another name am called the solitarie Knight because I possesse nothing that better agrées with my conditions then to wander through solitarie and vnknowne places shunning the habitation of populated Cities and townes thinking therby that the blind God of Loue should haue no power ouer me and therefore would I not this night lie in Persepolis but he hath at his pleasure reuenged himselfe on me with your gracious sight whose speedie remedie if I want will leaue me altogither breathlesse The hearing of your state most noble Prince hath highly contented mee saide Don Be 〈…〉 I discontent suffring the like torments that you through such a passion for procuring to auoyde the cause of such effect haue béen this night so plagued with Loues all conquering power that now I féele the force of his tributarie paines In this chat they spent the better two parts of the night which don Bellianis séeing resolued to demaunde of the Prince what he wanted for the combat desiring that by no meanes his Companions should know his intent for he durst not trust them with a battell of such import hoping also to obtain his request said I do desire you most honored prince that you will performe the promise you made me which is this I left not farre hence a Knight in an extreame daungerous aduenture destitute of an armour weapons and horse to performe a most notable combat and were it not sir knight that I also promised to procure it him I would not now presume so much to iniurie you as to request them But beléeue me if I liue I will to your content gratifie this good turne For at this time can I not do otherwise béeing requested by that knight to get him them And séeing it hath béene my happe to méete with you I do beséech you to make me so happie by your gracious graunt promising if I reuiue to morrow at this time to returne them and this is my boone and your promise The knight was verie ioyfull to haue occasion to pleasure his mistresse especially expecting so great a benefite as she promised cared not whether he neuer should haue them although they were the richest in the world sauing don Bellianis They were of colour yellow rarely ingrauen with curious workes and set with rich Orient Pearles whose inestimable woorth cannot be vallued In his shéeld was pictured a mightie mountaine with a knight lying vnder an Oke with his hand vnder his chéeke leaning vpon the sheeld staring and gazing on the cruell god of Loue sitting on the top with his bow arrowes drawne so naturally that euery looker on might easily beléeue it to be aliue And he said to don Bellianis Faire mistresse séeing all my heart is yours what néed you more saue command all I else possesse as your owne for my aâ—mor and 〈◊〉 rest Tr 〈…〉 at your desposing more desiring to vndertake that combat vnder your seruice then with my armor to pleasure you But séeing you will haue it so stay while I call my page that is not farre hence knowing I would not go into the Citie this night whereupon he sounded a horne whose value was more then might be thought The force of which blast was heard through all the citie wherewith he made a certaine signe at which the page straight came who séeing his maister accompanied with that lady greatly maruelled knowing it to be against his condition and alighting off his palfray said What wonder is this sir to sée you in such a place with so faire a Goddesse in your companie I feare she hath of purpose descended the heauens to penetrate the flintie wars of your adamant heart séeing on earth there is none that could do it It greatly pleased the knight to heare his page praise his mistresse so highly and commanded him saying Giue me my other apparell Bruneo for this Goddesse thou speakest off staieth for me Whereupon the page drew forth of a male the richest suite of apparell that euer Don Bellianis sawe It was all of a Rubie colour imbrodered with many of those stones and other of vnualued price and vnbuckling his armour gaue them him and put on those garments Don Bellianis admired and highly commended the knights gallant liberalitie and the more that deceitfull loue should make him so kind desirous to requite his bountie said Most noble and renowmed Prince I do accept the gift of your lent armor for the same do promise ere 20. dayes do passe to remedie your gréefe to your great profit so require no more of me For this promise the prince knéeled to kisse his hands Don Bellianis wold not suffer it taking him vp in his arms embraced him kindly which excéedingly gladded his hart And therwith did help him to mouÌ„t on his horse saying You may swéet mistresse sit without feare for though my horse séemeth as hee doth yet is he so gentle and tractable as may be desired I beléeue no lesse my good lord replied don Bellianis and taking his armor bound in a cloath before him don Contumelianos sword in his hand who tooke his pages saide I intreate you to enter the Citie to day where you shall sée your armour vsed and after follow the Knight for you shall find me in this place and so taking leaue departed through the thicke Groaue leauing him as a man that firmely gazeth on some woonder and rapt with admiring contemplation thereof suddainlie looseth the sight of his delightfull obiect So rested Don Contumeliano who not knowing what to doo lay him downe to sleepe till it shoulde bée time to enter the Cittie which hée did mounted on his Pages Horse in which Cittie hée neuer had béene where taking his Inne expected the houre to go to Court where we leaue him to returne to Don Bellianis trauailing through the wood as aforesaid CHAP. XXIIII What happened to Don Bellianis in the Court armed in Don Contumelias armour How he accepted the battell His talke with the Princesse Persiana before the fight and what befell him in the same DOn Bellianis going through the wood as is said came at last to a Caue where in Winter the Shepheardes vsed to withdrawe themselues which hée seeing to fitte his turne alighted more easier then Don Contumeliano did mount him a horsebacke and so went in and straight put off Florianaes garments and armed him as well as hee might hauing no helpe which done hee hid his female Robes couering them with some bowes which he cut with his sword that none that there should arriue might thinke them otherwise and so tooke his way towards Persepolis at such time as the giuer of all light began with his resplendent rayes to cleare the duskie â—â—â—e and chase the darkened cloudes from the ayrie Region when the chirping birdes with their melodious harmonie saluted the mornings vprise whose varying notes and pleasing musick strook such thoughts into the passionate Prince of his contemplatiue mistresse that he regarded not his way nor knew not where he
such great admiration and excéeding ioye to sée his Lady had almost fowned to the ground Thereupon Don Bellianis commaunded the Trumpets to sound the retrait to withdrawe the souldiers and nâ—éeting with the Kings of Armenia and Feâ—â—ifanty led them to theyr owne quarters which they could hardly do beeing so giuen to the spoile But being vnited togither don Bellianis charged the Dukes Captaines to conduct their men to their maisters Cittie that was in the Kingdome of Persia which they did with great hast séeing their enterprise so happâ—ly succéeded and also because there was aboue 40. thousand men armed there And theÌ„selues hauing no guides staied within y e citie til y e morrow least they shuld loose theÌ„selues in the night But the dukes men kept on their way so well that at the appearing of the Sunne they were hard by the place where the daye beâ—ore they left the Princesse Aurora whither also came the Princes and there they all alighted to rest them where the Princesse Aurora welcommed them with the duke Alâ—iron whose gladnesse was as great as his sorrow had bene before rendring togither with the other Princesse innumerable thankes vnto the two Kings for their aide promising and confirming an euerlaâ—â—ing inâ—iolable bond of amitie â—that lasted all their liues as the course of this great Historie amply dilatâ—th And not staying in this place departed thence where we leaue them to set downe what the Soldane did CHAP. IIII. What the Soldane did hauing vnderstood his daughters losse And how Coroliano and Boraldo his brother followed the Dukes power with great troupes with the successe of a most cruell battell that passed betweene them WHat tongue is able to expresse the many and loude laments and lamentable cries made in the Pallace by the popularitie and others which also the Ladies and damoselles with their great clamours augmented for the losse of the Princesse Persiana Now the Knights that escaped the deadly fury of the lost battell séeing their aduersaries gone went to séeke the Soldan whom they found in the Garden as before is mentioned they tooke him and did beare him thence to his Chamber and laide him in his bedde and hearing the pittious shréekes of the damosels enquired the cause which was told him to be for that their aduersaries had taken with them the Princesse Persiana his daughter and had set at libertie the Duke Alfiron and all that more he had not séene which when he knew the extreame anguish and sorrow of these euils almost bereft him of his liuing breath But therevpon he called a cousin of his a lustie and couragious Knight called Coroliano and commaunded him to follow the enemy wiâ—h all the people in the Citie to rescue his stolen Daughter and that he should spare no mans life that fell into his hands Which he vttered with such â—â—raged greet that the â—eares triâ—kled downe his face Coroliano did all like the man accustonâ—â—d in such dangers assuring himselfe â—o be auâ—nged on their foes for all their losses Wherefore at his command the citie straight â—â—choâ—d with the sound of all manner of millitarie instrumeÌ„ts and all that were able to beare armes armed themselues and wâ—nt to the pallace so that in litle time there were gathered aboue 40. thâ—usand men which in all haste hee lâ—d â—ut of Perâ—â—pâ—lis keeping no order iâ— their march y t their enemies might not get far before them who then were aboue 15. miles aâ—ore In this maner they went till they came to a Cittie belonging to the Souldane where they that night rested and vnderstanding there howe the enemie determined to dyne the next morrow at Bolleâ—a thought if hee staied hee should not ouertake them as he would Wherfore about mid-night he set forwards with all his men making such haste that by brâ—ake of day hee espied them desâ—â—nâ—ing a hill in good order which much ioyed him that he presently commaunded his Trâ—â—pets to sâ—â—â—de which Don â—ellianis hearing looked backe and sawe so â—â—any men make towards them that they couered the plaine it sâ—mewhat troubled him wanting meanes to guarde the Princesse Yet with as much câ—lâ—ritie as the time afâ—oorded hee whéeled his companies about setting the Princesse at one side of the mountaine guarded with fiue hundred knights and séeing his men began to â—aint with the sight of such multitudes he incouraged them repraying and â—â—treating them to consider that those troupes were of little moment and lesse valoâ—r comming halfe vanquished beeing onely ledde by the eagerâ—â—sse of râ—â—â—nge for the late slaughter was made of them which like blinde men brought them to theyr vttâ—r distruction This saiâ—â— hee tooke with him the aduâ—nterous Knight the Prince Arfileo the two knightes and the Duke and placing themselues before theyr men expected theyr aduersaries Coroliano being descended on the plaine deuided his Souldiers in two Squadrons the one hee committed to his Brother Boraldo and the other he ledde himselfe and imagining what they had done he commandâ—d two thousand chosen knights to assault the corner of the mounte certainly supposing that the Princesse Persiana was there and so with great clamours they furiously ranne vppon the Dukes men who with their valiaunt guides were to receiue thâ—m and so terrible were their incounters on that plaine that aboue foure thousand of Corolianos knights were vnhorsed by reason that their horses were wearie and tyred with the haste they had made that they could scant holde out thitherto Don Bellianis and his companions on their side ouerthrewe aboue sixtie to the grounde dead and thrusting themselues among their enemies that they séemed so many furies sent for theyr vtter desolation But the aduerse numbers were so many that the dead nothing discouraged the liuing especially for that Coroliano so animated them that it may be be saide hee onely vpheld the battell Which Arfileo seeing tooke a Launce from one of his companie and made against him Coroliano did the like and met so furiously that theyr shéeldes and Armour were piersed and themselues rested on horsebacke sorely wounded then drawing theyr strong swordes forced each other at euery blowe to bowâ— theyr heads to the Saddle pummell While they were thus in fight Don Bellianis men through his strength and their enemies hauing no other Captaine but the other beganne to win some ground with such slaughter of both sides that neyther parte might well boast of the victorie in the ende Which thing when Boraldo perceiued woulde no longer staye nor expect any woorde from his Brother but like an arrowe sent from a stéeled bowe maketh his swift way through their airie passage so he with his fresh Battalion sette against his aduersaries and looking on whom hâ— might with most honour breake his Launce espâ—â—â— the King of Armenia that with diuellish rage â—â—aâ—sacred his meâ— against whom resting his speare ouerturned him there with doing the like to the King of Tessifantie on whom he brake his speare Whereat with a loude voyce he incouraged his fainting
as if he had bene one of the Centinels and thus he went till he came vnto a great pauilion which he thought to be the Generals of those troopes and looking into it he sawe many knights talking with another that lay in his bed whom he iudged according to his manner and conditions to be the Sophy and hard by him he spied armed without his helme the Prince of Persia that had bene cured after by the same meanes that he was their conference was that it would be good to giue another assault vnto the Citie for if it were but only to affright them within it would not be amisse And the Emperour being busily harkoning to this there came vnto him a knight that was Collonell of y e Court of guard and saide What doo you here you are not in your quarters I was walking about said the Emperour and here I staied to looke vpon this Tent. And therfore shall you goe to prison replied the other seeing you haue no more care The Emperour said let vs go whither you will Here vpon the Collonell turned to foure knightes and charged them to conuay that knight to his Tent. Which they going to doo the Emperor sorely wounded ouerthrew them one after an other to the ground with his lance and about to do the like by the Colonel he thrust himself among the Tents calling out for help But the Emperour that hereat became furious reached his launce at the Souldan that laie a bed with such force raising himself on his stirrops which if it had gone straight he had no more néede to make warre yet it missed him so little that the Launce past betwixt his arme and left side and ranne through all the bedding nayling it aboue a handfull in the grounde Which the Knights séeing that were talking with him gathered about him thinking he had bene slaine and some went out to sée what he was that had bene so hardie to do such a déed among whom was the Prince Perianeo But the Emperour thinking it no wisedome to oppose himselfe against so many closely thrust among those knights that were come thither and so past till he came to the farther side of the Campe at such time that the Sunne beganne to appeare and fearing some might méete and know him and so frustrate his intent he rushed with great violence vppon the guard on that side and maugre their force he passed through the middest of them leauing aboue twentie pitteously wounded on the earth And at length arriued in his owne Camp where being straight knowne was with great gladnesse receiued and so entered the Cittie where the Duke and all the rest ioyfully welcommed him and being demaunded for the valiant Knight of the golden Image he replied he departed from him at the Valley of the thrée Fountaines and woulde quickly returne So leauing them he went to rest himselfe for he greatly néeded it The Prince Perianeo being come foorth of the Tent thinking his father had bene slaine inquiring for him that had done it came to the place where the Emperour had made that slaughter there he founde some dead some gréeuously wounded and some in such case as they could hardly liue long and demannding who had so handled them they replied they knewe not saue that a diuellish Knight clad in Armour bearing certaine Crownes vpon his shield had done those wonders and in despight of vs all hath entred the Citie of Bollera By this the Prince knewe the Knight that woulde haue slaine his Father was hée with whome hée did Combatte though he much doubled it because his deare frined the wise Fristone had tolde him he would set him in place where hee should leaue both honour and life yet discontented and amazed he returned to the Tent where he found the Souldan vp whereat he greatly reioyced and with no little gladnesse demanded how he felt himselfe and whether the launce had done him any harme None replied the Souldan but what I conceiued with feare of death and I assuredly thinke that was the knight of the golden Image for none else could haue the heart to do it So great is the bountie of this knight replied y e prince that none might do it but he In these words you shall sée it answered the Souldane for he that doth not sée his déedes will hardly beléeue them my self hauing séene him performe so hautie acts of Chiualry which else none should haue perswaded me that any humane creature could atchiue them for he being wounded slue the horrible Dragon of the Ryphean desart and the King of Cyprus assuring you that when he entered with him in the listes the blood issued twixt the ioynts of his Armour from his olde woundes He also discouered the aduenture of the Dispaire in Loue with many other things which of him you haue heard I long to try replied the Prince how farre his valour dooth extend For I know not whether it be a Knight that did disturbe me from ending a certaine Combat and if it be he I doo protest to procure all meanes til I méete with him It is no wisedome said the Souldan to hazard your person â—â— so certaine daunger séeing with our souldiers you haue here we shall easily be reuenged on them all I will neuer leaue such a battell answered the Prince for if he be such a knight as he that hurld his Lance at you he ought with reason to be estéemed Do you know him said the Souldan Yes replied the Prince for yesterday I did Combat with him in the valley of the thrée Fountains But how did you with him said y e soldan My friend the Sage Fristone did part vs answered Perianeo In such talke continued they till the ensuing morrow aduertizing a whole Camp to be in readines against y e next assalt The duke Alfiron and the Kings séeing the knight of the golden Image came not they altogither very sorrowfully intreated the Emperor to vndertake the generall charge ouer them all which he did though vnwillingly And hauing heard his enemies intent taking with him the prince Arfileo Sabian of Trebento he mustred all his men diuiding them into 5. squadrons The first he committed to the leading of the Phenician prince with him his valiant cosen Florispiano with 20. thousand well appointed knights The second he committed to the duke Alfiron with al his men which were as many The third led the kings of Armenia Tessifantie The fourth conducted Sabian of Trebento And the fift gouerned a brother of the Dukes called Sallatell of the valley And for himselfe he wold haue none The Prince Perianeo diuided his troopes in sire battalions and euery one of 50. thousand knights and gaue order that other fiftie thousand with all the footemen should assault the Citie which were aboue fortie thousand with so manie millitarie engines that they made sure account to lay it leuell with the ground with vtter desolation of all the knights at their first incounter CHAP.
the Emperour and said Withdraw your selfe sir vnlesse you wil haue vs al destroied for they within the citiâ— haue néede of present helpe Is it possible said the Emperor Assure your selfe replied the knight that if the Cittie bee taken which is easily to be done we shalbe all vtterly destroyed The Emperour remembring it might be so and the Sunne being verie high was in their faces commanded a retreat to be sounded whereupon there enemies thinking they fled set furiouâ—â—y vpon them But the Emperor gathering his men in forme of a Pyramedes defended them in such such sort that none miscarried and they entred safely within theyr trenches where the Emperor leauing sufficient guard made most of his men enter the Citie to defend it where because the assault of the wall might some what slaken opened one of the Gates which hée with the Phenician Prince and Florispiano valourously kept by whose handes manie their died with tenne of the terriblest giants in all the aduerse campe But ouertaken with the darkenesse of the night they were forced to leaue and returne to their Tents The like did the Emperour King and Princesse who leauing good guarde in the Citie returned to the Pallace where they were receyued with more outwarde gladnesse then inwardly was conceiued by the princesse Persiana and Aurora the one for greafe to sée those wars the other wanting the presence of her deare friend the Prince don Bellianis And supper being ended the Emperour withdrawing himself to his chamber was taken apart by the Princesse Aurora that sayde vnto him I beséech your Maiestie tell mee what is become of Don Bellianis for I feare some diaster accident may haue befallen him The Emperour to comfort her tolde her all that had happened in the valley of the thrée Fountaines and howe the sage Bellona had taken him with her Now am I verie glad sayde the Princesse for I am assured hee shall haue no harme in her companie And so giuing one another the good night departed The Emperour to his Chamber and she to hers with the Princesse Florisbellaes Ladies that were verie sorrowfull for the absence of the knight of the golden Image The Princesse told them that the wise Bellona had conducted him with her which were some better newes for them In this muner remained the besieged knights and euery day came fresh supplie vnto the Soldane with which he euerie day assaulted the Citie sometimes winning and sometimes loosing as in such accidents is often séene But they within the Citie receiuing no ayde had commonly the woorst Where we leaue them till we haue dilated the straunge aduentures of the knight of the Golden Image conducted by the wise woman CHAP. XL. Whap happened the Knight of the golden Image going with Bellona and how he proued the aduenture of Brandezar on the Nycaonian mountaines IN maner aboue expressed the knight of the golden Image posted with such swiftnesse that by the next morning Sun he found himselfe vpon a high mountaine the barrennest that might be seene and turning to the sage Bellona with whoÌ„ thitherto he had not spoken said vnto her Tell me Ladie what Country is this where we are for I assure you I neuer sawe woorse We are nowe replied shee in the Kingdome of Egypt on the mountaines of the King Nycaon and there must you end an aduenture which will be to your eternall benefite excelling all that hitherto you haue done And therefore know that this kingdome in times past being the mightiest Monarchie ouer the worlde many yeares in which time there swaied the empyre a worthy king called Nycaon by whose name this mountaine is called that you are on This king was at great iarre with another named Brandezar Emperor of Babylon whom so pursued him that he was fame to immure himselfe within a strong Citie hee possest hard by the riuer Euphrates where Brandezar begirt him with a fearfull siege that hoping of no remedie to obtaine his libertie was driuen to vse his Art being the greatest Magician in his time that euer had bâ—â—n before him and resolued to do what you shall nowe heare One night by his Arche went to Brandezars Campe and caused him to be brought vpon this Mountaine but first hee called his Subiects togither and counselled them to compounde with those Caldeans and Babylonians for hee had determined to leaue them because his enemies should not execute their reuenge on him His subiects that greatly loued him with great sorrowe intreated him to stay and see howe they woulde spende theyr lyues in his seruice But hee promising them quickelie to returne assured them he would ease them of their gréefe caused by Brandezar And so hee did for comming hither hée wrought such inchauntments vpon him that hée remayned in the greatest torments and paines that any tongue can expresse and thinking that if by his inchauntments hée lost his vnderstanding and sences hée shoulde not bee reuenged at his pleasure resolued to leaue in his perfect iudiciall wittes and for that cause inchaunted a King with such vertue and coniuration that hée which on his finger weares it should neuer bee offended by any inchauntment but inioy his true sences with all the libertie his heart else might wish sauing bodies imprisonment This might he well doo as the onelie man that in this Arte tutered Medea béeing neuer equalled in this sâ—ience And a while after that hée knewe his vassalles were quitted minded to returne and descending this mightie Monntaine mette with his valianâ— brother who in his absence was crowned King Nycaon as is sayde méeting and knowing him ranne to imbrace him But his brother busied with other imaginations was greatly displeased to see him and thinking hee shoulde loose that mightie Empyre by his comming closing within him stabbed him till hee died and after commaunded his followers to say they founde him so there which they did And he remained king and Nycaon was buried at his mountaines foote That which you néede this present time is to ende this aduenture and to take the King from the Emperour Brandezar which you must vse in a deare imploy and without it you shall liue the grieuousest life that may bee thought And because you shall haue the greater desire to attempt it I tell you that the sage Fâ—â—stone did ordaine all those things you sawe to disturbe your battell and is nowe gone into the Citie of Babylon for hée knoweth by his Art wherein hée excelles all those of his profession that if at this present hée get not in his power the Princesse Florisbella to giue her to his friend the Princesse Perianeo of Persia hée after shall not so easily obtaine her at least by force and therefore intendes hée by one meanes or other to haue her for the Prince Perianeo verie shortly Wherefore it behooues her to haue that King that his determination may bee frustrated And if from the same Emperour you can take the armour hee weares they woulde greatly auaile you for hée that
most noble Prince sayd the Ladie for in comparison of that this Prince shall do this is the least Much maruailed Arsileo to be knowne in that place not remembring that he euer saw any of those Ladies and so continued in pleasing â—hat till supper time when the tables being couered they sate them downe And héere leaue wee them to shew what bâ—fell the Emperour Don Bellaneo and what he did CHAP. III. How the Emperour departed to seeke out his sonne AT the many outcries the Empresse gaue Don Bellianis her sonneto returne from the Beares pursuite diuers of those knights that were ahunting hastned after following the signes of the bloud till they came to the place where hee did sitte and there found so much bloud that they rested wonderous disinaide yet saw they not the caues mouth by reason that the entrie therof was there stopt and made on the further side But not staying there they beganne to séeke the Prince among the thicke groues with all spéedie diligence yet could finde neither footing nor signe of him whereat they were so amazed séeing euerie where such quantitie of bloud as they imagined he could not be farre from thence yet durst not without him returne to the Empresse The like happened the Emperour whome a certaine knight tolde how a horrible Beare dragged the Prince Arsileo as is before mentioned who vnderstanding it made no long stay but accompanied with many knights began to seeke that way hee had heard they were gone and after long toyles seeing himselfe in that thicke wood and doubting some mischance might beâ—all him called for his armour whereof he neuer went vnprouided as one delighting more in millitarie successe then in hunting and was with all speede armed mounting on his horse put himselfe through the forrest with 〈…〉 sole Squire commanding the rest of his traine to seeke the Prince on the other side nought preuailing with him their intreatie to go with him but hée commanded the Prince Don Bryanell to take his launce cast his sheeld at his backe and leauing his companie verie sorrowfull departed fully determined not to returne to Constantinople vntill he heard eyther of the princes liues or deaths for whom he so greatly gréeued that the more hee thought to dissemble it the more his sorrow increased Thus in his iourney leauing him we will declare what his Knights did which a little after met with all the rest standing by the caues mouth who knowing of the cruell chaunce that befell the Prince Don Bellianis began greatly to lament him but seeing it little preuailed sought him anew in many places till the darkesome night ouertooke them which forced them to returne vnto their tents where they left the Empresse that imaged with greefe would haue commanded their heads to be stroken off that consented to the Emperour to depart not so much esteeming the Princes losse as his sodaine going through those dangerous woods where certainely she thought he would be deuoured by sauage beasts inhabiting that forrest wherefore straight recommanded that with many lights and torches they should againe bee looked for ouer all the mountaines but not finding them worthily they deserued to bee excused and seeing neither of them could be found greatly gréeued they all returned to the Cittie with bitter execrations cursing the houre they first determined to come to that place causer of the Empresses inraged greefe that none durst speake vnto her CHAP. IIII. The strange and dangerous aduenture that befell the Emperour in the discouered Castle seeking the Prince Don Bellianis his sonne THe Emperor putting himself through that wilde groue taking his way diuersly hauing no certaintie of any thing so trauailed til it was night with great gréefe seeing he could effect nothing to his intent by reason of the nights obscurity alighted so did Brianell who vnbridled their horses that they might féede on the gréene grasse which with ouermuch labour were so tyred that they could hardly any longer beare their Maisters But the Emperour being in great trouble and anguish of minde for the losse of both the Princes yet more sorrowed for the Empresses gréefe which was not little that hée supposed she would conceiue séeing neither of them returne then for ought else For he certainely thought that if they were deuoured by wilde beasts some signe thereof would bée founde so that perswading himselfe the contrarie he parted aside to rest but hee had not slept scarse two houres when suddainly he awaked at the loude cryes he heard that all the vallies ecchoed with the noyse which with more vehemence still seemed to increase as if they procéeded from some in great necessitie sustaining outrage whereat the good Emperour was so amazed with trouble on all sides chéefely at that time yet as one searching such daungers commanded Don Bryanell to bridle his horse while he laced on his helme and casting his shéeld at his back mounted on his horse not setting foote in stirrop and taking his launce thrust himselfe through the groue following the voyce he heard imagining some of the Princes might be there but féeling himselfe wearie with much trauel yet supposing he approached euerie foote nigher to the lamentable crie spied hard by him a high Castle well fortified with Towers though by the darkenesse of the night he could little discerne it But comming to the gate perceiued the voyce procéeded thence and with great desire to know the cause knocked at the same yet none answered him which more vrged him to learne the force and violence within vsed so that he went round about the Castle but could find no enterance whereat fyred with delay and the lamentable voyce increasing spied a rope wherewith from the top of the Castle they drewe vppe stones with a certaine deuise they had within So the Emperour finding no other entrie bade Don Bryanell vnarme him who sayde what meane you to doo my good Lord will you by force haue your enterance through these stonie walles I intend nothing else replied the Emperour and therefore alight and vnarme me which done binde my Armour to this coard that therewith if I haue tune I may Arme my selfe aloft I thinke it a méere madnesse saide the Prince to hazard your person in so imminent a danger for besides that the coÌ„ming forth séemes so difficult I beléeue you hardly wil be suffered to see what kind of people doth inhabit it and so haue scarce time to vse your Armour I can do no otherwise answered the Emperour for it would be imputed to my euerlasting shame if I should suffer this wrong to passe vnpunished or not vsing that which my state bindes me to So dismounting hee was disarmed and getting holde of the rope taking with him his sword and sheelde he clymed thereby to the Castle top as easily as if he had gone vp a paire of stayres and calling for his Armour Don Brianell began to tye it to the corde But it otherwise fell out then he imagined for through the Castle
I will speake it that my selfe imitating your valour might incourage my decaying courage by your discréete replie by which since I perceiue you rested vndaunted and animated against insuing daungers it behooued vs least we be suddainely assaulted and ouerthrowne with their horses which greatly might hazard vs that wee take before vs yon knight that lyeth vppon the grounde meaning Don Galaneo that verie sorely wounded lay without his helme for these that towards vs come bee his men and fearing to hurt him wil not molest vs with their horses This will be very good sayde Don Bellianis as also that one of these Knights spéedily conduct these Ladies into the castle for I do more regard their safetie then I estéeme my owne life So effecting all things they on foote expected the comming of the Giants and Knights which were aboue 500. in number who approaching were greatly amazed to sée that slaughter of knights and Giants which if their knights that fled had not told them of they would not haue beléeued it Hereupon two of the formost Giants with a cosin of Don Gallaneo called Don Galfeo the vnknown thinking to ouerrun them with their horses perceiued they defended themselues with don Gallanco wherfore they commanded all their knights to alight on foote which they would by no means do because they saw comming from the citie a great troupe of knights which so soone arriued as had they alighted with little trouble they had al bin slain yet notwithstanding some ten of them dismounted together making account to end y e fight with the emperors death while the rest went against the knights y t from the citie marched for being in a strange land they reputed euerie one their enemie But the King of Hungary that was he which came with y e knights in such extreame foreséeing the danger like to insue coÌ„manded his men to whéele about to the further side compassing so much field that with safetie they might arriue where the Emperour and the other Knights were combatting fearing that if they should encounter with theyr enemies the Emperour might in the meane time bee slaine and theyr haste and ayde come in vaine the Knights béeing all chosen and valiaunt such as continually guarded the Emperours person and sufficient euerie one to be a coÌ„mander of many took their compasse in such maner that without turning their backs or on their aduersaries breaking their lances fel on the sudden where the emperor and Princes were whoÌ„ they found fighting like angered lions for that Don Bryanell was pitiously wounded by two giants and by them beaten to the ground so that the Emperor Don Belianis to defend him bestirred themselues so brauely against them estéeming them but as two common knights On the other side the Prince Arfileo kneeled with his knée on the ground for one of the Giants had thrust him quite through the thigh But when the King of Hungarie arriued with his men hee alighted with some twentie knights leauing the rest in fight with their aduersaries whereof some béeing rounde begirt with Grecians the others sette themselues against don Bellianis séeing hée was the sole causer of their vtter ruine and notwithstanding his mighty blowes two of those Giants closed with him but hee not dismaide therewith layde hand on his dagger which at his backe continually hee wore and stabbed it in the Gyants backe that held him betwixt his armes which done with mighty strength it ran through his body to the hilts Which was not so speedily performed but the other wounded him gréeuouslie that his armour being in thrée places rent and his flesh in many brused and cutte and séeing himselfe in such notorious perill tooke the heauy boystrous Giant in his armes with his puissant forces hoysted him aloft and with a mightie fall tumbled him to the earth where presently he chopt off his head which done turning to the emperor he saw him close with another Giant and fearing some sinister hap might befall him through the much bloud issuing from his wounds whereat the Prince greatlic wondered how he could stand on foote strooke the Gyant such a blow on the legge that hée sundered it quite from the body All which notwithstanding seeing the number of the knights still increase vpon them and that the trampling of the horses might greatly indanger them doubting that the emperor because he had lost much bloud would not be able to mount a horsback tooke him in his armes set him on the giants horse he last sâ—ue The like did hee to the Prince Arfileo that through the wounde on his thigh could not doâ— it himselfe and greatly esteeming Don Bryanell for that hee hadde seene him that day doo and because hee came in his Fathers companye hee tooke him from the ground and commanded a knight to conuay him to the Castle there to applie him such remedies as that hee might recouer his lost senses And nowe at the last when hee would get a horse for himselfe could not so easily compasse it for all the rest of the knights hadde turned themselues with a hellish furie vpon him where he was like to be slaine outright for Don Galfeo hauing vanquished the Emperours men sette on him wounding him with cruell and remorselesse blowes But finding himselfe incompassed with death began to strike on euery side that vnhappie was hee on whom any lighted for so fearefull and deadly they were that with sixe blowes he strooke down thrée knights and two Giants seeing Don Galfeo was hee that most molested him strooke at his leg with such strength that had the sword fallen with the edge downeright it had cutte it cleane off yet it rased away all his armour there and séeing him within his reach plucked his shéelde out of his hande and with it beate him to the grounde from himselfe and so none daring molest him without setting foote on stirrop hee mounted on Don Galfeos horse At this time hither came the Emperour that séeing him so nimbly mounted beeing so sorely wounded was so amazed that he hardly beleeued what his eyes behelde and that which he most admired was to sée him so fierce and couragious in this first aduenture that euer happened him And emulating his valiant deedes hée followed him as if he were his teacher and hee his pupill to whom Don Beliani being nigh him sayde Me thinks Syr knight our men begin to loose the field so think I answered the Emperour and calling Arfileo ioyned all three together with the King of Hungarie that was in the vauntguard animating his fainting knights that with fresh courage so gallantly returned to the fight as if at that present they began giuing and receiuing most terrible blowes of those helburned Giants But Don Belianis seeing the wonders the Emperour his Father had performed imagining his owne actes none in compatison of his with such vehement rigour hee assaulted his foes that his men regained their lost aduantage About this time Don Galfeo
you So haue you got your armor which you had lost answered Arfileo for which you are beholding to the knight of the golden Image I haue no reason to thank him for it replyed hee for he did it more to keepe his owne that are so excellent then because I should not loose mine Then were it good said don Bellianis since you wil not thanke me for them that you restore them backe to me We shall not so soone ende this quarrell as you did the other replied Don Bryanell for the knights looking for yours would to haue them willingly let me haue mine Let this passe saide Don Gallaneo for had you lost these your gallant dispositions you would haue gotten others In this manner at length they arriued at the Cittie euen at the dayes departing giuing place vnto the mighty glistering stars twinckling in the firmament where they founde the people attending for their comming with lights and torches who in troupes filled vp the stréetes that they had no way to passe for the newes being spread that one knight had vanquished the keepers of the vnhappie Bridge they all flocked to sée him as a wonder demaunding one of another which was hée neuer inough satisfied with his sight that all this while talked with Don Gallaneo till they all came to the pallace gate where they alighted The beatious Persiana was dismoūted by don Bellianis that said to don Brianell I haue at this time Sir aduenturous knight deceiued you of the reward of your labour hauing on foote obtayned more thē you in all this iourney You are all against me replyed hee but I may haue a time to crye quittance with you for it Don Gallaneo taking the Princesse Aurora in his armes they all entred the royall Hall whence all their companye departed The Souldan importuned the three knights to stay within the pallace which hee could not obtaine For they answered they would in no wise leaue the Duke till the triumphes were ended so said the Princesse Aurora that neuer woulde disassociate her knights so with leaue of the Souldan and his daughter they also departed Well did don Bellianis note when they were taking their leaue how the Duke Alfiron shewed no good will towardes Gallaneo wherefore hee was desirous to bee certified therof and beeing come to the Dukes Pallace that was one of the best and greatest in the citie Don Bellianis would not stay for supper but finding himselfe weake through the much bloode hee had lost cast himselfe on a bed that was made for him where his damzels did againe dresse his woundes whyle the Duke and the rest satte to supper where they were so well serued as they had beene in Constantinople and after went to visit Don Bellianis whence departing they went to repose their wearied bodies CHAP. XIIII The conference betweene the Princesse Persiana and the Duke Alfyron with the knight of the golden image THe next morning scarce had the sonne mounted on his fierie wayne to make his orbed course about the world but the Duke Alfyron went to visit the Knight of the Golden image for by no other name would hee bee knowne to them vnlesse it were to the Princesse and ladies and entring his chamber he found him rising though his wounds were great The Duke with a kinde congye gaue him the goodmorrow and said Trouble not your self to ryse sir knight for your wounds may put you in great pain Thinking you went to the tourney aunswered the Prince I would make me readie What shall wee doo there to daye replyed the Duke but I beléeue if the Souldane knewe you were so weake he would come to visit you Then were it not amisse sayde the Prince that I did rise to saue him that labour With this entred the Ladies also to visit him bidding him in no case rise till they further aduised him wherewith hée lay still and so the Ladies left him with the Duke But he hauing great desire to be auenged on don Gallaneo by reason of the promise he had made his father and perceiuing the Duke had like intent and desiring to knowe it said to him Tell me sir which of all those knightes was the Prince don Gallaneo of Antioch That was he replyed the Duke that led the Princesse Aurora by the raynes of her palfray borne to rob mee of my earthly ioyes What is the cause thereof demaunded he for so great a Lorde as you shoulde easily bee reuenged on any person whatsoeuer being mooued therto That is not the thing that may remedie my gréefe said the Duke yet I pray you let me know it sayde Don Belliani◠Then thus beganne the duke I was a long time captiuated in the loue of the beatious Princesse Persiana and of her so highly fauoured that with little labour I might haue obtained her for my wife if my reuoluing fates had not opposed themselues against my happinesse◠and so declared to him the whole processe of his loue with such sorrow that Don Bellianis could not restraine his teares taking great compassion of him though glad in that this might be a meanes to effect his owne intent and thus answered De not thinke your matter so happelesse but imagine you may by some meanes attaine the Princesse Persiana to your wife I cannot perswade my selfe replied the Duke there may bée any remedie for my gréefe For to morrow after dinner the iousts beginnes and the same morning the Princesse is married to Don Gallaneo wherby I sée no hope but death for anchorage and end of all my paines or to depriue my life of my vitall senses before my eies do view it Do not so afflict your soule sayd Don Bellianis for I haue thought vpon a meane which if you agrée thereto is that to morrow we all méet at the Tourney where if Don Gallaneo thinking himselfe the best Knight within this Court doth enter there also I meane to bee in an vnknowne armour and méeting with him will disappoint him of his new betrothed loue For I haue no lesse desire then you to sende him out of the world And to the end with more secrecie wee may do it you shall giue out I am so sore wounded that I rest vnable to rise and so Don Gallaneo shall not scape my handes and your intent shalbe at full accomplished If this faile you haue such knights that with thē maugre all the court I will conduct her where you will The duke hearing this knew not where he was with ioy imbrasing him said Not without great cause renowmed knight of the golden image did I from the first houre I saw you comprize such loue of you was so suddenly affected as the man in whom might consisted the remedie of my torments although we know not fully howe wee shall accomplish it by reason at this present there is aboue fiftie thousand knights in the court that I doubt we shall not so easily scape with our liues for all I little regard my
more nor lesse in any thing then what the knight of the golden Image shall commaund me I humbly kisse your hand sayde he for this your high fauour though in all things else it is well knowne that my dutie binds me to obey you But to our matter I am of opinion sauing better iudgement and repoâ—ing our confidence on the royall words of these great kings you may fearelesse present your selfe before the Soldane for I trust you shall haue no iniurie offered you Thereof be assured said the kings for so the Soldane hath vowed The damsels that came with don Bellianis after he killed the dragon stepping to him sayde Wee haue heard Sir knight the Princesse Persiana is in a strong tower imprisoned by the commandement of the Soldane her father wherefore consider what best in this case may be done talking as little as you may because of indangering your wounds and your selfe When the duke was departing don Bellianis called to him Don Bryanell and Arfileo and prayed them to accompanie the duke and answere for the Princesse Persiana and himselfe as occasion should be offered They being all readse straight tooke their way to the Soldanes Pallace leauing the knight of the golden Image in talke with the Princesse Aurora and Florisbellas damsels which were both beautifull and wittie greatly admiring his courage and magnanimitie froÌ„ whose presence they were not parted day nor night but had placed their beds a little from his the better to watch and help him at his néede who excepting the diuine powers of the omnipotent God were cause of his health beeing in that science both singular and excellent CHAP. XXI What happened to the Duke with the Soldane Howe the Knight of the golden Image and the Princesse Persiana were challenged for the deaths of don Gallaneo and Galfeo by the fearefull Felistone and his brethren and howe the challenge was accepted SO soone as the duke was arriued at the Soldanes pallace with the companie mentioned in the precedent Chapter and thinking it vnméet to aduertise him therof they al dismounted and on foot entred the great hall where the Sophy sat who when he saw him come with his blood changed in his face as being the man that mortally hated the duke which now being nigh him humbled himself on his knées requesting the kissing of his royall hands You néed them not Duke said the Sophy since you account your deserts so meritorious and of your self so highly that I sending for you to appeare before me vtterly denied it and with all your power resisted my commandes The Gods forbid I should haue committed any such offence replied the Duke And well do you know dread soueraigue that I neuer estéemed in any your affaires to hazard both life and my whole estate in your seruice But doubting your highnesse being full of ire wold not hear me according to the iustice of my cause I rather chose to withdraw my selfe vnto my lodging where to this instant I remained from whence I was now called bythese noble knights to appeare before your mightinesse So being in this conference there entred the hall thrée giants the greatest vgliest fiercest that any humane nature could produce they were al armed sauing y e heads whose helms and shéelds were borne by their squires on them attended 30. knights not much inferior to theÌ„ in bignesse all their outward garments were of mourning cloth who went directly to the soldan that throughly viewing them greatly woÌ„dred at their moÌ„strous fiercenesse Loe one that was most deformed and séemed to command the rest without dutie to the Soldan began thus with a voice whose hollow roring made all the hall resounde High mightie lord we beléeue that small is the notice come to your eares of vs hauing but little traced thy dominioÌ„s althogh we haue endeuored with all our power the vtmost of our desire the aduaÌ„cing of your house by our seruice wherof your son the prince Perianeo is a sufficient witnesse as the man in the wars of Antioch being tearmed the knight of the Image we ayded of him may you know I am king of Cyprus otherwise called Fellestone the fierce brother to these knigts here present that knowing you married the Princesse Persiana to our cosin don Gallaneo of Antioch we came to honor his nuptials and arriuing néere this citie two of my knights whoÌ„ I sent to seeke two damzels of my companie were slaine by one which I vnderstood is called the knight of the golden Image of whoÌ„ there are also many tales bruted of their valour Moreouer we were certified that he and the duke Alfiron slue in the turney most trecherously the prince don Gallaneo and his cosin don Galfeo And thogh we are assured you wil execute on them the punishment that so vile treason requires for wee haue vnderstood the imprisonment of your daughter the princesse Persiana consenter to their deaths Notwithstanding we being persons to whoÌ„ this aforesaid matter concernes do accuse as wel the duke as the knight of the golden Image with the princesse Persiana your daughter as authors actors of their deaths and therfore traitors and malefactors And I vow to approue it against theÌ„ both togither or with what knight soeuer the princesse shall appoint in her defence for I will not be couÌ„ted a giant nor king of the land where any of vs is knowne if I make theÌ„ not presently coÌ„fesse this their treason that you may chastise it as you shall better iudge and herewith ended his spéech The great rage conceiued by the knights hearing themselues called traitors cannot be sufficiently exprest The Soldan vnderstanding of the Giant what he was rose from his seate to intertain him as his state required intreating him to sit downe It bootes not said he but only that ye send for these traitors to answere my obiections for I haue sworne not to put off my armor till I be satisfied with my reuenge The Duke stepping euen where the Giant was talking whoÌ„ when he better saw his deformitie and bignesse for though himselfe were of a good stature yet reached not to his middle somewhat feared him but remembring by what valiant knights he was backt resolutely made this answer to the giants former spéeches If we had not heretofore heard now by experience seen thy great pride king of Ciprus we had reasoÌ„ to think no humane creature could haue procreated a thing so monstrous and to her selfe so contrarie though such as thou art are alwayes séene from the ofspring of so vilde a kinde whereby thou séemest to colour thy euill grounded reasons and arrogant pride in ioyning kindred with the Soldan our dread Soueraigne And if in case thou bee such a one as thy spéech declares thou more obscurest with thy euill deedes his his royall progenie then euer with wordes thou mayest amplifie it Moreouer know I am the Duke Alfyron whom thou commest to accuse and whereas thou sayest I and the Knight of the
did it against lawe and iustice which béeing so hee would reuisit him against his will since hee would not obserue them the conditions of the Combatte and therefore hee shoulde prepare to entertaine him which indeede was so for they determined to bee reuenged at full vppon the Souldane who was guarded in his Pallace with more then tenne thousand Armed men to preuent all occasions of conspyracies against him The Kings of Armenia and Tessifinty spake with him and intreating him not to breake his promise which they in his behalfe had made vnto the Duke But he would not heare them Whereuppon they went to the Dukes Pallace to visit the wounded knights where among them they layde the plot and manner howe to frée the Duke as hereafter shall be showen which cost many liues with losse of infinit blood CHAP. XXVI What befell the Knight of the Golden Image and Don Contumeliano who beeing at the poynt of death was succoure with the aduenture of the Desperation of loue DOn Bellianis hauing left his companions in field tooke the next way to the place â—om whence that morning he came going out of the Cittie gate at such time that the darkenesse through absence of the cleare light and daye-resplending sunne ouerspread the face of the earth giuing place vnto the watery brightnesse of Dianaes beames whose pale riflect increased the paine of Don Bellianis déepe starres as also with one memorating the excellencye and diuine beautie of his alâ—uâ— all others fayre mistresse the princesse Florisbella whose remembrance made him forget Don CoÌ„tumeliano that followed him a litle after and béeing come to the wood and seeing him come towards him stayed to talke togither The Prince don Contumeliano comming to him said Whither doo you meane to go Sir Knight so sore wounded leauing the Cittie where you might be cured I haue no neede answered the knight of any other thing but your sight most excellent Prince to heale me The Prince woondred at these words and thought by this and by what he saw him do in the pallace calling himselfe by his name that he so was counselled to do by his Lady the Damzell to whome he lent his armour but very courteously thanking him for his kinde speeches thus said I cannot expresse the great desire I haue to know whom you are therby to see the end of the aduenture which happened to me since yesterday at this time which by the immortall gods I protest I cannot comprehend And tell me what is become of a most fayre Lady to whom the last night I deliuered those Armes whnse most déere sight I onely wish nowe to see Followe mee most excellent Lorde replied Don Bellianis and I will conduct you where you desire and so they went through those trées till they came to the Caue where Don Bellianis had left the Garments and there both alighting on foote hee went thereto amazing Don Contumeliano what should be the ende of it and finding the robes shewing them to him said Knowe you Syr these He looking on them aunswered he did hauing ingrauen in his heart all the tokens of his mistresse and that shee did weare them that deserued the rule of all the world and therefore tell me the rest for the more I looke on them the more I meruaile Take of my Helme saide don Bellianis while the Damzell comes The Prince Don Contumeliano did so and gazing on his face was straight strooken into such a traunce and rested so amazed that hee knewe not what to faye and hadde not Don Bellianis cast his Armes about his necke hee hadde presentlye fallen downe to the grounde notwithstanding hee was in such case that the Prince was faine to sit downe and take the knightes head on his knees whyle y e Page went to seeke for water out of a spring or fountaine to cast in his face But before he returned Don Contumeliano a little recouered his loste sences and with a déâ—re sigh séeming to send his soule after complayned in this manner Ay mâ—e vnfortunate and disgraced Don Contumelian vnhappy was the day thou determinedst to see Persepolis seeing such great disasters lay hidden in these hearbes to insnare thee Oh deceite to driue mée from deceite how haste thou manifestly shewed me the small interest I haue in the large dominions of sole conquering Loue beeing intangled in the deceitfull snares of a Ladies garment Ay mâ—e how many yéeres haue I shunned habitable citties now to come and dye in this desarte wood Oh renowned knight the best that euer buckled armour how litle do I now estéeme your immortall victories since you had the hart to captiuate me with so cunning a slight hauing committed no fault nor cause nor giuen any occasion to mooue you thereto vnlesse my starre-â—rost hap procures my vntunely fatall end For if you néeded my armour why should you seeke such meanes to require that of me which I neuer could deny any being thereunto bound by the order I maintaine vnlesse you desired the desolation of my vnluckie life Which hee no sooner ended but sounded againe in such manner that no remedie that Don Bellianis vsed could recouer him nor yet his Page that was returned which traunce was so vehement that they iudged him dead which in deede he was not farre from being oppressed with so extreame an euill that hee lay hopelesse his heart panting with in his body with his vytall spirits stopt that he could neither speake nor breath that with the intollerable paine and agony thereof hee laye groning and tumbling expecting the last minute as those that for want of their naturall heate and moysture without other disease dye Which so gréeued the greeued Prince Don Bellianis that the teares ranne downe the eyes of y â— herroicke knight like streames of flowing waters in such aboundance as if his owne deare Ladie were in that case and truly there could bee no danger so great which that Prince would not attempt then for the safety of that good knight Don Contumelian rather then to sée him so languish in that extremitie Thus lay they a good whyle iudging him altogether dead and Don Bellianis through gréefe and losse of infinit blood so faint that hee could not almost sturre Where there comming towards them from among those trées a beaste the vglyest and deformedst that euer they saw or in the world might be found This beast was so horrible in sight casting fyer out of her mouth that for feare of her Gontumelianos Page fell downe almost dead Don Bellianis as well as he could rose from the ground which hee could scant doe taking the Curtleaxe in his hand which hee got of the King of Cyprus his brother and awayted her comming whose furious passage making against him was so vehement that she tumbled downe all the trées in her way and being nigh him straight vanished leauing in her place a huge white Piller with a letter theron incompassed about with much fire Don Bellianis amazed at what hee sawe stepped to
those parts For within one moneth there were arrided in that Cittie aboue thrée hundreth thousand valiant horsmen and well appointed The Souldane sent to many places as well abroad as at home to seeke for his sonne the Prince Perianeo to leade those troupes against his aduersaries with whose comming he so assured himselfe to be reuenged as if it were alreadie executed For he not only thought to destroy the Duke Alfiron and the Prince of Phenicia but also thought to subuert the kingdom and King of Rasia whom he imagined to be father vnto Arfilio and if those warres happily succéeded to passe against the Grecian Emperour whom he knew to be frée of the daunger that Don Galaneo of Antioch had put him in So that these imaginations made him longerstaie then he had purposed preparing all necessaries for those warres CHAP. XXXII How don Brianell required by the Prince don Bellianis departed towards the Kingdome of Antioch How the duke Alfiron married the Princes Persiana and what straunge things happened in the Iousts vnto the Princes Contumeliano Arfileo and Florispiano THe Knight as is said being within the Citie of Bollera made famous by their being there were within fiftéene dayes throughly whole of their woundes though not of that which the amorous Prince don Bellianis had in his hart for the loue of the bewteous Princesse Florisbella which had so penetrated his tender breast that he determined vpon the good successe of those affaires neuer to cease till his eyes might enioy her happie sight thinking therewith to mitigate the crueil passions of his tormented heart Thus continuing there vpon a day taking apart the Princesse Persiana told her that he thought it not amisse if she desired the accomplishing of her desires she should forthwith wed the Duke Alfiron lest the chaunges of Fortune might héereafter disturbe it and that the Souldan her father would not be so cruell that hearing it would not reioyce to sée her marryed to her content Shée that nothing else desired said she would in euery thing accord to his will derogating in no respect from it Wherefore thanking her for that honour he conferred of it with the Duke who thereto agreed appoynting the nuptialls to be solemnized tenne dayes after which was the time they celebrated a feast dedicated to their Mahomet All the Knights greatly reioyced at that don Bellianis had done preparing themselues very sumpteously against the mariage day ordering a most stately Tourney in honour of the nuptialls And in the meane time hearing of the Souldanes preparations and innumerable multitudes neglected not to demaund the aide of all her friends and Allies And the kings sent to their kingdomes that all their help might there with speede be vnited And so these great enemies béeing thus nigh one to the other were by their spyalls still aduertised of eythers dooings The knight of the Golden Image much gréeued to see these delayes because they hindred and kept him there from prosecuting his attended iourney dispayring of hoped ioyes wanting the presence of the causer of his gréefe which he somewhat lightned by daily conuersing with the damsels of his mistresse else otherwise he hardly could haue staied there all that while which he beguiled with pleasant discourses with those Princes and Ladies and one day talking with the Princesse Aurora about her affayres in Antioch she said to him it wold not bee vnnecessarie shee should write vnto the Gouernour of that kingdome placed by the Prince Don Gallaneo on whom she reposed great trust I thinke it not amisse answered Don Bellianis if you suppose it will not disaduantage you But who shall carrie it when it is made I shall want no knight to doo it replied shee or if I doo one of my Damzels shall vndertake the troublesome toyle Whereupon Don Bellianis taking pen yncke and paper writ the letter and when it was done called the Prince Don Brianell whom as is said greatly desired to be imploied in that Princesse seruice said to him hee should bee the bearer of that letter being a matter to be trusted on none but he There is no reason my good Lord said the Princesse that you should vndergo such trouble hauing alreadie hitherto taken so much for my sake you neede not now farther indanger your self in these new such seldom seen toiles hauing at my hands receiued no fauour for any It is no trouble déere lady said he which is vndertakeÌ„ in your behalf especially in y e aduancing of your glory and therefore I am incouraged straight to depart heÌ„ce I gladly wold haue accompanied you replied she if this present war did not hinder me wher don Bellianis is also necessarily staied It is better that you remaine here said Don Bellianis for the Prince Don Brianell will quickely returne with answere And thus they agreed that the next day he should depart telling those knights that he went about an earnest matter of his owne which forced him so to leaue them assuring them his returne shoulde bee with spéede And so taking his parting leaue the insuing morning he went forwards on his voyage continuing his dayly iourneyes till hee arriued at Antioch where there be fell him great aduentures as shall be set downe in his due place So leauing him and returning to our former purpose the day was at length come wherein the royall nuptials of the Princesse Persiana with the Duke Alfiron should be celebrated against which time euery one prouided theÌ„selues according to their estate in such tumultuous times wherein they dayly expected the arriuall of their enemies for which cause least they should suddenly be surprised they kept in armour aboue eight thousand men which they had within the Cittie besides their campe they had without the walles intrencht about the furthest place of the citie because one should not trouble the other in their salue Which multitudes were equally diuided in squadrons and battalions as they were readie to fight some pitched battell The day come the Princesse Persiana issued foorth the contentedst Ladie liuing shee was ledde by the arme by Don Bellianis going all a foote because they would be the better seene with a soft pace When they were seene by their armed troopes they all showted out aloud saying It is a iust thing that we all spend our dearest liues for the safetie of such Lords or impall their heads with the imperiall Diaâ—â—m which they so well deserue and therewith discharged so many peeces of Ordinance and sounded so manie Instruments of all sorts as it seemed the totall subuersion of the vniuersall world in which maner they arriued in the temple where they were married which done they returned with like triumph to the Pallace where the Tables being couered they diâ—ed the Bride and Bridegroome at one Table with the two Kings and the thrée Princes at another dined many of their Nobisitie The dinner done they daunced according to theyr maner while the knights maintainers of the iousts entred the lystes
They which that day were challengers were the Princes Arsileo Contumeliano and a Cousen of his thither came a little before a very valiant and couragious knight called Don Florispiano of Suâ—uiâ— whem being greatly loued of the Princes casily obtayned the breaking of the first launces and so ordering himselfe for it hée beganne the ioustes the Duke with the Princes and all his companie béeing mounted on their Theater which he performed so gallantlie that ere hee lost any Stirrope he vnhorsed thirtie Knightes all which according to the order of those iousts hung vppe theyr Shéeldes with theyr names one higher then the other as the Knight of the Golden Image iudged his deserts so that manie onelie to bee counted valiaunter then his followe though they thought they could not vanquish the maintayner presented themselues agaynst him that for haste to bée before one an other they almost tumbled one vpon an other calling him no Knight that did not ioust At this time there came one to the Duke from the Citie gate and sayde to him aloude hewe there were arryued foure Knights that craued licence to enter and trie theyr fortune in the ionsis for hauing heard of those festiuals they came to ioy their triumphs There is no reason we sheuld feare any said Don Belhanis and therefore let them come for were they spies they can do little harme The Knights hauing this leaue entred whese gallant semblance drew vpon themselues all the gazers eyes thrée of them were armed in a rose colour armour garnished with many little Eagles The deuises on their shéelds were all of one fashion the one halfe white with blacke Eagles and the other halfe blacke wish white Eagles The other knight béeing of a bigger constitution was all plated in blacke armour and on his Shéelde was portrayted the wheele of Fortune with a Knight placed on the toppe thereof from whence he séemed headlong to tumble downe dragged by the hand of death with this Motto Well deserueth such a fall Becomming deaths cruell thrall That doth attempt so rashly He séemed to be as braue a knight as â—uer was any seene except him of the golden Image the knight béeing within the Tilt-yarde approched where the Duke Alsiron was and changing his voyce which the present state of those matters brged him to yet that he might be of all heard said Which is the valtantest and chiefest knight in this assemblie whose commaund the rest obeyes And yet by the immortall Gods I thinke euery one might rather iudge each of you fitter to command then to be coÌ„manded of any To which words the mightie king of Armenia replied Why do you require it sir knight whose gallant presence and liberall speech deserueth no lesse part in the domination you speake of then in any thing else And you may declare your mind to any of vs here hauing neither more nor lesse superioritie the one then the other beeing all equall in the bond of true amitie If it be so said the knight I then demaund of you all to assure mee you will let vs returne as we came vnknowne the iousts finished and that you require of vs nothing agaynst our willes The Duke Alfiron thus answered You may ioust when you will sir knight for the assuraunce you demaunde wee graunt it you although you needed not to request it béeing admitted within our Gates It is so replied â—he knight but tell me nâ—w which is here the Duke Alfiron I am he answered the duke but wherefore aske you for him I do inquire for him replied the knight because I thought so braue a knight as hee and this day married would haue maintained the field within the lists agaynst all aduenturers and not sit and beholde the falling of other knights These words some what mooued the duke that he was about sharply to answer him had not the knight of the golden Image staied him who taking the knight by the hand derie courteously said You may sir knight teust when you please for I assure you you shall not want whereon to imploy the valour of your minde else were it a shame that the Duke should enter the listes on such a day hauing so manie good knights at his commaund Then shall we see the bountie of these your knights replied he in the blacke armour wherupon I take my leaue and so went to behold the iousts All the dukes knights made way that the foure strangers might ioust which they seeing one of the knightes of the Eagles put himselfe agaynst Florispiano who resting his Launce gaue one another so fierce incounters that Florispiano lost his stirreps and had fallen but that he helde by his horses necke and his aduersarie measured his length on the ground and straight his shéeld was taken from him and demaunding his name hee replyed hee had no other but the knight of the Eagle Don Bellianis commaunded it to bee set higher then all the rest which so angred the blacke knight that he would by no meanes suffer the other two to ioust but himselfe choaking with rage ranne against Florispiano who with the great encounter tumbled to the ground brauely shiuering their Launces in péeces Whereat the multitude showted out at Florispianoes fall The blacke knight past suriously forwards and recouered one stirrope he had lost and Florispiano was conuaied out of the field and vnarmed to take the ayre for the closenesse of his armor had almost choaked him but quickly recouering himselfe returned to the scaffold very glad as if he that day had don nothing The prince of Phenicia setting himself against the black knight met both in middle of their course with such terrible incounters that the knight of Fortune for so was he called in the blacke armor doubled backwards vpon his horse loosing both his stirrops but Contumeliano had fallen if he had not valiantly staid himselfe by his horse neck which went thrée or foure steps backe insemuch that euery one thought hee would haue fallen but giuing him the spurres made him furiously passe forward Greatly astonished was all the beholders and spe 〈…〉 y the knight of the goldeu Image that demanded of his companie if any of them knew that knight but none could tell what he was The beautious Persiana calling the knight of the golden Image said to him softly that none might heare you shall know sir knight that it is the Prince Berianeo of Persiâ— my brother Is it possible said the knight of the golden Image It is replied she for I well knowe him not onely by his incounters but specially by the spéeches he vsed to vs therefore looke what you haue to do for certainly he came with intent to kill our duke Alfiron He shall not effect his intent so replied the knight of the golden Image for so many of vs are here for nothing And so turning to beheld the ioust commaunded his armour secretly to be brought him But in the meane time Don Contumeliano and the knight of Fortune wounded one
that they extreamely were oppressad Defend you this entrie said don Clarineo to the knight of the Basiliske while I open yonder gate which he did so brauely that in despight of them that first arriued he first ouerthrew aboue fiue hundred dead and deadly wounded making the rest giue place vnto his puissant strokes Don Clarineo went to Palineo for the Keyes which he by no means would let go cut of his handes and with them opened the gate Which beeing séene of the campe with great clamours approached to enter into the Citie The Knight of the Basiliskes and his companions perceiuing it withdrewe themselues to giue that furie place with whose arriuall the battell in such manner was renued that the place was filled with heaped Mountaines of dead men and this because the King Tramolcanos multitudes were infinite and expert and knowing that if they lost the Citie they should all pay the tribute of their deathes by their enemies swordes fought like mad men But the Princes hauing recouered theyr knights togither with the knight of the Basiliskes and don Clarineo hauing assured the person of Palineo whom he founde with life vniting themselues pressing in the thickest of the battell with such courage as they augmented in themselues with desire to see those affaires terminated with a good ende The curreuts of blood beganne to runne about so fast like Riuers descending from so many mountaine toppes Damartyno considering that the Citie woulde hardly be woonne by that meanes by reason of the manie people within to defend it commaunded all his men to name aloude the Princesse Aurora which they so did saying Antioch Antioch for the Princesse Aurora Which crie and name the people of the Countrey hearing and thinking their Ladie and Princesse was there whom they so grealy desired abandoned the men belonging as well vnto the traytour Countie as the Giant and withdrewe themselues which they had not don in the beginning because they thought them enemies vnto the Citie and land themselues crying within as the others did without trampling vnder their horse hoofes and massacring without pitie those traitors in such sort to reuenge themselues for theoutrages done by them that ere it was woonne they left not one aliue to beare the newes of their desolation hauing slaine that morning aboue fourescore thousand wanting not aboue sixe thousand Christians And this hapned through Damartynos policie which if it had not béene though their aduersaries had also in the end all died by the sword their losses had bin infinit This done don Lucidamore caused to be proclaimed that none vpon paine of death should sturre any thing in the Citie but quietly lodge therein without oppressing or molesting any way the meanest Citizen of the same And hauing taken all the fortresses castels and holds of the Citie to their power calling don Clarineo and don Brianell with him went all togither to the knight of the 〈…〉 s who being mounted would depart But don Clarineo remembring the danger he had freed him front with greet loue imbraced him saying Oh most glorious and renowmed knight the excellentest that euer did draw sword I hope you will not so greatly wrong vs so to depart vnknowne hauing liberated all of vs from so great danger For which not onely our liues but the whole glorie of the lasting victorie of this battell is too little recompence For such ayd thinking our selues sufficieÌ„tly honored by solie knowing what you are This spâ—ke he in the Gréeke language for when he at first did succour him he incouraged him in the same tongue I know not excellent Prince answered the knight of the basiliske how I may cancell the bandes you tie me in by the incomparable merits of your wordes yet notwithstanding vnlose my helme Don Locidamore more amazed then at first to know his brother did presently vnbuckle it whereby the excellencie of his complexion was séene Whom don Clarineo knowing rested so confused with content that the teares ran downe his cheekes and with a high voice said Oh mightie Lord that for vs all did suffer what great wonder do I see hauing before mine eies my deare Lord brother the Prince don Bellianis Wherupon he straight lept from his horse to kisse his hand The like did all the rest Don Bellianis seeing them do so dismounted also from his horse to imbrace all those knights with such content as may be imagined Here wants nothing now said don Lucidamore to end our demaund but the presence of our Lord the Emperor That shall not néed repâ—ted don Bellianis for I haue left him well within the Citie of Bollera and hard by Persepolis whither we must go with all spéede How arriued he there demanded don Charineo hauig lest himselfe farre from thence That I knowe not said don Bellianis but I left him where I tell you and there I beleeue we shal finde himâ— Here were they seperated by the multitude of the knights y t came to doe their duties to don Bellianis not able to expresse their ioye with his sight And he commanded them all to keepe his and all their names secrete for he would haue none of the Cittie knowe what they were Aod hauing done with their gréetings they went to the king Tramolcanos Pallace where they lodged and their men about the Cittie were entertained hauing voyded it of the dead carcases offering no iniurie nor wrong to any Cittizen They also carried the noble Palineo to the Pallace which had recouered his sences whom all those Knightes visited and highlie honoured With whose presence he highly reioyced as also to see those businesse ended Don Clarineo and don Brianell were layd in two rich beddes hard by Palinios where their wounds which were many were dressed by verie skilfull Chirurgions Don Bellianis taking in his companie Damartyno whome hee greatly estéemed for the Princesse Auroraes reporte of him and went about the Cittie and assembling together all the States thereof and chiefest Cittizens of the same Don Bellianis made them a shorte discourse thanking them for their loyaltie they alwayes obserued promising they should all haue their losses requited with full and ample satisfaction and shewed them the letter written to Damartyno They greately consolated by his spéech promised to procure the restitution of the whole Kingdome vpon which conclusion don Bellianis returned to the Pallace leauing Damartyno giuing order to recouer the reste of the Prouince without more spilling of blood To which effect he sent messengers to all Citties and places of importance in the kingdome CHAP. L. Howe the whole kingdome of Antioch being recouered the state of the Countie Gariano was giuen vnto the politike Palineo of the Venture and leauing Damartyno gouernor there all those Princes departed towards Persia SO soone as it was knowne through all the Kingdome of Antioche the totall ruine and vtter destruction of the vsurping King and all his forces they all arose agaynst the Tyrâ—uâ—ts garrisons knowing those Knights came from their lawfull and right Princesse so