play tell of me Ile tell of thée Well watcht my Lord Octauius quoth the whole company but my Lords let the further hearing of this matter rest till better opportunitie least your tediousnesse bréed trouble to my Lord the Prince whose quiet I would not willingly offend My honorable Lords answered the Prince if these discourses of those noble men be pleasing to your honours assure you they are no way offensiue vnto me I haue troubled you from your better cheare to accept of a sicke mans pittance whereunto you are all so heartily welcome as to your owne Pallaces and welcome saith our Countrey housholders is the best dish at their feasts if therefore my Lords you accept my welcome I am the more honoured by you which haue so graciously vouchsafed me your companies Then turning to the Lord Cariolus he said for you my good Lord how much I acknowledge my selfe indebted to you I omit and yéeld you as many thousands thankes for your pleasing spéech as there were sillibles in your words you haue like your selfe defended the weaker sexe for the which were I the Princes Nutania your challendge made in my cause should be bountifully rewarded I am sory my good Lord my bad hap was such that I knew you no sooner But if it shall stand with your Lordships pleasure that during the time of your abode here to vouchsafe me your company so it may be no disparagement to your serious affairs perswade your selfe your welcome shall be no better in anyplace then vnto me for which kindnesse you should hinde me vnto your friendship Gratious Prince answered the Noble Cariolus thanks for your Princely fauour and gracing me thus which am not any way to do your maiestie seruice but wherein your highnesse shall commaund I shall be readie with all dutifulnesse to accomplish Leaue these spéeches good my Lord quoth the Prince and offering dutie where friendship is requested and granting my sute let me enioy thy companie so shalt thou command Dionicus for euer as a friend The grauer sort of those Noble strangers whom matters of more importance called away after humble thanks giuen for their royall entertainment wishing health and all happinesse vnto his excellence they commit him to his rest Barnardine which had endured the end of all these prattles and perceiuing that this talke was altogither friuelous and not worthie the hearing moued him to delight he began diligently to enter into each perticular discourse of Cariolus and Octauius and considerately to note each seueral passion of the Prince so farre searched this skilfull phisition into euerie particular that caâ—â—asing it throughly he noted his speciall iesture and how his colour came and vanished yea how much his heart was possessed with ioy when he heard the Princesse Nutania named the working of his pâ—â—ces made Barnardine imagine the cause of his disease yet had no assurance thereof and to enquire it of the Prince was in vaine for that he had so often denied the same wherefore he consealing his thoughts in hope to worke meanes for his recouerie And finding those cynders which were like to com 〈…〉 e him and the rather if he could procure Cariolus to accompany him Thus leauing the Prince to his quiit and Barnardine to his care for recouering his health returne we so the aged weake King The King whose long sicknesse and care of his wife and sonnes health whome he loued most zealously being extreemly vexed and greatly weakened of his 〈…〉 when Phisicke had done what was possible and small hope to recouer him in the midst of his passions when all hopes was past but onely the comfort of him who by his word rayseth the dead from the graue so this Manpelius receiued comfort by his kingly neighbours friends whose letters when he had by his Councell perused and with regard and aduise noted each kinde offer with their persuading reasons albeit he could hardly â—â—gâ—st the â—ame yet considering how fraile men are and that our cares of Terraine ioyes are to be fa 〈…〉 d to that Celestiall commander which reléeueth all those that seeke him he reuiued himselfe and like a faithfull souldier taking holde of the promise in holie writ so often repeated he cast care of wâ—â—â—â— childe and kingdome vppon him that first gaue it him and by whole prouidence he so long enioyed theâ— â—aking his chiefest care to gra 〈…〉 thoâ—e his friends by whoâ—â—â—â—â—â—sell he was vrged to the heauenly comfort And those honourable Nobles for their paines who wishing to be with their friends in their owne Countries attend his highnesse pleasure for answere which hée tooke order should with such spéede be dispatched as possibly might 〈…〉 way be vsed Dionicus whose heart was on his halfpennie vowing his loue whollie to the Princesse Nutania was so delighted in recounting hee praise as nothing could be so pleasing but as all sorts of men infected with that agâ—â—â—e iâ— their loue be faithfull are enclined to some iealousie so this monstrous Basalicke whose poyson infecteth the vaiâ—es and consumeth the heart without wisedome gouerne the minde as by this Prince notably appeared who in his idle thoughtes calling to minde the praises of Cariolus and the challenge made in defence of the Princesse Nutania as loue endureth no arriual so Dionicus striken wtih the sting of ielousie began to conceiue manie vnhonourable thoughtes of Cariolus supposing Nutania was was his Loue and that by Cariolus his ioyes in her loue and hope of fauour should bee frustrate and of no account with much matter more then euer was by Cariolus imagined how largely so euer his spéech was vsed in the Princes behalfe to procure their delights and mooue Octauius to chollor notwithstanding no reason might perswade where iealousie had giuen iudgemeÌ„t for the Prince in this ielousie fought no meane but reuenge of him that neuer committed the least thought of euill against him When reuenge in this Princes heart was thus imprinted and rage and ielousie set downe his death an honourable motion more befitting his grace then rigor moued by the inspiration of the eternal God withdrew him from this base attempt he called to mind the honour of his house the loue of those Princes their bordering neighbors by whose command Cariolus came into his Country the Scandall so bloodie a fact deserued what continuall ignomy would redownd vnto him and his progeny for euer accusing himselfe of great impietie he exclaimed on his follies in this maner Blush Dionicus at thy base thoughts and so much sorrow for thy pretended mischiefe against this noble straunger as if thou hadst shed the bloud of a thousand innocents hast thou from thy Cradle disdained to offer wrong to the most inferiour and wilt now begin with murther of a noble man Knowest thou not that to adde to his head one haire is more then the greatest Prince can doo And wilt thou séeke his life that neuer had thought of il against thée Hath thy father liued so many
â— swéetnes of your words which disdaineth to vse the vtmost cruelty you might or take his life that had vowed to vse you with more extremes then if by the greatest torments I could haue afflicted you withall I had caused you die many thousand deaths if it were possible so many could â—e incident to one bodie Had I preuailed of thy curtesie famous Princesse I cannot say what I would but vow vnto thée by the honour of my fathers Crowne while I breath to remaine a true liegeman vnto thée vertuous Nutania whose curtesie hath subdued my chollor and put my oppressed heart from a million of cares wherewith it was opprest My Lord quoth the Princesse your Lordship is merily disposed indéed women are gods children wonne with a toy such fooles they are yet my Lord I wold you did know how litle I estéem the flattery of men of what estate soeuer they would spend their friuolous spéech elsewhere for your Lordship though you please to iest I thanke God you haue such cause so to do whom I praise for the victorie receiued and next his dutie my seruant for his paines imployed for our safetie And with these words she gaue him so gracious a looke as well might the standers by sée it was not feined but that her spéech spoken in his praise procéeded of the inward motions of the hart which of the captiue Prince was not vnperceiued which caused him to replie thus Madame for auoyding of that odious sinne of flattery which my heart hath euer contemned I dare not say what I would yet séeing the destinies are so pleased to yéeld me a prisoner to my enemie I reckon my vnhappinesse the lesse which haue so gracious a Ladie for my kéeper of whom expecting no better then death I am by your comfort quite depriued of that feare And for this noble Gentleman how Fortune and the Fates hath fauoured him in this victorie wherein I am so dishonoured euery man cannot conceiue But were the honor therof a million more yet not to be weighed in the ballance where your Grace doth counterpease the same which is more to be estéemed then the worlds good how you hold him in regard I know not but if an enemies praise may any way honour him I say and with my blood wil auouch that for his valour none liueth on the confines of the earth his equall wherefore madame boast you of his worthinesse which is péerlesse and worthie for all perfections to be honoured of the mightiest Monarke that liueth Thankes my Lord quoth the Princesse for your good opinion of my seruant I doubt not but he will say as much for you when opportunitie shall serue who I assure you is as curteous as otherwise honourably endued While they were thus pleasantly discoursing word was brought the King that Theophilus Prince of Thessaly who by the outrage of a cruell storme had suffered shipwracke was found on a raft driuen a shore vpon the farthest parts of his confines where being vnknowne to any his subiects but by his owne report was by the Gentlemen of his country entreated as beséemed his estate and accompanied with a princely traine was within halfe a dayes iourney of the Court The sodaine report whereof brake their talke the King commanding his traine presently to be readie horssed to accompany him who with diligence failed not to obey his commaund and so orderly marching through the Citie they ryde easily paced vntill they méete the straunger King betwéene whom great curtesie was vsed The King gaue thankes and louing countenance to the Gentlemen who had to their great cost so honored him by enterteining this straunger whereby his countrey was made famous Thus with diuerse discourses they passed the time till they came to the Court where a stately lodging was puruayed for him and Officers appointed to attend his person as royally as if he had bene in his owne Pallace where solacing with the King and his Nobles we leaue him to return vnto Pheander the Mayden Knight whose entrailes frying with the scorching flames of his mistresse bewtie had so much changed his colour and impaired his strength that enforced by great griefe and extremitie of his loue he withdrew him to his chamber where casting himselfe on his bed with a million of carefull thoughts eftsoones determining to séeke the Princes fauour And then by contrarie motions fearing the successe of his sute carrying the report of no better then a Merchant which might giue cause of great dislike and disparage his sute he saith miserable Dionicus whom the Fates continually causeth by their hard hap daily to complaine cursing the time of thy natiuitie and the starres which gouerned thine aspects which neither time or place can remedie faint hearted wretch that séeking thy owne ouerthrow encreaseth thy griefe by consealing the cause Leftes not thou thy Princely father to come hither where thou mightest enioy the presence of thy beloued mistresse and in doing her seruice to acquaint her with thy loue and coward like shamest thou to let hir know thy zeale whose curtesie is without compare and euerie way sheweth in what regarde shée holdeth thee that hath procured her libertie in aduenturing thy life a pleasure that of a thankfull minde can neuer be forgotten What knowest thou whether her loue be as much to thée whom womanly modestie denieth to reueale else mightst thou happily knowe it No no fondling thy fortune is not so happie which euer hath liued in vnhappinesse yet dispaire not nor like a wretch die in thy Cabenet Rowse thée and consider what thou art giue not ouer thy desires to miserable death without acquainting her with thy loue spare to speake and spare to spéede A Prouerbe not so old as true which if thou follow will either giue thée comfort by her curteous grant or by deniall hasten thy death by which thou shalt be freed from these torments enioying life and liuing enioy thy swéete delight or by death endâ— these torments In this resolution hauing banished dispaire arming himself with hope of good successe stretching his weake limbes he hasteneth to the Presence whose absence had bene noted of moste Courtiers attendant there but especially of the Princesse who albeit found the companie vnfurnished wanting his companie yet durst not enquire of him doubting the suspition of iealious eyes But Fortune who had so long spurned at him with her foote gaue him this opportunitie to raise him whome she had like to haue ouerthrowne chauncing to looke out of a windowe which opened into a Parke belonging to the Court hée espied the Princesse pleasantly passing the time with her Traine of Ladies which opportunitie hée was not willing to lose but with all such spéede as his fainting legges could make reuiued by the sight of his swéete chase with all sayles spread in short time hée recouered his wished desire who was no sooner of the Princesse séene his humble dutie done and she hauing requited the same giuing him the time of
your highnesse with what I haue heard the truth thereof being proued I hope will procure my pardon Guenela quoth the Quéene ten thousand times I thanke thée for thy tydings which I wil so requite as it shall be the best newes that euer passed thy mouth to giue thée som assurance therof take this Diamond which she pulling from her finger deliuered her and looke for a better reward The hastie approaching of the Councell interrupting their spéech caused them cease their farther parley who staying the Quéenes pleasure sent her word they had some matter to impart vnto her who were presently admitted to her presence accompanied with the Mayden Knight The Councell hauing done their duties the Mayden Knight presented himselfe vnto her Maiestie whose sight so appalled her as she could say nothing shamefast modestie striuing with her willingnesse to bid him welcome which she could not doo as she would least her countenance should disclose her hearts desire yet not omitting such honorable fauour as she could do him she offered her hand to kisse which in al humblenesse he accepted acknowledging his most bounden dutie vnto her highnesse whom the questioned in this maner Seruant quoth shée we had thought your lyking had bene such to the Dames of Thessaly as we should haue bin inuited to your wedding or that your entertainment had bene so euill in our Court as you were weary of the same that you haue thus long absented your selfe from our Presence vnder Benidicitie seruant as you owe dutie to your mistresse make mée your ghoastly father and before my Lordes here present tell me and dissemble not what hath bene the cause of your long staie Gracious soueraigne quoth the Knight if I answere what is truth I hope your Maiestie will accept it and pardon mée if in my harshe answere I passe those duties which I would not willingly doo For my loue to forraine Ladies I may iustly deny which neither sawe any since my departure from your Confines in whose presence I tooke pleasure During my long staie how vnwilling that hath bene I call to reccord these Nobles strangers which can testifie my long desire to haue tendered my dutifull seruice vnto your highnesse whereunto I am bound Therefore dread Lady pardon my offence therein who being at a forraigne Princesse commandement must obey it Well seruant quoth the Quéene I must giue credit to your words else should I do you wrong but how so euer you are welâ—â—â— to your mistresse who is a debtor of yours The sight of this Noble Phâ—â—tiâ—â— wrought more effects then all the medicines Art could minister whose presence quite expelled all former cares from her Princely heart though her bodie weakened with her long lanquishing could not be so sodâ—inly restored But time and short time with the comfort she conceiued of her louing Prince restored her to her former health as you shall heare in the ensuing history Now returne we to the Nobles who awaited her highnesse pleasure for which the Quéene counting of her spéech with the knight thus said Honorable Lords if it be no matter of counsel for which your comming is at this time let vs know the cause my seruant I dare commit some trust vnto who shall participate of these your affaires Mightie Princesse quoth the Lord Parsinio matter of state concerning the gouernment or affaires of your Common-weale we haue not to vtter but onely do beséech your highnesse to commaund for your honor that these noble strangers be enterteined according to their estates with such curtesie and bountie that they many haue cause to speake of your Court and honorable entertainment as of a worthy deseruing Prince And more to do your noble subiects honor the Lord Cariolus who by marriage of the deceased Kings sister is Crowned lawfull King both of Thessalie and Egipt This is all most gracious Lady whereof if you please to conceiue and giue order for the same accordingly you shall highly honor vs your subiecs and gain to your selfe the famous report of strangers which is the garment that bewtifieth Princes and gouernors of states Thanks noble Gentlemen quoth the Quéene for your honorable care of vs which are not acquainted with anie such matters wherefore I beséech you my Lord Parsinio to kéepe them company during their staie here let my Officers attend them and their allowance be such as may not impaire our bountiful minde thereby to deserue honor if feasting be honorable especially let their traine be wel purueyed for both in large allowance of vyands and lodging for those are they by whom fame will ring being of the baser sort either of honor or dishonor as for their Embassage we will omit the hearing vntill God endue vs with some more strength and so farewell The Nobles hauing done their duties and gone it may be imagined whether the Knight departed with consent or no on whom the Quéene bestowed so gratious a looke as he might well iudge of his welcome but commaund his longer stay she would not to auoyd the suspition of iealousie or that her loue should be in the least sort suspected Contented with the â—ight of her beloued after their departure commanding the rest of the company from her deteining onely Guenela betwéene them began some pleasant parly wherein first the Quéene and then Guenela descanted at their pleasure of the Knight emitting no iesture he vsed in his spéech his person and what else greatly delighted the Princesse who would often say how mannerly is my seruant become yea quoth Guenela it is hard to say whether he learned the same of man or woman nay on my word quoth the Princesse I dare acquit him for any company kéeping with women his maydenly blush assureth me that he hath learned no courting fashions of the Thessalian Ladies Credo quoth Guenela and Madame so euer beléeue for a good beliefe is a step to saluation or by my hollydom your chéefest chaplin is not so iust a man as he ought to be Thus pleasantly discoursing we leaue them to recount vnto you the royall entertainment of the Thessalian nobles and their traine The Lord Parsinio to whom the Quéene had deliuered this charge as you haue heard tooke such care in performance thereof that as he was noble and euery way endued with honorable conditions so was his care in discharge of that trust committed vnto him as the nobles admyred their royal cheare their diuersitie of sports to beguile time with costly showes each accident so exquisitely performed as the thoughts and imaginations thereof moâ—ed thâ—se strange nobles when the company had left them to their rests in contemplating of their gracious entertainment to consume sometime the most of the night admiring the bountie of the Quéene whom they with earnest mindes desired to sée As these Nobles consumed their time with pleasure which made it séeme the shorter so the Queene which had care for receiuing their messuage after the first fight of her seruant began so to comfort
not one from the Prince to the begger liue not liue not thou Dionicus but let that hand that committed the euill finish thy life which liuing can neuer be vnremembred In this furie resoluing to haue mischiefed himselfe his Nobles taking him in their Armes with such comfortable spéeches as they could pacified him who séeing his sorowfulnesse were partakers of his grief and much lamented his extremitie as men might for their Soueraign Yet casting of care seeking the best for their quiet they could they laid him in his bed where with solemne musicke they procured him to sléepe Where for a time I leaue him Time that finisheth all things hath now wrought an end of the Kings affaires for the dispatch of the Embassadors whome the King with great entertainment and Iewels of high estéeme so rewarded as they all had cause to speake of his royall bountie The Embassadors receiuing their Letters and the time appointed for their departure their ships with victuals at the Kings cost replenished and all other necessaries Cariolus who had bene often solicited by Barnardine to visit the Prince and by his report whose word was of account with all that had knowledge of his simple dealings was perswaded of the Princes sorrow for the wrong offered him Wherefore that it might appeare vnto Dionicus he departed not in displeasure but that he had forgotten all wrongs offered kindly before his departure came to take his leaue Where vpon the curteous demeanour of the Prince who manifested his griefe by the aboundance of sighes which he powred foorth they were reconciled and an inuiolably league of friendship vowed betwéene them which with solemne oathes they protested should neuer quaile in either of them The hast of the noble Embassadors who desired to be with their Loues at home is more now then Cariolus wished But what must be shall be how loth soeuer Wherefore after many friendly gratulations betwéene them and great gifts of the Prince on his new Amico bestowed they take leaue each of other Cariolus solemnely praying for the Princes health and Dionicus wishing him all happinesse Thus all thinges fitted by the King commaund they were honourably conducted vnto the Porte where their shippes readie furnished attended their comming where they had not long stayed but a faire winde to serue their turnes God sent them and they embarqued themselues each one for his seuerall country and the Nobles returned to the Court where to their carefull regard of their king Countries benefite we leaue them to let you knowe further of the Prince whose is troubled as you shall heare The Prince whom Nature had formed so exquisite in lineaments of body as could be required hauing wisdome and valour enferiour to none when he had considered with great wisdome from poynt to point the extremitie of his estate and found that his disease was grieuous and so great that he rather desired death than life in that agonie to bée continued weying all dangers which might befall him in séeking secretly for such helpe as by his owne industrie he could procure with the pleasures and hearts content the obtaining of his loues delight would bring him resolutelie determined as much as he might to cherish himselfe and disguising himself in habite of a traueller vnknowne of any man so soone as his strength would permit him hée departed his Countrie towards Thrace and either gaine his Ladie or trie in shorte time the ficklenesse of fortune hazarding all on this rest he secretely procureth all his Iewels and such summes of money as hée coulde and by little and little recouering himselfe vsed his woonted familiarity amongst the Nobles and Courtiours which did cause no small content and heartes ioye in the King Quéene and Commons yea such was the generall reioycing of the whole people in the Realme for his recouery that there was not one which shewed not some signe of gladnes by his outward appearance As there is not the clearest day which is not ouerwhelmed with some cloud so lasted this ioy amongst these louing subiects not long for Dionicus continuing his determination cōueyed his summes of mony and Iewels into a groue within the Parke neare the Court at such seuerall times as he would chuse to be solitarie wrought so close and with such discretion that he was altogither vnperceiued of any man Each thing wrought to his content secretly in the euening his companions by him appointed to kéep the Courtiers from idlenesse by such pastimes as he had deuised as Masking Barriors Dycing and other recreations whom he refused to accompanie alleaging that he might not be long absent from the King and that his sport determined was to recreate the Quéene who since her sicknesse was verie melancholie which coyned excuse passed for currant as what was it they would not credit which hée should report Hauing thus politikely fitted all things supper ended and euerie one attending the beginning of the sportes and pastimes Dionicus who had more stringes to his Harpe then one had no care but how to conuey himselfe from their presence which hée tooke opportunitie to doo telling the Quéene mother hée had giuen his word to be one of the Maskers which shée being glad of as reioycing to remooue his melancholy by anie meanes suffered him to depart But too soone alas gaue shée credite to his feined spéeches which turned them all to great sorrow and heauinesse for Dionicus minding least what they supposed he most ioyed in conueyed himselfe with all the hast he possibly could into the Parke where his footeman attended his comming with his horse on which hée was no sooner mounted to driue suspition or iealous thoughts of his late trauaile from his man hée commaunded him presently to spéede him with all the haste he might vnto the house of a Knight dwelling not farre off with a deuised message pretending the businesse to be of great waight and importaunce and straightly charging him not to depart from thence before his comming which should be the next night With this commaundement the seruaunt departed least suspecting the losse of so bountifull a maister was so neare But the Prince whose chiefest content was in beholding the Idia of that Paragon whom Fame had so extolled had his heart fired with desire that he thought euerie day a yeare and euerie minute a moneth vntill hée beheld the excellencie of Natures worke the onely performed worke of Bewtie and the soueraigne goddesse of his thoughts of which Dionicus hauing no small regard doubting to be missed of the King and loth to lose that opportunitie poasteth with all spéed vnto the groue where his coyne and Iewels laie where the better to escape the suspition of Officers in his passage crossing the seas he attired himselfe in the habit of a marchant which he had readie prouided for that purpose and so making small staie he ceaseth not his coriours pace nor spareth any hors flesh vntil he came to the port where he pretended to imbarke him selfe No
fathers sonnes vnto whom my minority denyed such reuenewes and liuinges as might sufficiently maintaine my estate which caused me to employ my stock in trade of merchandize by which in time of peace I gained in your countrie wealth sufficient which with my body I offer in your highnesse seruice and doubt not but to frée thy princely daughter from this vsurper whose vertue the worlde so much renowneth for by that faith which I receiued at the Font-stone so long as I may breath life neuer shal vnhalowed Cur triumph in your Graces ouerthrow nor in her dishonor The king ouer ioyed at these frank affaires of his champion expressing by his outward signes the inward delight of his heart and the desire he had to accept this yonglings offer taking great pleasure in his countenance which was louelie and no way inferiour to the best in his court for person wisedome and other good graces which with aduise considered he saith Pheander wel doest thou showe thy selfe a Gentleman for vnder the habit of a Merchant Gentilitie cannot be hid no poore estate can blemish the Noble nor aduerse fortune whatsoeuer but as golde is soone brought from the baser mettels to his forme by the skilfull finer so are the Noble knowne by their vertues Pheander I haue cause to honor thée for thy loue and forwardnesse as also for thy countrey which without slattering thée or any ther abiding I loue for your Kings sake But to our matter thou séest my déer Pheander the millions of cares heaped vppon my gray head through the oppression of this heathen Prince whereby I am made more miserable than the meanest subiect in my dominions and the more is my miserie by recounting the wretched estate of my louing subiects whom I hold as deare as my life and with that by resigning my life and crowne I might frée them from bondage were it nothing els the tyrant required But toward Gentleman whose loue wretch that I am I cannot requite my daughter oh sorrow worse thaÌ„ death to recount Nutania the only solace of my life and lines sole good in whose weal consisteth my good by violence offered her what good can be tide me she she my deare Pheander it is that drencheth my soul into so déep a hel that almost forgetting my self liuing I dayly dy only recounting the miseries â—he should endure if y â— tyrant triumpht in our ouerthrow but he that in extreams sendeth comfort hath reuiued me relieued my ouercharged hart by thy kind offer whose courage and hope of victorie being such as thou wilt hazard thy déerest blood for my daughters fréedom Thanks my good Pheander is all that I can yet yéeld thée yet tâ—ad more courage to thy noble mind fighting for vs our honor my daughter for whose good thou aduenturest shall inuest thée with the order of Knighthoode the first honour that euer she gaue to man of Armes and shal pray for thy good successe so calling for the Princesse who was so discontent that nothing could be pleasing vnto her who being come before him after her humble dutie done desirous to knowe her kingly Fathers will hée recounted the zeale of the merchant vnto her who had not onely offered his goods but also his proper life to trie in battel his fortunes against their enemie wherefore Nutania quoth the king for that he hath so voluntarily offered the same for thy sake and I relying on my God and in his prowes haue accepted him for my Champion by thy hand he shall receiue the honour of knighthood his title The maiden Knight and so prosper he in his honorable action and in all others as we wish and himselfe desireth The Princesse which diuers times had noted the courtlie behauiour of Dionicus was not a little pleased at her fathers motion as one that in hartie good wil wished him better then modestie would suffer her to vtter yet harkening to her fathers speaches shee behelde him with more gracious countenaunce and vewing the lineamentes of his person each grace well regarded she inwardly bewailed his hard hap that the goddes had framed him of no better reputation than a marchant who might well deserue the title of a king put from her memento by recounting her fathers wordes pausing thereon sometime with modest blushing countenance she said Kind sir whose honorable seruice offered for my fathers good and all our weales his subiectes if I yéelde you not such recompence as your desertes doe merit blame me not of discourtesie which haue no better knowledge of you but accept the hartie thanks of a Virgin vnto whome I holde my selfe so farre indebted as I can no other way recompence then wishing your good yet in earnest of better good refuse not at my hand to receiue the honour of Knighthood séeing my Lords pleasure is such and drawing his rapier the Prince knéeling shee inuested him with the order by name of the Maiden Knight pulling a iewell of rich price froÌ„ her gowne she tied the same in a most beautiful scarffe beséeching him to weare it for her sake wishing all happie fortune in his attempts The new adopted Knight whose heart ouer ioyed for so great a fauour receiued from the saint his heart wholy honoured with manie thankes dutifully rendered kissed the Princesse hand vowing himselfe her humble seruant and in all places to maintaine her modest bewtie Princely honour with his dearest bloud The time thus passed word was brought the King that dinner was readie whereby they were interrupted whome for a time we leaue to their repast discoursing diuersly at table of the valour of the Mayden Knight whose towardnesse the King admired which made his hopes the greater not doubting but his Champion would proue no lesse valiant in Armes then they exspected At which the Princesse gloried not a litle and the Nobles pleased at both their comforts passed the time with more content then many dayes before whome we leaue to their mirth and the Mayden Knight to the ordering of his affaires The Numedian King exiling himselfe from his Court in habite of a Pilgrime trauelled many vncouth places in search for his sonne of whom he could hear no tidings neither could Barnardine for all the industrie he could vse attaine to any knowledge of him his heart so much desired through which the heauines both of the Péeres Comons were daily increased And no maruel when their soueraign the mirror of all princely curtesie had thus vnknowne in the declining of his age when his yeares required rest banished himselfe his countrey louing subiects and what else he enioyed the griefe of which so oppressed the heart of the Quéene that nothing might yéeld her any comfort But pining in continuall sorrow vtterly abandoning the worlds comfort to séeke her comforter whose dwellings are in the highest heauens she yéelded her due to death whose funerals with the effusion of many brinish teares of the Nobles and sorrowfull lamentations of her subiects was performed with
with his charge both horse and foot attending the comming of their general who was not vnmindful of his busines after thanks giueÌ„ to their leaders he marched with them to the gate that led them to the camp of the Souldane was vpon sight of the kings signet let out Thus marched the noble Prince vntil he came halfe way betwéene the campe the city where hée called his principall men together and said Friends and coparteners in armes you are now to consider what we haue taken in hand for that on our weal dependeth y â— whole estate of this common weal if we preuail what good it is to be freed from such an enemy there is not the simplest but can conceiue hauing tasted the extremity which is incident to warres and the pleasure of peace Contrarie the slauerye and seruile liues which these are compeld to endure that fall into their hands you may imagine by their opprobious vsage of your gracious Prince and example of other Christians which haue fallen into their handes Wherefore now is the time to shewe your selues in this battle if you shewe your force no doubt of happie successe to your eternall commendations and to the benefit of your Country and fréedome of your wiues children and families with these and other such spéeches hée so incouraged the hearts of his followers as they vowed to follow him with the hazard of their dearest blood When the Knight sawe the willingnesse of his men and that there resolution by outward motions were as hée expected after he had giuen them many thankes he made choyse of fiue hundreth to beare him company And after he had giuen directions for the Armie to follow he with his elected company marched on as closely as they might for descrying of the enemie who kept a Court of guard not far from thence vpon whom in the dead of the night they entered and finding them at aduantage which litle doubted any assault hauing neuer before bin assailed were some sléeping some gaiming others as ill imployed surprized and not one left to beare tydings of their ill fortune This first attempt well performed he passed on with all spéed towards the Campe where the Prince laie suddeinly entered the same where like a resolute and noble Gentleman he so behaued himselfe that it filled the harts of his followers with great courage who behaued themselues in such maner that fewe escaped with life but such as were gréeuously maimed so that they rather desired death then longer to liue The Prince who was by one of his Bashawes counselled to flie as the least euill for auoyding of death was brauely mounted on a swift running Gâ—nnef of which the Mayden Knight being enformed leauing the fight hée poasteth after with so good spéed as the harmles Hare from the cruell iawes of the Grey-hounds such haste made this worthie CConquerour that in euill time for the Prince he ouertooke him accompanied with twelue of his principall Bashawes whom he with courage so assailed that in a moment he had vanquished them all leauing some breathlesse some without armes others without legges no one escaped his furie In which conflict the Prince escaped but all in vaine the Destenies had determined there to finish the honour of that iourney by the hands of the Mayden Knight Who ouertaking him gaue him so gréeuous a blow with his Curtler betwéene the necke and shoulders as made him forget his way saying staie proude vsurper and take my Ladie the Princesse with thée And pulling him vehemently by all the force he could by the helmet vnhorsed him that the Knight verily supposed he had bene slaine wherefore dismounting himselfe hée reuiued him againe vnto whome he sayd My Lorde this is not for your honour to braue a King in his owne Dominions and in his Court by your Heralde and then to haue so small care of your worde In faith Pagane for thy sake ile neuer credite anie Heathen on his worde hereafter Pittie is it a Prince of your extéeme shoulde after so manie Lectures reade plaie the Trewant trust mée were I your father I should twigge the youth well to learne him hereafter to be more carefull of his businesse The Prince hearing himselfe so frumped was more gréeued there at then all the losse hée had receiued Wherefore with a heart full of carefull heauinesse he saith Braue man at Armes what ere thou be to whom fortune hath made me thrall ill beséemeth such wordes of disgrace to any one whome the Fates haue ouerthrowne but cursed my selfe which gaue thée this opportunitie cursed that negligence which maketh my foe thus to tryumph in my fall Thou Mahomet suffer me not as thou art a Prophet to liue thus disgraced to beholde the face of anie man surprized by so cowardly a curre who daring not to thrust his head out of the cennell but by stealth hath wrought my vtter ruine and ouerthrow taking his aduantage But glorie not in this victorie for it may be thou shalt haue so great cause to repent thée thereof as pleasure to behold me now thy prisoner Your Lordship is disposed to be pleasaunt quoth the Knight but it is the vse of Christians to giue losers leaue to speake if it so happen my fortune shall be the worse In the meane time your Grace shall be my guest I haue an hostes prouided wil bid you welcome who by this time I doubt not doth heare of your comming that you néede not feare of your dinner The Prince full of heauinesse could not tell what to answere wherefore Arming himselfe with all the patience he could to endure it he was by this Conquerer commanded to horse Long had they not ridden towards his Armie but he was encountered by diuers his Captaines who missing their Generall at haphazard put themselues in search for him and happily well they met him who reioycing for his good fortune taking the Prince prisoner they recount vnto him the ruine and spoyle of the whole Armie for which their diligent courage and valour shewed he yéeldeth them moste great and heartie thankes beséeching them to take charge of his Armie and diuide the spoyle amongst them which done repaire at their pleasures to the Cittie while he with his prisoner made haste to the Kings presence The tydings of the Knightes successe was by some such as honoured him with spéede reported at the Court in which no parte of his honours was left vnrecounted whose pollicie and valiantnesse in Armes the King with al y â— Courtiers admired Imagining him by these worthie déedes of Chiualrie to be the onely man at Armes deseruing honour in all that Region of whom there was no small ioye and such fame and renowne of his actions as both in Citie and Court there was no talke but tended to the honour of the Mayden Knight which liked not the Princesse Nutania a little to heare her seruant in these his first attempts venturing for her to haue such fortunate successe so that
the day with a most pleasant and friendly countenance she challenged him of negligence whom she had not séene in two or thrée daies and leading him politikely pretending matter of importance to impart vnto him from the companie she brought him neare the side of a faire Copes which so ouershadowed them that the Sunne beames could not offend them where they might both boldly say whatsoeuer it pleased them without being heard or séene of any which might interrupt them which caused her take opportunitie to discusse with him thus Seruant quoth she I pray thée say of y e duty thou hast vowed thy mistresse and by those swéete thoughts which are best pleasing vnto thée what is the Lady to whoÌ„ thy loue is dedicated for loue doubtlesse thou doest thy countenance bewraieth it which I haue noted with more regard then becommeth a maiden yet of care to thée whose health I tender for thy curtesie good seruice done which I wold requite in the best maner I might and for thy lookes sheweth thy heart craueth to be pitied of thy Ladie let mée know her who may chance stand thée in some stéed for women may preuaile much one with an other The Knight wrapt into a heauen of ioyes hearing the goddesse of his deuotion with such fauour and kindnes to vse him with a blushing countenance standing at the bar before her whose sentence pronounced was either life or death he saith Honorable and gracious mistresse giue me leaue so to call your highnesse since you haue dained a captiue the title of your seruant and pardon my presumption answering your demand that I loue I cannot deny which argueth your skil in phisick great whom my tongue is restrained to reueale but if your highnesse could iudge whose loue I most adore and long haue and iudging ease me I should haue cause to say no phisicke proferer on the earth whatsoeuer might compare with my gracious mistresse for skill I dare say no more fearing to offend The Princesse all this time gazed on the perfection of her seruant as déeply enamoured on his perfection as the Knight inueagled with hers for her eye made a suruey of his excellent feature which shée founde more perfit by how much the more she had bent her liking to loue him Thus loue which had assailed both their harts endued them with such a siâ—pathy of ioy beholding themselues all alone that with ouer much ioy they were striken mute so that how much soeuer their hearts desired to let each other knowe their loues they could not reueale the same In this heauen of happie content they had not long bene Guenelia a Ladie that attended the Princes brought her word the King her father with the King of Thessaly was comming into the Parke which place they had chosen to recreate themselues Where passing on by faire Paris they diligently listen to the swéete recordes of the pritie birds who skipping from trée to trée gaue as well the content beholding it as the eare pleasure in their notes great was the delight they receiued viewing the bewtie of the place which for pleasant walkes swéete groues and fruitfull trées of all sortes was matchlesse into which manie pleasant brookes had recourse on the bankes of which finding the place bewtified with Natures gifts they sat them downe earnestly beholding the pleasure of the fishes how pretely they chased one the other with many a plesant conceiued toy which they noted censuring of each seuerall action as they thought best to encrease their mirth When some time was spent on this pleasant manner Philarcus King of Thrace finding himselfe all alone with the King of Thessaly hauing neuer questioned of him his vnhappie fortune began with him thus Let it not be displeasing vnto thée famous King that I intrude my selfe so far into thy familiaritie to require the cause of your graces trauaile through which your life was so dangered if you vouchâ—aâ—â— me this fauour you shal commaund a matter of more import so please it you at my hands The Thessalian King attending this vn 〈…〉 question was driuen into such 〈…〉 thoughts that his colour showed better his discontent to recount it then his tongue ablenesse to answere the kings demand how willing so euer he was to satisfie him yet after some pause taken he saith Right curteous and mirrour of the world for Nobility though nothing can be more displeasing to my grieued heart then recounting my aduerse fortune yet that your Grace shall not find any ingratitude in me at whose hands I haue receiued such honourable entertainment attende me It is not many yeares since Mantonna my father deceised who left me vnhappie I his successour to inherite the crowne which I did not long enioy before Donatia King of Egypt required of me my sister in mariage who being beautifull and in the flourishing time of her yeares hauing not yet attained to the full of fiftéene yong ynough to be bestowed yet of that wisdome that I referred y e choise of her loue to her owne liking induced thereunto by the many euils happening by such made marriages wher the children are forced by the couetous desires of their parents to ioyne wealth to wealth others for great patrimonies all for lucre fewe or none for loue But whether the beauty of my sister Phedera for so was she called or the desire of her dowrie which was great or either of them or both I cannot say â—ut my sister being made acquainted with his sute I craued her answere for which his Ambassadors attended in my Court with the best entertainment I could giue whome my sister Phedera with her owne mouth answered woe is me vnhappy the tongue that pleaded deniall to his suite but most of all vnhappy the houre when first of all hee determined to craue her at my handes in whose power it was not to graunt no sooner arriued his Nobles at the Court and he scarslie had receiued the sum of her answere but as one bereft of all honour reason and gouernment he vowed reuenge on me and my countrey And leuying a mighty power both of horse and foot assailed me in mine owne territories whome by the mighty power of the Almightie I expelled my lande to their great dishonour and no small losse to my subiectes yet how great soeuer his ouerthrowe was an honourable minde I must say were the cause iust he ordeined a mightie power by seas whereof being by my espyalles aduertised of the time as neare as they could gesse they would be readie with a power well shipped and furnished I met him neare his owne Confines where a mortall fight was begunne and moste valiantly continued neyther side giuing any shewe of fainting But alasse too soone commeth that grief which meiteth my hart into thousands of teares to recount the Admirall of mine owne Squadron being suncke and two others forced by the cunning hand of their Gunners to lye by the Lée the rest fainted which béeing perceiued of the enemie
bountie and admired for curtesie he he Guenela is the ioy of my heart and my hearts sole delight without whom I cannot liue no I wil not liue I neither may I liue such is the seruice my heart hath vowed in loue vnto him therefore if thou loue me as thou hast profest by thy industrie séeke to â—aue my life which cannot but perish not obteining my desires Guenela listning to her discourse willing to become second in this Comedie had her braines beating alreadie in search of the charge committed vnto her yet would shée not answere any thing sodeinly considering how displeasing spéeches spoken out of time be vnto louers corasiues yet chearing the Princesse shée requested vntill the next morning respite for answer which the Princesse granted affying greatly in her which was wise and wel demeaned many wayes sometime doubtfull sometime pleasing sifted her sences to the proofe whom to her study we leaue The Mayden Knight whose extremes were far more if more might be after his abrupt parting with his mistresse that he grew so melancholy as nothing were it vyandes to relieue his weake corpse neither the daintinesse of pleasing sweete Musicke wherewith his friends presented him might any way delight him so that in outragious maner he exclaimed on his misfortune cursing the tidings bringer of the Kings repaire to the Parke and his tongue for not reuealing his griefe his Phisition so readie to hear that dispairing of his hope to enioy her he was likely to mischiefe himselfe yet reason affirming that the learnedest Phisition could not discouer the disease of his Patient without he shew it how neare soeuer he gesse Entering further in consideration of her fauourable spéeches shaking off feare like a hardie souldier he determined in writing to let her know his loue since he had no hope to méete her againe at the like aduantage Therefore like the condemned hoping of pardon liueth the Knight yet desirous to be resolued either of comfort or dispaire he calleth for Penne and Inke and write thus To willingly vouchsafe him as partner of her best fortunes yet making a kinde deniall she said Sir though I could willingly do you more seruice then modestie will I acquaint you with it is not the part of our Countrey Gentlemen to make peasts of Gentlewomen hauing Pages fit for the purpose if I refuse your request attribute it to no discurtesie in me which am very loath to offende her highnesse not knowing whether the sentence of your paper may discontent her or no. That many messengers haue incurred displeasure yea and losse of life as the cause hath deserued I hope it is not vnknowne vnto you yet hath the harmelesse messenger knowne as litle what he carried as I desirous to know of you Swéete Guenela quoth the Knight that it is wisedom to beware by others harmes I deny not yet is it discurtesie to deny the request of a Gentleman which haue euer shewed my selfe a dutifull seruant to his highnesse and honoring him can I frame my heart to preiudise that Ladie of incomparable vertue No no heauens neuer permit me life to offend her in the least sort Therefore doubt no such matter for on the word of a Gentleman my life shall be offered and fréely giuen to excuse thy friendship wherein I am so greatly pleasured by you Guenela noting by the often changing colour in telling his tale his heart was not his owne but had some more businesse in hand then hée would impart loath to offend his patience by her deniall sayd Sir perswading my selfe of your loyaltie I will for this time become your Embassador although it should impaire my credite with her Exellence whose fauour I hold as deare as my life and that you shall assure your selfe of my trustinesse herein so please it you to méete me in this place to morrow by that time the Suns power shall haue drawne the deawe from off the earth I shall returne you answere as you desire Thankes good Guenela for thy curtesie assure you I will not dye in thy debt if euer Pheander may requite it by any industry In the meane time quoth he fauour me so highly as weare this for my sake and pulling off a Dyamond of great prise gaue it her which she was loth to accept yet giuing thanks for his curtesie she sayd Sir would you did vnderstand I prise not my paines that you shuld reward me with hyre or do you good in hope of benefit or as it is vnfitting a gentle woman to take gifts bestowed in such maner so is it discurtesie and no part of a woman like condition to refuse the gift of a friend therfore accept my thankes till I may better deserue it Thus time passing away Guenela taking her leaue departed towards the Princesse and the Knight to his lodging where how many sundry thoughts assailed him I leaue to them that haue endured the like Guenela come to the Princesse presence by her pleasant iesture was of the Princesse perceiued who was iealous of her being acquainted with her maladie who calling her to her bed side she enquired where she had spent the time so long from her knowing that all her Attendants were combersom vnto her but onely Guenela with whom she might passe the time in discoursing her loue Madame dutie commands me answere your demand yet hauing bene to search some daintie that might yéeld delight to your weak stomake and cause better dâ—gesture by chance prying in y e garde in for such things I was encountred by the best skild in the dominions of Thrace who gaue me a receit which I iudge by my simple skil wil giue your Maiestie great ease yet doth the Phisition doubt whether your stomacke wil disgest it This gracious Ladie quoth Guenela hath bene the cause of my absence and no other Alas good wench how am I beholding to thée that caring to recouer my strength searchest the depth of thy skill but Guenela in vaine sâ—ekest thou her health whom no phisitiaÌ„ with all his hearbs drugs simples balmes emplaisters or what Art may prouide can remedy onely God the great commander must by his grace bring my desires to ende or by death ende my dayes of life What Madam euer in this tune once alter these discords which maketh your musick iar sing y â— beliefe with a chéerful voice so may your mind be a litle eased and the receit I haue to minister worke with the more effect I speak this Madam of experience for euery skilfull Phisitian wil prepare the bodie of his Patient before he minister Therfore Madam if you wil shake off this melancholy you shal haue a taste of what I promise if not your grace must pardoÌ„ me it were great pitie so precious a thing should be cast away Well Guenela quoth the Princesse thou art disposed to crosse me with thy words which doth but increase my disease yéelding small comfort therefore leauing those Iests say me my good wench if thou haue
excellence to take so great a matter vpon me yet shal I so please it you to heare me deliuer my simple opinion as I would do my selfe in the like action The olde wiues say they that féede with the deuill must haue a long spoone and they that goe about to master Loue had néed of manie good precepts disswade your Grace I will not to forget it for I sée it is vain neither would I wish you to answere by writing for a paper is soone lost and lost to whose finding it shall come tis vncertaine as soone to some enuious enemie as a wel-willer in which some word simplie meant of you or me may be construed by them at their pleasure whereby your name may be brought in question and a slaunder raised is not so easily suppressed writing is a specialtie whereof the subtill Lawyer takes no small aduantage to auoyd all which casualties this may you doe pretend some matter of conference with him and appoint the time when hée shall attende your pleasure at your lodging comming secretely vnto you and at such time as the King your father shall bée employed in serious affaires so may you vse your spéech at your pleasure this would Guenela doe your Grace may vse your discretion I like thy deuise wel good wench and giue thée manie thankes quoth the Princesse therefore faile not to méete him for thy promise what els I refer to thy best indgemeÌ„t Nowe in faith Madame quoth Guenela you haue made a good choyce for a solliciter but take me as I am this is the first suit that euer I was retained for nor I doubt not if I spéed well now of manie elpantes As they were thus pleasant betwéene themselues they heard a trumpet sound to horse which caused the Princesse to sende her Page to enquire the cause who returned her answer that the king with his traine were setting forward to hunt a wilde bore which his Forrester had roused this newes gaue them cause of ioy hoping that Fortune fauoured them with a happy time which they were both loth to omit doubting the like opportunitie the Princesse especially who coulde not be quieted in minde vntill shée heard her Knight aunswere for himselfe wherefore a Page was presently commanded to search for y e Knight willing him with such conuenient spéed as hee could to meet Guenela in the garden the Page vsed such diligence y e soone he was brought vnto the Knightes presence whome he found solitary as a holie father at his Orizons whome the Page awaked with his ioyful message which was welcom vnto him albeit doubtfull whether of weale or woe either to augment his sorrowes or vtterly to extinguish them The sudden hearing of which caused him to pause a while when hauing determined curteously returned answere to the Gentlewoman that he would attend her he rewarded the Page so bountifully as he had cause to boast him of his wel employed seruice Guenela hauing receiued his answere by the Page aduertized the Princesse thereof who commaunded her to haste least she gaue the Knight cause of discontent by her long stay but for al her spéed Pheander was long there before atteÌ„ding her comming who was no sooner of him perceiued to enter the place but his heart prâ—â—aging some good was more delighted thereat theÌ„ all the motions that could be imagined after his curteous salutations done thus said Swéet Guenela I know not what to imagine of thy sudden message yet willing to be resolued as one that by thy answer exspecteth his doome either of life or death I attend thy pleasure say therfore swéet Lady what faith the Princesse to my letters with whom Guenela purposed to be somthing pleasant not to cloy his stomacke with such plesant confections that he should surfet therewith and framing a countenance to her spéech she said Sir Knight of all the Gentlemen in the Courte of Thrace my good opinion was such of you that on your word I durst haue hazarded my greatest credit which expectation thou hast farre deceiued and therefore not worthie to be accounted among such honorable men at Armes which take their principall honor holding their word with Gentlewomen At the deliuery of which spéech he that had tooke regarde to the Knightes countenaunce might haue thought him past phisickes recure And withall standing so mute it verely perswaded Guenela that he was readie to deliuer his interest of life whiche made her alter her rough words and with a smoother methode new file them doubting that her Comedie begun in mirth should prooue a Tragidie to the great grief of the whole Country which generally honored him Wherfore taking him by the hand she sayd Sir Knight I am sorie I haue charged you so far what cause soeuer I had but tis womanlike to be slaine with words and no fit passion for a man of your profession That you may comfort your selfe I first pardon the offence against me committed and enioyne you as you tender your credit with the Princesse Nutania that you faile not to repaire at such conuenient time as you best can to her lodging where if you hold your word you will excuse your messenger Oh Guenela how haue thy spéeches tormented me filling my entrailes with suche a confusion of comfortlesse thoughts as haue ouercome my senees Yet Guenela if thou be curteous or haue any sparke of gentilitie abide in thée Say my good Lady what countenance gaue the Princesse to my bashfull paper Vouchsafed she the reading of them Or how to discomfort you good Knight quoth Guenela it were pittie being alreadie at so low a datum which pitieth me to behold Comfort can I giue none to thy desires but this thy sute is loue as your Letters import in which dispaire not for thy mistresse is a woman though a Princesse and how pitifull our sexe is I will not boast but wish thée not dispaire If thy birth were as great as thy vertues thou mightst boord and bedde as good as the Princesse Nutania vnto whom I wil be a faithfull soliciter Mistake me not Pheander I speake as a friend and so leaue thée vntill thy comming to my Lady which detract not for time lost is such a precious thing as can neuer be recalled Before whom when thou shalt come pleade thine owne cause and discouer thine owne grie And so farewell Pheander which had some greater hope by Guenela her last spéeches was so ouer ioyed that he could not bid her farewell yet after his memento past he saith farewell the faithfullest friend in my distresse that euer I founde Oh Guenela happy maist thou be in thy loues and highly honored amongst men by whom my cares are thus comforted faithfull Guenela the worker of my hearts happie content by whom past all hope I am by thy faithfulnesse and trueth in deliuering my message freed of so heauie a burthen as was likely to haue torne my poore oppressed heart in a million of péeces Thus vplawding Guenela he had almost
of his Countrey which by his carelesse sonne is blemished who neglecting the dutie of a child without regard of father crowne or kingdome exiled himselfe no man knowes where or whether he rest aliue or no since which time the king his father who loued him too dear if fathers loue may be too deare hath likewise absented himselfe and liueth in exile The mother Quéen hath resigned her due to death leauing by losse of those honorable persons their country without a head and their state by subiectes to bée gouerned wherby a ruine of the kingdom is like to ensue all procéeding from the Prince A miserable country is that quoth the Princasse to be lamented but more the losse of so noble a race the father hauing bene such and the sonne as report saith so toward But say good Knight quoth she was there neuer cause supposed of their departures nor did not the father through his harsh demeanor for youth in these times take vnkindly their fathers vnkindnes age is froward which frowardnes might minister great cause of discontent Madam quoth the Knight to my knowledge this I wil say my father being a Courtier in some regard whereby I became familiar with the Prince and as youth will make choise of some one to participate with so it pleased the Prince louing my father wel to vse my company in all his exercises through which I saw his demeanor with such reuerent duetie to the king acknowledged and as kindly requited of the king as on the earth might not bee found loue more perfect til his speach fayling in his mouth he could vtter no more The Princesse giuing héed to each word by him pronounced albeit she sawe the repeating of the Princes life was somewhat cumbersome vnto him yet ceased he not to vrge him to shew such sorrowe in deliuering the storye so of her desired Ah Madame quoth the knight at his departure began our Countries grief and my sorrow from whome in life I could neuer bée seperated such was my loue to him which refused himselfe his Crowne and dignities Adolefull tale hast thou deliuered quoth the Princesse which I perceiue mooueth you to impacience wherefore one demaund and an ende The Prince Dionicus made choyse of you for his companion Then vnder benedicitie let me craue all law of friendship exempted did he not acquaint you with his determinations for me thinkes it is scant credible that such an vnity should be amongst men their loues being so perfect but he should disclose each secret intent whatsoeuer many reasons draweth me to suppose it which I will omit for I perceiue I am too tedious Your Ladiship vrgeth me far yet will I accomplish your request who haue power to commaund me The Gentleman who neuer offended but in committing of this great offence long before his departure hauing belike some motion of desire in his thoughtes became of a pleasant Gentleman the most melancholiest that could be found that quite abolishing all company hée best contented himselfe with his secrete cogitations continuing this homour so long that he fell sicke of an extream Feuer which so encreased vpon him as all Physickes reliefe was quite giuen ouer so that small was the hope of his recouerie whose distresse the kind King with the mother Quéene grieued in such wise to beholde as in shorte time it was hard to be iudged which of the thrée endured most extreames But God that in aduersity sends comfort restored the Prince to some streÌ„gth belike receiuing some comfort in his imaginations by his recouery the King Quéene were both so comforted as in short time they were raised from their sicke cabinets to frolike it amongst their noble subiects who ioyed in nothing so much as in their healthes But how soone the Sunshine of their happinesse was ouershadowed with cloudes of comfortlesse care grieueth me to recount yet dare I not gainsay your Ladiships request The Prince recouered of his maladie made semblance of such content that none but himselfe could witnesse vy the least suspition his hearts discontent yet oftentimes should I being seldome from his company sighing with a number of far fetched sobs heare him say Péerlesse Ladie would my loue were as wel known to thée as to mine own heart then doubtles wouldst thou pitie me which lanquish for thée that art the only Princesse on the earth excelling in al vertues which beautifie the honourable the report of which hath fettered my fancies to thée that I protest to bée thine or neuer mine owne then looking with a gastly loook about him to sée if any ouerheard him hee woulde fall into some other discourse euer applauding y e rare perfections of his mistresse who was vnknowne to all but only to himself I who froÌ„ the first he acquainted with y e same briefly Lady for I weary you with my discourse the loue of his Lady hath drawn him from his country whose absence caused the kings exile the Kings exile the Quéens death The Princesse hearing all these extreams to grow from affection knowing well her owne hearts discontent with a sigh from the déepest which wroong tears from her heart she said Alasse noble Gentleman whose ioy so soone ouerwhelmed hath heaped so many cares vpon me what folly was there in thée that wouldest not disclose thy loue which burned so vehementlie was the dame so base that thou fearest thereby to ignoble thy issue or of such high estate thou doubtest to obtaine her if either by perswasions all griefs might haue bene mittigated if a Monarch why thou by report deseruest her if a begger thou mightest make her noble what ere she were hearing thy distresse could she forbeare to pitie thée No no were her heart more harder then the Diamond it could not choose at y e hearing therof but relent else wel woorthy were she to bée scorned of al Ladies and neuer to bee named amongst the number of women The Prince séeing the Princesse in this pitiful humour thought it good striking wheÌ„ the iron was hot taking the opportunity answered her thus Is your Ladiships censure such of hard-hearted Ladies wil not be entreated of him whose loue to you is no whit inferior to the Pr. Dionicus as himself wold confesse wer he present hard me recount y e many griefs wherwith loue hath afflicted me might he â—e Iudge wold allow me recoÌ„pence for my seruice in loue But Madame if without offence I might demaund this say Nutania the Princesse of Thrace were the Saint vnto whome this vnhappie Prince had vowed his deuotions and that all the passions he hath endured are for your loue would you vouchsafe him loue in recompence thereof The Princesse driuen to her shiftes at this demaund could not tell what to answere yet sharpening her wittes as women can doe she said Pheander Loue is not to bée dallied with as I haue heard them say which speake by experience therefore I cannot directly answere thy question but were
these comfortable words albeit she hoped of small reliefe from him partly to ease her heart and a litle to disgrace her aduersary which was mightie all the reuenge she could take thus said 〈…〉 that I may not séeme discurtious to you whose curti 〈…〉 ed is more then I can any way deserue but in 〈…〉 your welfare which pittieth a poore widowes e 〈…〉 e weale is the good of her poore fatherlesse Or 〈…〉 with pittie my case and consider thereof as 〈…〉 ease Then drying her eyes which like gutters bedeawed her chéeks she said Not far from hence gentle sir is my poore cabinet where this fiftie winter I haue mainteined y e port of a poore woman my husband in his life delighting in hospitality on his death bed gaue me charge to do the like which I haue obserued hurting none nor neuer denying anie good to them that sought me the néedie I 〈…〉 bored whom with my bread such vyands as God sent 〈…〉 e fed But now sir quoth she and therwithall a déepe 〈…〉 itnesse of her harts heauines restrained her spéeches 〈…〉 some pause said But now sir such is the oppressi 〈…〉 couetous in authoritie that my liuing is taken froÌ„ 〈…〉 ith my family compelled to séek harbor where we can 〈…〉 if God the comfort of the distressed prouide not within 〈…〉 e months for vs longer we haue not there to abide Telâ— me woman quoth the King what he is that thus iniureth thée and the maner how and as I am a true subiect to the king I wil neuer leaue thée til thou art with iustice reueÌ„ged on him Oh sir quoth she vrge me no more to that for my aduersary being honorable of account with y e king although y â— wrong I sustain be great yet wil he reueÌ„ge him self so on me mine as my life wil be the least last such is his bloudy mind who hath neither conscience nor thought of any good â—le after so many yeares of peaceable possession of this tennement in name of my husbands auncestry as our euidence doth specifie he wold not thus extréemly deal with those whome charitie would he should comfort but such is his crueltie who ought to be curteous that his couetousnes is neuer satisfied halling all from the poore profitting none but himselfe his children or seruantes who reape the benefite of manie mens labours for whâ—â— suite passeth but what he must like of or what w 〈…〉 King denie that he will grant Lamentable is it 〈…〉 the complaints of the commons of al estates ho 〈…〉 they murmure nay not onely against him bu 〈…〉 by others reportes that the Kings name is 〈…〉 stion of many all procéeding of this canka 〈…〉 guiding all abuseth all The Souldier seruing 〈…〉 his countries honour wanteth his pay which causeth him fall to robbery and other vnlawfull exercises The Farmer Grasier and such that liue of the benefite of their tillage féeding cattell and other hard labours haue their cattell taken their corne and what they enioy and driuen to séeke their mony by long suites and in the ende glad to besto 〈…〉 the one halfe to be assured of the other yet dare none 〈…〉 plaine how great so euer the oppression be Thus sir 〈…〉 tisfie you I haue spoken the truth what I haue he 〈…〉 partly that I know which I and many more ma 〈…〉 but cannot remedy it But sir what I haue spoke 〈…〉 you will conceale for if you be friend to him w 〈…〉 not name yet you can imagine If vnder your f 〈…〉 words lurke deceit and that you haue sifted me to beâ—ay me to his cruelty such il befall thée as I wish him whom I haue cause to curse others with me whoÌ„ he hath likewise wroÌ„ged But had the king knowledge how hée vseth his subiects especially his tenants who is our good Landlord and thus many yeares hath bene he wold redresse it but he hauing y e charge of al hath receiued a great fine to thrust me from my right which God remedy and grant our king to vnderstand his tyrannie Amen quoth the king May it bée possible that he whom I know the King hath loued so déer and fixed where their cause should bee heard and restitution made which in such sort was accomplished that his lands leases plate and Iewels were distributed to the wronged The widow who first gaue notice thereof the King enriched with greater possessions to maintaine her hospitality and Zachary for that his Dania shuld not for want of welth refuse him he bountifully rewarded so that euery one was pleased and returned content to their homes Now Gentiles the History shall shews you how Theophilus King of Thessaly expected the ayd of Thrace for restoring him to his kingdom which promise the King so regarded that in short time through the diligence of those Captains to whom the charge therof was committed the number appointed was furnished with shipping munition and victualls for the Army of whome the Thracian king tooke the Muster appointing their leaders The chiefe by name of Generall for the seruice was the Mayden Knight who was vrged vnto it by the two kings in such maner that no excuses nor delaies which he could make might be accepted vnlesse he should by his too much refusall purchase the name of coward this choyse greatly disliked the Knight whose warres in loue had but newly begunne to take successe who scarcely assured of the Princesse although her promised faith might put him in comfort yet weighing the vnstability of their sexe he doubted least his absence might drawe her to that which he would héedfully regarde being present The tydings of her fathers election made of her loue for generall as nouelties are rife and flieth with swift wings came vnto the hearing of the Princesse vnto whom if they were irksome suppose you that know how gréeuous the parting of two faithfull louers are who hauing her only felicitie in contemplating of her beloued Dionicus their ioyes but now in the blossomes was so nipt in the spring as care banished all future happinesse and sorrow began to claime her wâ—nted place in both but especially the Princesse who framed of the weaker mould heauinesse had taken the more impression in her so that forsaking all company her chéefest delight was to be solitary where shee might with déepe sighes and many brynish teares vnburthen her ouercharged heart cursing bitterly the cause and causer of seperating her loue In this melancholy vttering such spéech of dispaire as though shée sawe the dreadfull messenger Death alreadie seized vpon the valiant knight The knight who could take as litle rest as his Lady pleasure could finde content in no place vntill hée came to the Princesse lodging whome founde in this passion which was more gréeuous then all the rest her blubbred eyes pressyng bloud from his heart beholdyng her in that plight whose happy content was his onely ioy But how cumbersome so euer it was vnto him with
spéed he might carrying with him his owne Surgion and such as professed phisick doubting the griefe to be more dangerous then it proued whereof albeit the report was first offensiue to him yet was comforted in this comfort the wounde not mortall they regarding it as nothing when the Generall had carefully séen the wound searched and drest enquiring what they were which he had taken he caused all the chief of them to be called vnto him who on their examinations would confesse little which forced the Generall to put one of y e inferiors attendant on Phidamia the Egyptian kings brother to be tortured who forced with the crueltie thereof confessed what they were and how their going for Babylon was to intreate a peace with the Emperour who as they were informed leuied a power to subuert their countrey in reuenge of the wrong offered Phedera sister to the Thessalian King slaine in a battaile fought at sea by the Egyptian King This newes was not sooner reuealed then welcome for hereby they were assured of an expected frend yet enquired the Generall whether their King had married the Princesse Phedera or no and where hée liued Sir quoth the Egyptian after the victory obtained wherein the Noble Theophilus perished the King my maister furnished for suche an attempt without further staie or suffering them to gather head which he was sure they would doo hearing of their Kings ill successe to preuent which he framed his course thither where they suddeinly arriued and by their power and pollicie subdue the chiefest of the Nobilitie who hauing them sure they easily and in short time ouercame the rest where he was by generall voyces though against their liking Crowned King of Thessaly How hée punished the Nobilitie I omit embacing them and raising in their places them farre vnworthie such honor and reputation so that neither Gentleman or other of account but liueth in great seruitude and slauery glad to be reléeued with néedfull vyands and apparrell at their handes which themselues haue often fed The Princesse for all the perswasion he can vse he cannot in loue obtain yet hath he vsed the good Lady more cruelly then I would willingly report the strangenesse of her tortures being such as fewe but doth greatly pitie And now as our last Poastes imparted vnto vs he hath appointed a time wherein she must resolutely answere him to his content or ende her life in fire The which crueltie to her vsed reported by Merchants of Babylon with the vertues of the Princesse and comming to the Emperors eares being now in the prime of his yeares either of pollicie being mightie to release her or whether to make her his Ladie and wife I cannot say but hée hath required her in marriage pretending great loue vnto her which the King will not graunt vnto But in words of great despight hath answered him in such manner as hée greatly disliking hath with fire and sword defied him who being a Prince of very great might and force our nobles of Egipt haue thought good rather to ioyne with fauourable showes of friendship then abide the extremitie of his furie Loe sir quoth hée thus haue I satisfied your request which is all I can doo And for the same quoth the Knight receiue thy libertie with what other fauour I may do thée These newes was as pleasing to the Mayden Knight as if he had bene possessed of the Crowne and hauing such aduantage holding it small pollicie to loose any time comforting Cariolus emmitting the charge of his prisoners vnto his good regard hée hasteth to his owne ship where vnto Theophilus King of Thessaly hée recounted what hée had heard desiring that order might be presently taken whereby the enemy might be surprized at vnawares so might they finish their intents with lesse danger and more honour on which they agréeing they summoned their chiefest vnto whome the Knight recounted what the Egyptian had declared beséeching the King whose cause it was to speake his minde then the rest to giue their aduise what they thought was best to be done for accomplishing their desires and planting the King in his owne Countries These questions propounded each particular perill with each aduantage and occasion which offered good successe was throughly debated when they had each one deliuered their minde Pheander whose honor was now in the Balance as one that desired no worldly possessions so much as the reputation with his mistresse and the King saide Noble Gentlemen you haue all like resolute braue hardie men at Armes shewed in your spéeches the desire you haue to do this noble King that seruice for which we come if therfore you wil encline your eares to my opiniō among the rest I shall acknowledge my selfe greatly fauoured by you The whole company which by curtesie was drawne to his loue was easily wonne to this request and willed him say on which he did in this maner My Noble Lords and friends in Armes touching these motions made for our procéedings it hath bin by the Egyptian reported whom we do credit the King is in possession of Thessaly which Crowne we know all he doth dishonorably vsurpe The Princesse she in such extreme that by his cruell censure is not long to liue vnlesse against her will she grant to loue him who is loathsome in her eyes To preuent which it behoueth vs to search the best meane that we can and for that euery one hath giuen his censure this is my aduise that hauing these Nobles in our possession in whome consisteth the strength of his Realme our company being lustie and strong we wil raunge their confines where finding place opportunitie we may surprize them at vnawares who being subdued his force shall be the more impaired That done we will with all conuenient spéed passe for Thessaly where I doubt not but to come before the time limited the Princesse for her answere and to reskew her deliuering the possession of the Crowne into the Kinges hand the Knight hauing said presently it was confirmed and each Captain departed to his charge according to directions giuen entered the confines of Egipt where they wrought by such pollicie and directions of the Mayden Knight that they landed in the dead of y ◠night the greatest part of their Armies marching in warlike order towards the Citie of Buckelia where the king kept his chiefe Court and where their greatest force was But before they could recouer the walls or come to view the same for any aduantage they were descried and the gates shut against whom the Citizens made such power as they could for their defence which vnexspected of the Knight caused him to staie vntill himselfe went to knowe their pleasures and to deliuer his owne intent And mounting himselfe onely accompanied with his Herald and one Trumpet hée came before the walles sommoning them to parley which was answered againe by an other Trumpet and such of the nobilitie as was within shewed themselues vnto him demanding a cause
first séemed hard yet of two euils the least is to be chosen as these Nobles of Egypt who séeing their liues wiues children and what they possest to be in the hands of strangers whom they could not withstand making a vertue of necessitie were the rather wonne to yéeld themselues vnto the Kings pleasure at the intercession of their wiues whose teares shead in abundance moued them to ruth in such wise that subiecting on these conditions to his Exellence they proclaimed him king of Thessaly and Egypt swearing fayaltie vnto him and deliuering hostages for their loyaltie This done the king with generall consent Crowned the Commons gan conceiue an especiall hope of his honorable loue to them whose kindnesse was such that hauing the Citie and whole kingdome at his pleasure would not suffer his souldiers to imbeasell or purloyne in any sort but rather made choise to reward the Mercenary men out of his owne treasury which honourable beginning gained their especial lyking when order was taken for the gouernment of the state Pheander who was mindfull of the Princesse Phedera hasted the King on for Thessaly often putting him in mind what daungers the good Lady was likely to abide if she consented not to the King who was more cruell then curteous wherefore taking their pledges he left the noble Cariolus his Vizegerent to take the gouernment vpon him in his absence and with the next fauourable wind they set saile for Thessaly where to their good successe wée leaue them to tell you more of Mustapha the Heathen Prince who was in the Princesse Nutania her custodie The mightie Emperour of Constantinople vnderstanding the ill successe of his sonne with the great slaughter of his men was moued at the first to such chollor that he had determined for euer to abandone his sonne and neuer to haue knowne or regarded him but being perswaded by his nobilitie which tenderly loued the prince he was at length by their motions wonne to conceiue how vnstable fortunes chances are and how victories sometimes happen as well to the coward as the valiant not forgetting to vrge vnto him how dishonourable it were for a Prince to leaue the meanest subiect he had at such an exigent that should aduenture his life in his seruice much more was his Maiestie bound by natures lawes to reléeue his sonne and not suffer him as one forsaken to remaine in the handes of his enemies vpon which motion of his Bashawes the King caused two Gallies to be rigged and furnished appointing of his chiefest Nobles too for that voyage to Thrace as wel to aduertise him of his sonnes welfare which he fauoured as also to agrée vpon the summe of his ransom all things furnished for the voyage the Bashawes hauing taken leaue of the Emperor and the rest of their friends fauoured with a happy gale they shortly arriued in Thrace of whose arriual the king by his messengers was aduertised who being of nature honourable and curteous in behauiour caused a sumptious traine of Courtiers with all the honorable maner they could to receiue them at their Port of landing taking lyke order in all lodgings and places of repast his Officers at his charge to attend them which in such exquisit manner was performed as the Bashawes with their retinue admyred their entertainment Thus by easie iournies came they to the court where the king with the princesse gaue them many welcomes enquiring kindly after the good health of the renowmed Emperour their maister whome hée maligned no whit at all how hardly so euer he had measured his friendship with him when the King and these Nobles had spent some time in discoursing they enquired of the welfare of their Prince Mustaffa whome the King caused to be sought and brought to their presence before whome they bowed themselues in all humblenesse as to the sonne of their soueraigne whom he againe with all kindnesse imbrased passyng the time with much pleasure ioying in the welfare of his friendes The King dooing them all the honour that could bee deuised passing the time with suche recreation and gentle sportes as the Countrey affoorded at length a summe of money for the Princesse raunsome was agreed vpon to their content for that it was reasonable and the cōditions honorable which obteined their vittailes by the king was reléeued all necessaries at his charge purueyed in such maner and with so much bounty as they had great cause to report honorably of the kyng Long had they not tarried but a winde pleasant and fauourable presents it selfe which good time they neglected not but taking leaue of the king their prince princesse Nutania who accompanied them onwards to their gallies thrée whole daies iournies they leaue them to the care of their iourny who being imbarqued in short time arriued at Constantinople where how welcom they were to the Emperour his Nobles I omit to let you vnderstand of y ◠honorable reports made of their entertainment in Thrace and the welfare of the prince whose company there were fewe but desired The strangenes of this report made of Philarcus was excéeding admirable in the Emperors eares who wondered not a little that a king whome he had so much wronged should vse such kindnes to his son and curtesie to his messengers extolling highly the honourable condition of the king and much lamenting his owne follyes so rashly without any occasion offered to iniury him so farre as to spoyle his Countrey and to robbe him perforce of his onely child his sole delight comfort To recompence all which and to kéep his friendship he presently elected other nobles for Thrace to be employd which with the princesse ransom and many rich presents to the king and his daughter were dispatched with Letters of loue and desire of amitie all which comming to the Thrasian king were so heartily accepted as they could wish and in presence of the nobles and states of both Realmes was the peace concluded and a band of euerlasting friendship promised to all their ioyes Thus with great delight at the earnest intercession of the king spent those Turkish nobles sometime in Thrace till their prefixed time ganne drawe to ende when receiuing their Prince with great rewardes and many thankes for their paines they put to Sea and were not long before they recouered theyr famous Cittie of Constantinople where they were most royally welcommed but especially the Prince for whose safetie many pastymes was ordeined with Iustings Turneyes Barriers and other pleasing delights wherein the Prince honorably bare him selfe to the great ioy of his father and pleasure of the whole state who gloried greatly in him which was likely to proue a most honorable Prince and their ensuing comfort But while I digresse let it be considered that y ◠Mayden Knight who thirsted to sée the ende of his desires slept no time but made all possible meanes he could as winde and weather would giue leaue vntil he arriued in Thessaly which he recouered in so good
time as he could wish and taking that opportunitie which was offered he landed his companies and neare to the sea side encamped his power vntill he might be aduertised of what power the King was and where hée remained for the atteining of which many espialls was sent out sundry wayes and many Ambuscadoes layd to intercept such as trauelled the country but their landing being discryed euery one in the haste they could make hyed them to their cities and places of defence where they with their store of prouision which they brought were receiued The King who securely passed his time taking care for nothing and ioying wholly in the hopes he conceiued of his Ladies graunt being aduertised of the arriuall of a forrein power ouercome with sorrow at that instant as one that neuer tasted aduersitie was surprized with such sodain heauines as no words no perswasions nor any comfort might mittigate his sorrow what paines soeuer his Nobles tooke to pacifie him his guiltie conscience presaging some hard fortune to be at hand the Nobilitie which had more regard to his welfare and his countrey then he could on the sodain imagine after they had caused their Rampyers to be shut and their Fortresses to be made doubting the worst desirous to be resolued what the enemy was that thus daringly durst boord him in his own country they caused the Lord Mama Bacha somtime one of the chiefest in Thessaly a wise and well gouerned Gentleman to be sent vnto them to know whence they were and their pretence which against their willes vnacquainting them with their pretence had entered their confines The Noble man to whose charge this was committed though he had small care of any matter liuing dishonoured in his owne Country where in his Kings raigne he was the onely honoured and amongst his Nobles in most account of him had his wits sundry wayes imployd and on diuerse matters yet amongst all imaginations the thought of his owne soueraigne was least the report of his death being so certain but what so euer he could imagine was vncertaine wherefore as desirous to be resolued of his doubts as the King and Nobles to be thereof certified onely accompanied with an other of the disgraced Nobilitie they hyed them towards the Campe and was by the Ambuscadoes soone surprized and brought to the Pauilion of the Generall who saluting them with kind countenance demaunded whence they were and what occasions led them in such suspitious manner towards their Campe. The Nobles which had small care which ende went foreward after they had well aduised themselues said sir if we giue not those tytles your honour deserue pardon vs which offend not of presumption therein but of ignorunce that we come as spyalls to view thy force and to discouer them therein you deceiue your selfe but come as messengers from our King to know thy pretence and what thou meanest landing thy Armies without his lycence which is contrary to lawe of Armes If thou come in peace and not as as enimy resolue vs this thou honorest vs The prince taking their wordes at aduantage where they sayd they came from their King with a counterfeyt shewe of great dislike sayd Traytors how dare you to my face vse those colours of simplicitie when you auer you come from your King which I know is altogither vntrue wherefore that you shall warne the rest how they delude me you shal haue the reward of traytors and calling for the prouost Marshall commanded him to cut off their heads The Nobles thinking he had bene past ieast séeing their executioner so ready humbly besought him to credit what they had sayd which was true and pardon their liues for that lawe of Armes protecteth the messenger of the Prince from whom they come therefore it would redowne to his great dishonour to violate the hostilitie of all Princes While they were thus at their shrift it chanced Theophilus their lawful King to enter the Pauilion of his General whose presence much appalled the Thessalian nobles who standing as men past themselues had no thought but in beholding him which so much resembled their supposed dead king the long noting of whom caused them to renue their sorrows and with remembrance of the times they had past to shead teares The King imagining what they thought knowing them well put them from their studious thoughts thus Men of Thessaly what meaneth your heauinesse think you hereby to delude this noble Gentleman or by your fainings to procure your fauour if either one or other of these causes you deceiue your selues and incurre you more trouble Wherfore to auoyd the perils incident vnto you if you be right Thessalians and tender the walfare of your Princesse in whose rescue we come briefly declare vnto vs in what estate she abideth and where the vsurping king hath his residence Mama Bacha hearing that pleasing tongue wherwith he was acquainted assured himselfe that it was their king and without further stay humbly kissyng his Maiesties féete his face bedeawed with teares and his tongue foltering in his mouth as one with sodaine ioy ouercome he saith My gratious soueraigne how glad am I that enioy breath to behold your Maiestie aliue whom all the world reputeth for dead the heauy tydings of which with your ill successe moued the hearts of your louing subiects to such extreame heauinesse as nothing might comfort that past comfort and al hope of beholding your princely face we reckoned you amongst the dead In the extreme of this sorrow as all euils commonly fall in one when euery heart and eye was deploring the losse of so gratious a Prince then beganne our further griefes through the oppression of this vsurping tyrant whose crueltie to thy subiects hath bene such as gréeueth me to recount Thy sister he deteineth in prison from whence he hath vowed she shall neuer be freed vntil with consent she take him for her king or by gainsaying his demaundes receiue that death which he hath doomed her vnto whose wronges we poore men how much so euer we pittie yet can we remedy nothing our abilitie being litle and our reputation lesse Amongst these cruel Egyptians who hath robbed vs of what we possest not suffering vs to enioy our auncient patrimony nor what they might any way dispoile vs of to reuenge of which we hope in thée and thy power who wilt maintaine and defende thy owne lawfull right rather offering thy life amongst vs that honour and loue thée as our liues then leaue vs any more To the accomplishing of which my selfe with all thy owne Countrey borne subiectes that wée can procure vnto vs will lende what ayd our weake force will stretch vnto and thereof assure your Maiestie The King hearing the lamentable report of the Lord Mama Bacha could not forbeare to shewe the heauinesse of his hearts sorrow by his outward motions yet to hide it as he might imbracing them both hée framed a feined ioy to sée them how so euer his heart was ouerburthened
with grief WheÌ„ they had passed some time in parley about their affaires and that some offers were made by these Nobles of their ayde and assistance a generall Councell was called where by consent of such as had gouernment vnderstanding the power of Donatio the vsurper was no more but such as guarded his holdes it was determined after the army had refreshed themselues two or thrée daies to martch forewarde to the Cittie there to beleager the King and cut off from them all supply of prouision for victualles whereof they had small store In the meane time the Lordes of Thessaly to giue notise to all their friends with all spéede as they tendered their owne liberties to repaire with such power as they could make vnto the Campe. This deuise was no sooner determined on but the Noble Mama Bacha without returning to the King spared not his paines and all others which hée could command or entreate proclaiming in euery place as they passed Theophilus their lawful king straightly charging all naturall subiects of Thessaly to make repaire vnto the Campe. These tydings at first were hardly beléeued yet such was the rumour of a forreine power landed that all which could beare Armes repaired to the King whome they founde at the assault of the Cittie where the vsurper kept such was the multitudes of people which from all countries in his Regions came vnto him that in short time he had power sufficient to ouerrunne a kingdome The vsurper Donatio who had least thought euer to heare or sée the Thessalian King when the report of his being in the Campe was brought vnto him his courage quailed and his hope of enioying the Crowne was quite extinguished so that dispairing he became lyke a man lunatike that nothing whatsoeuer might moue him to any mirth or content so that giuing ouer all he cared not what became of himselfe or his yâ—t was he carefully counselled by his Nobles who regarded both his honour and their owne safetie but whatsoeuer they might counsell or determine was ill imployd at his hands was nothing to be had wherefore after they saw his small care and that he was not to be aduised they determined either in field with vnappoynted battell to try their fortunes or by some such composition as might be for their Courtries safetie and their reputation to giue ouer their tytle pretended to the Crowne of Thessaly Before that any thing was of them resolued the Mayden Knight which had his minde on his Lady as well as of other affaires could not rest in content vntill he had finished and either gained what they came for or séene the euent of fortune Wherefore to auoyd further delaies hée summoned the Citie to parley wherein he required their answere whether they would receiue their lawfull King or no if yea they should suffer him in peace to enter or otherwise vpon their answere to abide the hazard incident to Armes which he protested should be voyd of all fauour if he preuailed and they refused this offer of his These summons caused the Nobilitie to looke with better aduise into their estates and with consideration to wey each particuler perill which they found to be very many and daungerous especially séeing the multitude who were naturall subiects and did rather affect their owne King how so euer they professed in outward appearance then the vsurper which made them the more earnest with their King vnto whom they declared the offers made by the Maiden Knight with y â— doubts they had of his successe who were nothing in number to the Kings power which daily increased and contrary his decreased wherfore they aduised him to yéeld vnto such Articles of honour as they would require which should be both for his honour and safetie of him and his The vsurper hearing these perswasions from them wheron his chéefest hope consisted forgetting all former friendship and loue to any of them with most odious words reuiled them calling them traytors dastards and vpbraiding them with cowardise which were neuer founde but euer forward in all his actions onely this excepted wherin was no hope These spéeches moued his Nobles to such furie that departing from him in discontent they resolued for their owne safetie to séek what means they could and not by delaies to incurre his displeasure whose friendship they were by all meanes they could vse to intreat Wherfore in name of all the rest the Lord Philiago principall Treasuror vnto the King by whose direction the rest would be gouerned sent for the Princesse Phedera from prison whom he vsed with honorable spéeches comforting her with hope of her kingly brother who liued and was in person come with a strong power to deliuer her from that captiuitie which so long she endured humbly beséeching her grace to become a fauourable soliciter to his Highnesse for them who were to be commaunded by their soueraigne whose subiects they were protesting that neither for enuy to him or his they vndertooke the action but at commaundment and to auoyde the ignomious tytle of cowardize which all of honorable birth or mind ought to detest The good Princesse which could not tell whether she might giue credit to his words or no answered him thus My Lord Philiago vnder the gréenest grasse lurketh the most perillous poyson and experience hath taught me in my durance the knowledge of friends these sodeine offers of loue to my brother whom you all know is long sithence dead causeth me the more to dread I am going to him and that your proffered friendship is but to that end to bereaue mée of that which long since I wished to leaue if it bée so good my Lorde hyde not the truth thereof from mée for therein shall you shewe your charitable minde to a distressed Captiue Farre be it from my thought Noble Ladie quoth Philiago that I should any way delude you or moue you to credit any thing other then truth whom I haue my greatest hope of good to assure you of which so pleaseth your Exellence I will my selfe bring you to his Maiesties presence When the Princesse heard him make these proffers of fauours and perceiued by his iesture he did not counterfeyt ouercome with ioy she was in a traunce from which reuiued by the carefull industry of the Lady Vrania wife to the Lord Philiago shée gaue the Noble man great thanks for his tydings assuring him on her word that she would so recompence that good as hée nor his should haue any cause to complaine of her vngratefulnesse Vrging him with her curteous spéech to detract no time but to bring her to the Campe where the King was which he willingly yéelded vnto and causing a stately Charyot to be ordeined and richly apparrelling the Princesse as befitteth her accompanied with his Ladie and two daughters of rare bewtie himselfe wayting on her disrobed issued out of the gates and in short time came neare the Campe and were by the Sentronelles discouered and brought to the
the company of the vsurper was slain him selfe with such as escaped betooke them to the mountaines where they encamped themselues exspecting aide of those he had preferred But they more regarding their owne weale then his honor and séeing no comfort or hope of recouery submitted themselues vnto the kings mercy and was of him receiued This canuesado passed the commons with generall voyce elected Theophilus for their Kyng Philiago poasted him with all spéede to the Campe and to the king deliuered the trecherous pretence of the vsurper with the euent of all his and their actions and in the name of the whole state besought him to receiue the Crown and the faithfull loue of all the commons Theophilus hearing the mischéeuous pretence of this vsurper pittying his subiects that had so long bene gouerned by a prince so ill conditioned at the earnest intercession of the noble Philiago guarded with a troupe of his trustiest men at Armes marched he to the Citie at the entery rf which the whole Nobilitie bare legged and bare footed receiued him and to his highnesse deliuered the keyes of their ports with presents of rich price marching before him to the Pallace crying with a generall voyce Theophilus Theophilus The king noting his subiects loues with heartie thankes requited them all exhorting them to obedience and loyaltie which if they faithfully followed he would be a mercifull prince vnto them Theophilus in possession of his Crowne willyng his friendes should participate with him dispatched a messenger for the Mayden Knight the Princesse and her attendants who all as their dutie obediently fulfilled his commaundement the Maiden Knight excepted who carefull of his charge and looking into the practises and deuises of the vsurper besought his grace to pardon his not comming to Court for a time vntill hée had seene the euent of his affaires and sending for such guides as hée was enformed to be well acquainted in these desartes hée put himselfe in search for the vsurper and his scattered crew whome in short time hée founde to the number of one thousand on horse and foote which hée no sooner espied but chearing his companies which were not aboue fortie not minding to giue them dayes he brauely assayled them and so valiantly behaued himselfe in that conflict that after two whole houres spent in hardy feates of Chiualry there was fewe of the companies liuing The king hée surprized as hée was flying with whome hée returned to the Cittie and to the king Theophilus deliuered him who kindly accepting his Present returning the knight many thanks for his paines This brunt past and all things by the valour and good industry of the Mayden Knight brought to quiet ende the king vnwillyng to detaine his subiectes from their owne homes recompencing euey man for his seruice dislodged the camp A worlde of wonder it were to recount what general ioy was throughout the land for the return of their king his good succes for which great triumphs were ordeined with Iusts Barriers Tilt wherein the nobles of y e country in great brauery behaued themselues but the best and chiefest honor in each seuerall action was giuen the Mayden Knight who lyke himselfe so behaued himselfe as there was no talke throughout Court and Countrey but tended to the generall commendations of this noble Prince Thus as all things hath end so ended these tryumphes and the King in peace enioyed his kingdome which through the Thracian Kings assistance and the valour of this honored knight he obteined Al things quieted the Mayden Knight after he had a small time reposed himselfe from his trauels humbly besought his highnesse to suffer him with his companies to depart which fauour he could not by any intreatie obtaine Wherefore to satisfie the King with his owne longer staie he dismissed his Army whom the King so royally rewarded as no man had cause to complain of his time spent but euery one to speake of his honor and bountie The conduct of whome after hee had with great care puruaide them victualls with all things necessary he committed to Vrelia a noble man of Thrace by whom the knight aduertised the king of his staie which was chiefly for the Lorde Cariolus whom they left Vizeroy in Egipt recommending also his seruice vnto the Lady Nutania he presented by this noble Vrelia the vsurper vnto her as her prisoner and his conquest Thus all things carefully puruaide the winde blowing a fauourable gale they imbarqued themselues and sayling with a winde as they could wish they shortly arriued in safetie at their desired Port where their welcom was such of the king as they might ioy to receiue it where friend with friend ioyed for their returne onely the Princesse endured the greatest penance missing the returne of her knight who could not be perswaded of his welfare wanting his presence yet accepted she the vsurper his prisoner and through the great protestations of the Lord Vrelia had hope to sée him againe whose heart enioyed small content wanting his company Here Gentiles we leaue the noble Pheander in company of the Thessalian King spending his time in small content wanting the sight of his desired Lady and his Lady with teares bewailing him whom she more desired then the worlds possessions to shew you what happened the auncient Barnardine who as you haue heard before left the Numedian Court with all his possessions Pilgrimelyke iourneying towards Delphos there of the Oracle to be aduertised of his king and the princes life or death and comming to the sacred Chappell of Apollo after his Orisons done and his offrings made before the shrine of Appollo the pittifull god moued at his intercession and considering the faithfull loue to his prince and country which is pleasing both to gods and men after he had with teares bewailed his prince was thus answered Barnardine thy faithfull loue to thy prince and country we haue regarded and moued with pittie of thée and thy common-wealth whose subiects distressed desire to haue knowledge of their king and his princely sonne with what shall befall them receiue these lines which shall import the euent of all yet for a time conceale them and continue thy trauaile Barnardine whose heart was lightened with this comfortable voyce looking about him espied a paper which taking vp he read in this maner Ambicious shall your land with warres annoy Taking perforce what subiects doth enioy A forraine power these Rebels pride shall quell Through whom your commons shall in quiet dwell Before his face whom they suppose for dead The Traytors shall for life with pittie plead A straunger Queene on kingly seate shall sit Vnto whose rule your commons shall submit Religious seeing your countries happie state Ouercome with ioy shall dye at Princes gate He vnto whom your Crowne belongs aright Is all in one a Merchant King and Knight Supposed lost thou once againe shalt meete In forraine soyle sitting on princely seate When in thy trauaile such one thou shalt see As
such there is which shall be found by thee Keturne thou then â—â—â—e dread thy guiltlesse blood Whose life preserued is for thy Countries good When the aged Pilgrime had perused thâ—se lines musing at the darknesse of the same which he construed many wayes yet had no certaintie wherefore resoluing on the mercifull fauour of the God which had so pittifully heard his prayer he passed on his iourney in search for those princes which hée hoped was liuing whom to his trauaile we leaue to returne vnto the Princesse Phedera who hauing the company of the Mayden Knight had sundry motions of desire to enioy his Loue euermore applauding his person curtesie and valoure which so farre excéeded all mens in her iudgement that shée honoured him for the Paragon of the world holding her for the most happiest Lady on the earth which should enioy his loue wishing that she were worthy of his loue and framyng her selfe by all meanes that modestie would permit to gaine it But hée whose heart was fixed on his Lady had no motion of any other onely wished to bee with her whome hee so much honoured whose presence he more desired then all the riches the worlde could offoord Tormented with these restlesse passions which was of the King and Courtiers noted especially of the Lady Phedera many imagined the cause yet none so good a phisition to finde the truth or cause thereof as continuall care weakeneth the bodie and causeth many extreames so Pheander féeling in himselfe a weakenesse of nature and looking for some disease through his melancholy to ensue finding the king at conuenient time he humbly besought him of fauour to depart alleaging that the aire and contagiousnesse of those Confines was nothing agréeing with his body and that his longer staie might be by his confusion The king which loued him as his owne soule and tendered his welfare more then the wealth of his kingdome whom he had found so kinde and forward aduenturing his life for his good in many broyles though loth to leaue him in whome so much he delighted yet noting his melancholike humours which had much altered his complexion imagined it was no excuse and therefore the rather condescended to his request appoynting a time as he desired when if God sent winde and weather to be readie with their shipping to conduct him to Egypt whither the king promised with his sister and nobles to accompany him for which iourney a strict commaund was giuen to all Officers to sée each thing necessary puruayde which with such diligence was performed as in short time all things was as they could wish or desire furnished onely attending a faire winde to set sayle which they stayed not long for But a gale fitting their purpose the kyng with his sister the Mayden Knight and their train embarqued themselues for Egipt where by the good furtherance of him that commaundeth all they shortly arriued in safetie whose comming being knowne vnto the Vizeroy Cariolus with such prouision as they could make on the suddaine repaired vnto the place of landing where the king ioyfull to sée the good recouery of Cariolus in most kinde maner imbraced him And so generall welcomes being giuen on all sides by the Nobles they passe on towards the Pallace of the king who with a generall loue of his Commons was to his great delight welcommed with such shewes of ioy as on the sodaine they could prepare Thus after some time spent in banquetting and other pastimes for their welcomes to beguile the time the better the Mayden Knight standing on thornes vntill he might behold the swéete content of his liues comfort finding Cariolus in place where they might discusse at large theyr mindes The knight not forgetting his promise made to Cariolus in his own country and willing to make amends for the wrong he had there thus said My Lord what I haue to impart vnto you as one that wisheth your good is such as becommeth a friend vowed to do your Lordship what seruice my abilitie can stretch vnto onely I beséech you promise on your honor to conceale what I shall discouer Cariolus who both honored and loued the knight musing to what these spéeches tended relying on the fidelitie of him whome he neuer had heard or séene to commit any dishonorable action gaue him his word and honor to be as secret in all things as he could desire which the knight accepting thus said My Lord first I humbly beséech your fauourable loue to be continued and pardon my great offence committed against you in Numedia where not being my selfe I committed a most hainous offence and dishonorable for which I am willing to make such satisfaction as you can require Cariolus hearing the knight vse these spéeches of submission noting them well and bethinking himselfe what had fortuned being in Numedia could not call to minde any vnkindnesse offered him by any inferiour person neither did he well remember the princes discurtesie yet leauing nothing vnsought calling his wittes togither bethought him of the prince whom they forbeare to answeare vntill he had with earnestnesse noted the phisnomy of the knight whose face with long sicknesse wherewith he was at that time possest was quite altered from the forme it now had which made him more to admire But calling to mind the resemblance of the aged king he conceiued by some signes of his fauour that it was doubtlesse the prince yet doubtfull he was for that being so nobly borne he came to the Numedian Court with no better countenance then a Merchant After many thoughts not willing to offend through rashnesse or to offer any vnkindnesse he humbly besought him in true friendship which he had found to pardon him which could not call to minde no wrong done him nor any familiaritie that euer had bene betwéene them Well my Lord quoth the knight I sée your minde is frée from reuenge that know not those that haue endaungered your life and therefore am the more willing to reueale my selfe to cleare you of this doubt Know that I am Dionicus the vnhappy Prince of Numedia who in my fathers Court so much abused you whereof I repent me and haue sorrowed for it But pardon me good Cariolus and accept that friendship I vowed vnto you which wil endeuour to deserue thy loue in all occasions wherein true loue consisteth To giue you some cause to credit what I say I haue thought good to find this opportunitie not onely to reueale myselfe to you whose fauour I desire but to doo my best indeuour to deserue the same and to aduance thy estate if so you can lyke of my offer Cariolus amazed at these spéeches after he had with more aduised eyes beheld the Prince was assured it was he prostrating himselfe on his knée humbly besought his grace of pardon which had so vnreuerently behaued himselfe But gratious Prince quoth he faultes vnwillingly committed deserue the lesse punishment I speake for my selfe which am ready to make amendes in performing
Where the Knight imboldned by the fauour of his gracious Lady was not so great a stranger with her highnesse but that he might at pleasure repaire to her presence with whom by his earnest sute and desire to be possessed of her whom he so much loued and honoured he egged her on still to marry which for she would not do without a generall consent of her nobles and states of the realme she caused a Parliament tobe sommoned at which time finding her fit opportunitie she imparted her determinations in this maner Honourable Lordes and you our louing Commons here assembled let not those fewe words I haue to say vnto you bréede any discontent that will deliuer nothing dishonorable to my state and your disparagement to withhold you from the same long were more nicenesse then wisdom wherefore briefly thus Sithence I was by permission of him that exalteth and pulleth downe Princesse at his will I am by your honourable generall consents Crowned Quéen of this realme to whose gouernment you haue as lawfully descended from him whom you al loued and feared committed your selues sithence which you haue all with shows of honorable loue and care of our state and realmes by sundry examples perswaded me to marriage which you say may bréede your happinesse whose good he that searcheth my harts secrets knoweth that I more preferre then my life on whose sutes so often made I haue aduisedly considered and noting the many perils incident to our sexe which rather require to be gouerned then to gouerne the name of King being feared honored and loued through feare when they hold our sexe in contempt All which considered with your former sutes if I grant to your request I doubt not but I shall find that fauour which the poorest of my subiects haue fréely to choose where their loues and likings leadeth them which if you grant I shall hold my loue well bestowed on you and shall haue cause to thinke your request in times past hath bene honorable and not to tye me to any inconuenience assuring you that whateuer he be that I shall bend my liking vnto shall not disparage my estate nor dishonor you but be worthie for wisedome valour and what else is required in honorable persons to mate the Princesse of most renowne on the earth You haue heard what I haue to say and wherefore chiefly this Parliament was sommoned of which I craue your answeres The Nobles and Lords both spirituall and temporall with the Commons of both houses hearing the Quéenes motion were all mute not knowing sodeinly in a matter of such waight what to answere But remooued from their dumps the Speaker being both wise and well demeaned as befitted his place humbly prostrating himselfe thus said Most gracious Princesie albeit your Maiesties request to this honourable House is no more then wée haue earnestly sought yet pardon our sodaine answere and giue vs respite of time vntill to morrow the remaine of this day so it stande with your Princely fauoure shall be spent to heare the censure of all estates in these Presence whose loue and dutie is such as they will deny nothing wherein your royall and honourable estate is not disparaged but in all thinges will with all humblenesse subiect themselues to your highnesse pleasure The Quéene loath to require such haste in answering her question graciously commanded him to rise graunting most willingly to his demaunds for which the whole assembly with a vniall voyce gaue her Grace most humble thankes The Quéene hauing deliuered the summe of her desire graciously commending them to his will that frameth all things accompanied with many of Phéeres departeth The Quéene departed all matters in questions laid apart the Phéeres and most chéefest of both Houses assembled themselues in Councell where you must suppose no matter for benefit of the state was omitted The request made by their Quéene with great aduice considered which amongst them was admired where many imaginations assailed them deuising of each side what he should be that is in so highe estéeme and fauour with her Grace and of suche worthie reputation as shée hath reported him eftsoones naming one then some other yet the principall obiect of her loue neuer remembred which draue them all to an non plus But what euer hée were time of their owne desire to answere craued some dispatch of what they had in question Wherefore leauing friuolous questions they procéede to their begunne action gladly would they haue bene certified of their elected King but in vaine it was for them to require it Wherefore considering their owne desires they thought it would be taken in euill part of her highnesse to gainsay what with such humble and earnest sutes they had required assuring themselues of her wisedome gouernment and care of their goods which was so wise and euery way so honourably demeaned which considered thereuppon relying it was generally determined to referre all to her owne will pleasure and good lyking On which resolued the chéefest of the Nobilitie accompanied with diuerse of the Cleargy in hope of the Quéens good acceptance spéedeth them to the Court who sodeinly was aduertised of their being with their request which was to haue accesse to her highnesse No sooner was her highnesse therof certified but leauing her Chamber where she was busily imployed about those businesses which shée had in hand deuising of the answere of the Commons leauing all shée spéedeth her vnto them where taking her place their duties in all humblenesse done and shée with all honourable curtesie requited it the Speaker in presence of the whole assembly thus said Dread Soueraign the Lords both spirituall and temporall with commons in this honourable Parliament assembled weying with care and wisdom the honor of your highnesse and carefully tendering the weale publike haue with great care of both the premises considered with your maiesties request albeit they haue no knowledge of his honorable person vnto whom your royall liking is vnited yet relying on your Princely wisedome and care of your subiects by whose welfare their happinesse is to be mainteined with one vniall consent they willingly subiect themselues vnto your highnesse will and pleasure assuring your grace that whom you shall vouchsafe to endue with tytle of Lord and husband they will accept for their soueraigne and will in all humblenesse acknowledge with louing hearts their duties vnto him as to their lawfull King by your maiesties election Thus my gracious Lady haue they willed me to say in behalfe of them all and most humbly beséech your highnesse to make knowne vnto them the name so honored which you haue vouchsafed to like to the end they neglect not that dutie which is due vnto him by your good grace The Quéene hearing this answere of her Commons was more ioyed and in heart contented then euer she was since the death of her father her louing countenance shewing the content of her heart so long discontent which made her with most louely grace and