did cause me in sort to imagine that you were somewhat intangled in those nets But now to the purpose as she is my daughter so doe I thinke shee will not make her choise without my consent neither I being her father will force her consent where she doth not loue but if by faire meanes shee may be wonne héereunto assure your selfe that the house of Fraunce is most willing to linke it selfe in loue and amitie with the Prince of England whose noble vallour deserues to bée highly had in estimation The Prince for this his kinde graunt would néedes haue kist his royall hands which the King would not suffer him to doe but imbracing him in his armes departed immediately into the Pallace and comming into the Queenes chamber of presence called for the Princesse Emilia and willing all saue the Quéene and her to a voyd the presence hee demaunded of her whether there were any loue betwéene her and the English Prince at which demaunde she dying her Princely chéekes with a maidenly blush and falling on her knées aunswered Most gracious father considering that in concealing the truth from you being therof demaunded I shall not only breake the bounds of duty by being disobedient but also offende God in making of a lie know therefore that since the day wherein he ouercame the Duke of Orleance I haue so intangled my selfe in his loue which before being by him sued vnto I made scorne of that I can finde no way to alter the same but by death only which rather then it should be to your dislike I would willingly indure were it neuere so cruell The King beeing ioyfull héereat yet séeming to be discontented said In faith and is it possible that thou most fond and foolish gearle shouldest so much forget the bounds of dutie and vertue as without my consent so to settle thy fancie on a stranger but I doubt not but thou wilt as soone repent thy choise as thou hast forgotten thy duty in choosing for who knowes whether he being a young amorous Prince hath not made some other choise already where then are thy hopes or what will become of thy loue The Princesse hearing her father in these tearmes knewe not well what aunswere to make but at length with teares in her eies and fetching a déepe sigh from her hart shée besought him to consider she force and power of loue which was of such might that who most sought to striue against it was the more cruelly therewith in the end wounded and that as yet her loue being knowne to none séeing it so greatly disliked his Maiestie she would for euer kéepe close although it did cost her her life which shée was sure it would doe séeing it had taken already such déepe rooting in her hart The King séeing her constancie loth to grieue her any farther tooke her by the arme raising her from the ground bid her to be of good comfort for séeing that her affection procéeded from vertue and not of any wanton or lustfull appetite hee did both alowe of it and yéeld consent vnto the choise which she had made willing her farther to estéeme of the Prince as one who not only déerely loued her but also was worthy to be beloued both for his vallor magnanimitie of mind of the greatest Lady in Christendome Thus leauing her not a little comforted he went to impart the same to the Prince vnto whom this newes was more welcome then to haue béene made Lord of the greated Kingdome of the world And taking order with the King for the day of their marriage against which time there should be prepared a great Turny hee also sent ouer into England the Duke of Yorke to certifie the King his father héereof which was to him most welcome newes béeing now greatly striken in yeares Also there were many Heraults sent foorth to proclaime this great Turny which should beheld in the Citty of Parris at the nuptials of the Prince of England and the beautifull Emelia against which time there came daily many braue and gallant Knights from diuers Kingdomes as well Christians as Sarasines for that the King had graunted by his proclamations a safe conduct for all commers Now in this meane time the Duke of Orleance being throughly recouered of his wounds which he had receaued against Don Edward and finding that with the losse of his honor he had likewise lost his loue grew therewith into so great rage that he would haue slaine himselfe had it not béene for some of his seruants who alwaies gaue dilligent attendance vnto him and deuising with himselfe on reuenge at last resolued by vnknowne trechery to bring it thus to passe There was in this his Dukedome a great Inchaunter who with his accursed spells was able in a manner to pull the starres out of their places to this man the Duke resorted and making him priuie to his intent desired him to deuise some meanes how vnknowne hée might be reuenged on the English Prince The Inchaunter willing to showe his loue vnto the Duke immediately deuised a meane how not only to be reuenged on the prince but also on as many as were welwillers vnto him which he did bring to passe in this sort There was in the Kingdom of Fraunce some tenne leagues from Parris a great Forrest in which this Inchaunter by his deuilish art erected a stately Castle inuironed about with high walls déepe ditches so as it séemed one of the strongest and fairest Castles of the Kingdome likewise he inchaunted it in such sort that though a thousand Knights had sought for it yet notwithstanding there should none haue found the same but such as they thought should not be of such force as to conquer the gardants who were two fierce mighty Gyants farre excéeding the common stature of others of that kind Also there was a Knight a kinsman of the Dukes who being accōpanied with 20 or 30 attendants alwaies remained héerein the Giants who kept the gard the one of them was called Brandofell with him first must those Knights haue to doe that came to make triall of this aduenture the other was named Furioll excelling in strength all the Giants of his time to him belonged the combat with those Kinghts to whom fortune was so fauorable as to ouercome Brandofell In this manner hauing prouided for the garde of this inchaunted Castle they deuised a meane by which to bring the Prince vnto the same which was in this manner The Inchaunter Ligustargo for so was he called had a daughter indifferent faire who in dissimulation was as skilfull as her father in the art of Magicke for she had her teares at commaund and could so well frame her countenance to sorrowe that there was none but would haue taken her to be very sorrowe it selfe to her was referred the meanes to seduce the Prince who comming vnto the Court with her haire disperssed about her shoulders her garments rent and torne and beeing conducted into the
THE First and second part of the History of the famous Euordanus Prince of Denmark With the strange Aduentures of Iago Prince of Saxonie And of both theyr seuerall fortunes in Loue. AT LONDON Printed by I.R. for R.B. and are to be sold in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the Sun 1605. The first part of the History of the famous Euordanus Prince of Denmarke with his aduentures and fortune in Loue. CHAP. I. How King Frederick and his Queene walking to take the ayre were assaulted by a company of Out-lawes how the Queene was deliuered of a child in the Forrest YOU may read in the Chronicles of Denmarke of the great loue betwéene King Frederick the famous Allisonne Countesse of Flaunders And how that after a long contention betwéene the said Frederick and Griffory Duke of Holland the King married her in the great Cittie of Gaunt to the extreame griefe of the said Griffory who therevpon gaue ouer all martiall exercises for a season vntill such time as hée was reuenged as you may more at large read of in the said Chronicle written by one Cleonido a Dane Not long after the said marriage the King hauing setled the estate of that Earledome returned into Denmarke with his beautifull Quéene where at the arriuall they were receiued with great honour and triumph by his subiects who loued him as intirely as it was possible for any subiects to loue their Prince as appeared by their solemne processions ringing of bells staitly pagants and other gallant shewes which were presented vnto him in euery Towne hée passed through But comming into Maiance which then was the chiefe Cittie of the kingdome hee was presented with such varietie of pleasing shewes that it passeth my capacitie to describe them likewise there were many excellent and learned Orations pronounced by the chiefe schollers of the Vniuersity of Maiance setting foorth the great loue of the people toward their Prince and the ioy conceaued of his marriage with so excellent a Lady as was his Quéene On the otherside the King to gratefie his subiects louing mindes shewed himselfe bountifull and liberall vnto all to some by gifts to others by promises and fayre words and to all by pleasing iestures so that one might rightly say there was in him the liuely portrature of a most graue and prudent Prince and in them the true shew of faithfull and louing subiects But as it alwaies hapneth when men think themselues in greatest felicitie then whether it be by the instabilitie of Fortune or else that the Fates and destinies haue so appointed it they are oftentimes suddenly tumbled downe into griefe and miserie Euen so it hapned with the King and Quéene who liuing a while in this content were suddenly driuen into great cares and perplexitie Wherby we may perceiue the diuine power of God to be such that hée can pull downe Princes from their thrones and restore them againe at his pleasure as sometimes he did by Nabucadnezar and others to the setting foorth of his glorie and power Now was it hard about the Month of May when as the fields and woods were deckt with Floras broode and on each spray sate louely birds resounding heauenly harmonie The pretie Nitingall setting her speckled breast against a bryer regarded not fond Terius foule desire but chaunted forth her pleasant ditties When as the King and Quéene accompanied with a small traine of Lordes and Ladies whom they loued one morning early stale forth of the Court secretly to disport thēselues in the forrest which was hard adioyning vnto the Citty walls where they had not long remained beholding the broad-shaded Okes and stately loftie Pines before that a company of Out-lawes who were banished the Kingdome of Fraunce had espyed them and séeing they were no better prouided set on them Where one might haue beheld the Quéene and her Ladies so affrighted with this sudden accident fling vp downe some hiding themselues in one bush some in another Others againe béeing more timerous suncke downe where they stoode not béeing able to flie away But all was one flie or tarry for béeing pursued they were all taken and brought backe sauing onely the Quéene who béeing carried forwards with the wings of feare made such hast that shée escaped them all béeing so appointed by the prouidence of God The King likewise Noblemen béeing amazed at this vnlooked for euent knew not well suddenly what to determine but in the end séeing no other remedy resolued to defend themselues as well as they might The King being at that time one of the most accomplished Knights in all Europe layd on such blowes amongst them that hee made an euident shew that hee was determined to sell his life at an extreame déere rate But beeing vnarmed and hauing no other weapon but his sword and all his company beeing slaine out-right sauing two who were likewise grieuously wounded was forst perforce to yéelde to theyr pittilesse mercy who hauing obtaind victory stript them all as well Lords as Ladies of their coyne and abilliments which were ought worth And binding those whom they thought might any waies worke them displeasure as by raysing power to pursue them or vnbinding their fellows they determined spéedily to depart towards the Sea coast where some of their company remained with two small Barks wherewith they crost the seas But as they were ready to depart it came into one of their mindes that some of them whom they had robbed might peraduenture be such persons for whose raunsome they might get more coyne then all theyr booty was worth wherefore demaunding of one of the Ladies whō they had bound what they were was giuen to vnderstand that hee who made the greatest resistance was the King the other two which were liuing both noble men of his Court. Then calling to his mind the great hate betwéene the said King and Griffory Duke of Holland determined if he could to cary him with him and to present him to the Duke of whom he hoped to receiue some great reward Wherefore intreating his fellowes who knew not whō they had robbed so grant him so much fauour as to permit him to haue that Knight for his prisoner in regard as knowing him heeretofore in Fraunce fayning that there he had doone great despight to a friend of his in reuenge whereof hee would deliuer him into his hands whom he knew would kéepe him in eternal prison for his former offence Nowe if they would be contented to grant this vnto him hee would séeke for no other part of their bootie They all béeing more gréedy of pray then of prisoners who they thought might rather be a charge then profit vnto them were content to graunt vnto his request Who presently went and vnbound the King and so led him directly towards theyr shipping And hauing winde at will presently wayed Ancor and set into the Sea where wee will leaue them for awhile and returne to the Quéene who by her swift flight mist the hands
frō his finger and vnlacing his Helme he soone brought him to himselfe and perceiuing him to offer to rise said Adresto yéeld thy selfe and promise to forsake this wicked kinde of life and to goe into Spayne to the Dutches Lenarda or else thou diest Adresto béeing throughly come to himselfe and hearing the name of Lenardo began to call to mind his former loue towards her and in a manner cleane forgetting the Merchants daughter said Most noble Knight I doo not onely yéeld my selfe vnto your mercy but also willingly will doe as you commaund me where I will yéeld mee to the noble Dutches mercy whom I must néedes confesse greatly to haue wronged The Knight of the Lyons immediatly taking him vp from the ground imbrast him in his armes saying that if he did as he had promised he should do right well and in so dooing hee should find him for euer an assured friend For which Adresto gaue him infinite thankes vowing to him the like Now by this time was the Lady Lenardas Squire come vnto them and saluting Adresto demaunded how he did Adresto beholding him immediatly knewe him and imbracing him in his armes demanded how his Lady fared to whom the Squire declared the great sorrow wherin she had remained euer since his departure And now hauing bound vp the wounds which he had receiued in the combat as well as they could for as soone as the King was taken from his finger his wounds fell on bléeding they returned into the Cittie where they remained by the space of three wéekes for the curing of his wounds and prouiding all things necessary for their departure Then taking leaue of the fayre Damsell whom he left with child and the rest of his acquaintance they departed towards the Citty of Waterford where they were in hope to finde the ship in which the Knight of the Lyons had there arriued leauing all Dublin sorry for his departure CHAP. XIII How the Knight of the Lyons trauelling towards Waterford in the company of Adresto was like to haue beene murdered by the meanes of the Damsell of Dublin and by what meanes he was preserued THE Knight of the Lyons being accompanied with Adresto and his Squires rode on so farre the first day that they arriued in a small village some 15 leagues from Dublin where was onely one Castle and some fewe cottages in which Castle there dwelt a Knight that was some kinne vnto the Damsell which was so intirely beloued of Adresto and héere the Knights minding to rest themselues for that night were welcommed and entertained by the Lord of the Castle called Mack Gillum with the greatest shew of kindnesse that might be the more secretly to conceale the euill which he intended in his hart as it is for the most part the common vse of those Country people which will not sticke to laugh you in the face and presently to cut your throte euen so dealt this Traytor who hauing rece ued into his house as gests these two notable Knights binding them welcome with a Iudas kisse and feasting them with all the delica's that the shortnesse of the time could affoord yet his enueterate malice towards the Knight of the Lyons for carrying away Don Adresto from his Cosin was such that notwithstanding all the former curtesies which he shewed him minded in the end to rob him of his life which he thought to bring to passe in his sort There was vnder one of the fayrest Chambers in the Castle a darke and déepe vaute hauing no way into the same but by a trappe-doore out of the fore-said Chamber ouer which he caused a bed to be made for the Knight and hauing placed two or thrée villaines in the vaute with charge to murder him caused in stéed of ropes nothing but small sticks to be layd vnder the bed which might sustaine the weight thereof so that the Knight once laying him downe theron must of force tumble headlong into the vaut where the villaines béeing ready to receiue him should soone haue ended his life had not GOD otherwise prouided for his safety and appointed him to a farther setting foorth of his glory and thus it was His seruant Gillimo whose life he saued when as he slew the rest of his company the night before hee rescued Molenda and of a thiefe entertained him to be his seruaunt hée I say contrary to the common vse of such fellowes who according to the old saying Saue a thiefe from the gallowes and he will be the first that will cut thy throte hauing an especiall loue and care vnto his Maister as thinking that time ill spent which was not to his profit or content that in dooing the same hee did God good seruice was alwayes very carefull and diligent about him especially where hee did any way suspect euill to be meant towards him but now more thē at any other time knowing the wickednes of Mack Gillum hee listned and prided about to sée if hee could perceaue them whisper amongst themselues A little after supper comming suddenly into a darke entry he heard some talking and listning a while vnto them one of them sayd Well my Maister and they aboue doe their part kindly in causing the bed to fall this dagger shall pierce his hart farre sooner then Adrestos sword could pierce his Armor Nay replyed another I will surely giue him the first wound for robbing Valeria of her Louer Gillimo hearing this knew presently that it was his Maister whom they ment wherefore dilligently noting the place he returned safely into the roome where he left his Maister and finding them ready to goe to their Chamber hee could not conueniently make it knowne Now Mack Gillum hauing called for lights willed his wife and two of his daughters to accompany Adresto vnto his chamber and hee himselfe would accompany the Knight of the Lions vnto his where hee hoped ere long to be sufficiently reuenged for the wrong which hee had done vnto his Cosin Thus hauing brought him to his chamber he continued discoursing of many matters vntill he was almost vnready then bidding him good night he went towards the doore to haue gone foorth and comming somewhat neare the bed on a sudden Gillimo stept vnto him and before he was ware thereof tooke him in his armes and by cleane force threw him into the midst of the bed from whence immediatly the stickes breaking hée tumbled headlong into the Vaut where he was presently slabde to death by the villaines which he had prepared to haue kilde the Knight of the Lions so that the saying of the Scripture in him was rightly fulfilled he hath layd a snare for another and himselfe is falne into the mischiefe thereof The Knight of the Lions the rest of them that were in the chamber at the first were greatly astonied héereat but séeing the sequell and considering that it was deuised of purpose for to haue murdered him fell on their knées and gaue thankes vnto almighty God who had
Verses and Sonnets féeding his humors with such vaine toies to the great griefe of all his subiects and how in all that time he neuer had sufferd any one to come into his presence or to speake with him sauing a smale company of his attendants which remained there with him When Martinus had heard all this he determined the next day to goe thether and to make knowne vnto him those things which should soone put him out of his melancholy dumpes The next morning very early he was rissen vp and comming to the King told him how that hee had some occasion of busines in the Country which would cause him to be away a day or two wherefore hee was determined in the meane time leauing him behind him to cause him once more to sweare vnto him to remaine vntill his returne which if hee refused that then he would commit him vnto some prison within the Cittie whereas hee should bee alwaies foorth comming at his pleasure The King listning attentiuely vnto his speech was driuen into a thousand imaginations not knowing what was best for him to doe at length considering his former oath which rather then he would violate he would chuse to indure any death whatsoeuer so much did he estéeme of his Kingly oath hee answered him thus I knowe not what your meaning may bee in this sort to doubt my former promise and to goe about by a new oath to assure your selfe of me if to set me to ransome I heere fréely proffer my selfe to goe a long with you into any place out of this accursed region and there to remaine vntill such time that the same bee payed vnto you although it should amounte vnto an hundred thousand pounds rather then that you should deliuer me into the hands of the Gouernor of this accursed Country who is my mortall enemie Nay nay replied Martinus being blinded with couetousnes and hoping for a greater summe of monie there is no such matter ment but I haue not farre off a friend whose councell I minde to followe heerein in the meane time chuse whether you will remaine in prison or vppon your oath The King séeing no remedie sware vnto him againe to continue his true prisoner although it cost him his life Then departed Martinus towards the Dukes lodge where béeing arriued and desiring conference with his grace touching such matters as néerely concerned him he was at length brought into a garden in forme much like vnto an endlesse laborinth so many were the diuers and sundry walkes and allies couered with many kinds of trees which yeilded such a close shadow that the Sunne with his splendant beames could scarse shinne through and passing thus from one walke into another he came at length where the Duke sate in an Arbor of Baies beeing clothed all in blacke signifying his great sorrowe which he sustained and hauing a Lute in his hand was playing a mornefull dittie which he euen then had framed to which Martinus and his guide a while listned vnséene by reason of the thicknes of the Arbor At length comming néerer and with reuerence saluting his excellencie Martinus spake as followeth Most mightie and puissant Prince I cannot but wounder that you who heeretofore were wont to spend your time in most honorable exercises as Tilt and Turnie and following hautie déedes of Chiualrie should so giue your selfe ouer vnto this solitarie kind of life neither regarding your owne estate nor the estate of your louing subiects and Country which would spend their very liues to worke your content But if I bee not deceaued this strange humor wherewith you are possest procéedeth from contrarie occasions the one is the extreame hate you beare vnto the King of Denmarke the other ouer much loue towards the beautifull Quéene his wife not knowing with your selfe what way to be reuenged of him nor how to regaine her loue But suppose most mighty Prince I should worke the meanes of your reuenge by deliuering him into your hands would not it content you yea would you not more reioyce thereof then to haue gained the greatest Cittie in Christendome and likewise reward him that should effect the same to his content speake O worthy Duke were not these the occasions of thy griefe and would not this likewise be the chiefest medicine to sease thy sorrowe Scarce were these last words vttered when the Duke starting vp and staring him in the face as one wakned out of sound sléepe thus replied Friend whatsoeuer thou art that séekest by a fayned and filed tale to driue me out of my sad passions knowe that to iest with Princes is not tollerable But if thou canst performe that whereof thou hast made showe of I will not be slacke in rewarding thée for thy paines though thou shouldest demaunde halfe my Dukedome Therefore tell me by what meanes this may be accomplished then effect and bring it to passe and I will reward thée to thy owne content Worthy Duke replied Martinus if I performe it not then let my head bee striken from my shoulders conditionally that if I doe deliuer into thy hands that vnhappie King I may haue for my reward the Citty of Hanstance during my life with the profits thereof and this confirme vnto mee before your Nobilitie and then I will deliuer him into your hands within this eight daies next comming The Duke being filled with ioy with this his so comfortable newes consented vnto whatsoeuer he demanded and calling for a Knight which was néerest vnto him willed him to sommon his Counsell the next day to bee attendant to heare a matter of importance which he would show vnto them which was foorthwith accomplished euery one the next day at their houre appointed beeing ready in the Counsell chamber to heare what should be their Princes will euery one greatly meruailing what soden motion was entred in his head considering that by the space of a yéere before he had neuer conferred with them of any matter no nor once suffered them to come into his presence They being as I haue sayd gathered together in the Counsell chamber the Duke leading Martinus by the hand came vnto them where he declared his intent with the promise of Martinus all which was consented vnto by them hoping thereby to haue their Prince in his former estate of content Assuring vnto Martinus vnder their hands and seales that whatsoeuer the Duke had made promise of they would see it performed so soone as hée should deliuer the King of Denmarke into their hands Héere will I leaue them to tell of the great griefe made through all Denmarke for the losse of their King and Quéene CHAP. III. How the King and Queene beeing found missing were sought for and how the Lords and Ladies that were with them were found THe same morning that the King and Quéene went to recreate themselues in the forrest as is before declared they were not foūd missing till such time as the tables being spred for diner and many Lords and Ladies
and take part of those continuall paines and torments the which not only for the hate I beare thée but also to bee reuenged on her for her most odious whorish and execrable dissimulation towards me I meane to inflict vppon thy wretched carkas The good King being no longer able to forbeare these inhumane and oprobrious reuilings proffred him by his currish and spightfull enemie replied in this sort Griffory I cannot but muse how God hauing indued thée with reason and vnderstanding like vnto other men that thou notwithstanding shouldest abound in vicious wicked and detestable conditions aboue all other men which canst not be content with the miserie which thou séest me brought into being thy prisoner and at thy disposition to be either kept or ransomed wrought by the most base odious meanes that might be yea after such a sort that the beriest Infidell vnder the heauens would not so much as once haue gone about or imagined but also now contrarie to all humanitie reuilest me with such oprobrious spéeches whom héeretofore thou durst not to looke me in the face for feare and also reuile at her whom neither thy selfe nor no man liuing is able to touch with that least crime whatsoeuer and that would I make good against shée and thrée of the best of thy Knights with my body were I at libertie hauing horse and armor T is true t is true replied the Duke we knowe your vallor to be great but we will soone abate that your hote courage and place you where your Goddesse whom you so much estéeme shall neither haue power nor meanes to helpe you Doe thy worst replied the King and sith it is the will of God to inflict this punishment vpon me I will indeuor my selfe with patience to indure what torments soeuer shall happen hoping in the world to come to inioy therefore eternall blessednesse but in the meane time thinke not thou but that thou maist fall in like mishap and that I haue yet remaining in the Kingdome of Denmarke such Subiects that when they shall knowe of this my ill fortune and thy crueltie will not leaue bearing Armes till such time they shal haue layd wast this thy accursed Country not leauing thée any Towne or Fort to hide thy selfe from their reuengefull swords wherefore aduise thee and determine either to set me at libertie or otherwise expect those euils which will surely fall on thy Country If thou consent to my inlargement for my ransome thou shalt receaue a whole million of gold which shall bee payed thée foorthwith out of my treasurie No no replied Griffory thy gold is but drosse and cannot worke in me that content which my hart shall inioy by thy imprisonment neither doe I feare thy power which thou so much vauntest of for thou shalt sée and that shortly that I will not onely possesse my selfe of thy darlings County of Flaunders but also by the strength of this right arme in despight of all thy power Crowne my selfe King of the Kingdome of Danske whilst thou in the meane time shall lie rotting thy bones in my prison Thē turning about to a Knight of his named Sir Ragdand hee willed him to conuay the vnhappie King prisoner vnto his Castle of Coruew and there to put him into the dungion of the sayd Castle and to alowe him euery day for the continuance of his most wretched life a quart of water and apound of bread made of the coursest branne thinking this that continually pining away by reason of his course faire would be a farre greater paine and torment vnto him then any present death whatsoeuer Likewise for the more sure keeping of him hee ordained a gard of fifty Knights alwaies to bee within the Castle who should sée that no Knight should enter therein This Castle of Coruew was of meruailous strength inuironed about with déepe ditches and mighty heigh walls and had but only one way in which was ouer a drawe bridge the which was alwaies defended by ten of the sayd fifty Knights fiue at the one end and fiue at the other this gard grew at length to a custome by reason of the hundred Knights of Denmarke which went in search of their King and was deuised only to intrap and imprison them as you may reade towards the latter end of this booke Héere now will we leaue the woful King inclosed in a miserable prison bewailing his crosse fortune where hee passed away many a yeare although his fare was as we haue sayd before both course and short yet did God so blesse him that he continued alwaies healthy and stronge of body neuer grieued with any kind of sicknes sauing onely discontentednesse of minde which with patience he much delayed returne we to speake of Martinus who had not long after the imprisonment of the King quietly inioyed the cittie of Hanstance withall the profits thereof before granted him to the extreame griefe of the chiefest of the Cittie who disdained much to bee in subiection to so base a person for the Duke some eight daies after possession deliuered fell in consideration with himselfe of the great benefit which hee had lost by giuing away the chiefe Citty in his Dukedome deuised which way he might with his honor recouer the same againe at length hauing resolued with himselfe he brought it thus to passe One day béeing with diuers of his Nobility and Martinus béeing in company the Duke fained himselfe to be very merry and in his mirth for his further content desired Martinus to declare how hee hapned to take Frederick prisoner Martinus not distrusting any thing began to make a large repetition beginning with his former life in France then the cause and manner of his banishment and their ariuing in Denmarke with their robbery and murder committed in the Forrest of Maiance with their cruell storme sustained at Sea as is before declared by which they were put on that Coast and lastly the profer of a hundred thousand pound by the King which hee refused onely to pleasure the Duke All which when Griffory had attentiuelie listned vnto hée suddenly start vp from the place where hée sate commaunding the standers by to lay hands on Martinus saying that it was not lawfull to suffer such a one who had so many waies deserued death as by his owne confession did appeare neither to liue nor to be accepted into the societie of men wherefore he willed thē forth-with to leade him to the place of execution Which when Martinus perceiued and saw that the Tyrant was fully minded to execute whatsoeuer he had said hee fell downe on his knees desiring mercy and offering for the safegard of his life to redeliuer his right of the Citty of Hanstance But hee who neuer was acquainted with mercy or compassion doubtting if he should pardon him his life the whole world would condemne him of iniustice and séeing he might as well by his death as his life inioy his will aunswered that by the Law hee had deserued
Kingdome of Spaine a noble man called Segnior Adresto famous for his vertues and Chiualry and hauing passed ouer a great part of the world in séeking and following of strange aduentures alwaies hauing fortunate successe in all his enterprises especially in his loue which hee bare towards a noble Lady of his owne Country called Leonarda daughter and sole heyre vnto the Duke of Tolledo one who for beauty and comlinesse of body was the only paragon of all Spaine sought vnto by many but only inioyed by Adresto betwéene whom there grew so great loue that whosoeuer had séene or knowne the same would haue sworne that then loue there had béene no greater dietie Which when the Duke her father vnderstoode being loth to match her vnto one of so meane estate although for his vertues he might compare with any yet was his liuings very small therefore he often warned her to auoyd his company and at length grew in great displeasure with her threatning to disinherit her if she did not obey vnto his will héerein Which the young Lady doubting at their next méeting made him priuy withall assuring him that for his loue she could be contented to forsake all But yet séeing that in time her fathers good will might bee obtained she would intreate him for a while to absence himselfe assuring him that for her part she would alwaies continue faithfull and constant vnto him and neuer accept of any other husband though thereby she were disinherited Adresto hearing her kind and louing spéeches aunswered that séeing it was her pleasure he was contented although to be out of her presence would bee a hell vnto him and whereas shée had made him so frée a graunt of her loue he protested before the heauens likewise neuer to forsake her and that before he would consent to loue any other thē herselfe he would be torne to péeces with wilde horses then deliuering each other asigne of their passed faiths he departed And within short time after left the Kingdome trauelling many strange and vnknowne Regions till at last comming into the Kings of Ireland hee hapned to fall in likingly with a beautifull Damsell of that Country but of meane parentage her father being but a Marchant of that Country On whom he so doted that he had cleane forgotten and forsaken the chast and vertuous Lady Lenarda although the good Lady hauing intelligence héereof by a friend of hers a skilfull Magitian oft times sent vnto him to cause him to call to minde his former loue At length the Duke her father dying and leauing her sole Mistirs and Dutches of his Dukedome shee hauing with great pompe solemnitie celebrated his funerals one day sent for her friend the Magitian to come vnto hor of whom she demaunded if there were no meanes to recall her louer Adresto againe without whom she was like to spend her life time in care and heauinesse Adriano for so the Magitian was called made her aunswere that he could not directly aunswere her demaunde because that she whom he so loued wore alwaies on her finger a Ring which was the only stay of his loue which except they could get from her it was impossible euer to remooue his affection Also this Ring had one other vertue which was that whosoeuer did weare it should not loose so much as a drop of blood in any battaile whatsoeuer wherefore when he combatted with any one as oft times he did for her loue then had he the Ring And vnlesse there could be found a Knight that might by force conquer him in single battaile and take away the Ring from him it was impossible to get the same by any deceit whatsoeuer Lenarda hearing this was as one halfe besides herselfe but being comforted by Adriano who assured her he would trie the vttermost of his skill to find out the Knight as he had spoken of Then taking his leaue of her he returned home where by his art he framed a most rich and faire sword excellent curious to the eye and to cut the best that was then in the whole world this sword he inchaunted in such sort that no man but hée to whom the conquest of Adresto appertained might drawe the same then bringing it to Lenarda willed her to send one of her Squires therwith to séeke out the Knight who should by his vallor recouer her loue then deliuering it to one of her Squires whom she estéemed for his truth and secricie with this commaunde that whosoeuer should offer to draw foorth the sword should first make promise of a boone which was to goe ouer into Ireland and to combat with Adresto accusing him for falcifying of his faith to Lenarda Thus the Squire hauing the sword trauelled to all the Princes Courts in Spaine and Countries thereabouts then into Fraunce Italie and Germanie neuer finding any one that could once mooue it in the Scaberd although many stout hardy Knights made triall thereof to this great griefe fearing his trauell should neuer haue end nor his Lady ease of her sorrowe In this manner hauing trauelled through most part of Germanie he arriued at the Court of Saxonie desiring the Duke that his Knights might make triall if it were any their fortunes to accomplish that for which hee had trauailed she greatest part of Christendome Then shewing his sword hee declared that bearing the same a whole yeere he could neuer finde any one that might draw the same The Duke wondring héereat immediatly after Dinner caused all his Knights to make triall therof himselfe béeing the first but al to no end applyed they their forces Which when the young Prince Iago and the Gentleman of the Forrest beheld they presently fell on theyr knées before the Duke desiring his grace to grant them the order of knight-hood hoping that for one of them this Aduenture was reserued The Duke béeing vnwilling at the first by reason of their young age that béeing knighted they would hazard themselues in séeking after strange aduentures aduised them to stay a yéere or two more before they tooke so waitie a charge on them affirming that it was vnlawfull to dubbe any one before the age of twenty at which time they would be strong and able to indure the weight of their Armour and trauell and not before All which could not cause them to desist from theyr sute but still more earnestlie they craued the same alleaging many sundry examples of those who at younger yéeres had inured themselues to as great labours as Reynaldo at the age of fiftéene yéeres stealing from his fathers court went into Palestina to the Christian Armie where vnder great Godfry of Bullen he obtained to be the chiefe scourge to the Sarasins and without whom it had béene impossible to haue wonne the holy Citty of Ierusalem This and many other such like arguments they alleaged wherby at length they obtained the Duke to consent vnto them willing them for that night according to the auncient custome to watch in the Chappell Then
Castle where he was layd on a good bedde and his wounds carefully looked vnto For Syr Pestrill who vnder the Duke his Cosin was Commaunder of the Castle was a very vertuous Knight and one who greatly pittied the Princes captiuity considering what greefe would thereby rise both to the King and all the Nobilitie of Fraunce He also caused the body of the Giant Brandofell to be brought in and cured whose wounds though they were many and great yet were there none of them mortall The Damsell séeing things sort according to her minde departed away highly contented Now returne we to the Princes Squyre who hauing beheld this vnhappy ouer-throw of his Maister together with his imprisonment not knowing whether hee were liuing or dead fared like a man out of his wits and ran raging vp and downe the Forrest crying and exclaiming against fortune and the destinies which had permitted such great inuistice and at length the morning being come hée determined to returne vnto the Citty of Parris where the next day he arriued and comming vnto the King before him and all the nobles of the Court hee recounted his Masters misaduenture together with all that hapned in the battaile with the two Giants which bred such a griefe and amazednesse in all the hearers as well you may iudge if the like euent should hapen Euery one determining to hazard their liues or to set him frée if he liued all concluding it to be an inchauntment knowing that in that place there was neuer any Castle heard of But when this newes came to the Princesse Emilia you may well thinke her griefe was not smal for falling presently into a traunce her Damsells had much to doe to recouer life in her againe and being in the end recouered bursting foorth into bitter exclamations both against the heauens and powers thereof thus continued shee all that night sounding and resounding in the armes of her Ladies and Gentlewomen the King her father and the Quéene vsing all the meanes they could by perswasions to comfort her Héere will wée for a while leaue them in this generall lamentation for the losse of the English Prince euery one making prouision to goe try the same aduenture and will returne to speake of the Prince Iago of Saxonie CHAP. IX How the Prince of Saxonie remaining discontent in his fathers Court after the departure of Euordanus departed secretly as a Knight arrant to seeke aduentures YOu may remember how discontented the Saxon Prince tooke the departure of his supposed brother the Gentleman of the Forrest who hauing séene him aboord being againe returned vnto the Court beganne to waxe so melancholy that hee séemed to take delight in nothing although the Duke his father perceauing it and for remedy for the same deuised all the meanes he could to worke his content as by proclaming Iusts and turnaments wherein he héeretofore was wont to receaue great content and other times hunting of the wilde Boare and such other exercises still fearing his departure But neither this nor yet the delightfull company of the Princesse his sister whom he intirely loued could in any sort worke him that content which he was wont to receaue in the company of the Gentleman of the Forrest whose want together with the desire of following strange aduentures wherein he hoped to atchieue immortall renowne by his valiant and heroick déedes which hee doubted not but so performe increased in him such an ardent desire to trauell Whereof many times being denaied by the Duke his Father at length hauing resolued with himselfe to depart he called vnto him one of his Squires whom hee intirely loued and on whose secresie and good seruice hee more depended then on any other and declaring vnto him his determination willed him to prouide for their departure which should bee with all the secresie that might bée His Squire hauing vnderstoode his Maisters resolution departed to prouide for the same and comming to the harbor found a ship ready bound for England and agréeing with the maister thereof for their passage the next night conuayed aboord both horse and armor and such other things as should bee requisite for their iourny and hauing informed the Prince héereof the next day the Prince being accompanied only with his Squire as many times he was accustomed departed from the Pallace not suspected of any one hauing left in his chamber window a letter written to his father declaring therein the cause of his departure Thus walking a foote they arriued towards euening at the port where the shippe ancored and comming aboord hauing the winde faire they set saile directing their course for Douer of which harbor the shippe was Thus beeing at Sea and hauing the winde and weather faire the Prince betooke himselfe to sléepe being with cares ouerwatched for in thrée nights before he had not slept so earnest was his minde bent on this his iourny and now being as hée thought in security from being stopped of his purpose hée slept soundly till it was towards the morning when hée thought there appeared before his sight the beautifullest Lady that euer he beheld who comming vnto him cast herselfe into his armes desiring his protection against a fierce and vgly Giant who pursued her The Prince héerewith awaking beganne to ponder with himselfe concerning his dreame musing what it might signifie but the beauty and comly grace of the Lady stucke so fast in his memory that by no meanes he could put the same out of his minde which caused him in the end to conclude that it must néedes bée some Lady whom the destinies had ordained him to loue determined to yéeld himselfe prisoner before the assault should grow too hote thus continued this amerous young Prince intangled in her beauty whom he neuer had séene minding to rest in no place vntill such time as he had found her out whom in his dreame he beheld By this time had they continued at Sea by the space of eight daies not méeting with any aduenture worth the memory hauing the winde faire and the Seas so calme as might bée till on the ninth day comming almost on shore on the caost of Fraunce they perceaued a shippe with sailes and ores as much as they could to make towards them which the Maister and the rest of the Saylers presently knewe to be a Pyrat and calling the Prince vnto them to knowe what counsell hée would giue in this extremitie they all beeing minded to yéeld rather then to fight considering the vnequalnesse of the match and the cruelty the Pyrats commonly vsed to those who made resistance But the Prince not minding to submit himselfe into the hands of such villaines gaue them counsell not to yéeld but to fight it out to the last man and calling for his Armor immediatly armed himselfe swearing them all to performe their best indeuours for to defend themselues By this time was the Pirate come vp with them and warning them to yéelde vnto his mercie the Prince standing aloft vppon
of men readie to incounter theyr enemies so much had the lacke of vse of Armes since the losse of theyr King altered that florishing kingdom which in former time did greatly abound with many stout hardy Knights a great number whereof were either dead or lost in the search of their King The one halfe of which Armie béeing giuen in charge vnto the Lords of Opencade Londen marched towards the Archbishop and his confederates who with the number of 12 or 14. thousand souldiers being on the other side the riuer of Estate began to spoyle and sack the Country putting to sword all those that made any resistance against them and hauing taken Cargue and Londen two Townes of great strength placed therein garrisons then marching towards Opencade they heard of the comming of the Lords of Opencade Londen and fearing to be taken at aduantage they altered theyr course towards Rensborge where the Earle Dowglasse with his forces was landed hoping to ioyne with him which the Lords of Opencade Londen vnderstanding pursued him so eagerly that béeing come within sight almost of the Scots they set vpon their rereward putting a great number of them to the sword and euen at the same instant was the other Army which which was ledde by the Lord Itsenho and the County of Mildrop likewise come in sight which caused a great feare in the harts of the Traytors so that had it not béene for a company of two thousand Scots which came to their rescue vnder the conduct of Sir Iames Lewrence Cosin german vnto the Earle they had béen all eyther slaine or put to flight but the comming of this succor so animated theyr almost fainting courages that where before they were in a manner ready to turne theyr backes they now began to recouer theyr ground that they had lost the fight growing very hote and bloody on both sides there béeing slaine of the States aboue a thousand souldiers and of the Rebels 800. Longer had the fight continued but that the Lord Harding and the Count Hermes fearing the comming of the other power which was hard at hand caused the retraite to be sounded and so with an easie pace marched to the Scottish Campe not minding if they could chuse to fight in two or thrée daies because of the wearines of his souldiers who comming newly from Sea were many of them distempered The States likewise hauing ioynd both theyr Armies intrenched themselues thus lay they by the space of seauen dayes within view of each other daily skyrmishing together in which the States alwaies had the worst through theyr vnskilfulnesse in martiall discipline where we will for a while leaue them and returne to speake of other matters CHAP. XV. Howe the Prince Iago naming himselfe the Knight of Fortune departed out of England and arriuing in Fraunce trauailing through the Forrest of Towers hee deliuered a Lady from a mighty Giant PRince Iago hauing deliuered the Lady Beleriza naming himselfe the Knight of Fortune was greatly honoured in the English Court where at the intreatie of the King hee stayed by the space of a month where daily hee heard many strange reports of the Inchaunted Castle in the Kingdome of Fraunce and beeing desirous to try the aduenture thereof his Squire giuing him to vnderstand that there was a shippe ready bound for the Riuer of Nainse determined to passe ouer therein wherefore taking his leaue of the King and Quéene and others who had shewed him great honour during his abode in England the Lady Beleriza hauing made him many large proffers for the vnspeakeable kindnesse which shee had receiued at his hands all which hee refused but because hee would not shew himselfe altogether discurteous hee receiued a fayre Diamond which he promised alwaies for her sake to weare vpon his finger And now hauing prouided all such things as he had néed of and agréeing with the Maister of the ship for his passage he went aboord and hauing the wind fayre they set to Sea in so happy a time that within sixe dayes they arriued at a Port called Old-bay where going on shore they directed theyr course towards the Citty of Nanse where he staying awhile to rest himselfe he vnderstood that the Quéene with a great trayne of Lords Ladies were lately arriued at the Citty of Towels whether because it lay not much out of his way he determined to trauell to sée the fashion of the French Court which then florished with noble Dames among whō was the Princesse Emilia and her fayre daughter Oliua whom as before wee haue saide was begotten by the famous Prince Edward her betrothed husband the night before he departed towards the inchanted Castle together with a goodly sonne called Hendritio both which Children were very carefully educated by the good King Carolus theyr grand-father And béeing nowe come vnto the age of sixtéene yéeres the young Hendritio was exercised in riding of horses running at tylt wherin he shewed himselfe not any way vnlike to the noble Prince his Father hauing a great desire to be knighted whcih by no meanes his Grand-father would permit fearing least he would hazard himselfe in that aduenture whereof there had so many failed The Princesse Oliua in like sort béeing of most singuler and rare beautie could scarce be suffered to be once out of the sight of her Grand mother who loued her more then any of her owne Children and being now as we haue said at the Citty of Towers the Quéene partly for her owne content but chiefely for to delight the Princesse Emilia her Daughter who continually since the losse of the English Prince had spent her time in great sorrow onely the comfort which shée had in her children did a little mittigate the same did daily vse to ride foorth on hunting into the forrest which was euen hard adioyning to the Citty in which forrest there was great store of all manner of wilde Beastes And béeing the same day that the Knight of Fortune was comming to the Court gone foorth very early the Huntsmen had roused a mighty Hart which making way before the hounds caused all the Lords and Ladies to follow after and gallopping very swiftly through the Forrest had quickly separated themselues into many companies so that with the Quéene there was left no more but the Princesse Oliua and two or thrée other Ladies and some three or foure Knights when suddenly a mighty great Giant all armed issued out from the thickest of the wood and with a meruailous fierce countenance came towards them to the great astonishment of the Quéene the other Ladies who began to flie as fast as their horses could carry them One of the Knights that was with the Quéene béeing more hardie then his fellowes stayd to make resistance whilst the others escaped but alas small was the defence which hee could make being vnarmed against so mighty a foe whose huge Armour he was not able to pierce although thereon he brake his Borespeare which
he had in his hand all to shiuers and drawing out his sword to try if that would doe any better before hee could deliuer any stroke there with was himselfe clouen to the middle And leauing him there the Giant persued the others which by this time had gained a great way before him and comming into a rough stony way the horse wheron the Princesse Oliua rode stumbled and fell to the ground not béeing able to recouer againe Which she perceiuing beganne to flie on foote whereby in short space the Gyant had gained a great deale of ground of her so that within lesse then a quarter of a mile hée must néeds haue ouertaken her had not the Knight of Fortune béeing as is aforesaid riding towards the Citty Towers hapned to arriue who at the first séeing a farre of one running so fast was presently touched with the remembrance of his former vision and calling to his Squire put on his Helmet and taking his Launce in his hand rode towards them when presently the Lady béeing cleane wearied and out of breath cast herselfe downe before him not béeing able to speake a word The Knight viewing her singuler beauty knew presently that it was the same Lady whō in his fancie hee had vowed to serue wherefore incouraging himselfe thinking that now was the time if euer to shew himselfe valerous béeing in her presence and in her cause for whose sake hée could indure a thousand deaths spake vnto her in this maner Most beautifull Lady comfort your selfe and feare not this huge lump of flesh which hath pursued you for I doubt not but God will so strengthen mine arme as I shall soone be able to make him confesse his folly in going about to wrong so heauenly a creature Then setting spurres to his horse he ranne against the Giant who by this time was come almost vnto them and hitting him full in the midst of the massy shield which he wore hanging by a stirrup about his necke gaue him such a blow that piercing the same he caused him to ramble backwards béeing hardly able to stand vpon his legges breaking his Launce all to peeces Thus hauing ended his course he turned about and fearing that in fighting on horsebacke hee might be in great danger if the Giant should kill his horse hee allighted and dressing his Shield on his arme hee drew foorth his sword going boldly to méete his huge enemie who hauing recouered himselfe of the incounter likewise went towards the Knight with a mighty Semiter in his hand thinking at the first blow to haue cleft him in two But he being wary easily auoided the same by shifting his body aside the Giant hauing mist his blow was not able to recouer his Semiter so lightly which was entred almost a foote into the ground but that the Knight taking the aduantage thereof gaue him a sore blow on the left arme almost at the shoulder which piercing his thicke Armour cut him to the bone the griefe whereof was such that hee could not afterwards rule his massy targe so well as otherwise he would by which meanes he had great aduantage for now the Giant béeing forced to lay on and onely to trust to his sword both for offence and defence many times receiued wound vpon wound sometimes likewise fastning blowes on his aduersary hee would cause him to bend his knées to the ground renting his Armor where he touched and causing the blood to issue out thereof in many places Thus continued they a long time the aduantage if there were any remaining with the Knight of Fortune By this time had the Princesse Oliua recouered herselfe againe and although shée saw the Knight to haue the better side yet the feare which she had was such that shee would haue fled away she wist not whether had it not béen for the Knights Squire who comming vnto her perswaded her with many arguments to stay and sée the end which hee was certaine could not be without the death of the Gyant for that his Lord did continually increase vpon him and whose vallour he knew to be such that the longer hee continued the more increased his courage but put case the Giant should haue the victory yet would it of force be with such danger to himselfe that they néeded not to feare his pursute The Princesse being something héerewith comforted was contented to stay the end yet not beeing fully resolued of feare she intreated the Squire to helpe mount her on his Maisters horse which he did then sitting to behold the combat she questioned with him of many matters touching his Maister whom in her hart shee greatly commended demaunding what and of whence hee was To which his Squire replied that hee was discended of noble blood but for his name and Country he might not disclose to any one being commaunded to the contrary only this he called himselfe the Knight of Fortune Then declaring vnto her his first combat at Sea and the battaile with Signior Roberto when hee deliuered the Lady Beleriza where hearing of the strange reports of the inchaunted Castle he determined to make triall thereof not forgetting to declare vnto her his Maisters Vision at Sea which more then all the rest did cause her to admire thinking with her selfe that it was only by the worke of God then considering what it was to bee loued by such a Knight whose equall she neuer had before séene beganne déeply to fancie him Thus past they away the time whiles the two fierce Champions continued their combat both giuing and receauing many wounds all the ground béeing stayned with their blood and now the Giant being altogether inraged rebelling and cursing his false Gods foming at the mouth like a mad man ranne vppon the Knight thinking to haue taken him in his armes but hée perceauing his intent and lothing such imbracements preuented him by auoyding through the quicknesse of his body deliuering withall so sound a blowe on his right arme which he had stretched foorth that he caused both it and his heauie Semiter to fly into the field then persuing his victory he neuer left wounding of him till such time as he caused him to fall dead to the ground And then parting his head from his shoulders he knéeled downe on his knées rending thankes to God for the victory and taking vp the head hee went and presented the same to the Princesse desiring her to accept the same as the first showe of his loue who had vowed himselfe wholy to her seruice The Princesse dying her chéekes with a moddest blush giuing him harty thankes for preseruing her life she intreated him to conduct her to the Citty where she would cause him to be honored according to his desert The Knight easily consented héereto and hauing bound vp this wounds caused his Squire to place her behind him in this sort rode they onwards the Knight declaring vnto her his loue which he had vowed long before he had séene her only by his vision which he
had séene when first he left his owne Country Whilst they were thus discoursing of loue they perceaued a great troope of Knights comming galloping towards them which when they were come néere vnto them the Princesse knewe them to be the Quéenes Knights who being gathered together and finding her wanting were sent to pursue the Giant and now hauing found her so well rescued they were not a little glad thereof meruailing greatly how she had escaped And demaunding of her were giuen to vnderstand the whole discourse before recited wherein shee did not faile to extoll the Knights vallor to the vttermost but hee attributed his victory more to her beauty then his owne vallour Thus rode they on till they came to the Citty one of the Knights carrying the Giants head to the great wonder of the whole Citty who highly commended so vallerous a déede And comming to the Court they were receaued with great ioy by the Quéene and the Princesse Emilia who assuredly estéemed her lost but when they vnderstood the manner how shee was deliuered they gaue God harty thankes greatly honoring and commending the Knight of fortune feasting and intertaining him with all the kindnesse that might be and being lodged in the Pallace was euery day during the cure of his wounds visited by the Princesse Emilia and her daughter vnto whom many times hee declared his passions which the Princesse perceauing to be extreame beganne something to pitty him which Cupid perceauing and minding to showe his diuine power wounded her to the hart with one of his impoysoned shafts whereby shee could neuer bée in quiet but in his presence which hee perceauing beganne farre sooner then otherwise he could haue done to recouer his strength so that within fiftéene daies he was throughly whole and being able to beare Armor againe determined to trauel towards the inchaunted Castle but first he thought good once more to try the Princesse as you shall heare in the Chapter following CHAP. XVI How the Knight of Fortune made himselfe knowne to the Princesse Oliua and hauing obtained her loue departed towards the Inchaunted Castle and how he was there taken prisoner THE Knight of Fortune béeing throughly healed of his wounds which he had receiued in fighting with the Giant Latron when as he deliuered the Princesse Oliua and minding to make triall of the aduenture of the inchaunted Castle one day finding the Princesse sollitarie walking in the Pallace garden came vnto her and after salutations past betwéene them began as followeth Most excellent beautious Princesse if the cruell paines of a faithfull Louer may any way mooue compassion in a Ladies hart or the endlesse sighes and teares of a Knight wounded by Cupids shafts may deserue to be pittied then I beseech you Madam to behold him that not onely languisheth but is euen ready through the extreame passions which I féele to suffer death for your loue béeing appointed by the Destinies to loue you before euer I had sight of this your heauenly and diuine beauty since which time it hath so increased in me that I finde no other remedy if you prooue cruell but death onely which if you should would be to me most welcome The Princesse hearing this which vnto her was most pleasant answered Knight of Fortune what other name to call you by I am vtterly ignorant of the loue which you say you beare vnto me may be great neither doo I thinke the contrary as the hazarding of your selfe to saue my life I must néedes confesse deserues the greatest recompence that I can bestow on you But how farre vnfitting it is for one of my estate to place my affection on a stranger whose name nor Country I know not yea peraduenture on such a one who though now he seemes to loue yet hauing gayned what he séekes for may as soone leaue me but put case I were so fondly bent as not looking before I leapt should place my affection on you doo you thinke that eyther the King my Grandfather or the rest of my friends would giue consent to my choise surely I am perswaded they would neuer yéeld thereto The Knight hauing attentiuely listned to her discourse and withall noting her change of culler whilst that she was speaking especially when shée séemed to make doubt of his constancie replyed Worthy Princesse whose beautie excelleth the most fayrest and whose wisedome excelleth that beautie my name which vnto none since I left my owne Country I haue declared is Iago my natiue soile the Dutchie of Saxony where my aged Father gouerns not knowing what is become of me his vnhappy sonne who for the desire of séeking strange aduentures stale secretly out of his Court what since hath befalne me I thinke partly by my selfe and my Squire you haue already heard But where you séeme to doubt of my loyaltie I beséech God no longer to permit my life then vnto you I proue faithfull whereas you likewise doubt your friends consents thinke not but both your Grandfather yea and the Prince your Father likewise who I doubt not ere long to sée at libertie wil easily giue their consents séeing you desirous to accord thereto The Princesse no longer able to conceale the loue which she bare him and knowing him to be the Prince of Saxonie whose forwardnesse long before by fame had béen bruted in the French Court together with that of his supposed Brother the Gentleman of the Forrest demaunded whether it were himselfe or his Brother that had atchieued the aduenture of the inchaunted Sword The Knight answered that it was his supposed brother whose absence was the chiefest cause of his trauell And herewithall hee declared vnto her the strange finding of Euordanus together with the great loue and affection betweene them as is before declared at which discourse the Princesse tooke great delight and in the end hauing fully resolued with herselfe she was contented to take him for her husband And hauing thus vowed each to other fayth and loyaltie hee tooke his leaue of her with many a chast kisse the next day preparing himselfe to trauell towards the inchaunted Castle where within sixe dayes after hee arriued reasonable betimes in the morning And béeing come euen to the Bridge foote hee was willed by a Squire to passe no further then presently came foorth the Giant Brandofell mounted on a mightie Courser bearing in his hand a Lance big enough to haue béen the Mast of a small shyppe Which when the Knight of Fortune beheld hee greatly admired the same yet not béeing any thing afraid he set spurres to his horse addressing his shield and placing his Launce in his rest which he directed right against the Giants breast who by reason of his huge stature bare his Launce so hie that cōming together he ranne the same cleane ouer his head not so much as once touching him therewith but the Knights Launce hitting in the midst of the Giants shielde brake into a thousand shiuers causing the huge tower to bend backwards
Adresto to be sent for and his wounds to be dressed declaring vnto the Prince Iago that it was the same Knight for whom he left Saxonie to goe into Ireland to combat with all Héere after they had rested themselues by the space of fiue daies hauing sent word of this fortunate deliuerance to the Court of Fraunce they determined altogether to ride thether where in thrée daies they arriued with easie iournies by reason of the wounds of Adresto And at their comming foorth of the Castle with a mighty clap of thunder the Castle and dead bodies of the Gyants were vanisht cleane out of sight to the great astonishment of them all And now being as I haue sayd come to the Citty of Parris they were royally welcomed and intertained by the King the Quéene the Princesse Emilia Oliua and all Nobles of the Court vnto whom the Prince of England declared the whole discourse of euery particuler accedent touching their imprisonment and deliuery Which when the King had heard he made a solemne vow to be reuenged on the Duke of Orleance and his whole family but at the intreaty of the Prince he pardoned Sir Pestrell who afterwards prooued a good and hardy Knight Thus passed they away the time in the French Court by the space of thrée wéekes each friend recounting to other their seuerall aduentures and making preparation for the solemnizing of the marriage betwéene Prince Edward the Princesse Emilia in which time Adresto was fully recouered of his wounds and being desirous to see his old loue the Dutches Lenarda hastned on the Knight of the Lions to depart whereunto he was very willing by reason of the desire he had to speake with Adriano CHAP. XIX How the Knight of the Lions departing from the French Court with Adresto landed in Holland where comming to the Castle of Coruew hee deliuered the King his Father ANd now beeing ready prouided to depart they came both into the great Hall where with many ceremonious courtisies they tooke their leaue of the King the Quéene the Princesse Emilia and Oliua with all the rest of the Nobles of the Court The two Princes Edward and Iago séeing they would néedes depart accompanied them two daies iourny onwards on their way during which time the Prince Iago desiring pardon of his brother for not bearing him company made knowne vnto him his loue to the Princesse Oliua which by his abode in Court he doubted not but to obtaine considering the great loue and amity which was betwéene him and her father The Knight of the Lions being well contented héerewith desired him at his returne or sending into Saxonie to remember his duty to the Duke and Ductches and his beautifull sister the Princesse Egisena whom hee intirely loued assuring him that as soone as he could learne any certainty of that which he now went to séeke for he would returne thether likewise which hee did not doubt but would hapen very shortly Then taking their leaue of each other with many kind imbracements the Prince Edward most earnestly intreated him to sée him at his returne out of Spaine at the English Court to which he easily consented Thus they departed the two Princes towards the Court the Knight of the Lions Adresto towards the Sea-side where their ship remained for them where béeing arriued and setting into Sea they sailed merrily by the space of two daies but on the third day the wind altring and the Seas growing very foule they were forced to put to hull and being thus tost to and fro by the wind and Seas by the space of fiue daies they were at last put on shore on the coast of the Dutchy of Holland where going on shore and taking their horses and Armor minding a little to take the aire after their storme at Sea they rode onwards in a narrow way fast by a pleasant groues side where they heard one very pittifully weeping and listning attentiuely they might heare these few words pronounced And is it possible that God will suffer such cruell and iniust customes to continue to the destruction of so many braue and hardie Knights as haue béene by this wicked custome of Coruew destroyed O false and disloyall Griffory that fearing to shew thy malice openly hast ordained so vild a custome The two Knights hearing this complaint and imagining thereby that there was some cause extraordinary which mooued the party so to complaine alighted and went into the Groue where they found a Squire lying on the earth his face all blubbred with teares and demaunding him the cause of his sorrow was giuen by him to vnderstand of the custome of Coruew where not long since the Duke of Litsenburge his Lord and Maister hauing bin by the space of 20. yéeres trauelling in search of his soueraigne the noble King Frederick of Denmark during which time he had accomplished many great and hardy déedes of Armes and now returning home into his owne Country with intent no longer to séeke after the which was impossible to be found trauailing along by a Castle not passing a daies iourney hence where the Duke of this Country hath erected a custome that no Knight shall passe that way but first he shall leaue his horse and Armor behind him vnlesse hee conquer the Gardants which is a thing impossible because of the number and then he declared the fame as it is more at large expressed in the first part of this history The Knight of the Lyons and Adresto hearing of this custome and greatly pittying the losse of so many hardie Knights as were there daily imprisoned beganne to grow into a great longing to make triall of the same wherefore sending backe Gillimo vnto the ship for such things as they wanted and to giue direction to the Marriners that if with in ten dayes they did not returne that then they should direct their course for Spayne whether they would peraduenture trauell by Land and willing Gillimo to follow them with as much spéede as hee could they departed towards Coruew that night lying at a Village not passing a league and a halfe from the Castle And the next day early in the morning hauing heard Diuine seruice and taking a small repast they rode directly towards the Castle Adresto hauing desired to make the first triall of his vallour and now beeing come vnto the place where the Shield hung at the bridge-foote Adresto strooke the same so hard and rudely with the blunt end of his Launce that he caused the whole Vally to resound with the noyse thereof Presently issued foorth one of the Knights gardants and mounting on his horse came vnto Adresto demaunding what hee sought Entrance aunswered Adresto which if it be denied I will purchase with my sword Then setting spurres to theyr horses they met together with such fury that the Knight of the bridge was sent headlong to the ground and after him came foorth another who was likewise sent to beare him company breaking his necke with the