separated them as you shall presently heare CHAP. XIX ¶ How a strange aduenture happened in the Citie of Varne by the ending whereof the Prince Palladine determined to depart from the Duchesse Brisalda HEere must I intreate ye to remember the Princes of Norgalles and Scots Landastines and Simprinell whome we left in the King of Englands Court Landastines being enamoured on the Princesse Florea Sister to Palladine as Manteleo was of his faire Marcelina Simprinell loth to part them that agréed so well left his companion in England trauailing to the King of Norgalles Court where he certified his Maiestie of the good estate of his Sonne Landastines Which newes were so welcome to the King as he intreated Simprinell to abide in his Court that he might shew him the pleasures of his Realme whereto the yong Prince right willingly condiscended as one desirous to behold nouelties But rather the chéefest cause was his affection to the faire Princesse Belanicia daughter to the King of Norgalles with whose beawtie he was meruailously enthralled and not daring to acquaint her with his loue he fell into a dangerous sicknes to the great gréef of the King who loued him as he had béene his owne Sonne In the end the Phisitions hauing declared to Simprinell how perillous his case stood by concealing his gréefe made him thus resolued that before he died he would make knowne to the Princesse Belanicia who oftentimes came her selfe to visit him and sent him many comfortable meates in his sicknesse the originall cause of his extremitie And one time among other the Lady that was most vsually sent by the Princesse and in whome she reposed greatest confidence desired him to bewray from whence his sicknesse grew promising withall that she would labour to her vttermost to procure his health The yong Prince very modest and bashfull taking the Lady by the hand thus aunswered Faire freend I thanke ye for your readie good will in séeking my helpe which is a matter not impossible to bee done but as for the cause of my languishing disease I will not acquaint ye therewith vnlesse ye sweare to keepe the same secret not reuealing it to any one but such as I shall name Assure your selfe thereof said the Lady by the faith of a virgin Know then sweete Lady quoth Simprinell that my extreame sicknesse happened by no other cause then the loue and affection I beare to your mistresse and feare to offend her or the King hath by silence of my loue brought me to this daunger Why my Lord quoth she you that are of so high and honorable discent can ye offend my Lady by louing her or you that are as good as she doo not deserue loue for loue she is the child of a King and so are you beside she is humble and gracious as any Princesse liuing then feare not to let her knowe your daunger Alas Madame quoth he neuer shall I dare to speake to her but may it please you to solicite my cause yet with carefull héed of her dislike I shall confesse my life preserued by you And so much will I doo for ye my Lord quoth she without giuing her any occasion of offence but rather shall I doo it in such sort as by a speedie answere you shall perceiue her mind Go then good madame said the Prince and boldly may ye assure her that my life or death is in her hand So went the Lady to her mistresse to whome she imparted what you haue heard wherewith she was so well pleased as she presently sent to him againe this aunswere that she entertained his loue with the like and that as he would witnesse his affection towards her he should practise what spéed he could deuise for his health These words breathed such life into the Prince as within few dayes he was perfectly recouered when after many amorous parlees with Belanicia she to make a triall how his loue was grounded hauing heard report of the faire Duchesse Brisalda desired him to trauell to Varne in Bulgaria carying with him her liuely counterfeit and there to maintaine against all Knightes whatsoeuer that she was fairer then the Duchesse Brisalda on which condition she would accept him as her Knight and loyall seruant Simprinell glad to be so commaunded the next day hee departed with his foure Squires and comming to Varne where the Duchesse remained heard what braue imployment was there in Chiualrie wherefore comming to the accustomed place of the Tourney on a faire Piller he placed his Ladyes picture saying he would maintaine against all commers that his mistresse excéeded the Duchesse Brisalda in beautie The Knightes attendant on the Duchesse were amazed héereat preparing themselues to defend her cause but Simprinell willed them first to bring the Duchesse counterfeit and it to be placed by his Ladies and the conquerour should carie them both with him Right soone was the Duchesse figure set on the Piller and Simprinell this first day dismounted twelue Knights Palladine being ridden abroade on hunting which made Brisalda despaire of her fortune fearing the strange champion would depart vnconquered This dayes good successe emboldened Simprinell to try the second when Palladine entring the Listes among the other Knightes whome one by one he saw brauely vnhorsed he came to Simprinell with these spéeches In sooth Sir Knight I commend your enterprise beeing a cause that maketh many forward in Armes but as for the Lady whome you extoll beyond my Lady the Duchesse héer present I say and will auerre the contrary against you and all other till the houre of death If affection hath blinded your eyes I soone shall alter that opinion when your owne selfe shall confesse that your Lady is no way to be compared with mine I imagine by your words Sir answered Simprinell that you will defend your mistresse by the toong onely but let vs goe to the matter roundly for you are not yet so good an Oratour as to perswade me from a resolued assurance You thinke then quoth Palladine that I thinke to escape the Combate by my words Not so for you shall sée me effectually defend the honor of her beautie who is my mistresse So giuing the spurres to their horsses they encountred with such violence as Palladine lost his stirrops but Simprinell was cast foorth of his saddle to the great ioy of the Duchesse and her freends that his presumptuous arrogancie was so worthely checked Afterward they fell to the Combate with the Sword and long they fought without any aduantage till Palladine by tripping his enemie got him downe and himselfe vpon him when holding his Sword ouer him he sayd Now must thou confesse the Duchesse Brisalda to be a Lady farre excelling thine in beautie elfe art thou not like to sée her again◠Seeing fortune hath throwne me into this extremitie said Simprinell I confesse my selfe vanquished but to say that my mistresse is inferiour to thine I will not though I die therefore nor am I otherwise bound by my owne conditions
his Father had done in his youthfull time Thus continued he sixe or seauen moneths in this desire not daring to aquaint the King his Father therewith least he should refuse his request in respect of his yong yeeres but the destenies who foresawe the maruellous déedes of Armes he should accomplish and the straunge enchaâ—â—â—ments that should be finished by him would not suffer 〈◊〉 remaine long slothfull in his Fathers Court among 〈◊〉 Ladies and beautifull creatures but bringing his 〈◊〉 to perfection found the meane that he should be Knigâ—â—â—d by the King his Father as héereafter you shall readâ— more at large CHAP. V. ¶ How the Duke Temoreo of Millaine sent his Sonne Manteleo into England to be made Knight with the Prince Palladine and how Manteleo became enamoured of the Princesse Marcelina DUring this time the Duke of Millaine had a Sonne named Maâ—â—eleo a yong Prince and of vertuous nature brauely disposed to Knightly resolutions and being aged about eightéene yéeres He hauing oftentimes heard the famous report euery where bruted of the Prince Palladine of England and what a strange aduenture happened at his birth which could not as yet be ended by any was very desirous to go see him that he might be aquainted with the Prince so renowmed And one day finding the Duke his Father walking in his Garden he came and knéeled before him desiring licence for three or foure moneths to trauaile into England that he might be aquainted with the Prince Palladine of so especiall report as also the wise and debonaire King Milanor his Father with whome quoth he all Kings and Princes louers of vertue haue euermore desired fréendly allyance Witnesse héerof is the King of Portugall the Kings of Scots and Norgalles and diuers other Princes straungers by his hand my Lord so it stand with your liking would I receiue my order of Knighthood which he I hope will not denie me in respect of his owne gratious humanitie and the consideration he will haue of your person when he shall vnderstand that I am your Sonne The Duke hearing his Sonne in these tearmes was well pleased to behold him of so good a mind and contented likewise to graunt what he demaunded saying In sooth my Sonne seeing Fraunce and England are now in peace together the lesse do I doubt of thy going thither and boldly mayst thou assure him that he hath a perpetuall fréend of me determine then to depart when thou wilt foorthwith shall I giue order for thy prouision in trauaile but returne not till thou hast tried the aduenture so renowmed which hapned before the Kings Pallace on the day of his Sonnes birth and if thy good fortune may bring it to an end well mayst thou intreate the King for thy Order in that thou shalt well deserue thy Knighthood seeing so many haue fayled in triall thereof Manteleo hauing humbly thanked the Duke his Father for graunting him the thing he onely desired said I promise you my Lord that I will not returne thence without proofe of my fortune albeit I were sure to be repulsed more sharply then any hath béene heeretofore yet since the aduenture is so ordeyned let me dye ere I be dishonored with feare or dismaying Héereupon the Duke called the maister of his Horsse to whome he gaue charge to prouide his Sonnes estate toward England and that all things might be readie for his departure within thrée daies following which was accordingly perfourmed and so the Prince Manteleo with his trayne set forward from Millaine in the wéeke next after Pentecost making such expedition in trauaile as hauing passed the fairest Cities in Fraunce which he was desirous to see he came to Bullin where he tooke shipping and with a merry gale of winde in lesse then eighteene houres he landed in England The King Milanor aduertised of his arriuall was greatly contented therewith commaunding in all the Townes where-through he should passe that he should be receyued and intreated honorably And when he drew néere London the Gouernours were charged to méete him on the way the Prince Palladine likewise to welcome him at the Citie gates and the King with his Quéene and Ladies remained at the Pallace to entertaine him Euerie thing thus perfourmed in greatest maiestie the Prince of Millaine was receiued with generall ioy of the Citizens and the Prince Palladine accompanied with many great Lords of England to whome Manteleo behaued himselfe with honorable modestie as well he could his Courtship in those affayres and riding along with the English Prince he entred into these speeches The fame of so many lawdable vertues accompanyed with heroicall prowesse and magnanimitie which amply are discerned in your dayly cogitations hath earnestly prouoked me good Prince to be aquainted with you for which onely occasion I left my natiue Countrey to see this Realme euery where named happie by the honorable regiment of the King your Father whose vertues you imitate so effectually as you remaine a wonder to them that neuer saw you And long may good successe attend your dayly actions heauen making me so fortunate to winne acceptance in your eyes in that I haue deuoted my selfe to estéeme of you aboue all other Sir Manteleo answered the Prince Palladine as I knowe my selfe farre vnworthie these titles of prayse so am I perswaded that your speeches proceed of good affection towards me flying reports are oftentimes found vntrue yet do not I mislike your opinion of me which hath sorted out the meane to sée and knowe you in this Countrey as our honorable and well wishing fréend Of the King my Father haue I heard of your parents and good acquaintance hath he had with the Duke your Father when as a Knight errant he sought after aduentures assure your selfe therefore right welcome hither and gladly shall I accept of you as my freend and companion Thus beguiled they the time til they came to the Pallace where the Prince of Millaine stayed to behold the Statues reading the deuises he had so long desired to see whereat not able to maruaile sufficiently they went on into the great Hall where the King embraced him verie louingly the Princes and Lords likewise present entertained him with excéeding kindnesse and humanitie in that they had heard the King many times report the worthie chiualrie of the Duke of Millaine his Father After the King had welcomed this stranger with manyfold courtesies and had vnderstood the cause of his comming to his Court he sent him with the Prince Palladine to salute the Quéene and her Daughters But loue whose puissance as yet he had neuer felt finding time and opportunitie so conuenient when Manteleo had done his reuerence to the Queene comming to the Princesses that attended on her hauing kissed the first named Marcelina he found his sences so strangely inueigled as he stoode silent before her a prettie while being not able to deliuer one word so was he rauished with contemplation of her beautie Which the Princesse well noting and imagining this
armed Knight then one of the Damosels comming before the King vpon her knee deliuered these spéeches Mightie and renowmed King excelling in vertue all Princes liuing vnderstand that this Knight my Brother is enchaunted by a wicked Sorcerer for not graunting to accomplish his carnall desire so that since the time of his refusall he hath not conuersed with any woman in the world not with his owne Wife héere present but hateth all Women to the death to the no little greefe of me and my faire Sister séeing her selfe so despised of her husband without giuing any occasion of offence Any many Countreys haue we trauailed to finde the man or woman that can end this enchauntment yet hetherto haue we lost all our labour But true it is that as we passed through the lesser Aegipt we happened to meete with an auncient Lady who gaue vs these two Swords which as she said cannot be drawne by any but by two Knightes the most valiant and loyall of their tune These worthie men shall vncharme this Knight and to them belong these Swords being the best that euer were framed and their names that shall draw these Swords out of their scabbards are engrauen on the weapons yet not to be seene till they be drawne Wherefore right mightie King we humbly intreate that this sad aduenture may be tried by your Knightes for very often haue we heard that this Court is stored with men of greatest vertue If the King and all present were amazed at the comming of the Damosels and the Knight much more were they by hearing the reason of the enchantment In sooth said that Quéene I cannot but pittie the poore Gentleman that for the carefull regard of his loyaltie he should receiue so great discourtesie Doubtlesse quoth the King he was a cruell villaine that enchaunted him on this occasion and were he heere either would I cause him to end the enchauntment himselfe or recompence him with his iust desarts As for you Lady that are Sister to this Knight right gladly do I graunt what you haue requested and neuer could you haue come in better time for the greatest part of the Knightes in our Realme are heere at our Court besides diuers other am I presently to endue with the Order which being done they shall all trie their fortune in this aduenture Heerevpon the newe Knightes were immediatly dubbed and each after other laboured to pull foorth the enchaunted Swords which they could not stirre the length of halfe a foote except Orliman of Flaunders and Durandell of Cieue who drew them wel-neere to the middest The new Knightes Palladine and Manteleo séeing no one could altogether vnsheath them tooke the Swords to trie what they were able to do and they drew them foorth so easily as they had beene their owne weapons each one reioysing the aduenture was ended especially Marcelina who by this first proofe perceiued what Knightly bountie and loyaltie remained in her freend The Damosels being glad of this good hap the Knightes Sister thus spake to the King Yet is not this all Sir so it may stand with your likingâ— my brother must dub these Knightes with these Swords and they are to graunt him one request which he shall afterward demaund of them For that I am content sayd the King but let vs see whose names are engrauen on the Swords Palladine shewed his to the King and thereon was engrauen in great Romane Lettâ—â— these words Palladine of Aquilea whereat he was â—â—th ioyfull and amazed that the Surname of Aquilea was giuen to Palladine For Aquilia was a Realme vnder the gouernment of the Pagans and Palladine was a Christian nor could he tell what to imagine héereof but desired Manteleo to shew his Sword whereon was engrauen in the like Characters Manteleo the Millaynois which made him equall with his companion in gladnesse but most of all faire Marcelina in whose brest loues fire more and more enkindled The strange Knight feeling himselfe released from enchauntment tooke the Swords and therewith gaue the Order to the two Princes afterward thus speaking to them Will yee my Lords graunt me now one boone That shall we Sir quoth they the King hath alreadie promised we must not then denie it My request is sayd the Knight that you would depart hence with me within these three dayes and accompanie me to the place whither I shall conduct yee Heereof will we not faile aunswered Palladine so please yee to set forward to morrow Not so quoth the King you must forethâ—ke in what equipage you are to depart hence as also what companie you must haue with yee beside I will that the Knight and the Ladyes rest themselues awhile in our Court. If Palladine was ioyfull to follow aduentures you must thinke Manteleo was as sorie seeing he must so soone forsake his Marcelina who hauing likewise heard what was concluded shewed by the change of her vermilion collour to pale and wan how greatly this seperation displeased her deuising by what meanes she might hinder this voyage Manteleo beholding the teares in his Ladies eyes imagined the cause and thereby her earnest affection towards him which touched him inwardly with such assaults as feeling a sudden weakenesse to surprize him he was forced to leane on his Squires shoulder whereat the King maruailing said How now Sir Manteleo are you not well In sooth my Lord quoth he neuer was I in so straunge an alteration before I perceiue said the King the cause heereof these Ladies aduenture hath kept you too long fasting high time is it that you had some refection The Prince was contented to allow this fit excuse least otherwise his secret loue should be disclosed Let vs to meate then sayd the King for long fasting is hurtfull and mine owne stomacke telles me that it is dinner time CHAP. VII ¶ Of the feast was made after the two Princes Palladine and Manteleo were Knighted and how they 〈◊〉 the aduenture of the Statues which they could fiâ—â— SO departed the King from the Chappell and in the great Hall the Tables were couered for dinner where wanted no store of choyse and daintie delicates exceeding the rather at this time for the honor of the new made Knightes The Prince Manteleo sate in his wonted place before Marcelina but vnhappy was it for her that her Sister Floraea sate so néere her who still remained suspitious of their silence by which occasion these tormented louers durst not speake to each other but all dinner time with humble and affectionate regards they deliuered the secret messages of their hearts When the Tables were withdrawne some falling to dauncing and others to deuise with their Ladyes by good hap one of the new Knightes being one of the chéefest Lords in the Court intreated the Princesse Floraea to daunce meane while the Millanois had leysure to courte his mistresse Well my good Lord quoth she is there no remedie but we must loose your companie within these thrée dayes beléeue me little did I thinke
wanne whereby the Damosell judged that he was wounded wherefore she said I perceiue my Lord you are scant well let us enter this Tent I pray ye where you shall be unarmed and these Knightes likewise that I may see what woundes you haue receiued for my Lady Orbiconâ—e gaue me at my departure from her a bore of most pretious and arteficiall ointment so that let your wounds be how dangerous soeuer in four and twentie houres I will awarrant they shall be perfectly healed Upon this aduise they entred the Tent where when they were vnarmed the Damosell verie cunningly dressed their wounds finding these of Orliman and Durandell to be most doubtfull yet her comfortable speeches made them expect speedie recouerie Afterward they sate downe to refresh themselues with such viands as they found there readie in the Tent and Palladine calling for the prisoner said Knight if thou desire the safetie of thine owne life tell me without fabling what the Knight was that first proffered to take the Sheeld from the Damosell and vpon what occasion you kept the passage heere to forbid the course of Knightes errant Nor will I Sir quoth the Knight hide bne iote of the truthe from you Knowe then that he which would haue taken the Sheeld from the Damosell was brother to a Gentleman who not long since by the Kings commaundement was put to a most shamefull death for that vniustly he detayned a Knightes wife to whose Castell came two strange Knightes and by the ayde of Lydiseo Prince of Hungaria they tooke the Gentleman sore wounded who was afterward executed slew many of his seruants as also his two brethren deliuering the Lady to her husband againe who now liue in quiet in their owne Castell This Knight that stroue for the Sheeld was likewise brother to that Gentleman who hearing the misfortune of his brethren vowed to take vengeance on those two Knightes by whose meanes he was now left freendlesse in the world Upon this determination heere caused he his pauillion to be erected sending his espials abroade to allure all Knightes by this passage hoping at length to finde those twayne which I thinke he imagined to be they that conducted the Damosell because he commaunded vs all to assaile them but whether they be the same or no he is now greatly deceiued of his hope and thus haue you heard the verie truth of our being heere Thanks be to heauen sayd the Prince Palladine that kept vs out of this danger for if we had passed this way we had either beene slaine or taken by these viâ—e minded men But my hazard was greatest quoth the Damosell had I not met with these two noble Knightes who in my defence thrust their owne liued into question Damosell aunswered Durandell of Cleue we haue done no more then our dutie and what all true Knightes are sworne vnto After they had stayed so long as them pleased they rode to a Towne not farre distant thence leauing the Knight to prouide buriall for his companions and help for such as yet remained aliue swearing him neuer after to be seene in any such bad action At this Towne they abode two or three dayes to furnish themselues of what they wanted as also to repaire their Armour which was much brused At length the Damosell tooke Palladine aside framing her speeches to him in this manner My Lord seeing you finde your selfe in good estate of health let me intreate ye to bid your freends adiew that carely in the morning we may depart to the place whether my Lady commaunded me to conduct ye because you must be assistant to such a one as shall héereafter doo very much for you Damosell quoth Palladine presently shall you see me bid them farewell for great is my affection toward your mistresse seruice seeing she fauours the man so much she neuer sawe Then turning to the three Princes he sayd My noble companions you knowe my promise to this Damosell to follow her whither she shall guide me now is she importunate for my departure wherefore let me intreate ye not to be offended if earely in the morning I take my leaue assuring you that neuer shall I forget your manifold courtesies And let my solemne promise perswade yée that these earnest affaires once dispatched to you will I presently shape my course meane while commaund me as your freendly seruant My Lord aunswered Manteleo albeit this seperation is gréeuous to vs yet séeing it a cause concerning your honor and may aduantage some distressed person kéep your promise right paciently shall we beare your absence hoping to see you shortly in England at the King your Fathers Court for thither shall we presently direct our iourney Palladine hauing intreated them to doo his humble dutie to the King his Father to the Quéene likewise and his two Sisters embraced them all thrée right louingly each one with teares shewing their gréefe of departure Like courteous farewell tooke they of the Damosell who gaue them many thanks for their fréendly succour and so each one entring their chamber for that night Lycelio the Squire to Palladine prepared all things readie for his maister who determined to be on horssebacke by breake of day CHAP. XV. ¶ How Palladine went with the Damosell that came from the wise Orbiconte and Manteleo Durandell and Orliman trauayled toward England and were seperated from each other by a strange aduenture EArly in the morning Palladine Lycelio and the Damosell set forward on their iourney directing theyr course to the Realme of Ireland leauing the thrée Princes soundly sleeping who the same day rodâ— toward England without finding any aduenture on land or Sea worthie the rehearsall After they had refreshed themselues thrée or foure daies at Douer a Towne that stands on the Sea coast of England they concluded to ride to London where they heard the King as then kept his Court. When they had ridden eight or ten miles they sawe comming foorth of a Forrest two poore men all besmeared with blood and verie sore wounded wherevpon they imagined that some théeues had thus vsed them and therefore rode toward them to vnderstand the cause Good Gentleman cried one of them so wounded for Gods sake helpe vs. Of whence are ye sayd the Prince Manteleo We are Sir quoth the poore man of Bohemia trauailing from the King of Englands Court home againe and to his Maiestie were we sent with thrée young Lions which two Knightes trauailing through our Countrey gaue vs charge to carie thither And as we came through this wood thrée théeues suddenly set vpon vs who wounded vs as you see tooke the money from vs we receyued of the King and haue slaine two of our compaâ—ions Manteleo remembring the poore men how Palladine and he had sent them with the Lions was meruailous sorie to see them so misused demaunding if the theeues were on horssebacke or on â—oote The poore men aunswered that they were on foote and could not as yet be gone verie farre Without any
rather spared then spokē what she might there I became immediatly enthralled with her loue and by gracious behauiours towards her preuayled so farre as she accepted me to be her Knight with this charge and condition that I should carie her diuine figure into the Courtes of all Christian Princes where Ladies or Damosels were famous for beawtie and against all commers to maintaine my mistresse rare preheminence If froward fortune gaue me the ouerthrowe then must I leaue to the conquerour my Ladies counterfeit but if my luckye Starres graunted me the victorie I am to carie with me the vanquished Ladyes portraite And hauing heard my good Lord that your daughter Rosamonde is named among the fairest in Christendome I directed my iourney hither and may it like you to deliuer her counterfeit on the aforenamed conditions I am readie to doo my deuoire in the open féeld before your Pallace gate where I haue caused my Tent to be erected Right well am I contented sayd the King and immediatly will I come thither with my daughter whose portrait shall be there openly presented and if any one will combate for her there shall she be to regard her fortune Palladine standing by coniectured this to be the Knight whereof the wise Orbiconte made mention in her Letter wherefore he first auaunced himselfe earnestly intreating the King that he might defend his daughter Rosamonds beawtie Whereto the King presently graunted scant to the good liking of Caesar who still bare his arme in a Scarffe and began iealously to suspect Palladine minding to reuenge him as occasion serued Upon this agreement Zarcanell departed to his Tent where beeing well armed and brauely mounted expected his aduersarie who not long after came with the King the Prince Lewes and many noble Lords in gallant equipage The Quéene her daughter Rosamonde and all the Ladyes of the Court came with great spéed to their Scaffold to behold the portrait of the Lady so highly commended which hung on a Launce at the entrance of his Tent and both the Champions being readie for the Ioust Zarcanell comming to Palladine thus spake Sir Knight as the huge world can not endure two Sunnes so may not my eyes abide these two figures presenting the rarest beawtie in the world the one of them being a Pagan and the other a Christian. But this contention betweene vs shall be soone ended without any fatall hazard of the weapon if thou wilt confesse before this assemblie that the incomparable beawtie of my Lady resembleth the cléere Sunne shining in the day time and thine the Moone that lighteneth the night Sir Sir aunswered Palladine we come not hither to argue on the Sunne or Moone but at the point of the Launce and edge of the Sword to trie betwéene vs the honor of the féeld whereof if I be maister I will be your Sunne and you my Moone if you goe to the ground Without any further speeches they encountred together their Launces being broken with such furie as the English Prince was set on the crupper of his horsse but Zarcanell nothing moued or shaken In thrée or foure courses more Palladine could neuer fasten his Launce on his enemie yet Zarcanell still brake on him for he was so nimble and ranne so close to his horsse as each one woondered at his fine chiualrie Without doubt my Lord quoth the Countie of Champaigne to the King neuer did I sée a brauer horsseman he hath the raines of his Courser at commaundement that can gouerne him in such sort without any attaint But Palladine angrie at his hard fortune met Zarcanell so right at the sixt course as breaking the girts of his saddle his horsse ranne away and left him behinde him Yet did he quickly recouer himselfe and drawing his Sword came valiantly against Palladine shewing as fine sleights and agilitie in the Combate as he did before on horssebacke with his Launce In the end it was his fortune to be ouercome when vnder the Sword of Palladine he entred into these complaints Unhappie that I am of force I sée I must yéeld my selfe and not my bodie onelye but my life also hauing lost the onely maintenance thereof the gracious fauour and regard of my mistresse Ah incomparable miserie fortune that euer esteemed of me hitherto hath in a moment vtterly reiected me therefore good Sir Knight rid me of this paine and with one stroke end my miserie and life together for greater good you neuer did to man Palladine seeing him in such despaire so pitied his case as suffering him to arise he thus comforted him My fréend you ought not in this sort to offend your selfe considering these are but the tricks of fortune whereto all men are dayly subiect and no more hath happened to you then might haue doone to me If the Lady for whome you vndertooke this voyage loued you well she cannot but augment it knowing with valour you defended her cause In sooth my Lord answered Zarcanell rather had I die a thousand deathes then returne to my Lady hauing not woon the portraite of faire Rosamonde for her selfe protested that neuer would she loue me except I brought it And héere I vow to you that I will returne to mine owne Countrey so soone as I haue recouered my woundes leauing you not onely the portraite you haue woon but those likewise that I conquered in Norgalles and elsewhere discharging my selfe of loues seruice séeing he rewards his faithfull seruant no better Therein vse your pleasure quoth Palladine but first goe with me that your woundes may be searched to preuent further inconuenience So going to the King he desired that his Chirurgions might attend on the Knight for I assure your Maiestie quoth he neuer met I with any man of higher desert Whereto the King willingly graunted causing Zarcanell to be conducted to the Court and to be lodged in one of the fairest chambers where he was dilligently attended as in ten dayes he was perfectly recouered When thanking the King for his noble entertainement and taking leaue of his Maiestie the Prince Lewes Palladine and the rest he departed toward his owne Countrey not alittle agréeued as you may thinke for his misfortune As for Palladine he remembring the letter sent him by the wise Orbiconte and hauing imprinted in his heart the Lady Nonparelia whose counterfeit he kept with choyse regard determined to take his farewell of the King and iourney with all speede toward Aquilea Wherefore in the euening the King walking in his Garden after supper he told his Maiestie that he was desirous to trauaile to the King his Father in England and therefore that it would please him to licence his departure The King though loth consented thereto being sorie to forgoe the valiant Palladine who was so great a grace to his Court. Hauing then taken his leaue of the King and of all the noble Princes and Ladyes he departed on the morrow from Paris accompanyed with Landastines and Simprinell taking his way toward Millayne in hope
Broantine to enquire of whence and what they were Broantine comming to their lodging immediatly knew the Knight without rest being the Knight that accompanyed him into Bulgaria when Dardalon defended the Iousts for the Duchesse Brisalda and brought him to the Citie of Varne as you heard before Sir Palladine quoth Broantine you are hartely welcome hither what cause hath drawne you into this farre Countrey long it is since I was last in your companie The Knight without rest amazed at this acquaintance especially in a heathen countrey where he neuer was before aunswered Good Sir I must desire ye to pardon me for I doo not remember that euer I saw ye till now and it may be you take me for some other body No my Lord sayd Broantine I knowe ye well inough for I trauailed in your companie to the Court of the Duchesse Brisalda at what time you slew the prowd and cruell Dardalon I thanke ye gentle Sir quoth the Knight without rest for your freendly remembrance but may I request the cause of your being in this Countrey In sooth Sir answered Broantine such enemies I haue in the Realmes of Dace and Bulgaria for the death of a Knight whome I vnhappily slew as I am constrained to absent my selfe from thence yet do I hope in time to conquer my troubles and to returne home againe in safetie May I then quoth the Knight without rest desire this fauour at your hands to enstruct me how I shall gouerne my selfe among these people for I would not willingly be knowne that I am a Christian in respect of the danger may happen to me thereby and therefore haue I changed my name calling my selfe the Knight without rest hauing determined to rest in no place till I haue found one I earnestly séeke for Referre your selfe to me said Broantine you shall not be knowne but both you and they that came with ye shall be courteously entreated and the rather because you can speake this countrey language I vnderstand it in deede said the Knight without rest and speake it indifferently as my Squire can doo also but this Gentleman meaning Liboran is ignorant therein and therefore counterfeiteth himselfe dumbe that he might not be knowne nor we by him A good deuise answered Broantine stay héere if you please till I returne I will goe make report of you to the Gouernour and by my spéeches you shall be freendly welcommed So went Broantine to the Gouernour to whome he said that the Knight without rest was of his acquaintance a man valiant hardy and couragious professing the same lawe that he did The Gouernour thinking Broantine was a Pagan and the Knight without rest in like maner was glad of his arriuall and hoping to haue his assistance in the warres which the King had with the King of Panonia sent Broantine to him againe intreating him to dine with him the next day According to the Gouernours request the next day the knight without rest came to the Pallace where he was entertained verie honorably the Gouernour vsing these words to him Sir Knight our Captaine Broantine hath made such report of your forwardnes in Armes as while I liue you must account me your fréend and I will let the King vnderstand of your being heere that he may accept of you as men of vertue deserue My Lord answered the knight without rest I beséech ye thus to aduertise his Maiestie that there is no Gentleman more readie to his seruice then I will be and happie doo I account my selfe if I can doo any thing worthy his good liking In this warres against the King of Panonia will I shew my selfe and this Gentleman pointing to Liboran who long since lost his spéech by a catharre that bred within his throate yet is not his vertue or prowesse any thing diminished for good experience haue I had of his noble chiualrie Liboran gathering by countenance of the knight without rest 〈◊〉 the vsed these words on his behalfe with reuerence to 〈◊〉 Gouernour gaue a signe with his head and hands that he was likewise willing to make one in the Kings seruice which he courteously accepting embraced them both being sorie that Liboran had such an imperfection so that long after he was called the dumbe Knight The Gouernour walking with them in the great Hall declared the whole cause of the warre betwéene the King his maister and the King of Panonia and how within two or thrée dayes he meant to bid him battell As for the matter of their discord it grew by this occasion that the King of Aquilea refused to giue his daughter Nonparelia in marriage to the King of Panonia nor the yong Princesse her selfe could not be perswaded to like of him by reason of the many bad qualities he was endued withall as also he was a man verie much defourmed In déede my Lord answered the knight without rest I haue oftentimes heard that the Princesse Nonparelia is the flower of the world for beawtie an ill match were it then that so sweete a Lady should haue a husband so hard fauoured And the onely cause of my comming into this Countrey was to defend her honor in this enterprised warre as the Lady beyond all other in rare perfections Soone after they sate downe to dinner where wanted no store of costly delicates and the Tables were no sooner withdrawne but there entred the Hall a comely aged Ladie her face all besprent with teares and her sorrowfull lookes bewraying the anguish of her spirit A good while she stoode viewing all the Lords not speaking one word till the Gouernour moued with pitie thus spake Faire Lady full well doth your countenance bewray that something hath happened scant to your liking boldly deliuer the cause of your sadnes and may I in any thing giue you redresse be you assured I will perfourme it Alas my Lord quoth she my case requireth present assistance for my husband comming with his Sonne to this Citie onely to aide the King in his warres foure Knights set vpon them in the Forrest neere at hand and binding them both hands and feete haue forcibly caried them away threatning in most cruell sort to murther them for some priuate displeasure conceiued against them The knight without rest presently offered himselfe desiring the Gouernour that he might redresse the Ladyes wrong and hauing obtained leaue for his departure with Liboran Lycelio and Captaine Broantine went immediatly to horssebacke So riding with the Lady at length they ouertooke the foure Knightes who with great cudgels cruelly did beate the Ladies Husband and Sonne whereat the knight without rest highly offended gaue y t spurres to his horsse to encounter w t them But Liboran by signes and Broantine by intreaties perswaded him to suffer them deale with the foure Knightes which they did verie valiantly and killing them all foure deliuered the Knight and his Sonne safely to the Lady Afterward they rode to the Knightes Castell where their wounds receiued in fight being searched
and bound vp they were estéemed as their vertues deserued the good Lady vsing all the meanes she could deuise to expresse her thankefulnes for this noble courtesie But the knight without rest still minded Nonparelia thinking each houre a yéere till he might sée her and therefore practised as much as in him lay the speedie recouerie of Broantine and Liboran that he might set forward to the mistresse of his thoughts CHAP. XXVIII ¶ How the Knight without rest was conducted by Broantine to the Pallaâ—e of the wise Orbiconte and of the good entertainement she made him NOW haue our Knightes well rested themselues at the Castell and being now readie to depart while Liboran Lycelio prepared euerie thing readie the Knight without rest and Broantine walked together in the Garden where among many other matters the Prince perceiuing the faithfull affection of Broantine bewraied his loue to him which was the onely cause of his trauaile to Aquilea And as for the Princesse Nonparelia quoth he the renowme of her exceeding beawtie and vertue hath so conquered me as I haue resolued neuer to loue any other and might I purchase the fauour of her and the King her Father I â—â—all repute my selfe the happiest man that euer liued But true it is and which gréeueth me not alittle she differeth from me in religion yet time that preuaileth against all things may wiling her to become a Christian. In sooth my Lord aunswered Broantine the Princesse Nonparelia is the most accomplished Lady liuing both in beawtie good grace and all vertuous qualities and well may you perswade your self to obtaine her loue in that you are stored with those perfections that may prouoke Ladyes to loue a man For if question should be made as concerning your estate you are the childe of a King as well as she not inferiour to him in riches and renowme If the case be alleaged of your vertue prowesse and magnanimitie my selfe will not be iudge héerein but innumerable that haue made experience thereof The Knight without rest hearing the words of Broantine brake him off in this manner Leaue these prayses good Sir to God to whome they onely pertaine and from whome commeth all the good we enioy let vs imagine by what meane she may haue knowledge of me without preiudiciall daunger of whence and what I am My Lord quoth Broantine I shall haue good accesse to the King when I shall present you to his Maiestie and then may you both see and speake to the Princesse for she is very gracious and affable what other stead I can stand ye in vntill the houre of death you shall commaund me For this gentlenes aunswered the Knight without rest I shall héereafter be carefull to make some part of recompence and to begin our freendship as also to preuent the name of ingratitude I giue you the Countie of Orthon which is my patrimonie and which you shall freely enioy if you like to goe with me into England I thanke ye my Lord quoth Broantine for your liberall offer let vs follow our intent to the King and madame Nonparelia whom we shall finde at the Court with his Maiestie where he expecteth the succour from Illiria which doubtlesse will be heere within eightéene dayes for then must the battell be fought at Baldina And as we trauaile thither I will shew ye one of the chéefe singularities in this Countrey which is the Pallace of madame Orbiconte the wise the most excellent and sumptuous spectacle that euer was séene I pray thee good fréend said the Knight without rest let vs depart and stay no longer for such report haue I heard of that good Lady as loth would I be to returne and not to sée her hauing so fit opportunitie to doo it for since I came into this Countrey I vnderstand that she is allyed to the King being his Sister albeit base borne Without any more speeches they went foorth of the Garden and taking their leaue of the Knight and the Lady mounted on horssebacke directing their course toward Baldina and after certaine dayes trauaile they came to the Pallace of the wise Orbiconte the building whereof was so rare and stately as in all the world the like might not be found Long stood the knight without rest to behold this wonder which Orbiconte her selfe well perceiued standing in her windowe wherefore she sent one to open the gate and they entring began to admire much more then they had done seeing the great Court paued with Iasper and Porphire and in the middest thereof a gorgeous Statue being the Goddesse Venus curiously carued in Alablaster and from her two dugs spouted exceeding cléere water which fell into a huge great Basen of siluer By her stood her Sonne Cupid with an arrowe drawne in his bowe as being readie to shoote but so arteficially framed after the life as neuer was a more choyse péece of workemanship séene From thence they walked into meruailous goodly Galleries which were painted round about with Poeticall Histories as the contention betwéene the thrée Goddesses Pallas Iuno and Venus the iudgement of Paris the strange alteration of many metamorphosed louers and the banquet of the Gods where angry Tisiphone shewed her selfe On the other side were the labours of Hercules the destruction of famous Troy and the voyage of the Argonantes There likewise was liuely portraied the triumph of Venus drawne in her Chariot by two Turtle Doues the loue of her Sonne Cupid and faire Psyches the battailes of many Romaine Emperours their seuerall triumphs in Roome so liuely figured to the eye as if the persons had béene there in action While they thus stood to behold these deuises the wise Orbiconte caused her three Daughters to attire themselues in most sumptuous ornaments and afterward came downe with them into the Gallery which when the knight without rest perceiued he came and saluted her with great reuerence and after many sollemne and kinde courtesies to the auncient Lady as also her daughters the wise Orbiconte thus spake Sir Palladine right welcome are ye to this place for long it is since I desired to sée you heere that I might entertaine you as your vertues deserue Madame answered the Knight without rest vnséemely is it that you should so much abase your selfe as to regard me that am but a poore Knight errant Not so my Lord quoth she conceale not your selfe for well I knowe of whence and what you are welcome are ye to my Pallace where it shall be néedlesse for ye to feare any thing though you are so farre from your owne Countrey for heere you may assure your selfe of safetie So entring into the great Hall which was hanged round about with rich Tapistrie wherein the Historie of great Mahomet was curiously wrought she welcommed them all againe Broantine Lycelio and Lyboran who still counterfeited himselfe to be dumbe to whome she said My fréend speake your language and feare not for in this place you are in no danger I knowe that
downe to a Riuer side where he met an aged Hernut with an earthen Pitcher in his hand full of water and hauing saluted the old Father demaunded of him if any Towne or Uillage were neere at hand or any religious Church or Chappell where a Knight might be buried whome he had found slaine in that Forrest In sooth my Lord answered the Hermit he is not the first that hath béene murthered in this place for I haue enterred fiftéene or sixteene in my little Chappell which is kept with holie and religious deuotion where if you please the Knight you speake of may be buried and I will helpe to carie him thither for no other place is neere at hand by two good leagues and more Good Father then said the Knight of Fame your gentle offer shall be accepted the bodie is not farre hence and little labour shall you take for his Squire and mine shall lay him on a horsse and so conuay him to your Chappell without trouble So went he with the Hermit to the dead bodie and awaking the Squires conuaied it to the Hermits Chappell in manner aforesaid where the funerall ceremonies finished the Knight of Fame rewarded the old Hermit and afterward mounted on horseback all thrée riding straight to Tolledo and passing the â—â—ood Doriâ— entred the Realme of Portugall where they vnderstood that Galitreo was as then at the Court. Don Robert sendeth his Squire to the King to request safe conduct for arriuall at the Pallace which béeing obtained in presence of his Maiestie he thus began Hither am I come worthie Prince to let you knowe that in your Court abideth the most traiterous and disloyall Knight as euer was heard of and who not four daies since hath doone such a deede in Spayne as no one bearing Armes would haue committed the like By treason and villainie hath he murdred one of the most valiant Knights in Europe as I vnderstand for neuer did I knowe the man 〈◊〉 see him till he was dead he being named Don Frionell of Scicilie who left your Court by commaundement of Madame Minoretta vpon an occasion best knowne to her selfe Full well did I knowe the man answered the King but name him to me who slew Frionell in such sort as thou sayest to the end I may cause him come and defend his cause and if he did it in manner as thou hast declared or else can bring any proofe thereof neuer shall he enter the combate with thée but iustice shall be inflicted on him as so foule an offence deserueth As for me my Lord answered the Knight of Fame I can make no other proofe thereof then by this Squire that serued Don Frionell in whose armes I sawe the Knight breathe his last and dying confessed that the Castillâ—â—n Prince slewe him by treason wherefore my Lord send for him and if he denie it heere am I readie to auouch it and by my Sword will make him confesse it The King hearing him name the Prince of Castile was greatly astonied héereat for he knew not that he was absent from his Court so lately and the Queene with her Ladies being present were no lesse abashed but aboue all the Princesse Minoretta who hearing the death of her valiant Knight whome she in loue had made cheefest account of immediatly such sorrow strooke to her heart as her speech failing her and a cold chilling blood passing the conduâ—ts of her vaines she leaned on the lap of her Gouernesse where falling in a dead traunce all the Ladies had much adoo to get life in her againe But she being recouered and each one placed as they were before Galitreo was sent for to whome the King thus spake Beléeue me Galitreo I alwayes conceiued well of you till now perswading my selfe of your truth and discretion that nothing in the world could mooue ye so much as to thinke a bad thought much lesse to commit any acte of treason But what I say this Knight auoucheth that in Spayne you haue doone a deede of high dishonor where you being armed and well accompanied outragiously set vpon the noble Lord Don Frionell he being naked and without defence then and there you cruelly murdred him yea for a cause of no weight as I vnderstand what answere make ye to this accusation If Galitreo were then doubtfully surprized I referre to the iudgement of like bad minded men but hauing beheld the stearne countenance of the Knight of Fame with counterfeit reuerence thus replyed My Lord not onely now but at all times calumnia-tours and false accusers are easily found the greater part of the auncient Romaine Histories are stored with examples thereof but in the end such bastard broode of detractours haue felt the desert of their lauish toongs and innocencie hath vaunted with triumph This speake I in respect of this paillard who vnder your Maiesties correction hath falsly lied and as a leaser is to be esteemed For the woorthie Lord Don Frionell was one of the déerest freends I had in the world beside I dare gadge my life that this false wretch knowes me not or euer saw me before this instant I beléeue well quoth the Squire to Don Frionell that this Knight had no knowledge of you till now but I am assured that he hath spoken truth and so my maister himselfe confessed at his latest gaspe that because Madame Minoretta fauoured him and despised you therefore you wrought his death in that cruell manner The Knight of Fame perceiuing that Galitreo had no great mind to the combate interrupted the Squire and thus spake to the King I sée well my Lord that Don Galitreo despairing of his cause desires to trifle the time with many circumstances in that he thinketh me vnable to auerre mine accusation because I want further testimonie how he and his complices masked and disguised did the shamefull déed of death and murther may it therefore like your Maiestie to graunt vs the combate and in fight will I make manifest his treason Presumptuous as thou art quoth Galitreo doost thou thinke I feare to méete thée in plaine combate no so please my Lord the King I accept thy challenge and hauing giuen thee the due belonging to a false varlet will follow the quest of my déere freend Don Frionell Him maist thou dead quoth the Knight of Fame soone enough to thy shame not farre from the place where thou didst murther him in a little Hermitage in the same Forrest where I caused him to be interred as his Squire and mine owne are able to testifie Héereupon the King called two auncient Knightes who hauing heard the difference betwéene the Knight of Fame and Galitreo he demaunded their aduise in this doubtfull matter They thought it expedient that the combate should be graunted them to end the controuersie of further proofe because Frionell might be slaine by the accuser and his Squire as by Galitreo that stood accused Wherefore the King graunted them the combate at the Launce and Sword as is common among all
King would not deny him then againe he dispaired of the matter reputing himselfe vnlikely to enioy her by reason of their contrarietie in faith and religion the King being an earnest maintainer of the Pagan lawe Nor would this imagination serue wherefore he intended to steale her thence secretly and to carie her with him into England while Orbiconte laboured at home to appease the trouble that might follow In the end he reposed himselfe on the faithfull promise of Orbiconte and desired his Lady to doo the like because he had found her so iust in all his former fortunes But now are the Ambassadours come to the Court where being entertained with great pompe and royaltie he that was appointed chéefe in the embassade thus deliuered his message to the King King of Aquilea the high and mightie Lord my maister being aduertised of the rare vertues wherewith thy Daughter is endued hath sent me to intreate thée that thou wouldest bestowe her on him in marriage and in so dooing he vowes himselfe thy fréend and a continuall enemie to thy ill willers Heerewith he deliuered the Letters of credit signed with the hand and scale of the great Turke whereat the King no lesse ioyfull then amazed that his Daughter should arise to so high fortune without crauing any aduise in the cause thus answered I thanke my gracious Lord with all my heart that he will so honor me with request of my Daughter in marriage and her do I fréely giue him with all that is mine at his disposing Then did the Ambassadour present the King sixe goodly Coursers of Turkie sent him from his Lord and maister and to the Princesse he gaue a sumptuous Carbanet garnished with Carbuncles Orientall Pearles and stones of inestimable valew which she receiued with good countenance albeit God knowes with a heauie heart in which gréefe the Knight without rest bare her company yet durst not outward shew therof This costly Iewell the Queene immediatly fastened about her Daughters neck being commended for the rarest that euer was seene afterward the King walked with the Ambassadours dooing them all the honor he could any way deuise While all the Court were busied Orbiconte came with Nonparelia to Palladines chamber and there concluded that he should on the morrow take his leaue of the King framing his iourney directly toward England where the Princesse and she would in short time méete him willing them to make no shew of sorrow at their departure least suspition might preuent what she had intended but to resolue them assuredly that all her promises should sorte to effect The Knight without rest did as he was aduised and albeit it was long ere the King would giue consent because he loued him very déerely yet at length with muche adoo he preuailed the Prince Zorian obtaining leaue of his Father to accompanie him in trauaile because his Maiestie thought he could neuer haue a brauer companion Many rich giftes the King bestowed on the Knight without rest especially one of the Coursers sent him from the great Turke and other thinges néedfull to be vsed in trauaile and thus he prepared him selfe toward his iourney reposing his confidence in the wise Orbiconte that she would bring his Lady safely into England CHAP XXXVI ¶ How the knight without rest and the Prince Zorian departed from Aquilea toward England and how the Knight without rest by the waye discouered him selfe to the Prince Zorian who when he came into England was baptized and betrothed to the faire Graciana daughter to the Earle of Flaunders and the like was Mantelio and Landâ—stines to their Ladies EUery thing being in redines for our Knightes trauaile after all the ceremonious conges at the parting of freendes the knight without rest Zorian Broantine Lyboran and Lycelio all brauelye mounted in seemely equipage they leaue the Courte of Aquilea and toward England iourney with all conuenieÌ„t speede the Knight without rest being especially induced to this haste because he expected the promise of Orbiconte soone after would followe him with the faire Nonparelia Many woorthy aduentures they had by the way as defending chaste Damoselles from forced violence and helping distressed Ladies to their suborned right which growing to more tediousnes theÌ„ delightfull matter I haue thought good to abridge as lothe to speake of any thing but what is woorth the hearing When our Knightes were entered the Realme of Almaigne and the Englishe Prince had made good triall of Zorians loue to him one night as they laye in Bed togeather he entred into these spéeches My Lord Zorian the fréendship solemnely sworne betwéene vs and the proof of your ready good will in all my actions will not let me hide one thing fâ—â—â— you which till this present I haue kept with great secrecie both from the knowledge of the King your Father and you onely by the perswasion of the Lady Orbiconte your Aunt to whome I am more beholding then any other liuing creature For in my iourney toward Aquilea oftentimes did she preserue me from the danger of death and by her meanes I left the Court of the King of England my Father by her promise that I should enioy your faire Sister in mariage in recompence of some seruice I should doo to the King your Father and this by her secret knowledge she likewise tolde me that all your Fathers dominions shall be shortly conuerted to the Christian faithe which I professe and will doo till death Then he recounted how Orbiconte sent him the Shéeld he bare and shewed the Swoord wheron the name of Aquilea was engrauen being brought to him by the enchaunted knight and two Damosells He likewise declared how he changed his name because he would not be knowne and that Liboran only counterfeited dumbnes being not able to learne the Aquilian language all the rest of his trauailes at full he opened his right name and whether he now iournied In sooth my Lord Palladine answered Zorian such resolute opinion of your vertues haue I imprinted in my hart as though you be contrary to me in loue and profession yet shall not my good will slack or I forgoe your companie but I would the time were come wherein my Fathers kingdome shall embrace Christianitie which I already begin to like so well beleeuing that your God is of greater power then ours as all our successefull déedes of armes beare witnes that I ere long will become a Christian Yet one thing cheeflye dooth displease me that my Sister is promised in mariage to my Lord the great Turk which will be the occasion that my Aunte Orbiconte cannot keep her woord with you My Lord and companion saide Palladine that I haue your good liking in this cause in sooth it dooth not a little content me but as for your Sister there is nothing yet doone but may easily be altered Madame Orbiconte hath promised to content the great Turke and your Father and in fewe dayes will safelye arriue with your Sister in England I would we
Turke but our Gods from whose sight nothing can be shadowed knowing what before was accorded and concluded betwéen her and the Knight without rest whome you haue séene in my brothers Courte he being the Sonne of a mighty and puissant King haue apparantly reuealed that their faithfull promise to eache other must not be falsefied promise I say of mariage betwéene them wherof my selfe am a sworne witnesse In vaine is it then for you thus to alleadge that the Knight without rest is a Christian and my Niece a Pagan but let it suffise ye that our Gods will haue it so as you in short time shall sée further experience Doo you therfore direct your compasse to the coaste of Spaine that from thence we maye saile into England the seate and Kingdome of the Knight without rest after the deceasse of his Father who is yet liuing Feare not any inconuenience that may ensue héereby for I will be your safe protection and no woorsse shall fall to you héerby then to my Niece and my â—esâ—e and of her haue I greater care then were she my owne Daughter Heerewith she paused expecting what answere they would returne but discerning by their countenances that they liked not her speeches as also they were loth to come among the Christians their enemies without a better warrantise of their safetie she began againe in this manner Why my fréendes are you so fearefull as you shewe your selues doo you think any harme shall happen to you in my companie am not I and my Niece sufficient for your assurance what other safe conduct would ye haue we goe into the land of our kindred and freends to confirme a perpetuall peace and concorde with one of the moste vertuous Princes in the world My Nephewe the Prince Zorian who departed you knowe with that gentle Knight there is he louingly entertained fauoured by him whom the Gods preordained to be my Nieces husband Saile we on then merilye and feare not the displeasure of the King my brother for well am I assured that they will not dislike this mariage And were I not fullye perswaded of what I haue saide that the ende of our enterprise shall sorte to a generall benefit yea to a full resolued ioye and content on all sides I would not haue aduentured thus farre being as carefull of your good as mine owne life These spéches so throughly animated the Mariners and Gentlemen as they promised to fulfill what she gaue them in charge being certaine that Orbiconte tolde them nothing but what she had foreseen by her wonderfull knowledge and therfore passing by Hercules pillers they entred the Ocian directing their compasse toward great Britaine By y e way they were set vpon by thrée pirats who seeking to take the spoyle of the Ship stew many Gentlemen and Mariners and when they were brought to the very hardest exigent that they thought verily to be taken by the Pirates three English shippes came to their rescue wherein the high Admirall of England was who had béene in Portugall with the King to aduertise him of the mariage of his two Nieces to the Princes Manteleo and Landastines The Ships of England encountred the Pirats and after long fight tooke them then comming to knowe of whence the Ship was that had béene so distressed the man that was sent to demaund the question was Captaine Broantine who accompanyed the Admirall in this voiage Ioyfull was Orbiconte when she beheld Broantine and comming on boord the Admirall to whome Broantine reuealed of whence they were and that Palladine long expected their arriuall in England it is not to be asked how courteously he entertained them vowing to take sharpe reuenge on the Pirates for their villainous dealing Broantine declared to Nonparelia the health of Palladine and her brother Zorian how he was Christened and affianced to the faire Graciana of Flaunders which newes pleased her not a little as also this happie and fortunate deliuerance which she verily thought hardly to escape with life The Admirall made them the best chéere he could on Ship boord and afterward committed them to the charge of Broantine to see them safely conducted into England himselfe taking order for the Pirates Ships which after he had ransacked as he pleased he followed withall as wind and weather gaue him leaue CHAP. XXXVIII ¶ How the Princesse Nonparelia and Orbiconte arriued in England where they were royally entertayned by the King and his Princesse And how Palladine bewrayed what had passed betweene him and his Lady wherewith the King and Queene were well contented HAuing sayled with a good and prosperous winde at length the Ships came on the cape of Cornewall and from thence to the Isle Benedict where coasting as occasion serued leauing the cape of Pinda they tooke harborow in the Ile of Wight from whence Broantine senta Brigandine before to aduertise Palladine how néere his Lady was the wise Orbiconte writing to him in this manner The Letter from the wise Orbiconte to Palladine Prince of England THese are to aduertise ye Lord Palladine that by the assistance of the highest God my Niece Nonparelia and I are safely arriued in the Isle of Saint Helena from whence we will shortly set forward according to the promise I made at your departure from Aquilea hauing doone my vttermost in your cause for my Niece who as you knowe hath refused the great Emperour of Turkie making choyse of you aboue all other in respect of your faithfull vowe to her made in my chamber at her Fathers Pallace which I hope you will not now forget considering what hath béene doone at your earnest instance Therfore if as yet you haue not done it make the King your Father and the Quéene acquainted therewith and that so soone as possible you can because I would sée your mariage perfected before my returne to Aquilea that I may credibly assure the King my Brother what high good fortune is befallen his Daughter as also the continuall honor promised you by the destemes and not to you alone but to your issue heereafter likewise Thus awaiting opportunitie to acquaint you at large with our nauigation and what dangers we haue escaped on the Sea as your Admirall and Broanâ—ine can testifie who deliuered vs from bloodthirstie Pirates I ceasse presenting hartie good will to you from my Niece and my selfe From the Isle of Saint Helena By your affectionate freend Orbiconâ—e Such were the contents of the Letter sent from the wise Orbiconte to the Prince Palladine which was presented him by one of Broantines Gentlemen as he was walking in the Garden with the King and Queene conferring on the preparation for the triumphs at the mariage of Marcelina and Florea No sooner had he read the name of Orbiconte and from whence the Letter was directed but he began to change his countenance meruailously which the King perceiuing said What newes hath Broanâ—ine sent ye that makes your rouller alter in such sort the Letter doubtlesse is the cause
thereof In truth said the Quéene I see the Letter imports great matter let vs vnderstand what is contained therein Palladine not daring to denie this commaundement causing the Gentleman that brought the Letter to withdraw himselfe thus answered My gracious Lord and Father this Letteâ— deliuers none but good newes the Sister to the King of Aquilea and faire Nonparelia his Daughter are come to visit your Maiestie Right welcome are they said the King and I will doo them all the honor I may but what may be the cause of this kindnesse séeing our Realme is so farre from Aquilâ—a Then Palladine declared the whole discourse of his voiage how by the aduise of the wise Orbiconte he had promised the Princesse Nonparelia after she had receiued her Christendome to take her in mariage in that she was accomplished with as rare perfections of beawtie and vertue as any Princesse in the world beside You place that formost quoth the King which you loue best preferring corporall beawtie before vertue but héerein you are to be pardoned for loue and affection so alter the sences as makes men put one word in anothers place I spake of that first my Lord quoth Palladine which I first sawe in so faire a creature namely a choise grace of corporall beawtie and hauing afterward by frequenting her companie gathered sufficient knowledge of her inward endowments I placed them as they came to my acquaintance And such is my hope good Father that your selfe wil iudge no lesse then I doo when you haue seene her For the rest Madame Orbiconte her Aunt shall resolue ye giuing you to vnderstand matters of weight and such as you will thinke your selfe happie to knowe this being the meane to bring to the Christian faith the great and mightie Kingdome of Aquilea Thou tellest me wenders my Sonne quoth the King but why didst thou not sooner acquaint me heerewith Because I feared answered Palladine that misfortune on the Sea might alter my intent or the promise of Orbiconte might be preuented by some other sinister meane Well my Sonne quoth the King I pray that thy desires may haue a fortunate end and such things as thou speakest of may come to passe meane while let vs prouide to receiue these two Princes and make them such entertainement as their calling deserues Foorthwith he commaunded that the Pallace should bee adorned with most sumptuous Tapistrie and calling for the Uiceadmirall willed him to prepare certaine Ships that might go meete the Ladies as they came wherein Palladine Zorian Manteleo Landastines and many other great Lords were embarqued And béeing come to the Ile of Tennet they espied the Ships sayling amaine toward them and entring among them Palladine seeing Orbiconte aloft on the deck knew well where the Princesse Nonparelia was wherefore going aboord that Ship catching Orbiconte in his armes he thus spake Welcome good Lady into this Countrey this day doo you giue me life and the onely comfort I desire in this world for had not your assurance at my departure from Aquilea perswaded me I had ere this beene consorted with the dead As he was thus embracing Orbiconte the Princesse Nonparelia came foorth of her Cabin and with a sweete smiling countenance came to him saying Haue you not doone yet my Lord I am not content that you giue all the welcome to mine Aunt and allow me no portion thereof I thinke I haue deserued some part At these words he suddenly leauing Orbiconte embraced his mistresse with such zealous affection as neither of them were able to speake one word in which time Zorian and the other Princes had leisure to welcome the wise Orbiconte During this time of greeting and salutation they sayled on with so good a winde as in short time they entred the Port of London where this honorable companie were receiued with great magnificence the Citizens conducting them thorough the streetes with such pompe and sumptuous deuises as neuer was the like seene in London before The King and Queene for the greater honor of their Sonne came to the Court gate to welcome the Princesse at whose rare beawtie as they did not a little wonder so there wanted no kinde of courtesie whereby their good will might at large be expressed So walking on into the great Hall there began againe new shewes of entertainement whereby both Orbiconte and her Niece perceiued that the Court of England was incomparable for gracious behauiour While the King and Queene were conferring with Orbiconte Palladine tooke his Lady aside to the windowe where she at large declared to him the dangers sustained in their voyage and their good deliuerance by the Admirall of England and Broantine Héerof sweete Lady quoth Palladine your Aunt already hath aduertised me and I knowe assuredly that you haue escaped greater perill then you can report to me all for my loue wherein I am religiously bound to you while I liue yet heerewithall consider that you haue endured all this for your faithfull freend and husband who now bids you welcome as his loyall and espoused wife Alas my Lord quoth the Princesse you well knowe that I haue no other intent and the sooner our nuptials are solemnized the better shall I be quieted least any dishonor should ouertake me in respect of what hath passed betweene vs heeretofore Madame answered Palladine this â—ace concerneth me as néere as your selfe and to preuent such danger we must héerein be aduertised by your Aunt Orbiconte the rest shall be accomplished with all possible spéede In all this time Orbiconte had so preuailed with the King and Quéene declaring that this mariage was forepointed in their infancie and should by her meanes be â—atâ—fied by the King of Aquilea her Brother as they both promised that so soone as the King of Portugalâ— was arriued who was sent for to the mariage of his two Nieces the wedding should be sollemnized at that instant likewise Untill which time the Princesse should be enstructed in the Christian faith and be made partaker of that holy Sacrament which is the badge and cognisance of all Christians so should her obscure thoughts be cléerely illuminated and the mariage would be more acceptable in the sight of God The Kings deuise was generally well liked and the Princesse her selfe willing to vnderstand the rules which were so farre different from her Pagan profession in which exercise she had her whole studie and delight till the time came that she should be Baptized CHAP. XXXIX ¶ How the Princesse Nonparelia and all her Ladyes were with great pompe and solemnitie Baptised and all the honorable mariages afterward finished BY paineful diligence of diuers learned Diuines the Princesse was wonne to receiue the faith of a Christian and all her Ladies likewise that came with her from Aquilea so they being all attired in white garments were conducted to the Cathedrall Church in London with such royall pompe and magnificence as euery eye was set to wonder Such was her stately maiestie in going and
caused such a laughter among the Ladies as if they had séene a spectacle of greatest meriment Erinnea Duchesse of Rimandria and wife to Liboran with Doronea wife to Broantine newly created Duke of Bastanella in their triall the Images turned their backs to them Graciana Marcelina and Florea had but little more credit sauing that the Images mooued not from them But now came Nonparelia to her turne and her behauiour procured a generall contentment for Venus let her touch the Torche and set the Crowne on her shoulder but tooke it back againe immediatly thereby prefiguring that she being had now lost her libertie When they sawe the aduenture could not be ended the Ladyes betooke them to their Scaffoldes and the Knightes entred the Lystes to make better proofe of their fortune by Chiualrie Landastines accompanied with Broantine Mushell of Rostock Brunifort his Brother and Orliman of Flaunders with an hundred Knightes more first entred the féeld On the other side came the Prince Zorian with Liboran Durandell of Cleue Grindâ—y of Orton and Sedonis of Suffolke with an hundred braue and couragious Knightes who at the sound of the Trompets encountred each other with meruailous valour Landastines and Zorian Iousted together beeing of such equall strength and hardy courage as the victorie could be gained on neither side to cut off which controuersie a new assayâ—and entred the Lystes bearing in his Shéeld a golden Phenix and vpon his Armour a coate of Crimosin Uelnet whereon these two letters SS were verie thick imbroidered in Gold and Pearle the sight of this Gallant gaue cause of admiration and matter of valew was expected to come from him CHAP. XLI ¶ Who was the new Knight of the Phoenix and of a Letter the Prince Palladine receyued concerning his fyrst loue REason requireth that this new assaylant should be knowne and the cause of his comming least otherwise you should misconceiue of the matter and so be depriued of the delight promised thereby Know you then that the Knight of the Phenix was the Prince Caesar Sonne to Othon the Emperour of Roome then reigning and husband to the faire Rosamond of Fraunce who hearing of the honorable Triumph at the marriage of the Prince Palladine and the aduenture of the Statues before the Court at London trauailed thither to win the conquest of the one and credit of the other that at his returne to his best beloued he might obtaine the greater grace and fauour Caesar beeing thus entred the Lystes and noting the braue chiualrie shewen by the Princes stood still a good while till he sawe both the sides make offer of departure But fearing to be reprooued for his long stay as though by cowardise he durst not trie his fortune he first encountred one of the Prince Zorians Knights and threw him to the ground with his héeles vpward Seauen or eight more of them he serued in the like sort till Landastines would néedes deale with this Champion but Caesar met him with such violence as both horsse and man was sent to the ground The Prince of Norgalles desirous to reuenge this shame called for a fresh Horsse and a Launce and calling his enemie to Ioust againe as he made proffer to begin his carire the Prince Caesar thus spake to him Good Sir be not offended with him who hath saluted you with a courtesie common among Knightes errant but enduring the same with pacience giue the like to such as hazard them selues against you I feele no taste of courtesie quoth Landastines in such gréetings and thou mayst happen to confesse the same with him thou next assaylest notwithstanding all thy brauerie in speeches By proofe said Caesar I shall be made perfect a fierce assaylant shall be assured of a braue defendour So breaking off this contention he gaue the spurres to his horsse against Zorian giuing him such a vough charge at the encounter as he was cast quite out of his saddle At this sight were Palladine and Manteleo greatly displeased whom the King for the earnest loue he bare them would not permit to beare Armes in this Tourney but caused them to accompanie their Ladies on the Scaffold and to giue iudgement who best deserued they as I said mooued with the behauiour of the Knight of the Phenix came to the King with great reuerence Palladine deliuering these spéeches My Lord the reuerence and dutie that children owe to their Parents hath made vs remaine idle among these Ladies during the honest exercise of our fréends and companions estéeming to contradict your commaund were an offence more then presumptuous But now are our desires so stirred and prouoked as we can no longer containe our selues in slothfulnes but are enforced humbly to intreat that your highnesse would giue vs leaue to Arme our selues onely to teach this newcome Gallant who thinks alreadie he hath made a conquest that in England are Knights sprung from the race of the chéefest of the round Table who are not to be feared with seeing thrée or foure men vnhorssed My Sonne quoth the King my commaund was to no other end then to withhold ye from the thing you haue now desired because assayed new Combates without Armes you should not be endaungered by two trials together considering how the one may be a hinderance to the other and so doubtlesse would it come to passe at this instant were I not fully perswaded that honor neuer breakes companie with true loue but more and more aduanceth his titles to the great encouragement of all noble mindes Therefore my Sonnes doo what you please I will not hinder ye go in Gods name and returne with the full of my desire Hauing thus obtained what they would they departed to their lodgings returning soone armed and well mounted and passing by the Scaffolds Palladine intreated his Nonparelia to giue him one of her Bracelets wherewith he might enter the Ioust vnder her fauour In which time Manteleo went to trie his fortune with the Sonne of Othon and many Launces were broken betweene them yet neither able to dismount the other Wherewith Manteleo beeing angrie and seeking polâ—icie to preuaile against his foe Lord Caesar lifting vp the beuer of his helmet imagining by the rich armes of Manteleo that he was the Prince of England with courteous reuerence to him thus spake Sir Palladine perceiuing that you knowe me not nor the cause of my comming into this Countrey and séeing you would procéed to the Combate the loue I beare ye constraineth me willingly to discouer my selfe beside verie loth am I to loose the credit I haue wonne alreadie and so prouoke you to displeasure against me I am your fréend Caesar Sonne to the Emperour as readie to be commaunded by you as any other of your Knights in England Of this peace was Manteleo not a little glad yet brauely dissembling the matter he thus answered Lord Caesar I am not the man you take me for but in respect of this excéeding gentlenes and the reuerent dutie I owe
beside I will procéed no further but heere giue ouer all cause of quarrell And that your desire may be the more satisfyed I will bring ye to the man you imagined me to be and likewise you shall knowe with whome you haue now twise dealt without aduantage My name is Manteleo Sonne to the Duke of Millayne and Brother by marriage to the Prince Palladine of England But the accustomed humours among new married folkes had charmed Palladine in such sort as he sawe not when Manteleo thus ventured before him yet afterward séeing two enemies so louingly embrace he meruailed who the Knight of the Phenix should be at length these two pacefyed came toward the Prince and in offering to salute him this cause of stay hindered them While Palladine was fastening his Ladies Bracelet about his arme a Squire came before him who on his knees presented him a Letter saying Worthie Lord my Lady and Mistresse the Duchesse of the rich Isles whome you verie well knowe commending her selfe to your good grace hath sent you this Letter desiring as the latest good you will doo her to aunswere the same with all conuenient spéed This message chéefely the verie last words amazed the Prince and béeing assailed with diuers imaginations he brake open the Seale and opening the Letter read there these lines following The Letter from Brisalda Duchesse of the rich Islands to Palladine the Prince of England AT what time my Lord I was so happie as to sée you héere in the rich Islands I thought assuredly my good hap had taken such effect as death it selfe could no way bring to end Not so much iâ— knowing my selfe to be your beloued as to remember that my first freend was the Sonne of a King whose good partes I engraued so liuely in my hart as none but he was made Lord therof reseruing to my selfe this onely regard that loue had made me no more yours then dutie had confirmed you mine Considering héerewithall that as a gadge of my good will you being surprized with some part of my graces and passionate beyond measure as your selfe sayd if my liking did not consort with yours I gaue you that remedie for your sicknes which a Lady of such calling as I am would not haue bestowed on the greatest Pritice in the world Notwithstanding our desires had then such a Simpathie of affection as in all matters we were alike hauing each others honor in equall commendation our nobilitie parentage and what else beside combined together in a rich procall knot But so it is come to posse that of our first sight affection and familiaritie such a testimonie remaineth as may not be forgotten for since your vnkind departure leauing me in a laborinth of endlesse greef I am deliuered of a Sonne begotten by you whom I haue named Vnyon now aged twentie monethes who bearing the perfect image of his Fathers graces is the onely comfort his sorrowfull mother hath And heerein you may beléeue me that an hundred times he hath preserued my life hauing so weightie a burthen at my hart as is the small account you haue made of me since your departure and the wrong you doo mée in racing mée foorth of your remembrance not vouchsasing once to acquaint mée with the cause thereof Heerein is my hap so hard and regretable as death were more welcome to mee then life to asswage which insupportable burthen I haue no comfort but your little Sonne whome hourely I hold in mine armes meruailing so swéete a babe should haue so sowre a Father Yet beeing thus cast off and disdained the sorrow can not be so irkesome to me as the blame would to you were your discourtesie openly knowne but such is my loue to you that my nature vanquished none but your selfe shall knowe how you haue wronged me nor further reuenge will I seeke then with mine owne death to burie your shame What would your new loue Nonparelia say if she knew my bed abused by her husband and she wife to him who by flesh and blood is maried to mee she beeing the second might well thinke the first to be hardly intreated But let not any doubt héereof offend you for from her will I safely conceale it not in respect of any loue to her but by remayning euermore Your faithfull and immooueable freend Brisalda Duchesse of the rich Islands After he had read the Letter he was strooken into such â—umpe and oppressed with such remorse of conscience as scantly could he endure from falling beside his horsse the best meane to preuent the same was the arriuall of Caesar and Manteleo which made him quickly change his countenance when the Emperours Sonne thus spake to him Sir Palladine the courtesie showen me by the Prince of Millayne your Brother hath deliuered me from great trouble enforcing me to forbeare armes to entertaine him in stead of your selfe The happie Bridegrooâ—e are you to faire Nonparelia whose praises soare aboue the Eagle in height nor can I forget your famous chiualrie perfourmed in defence of her portrait when you conquered in Fraunce the prowd Zarcanell her vnworthie seruant that brought her figure thether I can not denie my Lord answered Palladine but the representation of my Ladies beawtie hath made me conquerour in diuers slender enterprises woon from such as had no abilitie to keepe them wherein if I haue deserued any reporte as freends are easily intreated to commend one another farre inferiour are they to the faire Rosamonde and those aduentures that noble Caesar hath accomplished for her I see well my Lord quoth Caesar that you will binde mée to you in such sort as I shall haue no meane to compasse y e least part of gratification but let vs end this needlesse talke and goe sée the rare creature whose vertues hath allured hither so many braue Gallants So walked they to the Pallace where the King entertained Caesar verie royally and all the Ladyes with excéeding courtesie Landastines and Zorian dooing the lyke nothing ashamed that the Emperours Sonne had the honor of the Tourney CHAP. XLII ¶ What answere Palladine sent to the Duchesse Brisalda and how Caesar returned to his faire Rosamonde Landastines and Manteleo likewise into their countreys and of the birth of Florano the Prince of England Sonne to Palladine and Nonparelia CAesar being thus welcommed in the Court of England both by the Lords and Ladyes especially Nonparelia Palladine feigning to goe vnarme himselfe tooke the messenger from the Duchesse Brisalda with him saying My freend you must néedes haue a little pacience and according to your Ladies request presently you shall haue a bréefe answere from me Then calling for meke and paper he went alone into the Warderobe because he would not be suspected by any and answered the Letter in this sort The Letter from Palladine to the Duchesse Brisalda MAdame matters hauing so strangely passed hitherto yet without any cause of offence you haue had some occasion to complaine being ignorant of my hinderance in trauaile but