knights closed the dore so that Primaleon had not the meane to answer her neuerthelesse he staied to heare the sorrowfull clamors they made within which was no lesse irksome to his heart then had he séene the perfect interring of his brother Don Eodard At last hee departed dyrecting his course into such places where he thought soonest to heare tydings of his straied friend So trauayling on in good hope we wil leaue him a while And declare more at large the cause of Pandritia her great mourning as also what fortuned to the two yong Princes nourished in the Caue of the Sauadgeman CHAP. VII ¶ The cause why Pandritia led this solitary kind of life And how the yong Prince Florian straied from the Caue of the Sauadge man and by Sir Pridos was brought â—o the English Court and what further happened THe occasion why Pandritia bare such great affection to the Prince Don Edoard is at large declared in the Booke intituled Primaleon How that after the Prince had deliuered her Brother Tarnaes out of the Enchaunted Castle wherein his Father had deuised the way to enclose him and the came home with him into Lacedemonia Shee oftâ—â—â—â—emed to mooue good liking on her behalfe to the Prince Don Edoard but hee by no meanes could direct his fancy after her course for that his promise before passed to the Princesse Flerida withheld the consent she gladly looked for To auoyd therefore what might happen he refused to vse her company in talke as before hee was wont which very much displeased Bellagris who was SoldaÌ„ of Niquee after the death of Molerin his eldest brother For hee vnderstanding the secret affection and great good will that she entirely bare to the noble Prince Don Edoard aduentured to trie Fortune who so fauourably prospered his intent that vnder the tytle of Don Edoard he entred his sisters Chamber where acquainting himselfe with her to his desire and her deceit time brought thoâ—â— pleasure to a goodly Sonne named Blandidon of whom hereafter you shall be more largely certified But Pandritia giuing credite to her selfe that the noble Don Edoard had receiued the estimation of her honour grouuded such firme affection on him as was more then we ought and more then he would grant So kéeping his Picture in his absence and vnderstanding of his supposed death she vsed this soleunitie in honour of his Funeralles and attyred her selfe according as became her misfortune departing from the Garden of Damoselles to her House of sadnesse supposing thereto end her life with the losse of her loue So remaineth she in place where she shut the dore against the Prince Primaleon who is likewise endeuoring himselfe in his aduentures Returne we now to the two young Princesso whom the Sauage mans wife had carefully nourished vp as had they béene her owne Children she could not haue vsed more motherly compassion In short time they grew to such estate that their whole delight was to hunt the sauage Beastes in the Forrest wherevnto Florianâ— had more affection then his brother Palmerin for he vsed euery day to beare his bowe and leade the two Lyons that hee became more expert then the Sauage man himselfe and thus for ten yeares space liued these two young Princes beloued wâ—ll of him who before was their greatest enemie It fortuned on a Sunday morning the Princes Fletida walked forth into the Forrest as well to sorrow for her Luue as to lameÌ„t the estate of her infortunate life hauing accomplished what she desired she returned At this time Florian wandred about the forrest with his Lyons which he tyed vp meaning to take by force the first wilde Beast that should appeare in his sight Hauing long stayed without any prey he determined to returne but at last he espyed a mighty Hart in a groue of trées whereat he let slie an Arrow with such force that it passed cleane through the body of the beast The Hart féeling himselfe wounded prosently tooke flight which he perceiuing let slip the Lions after him but all in vaine for the swiftnesse of the Hart outreached the spéedy pace of the Lyons And Florian strayed so farre that he had lost the sight of the Lyons and the Harte as also the way to the Sauadge mans house which caused him to wander in heauinesse till the darke Night ouershadowed him when he espyed two Shepheards making a little Fire of stickes to warme them because the Night was excéeding colde Florian being there arriued hee sate him downe by a Riuers side in the very same place that his Mother brought him into the World where sitting a pretty while he espyed a Knight come ryding attyred in blacke Armor spotted with red bearing in his Shielde the figure of a Gryffon with a certaine Poesie which was vnknown to any his Lady and himselfe excepted This Knight was named Sir Pridos who still aduanced himselfe in the search of the noble Prince Don Edoard and he rode very pensiue and sad till casting his eyes vpon Floran his heart beganne somewhat to conceiue a maruellous inward Ioy for that his countenance bare the perfect Image of his noble Father Whereupon Sir Pridos fell in diuers demaundes with him which Florian very courteously answered So that Syr Pridos fell into great desire that he would beare him company to London wherein the Kings Court he would present him among the number of those whome renowmed Fame did euer accompany The young Prince Florian more desirous to leade his life among the braue Gallantes then so to passe his time so solitarie among the vnfrequenten places in the Wilde Forrest gaue his consent and iournyed with Sir Pridos to the English Court where he presented him to the King cloathed in the Skinne of an Harte a thing of no small admyration to the King yet did hee receiue him very graciously in that he supposed him to be one of the Sonnes of the Princesse Flerida vnto whose Chamber he walked with this young Prince and in this manner beganne to salute her Fayre Daughter among all the grieuous vexations that afflict your weake Nature loe heere the Honour Syr Pridos doeth present you withall who in searching your Noble Lord and my Sonne hath found this Iewell which hee offereth to you as the frustes of his labours And trust me the oftner I beholde his sweete countenance the more I conceyue Opinion of his Allyance to my Sonne Don Edoard The Princesse Flerida was not a little pleased with so glad a present in signe whereof shée imbraced her Sonne albeit vnknowen and went straight way to Sir Pridos who certified her that he found him sitting in the same place where the Sauadge man came with his two Lyons and tooke her two Children from her This mooued Flerida to suppose him for her Sonne but Fortune would not as yet suffer a perfect assuraunce that eyther hée should know her for his Mother or shee him for her Childe Neuerthelesse shée gaue him the name of Desart training him vp in the
to requite your kindenesse Polynarda contented herselfe very well with the gentle aunswere of the fayre Princesse Leonarda as well to be resolued of the speciall entertainment which shee gaue to her Noble Couzin Florian as also to remooue the suspition shee had of her singular Beautie fearing least her most fauoured Friende the Prince Palmerin of England should fall into any lyking to matche with her because she reserued him altogether for her séemely selfe The Prince Florian was not a little prowd of his good fortune and the Emperor would haue called him to him but that he saw how familiar the two princesses were in talk with him whervpon he determined if good hap would so permit to make a marriage betwéene him and the Princesse of Thrace whom he gaue as bed fellow to his Néeâ—e Polinarda assuring you that these two vertuous Ladies liued and loued so intirely together as the one could neuer be without the others company and what occasions of secrete sorrow so euer hapned the one would not 〈…〉 of the other in reuealing their close conceits for they 〈◊〉 of this minde that it could not be called firme and faithful friendship when all kind of such causes should not passe common betweene them At length the Emperor accompanied with the Prince Florian withdrew himselfe into his Chamber where he quistioned with him about the prosperous estates of the King of England his Grandfather and his father the Prince Don Edward not forgetting his deare daughter the faire Princesse Flerida whom he desired if it might be possible to sée before he dyed and after he had communed with him about many matters hee caused the Prince to be brought into his Chamber where the good Knight could not â—â—sse the night so quietly as he was accustomed the 〈…〉 princesse Leonarda was so earnest in his thoughts as 〈◊〉 and tumbled but could not enioy any wished rest On the next day in the morning when the Emperour had béene at the Chappell to heare diuine Seruice the Table was couered in the Princesse Fleridaes Chamber where he dined in the company of the Empresse Gridonia Polinarda and the faire Princesse of Thrace but after that the Tables were withdrawne and they had â—â—tten a prettie while talking together there entered a Damosell attired all in blacke with two séemely Esquiers attending on her she humbled herselfe before the Emperour with kissing his hand and did the like to the Empresse Gridonia and Polinarda who very gently imbraced the Damosell for that she knewe her to be one of the wayting Gentlewomen vpon the Princesse Targiana at such time as she was there abiding in the Emperours Court and before the Empresse shee stayed still when the Emperor hauing knowledge of her came and demanded other as concerning the welfare of her Lady and Mistresse to which wordes she answered in this manner Dread Prince and my most gratious Lord I desire you that you will not receiue any displeasure for that you sée me rather inclined to the Empresse then to your excellencie because the Princesie Targiana commaunded me to addresse my selfe vnto her highnesse as to one whom she vnfainedly regardeth but for your grace desireth to vnderstand how the Princesse my good Lady â—aâ—eth it is so that she neuer came foorth of her Chamber since the day that the Prince Polendos your Sonne and the other Princes and Knights were committed to prison during all which time she hath not ceassed most gratiously to wéepe and lament insomuch as her faire beautie is maruellously altered and chaunged yet hath the Turke her Father laboured as much as may be to disâ—wade her from this mournefull kinde of life but all in vaine he wasteth his endeuor for she tooke her oath in his presence that she would neuer giue euer vexing her selfe with continuall waiting vntill your knights enioyed as frée libertie as they had when they came with her from Constantinople The Turke her father fearing lest her extreame griefe would be a cause of shortning her youthfull time hath promised to restore them for the libertie of the Prince Albayzar whom they of Babilon haue request of him that they may enioy him among them againe for this cause the great Turke hath sent hither an Ambassadour who will be here either this day or tomorrow morning when your Highnesse shall vnderstand the summe of the matter And for that the Princesse Targiana feareth least you should denie to graunt what he requireth which may mooue such an inconuenience as your Maiestie would repent the great honour you bestowed on her in your Court she put me faithfully in trust to bring these tydings vnto the Empresse in whose presence I haue made you acquainted with that I had in charge because it teâ—cheth you more then it doeth any other person Moreouer shee carefully pondering euery carâ—e with her selfe and doubting least the mallice which her father beareth to the Princesse of your Court will séeke a secrete reuenge some way as treason intended betwéene him and his Ambassadour towards your Highnesse to preuent the worst that may happen she desireth you to returne her Father good words but not forgoe the Prince Albayzar whom you know her lawfull husband before first your Knights be foorth of her fathers power and that they haue attained such a place of assurance as al deuises notwithstanding no harme may come vnto them but if after their libertie such misfortune happen them as she would be very loath your Maiestie may as you sée cause finde your selfe agrieued with the offenders Faire Damosell answered the Emperour I accept very gratefully the good aduice of the Princesse Targiana and I sée very well that the honour she receiued in my Court albeit it was but small is now double and double rewarded and perswade your selfe that I am determined to follow her counsell The Emperour concluding his minde the Damosell came againe to the Princesse Polinarda to present her with the gratious commendations of the faire Targiana but when she behelde the rare and singular beautie of the Princesse of Thrace which set by her the damosell tooke the hardinesse to demaund and if that Lady were not the Princesse Miragarda for whom and by whom the Prince Albayzar was vanquished In sooth faire Damosell answered Polinarda this is not the Princesse Miragarda but this is Leonarda the Princesse of Thrace whom the noble Palmerin of England deliuered out of the enchantment wherein she remained a long and tedious time at these wordes the Damosell tooke occasion to beginne thus By your fauour Madame I knowe now who this Lady is because I haue not forgotten the straunge aduenture of the Cuppe which was brought by a Damosel into his Court and I assure you that Palmerin of England was of a very strange nature that he could both make so small account of such a faire Princesse as also in refusing the stately gouernment of the Kingdome of Thrace Polinarda desirous to mooue the Damosell from talking in that matter willed that
excéeding pittie which I take to sée your grieuous sighes and manifold teares as I must néeds consent to your request but it were a great discredite to you that in a man of such an Ancient and goodly time as you are there shuld be found Forgerie or deceytfull dealing which my good opinion will not suffer mée to iudge so of you And this Knight which you sée standing by me is called the Prince Florian of the Forrest albeit some name him the hardie Knight of the Sauadgeman he is my Nephew and one in whome I put the greatest trust to giue ayde and succour in a matter of such importance and I sée hee prepareth himselfe to forsake the Court and to assist you with his Noble and approoued valour in any cause that you shall haue neede to vse him The Aged man séeing the maruellous courtesie of the Emperour fel down before him on his knées and after he had kissed his hand spake as followeth It is not in vaine I sée well most famous Emperour that both young and olde so thunder your surpassing Bountie for the occasion which my selfe receyueth at this time giueth me good cause to thinke that the vttermost I haue hearde in your noble Commendation hath rather beene sparing speech then sufficient to comprehend your Heroâ—call desertes and I shall thinke my selfe the most happiest aliue hauing séene that with mine Eye which hath bene so often bruted in mine Eare. The Knight of the Sauadge-man aduanced himselfe to kisse the Emperours hand in satisâ—action of the honourable spéeche he vsed of him to the Aged man who was still so earnest in his suite as the Prince Florian was constrained to arme himselfe presently and departed from the Court in such great haste as hee had not the leisure to take leaue of the Empresse and his other Friends The Emperour fell into questioning with the Knights of his Court if any of them did knowe that Auncient man in whose company his Nephew Florian was so suddenly gon but not one of them all could report of whence or what he was Primaleon was very much offended that the Emperour his Father would command his Nephew Florian to depart so soone with the aged man not knowing first into what place or to what aduenture he would conduct him wherevpon the very same day Berolde the Prince of Spaine Platir Blandidon Pompides Gratian Polinard Reccamon Albanis Don Resuel all the other most renowmed Knights of the Emperors Court departed to folow the Prince Florian for that they feared least any euill should happen to him vnder the guilefull dealings of this Aged man When the Emperour saw his Court left desolate in a manner of the noble Knights that was woont to kéep his company he found himselfe very grieuously perturbed in minde fearing least some finister chaunce should happen to his Nephewe Florian who rode on still in the company of his Aged Guide without resting in any place til the next day in the morning when of necessity they must stay to giue refreshing to their Horses and when they had suffered them to féede indifferently they mounted againe on Horsebacke and rested not all that day likewise till they were come within the sight of a fayre Castle which stood on the top of a fayre Rocke a Fortresse very delâ—ctable in the eyes of them that did behold it at the foote whereof a goodly Riuer had his course so déepe and dangerous as they that went vnto the Castle were constrained to passe ouer in a very small Boate wherein two men could hardly passe at one time The Aged man being very wearie with ryding and desirous to haue a little ease alighted from his Horse vsing his language in this manner to the Prince Florian. This is the danger Sir Knight wherin we must hazard our liues if we be so bold as to venture our selues both together in this little Boate therefore I pray you that you will alight and you for the more securitie shall passe ouer alone then your Esquyre and I will come one after another because we will bring ouer with vs the Horses You reason wel answerd the Prince Florian in respect of your Aged and vnweldy péeres as also in wishing me for my best auaile therfore I intend to follow your counsell for that I sée necessitie compelleth vs to doo as you say At these words he dismounted from his Horse and entred into the little Boate commanding him that had the charge thereof to passe him ouer but scantly had he attained the middle of the water when suddenly such a blacke and ougly clowde ouershadowed him as the Aged man and the Esquyre being on land had lost the sight of him which when the Esquire perceiued hée was about to leape into the water to followe his Lord but as he was in this desperate intent he espyed a great Hill suddenly before him which would not suffer him to passe any further Vpon this he turned to goe to the place where he left the aged man but he was so quickly rapt away and gone as the Esquire could not possiby imagine which way he had taken then the Esquire began to iudge that the teares which the Aged man shed in the presence of the Emperour was to no other end but only shadow the treason which he wretchedly weÌ„t about so there he stood musing a great while and after he had canuased out a thousand imaginations a he concluded to search his Maister about all those parts and if it were not his fortune to find him he would then return to yâ— Emperors court to make known the vnfortunate losse of his Lorde and Maister to the ende that the Princes who were his Friends might take vpon them to enquyre after him for such was the opinion of this loyall Esquyre that the diligent search of a great many Knightes might happily recouer his Lorde againe The Noble Prince Florian of the Forrest had no sooner gotten the further side of the Riuer but the Clowde conueyed away the Boate wherein he passed in such sort as hee could by no meanes haue a sight of it wherevpon hée began to aduance himselfe towardes the Castle that stood vppon the Rocke not fearing any daungers that might happen to him but because the Rocke was high and troublesome to climbe and the Armor hee had on very weightie withall hee was constrained to rest himselfe thrée or foure times by the way so that the Night had chased away the gladsome Day before hee could arriue at the Castle When hee came vnto the Castle Gate there came foure verie gallant Damozells to receyue him and after they had caused many Torches to be alighted they shewed themselues very dutifull to entertaine him into the Castle which courteous offer the Prince would not séeme to denye for that the Beautie of them did so much blinde him as he had no minde on the Daungers that might suddenly happen but hee fedde his Eyes with beholding them altogether as one that had his will
labouring to auoyde that motion that either might séeme to her person displeasant or by any sinister meanes to make shew of her disprofit destred him to appoint such prouision for her that there she emight discharge her heauy burthen and not to depart before she sawe the fruits of her labours To which reasonable request the Prince right courteously consented being right glad to fulfill that occasion that might be to her content and for that cause as yet he refused the gouerning of the kingdome appointing the whole affaires thereof to the wise discretion of King Fredericke his father vntill such time as he saw the Princesse in better estate of her health And in this order sought he ech vnfrequented place of passage and eche solitary habitation to remooue his Tents when pleased the Princes déeming those places to his better content then the youthfull delights of the King his Fathers Court But as the fayrest colours soonest fadeth the freshest flowre soonest withereth and the cleerest day quickly cloudy euen so the man to whom Fortune dooth anouch most fréendlinesse is soonest intrapped by he dissembling falshood and when least he thinketh of any secret doubt he is deceiued by sudden daunger So this valiant and renowned Prince whom Fortune had encouraged by his admirable conquests and aduaunced his name in respect of his Noblenesse new reclaiming her former and woonted courtesie causeth him to taste her present crueltie and where before she helde his Honor as best woorthie her fauour now in a chollericke humor breaketh of her fréendship causing him to knowe though she had holpen him long she was now minded to hurle him downe at last The time being come of her appointed treacherie and the meane deuised to accomplish her crueltie shée caused Don Edward to leaue the company of the Princes Flerida and all other his Lords and Ladies who were there present with her and walketh to the Sea side which was not farre distant Returning agaiue hée caused the tents to be pitched foure miles from the Forrest on a pleasant gréene platte by a little running riuer which delighted the minde of the Princesse the place was so fine and fitly chosen out On a sudden there was heard a great tumult in a thicket of trees neare adioyning to sée what it might be the Prince mounted on Horsebacke and rode to the place where casting his eyes aside hee espied a wilde and mighty Bore which sight the Prince was not a little glad of but with diuers of his noble Lords made present pursuite after Don Edward still rid after the game that the other had quite lost the sight of him which they sought againe to recouer but all was in vaine for the day being cleane spent and waxing somewhat darke caused them to retyre againe to the Princesse Who séeing her Lord Don Edward not returne with them fell into great dismaying and doubting of his safetie which she had iust cause to doe for that this his sudden departure was greatly lamented through the Realme of England and all kingdomes in Christendome before they had his presence againe The strayed Prince being thus allured by Fortune affecteth his game with such great delight that he neuer minded the Princesse distresse but gaue himselfe wholly to his present pastime not fearing for foreséeing what might be the perill His Stéede with tediousnesse of trauaile waxeth stract in his limines which caused the Prince to stay and alight for the darkesomnes of the night had lost his game and the fayning of his Horse required to haue rest Don Edward resting him at the foote of a Trée beganne at last to call to minde the desolate estate of the Princesse Flerida and the griefe his Lords would conceiue for want of his company Faine he would haue slept but could not for still the doubts that assailed his mind one while for the Princesse another while for his Péeres first to thinke how his absence would cause her to iudge somewhat of his vnkinde dealing then how his Lords would stand in feare of his danger these and a thousand more tristfull terrors with held him from receiuing that swéet rest he gladly looked for Alas thought he how hard is his hap to whom Fortune is aduerse how contrary his good lucke that awaiteth her liberality the one is a thing euer to be doubted and the other ought at no time to be desired The night is spent in these and such like cogitations and at the appearence of the day his eyes began to waxe heauy as commonly it happeneth vnto those whom conceiued sorrow denieth the required rest at last very griefe of it selfe constraineth them to slumber This carefull Prince hauing obtained such quietnesse as the extremitie of his paine would permit him stretching forth his armes calleth againe into question the retchlesse regard he had of himselfe so lighly to leaue his Lady and so vngently to forsake his company which although it happened against his will he iudged they would not accept it so in worth Then mounting vpon Horsebacke rode on to finde his company so vnaduisedly lost but Fortune still denying his pretended purpose by how much he estéemed himselfe néere to his comfort by so much the farder of she set him to the contrary yet hasting on in hope at last he arriued in a great Groue of Trées the thicknesse and height whereof caused him to fall into admiration with himselfe Through this graue ran a faire and cleare Riuer wherein he perceiued the resemblance of a Gallant and curious Castle as strongly fortified as rarely edified the sight whereof somewhat asswadged the egernes of his gréefe likewise the pleasant ratling of the gréene leaues with the mellodious harmony of the pretty chirping Birds exiled the former heauines of his heart and caused him to remember the gladsome time wherein he spent his labour to gaine his best beloued during the warres of the Emperour Palmerin where first he named himself Iulian. In these pleasant conceits hee rid along by the Riuer side so rauished with his inwarde delight that he little suspected the imminent daunger for vnto that place did he chéefest frame his desire which Fortune had appointed to worke his distresse Don Edward beholding the braue scituation of this Castle so curious in workemanship and costly in outward resemblaunce the Bridge at entring whereof was so large that foure knights might easily haue Combatted thereon no lesse insued at his suddē arriual then he meruailed at this his strange aduenture The Porter of the Castell with double diligence more then deserued thankes set open the gate to allure him in which the Prince perceiuing misdoubted no daunger or any secret guile in his gallant prospect because he neither sawe any to resist his entrye and the Porter being vnarmed made him doubt the lesse It last more on a youthfull courage then an aduised care he aduanced himselfe to the Gate of the Castle desiring to know the name of so pleasant a place who protected a thing of
sollace thou must forsake passe the remainder of thy dayes in sorrow I rue thy case but can giue thée no comfort I sorrow to thinke on thy misery and can giue thée no remedie blood will haue blood againe and cruelty will haue the like rewarded thou shalt féele the force of my chollericke moode and by reuengement will bee so sharpe as will be trebble griefe for thée to sustaine it The Prince being vanquished with a sudden feare to heare the Giant vse such words of fury put vp his hand where heâ— thought to finde his Sword but failing of his purpose he presently sayd In the greenest grasse lyeth the most deceitfull Serpent and in the calmest waters the deepest whirlepoole so in those places where aman thinketh himselfe farthest of all mishaps he is soonest assayled by some sudden mischance Well quoth the Giant though my anger doth vrge me vnto great impatience and that I cannot brooke the open iniury done vnto to mee but am bent seuerely to reuenge me on thée and all thy Kindred as my after dealings shall make manifest to their great dishonour yet will I kéepe thée being first chaunced into my hands that thou mayest witnesse to the rest my his displeasure As for thy life I franckly and fréely giue thée séeing the Kingly Lyon disdaineth to vaunt on his conquered Prey and the Princely Eagle scorneth to stoupe to a Flye Besides thy life is not of sufficiencie in such a cause as this beeing first the death of my Father next the distresse of my Friends now the present griefe of my selfe and lastly euer hereafter to all my issue an eternall sorrow which to appease the life of one no not of tenne no nor yet of an hundreth is able to make recompence or suffice to quench my rigour Neuertheles in poore and meanest sort I minded to vse thee not as thou list and as I like not to thine owne choyse but as I shall finde occasion so that to recount thy posted pleasure and also to thinke on thy present ensuing paine though it be griefe to mee to vse it and so harde thy hap that thou canst nor mayst refuse it shall witnesse a world of miseries that thou art to abide and the rarest Misfortunes that euer man did taste This is thy lucke and this is my law this thy hard hap and this my heauy hatred as 〈◊〉 thou departest thou shalt sufficieÌ„tly vnderstand and by that time thou knowst what and who I am that haue this authoritie thou shalt feele to thy greater woo my pretended iniurie Hauing thus finished his talke he caused him to bee carried into his strongest Prison which was in the top of the Castle and clapped a great pair of Gyues on his legs minding in this furie neuer while hee liued to take them off againe Don Edoard thus suddenly chaunged from Princely pompe to present penurie from the Court of his Father to the Cabbin of his Foes from the presence of his Ladie to the loathing of his life enclosed in a Castle so admirable in a prison so vncomfortable and in a Dungeon so dispaireable closing his armes together entred into these sorrowfull moâ—es Oh poore Prince is thy hope thou haddest of so great courtesie and so soone chaunged into extreame crueltie Didst thou credite faire wordes to be such troth and now doest thou finde them quite turned to treason Alas who sooner deceiued then the well meaning man and who more quickly beguiled then he that means most honestly Hath Fortune hetherto allowed thée honour and will shee now leaue thée to taste this horror hath all thy life hetherto beene spent in delight and shalt thou now end thy dayes in this direfull distresse Alas then hast no helpe to the contrarie wherefore thou must holde thée content there is none néere to succour thée wherefore suppe vp thy sorrow Thy aged Father will misse thée thy louing Ladie will lacke thée and all thy Courtly companions will sorrow for thy want And what of that Bucephalus will stoupe to none but Alexander and Mercuries Pipe will be scunded by none but Orphaeus Euen so my proud soo may no wayes be intreated but either must be conquered in strength or craftily deceyued in sleights which how farre my thought is from deliuery so farre from comfort is my poore oppressed heart O my déere Florida when thou shalt call thy vnkindenesse into question and my last departure from thy presence into a Womans opinion I know the care will no lesse trouble thy minde then my want of thy comfort causeth my miserie Alas though I haue thus left thee by follie yet thinke not but I still loue thée faithfully and although thy griefe as I knowe is great for my losse yet thinke not but my sorrowe putteth me to extremity of my life in that this Prison so amateth me with sadnesse as I am of opinion neuer againe to sée you without whose companie my life cannot long endure but eyther to dispaire vpon my hard Aduenture or presently die in so sharpe an assault O inuincible Prince Primaleon what griefe will you abide for losse of your brother and what sorrow will you conceiue for your deare Friend whose misfortune I feare will cause you leaue your Parents and whose tryed friendship mooue you put your life in perill Except the Soldan of Niquâ—e Maiortes Gatterit the King Tranies by their friendly perswasion may otherwise determine your purpose And though their méere Loue kéepe you at home yet I thinke my mishap will enforce them to be sorry So that some of them will endeuour to heare of me againe although it be vnpossible to giue mee succour except fauour may plead their cause wiâ—h the Lady of this Castle whose crueltie I feare will no way be intreated In these and such like rufull complaints the Captiue Prince spent his time vntill earnest opinion of his Ladie to be present with him vrged him to breake foorth into these spéeches Alas my good Ladie this cruell Prison is not cause of my death but to sée your person accompanie me in distresse when the Court were more méete to shrowde your séemely selfe then this vncomfortable Dungion for you to set foote in Whose presence procureth so fierce an assault in my hart that the feare of your safety is more to my perill then a thousand torments might be to my paine Wherefore good Ladie content yourselfe and suffer mee to moane blemish not your faire face with rufull teares for me the one may endanger your prosperitie and the other may no way be to my profite Thus clasping his armes together and entring into a farther conceit in his minde I leaue the extremitie of his griefe to those that haue tasted the like mishappe that where before he was equal with any for good fortune he is now aboue all respecting his ill lucke CHAP. II. ¶ In this Chapter is declared why Eutrope the Enchauntresse procured thus the hard hap of the Prince Don Edoard and what the Gaint was
Prince Don Edoard as also to the noble Primaleon withdrew themselues to their lodgings and armed themselues presently posting with all spéed they might after the aduenterous Primaleon some taking one way and some another As well those that vsed the Triumphes for their Ladies sakes as also those whose redoubted behauiour hath both wonne the honour of the field and dignitie of fame All with a mutuall consent aduentured limme and life that the report of their déedes might manifest the renowne of their knighthood And because you shall haue knowledge who behaued themselues most worthy cōmendations in this no lesse famous then rare aduenture I will bewray some of them to you that yonr gentle opinion of their paines may yéeld them in recompence part of a condigne praise The first that tooke the courage to hazarde himselfe in the field had to name Polendos King of Thessaly Sonne to Frisol the King of Hungaria accompanied with his brother Belcar The next was the Prince of Allemaigne son to the Emperor Trineus and named Vernar who honoured the beautie of faire Bazilia youngest daughter to the Emperour Palmerin to whom he was newly maried and stood in doubt how to proceed least Fortune should not be so fauourable to him as he expected which caused some slacknesse in good will Neuerthelesse after he had considered the honor of Mars and sharpe cōflicts of Venus how the one was lasting in Fame and the other linked to an effeminate fancie hee determined to follow his Companions driuing into obliuion the pleasaunt conceyts that hee often estéemed in his best beloued vsing this perswasion with himselfe That hee which vanquished himselfe with the vanitie of Fancy and yéeldeth the libertie of his will to fond affection is more méete to handle a Lute then a Lance and better to court a Lady then deserue the braue name of a Captaine In this perswasion hee departed intending so knightly an opinion in his minde that the honour of his name should expresse his noblenes and valure of his bounty be estéemed of his fayre Bazilia Thus was the city of Constantinople as it were desolate wanting the noble knights which were thence departed which caused the Emperour to visite the chiefest places in the Citie to the no small content of himselfe ioy of the Citizens who little minded the absence of the noble Gentlemen in that the Emperor so louingly vouchsafed thē his cōmpany Thē departed Argolant frō the Court of Constātinople toward the realme of England bearing answere of his Ambassage from the Emperor to his Lord soueraigne how y◠losse of the Prince Don Edoard was blazed in the courts of diuers noble Princes As in the court of Armedes King of France his Cousin Son in law to the Emperor of Constantinople as also in the court of Recinde K. of Spaine in the court of Pellagris the Souldan of Niquee with the noble Maiortes many Princes more to whom the losse of the English Prince was as grieuous as to himself For proofe whereof the imployed paines of diuerse noble mindes might remaine as witnesse who walked the Forrests and vnknowne passages in many Countryes that Martiall behauior was neuer more estéemed thē it was during the search of this strayed Prince Argolant being departed from the Emperour after many dayes Trauell hee arriued at the English Courte whereas to the king Fredericke the Quéene and the Princesse Flerida hee deliuered the answere of his Message who were greatly satisfied in hearing the Noble Attempts of the Grecian Knights by whose endeuoured paines they had good and prosperous successe CHAP. VI. ¶ How Primaleon endeuoring himselfe in the diligent search of the prince Don Edoard happened to meet with the Funeralls of the sorrowfull Lady Pandritia Daughter to the K. of Lacedemonia the which she solemnized for the vnkinde repulse she sustained by the Prince Don Edoard NOw Primaleon determining his secrete escape from the Cittie of Constantinople as I haue before declared commaunded his Esquyre to bring his Courser and Armour and closely to conuey all his Equippage and furniture behind the Storehouse of his Sister Flerida for that none should be priuie to his intent but only he The Esqu failed not to accomplish the pleasure of his Lord. And being come to the appointed place he armed the Prince except his Shield and Helmet which he bare himself so mounting on Horsbacke they both departed vowing to rest in no place till hee might recouer some wished tydings of his Brother and Friend Don Edoard without whom he would neuer returne to Greece again Long he trauelled before he encountred any aduenture worthy the rehearsall But at length arriuing in the bottom of a valley in Lacedemonia whē the Sun was declined to the west parts he was discoraged for that the night was obscure vpon him beside thicknes of the trées made his passage more tenebrous thē else it would haue bene so that very hardly he could finde his way Wandring on still vsing his minde with seuerall Imaginations at least to the comfort of himselfe and ioy of an Esquyre who sorrowed to sée his Lorde so suddenly pensiue hee espyed a gailant troupe of Ladyes bearing in theyr hands lighted Torches eache one well mounted on a lustie Stéede attyred all in blacke and framing their voices to great lamentations Primaleon surprised with great griefe of minde to sée such fayre Ladyes weare the habite of Mourners tooke the boldnesse of himselfe to beholde what they were and drawing himselfe somewhat nearer to them to them perceiued the chiefe Lady and Mistresse of them her Palfrey trapped with black Veluet her Vesture of the same and foure ancient Knights in the middest bearing a Funerall couered all with blacke Veluet Primaleon perceiuing their heauy lamentations and that they were nothing abashed at his presence but helde on their Iourney as though they had not séene him he tooke such an earnest desire in himself that he must néeds demand the cause why they mourned in that manner Then presenting himselfe before the chiefest Ladie whose faire face had sustained a great blemish by the abundance of teares that issued from her Eyes in this manner he prepared himselfe to giue the Onset Faire Lady impute it not to flattery that I call you so nor to Folly in so much as you are so but rather of your nature cannot admit your own praise for the perfectiō of your mind being answered in perswasion of my vnfeigned meaning which estéemeth you as I haue said albeit farre inferior to that I could say It is no more my desire then vnder duety I may demaund nor my Sute no otherwise disposed then may stand with your Honour to replie and my honesty to request I being a friend to all Ladies and foe vnto none insomuch that a moytie of their desires should rather hinder me by mishap then dishearten me by any danger So that in briefe my request is thus why you frequent this solitary place accompanied with these who are equal
company of a young Gentleman Sonne to Syr Pridos and Attaida named Don Rosiran De la Bronde with whome I will leaue this gentle Prince Florian to know what the Sauadge man and Palmerin did séeing Florian returned not as he was woont CHAP. VIII How grieuous the Sauadge man tooke the suddaine losse of the yong Prince Forian when he perceiued the two Lions returne all washed in the blood of the Hart that they had slaine And how the young Prince Palmerin walking to the Sea side to seeke his Brother accompanied with Siluian the Sauadge mans Sonne departed thence in a Galley with Polendos King of Thessalie who sailed to ConstaÌ„ntinople where he presented them to the Emperor And how a Damosel mounted on a white Courser and bearing Armes arriued at the Court of Constantinople where she presented the Emperor with a Letter sent from the Lady of the Lake which gaue him at large to vnderstand what should oappen to â—he yong Prince Palmerin LOng expected the Sauadge man she returne of Florian and seeing it waxed darke and his hope deceiued hee was out of measure disquieted for the absence of Florian whose company both for expertnesse and towardnesse in his exercise was more commodious to him then his griefe would suffer him to expresse wherefore hee concluded thus young Florian was some way distressed and himselfe vtterly disdained of Fortune But in the morning the Lyons returned home al washed in the blood of the Hart which they had slaine when the Sauadge man percelued their guide wanting and they thus pollnted what with anguish of heart and chollericke perswasiâ—ns in his dosperate moode hee slew both the Lyons and entred into such a disquietnesse that nothing could asswage his extreame passion The yong Prince Palmerin sustaining great sorrow for the absence of his brother walked to the Sea shore accompanied with Siluian the Sauadge mans Sonne where sitting comforting each other on the greene bancke as naturs moued the one and nurture the other they espied a Galley to strike on shore where they twaine disported Polendos King of Theslalie being chiefe Captaine in this Galley who likewise directed his iourney for the finding of Don Edoard commanded to cast Anker there because for recreations sake he would walke vp into the Forrest as also to finde swéete water whereof he was greatly destitute Palmerin and Siluian séeing the King landed and fearing least they should sustaine some harme in that they were ignorant what they were determined by courteous demeâ— nor to let them passe by so should they haue no cause to molest them but to depart friendly perceiuing nothing but courtesie Polendos deholding the beautie of Palmerin with the no lesse ciuill then comely behauiour of them bdth desired them to goe abrdad with him and hee would preferre them in such place as they should be raised to honour and finde all things equiualâ—t to their gentle natures Palmerin whose fancy could hardly brooke that sauadge kinde of life but rather desired to acquaint himselfe with Courtly exercise gaue grant to that which â—he King had requested albeit Siluian vsed intreatie to perswade him to the contrary but when hée saw all meanes that he deuised could take no effect as well for the great loue that was betwéene them as the inuiolate affection he alway bare to the young Prince he vowed neuer to leaue his company either for misery misfortune or any accident whatsoeuer The King no lesse delighted in minde then greatly contented with the manners of Palmerin his seruants beeing returned with such necessaries as hee sent them for went abroad and heysed Sayles presently committing themselues to God the mercie of the waues So riding at their pleasure the King desired Palmerin if hée might lawfull craue so much to certifie him as concerning his byrth and Parentage which the courteous Prince right willingly gaue consent vnto declaring his life with the Sauadge man whom he certainely supposed to be his Father After many dayes fayling they arriued at Constantiuople which at that preseÌ„t was endued with as great heauines as in time past it surpassed in Princely delights the Port or Hauen likewise being nakedly prouided of ships for that the Occean and Mediterranian seas had scattered yâ— who le Nauy in search of the P. Don Edoard as also to know what was become of the Noble Primaleon yet in all this time no wished tydings heard The Emperor vnderstanding yâ— Polendos was arriued at Constantinople walked dâ—wn to the Hauen to accompany him to his pallace where being come and hearing by him no tidings of his sons became very sorrowfull as he had coÌ„tinued so a long time Then Polendos to put the Emperour out of this sadde cenceyte presented vnto him the young Prince Palmerin accompanied with Siluian Who casâ—ing his eyes on the young Prince entred presently into such an alteration of ioy as had he béene his own sonne Primaleon he could hardly haue béene better contented Wherefore he commaunded a Knight to conduct hm to the Princesse Gridonia willing her to giue him as seruant to the faire Polinarda whose beauty was so excellent her feature agréeable in euery lyneament her modestie so decent vertue therto apparant that she was rightly termed the Phaenix for beauty most famous among Ladies for bounty The Empresse and Gridonia receiued the yong Prince albeit ignorant of his estate yet as beséemed their honors respecting who sent him went straightway to present him to the faire Polinarda who in time caused him to aduenture his good Fortune among the pikes of mischanches and hazards of most daunger onely for her loue which hée bought as déerely as she gaue it daintily for proofe let suffice what hereafter ensueth But attend a strange rare euent On a subdaine was arriued in the Emperors Pallace a comely Damosell mounted on a Courser as white as a Swan bearing Armor also answerable to the same in colour her haire spread ouer her shoulders which gaue cause of meruaile to all that saw her She being come into the presence of the Emperor to the no little admiration of him with all those that beare him company she drew foorth a Letter delyuering the same with such Maiestie of behauiour as was méete to gratifie such an honourable personage which the Emperour deliuering to one of his Heralds coÌ„manded it to be read in publique audience who vnseaking it began as followeth ¶ To the Inuincible and most renowned Palmerin Emperour of Greece Salutations REnowned Emperor at whose name the enemy quaketh and the Subiect reioyceth in whose Court your name is the riches of the valiant friendship the reward of any that be venterous I wish thy state as permanent as thy deeds hath beene puissant and the vnanimitie of thy friends to prosper in longanimitie of happy Fortune The yong Prince that thou hast receiued into thy Court albeit thou maist think incredible yet shall finde it certaine when Time doeth will it must be it is descended of two the most
place where these knights were assembled and entring into the Campe like an ancient olde man hauing a rodde in his hand where about was wound a Serpent he strooke vpon the ground with it when presently the knights fell all to the earth in such a strange and marueilous alteration that one would haue iudged they had béene depriued of their liues After he had there finished what pleased him he weÌ„t vp to the Castle of Dramusiande sending such a darke smoke ouer all the Valley wherein might be perceiued great flashes and flames of fire that the Princes in the Castle were marueilously affrighted This moued Eutropa to such great anger because shée could not gaine the knowledge how this had hapned no worke her will on â—he knights as she had certainly purposed that shée went raging all about the Castle mooued to such disquietnesse that no body could perswade her At last this great darknes vanished away and nothing could bee séene but the Knights that lay all grouelling vpon the ground which caused Dramusiande with his noble Prisoners to goe foorth and fetch them all into his Castle When they had taken off their Helmets the King Recinde knew his children and the king Arnedes his sonnes Polendos knewe Francian his sonne and Bazilliart and Don Rosuel were visited by the valiant Belcar Dridan was carried the armes of Maiortes and Platir was borne in by his noble Father Primaleon who because he had left him wheÌ„ he was somewhat yong did hardly knowe that it was his sonne In briefe they all lamented to sée their kindred and friendes in such great misfortune and conueyed them into the Castle where they were so honorably vsed that in short time they had good hope to recouer them from this danger When they had attained some part of their former health they reioyced greatly that they had happened into the company of their dearest friends and declared in what maner they were deluded by the two Damosels which was not strange to them who perceiued the daily practises of Eutropa to be grounded on such trecherous deceits Now did Dramusiande greatly commend his good Fortune in gaining so many couragious and well approoued knights as he was fnlly resolued he should now easily conquere the Isle of the Lake which as yet hee would not make knowne to any of the Knights but vsed himselfe so pleasant in their company and frequented them daily with such delightfull exercises that generally they bare him great good will and affection For this opinion he conceiued that vsing them with gentlenesse and shewing himselfe curteous in all attempts he should winne their good wils which hée made more account off then all the riches in the world As it is alwaies séene that friendship sooner winneth the gentle minde theu the rich promises and deliuery of Coyne can purchase any faithfull perswasion which craueth a more couetous interest then the persons estéeming vertue will straine their mindes to amount vnto CHAP. XXXIX How Eutropa after she had obtained all the Knights prisoneners in her Castle began a new trechery to bring to ruine the Emperour and Citie of Constantinople by sending Letters to the Soldan of Babylon declaring how the Emperour was destitute of his chief knights how he might easily ouercome the citie And how the noble knight of the Sauage man after he was healed of the wounds he had receiued by the knight of Fortune left the Court of England and trauelled to seeke the aduentures of great Brittaine in which endeuour he arriued at the castle of the Giant Dramusiand where he vnhorsed the Prince Primaleon and his noble Father the Prince Don Edward Likewise how he preuailed against the kings Arnedes and Recinde and foiled the Gâ—ants Pandare and Alligan so that he entred combate with the Giant Dramusiande each of them fore wounding the other yet neither could enioy the victory And how the Sage Aliart came againe and made such a maruellous darkenesse that the knight of the Sauage man was carried away no body could whither GLad was Eutropa that she had gotten these Knights her prisones whom she stood in great feare of and Christendome in most néed of and yet not contenting her selfe with this extreame crueltie would practise another mischiefe to bring to destruction all the noble knights on the earth It so fortuned that by politike meanes she was aduertised of the death of Olorique Alchediane the great Soldan of Babylon and deere friend to the Emperour Palmerin who had a sonne remaind aliue not of the gentle nature of his father but a great enemy to the whole estate of Christendome This seruing for fit her diuellish purpose she gaue him by Letters to vnderstand what great and gréeuous mischances his Progenitors had receiued by the Emperours of Greece in that many Princes of his blood and linage had béene cruelly slaine before the walles of Constantinople which naturall loue and dutie did inforce him to reuenge else should he be iustly contemned and reproched of the whole world where if now he would vexe his enemy vpon so iust occasion vrge him to the small defence he had left for his succour he might be Monarch of the whole world and haue more at command then all his Predecessours had As for a conuenient time he could with for no better then was at that present when if he would lay siege to Constantinople it had no other Rampier of defence then the aged Emperour whose yeares forbad him to enter the field and whose dominions lay ready at his owne appointment As for the noble couragious knights whom all the world feared and were the onely safegard to that famous City were in such place where they had more néed of succour themselues then come to defend the aged Emperour Yea and all other realmes were so vnprouided of those that were the meane to let this determination that neither could they helpe him or promise safety to themselues so that if he would he might bring vnder his obeysance the most of all Christendome There letters were conueyed to the Soldan of Babylon who prouide for the attempt which Eutropa had willed him where to his determination we will forsake him at this time till we gaine more fit occasson to discourse of procéedings The hardy knight of the Sauage man was purposed now to sée the aduentures of great Brittaine for which cause when his wounds were perfectly healed he tooke leaue of King Fredericke and the Princesse Flerida procéeding in his trauell till fortune brought him to the Valley of Perdition where he presently espoed the Castle of Dramusiande Not long had he stood to take view of this Castle but hee perceiued to issue forth a braue company of well appointed knights among whom were Giants of a monstrous stature which gaue him occasion to suppose that hée was arriued at the place where so many famous Knights were detained Prisoners yet was ge driuen into a great doubt in that such comely Knights should kéepe company with
whose extreame cruell nature delighteth in thy griefe I am that Eutropa who all this while hath plagued thée and thy noble friends and will continue in tormenting thee and thine vntill this world hath made an end of me I go now to the place where I shall haue leysure to forget the iniurie thou hast done vnto me and power to fulfill my desire in thy continuall vexation These words thus ended and the Aire waxing somewhat cleare againe they might perceiue the Enchantresse in the Aire inuironed with a darke and gloomy myst like a cloud and and how she cut the Aire with a great many fiery flashes about her When she was departed forth of sight they remayned in a great amazement yet being all glad that they were rid of her who was so ill affected to them The Damosels who by the commandement of the ancient man had stayed there till the knights were perfectly rerouered came to the Prince Don Edward vsing these words Good sir giue vs leaue now to depart séeing the knight of Fortune and the Giant Dramusiande are out of danger and strong enough to endure the trauaile of their Armour Trust me Ladies answered Don Edward your great courtesies hath so seuerely bound me that I might be iustly reproached of ingratitude to suffer you depart not vsing such honourable recompence as you haue well deserued Neuerthelesse such is the simplenesse of this place to your worthy desert and so great affection to see you liberally rewarded that if you would vouchsafe the courtesie to come to the English Court or report where I may send to your abiding what I will do I leaue to your good opinions to report Sir quoth the Damosels the vertue which is alway resident in your noble minde and fameth your knightly déeds throughout the whole world that neither Enuy can blot out nor accident of time haue power to extinguish so that we may well be estéemed happy who hath so good a Champion to defend her honour As for your Princely offer we find our deserts so simple as we were loth to presume in place to séeke any recompence yet if our presence at London may either profite you or pleasure your friends we will be as ready to come as you can be desirous to wish vs there But such is now our businesse that your friends being reduced into their former estate we must néeds depart wherfore we desire you to vouchesafe vs leaue Ladies quoth Don Edward he that should séem to deny you and you not giuing consent thereto should by his boldnesse with my blood that would offer them iniury who haue deserued more then I can say And therefore when you shall thinke good to depart you may right willingly for here is none will gaine you or that dare deny you The damosels perceiuing the great humanitie of this gentle Prince failed not to giue him courteous thanks according so taking their leaue of the Knight of Fortune with all the other Princes they went to the gate of the Castle where they found two Palfrys appointed for them and being mounted thereon returned to the place from whence the ancient man brought them Don Edward séeing al was in good readinesse and that Dramusiande was méetely strong-againe he offered the castle to the knight of Fortune who wold not refuse it vpon condition that from that day forward it might be called the Fort of Fortune so leauing Pompides there to kéep it they departed al towards London accompanied with Dramusiand bearing the Armour wherein he had combatted against the knight of Fortune The Citizens being admonished of the coming of their long lost Priuce Don Edward gathered themselues in such heapes in the stréets that the Princes could hardly passe without hurting some of them with their Horses Some of them preased to sée the Prince Don Edward because he had bene so long absent from them other some to sée the giant Dramusiand maruelling that the knight of Fortune had the power to conqure him who had subdued so many Thus passing on they arriued at last at the Court where Don Edward casting his eies on the princesse Flerides Chamber the teares trickled downe his chéekes remembring how long time he had bene from thence and had not séene her whom he most honoured and intirely loued but séeing he was come againe at last and at his gentle behauiour should recompence what had béene amisse he quieted himselfe least any should behold his amorous passions King Fredericke at the entrance of the Cour came and receiued them all graciously giuing them such Princely entertainment as their nobilitie of birth and hoyourable estate required Don Edward and Dramusiande were the last that presented themselues to his Maiestie where knéeling downe and humbling himselfe to kisse his hand the Prince began as followeth My Soueraigne Lord and Father if I either haue or may find fauour at your highnes hands then let me not at this time be denied of the same as to entertaine this Giant not after the cruell deserts of his Father but euen as the most curteous and friendly knight in the world The king imbracing his sonne receiued him in his armes from the ground bedeawing his white any heary Beard with aboundance of teares which through meere loue he shed for the presence of Don Edward when hée began to answere him in this manner What he is my son who conceiuing so great desire as I of long time haue to sée you that could find in his heart to deny any thing that you should require Then comming to Dramusiande who endeuoured to kisse his Graces hand imbracing him in his armes he thus began My intent was not to shewe courtesie to him that hath béene the cause of my long continuing heauinesse but the report my sonne hath made of your great bountie and gentlenesse hath conquered the extremitie that I once had sworne to vse vnto you so that hee which would now offer to vexe you any way should be enemie to me and so not escape vnpunished The knight of Fortune humbling himselfe in his presence the King cast his armes about his necke with this gréeting My minde did assure me Sir knight that the heauy sorrowes I endured too long a time should be ended by the valour of your hautie déedes of Armes who is so welcome to my Grace as no liuing creature on the earth could be more My soueraigne Lord answered the knight of Fortune what I haue done hath bin thorow Gods appointment whose power assisting me beyond my desert haue finished the aduenture which no pollicie could otherwise bring to passe In honor of this happy victory they went al to the chiefe Church of London where seruice was accōplished with great solemnity and then returning to the Pallace the Quéene and the Princesse Flerida receiued them all with great bounty the knights vsing such courteous demeanour as beseemed the roialty of theyr persons being right glad to haue a sight of the fayre Princesse While Flerida was vsing
that Don Edward our infortunate Prince Primaleon your noble Sonne and all the other captiue Princes in despite of her and the giant Dramusiande are reléeued from their long vnhappy imprisonment Then turning to the Princesse Bazilia he began courteously to salute her as thus It stood with good reason faire Lady that your presence should be partaker of these happy tidings insomuch as you I am sure haue suffered no small afflictions for the absence of your deare friend the Prince Vernar whom I can assure you to be in as good health as you can wish sauing that he is not here as you could willingly be content he himselfe as in short time he will I dare awarrant you Gridonia rauished with the report of Argolant was so suddenly ouercome with excéeding ioy that she caught the Princesse Bazilia in her armes either of them cured of one sicknesse that one could hardly iudge whether their present gladnesse excelled their passed gréefe or in what order they receiued these newes but it sufficeth they had good cause to be pleasant The Empresse came and took either of them by the hand conducting them into her Oratorie where in heartie and solemne deuotions they gaue thankes to God for this prosperous successe In the meane while the Emperour desired Argolant to rehearse the names of such noble Princes and Knights as were partners in this long captiuitie which when he had heard he greatly reioyced that the florishing noble mindes of all Christendome bare parts of the mishappes of the renowned English Prince a token of their great loue and friendship in that they disdained not the terrour of such hard misfortune to beare him company whom all hautie hearts did honour And the rather was his ioy the greater because the knight of Fortune contained the magnanimitie of courage as notwithstanding all bitter brunts to threaten the contrary he was the chosen Champion to accomplish this rare aduenture Now he called to remembrance the letter sent by the Lady of the Lake the same day as Polendos king of Thessaly deliuered him that royall present as also the message of the Sage Aliart which had now discouered the full effect of their promises Through all the Cittie was presently noysed the recouery of the Grecian Princes which caused euery one to make small account of the presumptuous brags of the Soldanes of Babylon and Persia in that they iudged themselues vnder the surest defence that might be now they had obtained those whom they euer estéemed The Emperour causing Argolant to be brought to his chamber went straight to the Closet of the Empresse where he rehearsed all that Argolant had declared as concerning the successe of the knight of Fortune Argolant departing on the next morning was desired by the Emperour to will the knight of Fortune make hast vnto Constantinople because he had a great desire to sée him And now the Emperour with all his court was indued with as great ioy as he conceiued sorrow at his departure which he had good cause to do hauing lost his chéefest defence in the absence of the Princes and knights that were kept prisoners in the Castle of Dramusiande by the accursed meanes of the Enchantresse Eutropa and now possessing the fréedome of his losse he might well estéeme the volour of this hardy knight But such are the changes and mutabilities of Fortune who when the heart is drowned in gréefe past any hope she sendeth a happy successe to requite the former mischance and likewise where most pleasure hath continuall residence there she soonest prouideth the greatest mishap CHAP. XLV How the English knights and the Grecian knights in honor of the Emperour Trineus and the faire Agriola enterprised a braue Tournament wherein each one behaued himself very valiantly And how three strange knights arriued there whose noble behauiour vrged the royall assembly to great admiration EIght dayes after that the Emperour Trinâ—us was arriued at Court the knights among themselues determined a triumph for which cause the Tiltyard had many scaffolds and galleries built about it that they might the better behold this hauty attempt When the Emperour with the fair Agriola the king Fredericke the Quéene the Princesse Flerida Don Edward Primaleon with the other noble Ladies and gentlemen of the Court were come to the place appointed for them to sée this Tournament the English knights entred the lists where they meant to manifest the affection they bare to their Ladies that in honour of their fauours they feared not to hazard the vttermost of their liues After them entred the Grecian knights euery one brauely mounted and attired in faire new complete Armour which graced with their persons maruellously the Prince Gracian by their generall consent was chosen Captaine to whom they referred the state of their conduct for that day because Palmerin of England would not enter the Ioust against his friends left his valour should turne to their disaduantage At the sound of the Trumpet they all prepared themselues encountring one another with such knightly courage that the Estates presents with such a whole multitude of people attributed great coÌ„mendation to this hardy exployt for that they dismounted one another on either side as it was doubtfull to say which company were likest of victory Gracian ran fiercely against Eutrope of Beltran an English knight of great strength and very well estéemed but Fortune turned her backe towards him that day so that he could not withstand the knightly puissance of the French Prince Platir encountred with Normant the Proude gaue him such a colde welcome that they were faine to carry him forth of the field In like manner Carlente sped at the hands of the Prince Berolde consequently the English knights albeit their déeds did iustly merite eternall commendations both at the Tilte and Tourney were vrged to the repulse because the Grecian knights were the stronger side Berolde breaking through the rankes vsing such singular behauiour in all his attempts as was greatly liked of the Regardants came to Clariball of Hungaria who setled themselues stoutly against ech other that they endured both a doutfull and a dangerous fight neither hauing the aduantage of the other but such an equall condition passing betwéene them as the Emperour with all the royall company were greatly affected therewith The king Recinde albeit the sharpe strokes his Sonne receiued vrged him to take it some what impatiently yet the generall applause which was giuen vnto him constrained him to thinke well of his valiant procéeding Eutrope came now to the assistance of Clariball accompanyed with Syr Pridos Archirin LaÌ„bert Roquendar Rugerald Flocandrisse Alberraz Lamonstrant and Brutamont against whom to maintain the quarrell of the Prince Berolde came Gracian Frisol Luyman Onistalde Dramâ—an Tenebrant Don Rousel and Bazilliarde all these behauing themselues very gallantly at Armes yet at this brunt was too weak to resist the hot assaults of the valiant English Princes which was stil maintained with fresh supply of noble
one another about the strange conceyts they perceiued in this Caue which made them to iudge that in times past it had béene the solitary dwelling of some noble man exiled from his Countrey but therein they were greatly deceyued For this ancient edifice was erected by the Enchantresse Mellia who kept that place a great while during the raigne of the king Armace her Brother Vrganda and she liued both at one time as it is rehearsed in the History of the Emperour Splandian Sonne to the valiant most magnificient king Amadis and the Princes Oriana his Wife Quéene of the great Brittaine When the Princes and knights had satisfied their mindes in beholding this place they returned to the Pauillions to their Ladies who welcommed them all very louingly and Primaleon sitting downe by his sister Flerida rehearsed to her the manner of the Caue where the two Princes were nourished which did not a little content her minde in that the place was not ruinated and put into obliuion This night they reposed themselues in the Forrest as honourably serued as if they had béene in the English Court and in the morning they prepared themselues towards the Castle being all the way delighted with such fiue deuises sent by the cunning of the Sage Aliart that euery one tooke great pleasure in this Princely iourney There were Hunters who pursued wilde Bores Harts Bucks and all such noble game and came wearily falling downe at the Ladies feete but when they offered to touch them they were presently skipping on the farder side of the Riuer these deuises so pleased the Emperor with all the company that they gaue great thankes to Aliart who frequented them with such pleasant pastime al the way as they rode At last they arriued at the Valley of Perdition where they had a sight of the Castle of Dramusiande which went somewhat to the heart of the Princesse Flerida séeing the prison wherein her louing Don Edward had so long remained The Emperour Trineus king Frederick fel into great commendation of the sumptuous building of the Castle then which they had not often séene a fayrer which mooued theÌ„ to intreate Dramusiande who was the founder of such a singular péece of workmanship to which demand Dramusiande presently gaue this reply My gratious Lords this Castle was first builded by mine Aunt Eutropa through her meanes it hath remayned thus long out of knowledge Trust me said the Emperour Trineus a Fortresse of such strength and beautie ought not to be in the hands of one who could imploy it to such great abuse but commonly we sée the wicked do thriue as well as the good and enioyas great account in this world as they that maintaine all their actions by iustice and equitie So riding on at last Dramusiande willed them to a suddaine stay where he began in this manuer to vnfold the cause Me thinks I sée at the entrance of the Bridge a séemly Knight ready appointed to the Ioust but I can perceiue no body that offereth him resistance which maketh me supose that he hath attempted to kéepe this passage At this vnlooked for accident they stayed to behold the Knight who was very well mounted on a gray Courser his Armour spotted with white and blacke which greatly pleased the eyes of the beholders In his shéeld he baâ—e the naked body of a Lady the beauty of whose countenance was so excellently figured that Altea for whom Floraman accomplished such chiualricus déeds at Constantinople might not séeme to offer comparison to this beautifull spectacle neither the faire Princesse Polinarda might not presume to equall her selfe with the braue shape of this Lady and at the lower end of this shéeld in letters of Gold was written Miragarda While Princes occupied their eyes in beholding the singular forme compacted in his shéeld they perceiued his Esquire come towards them who after he had done his dutie to them all began to salute them with these protestations Faire Lords and Ladies the noble knight my Maister whom you behold on the Bridge by me giueth you to vnderstand the cause of his trauailes vnto this place He is of a far countrey from whence he had aduentured himselfe in honour of his good fortune and at the command of his Lady whose humble seruant he remayneth at this houre to try his knighthood at this Castle which hath béene blazed abroad to be most infortunate But being here arriued he is aduertised how the Enchantment is fully finished and the strength of the Giant Dramusiande with all his retinew conquered by the valour and hautie Prowes of a knight named Palmerin of England who hath deliuered the Princes that were kept Captiue by the cruell meanes of the disloyall Eutropa which newes are most welcome vnto him in that he desired nothing more Yet for that he is loth to returne to his Lady being at the place where knighthood hath bene tryed and he to passe backe againe not approued of any he craueth to enter the Ioust with such as are disposed referring the Combate of the Sword because he will aduenture for pleasure This challenge encreased such courage in the knights that they entred into strife who should first runne with the strange knight which the king perceuing returned the Esquire with this answer My friend tell thy Lord his enterprise is worthy perpetuall renowne if he containe such courage in proofe as both his Message and himselfe giueth in show his Lady shall haue occasion to vse him according as his valiant attempt deserueth The Esquire receiuing the kings pleasure returned to his Lord to whom he had no sooner made it knowne but Tremoran shewed himselfe before the bridge inuiting the strange knight to the Ioust who stayed not to accomplish his desire but encountring him with such a pleasant charge that Tremoran was forced to leaue his saddle This chance somewhat displeased Luyman of Burgondie who thinking to reuenge the repulse of Tremoran was sent himselfe to kéepe him company Belcar being desirous to shew his prowesse among the young Knights couched his Speare against the strange Knight who sent both Horse and man to the ground when presently Don Rosuell tooke the cause in hand and was made pertaker of the same mishap In like manner Guerin Frisol Blandidon Floraman diuers other were serued which moued the King Polendos vnto such choller that he would haue ventured against the strange Knight had not the prince Don Edward perswaded him to the contrary Then there went a great murmuring amongst the knightes who supposed the Sage Aliart had brought this Champion by his Art to be a disgrace vnto all their attempts and that he had vsed such meanes vnto him as he might not be vanquished but herein they greatly deceiue themselues for it was onely the noble force of the knight which was continually animated by beholding the faire face of his Ladie which was so brauely proportioned in his shield Floraman being greatly bent against the Knight and
Amor Yet haue I one hope which will be my chiefest remedie in this extreame affliction that Death will spéedily finish my heauie complaints and cut off the miseries wherwith I am so cruelly assaulted Wherfore my good friend Armello as thou wilt manifest thy wonted curtesie and pleasure me now in mine extreame néede take here my Horse and Armor and depart to Constantinople and there giue forth for a certaine truth that Death hath claimed his due at my hands and that I haue ended my life in this vnfortunate aduenture wherein I know thou shalt not do amisse because my griefe doth assure me I shall ende and that right soone Onely let me request at thine hands that thou conceale my late mishap to thy selfe and let neither friend nor foe vnderstand it but say to euery one thou art a witnes of my death Armello hearing the words of his Master which strooke into his heart a grieuous and extreame passion with the teares in his eyes he began in this manner Trust me my Lord I know no place that can content me more or be any thing like to my desire then in your oppression to beare you companie whom if I should forsake God knowes the danger might happen to you as also the sorrow I should conceiue of my selfe Neither doe I thinke it expedient to blaze abroad your death because a number of mishappes might arise thereby which entring seuerely the minds of your friends will much more séeme displeasant to your Parents and alliance Wherefore a while beare with the furie of Miragarda and thinke not but her own rash dealing will ere long moue her vnto repentance by that time shee hath considered your faithfull seruice how her aspyring minde hath beene honourably maintained by you shee will recall her vngentle wordes and recompence you with that you haue deserued worthily therefore expect a while good Sir and all will frame well enough I warrant you I know answered Florendos the perfection of thy trustie zeale is so carefully bent for my welfare that in the despaire I am at this present I haue small occasion to thinke on it For I know my fault is such as I shall not be fauoured and her ingratitude so seuerely bent against me as were all the torments in the world adioined they might not deserue comparison with her great displeasure Yet what is that knighit in all the world that would haue been vanquished seeing he defended the onely Phaenix of beautie or where is he that would not haue made hazard of his last extremitie being encouraged to the Combate by such an excellent meane And can such crueltie dwel in such a poorelesse person or such an angry minde harbour vnder so faire a face Well Foâ—san hâ—c â—lim meminisse iuâ—abit But tel me how can I esteeme of my selfe hauing been conquerour ouer so many and could not bring in obeysance this one knight Certainely I perswade my selfe that on him I haue vsed lesse prowesse then in any aduenture wherein thou hast seene mée Wherfore I haue good occasion to take it heauily to lament the honour I haue lost being exiled from her gracious presence Therefore good Armello receiue here my Horse and Armour and suffer me to walke alone in heauinesse that am the cause of mine owne hurt After he had ended these spéeches he forsooke Armello and wandring along by a Riuer side till at last he sate him downe vnder a Tree desirâ—us to receiue a little rest but the vexations of his minde would hardly suffer him When hee awaked hee perceiued a great heard of shéepe féediug in the Pasture ground by him and vnder a tree neere by hee saw a Shepheard playing on an Instrument whereto he recorded so many swéet ditties that Florendos tooke great pleasure to sit and heare him perswading himselfe that the Shepheard was not of such base condition as he seemed because his deuises was so excellent wel ordered both in the commendation of Loue as also the great iniuries he had receiued thereby The Tristfull Knight well noting his complaints and that Fortune had conducted him to the place where he might enioy a partner to liue in heauinesse he came and vsed such friendly meanes that in short time they grew into good liking of each of other Florendos béeing very glad that hee had met such a friend to the solitarie life After that the Shepheard had vttered the secrets of his mind and the Tristfull Knight had bewraied the sum of his griefe they vowed such amitie to remaine betwéene each other that no misfortune should haue power so sunder their friendship Armello hauing stood musing a good while that his Master was gone out of sight and determined to trauell without any company he came backe againe to the castle of Almarol where at the foote of the Trée directly vnder the Shield of the faire Miragarda he placed his Masters Shield and Armour among the vanquished Knights And there in the presencâ— of Miragâ—rda hee vttered so many rufull and grieuous complaintes that they would haue mooued any gentle heart to compassion but shee being entered into such great disdaine esteemed them not worthie of any account but triumphed in the paines of the Tristfull Knight whom at this time wee will leaue in the Shepheards company Now the prince Palmerin hauing his wounds wel cured and prouided him of a new Armour because his other was cruelly defaced returned to the castle of the Giant Almarol intending not to depart from thence before he had conquered the Tristfull Knight When he was arriued at the Castle he heard the lamentations that Armello vsed whereby he vnderstood that the Tristfull Knight was the renowned Prince Florendos which moued him to great displeasure because he had entred the Combat against him And then he supposed that the hatred of Miragarda might worke an occasion of some greater mischance in that the losse of so valliant a Prince as Florendos was might cause the great griefe of the Emperour Palmerin as also the Lords and Ladies of his royall Court These thoughts vrged the Prince to so great vnquietnes that he could not determine whether he might abide there in that place or pursue after the Prince Florendos to cause him abandon that Tristful kinde of life and be a remedie to eny misfortune that might annoy him by meanes of the princesse Miragarda whom he supposed to be the fayrest Lady that euer he had séene Thus musing vpon a thousand matters as also the beauty of Miragarda to compare with the heauenly hew of his Lady Mistresse at last remembring the effect of his duty hée set spurs to his Htrse and galloped from thence not respecting which way he went but desirous to attaine the Citie of Consantinople CHAP. LXII How the Giant Dramusiande accompanied with Siluian arriued at the Castle of the Giant Almarol where being amorous of the Picture of the Miragarda hee entred the Combate with Almarol and foyled him And how Miragarda gaue
remaine in one Knight and he neuer to haue assayed a more perillous aduenture Often they staied and fell to it againe the Prince hauing slaine two of them and the Lady vsing reprochfull wordes vnto them that they fiue had not the power to preuaile against one which set the other in such a chafe that they began to charge him with vnmercifull blowes seeing they had no way to escape from him because on the one side the sea hindered them and into the Castell they could not retyre for the lady within had commanded the gate to be made fast Wherefore two of them fell downe dead before him when the last Knight séeing the danger he stood in tooke the point of his Sword in his hand and humbled himselfe before the Prince as thus Most worthy Knight since fortune hath allowed you the honour of this victorie and that you haue preuailed against all my companions let pitty enter into your heart to saue the life of him who most humbly submitteth himselfe to your mercy I grant thée thy life said Florendos because I will not bée thought of such a bloody mind to kill him that is not able to resist me Then sat he downe to rest himselfe the Lady vsing great care to bind vp his wounds when the Lady within the Castle standing in feare lest her stubbornnes might procure the greater iniury sent one of the damsels who opened the gate which Florendos séeing tooke the Lady by the hand and entred the castel where they met the Lord that had béen prisoner so long who imbraced his Lady with very great thankes for bringing the Knight that had won him his liberty to whom he began in this order Worthy sir your Knightly déedes haue gained such honour that I cannot make estimation of them according as they haue worthily deserued but if it shall please you to rest here a while we will yéeld you what courtesie we can and then we will depart together Florendos gaue him great thankes and stayed there to sée the Lady that kept the castle but he could not attaine to his desire because she had made her selfe fast in her Chamber so that no one might come to haue a sight of her Then went he to sée the place where the Lady vsed to imprison the Knights amongst whom he found the Prince Guerin who reioyced maruelously to see Florendos and knowing that he had finished this hard aduenture he accounted himselfe happy to be in his company After that eight daies were expired they departed in a Galley from thence to the house of the Knight and the Lady where Guerin and hee found themselues so gratiously vsed as if they had béen in the Court of Constantinople Within a while after they tooke their leaue of the Knight and the Lady who gaue to each of them a very good Horse and in their trauelling together they parted from one another because Florendos desired to iourney alone that he might better approoue the aduenture which Fortune had reserued for him CHAP. LXXV How Palmerin Florian and Pompides in their trauaile met with a Damosell who brought them to the Castle of Dramorant the Cruell where they found Albayzar with the shield of Miragarda who had vanquished twelue knights and slew Dramorant the Lord of the Castle PAlmerin and his brethren continuing in their trauaile towardes Constantinople riding thorow a Forrest saw a Lady come riding towards them in very great feare who being come somewhat neare them Florian staied her Palfray saying Faire Lady I pray you to shewe vs the cause of your feare Alas sir quoth she how can I stay to report any thing séeing I dare scant assure my selfe in your company for when I enterprised my iourney to the Court of the French Quéene two knights came and resisted me endeuouring them selues to abuse mine honour But Fortune was so fauourable to me that at my cry a Knight came who defended my cause and behaued himselfe so worthily against them that in open fight he slew them both Then passing by a Castle at the end of this stone wal he was assailed by twelue Knights who I feare me will be the death of him if he be not spéedily holpen by some good rescue and trust me Gentlemen the losse of him would be very great being one of the most hardy knights in al the world I pray you Lady said Florian bring vs to the Castle where the knight remaineth in such danger as you seeme to report for it were great pittie to suffer such a knight to die for lacke of helpe Although quoth she I was otherwise determined yet will I bring you to the place as well to try your worthinesse as also shew my good will to the Knight who in his owne danger hath pleasured me so much This said they rode on together in short time they heard the clattering of the weapons where they found the knight to haue slaine fiue or sixe of the Knightes behauing himselfe also very manfully against the other whereat the Prince fell into great admiration which the Lady séeing how they sate still and looked on began to enter into these wordes Why Gentlemen if you determined to doe nothing when you came it had béene more honour for you to haue kept on your iourney rather then to suffer so good a knight to be slaine in your presence and you stand by refusing to aid him which maketh me iudge that your weapons are very ill bestowed on you Faire Lady answered Palmerin the Knight doeth so well discharge his dutie that we should offer him great wrong if we presumed to aid him for so might we cut off the praise which he should worthily beare in the obtaining the victory which is the only cause of our stay Mary if we should perceiue the Knights to haue any dangerous aduantage ouer him then would we shewe him such ayde in their resistance that you should recall your words and haue a better opinion of vs. While they continued this Parle the Knight who was the famous Albayzar of the twelue knights had left but foure aliue which vrged Florian to this opinion in words I belieue that this knight is ordained to darkē the déeds of all Knights yours onely accepted déere Brother Palmerin wherevnto I know he neither can nor may approch neuerthelesse I know not any one that professeth knightly Armes but would striue to exalt his déeds seeing the behauiour of so noble a Champion In fine they perceiued all the Knights to be slaine except two who were constrained to yéelde themselues to this noble conquerour when presently came forth Dramorant himselfe very brauely mounted strongly armed which Albayzar seeeing mounted on his horse came to the prince Palmerin and his Brethren in this manner I pray you gentlemen to bestow one of your speares vpon me to receiue the knight that prepareth himselfe against me assuring you that I will not forget to remēber your courtesie in so doing Sir said Palmerin
approached the Coach and lifting vp the cloath he beheld a knight lying in gréene armor so imbrued with blood that one could hardly iudge of what colour it was This mooued Florian to great heauines and being desirous to know the cause of his misfortune he came to one of the Esquires willing him to report by what mischance the Knight was slaine The Esquire hauing small leisure to stay made him shortly answere in this sort If you desire to vnderstand the infortunate hap of this knight follow me and I shall bring you to the aduenture where you may atchieue such rare renowne that neither death nor time is able to extinguish out of memorie Surely quoth Florian I haue alwayes desired to imploy my selfe where I supposed to be the greatest danger yet could neither feare dismay me nor any doubt hinder me And thus concluding his spéeches he followed the Coach desirous to sée the ende of that the Esquire had told him Palmerin and Pompides séeing him gone so soone walked softly along the valley when in a while a Damosel presented her selfe before them mounted on a blacke palfray and saluted them in this manner I desire you gentlemen that one of you would so much fauour me as to goe with me to the succour of a Lady whom thrée knights endeuour to abuse to put herto death in most cruel maner Pompides hearing the coÌ„plait of the Damosell began as thus to the Prince Palmerin Séeing this present enterprse doth not require your force to be showne therein I pray you giue me leaue to accompany the Damosell that I may try how Fortune wil assist me in this cause Palmerin who desired to be alone in the company of Siluian was very glad that Pompides should assist the Damosell so taking leaue of each other Pompideâ— departed about his enterprise and Palmerin to the accustomed remembrance of his Lady Polinarda wherein he wasted so much time that he could not repaire to any place of lodging but was glad for that night to take his rest in a little thicket of trées Where he had sooner laid him downe but he heard one complaine in very doleful maner when drawing neare the better to heare him the night being so darke as they could not descrie one another he heard the heauy waight begin as thus O fond Florendos why doest thou thus complaine of thy griefe séeing thy Lady Miragarda doeth take such delight therein that she forceth not of his vtter ruine who submitteth himselfe chiefely vnder her gratious regard I knewe right well that all trauaile may be ended in the desire of one to doe you seruice but what shall he doe to whom you vse such entertainment that you may not permit him leasure that doeth you most honour nor will suffer him to be forgotten and depriued of life whereby hee might haue lesse occasion to complaine of your crueltie So ending his moâ—es with a grieous sigh he sate him down and fel asléepe then Palmerin perceiuing it was the prince Florendos determined oftentimes to make himselfe knowne but fearing to hinder him of his enterprise changed his minde bewailing as much the heauines of Florendos as he did the extreame case of his owne misfortune And when the day appeared hee departed as secretly as he could thence away desiring to attaine the Emperours court where he might conclude the seuerall motions of doubt and feare which Loue presented to his oppressed minde CHAP. LXXVII How Florian accompanying the Coatch with the dead knight met on the Seas with Arduramet the bastard Brother of the valiant Albayzar where they defied each other to the Combate And what haphened to Pompides following the Lady FLorian of the Desart kéeping company with with the Coach the three Esquires being a great way out of sight from his brethren one of them began thus to conferre with him Syr seeing you desire so much to knowe the Knight who is slaine and that you seeme affectionate to reuenge his wroÌ„g if neede were giue eare and I wil discourse thereof to you at large You shall vnderstand that this Knight is named Sortibran the eldest Brother of the famous King Frisol whose worthinesse hath 〈…〉 beene such that hée euer bare the name of the most 〈…〉 in all his kingdome So it is that Fortune very little 〈◊〉 to him as yester-day conducted an Esquire 〈…〉 who with wéeping teares desired Soâ—â—bran to 〈…〉 doubtful cause wherto he courteously gaue his consent not thinking on the trecherous intent of the Esquire who brought him into a place wherefoure of his enemies awaighted his comming and setling himselfe against them all in the ende Sortibran was there cruelly slaine We being aduertised of this great mishappe came to fetch him to his Castle where he might see his wounded body honourably interred meane while one of his young Sonnes is gone to the Court to sooke some knight that will reuenge his Fathers death Therefore if you desire to Dsisist and succour him in this case you shall not onely enlarge your eternall renowne but also shall worke such occasion that none may or dare presume to commit any such Treason Florian promising the Esquires to accomplish them request rid on with them till they came to the Sea coast where they entred a Galley that attended their comming and hauing there shâ—â—â—ed the body of Sortibran they sailed away with a pleasant gale of winde Not long had they been on the Seas but they were discouered by foure Turkish Galleyes 〈…〉 presently and borded them when 〈…〉 who was a Moore 〈…〉 into their vessell where beholding 〈…〉 Florian and iudging him to be a noble Knight he entertained him very courteously commanding the Esquires to cast the dead body of their Lord into the Sea and the next morning they heysed sailes to goe on their iourney This Arduramet was the bastard brother to the Prince Albayzar who was trauailing to seeke him to giue him to vnderstand that the Soldane of Babylon his Father was dead after whom it was his right to succeede his place Arduramet in talking with Florian demanded of him that any time he had heard of the Prince Albayzar and reported such marks and tokens to him that he knew well it was he that had vanquished Dramorant the Cruell Then bethinking him of the Combat assigned betwéen him and Albayzar to be performed in the Emperours Court and that his businesse had so chanced as he could not meete him there at the appointed time he begaÌ„ to be greatly offeÌ„ded with himself in so much that Arduramet desired him to shew the cause of his heauinesse But when he had vnderstood each seuerall clause in a great anger hée began this to rage Thinkest thou there is any Knight in the World that may or dare attempt against my Lord and Brother Albayzar certainely thou art much beholding to Fortune from deliuering thée from so great a danger Neuerthelesse if thou hast so great a desire to shew thy prowesse as here thou dost séeme to vse
Fortune who preserued them to a greater conquest of honor caused at that very instant the noble Palmerin of England to arriue in that place who knowing Dramusiande supposed verily that he was slain wherefore he came to the other knight and taking his Helmet off and perceiuing that it was the noble Florendos he became so ouercharged with griefe that he could hardly sustaine himselfe from falling to the earth Then he commaunded Siluian to goe to the Citie and presently to bring Chirurgions with him because he thought verily they were almost past recouery and Siluian knowing that the death of these two knights might be an occasion to put his Maisters life in danger vsed such diligence that in short time hee returned with two very expert Maisters in Chirurgerie Palmerin desired them to manifest their knowledge at that present in recouering the health of those dangerous wounded Knights and his recompence should excéed in liberalitie so when the Chirurgians had searched their wounds they found them not so dangerous as their weakenesse and wearinesse wherefore they promised by the grace of God to bring them into as good estate of health as euer they were The Prince reioyced at their good answere and caused Siluian to fetch a Coach from the Citie wherein they were brought to the house of an ancient Gentleman and there Palmerin bare them company vntill they were able to trauaile againe CHAP. LXXXII How Albayzar came to the Court of the Emperour Palmerin and of the conditions he made there to begin his aduenturous intent VEry well prouided and full of renowned Knights was the Court of the Emperour Palmerin at such time as Albayzar hauing left Palmerin of England where hée slewe Bracandor arriued there when alighting from his Horse he came vy into the great Hal in very faire gréene Armour beset with golden Speares with two Esquires attending on him where finding the Emperour sitting with the prinoipall of his knights he thronged thorow them and reuerenced himselfe before the Emperour with these spéeches Most dread and puissant Emperor I haue béene constrained to visit your Court for two causes which I hold as especial the one to sée the noble mindes that are alwayes here abyding the other to try my selfe against them all on her behalfe that hath sent me hither Giuing you to vnderstād that for the loue of the fairest and most noble Lady in the world I haue béene at the Castle of the Giant Almarol where by force I haue obtained the Shield of the faire Miragarda which by force I beare onely to honour that Saint to whom I homage my heart and will enforce all knights to yeeld as vassailes So that if your Highnesse will licence me the Field I will compell all the Knights of your Court as also any other that dare auouch the contrary My Lady and Mistresse Targiana the onely Daughter to the great Turke my Lord and Soueraigne is she that shall beare the prize all for beautie And these conditions I doe require in mine attempt that the Defendant on his Shield shall bring the liuely Portayt of his Lady with her name to be verified at the foote thereof because it shall be the onely recompence the Conquerour shall gaine And there be any who will manifest themselues to be but indifferently fauoured of their Ladies they shall be sworne to giue in writing the name of their Mistresse As for him that hath the good hap to vanquish me he shall not onely be Lord of the shield of my Lady Targiana but shall haue likewise deliuered to him all the shieldes which Fortune shall allow me by my prowesse And furthermore to be granted that the knight dismounted in the Iust shall not haue the licence to fight with his Sword but as vanquished deliuer his Shield and so depart Now expect I your answere most redoubted Emperour as concerning the request of him that hath trauailed many a strange Countrey and now commeth to make triall of the valure and puissance of your knights if so be they can conceiue the courage to aduenture the combat on the behalfe of their Ladies When he hadde ended his spéeches a great tumult arose among the Knights and Ladies of the court who were very desirous to sée Albayzar in the field the Ladies to know the valour of their amorous seruants and the Knights to manifest the cause to deserue their loue euery one wishing to quallifie this presumptuous challenge The Emperour would make no answere to Albayzar till such time as he had conferred with his Councell when then he returned with this reply You haue sir knight attempted such a hauty enterprise as if wée should deny we should not onely grant our cowardise but also hinder you of many noble Exploits to the griefe of your selfe as also of such knights as haue a desire to shew themselues in the field Wherefore the fielde is licenced you at what time you please and your conditions allowed which were before specified but I desire you first to resolue me of one thing are you not allied to the Soldane Oloricque of Babilon because it séemeth you resemble him somwhat in fauour My lord answered Albayzar the curtesie you haue offered me moueth me in humility to kisse your gratious hand assuring you that I am the son of the Soldane Oloricque and am called by the name of Albayzar The Emperor arose immediatly and imbraced him saying I would gladly see you in my Court in another estate then you are at this present but loue shall now excuse your enterprise And then he commaunded a Chamber should be prouided for him but he made refusall thereof because he had sworne not to depart the field till he saw the issue of his hauty desire The Empresse and Gridonia sent vnto him desiring that he would suffer them to view the Shields of Targiana and Miragarda whereon they entred into iudgment that although Targiana was very faire yet was she nothing comparable to the Princesse Miragarda With seuerall suppose they went from hand to hand till at last they came to the Princesse Polinarda who was somewhat offended to see the princesse Miragarda so singular and faire which made her now to wish that the noble Palmerin of England would now arriue at the Court for shée perswaded her selfe that his worthinesse would aduance her to the glory of the Shields So that sometime she was minded to send for him but then by and by she altred her thought so that she ministred occasion to some disdainfull minde of that noble Sex how no stability or constancy is to be found in a woman Then was the picture of Altea brought which for a precious Iewel supplied a roome in the Empresse coffer and comparing her with the faire Miragarda she was found to differ very far in beautie Albayzar receiuing his Shields departed to the place appointed for the Turnament where the Emperour had commaunded two Tents to be erected and on a Pillar neare adioyning was placed the faire Portrayt of the
fulfill the promise shée made him at his departure On the other side she thought that Fortune would allure Florian to some dangerous enterprise and then should she abide in sorrow thinking on the hard mishap that might estrange the remainder of her daies Florian perceiuing the cause of her heauines and yet dissembling as though he knew it not thought now time to play his part whereupon he began to her in this manner My good Lady if in your opinion the déedes of Albayzar are of such account that in thinking on them you forget mine you offer me an vngentle reward of great discourtesie séeing I receiue no other content but onely in your company And hee maintaining the honour of your beauty against which I know none is able to contend I know assuredly if the taske were mine I should make both men and monsters offer you reuerence As for the victories Albayzar hath attained they ought of right to bee giuen to you séeing the noble are vanquished by your beautie rather then by the courage and sworde of Albayzar to whom you attribute so large commendation But would you grant mée leaue to go séeke him and to fight vnder the soueraigne fauour of your name you should then sée to which of vs you are most bound who should best deserue to be admitted in your seruice Targiana standing still aprettie while at last she tooke Florian by the hand and began in this order I desired worthie sir one thing long since and now I am of the opinion that my desire will enforce me to accomplish the same wherein your request may be satisfied and mine own will sufficiently contented and thus it is I meane in the habite of a trauailing gentlewoman accompanied with your selfe two Damosels foure Esquires to iourney from hence to the Court of the Emperour Palmerin and the better to winne my Fathers consent in this case I will desire of him that I may visste mine Aunt the Quéene of Assyria which request I know he will not deny me so that by this meane I shall haue opportunitie to procéede in this to content both your and mine owne desire But first I meane to send a messenger to the Prince Albayzar that he shal not depart from Constantinople till such time as he haue further tidings from me through which meane we shall be in the more assurance to finde him at such time as we arriue at Constantinople assuring my selfe that he which hath so great desire to pleasure me shall not refuse to grant so small a request Florian who alwayes desired to escape the handes of these Infidels and séeing the time to present him with a fit occasion began greatly to commend the enterprise of Targiana saying to her that she ought presently to put her deuise in execution else her desire might happen to catch a suddaine death Because it is the natural property of some women to thinke a thing spéedily and to forget it presently yet often times they are hasty to such things as in the end proue hurtfull to themselues for example let suffice the Princesse Targiana Who on the next morning came into the chamber of her father and therewith teares which is great pitie to sée in a woman she began to rehearse how she had beene aduertised that the Quéene of Assyria her Aunt by misaduenture was fallē into a suddaine sicknesse for which cause she humbly desired him that he would permit her the leaue to goe and visite her The great Turke who had not other ioy then his faire Daughter Targiana as loath to displease her granted her request but hee could perswade her to take no other company thē the two Damosels the foure Esquires and Florian who was vsually called in the Court the Christian knight They departed on their iourney very brauely and gallantly appointed arriued in short time within y◠Dominion of Constantinople where riding thorow a pleasant valley thicke beset with Trées the Princesse desired to stay a while till the heat of the day were somewhat passed Not long had they rested them but they espied foure knights come riding towards them who séeing the Princesse Targiana and being lately come from Constantinople wher they had bin vanquished by Albayzar in whose Shield was her picture so naturally drawn that the knights haue bin ouermuch blind if they had mistaken her wherefore knowing and perswading themselues it was she one of them offred her these salutations Faire Lady we estéeme it as lawfull and honourable that they to whom your beauty hath bene a cause of great losse and dammage should haue the aduantage in recompence of their mishappe to bring you to their Ladies before whom your selfe may manifest the great difference that is betwéen you in beautie Florian arose vp in an anger and gaue them this answere Gentlemen if you be well follow your way if you haue receiued any mischance impute it to your folly and not any occasion procéeding by your Ladies as for this Lady shee is not so fond as to goe with you nor I so foolish as to accomplish your will in such a vaine request You answere so brauely sayde one of the Knights that now we are fully determined she shall goe with vs and if you séeme or dare offer to offend her we shall quickly coole your courage because you are disposed so suddenly to chafe Then Florian mounted on horsbacke presently and came vnto thē with these spéeches Now am I determined to try if your worthines will proue according to your words you may come to me one after another or all foure at once and if you please for disloyalty can neuer shew it selfe but where it is continually resident Tush said one of the knights do not hold such a proude opinion with your selfe for one of vs alone will find you worke enough and that is my selfe who will be so bold as to stay your hastinesse as for my followes I iudge they would thinke it dishonour to them if they should deale with such a one as you Florian not able to abide these words ran with such courage against this craking cōpanion y◠his speare passing cleane thorow him he threw him dead to the ground then the other comming violently vpon him he serued them in such sort that two more of them were slaine the other was glad to saue his life by flight Florian being discharged of these foure knights alighted from his Horse and came before his lady Targiana who was so wel contented with the victory of her knight as she would haue béen displeased if Fortune had alotted him the contrary And in this pleasure séeing the night approch so fast vpon them shee commanded the Esquires to plate their thrée Tentes in the bottom of the Valley neere to a gréene bancke whereby there ran a pleasant little Brooke thinkiug to finde more pleasure then to remaine all night by the dead Knights In quiet rest they passed there the night because the tediousnesse of their iourney did
gladly wish them to enioy some ease CHAP. LXXXII Of that which happened to Don Florian departing out of the Valley where he vanquished the foure Knights WHen the cleare morning had awaked the Princesse Targiana and her company they packed vp their prouision and departed on their iourney greatly desiring to be in the Court of the Emperour Palmerin In the afternoone they came into a goodly forrest where stood an excellent faire fouÌ„taine very ingeniously framed it was reported that the Emperor Marcellus who in his time was curious to cause rare edifices and braue inuentions to be framed had erected this faire fountain in the forrest Which séemed to be true for two causes the first that this Emperor was very much affectioned to haue his dwelling in a solitary place néere to some pleasant spring or some such faire and costly Fountaine and the second because the name of Marcellus was in many places about the Fountaine néere whereunto was two Knights who suffered their Stéeds to receiue the water Targiana seeing such a singular prospect in a place so conuenient for repose desired the Prince Florian to pause there a while whereto he presently agréed when the Princesse taking off her Maske the two Knights who very well regarded her affirmed that it was shee for whom Albayzar maintained his valiant Iouste Wherefore they consented betweene themselues to take her with them to their Ladies through whom their shame might be the better couered which they had attained by receiuing the infortunate foile in the Iust so putting their Helmets on their heades they approched néerer to the Princesse when one of them began as thus Madam you ought not to wish ill to chose who receiuing a sharpe repulse by your beautie conceiue the courage of minde to séeke a remedie for you shall vnderstand that a Knight hath vanquished vs at Constantinople who maintaining the excellent state of your beauty hath woon the shields whereon were figured our Ladies and hath honoured you with placing them at your féet Wherefore to let our fault passe with the more méeke penance it behoueth you to depart with vs so shall our offence be the lesse esteemed of those that both may and must command vs. Me thinketh sir quoth Florian that you should not blame the innocent but the little defence in your selues to keepe your Shieldes without further presuming on Fortune who may happen to prouide you a farre worsse inconuenience I perceiue then said the Knight againe that this Ladies beautie causeth you to vse your tearmes so bluntly which I doubt you are not able to maintaine albeit you may make good account of your manhood That shall you trie sir quoth Florian and so closing his Helmet he charged them in such order as thy were both ashamed against the dutie of Knighthoode to assaile him whose stoutnesse still detained Targiana with the death of one of theÌ„ which the other séeing fell on his knees before the Princesse with these words Madame I desire you to appease your anger with the death of my fellow and the grieuous woundes that I haâ—d receiued and let mercy pleade my cause though I be vnworthy yet thinke I that my life would but little pleasure you Targiana beholding his repentance desired Florian that hée would forgiue him who presently granted commanding him that the dead body should bo caried away whereto the Knight not daring to gainsay willed his esquire to lay him ouerthwart before him vpon his Horse and so they departed together the Knight more grieued with himselfe then he was before he had séene Targiana Who walking on with Florian said that shee thought there was no place of assurance in all the Countrey Trust me said Florian I neuer before sawe it in this order but yet it ought not to be maruailed at for one the one side the shield of Albayzar the other side your beauty causeth these aduentures to happen as they do For those that haue bin vanquished gaining the sight of your excellent feature cannot chuse but threaten themselues with greater danger for Nature framed you onely to bring all those to extremity that dare conceiue the hardinesse to behold you Targiana séeing Florian so déepe in his praises of her stayed him with a Conge ouer the lippes and séeing a very faire Trée not farre from them she tooke him by the hand saying Let vs goe walke a while vnder yonder faire 〈◊〉 for my minde assureth me that things will happen more strange then any we haue yet séene Madame quoth Florian I would wish to come where is the greatest danger that you might know how little I estéeme â—â—neritie being accompanied with her who is the onely shield of my safety And if Albayzar hauing but your picture ouercoÌ„meth the most puissant knights in the world what might I do hauing the séemely persoÌ„ which maketh me to desire that Fortune would send a hazard aboue all other then should you see the forceable magnanimity of your beauty engraned in this heart of mine with such a hauty disposition that death no nor a thousand deaths is able to withstaÌ„d him who preferreth the title of your excellencie as the chiefest honour vpon my Knightly Sword These two Louers thus walking talking found the words of the Princesse Targiana to be true indéede for at the foote of this Trée they espied a goodly knight laid along no company with him for his Esquire was accompanied to depart froÌ„ him that his Maister might the better report the amorous coÌ„plaints which were alwayes resident in his pensiue minde and this knight had one very faire blew Armour his helmet seruing vnder his head the office of a Pillow where he lay without receiuing any rest but gaue forth sighes complaints in very dolefull manner Which Targiana Florian desirous to heare and loath to disturbe him being so seriously busied withdrew themselues a litle so closely as they could when the knight not thinking any to be so neare him began to vnfold his griefe after this order My Lady how haue I béene offensiue to you that you should offer me so great vngentlenesse leauing me aliue to wish daily for death and yet you are so obstinate that you will not suffer me die onely that I might passe my time in vnestimable opinion of endles torments And to my greater griefe I often wish to prolong my life in doing you seruice wherto you vse such vnfriendly meanes that you will not permit me to be imployed therein but as the onely Authour of mine euill and daily occasion of my mercilesse Passions forget the extremitie I abide for your loue and in a neuer dying death compell me to wast 〈◊〉 course of my life Which trust me serueth very strange for that I neuer saw affliction in any man but there was some meane whereby to tollerate it as for mine it kéepeth at one certaine stay and when it commeth to the best change it falleth from an Ague Quartaine to a Quotidian as if all
Knightes returned to him that had carried Targiana away perswading himself in her company to attaine the title of immortall praise CHAP. LXXXVIII Here shal be rehearsed who the knight was that carried Targiana away and what happened to him in her company REmembrance is made in the History how the King of Denmarke had thrée Sonnes al of them prooued to bee noble and valiant knights especially the eldest who was called Albanis of Freze so renowned thorow his fathers Kingdom that there was no knight durst encounter with him He being come to the age of fiue and twenty yeeres and hearing the braue report of the Princesse Miragarda he became so affectionat to her that leauing his Fathers Court he trauailed to the Castle of Almarol accomplishing many notable déeds by the way and arriued there at such time as Albayzar had carried the shield thence When he saw he could not attaine his will to enter the combat he staied till fortune would suffer him to sée the princesse Miragarda at whose view hee became so seuerely vanquished that he vowed if it were possible to bring her sheeld againe and if Fortune did stand his friend so much he purposed to make her greatly beholding to him but she was of such a strange condition as I haue told you that shee reioyced to receiue euerie one without making shew of their welcome Albanis preuailing in diuers aduentures came to the Cittie of Constantinople where séeing the number of shields this valiant Moore had woon and the great renowne was held euery where of his valour he purposed to manifest his courage against him But albeit his worthinesse was very great and that he brake thrée Speares on the valiant Albayzar yet was Fortune so much against him that he receiued the foyle his Shield was placed among the conquered Knights Being departed from thence out of opinion euer after to serue Miragarda hee arriued in the valley where Florian and Palmerin fought where beholding Targiana he estéemed her the fairest Creature that euer he had séene and knew it was shée on whose behalfe Albayzar sped so happily Wherevpon he concluded to bring her with him to Constantinople to trie if Fortune would fauour him better against Albayzar hauing in his presence the faire Targiana to whom he offered great honour and curtesie which was not of power to altar the faithful affection she bare to the Prince Florian Wel on they rid and drawing néere to Constantinople in an euening they met a Knight in blacke Armour riding very sad and heauily to whom Albanis gaue spéech of friendly salutation but the Blacke Knieht rid on without making any answer whereat Albanis was somewhat displeased and desirous to shew some courage before Targiana he turned to the Blacke Knight in this manner Sir albeit my words are so little estéemed of you that you haue made no shewe of a courteous answere yet doe I thinke it had béene your dutie to offer some friendly motion to this Lady wherto the Blacke Knight made this reply Good Sir if I haue béene obliuious of my selfe towards this Lady I am ready to recompence the same in what she shall commaund but if you séeme so discourteous in spéech because I haue not saluted you trust me you are very farre from reason for my minde was so busied with other affaires that I neither saw you before me much lesse did I heare you I would faine knowe sayde Albanis from whence ariseth the cause of your doubt to sée if it be sufficient to excuse your vnciuill behauiour Syr quoth the Blacke Knight I would wish you to kéepe on in your iourney for to tel the cause of my griefe to you would gladly pleasure me and but little profit you Albanis being desirous to know what he had demanded was so importune on the Blacke Knight that he tooke the Field at his pleasure and encountred Albanis with such force that the horse fell downe with his shoulder broken and before Albanis could recouer himselfe the Blacke Knight alighted and forced him to abide his mercy which done he was riding away but Targiana came and stayed him thus Sir Knight I desire you euen as you make hazard of your person in many dangers and magnanimitie doeth accompany you against all aduersity that you will not abandon those who liue in affliction but beare the gentlenes of mind to keepe them câ—mpany And if so be you trauaile to the Emperours Court suffer me to be a partner in your iourney for that my businesse lyeth in that place to expect a Knight who conducted me in my trauailes hither Lady answered the Blacke Knight I thought this knight had vndertook to conduct you but now perceiuing the contrary and that you are minded to goe thither where of force I must be I will pleasure you in so small a request albeit the extremitie of my liâ—e stood thereon And thus they departed together leauing Albanis more sorrowfull then euer he had bin The Blacke Knight by the way requested of her wherfore the Knight had enforced her to goe with him to whoÌ„ Targiana ript vp the whole matter wherefore the Blacke knight gaue her greater honor then he had done before for he knew it was she in whose cause Albayzar kept the Shield of Miragarda which made him somewhat to excuse the déede of Albayzar for that the beauty of Targiana would haue vrged any Knight to aduenture the hardiest exployt They arriued at Constantinople wheÌ„ Albeyzar was appointed to depart from thence and to carrie the Shields away with him because none durst aduenture to recouer theÌ„ which made the Emperor greatly agrieued estéeming this yâ— greatest shame that euer happened in any Princes Court. On the other side Primaleon was so chafed because his Father would not grant him to Combate with Albayzar that he was minded to stay his comming foure miles without the Citie and to beare in his Shielde the Image of Gridonia which he had secretly caused to be made to sée if he might vanquish Albayzar and bring backe the Shields to the ladies that had lost them But Fortune so hindred him that his purpose tooke not effect and also would not suffer Albayzar to depart thence with so great glorie CHAP. LXXXIX How the Blacke Knight entred the Combat with Albayzar THe Blacke Knight lodged that night without the City in the house of an ancient Gentleman because he would not be knowne and the next morning Targiana attyred her selfe very sumptuously in a Gowne of the Turkish fashion of Crimson Sattin adorned with braue biâ—laments of gold and precious stones and mounted on a Palfray as white as a Swan her Damosels and Esquires likewise very braue in apparrell and atteÌ„ding on her in seemely order in this maner she came into yâ— city accompanied with the Black Knight arriued at the Iusting place wheÌ„ Albayzar had euen then conquered an English knight and placed his shield among the other The Emperour with all his Courtly company behelding the braue gesture
farre distant from the loyalty of a louer so did his holding the Cup manifest the same for while he held it there is nothing in the world can be iudged more blacke or griesly then the Cup séemed at that instant Targiana who knew him yet would not be known therof for the griefe she conceiued at this accidentâ—â— retired into her Chamber repenting that euer shee had bestowed her loue on him who was esteemed of so small fidelity The Damosell of Thrace receiuing the Cup againe of Florian said Sir Knight if Fortune spéed you no better in déedes of Armes then your actions manifest your faithfulnesse in loue I would â—ounsell you neuer hereafter to pursue aduentures Faire Lady answered Florian if you recompence your seruants according to desert it would greatly grieue me to fal into so hard destiny but your farre distance from reason maketh me to esteeme it the lesse for if I should passe on farther and suffer my selfe to be inueigled in your snares I were the lesse to bee pittied when I seeme to bewaile the languishing of my life This answer of Florian albeit it séemed acceptable to many of the knights yet the Ladies receiued it in great contempt because their naturall quality is such to yéelde according to the déedes of those who submit themselues to abide their pleasure and contrariwise their naturall inclination is to vse such recompence as their seruice they haue receiued neuer deserued The Damosel of Thrace came to the Knight of the Dragon desiring him to try the Cup according as diuers other had done before him perswading him that of a person so knightly as hée séemed there was to be expected a very good issue Palmerin séeing the matter brought to this extremity cast his eye on the Damosell and his heart on her whose obstinacy caused him to die with griefe entring into these spéeches If this aduenture be of a truth then I pray you my Lady henceforth to excuse the fearfulnesse of him who dares not presume to think what is in your mind So receiuing the Cup it contained the same quallitie as it did in the hand of the Prince Florendos because it could not exceede farther The Emperour being very glad tooke the Cup to prooue the rest of the Damosels words and in the bottome of the teares he beheld the Empresse as pleasant as euer he had séene her which made him to thinke the aduenture was ended but doubting the contrary he requested of the Damosell if the Cup shuld alway remaine in that state whereto the Damosell answered thus It must 〈◊〉 be tried if it wil turne againe to the former blacknes but I desire you that this Knight meaning the prince Florian make triall thereof no more for he hath so little desire to kéepe his loue faithfull to any Lady that the Cup in his hand will stand in great danger at which pretty triump the Ladyes conceiued good occasion of laughter Then the Emperour commanded that al the knights should take the Cup againe but their labour was in vaine for it neuer séemed to alter the colour wherefore the Empresse tooke it and beheld the Emperour so perfectly in it as if she had verily séene his face After the Empresse came Gridonia and Bazilia wherin they saw them that they chiefly estéemed but when the Princesse Polinarda took it she perceiued the noble Palmerin of England in such heauines that not able to endure his extreame grieuous countenance she deliuered the Cup from her fearing to let it fall her hand shaked so maruelously But none knew what was the cause thereof except the Emperour whose amorous youthfull time gaue him occasion to thinke that shee had séene some one in the Cup who greatly desired to doe her seruice which made him to round her in the eare saying Faire Daughter you make mee iudge that you want a seruant At which words she began so sweetely to blush that with her rare beauty it gaue her an excellent colour whereat the Knight of the Dragon became more and more afflicted The cup passed from hand to hand till it came againe to the Prince Palmeriu who beholding in it the swéet face of his faire Polinarda tooke occasion to speake in this maner to himselfe My gratious Lady I very well perceiue by your countenance that you haue not forgotten him who was only borne to do you seruice yet doth the miserie of his time constraine him to liue without hope desiring nothing else but to accomplish your pleasure Then he deliuered the Cup to his Brother Florian who beheld in the bottome of the teares the Princes Araalte of Nauarre and the faire Targiana as also many other Ladies who were as greatly offended with him as were these twain whom he had deceiued wherefore the Damosell taking the Cup from him said Doe you now Sir Knight behold the issue of your vnfaithfull Loue whereto he presently shaped this answere It séemeth that your sex canno hartily fauour the Knights that oweth them most affection which maketh many not force of their constancy to you but yet thus much I dare assure you that Ladies both haue and shall be a great deale better secured of me then of diuers that haue tried the aduenture of this Cup and to whom it hath showne more fauour then to me The damosell making him no answere turned to the Emperour saying I desire your highnesse that nâ—w the proofe may be made of those that are most and chiefest beloued wherein credit me you will receiue great pleasure Agréed quoth the Emperour and I intend my selfe to mak triall first for so shal I perceiue that being but slenderly fauoured of the Empresse I haue lost the power to end the aduenture So holding the Cup it remained in the same order still without any change or apparance of heate wherefore the Damosell said My Lord you must confesse your selfe that your time is past and therefore deliuer the Cup to the Empresse who hath so truly and faithfully loued you In the Empresse hand it continued to still wherfore Primaleon and the King Polendos who being faithfully beloued of their Ladies made the cup still to containe the chiefe brightnes After these two Princes Don Rosuell aduanced himselfe to make triall at his Loue which was so little that the heate the Cup contained vrged him to deliuer it to the Prince Platir who found it not altogether so hot as when Don Rosuell had it It passed the hands of them all some with good hap some with ill till it came againe to the Prince Florian but he passed it as lightly as the other because his heart was exempted frée from any Louers griefe From him Albayzar tooke it whom Loue fauored so much that he held it a great while Then came the turne of the Knight of the Dragon whose hap proued worse then all the rest for the Cup was so enflamed round about him that it séethed euen as water doth vpon the fire which caused great feare to all that
voyage of Palmerin whom aboue all I loue and in heart giue most honour yet will I not make him so priuy to my thoughts albeit I sustained the hazard of death because perhaps the beauty of Leoâ—arna Princesse of Thrace may alter the affection he hath vowed to me I beléeue quoth Dramaciana that inconstancy cannot harbour in the heart of him who proued himselfe so loyal in the aduenture of the cup but to preuent the worst if you will vouchsafe me the leaue I will in priuate talke vse such meanes with him as I shall quickly sound the depth of his intent Polinarda estéeming this deuiâ—e returned presently this aunswere I thinke so well Dramiciana of this pretty inuention that I am very well content that you procéed therein but of all Loues I pray you vse the circumstance of your matter in such sort that he perceiue nothing therein to be done with my will Polinarda thus concluding her speeches went and sate down by the Princesse Gridonia her mother mean while the English Prince remembring his hasty iourney as also the small kindnesse he perceiued in his Lady passed all the day in many silent thoughts But wheâ—â— the euening came he went to the Empres Chamber where the Knights and Ladies danced and doing his duty to them all he came and sate downe by Dramaciana with whom being very familiar he entred into these spéeches Swéet friend if I either might or could vtter my complaints to any by whom I had opinion to receiue redresse with verie glad consent I would but séeing my sorrowes grow to a greater extreame and to none but you I dare bewray them I will request so much courtesie at your hands as to resolue me in one or two questions and thus they are What is the cause my Lady Polinarda dealeth so hardly with me as to driue me to the vtter despaire and contempt of my life if she thinke me to deserue no greater fauour trust me I may iudge her ouermuch vnkind for that all my care is by what meane or motion to lay my heart at her foote in loyall serucice But she séeth full well my griefe and couereth her selfe with such a close conceit that she will not séeme to know it onely because she is either daintie of her courtesie or else thinketh scorne to recompence my trauell I desire you to beare witnesse with my faith which neither forceth paine torment or any miserie so that she would not forget the knight who suffreth al for her sake and cannot expresse what he would suffer so that it might but please her to estéeme thereof And trust me swéete friend I neuer in all my life entered so farre in spéech hereof to any person nor would I haue gone so farre at this present but that the proofe of your fidelitie hath constrained me to speake what you haue heard knowing very well that with a trustie friend a secret is buried in the bottome of the sea Sir Palmerin answerd Dramaciana the long time you haue absented your selfe from hence hath mooued me to thinke that your mind was addicted to some other purpose so that I iudge you rather complaine for custom then cause as you are al wont to do when you hold the fish with the baire which you greatly â—are not for whether you were best to take it or let it goe And now I am aduertised that you go to end the Enchantment of Leonarda the heire and princes of Thrace whose loue I feare me will cause you forget your old friends wherefore you may with greater ease beare so small a burthen Trust me answered Palmerin the beautie of Leonarda nor all the rich proffers of preferment in the world shal haue power to alter any qualitie in me by which I might be iudged either inconstant of faith or negligent in promise for which cause I haue the greater desire to speake with the princesse Polinarda that she may be assured of the loyaltie which this poore heart of mine shall continue to her to the death Well quoth she if your constancie be such as you report I thinke in so small a matter it will not be changed But as for speaking with my Lady I know at this time it is vnpossible wherfore for a further triall of your truth prepare your selfe to depart with the Damosell of Thrace and in your absence I wil so manifest your constancie that at your return you shall speake with her at your pleasure So that in yâ— mean time you wil promise me that no occasion be moued to offend so good a Princes To these words Palmerin thought to haue made answer but the Dancing being done he was hindered of his purpose so that Dramaciana and he were constrained to part company he being very glad that he had disclosed part of his griefe to her that would sollicite his sute in ample manner and this night he tooke better rest then he had done since his departure out of England The next morning he rose very early when a faire new armour was presented him and in his shield he bare a man torne in péeces by a Tiger Then went he with the Damosel to take leaue of the Emperor who brought him to the Empresse chamber to whom he humbly did his duty as also to Gridonia Bazilia and all the Ladies but such was his heauy farewell to the Princesse Polinarda as al the Ladies present could not refrain from teares Thuâ— left he the Emperour in great sorrow Primaleon Dramusiande and his brother Florian were very sorry to leaue them whom he most loued but notwithstanding all intreaty he departed with the Damosell and Siluian towards the kingdome of Thrace Soone after two Allemaigne Ambassadours arriued at the Court yéelding the seate and gouernment of the ancient Emperour Trineus deceassed to the Prince Vernar his sonne these newes were great griefe to the Emperour as also the Prince Vernar who left the Court accompanied with his Lady Bazilia being great with child and soone after deliuered of a goodly young Prince named Trineus after his Grandfather To accoÌ„pany these princes there went Florian of the desart Floraman Dramusiand Albanis of Freece Gracian PoÌ„pides and many other and when they came to the Citie of Cullen there was the prince Vernar chosen Emperor with such magnificiall Triumphs as neuer were séene the like in the dayes of â—is Predecessours Then sent he for his Brother Polinard to enioy such titles as were fallen vnto him and Florian with the other Princes and Knights stayed a while in the Court of the Emperor Vernar when soone after they departed to seeke aduentures as you shall at large perceiue in the second Volum of this History CHAP. XCVI Of the daungers which the King Polendos and the Princes passed conueying the Princesse Targiana by Sea And what happened to the Prince Florendos in the Fort of Astribor THe King Polendos the hundred knights that bare him company to conduct the princesse Targiana home againe sayling at their pleasure
life The Prince Palmerin very well liked of the intent of the Queene Caemelia by meanes whereof she doth humbly desire that it might so stand with your Highnesse pleasure as not to make deniall of this request to her seeing you haue not hitherto reâ—â—â—ed the entertainement of any in the fulfilling whereof she shall estéeme herselfe and her whole Kingdome perpetually bound to your excellency And because your highnes may esteem of the greater truth what I haue made report of she commanded me to present your Maiesty with this her letter of credite wherein full well you shall perceiue the residue of her pleasure may it like your highnesse to pardon this blunt discourse of an vneloquent maiden The Emperour very gratiously receiued the letter which when he had perused he thus framed his answer to the Damosell Vertuous and sage Lady I not onely pittie the great paiue you haue suffered in trauelling thus farre but also giue you thanks for such a good endeuour not forgetting to honour you with bountifull courtesie for the good newes you haue brought me of my Nephew Palmerin in regard of whom both his Princely deserts and my vttermost requitall which is but his duty I desire of God my power may stretch so farre to requite you according as you haue worthily merited And for the Lady the regard of whom caused my nephew to hold so small estimation of the Princesse Leonarda I know her care is beyond iudgement in deuising by what meanes she might gaine the power to requite a cause of so great honour And where you desire I would yéeld my consent that the princesse Leonarda might come to remaine in my Court assure your selfe that I am well contented and thinke my selfe highly honoured by such a request And the better to declare how gratefull I accept her comming hither and how thankfull I would be for your great trauaile I giue to you the countie of Salin which by reason of the death of the county Arlae remaineth vacant he not hauing left any heirs to repossesse the same The Damosell presently threw her selfe at the Emperors féet offering to kisse his hand in signe of her thankfull mind but he sustained her in his armes very graciously which he was not accustomed to do to any stranger yet such was the estimation he had of her The damosell behaued her selfe in the same manner of duty to the Empresse as also toward the Prince Primaleon and Gridonia but they to witnesse their beneuolent mindes and the honour wherewith they would entertaine such a fréendly guest by their great intreaty and courtesie made stay of her humble offer whereupon she returned to the Emperour and deliuered her mind these words I can hardly withhold my selfe at this instant my gratious Lord being so desirous as I am to vnderstand of the couragious mind of the Prince Palmerin both in dealing and escaping from a Tiger so hideous and fearefull as also being so happy to end such an aduenture but your gracious fauour is so agréeable to my desirous thoughts and so plentifull in measure beyond my poore demerits that I shall leaue the report thereof in your highnesse memory till such time as I returne with the Princesse Leonarda for I assure your Maiesty that my heart is vnspeakeably satisfied with pleasure in that I shall spéede so well as to be resolued by your excellencie in the thing I haue so long time wished for Wherefore most humbly I desire you that I may depart for the desire I haue to enforme the Princesse Leonarda of your gratious fauour causeth me to iudge euery day a yeare till I haue in this cause fulfilled my dutie Faire Damosell answered the Emperour it should like me very well if you made your abode here still with me in my Court but for that I perceiue your great desire to returne with answer of your thankfull message I wish to you as to my selfe in the whole course of your iourney The Damosell humbly tooke her leaue of the Emperour and all his company and came to the Chamber of the Princesse Polinarda who had secretly withdrawne her selfe to reueale to Dramaciana her waiting Gentlewoman the good opinion her hart had suddenly conceiued of those ioyfull tidings so then with her a while the damosell kept company when presently she beganne to coniecture that it was the beautie of this Princesse which had caused the Prince Palmerin to refuse the gouernement of Thrace The Princesse Polinarda very modestly began to question with the Damosell of euery particular chance that had happened to the knight of the Tiger for whose sake she honoured the Damosel with very Princely courtesie and she desired her that shee would bee the Messenger of her vnfayned good will to the Princesse Leonarda whome shee would not willingly should stay but come vnto the Court presently The Damosell made promise to performe euery thing to the vttermost so departing from the Princesse she went through the palace to her ledging where she locked vp the honourable Presents which the Empresse and Gridonia had since her comming sent vnto her so hauing all things in readinesse shee departed farre more Rich and more ioyfull then she was before The Damosell wee intend to leaue in her iourney because we will returne to the Noble and renowmed Knight of the Tiger who after hée departed from the kingdome of Thrace tooke the straightest way that hee could possibly chuse to bring him vnto Constantinople wherto when he drew somewhat neare by chance one day hee arriued in a very great Forrest which was farre from any houses or resort of people and likewise the Trées much defaced and spoyled so that it séemed a wast and desolate wildernesse Ryding along very sad and pensiue in minde he heard the trampling of a great many horses and casting his eye that way where he heard the noyse he espied ten or twelue Knights very well armed crossing ouerthwart the Forrest Wherevpon he gaue his horse the spurres being desirous to doe them seruice if so be they had néede to vse his aide and followed them that way they rode when in short time he ouertooke one of their company who could not so spéedily iourney as the other did by reason that his horse had receiued an attaint in one of his legges with this Knight Palmerin desired friendly to conferre which made him vse his spéeches in this maner I desire you Sir if I may demand so bold a request of you as to report vnto me the cause why these Knights iourney so spéedily and whither they goe through this vnfrequented Forrest I know well Sir answeeed the strange Knight that their enterprise doeth not concerne you in any thing therefore is it as néedelesse to tell you as you haue small occasion to demand of their purpose but for that I sée your acquaintance with the cause can neither impeach them with your mallice nor pleasure them with your aide I am content to resolue you in what you request You shall
vnderstand Sir that thrée leagues distance from this place there is a Lady a very courteous creature remaining in a strong and well fortefied Castle who hath a daughter of most exquisite perfection in beautie with whom a Knight of this Countrey named Felistor is very desirous to marrie but her Lady mother will not suffer to be so bestowed hauing already giuen her to be espoused to another rich Gentleman of this Countrey named Radimar wherefore the Lady and her daughter haue consented with this Gentleman to goe vnto a Castle of his owne where they will secretely knit vp their determinate purpose and deceiue the long and laboursome expectation of Felistor But being aduertised of their close intent hath determined to hazard his Fortune in the extreamest danger either to hinder them helpe himselfe or to leaue the conquest in a doubtfull estate And he that may the better preuaile if fortune darken not the Sun-shine of his good hap he hath placed a secret ambushment in a little wood by which the Lady and her daughter must of necessitie passe hauing giuen strait charge to them in ambush that the life of Radimar be put to the swoord as soone as they may lay hands on him for that the countenance of him is a blemish to his earnest intent he will then marry the Damosell in despight of any dare say the contrary And because this marriage may be the better accomplished I am to assist him with my company onely for the good wil which I vnfainedly beare him but Fortune is very contrary in fauour to me for that my horse bath taken suddainly an attaint whereby I shall hazard the breach of my promise which would no more dislike my friend then it will be grieuous to me if so it would happen To preuent the worst therefore I pray you Sir to thinke so well of me as to lend me your horse and to content your selfe in meane time with that whereon your Esquire rideth and he I iudge will take mine in good part which courtesie will cause me in place where I haue power answerable to my will not to forget such a fauourable pleasure Truely Sir answered Palmerin I sée well if I should doe you so great a pleasure you are bent to vse my gift in a deede of greater dishonour for that it better standeth with your credite to defend the cause of a distressed Lady then to be an instrument whereby her honour may receiue such disgrace and therefore as I found you I leaue you being so desirous to be with your companions as I cannot at this time stay to make you any other answere and so he poasted to ouertake Felistor which the strange Knight perceiuing presently entred into these spéeches Alas fond foole thou makest ouer much hast to entertaine thine owne misfortune in that the simplest of them before thée is able sufficient to teach thée and thy fellowe your duties but I wish that so soone as my companions haue giuen due chastisement to she pride wherewith thou art fondly accompanied thy horse may fall to my share as well to teach thée what thou oughtest haue done at my courteous request as also that I may discharge my promise made to my fréend The knight of the Tiger had attained such length of ground that he vndestood not the presumptuous language of the strange knight but yet he once looked back whereby he gaue him to know that the hauty disposition of an aduenturous mind is not to be moued at the fearefull foreshew of supposed danger where contrariwise the cowardldy wretch estéemeth euery flaw a tempest and a little motion of mischance the vtter ouerthrow of all his soueraigntie The noble Palmerin of England pursued these Knights so long that he was ouercharged with the gloomy fogge of night so that he could not perceiue how to follow them any further by the trackes of their horses by reason whereof he was constrained to alight when he gaue his horse to his Esquire entending to repose himselfe so well as he could in this desolate place vntill Aurora faluted him with her beautifull countenaunce But in vaine did he bestow his labour to take his rest in the destined houres of sléepe for the earnest desire he had to defend the cause of the iniuryed Ladie would not suffer him so much as to close his eyes Wherefore the day began no sooner to péepe but he caused Siluian to bridle the horses when presently he tooke the way which Felistor and his company had passed before but when he could set no eye on them he beganne to be very gréeuously mooued imitating them which can enioy no quietnesse of mind till they haue deliuered the innocent from their cruell oppressors which among all the déeds of knighthood beareth the largest title of honour CHAP. IIII. Of that which happened to the knight of the Tiger against those that were in ambush to take the Damosell THe valiant knight of the Tiger so long pursued the search of the knights that he had almost spent one halfe of the day in the meane while Felistor had knowledge giuen him by his secret spies that the Lady and her daughter were set forth on their way in their company foure good knights with whom when Felistor met so cruell was the conflict betwéene them as in the short time the foure kuights were al slaine and he hauing taken the Lady and her daughter returned that way from whence they came and Palmerin seeing he could not haue a sight of them turned againe met with the knight whom he had talked with all before who to the Prince deliuered these words I see well sir knight that either you haue great desire to méet with my companions or else such suddaine kindnesse is come vpon you that you returne to lend me your horse which I will not now receiue because I will not be so much beholding to you whereto the knight of the Tiger answered Trust me sir you do much mistake me and ouer fondly deceiue your selfe I intend you not so much fauour nor shall you be indebted to me for so much fréendship but if you had a horse better then mine I would do my good will to borrow him of you whether you would or no because I would follow the intent I haue entreprised to giue aide to those whose necessity requires my helpe I cannot chuse but laugh said the strange knight in that I perceiue you haue fayled of your way and spent the whole night to no purpose onely for the desire you haue to méete with Felistor whom now I perceiue comming hitherward hauing with him the Lady whom he entended to espouse now sir shall you haue leysure enough at this present time to fulfill your wish if your stomacke so serue you Palmerin perceiuing the knight told the truth he caused Siluian to gird his horse well clasped fast his helmet and not fearing what danger might happen to him prepared himselfe to salute the troupe as they
of so great danger and then shall I account my selfe then more highly beholding to you Lady quoth he I receiue so great pleasure in your courteous answer as I thinke my selfe the happiest man a liue to attaine such bountie wherewith he presently tooke his horse causing his Esquire to mount the Damosell who by the way recounted to the Prince Florian how by a tempest of the Sea she was cast on the coast of Ireland comming from Denmarke and carrying Letters of eâ—edise to Basilia the Empresse of Allemaigne And when I perceiued quoth she that I was in this countrey where my Couzins the Daughters of the Marques Baltamor remained I intended to bestow a little labour in séeing them but my â—ortune was so hard as I met with the Giant Brocalon who not contented with the murdering my two Esquires that bare me company pursued me to haue fulfild his villanous wil on me so it was your good hap to be my reskew for which I thinke my selfe more beholding to you then I can expresse the Prince taking her by the hand returned this answer I promise you faire Lady I reioyce that it was my fortune to do you such seruice and doubt not but you shall finde me so gentle a companion as will guard your person from any danger that may happen to you but I would either I were so happie or you so courteous as to giue liberty to the prisoner whom your singular beautie hath secretly fettered They continuing these pleasant purposes of spéech at last they came to a goodly Riuer the pleasant sight whereof inuited them to alight from their horses to ease themselues a little where sitting louingly together the Prince began amorâ—usly to dispose himselfe toward the sober and chasle Damosell in the meane while his Esquire went to a Castle néere at hand to prouide some viands for his Maister who had fasted since he came to Hermits Cell which he refused to haue the Damosels swéete company Many affable spéeches the Prince spent that the Damosell might the better entertaine him into his fauour at length he was so bold as to giue her a gréene gowne when I feare me she lost the flower of her chastity but whether it were so or no I know not but mine Authour saith that the Esquire at his departing left her a Maiden and at his comming againe he found her a woman CHAP. VI. What happened to the knight of the Sauage man before he had taken his farewell of the Damosell SVch and so great was the pleasure which the knight of the Sauage man conceiued by the presence of the Damosell as all that night they passed the time away by the riuers side till at length the Prince began to waxe heauy a sléepe like vnto those that entertaine Loue but for the present time rather to suffise their appetite then any thing else for he made so small account of a Louers passions as his humour once satisfied he had presently forgotten it The Damosell séeing the Prince to vse no more regard vnto her fell into extreame conceite of gréefe in that she had so lightly bestowne her honourable chastitie on the knight who she feared would commit her courtesie to vtter obliuion which if it shuld happen so vnkindly quoth she I being vnworthy to shew my face among persons of credite wish that the present losse of my life might falue vp the staine and blemish of my former riches A heauy and pittifull discourse she continued during the time the knight of the Sauage man slept soundly at last she looked about and espied two Esquires attending on a Knight of such huge stature as he séemed to her to exéede the Giant Brocalon And as he walked many times would he stand still and muse with himselfe then pull and rent his haire as one would haue iudged him depriued of his wits at last in his extreame passions he called his Esquiers and commanded them to wait ther neare vnto him for that he would repose himselfe vnder the Trees Hereat the Damosell was greatly abashed so that standing in some feare she awaked the Knight of the Sauageman with these wordes Good Knight forsake this drow sines for danger is nearer thée then thou art beware of here is another Brocalon come to iniure vs and therefore helpe now or neuer to defend vs. At these words the Prince suddenly started vp and when he had put himselfe in good regard for his enemie hee aduanced himselfe néerer vnto him and séeing his Esquires walking their horses and their Maister lying vnder a Trée in great griefe of minde he stayed himselfe in secret a while when he heard him breake foorth into these spéeches I sée it is great folly for me to repose any credite in the Gods who either want power or else are wilfully bent to euerthrow him that hath most trusted them and good cause haue I to thinke so for that my Brethren being vanquished by one onely Knight they make so small estimation of me in their fauour as they will not suffer me to meete with him that I might either beare my Brethren company or take that reuenge which both my griefe and nature compelleth me For how can I chuse but blaspheme your names and deny to giue you the honour I haue done in that you suffer the knight so much to dishonour vs If you haue altogither cast me into obliuion I wil honor your Altars with no more testimonies of my affection but that trust I had in you I will repose in my selfe and so for euer henceforth I despise you These heauy complaintes caused the Prince to iudge that he was Baleato The Brother to the Giant Brocalon who hauing intelligence of his Brothers death sought to finde him that had done the deede this good hap was very acceptable to the Prince in that he found him without any of his knights to aid him so walking aside Baleato at the last had espied him who made him to arise with these spéeches What is he that dare imagine himselfe so hardy as to trouble me in my silent purposes I assure thée that thou art but little beholding to fortune who is thy vtter enemy in conducting thée hither especially in the time of my fury which thou wilt find more gréeuous then thou art able to endure And for the Damosell that kéeps thée company as I haue good occasion receiuing part of my gâ—éefe by meanes of such a one as she I will appeare the anger of my Gods in offering her as a Sacrifice to them and so will I deale with all of that Sexe that I can méete for that Brocalon the best knight in the world was slaine in following such another as she is Baleato answered the Prince reserue these threatnings for those that are affraide of thee and prepare thy selfe to deale with him whom neither the words nor weapon can terrifie as for the Damosell assure thy selfe that I will not onely defend her but I will also humble that proud minâ—e which
in short time was so blazed as it mooued a generall consent of gladnes not so much for the recouery of the Castles as that they were woon by the prowesse of the Prince Florian. The good King Fredericke for ioy of this good happe sent sir Pridos the Duke of Galles in all the spéede that might be to sée if he could méete with his noble Nephew who taking a Galley presently in short time arriued in the Coast of Ireland not very farre from the Hermits Cell Where finding the Prince and declaring the sum of his message the Prince concluded to depart thence notwithstanding his wounds were not thorowly healed so taking leaue of the gentle Hermit and desiring the other Knights to accompany him they committed themselues to the Seas whereon they had not long sayled but they arriued at the Cittie of London thorow which they were honourably conducted to the Kings Pallace When tydings being come to the King that they were arriued in the Court accompanied with his Sonne Don Edward hée came to méete them when casting his armes about the necke of the Prince Florian the teares ran downe his white beard for the inward ioy he conceiued in his presence as for his Father Don Edward he would not hide his earnest affection but welcommed his sonne with very great kindnesse and his mother the Princesse Flerida pittying his hurts but glad of his company shewed her selfe a louing mother vnto him and would not depart day nor night from him till she perceiued him to be thorowly recouered The King of England did very honourably entertaine the Knights which came with his Nephew and for that he would show he made estimation of them he accepted them into offices according to their degrées in his Court for which great bountie they witnessed themselues not vnthankefull but so behaued themselues as they did great credit to the King in his Court. The Prince Florian being in good estate of health newes came vnto the English Court of the imprisonment of the king Polendos and his companie in the Court of the great Turke which vnhappy tidings moooed the king and his whole Court to great gréefe considering withall the state of sorrow wheren the Emperour of Constantinople remained and the more extreame did they take the cause in respect of the small hope was to be had of their liberty againe in that the great Turke had sworne to put them all to death except the Emperour would send him the knight who so boldly carryed away his daughter the Princesse Targiana These newes comming to the eares of the Prince Florian he began to fall into these spéeches Far better it is for me to go render my selfe and suffer the extrame rigour of that cruell Infidell then that for me so many good knights should liue in danger for séeing by my occasion the cause did first arise no better meane to salue it vp againe then my selfe I cannot beléeue sayd the Prince Don Edward that the Turke is so forgetfull of himselfe as to séeke the death of so many for so small a matter by reason Albayzar one of his owne kindred should then stand in hazard of his life but if it be as the report goeth the Emperour ought to be carefull in the kéeping of Albayzer to the end that the safegard of his life might redéeme the other their woonted liberty whereto the Prince Florian thus replied I am perswaded good Father that the Turke will hardly be remooued from his determination which maketh me the greater to misdoubt the safety of those knights the absence of whom I am assure so gréeuously offendeth the good Emperour that I am perfectly resolued to goe and comfort him considering it is a part of dutie on my behalf not to be so farre from him at this time séeing he is depriued of them that should defend him The aged king Fredericke his Father Don Edward nor his mother the Priucesse Flerida could disswade him from his determination but contrary to their wils he departed from the Court taking his iourney toward Constantinople being armed after his accustomed maner and bearing in his Sheeld his vsuall deuise Thus the happy successe which may fall vnto him at this time we intend to leaue him because we will returne to the Prince Florendos who by his time is wel néere the castle of the giant Almarol hauing in his iourney done many noble déeds deseruing commendation but for that they are rehearsed in the English Chronicles it would séeme impertinent to this place to rehearse them neuerthelesse I must needs tell yée that Floraman the Prince of Sardignia in this iourney atchieued very great renowne and so continued till their arriuall at the City of Rioclaro which at this present is called Tamar Florendos séeing himselfe so neare the place where he had spent a great time in languishing afflictions entred into a thousand imaginations with himselfe first considering the beginning of his loue and then the happy continuance thereof enforced him to a number of sad coniectures wherein he passed that night as quietly as he could In the morning they rid on toward the Castle of Almaroll when Albayzar beganne to vse some doubt of his entertainement for that he iudged women were but slenderly acquainted with pittie especially hée looked for small fauour of the Princesse Miragarda who contrariwise was not so cruell towardes strangers as shée was toward her dearest and best beloued friendes Florendos had no sooner discouered the Trées which were planted about the Riuer Thesin and with all the walles of the Castle of Almaroll but his heart was immeasurably touched with suddaine feare remembring how many stormes he had endured and the perilles whereto he must now render himselfe againe afresh a spectacle certainely of woonderfull griefe wherein he somewhat bare the Prince Albayzar company who remembring that he was vanquished knew no other remedie for himselfe but to abide the mercy of Miragarda When they were come to the Castle they found all the gates fast locked wherevpon they went to the Trée where the Shieldes were hanging where well beholding them all Florendos at last espied his owne at the sight whereof he secretly sighed and imagined how he might be thankfull sufficient to his Esquire Armello who had since his departure so well garded it but in sooth he was not so much beholding to his Esquier as he did esteeme himselfe because Armello was fallen amorous of Lardemia the Damosell attendant on the faire Princesse Miragarda and stayed in that place to contemplate the beauty of his beloued Mistresse rather then for any care he had of his Maisters shéeld and Armor for he was gone so farre ouer shoes in loue as he had no other pleasure then the remembrance of the Damosell who tooke great delight to sée him so gréeuously attached for loue Armello shas so set on fire in affection as he could not know his Lord and Maister and some other cause there was to hinder him for that he was so
her company in his court as well to regard her with honour equall to her worthy deserts as also to mittigate the afflictions of his Nephewe the Prince Florendos who desired alwayes to fulfill those occaâ—â—â—ns that might witnes to her his faithful seruice But when he perceiued that his Lady made no account of his trauailes neither regarded the torments he endured for her sake he determined to guard her Shield againe vntill some other Knight did purchase his office by triall of his valour and if his misfortune happened to be so great as he should receiue the folie in this new attempt he vowed neuer more to beare Armes against any but euen to commit his whole course to the cruelty of Fortune séeing that all this while she would not allow him one fauourable looke CHAP. VIII Of the Combats that the Prince Florendos fought the second day after he had enterprised to guarde the Shield of the Princesse Miragarda WHen the Prince Florendos had passed one day before the Castle of Almaroll without any friendly countenance of his Lady or once comming into her presence he began to commune with himselfe of his hard fortune and what little hope he had to gaine his desired ioy because her frowardnes cast into contempt his faithfull seruice On the second day to expell the heauie thoughts wherewith he was so grieuously charged he came to the place before the Shield of his faire Mistresse which when he had aduisedly behold he vttered his complaines after this manner I knowe certainely swéete Lady that he which bestoweth his time in your seruice receiueth a very greaâ—â—â—compence by hauing the meanes to behold your faire Image in this portraiture which is of power sufficent to bring into his subiection the heart as hard as Adamant if the Goddesse would affoord those fauourable words vnto it which sometime she did to the image made by Pigmaleon how highly in so doing might she manifest her courtesie and what a precious Iuell were he enriched withall that gained so great an honour But I see well that you haue preuented such a happy cause in that this remaineth as a Net to entangle the mindes of them which liue frée from such thraldome in which extreamitie the party so inueigles desireth as well to be comforted by your gratious spéech as to be so gratiously tormented by your silent counterfeit for that it depriueth him of his former felicity As for me séeing there is no other remedie I must féede mine eyes with this entising shadowe and satisfie my fancy in midst of my shadow in that I behold the thing with mine eye which as a dagger stabbeth me to the heart and leaueth him depriued of any mean which might adde some ease to my misfortue But albeit your portraite is dumbe and sencelesse and cannot as I would it could perceiue my heauy aflictions yet so fond is my conceit that it maketh me weary of my wretched life hauing played the Mistresse thereof so deuoutly in my thoughts as in stead of thâ—person I reuerence her picture thinke then how dutifull I would be to your selfe that am so forward in estéeming your shadow And this foresaid content should be very welcome to me if I were perswaded that you tooke delight therein which hardly I can beleeue in that my long absence in your seruice and my presence now to offer you my dutie is not worthy to be once looked on this maketh me thinke that you haue committed me to forgetfulnesse therefore I account it as vaine to mourne any longer seeing the affection I haue alwayes so faithfully borne you is rewarded with such an vnkinde recompence While the Prince Florendos continued this sad discourse the Princesse Miragarda secretely behelde him at a â—hinke in the windowe for it was her woont to arise very earely in the mornings to heare the pleasant noates of the pretty chirping birds that would come and sing in the Trées planted by the Riuers side And when shee perceiued that his grieuous lamentations procéeded from the depth of his heart she was somewhat abashed thereat but yet in such sort as she did neuer the more pittie his dollorous estate for such a proud opinion she held of her selfe that the greatest desartes in the world were not sufficient to answere her beautie neither that Florendos could endure too much griefe for her such was her mercilesse iudgement of the passions of loue The carefull Prince abiding in his woonted mones on a sudden heard a great noyse not farre from him among the Trees which caused him to breake off his amorous lamentations and as he aduanced himself to sée what the matter was he espyed thrée knights come riding attired in very rich and costly Armour The first of them was in gréene Armour shadowed with siluer very beautifully and in his Shield he bare for his deuice this word writen in Greeke letters Normandie The Armour of the second was white and Azure mingled together artificially with streames of greene enterchangeably figured thereon and in his shéeld in a field of Sinople he had liuely pictured the God Apollo in his ancient habit The Armor of the third was Carnation colour all beset with Crossets of gold very gallantly and in his Sheeld in a field Gâ—ules he bare for his deuise Orpheus wrapped about with the flames of hall which was so ingeniously made as there wanted nothing but life to grace the picture The two foremost Knights came singing very pleasantly that the Prince Florendos tooke great delight to heare them and they accorded in such good musicke together as the Prince Floraman who was very well séene in that Art commended it aboue all that euery he heard in his life so sweetly did their voyces consent together beside the eccho of the Riuer the trées and the mountaines did answer their notes so familiarly that it was almost as commendable as an instrument which the Princesse Miragarda standing in her window tooke great pleasure to heare and it did very much comfort the sad mind of the Prince Florendos But the Prince of Sardignia being somewhat acquainted with the Song tooke a knife and engraued the same on the barke of a Tree that for the worthinesse thereof it might there remaine till time had consumed the Trée and as the Tree grew in bignesse so the letters might be séene in more leageable maner which when he had finished as well for his owne content as to marke the perfectnesse of the Song he rehearsed to himselfe in forme following The Song which the two knights did sing as they came riding to the Castle of the Giant Almarol and which was engrauen on a Tree by Floraman the Prince of Sardignia FAire Madame if you can vouchsafe to see the liuely picture of a carefull minde For lorne with griefe do you but looke on me and iudge if Fortune be not most vnkinde That he which sues and serueth faithfully Should be repaide with extreame cruelty Whâ—t greater torments to a gentle
occasion to content your selfe with this victory in so much as you haue woone it of those who are your especiall friends and we would haue you know that we are not offended at our mischance being vanquiwed by a Prince of so great and singuler prowesse And for that you may be the better perswaded of my words you shall vnderstand that he which is so earnest in prouoking you to the Combat is your déere friend the Prince Berold the other is your own brother the Prince Platir who to their great paines I thanke them haue honoured me in trauaile with their worthy company as for my selfe I am your humble Seruant the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley who had knowledge of you so soone as I did sée you yet would not I make any shew thereof being desirous my selfe to be vnknowne to the end that the faire Princesse Miragarda might yet once more behold your Knightly valour and then to esteeme of you according to your noble deserts The Prince Florendos tooke of his Helmet and comming to the Sage Aliart did embrace him very courteously giuing them to vnderstand how he was heartily sory that he had iousted against his Brother and his other two deare friendes whom he spared not to entertaine very gratiously and the like did the Prince Floraman for that they had witnessed their friendship to him in 〈◊〉 places so they sitting downe all together passed away the greatest part of the day in rehearsing their manifold and Knightly aduentures which they lengthened with large discourse because they would gladly get a sight of the Princesse Miragarda who was so dainty in shewing her selfe as very seldome would she come to the open window but looke forth at some priuy or secret place for that her greatest felicitie was when she might sée the fiield died with the blood of those who came to contend for the singularity of beauty in triall whereof she was not a little proud that the victory returned alwaies to her which made her take the greater deilght when she perceiued the liues of them that tried the Combats to stand in danger which she did oftentimes behold in the sundry Combats fought before the Castle These thrée knights continued still in talke at last they were told of the entertainment which the Princesse Miragarda afforded to the Prince Albayzar which did the better content them then any thing else for that they greatly desirad their liberty whom the great Turke did hold as prisoners and whose cruelty they knew would be seuere if it were not mittigated by this meane When they had spent all the day in hope to sée the Princesse and could not any way accomplish their desire knowing beside that the Princes Florendos and Floraman determined to stay there still at the Castle they friendly tooke their leaue of them taking their iourney toward the Cittie of Constantinople which was the cause why they left the King of Spaines Court. Thus the Prince Florendos accompanied with his beloued friend Floraman concluded still to guard the Sheeld of his faire Mistresse Miragarda against all those that durst come to vse any controuersie therewith and stil he bemoned his hard Fortune that his true and faithfull seruice could be no better estéemed CHAP. IX Of a strange aduenture which chanced before the Castle of the Giant Almarol and what happened to the Prince Florendos NOw our history reports the thrée knights which iousted against the Prince Florendos did not linger or loyter in any place til they came into Greece and not very farre from the cittie of Constantinople where by chance as they trauailed they met with Leonarda the Princesse of Thrace being worthily guided by many noble Gentlemen some that imployed themselues in knightly seruice to gaine the good opinion of Princesse and others that vttered many amorous conceits to inueigle her fancy towards them in marriage and so they passed away the time till they arriued at Conâ—stantinople where the Princesse was entertained with maruailous great honour but because the History doth make mention hereafter of her royall receiuing into the Citty I will now speake no more thereof but returne againe to the Prince Florendos who walking along the Riuers side to take the fresh aire the next day after the three knights departed from him he espyed two Boats well furnished with Oares in the foremost wherof sate foure Damosels attired in very sumptuous apparell and sitting about the poope end of the Boate sounding and tuning their Lutes whereto their voyces deliuered such pleasant ditties as they might well haue bene compared with the three Knights that had taken their way to Constantinople if so be they had stayed still at the Castle of Almaroll to haue made triall When they drew neare to the Castle the men besturred their Oars merily and the Ladies continued their pleasant song very often making signes of courtesie towards the other Boate which was couered with a Tilt of surpassing riches and there vnder a pauilion of inestimable value sate a Lady on pillows and Cushions of Veluet imbrodered 〈◊〉 with Gold whose countenance which in sooth was maruellous beautifull shewd her to be the Gouernes ouer all the other for she had on a light robe of Carnation Taffata cut and layd out with very beautifull Silks that it séemed of great costlines and value to the beholders by reason that there wanted not gold Pearle and precious Stones to set it forth to the vttermost and for that she might be the better discerned the heate of the day being past the Sunne declining to the neather Regions she gaue commandement that the Mantles of the Pauilion should be lifted vp when the Princes Florendos and Floraman might at will behold the exquisite perfection of her beautie and at her féete they might see sitting on a cloath of blacke Veluet two aged Gentlewoman betwéene whom sat a very faire Damosell and by her side lay a séemely Knight in gréene armour bearing in his shield for his deuice in a field of Sinople Cupid fast lincked in chaines of gold his bowe and arrowes lying before him broken in pieces and the knight himselfe séemed as a man altogether vanquished and ouercome for that the Damosell aduanced her selfe aboue him The Marriners were brauely decked with the colours of their Ladie whereof I may say to you they were not a little proude for that in behauiour they séemed so pleasant as no accident what soeuer could haue power to change them and in these great shewes of delight they brought their Boates to the side of the Castle continuing these swéete harmonie which by the Eccho of the water gaue an acceptable noyse to their eares who at the windowes of the Castle stoode to behold them The two Princes Florendos and Floraman thought the time too long till they might haue further knowledge of these Ladies but especially the Prince Florendos who being earnest in desire to knowe the Knight in the Boate casting his armes together thus
with mine own poore house where it liked you to accept a lodging and whereof I pray you to dispose as your owne alwayes at commaundement and to thinke of me who during my life time vowe my selfe your humble vassaile and obedient Subiect The people hearing the wordes of Argentao who was a Christian Knight one of very good life and alwaies a great enemy to the Giants did very well allow to accept him for their gouernour promising generatly before the Prince that they would honour him with dutifull loue and obedience The Prince Palmerin sent to call the Sage Aliart commaunding Siluian to stay the meane while in the Shippe who being come thither and entred into the Ship he was presently taken with exceeding feare when he beheld the ougly frowning countenaunce of Collambra which he iudged as ill fauoured as the report went of Espouuantable her Brother whom the people of that countrey thought to be inuincible before they saw him so nobly conquered by the valiant Palmerin of England Siluian hauing declared the pleasure of his Lord the Sage Aliart presently departed to the Citie and being come to the Princes his friendes hee found them determining to send to Constantinople the Esqurer of the Prince Berolde who was named Albanis willing him to depart thence with the Ship and to present the Emperour of Greece with the newes of this happy victory in that Island also to deliuer to his Maiesty the Giantesse Collambra When they had concluded on the Esquiers message he departed from them to the Ship to Collambra when the Pilot hoysing his Sayles and the winde seruing them very gallantlie they rode on at pleasure and cut the Seas with maruellous expedition But the Prince Palmerin peceiuing that his thrée friends had written their mindes to them they best thought on he was sorry that he had done as much neuerthelesse he thought it not fit he should venture so boldly to commit his secrets to any one else sauing his friend Siluian Then to driue fancies out of his mind he desired his friends to beare him company in visiting the Isle whereto they willingly consented and Argentao caused two of the Giants Foists to be put in a readinesse wherein he and the principall Lords of the Island bare them company in riding about the Island After they had séene the most part of the Profound Isle they came to another which was called the Perillous Isle being very well peopled and fortified with a number of goodly Towers and Castles of no small riches that the noblest Prince in the world could not wish for a more stately gouernment Argentao who was very well acquainted with the customes and maners of that Island gaue them to vnderstand the rare singularities thereof desiring them not to thinke it strange that they saw the people so scant and they that were there so fearefull for it was the extreame cruelty of the Giant Brauorant that made them forsake their houses looking euery houre when they shold be put to the Sword These knights receiued great pleasure in beholding these two Islandes and so they rowed about vntill it was the next day in the morning when then came they to the place as you may reade in the first part of this History where Palmerin went on shore to end a strange aduenture there they landed and mounted on their Horses to get vp on the high Rocke but the way was so narrow and the Rocke so steepe as they were faine to alight againe and giuing their horses to their Esquires they went vp the Rocke on foote after one another But before they were come to the place where Palmerin found the Monument with these letters engrauen thereon Take heed thou passe no further they were so weary as they were glad to mount on their Horses againe and so in short time they attained the top of the rocke where they rested themselues being abashed to see such a huge mountaine But when Argentao and the thrée knights were come to the Fountaine they had then a greater cause of astonishment then any they had séene as yet for their they saw monstrous huge Beastes like vnto them which Palmerin flew when they would not suffer him to drinke of the water and I assure you that these Beasts were so cunningly and artificially framed as one wold haue iudged them to be aliue they made such a vigorons and fearefull shew being chained by the neckes with the selfe same chaines as they were whom Palmerin by his noble valour discomfited This rare and ingenious figure declared what great study and practise Vrganda compassed to leaue such a strange edifice in remembrance of her knowledge Palmerin seeing this rare monument to surpasse all that euer he had séene before suspected that the Sage Aliart had done it by his Art to cause them wonder at it Wherefore he desired that he would satisfie him whether it be so or no the Sage Aliart made this answer My Lord she which inuented the aduenture of this fountaine did will that he which was so happy to atchieue the honour thereof should be recompeuced according to his worthy deserts and to leaue to all postericies a perpetual remembrance of him she ordained that these cruell beasts which are framed in the naturall shapes of them which you slew should remaine still in this place to the end that they which chance to come into this Island may render continual laude and commendation to your worthy prowesse Yet thinking this not sufficient enough to your prayse she caused to be erected the portraitures of those knights which belonged to the Enchantnesse Eutropa and whom you worthily brought vnder your obeysance they being liuely carued in marble of the same height and proportiō as they were and here they are figured defending their shields which you may yet sée hanging on their seuerall Pillers euen in the same manner as they were when you fought for them before this Island was conquered And for the Isle it selfe it sometime belonged to the Sage Vrganda to whom you must thinke your selfe greatly beholding séeing that by her meanes your noble déedes remaine registred for perpetuall memorie Certainely answered Berolde I cannot deny but he must néedes iudge himselfe well fauoured of her yet ought we to regard him the more who had the power to end such a perillous aduenture and I may say to you that some would make them as fearefull as these Beastes made by Arte because they giue shewe of such rauenous crueltie as they would of them which were one here aliue Doe you not sée said Platir the poesie engrauen on this Piller which doth inuite vs to drinke at this Fountaine And then the letters which are within commaundeth vs to defend our selues trust me since the danger is awarranted by the Prince Palmerin I will yet sée further into this aduenture With these words he approached to the Fountaine and hauing drunke of the water commended the swéetenesse thereof aboue all other waters Argentao and they of the
which are no other but shapes without substance for in the beholding these you do but mispend your time looking for that recompeÌ„ce which they haue not the power to giue you And therefore it shall be more necessary for you to goe to them whom the Pictures represent who in time will more sufficiently content your hearts then your eyes receiue pleasure in looking on these toyes which Vrganda giueth you to see at this prefent by her Enchauntment Palmerin hearing the words of his Brother the Sage Aliart returned to him with this answere Doe you maruaile Syr Aliart if they which behold the liuely presentations of so faire and beautifull Goddesses finde good cause to busie their braines and receiue their memories Credite me I thinke no man but would be rauished in delight to sée things of so rare and excellent importance Palmerin spake in this manner because he would not haue his friends suspect his amorous thoughts so departing thence they went againe to the Castle where prouision being made they sate downe to dinner which being ended they concluded to depart from the Island wherevpon Palmerin caused Satrafort to be called into his presence with the other Gentlemen that came in his company when Palmerin speaking to his Brother the Sage Aliart began to vse his spéeches thus If I should not consider with my selfe my noble friend and Brother which way Fortune might aduance me to such estate as I should be able to recompence the manifold courtesies I haue receiued at your handes you might repute mée of a most base and ignoble minde wherefore to witnesse to you the great feare I haue least I should be condemned amongst the vnthankefull I here frankely and fréely giue you the Perillous Isle which I haue conquered with great trauaile and losse of my blood desiring that you would accept thereof in that it ought rather to be vnder your gouernment then any other that I know Wherefore I pray you not refuse my gentle gift and I would it were of such estimation as I could finde in my heart to bestow vpon you for I perswade my selfe that it was the will of Vrganda it should be reserued for you And for Satrafort I perceiue he is as willing hereto as my selfe desiring you that you would account of him as his noblenesse and vertue requireth that you may discharge the duty wherein I am greatly bound to him My Lord answered the Sage Aliart they of this Island haue good occasion to be offended séeing you will commit it into the handes of him who is not worthy to come within it neuerthelesse the earnest desire I haue to doe you seruice willeth me not to make refusall of your gratious offer and I accept Satrafort not as my fubiect but as my louing friend and companion as well for the valour of his person as likewise to let you perfectly vnderstand that I am he who vowes himselfe alwayes at your commandement Thus concluding his spéeches he offered to take she Prince Palmerins hande to kisse it but the courteous Prince would not permitte him then taking the Sage Aliart in his armes he beganne againe as followeth My louing Brother if Fortune rayse me to any such preferment as I may finde somewhat worthie your good desertes you shall well peceiue the affection I beare you in the meane while imagiae the best of mee The Prince Berolde and Platir commended marueilously the liberalitie of Palmerin whose presence was more acceptable to Satrafort then the Sage Aliart so that he would gladly haue changed his maister neuerthelesse he concealed his mind closely to himselfe doubting least he should purchase the displeasure of his new Lord to whom he aduaunced himselfe to giue him his faith for his dutifull obedience praying the Knight of the Tiger that he would continue him in his woonted noble fauour Palmerin vsed such friendly behauiour towards him as he remained well content withall and hauing left the Sage Aliart to giue order about the customs of the Isle he imbarqued himselfe in the ship with Argentao being desirous to goe on firme land so soone as he could possible considered also that hee would haue Arganto returne to his gouernment And because he would the more commodiously rip vp his secret griefe to Siluian he tooke his leaue of the princes Berolde and Platir giuing theÌ„ to vnderstand that he must of necessitie goe alone by himselfe for that hee had an aduenture assigned him where he promised to be on the day ensuing These three thus parting Platir and Berolde being glad to please the Prince Palmerin in any thing he thought méete they entred the same Foyst wherein they were brought thither and so humbly taking their farewell of Palmerin they sayled towards Constantinople the wind and weather seruing them so commodious as in few dayes they attained the firme land In like manner did the Prince Palmerin in another Countrey after he had taken his leaue of Argentao who likewise returned into the Profound Isle where his Subiects receiued him very â—â—atiously accounting them highly bound to the Prince Palmerin in ordaining them such a Gouernour who would in no case suffer the people of that Island to be so cruelly dealt withall as they had béene before of the bloody Giants CHAP. XX. How Alfernao arriued at the Emperours Court of Constantinople and of that which happened to him NOt many dayes after the Knight of the Sauage man was departed from the Citie of Constantinople the Emperor was aduertised of his losse by the Prince Florians Esquire which caused no small griefe thorow the whole Court but it came so to passe that Alfernao arriued there vpon the sudden euen as the Emperour sate leauing on the Table lamenting for the want of his Nephew Florian and when he had caused him to come before him Alfernao fell downe at his féete with these words Illustrious and most gratious Emperour I humbly desire your maiesty that you would thinke of me in your woonted fauour clemency not remembring my passed transgressions for if your Grace looke into the depth of them I shall be found worthy of most grieuous punishment which your royall clemency hath power to moderate in that you are accustomed to vse mercy to them whose offences deserue rigorous intreating I am dread Prince that ancient man who came and requested your highnesse assistance and dissembling with teares and faint spéeches which were nothing else but méere deceite that I had great néede of the ayde of one of your Knightes wherevpon you granted licence to your noble Nephew that he should leaue your Court and goe in my company but I intending deceit was deceiued my selfe and could not execute on him what I had determined Then began Alfernao to discourse to the emperor the whole successe of his Nephewe Florian of the Forrest who had sent him to informe his Maiestie of all that hapned to him that the report of the Esquire might be the better belieued whereto the Emperour thus answered Certainly
Miragarda she quite and cleane forsooke her former opinion and lauded Fortune in sending her so good 〈◊〉 for her seruant Polinarda perceiuing the troublesome thoughts of her especiall friend very softly gaue her this comfort Madame and my swéete friend suffer your Knight to frequent those places where his own affection serueth him for I dare assure you that the beautie of neuer a Princesse in the world can attaine the power to change his fancy and therefore I pray you be not discouraged by the beauty of the Princesse Miragarda your owne being so sufficient as I am perswaded she will not be hired to contend with you Madame answered Leonarda I am not able to iudge how much I am indebted for your gratious fauour and séeing loyall friendship commandeth nothing should be concealed betwéene vs I will let you vnderstand thus much that your present comfortable words hath brought me out of a tedious coÌ„ceit wherein my spirit was grieuously passioned The Emperor commanded the Magitian Alfernao to comfort Collambra and to assure her that for her daughter Arlenceas sake hée did affoord her his fauourable welcome into his Court and if shée would consent to be baptised euery one would so greatly honour her as she should quickely forget the death of her Children Collambra séeing Alfernao comming could not suffer him to declare what the Emperor had assigned him but as a woman mad and desperate spake vnto him in this order How dost thou Alfernao recompence the good déeds thou hast receiued at my husbands hands to render thy selfe so willingly on my enemies side and by the perswasion of them thou commest to will me forsake the law wherein I haue bene nourished and brought vp all my life time I promise thée I will both finish my life and thy treasons together to the end it may be an example to them who enterprise things against their dutie and specially dealing with me who rested my hope the fidelity whereof thou madest me assurance by promise With these words she ran to one of the great open windowes of the hall and before any one could get to her to succor her she threw her selfe headlong downe into the Court and Alfernao comming as though he would haue hindered her threw himselfe likewise downe after her Collambra sell so waightily on the stones which were sharpe as she was brused all in péeces not hauing the remembrance to speake one word afterward but Alfernao liued vntill the next morning The Emperor and Primaleon were sorry to sée such a desperate murder but the Emperor and the other Princesses reioyced that they were so well deliuered of the cruell Collambra yet did they gréeue to sée such a bloody stratagem and being not able to endure this pittifull sight they withdrew themselues into their Chambers The two yong Princesses Leonarda and Polinarda passed away the time in discoursing seuerally the valiant prowesse of their knights vntill such time as they were called to Supper CHAP. XXI How the Princes and Knights which were Prisoners to the great Turk arriued at the Court of Constantinople wherupon the King Recinde deliuered out of prison the Prince Albayzar ON the next day the bodies of Collambra and Alfernao were buried and the Emperour sitting conferring with Albanis the Prince Beroldes Esquire about many matters of the Profound Isle an ancient Knight whom his Maiestie had giuen charge to guard the Port of Constantinople entred the great Hall and being come into the Emperors presence he kneeled downe and spake as followeth Inuincible Emperour if these newes which hath béene rehearsed of your noble Nephewes did moue content amid your manifolds discontents the tidings which I bring you at this present will be no lesse welcome to you then the former for I aduertise your Highnes that within your hauen is entred foure Gallies from the great Turke wherein are Polendos Belcar and all the other Princes and Knights of our Court which haue bene kept thus long in prison by the Princesse Targianaes Father I came to let your Maiestie vnderstand hereof before they were landed because it is mâ—ete you should be acquainted therewith before any other The Emperour remained so ioyfull of these tidings as possible might be and without making any answer he departed forth of the Hall so rauished inwardly with ioy and gladnesse as he could not tell for a prettie while whither to goe in like manner it happened oftentimes to them who haue newes brought them of those things which they are most desirâ—us to haue At length he came downe the staires into the open court where he sate downe in a chaire vntill he might sée them come in at the gates in the meane while many knights of his Court came to tell him of the arriuall of his sonne Polendos but he did not make them any answer for that his minde was busied in remembring how many misfortunes had come to him one in another necke and yet notwithstanding they haue all come to a prosperous end whereupon he humbly desired the heauenly Powers to continue him still in their woonted fauourable protection for it is the nature of men of good iudgement to doubt of danger after they haue once receiued good successe for that it hath bene euermore séene that felicitie and miserie doe not equally happen but a dram of pleasure hath commonly a pound of paine In this maner the good Emperour discoursed secretly with himselfe and comparing euery cause ioyntly together the teares did plentifully run downe his white beard thinking how Fortune fauoured him in his Age when hee was worst able to witnesse his dutie to her Neuerthelesse he feared he should not long enioy the company of his Knights their imprisonment had gone so néere his heart as hee feared betwéene two extreames to be suddenly rapt away While the Emperor was thus winding vp the endlesse bottom of vncertain thoughts the prince Primaleon his soÌ„ne came and knéeled before him giuing him to vnderstand how the Galleys whre arriued wherevpon he commanded his Horse shuld be brought him so presently he tooke his way to the Port accompanied with his sonne all the Princes of the Court and the chiefest inhabitants of the Citie each one greatly desiring to sée the prisoners When the Emperor came to the port he saw on land Polendos Belcar Onistalde with diuers others that he might the better welcom them he alighted froÌ„ his Horse being very much abashed to sée his Knights in such order theyr Faces pale black their strength weakened and their boards and haire growne so long as they which sawe them when they departed froÌ„ Constantinople in the company of the Princesse Targiana began now scantly to know them when they were all come on shoare the Emperour contained them with the selfe same courtesie and his mild nature did dayly afford towards his especiall friends The Prince Belcar presented himselfe to the Emperour offering to kisse his highnesse hand but he receiued him in his armes imbracing him
to me and for that she would so kindly pledge her selfe vpon the assurance she reposeth in my fidelitie Moreouer I promise you Sir I haue written to the King Recinde that he should not faile to send me the Prince Albayzar and I beléeue certainly it will not belong before he come hither wherefore I pray you to stay here till he come and in the meane time I will vse the matter so as the Turke your Lord shall be rid of his doubt and the Princesse Targian a satisfied to her owne contentment I am of the opinion said the Ambassadour that the Prince Albayzar will be here and that quickly for the Damosel who was sometime sent in secret to your mistresse was dispatched with her message twenty dayes before my setting forth that she should let the King Recinde and the Prince Albayzar vnderstand of my coÌ„ming and certifie them likewise of the liberty of our knights by meanes whereof they will not faile to come hither to your Court vntill which time I am determined by your licence to soiourne here but I will not declare my Lord the Turkes minde before I sée the Prince Albayzar neuerthelesse I here present you with his gratious letter and after you haue well vnderstood the contents thereof I will declare what I haue in charge There pausing he tooke forth of his bosom a letter written in pâ—rchment and sealed with the Armes of the great Turke the which he humbly presented vnto the Emperour who presently caused it to be opened and perceyuing thereby that the Turke willed him to giue faithfull credit to what the Ambassador said he desired him to report the cause of his arriuall whereto the Ambassador thus replyed My gracious Lorde I knowe you haue not forgotten the day when the Princesse Targiana came vnto your Court neyther the subtiltie wherewith she was entised and brought forth of her Fathers Courte by the guilefull dealings of your Nephew the Knight of the Sauadge-man who was hindered in such sort in his iourney as he could not bring the Princesse Targiana vnto your Court but she being here was entertained by your Excellencie the Empresse and the Princesse Polinarda in such gratious manner as she estéemeth her selfe during life bound to you for your manifolde courtesies And my Lorde the Turke in regard of your Noble fauour toward his Daughter would gladly in any thing hee could witnesse his beneuolent minde to you forgetting all iniuryes past for his faire Daughter Targianaes sake but with this condition by the way that your Maiestie offer him nothing against right or reason for if you doâ— hée shall be constrained by forcible strength to reuenge the shame and iniurie he hath receyued by the Knight of the Sauadge-man And for the substance of his minde it is thus in briefe he desireth you to send vnto him the Knight your Nephew because he would chastise him for his haynous offence And if you refuse to satisfie his request he commaundeth me to let you vnderstand he is your enemie and will so reuenge that Knights abuse as all the world shall take example by him I cannot belieue said the Emperor that the Turke your lord will seem to threaten him at whose hands he requireth nothing but Iustice the which I being very willing to doo cannot thinke well of your present procéedings for that in sooth you demaund no Iustice Besides it is not reasonable to graunt what your lorde requireth for if Florian be accused for bringing away his Daughter I answer that he did it at the earnest intreatie and desire of her selfe So that your lorde I perceyue trauelleth in vain after my Nephew the Knight of the Sauadge-man whom I will not send vnto him if I wist he should be as welcome to him as to my selfe And if I should seeme to content the will of your lord I cannot send my Nephew except he please himselfe and I am perswaded he will not consent vnto it much lesse his Father who is a Prince of great authoritie If this reason I haue made you will not content the will of your lorde the Turke I am willing to receyue whatsoeuer he please eyther to bring or send me but I am sorie I am so farre spent with yéeres that I cannot shewe him what I haue beene sometime Neuerthelesse for a sufficient witnesse of my selfe I will sende him the Knight whome hee demaundeth that hee may tell him what I would doo my selfe and let him be bolde that Knight will doo his errand to the vttermost As for other aunswere I wish you not to looke for at my handes wherefore I thinke it good you goe to rest your selfe and when the Prince Albayzar commeth if you â—inde the time so conuenient for you you may departe when you please and in the meane time I will honor you with such courteous entertainment as you shall thinke well off I was assured before answered the Ambassadour of the answere you would make me wherefore hauing fulfilled my charge I néede not for this matter henceforward vse any more words When the Ambassadour had thus concluded Pâ—lendos desired the Emperour that he would suffer him to entertaine the Turkish Infidell while he stayed there wherevnto the Emperour gladly consented and Polendos bringing him into his Lodging failed not to let him see that enimies were better welcommed in the Emperours Court then Friendes were to his lorde the great Turke Primaleon remained very well contented hauing heard the answer of the Emperor his father as also for that he had so defâ—ded the cause of the Knight of the Sauage man for the loue of whom the Princesse Leonarda was diuersely mooued fearing least he should fal into the great Turkes hands who would appease the anger of his stomacke in sacrificing the good and hardy Knight to his Gods The sudden dumps of this yong Princesse was well perceiued by her swéete friend Polinarda who hid her knowledge thereof for the present time vntill they had brought the Empresse to her chamber then they two walking together to their Lodging Polinarda demanded the cause of her griefe wherevpon the Princesse Leonarda being ignorant that Targiana had béene brought to Canstantinople by the noble Florian of the Forrest or how else the matter stood but she desired Polinarda if so it were her pleasure to declare how these occasions had happened When the Princesse had herein satisfied her minde shée remained in sorrow without measure as well by occasion of suspecting the beautie of Targiana as also to thinke on the ingratitude of the Knight of the Sauage man so that at that very instant she reputed him as a man without faith loue or regard of loyaltie and she would gladly haue deuised the meane whereby to banish the remembrance of him forth of her heart Which the Princesse Polinarda perceiuing and willing to preuent any mischance that should happen to her Couzin she began to vse her talke in this manner Madame thinke you the Prince Florian will be the same man
could hardly withhold my selfe from leauing your company The first is because you were nourished and brought vp in this Court being likewise my kinseman friend which hath made me the more willing to regard your trauailes The other to satisfie the earnest intreatie of Dramaciana to whom I perceiue you are a greater friend then to me but seeing the fault is in mee I will rather blame mine owne timeritie then you though you séeke to satisfie your desire without any consideration of my honour whereby you let me sufficiently vnderstand what smal regard you haue of the danger wherein you may fall sooner then you thinke for only through your vnaduisednesse I cannot deny but I am greatly indebted to you yet in no such déepe summe but I can easily come forth of it without any preiudice to my renowme for I do not estéeme it reasonable to recompence your noble seruice with mine owne disaduantage because the good fame and commendation you haue gotten may content you if you haue no other reward But if your good will be so great towards me as by your spéeches you séeme to make it it is méet for you to make it known to the Emperor your Grandfather and mine as also to the Prince Primaleon my Father not doubting but they will be very willing to match vs both together as for me I shall estéeme it the greatest good fortune that may happen to me hauing gained the loue and liking of you whose prowesse and Princely desertes are worthy most gratious estimation Thus if consent knit vp the long desire of vs both we may ioyne in one agréement of gladnesse and this I prgy you to accept as my answer for without their good wils I neither may nor can accord vnto you I promise you Madame aunswered Palmerin it is very hard for me to receiue contentment in their commending my déedes whom I cannot regard or make any account off and if I should séeme to refuse to go to the Emperour and the Prince Primaleon I might be thought very vnwise but first I would be perswaded thorowly of your good will which is the principall in this action And if it so fall out that they will not consent vpon the words I shall vse to them yet when I am resolued of your acceptation I shall take the boldnesse on me séeing time and place so seruing to let them vnderstand our sure and inuiâ—lable consent and loyalty together And albeit my fond timeritie vsed towardes you may cause you iudge me farre vnable to speake with such aâ—dacitie in this cause I would haue you yet this to thinke on me now that the faithfull affection wherewith I haue continually serued you will compell me enter in this boldnesse to them as tell you And if they doe â—oi séeme to leane me to be contented by such laudable recompence as I may receiue at others handes it is the regard they haue of my trauailes and aduentures daily vsed in the honour of your name and no other maketh me thinke to deserue this great fauour But if your nature cannot then agrée when they would be loth I should be any otherwise rewarded I must and will content my selfe to obey your pleasure yet shall I finde my selfe deceiued in the opinion I haue hitherto conceiued in that to be depriued of the presence of his Lady is the chiefest misfortune that can happen to a faithfull Louer What then is left to comfort such a carefull minde None but this that the absent friend hath this commoditie to fit and rip vp many sad and sorrowfull discourses wherewith he may chase away the remembrace of their deceytes whose presence was dearer to him then life it selfe But yet such is the custome of Loue to mingle among the sharpest conflicts some hope If it be but onely to swéeten their mouthes a little with some delightfull taste who waste their time in ieast and dalliance vnder his amorous Ensigne And with this gay foyle he graceth his Copper for curant Gold being the only meane to shaddow his deceitfull dealings yet a number that spend their liues in his seruice gaine such knowledge of his trumperie as in the end they are glad to forsake him Which I dare not take the hardinesse on me to doe for that I am so surely bound to him as when I shall leaue him I desire to be loued of none but you in regard of whose good will I haue thrust my selfe into all dangers whatsoeuer returning victor rather by the aide of your incomparable beautie then by the force or valour that remainâ—â—â— in my selfe there pausing she replied in this manner I did nor thinke Syr Palmerin to receiue any such answere for the words I gaue you wherefore you make me iudge that they are of no estimation at all with you But since I perceiue that loue hath so fondly blinded you as he will not suffer you to sée the more then modest readinesse in me to pleasure you I am content to giue you yet a further and greater assurance of me for I would not that such a noble and renowned Prince as you are should depart from me offended or iniured perswading my selfe that you will not séeme to enterprise any thing whereby but a motion of impeachment may come to mine honour for if you did I should thinke very hardly of the diligent seruice you haue done to me all this while Therefore once againe I humbly intreate you to speake to the Emperour and Primaleon my Father to knowe the estate of their good willes whereof if you should faile I giue you perfect assurance of mine if this answere which truely dutie accounteth but bad obedience to my superiours wil not suffice you I will verily perswade my selfe that the loue you séeme to beare me is rather to disgrace then preserue my honour If now swéete Madame answered Palmerin I refuse to doe as you aduise me it were but reason you should thrust me foorth of your seruice knowing as I doe that the ouerthrow of my blisse and erecting me to happinesse consisteth duely in my gratious Mistresse Thus concluding he tooke her by the hand which he kissed a number of times together not without the expence of many a salt teare and reking sighes which made the Princesse blush and grieue at inwardly pittying to sée the great humilitie of the Prince Palmerin to whom she betrothed her selfe in the presence of the Princesse of Thrace and Dramaciana who gaue him counsell to vse the matter in that order by whose meanes Polinarda so soone contented They being altogether at the windowe the matter was knit fast for the more assurance and there did Palmerin kéepe them company all that day and must part of the night till pittying to sée 〈◊〉 lady stand so long compelled him to take his leaue for that time CHAP. XXXV How certaine Knights arriued at the Court of the Emperour Palmerin who were aduertised how the Turks had prouided a great Armie to come and besiege
to the end you may giue the sounder iudgement in this case and be the more earnest in trying the Combate on the behalfe of the beautie of my Ladie Latriana I will worke the meanes that you shall sée her and if it come to passe that you be afterward vanquished you may the better know whether it be by your owne imbecilitie or the imperfection of her beautie for whom you enter the Combate Floraman returned her this aunswere I haue bene alwayes so vnfortunate faire Damosell in maintaining the like enterprises that I will not now make it daintie inhazarding the inconstance of flattering Fortune I haue often heard of Madame Latrinia and I take her to be one of the foure Ladies of this Realme who excéede all the other in soueraigntie of beautie I could wish iâ—â—ti were possible so good hap might come to me to be entertained into her gratious seruice but the greater part who are giuen on the other side maketh me to be doubtfull herein according as it is permitted to the fréedome of a mans will As the Damosell and Floraman continued this talke they came before the Castle an as they offred to passe on these thrée knights stepped before them vsing these words to the Prince Floraman We would know Sir knight if you be determined to imploy your selfe on the behalfe of any of the foure French Ladies because that each of vs being no seruant to her whose cause you maintaine shall then be constrained to enter the Combate with you Sir answered Floraman I may not lawfully refuse the Combate because I haue not séene any of these foure Ladies one of the thrée Knights replied to him againe thus If it be so Sir that as yet you haue not séene these Ladies you shall be suffered to enter the Castle where you may contemplate the beauty of Latrania and if it chaunce you to remaine affectionate to her as many other haue done before you we desire you not to enter her seruice because you may so shun the danger of the Combate The Knight laying his hand vpon one of his companions spake thus to Floraman Her whom I hold my honour by they that haue the sight of them all foure would chuse my Lady Mansia for his Mistresse then another of them saide And my selfe with this Knight wee are altogither addicted to the seruice of Telansia and for this cause we abide in this place to sée if any Knight that holdeth on the other part dare be so bold as to come into this place that wée may try our fortunes in gaining the recompence the Ladies haue ordained for him who shall be so happy as to remaine victor Floraman who was greatly enflamed towards these Ladies remembring still the losse of his fuire Altea entred the castle where Latrania receiued him very gratiously he excusing himselfe towards her because he did not his dutie to her as she passed by him in the Forrest and I assure you Floraman iudged the Lady of the Castle so faire as hee could willingly haue offered himselfe to sustaine her quarrell but that he feared least he should be reputed vnfaithfull vnto his best beloued Altea There he stayed in the Castle till the morning when hée would haue departed thence the Lady vnwilling to see him she was so much offended that he had not offered to maintaine her beautie Vpon this Floraman went foorth to the thrée Knights when one of them came vnto him and demanded if the beauty of Madame Latrania had â—â—onne any power ouer him to whom he answered No. Certainly said the Knight I greatly desire to deale with thée that I may giue due correction to thy proud ingratitude Gentlemen answere Floraman I pray you put your selues in a readines to reuenge the shame which you say I haue done to Madame Latrania whom I may as well serue as you because I haue better knowledge of her deserts then you haue neuerthelesse such is my humor at this present as I dare not aduenture my selfe on her behalfe Then I entend saide the Knight to make you knowe the offence you haue done vnto her And so he gaue his horse the spurres against Floraman who albeit in the Ioust he lost one of his Stirroppes encountred the Knight so valiantly as hee sent him to the ground headlong so astonished as he could not tell where he was Which the other two perceiuing they desired him likewise to runne with them Since my Lance is yet whole and sound answered Floraman I am content to doe you so much fauour Then he ran against the second Knight seruing him like as he had done the first and the third came after to kéepe them company The first knight being offended that hee was so vnhorsed desired Floraman to strike halfe a dozen blowes with him to the end he might amend the foile he receiued in the Ioust The Prince of Sardignia séeing no excuse would perswade the knight alighted from his horse and hauing drawn his sword he dealt so nobly with him as in short time he perceiued what great dishonr he gained in prouing his valour against him for he continued so roughly in the fight as the knight was compelled to step aside to take a breathing which made Floraman giue him these words I beléeue sir knight you iudge me as sufficient to serue Latrania as your selfe is No truely saide the Knight for it is not your force but the beautie of the other to whom she may no way equall her selfe that hath brought me into this daungerous estate I am very well content answered Floraman to heare you say so much but the greater aduantage should I haue if your Lady were present to heare you and I assure you she hath good occasion to accept well of you for that you haue spoken as became a man greatly affected to her Then beginning afresh againe the Knight though very faintly defended himselfe so well as he could Latrania leaning in one of the windowes of the Castle seeing the great daunger whereinto the Knight was brought came downe to the place where they fought the Combate and being come before the Prince Floraman she desired him to saue the Knightes life whereto at her request he willingly consented speaking to her in this manner I would gladly to honour you the more end the Combate but because you thinke it not so conuenient the Knight may thinke himselfe highly beholding to you for that you haue saued his life which I was thorowly intended hee should loose séeing the small regard he made of you as your selfe did heare when I let him rest himselfe Latrania gaue him very honourable thanks and returning into her Castle she grieued excéedingly that this good and hardy Knight could not thinke so well of her as to be her Champion in her cause Floraman willed the Knight to tell him his name I promise you answered the Knight I entend nothing lesse for our Combate was hindred by the Lady to whom you haue giuen greater aduantage thereof then to
me Thou hast reason said Floraman to vse thy selfe thus for that one ought not to be knowne in these affaires especially hauing receiued his shame in the presence of one of these Ladies So taking his leaue of the other Knights he rid away presently they being very desirous to haue knowne what and who he was CHAP. XXXVII Of that which hapned to certaine other knights who would proue the aduenture of these foure Ladies IN the mean while the French Court kept at the Cittie of Parris many knights tooke pleasure to come thither the most part whereof were the affectionate seruants of these foure Ladyes and there they would practise Iousts combats and other honest pastimes such as amorous persons are wont to take delight in But I assure you the French men themselues were not so forward in affectioÌ„ for that they were dayly in the presence of these Ladies neuerthelesse the strange knights whom loue conducted thither to see them felt those secret and sundry assaults which he enforceth them to endure who yéeld themselues obedient to his lawes These foure Ladies were not a little prowde to see themselues so estéemed but the knights gaue themselues most on Torsiaes side because she was not in the Company of the other who vsed with their beautie very gratious entertainement towards their knights that they might vse them with the greater regard But Torsia who iudged her selfe more worthy then the other she was very squemish and disdainefull not making account of the trauailes which the Knightes endured for her sake thereby to make her beautie the more honoured and extolled for her selfe made so great estimation thereof as she iudged that those knights who aduentured on her behalfe were greatly honoured by making proofe of their valor in defence of her beautie and this was the cause she was lesse serued of the French knights then of other But the strange knights they gaue themselues altogether to her seruice desiring to trie fortune and knowing there was no victorie more noble then that which was most doubtfull in the obtaining While the knights of the French Court delighted themselues to behold these newcome louers Albayzar who came to the castle of Almaroll where he robbed Dramusiande of the Princesse Miragardaes sheeld passed by Paris desiring to soiorne there for the space of two dayes at the end whereof he departed thence for he would not enter the Combate with such as would praise these Ladies aboue the Princesse of Targiana Yet he returned againe to the Court and would sée these foure Ladies before she went he not estéeming the knights two Daughters Florenda and Graciana whose courtesie did well deserue that the knight should enterprise something to their honour for they were as beautifull as these other foure Ladies among whom Albayzar gaue the praise to Torsia so that her beautie best contented him which was the cause that in all places where he came he praysed her aboue the other thrée Albeit séeing the French knight were so affected to these ladies as they made no occount of his swéete friend Targiana he trauailed thence to Constantinople where he enterprised to maintaine against the knights of the Emperours Court that tge Princesse Targiana excelled in beautie all the Ladyep and Damosels in the world At the same time Palmerin of England and the prince Florendos passed by the French Court and staying there they had so great desire to approoue themselues against Albayzar Dramusiande likewise passed by soone after being very willing to sée these foure Ladies i but the intent he had against Albayzar would not suffer him to goe hither And I assure you had it not beene for the enterprise of Albayzar this aduenture in France had bene as worthy of commendation as the noble prowesse shewen at the Castle of Dramusiande in England and that of Miragarda in Spaine While many Knight trauailed to sée the Prince Albayzar Pompides and Blandidon who iudged themselues to be Brethren came to the Court of France where they thought so well of the beautie of these Ladies as setting all other remembrance of loue aside they tâ—ied the Combate wherein their liues were brought to great danger These two knights renowned among them that stayed in the French Court were both of them so inueigled with the beautie of Torsia as they discoursed to each other their intents beganne to mallice one another cruelly whereby they shewed the small iudgement of them who called Loue by the 〈…〉 seeing that so many misfortunes tooke their originall by him Pompides conquered with the onely regard of Torsia séeing that Blandidon would not giue him place by entreatance concluded to trie the Combate with him agréeing thus betwéene themselues that hee that was the conquerer should remaine there to defend the Ladies beautie Blandidon who was as desirous as he could to purchase the acceptable fauour of Torsia agréed to enter the Combate vnder the same condition which Pompides opposed and that these two Knights might the sooner execute their willes they came and humbled themselues before the Quéene in whose presence Pompides spake in this manner to Torsia Madame this knight and I who are brethren and so conquered by the grace and beautie wherewith you are accompanied as notwithstanding both nature and friendship we intend to make proofe at armes which of vs twaine shall be iudged worthy to be receiued in your seruice desiring you humbly not to be offended at what we haue enterprised and that you would vouchsafe to entertaine him for your seruant whom fortune shall fauour in atchieuing the victory Great and sudden admiration was among them all hearing the braue attempts of these two Knights but especially the other thrée Ladies who séeing Torsia so highly preferred beganne to be dismayed and changed their colour which Torsia dissembling although shee had no knowledge of their secret enuie was iocond and pleasant to her selfe as could be then casting her eyes on the Quéene to whom she made signe as though she would answer she spake to Pompides and Blandidon in this manner It may be séene by you Gentlemen that the merits of these thrée Ladies hath not as yet gained any knowledge of your valour séeing you enterprise to hazard your selues together for one selfe-thing wherefore I admonish you that it is méete you should defend the cause one after another for otherwise you goe contrary to our determinations and then he that can be so happy to vanquish the knights that come on the behalfe of these other Ladies shall be iudged worthy of that honourable reward méete for such a famous and noble conquerour These two Knightes were indifferently satisfied with the answere of Torsiâ— wherevpon many knights that desired to sée her went and presented themselues in the field The first of them was Rupert Rosselin a knight of good estimation who maintained the quarrell of Telancia Brician of Rochfort who loued Mansia and the Countie Brialte the affectionate seruant to Latrania Pomdides and Blandidon came no sooner
day declining apace the king set forward on his way to Digeon thinking the strang knight would come to take his lodging there but his will was farre contrary wherefore these few Ladies tooke their leaue of the company tarying there with the strange knight who séeing them somwhat sad because they had lost the Quéens company tooke off his Helmet which made the Ladies greatly abashed so that one could hardly iudge which of the foure was most affectionate to him The strange Knight durst not be too familiar with them in spéeches because he feared to disturbe their patience so after he had brought them to the Monasterie which was néere at hand in the valley the Abbatesse brought them into a faire Chamber the windowes whereof ouer a goodly Oratorie where the strange Knight himselfe was lodged and there he laboured his thoughts so extremely all the night as he had done his body all the day before CHAP. XL. Of that which happened to the strange knight the first day he enterprised to guard the passage of the Valley FAire Aurora saluting the Ladies at their Chamber Windows they put themselues in a readinesse because they desired to sée more of their Knights prowesse so they went with him to the field not vsing any great fauour towards him because they thought hee would leaue them the sooner and Mansia requested of him into what places he intended to conduct them Madame aunswered the strange Knight I am so extreamely passioned as I cannot at this time report whither I shall trauaile Dare you not be so bold saide Mansia to bring vs to the Castle of the Giant Almaroll and enter the Combate for our sakes with the knight that kéepeth the Princesse Miragardaes Shield as the Knight of the Sauage man did for certaine Damosels that kept him company I knowe no daunger so great answered the strange Knight which I would refuse to hazard if I might be vsed with gracious behauiour for that inciteth a noble minde most to the fight If any of vs saide Latrania were desirous you should approoue the Combate against the Princesse Miragardaes Knight for which of vs foure would you aduenture most willingly It is greater trouble for me quoth he to answere your present demaund then to hazard the Combate against any knight whatsoeuer Yet quoth she admit the necessitie were such as wée would faine knowe which of vs should make best account of herâ—selfe in this case Trust me Madame answered the strange Knight it is vnpossible for me to make you any direct resolution in this matter for mine eyes are so equall in iudgement on you all foure as I cannot either loue or affectione more then another Haue you sir said Torsia at any time séene the princesse Miragarda Yea Madame that I haue answered the strange Knight I pray you then good Sir quoth shée that you would vouchsafe to tell me is she so excéeding faire as the common bruite is blazed abroad of her Madame said the strange knight you may well assure your selfe that your singular beauty hath so dazeled my iudgement as I neuer sawe any that liked me better then you doe Ah ha quoth Mansia haue we taken you at last Wée may now very well perswade our selues that Torsia is she whom you make most account of for you neuer gaue so good wordes to any of vs wherefore seeing shée hath the most power ouer you and that you preferre her beautie aboue all ours I am determined to depart hence with these two Knights which I sée comming hitherward for I knowe them to bee such as will carrie me away in the despight of you And I pray you Latrania and Telansia to beare me company séeing the knight hath reuealed himselfe how simply we are estéemed in his fauour The strange knight thought to excuse himselfe but before he had the commoditie so to doe the knights of whom Mansia spake were there arriued the one of them being called Sir Menelao of Clermont the other Monsieur Arnar who being abashed to sée these Ladies in the power of a stranger came to vnderstand the occasion Sir Clermont saide Mansia since Fortune hath so luckily brought you hither I pray you to deliuer me from this strange knight who saith that in despite of all the knights in France he will cary vs into Spaine with him and there make vs giue attendance on his Lady Clermont who was the seruant to Latrania giuing credite presently to Mansiaes words tooke his lance from his Esquier and comming to the strange knight he entred into these spéeches Since you haue Sir receiued the order of knighthood to offer iniurie and displeasure to Ladies I wish he may be acâ—ursed that bestowed it on you and my selfe too if I should not attempt to chastise your follie You are wrong informed Sir answered the strange knight and I perceiue Mansia would gladly sée you brought into danger as she would affoord me the like fauour if it lay in her power and I thinke you shall gaine more in going about your busines then by tarrying long in this company Clermont séeing himselfe so lightly estéemed grew into such melancholy as he ranne against the strange knight before hée would suffer him to take his Launce but hée slipping by the puâ—h of the Launce caught him in the carrire by one of his armes pulling him beside his horse threw him to the ground with great violence His Esquire then deliuering him a Launce he rode against Arnar who prepared himselfe to reuenge the shame his fellow Clermont had receiued as also to desire the fauour of Torsia because he had good hope to espouse her but the strange knight being ignorant of his affection met so iustly with him as he sent him to kéepe Clermont company And to the end the Ladies might perceiue how he deserued beâ—ter account them they made of him he alighted froÌ„ his Horse and hauing drawne his Sword he dealt with them so brauely both together as he made them know they went against those orders which a good Knight ought carefully to kéep and estéeme The strange Knight desiring to delight them whose kindnesse was very mean and slender to him brought the knights into so bad estates as they would very willingly haue had a little rest if so be their enemy would haue suffered them Mansia séeing the Knights in so great danger she desired the strange Knight that it might please him to heare her one word theÌ„ in the mean while he stayed to heare what she would with him Clermont and Arnar had the leisure to breathe a while whereof they were not a little glad and Mansia began thus to the strange Knight I am highly contented sir in that you haue witnessed your noble valour vpon these two Knights whome I desire you to remit séeing thâ—y are not able to purchase any aduantage ouer you For I perswade my selfe that both Syr Arnar and Clermont wil not refuse your gentlenes in so dooing and I my selfe shal haue cause
Launce addressed himselfe to Alter of Amiens who being very timerous and fearefull yet to shewe some good countenance to his Ladie gaue his Horse the spurres against the straunge Knight who could not méete with him according as he would Neuerthelesse Alter of Amiens brake his Launce in such sorte as the péeces flewe about the strange Knights horse head whereat the horse so fumed as he gallopped with his maister violently through the field wherevpon the strange Knight cast himselfe beside him commaunding his Esquire to ride after to take him againe Alter of Armiens séeing that Fortune more faudured him then his other companions was very desirous to enter the combat with the sword for which cause he alighted from his horse then Gualter put himselfe before him because he had Iousted first but the strange knight handled him in such order as in short time his companion was glad to come helpe him whereupon the strange knight entred into these words You come sir euen as well as heart can wish for I am determined to lay claime to your horse because mine is runne away from me Then he charged him so furiously as the knight of the Sphere was constraided pittying the estate wherin they were brought to desire Mansia to giue them some succour but before she could well perswade her selfe to doe so these two knights came and rendred themselues at her féet desiring her to pitty their present case not doubting but they would apply their liues many other wayes in her seruice The straunge knight desirous to sée what estimation Mansia would make of them came vnto them with these words You shall vnderstand sir knights that I am not determined to giue you ouer without the Lady intreate on your behalfe her selfe or else she shall promise to graunt me one request which I entend to vtter to her I assure you sir knight aunswered Mansia I doe not intende to make you any such promise giuing you to vnderstand that you ought to beware how you passe any further your selfe for the hope which you haue in me who by this meanes shall haue perfect knowledge of the loue and good will you séeme to beare me I sée well quoth the strange knight that you are desirous to let me know how your nature is bent towardes them that aduenture themselues in your seruice which is that they shall receiue better entertainment then that which you vse towards me whereat I haue some occasion to gréeue for I would be he that should onely receyue your fauour in that I practise all meanes possible to please you But I sée your intent is to vse me with rigour which I would wish you should vse to these knights whose liues are of so little profite to you so that I count my selfe happy because my life is farre from your power When he had thus sayd he offered to mount on Gualters horse but the Ladies gaue him to vnderstand that he did much abuse the knight to offer him such iniurie by which meanes these two knights rid presently away to the King of France his Court where they made knowne the misfortune that had happened vnto them The knight of the Sphere tooke his way vnto his lodging and the Ladies to their Monastery Mansia being greatly contented that the strange knight had so well acquitted himselfe towards her as the other thrée did very much maruell at the noble behauiour of this braue Champion CHAP. XLIII Of that which happened to the strange Knight the third and fourth day AFter the sight of these Iousts the Ladies hauing withdrawne themselues into the Monastery the strange knight entred into his Tent where he refreshed himselfe with such viands as the Nuns had sent him And for that he was somewhat sore trauailed hee was the more desirous to rest in the meane time his Esquire returned from the search of his horse which he could hardly take all that day but his master was â—â—ad when he saw him Then the strange Knight thinking the Ladies would walk abroade as they had done the Night before he tooke his way to the gréene Trées againe but they came not abroad vntill the Morning when being mounted on theyr Palfrayes Mansia ridde foremost hauing a Garland of Flowers on her heade in signe of Victorie Telansia followed next her beeing in good hope to attaine the selfe same honour Latrania and Torsia came somewhat behinde vsing such a maiestie in theyr countenance as the Knight was more and more enflamed towardes them When Mansia was come somewhat neere the strange knight she spake vnto him in this manner Trust me Syr we are so weary of your company as we haue concluded to returnâ— to the kings Court not doubting but we shall be aduertised what things happen to you in our absence whereto the strange knight thus replied These words good Madame which you vse to me cannot be thought welcome to me and I am perswaded that the lawe which these Ladies of France hath set downe being first begun by their owne good willes cannot be thus broken without their great impeachment Good Syr answered Torsia doe not thus grieue and offend your selfe for Mansia did speake but onely to trie you and she will not be gone so soone from you I warrant you as for vs we will not breake our promise to you till the eight dayes be fully compleate except some other knight come whose power shall be sufficient to cut off your determination Me thinke Lady saide the strange knight you should not wish him more misfortune who endureth too much alreadie for your sweete sakes but me thinkes you should rather wish the victorie to fall on my side then on any others for the laudable commendation you shall get thereby While the strange Knight behaued himselfe amiably in the entertaining these gallant Ladies the Knight of the Spere arriued there on a suddaine who shewing his obeysance to Madame Latrania spake to her as followeth Faire Mistresse neuer were any dayes so troublesome vnto mee as these which I endure at this present earnestly thirsting and desiring for the time when your swéete selfe may allow me some fauour Neuerthelesse I am very well perswaded that the Knight who honoureth you with his seruice cannot be easily vanquished for that he beares as great good will to you as I doo adioyning hereto that he imagineth himselfe worthy your loue But you may assure your selfe that I am so highly affected to you as this Knight may no way equall Neuerthelesse I cannot chuse but take it heauily fearing you will allow the like ingratitude which I perceiue you vse to him To these words Latrania replyed thus Your spéech Syr Knight is farre different from the offer you made me when you first arriued in this place when you were so liberall in promise that you would not sticke for my sake to conquer the whole World The strange Knight being desirous to make one with them offered to aduaunce himselfe to them but he was hindred by a
pittifull Lamentations hée yéelded vp the Ghost leauing the Cittie so comfortlesse and dispayring within themselues as they desired to finish their liues forsaking quite all hope in them that were in the Fielde to whome happened what Fortune had ordained as you may read in the Chapter following CHAP. LXV ¶ Of the second Battell betweene the Christians and the Turkes and what happened therein THe darke cloud being gone out of fight and the Sage Aliart hauing brought the Empresse and her Ladies to the Perillous Isle the day began to waxe cléere againe and the Armie marched forward to méete together But as they were about to enter the skyrmish they heard a most lamentable and pittifull outcrye which made them staye their hands and looking about to sée the cause of this noyse they saw a great many of Ladyes and Damosells come foorth of the Cittie with their haire dispersed abroade ouer theyr shoulders and wringing their handes in very grieuous manner And for that they had lost the King Tarnaes and the Sage Aliart whom they knew were left for their succour and Defence they came into the Christian Campe to their Husbands Brethren Sonnes and Kinsmen For séeing they could promise themselues no assurance in the Cittie they would liue and die with them in the Fielde King Edward and Primaleon were so amazed at the clamor of these Women as they caused theyr Ensignes to stay and commanded the Horsemen not to breake theyr Array till they had vnderstood the cause of this disorder but when it was told them how that the King Tarnaes and the Sage Aliart had forsaken the Cittie they were both driuen into a great admyration with themselues whereupon they sent Pompides and Platir into the Cittie to bring them certaine tydings of this vnlooked for mischaunce When these two Knightes were come into the Cittie and heard after what manner the King Tarnaes dyed as also howe the Sage Aliart was gone no man could tell whether they beganne to thinke within themselues that both they and all theyr Traine were brought to such extremitie as Fortune had concluded to finish the memorie of theyr Knightly déedes by deliuering theyr liued to the swords of theyr enemies They did likewise perswade themselues that the Sage Aliart absented himselfe for no other occasion but onely because he perceyued theyr generall destruction was at hand in this respect they iudged hée had prouided some refuge for the Empresse and the Ladies that their Enemies might not triumph in theyr misfortunes to the great discontentment of theyr Lordes and Husbandes With these heauy Newes they returned to their Camp againe certifying King Edward and Primaleon how the Sage Aliart was departed Whervpon they concluded by generall determination to withdraw themselues into the Cittie to make prouision for the Defence thereof before they would enter the Battell with their Enemies But I assure you it was a pittifull sight to behold how the Men Women and Children came and fell down at the Princes féete yea the Ancient Citizens with their gray heads and white beards being so weake and féeble with Age as they were glad to support themselues with their staues they all made their humble requests that they might rather enter the Battell and thereto end their liues then to be destroyed at home with their Wiues and Children by the enemie King Edward Primaleon and all other Princes were not a little abashed finding the Pallace in such a desolate manner neyther the Empresse the Princesses nor any of the other Ladyes to be founde this vexed their mindes with vnexpressable griefe They went into theyr accustomed Chambers and not finding them there to whome they were most affectionate their very soules were ready to forsake theyr bodyes for the young Princes enioying theyr swéet Ladyes so short a time for whose sakes they had suffered so many bitter brunts they thought themselues not able to liue any long time being depriued of their company whom they honored with most pure and vnfained affection For now their paines were greater then euer they had béene before and this mishap was more irkesome to them then all the dangers past because their Ladies were the rewardes of their knightly victories but hauing thus lost them on such a sodaine they were out of hope to enioy the sight of them any more wherefore they séemed as men depriued of their sences looking gastly and fearefully one vpon an other knowing not which way to comfort or redrâ—sse their present heauinesse In this case the Christian Princes remained for the space of thrée daies hauing no minde at all to giue their enemies battaile during which time Primaleon maide conueiance of the aged men with their wiues and children in the night time to diuers of his Castles and Fortresses néere adioyning knowing them farre vnable to helpe in this extremitie and then he caused the wals of the Cittie to be beaten flat to the ground which was thought good by the aduice of euery one to bee so done and that for two especiall causes The first that it would more animate and imbolden the Christians in the time of battaile séeing themselues dispoyled of the place wherein they reposed their assurance of safety The other that the enemies should not vaunt how they had destroyed the City but that it was defaced by the Christians themselues if so be Fortune suffered them to enioy the victorie They of the citie séeing the walles so spoyled euen to the very first foundation thereâ—f conceiued such hatred against the Turkes whome they reputed to cause the subuersion of their strongest defence as they prepared themselues altogether to enter the Field to reuenge themselues on their proud and vsurping enemies and so they marched all with the Princes into the Field who went in the same manner as they did before when Aliart conueied the Empresse and her Ladies from Constantinople to the Perillous Isle Albayzar knowing well the intent of his enemies coÌ„manded his Captaines to place their men in aray afterward the Trumpets summoning them brauely to the Battaile he commanded the king of Aetolia to giue the onset with his Band to the enemy whereto the king presently obeyed and comming on gallantly with his troupe of men the Prince Primaleon prepared himselfe to receiue him and giuing his horse the spurres he preuailed so fortunately in the encounter as he made the King of Aetolia measure his length on the ground but hee was quickly succoured by his men otherwise Primaleon had giuen him his deaths wounde Palmerin of England ran against the Prince Argelao and met him with such puissance as his Launce pierced cleane thorowe his body so that he fell to the ground starke dead the like did the Knight of the Sauage man to a valiant Knight named Richard who was estéemed a singular Captaine amongst the Turkes the Prince Florendos Platir Gracian Berolde and the other knights slew them outright likewise that encountred them in the Ioust Dramusiande and Framustant brake their Launces