beautie might not compare with theirs and gréeuing that Leonarda had escaped so well from the place where she caused her to be enchaunted she came to the Princesse Miragarda with these spéeches I cannot chuse Madame but estéeme meruailous well of their paines that aduenture their honour in the field in the defence of your beautie which is the cause that I must take in very good part the labour that the Prince Albayzar bestowed on your behalfe To the Quéen Leonarda she would not speak one word because she was married to the Prince Florian whome she condemned as her mortall enemie The Princesse of Armenia sitting betwéene Miragarda and Leonarda was very much abashed in that she was not acquainted with any of the Ladies of the Emperors Court who notwithstanding entertained her very honourablie thus they continued their Princelie courtesies one to another till the night drawing on Targiana tooke her leaue of the Emperor desiring his Maiestie to excuse her for the warre which was commenced contrary to her will The Empresse and the Ladies brought them to the Pallace gate where on eche side they parted with such heauinesse as they could not speake to one another but the Emperor himselfe accompanied them without the Cittie and because Targiana excused her selfe of the warre which Albayzar had enterprised against his Maiestie he tooke her by the hand speaking to her in this manner I promise you Madame it is not a little griefe to me that I cannot at this time witnesse how leâ—th I am to be iudged vngratefull vnto you who deserues to be honoured with most gratious seruice And as for the malicious dealing of Albayzar trust me it cannot diminish one iote of the good will I beare you but this I assure you you may dispose both of me and my Court at your pleasure and may make your selfe as bolde and welcome héere as if you were in the great Turke your Fathers Court. So breaking off and saluting eche other with great courtesie the Emperour was carryed backe to his Pallace and Targiana was conducted to the Camp accompanied with the Emperour Vernar the Kings of England Fraunce and Spayne and many other Princes of the Emperors Court who hauing brought her to the Campe tooke their leaue and returned to the Citty deuising seuerally among themselues to whose lotte Targiana and the other Ladyes should fall if so be the victory chanced on theyr side for it is oftentimes the nature of Souldiers to share diuide the spoyle among themselues before Fortune hath deliuered it into theyr hands CHAP. LXII ¶ Of the Battell betweene the Christians and the Turks and of that which happened NOt many Dayes after the arriuall of the Princesse Targiana the Princes as well on the one side as on the other concluded to ioyne in Battell Marrie the Christians were more desirous thereto then the Turks because the Victuals beganne to waxe scant within the Cittie Besides Albayzar came oftentimes and prouoked them also with his Standard and Ensigns displayed which vrged the Knights to cry call to theyr CoÌ„manders and Captains to suffer them to saillie foorth of the Cittie for it was a griefe to them to be so enclosed within and theyr Enemyes come daring so boldely to them without Vppon this Primaleon would gladly haue issued foorth if the other Princes would haue bin ruled after him but they would not Aduenture so rashly because many of them were weake and sickly with trauelling on the Seas therefore they determined to recouer themselues in perfect assurance of their health before they would thuste themselues into the face of daunger After they had well rested and recouered themselues and found that they were strong and able to deale with the Enemie the Commaunders summoned their traines into the Field and King Edward being Generall of the whole Forces commaunded both Horse-men and Foote-men to prepare themselues to Battell The first Squadron was conducted by the Soldane Bellagris to whome was committed fiue thousand good Soldiers being all his owne Subiects The second was giuen in charge to Recinde King of Spaine who had the conduct of thrée thousand but then sent him from the Kingdome of Spayne The third was led by Arnedes King of Fraunce who had the charge of the like number as the King of Spaine had with the two thousand Souldiers that were sent him from France The fourth was vnder the conduct of Polendos King of Thessalie who had attending on him the like number The fift was in the charge of the Emperour Vernar of Allemaigne and the sixt and last being foure thousand was conducted by King Edward of England Primaleon would not this day take vpon him any charge that he might the better giue succour to those places where he perceiued most daunger because he iudged it a pollicie to be vsed in Warre All these that followe were brauely séene in the Fielde this Day Belcar Drapos of Normandie Maiortes otherwise called the Great Dog Palmerin of England Florian of the Forrest Florendos Platir Blandidon Berolde Prince of Spayne Floraman of Sardignia Gracian of France Don Rosuell Bellizart Onistalde Tenebrant Francian Pompides the Sage Aliart the King Estreliant Frisoll Albanis of Frieze Rodamont Dragonalt King of Nauarre Luyman of Burgundie Germaine of Orleance Tremoran Don Resiran de la Bronde Dramusiande Almaroll and all the most renowmed Knightes of the Emperors Court who were in the Squadron vnder the conduct of the Soldane Bellagris they all concluding with themselues that so soone as the Battell should be begunne they would each of them take part on that side where theyr dutie and affection did best serue them The King Tarnaes accompanyed with many valiaunt Knights had committed to his charge the defence of the Cittie and of the Footemen were chosen fiftie thousand such as were accounted the most wisest and expert Souldiers that were vnder the conducting of the King Tarnaes to helpe to preuent any danger imminent to the Cittie King Edward himselfe being very braue and gallantly Armed ceased not to visite his charge of Horsemen and likewise hee came among the young Princes and Knightes encouraging them in noble spéeches and with a countenance bewraying the inuincible minde of a Conquerour desiring them to remember theyr Knightly déedes passed which might be an occasion to stirre them vp more nobly in defence of the flower of all Christendome With these and other such like spéeches he did so animate and embolden all his Traine as they that were the most fearefull and had least minde to deale with their enemies séemed as willing and forwards to the Battell as hée that was the brauest Souldier in the Field which when the King perceiued he withdrew himselfe and his company commanding the Soldane Bellagris to giue the first assault Albayzar diuided his Horsemen in ten companyes giuing to euery Squadron fiue thousand men The first Squadron was conducted by the Soldan of Persia who was accompanied with the Giant Framustant and about fiue hundred wel approued
Christians with incredible prowesse and such resistaunce he made with his fresh company as the Battaile endured a long time very blody and cruell so that a man could not iudge which side had the most aduantage But then came a newe assault vpon the Christians by a great number of Turkes on the left wing among whome were sixe monstrous and terrible Giants which Assault was so hote for the time as the Christians were enforced to retyre The Giant Almaroll who had all this while kept companie with the King Recinde his Lorde séeing the Christians withdrawe themselues addressed himselfe to one of the Giants called Dramorant and with a mighty Mace that hee had gotten in the Battell hee kept him such rough playe as he could not passe on forwards as he willinglie would haue done And the King Recinde séeing another Giant named Trafamor coÌ„ming to strike at Almaroll behinde his backe stepped before him to hinder his determination but hée being Aged and feeble and not able to resist the mercilesse stroaks of this bloody-minded Giant Trafamor was so pittifully wounded as he fell downe at the Giants féete who tooke his sword and thrust it to the heart of the King Recinde Which when the Prince Palmerin perceyued hée was very ry sorrie and comming in a rage to the Giant Trafamor neuer left him vntill such time as hee had layde him downe dead on the ground but he was so sore but himselfe as he was glad to get foorth of the Battell and by the commandement of the Prince Primaleon â—hee was carryed into the Cittie where they made great doubt of his life by reason he had lost such aboundance of his Blood Almaroll and Dramorant were sundred whervpon the death of Recinde K of Spayne was blazed through the Army which was such heauy newes to Arnedes King of France his Couzin and singular good Friend as making no account of his life hee threw himself amongst his enemies where séeking to reuenge the death of the King of Spayne hee lost his owne life and by him was slaine Onistalde Sonne to the king Recinde who followed Arnedes to reuenge his Fathers death King Edward and the other Princes were so offended when they sawe theyr déerest Friendes thus cast to the ground as they ranne amongst the thickest of their Enemyes and layd on loade like desperate men the Knight of the Sauadge-man likewise on whose shield no manner of Deuise could be discerned it was so hackt and broken in pieces came vnto the Giant Dramorant and handled him in such Knightly order as he made him tumble downe dead before him Belcar and the King Polendos entring on the king of Aetoliaes Troupe were in the ende enforced to paye the sharpe tribute which Death demaundeth of Nature by dutie this vnfortunate successe caused no little heauines among the Christians but in especilly to the Prince Berolde of Spayne who vnderstanding that the King Recinde his Father and Onistalde his Brother were slaine by the enimies he rushed in fiercely vppon them determining eyther to reuenge theyr losse or leaue his life among them for company And the Prince Floraman of Sardignia followed close after him butchering the Turkes on euery side whereby hee manifested to the Prince Berolde the entyre good will and affection he bare him but the valiaunt Florendos did most of all iniury the Enemie this day for the Knightly stroakes that were to bee séene on his Shield deliuered a true testimony of the great dangers he had escaped all which he made of no account such was his earnest desire to reuenge the death of his déere Friends So that this Battell may be reputed for the moste cruell and perillous that euer was séene in that so many grieuous and tragicall Spectacles were to be séene that dismall Day with the losse of a number of famous Princes and most renowmed Knightes for there you might haue séene Don Rosuell and Bellizart to breake hardily through the preasse of theyr Enemyes without eyther feare or regarde of theyr owne liues to looke for theyr noble Father the Prince Belcar and Francian on the other side came to searche for his Father the King Polendos which the Enemies perceyuing and knowing them to be néere allyed to the Emperor followed fiercely after them to sée who could first murther them The Prince Berolde was no sooner come to the place where his Father lay slayne but hee sawe how the Giant Almaroll had lost his Helmet and his face so pittifully besmiered with his blood as it was a great griefe to all that behelde him for hee had in that place laid seuen hardy Knights slaine at his foot and determined not to forsake the dead body of the Prince before he had lost his owne life likewise in that place The enemies resisted the Prince Berolde so strongly as had it not béene for the succour of the Emperor Vernar Primaleon Florendos and Blandidon he had béene sent to kéepe his father company and Primaleon laboured very earnestly to get the Giant Almaroll foorth of the battaile because he was destritute of a Helmet his Armour broken very much and his body wounded in many places but such was the loue and fidelitie he bare to his Prince as it was impossible for Primaleon to cause him withdraw himselfe Vpon this reskew of the Princes to Berolde the enemies came running amaine to this place where they were with the Soldane of Persia conducting them who hearing how Almaroll continued manfully killing all that came before him galloped thorow the rancke till he came at Almaroll but who so had seene the gallant behauiour of Primaleon and Florendos his Sonne in defending Almaroll from the enemies fury would haue imagined the very type of Knightly valour to consist in these two famous champions who were not a little grieued to sée Almaroll so willing to séeke his owne death and could not bee perswaded from that minde by any of his friends The Giant Gramato who came in company with the Soldane of Persia aduanced himselfe to deale with Almaroll but the hardy Florendos stepped before him and had slaine him outright if Almaroll had not caught him about the body but he being so grieuously wounded as no succour whatsoeuer would saue his life fell down dead before the Giant Gramato whom Berolde afterward charged so roughly as Gramato ended his life to accompany the Giant Almaroll Now began the courage of the Christians to encrease worthily in that they were stronger in that place then the Turkes for the Soldane of Persia was conueyed foorth of the Battaile by reason of a wound that he had receiued in his throate by the push of a Sword so that the Soldane Bellagris found good opportunitie to carry the bodies of the King Recinde and Onistalde his sonne forth of the field the Prince Berolde helping to conduct the bodies because himselfe had lost so much blood as he could scantly hold out any longer Primaleon hauing a regard to the troupes of men dispersed
pleasure after the Iousts be ended to giue them leaue to daunce with these Ladies the Emperour returned him this answere Thou maist my friend say vnto thy Lord that I am content to graunt his request and the twelue knights o◠my Court shal not faile to meete them in the Fielde at two houres warning beside the Empresse shall giue them leaue to daunce with these Ladyes who I trust will agrée to what I determine albeit they know them for theyr sworne Enemies But if any other Knights come in companie with the twelue thou mayst say to the Soldane thy Lord that they are forbidden to come in Arms the like doe I promise with the knights of my Court that none but themselues shall come Armed into the Field The Esquire returning with his answere to the Soldane of Persia both hée and his Companions beganne presently to prepare theyr Deuises and Armour CHAP. LX. ¶ Howe the Combate betweene twelue Turkes and twelue Christians begunne and howe the Ladyes caused it to be giuen ouer presently BEtwéene the Knights of the Emperours Courte arose great controuersie because euery one stroue to be of the number of the twelue and very hardly could they be quieted such was theyr earnest desire to deale with the Turkes yet in the ende they were glad to obey the determination of Florian who chose the twelue according as he named them to you The first was Palmerin of England his Brother the Prince Florendos Gracian Berolde Floraman of Sardignia Blandidon Platir Pompides the King Estrellant of Hungaria Don Rosuell Francian Sonne to the King Polendos and Don Rosian de la Bronde these twelue Knights were Armed very richly hauing theyr Coates of Armes made by theyr Ladyes King Edward Arnedes Recinde the Soldan Bellagris and the Giant Dramusiande they being all vnarmed accompanyed these Knights into the Field which was in the same place where the Soldan of Persia had appointed it because the Empresse and her Ladyes might see theyr behauiour Then came the Soldane of Persia and the eleuen knights of his company they being honoured with the presence of the kings of Gamba of Sparta of Armenia the Giant Framustant they being all vnarmed The Soldane of Persia desired greatly to vnhorse the prince Florian of the Forrest hee comming foremost with the King of Aetolia who of the two was thought the most valiaunt against him Palmerin of England determined to Ioust for hee knew him by the deuise in his shéelde which was a golden tower in a field of Sable The Soldane of Persia clapt downe the Beuere of his Helmet and the King of Armenia gaue him his Launce so when they were all readie to the Ioust at the sound of the Trumpets they ran altogether couragiously and met one another with such force as the most part of them was cast to the ground Palmerin of England enconntred the king of Aetolia so brauely as he was sent to measure his length on the ground and himselfe was so shaken as he forsooke both his Stirrops Florian and the Soldane of Persia encountred with such force as they were both cast foorth of their Saddles Florendos vnhorsed the Prince of Arfasia named Argelao in bréefe they were all vnhorsed except Palmerin Platir and the King Polendos who desiring to accompany their friends alighted from their horses to charge their enemies The Soldane of Persia and the king of Aetolia who were more offended at their misfortune then all the other presented themselues before their enemies and so with the aide of their companions they beganne the Combate with the Sword but they sped no better thereby then they did at the Ioust which the Ladies pittying and séeing the Soldane of Persia in great daunger by reason that Florian had woonne the aduantage ouer him likewise that Palmerin and Florendos had brought their enemies into subiection concluded that the Princesse Miragarda accompanied with foure other Ladies and the king Tarnaes of Lacedemonia should goe into the field to separate them but so soone as the Combattants had espied her they would not suffer her to come so farre as they were but gaue ouer their Combat and come to meete her The Princesse Miragarda thought her selfe greatly honoured by theyr forbearance of the Combate and hauing very gratiously thanked them all shee returned backe againe holding the Prince Florendos by the hand and they all by degrées following in decent manner When they were come to the Pallace the Soldane and his companie were very honorably entertained by the Emperour the Empresse Miragarda Gridonia Flerida and the other Princes who gaue the Princesse Polinarda to vnderstand that the Soldane of Persia thought maruellous well on her The Emperour caused them to be brought into the Chamber of Presence which was richly behanged with cloathes of inestimable value but when the Turks entred the Chamber their mindes were rauished with beholding the stately maner therof King Edward Recinde Arnedes and the other Kings entertained the Turkes with singular humanitie which made them iudge that the courtesie and bountie of the Emperours Court could not be matched in all the world beside but when they beheld the rare and excellent beauty of the Ladies they imagined that their Knightes preuailed more by theyr Heauenly feature then by the strength that consisted in themselues The Soldane of Persia still viewing the Princesse Miragarda tooke her to be the faire Polinarda but at length he found how he was deceyued for he saw Florendos still in her company and that Palmerin kept his Wife Polinarda in talke with him which made him presently recall his error As for the other Turkish Princes whose mindes were onely to seeke the spoyle of the Cittie they tooke their leaue and departed and when they were come to theyr Campe they practised which way to worke theyr trayterous intents The Soldane of Persia tooke the Princesse Polinarda to daunce the king of Aetolia tooke the beautifull Princesse Miragarda the Soldane Albayzar took the Queen Leonarda knowing that the Prince Florian would scantlie bee pleased therewith but the King of Cospia albeit hée was young himselfe yet he refused all the other Ladyes and tooke the Quéene Flerida so falling to their Courtlie Pastimes after they had Daunced so much as pleased themselues in courteous manner they departed thence But as they were going foorth of the Chamber the Giant Framustant who had all this while well viewed Arlencea was so rauished in affection towards her as hee challenged the Combate against Dramusiande on the morrow and because they would not dally on either side they threw downe theyr Gages which the Emperour caused to be taken vp assuring them the Fielde on his behalfe and the Soldane Albayzar made them the same promise In this maner they tooke their leaue one of another euery one wishing that the Night were past because they had good hope to see a notable Combat and this you shall vnderstand by the waye that Framustant was the onely Giant
Souldiers The second was giuen in charge to the king of Trebizonde the third to the king of Caspia the fourth to the king of Armenia the fift to the king of Gamba the sixt to the king of Sparta the seuenth to the king of Bithinia the eight to the prince Argelo of Arfasia the tenth and last was conducted by the Soldane Albayzar himselfe with whome were seauen Giants for the Guard of his person But so soon as FramustaÌ„t espied Dramusiande in the forefront of the Christians Armie being desirous to approoue himselfe against him onely hée went by the licence of Albayzar to the foremost Squadron of the Turkes because hee thought by this meanes to encounter with Dramusiande The young princes in Albayzars Campe were diuided into foure parts each part contained fiue and twenty thousand and they that were left beside were sent to the Pauillons for safegarde of the princesse Targiana and the princesse of Armenia As for the richnesse of their Armour and ingenious Deuises which these knights as well on the one side as the other bare in this conflict would trouble the eloquent tongue of Marcus Tullius Cicero to make true sufficient discourse thereof But to yéelde the greater contentment to those friendely Gentlemen who take delight in reading of this famous Hystorie I will rehearse the Names of them that were brauest in the Fielde and first I will begin with the Christians wherof there were sometimes two or thrée together whose Armour and Deuises were like in colour or proportion King Edward the Emperour Vernar and the Soldane Bellagris had theyr Armour in Scarlet white and blacke colours with mightie Chaynes of Golde crossing theyr Bodyes and in theyr shieldes they bare a flying Griffon in a fielde of Siluer and vnderneath was written in Letters of Golde the Names of such as they estéemed to bee their best beloued and most famous Friends Primaleon and the King Polendos were in white Armour and in theyr shieldes was portrayed in a siluer fielde a clouen Rocke which Deuise Primaleon was woont to beare when he was amorous of the princesse Gridonia his Wife Recinde Arnedes and Francian were in gylt Armour and two Lyons Rampant in their shieldes in a field of Azure The King of Vngaria Estrellant and Belcar his Vnkle were in black armour shadowed with little streams of Gold because it was not long since the deceasse of the King Frisoll and Ditree and for theyr Deuises they had figured in theyr shieldes a golden Trée in a fielde of Sable Palmerin of England and the prince Florendos were in gréen Armour very thicke beset with little fillets of gold and in theyr shieldes was figured Fortune in a Siluer fielde whereby was vnderstood that they did yet repose some trust in her The Prince Floraman of Sardignia and the Kinght of the Sauadge-man had theyr Armours of an Indian coulour all wrought ouer with little shrubbes of Golde but the Deuises of theyr shieldes were contrarie for Floraman had portrayed in his shielde Death holding a Lady by the hand in a fielde of Sable and Florian kept his Sauadge Deuise wherewith he had atchieued so many honorable victories Dragonalt King of Nauatre and Albanis of Frieze king of Denmarke were in redde Armour with circles of siluer crosse thwarting euery way and in their shields was pictured in a field of Sinople Loue holding a Knight vnderneath his féet for this Deuise the Princesse Miragarda commanded Dragonalt to carry all his life time when he was vanquished by the prince Florendos before the Castle of Almaroll The Prince Berolde and Onistalde his Brother were both in gylt Corselets but their Bases were blacke and in their shields was figured little flames of fire in a field of Sable Polinard and Muncalion had their Armour of gréene and Carnation colours and in their shields was displaied a siluer Sea in a field of Sinople Blandidon and Frisoll were in black Armor carrying for theyr Deuises in their shields two golden Griffons in a Fielde of Geules Pompides and Platir were in gréene Armour and eache of them carried in his shielde a siluer Bull in a fielde of Sinople for Pompides tooke very great delight in this Deuise The Armours of the prince Gracian and that of Guerin his Brother was of Gréene Scarlet and white colours with fillets of Golde crosse strickt to separate the colours and in theyr shieldes was figured a Garden of flowers in a siluer Fielde Rodamont and Bellizart had theyr Armour of Verimillion colour and in theyr shieldes they carryed Hope in the habite of a Woman but depriued of life this Deuise was in a fielde of Geules Don Rosuell and Dramian were both in white Armour very thicke beset with Roses of Golde and in their shields was pictured a displayed Ensigne of siluer in a Golden fielde Basilliart and Didon his Brother were in Azure Armour all wrought ouer with little Siluer shrubbes and in the same manner were their shields Luyman of Burgundie and Tremoran had their Armour of Tawny colour as colour conformable to their amorous thoughts but because Tremoran was out of hope to espouse his Ladie he carried his Deuise according to his ill happe and Layman of Burguudie being in the same case was the more willing to kéepe his companie and therefore they carryed for theyr Deuises in theyr Shielees Sifiphus tumbling his restlesse stone in a field of Sable The Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley and Don Rosian de la Bronde were in white Armour and this was the maner of the Deuises in their shieldes The Sage Aliart had the figure of God Apollo in his shield in a field of Sinople and Don Rosian had in his shielde the tower of Nemrod from whence hee was lineally descended Maiortes and the Giant Almaroll were in blacke Armour and theyr shieldes of the same colour without any maner of Deuise The Giant Dramusiande was in a strong Armour of Aâ—ier and his shielde of the same manner of whome the Christians made especiall account because they knew the noble valour hee was indued withall Diuers others were very braue both in theyr Armour and Deuises of their shieldes which made a gallant shewe among the Christians but I let them passe at this time to auoyde prolixitie And now wee will speake somewhat of the Prince Albayzar who was very gallantly mounted in a Gréene Armour which was thicke beset with Spheares of gold in signe of victory and in his shield was pictured in a fielde of Sinople the liuely and naturall forme of the Princesse Targiana The Soldane of Persia was in a Carnation coloured Armour beeing very thicke beset with precious stones of incredible estimation and about the skyrts of his Bases were framed diuersitie of fine and curious artificiall knottes of Gold in the middest whereof stood two Letters of P. P. which he had caused to be placed there onely for that they were the first Letters of the Name of the Princesse Polinarda towards whome he was maruellous
affectionate and he was in good hope to be rewarded with her if they woonne the victorie in his Shield was figured Hope in a gréen vesture like a young beautifull Ladie and vnderneath her was written in letters of golde the name of the Princesse Polinarda The king of Gaspia was in Tawny Armour streaked ouer in diuers places with blacke in signe that he had bene vanquished in the Combate past and in his shielde he bare for his deuise a Beare hauing his clawes al bloody in a field of Sable whereby hee gaue them to vnderstand that he had good hope to bathe his hands in the blood of his Enemies The king of Trebisonde was in red Armour all ouer figured with little siluer Birds hauing their wings spread abroad in manner as they were flying and carryed the picture of god Mars in his Shielde with the Minotaurs-head that he conquered in Creete this deuise was in a golden Field The king of Sparta was in white Armour and in his shield was portrated a Lyon torne in pieces because he had torne a Lion himself when he was in his youthfull time The king of Aetolia was in blacke Armour bearing for his Deuise in his shielde a blacke Bull in a field of Geules The king of Armenia was in Azured Armour wrought all ouer with roses of golde and in his shield was figured a Phoenix in a fielde of Azure whereby his meaning was that his Ladie was the onely Phoenix of beauty in the world to whome no other might equall her selfe The king of Gamba was in guylt Armour with his Bases of siluer and in his Shield was pictured a golden Lion in a siluer fielde The king of Bythinia was in gréen Armour crosse-streaked with bonds of siluer coupling in manner of knots and in his shield he caried a golden Tiger rampant against a Rock of Christal in a field of Sinople The Prince Argelao of Arfasia had his Armour like to the king of Bythinia Many other of the Prince Albayzars knights came into the fielde being very brauely Armed but I will let them passe vnnamed at this time assuring you that Framustant and the other Giants were armed very gallantly behaued themselues with such report in the field as they thought verily to dismay the Christians with their countenance CHAP. LXIII ¶ Of the first Battell betweene the Christians and the Turkes and the successe thereof THe Armye on eyther side being appointed in good and decent maner the Potentates Kings Princes and persons of most Authoritie would néeds goe place themselues in the formost rancke holding this opinion that in such a renowmed Battell wherein the perill of all Christendom consisted they which presented themselues the foremost in Fight should deserue the greatest honor and glory in the Field which consideration made the Captaines leaue theyr charges to their Lieutenants and come and place themselues in the face of the Battell Then the Drummes and Trumpets sounding gallantly on either side the Soldane of Persia marched on with his traine to receiue the first Squadron of the Christians and meeting togither Primaleon encountred the King of Caspâ—a and brake his Launce so brauely on him as himselfe forsooke both his stirrops but the king of Caspia had such a forcible stroake as hee was sent headlong to the Earth very sore wounded Palmerin of England serued the king of Aetolia in the same manner albeit he was reputed amongst the Turkes for an especiall good Knight at Armes Florendos and the king of Armenia fayled in the Ioust but they met so forceably togither with theyr bodyes as both they and their Horses tumbled to the ground the Prince Florendos recouered himselfe againe quickly but the Turke was so amazed with his fall as hee could hardly tell where he was whereupon his two Couzins came vnto him and conducted him betweene them to his Tent. Berolde of Spaine and Floraman of Sardignia addressed themselues to the Prince Argelao and the king of Bithinia and encountred with them so furiously as they were all cast forth of their saddles being not able to mount themselues againe because the number was so great the fight so hâ—te where they were Recinde and Arnedes ranne against the Kings of Gamba and Sparta they being all vnhorsed except the king Recinde who kept his horse valiantly The Soldane Bellagris and the King of Trebisonde mette together and brake their Launces verie brauely not béeing any thing shaken in the encounter The Soldane of Persia who desired to haue himselfe séene in the field had no sooner espied the knight of the Sauadgeman but he gaue his horse the spurres and encountred with him so nobly as the knight of the Sauadgeman lost both his stirrops which he recouered againe presently but the Soldane was so sore shaken as he lay along on the necke of his horse and had tumbled to the ground if one of his traine had not immediatly succoured him Among them that dealt in the first encounter Dramusiande and Framustant was most to be regarded for they fayling at the breaking of their Launces met in such couragious manner together with their bodies as both horses and men were sent to the ground and recouering themselues nimbly againe they beganne a furious and cruell combate and to the example of all other knights charged one another with most puissant stroakes All the Princes of the Emperours Court were at this first encounter except King Edward the Emperour Vernar and the king Polendos who would not depart from their Squadrons fearing least they would disparse themselues out of order and the Giant Almaroll kept them company likewise because he saw no more Giants in the foremost rancke but Framustant with whome Dramusiande fought very gallantly After thyy had thus encountred with their launces and many knights throwne to the earth some slaine outright and other some in little better case they drew their swords on all sides and began the most cruell Battaile that euer was séene and the Captaines returned againe to their seuerall charges because they would not haue them fall out of order Argelao and the King of Bithinia fighting on foote against Floraman of Sardignia and Berolde of Spaine were succoured by the Soldane of Persia who like a noble captaine praunced among the ranckes to animate and encourage the mindes of his friends and assembling them in sundrie companies hee came where these foure continued the fight still fiercely but the Soldane Bellagris with his traine shewed such prowesse on the fresh commers as with in a while both the Soldane of Persia himselfe and the companie he brought with him were enforced to giue them place against their willes leauing Argelao and the king of Bithinia in such danger as had not the king of Trebisonde come vpon them with the second Turkish SquadroÌ„ they had béene slaine by the hands of Floraman and the Prince Berolde The Soldane of Persia was so greatly gréeued séeing his men so vanquished and they that were left so out of heart
in the Field beheld King Edward and his traine driuen to the retire for that Albayzar accompanied with thrée Giants and a number of knights séeing the Christians fore trauailed came vpon them with a fresh charge but king Edward met his proud enemie with such puissance as he was glad to draw backe to rest himselfe a while assuring you that the King of England behaued himselfe so nobly in the field as the whole Christian campe reposed themselues on him Pompides Basiliart the Sage Aliart Platir Frisol Germain of Orlnance Luyman of Burgundie Rodamont Albanis of Frize Dragonalt Don Rosiran de la Bronde Tremoran Tenebrant Don Rosuell Bellizart and diuers other of the Christian Knights resisted the enemy verie valiantly and followed so fast vpon Albayzar and his company as had not fresh supplies still come they had made a notable conquest of their aduersaries Primaleon left to gouerne these the Soldane Bellagris and Blandidon went with Florendos and Floraman to the noble King Edward of England and as they would haue approched to him they espyed the Emperour Vernar and Polinard his Brother on foote enclosed with such a number of Turkes as their liues were greatly to be feared for the King of Bythinia had slaine the Emperour Vernars Horse and falling to the ground brake one of his Maisters legges in the fall so that the Emperour was faine to stand vppon one legge to defend himselfe in which hard case hee was verie neare his death but that his Brother Polinard stept presently before him and defended him with such manly prowesse as the enemy could not any way come to hurt the Emperour Primaleon séeing the misfortune of the Emperour of Allemaigne and how the Turkes sought euery way to take his life from him was so ouercome with inward griefe as the teares trickled downe his chéekes and fearing now the vtter ruine of Constantinople he ran with such courage vpon the enemies as downe they tumbled dead to the groūd on euery side of him And Florendos thought his Armour was shiuered and he had no shéeld to defend himselfe yet accompanied with the Prince Floraman he folowed his father shewing incredible prowesse Floraman setled himselfe against the king of Bithinia and preuailed so well against him as he sent him headlong to the groūd depriued of his life but Primaleon séeing Floraman to bee somewhat sore hurt desired him to withdrawe himselfe out of the Battell When the Turkes that were conducted by the king of Bythinia sawe theyr Captain slaine they beganne to retire very speedily by which meanes Primaleon recouered and mounted Polinard on Horsebacke againe but hee could not imagine howe to got the Emperour Vernar out of the field which made him aduenture with his men in such daunger as it was doubtfull he should haue fallen into his enemies hands For the king of Armenia came vppon them againe with foure thousand men hoping to recouer that which the other Kings had lost so that Primaleon was faine to alight from his Horse for the defence of the Emperour Vernar in like manner did most of the Princes and Knights fearing least any harme should come vnto the Prince and the Emperour but many of them were slaiue in this newe assault and so was the king of Armenia with fiue hundred of his best tryed Soldyers The Emperour Vernar séeing Death ready to entertaine him and that there was no meanes for him to shun it embraced it mildely and patiently but when the young Princes saw the Emperour slaine they carryed him foorth of the Fielde and brought him with great heauinesse into the Cittie which was now become in a manner desolate The most vertuous and valiant King Edward séeing himselfe left alone with the Soldane Albayzar whome hee dealt so stoutly withall as Pompides Platir and the other Princes might rest themselues and cause their Friends that were there slaine to be transported thence in the ende hee brought Albayzar into such estate as he had kilde him in the Fielde if hee had not bene the sooner reskued by the Giants that came with him Neuerthelesse hee taught him his dutie so well as hée tooke the English Prince for a very sharpe Schoolemaister While King Edward and Albayzar continued theyr Fight the night drawing on apace the Trumpets sounded the retrait so that euery one hasted vnto his Ensigne the King Edward summoned his men together they all thinking so well on theyr Generall as they iudged themselues happy to be vnder his leading and gouernment Bellagris and Primaleon brought their traines likewise to him and after they were all places in array the Christians betooke themselues to the Cittie and the Turkes returend to theyr Campe. CHAP. LXIII ¶ Of that which they did at Constantinople before they gaue the Enemies the second Battell and of the great misfortunes which hapned in the Citty amongst which chanced the vntimely death of the aged Emperour Palmerin AFter that the Christian and Pagan Princes with theyr forces on eyther side were thus retyred to theyr seuerall holds by the consent of Albayzar Palmerin the Princes and Knights that were slaine in the battell were carryed thence to be interred and theyr funeralls to be performed but for the grieuous complaints made in the Cittie for the losse of so many noble and renowned Princes I leaue them to the iudgement of the courteous Reader who must néedes thinke the griefe to be great in that Christendome receiued such a losse as in many yéeres could not be recoured againe The consideration here of entred so déepe into the aged Emperours heart as he forsooke this earthly vale of misery yéelding his soule to God and his body to the bowelles of his mother from whence it came at first at which time the enchaunted bird that he kept in his pallace sung thrée times together with a very pittifull note so that both olde and young in the Court did not alittle maruaile thereat Of this birde you may reade more at large in the notable and famous History of the Emperour Palmerins life which Booke is called Palmerin d'Oliue a History plentifully stored with discourses of singular delight being for the worthinesse thereof estéemed of many Nations as this History is likewise and therefore for the excellency of this aforesaide History and in respect it dependeth on matters briefely touched in this booke so that it is accounted as a parcell of this History I entend God ayding me to publish it shortly when I doubt not but the Gentle reader shall finde it worthy of the commendations that I haue vsed of it in this place The Obsequies and Funeralles of the Emperour were solemnized with great pompe and dignitie in like manner did they honour the Emperour of Allemainge and the other Kings that were slaine in the battaile Not many dayes after the wounded Princes found themselues in good disposition againe weerevpon they determined to enter the field because the enemies demaunded the battaile but first of all they prouided for the safegard of
the City which was committed to the charge of the King Tarnaes of Lacedemonia and the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley they hauing their conduct fiue hundred Knights on horsebacke and foure thousand able footemen and for the rest of the Christians they were deuided into sixe seuerall Bands The first was conducted by the Prâ—nce Primaleon who had atiending on him two thousand and fiue hundred Knights The second Band being of the same number was committed to the Prince Floraman of Sardignia The third to the king Estrellant The fourth to Albanis of Frieze The fifth to Drapos Duke of Normandie all these fiue hands being like in number The sixt was vnder the charge of the noble king Edward to whom came all the rest of the Christian souldiers The Soldane Bellagris with his traine had the charge of the vtter wings to giue ayde where he saw néede required When these Knights departed from the citie toward the field they were all in blacke Armour and their shields of the same colour without any deuices their horses were likewise trapped in blacke and the more to expresse their inward heauinesse they would haue neither Drumme Trumpet nor any kind of instrument vsed in warre with them Neuerthelesse albeit this sad procéeding to the battaile declared their owne heaninesse yet was it likewise a feare and terror to the enemy séeing them comming farre from them and euery man had closed the Beuer of his helmet because the enemy should not perceiue their mournfull countenances When they were come to the place where the Battaile should be fought they spread themselues abread in the field after the deuice of their Captaines without making any maner of noyse at all The footemen came after being all attired in black likewise and without either Drums Phifes or Trumpets wherby they gaue the enemies to vnderstand what vnfained loue and affection they bare to their Emperour and how they could not forget what gracious and friendly entertainement he was woont to make to his very enemies A thing which all Princes ought to haue in regard and in remembring the great vertue of this famous Emperour to gouerne their Kingdomes in such sort as the people may rather know what a gréeuous losse they haue by the death of such a Prince then to behaue themselues in such manner as their Subiects shall reioyce to be rid of their Gouernour The Turks were greatly abashed séeing their enemies come marching in this order they knew well by their mourning habits that they would in this battell make no account of their liues But Albayzar séeing the astonishment of his Souldiers came to encourage them like a noble captaine laying before them the renowme of the victorie which should be the recompence of all their trauailes and a sufficient reuenge for the death of many of their parents and friendes who lost their liues before the walles of Constantinople for which cause this warre was first enterprised When he had a good space vsed these and such like spéeches to them they began to waxe desirous of the battaile and chasing all their formerfeare out of remembrance they marched on after the same manner as they did in the first battaile sauing that they were vnder the charge of other captaines for that they which conducted them before were slaine Their Armour was very much broken and bruised and so died with the blood that issued from their bodies that it was almost as strange a sight in the field as the Christians sad and mournefull habites of blacke King Edward séeing his men placed in decent order and the backwings in such regard as hée thought méetest hée gaue charge to Primaleon to giue the consent with his company for he had with him the noble Palmerin of England Florian of the Forrest Florendos Platir Pompides Blandidon Don Rosuel Bellizart Dragonalt King of Nauarre the Giant Dramusiand and the most renowmed princes of the Court. On the enemies side the King of Aetolia was first in the field because he conducted the formost troupe wherein was the most puissant knights in all the Turkish Armie beside the Giant Framustant who desired aboue all other things to preuaile against Dramusiande The Christians finding themselues in a readinesse the Turkes sounded their Drummes and Trumpets to beginne the Battaile but sodainely came on them so great a tempest as they returned backe againe being not able to ioyne in fight for the space of two houres after In the meane time as this tempest continueth let vs returne to the Citie of Constantinople which as you haue heard before was committed to the chargs of Tarnaes king of Lacedemonia and the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley who finding by his Art that the Cittie of Constantinople would bee brought to destruction and that king Edward of England and the Prince Primaleon with the rest of the Princes Knights that maintained the warre would stand in great hazard of loosing their liues being not able to auoyd the cruelty of the Turks who would get the Cittie into their possession vpon these aforesaid considerations he determined to prouide for the safety of the Princesses and Ladies of high authority who were most of them great with childe and neare the â—ime of their deliuerance Wherefore that the fruit of their bodyes might not perish in this extremity he raised a very darke and obscure cloude which shadowed the light of the firmament in such sort as not onely they in the field were couered therewith but also the Cittie was so wrapt in the cloud as it was not possible for them to discerne it In the meane while both the Armies remained in great amazement by this darkenesse as they had not the power to méete together Aliart conueyed through this daâ—ke Cloud the Empresse the Princesse Polinarda and all other Princesses and Ladyes beside to the Perillous Isle which the Prince Palmerin of England had bestowed on him and he shaddowed the Isle likewise by his Enchantment in such manner that it remained as it were inuisible vntill Aliart conceiued so well of the time and reason as he thought good to discouer it These Ladies were surprised with maruellous admiration whâ—n they found themselues not in Constantinople but in a strange land where they could not haue their company who had endured so many hard and dangerous conflicts for their sakes this aboue all other causes did most offend and trouble their consciences yet at length when they saw no other remedy they were glad to practise and content themselues with often visiting each other in their Chambers to expell all other cogitations that séeme irksome vnto them Thus wil we leaue the Empresse and her ladies in the Perillous Isle and returne to the King Tarnaes at Constantinople who after the cloude was vanished away and the day cleare againe séeing that the Empresse with her Ladies and the Sage Aliart had forsaken his Companie conceyued such extreame griefe within himselfe doubting least some mischaunce had befallen them as amidde his
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
but yet they kept their horses valiantly whereupon they drew their swordes and began to charge each other very furiously The Christians behaued themselues so worthily at this first encounter as the King of Aetolia whose traine were twise so many in number as they with the Prince Primaleon was glad to retyre being not able to endure the hardy stroakes of the Princes Palmerin Florian Florendos but they were faine to betake themselues for refuge to the second squadron which was conducted by the King of Caspia who came brauely vpon Primaleon and his company yet not able to enforce theÌ„ to retyre one foote back from them for Palmerin and the other princes maintained the sight so sharply against them as they were once more coÌ„pelled to recoyle backeward Which the Soldane of Persia perceiuing he came to assist them with his company when in sooth he had made a great slaughter of the wearied Christians if it had not béene for the Prince Floraman who séeing the Soldane of Persia come so fast forward with his Squadron he rushed in vpon them with his Band of men and resisted them in very gallant manner Palmerin bare great malice to the Soldane of Persia because he was so amorous of yâ— Princesse Polinarda his wife wherefore he ran fiercely against him and brake his Launce so brauely on him as the Soldane tumbled headlong backward out of his Saddle but the Turkes laboured earnestly to mount the king againe and Primaleon went to ayde the Prince Floraman who was likewise cast beside his horse Thus were they helping one another of them néerest at hand so that they had forgotten Dramusiande and Framustant who hauing forsaken their horses fought so long together in such cruell manner as their bodies were wounded in many places but Dramusiande was like to sustaine the worst in that Framustant was assisted against him by another Knight named Grantor and Dramusiande had beene slaine betwéene them if it had not beene for the Prince Florian his déere friend who came and buckled with Grantor in such sort as he laide him dead at his foote immediatly When the Turkes beheld that Grantor was slaine they enuironed the Prince Florian and Dramusiande so terrible on euerie side as their lines were brought into some daunger but the king Estrellant of Hungaria who had the charge of the third Christian Squaâ—ron entred vpon the Tuâ—â—es and droue them backe perforce till they saw their friendes brought into safetie againe and Framustant was very néere discharged of his life but the Soldane Albayzar seeing his daunger commaunded them altogether to runne on the Christians the like did King Edward to his men because they should helpe their fellowes in their necessitie Florian seeing Albayzar comming with his Launce charged in his rest gaue his horse the spurres to méete him these two worthy knights encountred together so nobly as Albayzar was glad to catch holde about the necke of his horse to shun the fall but the Prince Florians horse was so starke with trauaile as he fell to the ground vnder his Maister who leapt out of the Saddle quickly so that he sustained no harme by the fall Albayzar laboured very earnestly to get Dramusiande and the Prince Florian within the rankes of his men because hee sawe how cruelly they hacked and hewed the Turkes that he thought himselfe happiest who could auoid their presence but yet such a company of men had Albayzar hemd them in withall as the losse of their liues were now determined if the Soldan Bellagris Polinarda had not arriued there with expedition for they walking vp and downe with their Bandes of men to giue aide where they perceiued necessitie required saw the dangerous estates of Dramusiande and Florian and thrusting in vpon the Turkes with great puissance they reskewed Dramusiande and brought him foorth of the Armie to rest himselfe a while and they mounted Florian on horsebacke againe notwithstanding all the practises of the enemy to the contrary but they were glad to conuey Framustant foorth of the Battaile likewise for they sawe him so sore trauailed as he was scant able to stand on his feete After that these two Giants were out of the Field the greatest hurley burly was by the prince Psimaleon because Palmerin of England and the Soldane of Persia they being on foote fought maruellous fiercely togither the like did Polinard with a stout Turke named Ferrebrocque which caused the men on all sides to hasten to this conflict The King of Aetolia accompanied with fiue hundred knights on foote came to reskew the Soldan of Persia but Berolde of Spaine remembring the death of the King Recinde his Father ioyned in fight with the King of Aetolia King Edward came thither with his troupe of men to assist his friends and so did Albayzar on the behalfe of the Soldane of Persia he bringing with him many Knights beside foure stoute and cruel Giants whose presence did much terrifie the Christians so that many of them durst not enter the fight with such Monsters Yet could not all these knights and Giants dismay the noble Palmerin of EnglaÌ„d but he continued in fight so brauely with the Soldane of Persia as he would not leaue him till he saw him slaine at hia foote for whose death tha Turkes lamented very much in that he was the principall captaine vnder the Prince Albayzar who likewise tooke the Soldanes death so heauily as he came with his men vpon the Christians like a mad man The victorie of the Prince Palmerin against the Soldane was but little comfort to him in that he saw the prince Polinard who fought still against Ferrebrocque fall downe dead to the ground Ferrebrocque with diuers other Turkes fall downe slaine on each side of him likewise but the death of Polinard was very gréeuous to his friends and companions in that the Emperor Vernar his brother was kilde in the first battail and the Empresse Bazilia seeing her lord and husband gon reposed al her hope and comfort on the prince Polinard Florendos whose griefe could not be expressed for the death of his friend Polinard because they had bene nourished al their youth together in the Emperors court to reuenge the death of her déere friend and companion he ran fiercely amongst the thickest of his enemies and the first he met withal was the giant Pandolfo who holding a mightie mace in his hand aduanced himselfe to receiue the prince Florendos Then began a fierce and terrible combat betwéene them so that within a whyle the giant Pandolfo railed and exclaimed against his gods horribly finding himselfe not able to resist the force of one knight he being woont to vanquish euery one that entred fight with him but Florendos not regarding his railling words brought him into such féeble estate as at length he fell downe on his knées when Florendos taking off his Helmet strookeâ— of his head from his shoulders Berolde of Spaine lekewise slew the king of Aetolia which when
Albayzar perceiued hee came running on Berolde and twentie knights with him so that they had murdred the Spanish prince amongst them but the Soldane Bellagris hindered their determination for he came with his band of men and reskewed him commanding foure knights to carrie him forth of the battaile for that he seemed rather a dead man then one that had any life left in him and in this order he was brought to Pacentio the Emperors cheefe Chamberlaine who had the charge giuen him for the wounded persons because he was verie skilfull therein and being a man of very auncient time he was not iudged fit to enter the fight The Prince Beroldes misfortune was such griefe to his friendes as they rather desired to beare him company then to liue in hope of an vncertain victorie which was the more doubtfull to them when they remembred the losse of the Emperor Vernar the King Recinde and the other Princes But the knight of the Sauageman seeing the great slaughter that Albayzar made of his friendes pricked thorow to the place where he was and came vnto him with these wordes Now is the time Albayzar which alloweth vs opportuuitie to satisfie our long desired reuenge of eche other and because we two are the occasions of all this trouble I pray thée let this quarrell be ended betwéene thée and mee and let not those who are innocent in this matter loose their liues for our offences I am so glad aunswered Albayzar that it is my good happe to méete with thée at this time as I would not chaunge my preseÌ„t fortune for the most renowmed estate in the world So breaking off these two valiant Princes began a fierce CoÌ„bat wherein Albayzar was brought into great daunger but that a Giant named Altrope came and defended him which Giant the knight of the Sauadgeman soone depriued of his life and would haue gone afterward forth of the Battaile to rest himselfe a while but the king of Sparta came with a great many knightes and compassed the knight of the Sauageman in such sort as he was fully determined to loose his life amongst them Yet so it chaunced that Primaleon and Palmerin who saw the hard case of his Brother Florian arriued there and at this â—ickering they slew the king of Sparta Luymeno his Sonne and Antistes his Brother beside many other knights and personages of great account and on the Christians side were slaine Tenebrant and Francian whose losse the Christians did very much lament Then was tidinges brought to the Soldane Bellagris that one had kild his sonne Blandidon which report was so gréeuous to him as hée brake thorow the thickest of his enemies till he came where his Sonne laye then presently he alighted from his horse and comming to his Sonne he made such sorrowfull lamentations ouer him as it would haue mooued a stony heart to pittie Blandidon who had yet some life left in him hearing the voice of the Soldane of Niquee his Father opened his eyes and offered to lift vp his head to speake vnto him but such was his feeblenesse as he could not mooue his head whereupon he was caried forth of the Field and committed to the custody of the olde Pacentio Bellagris tooke the matter so heauily for his sonne as he concluded to finish his dayes in that place and so cruelly was he assaulted by his enemie as he likewise resigned vp his vitall spirite after that he had kilde the Giant Malearque In this conflict were slaine of the Turkes the king of Gamba and his two Brothers the Giant Pisistrato the king of Caspia the Giant Framustant who was slaine by the noble Dramnsiande beside a number of famous Turkes and on the Christians side were slaine Germayne of Orleaunce Luyman of Burgundie Pompides the king of Scots and diuers other worthy Christian Souldiers But then to amaze them the more a number of the Cittizens of CoÌ„stantinople brought forth such richesse as was left in the Citie and set it on fire before the enemies face to the end that if the enemie remayned victor hée should not vaunt of the spoyle of their goodes but they being not so content when they had burnt their riches went and set on fire the brauest buildinges in the Cittie and one after another brought them all into Cinders which was no small griefe to the Christian Armie seeing such a renowmed Cittie so set on fire which had triumphed ouer all other Nations Albayzar séeing the christiaÌ„s striken in a maze at the sight of the fire came with a fresh BaÌ„d of men vpon theÌ„ and the knight of the Sauadgeman séeing Albayzar comming buckled himself against him where on eyther side was showne incredible prowesse but in the end the Prince Florian preuailed so well against his enemies as he yeelded vp the ghost at his foote which the Turkes beholding they beganne to faint very much in that their whole hope and refuge lay in the Prince of Babylon neuerthelesse such was their affection to him as they would not depart from his dead body but hemde in the Knight of the Sauage man so hardly on euery side as they had almost slaine him but that he was reskewed by diuers of his friendes who in short time got the better of the Turkes and the Knight of the Sauage man was caried to the olde Pacentio who iudged him almost past recouery Thus did the Christians obtaine the victory of the Turkes albeit with little pleasure to themselues for such small account they made of the honour they had gotten as no man had any mind to goe fetch the riches which was left in the Turks tents so grieuously did they take the losse of their friends and the absence of their Ladies whom they thought neuer to sée againe The common Hindes and Boores of the Countrey came to ransacke the Turkes Tents and because they had more knowledge of the Gold then of the infinite riches of the precious Stones and other Iewels they tooke their fill of the worst leauing those things behinde them of greater estimation not much vnlike to Aesopes Cocke that for sooke a precious Stone for a Barley corne but it is to be committed to the brutishnes of the people in that they had not béene brought vp in places of knowledge and good iudgement CHAP. LXVI The counsell and aduise that the Sage Aliart gaue to them of the Empire of Constantinople And how he caused the body of the Emperour Palmerin and the other Princes that were wounded in the Battaile to be conueied to the Perillous Isle WHen the Christians had thus preuailed against the Turkes the Sage Aliart came into the Christian Campe and set downe order that all they which had béene flaine in the Battaile should be buried in such maner as their posterity after them should remember their singular prowesse in this Battaile against the great Turke And as for them that were liuing yet very sore wounded he annointed them with a certaine kinde of oyntment the vertue wherof
enterprised to guard the Shield of the Princesse Miragarda chap. 8. Of a strange aduenture which chaunced before the Castle of the Giant Almarol and what happened to the Prince Florendos chap. 9. Here shall be declared what and who the Knight was that came in the company of the Princesse Arnalte for what cause he and she trauailed to the castle of the Giant Almaroll and of the great entertainement that was made in the Court c. chap. 10. How the Emperour with his noble company entred the city of Constantinople of the gracious entertainment which was made to Leonarda c. chap. 11. Of an aduenture which happened in the Court of the Emperour Palmerin and of c. cha 12. Here shall be discoursed what and who the Damosell was that had thus gotten the Prince Florian c. chap. 13. Of that which happened to the knight of the Tiger following the search of the prince Florian c. cha 14. Of that which happened to the Knight of the Sauage man c. cha 15. Of the aduentures which chaunced to the Knight of the Sauage man conducting these Ladies to the king of Spaines Court and of that which happened to the knight of the Tiger c. cha 16. Of the combat betweene the Giant Espouuantable and the noble knight of the Tiger and of the battaile betweene Berolde Plaetih and the Sage Aliart c. cha 17. Of that which happened to the noble Prince Palmerin of England c. cha 18. Here is yet conteined what happened to Palmerin of England c. chap. 19. How Alfernao arriued at the Emperours court of Constantinople c. cha 20. How the princes and knights which were prisoners to the great Turke arriued at the court of Constantinople whervpon the king Recinde deliuered out of prison c. ch 21. How the knight of the Sauage man accompanied with the damosels arriued in the king of Spaines court and of that which hapned to him there against the P. Albayzar ch 22. How the Damosels knight and Albayzar iousted together chap. 23. Of that which happened to the Damosels knight in going to the Castle of Almaroll cha 24. How Trafolant and these other three knights yeelded themselues in the Spanish court And how the damosels knight arriued at the Castle c. cha 25. Of the Iousts which were enterprised betweene the Damosels knight and him that kept the shield of the Princesse Miragarda and of the combat at which the knight c. c. 26. Of that which happened to the damosels knight as he returned to the Court of Recinde c. chap. 27. What the Prince Florēdos did to the vāquished knight And how those knights whom the prince Florian had conquered c. chap. 28. Of that which happened to the Knight of the Sauage man when he came to the Castle where Arnalte the Princesse of Nauarre c. chap. 19. How the Prince Albayzar embarqued himselfe to sayle into Turkie after he had presented himselfe to Leonarda the Princesse of Thrace c. chap. 30. Of that which happened to the knight of the Tiger after he was departed from the Perillous Isle c. chap. 31. How the Knight of the Tiger tooke his leaue of Meliadus the King of the Scots and of the Princesse Armisia his daughter c. chap. 32. How the knight of the Tiger arriued at Constantinople and of an aduenture which was c. chap. 33. Of the talke which the Prince Palmerin had with the princesse Polinarda his Lady chap. 34. How certaine Knights arriued at the Court of the Emperour Palmerin who were aduertised how the Turks had prouided a great Armie c. chap. 35. Of an aduenture which happened during the trouble at Cōstantinople in the Realme of France and after what manner c. chap. 36. Of that which hapned to certaine other knights who would prooue the aduenture of these c. chap. 37. Of that which happened to the knight of the Sauage man in prouing the aduenture with these foure c. chap. 38. How the strange knight entered the field to Ioust vnder the name of madame Latrania chap. 39. Of that which happened to the strange knight the first day he guarded the passage of the Valley chap. 40. The complaints which the strange Knight made in the night time vnder the window of the chamber where the foure Ladies c. chap. 41. What hapned to the strange knight the second day he guarded the passage of the valley chap. 42. Of that which happened to the strange knight the third and c. chap. 43. Of that which happened to the strange knight this night how the Knight of the Sphere entred the combate the day following chap. 44. Of that which the strange knight did the day following garding the Valley chap. 45. Of that which happened to the strange knight the last day he guarded the passage vnder the name of Madame Torsia chap. 46. How the knight of the Sauage man arriued at the Court of Constantinople how Dragonalt Arnalte the Queen of Nauarre c. chap. 47. How Arnedes king of France and his Queene Recinde king of Spaine and his Queene accompanied with the princesse Miragarda and the Giant Almaroll arriued at c. chap. 48. Of the conference which the Emperor had with the Princes and how the mariages which he had appointed were now c. chap. 49. How the Soldan Bellagris was baptized and how afterward the Emperor caused him to be marryed to Pandritia and how c. chap. 50. How the Queene of Thrace was conueied away by a strange aduenture while the knights c. chap. 51. How by the ayde of the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley the noble knight of the Sauage man deliuered out of the Enchantment his c. chap. 52. Of that which the Christians did in Constantinople at what time the Princesse Targiana sent tidings to the Court of the Emperour Palmerin of the comming of his enemies chap 53. How the enemies sent an Ambassadour vnto the Emperours Court and of the answer was c. chap 54. How the Armie of the great Turke arriued at the Port of Constantinople and of the noble and valiant prowesse of the Christians c. cha 55. Of the griefe and sorrowe made in Constantinople for the dangerous estate wherein the Giant Dramusiande was brought And how the Turkes placed their campe before the citie of Constantinople cha 56. Of that which Albayzar did after hee had well prouided for his army and of the succour which came to the Emperour Palmerin cha 57. Of an aduenture which happened by the arriuall of a strange knight accompanied with a Lady in the Prince Albayzars campe cha 58. Heare shall be declared after what maner the Prince Florian of the Forrest arriued at Constantinople of many things c. cha 59. How the combate betweene twelue Turks and twelue Christians was begun and how the Ladies caused it to be giuen c. cha 60. Of a noble and valiant combate betweene Dramusiande and the Giant Framustant cha 61. Of the battaile betweene the Turkes and the Christians and of that which happened cha 62. Of the first battaile betweene the Christians and the Turkes and the successe thereof cha 63. Of that which they did in Constantinople before they gaue the enemy the second battaile cha 64. Of the second battaile betweene the Christians the Turks and what happened cha 65. The counsell and aduise that the Sage Aliart gaue to them of the Empire of Constantinople And how he caused the bodies of the Emperour Palmerin and the other Princes c. chap. 66. The end of the Table
as he cried for succour to the king of Trebisonde with whose aide he returned to recouer what he had lost and at length made the meanes to get Argelao and the king of Bithinia thorow the preasse But he that had theÌ„ séene the prince Primaleon might plainly haue discerned his willingâ—es to preuails against his enemies for he laide on loade so on euerie side and following vpon theÌ„ with his traine so nobly as not one durst stand before him to endure his fury by this meanes he recouered horses againe to Floraman and Berolde but they were so wounded as they were glad to get forth of the battell Primaleon Palmerin of England and Florian of the Forrest with their traynes helde the king of Trebisondes second Squadron so hâ—te play as they wished themselues a little furder off But on the left hand of this Squadron was the most daungerous battaile betwéene Framustant and Dramusiande who had gotten great aduantage of his enemies by reason that Framustantes sword was broken to his hand but Albayzar sent two hundred Knights on foote to helpe the Giant which when Primaleon perceiued he spake to Palmerin of England in this manner I pray you Sir goe with me to succour our friend Dramasiande for I will neuer returne into the Cittie except I haue him with mée Without any more words they layd about them lustily and knockt downe euery one that stood before them vntill they came where Dramusiande was thither likewise came to defend him against his enemies the Knight of the Sauageman Florendos Platir Polinard Pompides the Sage Aliart Maiortes Frisoll Blandidon Don Rosiran de la Bronde Belcar and his sonnes being likewise accompanied with twentie of the most renowmed Knights in all the Armie and to aide Framustant came the Soldan of Persia and the king of Trebisond accompanied with a hundred knights of great authoritie and valour they being all on foote When Primaleon saw his friends without their horses he alighted likewise and so did the Prince Palmerin but when the other Christian knights heard that Primaleon fought on foote they forsooke their horses and came hastily running to defend him and now beganne such a cruell and fierce battell as on all sides it remained very doubtfull and dangerous Dramusiande and Framustant so layde vpon each other with their pommils of their swords as they were at length so sore trauailed as their stroakes could but little hurt them Primaleon and the king of Trebisonde buckled together but such was the fiercenesse of their fight as in the end they were constrained to pause a while the like happened to Palmerin of England and the Soldane of Persia but the Knight of the Sauage man slew two Knights who came traiterously and strooke him behinde his back and Florendos with the rest of his companions stuck so closely to their tackling as many of the enemies ranne like dogges away But Maiortes was so compassed in with his enemies as none of his friends might come to helpe him so that he had such gréeuous wounds giuen him as hauing slaine so many of his enimies as durst abide him hée fell downe dead to the ground himselfe Florian of the Forrest was so grieued when he saw him fall as the teares trickled downe his cheeks and albeit he was in extreame heauinesse yet he followed on them that had kilde Maiortes and reuenged his death nobly because the death of so braue a noble man was much lamented of them that knew his valiaunt minde but most especiallie of his Sonne Dridan who with anguish of mind cast himselfe amongst his enemies and within a while he behaued himselfe so well as the Turkes knew to their cost his extreame griefe for the death of his Father yet such was his vnhappie fortune in the end as being beset among the thickest of his enimies many cruell wounds giuen in diuerse places of his body he fell to the ground his vitall spirite forsaking him and made him follow his Fathers dead ghost which was no small griefe to the noble king Edward of England in respect of the great friend shippe and loue that had remayned of long time betwéene him and Maiortes And because he iudged that fighting thus on foote would be the death of many his deere friendes he commaunded his hard horses to breake through the ranckes whereto they presentlie obeyed and scattered the troupes of the enemies in such sort as all his friendes were mounteâ— on horsebacke againe and Dramusiande and Framustant were separated a sunder but at this second encounter the king of Trebisonde was slaine by the hand of the noble Palmerin of England Dramusiand and Framustant were so daungerously wounded as they were not able to hold out the fight any longer wherefore they were conueied thence the one to the Turkes Tentes and the other to the Cittie to be tendered with present regard according as their dangerous estates required When the conflict was thus broken diuers that had entred with the first squadron retired to take breathing but Primaleon Palmerin nor many of the Emperors Court beside were any of them for it was a pleasure to them to endure the trauaile of Armes such small account they made of their hurts and their enemies The Empresse and the Ladies séeing so great cruelty and the losse of so many noble Gentlemen withdrew themselues into their chambers where they lamented in such gréeuous maner as if they had seene the enimie entred into the Citie whervpon many Ladies of great authorite hearing their pittifull lamentatioÌ„s came vnto the Pallace reposing altogither their hope in the aged Emperor if the knightes in the Field should fayle of the victorie The king Tarnaes would haue denied the Ladies entraunce into the Pallace but it was more then he could well doo for hardlie can any man gouerne the common people especiallie when a generall feare of their liues is threatned before their eyes The Emperour himself whose debilitie in yéeres and griefe of minde conceyued by this vnlooked for stratageme depriued him of his woonted good iudgement and pollitique meanes to preuent so great mischéefe as he could not imagine with himselfe how to remedie this suddaine misfortune but euen with a Womans stomacke rather then the inuincible minde he had alwayes borne héeretofore fel into pusillanimitie and doubtful feare with himselfe vtterlie forgetting the auncient Adage Audaces Fortuna iuuat and Targiana the Princesse of Armenia and all the Ladies in the Turkes Campe were so fearefull and doubtfull of the victorie as the Ladies in the Emperours Court. King Edward being Generall of the Christian Armie desiring to witnesse his noble valour in the fielde hauing rested himselfe a pretie space dismounted thrée knights one after another with one Launce afterward drawing his sworde he charged the enimes on all sides about him so valiauntlie as they were glad to auoide and giue him place And the Prince Albayzar likewise séeking to honour himselfe this day with the renowme of the field came vppon the