not farre from thence that reached to another lodging of the same making that don Bellianis was in so curiously wrought and of so rare woorkmanshippe that the Ladyes greatly admired it and entering in another roome they founde the Prince Don Bryanell walking alone alreadie healed of his woundes yet hauing lost much bloud hee looked verie pale and wanne for the sage Matron greatly commiserating his daunger prouiuided as heretofore is specified For when shee went to cure the Emperour shee made one of her Damsels to enter another way vnséeue and fetching him thence brought him thither in a traunce and for all he was healed with the drinke that Bellona gaue him yet knewe hee not in what place nor in whose power hee was neither knewe hee whether he was in prison or at libertie nor in what state the battell remained in which hee lost the Emperour and séeing his woundes whole was in such a wonder that almost hee perswaded himselfe waking out of a dreame and séeing no bodye with whome hee might speake walked vp and downe the Chamber séeking and deuising howe by some meanes he might resolue his confused thoughts and when he sawe the Princesse Aurora and her Damsels with the olde woman leading her by the hande hee straight knewe her garments for as is sayde hee sawe her before hee and Arfileo hadde begunne theyr Combatte with whose sight hee thought that hee and the Emperour were imprisoned by the knights with whom they had commenced their battell and yet knew he not how that might be hauing after séene them ayded by the Emperour against Don Gallaneos knights but seeing them so nigh him thought that though hee were in the prison as he imagined yet ought he vse that behauiour that his state required and séeing they were Ladyes approached with that courtesie which might beséeme one accompanied with such knights And she hauing learned of the olde woman who he was humbled hir selfe at his féete which he vnable to disturbe did the like desiring her to graunt him her faire handes that he might kisse them but they so long striued to surpasse each other in courtesie that Bellona commanded them to rise for their state forbad such ceremonies betwéene them which they did though not so frée as at first for they rested greatly affectionate either of other and don Bryanell at last thus brake silence I do so wonder at the maruellous things y t since yesterday haue happened me that I know not if any such haue bin or no for being with the Emperour my soueraigne in battell wherein I remained sore wounded and not knowing the ende thereof I find my selfe at this present well and strong and in this rich and sumptuous chamber with whose like the whole world cannot cōpare nor yet knew whether I be at libertie or captiue though vnder y e power of such kéepers I shuld imagine such restraint a greater comfort to my greefe then any I can desire Wherefore excellent Ladie I intreate you if you bee in the same case my selfe am in as one that I suppose was present at all that befell you would declare it me and that I may also with your fauour knowe the true successe of the battell and what is become of those most haughtie knights that accompanied you whose mighty strength I am sure the whole earth cannot equall and for what cause am I here kept whether with or without your will Whilst he vttered these words the Princesse earnestly viewed him and remained so greatly satisfied with his good disposition being a verie gallant knight and séeing reason willed her to answere all his demaunds thus replyed Not without cause may you be confounded in your own imaginations excellent Prince for I assure you if now you enioy your life it is by your being héere and though the battell was fought nigh Constantinople at this instant you are not so neare it as to the Ryphean mountaines ioyning vppon the great Cittie of Persepolis for all which you may thanke this graue Matron that here is with me seeing by her great knowledge you hither were conducted The knights with whom you in the beginning combatted and came in my companie are the Prince Arfileo that with you fought the other whose battell was with the Emperour is his sonne Don Bellianis Is it possible oh God sayd Don Bryanell that den Bellianis should with such glorie principate his haughtie deeds of Chiualrie Account these the least sayde Bellona for I tell you neither the Emperour his father nor any knight this day liuing may with him compare Certainely I thinke no lesse replied don Bryanell and more then you say dare I beleeue of that couragious Prince hauing séene him performe such surpassing wonders in that one fight But I beséech you let me know the ende thereof and how the Emperour and hee do The Emperour is well sayd she and the Princes both be in this house where you are though sore wounded Now I assure you answered don Bryanell I account my selfe most happie that after so many troubles I heare the most contentedst newes that my perplexed soule could wish after the tempestous passage of a boysterous storme with the calme approach of the al-comforting sunne Wherfore lette vs without longer stay go visit them and there may I knowe what else happened in this aduenture Euen when you please sayde Bellona for I know they will no lesse ioy with your sight then you with theirs So taking him betweene them they returned the way they came to the chamber where they left the Princes and entering it they found them talking togither of their last aduenture But when the Princes saw don Bryanell they would rise to reuerence him but hee running to don Bellianis beds side bended his knee to the grounde crauing he might kisse his hands The Prince tooke him vp and imbracing so held him a while and said I do greatly reioyce renowmed Prince to sée you so well though according to your great déedes in the battell whereby you got many dangerous wounds I thought we should not so soone sée you For which let vs thanke this Lady that with you comes seeing she tooke such care of our safetie which with all our states we cannot sufficiently recompence hauing next vnto God by her meanes recouered our lost times Therefore I thinke it reason said Don Bryanell séeing she is the instrumentall cause wee reposesse them we in her seruice to the death vse them that at least thereby we may seeme to satisfie some part of her many deserts and so do intreat her to commaund them as her owne Whereunto she thus answered It sufficeth me great Lords to haue done some seruice to such Princes which doth surpasse all satisfaction whatsoeuer I may of you receiue how much the more that will not be so little which you must vndertake in behalfe of this disinherited Princesse my Coozin wherewith this resteth fully recompenced which they againe replied with great courtesie and then Don Bryanell went to Arfileo
depart for so Bellona would haue him do but perceiuing the Souldane comming towards him he thought it discurtesie to part without speaking staid and séeing he was come nigh him setting his hand on his saddle alighted with admirable lightnesse and prostrating himselfe demanded his hands to 〈…〉 sse them The Soldan against all intreaties did also dismount shewing the like curtesie that the knight did for he was a prince absolute in all Courtly behauiour had not Don Bellianis staied to whom the Souldan thus saide I cannot comprehend the cause excellent knight that hauing broght to end the greatest and no lesse strange aduenture hitherio seene liberating vs from such daunger you should depart bereauing vs of your defined conuersatioÌ„ by so sedain departure from our court which I would vnwillingly haue you do though you were newly put in as great daunger as the last you vndertooke in our behalfes which notwithstanding the Gods defend And farther I say if at my request you deny to do it withstanding my authoritie you shal be conuicted by her for whose remedie our immortall Gods I thinke brought you hither Where he imbraced him with loue as the benefit receiued bound him to Don Bellianis was strooke into such an amaze that he knew not how to be resolued thinking if he did not obey the Souldan the vnkindnesse would be greater then the seruice he had done him And on the other side he considered that he might incurre no lesse daunger by discouering himself not knowing Bellonaes intent in so concealing him But to salue all the best he might made this reply It doth not a litle gréeue me most mightie Lord that I cannot do you the seruice my heart desires because it lyeth not in my power being hither brought by yonder Lady that you sée without whose leaue I may dispose of nothing but binding my dutie to your seruice for euer as the person that most honour on the earth deserueth While they were thus talking the Sage Bellona came to them and with her the two sole excellencies of beautie the Princesses Florisbella and Matarosa with such rare brightnesse that it would obscure the midday Sun in all his pride shining in the middle heauen where he dwelles The aboue all fairest the faire Princesse Florisbella sole diuine perfection of an earthly obiect came with such a gallant semblance that no humane heart could haue bene so obdurate but would haue melted at her sight she was cladde in a white sattiâ— gowne with a peticoate of the same all cut vppon most rich cleth of Golde and euery cut tacked with a great Orient Pearle which were so many and so well set that they made so straunge a worke that the curiousnesse thereof could not be discerned the sléeues were long and large hanging to the ground closed with wyer of massiue gold set with the same Pearles and lyned with the same cloth of golde hung out with many vnualuable Jewels her Amber haire disheuelled ouer her shoulders hung backwards gathered togither behinde her eares vppon which shée had a Coronet garnished with Dyamonds Rubies Saffyres and pearles of more woorth then that whole Cittie before on her Carkanet pended a Carbunckle as bigge as two Walnuttes that yeelded so much light as foure great Torches burning in the darke Her Gorget was so open that plainly might be discerned the rare excellency of the Creator of all thinges in the pure wonder of the Sunne-out clearing whitenesse of her brest adorned with inâ—stimable Gemmes And although she thus came attired more beautie did glorifie her garments from the diuine naturall of her face then was hir beautie graced by the brightnesse of those stones such sole supremacie did make her absolute for no artificiall woorke could diminish nor augment her fauour The stately passage of her féete no more séemed to moue then the gentle blast of the milde blowing winde The Princesse Matarosa was attired in that maner whose perfection had no equall in the absence of her faire Cosin In this maner arriued they where the Souldan was talking with the Princesse don Bellianis who seeing the excellency of his Lady that farre excelled the portrayture of his shield rested so confounded with admiration that his braue heart vnable to resist so fierce an assault all couered with a cold sweat as if that were the last moment of his life lost his sences that had not the Souldane who thought some mortall wounde had caused it held him fast about the necke he had fallen to the ground yet notwithstanding he was in such a traunce that he felt nothing that was done vnto him Whereat the Princesse Florisbella being verie sorrowfull stepped to him to vnlace his helme But the Sage Bellona quickly running thither cryed out she should not doo it and imbracing the Prince said that euery one heard What is the matter knight that in time that we most néede your helpe you shewe such weaknesse The Prince at her words recouered himselfe and greatly ashamed at the accident replied You know deare Lady that I came no otherwise seeing the hand of cruell death knocked at my heart vnlesse I be succoured with present remedie Our immortall Gods will not permit it Sir Knight said Florisbella that we hauing receiued so absolute remedie by the helpe of your vallourous arme your life should be bereâ—t you to depart vngratified for your deare merits Whereto he answered In all humble dutie lower then lowly earth I kisse your beauteous handes sole excellent Princesse for the vndeserued fauour of your words whose power hath only power to cure my decaying life dispairing of â—ll remedie and deare comfort in the whole vniuerse but by this While they were thus talking the Soldan knew Bellona whom with great ioy he imbraced she would haue kissed his and the Empresse hands but the Soldan wold not suffer it saying Why haue your deare friend kept your selfe away so long time not visiting vs for I know no cause you had for it but now shal you pay for al not departing so easily as you thinke And I pray you tell who is this valorous knight y t comes with you for I am sure you knew of our distresse séeing you came in so great time of need The wise woman made this reply You say true dread Lord for knowing your danger and that surely you had lost the princesse your daughter I vndertooke this iourny imposing so great a danger vpon this knight as he vnderwent by our comming And beléeue me his equall liues not this day in the world and without him my comming had bene in vaine and hitherto I did not visit you because you had no néed of me I beléeue it replied the Souldane and now that our ioy may be compleat I pray you make this knight vnlace his helme and remaine here some fewe dayes for it would greatly vex me if such a knight shuld go from my Court vnknowne This must be pardoned said she for he must depart vnknown and therfore I pray you
somewhat long or they set foorth And in their way we leaue them till we haue shewen what in the meane season befell the Emperour and the Princes CHAP. VII The ende of the fight betweene the Emperour and Princes against Don Gallaneo and his men AS soone as the Emperour had dispatched the Messenger to Constantinople he determined to ayde the Knights that maintained a terrible battell with the Giants and their troupes beeing most cruellie wounded by reson of the remorcelesie forces of those pitilesse flends the Prince Don Bellaneo séeing his Knightes were deceyued with great outcries vncouering his face called to them who when they heard his voice saw his face straight knew him greatly amazed at such a chaunce and leauing their fight against the Princes ranne to imbrace him not knowing the cause why that Knight should be then armed with his arrnour And though the Emperour sée him go towardes them yet could he not stay him And Don Gallaneo séeing that oportunitie which Fortune offered him and not minding to spende his time in spéeches with his men sayde Nowe is it requisite oh Knights that you reuenge mee on him that weareth my armour For knowe if you take him or slay him our enterprice therewith is ended for he is the Emperour of Constantinople whom we came from far Countries to seeke béeing hée that hath slaine my Knights and tooke mee prisoner vsing me as you haue séene The Knights that aymed at no other marke togither in a troupe set vpon the Emperour and Don Brianell of Macedon that was with him But when Don Bellianis and Arfileo heald that he was the Emperour his Father greatly grieued for what with him befell them and with eager furie they set vpon those traiterous Knights But those damned Giants that came before the rest opposed themselues against them striking strong and mightie blowes And one of them raysing aloft a huge iron mace betwéene his handes strooke the Emperour therewith that if hee had not warded it on his shéelde it had shiuered his head in péeces yet it rested not there but descenced on his horses necke felling him deade to the ground with his matster on his backe The Emperour for all this strooke him on both his armes that he threwe them to the earth with the mace betwéene them Nowe heere was the Emperour in great daunger of his life For when his horse fell he tooke one of his legges vnder him and don Gallaneo that had alreadie put on one of the dead Knightes armour comming thither at that time with two other Giants all the thrée alighted from theyr Horses intending there to strike off his head The Prince don Bellianis that sawe his father in that extremitie dismounting in all haste went to succour him but ere hee came don Gallaneo as hee whome his death woulde highlie aduauntage wounded him on the head and the two Giants with their Maces raised aloft with mightie strength woulde discharge them on his heade so that he for that time not able to drawe him from vnder his horse with one blow ouerthâ—â—we don Gallaneo cutting asunder his shéeld and helme and gréeuously wounded him on the head And being about to auoyde those Giants blowes could by no meanes shunne them but both discharging their hellish furie on his heade made him bowe to the earth and so staggard him that hee coulde scarce stande And though the spacious worlde contained not his like for admirable strength yet with séeing his Father in that case and himselfe so handled by such infernall Monsters glorying in nothing but in bloudie crueltie abhorring all good and decent order of equall Martiall discipline so doubled his vndaunted courage in himselfe stroke at one of the Giants heades who thinking to defende it by crossing his Mace ouer his Helme had it cutte cleane in two hard by the handle and the furious Sword lighted on the horse gyrts that lay on the Emperour that cutting them of on both sides hee gaue his Father libertie to drawe his legge away pushing the Horse from him quickelie arose yet verie wearie And seeing howe Don Bellianis with one side howe hee reached one of the deformed Giants with great strength vpon his shigh he felled him to the ground and howe with an other hee maintained a hote fight And hee also sawe that Don Brianell and Arsileo with eight Knights that came out of the Castell to succour them were in a fierce battell with the other Giant and Knights And that Arfileo beeing busied with the Giant the other Knightes béeing in number greatlie inferiour to their enemies were by them put to the woorse wherefore the Emperour went to ayde them but ere he arriued the Giant and Arsileo hauing closed dismounted each other that the Giant leauing his feete in the stirrop Arfileo spurred his Horse backewarde making him runne away and dragge his master after him who within a while breathed his last And so he turned with the Emperour couragiously to helpe their companions and arriued when their aduersaries were little able to make them longer resistaunce specially because don Bellianis had slaine the other Giant At which instant arriuing where he was scarce tenne of them remained with life which to saue themselues fledde into the wooddes Whereupon they alighted not minding to pursue them to binde their woundes But scant had the Emperour time to render due thankes for their great helpe much admiring theyr exceeding valour when the rest of don Gallineos Knightes issued from the thickest of the Groue who being aduertised of the successe of their enterprise and not of their losse came in great haste to participate of the glorie they should obtaine by the Emperours death Before them came those sterne and vgly Giants with their lannces seeming huge pine trees with such tempeâ—â—ous furie that they had not leysure to bind their déepe wounds Great was the sorrow the Emperour hereby sustained séeing the stay of the King of Hungarie But as neither hee nor the other Knights could by death-seeming terror be daunted with a couragious heart thus he saide Now is the time braue knights that you must shew y e magnanimitie of your inuincible minds since in your first aduenture fortune hath so directed you that the glorie of the forepassed worthies by the victorie of this one battell shall be ertinguished though herein we yéeld the tribute of our liues to al-conquering death which being naturall to all men should least be feared But in the omnipotent powers of him that this circled vniuerse did frame do I trust he will not permit the valour of such Knights in such short time to perish but so stregthen them that the perpetuall fame of their royall acts may remaine eternized to all succeeding ages Little néede we to be incouraged to suffer the fearefull strooke of death replied Arfileo for where the person of so victorious an emperor is indangered ours can be but the least of all most little losses I thought no lesse answered the Emperour but
don Bellianis so sawe him hee suddainely alighted from his horse so did many of don Gallaneos Knights to helpe theyr maister Then arriued the Duke Alfiron with foure thousand knights and sette so furiously vppon them that maugre their force hee made them retyre back In which time Don Bellianis wounded him againe wherewith the sword fell out of his hand And the duke séeing him on foot that to be the time for his reuenge ranne against his horse and ouerturned him flatte on the ground trampled twise or thrise on him with his horses féete making him breath his last Which the Souldane séeing cryed out commanding him he shuld not hurt him but the Duke made as though he heard him not Whereupon the Souldane séeing the little account was made of him like to burst with extreame gréefe descended still more and more renewing his laments for Don Gallaneos death crying kill kill the traytors that so villainously in my presence murthered my sonne All the people at the Souldanes commaund set on the Duke and don Belliani whence the Jouâ—â—s beganne for tryumphe and pleasure were turned to death and distruction that the fieldes flowed with bloud The kings of Armenia and Persia that sawe the battell so hot and cruell went to the Souldane and said to him Suffer not dread Souereign all this company to perish séeing you know the Duke hath as much power to defend as you to offend him Therefore commaund the fight to cease for if the Duke be guiltie of Don Gallaneos death you may by lawe conuict him The Souldane knowing it to be so and that before the Duke dyed by that meanes none would remaine with life tooke this counsaile and commaunding the battell there to end said thus to the Duke Get you out of my Persepolis Duke vnlesse you will heere dye vnhearde and vnexcused The Prince Don Bellianis beeing with him bad him obey the Souldanes commaunde assuring himselfe their purpose could not but haue a good end The Duke taking his counsaile very ioyfully commaunded the retrayt to be sounded whereat the knights as well of the one as of the other partie left their fight returning euery one to their Captaine attending his commaund Who were here able to expresse what great gladnesse the Princesse Persiana conceiued with Don Gallaneos death which least it might be discerned called out vpon all the knights of her garâ— to imprison and bring before her y e Duke and the Knight that committed that trecherie The guarde replyed they might not because the Souldane was there who returned extreame sorrowfull and so furious with rage that very fire séemed to sparkle from his eyes that all which behold were astonied at his sterne lookes And although the Kings of Tessiffanty intreated him to returne to his pallace yet hee could like no counsaile saue what sauoured of reuenge But turning to the dead bodye sawe his Daughter bewayle his vntimely death and knowing she alwaies refused willingly to marry him and now seeing her gréeuous laments for his decease suspected it was done by her appointment and not regarding his Fathers loue but gouerned with rage tooke her from the ground and said It bootes thée not nowe Princesse to dissemble for I am sure don Gallaneo was slaine with your consent and since you would not obeye mee when I would I will now punish you as you deserue Whereuppon hee commaunded her to bee shut vppe in a Tower and surelye guarded not hearing her speak And going thence commaunded all the people of the Cittie to arme them intending to imprison the Duke in his house imagining don Gallaneos death had bin with his consent greatly gréeued because hee coulde not knowe that Knight that so indaungered him in the battell not thinking on don Bellianis hauing left him sore wouuded CHAP. XVIII What happened to don Bellianis without Persepolis How he deliuered two damsels from certain knights wheÌ„ce they were and how he slew the dragon of the Riphean wood THe Duke séeing his purpose thitherto sort as he wished with don Gallaneos death resolued altogither to follow the counsaile of the knight of the golden image Wherupon he returned to his pallace and the night hauing darkened the world don Bellianis left him in the plaine fielde faining to goe out of the Citie though all the knights there indured to stay him desiring to know him ere he went But getting from them all escaped out of the Citie the better in that obscuritie to returne vnknowne to his lodging and he had not gone far but his wounds began extreamely to gréeue him insomuch he could not stay himselfe on horsebacke for with their new bléeding they opened making him séeme a fountain with so many springs seeing himself so ill he thought he shuld not be able to return to Persepolis vnlesse his wouÌ„ds were bound vp And so alighting from his horse hee sawe two damsels come towards him ryding in such haste as he thought they did rather fly then on their palfrayes swiftly runne Don Bellianis putting himselfe afore them said What is the cause fayre Ladies that maketh you ryde so fast Oh for Gods sake staye vs not but if you will saue your life followe vs and by the waye wee will declare the whole circumstance vnto you Heere will it be better said he and among these trées you may hide your selues So they taking his counsaile followed his aduice beginning to discouer their adueÌ„ture loe they perceiued through those trees a terrible Dragon so fearfull in sight that it struck amazement in the beholders and although the night were very dark yet such light issued froÌ„ him through the great abundance of fire procéeding from his iawes that it seemed hâ—ls mouth opened to swallow them at that instant The Ladies being ouercome with feare betooke theÌ„selues about the knight of the golden Image hauing lost the power of their pretended flight But he séeing it was no time to be idle rose froÌ„ the grouÌ„d with his sword in hand and made against that hellish monster at that time wishing rather to haue his armor giueÌ„ him by Bellona buckled about his body theÌ„ be inuested Emperor of a larger Empyre then his fathers At this instant the dragoÌ„ with an infernal fury flying against him ouerthrâ—w him with his brest returning to catch him with his taleÌ„ts to pluck him in péeces He whoÌ„ feare neuer could blind lept aside but with great difficulty for being ouerreached the cruel beast w t one of his pawes drew him to him pearst both armor and flesh euen to y e bones with his deadly claws but the knight forsaking his sword stabd his dagger 4. or 5. times into his heart vnder his wings The fearful beast through extremitie of pain left him stretching himselfe labouring in the pangs of death He was of such a wonderful greatnes that he was aboue 25. foot loÌ„g in bignes biger then a great bull whose like was neuer séene by any After the knight
was till he found himselfe at the citie gate which entring he came to the lodging that Don Contumeliano had taken who being at the doore presently knew each other yet spake neuer a worde whereupon he tooke another horse and followed Don Bellianis to the Pallace to know the ende of that aduenture and by the way were greatly admyred of all men the one for the richnesse of his armour and the other for the sumptuousnesse of his apparell as afore is mentioned Don Bellianis lighted at the Court gate and hauing none to hold his horse Don Contumeliano said giue your horse to my Page who shall looke vnto him For though you know me not yet am I bound to do you any seruice Don Bellianis requiting his courtesie did as he requested and sayde Such fauours sir Knight cannot but presage a happie successe to my enterprise And taking him by the hand passed into a long Gallery where they sent the Soldane word of their comming crauing accesse to his presence which graunted they entred and found him talking with the King of Cyprus who then with his brothers began to arme themselues for the fight highly reioycing imagining their enterprize ended assuring themselues that fiue huÌ„dred good knights were not able to withstande them in field And when they sawe those Knights enter in so royall armour and apparell with such gallant disposition they much praysed them They being before the Soldan knéeled on the ground demaunding his princely hands to kisse them who courteously tooke them vp and imbraced them and saide they might vtter what they would and what they came for whereto don Bellianis replied Commaund dread Lord the duke Alfiron to be sent for and then you shall know what we require The Soldan sent for him straight who came garded with a thousand armed men And not knowing the cause of his sending for was verie sorrowfull séeing that day to bee the last of his prefixed time for the tryall of his cause and that he had got no Champion to defend his right by fight Don Bellianis séeing him with an audible voice that al might heare him said Most mightie Sophy of Syconia and imperious Soldane of this great Persian Monarchie know I am called the Solitarie knight if my name haue euer penetrated your eares sonne vnto the king of Phenicia who wandring about the worlde in search of strange aduentures haue by chance arriued in this your kingdome where I heard the occasion that the King of Cyprus otherwise named the Giant Filistone the fierce hath made agaynst duke Alfiron the courteous and other Knights of his company as also against thy daughter the beautious Persiana touching the death of the prince of Antioch who he saith they trechâ—rously â—â—ue I do well know the duke Alfiron although his memorie doth not comprehend any remembrance of his fauors towards me am assured he wold do nothing against the lawes and duties of a good knight But to be briefe I am resolued to vndertake fight the coÌ„bat for him if he hath none to do it I intreat him to grant it me For though I deserue not he should trust me with so great a charge yet my indeuor and his iustice herein shall supply my want The whole assembly much admired him iudging he was of no little valor that durst coÌ„bat with so terrible and deformed Giants though they mightilie doubted his victorie The Soldan was sore gréeued thinking eueâ—â—â— small let to be great according to his desire to sée y â— matter ended as he wold willingly wold he giue that citie to be fully reuenged of the duke Yet dissembling his inward thoughts said You may trie sir knight whether the duke will grant you the fight then do what you therin best may Notwithstanding I know not why you shuld procure this coÌ„bat getting nothing but the losing of your life Al shalbe as pleaseth the gods replied don Bellianis The duke hearing these spéeches said I cannot hitherto call to mind most excellent prince wherein my deserts should so bind you to succor me in this my greatest néed But I do assuredly beléeue the immortall gods hath sent you because they will not suffer so great villanie procéede further And with this as an auspicious tokeÌ„ assuring me of your victory through your incomparable countesie and more valor I grant you the fight and perswade your selfe that all right and iustice you this day defend I am so perswaded answered don Bellianis and therefore say no more But who is your accuser The king of Cyprus stepped forth saying I am he Wherfore sée if still thou be so resolued More assuredly will I now maintaine it then at first said don Bellianis for thy presence sheweth there can bee no reasou nor iustice in any thing thou attemptest The Giant inraged with these words séeming through choller to spit fire in treated the Soldan to command the prisoner to be brought into the field for being all armed they had nothing to stay for Hereat don Bellianis was somwhat moued thinking it would be knoweÌ„ he was not in y e tower Many of those knights went for the prisoners entring don Bellianis lodging they â—ound Floriana a bed in his place but her felow was vp had closed the curtains so close that none could sée who was a bed Who when she saw the gard come in said very softly to them Go no further good knights for the knight of the golded Image lyeth in the extream paine of his life The Sophy said they hath sent vs for him to cary him to the field See said she where he lieth but I beséech you stir him not I will go with you to the Soldan and sée what he will command Wherupon they went to the Sophy with her who declared vnto him in what case don Bellianis was The Soldan coÌ„manded he should not be molested and that she should sée him want nothing He now néedeth nothing but this said she and séeing the knight y t had vndertaken the coÌ„bat she knew him to be don Bellianis by his gallant demeanor and the talnesse of his body and wondred to sée him fâ—rnished with so rich armor and returning to the tower told it Floriana who with her greatly râ—ioyced assuring themselues that don Bellianis would obtaine the victorie reasoning together that he séemed to be yoked in the amorous bonds of their Ladie by that which beâ—ell him when they named her At this time was the Princesse and the Duke conducted to the field séeming verie pleasant The Princes don Brianel and Arfileo were aduertised how the duke had gotten a champion They were glad therof because the imprisoned knights might rest more contented and secure of their good succâ—sse and so they mounted on their horses The King of Arminia did beare Don Brianels shéeld and Arfileos was borne by the king of Tessifantie The Duke Gariano did beare one helme and the Prince of Brandalia the other and in this maner they were
vppon the King was vnawars surprysed by his brother that hee ouerthrâ—we who gaue him so cruell a blâ—we on his Hâ—lme that it made him to bowe to the grounde which made the rage to kindle in the Knightes breast that very â—yer sparkled from his eyes and like a hotte chafed Boare or hungrye Lyan bent to his praye wounded the Gyant that had strooke him with so puissant a bâ—â—we on the Hâ—lme that hee cut it in two as if it had beene of paper sorely wounding his head that hee was like to fall yet with the force of the blowe his semitor fell out of his handes resting so astonished that hee knewe not whether he were aliue or dead But the knights sword flewe in two péeces that onely the hiltes remained in his handes to defend himselfe in such extreame danger and of so puisant enemies as those Who at that time had beheld the two Princesse Persiana and Aurora with the good Duke Alfiron and the towreâ— Dâ—mzâ—ls of the beauteous Princesse Floriâ—bellâ— that thence beheld the fight had no néede to seeke else where the proall colour of timerous death For in their fâ—câ—s was it so perfect to be seene that no Painter euer did better drawe it in varity of colours which sight did so terrifie the dolorous Ladies that they desired no longer life then it might bee guarded by the knight of the golden Images safetie But the good Prince of Phaenicia was there like to dye for very sorrow and anguish of minde seeing all that euill had happened through the weaknesse of his defectiue sworde and cursing of himselfe thought his Mistresse would for euer abhorre him for that cause which would bee the losse of the best knight that euer put on armour Yet hitherto Don Bryanell could by no meanes get his foote loose but with the strength that he set drewe his horse vppon all his legge that the very paine thereof had almost killed him onely the Soldan reioyced at this dissastrous accident thinking hereby to effect his desire The Cyprus king was so highly glad that hoysting his axe aloâ—te cryed aloude this blowe shall execute my will The Prince Arfileo that in such state sawe his companions would haue gone to helpe them but his aduersarie perceiuing it let fall his semitor and slung himselfe vppon him whereat vnable to shunne it did the like stryuing with their excessiue strength to ouerthrowe one another Don Bellianis though hée saw himselfe without sworde and not able to helpe him with one arme was not therefore daunted with the fearefull sight of present death that hee before him sawe but séeing the most fierce Gyant come towardes him flung with all his strength the péece of sword remaining in his hande that lighting on his helme the force thereof threwe him backwardes to the grounde and before his brother could remedie it with admirable quicknesse which the present danger did augment he tooke vp the semitor that he let fall as is already said leauing the fight at that stay stâ—pped to Don Brianell and cutting the horse girts set him on his féete The â—ierce â—ing that then came vpon him gaue him a blow on the head which if it had not bin giuen him vnaduisedly it had clouen it in the middle but not staying there it descended on the sheeld cutting it all ouerthwart falling on his thigh parting all the Armour â—â— opened his flesh most â—itâ—ously Don Bellianiâ— féeling his wound strooke the King sideling with the heauie semitor y t if he had not warded y â— blow with his sheeld it had cleane cut of his leg yet it threw the sheeld in two peeces to the ground togither with his hand and being close one to another the King would haue cast his armes vppon him but the Knight leapt aside vnwilling to wrastle whereupon they wounded themselues most greeuously that with their mightiâ— stroakes they sometime bowed their heades to theyr breast sometime they bended theyr knées and sette their haâ—ds to the ground and the King wanting his left arme it made him to rore like a chased Bull that hee scantly felt any of the knights blowes Don Brianell séeing himselfe rid from his horse drew his sworde making against the king but he was stayed by his brâ—ther whâ— met him with a heauie Mace which he had on his saddle pummel vsing it in stead of his loose semitor and so piteously wounded one another that the vnterous knight was fain to helpe himself with his â—imblenesse to auoide the gyants intollerable blowes hauing wounded him in many places The like did â—he Prince Arfileo who hauing let loose his aduersarie layde close to it with their sharpe swordes with such admiration of the beholders as if the vniuersall iudgement consisted in the victorie of that battell and none durst vtter one word but with amazed gaze stared in one anothers faces to to sée those knights escaped that great danger who a little before they accounted dead by the meere courage and valour of the knight of the golden Image might not compare for haughty déeds of honoured Chiualrie and whome they so much estéemed And returning to the gréeued Princesse they knâ—w not what to say through conceiued gladnesse and had much to do to dissemble it in time of sorrow no lesse glad were the Ladies of the Princesse Florisbella who for ioy embraced each other especially Floriana that with teares in her eyes said Oh most vnhappie maiden that I am for I neuer gaue woorse counsaile in all my life to any then I did to this knight if hee héere had dyed But his death should not haue béene without company For in the instant my eyes had seene such a thing I would headlong haue tumbled my selfe from of this Tower that it might be knowne with what sinceritie and faithfulnesse I counpelled him Peace said the other for we shall sée him straight victoriously tryumphe ouer his enemies and therefore lette vs procure all necessaries for to cure his wounds At this time all the knights and Gyants were besmeared in their owne blood that where they sette their féete they left theyr signes printed with the same and so tyred with wearinesse hauing fought almost fiue houres that they couldâ—â—â—arce hold their swordes in their hands The feareful Filâ—ston almost with sweatie furie choaked and tyred withdrâ—we himselfe a part to breathe which gréeued not Don Bellianis who dooing so drew forth the péece of speare from his arme that embrued in his blood it stucke so fast that it put him in extream paine and walking vppe and downe because their woundes should coole they looked on their fellowes and sawe the venterous knight reduoble his strength throgh anger of the pause wherewith he had brought the Gyant with whom he fought hauing a mortall wounde giuen him before by the Solitarie Knight to such passe that hee coulde not long defend himselfe Which when the king of Cyprus did sée he woulde with his Courâ—leaâ—e wound the knight that then he might
the Piller and tooke the letter which opening hee read to this effect To thee Supreme and excellent Prince of Greece The sage Bellona thy greate friend saluteth thee Knowing by my Arte and skill which I continually vse for thy fake the great and mortall duanger which through thy meanes should befall the Solitary knight also thy sorrow and languishment therefore mooued me to make thee know the manner of his recouerie Wherefore I send this letter by a messenger of mine that the Piller of wonders might be manifested to thee Within this Piller thou seest shalt thou finde his remedy and therefore leaue it not vntried Alwaies remembring what I told thee in my lodging as briefly as I could for therein all thy labour is assured thee I say no more but so rest thine as thy selfe mayst testifiing Don Bellianis hauing read the letter reioyced to see there was yet remedy for the distressed Prince and so resolutely was casting himselfe into the huge fyre to sée what therein he could finde But before he could effect his purpose there came towards him foure valiant knights against whom preparing himselfe there also at that time assaultes him foure Lyons big and fierce who with their wyde mouthes as though they cast fire imbraced him maugre all his strength and drew him into the same Hee séeing himselfe in such perill letting fall his axe would haue drawne his dagger which at his backe he had but his arme was held so faste that hee could not sturre it and turning to sée what did it saw it was a most beauteous Lady whereupon the Lyons and knightes vanshed Oh God said Don Bellianis is this possible I sée Maruell not knight at what you see replyed the Ladie letting go his arme for this is called the Piller of wonders though it be a long time since any thing hath beene seene wherein many haue founde remedy for their dispairing loue yet neuer ending the aduenture Wherefore with more reason it might bee named the dispaire of Loue. And so was it true as in the end of the second parte of this Historie shall bée seene for whose cause many dyed not tormented with that deadly wounde And séeing for your companyons remedy you heere haue entred though it could not bee séene but by a third person with you you notwithstanding enioy the secrete thereof and taking him by the hand went where Contumeliano lay at the laste poynt of life the Lady carryed a kindled cole of the same fyre of the Piller which she cast vpon the breast of the Phenician Prince wherwith hee straight returned out of his trance somewhat agaste to sée himselfe in that case and going to ryse Don Bellianis with much gladnesse imbraced him saying What is the matter excellent Prince for your infirmitie hath greatly gréeued vs My euill hath beene nothing in refpect of the greate gladnesse replyed he I conceiue in knowing you and since I am frée of the laste deceit I intreate you of your speciall fauour to manyfest it mée not hyding any of your actes I am content answered Don Bellianis to please you therein but thanke this Ladie for your liues libertie Which hee going to doe she returned suddenly through that fier leauing euery thing as afore What is this my good Lord demanded don Contumeliano Whereuppon Don Bellianis discoursed that aduenture and how hee being ready to breathe his last it appeared called the desperation of Loue and how he proued it with what else happened And procéeding said I knowe not soueraigne Prince the occasion of your extreame passion Let vs talke no more hereof replyed hee for I assure you assoone as I felt the cole of fyre sette vpon mee I loste all that vehement dolour and agony yet not so but that I shall alwayes remember the deceit done me hard by the Cittie of Persepolis And so was it true for still after when hee sawe the knight of the golden Image his pulses and spirits would beate with alteration like one strooke with an vncoueth feare And I pray you let me knowe your name with the causes of your other aduenture My name replyed Don Bellianis is the knight of the golden Image which I am sure you neuer heard and so recounted the rest how hee came out of prison in a Ladies garments to vndertake that combatte as is afore saide Don Contumeliano greatly wondred when he knew that was the knight of the golden Image of whom passing through the vnhappy bridge hee heard such wonders of and greatly reioycing to haue met with such a knight said I doe new sir knight of the golden Image altogether beléeue and confirme the high déedes published of you and dee render infinit thanks to our immortall Gods that haue brought mee to enioy the fruition of your company and so very leuingly imbraced together knitting twixt them the inuiolable knot of friendship which all their life lasted as the Historie mentioneth Don Bellionis was vnarmed by Contumelianos Page and his woundes by him dressed and attired in Florianaes garments which refreshed the dying flames in the heart of the amourous Prince and agréed togither that don Contumeliano should stay for it in a strong citie fortie miles from Persepolis belonging to the Duke Alfiron called Bollera appointing to be with him within thirtie dayes wherefore embracing againe each other and taking their leaues they went to sée the piller to read the letters thereon which by the light of the fire there don Bellianis thus read The Piller of the wonders for remedie of the dispairers in Loue shalbe henceforth manifested where euerie one shal be remedied according to their meede And if in Loue he neuer haue erred or in armes beene ouercome by the gardians here placed by the sage Medea hee that so hath not beene shall not proue himselfe therein Well might I haue hoped for remedie said don Contumeliano of the gard you here saw if you had not béene here But I desire to sée the end of so great an aduenture and howe it may be brought thereto for I thinke the letters do not shewe it A little lower I thinke it doth expresse the maner how answered Don Bellianis by him that through dispaire shall hither come Then good cause haue I to proue it replied don Contumeliano for I neuer hope for remedie Don Bellianis greatly laughed at what the Prince said And so taking leaue one of another departed Don Contumeliano putting on his owne armor taking the Giants Curtelax instead of his sword tooke his next way to Bollen where he found all the people verie sorrowfull for the Duke their Lordes imprisonment who was of them greatly loued Hee recounted to them what had happened in the battell and how the duke their Lord was alreadie at libertie whereat they were much ioyed and highlie honoured him who remained there till don Bellianis came as hereafter shall be expressed CHAP. XXVII How Don Bellianis returned to prison and what past betweene him and the Ladies of the Princesse
neuer satisfying himself with asking al that had befallen them in that Kingdome The Prince Don Bellianis discoursed vnto him euery thing at large telling him hée greatly wondred that hée had vndertaken so great toyle as to come to seeke them To discharge the debt I was in replyed the Emperour for the succour I receiued at the vnknowne Castle both of you and of your Cosin for our manner as you knowe is to make satisfaction in the same Coyne And yet your dutie was net to go awâ—i not making your selues knowne But letting it passe What was the reason you did so Wée could do no otherwise replyed Arfileo hauing promised so to do They had thus chatted till the next morrowe if the Emperour had not sent them to bedde Which they did lying in that chamber and slept til the Sun had the following morning dryed the could deawe on the moyst earth And rysing out of their beddes made them ready and went altogether into the field where the ioustes were kept whose pryze the good Knight Sabian of Trebento obtained with immortall honor by his braue deedes In this manner rested they a moneth vnmolested of any by reason of the boysterous colde winter which kept the Soldane from incamping his Hoaste In which time the Prince Don Bellianis though hée greatly delighted in the Empereur his Fathers presence whom all the rest called the Knight of the Crownes sustained such gréeuous passions and torments of weart for the absence of his deare Ladie that hée often sounned to the death nothing with him preuailing the consolating wordes of his Damzels nor the Princesse Aurora to whome he made knowen his griefe But euery day grewe worse and worse which the Emperour his Father séeing armed himself vppon a day though hée could hardly doe it béeing not altogether well walked with him out of the Cittie and inquired of him very earnestly the cause of his melancholie gréefes charging him not to conceale if by any meanes The Prince don Bellianis tolde him he knewe not whence procéeded his gréefe but that he felt extreame anguish of minde and coulde not conceiue the cause thereof The Emperour perceiuing some loue passion tormented him hauing many times séene him sighe without cause ouerpaste that talke and saide Tel me where abouts is the valley of the thrée fountaines for I must néedes go thither It is some thrée myles hence said Don Bellianis whither wée may make an easie walke Whereuppon the Emperour tooke his launce from his sonnes Dwarffe and sending him with his owne Page backe to the Cittie they went towards the valley The Prince demaunded of his Father why hée went thither You shall knowe replyed hee I haue ingaged my selfe to the Combatte there with the Persian Prince this day and I am determined to méete him there alone without any company for so wée agreed and therefore here wée must part for wée must not go together Don Bellianis gréeued that the Emperour had vndertaken so dangerous a fight and the more because he might not go to ayde him if any sinister chaunce should befall But seeming to feare nothing said I will obey your commauede deare Lord séeing you will haue it so and will returne vnto the Cittie and excuse you till you come backe And so shewed him the valley and departed something better satisfied to see what little account the Emperour made of the battell yet he resolued to frustrate it as hereafter shall be shewen But here we leaue them till wée haue sette downe the matter contained in the ensuing Chapter which greatly auaileth this Historie CHAP. XXXV Who the sage Fristone was and what hee did that the battell betweene those Princes might not bee effected IN the Kingdome of Persia where then al those knights were dwelt a Wiseman which was hée that writte this great Historie called Fristone whose equall in the Magicke-art the world contained not excelling therein all those of his time for they procured to learne of him This rare Magician was so greate a friend to the Persian Prince Perianco that all his labour and studie was to no â—ther office but for the good successe of his affaires consunting the greatest part of his time to that end For which purpose hée had giuen him a most excellent rich and wel tempered sword that the like was not within y e earthly continent except that of Don Bellianis which before times appertained vnto that valorous Knight Iason the which that excellent Inchauntresse Medea had giuen him when they enioyed their Loues which she forged vnder the constillation and predominance of such Plannets that no iuchauntment might against it preuaill This sword procured the sage Fristone for the vse of the Prince Perianeo but he neuer could obtaine it because Medea by her Prophecies had bequeathd it to the successiue heires of the House of Greece placing it where Don Bellianis woon it by the meanes of the sage Bellona But this wise Fristone béeing in the desart of death where he made his habitation hee there calling to minde his friend the Persian Prince came to know that for all his valour was so excellent and very felve that might equall him in strength he notwithstanding might incurre wonderous danger And casting about with his Arte to know the end of that battell the almightie God would not suffer him to finde out the successe thereof reseruing to his diuine Maiestie the knowledge of the euent of thinges which to none others might bee permitted and the more hee sought to know it the farther he was from it Which thing so confounded him in his imagination that hée could not thinke what it might bée Wherefore he resolued by all meanes to disturbe the fight iudging that afterwards the Persian Prince might better reuenge himselfe vpon the Duke Alfiron for the iniurie he had done his Father and therefore deuised what you shall know in the next Chapter CHAP. XXXVI What Don Bellianis did beeing gone from the Emperour and how hee combatted with the Persian Prince and were parted by the means of the sage Fristone And how the Soldanes Hoste besieged the Cittie of Bollera DOn Bellianis béeing departed from the Emperour his Father so spurred his Horse that quickly he returned to the cittie wherein he entred very quict shewing no manner of alteration but telling euery one that by the way inquired of him for he Knight of theÌ„ Crownes y t he stayed not farre thence for Sabian of Trebento his companion Hée entred the Pallace where méeting with Sabian requested him to lend him his armour to supply his present néede May not I accompanie you said hee No replied Don Bellianis besides I will presently returne Where left you my Lord the Emperour demaunded hee Hard by replyed the Prince staying for me Which said he buckled on Sabians armour which nothing differed from his fathers and mounting a horsebacke he tooke his way to the valley of the thrée fountaines to méete with the Persian Prince and comming to a large plaine â—he spied
and imbracing him said We now haue time noble Prince to know the cause that mooued you without my leaue to enter within this place I am not so wearie of the last demaunde replied hee but that I may satisfie you now in this though your selfe be well and séeing that the last aduenture cost so deare it were no reason to leaue you in this vnsatisfied In these and such like spéeches continued they till supper time which come they all did eate togither because of the wounded Princes Héere they stayed fiftéene dayes till the Princes were well able to trauaile in which time and daye Bellona taking don Bellianis a part she said vnto him walking through those roomes I doo well knowe most excellent Prince and so iudge my selfe altogither vnwoorthy and it not necessarye to giue you counsaile concerning your most great actions Yet because you are a stranger in an vnknowne countrey and in a place where euerie one would wish your downfall with extreamest death and so many néedsome aduertisements I presume to tell you that though faithfully in heart and with good reason you obserue and vnfainedly keepe the lawe and religion of your profession yet must you conceale it and by no meanes manifest it for if in the least respect you doo it may cost you your dearest life And moreouer after that by the vertue of your inuincible arme you haue safely established the Princesse Aurora in her vsurped royaltyes you must procure and endeuour to arriue at the Soldane of Babilons Court where you must sustaine your neuer fainting heart with your accustomed courage for you shall there see your selfe in so many great perils that you shall a thousand times wish for death as a remedie for them But heereof take no thought for they are things ordained by the supremest powers yet alwayes beare on your sheeld the same deuise that you nowe haue though for her sake you shall be putte in great and suffer many and tedious passions yet shall you bee thereby knowne and your immortall fame blazed ouer the whole earths continent which you shall still weare till I aduertise you to the contrarie Wherewith she ended and the Prince thus replyed I will not render to you such thanks as this care and great courtesies deserue for euerie thing I possesse beeing at your commaund it is reason you guard and protect them as your owne Herewith they returned to theyr companie and don Brianell hauing séene them both together said I would not haue you be so long together neither that you should learn any thing wherby you might further excell vs in fight which if it be so it were no reason that I whose merites bee so inferiour to yours should learne them You may well doo it replied don Bellianis hauing in the last conflict reaped the profite fearelesse of any thing that might haue happened vnto vs. In all things you will seeme to yeelde vnto mee the vantage answered Don Bryanell though there be nothing in me that may any way please you or the Prince Arfileo since as you shewe you would haue mée hadde that carefull feare of you as well not knowing as knowing you yet doo not I knowe why I should feare you beeing accompanied with the diuine beautie of this most fayre and excellent Princesse You doo well to iest with vs all replyed shee yet is it no matter since your words expresse what small parte I haue thereof hauing beene vnable to expell the doubt you had of the Princes being here Don Bryanell beeing of nature pleasant and courteous kept them in pleasing chat the rest of the time of theyr beeing there which was some eight dayes which expired they béeing desirous to depart thence hadde an armour presented to each of them by Bellona the richest and fayrest that euer was seene That which Don Bellianis had was of a tawny colour with such naturall workes imbossed with pearles so bright that they yeelded as much light as tenne burning Torches in any darke place but cheefely the shéelde hauing the verie selfe same image it hadde before which was drawne with such perfection and curiositie of arte that if they had euer séene the substance they woulde haue iudged it the counterfeit or portrature of Florisbella the Soldane of Babilons Daughter which although the Princesse Aurora knewe yet sayde nothing imagining the wise woman had not without speciall cause set it there About it was written the aforesaide Motto so perfectly made with great Orient pearle that it forced admiration in each beholder Hee had also a scabbard giuen him for his sword made of massie gold with letters drawne thereon declaring the manner of the winning thereof Arfileos were like them hee hadde in the caue and Don Brianels were of diuers colours whose workmanship was woorth a great treasurie Did not I say I should in all things haue the aduantage that for a white armor of no value which I did weare in the battell haue giuen mee now so rich and faire It is not giuen you as a gift for your olde saide Arfileo but that you should pay for them Use not the office of a Marchant replied Don Brianell for who hath giuen me my armour vseth not to sell any If it be so sayd Arfile how payed you that which you weare Striue not about so small matter saide Don Bellianis for I will pay for all hauing greatest cause for it Then straight were they with them armed and taking leaue of the sage Matrone she sayd You will by the way néed Pages to attend on you therefore will I giue you thrée of mine and so presented them thrée dwarffes so little that they greatly delighted to sée their smalnesse specially that of Don Bellianis whose shortnesse reached not to the others middle though they were wonderfull lowe Where inhabite and are ingendred such gentle people as these sayd Don Brianell I should long remaine among them if I should stay there to be accounted nothing as euerie one of them is else where You shall not bée accounted nothing saide Don Bellianis dwarffe called Ordino for they would al so persecute you that séeing your bignesse to theirs they would wanting ground tread on you in steade of it That were woorse then the other replied Don Brianell But least we further procéede in talke it were good we set forwarde in our iourney Wherewith with most kinde courtesie taking their farewell of the Ladie of the Caue set forth of the same And béeing without hée seeing the Princesse and Ladies all cloathed in most rich cloath of Golde sayd with great laughter Let vs sirs make more haste for the destruction that these Damzels haue made will cause some vnséene wanderer demaund it at our handes But all that is left is yours said the Princesse therefore feare not If it bée so replied he I haue no lesse right to that which you carrie therefore were it not amisse you giue it mee The Prince Don Bellianis will not not suffer it answered shée hée being
tackt with silke and golden twist and drawne foorth in Roses In the middle of euerie one was set an orient Pearle of great bignesse that it made the gowne of such excessiue valour that euery one estéemed it worth no lesse then the whole Citie of Persepolis her Amber haire like the thréeds of finest golde was in tresses in a net of the same stuffe knit togither whereon was placed a Coronet set wâ—th great and faire Saphires in the middest whereof stoode a stone grauen with the Image of the God of Loue with his bowe and arrowes whose sparkling brightnesse would haue darkened the light of a great Torch The Duke Alfiron when he saw her in this maner remained altogither without féeling which Arfileo that was nigh him séeing sayd vnto him verie softlie Looke to your selfe most noble Duke least you discouer what hitherto hath béene vnknowne Whereat the Duke recouered himselfe greatly abashed at the accident but euery one was so occupied in eying the Princesse that they little regarded anie other Whereupon the Prince Arfileo and Don Brianell tooke her by the handes and ledde her to the Pallace stayres where they all mounted on such horses and palfrayes as appertained to their high state in which equipage they went to their chiefe Temple where by the high Priest they were marryed according to the Pagan rytes which done they returned to dinner dyning togither drowned in all earthly ioyes wanting nothing that anie mortall heart could by wishing comprehend though at the banquet the thoughts of manie were diuerse For the Duke Alfiron thought howe hee might take the Princesse from Don Gallaneo and inioy her after the taking Don Brianell and Arfileo how they might spoile him of his life and he of theirs with the Knights of the golden Image but the Princesse Persiana had all her imagination busied more on the promise of the Knight of the golden Image then on the diuersitie of dishes before her And dinner being ended al the knights went to arme them to be ready at the appointed houre with their captaine in fielde The Jousts were ordained to be made with out the Cittie in a spacious large field for that purpose appointed Don Bellianis though sore wounded rose and armed him in gréene armor interlaced with manie strokes of gold which the Duke had giuen him who commanded all the knights to march away leauing him alone that he might more secretly go himselfe The Duke went accoÌ„panied with Arfileo don Brianell ordering his men as one little estéeming his enemies hauing so great defence in those two valiant warriours his hope in the knight of the goldeÌ„ Image With him ioyned the kings of Armenia and Thessifanty hauing on their side aboue 25. thousand chosen knights which in comparison of the courtiers were but a haÌ„dful for Don Gallaneo trebled that number who by this appeared on the other side with al his troups wel ordered with gallant demonstration Then on an imperiall theater mounted the Soldane the two princesses Persiana and Aurora that till that time had not gone abroad who so soone as they were all setled the Soldane coÌ„manded the signal to be giuen by the trumpets wherat Don Brianell that had the leading of the first squadron set forwards with it against a valiant knight a kinsman of don Gallaneos whom he vnhorst with foure more before hee brake his launce The squadrons breaking through each other made such tumult with incounter of speares swords diuers other weapons that the beholders thought al the strength of y e world had bin there met who so closed togither that hauing no roome to handy blowes wold by wrastling ouerthrow each other that horsmen tumbled to the ground and he that once fell did more striue to get out of the prease then to returne to the fight But Don Bryanell séeing his enemies to double his men in number thrust himselfe within the most furie of the battell where hard by the Soldanes theater méeting with a knight of stature like a giant called Fydasto the cruell raised both their swords and together at one time discharged on each other such blowes that Fydasto was ouerthrowne and wounded on the head and don Bryanell bowed to the pummel of his saddle with greate courage staying himself This was one of the knights that don Gallaneo had charged to kill don Bryanell and Arfileo who séeing himself downe with a diuelish rage rose with a hoarse voyce cried Downe with the knight that against the order and law of tourney beareth an edged sword whereof he had no cause to complaine for hee and the other two knights that had the like charge did weare the like Straight was the venturous knight incompassed with aboue 1000. Knights that leauing their tilt onely procured his death But he so demeaned himself among them that in a trise he beate to the ground aboue twentie sore wounded and yet his men could not come to help him by reason of the multitude that had inclosed him Then Arfileo séeing this most valiantly prickt foorth with his troupe and don Gallaneo that nought imagined but their deaths brandeshing his trunchion made against him with all his battell that don Bryanell might not bee succoured the like did the Duke Alfyron with the remnant of his men and in the midst of the field they met with such force that most of them wished themselues farre thence at that time The Duke the two knights straight entered among their aduersaries performing it verie brauely But Arfileo that had no other intent then to helpe don Bryanell passed through the thickest of the squadron that none durst withstand him and entred within their ring where they slew their horses procuring the like by them But they beganne to make such destruction of them that they had laid at their féete aboue a humdred knights some slaine outright and some gréeuously wounded and al that beheld the fight thought it ill done that so many knights should onely set vpon two insomuch that the Soldane was about to descend and part them Where we leaue them for we must a while discourse what befell Don Bellianis in his lodging CHAP. XVII What happened Don Bellianis in the Dukes Pallace with Galfeo the vnknowne and his Knights his death with the end of the Tourney AS soone as Don Gallaneo was departed to the Tourney his cosin Galfeo the vnknowne took the fiftie knights weÌ„t to the Duks lodging hauing vnderstood by his spies how he was thence going and that the knight of the golden Image remained there alone where being arriued hée commaunded his men to follow him vp but then Don Bellianis hauing put on the Dukes armour was readie to go to the tilt thinking it time to be gone But hearing a noyse at the gate looked out at a window falling vppon the stayres and séeing so many knights there was amazed and with a loude voyce saide what séeke you here knights at such time when all are gone to
the tourney Don Galfeo looked vp and séeing him in that armour knew him not and dissembling his intent sayd Good knight I pray you shew vs him of the golden Image for we must needes speake with him You may not enter here sayde hee for the Duke my maister hath so commanded And hauing so sayde went towards the staires in great hast wher hefouÌ„d don Galfeo entering the gallerie and drawing foorth his Sword sayd It is in vaine knight whatsoeuer thou art to passe further here thou or anie else without the Duke my Maisters leaue Don Galfeo hereat conceiued such ire by these wordes that also drawing foorth his Sword sayde Downe with the treacher that will denie vs the entrie But Don Bellianis with his sword put himself among them that in little space with great furie and force he slew aboue thirtie of them which so amazed the rest that they began to retire backe as farre as the staires But with the furie that possessed Don Bellianis hee so handled them that in an euill houre they came to séeke him séeing don Galfeo aboue the rest troubled him strooke him such a blow on the sword arme that cut in two it fel on the earth after he gaue him another on she head that he cleft it down to his eies Neuer was there séene a knight behaue himselfe better among so many But they preased on him in such sort that he had like to haue bin greatly indaÌ„gered yet he driuing them all before him down staires made such distraction of them that for verie hast they tumbled one vpon another he séeing them giue backe followed them out of the pallace in their despight did beate them into a broade yarde thinking better to defend himselfe there then in so close a roome where he so vsed the strength of his mighty armes that he got a horse of many that ran loose wherwith he renewed his massacring of them There was alreadie gathered much people of the Citie with their weapons not knowing y e cause why so many were assembled in the dukes pallace when they saw them all vppon one knight they helped him Don Gallaneos knights with more theÌ„ the third part of their fellowes dead and séeing Don Gaifeo slaine and how their treason for that time could not be effected by the extreame valour of that knight fled away Don Bellianis not willing to follow them turned towards the Dukes pallace where taking one of them he set his sword to his throate threatned to kil him if he denied y e cause of their comming in that maner to séeke the knight of the goldeÌ„ image in presence of many of the city he confessed how commanded by their Lord Don Gallaneo they came to murther him What meant your Lord by doing so said don Bellianis I know no more then I haue said replied the man God â—ée praised said don Bellianis that your Lords trecherie hath not taken effect Then mounting his horse he rid â—o the tilt-yard where he looked on euerie side sawe how the dukes men retired back séeking for the Princes Arfileo and Don Bryanel and not séeing them he tooke a big launce put himself against don Gallaneos knights the first he met he ouerthrew to the ground doing the like by aboue thirtie before he brake it and incouraging the Dukes fayling troupes renewed their fight so fiercely vpon the Courtiers that they feared to loose what they had before woonne And like a man distract not seeing his companions so wounded his aduersaries that happie was hee that furthest could get from him wherby euerie one made him ample passage to go by for neuer a blow he gaue either with sword or lance but he ouerthrow a knight Which the Sophie séeing cryed out Oh mightie Mahomet what admirable strength is this of your knight But all this while Don Gallaneo and his knights had so roundly beset Don Brianell and Arfileo that it was impossible they should escape aliue though most valiantly they defended themselues When there arriued a knight to Don Gallaneo and in his eare told him all that befell his cosin Don Galfeo with Don Bellianis who being not far off from them he poynted to him and sayd This is the knight that so hath massacred your men Don Gallaneo turning to sée him sawe how with an incredible furie hee assayled his knights that had incompassed the Princes and that with foure blowes hee strooke downe foure knights and making little account of the rest alighted and seeing they woulde not suffer the Princes to mount a horsebacke sayde that euerie one might heare Gette vppon this my horse Prince Arsileo for since with so great trecherous cowardize you are vsed make it knowne euen on theyr dearest liues They knowing his voyce conceiued such ioy that almost they knewe not what they did who â—oing about to take a fresh horse so manie knights layde on them that they could not doo it Which Don Bellianis seeing and howe it wared late to be reuenged on Don Gallaneo taking Don Brianell in his armes in despight of all the knights sette him on his horse and beeing on his owne with rage and thirstie furie of long desired reuenâ—e beganne such destruction on them that hee made wide passage for himselfe and his companions And séeing two Gyants come against him of foure which Don Gallaneo hadde brought to the Joustes for the purpose aforesayde hee prspared for them and receiuing one of theyr blowes on his sheeld that was so cruell that it cutte it in péeces hée so wounded the other with like strength that falling on his fingers it cutte them off cleane with the mace hee helde but the other did second so huge a stroke that hee was forced to holde by his horse necke There was neuer Tiger séene more fierce nor Lion more furious then Don Bellianis séemed who raysing himselfe on the stirrops and holding his sword with both hands gaue him such a terrible blow on his thigh that it entered as far as the bone wherewith he shortly after died What knight so valiant may this be replied the Soldane y t doth such wonders I would willingly haue had the knight of the golden Image here y t he might trie his force with this That knights deeds be not comparable to these said the princesse Persiana to her father the more to couer her intent of any thing that might after happen for wel she knew that Don Bellianis would be in that battell so iudged that was he But he following in search of Don Gallaneo founde him at last not farre from the Soldanes scaffolde where likewise the Princesse was and as a swift hounde that hath his game on foote fearing to loose it so did he against Don Gallaneo whâ— also made towards him and méeting strooke each other such puissant blowes that the sparkles of fire flewe from their armour But don Gallaneo tumbled to the grounde sore wounded When
golden Image haue trecherouslie slaine Don Gallaneo I replie thou most falsely lyest which my selfe am readie to approue in battell or present my Champion for the same The Prince Arfileo all this while readie to choake with extreame rage yet moderately sayde thus Since thou art altogether ouerwhelmed in the treasons thou speakest off Cyprus King know that touching the knight of the golden Image thou hast most falsely lied in thy throate and therefore bring with thée in field one of thy brothers or whom else thou wilt For if thou wilt not stay vntill his wounds bée whole my selfe in his place will approoue the vtmost of thy spéeches to be méerelie false for he is not a Prince nor knight that would haue procured Don Gallaneos death except forced thereunto through his great treasons and demerits yet his Coosen like a vilde traitour died treacherously going to murther him in his bed Don Brianell dissembling his anger with a scoffing laughter not suffring the King of Cyprus to roplie said to him I thinke King Knight or Giant or what thou wilt thou thoughtest thy challenge would returne vnaccepted because no knight might be here able in bignesse and deforme to answere thée And yet in my opinion thy pride is farre greater then thy bodie But passing this knowe that in the Princesse Persianaes name I will make the thirde in Combatte agaynst thy brothers or thy selfe to prooue with the helpe of the immortall Gods that in the great vntroth breathed forth by thée thou most treacherously liest And seeing we are all prepared to fight be it presently whiles the passion of thy furiousnes is hot least after thou doe excuse thy selfe by the weight of thy armour euerlong worne The fearefull Gyant séeing with what courage and audacitie of speech those knights spake to him was diuers times about to lay handes vppon his boysterous are thereby to punish the lauish of their tongues no more esteeming the combatte with a hundred of them then doth the furious Bull a troupe of little whelpes béeing ready to burst with fury vttered these words to the Soldane By the high powers of the Gods dread Lord if these sillye mad-men were not before thy sacred presence I would haue inflicted such heauie punishment on them that they should bee examples to all others as should presume to speake in such maner to any of my degree But I will this once restraine my selfe and expect the combate till the Knight of the golden image bée brought well of his woundes that my reuenge may bee the greater For I meane to wage the fight with all foure Nor would I haue you repute my wordes vaine for I haue diuers other times done the like against a hundred better then the best of them Whereunto Don Brianell made this answere Doest thou confirme my former speeches in so long prolonging this fight daring say thou wilt doe it against them all knowing vs to be such knights that will not suffer one another to enter the fight with any such aduantage Thâ—n the Seldan commaunded them all silence saying that the king of Cyprus accusing thrée knights the like number must bee against him to wit the king and his two brothren that shall agrée thereto Bée it as you shall command said the King and my two brothers shal accompany mée though more willing I would haue had this combate my selfe against thrée or foure or more that they might thereby sée how little I esteeme of them Then the Soldane againe commaunded silence to bée kept called the two Lords of Armenia Tessifantie with other Lordes to councell touching the confirmation of the challenge which béeing ended they returned and commanding the knightes and Gyants to attend he said Hauing consulted concerning the accusation made by the king of Cyprus against the Duke Alfiron the knight of the golden Image and my daughter wée haue found hee may lawfully doe it béeing as hee is the mightiest of kindred that Don Gallaneo hath And moreouer because the Duke himselfe is accused he may not in person enter the combatte and so much for the knight of the golden Image Therefore it behooues you Duke to finde a Champion to vndertake this battell for you séeing the Prince Arfileo doth it for the knight of the golden Image and his companion for my daughter and it must bee foorthwith Now though the Duke séemed outwardly displeased being forbidden the combatte in person yet was it not so for hee greatly feared the Gyants forces Neuerthelesse he answered the Soldan in this manner Séeing I must séeke a Champion to defend my right grant me some time dread soueraigne to doe it I giue you said the Soldan twelue dayes wherein looke to it consider on all thinges you shall néede that after you complaine not I haue done you iniustice Then was the Princesse Persiana sent for that she would agrée that the same knight should bée her defender On this message went the Kinges of Armenia Tessifontie and also to bring her who acquainted her with all they had therein laboured according to her request and how the king of Cyprus being come to the Courte had not accused her alone but also the knight of the golden Image and that the Soldan had sent for her to knowe if she would alowe the aduenturous knight for her Champion Whereuppon béeing conducted to her fathers presence she prostrated her selfe before him but hée sternely looking on her said Consider Princesse on the answere you must make to the king of Cyprus Shee answered shee knewe not his demaunde then had she it reiterated Whereunto she replied I knowe not what I should answere to such a false and vniust request and most vntrue suggestion But since you also ioyne with me the knight of the golden Image let him answere both for himselfe and me to whom I commit my life honor right and iustice We sent not for you to this end said the Sophy for the knight of the golden image must not combat himselfe but sée if you will haue the venturous knight defend your cause or no. I care not if he doe replyed she and yet I thinke hée would willingly accept it hauing all right and iustice on his behalf defending the innocencie of a distressed Princesse And I beséech the immortall Gods I may liue to acknowledge and gratifie this his great courtesie To this replyed Don Bryanell your selfe diuine Ladie hauing so great iustice to defence your innocencie maketh mée the debter for this high fauour whose grace hath decréede to lay the confidence of so great a charge on so meane and vndeseruing a knight whose seruice for this honor is in perpetuall bond to your gracious Highnesse Vpon the end of which spéeches the gages were on eyther side accepted and the day of battell assigned to bée twelue dayes after The Soldan commaunded both the Duke and Princesse to bée surely guarded in seuerall strong Towers and turning to the king of Cyprus instantly requested him to
lodge in his pallace vntill the battell were paste The King easily condiscended thereto hauing already purposed that if he remayned victor of the fight to require the Soldan to pardon his daughter and giue her him with the kingdome of Antioche as his right being next Heire to Don Gallaneo for which cause hée remained there where the Soldan greatly honored him The Prince Arfileo Don Bryanell with the Kinges Dukes and Earles returned to the Dukes Pallace to tell Don Bellianis the order taken and entring where hee was they founde him nowe somewhat better then they before had left him to whome they then declared all that had passed betwéene them and the Soldon and how the day of battell was assigned and that the Duke had in Champion for himselfe and how they had accepted the combatte no his and the Princesse Persianis name expressing also the great fiercenes of the Gyants particularly descrybing y e deformed mishapen features of the King of Cyprus protesting they had neuer seene the like Don Belhanis conceiued an extreame rage hearing that discourse how the Soldane would not permit him to the combate at such time wherein hee was reputed a traytor wherewith beeing almoste besides himselfe with vnrestrained fary saide What thinkes the Soldane this shall be suffered that hee hath ordayned and that with so greate maliciousnâ—s against the law of armes his desire shall bée fulfilled No the powers diuine will not permit it And therewithall hee rose and sat vppon his bedde and in all haste called for his cloathes The Damsels séeing him thus determined intreated him not to doe it which hee would not but in all haste made himselfe ready resisting al their requestes also the Princesse Auroras and commanding that none should accompany him saue the Princes there present that led him by the armes least hée should fall But a little after the Princesse Florisbellas Damzells followed him in which manner they went through the Cittie vntill they came vnto the Soldanes Pallace who béeing séene and knowne by the common people said one to another viewing him so fainte and weake Beholde heere the knight which ouercame the knights of the vnhappybridge and that tooke the Dukes parte in the last turney Many followed him to knowe the cause of his so going in such ill disposition who being at the Pallace gate sent the Soldane word hee was come to speake with him WheÌ„ it was so told the Sophy he was at table accompanyed with the King of Cyprus his brothers who vnderstanding hée was there commaunded hee should bee admitted to his presence Is this the Knight of the golden Image demaunded the King whom I come both to accuse and challenge for the treachery he committed by the deathes of my deare Cosins This is he replyed the Soldan and doe assure you that his peere the sunne shines not on to equall him in strength and valour That may bee saide the King mong such as himselfe and it were a blotte to my honour to make any account of 100. such as hee You wrong your selfe to thinke so answered the Soldan for if hee should enter in the fight I would not for the world assure you of the victorie and therefore I ordered what I did Now you haue told me so said the Gyant it behoues me in any wise to craue the combatte against him for if I should not doe it I am for euer dishonoured I wil haue no more wordes héereon sayde the Sophy for in dooing otherwise I should not bee reuenged on him and the Duke as I desire The king disdainfully laughed at his wordes and said If the others that in this battell shallenter were as you make him yet should my will be accompliwed But since you wil haue it otherwise I yéelde vnto you Thereon sayde the Soldane giue mee your hand and word not to accept at this time any battell against him I promised you so to doe said y e Gyant though it bée to my lasting blame CHAP. XXII What speeches passed betweene the Knight of the golden Image and the Soldan and how hee was stayed in the Pallace till the end of the battell DON Bellianis beeing before the Sophies presence shewing no kinde of dutie thinking that one of his state and pretending such a challenge shuld rather seeme sterne and fierce theÌ„ humble and milde though his weakenes through the gréenousnes of his wounds was so great that no Knight vnder the cope of heauen was able with such patience to endure half the paine y t he perforce sustained which notwithstanding with a cleare voice that he might bee heard of all the assembly dissembling his sorrowe as much as he could said I am most mightie Lord forced to come to your presence in this manner that you sée by hearing certaine things that here haue bin debated in preiudice of my honor and reputation which most excéedingly haue augmented the pain and grief of my great sicknesse for which cause I feare I shall not be able to vtter the imaginations of my pensiue hart with so great decoram and reuereÌ„ce as appertaineth to so high a personage And I protest I had not hither come but presuming on y e equalnesse of thy iustice The Soldan séeing him in such distresse coÌ„manded him ere he further procéeded to sit downe a chaire being brought him he humbling himselfe for the courtesie sat him downe being in such case that he had like a thousand times to haue sounded as he stood through y e great debilitie of his bodie But drawing strength from his neuer fainting courage séeing Filistone that fierce gazed on him resting astonished at his great monstruositie turned to the Souldane with these words If according to the iustice of my cause most mightie lord committed to the administration of those men to that ende placed by the immortall gods on this terrestriall ball promising such large guerdons in their future life of euerlasting happinesse if with equitie and right they execute the function of so high commanding powers whereunto the spacious territories of your vaste Empery bindes you you looke into this whole matter searching y e true ground therof not suffering the vnbridled passion of base parcialitie to blinde the eyes of your admiring iudgement which most often is woont to obscure and vtterly with ignominy besmeares the magnanimitie of the Noblest mindes Then I cannot but greatlye meruaile for what reasons you haue so farre procéeded in my affaires séeing my selfe indeuoured with the vtmost of my strength to shewe my prostrate seruice to your highnesse whose gentle regarde might haue bene the cause that the least reason procéeding from your royall selfe should haue contentedly satisfied mee at your command And I vow by the high immortal gods no reproach shuld haue scandalizde your mightinesse nor any iniurious infamy stained the honour of your estate if my selfe had béene first heard and my consent graunted to the assigned Combatte For in my iudgement it is against all naturall reason that I béeing
not enter for the Knight of the golden Image is a sléepe and so sicke that I feare he will hardly escape the danger of these wounds and I come to tell these knights that for a fewe daies they should suffer none to visit him for it woulde be very troublesome to him and now I will go to know what the Duke determineth about his cause The Kings hearing this would goe no further but charging the guarde to let none enter his Chamber returned back leading Don Bellianis with them whom they knewe not through the obscuritie of the night and had it not béene his pensiue sullen melancholie they could not but haue knowne him by the tallnesse of his body although he stooped as much as he could and being all without the pallace the Kings would accompanie him to the Dukes Tower but he thanking them for that courtesie would not suffer them and so parted going alone and being nigh the Dukes Pallace hee espied his companions talking with many knights and because hee would not be knowne he tooke an other by way which led him without the Cittie gate through which hee went till hee came to a fayre groue of trees somewhat out of the high waye where vnder a spreading beech hee lay till the Moone began with her light to shewe her selfe there washe surprised with the remembraunce of the beautie of the most honourable Princesse Florisbella which he so contemplated that hee was caryed away with the déepe imaginations of her diuine persections that hee knewe not whether hee was in Heauen or in earth and drawing foorth the picture that the Damzells hadde giuen him with heart-breaking sighes he vttered these words procéeding from the bottome of his loue sicke soule Oh diuine and most Angelicall beautie of the absolutest Princesse liuing on this mossey orbe vnhappie was the houre wherein I heard thée named and more vnfortunate when my eyes were captiuated in the admyred sight of thy pictured beautie for séeing the sole shaddawe of thy nominated rarenesse hath the power to drowne mee in heauie soule-tormented passions what then will the substance of thy immortall deitie doo when the fruition of that sight shall robbe mee of my ioying sences Then must I onely call and continually crie for death as chéefest anchorage and remedie of my wound and with my life to end these my extreame and intollerable sorrewes But foole that I am where may I obtaine more glorie then to norish such conceits or what happie fortune then possessing this sight burthening torment if I do not altogither dispaire of y ◠curing salue for my mortall wound Oh wise Bellona not without cause didst thou bid me come to the Soldanes Court and remember me I should not there in my greatest affections loose the reignes of my high courage But who is he that is able to do so hauing no strength to counterpoyz◠my greefes nor cure for my oppressed heart being so far remooued from the causer of my torments whose supreme thoughts cannot deigne to bēd their fauors on so mean a knight if they did how shuld I merit deserue them by conioyning both desires in one when the large continents of the spacious world doth not containe two greater enemies then hers and my father or where is there a greater difference of lawes and religion then betwixt them whereby I maye not onely dispayre of remedie but liue perpetually the disgracest Knight that in this age suruiueth Oh Floriana when or wherein did I so much iniurie thee that thou shouldest on mee so cruelly be reuenged and herewith fixing his eees on his imaginary sorrowes and vnable to resist the violence of the suddain pasion fell in a trance Wherin he continued till a knight arriued there which trauailed that way by the light of the then shyning Moone who séeing that Lady lye with the picture in manner rehearsed alighted and tyed his horse to a trée and going to her tooke her in his armes vsing those remedies that he knewe to recouer her if she were not dead which he feared séeing her stur neither hand nor foote Don Bellianis with what was done vnto him returned to himselfe greatly amazed to see that Knight there thinking he had heard his complaint But the Knight rested no lesse astonished to see his excellent beantie that he could not vtter one word yet with a trembling voice caused by the suddaine fyēt of loue that burnt his heart said What great misfortune hath befallen you most fayre Ladye that in this sollitarie place should put you in such extreame And I sweare by the order of knighthood I receiued that with the vttermost of my power euen with my death to procure your present remedie Therefore I beseech you courteous damsel to tell it me for I shall account my selfe more happie to be imployed in your seruice then to bee created Emperour of Constantinople séeing your rare beautie bindes all the world to your seruice no more being therein to desire then to liue and dye at your command The Prince Don Bellianis hearde his spéech to the end and smiled in himselfe to sée the Knights deceit although those words added a greater flame to his burning fier with remembrance of his mistresse And he determined to answere him according to his opinion that his owne purpose might not bee discouered though he should thereby more torment the knight greatly delighting with such discourses hoping himselfe to vse them if at any time he saw the Princesse Florisbella and therfore replyed thus Truly sir knight although my misfortune were not for no other cause then now to ioy your presence I should haue taken it for my greatest consolation And I think my self most happie that the Gods haue permitted me to arriue in this place to inioy the promise which you of your méere bountie and courtesie haue so liberallie made For my chaunce is the strangest that euer you heard and therefore it behooues me that you graunt me a boone nothing disaduantaging your selfe thereby The Knight ioying more thereat then at any thing in all his life answered Command me what you will faire Ladie for you néede not demaund any thing by intreatie Then before wée procéede any thing further said Don Bellianis vnclaspe your helme and after you shall know what I require The knight straight did it and sitting down hauing thitherto stood discoursed togiter of diuerse things chiefly touching amourous matters Don Bellianis was greatly pleased with his talke and the more to ease his owne gréefe It is néedlesse to describe the features of the Knight béeing of a gallant disposition and yong not aboue fiue and twentie yeares of age of whom don Bellianis demaunded his name whereto he said he would do it if she would accept him for hers Don Bellianis said I will if that will please you and so forwarde with your discourse Then my deare Ladie know my name is Don Contumeliano of Phenicia sonne and heyre vnto the King of that countrey and by
incurre great daunger being taken vnawares but at that instant the watchfull Prince Don Bellianiâ— perceiuing it being not farre from the King disturbed that his purpose pushing him on his breast so strongly that he recoyled backe thrée or foure steppes wherby they renewed their fight more fiercely and braue then in the whole day before But Don Bellianis perceiuing that if the Combatte long continued he was like to faint through the infinit blâ—â—d he had lost aduentured himselfe to receiue a blowe of the Gyant Which when he sawe descended on him commending himselfe from the bottome of his heart vnto the Almightie to deliuer him from that daunger and thrust at the Giant so brauely vnder his arme that being there vnarmed and with such excessiue force performed that the sworde ranne into his flesh vp to the hilts piercing his heart in the middle wherewith he fell downe dead But he was by the Gyant cruelly wounded on the head that he also fell downe in a trance which greeued euery one chiefly the Princesse Aurora that was forced to cry out Oh immortall Gods why haue you suffered so great an euill for without doubt the best knight that euer gyrded sword is sâ—aine But her sorrowe was turned to a generall gladnesse seeing him amazedly rise and was going to aide his companions if he had not séeue Arfileo at one blowe cut off one of the Gyants legges and with an other his head The like did Don Brianell not regarding the Souldanes cryes requiring him that hee woulde not do it for he yéelded him vanquished Which done they in theyr hearts rendred immortall thankes vnto the Almightie for their victorious deliuerie from so vnspeakeable perill and with great loue imbraced the Knight in the yelowe Armour whome they imagined to bee Don Contumeliano yéelding to him all the honor of the victorie Whereupon not expecting the Soldans commaund the generall assembly shouted out for ioy sounding a number numberlesse of all manner of military instruments running about the field for gladnesse which cut the Soldane to the heart hauing no patience to endure it CHAP. XXV What the Knight of the Golden Image did after the battell ended And how the Soldan commanded the duke to be borne to prison SO soone as the Princesse Persiana did see the battell ended with such ioy as euery one may iudge descended the scaffold and going to the knights that yet were talking togither shee woulde haue knéeled before don Bellianis but he preuented it by dooing so himselfe very courteously saying You haue no cause most excellent Lady to thanke me being bound to doo more then this for the Duke Alfiron But if you will then royall Princesse gratifie these knights whose valour hath so wel defended your right and iâ—stice for my seruice is of no woorth but while it bee shadowed vnder their haughtie déedes I will not famous knight saide the Princesse extoll the honour you haue woon in this battel with such déere losse of your blood besides the ouerthrâ—we of such great treacherie as was ordained against vs being more then any hundred knights might attaine And since you will not haue me rest your debtor for this vncomparable fauour speake to him for whom you vndertooke the Combat who is no lesse bound to you then I So leauing him with the Duke and the princesse Aurora she imbraced the other knight vsing betwixt them words of great kindnesse according to their high estate Don Bellianis leauing the Duke whent to the Sophy that was returning to the Pallace hauing commanded his daughter and the duke to be returned to prison and being nigh hâ—â— and followed by many knights said vnto him â—â—ince mightie Lord the truth cannot be more cleare and manifest I beseecâ—e your highnesse coÌ„mand that the Princesse Persiana the knight of the golden image and the Duke Alfâ—â—on may beset at libâ—â—tie their innocencie being saued and confirmed by the happie successe of this battell which intreat to be forthwith respâ—â—ting the great necessitie we haue of â—are for our most daungerous wounds The Sophy that minded no such thing replied I do beléeue you know Sir knight I am not bound to what you said for if they be cleared of Don Gallaneos death as you wil haue it the Duke notwithstanding is not freed of his trespasse committed against mee hauing resisted my wil with hostile arms which being so plaine I had no cause to put it in trial of battel but reserue vnto my self the punishmeÌ„t of that fault according as it deserues therefore talke to me no more thereof for I will doo nothing more then I haue said Whereto Don Bellianis answered We expected no such vsage at the hands of so great a lord I vndertooke the fight for all matters concerning the Duke and if hee be cleare of Don Galleanos death it followes then that he is frâ—e of all other things whatsoeuer Replie no more said the Souldan for I will haue it so Whereuppon he commanded the Duke to be returned to prison who straight was there conducted himself going to his Pallace and would heare none speak wherat Don Bellianis was like to burst through rage Don Brâ—anell and Arâ—â—lâ—o disguised him to go with theÌ„ to their lodging to be cured to whom he aunswered I haue no néede of cure since the Duke remaineth imprisoned and so I humbly take my lâ—â—ue for I will departe â—ut of the Citâ—ie Wherewith he lâ—â—t them 〈◊〉 taking his way to the wood onely followed by don Contumeliano The knights and the Princesse Aurora returned to their lodging reasoning on nothing but on the Sollitarie knight whome they thought neuer enough praysed hauing by him receiued so great helpe in the battell I should not haue beléeued said Arfileo that the world contained such a knight as the Prince of Phenicia You did not sée his déedes so well as I replied don Brianell because you were busie in Combat and beléeue me he no more feared being without sword then if he had béene confronted with no foes which if it had not broken he néeded none of our helpe Thus talking togither they laide themselues in their seuerall beds where they were cured hauing many and dangerous wounds The Princesse Aurora leauing them went well accompanied to the pallace to sée what was done in the Dukes libertie where shee founde the Princesse Persiana that for the words spoken by the knight of the Golden Image was sette free who receiued each other as theyr great loue testified and after sent to sée what the Souldane did who brought them word he commaunded the Dukes guarde to bée doubled and that also he hadde sent the aduenterous knight word commaunding him that since he would not at his intreaties spare the King of Cyprus brothers life he should forthwith depart his Land or else his life should pay the forfit of his staye The Ladies greatly gréeued hearing this demaunded his aunswere which was that hee was contented to obey him within thrée daies but he should regarde that hee
Florisbella DOn Bellianis béeing departed from the Prince of Phenicia arriued in the Citie when two partes of the night was past and went till hee came to the Soldanes Palace not staying any where though hée greatly desired to know of his Companions And thinking to finde all the people quiet hée founde them otherwise busied and the Pallace guarded with tenne thousande men with manie light Torches But hée closely passing betwéene them had nothing sayde to him thinking that hée was some of the Princesse Auroraes or Perfianaes Gentlewomen and going vp the Tower required the watch to let him in to visite the Knight of the golden Image they thinking hée was a a woman let him in demaunding why shee had béene all daye abroade the knight béeing so sore wounded I coulde doo no otherwise replied Don Bellianis and thereupon entred his Chamber where Floriana and her fellowe stayed for him who séeing him come Persiana ranne to embrace him so did Floriana who casting a Mantie ouer her did rise out of the bed Don Bellianis seeing it sayde It behooues not fayre Ladies you shoulde bestowe such fauours on so meane a knight speciallie in so suspicious a place There is no place to be suspected where such a knight is deseruing greater fauours then these euen at thâ— hands of the faâ—â—est Princesse liuing But leauing this let vs cure you nowe that you may tell vs all that befell you abroade and so making him vnreadie layde him in a bed and by their handes dressed him Which done they gaue him his Supper who eate it with a good stomacke hauing tasted no foode in a day and a halfe before and when they woulde haue left him hee woulde not let them go because hee coulde not sléepe and so tolde them all his aduenture from his departing And when hee spake of Don Contumeliano they coulde not stande for laughter I am much glad of your successe sayde Floriana because you shall not thinke vs fooles in what wée haue sayde of your beautie whereby you may imagine the greatnesse of our Ladie the Princesse Florisbella and nowe you maye render to vs her counterfeite for you no more néede it Let mee yet kéepe it gracious Damozell forthat I haue not coated it with that I haue in my Shéelde to sée which is more naturall for the meaning I knowe is all one And tell mée the reason why the Soldane did commaunde the Prince Perianeo to depart his Dominions which the Princesse Aurora was the other day telling mée but she was interrupted by a suddaine occasion and since I haue had no time to knowe it Wee haue not effectually learned it sayde shée but it is thought the Souldane imagined that hée was in loue with the Princesse and least hée shoulde attempt anie thing agaynst her honour commaunded him to leaue his Kingdome beeing the valiantest knight then knowen in the whole vniuersall world What losse had there béene sayde Don Bellianis if hée had béene married to her béeing so good a knight and so great a Prince In faith none replied shée if for possessions or anie thing else shée shoulde haue béene giuen to anie he well deserued her But we thought that according to her excellencie and beautie some of our Gods would descende the heauens to enioy her on earth And if hee had demaunded her of the Soldane our Lorde wée thinke hee woulde not haue denied her him but he neuer woulde declare his name which was knowen after the warres of Antioch This they tolde Don Bellianis who was greatly discomforted to heare of the loue betwixt the Knight and the Princesse as also to heare that euerie where the wonders of the knight of the Images sounded in his eares béeing so highly estéemed in his Ladies Countrey and so purposed neuer to rest till hée met with him supposing he should neuer be fauoured of his Mistresse vnlesse hee should remooue that knight out of her sight and so said to the Damzels Hath there béene no newes of him since his departing or did he so soone forget the Princesse No said they for it was said he euerie day came into the court with seuerall horse and armour and then writ diuerse letters to her beseeching her to receiue him as her knight letting her knowe he was Prince of this land The letter was deliuered to vs and we fearing some euill to insue thereby durst not giue it her But what answer made you said Don Bellianis to him that gaue you the letter None other answered the Damzell saue that the Princesse would not answere it Yet might you haue giuen her it There is none for their liues that durst haue done so for besides that she doth iniurie herselfe being but seldome séene and abhorring such matters extreamly shee hateth this Prince greatly because he was the cause that the Princesse Aurora lost her kingdome with her fathers life which was Uncle to our Ladie Princesse and brother to her mother With that Don Bellianis rested somewhat comforted and to giue place to his thoughts praied the Damzels to go to bed because he would sléepe which they did and being withdrawne they reasoned that the knight of the golden Image should bée in loue with their Ladie Beléeue not said Beriana if since you named the Princesse Florisbella he hath not béene captiuated with her prayses else why should hee so particularly inquire for her Will you know it certainly said Floriana Let vs rise softly and hearken what he sayes for it is not possible but hée shoulde vtter the aboundance of his heart and so rose in their smocks to heare him who to himself complained and now and then groned and sighed so bitterly as if his heart would break But at last with a soft voyce he burst into these passions Ay mée vnfortunate Knight of the golden Image and moste vnhappie Prince what accursed Starres voyde of all pitie haue conducted thée to Persepolis to receiue so distastrous a death Ah wretch that I am whome the power of hearts-penetrating loue contenteth not with such crueltie to torment thée but telleth thée thou art not woorthie to serue whome thou desyrest But thrise happie art thou Knight of the Images for if thou doost suffer anie passions and heartes languishment for the diuined beautie of the excellentest Princesse that euer was borne yet are thy thoughts made knowne to her where thou mayest immortallize thy selfe and call thée the onelie blessed of all mortall men But aye me more vnhappie farre then thou art happie that muste heare the intollerable burthen of my greeuaunces without comforte without helpe and without hope For though my soules true paine were knowne where are the merittes to reape the benefite of so large a guerdon But let Fortune doo her woorst yet will not I leaue till I see howe long my despised life will labour in the Laborinth of misfortune And if I do méete with the Knight of the Images I doo protest by the sacred order I haue receiued to make it knowen vppon his stéeled
Burgonet that none but I deserue the fruition of such thoughtes though hee more largely do possesse the fauour of time smiling chance which I will obtaine vnlesse my tributarie death denie me passage to effect my will that hardly will bee maintained with these oppressing tormentors where with manie grones and sighes drowned in a flood of teares wetted all his bed Oh God sayde Floriana did you euer heare such a complaint of a Knight in so short a time not hauiug séene her whome hée loues And I beleeue vnlesse hee bee remedied hée will hardly scape with his life béeing thus déepelie wounded I knowe not what to say replied her fellow Periana for it is the straungest thing I haue séene that the loue of a Ladie should so wound the heart of a Knight agaynst whome neither the furie of hell-bred beasts nor the strength of mightie Giants can preuaile and whome wee haue séene do such déedes that scarce our selues can beléeue and this is the greatest of all that so strong a Competitor in Loue is offered at this present to the Persian Prince The Knight of the golden Image is not so great as you estéeme him sayde Floriana for I well knowe the high déedes and great state of the other and though he be nowe disgraced by the Soldan he may be reconciled All this knowe I sayde the other yet is not hée like to this if hée should bée compared And this Knight may bee some great Prince since knowing the other sueth for her hee determineth the like And as for his beautie you sée the worlde cannot equall it and also for his valour we our selues are good witnesses And for my part though I were sure to die I woulde procure all meanes to effect his desire seeing the daunger hée freed vs from and the loue wée bare him and hee vs deserueth all our endeuour in this case In this they continued while they fell a sléepe till the next morning that they againe dressed him And trulie the great desire he had to see himselfe out of that Cittie greatly helped his woundes that the Damzels sayde he would bee well within ten dayes and able to trauell which greatly ioyed him hoping to be quickly in the great Citie of Babylon there to possesse the sight of his heauenly Princesse CHAP. XXVIII Howe betweene the Princes Don Bryanell and Arfileo with the two kings it was determined in what maner the Duke Alfiron and the Knight of the golden Image should be set at libertic And howe the Princesse Aurora spake with about it him by whose counsell she departed from the Soldans Court. THe prince Arfileo knowing how the Soldan gouerned himselfe with a distâ—mpered passion of an vnbrideled rage resolued with the two kings his friends whoÌ„ this matter also concerned because the Sophi had with them broken promise to procure the end of these affaires and therevpon coucluded that séeing the Soldan would not frée the Knight of the golden Image and the Duke by intreatiue meanes to make it knowne vnto Don Bellianis and to this ende the Princesse Aurora shoulde visite him in Prison and béeing there found him conuersing with the Damzelles about the Princesse Florisbella who knowing his passion alwayes deuised discorsiue matter vpon theyr Ladie which some time both pleased and displeased him as the spéeches accorded with his humour or delighted his waxe-mollified heart apt for any impression of that qualitie Nowe when the Princesse entered the Ladies rose to receyue her with that obeysaunce that befitted her state and the Prince Don Bellianis about to doo the lyke was stayed by her who so soone stepped to him that hee could not doo it to whome shée woulde haue knéeled but hee not permitting it embraced her betweene his armes with more affection then thitherto hée had because of his conceyued loue of the Princesse Florisbella that so dearely loued this Ladie hoping by her meanes through the helpe hée shoulde imploy in her seruice to obtaine his Mistresse fauour The Princesse Aurora sitting by him demaunded how he felt himselfe of his daungerous wounds Well deare Ladie replied he that séeing I am in such companie there is no cause to demaund of me that for if that fortune should lend her force to my harme her power is so weakened hereby that she cannot I gladly â—â—y therein answered she and yet you are not content to haue hitherto yéelded no satisfaction for your cure but that you will with words ieast at vs. Then were it good we require it said Persiana least he thinke to pay vs with conceyts I can not satisfie you replied the Prince according to your merits or the great fauour I haue receiued for if I coulde you should not kéep me in prison for it as you do What prison said they if the Soldan would set you at libertie you should not be staied by vs. If I could so soone frée my selfe of that gaole I meane replied Don Bellianis as I can of this the Soldanes the griefe I sustaine should not thus torment me Let vs leaue this talke said the Princesse for the time will come that you shall be frée of all your prisons and these Ladies also satisfied to their content wherein if you shall disagrée I as vmpere will moderate the strife betwéene you though I now it will not be requisite But to the purpose I will tell you the effect of my comming You alreadie know how the Soldan hauing béene intreated and importuned about it hath alwayes refused to graunt you libertie with the Duke Alfiron denying it also to the Kings of Armenia and Tessifantie that greatly laboured your deliuerie And the last answere he gaue them was they should no more immortune him therein for if they did it should not a little disadauntage them that if they became of your faction he would also apprehend them as traytors to his state and person New they haue determined to end this matter one way or other forthwith because the venturous knight may not stay within the Citie beeing commaunded to the contrarie by the Soldan who knoweth no otherwise but that hee is come yet will not they conclude any thing without your aduise What power haue they said Don Bellianis They haue replyed shée eyght thousand men well appointed and heere they gaue me your sword to bring you which I did as secretely as I could tying it vnder my gowne and so gaue it him Don Bellianis tooke it and more reioyced therewith then if hee had beene presented with a kingdome The Damzells greatly wondred to sée the great riches therof which was vnualuable Tell those knights most excellent Princesse that sixe dayes hence they prepare and haue then in readinesse al their men and that in the euening they suddenly assault the Soldans pallace procuring nought else but the libertie of the Duke Alsiron and in any case they take with them the Princesse Persiana for it must néeds bee so and you deare Lady shall take your leaue of the Soldan saying
such great admiration and excéeding ioye to sée his Lady had almost fowned to the ground Thereupon Don Bellianis commaunded the Trumpets to sound the retrait to withdrawe the souldiers and nâ—éeting with the Kings of Armenia and Feâ—â—ifanty led them to theyr owne quarters which they could hardly do beeing so giuen to the spoile But being vnited togither don Bellianis charged the Dukes Captaines to conduct their men to their maisters Cittie that was in the Kingdome of Persia which they did with great hast séeing their enterprise so happâ—ly succéeded and also because there was aboue 40. thousand men armed there And theÌ„selues hauing no guides staied within y e citie til y e morrow least they shuld loose theÌ„selues in the night But the dukes men kept on their way so well that at the appearing of the Sunne they were hard by the place where the daye beâ—ore they left the Princesse Aurora whither also came the Princes and there they all alighted to rest them where the Princesse Aurora welcommed them with the duke Alâ—iron whose gladnesse was as great as his sorrow had bene before rendring togither with the other Princesse innumerable thankes vnto the two Kings for their aide promising and confirming an euerlaâ—â—ing inâ—iolable bond of amitie â—that lasted all their liues as the course of this great Historie amply dilatâ—th And not staying in this place departed thence where we leaue them to set downe what the Soldane did CHAP. IIII. What the Soldane did hauing vnderstood his daughters losse And how Coroliano and Boraldo his brother followed the Dukes power with great troupes with the successe of a most cruell battell that passed betweene them WHat tongue is able to expresse the many and loude laments and lamentable cries made in the Pallace by the popularitie and others which also the Ladies and damoselles with their great clamours augmented for the losse of the Princesse Persiana Now the Knights that escaped the deadly fury of the lost battell séeing their aduersaries gone went to séeke the Soldan whom they found in the Garden as before is mentioned they tooke him and did beare him thence to his Chamber and laide him in his bedde and hearing the pittious shréekes of the damosels enquired the cause which was told him to be for that their aduersaries had taken with them the Princesse Persiana his daughter and had set at libertie the Duke Alfiron and all that more he had not séene which when he knew the extreame anguish and sorrow of these euils almost bereft him of his liuing breath But therevpon he called a cousin of his a lustie and couragious Knight called Coroliano and commaunded him to follow the enemy wiâ—h all the people in the Citie to rescue his stolen Daughter and that he should spare no mans life that fell into his hands Which he vttered with such â—â—raged greet that the â—eares triâ—kled downe his face Coroliano did all like the man accustonâ—â—d in such dangers assuring himselfe â—o be auâ—nged on their foes for all their losses Wherefore at his command the citie straight â—â—choâ—d with the sound of all manner of millitarie instrumeÌ„ts and all that were able to beare armes armed themselues and wâ—nt to the pallace so that in litle time there were gathered aboue 40. thâ—usand men which in all haste hee lâ—d â—ut of Perâ—â—pâ—lis keeping no order iâ— their march y t their enemies might not get far before them who then were aboue 15. miles aâ—ore In this maner they went till they came to a Cittie belonging to the Souldane where they that night rested and vnderstanding there howe the enemie determined to dyne the next morrow at Bolleâ—a thought if hee staied hee should not ouertake them as he would Wherfore about mid-night he set forwards with all his men making such haste that by brâ—ake of day hee espied them desâ—â—nâ—ing a hill in good order which much ioyed him that he presently commaunded his Trâ—â—pets to sâ—â—â—de which Don â—ellianis hearing looked backe and sawe so â—â—any men make towards them that they couered the plaine it sâ—mewhat troubled him wanting meanes to guarde the Princesse Yet with as much câ—lâ—ritie as the time afâ—oorded hee whéeled his companies about setting the Princesse at one side of the mountaine guarded with fiue hundred knights and séeing his men began to â—aint with the sight of such multitudes he incouraged them repraying and â—â—treating them to consider that those troupes were of little moment and lesse valoâ—r comming halfe vanquished beeing onely ledde by the eagerâ—â—sse of râ—â—â—nge for the late slaughter was made of them which like blinde men brought them to theyr vttâ—r distruction This saiâ—â— hee tooke with him the aduâ—nterous Knight the Prince Arfileo the two knightes and the Duke and placing themselues before theyr men expected theyr aduersaries Coroliano being descended on the plaine deuided his Souldiers in two Squadrons the one hee committed to his Brother Boraldo and the other he ledde himselfe and imagining what they had done he commandâ—d two thousand chosen knights to assault the corner of the mounte certainly supposing that the Princesse Persiana was there and so with great clamours they furiously ranne vppon the Dukes men who with their valiaunt guides were to receiue thâ—m and so terrible were their incounters on that plaine that aboue foure thousand of Corolianos knights were vnhorsed by reason that their horses were wearie and tyred with the haste they had made that they could scant holde out thitherto Don Bellianis and his companions on their side ouerthrewe aboue sixtie to the grounde dead and thrusting themselues among their enemies that they séemed so many furies sent for theyr vtter desolation But the aduerse numbers were so many that the dead nothing discouraged the liuing especially for that Coroliano so animated them that it may be be saide hee onely vpheld the battell Which Arfileo seeing tooke a Launce from one of his companie and made against him Coroliano did the like and met so furiously that theyr shéeldes and Armour were piersed and themselues rested on horsebacke sorely wounded then drawing theyr strong swordes forced each other at euery blowe to bowâ— theyr heads to the Saddle pummell While they were thus in fight Don Bellianis men through his strength and their enemies hauing no other Captaine but the other beganne to win some ground with such slaughter of both sides that neyther parte might well boast of the victorie in the ende Which thing when Boraldo perceiued woulde no longer staye nor expect any woorde from his Brother but like an arrowe sent from a stéeled bowe maketh his swift way through their airie passage so he with his fresh Battalion sette against his aduersaries and looking on whom hâ— might with most honour breake his Launce espâ—â—â— the King of Armenia that with diuellish rage â—â—aâ—sacred his meâ— against whom resting his speare ouerturned him there with doing the like to the King of Tessifantie on whom he brake his speare Whereat with a loude voyce he incouraged his fainting
reason of his good armour yet through diuers places there issued infinit blood But his aduersaries eager of reuenge procured nought but his death in so much that they would often close their eies and fall vppon him because they would not see his strokes and had not he leapt sometimes héere and sometimes there some one would haue got him faste which if they did hée greatly hazarded his life Yet could hee not so defend himselfe but that at last some 50. of them despising death fel vpon him together laying fast holde on his armes wherin it behooued him to vse his strength onely to get from them kicking and spurning with his féete that in the ende hée fell downe with aboue halfe of them vppon him and seeing himselfe in such daunger hauing there receiued aboue tenne woundes suddenly stept away rysing on his féete on the other side bestowing deablie woundes on all sides that heere arose such greate and mightie clamours and outcries that the rest of the battell was nothing to this fight incouraging one another onely to kill that Knight on whose death depended their victorie In this season arriued here the Prince of Phenicia with his company that came in pursuit of those that fledde and hearing there that great noyse so brauely set vpon them that they vnhorsed aboue 2000. Knights with which fury this Prince prest through them till he came where the Knight of the golden Image was whom he knew though he neuer sawe him by the deuise of his shield and séeing him do such wonders said to himselfe that not without cause he enioyed the name and deserued to be called the sole-worthie of admyred Chiualrie and being about to alight to giue his Horse vnto Don Bellianis the mightie Boraldo came thither to succour his men that here lost their gotten vantage which they did not on the otherside because he valiantly had withstood the force of the Princes Don Brianell and Arfileo And espying that Knight straight know him by his Armour thinking him to be he that had slaine the King of Cyprus and fearing his force durst not like a good Knight confront him face to face supposing that in a battell any thing was tollerable raised himself on his stirropes and with his hand behinde his backe gaue his so huge a blow that it made him bend his head lower then his Horses eares Which Don Bellianis perceiuing hauing knowne y e Prince and thinking he would haue fallen from his Horse ranne to helpe him But the Prince Don Contumelian losing no whit of his high valour at such blowes returned vpon him with his sword hoysted aloft determining at that blow to part his head in two The other with like intent came also vpon him and at one instant discharged their rage on each other that Contumeliano was like to fall But Boraldo lost his sences The Prince seconded another that therewith he tumbled from his Horse and alighting to cut off his head vnlaced his Helme and found it in such case that he iudging him dead let him lye though it had bene better for him there to haue made him sure then for his after harme to giue him his life as this Historie discourseth And going to the Knight of the golden Image with great courtesie thus saide Mount vpon this my Horse most hautie Knight vsurper of anothers heart and follow the victorie ordeined by the Gods to all your happie and glorious acts The Knight of the golden Image replied Leaue not your Horse forme high and renowmed Prince for though I in this battell doe miscarry there is nothing lost in respect of your royall person how much the more that this knights horse whom you haue slaine suffiseth me And so mounting on Beraldos horse the Phenician Prince did the like vpon his owne togither so ouerturned the fury of the fight that through want of an infinit number of the Soldans men his Captains began to yeeld the field Which their aduersaries séeing so hotely renewed their decaying forces that their enemies were constrained to saue their liues by giuing the rained libertie to their horses in which flight being brauely pursued there was an innumerable number slaine that after the fight it was found ethat of the Souldans men were slaine aboue 25. thousand With not aboue two thousand losse on the Dukes behalfe Which good successe being by those Kings and Princes woorthily attained euery one with immortal praises thanked him to whom their deuotion was most being in that whole Campe but onely thrée Christian Knights This done they went to meete the Princesses that were comming to them Betwéene whome their courteous gréetings and kinde salutes were such as if they neuer before had seene one another Euerie one greatly honoured the Princesse Contumeliano some for his aide in that great daunger newly past the others that knew no otherwise not only for the same thanked him but also for the ouerthrow he had giuen the fearefull Feliston King of Cyprus At which time arriued the Duke Alfiron who séeing the Phenician Prince would haue alighted being sorely wounded but he would by no meanes suffer it Giue me your royall white handes most excellent Prince that I may kisse them said the Duke in token that I twise haue receiued my despised life by your meanes Don Contumelian séeing the Dukes error would not longer séeme to robbe the glorie from the Uictor by ioying in anothers honour contenting himselfe with that he had wonne in that battell and the obtaining of such friends replied I will not Magnanimious Duke and you heroike Knights suffer your errour no farther to procéed nor longer vsurpe the honour of so high a victorie from him that vindeth all wandring Knightes in the orbed earth to his furie and seeing there is now no daunger in discouering it knowe great Lords that he which hath wonne the immortall glorie of the victory is your friend and Lord of vs all the neuer inogh praised the Knight of the golden Image to whom by a strange aduenture I lent my Armour wherewith he vndertooke the fight wherein befell all that you sawe and dylated the manner how he found him and in what habit concealing nothing but what hapned after the fight Which heard of the Duke Kings Princes and the Knights there present they highly wondred at his discourse whereto the Duke thus said Now am I not renowmed Prince so much indebted as I thought for hauing giuen all my selfe vnto the Knight of the golden Image he doeth in taking care for my matters busie himselfe in his owne wherby my dutie can be no greater then it was before You haue nothing so much cause saide Don Brianell to thanke him for what he did in that battell hauing therein as great a part as your selfe or else had he not bene there present very ill should we haue defended his honour Wherevppon they newly imbraced Don Bellianis saying he had not done well in not disclosing himselfe to them that they mought with more confidence haue vsed their
handes that hee was faine to set him downe not being able to stand on his legges looking like a man readie to breathe his last Don Bellianis thinking his woundes were the cause of it sat him downe lamenting that vnhappie chaunce loosing their blood so fast that it had made two Chanells as if they proceeded from two rising springs and ouertaken by the darksome night were put into so great feare that they dispaired of remedie Especially Don Bellianis doubting thereby his fathers life who because the suddaine amazement more troubled him then the daunger of his woundes quickly recouered himselfe and imbracing the Prince his sonne said Oh deare sonne tell me I pray you why come you armed in the Armour of the Knight of Fortune Did he peraduenture diâ— by your hands or how is it for I cannot expresse the alteration I suffer till I know it I weare the Armes of Sabian of Trebento and no others for those of the Persian Prince your selfe weares I haue not chaunged mine said the Emperour But tel me what hath befallen you since you lest me for surely we haue bn wondrously deceiued Don Bellianis tolde it him Whereupon the Emperour spake Surely Prince we haue bene inchaunted and yet cannot deuise by what meanes but this is the straungest case I euer heard of that both should séeme to weare one kinde of armour and not perceiue it each of vs imagining the other to be the Persian Prince And it may bee that Lady that cryed to you for helpe was she that so deceiued vs. But let vs part from hence for we loose much blood When they were vppon going they espied comming towards them an auncient Matrone conducted by foure monstrous Gyants before them was carried a Piller of fire which lighted them their way they came with such haste that ere they could rise she was vpon them whom presently the Gyants tooke from her Palfray and knéeling before the Emperour she required his royall hands to kisse them The Emperour refusing to do it tooke her vp and she vnmasking her selfe was straight knowne of Don Bellianis to be the sage Bellona his deare friend Whereat conceiuing as much pleasure as before displeasure and accounting all his daunger none imbracing her said What chaunce hath brought you hither my good friend at such a time which is not without some speciall cause The great loue I beare you and the Emperour your father replied she is the cause thereof But for you incurre great perill through your wounds eate this which I will giue you for with the like medicine you were afore cured They did so and were therewith presently so well as if they had had no ill at all and their armour returned vnto their former colour and deuises The Emperour imbracing her said For Gods sake Ladie tell me this aduenture for it doth more amaze me then any thing in all my life I will replyed shée and hardly shall you know it of any but of me You well remember the Combatte you had agreed with the Persian Prince now know he hath to his friend a great Magician in that Art the skilfullest in all the world this man knowing the great daunger his friend should passe with the Prince your sonne did ordaine all that which you haue séene changing both your armours that you might staie one another each of you thinking you fought with the valourous Prince Perianeo And trust me his desire had taken effect had it not bene for Don Bellianis sword which for that purpose the wise Medea many yeares before kept in the Caue where Don Bellianis woune it being the man she wished might haue it alwayes desiring to benefit the house of Greece as often heretofore she hath done For so was it written where your sonne found the sword if he doth remember the words I doo well remember them replied Don Bellianis for thus they said This Prophecie is mentioned in the seeond Chapter and here explained with effect That with this Sword the liuing should be lost and the dead put in possession of the recouered and they restored to their royall blood with knowledge of their possessors You see now how it hath come to passe and moreouer they said this should be At the time when the fiercenesse of the couragious Lyons which are you two by the greatnesse of his skill which is that of the wise man called Fristone that in knowledge equals her because he hath all her â—ookes should be put in greater feare but this know not he for he did not looke whether thâ— Sword were wonne or no or whether the valorous Prince your sonne did weare it Then the liuing which were lost that arâ— you two that being liuing were lost by the alteration of your Armour and supposing you alreadie dead which would haue happened if the fight had bene ended with the blowe of this Sword that cut the laces of your Helme were put in possession of your recouered selues being restored to your royall bloods which was at the point vtterly to haue bene lost And the true possessors knowne which are both you taking one another for the Persian Prince Now I hope you vnderstand the aduenture you haue past which not without cause you haue accounted straunge Greatly wondred the knights at these Ladies words who againe said But for another cause hath my comming bene which is to haue with me the Prince Don Bellianis your deare sonne whome I must presently vse in a deare imploy that ne lesse concernes him then his life Take vs both with you saide the Emperour I would willingly doo it replied shée but that the braue Duke Alsiron greatly néedeth your helpe and therefore it is no reason to leaue him alone and your sonne shall quickly returne againe And here doo as I counsell you for I well knew this woulde happen which made me write vnto you that you should by no meanes depart from the Cittie of Constantinople but you would not do it wherein it had not bene much if you had lost your life I will not go against your counsell replied the Emperour but tell me if my sonne shall quickly returne He shal said she and therefore go to the Citie the soonest that you may and so making Don Bellianis mount on horseback who had taken the Emperours blessing which with many teares did giue it him departed as swift as the winde leauing the Emperour so occupied with imaginations whither his sonne might be carried that he knew not how to resolue himselfe CHAP. XXXVIII How the Emperour returned to the Cittie of Bollera and what happened him in the Souldanes Campe before hee entred into the Citie THe Emperour remembring the Sages words tooke his Launce and mounted on horsbacke approching the Cittie of Bollera almost by breake of day which he founde begyt with so many multitudes that he greatly wondred at their suddaine arriuall and not knowing on which side the Duke laie intrenched because the Citie was round about besieged he rushed among those Tentes
weares them can not bée molested by anie inchauntment whatsoeuer nor be knowne vnlesse he will himselfe You haue tolde mée wonders sayde Don Bellianis and is this mans skill so great that hée may force the Princesse Florisbella agaynst her will and giue her to the Prince of Persia Doubt it not replyed Bellona for more then this can hee performe and beléeue mée you shall sustaine for this cause great trauaile and therefore let vs not deferre the passing time Héere I commit you to God leauing you to the valour of your heart to finish what you haue to do and take this way which will bring you to the place for I must goe no further with you Don Bellianis taking his leaue of her descended downe that way in such haste that hée quickely sawe before him a strong and well towred Castell and looking about coulde finde no Porche nor Portall to enter into it But going to the other side of it hée espyed a little mouth of an obscure Caue and looking downe into it hee thought that it descended to the infernall Pitte And also before it he sawe a greate Piller of fine Christall so transparaunt that it séemed to take his light from the sunnes owne light that then shined on it were set certain letters made with rich Rubies to this effect The inscription of the first Piller The straunge lodgings of Brandezar in remembrance of Nycaons great euenge chief in the Magicke Ault shalbe conceaâ—ed â—rom all men till the strâ—ngest Lyon conducted by the litâ—le wolâ—e shal wiâ—h extreame nâ—cestitie in search of my skill h 〈…〉 her arriue Whose valâ—ur must excell the foâ—ce of my monstrouâ— guardiants leauing all his fine tempered armor at the entrance of my caue if he be adorned with Vertue and Fortitude And thou couragious knight that â—iâ—t this aduenture try must arme thy self with nought but the war like vertue of thy magnanimious hart Don Bellianis hauing read the letters made no other account then if he had séene none but animating his resolution drewe forth his sword and would haue entred the caue but ere he was aware it vanished from his sight Oh God saide hee what strange things be these Is it possible I must without Armour passe through so fearefull a place And thinking it cowardize to lingur so long presently vnarmed himself resting in his hose and doublet and hauing his sword in his hand kist it and laid it downe and recommended his safetie to the Almightie as a man that had beene going to buckle with death And considering with himselfe that in the accomplishment of that aduenture consisted the vtter losse or lasting libertie of his Lady fearelesse hee cast himselfe into the Caue wherein he scant had set his feete but hee thought he descended into the most lowest Center of the earth sometimes stryking his head sometimes his féete against the sides thereof that hee was so bruised he felt not himselfe and when he came to the bottome he lighted with so great a fall that hee verily thought hee was beaten all to peeces And rysing with no small paine thereof looked to sée where he was but could deserue no more then if he were in the darkest night closed within an obscure Dungeon and searching on all sides for light at last he espied a little hole from whence there issued so very little that he could not almost see his hands But he was srant at it when hee felt himselfe drawne backwards with such force that hee had almost tumbled with his shoulders on the earth and turning to see who pluckt him backe sawe him to be a mightie giant hauing in his hand a most sharpe and puissant battell-axe whith him came two Centaures on eyther side each of them led a Lyon the fiercest that euer he saw They all came towards him to discharge their puissant blowes vppon his head but hee stepping backe escaped them all Héereuppon the Centaures vnchained theyr Lyons which presently ranne vppon him and one thinking to rent his body with his sharp pawes leapt at him But he stretching forth his strong armes catcht him by the necke and choked him At this time receiued he two such cruel blowes that he was constrained to set his knees on the grouÌ„d shedding much blood And hee séeing the Gyant hard by him closed within him to wring his are out of his hands whereon he cast his mightie strength the Gyant perceiuing his intent did also laye fast hold on him héere the Centaures incempassed him procuring both to drawe him from the Gyant where there was seene the most vnequallest wrastling that euer was heard of Don Bellianis still persisting in his purpose was so oppressed with their seuerall inchaunted forces that he often lost his breath and they making the caue to tremble cuen with the whorse eccho of their resounding Clamors But heere the Prince setting the vtmost of his sirength wrencht the Fawchen out of his hand with whith goâ—â—g to strike the centaures he sawe them all at that instant vaâ—tsh from his sight which more amazed him then anything else and seeing a little pain of stayres before him mounted vp with as great courage hauing that Fawchen as if with all his Armour he had béene Armed And hauing ascended the stayres he sawe a faire Hall so which he should passe by so straight a way that vnarmed hee could haroly go through it where there was many Armed Knights that kept the passâ—ge with their naked swords These were of thosâ— knights that were inchanted with Brandezar being of the strongest then â—uing whom Nycaon left for the Emperors guarde with no other thought then to loose their liues ere he should be taken away or kild him that there wold enter Which Don Bellianis seeing and that he must â—éeds of necessitie pâ—sse through with an inuincible heart with the fawthen in his hand cast himselfe among them where hee no sooner came but two of them sâ—tting thâ—ir shoulders against him most branely made him go three or foure steps back weunding him greeuously on the leg on his head and beeing vnarmed had almost kild him Don Bellianis feeling the strength of the Knights to be so great determined to bâ—haue himselfe otherwise with him and returning againe to the doore strooke at them diuers times thinking they wold giue back but they had no other care but to offend and defend not stirring any way Hereat the Prince warding their blowes with his Fawchen drewe one of them vnto him by his sheeld with such haughtie strength made him headlong tumble at his feete and tooke his sheelde from him and with it about his arme he rusht among all these Knights in such a cruell fight leaping on all sides to shâ—n their blewes In this manner lasted their fight aboue three houres that in the end the Prince so bâ—haued himselfe that he ouercame them all which were aboue thirtie leauing them all breathlesse in the Hall He entred into another lodging that was nert that being wounded in
do not importune him about it for it cannot be otherwise Hereupon they went where the two Princesses Florisbella Matarosa were chatting with Don Bellianis intreating him to put off his helme Wherupon the Souldan said If you obtain no more then hitherto you haue done of this knight I beléeue he will depart vnknowne He will not so much wrong vs said the Princesse vnlesse he will haue vs make litle account of his ayd we receiued And seeing he faith he will do what this Lady doth commaund him I hope she will not leaue vs so vnsatisfied in recompence of her long absence I do beséech your excellency said Bellona not to vexe your selfe for I assure you if he now discouer himselfe it will cost him no lesse then his life in lieu of the pleasure he should do you therein And let this suffise which according to our power we haue done But yet in respect of this displeasure I doo certifie you that your cousin the Princesse Aurora is wel though sorrowfull wanting your company she we left in Persia with the Ladies you sent to séeke her and thither must we goe shortly This hath greatly comforted me said she yet rest not altogither satisfied wanting the effect of this my desire I cannot expresse the oppression of my gréeued heart most excellent and supreme Lady said Don Bellianis to haue so yoked the libertie of my condition to a stranger power that I cannot now though it were with the certaine daunger of my life satisfie the deare obedience of your high commaund for I haue so tyed my selfe to anothers will that I must not do more then what this Lady here shall appoint me But I do protest and promise you by our high immortall Gods hauing freed my libertie to returne with all spéede to serue you and the Souldan your father whence I will not part but by your commaund in token whereof I do beseech you accept this King which cost me no litle labour with abundant losse of my blood to obtaine it Wherewith you shall be safe and sure of any such accident as this last And taking off his Gaunlets discouered the Alablaster whitenesse of his hands The Princesse heart was somewhat abashed adding more beautie to her beautie by the roseat tincture of a vermillion blush not knowing whether she should take the King which the knight presented her thinking shée should thereby do him a greater fauour then she would Which the Infant Matarosa perceiuing being greatly satisfied with the knights behauiour said vnto her What doth your highnesse doubt why do you not accept the precious gift of this valourous knight wold you sée vs euery day in like daunger which if you desire I assure you we shall not euery day haue so good helpe for though I sustained some perill yet was there none that succoured me Receiue this gift daughter said the Souldane for it is no small thing to kéepe the pledge of so valiant a knight All this while the discréete Princesse holding downe her eyes gazed on don Bellianis hand thinking with her selfe that if his face with the disposition of his bodie did agree with it the whole world could not affoord a gallanter not better knight of whose valour she was sufficient witnesse And séeing her Image on his shield imagined this was the knight whose praises her cousin had so inhoused Whereupon the subtill God of Loue on a suddain tooke his tributary vâ—ties by the possession of her heart and with such a violent stroake penetrated it that hauing no defensiue proofe nor the shielde of reason to withstand it but vnprouided assaulted by his subtiltie yéelded at the first encounter resting so vanquished that she neuer had the power to recouer the former libertie of her heart And the more shée thought on him the more she did insnare her selfe as the disccurse of this present booke mentioneth for no small forments this vnséen sight of don Bellianis Cousin here and with a suddaine ioy conceiued by her thoughts dying her beautie to make it more faire with the colour of an Orient Ruby First thinking that her Fathers commaund and her Cousins perswasions were sufficient armour to shield her from after scandall with lowly courtesie on both parts she tooke the King saying I do receiue Sir Knight this present at your hands lest it be saide I do deny the gratesulnesse I owe for the good turne you did and taking possession of this which is the least you shall remaine bounde to that which is the most I meane your speedie returne to attend the Souldane my dread Soueraigne and because you shall not forget it I will kéepe this as a pledge left me by you as also in remembrance of her that against my will doth lead you away before you haue receiued any signe of guerdon of my father Yet before you goe I pray you let vs know the daungerous deceit we had like to fall in I do most humbly beséech you sole president of diuine excellency said Don Bellianis to let me kisse the wonder of your handes that I may thereby enioy the fruition of so high a fauour as you haue done in the acceptance of the small gift of so meane a Knight as I am in respect of your highnesse Againe promising my returne shall be so shortly as the obedience of your commaund requireth vnlesse my hopes be frustrated by death and turning to Bellona intreated her séeing she knew the beginning and end of that aduenture she wold fully satisfie the Princesse therin Which she did in manner alreadie set downe And hauing done craued leaue to depart And so kissing the Souldans hands and the Empresse Siluiana bad them and the Princesses farewell Don Bellianis did the like with such griefe as any in his case may imagine leauing his heart with the Princesse and for it carrying away hers The Princesse Matarosa pleasantly said thus vnto the Prince I do beleeue sir Knight that the Sage Bellona hath so maistered you that you speake not but when it pleaseth her and if it be so tell it me for I presume to obtaine leaue of her for your tongue to play Don Bellianis that through his great amazement had net seene her but seeing her replied This hath not bene the cause of my silent ouersight courteous and pleasant Lady but the imaginations of the sight there séene which with my suddaine departure hath so increased my admiration and so intrapt me in my owne thoughts that they haue suffered me not to regard the deserued merits of your worthie person robbing the power of my spéech to consound me more in the déep consideration of my harts subiection Then belike the fault is very litle answered she by the spéedie redressing of our daunger wearing so good an armour as that The present blindnesse deare Lady said he is better to preserue my future sight At your returne you shall explaine me this said she for now I do not vnderstand it Whereupon the braue Prince don Bellianis mounted
a horsbacke not setting his foote in the stirrope as was his custome and very gallantly managing him he made him bende his knées vnto the earth and bending downe his owne head in signe of his dutie departed in maner as he came with vnspeakable ioy to haue so happily finished that aduenture before his Lady to his immortall glorie which were it not tempered with griefe of his departure it had bene inough to kill him But here we leaue him till farther accidents shall refresh his remembrance CHAP. XLIIII What the Princesse Florisbella did after the Knight of the golden Image was departed Of her Laments and Conference with the Infant Maturosa her Cousin THe Princesse Florisbella remained so amazed with the suddaine departure of the new Louer that so quickly had made a praie of her tender hart that all her imaginations were on nought but of Don Bellianis and till he went cleane out of the field she accompanied him with her sight so stedfastly fixing her eyes after him that had not her cousin called her away to follow the Souldane and Empresse that were returning to the Court there she had staied forgetfull of her selfe The Infant Matarosa said vnto her by the way What say you faire Cousin to that great knight did you euer sée in all your life a man of more valor And trust me I thinke it be he I told you of a iltle before his comming I greatly desire to see the fairnesse of his complexion whether it accorded with the constitution of his bodie and gallant behauiour I know not what I should say replied the Princesse for he hath not séemed so well in my eyes and though his valour haue freed me from the daunger you sawe great is his presumption notwithstanding to beare my picture with him about the world and his discurtesie is no lesse to depart vnknowne vnto the Souldan my father and nothing respecting our intreaties leauing mee so discontented and I had not taken his ring had not my father coÌ„manded and you perswaded me vnto it You haue no reason to blame him for it said her Cousiin for he could do no otherwise being bound vnto the contrarie by the sage Bellona and I know not what Princesse or greater Lady woulde haue refused so deare a seruice as this knight offered you so liberally which you séemed to accept most vnwillingly Speake not of it answered the princesse for I had like to haue shewed my selfe as vnthankefull in taking it as he discourteous in not doing what I intreated him But if returne hee shall knowe the discontent hee did me Assure you said her pleasant Cousiin if he would be my knight I would not hammer on these doubts If he returnes hée shall be answered the Princesse I will yéelde vnto it saide the Infant if you obtaine it without such cercâ—â—uie as you make It may bée I shall at his returne the Princesse made answere and therefore rest contented I perceiued no such intent in him replied the Infant In such like discourse went they with the Soldane and Empresse till they arryued to the Pallace where the Princesse saying shée felt her selfe distempered left her Cousen and her Ladyes withdrawing alone vnto her Chamber to consider at more leysure of him that had so displeased her And shutting the dooâ—e after her with a pensiue heart vnable to resist her passions shee cast her selfe vppon her bedde and with teares trickling down her Cheekes with sighes that interrupted the cleare passage of the speech shée sayde with a soft voyce Oh vnhappie Princesse Florisbella what vuluckie houre was that wherein thou diddest goe to sée that cursed aduenture that hath béene the cause of these thy torments and anguishe of heart making thée héereafter bondslaue to griefe and in the ende gaine thy fréedome by death Ah deceytfull Ladies fatall was the moment wherein I graunted you the boone you craued to gaine for my good will so manie paynes Oh sage Bellona if from one daunger you haue liberated mée in a greater you haue intrapped mée And I doo beséech the Goddes to terminate these woes with my vntimelie death For what auayles it mée to bée commaundresse ouer so manie Kings Princes Lordes and Signiories if the fatall destinies of my vnhappie chaunce haue tied the libertie of my heart vnto a Knight vnknowne of whom I sawe but armour and his horse neither knowe I what hee is denying to discouer his face Oh immortall Goddes if this you haue ordered in the heauenly Synode of your decrées why did you not also summon mée to appeare before your celestiall Thrones to heare your cruell sentence giuen against mée But what say I disgraced that I am For it may bee that Knight is one of our Goddes For who coulde else haue had the power to do what he did in such a short time And so inthrall the quiet peace of my heart Oh Prince howe haue the Goddes reuenged thée because I neuer regarded thy high merits punishing my contempt by that knight that would not show me his face whom peraduenture you may be he that would not diselose your selfe being displeased by my rather But aye me thou art noâ— he for thy wordes neuer so penetâ—ated my heart nor the sâ—ge Bellona they great enimie by reason her 〈…〉 e Princesse Aurora had not brought thée in her 〈…〉 But aye me distressed soule bee it as it will onlie I 〈…〉 laugâ—â—sh in perpetuall torments and in the ende hope â—o 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 While the Princesse thus complained her Cousen Matarosa that by her 〈◊〉 withdrawing did suspect what it might bee that came through a secret doore where she was and staid to ouer-heare her but could vnderstand nothing what she said and greatly wondring at this noueltie she went away and came to her Chamber doore and knocked which awaked the Princesse out of her lauient who brying her eyes ordering her selfe she best she could opened the doore and let her in But her Cousen seeing her in that case dissembled what she thought and said How now Cousen doth the feare of the last aduenture last so long that iâ— so troubles you Or is it because you did no more good therein thâ—n I Or is it the discontent you conceiued of the discourteous knight If the last tell me it and wee will procure him to redresse the wrong The Princesse couering her face with a blush like the moâ—â—ings Suaâ—e rising in the East aunswered Do not put me in more daunger then there was the last deare Cousen for you make me thinke you knowe that Knight making me imagine that by your meanes I am snared in the deceyte of yonder inchauntment In this manner past these Ladies many dayes discoursing on nothing but the déeds of the knight of the Basâ—lâ—sks for so they called him by reason of the armour heed id weare and the Princesse Florisbella euerie day with longing desire expecting his returne still continued in her vsuall laments wherein her Cousen one day taking her woulde néedes knowe the
cause of them which shée by great importunitie declared which was no small comfort to her after woes But here wee leaue them till their time with the Soldane greatly doubting whether this was the Prince of Persia which hée confirmed to bee because he would not discouer himselfe But his Lords perswaded him to the contrarie saying This Knight better became his armour then he But now the storie turnes vnto the Prince don Brianell whom we left in his iourney towards Antioch CHAP. XLV What don Brianell did after hee was gone from Bollera and how he was informed of the state of Antioch WIth great desire to procure the good successe of his Ladies commaund deparded don Brianell to Antioche thinking that to effect so waightie a matter as that his foundation was weake But continuing his voyage meeting with no aduenture woorthie the rehearsall at length arriued at a Citie not aboue twelue miles from Antioch called Miriana where hee resolued to stay and learne the stâ—te of the kingdome And alighting at a house of good credit was verie well 〈…〉 by the owner of the house that was one of the best Knights in that Countrey So supper ended discoursing alone with him of diuerse matters he demaunded who was King of that Countrey â—eeing then troubled with ciuill mutâ—â—eâ— The hoasâ— with teares in his eyes thus answered You shall knowe siâ— Knight that after the King Pompeiano ouâ— soueraigne was siaâ—â— by the men of the Persian Soldan a kinsman of his called Don Gallaneo became our King who gouerned vs in peace maintaining law and iustice with all vprightnesse But since we haue vnderstood he was â—lame at Persepolis by soâ—â—e of the same Soldans subiects and in whâ—se absence there gouerned vs as Viceroy a noble man named Damartyno who with great wisdom and diâ—â—â—â—tion kept vs in quiet concord till a brother of the King of P 〈…〉 a by name the fearefull Tremolcano knowing y t in reuenge of the death of don Callaneo of Antioch the king of Cyrus with two more brethreÌ„ of his were slaine in Persia calling vs traâ—tors and rebâ—â—â— with a great power came vpon vs sâ—â—uâ—â—ng the Country Gariano which is a great Lord in his Countrey tooke our Gouernor saying he would haue rebelled with the land and hath imprisoned him in a castell taking possession of the whole kingdome saying Don Gallaneo hath no nigher allie then he and so executeth daily such tyrannies on the afflicted people that we desire rather to die then liue This is sir the truth of your demaund But tell me sayde Don Brianell left your King Pompeiano no issue to inherite his kingdome after him He did replied his hoast one daughter called the Princesse Aurora whome we thinke to bée dead for wée haue neuer since heard of her But if she be not dead sayde Don Brianell and comming hither will you not receyue her We will all die in her bâ—halâ—e replyed hee But these traytour are so stronglie fortifiâ—â— that wée shoulde hardly effect anie good vnlesse there were some to incourege the people of the Countrey and for this none better then she Gouernour Damartyno but that his imprisonment forbiddes it for euer Is his guard so great sayd Don Brianell that you thinke he may not be liberated The guarde replied he is not so great but that the Cittie is so nigh vnto the Castell that vpon the giuing of the watch-worde aboue thirtie thousand men would arme themselues And within the Castell there is a Mine that reacheth vnto the King Tramolcanos Pallace How know you this said don Brianell Because you seeme a man on whom I may repose greater trust I will tell you answered the hoast I was Lieutenant of the castell vnder Damartyno thrée yeares and then knew I it and that way went I often to speake with him which makes me the more pittie his imprisonment Don Brionell liked well of his hoasts wordes and perceiuing hée wished well to the affayres of the Princesse Aurora sayde Can you tell mée howe I might get vnto that Mine to go into the Castell I do replied hée but what dooth it concerne you that you will vndertake so daungerous an enterprise I am his nigh Aâ—â—â—â— sayde don Brianell and woulde willinglie put my selfe in hazarde to set him at libertie Although it seemes impossible to scape with life in this enterprize sayde the hoast because there is within a Cousen of the Giantes with tenne Knightes I will notwithstanding doe it and helpe herein while I liue and therefore will goe with you to Morrowe to Antioche béeing an honour to loose my life in companie of such a Knight Don Brianell thanked him for it promising that if their enterprize had a good successe his paynes shoulde bée well quitted The deedes doo bring with them theyr recompence sayde the hoast and more then this am I bounde to doo for Damartyno The next morning saying that hée must goe about certaine affayres to Antioche clad himselfe all in Armour For though he were poore yet was hee one of the valiantest Knights of that Countrey all his life trained vp in chiualdrous designes Which don Brianell séeing wondered at it not knowing hée was a Knight and so departed towards Antioch CHAP. XLVI What don Brianell and Palineo of the venture did arriuing at Antioch and the daunger they were in WIth intention aforesaid trauailed these two Knights till they came within sight of the citties of Antioch which was one of the best and well peopled Citie of the world for there was within aboue a hundred thousand great housholds Don Brianell highly admyred the Turrets and Towers of the same which were numberlesse and the Sunne reuerberating on them made the Citie séeme of a burning flame What thinke you sir of this noble Citie demaunded the hoast Well replied don Brianell for I haue not séene a more fayrer and that better contented me Not without reason doo you say so sayde his hoast for I assure you there is but thrée fayrer at this present which are Babylon Memphis and Constantinople which notwithstanding scant in fayrenesse equals this I pray you tell me your name said don Brianell for I greatly desire to know it séeing we shall be better acquainted hereafter My name is sayde he Palineo of the Venture and seeing this occasion requires it I woulde gladlie knowe yours before wee come to Antioche I am called the aduenturous Knight answered don Brianell and do beléeue you neuer heard me named hauing neuer trauelled this way before I haue no doubt of it sir replied Palineo but you must now chaunge that name here for it is said a knight so called was present at the King of Cyprus death Thus went they till they met a Knight sore wounded going in great haste Don Brianell staying him demaunded the cause of his hastie iourney in that manner You shall know sir replied the knight that the Countie Gariano to exercise his knights order yesterday a tourney of a thousande on each side so
many of his agaynst the like number of the fierce king Tramolcanos which on either part this day was begunne verie bloodie but in the meane time entring there in two of the kings cousens haue made such a massacre of the Counties knights that none dare confront them and my selfe being wounded as you sée am thus going to be cured in a Castell not far from hence and so past away What were we best to do sir Palineo demaunded don Brianell That we go to the iousts answered he and there we shall sée what we haue to do And thus resolued arriued at the Tilt-yard where but 500. of the counties knights were left and they so wounded that they could no longer withstand their aduersaries by reason of the cruell strokes of the kings causes Which don Brianell perceiuing and his valiant heart abhorring to be idle saide to Palineo Let vs succour those almost vanquished Be it so replied he Whereupon â—â—wching their Launces entred the listes and at the first encounters ouerthrow two of the Giants knights and don Brianell before his Launce broke vnhorsed more then sixe Palineo with a loude voyce cried out thus Courage courage knights of Antioch and shew the valour of your mindes least now you bee reputed vanquished which neuer hitherto hath happened Who â—â—boldned with this speech seeing the haughtie deedes of don Brianell couragiously renued the bloodie skirmish The two Giants séeing that noueltie in the Cities knights and how the Prince don Brianell like a bloodie Dragon persecuted their men did both togither assaile him to giue him his death But he that in greater perils had beene in awaited them couragiously well couered with his sheeld and they arriuing both at one time with their slycing semilers discharged two mightie blowes vpon him But don Bryanell spurred his horse â—orward within them that the blowes lighted not full on him notwithstanding his sheelde was cleft cleane in two and he wounded one with a mightie thrust that the sword appeared at his backe 〈…〉 g dead on the ground And seeing an other furious blowe from the other gyant descend vppon his head and being destitute of a shéeld câ—â—st the sâ—â—itor with his sword which beeing of a better temper then the Gyants it cut it in two and straight thereupon strooke the Giant on his arme which from his shoulder fel to the earth Who seeing himselfe maimed of his lims turned his horse and roaring fled away Who were able to expresse the greefe and rage of Tramolcano to sée one Cousin slaine and the other wounded to death Thereupon calling out to his mâ—n to take that Knight that had committed so great treason whereat many incompassed Don Brianell wherfore Palineo went to help him amazed at his haughty déedes The count Garianos men brauly defended him yet had hee remained prisoner for the diuellish Tramolcano descended with all his men had not Palineo that foresawe the daunger pluckt him by the arme and said to him Follow me sir knight if you wil saue your life for it will be reputed no lesse valour to saue it thus then sâ—aying to kill all this company Don Bryanell allowing his counsaile rained his horse backwards went away in despight of all that looked after him So soone as the king was come downe froÌ„ his window the tourney was parted and he commanded of those and other knights aboue 4000. to follow the murtherers as hee called them of his Cousins and dead or aliue they should bring theÌ„ to him and he taking with him the dead bodies of his slaine Cousins returned to his pallace to arme himselfe minding in person to follow the search all which was but in vaine for Palineo knowing all those wayes nookes and lanes that was thereabout issued out of the Cittie in sight of all the knights spurring without â—â—â—gring till they came into a litle Groaue turning on the right hand entred into a garden vnséene of any and passed to the farther side thereof vnto a house where shepheards in stormy weather withdrew themselues and there staying don Brianell said séeing they were not séene of anie Let vs light here if you please that our horses may rest and from hence may we well sée if any followes vs. Wherevpon looking from the high Mountaine and espying none dismounted from their horses and put them in a stable that there was giuing them hay and prouender they there found And with great ioy of their good successe discoursed of their late aduenture greatly pleased with the death of these two giants whoÌ„ Palineo sayd did great outrages in that land I hope said don Brianell we shall easily enter the castell Hardly shall we do it replied Palineo yet we will trie it séeing we are come to that effect In the meane time were it good we had somewhat to supper That were not amisse replied don Brianell if our prouision were better Let me alone for that said Palineo so soone as it is night for I also greatly desire to sée what is done in the Pallace the better to order our affayres And thereupon expected the approach of the couerer of nightly actions CHAP. XLVII What don Brianell and Palineo did going out of the Cittie of Antioch how they entred the Mine and of their fight withthe Castell about the libertie of Damartyno THe darke night béeing come so obscure as they wished Palineo vnarmed himselfe and leauing don Brianell behinde put on a cloake he found in the house which the day before a shepheard had there left and muffling his face went to the Citie where taken for a shepheard he passed vnknowne till he came to the Kings Pallace where he found many armed knights that returned from the search among whom was the King himselfe mad with anger that hée could not heare of the two knights that slue his Cousens Among this troupe had Palineo occasion to go in and so went vnto the Mynes mouth whose doore was shut and seeling whether it might bée opened hée found the Locke verie weake for the doore vsed onelie to bée shutte because that secret might not bée discouered And so returned to the Citie and brought some victualles for himselfe and his companion wherewith béeing almost tenne a clocke he came to Don Bryanell where with a good stomacke they supt hauing eaten nothing since their comming from Miriana and hauing done Palineo said Let vs be gone for if longer wée staye the King and the Countie may haue supt and so wée bee locke out of the Pallace But what shall we do with our horses said Don Bryanell for I would not willinglie loose mine because this Cittie containes none so good If replyed Palineo wée dye in this enterprize wée shall not néede our Horses but if wée scape liberating according to our desire our friend Damartyno the matter will be lesse in loosing them Don Bryanell replying neuer a word armed himselfe and carrying his Helme in his hand put on the shepheards cloake which Palineo had before woorne who said vnto
buisinesse nor néede more seruice then I can doe being not so déepely wounded that we should require any such helpe You saye well aunswered don Bryanell but vnlesse I be deceiued you are sore wounded and my selfe am in like case and before we loose more blood let vs set Damartyno at libertie Be it so replyed Palineo and so tooke the keyes of the Prison from the Porters side and opened it where they found him ouerladen with boultes and Irons pale megre and weake for want of sustenance tasting no foode sometime in two nor three dayes whom the knights séeing could not stay the teares in their eyes knawing him to be one of the loyalest Knights liuing in those dayes Damarâ—yno séeing those Knightes enter in that manner said What would you with mee Knightes is your Lord now contented to end my life which would bee no little comforte to my many torments Palineo no longer able to conceale himselfe vnlacing his helme with great ioy to sée him aliue said thus You haue no cause to feare vs most loyall Knight being now at length set at libertie by the handes of this valiant Knight to whome you are no lesse bopnd then for your life And by yours said Don Brianel for without you mine had little auailed Wheruppon taking away his irons with great gladnesse he imbraced Palineo saying I did assure my selfe my mesâ— deare fréend you would not faile me in my necessitie for in such times true friends are knowne more then in prosperitie and humbling himselfe to Don Brianell craued to kisse his hands seeing his person that good deede required his dutie Don Brianel shewed him the like courtesie and taking him vp saying Thaâ— for that litle hee had don he deserued no such thanks being bound to more theÌ„ that for him for her sake that sent him Sir knights said Damartyno I haue certaine seruants in prison some where about this Castle for I know they were brought in with me them I pray you let vs frée so they went to séeke them and Damartyno greatly woondred to sée so great slaughter by two Knights And after they had found the seruants Don Brianel and Palineo they were laid in two beds in the Castle and were cured by one of Damartynos seruants that were very skilfull in that science and there they continued certaine daies till they were wel giuing order that if any came from the king they should be admitted to them But Don Bryanell the first day required one of the seruants secretly to fetch their horses where they had left them which so soone as it was darke was done that not a little contented Don Bryanel for he highly prysed his horse being neuer a better in that whole kingdome and through the hurly burly in that Cittie none remembred they within the castle But after they were through well Don Bryanell said to Damartyno and Palineo being altotogither Hitherto sir knight you haue not knowne the occasion of my comming nor knowne what I am hauing neuer séene mee before but to assure you of both read this letter from the honourable Princesse Aurora by which you shall know the beginning and the ende of my trauaile Damartyno taking it opened it and read it to this effect THe disinherited Queene of Antioch Aurora Princesse of Miriana to thee the most loyalest of all creatures her louing Knight Damartyno of the Valley gouernour of our Kingdome by our will though by a strangers hand health I knowe the vnhappie chances ouerthrowes and vnfortunate misaduentures haue not beene vnknowne to thee as the man that hath sustained the like which haue by the prouision of our immortall Gods befallen the King Pompeiano thy Lord and my deare Father as also the feared absence of my person so necessarie to escape the furie of the Prince Perianeo of Persia and Dou Gallaneo of Antioch And now reposing my confidence on the high estate of thy descent in the great loyalty I haue known in thee by the loue my father bare thee whose death partly on some of them is reuenged as this knight will more at large tell thee I hope the like shall also be seene in thy presence through thy meanes and order eyther by my comming in person to these or with an hoast of men sufficient to regaine our rights for which cause I send thee this valourous knight excellent not onely in armes but in al things else required in a noble maÌ„ With him shalt thou determine the best and the speediest meanes for these assaires we mooue but the Gods protect thee and preserue thee in that state of loialtie which thou euer gloriest in So soone as Damartino had read this letter did again imbrace Don Brianell saying I could not haue or desire better newes theÌ„ these sir knight to comfort my afflicted hart ioying to know of the welfare of my soueragne But how shal we do for this tyrant and vsurping king Tramoscano is so mightie and strongly fortified in this land that we may hardly oppose our selues against his forces I am of opinion said Palineo seeing we are to begin so great an enterprise we make it knowne vnto the Duke of Siluania to whom hauing Don Gallanco granted all his liuings the vsurper hath now for some causes disconsented hee I am assured séeing you at libertie will not denie all his aid assisting you to reobtaine that which he hath lost or else loose what he hath new I doo very well like what you haue said replied Damartyno and therefore you and I will to morrow go to him leauing this Knight in the castle to answere any that comes from the Cittie It were better we all goe togither said Palineo and if any come we will leaue order with these seruants what they shall do Be it so said don Brianell and I thinke best we goe ere it be day that we be not séen putting on some of the armor of the giants knights So resolued on this went to rest themselues and about midnight they rose and changed their armonr Damartyno and Palineo taking the best horses in the Castle departed commanding their seruants if any came from the Cittie they should tell them the Gyant had commanded none should enter to speak with him because he was not well And that they should make them answer according to their demand in the Gyants behalfe CHAP XLVIII What befell Don Brianell and his companions with the Knights of the Lions and how knowing one another they all returned to the Castle TWo parts of the night were ouerpast wheÌ„ the dazeling light of pale shyning Dyana would giue place vnto the easterne rising of the mornings sunne whose clear approach excelleth from the heauens the obscure darknesse of the gloomie night when these thrée knights issued forth of the castle vpon mighty câ—ursers with strong and knotty lances in their hands and onely with two pages to carry their shéelds taking the right way to the citie of Siluania where they thought to finde the duke Now
you And presently opening the doore softly hee went foorth How like you this Knight said Don Bryanell What shoulde I saye of him aunswered Clarianeo but that I neuer sawe a more brâ—uer Knight I meane of more pollicie in all my life before Hereuppon don Bryanel recounted vnto him all that in his companie he had done which greatly contented Don Clarineo at which time he returned saying Sir knight the Gyant is gone with all his companie let vs now followe him doing as the time shall minister occasion They did so thrusting themselues among those that were going to the walles where arriuing they saw the gate faste shutte which they had determined to open and that the Gyant hauing paste a Garison there was going to speake with the County Gariano I beléeue said Palineo wee shall haue more adoo to open the Gate then wée had thought I haue aunswered don Clarineo considered how we may doo it which is that your Cousen meaning don Bryanell shall kéepe the passage from the Mine letting no more passe hither and that you Sir Palineo shall by force take the keyes from the Porter and with them procure to open the gate and I will defend you from these that are alreadie here And this must be with the spéede that the valour of our courageous hearts and their charge we haue enterprised doth binde vs to Whereupon don Brianell setled himselfe in the passage which being narrowe he could scarce defend himselfe Palineo with greate courage by the light of many torches that were kindled stepped to the Porter and with his sword cleaning his head in two at one blowe snatcht the keyes from his side but ere he did it many knightes assaulted him to giue him his death The valiant Prince don Clarineo not forgetting what he had to do stept before to defend him bestowing so mightie and mortall blowes on euery one which approched that they fledde from him as from the presence of death By this time had Palineo through his spéedie diligence opened the gate had not the fearefull Tramoleano hearing that suddaine accident thrre with an infinit number of knights returned with his heauie Mace tamming w t such a furie that if don Clarineo had not stepped behinde the dead horses and knightes that he had slaine he had wondrously scaped his life at that first fury of the horses incounters but dooing as is said he wounded the mightie Gyants horse thrusting his sword quite through his head that the furious beast in such manner raised himselfe that he ouerthrewe his Maister The treachereus Countie Galliano would haue done the like by Palineo but hée stepping aside tumbled him from his horse with one blowe And certainely they could not haue giuen two better blows then these that more might helpe them For when the Gyants knights that were about a hundred sawe their maisters downe alighted also because the narrownesse of the place might not be a cause to hurt them with their horses The fearefull Gyant being very heauie with great gaine raysed himselfe and foming through his mouth blaspheming all his Gods went against Clarineo who being ioyned with Don Brianell were both in a fierce skermidge giuing and receiuing mightie blowes whose eecho rezounded in y e campe without the cittie And the gyant seeing him there resht in to hold him whyle his men did kill him but hauing no aduantage in strength ouer him don Clarineo to scape from his handes brauelie pluckt him to him that both fell downe where hee was pittiously wounded and had not his strong armour defended him he there had left his life And getting from the Gyant he began with them a most cruell fight with such danger as any may imagine Whom Palineo séeing so fore wounded woÌ„dred how he breathed Don Bryanell was in no lesse perill for so many layd on him with haste to passe by that he bléeded as fast as any of them In this daunger were they all thrée looking for nothing but death though the King and Trapter County were wounded no lesse then they For Don Clarineo minding to leaue his life reuenged so laide on them and others that all were imbrues in their owne bloods And whosoeuer then had séene them would haue rather iudged them so many raging Tigers or hungrie Lions then knights hoping of no succor of theÌ„ without for thogh they procured to enter could not approch the gates being defended by y e gyants garison While this thus paste at such time as the giuer of the bright light illuminated the darke night there came downe a valley not farre from the cittie a mightie piller of fire after it followed a knight with two of the vgliest gyants that euer were séene who with such furious spéede as doth a thunderbolt breake through the aire approached to the Wall and sette a Ladder against it The knight that came with them whose armor was all garnished with Basilisks alighted from his horse and without let of any that were below he mounted thereon to the top of the wall where he bestowed such deadly blowes that ere they were aware of him he had tumbled aboue fiftie ouer it dead Don Lucidamore that such haughtie prowesse saw in one Knight leauing his armie to Damartynos charge quickly climed the ladder and scarcely was he on the top when the giants taking it returned the way and in the maner they did come leauing the beholders amazed with wonder The knight of the Basiliske comming instructed in what he should do descended certaine steps of stone that were in the wall beating downe on both sides many knights before him clearing the way for don Lucidamore that followed him making no lesse slaughter then he on that rebellious people At length he arriued at the gate where don Brianell was wearie and tyred who seeing the Knight of the Basiliskes thinking him to be one of his enemies strooke him a mightie blow but he knowing him defended it with his sheeld and rusht in where he was there spied he Clarineo that had before him aboue thirtie Kinges slaine and then with one blowe threwe the Countie Gariano dead to the earth but was in extreame daunger because he looked to the trusty Palineo who through the much blood he had lost was in a trance that he was faine to beare him close to the wall where he kept him before himselfe making stupendious déedes And there arriuing thr knight of the Basilisks in the Gréekish tongue he sayde Courage braue knight for you are alreadie succoured At the ende of which words with one mightie blowe he cut off the Giants leg that he fell downe where he breathed his last and beating away all the knights about him he quickly freed that Gate stepping both vnto the Portall thereof where Lucidamore and don Brianell were And the troopes that were without séeing they could not enter in had ouerthrowne all that side making a great breach in the wall through which ten knights might easily passe togither with such furie pressing in
brest and so redoubled his most furious courage that if there had beene â—oure such Knights as the Persian Prince before him hee thought that in short time to reduce them all to the mercie of his mortall Blade With which betwixt both hands he wâ—nt against his louâ—-crossing aduersarie which did the like also and raysing his Median Sworde aloft to descend it with a more furie there appeared before him a Lady altogither like to her whose Picture had with cruell yoake subiugated his commaunding heart which said vnto him What doo you hâ—â—re renowmed Prince of Greece knewe you not your loue that is towards mee cannot take any effect if first you free mee not from this danger And therewith hee thought hee sawe foure monstrous Gyants like a whyrle-winde snatch her thence and that one dragged her amber guided hayre with such barbarous sauagenesse that his vnconquered heart resolu'd to liquid blood at the cruel yet a pittiful â—ight and moreouer an other following theÌ„ cried out let me alone with that vilde wretch for she must dye by my hand Which that valiant Prince Don Bellianis seeing not respecting the fight pursued that illusion that he sawe which tooke the way downe the Valley Héereupon his fine Armor with deuise of the imperiall Crownes lost their hewe becomming like those that the Prince Perianeo did weare at the Jousts in Bollera The Persian Prince that nothing of that had séen thinking his aduersary had left the battel for some other reason began to follow him but sodainly his raines were taken out of his haÌ„ds and looking about to sée who should do so sawe before him the dearest fréend he had the Sage Fristone who thus saide vnto him What is the matter deare Prince of Persia that you follow whom you know not nor whether it bee your aduantage so to doo Take my counsaile returne to Ballero for I haue laide such a snare for him that you shall be fully reuenged on your enemies and therefore follow not that knight So this said he vanished away The Persian Prince was greatly amazed hereat and so great was his hate against the valiant knight of the imperiall Crownes that he was about to follow him yet notwithstanding resoluing the contrary returned to his fathers Campe where arriuing he found the battell still to indure very fierce through which he thrust himselfe to helpe his men Where we leaue him till we haue exprest what happened to Don Bellianis pursuing those inchantments CHAP. XXXVII How Don Bellianis following the Sage Fristones inchantments Combatted with the Emperour his father in the Valley of three Fountaines and how Don Bellianis was led away by the wise Bellona to ende a certaine aduenture THe Prince Don Bellianis as is said pursued those Gyants whom he thought carried prisoner the Princesse Florisbella in which pursuite he had remained inchanted by the sage Fristone had it not béene for his sword yet was hee by him deceiued seeming otherwise theÌ„ he was which was all the Magician could do And thus going aloÌ„g he espied before him a knight armed as he thought in the Persian Princes armor with whom he not long before fought with And so soone as they approached togither all those inchantments vanished away wherat like one amazed wakened out of some dreame stood still But the knight that came vp the valley was his father had by Fristones deuice his Armour also chaÌ„ged For that of Don Bellianis séemed like the knights of Fortune and the Emperors nothing differed from the same Who séeing him come with such haste and without Launce left his owne and drawing forth his sword went to méete him with it raised aloft Don Bellianis doing the like there began betwéen them the cruellest fight that in al that day was fought making their heads bowe to the saddle pummell with their terrible strokes so fast redoubling blow vpon blow that the mightinesse of them strooke fire out of their armour and made them often loose the sight of one another Don Bellianis at this time thinking his aduersaries strength increased more and more more furious then a furious Beare hauing lost none of former rage strooke at him so huge a blowe that cutting his shield in two it tumbled to y e ground with a péece of his helme But the Emperour strooke at him below his shield that cutting his armor it also pierced his coate of male wounding him two fingers déepe in his right side and entring within him with a furious thrust penetrated all his armor to the flesh forcing him to giue backe two or thrée steppes and séeing that was the time wherin he should shew the vtmost of his mightie forces letting fall the remnant of his shield would haue with both his hands strooke him on the head But Don Bellianis séeing the cutting sword descend with such furie spurred his horse forwards and closing with him ere he could discharge his blowe tooke him twixt his strong armes and lifting him out of his saddle shaking the stirropes from his owne feete he lept with him on the ground where he opened both armour and flesh with one mightie blow But ouercome with rage both at one time raysed their slicing swords which falling with such strength the Emperour had the buckles of his helme cut which fell on the earth and the sword descending on his left arme it made him there a gréeuous wound But don Bellianis was so ouerladen with the Emperours blow that he was forced to set both knées and hands on the ground And the Emperour séeing himselfe without the helme strooke his aduersary so suddeinly againe with such strength that he sorely wounded him on y e left shoulder and the sword ran thrée handfuls into the earth But Don Bellianis neuer loosing any sparke of his admirable courage at any sinister accident raised himselfe vpon his féete and turned vpon the Emperour ere he had time to drawe his sword from the ground At this instant was y e Emperors life in wondrous daunger being without shield and helme and not able to helpe himselfe with his sword so quickly as hee should And Don Bellianis being on foote with his sword raised with both hands and readie to discharge it did suddeinly knowe him and with the greatest wonder that euer before hée was in cried out Oh Almightie God in whome I doo beléeue is it possible my handes should commit so hainous treachery And therewith staied his hand The Emperour hearing these words said Know you me knight Or what is the reason you end not your fight Whervnto Don Bellianis replied I doo most humbly beséech you my verie deare Lord and Emperour euen by that Lord that hath permitted we should not die by so great deceits that you omit and pardon this my errour wherein I am guiltie of no fault committed against you And hauing saide so vnlaced his helme whereat the Emperour straight knewe him which strooke him into so great an anguish to sée his deare sonne so cruelly wounded by his