no liuely rare beautie oâ—face nor a verie comely grace and gesture to accompanie it Now I haue a great desire quoth Quéene Denise to know who he is so that I thinke best to send a messenger to him for the same effect Then quoth Alderine interrupting her Madame I pray you that the messenger may be one of my pages who shall wait for him at the going out of the Tylt to coniure him on your behalfe to declare his name and if he desire not to be knowne we will conceale it so secretly that no man shall knowe it by our meane Your opinion liketh me best of all other quoth the newe Bride but I would that this errand were done from you â—or he calling to minde the little acquaintance you had ofhim at the Fountaine will make him selfe knowne peraduenture more willingly to you onely than to any other Alderine then called one of her Pages named Gratian and instructed him what hée had to say to the Knight in the gréene armour to whome shee sent him expreslie with instant request ioyned with a singular desire to knowe who he was In the meane time Belcarin did such admirable things in his Iustes and with such his insupportable dexteritie and martiall prowesse did so canuasse his aduersaries that being no longer able to stand before him they got away and departed out of the lists where he remained alone victorious Then the two knightes with whom he soiourned who had beene rather occupied all this while to beholde his prowesses than to Iust and Tilt béeing woonderfull glad of the honour he did them in winning the honour of this day set him in the middest betwéene them and so tooke their way towardes their Tent whither they were followed by the Page of Alderine who neuer lost sight of them but finding a fit place for the purpose tooke Belcarins Horse by the Bridle and bowing downe with a low reuerence began thus Faire Knight may you please to heare two woordes of a message which I haue to doe vnto you He who was most courteous and affable withdrew himselfe presently from his companions when Gracian procéeded in this maner My lord to your selfe doth Alderine daughter to the duke of Ponâ—us and Durace send me now to let you vnderstand the cause she hath to grieue and complaine of you for euer séeing that comming to these iustes you disdained the offer of her companie Neuertheles if you will condescend to one thing which she sendeth me to entreat at your hands laying aside all this anger and sorrow shée shall haue no cause to complaine of you hereafter My brother answered Belcarin it should be some difficult nay impossible thing if I did not vndertake it to finde pardon at so high a ladies hands as your mistres is albeit if I haue made an offence towards her excellencie it was onely through mine ignorance who knew her not And when I left her at the fountain it was not truly mine entent to be present at this tilting as afterwards I was constrained So that mine excuses could nothing preuaile against the importunitie which hath countermaunded me Then the page replied Séeing that it is your pleasure to accomplish that which my ladie Alderine would entreat you know she hath an extreame desire to know who you are and wherfore you keepe your selfe so close secret for considering your valour and chiualry she esteemeth you aboue all others of whom as yet she had euer any knowledge promising you also by the faith ofsuch a lady as shée is â—ot to make it manifest to any creature if so be your pleasure I may thinke my selfe very happie quoth Belcarin then if so noble and perfect a princesse taketh paine to be inquisitiue of my déed and when I should haue concluded with my selfe to conceale it from al the world yet would I not from her wherefore brother you shall tell her that my name is Belcarin I am nephew to the emperour of Constantinople and the cause why I am not willing yet to be knowne is that I am but lately knighted and hauing not as yet performed any thing which may so much bâ—â— on my name
thée and to passe the bridge if it be in my power with that word he tooke him such a rap with his sword that he started the fire from his eies vnder his helmet but the knight was quit with him presently for he payd Belcarin two for one so well set on with his club wherewith he fought that he taught him the way where he might goe fet the like â—s often as he would Neuerthelesse by his dexterity and skil in managing his armes hée did beat by afterwards almost all the rest of his blowes and did reach his enemie some sound knocks very often In this maner continued they about thrée houres hacking and hewing one another till Lipes who commended Belcarin greatly and mucâ— more then he did before spake aloud a word of courage that hée had neuer in his life séene knight who quitted himselfe so well kéeping his weapons in his hand These words did so animate and prouoke the courage of Belcarin that perceiuing the knight of the bridge somewhat wearie he would haue done that which he heard say Linedes did but the guard which stood a little on the left hand lent him such a villanous polte which hit him on the shoulder that Belcarin was faine to kisse the ground with one knée Then did the dwarfe sound his horne so swéetely that al Those which heard it were verie ioyfull and pleased except the Prince who felt a great â—eaâ—e and aâ—â—king in his heart neuerthelesse as a man notâ—ing but heart and valour he dissembled it The knight thâ—n râ—stoâ—â—d to his former force by the sound of the horne 〈◊〉 the assault more â—uriouslie than hée did at first in the which Belcarin behaued himselfe alwayes so brauely that he helde him shrewde tugge and one thing comforted him aboue all other it was that none of all the blowes that his enemie lighted vpon him had giuen him a bléeding wound but did onlie bruise the flesh vnder his armour and therefore could hée fight verie well at his ease Thrise blewe the watch which was aboue at the sentinell his horne to fortifie his champion to the battell which continued so long that in the end Belcarin felt himselfe a little wearied by reason he had not rested himselfe all that day Neuerthelesse hée imagined with himselfe that shewing no other valour then that which he vsed in this skirmish in vaine had hée taken so great paine to come thither which hée would haue counted a great shame if the Emperour had béene aduertised thereof Being in this imagination his stomacke began to encrease in him maruellously wherefore he gathered néere his enemie thinking to lay him along on the ground but the knight of the bridge was too warie for him to be taken at that disaduauntage for stepping a little aside he deliuered him so sound a blowe on his crest that he cleft it in two péeces When Belcarin saw himselfe in this daunger hée threw with a mightie violence the two péeces at his aduersarie and by great chaunce hit him so full ouer the shinnes that the knight fell backeward and turned round twice or thrice in the place Then the Prince séeing that hee might easilie get the bridge without resistance of any ranne verie swiâ—tlie to the middest Turret the gates whereof closed at the instant with so great impetuositie that hee sell from his height downe to the ground all amazed and without any féeling at all Now Lâ—peâ— who was verie glad to sée him runne along the bridge chaunged his ioy into sadnesse when he perceyued him halfe dead neuerthelesse lifting him vp betwéene his armes with the helpe of his two Squires carried him presently vpon his bed where disarming him straight and sprinckling Uinegar and cold water on his face they vsed so good remedies that he came quickly to himselfe againe But he had no sooner recouered his spirits when he began to lament in straunge manner as well for his misfortune and disgrace as for the murthering blowes which his enemie had giuen him whereof bore witnesse his armour thrust thorow and pierced in manie places While he thus complained and lamented so grieuously Lipes begun in most courteous manner to comfort him againe Sir quoth he bée of good cheare take a good heart to passe ouer and let slip this anguish of minde assuring your selfe without doubt that it is more than eight yéeres since euer Knight came into this Isle onelie Linedes excepted who hath woonne so great honour as you haue done now so that you haue farre greater cause to reioyce than to complaine as you doe Alas my brother answered Belcarin a sorrowfull man may I be who haue not atchiued my purpose pretended but séeing I sée none other remedie I must take in patience the disaster that hath so shamefully put me to this foyle For of things so diuelishly enchaunted neuer succéedeth any good Accursed be the Fairies with all their infernall charmes and sorceries which make poore wandering Knights suffer so many mischiefs and diseases for their pleasures CHAP. IIII. How Belcarin resolued to fight with all those who came to make assay in the aduenture of Celestina and how amongst others he made front against the marques of Trosse whom he ouercame and afterward against Tiraquel to whom he discouered himselfe LIpes tooke great paines to cause the knight Belcarin to be attended with all diligence whilest he kept his bed who in y e meane time was proiecting a thousand new fantasticall discourses in his mind Sometimes imagining with him selfe that hauing not effected this aduenture he must performe so rare and admirable matters of chiualrie therby to amend and couer this shame For this cause he purposed to make stay long time in this place to combat all those who should come thither to make their trials in the aduenture with resolutioÌ„ that the braue feats of arms which he should exploit there wheresoeuer else he should employ himselfe abrode should be for loue of Alderine the duke of Pontus daughter whoÌ„ from that time forward he purposed to loue aboue all other in the world and if peraduenture he were vanquished by any knight he determined to go incoÌ„tinent vnto king Florendos court This desseigne discouered he to Lipes who maruelled much thereat and told him that this was no small thing that he did vndertake because there were woont continually to arriue good knights from all parts neuertheles knowing him before verie resolute in his deliberations he procéeded with him in this sort Séeing you are fully resolued thus to doe I will not forsake you but to sée your prowesse and great chiualrie which I am most certaine resteth vnder the dexteritie of your person I offer my self frankely to do you seruice with my loyall companie Commanded moreouer incoÌ„tinent for their greater expeditioÌ„ that they should bring him froÌ„ his house horses and armeâ— â—s well offensiue as defensiue brieflie all manner 〈…〉 which were necessarie for so long a time of 〈…〉 as they hoped to spend in this
thinke good Wherefore to the end hée know I haue no feare of any such brauadoes if he wil giue me safe conduct of the single combat and assure me I shall not be hurt but by himselfe I will presently come a shore to defie him to the combat CHAP. VII How Marcomyr landed to combat the giant Baledon whom he vanquished and afterward deliuered many knights out of his prisons amongst whom were two young princes Moores who as they were sailing to the Emperours court were by tempest cast a shore in this island FRéely did the Prince of Tarsus speake to the lookers on whilst one of the knights who was before escaped from him hauing heard all his discourse went immediatly to giue the giant notice thereof who being before departed from his pallace marched so furious and full of rage that he made all his familiars and those of his owne house aâ—â—eard Uery glad was he to here the embassage and approching the shore called alowd to Marcomyr Hocaitife knight wilt thou performe as much as thou hast sent me word to come a shore and receiue with a good wil the death thou knowst iustly by thée deserued I will assuredly made answere Marcomyr if thou wilt promise to sauegaâ—â— mée from the inuasion and iniurie of those who are 〈◊〉 thée I assure thée quoth the giant and further by our gods sweare vnto thée to doe whatsoeuer is thy pleasure it fortune be so contrarie that I be vanquished in the fight Marcomyr hearing him say so commaunded that some of them would lanch out a boat vpon the water and he would come a land to him presently wherevnto his marriners made no great hast for feare they had to loose it neuerthelesse séeing him so couragious for little was he affeard of this enorme and monstrous creature not respecting what inequality there was betwéene them two durst not denie him Quickly sailed he out of the ship carrying along with him but only Ozalias his cosin who would neuer forsake him In the meane time Baledon went to attend him in a plaine hard vnder the castell commaunding vpon paine of death all those of his side should not once stirre against his enemie Who be holding but only his countenance and grim lookes trembled like an aspen leafe meruelling this knight had euer the heart to méet him face to face Already the two champions haue drawne their swords lie close vnder their sheildes and begin so drerie a battell smoaking one another that you would haue iudged a hundred smithes had ben a worke beating their yron plates vpon their And-fields But the giant raged because his enemie held him so long resistance therefore he charged him such a blow that if he had not cunningly shrunke aside vnder his target he had ben in danger to haue ended his life there Wherefore the prince féeling himself in this perill his stomacke and courage came to him more by half then it was before and finding himselfe in such a furie as is the wild boare at the bay of the dogs when he is chased into the toiles hit him such a gash vnder his roundache with his full force that peircing his harnesse cleane thorow he cut his flesh to the bone So that afterward hée could not at his ease wéeld his great buckler wherby Marcomyr neuer cast blow afterward in vaine whereat euery one wondered much séeing him holding so long with the giant At length Baledon saw he could not strike his enemie as he would by reason of his admirable dexteritie wherewith he saued himself and beat aside still his blows purposed to come within him to the end he might crush him in péeces with his foule great fiftes so that he put his sword in his yron hangers and then fell loutishly vpon him like a heauie log of wood but Marcomyr holding his point firme against the giants bellie which by chance had lighted in the iointing betwéene two plates thrust it so farre in that Baledon hauing his belliefull waxed pale and chaunged his coulour And although he pulled it out with his hands yet by the aboundance of bloud that he lost by the two woundes which weakened more and more his strength hée could not deale with him as hée desired Which in the end made Marcomyr victorious for hée being strong and lustie stirred so nimbly betwéene Baledons armes tugging and strugling that they fell both two to the ground where the ancient mother of vs all did so much fauour Marcomyr that she receiued the giant first and néerest vnto her being very féeble by chaâ—ing his last wound from which the bloud gushed out asfast as it could bubble But he got as well as he could out of his clutches albeit not without great paine Neuertheles knowing he had now no more power to rise cut a two the strings of his morion and vncased his foule loggerhead saying yéeld Baledâ—n at my mercy cause to be brought hither before me all the prisoners wrongfully detained in thy dungeons or thou shalt die presently with the tranchant of my sword When the giant perceiued himselfe in such dolefull perplexitie and so bad taking to defend himself he murmured these words softly with a heauy chear Ogodshow straÌ„ge and diuers are your iudgements permitting my son and I to be so easily vanquished by one only knight Alas I sée all this proceedeth from the infinitie of offences and vicious acts I haue committed against you done vnto men But séeing by condign reward I lose miraculously my bodie suffer not I beséech you my soule to descend into the infernall lake to remaine there in torâ—â—â—t perpetually And you knight shew me so much fauour for my soules last comfort before it depart out ofthis world that I may once yet sée her whom I haue heretofore loued as my selfe When he had ended these lamentations which none could well vnderstand for death which had alreadie seased vpon part of Baledons carkas caused him to strammer and to alter his spéech he called the people to him commanding they should forthwith bring the knight vp into the castell to consigne into his hands all the prisoners which were in chaines and to obey him in all things as if it were his own person Then went Marcomyr and Ozalias with two or thrée oftheir people towards the pallace where in y e great base court they met with the giants wife who lamented bitterly for the great mischance of her sonne and husband cursing and blaspheming the knight who had plonged her in that goulfe of sorrow and anguish But for all that Marcomyr letted not to goe into a faire hall below where hée commaunded they should bring before him all the prisoners of whom there was great number as well of knights marchants and other traffickers who had a long time remained in this captiuitie And these poore soules came so sad and comfortlesse thinking ere long to be deliuered to torment of death but when they heard say by those who conducted them to Marcomyr that the
vnto the high way by which the trauellers did passe there they raised their tents and dispatched presently a squire to the court to make known that whosoeuer would ioust attending the triumph he should find two knights readie in the field who would hold them play for so had they the night before laid their plot As soone as the squire had published his message in the pallace the Duke de Pera vnderstanding thereof made this answeare to him Gentleman my friend returne you to these champions and tell them from me there will be one in the field by and by who taketh delight in that exercise will not refuse to breake a lance or two with thē With this answere came backe the squire to the two cousins whose embassage when the emperour had vnderstood he imagined with himselfe these two knights must néeds be Marcomyr and Ozalias his cousin whereof hée was excéeding glad and sent Rifaran to take a view of them who mounting quickly on horsebacke found Linedes disarmed at the entrance of his tent and his cousin the Countie readie armed at al points except his helmet which was off his head whom when he knew not he demanded whether they were the challengers who had sent to defie the knights of the court whereunto the lord of Liquia answered They were y e men to whō replied Rifaran againe You haue vndertaken a matter which you shall at your ease enioy but a small while but I beléeue you haue done it expresly to méet with some one quicklie who might apparantly represse and abate your pride When it shall fall out so quoth Linedes we shall but kéep others companie who when they cannot bring to passe their enterprises remain only frustrate of their desseigns therefore we pray you take no care for our affairs or else goe arme your selfe for it is the act of a knight to fight with his sword and not with his tongue otherwise you shall infringe the order which euery valiant man ought to hold deare as his life When Rifaran had ended these words he tooke his leaue of them to returne towards the Emperour whom he assured it was not Marcomyr nor Ozalias albeit they séemed to be both two braue and hardie knights and could not be but some puissant and great personages by their outward apparance Then went forth many good knights to proue themselues against the County who for all that carried away the honour from them all without any aid from Linedes at all who all the while neuer laid hand to shield nor lance so that the Emperour who was there in the field to see them run said he neuer saw knight in his life that carried his lance better nor ran with a better grace then did this champion of whom he had much maruell considering his smal corpulence and yong age Through all the court there was almost none other spéech but of the dexterity and fine cariage which he vsed in his Iousting whereupon Rifaran and Lechefin determined to run against him notwithstanding they would not doe it till the last day to the end the County and Linedes his cousin being vanquished by them their Prowesse might be knowne and spoken of aboue all those who should haue receiued any foile in the Iousting But there came by chance thether some who put them out of that paine as we shall hereafter declare CHAP. XIII How Arnedes sonne to the king of France and Recindos his cousin the king of Castiles son came to Constantinople where Arnedes vanquished at the Ioust Linedes and the County his cousin for which occcasion they were greatly honoured of the Emperour THe French king father to Lewis Duke of Burgondie in the latter end of his age after many other things called to mind how when the peace was established betweene the emperour Cleodomyr and him he concluded to ally themselues togither by marriage if God euer gaue them issue so to doe to the end in the Heroical and generous house of France might be séene to raigne children issued out of two of the most illustrious ofsprings in feats of armes which were betwéene the two celestiall poles for this cause did hée giue his son Lewis charge séeing the time and occasions fell out fit for the purpose that he should call vpon the emperor to fulfill his promise The prince marrying with the daughter of Castile had issue of her thrée male and two female both at one burthen and faire in all perfection The elder of the brethren had to name Arnedes who was a wise and valiant knight and set all his delight in managing armes and continuall exercise of matiall discipline Now king Lewis séeing his sonne was marriageable withdrew him one day aside into his chamber where he began thus My son so extreame is the naturall inclination of the good will I bear towards you that I would by no means séeke to doe any thing which might not content you as well as my selfe this I speake because your most honourable Grandfather of good memorie being in his latter age gaue me charge to match you in mariage with the Emperour of Constantinoples daughter to the end the children which should be borne of you both might ressemble in some things their famous and so much renowned ancestors Wherefore I am determined spéedily to send mine embassador to him for to sollicite this mariage whereunto I beléeue he will giue consent most willingly and well can I assure you my sonne that this Princesse named Philochrista of age betwéene fiftéen and sixtéene yeares is one of the fairest and most beautifull creatures which nature euer brought forth vnder the motion of the spheares Arnedes when he heard his father deale so secretly with him about such a matter besought him humbly not to trouble himselfe any further therein as yet for he would put him in mind thereof another time more fit for the purpose the king séeing him so cold desisted the matter But the yong prince who had heard of the surpassing beautie of Philocrista who had not her like in all the regions of the leuant and of the déeds of Chiualrie done by knights in the court of the Emperour Cleodomyr her father he could neuer remoue her out of his mind but in him from day to day still encreased a most seruent desire to passe to Constantinople with intent if this lady liked him to demand her in mariage of her father wherevnto if he would not giue consent to exploit such feats of armes in the countries of Gréece that the honour thereof should at his returne accompanie him homewards Such was the proiect of his desseigne which he imparted very willingly to Recindos his cousin sonne to the Castilian king a most valerous and hardie knight who encouraged him to put it in practise that it might take effect vowing he would til death alwaies kéepe him good loial companie and the worst were they could gouern themselues so wisely by disguising of their persons places and diuersity of
streamed incessantly from his wound especially at the chafing and choller of his recharge he waxed instantly so weake and féeble that if the pitie and mercie of God had not succoured him he had ben verily cut off by the hands of this infidell Moore There did the soueraine dominator of this round Machine shew a most miraculous aduenture bringing thether iust at that hower Pernedin the duke of Peraes son one of those who had enterprised the quest of Marcomyr who as soone as he had recognished the two combattants all amazed to sée them two in fight together came betwéene them crying out with a lowd voice Eternall God what meaneth this Haue you thus sworne your owne death knight Then Arnedes who could no longer stand on his legs falling downe on the ground breathed out this complaint Alas Pernedin I beséech thée auenge me of this inhumane Moore who hath without any cause assailed me being before mortally wounded in a combat I lately had against the knight who woon the tourney and this cruel Moore not content to haue set vpon me vniustly hath beside slain the holy Hermit whom you sée lie stone dead by this hedge here because he would only haue shewed him how he had done amisse to assaile me being thus wounded as I am O what tirannie of a knight is this quoth Pernedin then I sweare my faith to you were it not the respect of the amitie which I beare vnto Riâ—aâ—an who brought him into the court with him I should make him nowin a cursed hower to end his daies but I promise you I shall make knowne this treason before the Emperor and all his Barons assuring me hée procéeded still speaking in great choller to Lechefin you would neuer haue dared for your ears to haue set on him if he had ben vnwounded so that auoid from hence quickly otherwise I shal make you die a shameful death These words made Lechefin so ashamed that being mounted quickly vpoÌ„ Arnedes horse he went away with a flée in his eare without any word saying as him who knew he had done great wrong to his honour and that night he retired himselfe into a Nunnerie where by reason of the wounds which he had receiued of Arnedes hée found himselfe very il at ease of his person But when the Nunnes knew he followed the Emperours court they did him all the honour they could deuise and one of them who was learned and wel experienced in the art of Phisicke and Chirurgerie tooke charge to tend him carefully vntil his perfect recouerie and there she remained some daies with him before she could recouer him to his former health Pernedin was very sorrowfull and displeased much séeing the good Hermit slaine and the knight most dangerously hurt notwithstanding with the helpe of a Nouice who helped daily the old Hermit to masse he brought Arnedes into the Hermitage where they buried their dead corpes after they had wrapped vp the knights wounds whom Pernedin counselled because there was no meane to looke vnto him there to go faire and softly to Constantinople There quoth he you shall quickly recouer because you shall find Phisitions Chirurgions drugs and all other necessaries at hand which you cannot come by in this solitarie place As for me as yet I cannot resolue to returne although I haue hetherto ben neuer the néere in that which caused me to depart the cittie I shall repute it a great shame for me quoth Arnedes to goe to the Emperour in this taking neuerthelesse doe as you shall thinke best for I sée it out of my power and possibilitie euer to satisfie or recompence the infinite merit and good you haue now shewed towards me being in so great danger as you sée me at this present CHAP. XVIII How Pernedin conducted Arnedes to CoÌ„stantinople where he was forthwith visited by the Emperour and on the morrow after by the Empresse with the infants Philocrista and Melissa and how Bruquel Arnedes dwarfe and Amenada Philocristaes dwarfesse had much prattle together and what was the issue thereof AFter that Pernedin had conueighed Arnedes into the Hermitage hée ceased not to run about in all places néere hand to get people and al things necessarie to transport him easily to Constantinople for he could not endure the paine to sit on horsebacke Wherefore he caused a mourning béere to be made litter fashion and vsed so great diligence that within two daies after he got him to the court where when the Emperour had heard what was befortuned him he was highly displeased against the Moore Of a troth quoth he Lechefin cannot resemble any one better then the Souldan of Persia his father who was neuer other but a receptacle and harbour offellony and I cannot deuise who hath moued him to outrage so honest a prince as is this knight of France then presenly he went to visit him and gaue his Phisitions charge hée should be carefully looked vnto and beside prouided of whatsoeuer should be necessarie for his spéedy recouery Then began Arnedes the discourse of his encounter with Marcomyr vpon the end whereof the Emperour answered him I maruell greatly this knight sheweth so ardent a desire to doe me seruice and yet will conceale himselfe in this manner and flie from me Undoubtedly he goeth to trie himselfe in the aduenture of Celestina séeing he followeth the rout you tel me and it may be by his great Prowesse he will bring it to an end If so it bée God kéepe my nephew Belcarin out of his hands herein many of the assistants were of the same opinion and from thence forward was Lechefin estéemed of al for a coward and a fellon The Emperour returned into his chamber and would that the Empresse should goe on the morrow to visit Arnedes which she did with a right good will accompanied with Philocrista and Melissa to whom this mischiefe and iniurie done to the French knight greatly displeased and pierced them to the verie heart but to Philocrista most of al albeit she was frée from all sinister thought for the amitie which she alreadie bore him procéeded of no other cause but of the gentility and vertue which she saw shining most apparant in him and moreouer there was nothing in this world which she had in more singular recommendation then the kéeping of her own chastity both in thought and déed incontaminated You may well iudge whether Arnedes were glad or not séeing before his eies her whom he loued so ardently to bée sorrowfull for his hurt to blame Lechefin as a traitor and disloiall for the sole obiect of her countenance and the féeblenes of her spéech did sufficiently bewray what an alteration the heat of the fatall fire had alreadie wrought in her These foure discoursed a long time together meane while Amenada the dwarfesse of Philocrista Risdena her nephew came to Bruquel Arnedes dwarfe whom they saw strangely lamenting for the mischance and disaster befalne his maister Amenada comforted him as well as she
thoughts afflicted with like martyrdome receiue mutually more comfort then being with others who féele not the like torment Bruquel hauing so well done his deuoire for the winning of Philocrista to his maisters bow returned incontinent to him whom he found attending in great deuotion to vnderstand the euent of this amourous stratageme After the dwarfe had recounted from point to point all his busines Arnedes was so rauished with an vnspeakeable gladnes that he thought himselfe the most happiest man in the world to haue met with so fine and ingenious a Truchemant On the other side Amenada wheÌ„ she espied her fittest opportunitie interpreted so well and faithfully the intention of Arnedes and of his dwarfe to her ladie Philocrista that she remained a prettie while exacticke and her tongue could not speake one word so much perplexed and distraâ—â—ed was her spirit with varietie of a thousand new thoughts And albeit the knight had alwaies greatly liked her and ben pleasing to her eie as well in his beautie and good grace as by his prowesse and chiualrie and now freshly this suddaine ioy vnlooked for had pierced her heart to the quick she resolued neuerthelesse to make him answer and to demeane her selfe wisely herein by this meane to preuent a future inconuenience which might otherwise haue ensued For séeing her louer in so euill estate of health she feared to put him in greater danger in giuing him a seuere and rigorous answer for this cause she saith to the dwarfesse It displeaseth mée thou didst not promise Bruquel to tell me this tale but séeing the effect is ensued now we cannot alter it Thou shalt then goe to Arnedes to tel him from me how I meruaile much he hath enhazarded himselfe to so many perils for my sake wherein I hold my selfe much beholding to him and thanke him for it humbly with al my power promising him for guerdon of his paine and irkesome trauels which hée hath endured to accept him willingly for my loiall spouse if the Emperour my father and the Empresse my mother will consent vpon this condition notwithstanding that he neuer aduenture to speake the least word in the world to me thereof but let it suffice him only therein to know my will And to the end I be assured of the vehement and excessiue loue which as he saith â—e beareth me pray him from me he take this newes in stéed of the most soueraigne balme or of some perfect cataplasme which may the sooner knit vp his wounds and hasten his recouerie and health hoping to goe sée him to morrow morning if I may possible by any meane After Philocrista had instructed Amenada in her message she tooke Melissa to her aside to whom for that they loued mutually with a sincere and affectionat heart Philocrista discouereth this aumourous affaire making her a discourse thereof from the very beginning Wherof Meliâ—â—â— was meruellous well apaid specially hearing that Recindos came of so noble and roiall a blood as was that of Castile The dwarfesse séeing her time fit and conuenient to acquite her selfe of the charge her ladie and mistresse had committed vnto her went to doe her message not missing a word thereof to the French prince vnto whom she did deliuer it as wisely as Philocrista had laid it downe in words vnto her By meanes whereof the knight entred into so extream ioy that within few daies after he left his bed and got vp on his legs againe but before she departed from Arnedes chamber he entreated her of all fauour she would carrie to her mistres a French sonnet which he had for her loue composed the same day praying her to commaund the maister of the Emperours chappel to set a descant according to his art of musicke to these French verses which did say thus As is the purest gold by touchstone tride And as the adamant draweth to his side The heauy yron if placed neere it bee The like we may of mutuall louers see Sweet louing ladie well you may behold That I am touch and you are perfect gold You adamant I yron draw vnto you And that you may this vertue better view But thinke faire ladie on the amourous end You draw me to your heart I proue my friend After Amenada had read this sonnet the answered the French prince she knew not whether her mistresse would be pleased with her enterprising so presumptuous a message yet although she were a little discontented she would counterfeit the pageant so well that euerie one should in the end be glad thereof as it happened out for she went her way to the princesse Phlocrista to whom making many discourses of the extreame loue Arnedes bore her she put her into more comfort with that sonnet then if she had ben made quéene of all Asia But on the morrow the Empresse went to visit Arnedes taking with her Philocrista so faire and so richly attired to make him vnderstand her gladnes and content which redoubled the ioy that the knight had in his heart conceaued the day before Then after the visitation of the Empresse she blushing asked him how he felt himselfe in his wounds Madame quoth he thanks be to God and to you I find my selfe in good case that were it not the inhibition of the Phisitions whereby I am constrained I would rise now presently out of my bed to walke abroad Philocrista knew right well to what end tended these spéeches therefore a liuely blush of her countenance graced farre more her face then it did before whereat Arnedes who iudged rightly the passion whence procéeded this change of coulour reputing himselfe the happiest of the vassals of Cupid the great Monarke beheld her so stedfastly and with so glancing and amourous eie that he thought himselfe placed in the highest stage of wordly blisse felicity But Philocrista durst not looke vpon him to the end not to bewray the euidence of her passion neuerthelesse shée attended in good hope the French Embassadours arriual to make an end of her dissembling which Arnedes desired in his heart as much as she for not to displease infringe the commandement of his ladie he saw that to be the only remedie of his tedious afflictions wherein he was stil enwrapped till the king his father sent some of his péeres to Constantinople to procure his greatest ioy the true recouery of his health so there will we leaue the to come to Rifaran who is far trauelled in the quest of Marcomyr CHAP. XIX How Rifaran after he had put himself inquest of Marcomyr passed before a castle which appertained to the countesse of Iseland for whom he combated a brother of her husbands and fiue other knights who besieged the same and how the countesse entertained him very courteously into her castle where he fell in loue with her at the same instant IT gréeued greatly Rifaran to haue made eight or nine daies iourney without hearing any news of the knight whom he sought and as he perceiued his trauell was
is here within enclosed but let my eies this day enioy the presence of Celestina whom they desire so ardently to behould and I shall fulfill my promise as sone as euer I haue opportunity to doe it these words ended he aduanced himselfe with incredible hardines albeit the knight of the bridge repulsed him most stoutly whereat the prince was so encouraged that there began betwéen them so cruell and bloody a battel that it was a terror to behold it because there was no plate of harnesse were it neuer so wel tempred with stéel but flew in péeces to the ground Marcomyr who was valiant and magnanimious and on the other side pricked on with an excéeding desire to finish this aduenture hewed so long on his enemie that he began to be greatly wearie as he heard the dwarfes horne who looked out of the turret top knowing the forces of the knight his aduersarie were redoubled thereby he let his sword hang at his yron hanger to get within him and to gripe him fast in his arms which he did with a braue courage And these two wrastlers tugging together a long time at the lâ—â—t to the ground they went together where Marcâ—myr who was alwaies fortunate and fauoured by the destinies as was also his father before him fell vppermost vpon his enemie from whom albeit he held him very hâ—rd downe to him by reason of the double strength he had recouered by the winding of the horn he did wind himselfe out from him neuertheles gallantly and setting his knée vpon his brest began cruelly to pommell him with his sword Which the knight of the bridge perceiuing clasped about him againe with his armes so that there they were a good while roling together and foiling one another in the place nor could one get the better of the other notwithstanding Marcomyr disdaining to haue clawed one another so long while and flouenly to lie along taking measure of the earth by the onely remembrance thereof doing a thing so repugnant to a noble and heroicall heart put too such admirable strength that hée lifted himselfe once againe liuely out of the gripes of his aduersarie who lay along on the ground tired cleane out of breath with striuing and wrasâ—ling Then whipt Marcomyr along the bridge praying vnto God with all his heart to succour him in this happie so famous conquest And as soone as he had done his praier going a pace neither too swift nor too slow he came to the gates of the second turret which clapt together with a more horrible creaking then they were wont to doe at the comming of any other knight for al that he who saw them going a far of before they were quite sparred together pusht betwéene his sword which he then bare naked in his hand therefore could they not shut close together and being nothing amated at the noise he quickly thrust his fingers betwéene the two dores which he opened so easily as if they had ben two leaues of paper Quicklie was he in at them thrust on with an vnspeakeable gladnes knowing neuer any other knight had gone so far in this aduenture Whereof no lesse was the pleasure and gladnesse that receiued in their hearts all those who were most desirously attending to behold him at the end of the bridge and especially the good quéene of Thessalie who embracing Ozalias the teares standing in ger eies for the vnspeakeable ioy of her heart blessed and praised God who had sent thether so perfect accomplished a knight then the prince told her moreouer she would without all comparison be so persuaded if she were once aduertised of his parentage and ofspring â—or if she â—aw him valiant and magnanimious in the highest degrée he was no lesse illustrious and generous of blood So far excéeding séemed the gladnes and content of all the beholders that it may not be expressed And if he had cause to reioice at this strange accident in the behalfe of the prince of Tarsus Tiraquel who was coâ—â—eighed by his squiers into his tent felt in himselfe an extreame agonie and so great a hearts griefe séeing himselfe so quickly vanquished that he was more then halfe mad and would haue died for méere rage In the meane time was Marcomyr come to the last turret which hée saw was guarded with thrée knights all in complaet armouâ— downe to the foot hauing euery one a short launce couched against him Passe he could not further onwards vnlesse he would put himselfe vpon the very point of their lances which terrified him a little yet knowing no better remedie he encouraged himself thus On what dost thou pause Marcomyr What fearest thou now man Be not affeard of any thing séeing thou hopest in briefe to sée her who in beautie surpasseth the most perfect of all the world for if in getting hether thou hast done more then any who euer hazarded before in this aduenture the deuine bountie shall helpe and make thée strong inough for the rest Speaking these words he ventred himselfe forwards when the thrée knights gaue him such a furious charge that they quickly laid him along yet his hap was still so good that none of them gaue him any wound neuertheles he had as great shame of that misaduenture as if he had then ben before the Emperour and al the ladies of his court Séeing it would be no better he recouered himself with a trice all in a furie without fearing any encombraunce or perill whicâ— might befall him trauersing his ground a little on the one side he deliuered so mightie a stroake on the lance of the first who was next him that it went in two péeces almost at his fists to be short without long standing he did as much for the other two who then setting their hands to their swords began to lay about on all sides but such was the prowesse and valour of Marcomyr and so cunningly he knew to ward his aduersaries blowes that he kept them far inough off him albeit so sharpe and cruell did this battell séeme vnto him that hée affirmed oftentimes afterward he neuer saw himselfe so sore handled in any assault where euer he had ben before nor afterward In fine he vsed so well the force and dexteritie which God had giuen him that he made them cease the fight forcing them to recoile to the end of the bridge from whence they vanisht out of sight and at the same instant with them the knight gardian of the bridge and the dwarfe who neuer boudged from the watch tower being then heard a most great and horrible earthquake in all parts round about the castel The quéene perresuing the same fell downe on her knées to the ground to thank God of this good beginning as did also those who were in companie with her especially Ozalias who being desirous to follow Marcomyr would leape incontinently after vpon the bridge neuerthelesse could not plant one step sure for that neither hée nor any others of the companie might
wherof shall giue you loiall testimonie the first commaundement which I shall receiue from you wherein I pretend to employ my selfe so well that you shall discerne the little difference I put betwéene doing and saying As then Diocles and Abenunq had enterlaced many courteous spéeches and gratulations they came all thrée towards the Empresse to whom as soone as they were arriued Marcomyr fel on his knées to kisse her hand which she would not haue had him done but she lifted him vp quickly againe and embracing him with her most gentle and gratious entertainement she began thus My sonne Marcomyr the vertues gifts of the heauen whereof the soueraigne God hath knowne your bodie worthy of séeme vnto me so well emploied in your person that with great reason they incite me to loue you naturally as I doe with all my heart willingly and conceiue in my selfe a maruellous great ioy that you are now come to shew the true office of a sonne which is to recognish your father to present the humble obeissance which you owe vnto him being thinges whereof your father and I feele our selues so well pleased and content as of nothing els so much which might happen vnto vs at this day Madame answered Marcomyr it is of your accustomed bountie that it pleaseth your highnes to account me in the number of your most humble and afâ—ianced seruants albeit I doe not merit the least part of any such fauor Neuerthelesse if a sincére deuotion and zeale of a loue more then of the son to the father which I haue neuer day of my life to transgresse your commaundements might purchase me so much happines to containe me alwaies in your grace and in that of my lord my father I should content my selfe as much with fortune as the richest prince of the earth therein haue I set downe hidden the limit of my riches thinking there can be no more pretious a treasure found for me My deare child then replied the Empresse you are so forward that you néed not vse any seruice therein towards vs for this matter but henceforward you shall take such habitude and familiarity with vs as you shall séeme best for I sée you are very worthie of that â—auor and so modest you will in no wise abuse it Much more honest and gratious conference had they together In the mean while this newes was spread all ouer the pallace by means whereof Philocrista went as though she would flie to embrace and receiue Marcomyr for her brother The like did the king and Quéene of Thessalie all running to him so filled with gladnes that when they came to him they could hardly opeÌ„ their mouth to speake to him So great was the ease and pleasure of those who vnderstood this good newes that all the night they could not sléepe nor take any rest for that some made bonefires others sounded trumpets and many other instruments for ioy and gladnes in briefe he did not thinke himselfe the son of a good mother who did not welcome Marcomyr as the Emperors sonne or who did not shew some signe of reioicing at that vnexpected parentage but all this was nothing in respect of that which the Emperor did on the morrow morning who sent one of the richest and most sumptuous presents to Marcomyr and Ozalias that euery one might easily discerne common loue from that which is naturall wherein Ozalias shewed himselfe not too much pleased for no other cause but to sée Marcomyr thorowly resolued to become a Christian presaging alreadie in his heart what would befall the Quéene his aunt when she should be aduertised of that miserie neuertheles Marcomyr comforted him in the most amiable sort he might assuring him to crowne him king of Tarsus where he might lead a ioifull life with his faire Marencida which assuaged his miscontented mind a little And if the Emperor did giue rich presents vnto Marcomyr the Empresse sent no lesse to Celestina some whereof were presently bestowed vpon her person which was theÌ„ to be adorned to goe to the ceremonie of the baptisme of hir loue Marcomyr who should be affianced to hir presently after for this occasion did all the Barons and knights of the court mount on horsebacke who did much more honor to Marcomyr then before when they knew not his descent And being all arriued in gallant order within the church of Sancta Sophia he was there catholicklie baptised hauing for godfather his brother Diocles then presently by the hand of the most reuerend patriarke was he fianced to the faire Celestina who was so richly attired that she drew into more then a strange admiration al those who regarded her And we néed not to compare her in perfection of her graces corporal beautie and rarenes of iewels and habits to the sage Andromecha when the valiant and redoubted knight Hector of Troy espoused her nor to Cleopatra Quéene of Egypt when she contended in magnificence sumptuositie with Marke Antonie Triumuir her husbaÌ„d eating one of the pearls which hanged at her ears estéemed worth two hundred and fiftie thousand crownes nor vnto many others of the ancient time wherof the historians both Gréeke and Latin make memorable mention for euen as the Carbuncle the most rich and pretious of all Orientall stones set in a darksome and obscure place doth send forth such a glistering cleare splendor that not onely all the place round about is made light and shining but also the eies of all that looke vpon it are comforted and reioiced thereby likewise might they estéeme of Celestina not so much a Carbuncle within this temple as the only and true Phenix of her age The troupe then returned to the pallace in the same goodly array as they departed thence there began such a feast as neuer was the likeÌ„ séene before in such sort that euery one enioied part of the pleasure except Arnedes the good prince who felt himselfe in intollerable paine and in extreame diffidence euer to sée his fathers Embassadours arriue there By means whereof beholding a whole hower of the day together the now affianced in such content and his deare ladie Philocrista leaning vpon them one arme vpon Celestina and the other cast about Marcomyrs necke to shew him the greatest signes of loue she might deuise the sorrowfull louer attainted to the heart with that sight fel at the same instant in a trance to the ground but he was by many knights quickly holpen vp againe and forthwith caried into his chamber where after hée was come againe to himselfe fetching a broken sigh from his very heart he saith Alas my God and will the succor which should come to this poor afflicted soule stay any longer How doe you suffer thus my passible and fraile body to sée deth before it eies yet cannot die as it desireth â—iij thou searcher of hearts permit I beséech thée that death may cast quickly his dart against mine and imprint therin for whose sake I die that