the Princesse of the mount Libano to the which there wer come manie Lords knights of all y e kingdome and from most parts of all the kingdomes héerabouts but in especial from Phoenicia Camogenia Palestina and Siria therefore gentle knight let your comming be to sée these feasts for that you shall vnderstand that there is put for the price to him who doth best a meruailous faire great horse such a one as is supposed in al y â— world not to be the like Claridiano had a great desire to goe thether he told it vnto the Ladies who were not discontent therewith So with that determination they went to bed into verie faire and well dressed chambers whereas they tooke their rest and ease for that they had great néede thereof so they soiourned rested themselues in this castle eight daies wheras y e olde knight Marmariton did make much of them and gaue vnto the Ladyes all things that was necessarie for to apparel themselues and likewise verie faire Palfraies also he did desire the Prince to take one of his sonnes to serue him that he might learne of him his good manners and accustomed conditions which were passing aboue all other the Prince did accept the offer with a verie good will his sonnes name was Fidelio whose doings were conformable and agréeable therevnto in all fidelitie and truth he had a verie good countenaunce and modest disposition verie gentle of spéech and when they saw that it was time to depart for Nabatea verie much against y e will of Marmariton they tooke their leaue and went the way towards Nabatea and what happened to them in the said iourney shall bée declared vnto you in the next Chapter following ¶ How Claridiano and his companie went vnto the triumph of Nabatea and of all that happened vnto them in the way Cap. 11. THE valiant and heroicall Prince after that he had taken leaue of the knight of y e castle w t all his companie they departed their way toward the citie of Nabatea for to sée y e great feasts and triumphs for that Claridiano had a great desire to finde himselfe therein So they trauailed through a narow and straight waye which brought them into a broad common beaten way which led them straight vnto one of the gates of the citie wherin much people many knightes trauailed and they thus trauailing sawe come forth of a narowe waye which entered into that broad way a company of Knights to the number of twentie who were all armed with very faire and riâ—che armour and in their company came a Ladye somewhat in yeares and with her a verie faire Damosell and very well apparailed who brought with them sixe Gentlewomen to beare them companye who were all apparailed in purple veluet all to be spotted with these two letters F.F. all of golde which did show and shine meruailous faire it did appeare that this ancient Ladie was Lady mistres ouer all y e companie it was true for that she was the Dutches of the valley and the Damsell was her daughter who went to the feasts and triumphs in companie of those knights and amongst them there was one a verie young man who was Earle of the Lake who was verie desirous to shew his valiantnesse this young knight was verie much in loue with y e young damsell that came in their companie his desire was to enter into the citie of Nabatea with only foure knights who pretended and beléeued to do such feats of armes y t the young Ladie should haue great reason to requite him his loue Don Claridiano when he saw theÌ„ so wel apparelled proportioned he put himselfe apart to giue them way y t they might passe by but yet he could not doo it so secretly but y t he must néeds be séene of y â— other for y e Claridiano was well proportioned armed with purple armor hauing also in his company two faire ladies all y e other coÌ„pany did much behold him meruailing much who it shuld be the like did the Dutchesse and her daughter And when they were all past by the prince Claridiano turned vnto his former iourney it was not long after that there came a Damsell towards him with as great hast as euer she could make her palfraie to goe and when she came nigh vnto him she did salute him verie curteously saying Knight of the Ladyes Don Petildo Earle of the déepe Lake doth send me vnto thée to aske thée what was the occasion that thou diddest apart thy selfe out of the waie considering they were men which did passe by whether thou diddest it for that thou wouldest not iust with them he sayth y t thou maist goe whether thy pleasure is neuerthelesse if that there be in thée so much valour as doth appeare by thy disposition he would be verie glad to breake a speare with thée in the seruice of his Ladie To whom the Prince sayd Fayre Damsell and friend I woulde be verie gladde to satisfie this his request if that I did finde my selfe subiect to loue as it doth appeare that he is therefore tell vnto this knight that I haue no will to iust neyther to be in loue Then the Damosell sayd I doe well beléeue that it is more thy will to take thy ease and rest then to take anie paines and this is y e cause that thou wilt be cléere from amorous delights and so she returned with this aunswere and when she hadde tolde them ther was a great laughter amongst them in mocking of Claridiano determined amongst themselues to send the damosell backe againe to tell him for that he was not determined to iust in the seruice of his Ladyes y t he would iust with one of those knights for y â— it doth touch much the order of knighthoode and is also his dutie with condition that if he be ouerthrowen onely to loose his armour for that it séemeth vnto vs to be verie good if y e other be ouercome likewise to loose his armour when the damsel had declared her message Claridiano answered Faire damsel tel those knights y t I am not determined to iust neither with condition nor without for if I shuld loose my armor I shuld not so quickly get other if they haue such a desire to iust in Nabatea they shal find them y t will accomplish their desire by iustice Cursed be these thy excuses sayd the damsell which are so much to thy dishonor how ill is y e rich armour bestowed on thée it is not without cause I perceiue that they are so whole vppon thy bodie for thou doest shew that thy warre is more with wordes then with armes and feates of knighthood Let it be what it will be sayd Claridiano for I will not meddle in this iust Well adew knight of small reputation said the Damsell happie be those Ladies that doth trauaile with such a kéeper and defender and therewith she returned backe to
fortifie themselues in such sort that all agréement notwithstanding we should neuer retourne to Lyra againe And so vnderstanding their imbassage I determined to come to this Court whereas I doo vnderstand is all the prowesse and flower of Knighthoode in the world So héere I present my selfe noble Emperour before you and all your Knights in asking fauour and requesting helpe to reuenge vs of so great wrong as we haue receiued and thus she finished hir talke and with great wéeping she held her peace This noble Emperor receiued very great sorow griefe to heare this lamentable tale that the Ladie tolde and to see that faire young Damzel so dispossessed of her right by such extreame tyrannie and with a milde countenaunce he aunswered Noble Dutchesse since that thy good fortune though the efficient cause thereof be to too badde hath brought thée there where with all good will ye shall receiue succour and comfort I request you to take your rest and be quyet and leaue of this your mourning And although ther be knights in this my court that are able to comprehend such enterprises by their great prowesse and strength yet I do looke euery day for them to whom I may commend greater affayres to be done then these wherfore rest you a while till two doo come of whom I haue more dominion ouer to them will I commit this charge There were many knightes present that would very faine haue offered themselues to this enterprise but hearing the pretence of the Emperour they durst not in anie wise attempt it but kept silence Then this dutchesse began to tell them of all the successe that happened vnto her knightes by the knight of Cupide Unto whome the Emperour sayde that knight is one of them to whome I will commit the charge of your combat and I am right gladde that the seruice he shall doe you in this enterprise shall bée the occasion that you shall forget this anger that you haue against him So with these and like reasons they drew néere the Citie whereas straight waie they began to prepare all things in a readinesse for the departing of the Emperour Alicandro and in a short time all things béeing prouided this Emperour béeing also readie with a verie good will entered the ship and carrying with him the Prince Meridiano and his welbeloued spouse and the Troyan Oristedes he taking leaue of the Emperour with a better countenaunce then his heart would consent vnto committed the sailes vnto the winde and with a prosperous voyage they went a land at Tenedon whereas we will leaue them for to tell you what chaunced vnto the Empresse Claridiana who was verie sadde for the absence of her spouse and likewise to sée her selfe so great with childe although in the great hall she continually shewed a merrie countenaunce So it happened one daie being in conuersation with the Empresse and the quéene Lira there entered into the great hall the worthie Prince Clauerindo all armed with his accustomed harnesse and leading by the hande a verie faire Damosell all apparelled in blacke veluet and after her there came other nine faire Damosells all apparelled after the same manner This Damosell if you doo remember is shée whose kéeper Rosicleer did kill which was the Prince of Mesopotamia y e knight which came to her at her complaint sorrow was Clauerindo who in greate secret followed the knight of the Sunne and because of the great confidence that he had in the friendship of Zoylo he promised her fauour succour for the which this faire Ladie who was daughter vnto the king of Tiglia came in this order as you shall heare In the meane time that all this happened there chaunced a thing of verie greate admiration which was that the Tartarian béeing at that time in the hall as the Damzell entered hée made a great noise without anie more tarrieng neither was there anie that could stay him were he neuer so strong but running forwardes as a man distraught hée went out of the Pallaice The sorrowfull Ladie séeing this fell downe to the grounde as though shée had béene dead And Clauerindo beholding the ingratitude of this Tartarian woulde haue followed him but the wise Lyrgandeo stayed him and woulde not suffer him to goe saying They should let him alone for that all they shoulde procure to followe him should bée in vaine And so retourning vnto the Ladie he practised such remedyes that verie quickly shee retourned to her selfe againe and then promised her such remedies as shoulde in the ende restore her to rest And when the Barbarian Ladie did knowe who he was she did meruailouslie reioyce So this Tartarian went to the sea side and with great diligence imbarked himselfe in a shippe that was there readie fraughted for Spaine which he did in such great hast and diligence that before Bargandel and Lyriamandro could tourne themselues the shippe had hoised saile and yéelded her selfe vnto the winde the which was the occasion that these two did the like in taking another ship who sailed after the first with determined purpose with all their powers to procure that this Tartarian should returne againe whome we will leaue now sayling on their voyage for it is necessarie for our historie to relate other matters in this Chapter Let vs returne therefore to the Emperours court The Empresse Claridiana séeing her time at hand to be deliuered with childe was verie sadde and knew not what to doe but in the ende of many thoughts she determined to decypher all her secret vnto a maide she had who was called Arcana to whō she did disclose all the secrets of her heart This Arcana séeing the great friendship and curtesie that the princesse shewed her in opening her secrets more to her then to anie other and had a more trust in her then in the rest kissed her roiall hands and promised her to be no lesse secret then dilligent in all her affaires So they determined betwéene themselues and did prouide as it was best for their purpose to bée continuallye alone and without anie companie but that which did most trouble and gaue greatest care vnto the Empresse Claridiana was for that shée did not knowe to whome to giue the charge of nursing that which shoulde be borne of her yet the maiden who was verie wise subtil and discréet had ordained all things in good order for she had in great secret disclosed it vnto a verie honest matrone of the citie saieng that she was the partie that should be deliuered and gaue vnto her verye largely of gifts and iewells with promises of a farther benefite for to keepe her counsell therein It was not long after when that with great paine and griefe this noble Princesse was deliuered of a verie faire sonne daughter béeing of so great beautie that it was wonderfull to bée séene The sonne had vnder his left side a meruailous verie strange marke which was a speare of such a firie prospect that it made
than hir selfe Thus his craftie and subtill perswasions so much preuayled by reason of the humilitie and loue he shewed in his wordes that I coulde not frame any excuse to the contrary he was so importunate but must néeds consent vnto his demaund O immortall Gods that in so secret wise ye made the heart of man that you onely can comprehende the good and euill that is hid in it Who would haue thought much lesse haue beleeued that this traiterous King by his swéete wordes and subtill speaches would haue robbed me of my onely daughter So straight waye when he had in his power y t which his soule so much desired he would not make any delay of his departure giuing me to vnderstande that he would not let any time but carrie hir vnto his wife for whose sight so much she had desired and at whose comming she would receiue great ioy contentment But what sorrow did I then féele nothing thinking of that which shoulde happen for that my heart was ignoraunt of the knowledge thereof but to see hir depart from me for whose absence my heart remained in so great sorrowe and heauinesse giuing to vnderstand by the outward showes by the teares that procéeded from my eyes the great paine and passion that the lacke thereof wold shortly procure in this sorrowfull sort I was forced almost without any remembraunce to retourne vnto y e pallaice And they were not so soone entred into his ships but as one very gelous to keepe close his treason he commaunded straight to hoyse vp sayles and commit them vnto the winde and hauing too good and prosperous a weather in a very short time he arriued in his owne Countrie whereas two leagues from the Citie he was receiued of his subiects with great maiestie who brought with them both horse and Palfrayes néedfull for the companie So beeing all in a readinesse he commaunded that they should beginne to martch forward towards the Citie This false King still persisting in his euill determined purpose commaunded as I sayde that all the company should procéed forwards and he with my sorrowfull daughter Herea remained a good waye behinde And when he sawe his company so farre before and they two alone together he stepped on the one side and ledde the waye into a little groue which was hard at hande fast by a Riuers side He without any more tarrieng carried hir into the thickest part therof and as it appeared he was well acquainted in the same and where he thought it most conuenient he alighted off from his horse and willed my most welbeloued daughter that she shoulde likewise alyght Shée in whose heart raigned no kinde of suspition alyghted and saâ—e hir downe by the Riuers side and washed hir fayre white handes and refreshed hir mouth with the same water Then this dissembling traytor could not refrayne but by some outward showes and darke sentences gaue hyr to vnderstande the kindeled fire of loue with the which he was tormented and in the ende he did wholy declare his diuelish pretence and determined purpose towards hir So my louing daughter Herea being â—ore troubled with his importunate and continuall requests with great anger yet not without aduisement she began to reprehende him giuing him to vnderstand all that was needfull against so diuelish a pretence This vncleane King when he heard that so earnestly and contrary to his expectation she aunswered and would haue rose vp from the place whereas she sate helde hir fast by hir apparayle and would not suffer hir to arise but began with softe and milde wordes to perswade hir to be quiet and sayde O my best beloued Ladie wherefore wilt thou consent that for thy cause I shoulde dye mayst now very well without being discouered of any giue mee remedie for the same Be not then obstinate to denye mée that which with so great loue I doo desire of thee Who is heere that can beare witnesse of this my priuie desire and bolde enterprise neither discouer thy gentle liberalitie shewed me not one surely but onely the immortall Gods Understande this for a certaintie my swéete Ladye that the God Iupiter doth receiue more griefe in this my sorrowe then in the paine which thou dost suffer This deceiued damosell when she sawe that he held hir so fast with his trecherous hande that she could not deliuer hir selfe with furious anger she sayde Traytor doo not thou thinke that these thy lecherous words haue power to moue my hearte to graunt and fulfill these thy filthie diuelish and lasciuious thoughts for héere I doo sweare vnto thee by the high and soueraigne Gods that first I will permit suffer my body to bée torne in péeces then to open my eares vnto the hearing of so great treason Therefore false King let me alone and consider with thy selfe that I am sister vnto thy wife whome I sée well thou hast forgotten by reason of this thy insatiable dronkennesse and greedye desire of fitâ—hye lust Therefore if it please thée determine to let mee alone and defile me not or else to the contrarie bee fully perswaded of this that I will rather dye the death in my defence Then this cursed king séeing that this shalt Ladye did defend her selfe he tooke fast holde by her necke and said Doe not thou thinke O cruell Herea that thou canst delyuer thy selfe out of my handes except first thou graunt vnto this my desired will and if not I doo promise thée in payment of this great pride which thou doest vse vnto me to put thee vnto the most cruell â—eath that euer was deuised for anie Damosell or maiâ—e This distressed Ladie was nothing dismaide to heare that shée shoulde die but without all feare she aunswered Thinke not false traitour that the feare of death shall cause mee to yéeld to thy filthie desire The which béeing well vnderstoode by the king he sayde Understande then and bée well perswaded that either liuing or dead I will performe my will and pretended purpose which so without measure and with vnquenchable fire doth burne in my heart Thus with great strength she did defend her selfe and with a manly courage she kepte her honour but this cruell and lasciuious king séeing that he coulde not fulfill his euill desire in a greate madnesse he cut off a greate parte of the traine of her gowne and bound it verie fast to the haire of her head in such sort that with the great strength he put thereto and the tendernesse of the same together with his euill intreating all the greene grasse was sprinkeled with the bloud that issued out whereat he beléeued that she would haue ben quiet and haue consented vnto him but she respected not the euill intreating but the more he procured to torment her the more angrie she shewed her selfe against him with continuall deniall When this cruell traitour sawe that all woulde not serue he beganne to forget all faith and loyaltie he ought â—nto knighthoode and the respect
knights with whom he had battaile and what happened Cap. 15. O Mightie princes valiant knights and you excellent barons all you which finde your selues mounted vp in the triumph of felicitie haue all the contentments pleasures of this worlde euen all you together I dooe héere admonish y t you stand not too much in your owne conceits neither be you negligent nor forgetfull for y t you know or at the least you haue heard say of the sodaine and variable changes of peruerse fortune who respecteth no man for vnto them which be most mounted are in greatest prosperitie vnto them she giueth y e mightiest fall let none shew himselfe proud nor vse anie crueltie because he is in high estate but rather in y e authoritie let him vse all humilitie for héere you haue séene y e great surmounted quietnesse peaceable estate in which the Emperour hath indured vntill this present now you may sée vnto what an ebbe fortune hath brought him there he lay along vpon the sands a great while vntil such time as the Sun had almost run thrée parts of his daily course before he came to himselfe at which time he rather desired to die then to liue coÌ„mitting his soule vnto almightie God whose only it was The night drew on when y t w t his black mantell he procured to couer the brightnesse of Apollo at which time this emperour was somwhat refreshed of his passed trauaile and arose vp but he was all to be mired full of sand whereof he made himselfe cleane in the best manner y t he could began to take his way thorough a very narrow path but he could not trauaile far for that the night came so fast it waxed verie darke so that hée was constrained to seeke a place where he might rest himselfe for that he wold not loose the path wherinto he had entered so he laide himselfe down vnder a broad pine trée wher as he passed the most sorrowfull and afflicted night that euer knight indured next vnto God he had great coÌ„fort by means of his mightie courage for to passe ouer all his aduersities thus he passed all the night with great desire y t the day wold come when the daie brake it séemed very faire calme and the aire appeared quiet he trauailed out onwards his way in that straight path vntill such time as he came to a verye faire delectable forrest whereas sundrie chirping birds had gathered themselues together to refresh and shrowde themselues from the parching of the Sun yéelding verie delectably diuers swéet notes In this forrest he trauailed wel nigh two houres then he went vp to a small mountaine which was at hand from the which he discouered a very faire wel towred citie vpon the farther side whereof the sea beate against the faire high walls towards that part wherevnto the narrow way did lead without y e citie there was built a princely pallace very sumptuous to behold moted round about which moat made a separation betwéene the citie and y e pallace there he receiued great pleasure to finde himselfe in a peopled country and of so goodly building for that before he thought he had ben in a desart likewise he discouered from y e hill a faire fountaine all wrought of Marble piller like with a great bowle in the middest also of marble out of which did procéed foure spouts running with water which fell into a great sesterne comming vnto it he washed his hands and refreshed his face and sate him downe by it vppon the gréene grasse with a great desire to eat somewhat but ther was no body to giue him any thing so he rested himselfe vpon his elbow what with the wearinesse of his way with his hunger being very pensiue for his troublesome sorow he fell a sléepe Not long after ther came out of that faire pallaice certaine knightes which rode abroade to solace themselues and by chaunce they came to the place whereas the Emperour was and when they sawe him of so faire a fauour and of so goodly a stature and to their thinking he slept without all feare or care one of them sayde Out of all doubt this is a knight of a straunge Countrie and by his countenaunce and proportion it seemeth that he is of some high lignage that peruerse fortune which alwayes is fickle vnto mankinde hath caused him to come hether brought him to be in this estate To the which aunswere one that was in companie who séemed to be of greater estate then all the rest sayde that he doth rather séeme to bée some robber and théefe and one that doth lead an ill life more then a knight of prowesse and that the sword which he weareth he hath stollen from some trauailing knight let me come and I will awake him out of his sound sléepe and I will take this sword from him which doth not become him to weare for it is not to be bestowed on him and without anie more delay he alighted off from his horse to séeke his owne death as it fell out for when he came to the Emperour he pulled him by the beard with so much strength that spite of his heart he did awake him but when the Emperour awaked and sawe the hands of that villanous knight fast vpon his beard which was full of haires he with his left hand stroke him such a blowe vppon the breast that he made him to recoile backe and whether he would or no he fell to the ground with the force thereof and with great anger he rose vp not making anie outward appearance of the great and incomperable trauaile that he had passed he laide hand on his sword and without tarrying till the other did arise he stroke him such a blow vpon the head that he cut him downe to the breast so that he fell downe dead to the ground in this sort he gaue him his paiment for his great and vnseemely pride these knights that came together were eight in number but when the rest sawe y t which the Emperour did they prepared theÌ„selues to fight lighting from their horses they laid hands on their swords wrapped their cloaks about their armes then began a cruell battel but when this mightie Trebatio sawe himselfe so beset with the other seauen knights he determined to sell his death verie deere or else to kill them all and as you doo see the greedie Lyon ranging the Countrie with his haire bristeled and raging with great hunger to finde his praie euen so the valiant Emperour began to strike with his strong arme flourishing with it in such sort that on whom it chaunced to light he had no néede of a Surgion to heale him In a little space of the eight that were of them there were foure of theÌ„ sâ—aine and the rest were so scarred with his terrible and mortall blowes that they durst not come nigh
greatly contented and ordayned for thē very faire rich chambers to ease thēselues with all seruice néedfull likewise for y e faire Lidia for he lodged her in the Queenes chamber caused many Ladyes and Damsells to come and beare her companie and to serue her in all that was necessarie for that he perceiued how the Prince Eleno did receiue great pleasure therein In the end of twentie dayes that these Knights had soiourned with the King there came one and aduertised the King how that ther was arriued in the port of the Citie a faire ship and how y t ther descended out of her a Knight and a well proportioned Gyaunt and by reason that they would not hearken vnto the accustomed oath which they that didde arriue there shoulde sweare that there was begun a meruailous and stout battaile with them that did keepe the Port wherein the knight did meruailous worthy feates and likewise y e Giant The which being heard by those knights y t wer with y e king they called for their armor wer w t a trice armed there were brought vnto them very faire and strong horses which the King had commaunded to giue them and mounting on their backs in great hast they went out of the Citie to the hauen side to the same place whereas they fought theyr owne battaile whereas they founde these two knights with no lesse rigor furie then they themselues were before So straight way three of those Knights did knowe who that Knight Gyant was which were in battaile sayd that it was Clauerindo and the King of Sardenia whom I told you departed out of Greece in the quest of the Emperour and by fortune they were driuen into those parts for that the King might haue more ayde for to execute his tyranny Then the valyant Zoylo pulled off his helme and sayd What is the matter valyaunt Prince that you show your selfe so furious against him which in all poynts is redy to be at your commaundement At which words the Prince lift vp his eyes and when he behelde those thrée Princes and knewe them he very much meruailed to see them and lefte off his battel and so likewise did Bramidoro and all thrée w t their armes abroad came to imbrace him And Clauerindo saide It had not gone very well with vs in this conflict if these knights had not knowen vs and in saying these wordes he threwe his armes about their neckes with great ioye that he receyued to sée them and with no lesse ioye and pleasure all the rest did showe themselues sayd We are those which haue most gotten in the knowing of you for that we haue put apart the great battaile that was prepared for vs. So with the like courtesie they receiued the Prince of Dacia who if that the other had not tolde him what he was he wold haue beleeued that it had bene Rosicleer So with these and such like reasons at the request of the other Princes they went with them vnto the Citie at such time as the King came foorth accompanied with a faire companie of Knightes and verye well armed who receyued them with great courtesie caused y e prince of Fraunce to ride w t him side by side So they altogether returned vnto the Citie and then to the Pallaice whereas they were meruailously well intertained and there the King tolde vnto them all his contrarie and chaunged treason wherefore these two knights did swear◠and promise vnto the King the same which the others had done The prince Clauerindo had so great affection vnto the Prince Eleno that he would not at any time departe from him neither would the Prince Eleno doo otherwise vnto Clauerindo declaring vnto him all his euills and strange aduentures At which communication was present the king of Sardenia and when he heard him tell of his aduenture in Tinacria and of the battaile that he had made with Tefereo and how that he was ouercome he with more affection behelde him and requested him to heare the whole estate thereof So the Prince did declare all and how that hée departed and how that afterward he found the princesse Lidia that Lady which carried the Emperour out of Constantinople the which being all knowen vnto them they would straight way goe and visite her and she receiued them with her accustomed sadnesse Now for that I haue long time forgot that noble Emperour I will retourne and tell you what happened vnto him at the fountaine of Tinacria where I lefte him How that the Emperour went vnto Tinacria and of all that passed in the battaile which he had with the Earle of Modique Cap. 20. IN great trouble and affliction we lefte the valiaunt Emperour Trebatio in the Iland of Tinacria harde by the fountaine of marble at such time as the Earle of Modique with his speare in his reast was prepared for to hurt him The Emperour seeing him come he had greate care of himselfe and being in a place that neither to the one parte nor to the other he coulde slip backe to saue himselfe from that blowe he did determine to stoope with both his knées and shorten in his bodie for that he was sure he coulde not ouerrunne him with his horse by reason of the fountaine that was at his backe The Emperour defended himselfe in such sort that the speare without dooing him anie hurt went ouer his head The blowe was not so soone past when that the Emperour rose bolt vpright and cast such a thrust at the horse breast that his sword entered in vp to the hiltes The horse when he felt himselfe hurt gaue a leape into the aire with so great swiftnes as though it had bene a whirlewinde and in the ende he fell downe to the earth with great force in his fall he caught y e Earles leg vnder him in such sort that he could not by any meanes arise Heere might the Emperour haue slaine or hurte him but hee would not for y ◠he séemed vnto him to be a knight of great estimation Then all the people that were there both them a foote those on horsebacke with great showts and shrikes they would haue set vpon him but they could not come nigh him at their wil for that the dead horse was betwéene them againe the Earle was a shield for his defence who was prisoner vnder his horse right before him So at this instant came foorth of that faire pallaice a great number of knights and Ladyes and amongst them y e faire Quéene Garrosilea And when all the people sawe her they put themselues out of the way towards the one side by the which the Emperour vnderstood that she was Lady of all that Countrey She came formost of all that company beeing so faire and so well proportioned that she seemed vnto the Emperour to be as beautifull as euer he behelde any in all the worlde she was of the age of fourtéene yeares but yet her
the Quéenes pallaice and the Emperour was carryed into a verie faire and rich lodging whereas by force hée must be shut in to make as if he were prisoner for that the nobles of the Realme would not consent that he shoulde goe abroade at his will The third daie following this braue Bramarando with all his Knights came before the walls of the Citie and spred abroad their Ancients and he himselfe vpon a fierce horse drew towards the walls of the Citie in great hast He was armed with very strong armour and had at his necke hanging a verie rich horne of Iuorie and when he came to the gate of the Citie he lifte vp the visour of his helme and set his horne vnto his mouth began to sound it very strongly to the end that the knights of the Citie shuld come thether to heare what he would say So when y e some of them such as were néere at hand approched he sayd O you Knights of Tinacria whom the souereigne Gods confound that according as I am informed by your counsell I cannot inioy as mine owne that faire Garrofilea What doo you that you come not forth with your armor agaynst me and show your selues if you be as valiant to ouercome as politike to giue counsel Some of the nobles of the court did well heare what this Pagan did say and straight waye they went vnto the Quéene for to sée what was to be done in this case to whome she aunswered My friends you dooe well sée and vnderstand how little knowledge I haue in such matters béeing but a weake and fraile woman in such a case as this is vnto you it belongeth to take counsell for that you are knights and together you may establish that which is conuenient for héerin I haue little knowledge and can say almost nothing and with this she held her peace These Earles séeing that with great reason the Quéene had answered them they would argue no farther with her but called a counsell At which time the King the second time did sound his horne to call them again to hearken vnto his speach and being attendant vnto that which he would say he vttered these wordes O vile Tinacrians what doo you why come you not forth with your armour How is it y t you are not ashamed to hide your selues from one onely knight which calleth you Héere I doo promise you that your high walls and déepe dithes which you haue about your Cittie shall litle profit you but y t you shal all dye in my hands lyke vile knights And if amongst you ther be not one that is able to make his partie good in the field with mée alone Then come forth two or three or foure or ten for that altogether I will driue you out of the field and if these teâ—ne be not sufficient then come you all forth together such as are able to beare armour for héere I doo sweare vnto you to make you dye like cowards but I take you to be such y t you will not put me to this trouble but kéep your selues in your citie The Earles did heare all that was spoken at which wordâ— they were very much grieued but because they knewe the strength of the African they feared much his furie but yet shame would not suffer them to beare the force of these wordes but did determine to goe out and take the aduauntage which the Pagan did offer them So amongst them al they chose ten of them that were most estéemed who wer the Earle of Modique and a sonne of the Earles a valyant young man being of fewer yeares then he which the Emperour slewe at the marble fountaine and Fabiniano of Hena and Robio of Yscla and other sixe chosen Knights So when they were armed and vpon horsebacke they opened the gate of the Citie and they went out into the fielde all very well horsed So when this King of Mauritania sawe them he let goe his horne and putte downe the visour of his healme called for a great speare which strayght waye was giuen him by a Knight of his and with great arrogancie he went towards the place whereas this faire companie of the ten Knights abode and with a loude voyce he sayde that they might heare him Who gaue you counsel to make resistaunce against my furie for that you can finde no other thing therein but death Then Don Rubio aunswered none other but onely to abate thy pride therefore take thy choyce of the fielde for héere I defie thée to the death All this while Bramarando stood and beheld him with a terrible looke and séeing him vse so great nimblenesse he thought him to be a good Knight giuing a tourne vnto his horse he put himselfe into his place and béeing both readye they spurred their horses together ranne one against the other in the midst of their course they met neither of them missed their blow in the which incounnter this gentle Rubio fell downe to the ground and the Pagan somwhat stooped in his saddle and his speare remained whole and strayght waye he put himselfe in good order But when he saw that all the rest which remained did prepare themselues to make resistaunce he could not refrayne but with a loude voyce he sayde O vile cowards and defamers of the order of knighthood come hether vnto me euen all of you for I doo no more estéeme of you then of one onely Knight and so spurring his horse he ranne against them and they did the like and at one time he receiued the encounter of fiue speares albeit he mooued nothing at all in his saddle but he did incounter the Baron of Monflet in such sort that the speare passing thorough his body he fell downe dead to the ground and there with he tourned about his horse with wonderfull lightnes and drew out his sharpe cutting sword and pressed amongst the rest whereas began a meruailous and terrible battaile Then the Knights of Tinacria perceiuing that they must either die or ouercom they began to lay about them on euery side with so much furie y t it was sufficient to haue hewed an anfield in peeces Yet for all their force they did not séeme to molest him any whit But he which did shew him selfe most valyant amongst them all was the Marques of Modique his sonne and next vnto him was the Marques of Mondeli and Don Fabinio But this strong African layd about him so valiantly and with so great furie that he astonied theÌ„ insomuch y t with the great furie he had out of the visour of his helme proceeded a thicke smoke At this time he threw his shéeld on his backe and tooke his sworde in both his hands that whosoeuer he met he stroke him with such terrible strength and furie that helme and head hée cut in two parts The Earle of Mondeli was not at this instant vnoccupied but with his sword fast in both his hands he stroke him on the
I doo not retourne againe into her Citie for I was so ill receiued the first time that I haue no will to retourne the second And more I desire her of my part that she doo intreate better and giue better intertainment vnto such Knights as I am then she gaue vnto me least she get vnto her selfe the name of a wrathfull Quéene and be accounted as one subiect vnto hir own opinion of all other things if any thing doo chaunce let her thanke none but her selfe for that she hath bene the onely cause therof And moreouer I doo desire her not to trouble her selfe in sending to séeke me for that I say not her power alone but all the power in Africa is not sufficient to retourne me againe into so great straights as once she had me in And so without any more speaking he spurred his horse and rode a reasonable pace towards the sea side which was not farre from that place and when he came thether he sought to sée if he could finde by chance any barke or galley to carry him whether he wold with his good will or els by force He had not gone farre when that he sawe a very faire and great barke at the sea side hard aboord the shoare The Emperour entered into it to sée if there were anye marriners his horse which was hard by him without being constrained by the Emperour very lightly leapt into the Barke He was not so soone with in when that the Barke began to make waye in such sorte that in a small time they were very farre at sea At y â— which the Emperour was greatly amazed but there was a voice which did satisfie him that sayd Mightie Trebatio Lyrgandeo doth gouerne thee at the which the Emperour was very ioyfull So he put his horse in a place by himselfe in the bark wheras he found sufficient of all things néedefull Likewise hée found all that was conuenient for his owne person which was ready vpon a table in very good order all kinde of dressed meates and béeing set downe to eate he was serued so bountifully and with so great diligence and care as though he had bene in Greece In this sort the emperour went sailing eight dayes in y e end of which he discouered land which had belonging vnto it a faire hauen or port and nigh vnto it a very faire and great Citie The Barke went straight into the hauen and brought her selfe to the shore Héere we will leaue y e Emperour in his barke in y e hauen and will tell you of the great lamentation y t the faire Garrofilea made for that the Emperour departed in such sort ¶ How the faire Queene Garrofilea made great lamentation for the departure of the Emperour and how at their last being together she remained with childe by the Emperour Trebatio Cap. 23. AFter that all the Knights of Tinacria haâ— ioyned themselues together and had made an ende of their battaile and trauaile they repaired vnto the citie with great ioy and gladnesse for their good successe Rubio of Yscla went to declare vnto the Quéene his message y t the Emperor had commanded him at y â— which the Quéene was so troubled that she could not in any wise dissemble it but in a great sound strayght way she fell downe as though she had bene dead This couragious knight when he saw her in this trance tooke her vp in his armes caryed her vnto her Strado or seate straight waies when the Ladies heard the noyse they all came forth to sée what the matter was when they saw their Quéene in that traunce they began to vse all meanes and remedies till such time as she came again vnto her remembrance And although it was with great trouble the quéene lifted vp her â—yes séeing that she was coâ—â—â—assed about with Ladies and others shee shut her eyes againe and gaue a great sigh which came from the bottome of her heart and in this sort she remained a greate while and her Ladies and Damosells seeing that she was so troubled determined to vncloath her and to carrie her to her bed Then she made signes with her hands that they should depart and leaue her all alone whose commandement they straight wayes obeyed not without great sorrow of all them that did beholde her for that the quéene was meruailouslye well beloued of her subiects There was not one that could vnderstand the cause of this sodaine euill but onely the earle of Modique who discréetly did imagine what it might bée who kept it close to himselfe at time vntil such time as time the matter it selfe shuld declare whether his imagination or thought should fall out true or no. This afflicted quéene when she saw that she was alone began to exclaime against her fortune putting forth these sorrowfull reasons When wilt thou be content thou peruerse enimie and without all reason Thou which hast warped such strange webbes in this Kingdome Thou gauest me into my power the Gréeke Emperour very poore and without all comfort of thée and absent from all his Empire This thou didst for that with his sight I should be wounded with the cruell dart of loue that without all remedie of anie comfort I most vnfortunate damosell shoulde be constrained to set my life to sale and to sell my honour as it were with the common cryar compelling me to doo vnto my selfe that which I onely did being made blinde by him which would y t all others were as blind as he himselfe is And although me life were set at libertie by him which without anie weapon bereaued me thereof yet am I not at so much libertie nor so frâ—e but that wheresoeuer he goeth my heart doth followe him Woe is me for my virginitie which my parents gaue me such great charge to haue a respect vnto that it hath bene so euill kept and so lightly regarded me I will so chastise my selfe for thus forgetting of my selfe and be so reuenged for the little regard that I haue had of my honour that it shall be an example to all others which be of high estate Oh miserable Quéene Oh vnhappie Lady thy spéech is too too foolish for although this thy desperate hand should pull out the despised heart of this miserable and afflicted bodie yet shouldest not thou make satisfaction of the dishonour which thou hast committed against thy selfe Oh cruell death why doest thou not with thy sodaine furie set at libertie me most vnfortunate from these gréeuous paines Oh Emperour of Greece those louing and amorous wordes which thou spakest vnto me I would they had neuer ben spoken O false and deceiuing Lorde thou shouldest haue suffered me to haue tasted death when with so great good will mine owne hand would haue ministred it to me and not now to cause me to indure a thousand deaths only by thy departure With these other like lamentations this afflicted Ladie passed awaie the time till at last she found
another way which did crosse ouerthwart the same way in which he was And studying with himselfe which waye to take it was tolde him that it was the waye which led strayght vnto Paris of y â— which he was very ioyfull and remained a while thinking which way he might take for to finde Tefereo And beeing in this muse he heard towards his right side a great rushing of armour and armed Knights and casting his head on the one side he saw that there was about a ten knights which came running towards him with their speares very low calling him traytor as soone as the Knight of the Sunne saw them he put downe the visor of his helme and layd hand on his sword and at the same time he beheld on the other side as many moe Knights armed which made towards him as the other did In the ende he was compassed rounde about on euery side with fortie Knights which all cried out saying kill the traytor let the traytor dye of the which the Prince did greatly meruayle So altogether they set vpon him and ranne at him with their speares and stroke him all at once yet for all that he mooued no more in his saddle then if they had made their incounter against a strong Tower but at the passing by he stroke one of them vpon the visour of his helme that he cut halfe his head a sunder and he fell dead to the ground All the rest retourned with their horses against the Prince some with their swords in their hands and other some whose speares remayned whole ranne at him againe what on the one side and what on the other they made a very fierce and strong incounter as of those which were the whole choyce of them that were in the Citie onelye to kill him When the Prince sawe himselfe so inclosed on euerye side his wrath and anger began to kindle in him insomuch that he tooke his sword fast in his hand stroke such blowes that whosoeuer he chaunced to hitte was either slayne or maymed At this present time arriued in those partes at the Sea side as I haue tolde you Brufaldoro and this was the battayle wherein he sawe so many Knightes against one onely Knight This Moore did stande and beholde them and was verye much amazed to see the power of one Knight who brought so many as they were into such great distres which made them to repent and were verie sorrie that euer they began that enterprise but by reason that they were all chosen knightes they would not but assault him verie fiercely which was the occasion of their farther harme destruction for that the Princes ire did so much increase that it caused him to double his blowes in such sorte that some he killed out right and some he wounded that in a small time he left not one vpon his horse but all brought vnto the state that they could make no resistaunce and when the Prince â—awe himselfe at more libertie he demaunded what was the occasion of this so sodaine conflict so one of those knightes which was verie sore hurt tolde him how that they were knights belonging to the Earle of Prouince which laye in waite for him to be reuenged of the death of his sonne for y t the whole circumstance of the battaile came vnto his knowledge So the Prince left them and woulde not speake anye word more vnto them but his intent was to get him out of the Countrie for that he well vnderstood that neither he nor Tefereo should haue anie good intertainment at their hands and when he would haue departed there came vnto him Brufaldoro and did salute him verie curteously the Prince did returne him his salutation and had a great pleasure to beholde his good grace and gentilitie So the Mauritanian began first to speake and sayd Gentle and valiant knight the first boone or gift that euer I did demaund since the time that I was borne is this that I will aske of thée and the occasion which doeth driue me to aske it is constrained by the great valour and prowesse which I haue seene in thée sure it is an easie thing on thy part to be fulfilled and therefore I doo desire thée to graunt me my request The heroycall Grecian which had his eyes fixed vpon him with great pleasure that he receiued at his gentle disposition answered As yet I neuer denyed anie thing that was demaunded of mée being iustly demaunded and in a iust cause neither had I anie respect whether it be easie to be done or difficult therfore geÌ„tle knight aske whatsoeuer pleseth thée for if it stand with iustice and reason that I may graunt it thée I doe promise thée to accoÌ„plish it in very ample manner not onely oâ—e boon but so many as thou wilt aske of me That which I wil aske thée said y e pagan is not to put thy person in any periâ— no nor y t thou shalt mooue thy horse one foot out of the place where he standeth but that thou wilt with thy valiant hand giue me y e order of Knighthood arme me knight the which thou maist doo without any doubt or sâ—rupulositie For heere I doo sweare vnto thée by my mightie thoughts that I am a crowned King This noble Greeke did accept his demand and asked of him if that he had watched his armour The Moore aunswered I suppose I haue watched them inough for that it is now eighteene dayes since I haue hadde them continually on my backe And for me there needeth no ceremonyes for that I am no Christian neither Pagan nor Moore nor Iewe nor Gentile neither doo I worship nor beléeue in God For that the God of the Christians I take him for my enimie and as for Mahomet I knowe he is little worth and can doo lesse and the Gentiles haue for their Gods stockes and stones and as for the Iewes I hate theÌ„ as base and vile people Therefore I doo neither worshippe the one nor beléeue in the other but onely follow my own proper appetite The Knight of the sunne could not refrain from laughter at his words in séeing him to be a man of so much libertie and aunswered him saying By God King I doo sweare vnto thée that I haue séene fewe or none of thy Religion but whatsoeuer thou art I will héere accomplish thy desire and request Then the Prince asked him Wilt thou be a Knight The King aunswered This I doo desire and séeke no other thing and putting on his right spurre he kissed him on the chéeke in token of honour and taking a rich sword which a page of his carried with him hée stroke him a blowe with it vpon his shoulder and putting of it vp againe into his sheath he hung it about his necke sayd Now King thy desire is fulfilled for y t thou art a Knight With great good reason may it be sayd that in the fields of Prouince was giuen the order of Knighthood vnto the most
him such a terrible blow vpon the creast of his helme that hée made him cleane to loose his feeling for a greate while The Moores horse by reason of his wearinesse was readie to fall downe on euerie side This valyaunt Sardenian séeing him in that case and remembring in what order he had before left the knight of the Sunne without anie more tarrying tourned about his swift and light horse and with as much swiftnesse as might bee possible he returned vnto the place where as he had left the knight of the Sun and when hée came vnto the place wheras the battaile was fought betwéen the two warriours he found not the knight of the Sunne there but retourning backe againe he tooke his waie towardes the Sea side following the foote steppes of them and theyr horses and in a small time hee came vnto the place whereas he sawe a barke which was at an anker fast vpon the shoare and comming nigh vnto it he knew it to bée the verie same which had brought them thether and for to knowe of certaintie whether the knight of the Sunne were there or not he called with a loude voice vnto them which were in the Barke vnto whome the Greeke made aunswere and when he saw that it was his friend Tefereo that had called he was verie gladde and likewise Tefereo did greatly reioyce to sée him and therewith he entered into the Barke and when hée was entered therein he heard one with a lowde voyce which sayde Tarrie tarrie thou cowardly villaine and doe not thinke to escape mée without thy due punishment At which greate noise the Knight of the Sunne looked about and saw that it was the King of Mauritania which with verie greate hast came towardes them The Prince wold haue gone out to him if y t the Barke had not ben so far in the sea as it was for the which he was very sad not a little disquieted yet for all the anger which the Prince had he could not choose but saie that the king was a good knight and of as much might as Bramarant and somewhat more valiaunt and politike and meruailed with himselfe whether he were his sonne or no. So when the Pagan sawe that he coulde not execute his furie and rage hée beganne to roare lyke a Bull and although he was not purposed anie more to imbarke himselfe to sea yet at that time hée was constrayned to chaunge his pretence and finding opportunitie by reason of certaine Merchauntes which were fraighting of a shippe to Grecia hée determined to goe into her There hée imbarked himselfe and the winde béeing verie prosperous they departed and in a verie short time they ariued at a hauen in Grecia where as hée went a lande and trauailed in the Countrie certaine dayes So it happened one daie that hée founde by a house of pleasure a great companie of Knightes Ladyes and Damosells which were recreating of themselues What they were and what the king did in following the Storie you shall vnderstande and I will nowe leaue him for to tell you of the heroycall sonne of Trebatio who for the space of sixe dayes sayled on the Sea with greate pleasure often talking of the great strength and force of the Moore the seauenth daye he ariued in a verye faire hauen or port which was nigh vnto a verie sumptuous Citie the which was furnished with greate shippes and Gallyes and other small Barkes and Foystes Amongest all these they passed verie quicklye without the interruption of anie person till such time as the Barke was fast a grounde and perceiuing that it was there conuenient that they shoulde disimbarke themselues they leapt a shoare and lykewise tooke out theyr horses and straight waye they leapt on theyr backes and tooke the waye which lead them vnto the Citie wherein they discouered on the one parte a verie fayre and greate armie of men and lykewise all the fielde was pitched with verie rich Tentes and as they looked aboute straight wayes they sawe come foorth of the Citie fiue mightie and strong Knightes and a verie greate and strong Gyaunt and in the other parte of the armie one onely knight whose armour séemed to bée of a passing fine Rubie all to bée spotted with starres of golde and set with Pearles This sight did lyke them so well that they were looking on that one Knight a greate while verie earnestly and tooke greate pleasure to sée his good demenour The Knight of the Sunne was imagining with himselfe what knight that shoulde bée that was of so gentle disposition and proportion beléeuing certainely that it coulde bée none but some of his lignage This knight passed harde by those two friendes who did beholde them verie much yet hée made no staying but without speaking anie worde he passed on forwardes and when hée was come into that place of the fielde that was appointed for the battaile he put his speare in his reast at the which token one of the sixe knightes came foorth to make resistaunce whome the knight of the Sunne did knowe But nowe for that the historie goeth in order it is néedfull to leaue them in this order till time shall serue and to returne againe and tell you of the Emperour of Grecia that came to the port of Cimarra and there did disimbarke himselfe ¶ How the Greeke Emperour did disimbarke himselfe at the Citie of Cimarra and what happened vnto him there Cap. 25. YOU haue heard before how that the Emperour ariued at the Port of Cimarra which was gouerned by the Father of that vnfortunate Herea where when hée hadde put in order his inchaunted Barke hée leapte a lande and going on foote armed with that rich armour which Garrofilea had giuen vnto him carrying his right hande vpon the reast which was in his armour and his left hande voon the pomell of his swoorde and his helme close which couered his face and hanging at his necke his gallaunt and rich shéelde with a comelye and graue countenaunce he went towardes the Citie and of the first that hée met withall he asked what lande or Countrie that was for that hée was ignoraunt thereof and straight waie it was tolde him in the Sarasin language that hée was in the kingdome of Cimarra whereat hée was not a little delighted and considering the knowledge of the wise Lyrgandeo he went forwardes on his waie without staying till he entered into the gates of the Citie and all they which met with him did verie much beholde him greatly meruailing at his grauitie good disposition and wonderfull stature There were sundrye that aduertised the King thereof as soone as hée was come a shoare howe that there was a knight which did disimbarke himselfe at the Port or Hauen which came without gouernement béeing armed with verie rich and costly armour and one that was of an excellent stature and good disposition The auncient King of the Countrie who was aduertised thereof before by the wise Lyrgandeo did straight waie knowe that
it was hée which had passed the terrible kéepers of his murthered Daughter For you shall vnderstand that as soone as the Emperour was departed from the Ilande the wise Lyrgandeo commaunded that the bodie of the Ladie shoulde bée carried vnto Cimarra aduertising her Father that the long looked for reuengement was not farre of And lykewise how and in what manner the knight which did it shoulde come into his lande and also who that Knight shoulde bée Wherefore as soone as the king was giuen to vnderstande of his ariuall without anie more tarrying béeing accompanyed with all his noble men and leading in his hande a very fayre and young childe about twelue yeares olde the most best proportoined that euer nature coulde frame of whome you shall heare no more in this booke for that in the seconde booke it shall bée declared at large of him The king went forth till he came to the chiefe place of the Citie there to méet with the Emperour whereas likewise he met with this old and auncient King who boowing his knées to the earth and shedding of many teares with ioye receiued him saying O high and mightie Emperour giue me héere your hands that I may discharge the dutie that all humane creatures do owe vnto your highnesse how much more I that am bounde therevnto for that with so much firmenesse thou wouldest confirme thy oath and take the charge in thine owne person to worke my reuengement The Emperour was in a great confusion to heare himselfe named and neuer gaue anye in all that lande to vnderstand thereof but strayght waye hée suspected that Lirgandeo should aduise him of his comming And héerewith vsing of his accustomed bountie hée tooke him by the hand and lifted him from the grounde saying Good King the debt which thou sayst is due vnto me thou hast repayed in showing the noblenesse of thy heart and courage and otherwise I am constrained by y e order of knighthood and iustice to make reuengement of that cursed facte which was without all pitie committed vpon thy daughter And seeing that there can be no other remedy but onely reuengement héere of my part I doo offer thée to doo all that in my power is possible to be done desiring thée that thou restraine these teares and giue order that with great spéede there may be ioyned together all thy power to the end that we maye goe and conclude that which in me lyeth The King with a sad voyce aunswered High and mightie Emperour this hath bene prouided for before for all my people and shires are at an houres warning to goe to the ayding of so iust a cause and we tarryed for nothing but onely your royall person who must be the sword of my reuengement Thus with these and such like communications they went vnto the Kings pallaice which was hanged all with blacke clothes for others he would not consent to haue hanged since the death of his daughter Herea There was the Emperour vnarmed and serued with as great highnesse and honour as though he had bene in Grecia Notwithstanding the Emperour would not soiourne nor rest there much for the next daye in the morning he commaunded that all th◠people should march forwards vnto a hauen which was at the vttermost parts of all the Kingdome wheras they found ships and barkes of all sortes verye well furnished of all things that was néedfull There was thrée hundred ships one with another in the which there was imbarked fiftie thousand Moores meruailously well appointed and committing their sayles vnto the winde all this Nauie tooke theyr voyage towards Numidia So they nauigated and founds the winde fauourable which brought them vnto a porte or hauen which was but two leagues from the Kings house There with great ioy and pleasure they went a shore with out any resistaunce or gainsaying So when they were all out of the shippes a lande they displayed their ancients and in very good order they marched forwards And at such time as Apollo had made an ende of his iourney and that the darke night came on they came in sight of the Citie and without taking any rest towards the lande side they pitched their tents and fortified themselues in the best wise they could in such sort as their good Captaine which did gouerne them had commaunded without dooing any thing to the contrary So when all things was put in good order as they would haue it he commaunded that all the armie should go vnto the gate of the Citie that was most néerest the which was straight waye done and in thrée dayes after they did no other thing but ease and rest themselues for that the people were somewhat out of quiet with their great trauayle The fourth daye the Emperour séeing that there was no sturring in the Citie the which was done by pollicie tarying to sée what the enimies would doo the Emperour called for his armour and being armed there was brought a verye fayre and mightie horse vnto him and with his accustomed courage he issued out from amongst his companye and rode towards the wall of the Citie and put himselfe into a faire gréene playne nigh vnto the walls and lifting vp the visour of his healme he set his horne vnto his mouth and did sound it very strongly which was to warne them that were in the Citie to come to the walls and harken what he would saye and when he sawe that there was much people attending to heare him he began to saye O King Noraldino of Numidia how carelesse thou art in this thy strong countrey thinking that the strength thereof will defende thée that thou payest not the price of thy naughtie treason which thou didst vse with that vnfortunate Herea Take vnto thée thy armour and for that thou hadst a heart to commit this euill déede haue now likewise a courage to make thy defence come foorth of these thy walls thou traitour and destroyer of the royall bloud All they which were on the walls did heare the threatenings and straight waye went and tolde it vnto the king of Numidia who was at that time in communication of warres and of armyes and of all things that belonged therevnto and when he hearde these newes giuing a great sigh he sayd Oh ye Gods are not you content to sée me in this perplexitie and so much wronged but likewise with sound of trumpet suffer me to be outraged in calling me traytor These fayned griefes and sorrowfull words had so much force that it moued the harts of the Princes that were with him for to goe out into the field for his defence and in great hast they commaunded that their harnesse shuld be brought vnto them with determination to dye or to defend his cause And there was none that had any feare but onely the Gyant for that he would not giue any credit vnto the Kings words although he dissembled neuer so muuch but by reason that he had sworne therevnto hée was constrayned by his oath
was a thing to be wondered at And when she had done this she sayd Worthie and fayre Ladie the braunch is yours for that you haue wonne it and in token of thy desert thou doest carrie it vpon thy healme where it shall remaine till such time as by the hands of a fierce Lyon it shall be throwen downe leauing his heart wounded and he remaining vnto thée submitted And for to doâ— thée pleasure Ladie héere I doe present thée these two Nymphes for to bée at thy commaundement And so taking her by the hande without anie more communication shée brought her ouer the bridge to the other side of the Moat they were not so soone ouer when this Ladie did vanish awaie lykâ— the winde and the Bridge was drawen vp and shée heard within the pallaice a celestiall musicke and looking that waye whereas shée founded the horne and towardes that gate wherein she had entered shée sawe vppon the pillar that was there a Nymph of golde which seemed to bée verie subtillye wrought And presently without anie more tarrying she leapt vppon her horse which was brought thether for her likewise the two Nimphes vpon two white Palfraies which was likewise brought for them and so they tooke their waye towards the sea without any remembraunce of all that which shée had séene neither did she thinke of it till such time as she didde sée the perfect figure of that Knight which she sawe in y e hal as shall be tolde you héerafter So in great hast this quéene and her Nimphes trauayled till they were all imbarked in their Barke whereas they found in the one part thereof very rich roaâ—es The making and fashion of them and all the rest that happened shall be tolde you when time serueth and let vs now returne vnto the restâ—â—ng of the kingdome of Lira which cost the Prince Brandimardo full déere ¶ How the famous Rosicleâ—â— and Brandimardo went to the kingdome of â—ara and of all that had passed in the battaile they had with the Giaunts Cap. 29. YOu doo well remember how that the worthy Rosicleer and that gallant and newe Louer Brandimardo trauayled by sea towards the kingdome of Lira to make battaile with the Gyants that had vsurped the kingdome The time winde was so prosperous vnto them that in a short space they arriued toke land in the hauen of the great citie of Lira without any contradiction And when they were a lande they determined to sende a Page to demaund safeconduct of the Giants giuing them to vnderstand of their comming This gallant louer would néedes be the messenger and therewith mounting vpon a very faire horse he entered into the Citie and stayed not till he came vnto the Pallayce of the Gyants but went asking where there abiding was And strayght way they were giuen to vnderstande thereof by a Knight which sayde that there was a strange knight which did demaund after them comming before them without showing anye humilitie or stooping downe his head he sayd Giants ther are two knights come into the hauen of Lira to defend the right of the Quéene Archisilora and they doe send vnto you to aske safeconducte for that they may not be disturbed by any person in these kingdomes but only your selues who doo pretend by might to make you to acknowledge your euill and naughtinesse Then Mandroco who had lesse patience then the other said I doe not know wherefore these vnfortunate knights will occupy themselues in profering to defend that which manye other would haue done and yet were neuer able Goe thy wayes and tell them that they make no tarying to come and receiue their death Brandimatdo who well behelde theyr fierce disposition sawe that it was no time to spend wordes in wast but to put in practise the execution of y t which they came for and without any replying vnto their words he returned vnto the place whereas he lefte the Prince vnto whom he declared all that had past So without any more a doe Rosicleer leaped vpon his mightie horse and they laceâ— and made fast their helmes and hanged their shieldes about their neckes and tooke each of them a great speare in theyr hands and put themselues into the Citie and rested not till they came into the broad place which was right against the Pallayce Their comming thether was at such time as Bulfar and Mandroco came forth of the Pallaice all ready and prepared for the battaile and brought in their companye a great number of Knights At that time the place was very full of people who desired secretly in their hearts that the straunge Knights might winne the victory that they might be cleare and at libertie from that great subiection in the which the Gyaunts helde them the which they thought to be almost impossible considering the great worthinesse and strength that was in the giants And when they wer altogether in y e place Mandroco with a milde voice sayd Miserable knights at such time as you offred your persoÌ„s vnto y e quéene Archisilora with whom did you thinke to haue battaile that you gaue credite supposing your selues to haue sufficient force to execute your wils Wherfore if you doo now thinke your selues deceiued we shall be héere content to set you at libertie of your former promise with condition that you shall goe and tell her that she ought to send Knghts of great prowesse and strength and not such as you are Then Rosicleer sayd Thou art very much deceiued Giant in y t thou saist for we did very well knowe with whome we shoulde haue battayle and were fully informed thereof and purpose to take the head from thy body in satisfaction of these treasons which thou dost vse The anger and yre of the Giant was such that without any more tarrying with great fury he turned about his horse and his father did the like y e two Knights also did the same And when they were right the one against the other at the sound of sundry instruments of warres they ranne the one against the other in such sorte that not one of them missed his blowe but made the shiuers of the speares to flye in very small péeces in the aire without receiuing any griefe So they altogether returned with their swords in their handes Rosicleer encountered with Bulfar for that he found him next at hand and pressing vnto him he stroke at him very great and heauie blowes and the Gyant rendered him the like With no lesse furie pressed Brandimardo against his enimie making a very furious well foughten battaile At this time the fierce Bulfar séeing the great resistance of his aduersarie threw his shéeld at his backe and his sonne Mandroco did the like both together they stroke such blowes at the knights that without féeling it caused the horse of Rosicleer to giue a tourne in the place and the like happened vnto Brandimardo Héere his vnhappy fortune would that his horse should carrie him thether whereas Bulfar was who
of them of the Iland they went a land and raised vp their tents and pitched their campe This fierce king being mounted vpon an Elephant went with great care and perused all his people and put them in very good order so all was apparant and knowen vnto them of the Citie The King of Trapobana feared much his fierce and cruell aduersary and so likewise did many of them that were in the Citie but yet that couragious youth did feare him nothing at all nor estéemed him any thing but rather did desire the houre to sée himselfe in battaile with him for to make satisfaction with his déedes works of that which he was in debt vnto his Lord. At such time as the campe was pitched and all in good order the radiaunt Phoebus had made an ende of his iourney leauing in his absence the sadde and darke night So when time camâ— that he began a new to take his accustomed course and to show his shining face dispersing his glittering beames ouer all the Iland the king of Arginaria called vnto him a trumpetter and with a furious voyce he sayd Go thy wayes vnto the Citie and in such sort as thou thinkest best salute the king Delfo and tell him on my behalfe that without anye tarrying or taking farther counsel he send me him who did intreate my brother Bruno so euill and if not I sweare vnto him by the high Iupiter that I will doo so much that his body shall be made meate vnto dogges The trumpetter when he had well vnderstoode his message taking libertie of the accustomed pride of his Lord went with great arrogancie vnto the Citie The Scowtes when they saw him let enter into the Cite and they caried him before the King before whom when he came without showing any kinde of humilitie he sayd The Gods confound thy person state and breake downe thy great pride power y t dredfull king of Arginaria my Lord doth send me vnto thée y t when thou hast heard my imbassage forth with thou send vnto him that vncurteous knight and of small valour who with his proud hand stroke out the téeth of his welbeloued brother Bruno and thou must send him prisoner and bound before his royall presence that he may giue him the punishment that his great boldnesse doth deserue When this valiaunt Claridiano heard the proud words that the Embassadour brought and with what arrogancie he deliuered them he was altogether without patience and hauing no power to refrayne his wrath he went vnto him and sayd Héere I doo promise thée goodman brablor to giue thée answere according as thou dost bring the imbassage and it is great reson that we make thy bodye to flye at large as thou doest cause thy tongue to runne at libertie and procure out of hand that thou maist the better leape to call vnto Mercurie for to sustaine thée without any more saying he tooke him by the cholar with out any power to make resistaunce he threw him out of a window letting him fall vpon the pauement before the pallaice gate that he broke all in péeces and this being done without speaking any more word he went vnto his chamber and armed him with his armour with the help of Galtenor his father for so he alwayes estéemed him but his wrath and anger was such that neither his father nor the King durst speake a word vnto him all the time he was arming And when he was armed he turned his face vnto the king and said Worthy king and my Lord haue a good confidence in the Gods and in thy iustice and right that I shal be he that shall take away from before thée this proud enemie of thine And without any more tarrying he demanded for a borne so straight way there was one giuen him of Iuorie very rich the which he cast about his necke and descended the staires out of the Pallaice where he found a very faire great horse meruailous wel furnished lightly he lept on his back with a reasonable pace he rode his waye towards y t campe of his enimie Galtenor the good king of Trapobana followed him being armed w t very rich armor and commaunded that all the people should be in a readines So they put themselues in a place whereas they might well sée all that Claridiano did ¶ How that Claridiano went vnto the campe of the King of Arginaria and how he demanded of him battaile and of all that succeeded in the same Chap. 2. AS many times the hungrye Lyon doth compasse and search the foldes roaring with rauenish hunger and finding the strayed Goaâ—e or Hart discouering them from farre by their hornes and with a souereigne ioye doth sift vp his necke neuer rest vntill such time as he be musting in their bloud with great desire to satisfie his pining hunger euen so with like desire went out of Trapobana the Prince Claridiano till he came in sight of his aduersaries and carried his visour vp and putting him selfe in place whereas he might be heard of his enimies hee blew his horne to giue a token that they shoulde hearken vnto that which he would speake vnto them and then with a loude voyce he sayd O â—ruell and tyrannous King what dost thou thinke by threatenings to showe thy furie come forth and take to thée thy armour for héere doth tarrye and abide thy comming he that stroke out the féeth of thy brother Bruno he that not long since did teach thy Embassador to speake whom thou sentest this daye with thy proude message The dogge Cerberus when he was made fast with Alcides leash did not shew himselfe so furious as did this terrible Giant at that present and rising vp from the place whereas he was set he turned vnto the Image of Iupiter vnto whom he had done great sacrifices stretching forth his rigorous arme he tooke it from the place whereas it was set and threw it out of the dore of the tent in such sort that he made it to flye into the aire more then ten fadome with which it fell into the sea and he said Get thée thether thou God of little valor that being honoured of so valiaunt a man as I am thou wilt consent that so vile a man after that he hath angred me so much should put himselfe with so great pride before my presence And not content with this but with the same fury he tooke a great club and what on the right side and what on the lefte he threw downe all the Images of his Gods that were there and broke them all to péeces One of the ministers that alwayes did assist them in their sacrifices sayd with a bolde courage Wherefore do you so euill intreate and misuse your Gods The Giaunt stroke him such a blow on the forhead with his fist that hée broke it all to péeces and threwe him dead to the ground sayd Get thée hence and goe and make relation vnto Iupiter and