case at the first encounter In her place entred the faire Quéene of Lira sending a new Launce to the young Gallant The sage Lirgandeo passeth ouer all these encounters saying that in none of them hee had the worse hee aduaunced himselfe farther and ouerthrewe the Princes of Tharsis both the father and the sonne and the braue Captaine Aristoldo he was likely to haue brought to the same predicament Finally notwithstanding that the braue Torismundo his warlike sōne vndertooke the charge yet he lost no groūd nor any part of his honour Alone remained the Emperour Alphebus who would not iust because there should want no laūces for Don Heleno Rosabel Claramante and Claridiano foure of the best Knights vpō the earth The Prince of Hungarie had scarcely ended his course whē with an excellent swiftnesse the Dacian began the carriere he could not haue wōne much honor although he had ouercome the strāge Gallāt for that he had already run sixtéene courses against the most mighty knights who without any shew of wearines came against the Dacian The raging sea maketh no greater noise persecuting the shippes readie to wracke then these two most famous warriours made at their encounter in the middest of their carriere there was neuer seene any better encounter in Greece for the greedie Dacian smote him some what lowe and so the blowe was nothing sightly and withall hee made him make the foulest bending backwards that hee had made in all the rest of his courses before ◠was faine to let go the reynes out of his hands and to kéepe the Saddle hee seized on the horse necke hee encountred Don Heleno in the midst of the shield and being vnable to pierce it by reason of the most fine temper thereof he shorked with the Helme with such force as made him forget himselfe hee was so angrie for this encounter that had not the straunger had equitie on his side the battell had past a outraunce You would not beléeue how those which stood by did wonder séeing the great strength of the Knight with the Starres without staying that Claramante or Rosabel should doe it the vnknowne Gréeke tooke the matter in hand purifying his valour in his Ladies face The sparkles flie not so thicke from Vulcans Anuile as from these two famous warriours Helmets either knowing the others courage He in the blew encountred the valiant Claridiano in the middest of the strong brest but as in that place loue onely did predeminate so it could not receiue any further wounds from any other hand he smote him so furiously shiuering his Launce into small splinters as made him lose one of his Stirrops and make such a backward bending as was strange to that young gallant Archisiloraes louer got not much by his fierce encounter which might haue set him on the greene field and had hee met him in the beginning of the Iusts hee had not escaped so good cheape but being wearie it was no great matter to ouerbeare him with the Saddle betweene his legges In faire greater estimation from thencefoorth was the Knight held with the Ladies then before seeing that he had ended that which all they could not doe which were in all things so highly extolled at an instant he againe fitted his lost Saddle and with a verie good countenance asking pardon of them all although somewhat ashamed hee tooke his leaue of the Princes Gualtenor doth not declare the name of this Knight neither whose sonne he was leauing it to the fourth part of this famous Historie Onely hee saith that hee was the famous competitor to the house of Tartaria vntill that a kinseman which hee knewe therein should conclude the welcome peace but first hee should couer the field with dead bodies all caused through the loue to a Gréeke Ladie Hee did not a little in the behalfe of the Pagans in the field battell whose actes the sage doth not a little commend All those Lords were much affected vnto him although the most of them did desire to come to single combate with him If the Youth had béen aduertised thereof he would not haue refused it although against Mars himselfe for in the world was not knowne a prouder young man and this made him to attempt great matters wherein hee alwayes bare the fame of warlike In discoursing of his valiancie those Princes arriued at the Citie where they were by all men expected with some doubt of some danger that might haue happened vnto them but knowing what had passed all was turned into mirth The noble Trebatius entertaining the valorous Ladies said I would not faire Ladies that you should so estéeme the honour of Gréece that you should therefore put your selues in such apparant danger There was none noble Emperour answered Archisilora sith it was for your seruice especially this Knight being there pointing to the Knight with the Ladies who for his valour may be compared with Mars the rest affirming the same it gaue occasion to the Emperour to embrace him with as great affection as if he had knowne him to haue béen his déere nephew All the faire Ladies bestowed on him new fauours hauing heard of the valour of his person By generall proclamation it was commaunded that all should obey him as a Gréeke Prince he lay with his beloued Uncle the world neuer knew two which loued so déerely they were deuising together when into the hall there came two Knights from the braue Astrusio aduertising the comming of the enemies armie and how that without doubt the next day they wold be in sight of Constantinople They all put themselues in Armes euerie one repairing to his thrée hundred thousand men a shew worth the sight with all the Flowre of Fraunce of Denmarke and Apulia went the braue Don Heleno commaunding that squadron his friend Torismundo held him company with the Princes of Tharsis and Argentaria on the one side went the faire Rosamundi Polidolfo held the third place with all the Soldiers of his countrey which were very many and well armed All the Portugals kept him company great part of the Persians The fourth degrée fell to the valiant Persiano wherein he commaunded all the Babilonians and Persians which were without number With the rest of the Campe remained the Emperour Alphebus with all those of Trapisonda and Lira much practised in the warres There were neuer séene troups better ordred nor Captaine that better prouided for all poynts hee was gallantly apparelled all in colours with rich furniture of the same for they say the fight of the Generall contenteth the people hee made them spread all along the coast opening their rancks in the middle for their greater honour went the Flowre of all humane might Claramante Archisilora the vnknowne Gréeke twelue Spanyards and as many Antiochians Being drawne neere to the sea side and in sight of the enemies fléete which comming neere the Port drew themselues together vpon the top of a little hillock with his Beuer vp he vttered this
sawe that which hee neuer had seene for the swordes point entring at a cracke in his brest-plate as it found a little entrance it cut the rest till it set out the bloud it was a great chance and God preserued him to the end he should bee his fâ—iend and the greatest in the world to this Prince for falling in loue in Egypt hee was a meane to put the Ladie into his hand as shall bee declared in the fourth part of this Historie and so winding himselfe to one side the sword slipt out leauing him wounded although not much The braue Pagans bloud did fréeze in his belly to sée it vpon the Grecians sword and giuing a fierce crie he assailed him and but that his nimblenes did much helpe him I beléeue that hee had incurred great danger for notwithstanding all this he hit him a blow vpon the rich shield and made him runne stumbling forwards readie to fall The Pagan to his owne hurt closed with him for the Prince was as strong as hee who letting goe his shield set hand to his rich dagger But the Moore had such confidence in his armour that hee made no accompt thereof and the young man remembring the vertue of that weapon gaue him vpon the top of his shoulder two sore wounds one after another which made much bloud to run out The Moore was so highly angred that with a push hee put him far from him and séeing that it was meere madnesse to striue any longer hauing no assistance hee assailed the Knight Flamineo who was mounted vpon a good horse hee pluckt him out of his Saddle pulling him ouer those which were on horsebacke and with a leape hee gat the Saddle and rushing through the thickest aboue foure lost their liues in the Pagans going forth At the top of a hill all the whole armie staied expecting him hearing the noyse but they were not able to come to helpe him for from the turrets and Parrapets of the wals they threw so many stones Darts that without manifest danger they could not come néere him and the Pagan escaped not without it so as when he came to the Campe he was as wearie as furious he would speake to no man but rather méeting with Brufaldoro not remembring their agreement he set vpon him roaring like a baited bull The braue Mauritanian encountered for hee neuer feared him where they began one of the most fierce battels that euer was in the world for they were two of the best Knights therein but Bembo came to part them Herein did the Pagans blindnesse appeare who not respecting him turned against him saying that they should all fight against him for his deare Uncles death could not be reuenged with lesse then with the destruction of all the world The great Captaine would not lay hands on him although hee had much angred him All the whole Campe could not haue made him giue ouer the battell had not Floralisa come whom the Pagan euer since he met her in Mauritania had chosen for his God for hee was of opinion that there was nothing in the world worthy to be regarded but her beautie Well did the Lady know how dearely the Moore did loue her although it were single loue for she was otherwise prouided although she liued the most sorrowfull life of the world séeing her hope to marry with the Tinacrian frustrate yet to appease the battell she tooke off her Helmet and putting herselfe betweene them she sayd Giue roome Knights for this battell cannot now be ended and you wrong the Souldan of Niquea his whole campe if in time of necessitie any of your Armes should be missing The Pagan lifted his sword no more vp after he heard his mistris voyce Strange power of affection for what so many Princes could not doe was ended with her sight onely I would haue bene very glad valorous Lady said the Mauritanian if you would haue suffred mee to haue ended it but seeing it is your pleasure I leaue it in your hands Let it rest sayd the Ladie vntill the field battell be ended Let it be as you will appoint it sayd he now very gentle which before seemed to be a Lion for from henceforth in any part I will not breake it and so they returned to their campe and although against his will yet she made him to sup in the Ladies Tent where although fained she shewed him a thousand fauours they were meanes to withhold him from his fury for he had determined to pursue them al to be reuenged of the death of his Uncle There was great sorrowe for the losse of that day and meaning to make amends in the field battell they concluded that it should be eight daies after What happened in the meane season you shall knowe by the next Chapter CHAP. XXVIII How the Greekes with victorie returned to the Citie where they made preparation for the field and how the two youthes were made knowne to their mother WIth such contentment as winners vse to enioy most excellent Prince the Greekes remained in the Citie of Hircambela wondring at the furie of that Pagan holding it for a matter incredible if with their eyes they had not séene it and so much to the cost of such personages as they were There was none of the Princes but desired alone to fight with him especially Poliphebus of whome the old King of Macedonia returning to Constantinople reported wonders all were glad thereof especially his Father who loued him in the same degree as he did the Emperour Alphebus By the Ladies which boldly might doe it those knights were disarmed some helping one with their hands and with their eyes and soule another What passed in the Campe was discouered and how that from thence eight dayes they had appointed the field battell because that by that time Leobello would be cured of his hurts Lupertius cured him verie carefully that all might sée how much hee loued them One night the discréete Selia came by chance who had folded them in their swadling cloathes at the time of their birth being much affected to their valour without any knowledge of them by reason of Eufronisa who was in the same Tent shee went to see how hee did of his hurts Shee came as Lupertius was dressing of him and as women are verie bold and being by night for that shée would seeme to doe him some fauour therein shee tooke the candle to giue him light to dresse him but hee had scarcely lifted vâ— his shirt to see the wounds in his brest for those were the most cruell shee was so much troubled that shée was readie to let the candle fall out of her hand and seeing the picture of a Ladies face in the young mans brest and remembring that that marke was vpon one of the children borne by the Princesse Eufronisa and shee imagining that without doubt this was one of them with verie ioy shée was ouercome Shee desired to stay with him to the end to know more
reason for his valour good gouernment for that was it which most aduanced him aboue all others All this was nothing neither the assurance which shée saw of her paine to cause Felina to giue ouer her determination but rather increase it attempting one of the boldest most presumptuous enterprises of the world from whence could ensue no other thing but that which followed for vnable to endure to sée her self so little respected she adueÌ„tured to say vnto the prince Daristeo that the princesse would expect him that night in the garden to confer with him of matter of importaÌ„ce There could nothing happeÌ„ more pleasing to the infortunate prince then such a message for as it was a thing vnlooked for now holding him selfe assured thereof he held himself the most happy maÌ„ in the world he held the day for as loÌ„g as a mans life he thought the night fled froÌ„ him euery minute he held for a yere such was his desire to meet the lady princesse The subtil Felina séeing her plot to take effect took a sute of Celibellas which did best set out her beauty clad her self therwith as yâ— heauens would not frustrate what she had exployted so could not the gallant sée whether it were the Princesse or shée But hee comming into the garden lesse armed theÌ„ was néedfull went to the window so passionate that he knew her not The cruell damsell couÌ„terfeyted her speach and sayd I haue hitherto Oh prince of Podolia dissembled how much I haue loued you for some respects which haue forced me thereto but seeing your great deserts I could not forbeare holding it vniust but to impart my faith vnto you and to say that you are more beloued then all the men in the world As he should haue made an answere in an alley among â—ose trées priuily armed came Rosaner for as hee was wise so would hee not come into so suspicious a place carelesly and in danger of his person he had beforetime there spokeÌ„ with the Princesse and séeing a Knight there and that shée stood talking with him well may a man iudge what he felt who held him selfe beloued and with so great affection hee was come somewhat néere when the vnlucky Daristeo said My deare Lady I could neuer imagine that the loue which I haue euer borne you could haue bene so highly rewarded neither can it yet sinke into my head that I could euer deserue so great a good as thus to sée you to bestow such and so particular fauours which wholy is to be attributed to your generositie more then to my loue or desert although the I might hope much for I beléeue that no man euer loued with greater affection then I. The cause hereof is the little confideÌ„ce which I repose in my owne deserts and worthinesse to attayne to so great a good as to bee beloued by your beauty neyther can I leaue to coÌ„sider the high estate you hold without vnderstanding who he was or imagining any thing of his brother for now Fortune would néeds shewe her mutability against these two Louers with the greatest suddennesse of the world the beloued Rosaner ranne vpon his deare brother not knowing who hee was Neuer Eagle turned with greater liuelynesse then did Daristeo against his brother and as they were very valiant so began there betwéene them a most cruell battaile but the elder had the worser not through want of force but of armes fortune Although the other had receiued some hurts yet they were but small The furious louer would néeds close with Daristeo but therein he sought his owne death for the desperate yong man being deadly woundeâ— before hee gaue vp the ghost reuenged himselfe by bereauing life from his mâ—â—t deare brother Rosaner for stumbling forwardes by reason of his wounds he thrust out his sword arme and by chance hit him right in the face The elder brother had not yet so much lost his memorie but that he followed the blow vntil the point of the sword pierced through his brothers braines These faithfull louers came to fall iust together losing with one onely blow their liues ielousies and loue and the greatest good of the world which was the fayre Lady The vnhappy Felina stood beholding this battaile vntill that she sawe them fall then sorrowing their death with her outcryes shée disqueted all the Palace and falling downe in the euill which shee had done without dissembling it neither had she strength to auoid the punishment she her selfe being her owne executioner for euen in the same attyre as shee stood she cast her selfe headlong out at the window falling vpon her head betwéene theâ— and in their death kept them company The greatest part of the people in the Palace ran into the garden and the king with the furious Furâ—ander who when he saw the cruell happe of his two brothers was likely to haue lost his wits which was the cause of altering his condition imagining with himselfe that they were dead through Celibellas occasion Some others did suspect it to sée the brotherly death betweene two louers It caused extréeme sorrow in all the court for the king shewed himselfe very sorrowfull as was reason to sée so pitifull a chance What the Princesse did in her chaÌ„ber I would rather that some other body would report it then I which saw it A thousand times would she haue ended with one death yâ— many deaths which she should endure through â—he absence of her Rosaner which shée beganne presently to shew for the company of her damsels was displeasing vnto her wherein she was woont chiefly to delight the fight of knights and gallants was loathsome and their discourses yrksome so as her whole delight was to be solitarie receiuing some pleasure in me discoursing of the cruelty which fortune had shewed her There was nothing but did put her in minde of her knight and to remember him it was death to her and hauing no more comfort but what shee reaped from her teares which were so many which shee shed for that lamentable mischance that it bereaued her of a great part of her beauty All the Court was in an vproare the king in making search for the murderers could take no rest so as in the citie there was nothing but suspition and mourning The most valiant Furiander disturbed all forgetting what he had promised when he took the order of knighthood that hee should neuer take part against any Lady for as ech of his brothers had discouered vnto him part of his loue and séeing how much they were tormented and how carelesse she was thereof which was not for want of affection but rather of discretion he fully perswaded himselfe that to be rid of their importunities she had procured their deaths he conceiued it with such apprehension that nothing could disswade him neither to see the sorrowfull signes which the princesse gaue for the death of the two brothers for this furious yong man had determined what he would do
would draw his comfort for the lesse of the two princes brothers from the death of a lady whom to be hold I know not who but would haue veÌ„tured his life for her It hapned most valiant prince that one day the king being despised for that he could not be certified concerning the death of these princes as he had newly dined the fierce Furâ—ander armed at al pieces in blacke of bright and shining stéele armour without any deuice sauing onely in the midst of his shielde hee bare reuenge most liuely painted Being thus furnished his comming into the Hall made al those which beheld him change countenances who with the fiercenesse wherewith nature had endowed him making a little reuerence and a litle lifting vp his visor said with a hoarse voyce for yet I haue not forgotten what feare I was in to heare him Mightie king of Samogacia not withstanding that I am of opinion that my comming in this maner will not a little offend you the great griefe which I endure to sée the most dearely beloued princes of the world slaine in the palace doth enforce me a thing euen the heauens should lament for so vniust a death that gods doe know how much it grieueth me to come in this maner considering howe much my deare brothers were boundeÌ„ vnto thée but the feare that I am in to returne again to Pâ—dolia to the king my father who sent me to séeke theÌ„ hath forced me séeing that nothing can be done against that which the heauens haue decréed and to the end that the common people shall not say that they dyed and that no man would reuenge their death and séeing the many certaine signes which in their life and since I haue perceiued I say that I will maintaine against any one two thrée or foure knights together with my horse and armes that they were slaine by order from your daughter the princesse Celibella which from this day to the end of 4. moneths I will maintaine because the princesse shall vnderstand that I desire not to preuaile by reason of the shortnes of the time but that she may haue time to send whither for whom she wil to defend her honour so as shee may not be accounted murtheresse of princes The diuilish knight held his peace and there was no man so valiant that durst so much as moue The king stood some what in a doubt pondering on the waight of the case and at length resolued and I beléeue hee was forced â—eeing how much Furiander was feared to admit the challenge and so he caused the princesse to be called which God knowes was sorowfull ynough for their deaths shée imagined straight what the matter was and so halfe amazed foorth she came The king propounded vnto her the Pagans occasion she could not answere for I thinke no body could vntill the qualme was past which had almost bereaued her of her life and then she answered with so great stomake as made mee wonder it was the equitie of the cause and the great wrong that was done her did thus animate her thereto saying that it was a lye that she would take such order as should be requisite to recouer the honor whereof she was thus robbed with so great trechery she being innocent of the death of those Princes but séeing the one failed she was to séeke who might giue account of her honour Her father the king commanded her presently to be committed to prison because he would shew himself a Iuâ—â—icer notwithstanding it was against his owne daughter whom he so dearely loued and of whose life depeÌ„ded his own for it was yâ— kings law held inuiolably although very rigorous that whatsoeuer person were accused of an offence coÌ„mitted within the palace that doeth not either of himself or some knight for him answere the challenge within the time lymitted in the challenge shall be condemned to be burnt the most cruell thing that euer was heard Then came your fame valorous prince flying through Samogacia with the highest pitch that euer knight enioyed The poore distressed Lady was of opinion as in deed it is true that she could not repaire with more reason and assurance vnto any then to you and so shee sent mee to seeke you I came from the citie with that care which a matier of such importance as this is doeth require and vnderstanding of the great feasts which were in Grecia I was of opinion to finde you there among your brothers for by the way I vnderstood that you are sonne to the great Emperour Trebatius with whose fame the whole world is replenished seing it was my hap to méet you in so good coÌ„pany I am the gladdest womaÌ„ in the world assuring my self that bringing you I bring life to the princesse although that we haue bin hindred in our sayling with tempests yet the wind being fauourable wee shall I doubt not come in time to Samogatia for there yet remaine twentie daies before the challenge bée expired and this is Sir Knight the cause that hath mooued me to take the paines to seeke you and I beléeue it shal not bee in vaine for seeing the wrong that is done to the Princes you will not suffer it to proceede for the fame of your valour importeth no lesse but that you imploy it in fauour of those which are distressed as is this Ladie The lady hauing ended her story with some teares which fell from her eyes remembring how much it would grieue the Princesse seeing her long stay that valorous Tinacria was verie pittifull especially in the behalfe of women holding it for no honour which was gotten against them and so he answered I would that the heauens had giuen me farre greater force faire damsell to the end that your businesse might be the better assured although hauing so much equitie on her behalfe I hope that it shall suffice to yéeld that contentment as such an excellent Ladie as shée is doth deserue against any that without reason shall procure her griefe and I refuse not the houre to méete that Knight of so little discretion Great comfort did those couragious spéeches yéeld to the Damsell which the Prince vsed the weather was fauourable vnto them for foure daies before the time was expired they landed néere the Citie of Adibia for so is it called with great pleasure to them both to sée themselues so neere shée to her soueraigne Ladie bringing so good a returne and he which much desired to shew all his valour in defence of the Princesse and but that it was onely his it had neuer béene accomplished with that good hap for the Pagan was one of the most strong men in the world One day and a halfe did they spend in comming to the Citie which was full of strangers although neuer a one so valorous as to answere the challenge notwithstanding that Furiander came daily to the lists They passed the night in a groue of poplar trées where what happened vnto them
name and behalfe of those things which you loue best in the world to tell me your name and of what countrey you are for I am of opinion that I shall yet loue you better for some other reason then for all that you haue now done for mee Well did this yong gallant vnderstand her and so desiring throughly to satisfie her hee said Worthy Lady the Gods do beare me record how great ioy I conceiue for my comming into your Kingdome in time to do you some seruice and know that my Countrey is Tinacria and I am sonne to the Emperour Trebacius and hee among all my whole kindred whom I loue best is the Prince of the great Britany Afresh returned the most faire Eufronisa to embrace him saying Now valorous Prince I say that I wil not rest beholding vnto you séeing that in giuing me life it hath béen to the ende I should encrease my loue towards that cruell Prince whom you say you loue so much And as we leâ—t speaking streames of teares flowed froÌ„ her faire eies she considered her ouersight saying Maruell not noble Prince to sée the many shewes of my indiscretion for the â—eruent affection wherewith Rosabel is beloued in this Countrey is such and the crueltie which hee sheweth towards me is so rigorous that it forceth me to complaine of him séeing I haue so déerely loued him I would not for any thing in the world most worthy Lady answered the Prince that I should giue you any cause of discontent for I receyue so much herein that I know not ought that may frée me thereof although that if it may be held for an excuse that he haue not equalled your affection his being elsewhere deuoted yet a sufficient reason it yéeldeth to cause you to shew your selfe lesse passionate I neuer desired most valiant Knight that he should wholy requite my loue séeing it impossible for him to doe I onely desired that he should consider that I loued him and how swéet a life I held it and how much I ioyed to bee his But Oh extreme dolor it appeareth that if I did liue but to loue him he in good earnest tooke pleasure to abhorre me Here did I furnish him with horse and armes and here did I shew him the most faithfull sincere affection that euer was contained in any humane brest In my Palace did I cure him of his wounds hoping that that would haue moued him to haue cured those which he had giuen me but to my greater griefe I sent him hence whole and sound and he left me here so as you sée me Let it not noble Prince offend you to heare my passionate complaint for I would not haue spoken it to any man in the world but to such a one as were so néere a kinseman and deare friend as are you to that cruell Knight and know that my constancie shall serue for an example to the world for first shall my soule forsake my body before I leaue to be his Behold and sée vnto what estate affection hath brought me for in hope to sée him it doth not grieue me to sée my father in the behalfe of the Souldan of Niquea to goe against him And I beseech you valorous Prince séeing you meane to serue in those famous wars to remember some day to tell him that Eufronisa is in the Campe not in shew of an enemy but as a tributarie Much did the crueltie of his kinseman grieue the Prince of Tinacria wherefore to comfort this noble Ladie he said Be not dismaide noble Lady for I promise you on my faith and as I am a Knight that I will so bring it to passe that in Grecia the prince Rosabel shall visit you and acknowledge the fauor which in this countrie he hath receiued at your hands I desire no greater ioy for my whole life time answered the Ladie but only to sée him and that that with some acknowledgement he may vnderstaÌ„d how much I haue loued him and herewith let vs go for that Ladie staieth for vs who is a witnesse of what I endure Upon the dead Princesse horse the Tinacrian set the Ladie and himselfe mounted vpon his own they returneâ— so pleasant and merry that but for the remembrance of the losse of her sonnes nothing could yéeld her so great ioy of loue was all their discourse although this Youth had small skill therein But fortune determined to prepare him with those shewes of loue meaning shortly to subiect him thereto holding it for base séeing he was not yet subdued Some horsemen they met vpon the way of her gard which in a great troope came galloping fearing that they had lost the Kings daughter Here would the Prince haue taken his leaue without comming to the Citie of Goltuerg where the King made preparation for his departure but at the instant request of the Princesse and the discreet Silia he could not refuse to goe with them vpon condition that by no meanes they should discouer who he was Being ariued at the Citie it nothing amazed him to sée it in armes and the great number of Knights which hourely ariued there among which were many most fierce Gyants neither the great abundance of warlike instruments which were prepared in that Citie for well hee knew in what readinesse his father would be Eight dayes remained hee there with the greatest entertainement in the world for the king knowing in what maner he had rescued his daughter knew not how to requite it him At the end of which time with a determination to goe into Tinacria and there to leuie the mighttest Armie that possibly he should be able in the behalfe of his father hee tooke his leaue of that gallant Ladie with such a farewell as made him sorrowfull She likewise within foure dayes after tooke her way towards Grecia with her fathers Armie with so great a desire to bee there that she imagined that the heauens could yéeld her no greater content The words of the Tinacrian did much hearten her who in a well rigd Galley directed his course towards his Countrey with his aforesaid determination But the third day after his being at sea the sea began to worke in such sort that he lost his voyage casting him by diuine prouidence into a streight of the Mediterranean sea where he wandred 3. daies the fourth tooke land in the most swéet and pleasant countrey that euer he had séene in his life Hée leapt ashore desirous to know in what countrey he was ariued commanding the Marriners there to attend him and with his Squire onely he began to enter a most pleasant shadow of Poplar trées where hee tooke pleasure in the fresh ayre thereof séeming vnto him that there industrious nature had taken great care to excéed all humane arte When hee had trauailed about a mile therein busying his eyes in beholding the stately Poplars and lofty Cedars at the end of this wood in the midst of a fayre field he beheld the stateliest Palace
himselfe and holding such company as the Gréeke Prince who desirous to returne into Grecia to the aid of his parents taking leaue of these Knights thanking them for the newes which they had told them he said Ualorous Princes the best most certaine meane that I know to deale in this busines is to remit it to the fortune of my valor so to bereaue this Prince which procureth your spoiles of the meane therto here fréeing vs froÌ„ any successe that may happeÌ„ to send a messenger to the King of Lucania that I wil maintaine the beauty of this Lady against any Knight that shal say the contrary at al assaies to be the fairest that is in this kingdoÌ„ which shall giue occasion to this Knight if he loue and be valiant as he is reported to be to take it in ill part that any should bee preferred before his Ladie and comming to blowes with him for nothing in the world will I giue ouer the battell and if the heauens grant vs victorie as I hope they will it shall bee an easie matter for you to carie the Ladie away shee bearing you such good will as you say she doth and being in your Countrey you may defend her against all the world or otherwise make your returne into Grecia in company with this Ladie wherein you shall do the king of Argel great seruice deliuering her into his hands They all agréed to this which the Knight of Cruelty had deuised and so in conclusion they dispatcht a Damsell in company with Polisandro to deliuer the message to the King they remayning in a wood expecting answere which shal be declared in the next Chapter CHAP. VI. How the Damsell deliuered the ambassade to the King of Lucania in the behalfe of the Knight of Crueltie who admitting the same the matter came to triall AS Polisandro and the Damsell as saith Galtenor were departed from the Princes with the Gréeke Princes message and were come within two miles of the great Citie of Troba at what time as the King was newly risen froÌ„ dinner accompanied with many principal knights among which was the most strong Astrenio which was now respected of euery body as the Kings sonne they desired leaue to enter which was granted in the presence of many Ladies the faire Polinarda with Solesia the Princesse of Campania and her valorous louer Lisander The Damsell doing such reuerence as in such cases is accustomed the King willing her to deliuer her ambassade shee began in this maner Thou shalt vnderstand mighty King of Lucania that in the confines of the red Sea in that part which boundeth vpon Media there lyeth a most populous and rich Iland called the I le of plate for the great abundance which the earth there bringeth forth of which Iland is Quéene one of the most accomplished Ladies of the world called Troyla with whom the mightie Prince of Cumagena trauelling through the world to seeke his aduentures seeing her rare beautie fell in loue and that with such feruencie that according to the shew which hee hath made thereof nothing but death onely may suffice to diuert him from his amorous conceit hee hath perfourmed most Soueraigne King so many and so great matters in the seruice of this Ladie that of very dutie and considering with her selfe that it was no disgrace to her to accept him for her Knight thee resolued to admit his seruice and him for her seruant With the fauours which she bestowed on him he beganne againe anew to make triumphs for ioy in such maner that she consented and promised to be wholy his She valorous King standeth so assured on her selfe and her beautie that she requested him in requitall of the faith which she vowed vnto him to carie her to the Courts of the most famous Kings for the space of two yéeres to maintaine her beautie A small request seemed vnto her louer that which she required and to all others that knew him seeing by experience the great valour which the heauens had infused into him And now they goe accomplishing the two yeeres quest performing such aduentures therin with so much honour to them both that hee is held for one of the most valorous Knights of the world and hearing the fame of this Court of the gallantrie of the Ladies of the same he would not passe by into Grecia before he had here made proofe of what power his aduenture might bee he yéeldeth to the battell at all perils for some hauing procéeded to the Iusts onely haue remained throughly grieued bringing the battell to no perfection wherefore he hate sent to entreat thée if it shall so please thée to send him safe conduct to the ende he may maintaine the cause for which he commeth Here ended the Damsell her Oration leauing not one in all the hall which did not wonder at her bold demaund Some rumour beganne among the young Knights making a scoffe thereof auouching that the Ladies whom they serued had attained to the highest of all beautie Wel did the King vnderstand it and dissembling the same answered the Damsell which comming in the name of an Ambassadour was to be honourably entertained I doe thankefully accept faire Damsell of the pleasure which this Knight with his presence will doe vnto this court although as I am perswaded he shall here purchase more enemies then friends for here being Princes which delight in Ladies seruice they will neuer yeeld to so generall an offence as is this The most strong Astermo could not dissemble his discontentment déeming that therein was great disgrace done to his Polinarda who said thus I doe rather wiâ—h faire Damsell that this Knight had first séene the Ladies of this Palace that he might haue perceiued the errour which he maintaineth before he had with such ouerboldnesse defyed their gallants I am of opinion Sir Knight answered the disâ—reet Damsell that you haue not yet made proofe of the power of loue seeing that you know not that hee which admireth the beautie of his beloued speaketh according to his affection I am of opinion that both of the one and the other the Prince will put you out of doubt if it shall please the King to giue him leaue thereto I graunt it quoth the King if he will to the end wee may see the effect of your hopes The Lady would haue kist the Kings hand for the sauour which he granted returning she said As these Princes mightie King haue trauelled a long iourney so come they vnfurnished of prouision necessary wherefore they pray thee to commaund a Tent to be lent theÌ„ seeing that the challenger is to make his abode therein Whatsoeuer shall please him answered the King I will coÌ„mand to be carefully prouided In this maner said the Ladie with a high voice begin you that are enamoured to set vp your armes for betwéene this and to morrow wil come to the Lists the Prince of Comagena with costly experience to make shew of his great
valour And so taking her leaue of all Polisander and shée mounted on horsebacke and with a swift pace they returned to the wood where they had left the Princes to whome for by little and little they drew néere to the Citie shée deliuered the message which she brought Much did Claridiano reioyce to vnderstand how well the Damsell had dispatched her businesse It might bee about two of the clocke in the afternoone when these valorous Princes came into the great Market place of the Citie of Troba leading betweene them the venturous Troiâ—a so well pleased to see the good which shée hoped for that shée was as it were ouerioyed There were none but did verie attentiuely behold the Princes the Ladie séeming to them no lesse faire then the Knights to be of a good constitution particularly he in the yellew whome by his deuice in his Shield they held to be the challenger and whome they déemed to bee the most gentle Knight that was in that place They ware their visors perced and bare their Launces in their hands All the place by this time was full of people by reason of the report of their comming and so they approached to the beholders where the King and all his daughters were the one doing that reuerence to the others as their estates did require The Gréeke a little lifting vp his Beuer said Ualorous King of Lucania notwithstanding that my comming to thy Court hath béene to doe thée pleasure yet my challenge I addresse to those which professe themselues not to be their owne Your comming Sir Knight is much estéemed aunswered the King and so at your pleasure you may begin to maintaine the beautie of this Ladie When they all intreated to come vp to the beholders in companie of Polinarda the two Princes desired no other thing accordingly as they had agréed and so alighting into the armes of him in the yellow they led her vp to the place wher Polinarda was who was very doubtfull that Astermo should not lose that which the other held for certaine All the courtly Ladyes iudged the fayre Troyla to be very beautifull Polinarda saying vnto her I now say gallant Lady that I maruaile not though your Knight beare the prize in all hard aduentures iustice beeing apparant on his side wherefore all good successe is due vnto him This noble Lady answered Troila will be through the reflection froÌ„ your beautie mine being very little O prince of Apulia who could helpe thee in the perplexitie wherein thou waâ—t It was so much most noble Prince as who so had noted him might well haue perceiued it They spent not long time in discourses for the Gréeke yet saw not the end of his businesse pricked forward with the necessitie wherein his parents were and so doing a short reuerence to the Ladyes giuing his hand to the carefull louer they came downe the â—aâ—es and mounting on their horses they rode to a most fayre tent which was in the middest of the place I would not valorous prince said the prince of Apulia that any euill successe should happen vnto Lisander my friend and brother to my Soueraigne Lady There shall not sayd the Greeke for I will so handle the matter in the battaile that he shall lose nothing but that he shall not ouercome By this time many were come into the place who with their Armes would yeld testimony of what they felt in their soules The first that tried their fortunes were two of the Kings nephewes yong knights and both much enamored but losing their saddles there rested no more action for battaile for at two encounters hee put them all the whole company out of doubt that he wanne the flower of cheualrie Right before him past the prince of Campania who was but newly come to the Court so enamored that hée made account trusting therein to beare the palme from the battaile his Armes were of the colour of the Lyon wrought ouer with gold and in his shield a skie wherein was a Lady and beneath Faith painted only with this Inscription That in heauen which is reserued Will try the due by loue reserued Heere below on earth His good gesture gaue contentment to all The sea beating against the rocks doth not make â—o great noyse as these two did at their encounter The Prince of Campania â—ell not although in déed he made an ill fauoured bending backwards in his saddle he returned towards the Greeke with his sword in his hand but the battaile was vnequall for he seconded not his blow and the valiant Greâ—ke with his sword shield making amends first ioyned with him and with both his hands smote vpon the top oâ— his shield there was no defence but hee cast the one halfe thereof to the ground the sword fighting on his helmet with such â—â—rce that it set him sencelesse on the arson of the saddle The Gréeke was very desirous to end the battaile and so spurring his furious horse he ran against him with his brest which cast them both to ground and the prince was so crazed with the fall that he could not get from his horse The Ladyes were much grieued that the prince of Campania should be ouercome and most of all his sister the gentle Solersia whose brauerie had encouraged the prince Lisander to come into the Lists so well armed disposed that the common people through affection openly gaue him the victorie He came armed in a reddish armour wrought all ouer with knots of gold and in the midst of his shield ContentmeÌ„t described after the maner as they depaint the Arabia Foelix set vpon a Globe ruling the world encompassed with this Mott Where hope is well assured And ioyn'd with stedfast constancie Fortunes mutabilitie Is nothing to be feared Great pleasure did his mistresse receiue in his deuice holding it done for her sake The prince of Apulia had giuen notice that that was his deare friend wherefore the Gréek with a soft pace went to him and said Ualorous prince of Lucania there resteth so little time to end so many battels as yet remaine that I thought good to demand battaile of you vpon condition that whether of vs that within two houres shall loose his Saddle through a stroke of his aduersarie shall remaine for ouercome Be it Sir Knight answered the prince as you shall thinke good presuming to haue the better of the battaile They managed their horses with so good a grace that Mars himselfe from his high throne tooke pleasure to behold it At what time as they should encounter in sight of the whole troupe the valorous Gréeke bare vp his lance There were few in that land that could so well behaue themselues and so gallantly as he which was before him who smote him with such force that it made him bend his body farther backwards then he would he past forwardes much estéeming of that Knight for his valour and hurled his lance with greater force then if a man had discharged a
and faine I would without offending your office make you know how ill informed you come But men haue patience with those which bring a message The Duke of Thebes tooke the defiance and with a high voyce read it that all might vnderstand it which was thus The defiance Constantius Emperour of Rome Lord of all the MediterraneaÌ„ and Brunduso Prince of Gibia and of the confines of the Indian sea with the mightie Arsiano Prince of Almaine the rest of the Kings Friends and Vassals to the prince of Dacia greeting For that in feare thou maist see the cruell vengeance which I meane to take of thee and of those which haue declared themselues for thy partakers in requitall of the breach of thy word not as a Knight giuen to my deare daughter to be her husband a thing although thou hadst entreated it had bene very well for thee and hauing done so guiding thy selfe not with reason as was requisite but with passion it is told me that thou art married whereat I am nothing sory but should haue bene to haue had so faithlesse a sonne This shall serue for a warning to thee seeing the reuenge which the heauens will giue me vpon thee which graunt thee life AS all Gréece daily expected the comming of so mighty a Prince as the Soldan of Niquea so was there no man troubled with this defiance except the Prince of Dacia whose colour waxing as red as a liue coale said Well did I imagine Knight that with your prowd ambassade there should come some Knight which should not weigh whether iustice were on his side or not for although that now there be no time to make excuses admitting the defiance I say that all that wherewith thou doest charge mee is false for although that I tried the adueÌ„ture of Bruto in the name of that Princesse yet there was neuer any speach of her part that I should be hers and in prouoking such Princes against me they haue done it disloyally séeing in persoÌ„ they might haue come and requested mée this that without any other occasion they will trouble the world led by their blind passion as for the rest I hope that the life which they wish me to sée their reuenge but I beléeue I shall sée it first on them and to the end it shall not happen I with my parents and friends will séeke them at home in their owne countryes He said no more for he well remembred that he had bene more cholericke then is vsuall with Embassadours But the faire Rosamundi could not dissemble her griefe séeing her louer defied of whom she had vnderstood all that which had passed at Rome and taking occasion of what Coriander had said she said Me thinketh Knight you haue offended many with your presumptuous maner of procéeding in scoffing in disdaine at the Gréeke Ladies for to value the Dacian Prince to be of lesse worth for being in our company Hereby the iustnesse of the cause for which you come is the more plainely to be perceiued and because you shall vnderstand that the comming from Kings doth not warrant you when you haue receyued your answere I wil make you know that there are Ladies in Gréece whose coÌ„panie yéeldeth honour to Knights which frequent the same There will not waÌ„t those which will maintaine the challenge quoth the faire Archisilora burning with anger for such a disgrace as this shall not passe vnpunished For a mediator answered the gallaÌ„t Empresse Claridiana here is mine arme which in fauour of the Ladies shall shew their equitie In so iust a cause sayd the faire Sarmatia there is none that will refuse the combate against any of the fiue I would I had Mars his strength quoth the faire Liriana to let these Knights know that it had bene better for them to haue taken some other course Let not that offend you sayd the faire Rosamundi for I as most iniuried doe in challenge defie this Knight and one of his companions to the ende they may sée how little they are estéemed All which was done with such a sudden that the Emperour although hee would yet he could not haue enter medled therein Somewhat milder than before the furious Coriandro answered Faire Ladies where the victorie is so apparantly due to your beauties the Knights of Gibea do not vse to enter into battels but against sterne Knights where the valour of the persons may appeare I am very sorie the whereas so many Knights are they haue yéelded to the Ladies to maintaine the honour of Grecia This did somewhat nettle the Greeke Princes that together arose thrée which well shewed what they were They were no lesse then Rosabel the warlike Claramante and the furious Dacian who being armed without all doubt would haue had them by the eares But to auoid the hurly burly the old King of Macedonia arose willing the Ambassadours to goe with him while the Greekes gaue answere a thousand times was Bembo about to deâ—e Rosabel in his Mistresse quarrel and had done it but that he saw it would cause him to stay longer then Lupercio had appointed All was left to the field battell where wanted no occasion and euery man had his handes full as you shall heare The defiance being accepted they dispatched the Messengers which did not a little wonder at the Ladies and much more at the great Nauie which they saw at sea and the innumerable armie which they saw on land and because that in the Citie there was not roome enough the Captaine generall had commanded many tents to be erected compassed about with deepe trenches which seemed another Citie Some dayes they stayed because that thither came the wise Lord of Achaia who before he would goe forth of Gréece desired to be informed of the state of his enemies but finding many contrarieties he much doubted of the good successe according to most mens opinion seeing the great and mightie armies leuied against the Gréekes The foure Ladies were so displeased with the Pagans answere that in the night with their Armes they went to séeke them They were quickly mist and for feare that any disgrace should happen vnto them armed at all pieces with most assured Armes there went after them Don Heleno and Rosabel with Captaine Arâ—â—toldo and the mightie Bransiniano the valorous Brandafidel was none of the last and the gentle Teâ—feo with his Uncle Bramidoâ—o in company of the noble Alphebo onely Rosacler stayed behind for that euening he felt himselfe not well and the trauaile of the faire Oliuia did much trouble him which that night was deliuered of a daughter no lesse faire then her mother neither did she cost lesse blood as with the fauour of the Muses I will declare in the fourth part of this Historie where her loues shal be described the beginning whereof shall be declared in this fourth booke The new enamored Claramante with his most rich and assured armes would goe alone and notwithstanding that he knew not the country
the Citie the Emperour much estéemed this course of importance The valorous Astrusio taking his leaue of the Princes with many imbracements returned to the sea setting his hurt men ashore to be cured hee came to the mouth of the Hauen for feare of a tempest verie ioyfull of the victorie the Captaine generall by land séeing his enemies therein began to shew the worthinesse of his person as shall bee declared in the next Chapter CHAP. XV. Of the encounter which the Captaines souldiers had with the enemie about pitching of their Campe. THere is nothing most excellent Prince that giueth the assurance in the wars as discretion that maketh easie that which is most difficult the braue sonne of Sacridoro making benefit thereof ended great battels as shall appeare in this famous and large Historie This famous Captaine was the first man shewing in all things not onely his valour but the excellencie of his wit also for the golden Apollo had scarcely lookt out at his fayre baye window spreading abroad his golden lockes bathed in the Spanish Seas when comming foorth of Constantinople with all his royall Cauallarie hee called the Spaniards and Antiochians to whome for their much experience hee had shewne much affection with him went the flowre of Cheualrie ClaramaÌ„te Claridiano and the faire Archisilora with him also went the warlike Giants Brandafidel Bramidoro and the strong Tifereo Few of the principall but did accompanie the Generall who in few words told them whereabout he went and how much it did import after and séeing in what case the Moore had left him before that he had space to draw his broad sword the Ladie was come and with hers shée suddenly tooke him crosse the Helmet cutting away a great part of the visor and withall made him réele in his Saddle shée holpe him forwards with a thrust so as his thicke armour auailed not for shée hurt him sore in the middest of the brest his bloud gaue testimonie of his dangerous hurt Like one of the wild beastes of Hircania the Paynim set vpon the gallant Ladie who séeing the furie where with he came gathering her selfe vnder her shield for shée had no more roome shée receiued the terrible blow it made the bloud come forth at her eares and to her brest did shée bend downe her head astonished with the blow and but that her dexterity stood her in stead he had striken her againe which had béene no great matter to doe shée was so ill of the last for the Moore was verie strong but reyning her horse shée put her selfe somewhat from him the force of the blow made the strong Pagan to turn about and fall vpon the pummell of his Saddle and his horse being prickt with the Spurres brought him hard by Claridiano who was glad in his soule for a thousand times he was about to leaue the battell to come although there were no néede to aide the Quéene of his life Seeing the good occasion putting the Achaian from him with a verie strong thrust with all his whole power hee smote him vpon the Helme it was a verie fortunate blow for lighting vpon the cannon of the Feathers it pluckt it from his head leauing it disarmed throwing it at his horse héeles and but for feare of the ioyning of the two battels he had followed him for séeing into what case he had broght his Lady it made him deadly angry Then came the Lady pursuing him and séeing what reuenge was taken of him euen enforced thereto to her selfe shée said O flowre of Cheualrie how vniustly doth thy Ladie suffer thée to beare this deuice being worthie to bee beloued by the most excellent I beléeue that but that shée loued Claridiano so extremely shée had sure giuen passage to Cupids forces who sought by a thousand meanes to make her tributarie but shee was so constant in her loue to the Gréeke Prince that the Knight with the Ladies inioyed onely good will shee would requite him for his blow giuing Bembo another with both hands of no lesse force then what of him she had receyued she made him lay his head in his bosome and before that hee againe came to himselfe she gaue the Pagan such a thrust as did much grieue him In this hurry came the Captaine generall and the most strong Mauritanian being some what out of breath for hauing buckled together there mist but a little that the Antiochian had not bene ouercome for the Moore was so strong that few could match him they came before the Greeke who stood beholding his beloued Archisilora and suddenly the Pagan smote the sonne of Oriselua on the side of the Shield it was great hap that he had not stricken it out of his hand and his arme therewithall he made him so dizzie that he could not tell whether he were afoote or on horsebacke he would haue giuen him a second and had stretched out his arme to giue it but the valiant young man opposed himselfe saying Hold thee thou ill taught Pagan know that it is no valour to strike him which cannot defend himselfe He stayd for no answere for in such cases it is excusable but hurling his sword about his head with Mars his strength hee smote him vpon the strong armes which he had lifted vp and made him to lose his blow and also his sword out of his hand which before he could recouer againe hee gaue him another and within a little layd him at his horses féete With the noyse about turneth Claramante who was in a terrible fight with the Scithian neither the one nor other could passe any farther forwards for the two armies came to ioyne with such a noyse that it séemed that the heauens were vnhung and should come downe to the earth with a fayre encounter they repayred wherein aboue twentie thousand lost their saddles It was a fearfull spectacle to see the diuers kinds of deaths which were giuen some falling from their horses were troden to death others being thrust thorow so ended their iournie others séeking reueÌ„ge desired to kill dying As the place was narrow and the people infinite no man lâ—st his saddle that could euer againe recouer it The horses not féeling their riders ran out of the troup leauing any more to trouble the troups At the first charge they lighted on the famous Brundusio who escaping without hurt with a new Helmet would néeds returne to the battell desiring rather to die in coÌ„pany of his Knights then to liue any where else He entred reuenging himselfe vpon that poore people among which he did excâ—eding much hurt Yet the Greekes did as great among them so as some of their Colours began to retire to the passage where they first came into the field but there they found the braue Sacridoro who did not onely stay theÌ„ but made a great slaughter among them so as the Moores were beaten on either side for neither the force of their Captaines neither their great number of people could defend them from
his hands hee let flie a blow at Rosabel which lighted on his shield it pierced it not but draue it to his Helmet with such rigor as made him sencelesse ioyning with him hee cast his armes about his necke and within a little pluckt him out of his Saddle but recouering his sences setling his feete in his Stirrups wheeling most strongly about they fell both to the ground where betaking themselues to their weapons it was a world to sée their agilitie the proud onsets and couragious retreates Strong was he with the Starres but he had before him one which was borne with a brest-plate Some aduantage there was to bee séene in him but it was so little as could scarcely bee perceiued The night drue on for the Sun hastning his course hid his beames because he would not sée so cruell a battell Wherefore those warriours were constrained to repaire to their horses desirous to méete where they might haue time and place to end the battell which at that instant was so vehement as was wonderfull but the Moores had the worst because they had no succours this was the sorrowfullest day for them that they had during the warres For of one hundred and fiftie thousand men which entred into the Willow valley there neuer returned the third part with the losse of thrée Kings which died among the first The Gréekes did not wholly without losse enioy this victorie although it were the greatest that euer they had in all the warres for it grieued them to sée the Moores encamped within sight of the Citie in a most conuenient place the past all the night well content on both sides the one for hauing shewne that by land they were those which with their persons defended their Empire hauing shewne vnto the Moores with the price of many of their liues the valour of their persons The others notwithstanding that they had lost many people yet were verie glad that they were entrenched in so good a seate The warlike Bembo seeing the valour of the yong Knight with the Starres extremely loued him hee was no lesse accompted of by the Gréeke Princes esteeming him more then all the rest of the Campe. But the commendations which were giueÌ„ of the knight of the Ladies were such and so many that I am not able to recite them there is no reason but to beléeue them the first that beganne to publish his famous acts was the faire Archisilora Among the Pagans likewise his arme was much extolled the which in fortifying their Campe and burying their three Kings spent eight daies in the which there wanted no sightly skirmishes nor dangerous encounters wherein sometimes they were losers and sometimes were victorious a common matter to haue such aduentures in the warâ—es and while as they prepare themselues I cannot forbeare to goe thither where I left Poliphebus for it is expedient that in such a matter as this so famous a Prince bee not forgotten to whome and that with great reason is attributed the cause of the victorie of the Grecians and of atchiuing of their enterprises which otherwise were dangerous CHAP. XVI How the Prince Poliphebus of Tinacria entred the Castle of the golden Bough where hee deliuered the most faire Luzela daughter to the Emperour of Egypt from enchantment I Am so afraid faire dames to be lothsome to your delight with such warres as are past and are expected that I am enforced to entermixe some matters of loue with those of furious Mars because that if the one bee tedious the other may yéeld delight and so I will shake off the feare wherein I was in this behalfe for not to proceede with that sweete and pleasant stile as I would it is enough to be loathed without liuing in feare also you shall take my desire and not the fruite of my short witte in good part for thereof and of your daintinesse I am assured seeming to me to bee of gold the libertie of the Tinacrian Ageno and to haue it I acknowledge that it is a death to me and life to be estranged Hee enioyed little by being at libertie for that angrie passage being ended wherein we left him hee went directly to those Portes whose faire rich lustre made him to wonder comming to the Portes which seemed to bee of no worse then gold The sight of the faire Pictures and Paintings therein engrauen yeelded delight to the beholders hee came to the Pillar which stoode before the gate and without feare winding the rich horne for he much desired to know what was within hee had scarcely winded it when with a greater noyse then if the whole architecture of the house had fallen to the ground they opened The couragious young man put hand to his rich sword and imbracing his strong shield and séeing that no bodie came foorth hee went directly to the gates through them hee passed when suddainely hee was held backe for on either side stoode two deformed Giants hauing their huge waightie Clubs lifted vp The young man was aduenturous thinking with himselfe that what he had done was cowardice if he should now retire and so hee went forwards There was not a liuelier Knight in all the land and this aduaunced his valour for on foote few could match him Hee entred with his shield before him making a faire shew and with a leape he cast himselfe in but not without receiuing such a knocke as made him set his knées to the ground it was then no time to bee idle for at an instant the most strong Giants were with him who attended their comming with determination with discretion to maintaine the battell As hee was skilfull in fencing so he tooke his ground in the pauement which was vnder the Port vpon the which were the two rich Pinacles the Giants were in hand with him by fits it was not ill for him to goe flourishing and to charge when he saw time but if he were light and quicke they were Pards yet notwithstanding his nimblenesse did auaile him for they both together being about to strike him with a skip couering himselfe well with his shield hee put himselfe iust betwéene them making them to lose their blowes but he not his for with a blow backwards in entring hee smote him which was on his right hand iust aboue the knee there was no defence against his arme for his sword entred into the bone The Giant féeling himselfe sore burt would haue closed with him but his thigh failing him he fell vpon his face to the ground he did not let slippe the occasion which fortune gaue him for before that the other Giant could assaile him with a great blow he tooke him on the top of his huge Helmet it was thrée inches thicke but yet hee pierced him to the skull The Tinacrian was so gréedy of ending the battel that it was like to haue cost him deare for hee gaue oportunitie to the Giant to strike him those blowes were not such as that a man should stand toward
bridle they went downe the hill In comming into the plaine the right way towards the Hauen Poliphebus began after this maner I doe Soueraigne Princesse vnderstand of the great warres wherein my father now is and of the many enemies which beseege his Citie I neuer yet durst to make my selfe knowne vnto him without doing something whereby I might boldly vaunt my selfe to bee the sonne of the mightie Trebatius and for this purpose I take occasioÌ„ to goe in your company and hauing the equitie of your beautie on my side betwéene the two Campes I purpose to maintayne the same not against the Greeke Dames for the loue of my sisters and the rest of my kindred which liue enamoured which seeing my challenge of force must come to contradict it Fame hath reported that in the Moores Campe there are Ladies which for beautie are the Phenixes of their Countries and if I prosper well in this attempt I may make my selfe knowne for the sonne of the great Trebatius I would not valorous Prince sayd the Ladie the through my occasion you should lose that which your vertue doeth assure of for there want not Ladies whose brauery and beauty is to be preferred farre before mine I am not able to goe into Greece answered the gallant Louer without making it appeare what power your vertue hath within my brest So then answered the Ladie there is nothing to bee sayd against your resolution With swéete conuersation they came to the sea side where they past all that night with such contentment of either partie as can not bee expressed The next day at what time as the faire Phebus began to beautifie the earth with his presence the two beloued Louers embarked themselues in the ship which Poliphebus brought The Masters and Mariners entertaining them with great ioy and wondring at the beauty of the gallant Luzâ—la hoyseâ— their sailes directing their course towards Grecia sayling with so great pleasure content that they wished it had bene Vlisses voyage After supper lying vpon the hatches of the ship casting their eyes to behold the vast seas and the forme of the skies this Gallant sayd vnto the Ladie If it may be told without griefe vnto you I would gladly know the cause of your enchauntmeÌ„t Some it will be to me warlike Prince in renning the remembrance of what I there endured but to giue you satisfaction whatsoeuer you shall commaund shall be put in execution Then know valorous Knight that my father had an Aunt the wisest woman in all Egypt where it is an ordinarie matter to be giuen to the arte Magick My father comming to receyue the Crowne as Emperour of Egypt was defirous to learne that science and so brought that his Aunt to the Court of whom he learned the greatest part of all her cunning He married and the destinies would that there should be borne so infortunate a Damsell as am I to haue so many desastres Comming to the age that I now am of without any pardon as a father to his owne daughter he came to be so farre in loue with me that hee tooke no pleasure of the world seeing I would not yeeld to his desire I imagining that I should wrong my selfe to yéeld in such a case to my father This my iust disobedience made such an impression in his heart that from thenceforth his hatred was farre greater towards me then euer his loue had bene It did nothing grieue me to endure the troubles which he put me to for denying him a thing so vniust Wrath and blind affection so much preuayled ouer him that being in my garden little thinking of his paine although it did somewhat grieue me to see what hee endured considering that he was my father I saw him comming in a walke among Canes with a more vnstaied pace then his grauitie required In seeing him I arose with a fayned smile weÌ„t to méet him But he which came drowned in a deuillish determinatioÌ„ without regard of any thing more theÌ„ his passioÌ„ led him vnto with a strange furie tooke mee by the arme saying My Luzela if it may giue you no occasion to ease my paine in that I am thy father and to sée what I indure with the griefe and torment which thy beauty hath brought me vnto yet let the death which thou séest before thine eies moue thee to doe it And therewith he drew out his dagger which he set at my brest You may imagine gentle Knight what my soule felt betweene these two extremes and each of them so great In the end I chose rather to die then so to defile my body and answered him My Lord and dearely beloued Father the heauens beare record with me that if the losse of my life might doe you pleasure I would preseÌ„tly giue it and should take pleasure to lose it and therein should offend no body but rather ennoble the obedience which I owe you but to be obedient in this a thing so much against reason I am of opinion that therein I should doe iniurie both to you and my selfe Hee suffred mee not to proceede forwards for with a strange fury hee sheathed his cruell dagger in the tender brest of his louing daughter Few blowes suffised to stretch mee all along My father had not the power repenting himselfe of that he had done to take out his dagger I thinke the heauens would not that he should kill me to the end that I in him should sée sudden change O cruell destinies began he to say lifting his voyce to heauen in how many sorts haue you shewne your selues coniured against me O infortunate Emperour Alpatraphio to how small purpose serued the science wherewith I was indued O blind and vaine affection séeing that from thence is growne to sée before mine eyes a fact so inhumane O heauens if you heare me be attentiue that séeing that you are witnesses of my great crueltie so shall you likewise be of the reuenge which I will take of my rebellious heart He was a thousand times about to pluck out the dagger which hee had stuck in my brest I thinke hee let it alone because hee would not sée my bloud and I saw it was euen sâ—â— for comming vnto me he vttered these speaches Ah my Luzela sometimes beloued not as a daughter which is that which now 〈…〉 me if there from the heauens where without change treading them with 〈◊〉 immortall féete thou doest â—â—aunce to 〈◊〉 the alteration 〈…〉 I haue no eyes to â—caue pardon but thou wanting life which to me 〈◊〉 I giue mine it is not to bee sought for vpon earth seeing I haue sent it to the heauens neither will I enioy any because it will bee loathsome seeing I cannot forget to haue bene thy murtherer I doe proâ—ise thee my beloued daughter to accompanie thee in thy death seâ—ing I loued 〈◊〉 so dearely in thy life If for â—â—ented his soule to sée how still I lay imagining that I was dead and in pâ—lling out his
gaue back with his body letting goe his club which was the cause that he escaped the blow which if he had not done he had falne on his face the handle onely remained with the valiant louer which he would imploy in his Ladies seruice which he saw did behold him it did the more encourage him to doe it for that that by reason of the noyse there came cut of a Cabbin in the Galley a most braue dame clad all in blew cut vpon rich cloth of Gold with her haire made vp more bright then the Sunne beames vpon her head a net-worke of Siluer the swéete prison of loue which to him had béene life if they would haue letten him alone although somewhat painefull in that place It was long since that the Prince had séene that Ladie but he presently knew that shée was his beloued sister the gallant Rosaluira a cold sweate to sée her in that place ran ouer all his bodie he would defer no longer time but threw the péece of the Club which hee had in his hands at one of the Giants if it had béene shot out of a Culuerin it could not haue fline with greater force he smote him right on the Helmet him who had alreadie lost his arme the gallant neuer in his life gaue blâ—w more worth the séeing for lighting on the end it sheathed it selfe in his head he therewith stept backe and drew out his rich sword and with a skip was with the Giant who was yet troubled with the last blow and with all the strength that he was able hee gaue him a thrust in the middest of the brest His strong douâ—le brest plate auailed him not but that his sword entred euen vnto his shoulders and in drawing out his sword cut came the Giants soule He which remained aliue was much vexed therewith and séeking reuenge with his sword in both his hands he made towards the youth he could not auoide the blow and to haue receiued it was like to haue béene the Princes last for striking him on the top of the Crest hee made aboundance of bloud gush out at the visor of his Helmet he was readie to fall The Moore came vpon him with another which made him fall vpon his hands and knées vpon the ground hee would haue troden him vnder his feete but the warlike Prince had not yet lost his good resolution séeing him come running slipt to one side letting him passe with greater force then a thunder-bolt The young louer followed him and as hee turned about with his sword in both hands hee smote him athwart the Helmet and strake away all that side and left him shrewdly hurt hee prouided for him another because hee should â—â—aie and with a backeward blow hee left him astonied for to smite him on the side of the head euerie blow was death to him hee closed with him séeing the aduantage which then he should haue The Giant with the pangs of death griped him with such force that his armour entred into his flesh But the fierce youth with his dagger ended the warres and throwing them all into the Sea hee went straight to his sister putting off his Helmet and said I know not Madam and my beloued sister how I shall estéeme this good hap which the Gods this day haue powred vpon mee séeing they haue brought me where I might doe you seruice for I beleeue you were forced to come hither with such euil companie By this the Ladie knew him and imbracing him with a thousand teares like Pearles for ioy shée said Who that hath gained valorous brother hath béene my selfe séeing that in giuing me libertie you haue giuen me means to reioyce at your Cheualrie They againe imbraced for there were no brothers that more déerely loued then these two he acquainted her with his aduenture and the course which he held The Ladie beyond all measure reioyced to sée the prince Poliphebus so well employed shée would then goe to speake to the Princesse of Egypt taking much pleasure to knowe her for her Ladie and sister The Prince carried her in his armes aboord entertaining her with such courtesie as was expedient and knowing her to bee his sister whome shee so deerely loued shee shewed her great affection which lasted so long as they liued The Princesse was verie sorie to thinke how much her mother grieued for her absence wherefore they tooke order that two of their people should goe in the Giants Galley directly for Tinacria where they should bee well paid for their labour which they did carrying certaine letters from the Prince to his mother They tooke their course for Grecia where in few dayes they arriued and those with the letters at Tinacria where they were well entertained knowing for whome they came The Quéene read the letters reioycing to know what was become of her beloued sonne the contents whereof were these Poliphebus his letter to Garrofilea his mother MY businesse hath beene such so much Soueraigne Queene and deare mother that they haue not giuen me leasure to bee my owne messenger notwithstanding that I much desired the same occasion was now offered me when verie merily I tooke my way towards the Greeke Empire in companie and as husband of the Princesse of Egypt and the high heauens willing to fauour me ordained that in the middest of the Sea I met with my Sister whom three cruel Giants carried prisoner The gods were so fauourable that I gaue her libertie and with her am going to doe my dutie to our father who is vexed with most cruell warres and if mine and my sisters intreatie may ought preuaile with you we beseech you that forgetting what is past you will not onely pardon but also assist him with men from your kingdome which wil be much esteemed through the world and to vs it shall be much honour to be the children of such a mother We hope that your wisdome wil consider that this is verie requisite and much importeth The gods preserue your royall person and graunt vs life to returne againe to doe our dutie vnto you Poliphebus of Tinacria and Rosaluira of Grecia your louing children The sonnes reasons did so much mollifie the hard hart of the cruell mother that shée presently altered her mind In the end as shée was a woman yet therefore shâ—e lost no part of her authoritie but presently commaunded Proclamation to bee made through all Tinacria that they all should within few dayes with the greatest force that they should bee able to leuiâ— make their repaire to her Citie Her subiects obeyed for shée was well beloued of all and when they knew what voyage they should make they leuied thirtie thousand men all verie well armed shée issued of her treasure what was néedful for although that the warres would be long yet there should bee nothing wanting shée was a thousand times in the mind to haue gone for Grecia but she found so many inconueniences that shée was enforced to stay Shée sent for
them that he made them retire a great way out of the plaine On that side where the Duke of Thebes was the Emperour of the Romanes charged with the Prince of the Almaines and the valorous Brundusio who desâ—rous to meete with some of the Greekes made the battels to ioyne together with such a noyse as if the skyes had fallen The mighty Epirabio tooke charge of the assaulting of the Citie and so with all the instruments and engines requisite for such an exployte with all the Assyrians the power of the Parthians they drew néere to the walls with many timber Castles with which they thought so enter the great Citie 3. clarions were souÌ„ded in the Castle of Venus froÌ„ wheÌ„ce the Ladies beheld the cruel warre All the Gréeke Princes knew what it meant The Emperour Trebatius was very sorry fearing some ill hap for he saw all the troupes of Niquea in aboue sixty rankes marching towards the fountaynes to charge at their backes He lifted vp his eyes to heauen saying Into thy hands O mightie God I commit my cause and the equitie of this persecuted Empire He turned to Rosacler saying I doe beléeue that this day will neuer be forgotten I beséech the Lord to looke vpon his people Hee offered to come to fight with the Moores but that was not their meaning for they deferred it for a better occasion but onely to crosse the fields to recouer a hill which was hard by the walles where they meant to fortifie It was wonderfull to sée for the Captaine Aristoldo had already taken it A better coÌ„maunder the world neuer knew and truly to haue gotten the hill had bene continually readie to enter the Citie The discréet Captayne returned within the valley with all the Spanyards and made such haste that they tooke it beforehand The Pagan brought much valiant people and hee was so of his person but he met with those which he thought not of which were the flower of Knighthood no lesse then Uncle and Nephew Claridiano and Claramante with the faire Archisilora These were sufficient to fight with their whole armie The Captaine of the Moores came to an ill market for he met with Lindabrides her louer who smote him sencelesse vpon his saddle bowe he was so quick with him that before that he could recouer himself he laid him on the hard ground with a knock with his axe Hee would not trouble himselfe any longer with him leauing him for dead but withdrew himselfe some what from his companions for not to be troubled with his battel-axe for therewith hee made more roome There was nothing better worth the séeing in all those warres There was neuer any hired labourer in the countrey which shaking the Chestnut trée threw down more Chestnuts then the sonne of Trebatius threw downe Knights with his terrible battell-axe Sometimes with thrée blowes hee felled fixe Knights and sometime with a strong thrust hee pluckt Knights out of their saddles filed vpon his axe as papers vpon a thred He neuer gaue blow which made not the noble company to looke about and wonder at the strength of his armes The vnknowne Louer gaue good account of himselfe for hee sought not out particular Knights but the grimme Giants among which hee rushed without any signe of feare Their comming to the rescue was to so great effect that they made the Moores to retire out of the field to Bembo his squadron who by this time was within sight for he had intelligence that there was a supply of men landed in the port of Antona He made hast in hope to ouercome for he saw that by their hastie going his people gat the aduantage of the field Wel did the strong Breton sée that for that he was on the left wing where he plaid the deuil as that ground was somwhat higher those which tooke land might well possesse it which ranging themselues into a strong Battalion he saw tooke their way towards the field Hee called the Prince of Argentaria and sayd vnto him Now is the time come valorous Knight to shew what hath bene hoped for at your hands and therefore if you will be my conuoy it behoueth me to passe by all these Tents to goe to know what people that is which is newly arryued for if they bee not enemy we shall get the field Doe herein valorous Prince sayd the noble Florisarte what shall please you which to effect with the losse of my life I shall be well content The valiant Rosabel for he had no time to stay casting his shield at his backe and in his hand his sword gaue his horse the reynes who as swift as a thunderbolt parted froÌ„ his squadron towards the sea side The Prince of Tharsis had inough to doe to followe him hee went with such fury and swiftnesse Both campes beheld him The Gréeks knew him by the blew scarfe which Liâ—iana had giuen him Some followed him the first whereof were Claramante Claridiano and the fayrâ— Archisilora because they saw that Aristoldo made all haste getting ground vpon his enemie for Epirabio being missing whom sore hurt they had carried out of the battell in a maner turning their backes they made towards their campe notwithstanding that the Moores in that place had the worst of the fight in most places else they cryed Uictorie for Bembo reinforcing his squadron had brought to his ayd a hundred thousand Assyrians with which hee gaue so fierce a charge on the squadron of the Thessalonians that hee made them retire aboue a bow shot The Gréekes were in better case on that side where Florisiano with the gentle Polidolpho with the people of Lira Apulia and Croatia had entred they were somewhat of kinne and for that cause they alwaies kept company They were of opinion that the Sargeant Maior generall had reserued them and their people fresh onely for that dayes seruice They were very confident in their valour through that occasion they vndertooke great enterprises and fell on that side from whence Rosabel went who with the strong Floriâ—arte being to go crosse the tents had put theÌ„ in disorder They came in good time for the people of that countrey beeing but a fewe left had retired to backe themselues with a little hill whither came the two famous Captaines with al the horsemen which gaue so sudden a charge vpon their enemies as did greatly annoy them but the best was to recouer the ground which they had lost They both did greatly encourage the people shewing them what honour they wanne that day seing it might well be sayd that they had restored Grecia being almost lost These couragious speaches wrought such effect that euerie one fought for two no man was afeard of danger so great was the hope of victory All was but neede for the Emperour of Rome did so busie the Duke of Thebes and the Souldan of Egypt charged on the right wing so as the Greekes had their hands full on euery side for with the
and the Campe also because he would not bee knowne before that battell were ended for you shall vnderstand that it was the most strong Lindoriano who knowing in Tinacria that they had stollen away his Ladie Rosiluira went to séeke her vntill that in Niquea hee remembred to come to the aide of his Father the Souldan for where there were so great assemblies of men hee might peraduenture heare of her and his fortune brought him in so good time as this and although that he were one of the most courteous knights in the world yet iealousie did so torment him that it made him shew his pride Those in the sumptuous Chariots came to salute the Gréeke Ladies betwéene which past many discreete speeches the great Trebatius inuiting them to the Citie during the time of the Truce Some were glad thereof whereof Arbolinda Princesse of Scotland was none of the last who looking among those Princes found out her beloued Florisarte so gallant and so braue that shee would that shée had had another soule to haue imparted one vnto him in payment Also it did somewhat reuiue the spirits of the Romane Princesse to sée her Don Heleno Shee which sped worst at this méeting was the gallant Eufronisa who could not sée her beloued Rosabel who was secretly gone to visite his vnkle who did not a little regard him when the Ladies departed from the Campe. The valiant Tinacrian went to accompanie the Greeke Ladies till they were out of the field where he tooke his leaue saying that he could goe no further With great ioy the Ladies receiued him passing the rest of the night in pleasant discourses although the Tinacrian were so angrie with the Knight of Fortune that he longed to haue him by the eares Arbolinda desired nothing so much as the day because shee would send a message to the Prince of Tharsis In the next Chapter you shall know what passed for now it is time to take rest CHAP. XXV Of the cruell battell betweene the two Princes THe power of Loue valorous Dames doth now so withdraw me that in the middest of so much bloud as heere is spilt I cannot chuse but steale a little time to treate of the disease of Loue and what power it hath in the soule of the gallant Arbolinda who came to her lodging euen Loue-sicke which did so gripe her that shée could not forbeare to send to speake a word with her louer vnder the name of Artimio which was the name which he tooke when in the habite of a Squire he went with Florisarte as in the second part of this true Historie is declared And taking paper and â—â—ke shée wrote a letter to the Prince which shée gaue to a fauorite of hers to giue the same vnto him so soone as the appointed battell should bee ended And herewith the Ladie reposed her selfe attending the day which appeared so faire that it séemed that the Sunne had sought out new more bright shining beames for he shewed himself more faire then when he was heardsman and kept his flocks by the shoares of Silisia Through all the Citie for so had Rosabel commaunded that at the breake of day they should discharge the watch with a peale of Ordinance giuing a merrie good morrow the great captaine Astrutio from the Sea answered them who leauing his charge with his Cousin went disguised to the shâ—are to sée those battels The Ladies came forth of their Campe in their mightie Chariot and hard by them those which remained for the battell The faire Gréeke Ladies came accompanied as well with beautie as with Knights for all the best of the Citie came with them They tooke their standing attending the comming of the Ladies of the tent the which were clad all in gréen cut vpon Cornation so faire that therewith they did assure the palme of victorie to the knight with the Eagles who mounted vpon his mighty horse came armed at all péeces in gréene Armour with so many artificiall knots and such aboundance of pretious stones that more could not be wished for hee bare in the middest of his shield his vsuall Eagle so excellently well drawne that it séemed to be aliue and had changed the inscription for by the Herons he had this motte Well may firme affection Which is fixt and will not start Assure it selfe of iust reward And certaine solace for the hart The Gréeke Ladies were much delighted with the Tinacrians pleasant deuice who doing reuerence vnto them with a great Launce in his hand expected the comming of his enemie who was not slacke in comming into the lists armed with his strong Armour and without speaking one word séeing his beloued Rosaluira clad in the same colours as the Knight was as malicious as a serpent he made towards him as swift as the wind The two famous warriours brake their Launces into small sticks although the Pagan in the encounter lost one stirrop with a foule backe bending in his saddle Our Prince did likewise double somewhat in his but it was so little as could hardly be seene He was so earnest and so cholericke that he did not sée the time to bee reuenged according as hee desired but spurring his horse he passed so far forwards that he could giue no blow to the purpose which the warlike Moore perceyuing gaue him before that he could cleare himselfe from him so huge a blowe athwart the Helme that it made his téeth chatter in his head and comming with another with no lesse force he smote him in the middle of the shield which although he could not pierce for the finenesse of the mettall yet he bore it against his head adding more payne to the former making him to forget himselfe and with the third he set vpon his horses necke All men wondred at the fiercenesse of the Moore but much more at the angry lookes wherewith Garrofileas son turned to sée himselfe so ill intreated Hee expected no defence in his shield which he threw at his backe and as an enraged Knight he set vpon him of Niquea Euery body was afrayd and he as strong as he was was afrayd for raysing himselfe in his stirrops hee gaue him one of the most cruell blowes that had bene giuen in all those battels for hee smote him off a great corner of his shield the terrible sword falling vpon his left shoulder left all that side disarmed and sore wouÌ„ded and before he could fit himselfe again he gaue him a thrust but it was sidelong it was great hap that hee had not nayled the one side to the other but it carried away the side of his brest-plate part of his shirt of Mâ—ile casting him backe vpon his horses buttocks The Tinacrian shewed courtesie to many men but this Louer had much offended him and so séeing him in that taking trusting much to his Rubican he meant to end the battell by treading him vnder his horses â—éete But this yong man who had béene in many fights before he could come
the day was shut in the Nimphes spake in this maner Ualorous Prince of Tinacria you may well aâ—count your selfe for one of the most fortunate Knights of the world hauing obtained such a father and brothers which are held for the light thereof and also for that the heauens haue preserued this Princesse to bée your wife with the victories which you haue obtained in her seruice which haue béene so many as could not bee imagined in any other Knight but of you The rest which remaineth cannot bee ended because there is this day a most mightie Pagan come who is King of Comagena with a great armie and hath besieged a citie of importance called Hircambela destroying all the marches thereof and so the tâ—uce being broken there will bee no time to end your businesse content you with that which is past which hath béene so much as will make them remember it so long as they liue There is no more to be done but to morrow to make your selfe known to your warlike father who will be very glad of you as for vs we were commaunded by this soueraigne Ladyes aunt that wee should accompanie her thus farre and so shée hauing no more néede of our companie wee will to morrow returne to her attending the time wherein we shall meet again with great contentment Present this tent vnto your Father for no Prince in the world hath receiued a better gift The Armes which shée gaue vs for the last battaile with the Captaine of the Moores wee will leaue to you for séeing you shall often meete with him in sundrie battailes we can with nothing pleasure you more then with them Some sorrow the thrée Princes shewed when they vnderstood that the Nimphs would be gone but séeing that there was no remedie they must haue patience Then came his beloued nephew Rosabel who euerie night came disguised to sée his Uncle for there were no kinsmen in the world that more dearely loued or that better shewed it then they They receiued him verie gladly and hee verie breefely told them the newes of the siege of Hyrcambela and how that succour was sent thither vnder the conduct command of the Prince Mâ—ridian and how angrie his Grandfather was therewith determining to giue them the field battaile presently The Moores were no lesse sorie thereat especially the mightie Bembo and because they should not thinke that it was done through his procurement hée presently sent to excuse himselfe to the Gréekes and to Poliphebus which was noted in him for great generositie and so Rosabel tooke his leaue attending newes from Meridian which is left for another Chapter CHAP. XXVII How the Prince Poliphebus made himselfe knowne to the Emperour his Father and of the good reliefe which Meridian brought to the besieged and of the rest which followed THe golden Apollo had scarcely discouered his golden lockes which he had bathed in the Spanish Seas when in foure parts of the great Citie of Constantinople they sounded the alarum in signe that the warres were renewed The Pagans answered them with their accustomed instruments All put themselues in a readines The carefull Generall Oristoldo angry and ashamed that the Moores had gotten the first onset vpon him went plotting some stratage me whereby hee might be reuenged of them and found â—ut so good a one as shal be declared which was like to haue bene the totall destruction of the Moores All men prepared themselues for the field battell which should be about eyght dayes thence for the Emperour was weary of this long warre The most mighty sonne Poliphebus made no longer stay but tooke his leaue of the Nimphes with teares charging them to recommend him vnto the wise Ladie Hee went foorth armed with the best Armour that was in the world sending his Lent to the Gréeke Emperour his father to whom he went betwéene the two Ladies whose beauty dazeled the Sun and made the most faire enuious They were clad in lion colour cut vpon blew and the cuts set with precious stones of sundrie colours they agréed with the Prince whose armour was of the same colour set with so many stones that they could not be beheld they gaue such a reflection like the sunne The Emperour vnderstood of their comming Rosabel and his father with many Princes came to receiue the Tinacrian amazed at his beauty and constitution Ioyned with these Ladies they came before his father all thrée vpon their knees desiring to kisse his imperiall hands who for that hee knew them not would not suffer it alleaging that it was a wrong to those which should doe it Your Maiestie may suffer it said his Nephew Rosabel receiuing them for your Maiesties children For the valiant Knight with the Eagle is the famous Prince of Tinacria this Lady poynting to the fayre Rosaluira is his sister together with this royall Princesse of Egypt Luzela whom the heauens haue giuen to your déere sonne for his wife The graue old Emperour wept for ioy and embracing them he sayd Now children of my loynes my mind will bee at rest hauing such a Prince in my companie as you are The Ladyes presently tooke him away chiefely the foure yong girles who had so much fauoured him with which and the rest of the Princesses as well hee as the two Ladyes passed many things in making acquaintance They kist the hands of the Empresse Briana who entertayned them as her owne children There was no time to stay long for the Prince Meridian had sent word by other messengers of the great harme that the Moores had done in all the frontiers thereaâ—out This was anew to set all the Gréeke campe in an vprore To the Tartarian Prince Zoylo was committed the leading of the Apulians and Thessalians with some part of the Frenchmen for 〈◊〉 arrerâ— gard to the end that if they met with the enemie thâ—â— should fight with them if they should sée themselues in stâ—â— to do it there was neuer a famous Prince but went with Zoylo euen to the Prince Poliphebus al with close caskâ—â— Claridiano Archisilora went by themselues ouerthrowing the enemies as the wind doth leaues in Autumn The furious Spaniard Thorisiano and his sonne did no lesse on the other side in companie with Don Heleno his deare friend the faire Rosamundi then the famous Tinacrian with his brother Rosacler and his déere nephew they were few in their hands for they went thorow the armie from side to side leauing some without heads others thrust clean thorow and those which now were at libertie lately so giddie amazed that they were ready to giue vp hte Ghost came forth of the citie with a desire to be reuenged Great was the slaughter which they made although that through the great multitude of enemies they payed deare for their victory For the coÌ„ming of such Princes was the totall destruction of yâ— Moores who had neuer a famous Prince amongst theÌ„ but the braue Moore A maÌ„ cannot imagine what a slaughter
batter it with all the Rams and engines which seemed to bee greater then the Citie of Constantinople was committed to the King of England with part of the Frenchmen a brother of the Duke of Thebes who was no lesse fit for it then his brother for the campe who tooke good order for the gard of the Citie putting all the Ladies into Mars his Castle making thereoâ— faire weather Those which could send fauours to their â—allanis did it with a good will praying to God to giue them victory They expected the comming of Trebatius his power which séemed no lesse then the Moores the Captaine generall committed to the Emperour of Trapisonda Alphebus the leading of one poynt of the horsemen who with his beloued Empresse and the braue Oristides and his wife with the Giants of the Ilands Baleares which were aboue 2000. tooke downe into the valley ouer against the Souldan of Egypt The other point he recommended to the mighty Trebatius whose company was no lesse in shew theÌ„ that which Hector had he went betwéene Poliphebus and Rosacler with his Nephew the valorous Rosabel Bramidoro and Brandafidel with the gentle Tifereo and the sonnes of Tituan tooke charge of his person the Battalions in the middest he deuided as best fitted hee reserued the auaunt gard for himselfe by him went the flower of Chiualry Claridiano and Claramante with all the Spanyards Lirians and Antiochians although that one halfe of the Spanyards with part of the Hungarians and Albanois he had made passe by 2. and 2. 4. and 4. to the number of 60000. towards the campe and that lodging themselues among those crags and bushes they should there make a stand vntill that he should come to giue assault to the campe it was the greatest stratageme that euer Captaine deuised as shall appeare In the rere gard came the braue TorismuÌ„do his son with the Princes of Fraunce Bohemia On the right wing with all those of Dacia went the mightie Heleno with his beloued Rosamundi armed in their rich armour 24. Knights of his chamber had charge of his Ladie The great Tartarian Zoilo the prince Meridian were left with a maine troup for supplies with many spare horses for those which should be lost The Roiall staÌ„dard was borne by the Theban Duke Floristano and Polidolpho with the good king Sacridoro and the valiant Lisart of Argentaria were reserued for that the Captaine had sent them to commaund the Ambuscado committing to their discretion and valour a matter of so great importance Three times in all the Castles of the Citie the alarme was giuen aduice being giuen to the famous Astrutio that then hee should giue the onset vpon his enemies all the troops being ranged in good order and in a readinesse to charge The mightie Aristoldo armed that day in the most rich armour that he had with a faire coloured scarfe which his mother had sent him in the head of the troopes his Beauer being put vp with the but end of his Launce stucke in the ground spake in this maner The Oration THis is the day most excellent Princes wherein the heauens and fortune will that wee shew that valour which it hath giuen vs. In this action it shall be good to die seeing that herein is purchased eternall fame It resteth in our armes to be conquerours fighting with courage and discretion Otherwise in losing our liues wee lose our fame likewise Our enemies are in sight and to those whom it so much behooueth to doe well it shall not neede to vse many words but that euery one consider how much this busines concerneth him and that in ouercomming he shall purchase the fame and credite of valiant As he had sayd these words he cast his Generals Trunchion to the ground and pulling downe his Beuer hee put himselfe among his louing friends expecting when the braue Captaine Bembo should doe the like who before his people with a couragious mind vsed these words Oration I Would mightie Princes and valorous Knights that the gods would beare witnesse and at this instant make manifest with what desire I goe vnto this battell to die for any of you making our enemies know what equitie Armes and hearts we haue It shal be an easie matter to ouercome hauing this aduantage and being three times as many herein is no more to be said but to be readie to be commanded and that euerie one obserue the order wherein hee is set for this maketh men atchiue noble enterprises And seeing that you all may be Captaines to day you ought to bee Souldiers for that and the courage of our hearts will giue vs the victorie for I in the Office wherein I am employed doe meane to die for your seruice Hee likewise threw downe his golden Trunchion and commaunded presently thrée Clarions to bee sounded a certaine token that they should presently giue the charge Hee imbraced the two competitors a custome vsed in his countrie and worthie to bee noted for he say they which haue skill therein which entreth into the battell goeth to contend with death He turned about to sée whether they kept their first order and was verie ioyful to sée such Cauallerie and as they began to ioyne it was worthie of a new booke much more of a new Chapter CHAP. XXIX How the field battell began and of the perilous combats and famous actes which therein succeeded THe time is come worthie Dames warlike Princes if euer there were single combats louers cases in the world herein they shall be séene at life but with your fauour for without it there is no passage to bee giuen to my slow pen to lay colours on such a péece of painting as is this wherein an excellent wit and loftie stile is very requisite A sight worthie to bee séene although it made some afraid but to the rest it yéelded new courage to sée so many faire ensignes flying in the aire so many Cornets wauing so much Armor glittering such neighing of horses striking one at another such thundring of Ordinance so many instruments of warre such crying of Souldiours such encouraging of Captaines fixing their eyes on the palme of the victorie which turned the most cowardly Souldier to a fierce Lion the noyse of the Charriots and the snorting of the Elephants hauing séene this who would not haue thought but that the last day had béene come The infantrie of either side extended it selfe at large whose Pike heads did so shine as they dazelled the Sunne The most Christian Emperour full of water lifted vp his eyes to heauen saying Séeing this is thine O Lord behold thy people Both together in the points met these two angry Captaines charging the first battels that it séemed that the earth was not onely oppressed in it selfe but that the highest heauens were vnhung In the Auaunt-gard of these battels came the flowre of both armies for with the Generall Bembo were ioyned the two competitors which aduanced themselues forwards And
and so strong that it behooued them to doe more then they did The inuincible Alphebus with his valorous company came to their aid who knowing them for his friends and néere kinsmen kept such a stir that in despite of them they made way to follow on their iourney leauing aboue 40. of those Pine trees stretched all along vpon the ground The mighty Trapisondan followed them not thinking that they went about some matter of importance but rather assembling the sonnes of Tituan he begaÌ„ afresh to charge the Giants The King of Giant land had long desired to méete with Alphebus and now seeing him present he went to him saying Now the time is come Greek Prince that with thy head shal be restored the damage done to my bloud Hee which meant to preuaile with déeds answered him not with words for hee had scarcely said this but with a Partisane hee smote him ouer the rich Helmet The Emperor of Trapisonda was euen at deaths dore for the Pagan gaue him another which made the bloud gush out at his Beuer. Ther was neuer any Uiper but might be accouÌ„ted gentle in respect of Alphebus for before that the Moore could againe lift vp his cruel club he was come close to him and with both his handes smote him vpon the crowne of gold which hee ware he smote it in peeces and a great part of the Helmet hee cut from it leauing him both sore wounded and disarmed hee came againe with another which did wholly perfect the victorie for hitting him there where hee was disarmed the one halfe of his head hee smote to the ground leauing him dead and on horsebacke Thither came so many for reuenge that the noble Gréeke had beene in danger had not Bramidoro and his friend Brandafidel with Tefereo come to his aide for to the noyse came Brauorante ouerthrowing more Greekes then the wind doth leaues in Autumne There began a braue battell for the Gréeke desired it and the other was readie to die for it By this time were the two famous warriours come to the little hill Poliphebus and Rosabel meeting there the flowre not onely of the Campe but of the whole world Claramante and Claridiano with the faire Archisilora There was great ioy at their meeting for they did reciprocally loue extremely and not without great griefe they beheld the successe of the battell for although that particular men did preuaile yet the multitude of the rascall Moores was so great that they gat ground vpon them although that at Sea the famous Astrusio sped better for therein hee was the most expert in the world For as being better of sayle with his greatest vessels he bare towards the South where with a fine Southeast wind which blew a faire gale haling their Tackles close aboord they weathered the enemies Fléete and comming hard aboord them they cast so much wild fire into it that they set certaine shippes on fire which they left burning in a light flame with such a mortall slaughter of men as cannot bee imagined for as the wind from the shore was a helpe vnto them comming close aboord the enemies ships they fired the greatest part and the best rigged and appointed in the Fléete and but for the losse by land it had beene great pleasure to haue seene them but that which made them most to wonder was to see come from the South with both sayles and Oares a great Fléete which drawing néere the shore a little beneath where the battell was fought vpon a suddaine landed so many men as excéeded the number of two hundred thousand with aboue thirtie thousand mightie Giants They saw them diuided into two battels and that the one ouer the valley towards the Citie went in the maner of a Crescent without charging Launce or assailing any body gathering together those which were dispersed ouer the fields As the Sunne was then at the highest shining vpon their armour it was a faire sight to behold the other battell wherein there séemed to be a Chariot triumphant drawn by twelue Elephants tooke the lower way Both armies were much troubled herewith for they well saw that to whether partie this should leane there the victorie was certaine Now is there néede of your horses swiftnesse and the valour of your arme said the Captaine Oristoldo first to the sonne of Garrofilea and then to the vnknowne Claridiano who obeying the commaundement of the braue and discréet Captaine answered Let it bee as it shall please you but it fitteth better for our businesse séeing that they are friends that wee should at our pleasure sacke their Campe for I haue to day a great desire to steale some Ladies or at the least if I misse thereof that ensigne which is set yonder in the side of the little hill for they shall not ioy at our losses And therefore valorous Prince with your fauour I will winne it and with my owne hand will giue it to the most faire and ingratefull Ladie of the world in the behalfe of the most faithfull Louer therein and worst rewarded Herewith they descended downe the hill farre more swift then thought The exployts which were done in this iournie are not to be written in so true a Historie as is this which I follow for there were no foure Knights of the most valiant in all the Campe that durst to stand two blowes for a stone doth no more easily strike down the tender eares of Corne then their swords did fell those Infidels They threw to the ground aboue two hundred not wounded which had béene a greater harme but starke dead The furious Giants which opposed themselues against them could not stay them in their iournie for against them like the lightning finding some resistance they shewed themselues more furious As they were perceiued to mount vpon the side of the little hil some from the Imperiall Standard came to their reliefe among which were the sonnes of Rosabel but both one and other came too late for the furious Claridiano much stronger then a thunderbolt rushed in among the flowre of the Almaines which had the gard there The blowes which they gaue nor the Launces and Darts which they hurled could not defend them for without lifting vp his sword he assailed him that had any striking him downe with his fiâ—â—s with greater force then the hungrie Tyger doth the heardes in the mountaines Rifei Hee was assailed by many but there were aboue twentie Knights which tooke his part which before had knowne him with whose aide and the helpe of the famous Poliphebus in the sight of both Camps he tooke the Standard which was the richest in all the armie They crossed the Campe although with much adoe which did encourage those which were ouercome to see the Pagans Standard in the hands of the Knight with the Ladies They came to vnderstand of the armie which was arriued and séeing by the wauing of their colours that they were Greeke ensignes without longer stay holding now the victorie on either
being so many and well angred they â—lue his horse hee leapt from him like a Bird and on foote he began to defend himselfe so valorously that no man durst come neere him vntill that they seeing him somewhat wearied with the Launces which they darted at him afarre off then those furious Giants drew neere putting him in such a straight that he was out of breath vpon his knees in the ground But the dead bodies which hee had before him were as good as a Rampart to defend him especially against horses so as they could not trample him vnder their feete and so he prolonged his life which had beene but a while if the most strong Brauorante had not come to part the affray who like as the Sunne parteth the clouds euen so made he a lane thorow his enemies some he troad vnder his feete others he slue with the sword and those which came néerest to him he defeated with his fist He saw from his high horse his braue competitor and being able would not leaue to giue him assistance which hee esteemed to bee nobly done which in deed was verie worthie At his comming hee bereaued foure or fiue of them of their liues and leaping from his horse he said Courage King of Mauritania for Brauorante being here there is no cause of feare for the gods will graunt thee life to losâ— it by my hands the time being expired which wee haue agreed vpon These wordes gaue such paine and courage to the most furious Affricane that with a leape hee came on foote saying Because I will not shew my selfe ingratefull for the helpe which thou proud Knight hast giuen mee therein giuing mee my life without stirring any one steppe from this place I would kéepe touch with thy desire and my credit for my valour is not yet so decayed that I will giue thée any preeminence Now to doe it answered the prowd Pagan agreeth not with my honour but the time will come wherein I shall make you knowe the valour of my person The two couragious warriours could passe no farther forward for the Giants were so many which came against them that they had much to doe to recouer their horses but being mounted séeming to the world to be friends they began to kéepe themselues side by side so close and in so good earnest that they did much harme but they were but two onely and had lost through the force of the Tartarians aboue a flight shot of their ground retiring backe as farre as the Almaines which led the vaunt gard with which they began a new stir but as they were newly come and the young man led them there was no resistance in all the army against the force where with his standard maâ—ched All this in respect of what his father did at his first comming is nothing for with the mighty and tryumphant Charriot with those with the Elephants hee did mortall hurt with so much glittering armour with such puissance with such cries and shoutings that all the campe was troubled O cruell Nero haddest thou séene this spectacle how much it would haae eased thy mind for presently streames of bloud began to runne ouer all the field I speake it not without teares for the most part of the Almaines and Parthians he tare in pieces O cruell Roselia it sufficeth that thou wast a Romane to extend thy wrath so farre as that thou mightest sée the Gréeke fields dyed with Romane bloud and of the Almaines Heere the Souldan of Niquea séeing his army goe to wrack considered of his error Héere the Souldan of Egypt repented for comming to his ayd although another thing grieued him more then this The mightie Andronio vpon his Chariot cast his eyes about to sée his two friends and their good hap would that hee found them in good time for they were in danger for they had entred so farre among the Assyrians which gaue them so much to doe that the bloud flowed out at their Uisors and had wounded Rosamundi with a stab With a great crie knowing them hee enâ—red calling them by their names His Chariot ouerthrew aboue two hundred to the ground and when hee saw them at libertie hee sâ—ayed and lifting vp his Beuer he intreated them to come vp into his Chariot They presently knew him for they loued him as themselues and they all thrée leapt vp putting their horses in sure kéeping of those Giants which tooke care of them I cannot in so great a warre spend so much time as particularly to expresse the pleasure they conceiued in séeing their friends but will leaue it to their consideration which haue felt the like In companie they returned to the Camp making a great slaughter so as where so euer they went the Moores lost ground the Gréekes taking more courage seeing such succours and most of all when they heard them sound in their Camp in signe that they were in distresse which was such that the most part of those which battered the Citie were constrained of necessitte to leaue the batterie to goe to succour them The braue Earle of Modâ—ca and his valiant sonne were no small let vnto them verie ioyfull for the fauour which Poliphebus had done the young man giuing him his owne companie for his greater honour Those of the ancient Tinacria did so long and so valiantly detaine the Pagans that the Captaine Generall with his couragious companions might set vpon the Campe although that those Princes whose force was to bee feared were left to gard the same and had defended it notwithstanding that they were surprised had not those Pillars of humane fortitude led the way which were Oristoldo Claridiano ClaramaÌ„te Poliphebus Rosabel and the faire Archisilora with the beloued Floriâ—arte who went ioyfully in hope to sée his friend Artimio and also to know his Ladie As hee was put in hope by the letter the furious Spaniards entred being gréedie of spoyle doing notable harme for not content to cut and ouerthrow the Tents they presently set them on fire which in a Pater noster while was greater then that of Troy They are not things to bee written what those seuen Princes did in this iourney for I know not whether I shal be beléeued or no for keeping themselues together they brought death to those in the Campe which in the middest of them were slaine and troâ—en vnder foote In lesse then halfe an howre they had ouerthrowne all their enemies they happened all together to enter a Tent leauing at the entrance fiftie Spanish Knights for a gard which would haue held it against Mars which Tent was the Emperours where waued an ensigne with the Armes of Rome all the Ladies of the Moores were there assembled which were no lesse faire then those of the Citie The seuen warriours entred being besides themselues to see such braue beautie At an instant they all excepting the faire Queene put off their Helmets putting them out of feare assuring them that they should haue no harme notwithstanding
him armelesse being desirous to hasten his death shée came to the ships side where with a thrust shee pierced him cleane thorow she escaped not so scotfrée but that another smote her on the top of the crest whose good temper gaue her life yet not so but that she set both her hands to the floore the Pagan would haue giuen a second when the warlike Spaniard Don Clarus drew néere cutting both passage and life from the renounced Infidell In many parts they began to crie Uictorie Uictorie but chiefly there where the foure pillars of fortitude Claramante and his companions went who as there waÌ„ted not on whoÌ„ to try their swords so was it a pitifull thing to sée how many they slaughtered No lesse went they ouercomming euery where where the braue Astrutio went encouraging his Souldiers to doe well in hope of the reward which they expected which made the Spanyards draw force out of weaknesse and the most tired to shew himselfe couragious of such force are the spoyles of warre But the enemies were so many and their Ships Gallies so innumerable that they neuer mist any that were wanting for all the care that Bembo going from one part to another nor of the mighty Pagans Brauoranâ—e and Brufaldoro could take were not sufficient but that they gaue ground vpon the water In this conflict the Pagans were very desirous notwithstanding they were mortall enemies to meet with Claramante and his companion fortune here in gaue them their wish for those Princes Galley came where they were that made way wheresoeuer they passed well were they knowne by their Armes the two valiant yong Gallants Claridiano and Claramante whom with his Battell-axe no man would abide so great was the damage that he did therewith And the vnknowne Louer séeing himself in presence of his Lady who tooke pleasure to see him not knowing him for Claridiano it was wonderfull what hee did The foure rare men at Armes of the world séeing one another with an excelleÌ„t grace and terrible boldnes came to ioyne The braue MauritaniaÌ„ fell with Trebatius his nephew at their encounter they gaue together so mighty blowes that they were inforced to receyue them with ordinary curtesie they rose againe and returnd to giue other being assured to receyue the third for they came not to the fourth but that they first saw the starres of the heaueÌ„s in their Helmets Behind theÌ„ as a bird some space was Claramante who brandishing his axe smote the Pagan vpon the rich Helmet more hard theÌ„ Diamant his â—â—xteritie nothing auailed him but that he made him giue two steps backwards with apparant shew of falling hée gaue him a lucky thrust which tooke him on the side of the brest plate barâ—â—way the maâ—les and therewith the flesh that blowe did so much trouble him that the Gréeke had time to leap aboord his Galley and to cry Grecia and for it Uictorie His speaches cost him deare for Brufaldoro returning to it finding him neere at hand and out of order with his leap with all the force that he was able he smote him vpon the rich Helmet he made a thousand sparkles fly out of it and the bloud out at his mouth By this time came Brauorante as fierce as a Basiliske seeing his Galley entred he threw his shield to ground and with both his hands he smote at him a cruell blow The Greeke well saw it coÌ„ming and vnable to shâ—n it he crost it with his strong halbert for if he has stricken him at full he had bene in great danger he smote it backe to his Helmet tormenting him so that he had almost lost his senses With another came Brufaldoro which put him more to his shifts It greatly grieued his Nephew to see what past and although that with his Uncles leap the Galley was put off yet taking his rising in his owne Galley he leapt aboue twentie foote at a iumpe With the force wherewith he came he fell on his knées at Brauorante his feete who was about to fasten another blowe on the warlike young man but séeing him so neere vnto him and knowing him by his Armes he addressed it vnto him discharging with all his power a cruell blow vpon the Gréekeâ— there were but few Knights within boord and those so busied and some wounded that they let these foure proceed in their battell which was wonderfull to behold Claramante let slip no occasion to take reuenge on the Moore who séeing him busied with his Nephew before that the Mauritanian could come at him making roome in the Galley he came at him in such sort with his battel-axe as would haue made Mars afeard The valorous young Gallant mist not of his blowe for striking him with great force on the one side of the Helmet hee made him fall downe vpon his hands to the ground Claridiano closed with him meaning to haue kild him and had done it had not Brufaldoro come so soone who to rescue him was likely to haue lost his owne life for againe striking a downe right blow with his axe the blow lighted on his left shoulder leauing it all disarmed and with a small wound they all betooke them to their weapons where they began a battell worth the seeing for those which fought it were gréedie thereof and angry for former matters which was the occasion that made it farre more cruell The night came so fast on that for all that they could doe they could not end it the Greekes being coÌ„strayned except they would lose themselues to returne to their Galley where they might sée their enemies Nauie burning in a light fire for there comming a fresh gale of wind from the shore it was a fearefull thing to behold the slaughter that there was made if Nero had séene it I beleeue he had séene that which he so much desired The Greeke Nauie was not free from that danger for as there were many Galleyes grappled together the flame tooke hold on them and had done much mischiefe had not the Captaine wisely preuented it casting on much water and with all possible spéed as the case required cutting the grapples and tackling falling off from the fire The enemies vsed the like policie and were forced to take landing much lower then they would haue done hauing lost great part of their Nauies but séeing so great a multitude of people they were recomforted purposing to make amends by land That night and the next day they landed all their people in the Hauen of Hircambela ten miles from Constantinople which they would haue razed but for staying They presently ordred their battels according to Bemboes direction who that night came forth of the Campe accompanied with the best men in the armie with a hundred thousand men of warre to leuell the passages betwéene that and the Citie and to pitch their Tents The victorious Gréekes although with some losse of their Gallyes returned to their Port went ashore there was great ioy made in
hauing the worser of the day by reason that to the Greekes came still new succours This bloudy skirmish was knowne in the Citie there remayned not one Prince therein the Duke of Thebes executing the office of Sargeant Maior generall brought forth in order all the carts which came from Antiochia which hee spred ouer all the fields towards the willow field where afresh they renued the battell for the braue Emperour of Rome which was much practised in the wars was come in great haste with all the rest of his armie setting before all the Giants which he had to keepe their enemies busied while the Pioners began to pitch their Camp by a woods side leauing it to serue for a wall at their backs but another day it put them in poynt to be lost and ouerthrowne as shal be declared They would enter to assist their Captaine But the braue King of Antioch had so warlike set his gards that they would not suffer them the Persians and Babylonians which garded the passage fighting like Lions so as séeing the impossibilitie they determined to passe ouer the top of the mountaine although it were very hard to doe they did it but not without much labour and the Greeke stood attending their comming although all their princes were gone into the field where the battell was refusing to returne to Constantinople without the fame of Homicides The Giants stood them in much stead restraining the furie of the Greekes and although that by all meanes they sought to let it they were not able for within their sights they began to pitch their Tents and their Pioners with all speed compassing the same with deepe trenâ—hes The warlike young Gallants could not end it of themselues of the Moores part for seeing what passed in the field although the passage was vary craggy yet Don Celino and Floralisa with the gentle Clarisel and Don Argante and Torisiano with the mightie Epitabio and Tindauro with the Kings of the East which were most mightie Giants came downe the mountaine With their comming downe there beganne a most fierce and bloudy fight for on that side where they came they made a most deadly slaughter and had it not bene for those Princes which were newly come they had without all doubt done much more harme Then there came Don Heleno Rosabel and the mightie Father and the Sonne the famous Emperours of Greece Then came Trabisonda with Florion of Babylon and the fayre Rosamundi whose deeds deserue a particular historie for betweene Brandafidel and Bramidoro she was more mightie then Mars They came to pel mel one with another where were seene gallant blowes bold assaults and quick retreats O Claramante who had séene thee girt with thy rich sword and with thy axe in both hands rushing in among thy enemies He onely may bee said to be the death of them all for as they went close together so sometimes at one blow he smote downe two enemies giuing neuer a blow in vaine With all this they cryed Uictorie by reason of the many Captaines come to their ayd Archisilora which was by her louers side came to ioyne with the faire Floralisa knowing her by her Armes and hauing a great desire to try her strength with her said to the beloued yonker Kéepe you this side for yonder Knight in the cornation hath much wronged mee The Bull neuer better defeÌ„ded his eares against the mastife theÌ„ the Gréeke obeying his Ladies coÌ„mandemeÌ„t whorling his shield at his back it was pittifull to sée what he did for he gaue no blow that was not deadly giuing place to his Lady to execute her cruell determination The two valorous Ladies came to blows there was neuer séene a more cruell battell Floralisa gaue the first blow such a one as brought the Quéene of Lira to deathes dore for she gaue her such a blow vpon the highest of her Helmet that it made her lay her nose in her bosome casting bloud out at her visor she doubled her blow on one side of her shield and beat it so close to her brest that made her almost breathlesse It was not long ere the Quéene came to her selfe who as fierce as an Ounce charged the Lady there was no defence in her shield for although that she cut it not for that it was Camillaes yet she smote her so on the helmet that she set her on the pummell of her saddle Shée paused and then like a Lyonesse giuing her a mightie thrust she clasped her armes about her neck and drew her out of her saddle They both fell downe to the ground where without all doubt shee had lost her life had not Don Celindo leapt after her and with him his three most famous companions who when they saw their sister Floralisa in so great and manifest danger and at the poynt to be ouercome being enraged with great sury and without any regard of what to Knights did appertayne they all thrée at once began to lay on load vpon the Quéen O Claridiano there was neuer Lion comparable with thée for séeing his Ladie in such peril although shée strangely defended her selfe he skipt from his horse like an Eagle there fell into his hands a mightie Giant which came to the noyse and was going to close with the Lady But the disguised louer being therewith displeased brandishing his sword about his head he smote him iust in the waste his plancks of fine Stéele were like waxe before his sword for in sight of the whole armie in two péeces hee smote him downe at the Ladies féete which then were in fight a cold sweate ranne through all their veines séeing so terrible a blow This youngsters furie was not herewith asswaged for hee more forcibly then a thunder bolt rushed in where his Ladie was enclosed and in great danger Hee trode Don Argante vnder his féete and shouldred Thorisiano a great way from him and with a leape assailed the valorous Assirian which in defence of his Ladie performed verie heroicall exploits His faire lookes could not auaile him for the Gréeke with both his hands smote him on the Helmet and made him set both his hand and his knées to the ground he set vpon Don Celindo who was hammering vpon Archisilora and with a terrible thrust made him runne backwards and fall vpon his backe among the footemen and although that he were roundly assailed yet making way with his sword hee came where the Ladies were and gaue Floralisa a stumbling blow Camillaes armour saued her life but they could not saue her from falling on her face before his Ladie who holpe her forwards with another which was no lesse By this time were come to their aide the two valiant Giants Brandafidel and his friend Bramidoro who plaied the Diuels they cleared the passage on one side for he which had the Gard of Floralinda neuer gaue blow with his Club which did not ouerthrow thrée or foure With this good assistance the braue Gréeke tooke his Ladie in his armes