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
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
oration The Oration IT hath pleased him valorous Princes and excellent Knights which hath formed the mould of the whole world this day to put the Greeke valour in these spacious fields to the end that the world may know the force of your armes In praise whereof I would spend some speaches but that the necessitie of the time doth force mee to be briefe Onely this I would call to memorie The royall blood from whence we are descended and that we haue a cause in hand which may be for our aduantage The lot is already cast and the destinies haue permitted it that at ease wee may see our selues not compassed with enemies for that your noble hearts could not endure But at the point to let vs vnderstand that wee defend our Countrie with the edge of our swords I speake to my Knights for to returne to our Countrie it is impossible except we ouercome or lose our liues And so seeing the Greekes themselues haue chosen and called vs to their aide consider that it is honour to die to aduance theirs our enemies exceed vs in number and we excell them in valour and courage equitie is on our side and we shall haue as firme ground to fight vpon as they There resteth nothing but to fight with discretion for that and readinesse to be commaunded maketh the most doubtfull enterprises easie neuer any nation made but one Generall vnder whose commaund an Armie be it neuer so great is to be gouerned attributing to him the glory of the conquest or the dishonour of being ouercome This I haue said in regard of mine honour and of the Office which you haue bestowed vpon mee for fighting in order and vpon firme land and the enemies in the water if they should get any thing vpon vs we should lose the hope of any good successe as for me it shall be glorie to liue or die in your seruice and there is no more to bee said but to march forwards whither victorie shall call vs. THe valorous young Gallant pulled downe his Beuer leauing them all much affected vnto him for the discrete Oration which hee had made vnto thē being al wel pleased to haue such a Captaine and so they drew néere to the shore spreading themselues at large ouer all those fields where it was a world to see the wauing of their ensignes the soundings of Drummes and Trumpets the neighing of horses the deuices of the Commanders which to describe requireth an eloquenter tongue and riper wit then mine All the Ladies were put into Venus Castell which stood towards the Sea from whence some with sighes beheld their Louers praying to God to saue their liues they which could doe it did publikely giue them skarfes and fauours the better to encourage them to aduenture their liues for them Already was the mightie Astrusio on the Shores side who leaping into a Friggot went to the Emperour reciting to him all that passed and how neere they were to the enemies Fléet Wherefore if your Maiestie please commaund what people you like of to enter into this Ship Royall with you for your Gard for wee are in readinesse for the most memorable battell that hath béene fought vpon the Sea where if fortune be our friend they shall dearely buy their comming although I assure you that Xerxes Fleete was but small in comparison to that which now commeth But I haue so great confidence in the valour of your souldiers and in mine owne desire to fight with them that I doubt not but that we shall ende it with honour Do valorous Captaine in all as to you shall seeme good answered the noble Emperour for neither now nor at any other time none shall resist your order Presently he embarked with the company aforesaid all the Princes which remained repaired to their Gallies where it was a thing worth the séeing to behold so many Gallies together so many standardes so many flagges streamers and penons such thundring of Ordinance the brightnesse of the armours did so glister that it beat backe Apolloes glistering beames the valiant Warriours made so faire a shew on the toppes of the poopes as gaue good hope of victorie and so being put in forme of a Crescent or halfe Moone they beganne to make towards the enemies Fleete the which they discouered in order veering in the wide Sea holding their direct course towards Constantinople with resolution although there were among them many opinions to winne the mayne Port with pure force of armes The desire which the Ladies had to be on land did moue them thereto and so the two Nauies came to encounter where they discharged sundry Cannon shotte in token that they should charge The mightie Astrusio had in the vauward of his Fléet fiftie great Brigandines which had no other commission but on the one and other side to discharge great Cannon shot which put the valorous Captaine in good hope The valorous Thebane with an hundred Gallies gaue many sudden assaults and was euer in readinesse to giue aid where néed was the battell being ioyned the Sea waxed calme Oh who had euer séene so vnhappy a day when almost all was betwéene the water and the flaming fire the noyse of the shotte bereaued many of their hearing with such furie that all the world séemed to shake for the smoke the fire the noise of prows and broken mastes the callings cryings and sundrie noises made a confusion Priamus his Citie did not make so great a fire neither were there so many braue swords drawne neyther with such spéed and noise as these two Nauies made the one shewing to the other the valour of their souldiers A thousand masts were broken in pieces their high carued workes swamme vpon the water it séemed that the water the fire and the winde had concluded a peace whose effect was so fearefull that the sea was on fire as if heauen and earth would come together the sundry deaths which were giuen that day my slender wit is not able to expresse neither would the great confusion which was therein giue place to a man although he had Argus eyes to see the particular encoūters for after the furie of the Ordinance was past they came so néere as to strike with their swords they were so néere on boord where with much shedding of blood and many deadly wounds were made many braue assaults In this most cruell battell death which daunteth the stoutest was not of power to discourage them or put them in feare for no man refused any labour or perill although he saw the Cānon bent against his brest they entred by the began to burne in a light flame Death was not there feared but yet séeing before their eyes so manifest danger they began to fly from her and to abandon the ship The great Astrutio his people followed so hard in chace who were most expert at sea that some of those Princes were almost in danger But there is no danger where Commaunders are diligent onely the
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
certaine aduenture They all offred him their company but then to be alone did best fit him accepting according as was reason of their gentle offer he tooke his way with his Ruvican speaking first to Rosabel whom he entreated that he should not tell who he was vntill hee had performed his chalenge He went directly to the place where he had left the Ladies but went not long to seeke them for by the Nymphes direction they met presently they made that day holyday passing it in reciting what had happened betwéene the Gréekes and the Moores to the which they determined the next day to send their message Their Captaine was much affected to valiant Knights and seeing what the two youthes had done he went to imbrace them who knowing what he was desired to kisse his hands putting off their Helmets discouering more theÌ„ humane beautie which strake them which were present with admiration to sée them so young and so valiant The warlike Bembo imbraced them saying It were no reason that they which haue so good hands of their owne should kisse any mans in the world All the rest of the Princes receyued them with such courtesie as was due to their valour There were no greater friends theÌ„ he with the stars and they all the whole campe did celebrate their comming reioycing to sée them especially the King of Silepsia when he knew that they were his subiects knowing the Knight whom they held for their Father they all supt together in the Soldan of Niquea his tent and to shew them the more pleasure there was that night masking and dauncing the Ladyes méeting there then which the earth bore none fayrer nor more discréete The Princesse of the Romanes séeing there was no possibilitie to effect her good sometimes from her seats with no small affection she beheld the Lord of Achaia séeming to her that next after the Dacian shee might best employ her beautie vpon him Of this Supper grew many new loues for the mightie Argante who till then had béene frée from his snares held the Sophâ— his Daughter to be the Sunne of all beautie and with this conceit he gaue her his life and soule submitting himself to her in such earnest and good fayth that nothing was of power to vntie the knot which blind loue had made Epirabio yéelded himselfe to the will of the gallant Lisiana who séeing his valour did neuer estrange her selfe from him It serued to small purpose for the braue Soldane of Egypt to subiect himselfe to the fayre â—ufionisa who had her eyes soule life and heart fixt vpon her Rosabel and without hope of remedie séeing him otherwise busted Time being come to withdraw themselues for some of the Knights were hurt they all went to their tents carrying with theÌ„ the yong Knights to their vnknowne Grandfather which went coÌ„mending the brauerie of the Gréeks who took no other race but to fortifie their Citie iudging that that war would be of long continuance both the one and the other had néede of truce And so from the Moores there came to the Citie to request it the Kings of Fenicia and Armenia The Gréeks granted it for fiftéene dayes and that into the Citie there might come onely 20. Knights together And séeing that both armies were in quiet the discréete Earle of Modica went to doe his dutie to the Emperour Trebatius making himselfe knowne vnto him who knowing from whom he came graciously receiued him This increased his good liking for he gaue him a letter from 〈◊〉 which the Emperour read alone not without vnderstanding how much hee was bounden to that valorous Queene which had so déerely loued him he read the letter which sayd in this maner A Letter from Garrofilea to the Emperour Trebatius TO the great Emperour of the Greekes Garrofilea sendeth greeting Had I not well knowne mightie Monarch how worthie those errours are to be pardoned when loue is the causer thereof neither would I haue presumed to write neither had I any mind thereto although I haue had it to desire thy death my life depending onely on thee that thou liuest I acknowledge my fault and for amends I send thee these Knights to serue thy person assuring me that the two sonnes which thou leftest heere will doe the like And if the affection which I doe and haue borne thee may moue thee the warre being ended I pray thee to returne them backe to me againe that I may enioy the presence of the sonnes which I hope not of the father The God in whom thou beleeuest grant thee such health as the forgotten Garrofilea desireth If he had to his liking ended all these battailes hee could haue receiued no greater ioy then he did in receiuing that letter from that cruel Quéen which was now become gentle milde amorous Sée of what force loue is for it hath euen melted me being of the countrey of the Tigers The Princes of either side were glad of the truce for the Greeks desired to sée the Ladies in the Moores camp the Pagans were no lesse desirous to sée the Gréek Ladies the fame of whose beautie recahed to the highest heaueÌ„s With this desire we will leaue them to tell what the most mighty Poliphebus did the next day CHAP. XXII How the Prince of Tinacria sent a Letter of challenge to the Pagans camp with leaue from the Emperour of Grecia and of what followed thereof IMagining faire ladies that chaptere of loue would be more pleasing vnto you I haue conceiued so much ioy thereof that it hath eased me of my paine which I begin to feele as the cause of my life if I intreate of any swéete hope it is but to deceiue mine owne fraile vnderstaÌ„ding who as a nomes in loue is of opinion that there can be no remedie for his griefe And my paine maketh me liue euer doubtfull of any good for although I loue in good earnest my Lady doth not yet know it an excuse for that which I endure not to attribute it vnto other but rather to mine owne mishap The valorous Tinacrian goeth free and at libertie for if he loue well hee knoweth that hee is also well beloued There is nothing in the world so swéet as is mutuall loue betweene a Lady her gallant for it sufficeth to make him cheerefull well content for to sée himselfe beloued was the occasion why he sent challenges to the 2. camps by the Nymphs which he brought She which went to the Citie well knowing what she had to doe stayed vntill all those high Emperours and Kings had made an end of their dinner and til that the Ladies were al come forth into the Hall séeing occasion she entred clad in such attire as was fit for such a message At her comming in she did her duty to such as were there and addressing her spéeches to the mightie Emperor Trebatius she sayd Soueraigne Prince whom in reason the world should acknowledge confident in thy generositie I am sent
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
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