trée and he went a foot towards that wonderfull caue When hée came nigh vnto it hée saw towards the right hand ingrauen in the hard Rock certaine Letters very fayre which séemed to bée of great antiquity and hée read them finding them to be as followeth This is the caue of the wise Artidon who dyed for the loue of Artidea daughter vnto king Liberio the onely heyre of this Kingdome who in recompence of hir cruelty doth and shall remaine héere giuing true aunsweres vnto all that shall bée demaunded of hir till such tyme as a Knight shall come who with his great bounty and force can ouercome the terrible kéepers of the entrie héereof and set hir at lybertie and then shall this entrie bée frée vnto all those that will know any thing of the wyse man When the Knight of Cupide had well read these Letters and vnderstood them hée very much meruayled at that straunge aduenture and strayght way it mooued in him a great good will and desire to prooue the same both to sée and know what was within the caue and euen as one that dyd abhor his owne lyfe so hée delyghted not in any other thing but in great and perillous aduentures indeuoured to giue the attempt vnto them when hée had opportunitie but by reason it was late and that it waxed dark he determined to let the enterprise alone till the next morning for that the night might be a hinderance vnto him for the performance And therewith hée pulled off his Horse Bridle to let him féede vpon the grasse there abouts and he as one that had no care of himselfe layde him a long vpon the gréene grasse and then his minde béegan a new to bée troubled with his accustomed thoughts not remembring that in all the day béefore hée had not eaten any thing neyther dyd he know where to get any meat to refresh himselfe at that tyme of the nyght and calling to his remembraunce the cruell words in the Letter of the Princesse Oliuia his heart suffered so great gréese and passions that tumbling himselfe vpon the grasse from the one side to the other hee sayde Oh earth that for all mortalytie thou openest thy selfe and receiuest them into thy bosome wherefore doost not thou now at this present open thy bowells and receiue mée into thée for béeing buried I should receiue great contentment I know not wherefore I lyue any longer or wherefore I am suffered in this world for that I haue lost all hope to sée any more the Princesse Oliuia Oh that this aduenture which I meane to prooue might bée the last and that I might dye héere within this caue although the occasion of my death bée neuer knowen nor heard of So these and many other words of great lamentation hée vttered that it was most gréeuous to heare and passed away a péece of the first part of the night with great sorrow And the nyght béeing very darke vppon a sodayne hée heard a noise and murmuring of people which caused him to aryse vp to sée what it should bée and hée saw at the foote of the Rock a great fire and round about the same there were a company of Shepheards and those were they which made that noyse And béeing desirous to know what they could say more of that caue hée determined to goe whereas they were and when hée came vnto them hée saluted them with very curteous words When the Shepheards saw him of so goodly a stature and armed with so precious and rych armour they receiued him as a Knight of estimation and gaue him very good intertainment and dyd inuite him to theyr supper which they had in a readinesse and after that hée had surrendered vnto them thankes for theyr courtesie hée sat downe amongst them by the sier Then one of the shepheards who séemed to be the chéefe among them and that had more vnderstanding and was of a better conuersation then all y e rest did demand of the Knight of Cupide what aduenture had brought him at that tyme of the night to that place The Knight aunswered and sayde I am a straunger in this Countrie and now it is three dayes since I first entered into this Kingdome and for that I dyd not know nor yet doo this countrie my fortune hath brought mee hether this euening and séeing that the night drew on fearing to bée intangled in vnaccustomed wayes I determined to remaine there hard by the Court till the morning pretending to prooue that aduenture when the day was come And afterward when I saw you together héere I thought it best to come into your cōpany as well to eate somewhat for that I am very hungrie as also to informe my selfe of you touching the aduenture of this caue of Artidon for till this euening that I did come hether and sée it I neuer béefore heard any mention therof Then the shepheards sayd sir Knight séeing that you haue given vs to vnderstand the occasion of your comming hether wee will now giue you to vnderstand what wée know and what at any time we could learne of the aduenture of this cause possiblie after you vnderstand it it will withdraw you from this great good will and determinatyon that you haue to giue the proofe and enterprise And in the meane time that which wée haue for our supper shall be made ready of such as wée haue with a very good will you shall eate your part for that your person and presence doth deserue no lesse Now that which wée doo know and of long time past haue heard say touching this Caue is that in time past almost out of memorie there was in this Kingdome of Russia a Knight called Artidon who being a Knight of great courage and high lynage and gentle of disposition was also the wysest in the magicall art that could bée found in many countries And in the chiefest time and flower of all his Knighthood and science this Kingdome was gouerned by a Ladie called Artedea who at the death of the King hir father was very yong but when shée came vnto the state of marryage thée was so fayre and of so great beautie that many Princes and Knights desired to haue hir for wife but among all those that in their seruice dyd most indeuour to obtaine hir loue there was not one of them that in so noble and valyaunt manner did demeane himselfe as Artedon dyd for not alone in déedes of armes but also by his science he dyd mighty wonderfull things in hir seruice But his fate misfortune was such that the quéene did not onely withdraw hir loue from him but did also hate abhorre him to the death all that euer he did in hir seruice did moue hir to be melancholike very angry This worthy Artidon had his loue so intirely fixed vpun hir that he would doe any thing for hir delight but all that he dyd was not estéemed of the Quéene which was the occasion that after he
of other thinges which happened in this time Of all that passed in the court of King Tiberio after the Knight of the Sunne was departed and how the bretheren of the Duke of Pannonia and Aridon of the Wildernesse did determine to reuenge themselues of the King Tiberio for that he would not pardon their deaths Chap. 9. WIth great shame and reproch the Knights of the King Tiberio remayned by reason that they were so many and yet not able to preuayle agaynst one alone Knight and much meruayling at that which they saw him doe they said one vnto another y t it was not possible he should bée a humane Knight And when they came before the King tolde him that he was gone and that they could not make resistaunce against him hée seemed to be very wrathfull against them was ashamed taking it for a great reproch vnto his Court but that which troubled him most was the complaints teares of the parents kinsefolkes of Florinaldus of the wife children of the Earle for that they all together knéeled before him which caused him to be more wrathfull against the Knight of the Sunne Then strayght waies the Knightes of Florinaldus did take theyr Lord out of the place and caryed him vnto his lodging and for that hée had no wound nor hurt but onely the brusing torment of the fall he straight waies came vnto himselfe was quickly whole sound with which the rumour of his parents kinsfolkes was some what mittigated the King Tiberio lost some part of his great griefe which hée béefore sustayned And when he was somewhat in quiet his anger ouer past he called to his remembrance all that he had séene the Knight of the Sunne doe the gentle grace curtesie that he vsed with all men for the which he did deserue to be honoured esteemed of all conceiuing anger against himselfe he said in his mind that he had rather haue lost a great part of his estate then such a Knight should haue departed from his court so much abused many times when hée thought therof he was very sorry for that which he had done against him Now let vs leaue the King in his repentaunce and many other of the principall Knightes in his Court who likewise were very sorrye for the departure of the Knight of the Sunne and let vs tell of other thinges which happened in that time If you doe remember that after the Knight of the Sun had ouercome that stout valiant Knight Aridon of the blacke wood the Duke of Pannonia and he confessed all the treason that was conspired betwixt them against the Dutchesse and how that the King commaunded theyr heads should be cut off in the middest of the place without any pardon although many Knights great Lords did importunate the King for their pardon Now the History saith that this Aridon of the blacke wood had a brother called Egion a young man of a mightie stature force and of a singuler courage for to attempt any thing who was in the blacke wood at such time as Aridon was beheaded Also the Duke of Pannonia had likewise another brother called Farmonte a valiant Knight and very proud being Lord ouer many Countries in high Almaine nigh vnto the blacke wood who went abroad séeking his aduentures in those parts had got vnto himselfe great fame renowne for many déedes of armes which hée had done in that country Now when the death of their brethren came vnto their knowledge in what sort the King Tiberio commaunded them to bée slaine they were very sorrowfull for the same and eyther of them determined within himselfe to annoy the King Tiberio all that euer they could till such time as they were reuenged of the death of theyr brethren It so fell out that these two ioyned together and were both of one minde and determination concluding betwéene them to be both together at the execution of reuengment for that they may the better bring to passe theyr pretence to annoy the king Both these knights were in great securitie in their countryes were altogether one helping and aiding another with great friendshippe for that those Countryes ouer which they were Lordes and gouernours were very montanish and craggie in such sort that there could not procéede against them any great hoast but that they might easily make theyr defence and with very few people When they were agréed and conformed together Egion brother vnto Aridon by whose death he was then Lord ouer the blacke woode determined to goe vnto the court of King Tiberio ther to informe himselfe of all that had passed touching the death of his brother for to spy out how in what manner hee might be reuenged on the King so hée came vnto the Court in secrete wise not making himselfe knowen what he was wheras he was certified of all that he would desire Likewise he was giuen to vnderstand how that the Quéene Augusta was with hir Ladies Gentlewomen at the Monestary of the Riuer ther remained euer since that the Emperour Trebatio had carried away y e Princesse Briana This Egion did very well consider the scituation of the Monestarie and of the Knights which the Quéene had for hir gard kéeping thought within himselfe that in that place better then in any other he might make satisfaction of his desire Wherewith he returned vnto his owne country conferred with Farmonte and certified him of all that had passed and tolde that he had found out a fit place and opportunitye agréeable to bee reuenged of the King namelie that the Quéene Augusta with all hir Ladies and Gentlewomen were at the Monestary of the Riuer which was farre from the place wheras the King dyd abide and although shée had certaine Knightes for hir gard yet they might goe so well prouided that in despight of them all they would goe take the Quéene and hir Gentlewomen bring them vnto their owne Countryes whereas they should bée in safetie from all the whole power of the King Tiberio When Farmonte heard these words béeing a couragious Knight hée lyked very well of that which Egion had vttered and thought it good to giue vnderstanding of all this their pretence vnto a Gyaunt called Barbario who had his dwelling thereby on the shirt of the mount Sarpedo who was a great friend vnto them and mightye and strong in deedes of armes thinking with his helpe to destroye all the whole power of the King Tiberio whē he had opened this vnto Egion they both determined to goe talke with him to desire him if it were his pleasure to be a companion in that enterprise This accordingly they accōplished manifesting vnto him all their pretence determination when he vnderstood it dyd strayght offer them his company also certaine other valiant Knights which he had with him being such as desired no other thing but to haue
better will did offer vnto him friendship And although at time he did refuse his company yet time did come afterward that it was very necessary profitable vnto him as hée reafter shall bee tolde you in this History And for that the king Sacridoro did know the great desire the Knight of Cupid had to depart talking on a time with the king Polidarco and the Quéene his wife hée gaue them to vnderstand how that the Knight of Cupid was sonne vnto the Emperour Trebatio and of the Empresse Briana and how that hee would depart toward Grecia to make himselfe knowen vnto his Father for which cause hée could not but beare him company for the great obligation in which he was bound vnto him and did desire them that they would thinke well thereof And although his departure grieued them very much yet seeing the great reson that he had they answered that he might doe as he thought best for that it séemed vnto them he had great reason therein they much meruailed that the Knight of Cupid should be so high and mightie a Prince At length when they had taken their leaue of them and of the Prince Don Lusindo who was also very sorrowfull for their departure they went out of the citie trauailed vnto the sea coast wher they did imbarke themselues toke the way towards Grecia wherâ—… that happened vnto them which shall be told you in this Chapter following Of a verie fierce and perillous battaile which the Knight of Cupid had with a famous giant in the Grecian Empire Chap. 31. THe sorrow griefe was very much which was in the whole empire of Grecia by reason of the newes touching the death of Rosicleer for the Emperour did commaund that for the space of one moneth all mirth pastimes which were made in the great citie of Constantinople whereas were so many excellent knights that it was a strange thing to behold Which knights not hauing any thing to doe some departed into their owne countries other some went out of the court to séeke their aduentures in the Empire till such time as the month was passed In the end of which the Knight of the Chariot should returne to defend the beautie of the faire princesse Lindabrides so that at that time the citie of Constantinople was left voide and all the land of the Empire full of Knights as well strangers as naturalls amongst whom there did not lacke to bee euerie day great contentions It fell out in this time that ther came into Grecia a mightie great famous giant called Mandroco who was Lord of Achia which was an Iland ioyning vnto the grecian empire of so great force strength that he was inuinsible of long time the whole countrie of Grecia did not like well of him for that he greatly harmed them as well by land by sea and as this mightie Giaunt heard the report of the high déedes of chiâ—…alrie done by the Knight of the Chariot in the great citie of Constantinople and likewise of the great safe conduct granted by the Emperour with the great desire he had to proue himselfe with him and to make manifest his mightie force and strength in that Court he passed into Grecia and came thether two daies after the demaund of the Knight of the Chariot and béeing determined to remaine there till the moneth was accomplished hee trauailed in the Empire and with what knight so euer hée met hée should not depart but first proue himselfe with him and oâ—… all such as he did ouerthrow to the ground he would take their Horsses from theÌ„ and wheÌ„ hée had ioyned a great number together hée would send them into his Iland So hée béehaued himselfe that in space of twelue daies hée had euer throwen more then two hundâ—…ed Knights and all their Horses were his and for that they did finde themselues agreeued many of those Knights did make theyr complaint vnto the Emperour of their misvsing who receiued so great sorrow and griefe that hée him selfe would haue gone in person to haue proued himselfe against him if the Empresse had not hindred him And againe calling to remembrance the safe conduct that hée had graunted vnto all Knights hée woâ—…ld not send any people against him for that hee would not break his promise So that hee receiued great griefe for that which euery day was tolde him of that gyant And his great name and fame was spread throughout all that Countrie in such sort that many Knight did procure to apart himselfe out of that way wheras hée went and vnto all Knights his name was terrible and they said that in all the world there was not a Gyant so mighty and strong And trauayling in this sort it so fell out that in the same time there came into the Countrie of Grecia the Knight of Cupide and the good King Sacridoro and straight waies there was giuen them to vnderstand of the high déedes of the Knight of the Chariot and how that hée remained in Constantinople till such time as the month was accomplished for to returne and defend the beautie of the fayre Princesse Lindabrides Likewise they heard the great complaints which was made of the mighty Gyaâ—…nt Mandroco The Knight of Cupide hauing great desire to méete with him did direct his way toward that way wheras it was tould him that hée went And it fell out one day that as hée and y e king Sacridoro did passe through a mighty and great vsed way they saw the giant comming the same way with more then thirty of his owne knights which bare him company and he was of so high and big stature that he did appeare aboue all the rest from the brest vpwards and when these two Knights came nigh vnto them the Gyaunt dyd béehould them and liking well both of the Knights and theyr Horsses 〈◊〉 straight waies sayd that they should prepare themselues vnto the iust with him one to one or both together which their pleasure was and best liked them Then the Knight of Cupid who had a great desire to proue himself with the giant requested the King Sacridoro that he would let him haue the first battell To whom he answered that hée should doo his pleasure although hée would haue béen very glad first to haue proued his owne fortune so y e Knight of Cupid without answering any word went and put himself in one part of the high way And when the Gyaunt saw him so big and well made it liked him well and laughed vnto himselfe béecause hée would iust alone with him and might profit himselfe with his companion The gyaunt had vnder him a very fayre and mighty Horse called Rondarte that next vnto the Horse Cornerino was the best in all the world and for that hee was so mighty and strong hée trauailed on him for if hée had not beene such a one ther were no horse that were able to sustaine and suffer him for that hee was
this extremitie and as though hée had knowen theÌ„ to bee his sons hée withdrew himselfe from the window descended downe into the great place accompanied with many Knights hée went whereas these knights were and found that they were compassed about with their perfect friends the two Princes and the king Sacridoro who lamented with great abundance of teares and caused theyr Helmes to bee pulled of and to throw water in theyr faces thinking therewith and with the aire they would come againe to themselues but all was in vaine that they did for that there was in them no other signe but as though they had béene starke dead For which occasion with dolorous griefe the Emperour commaunded them to bée carried vnto his Royall Pallace and caused their armour to bée taken off and to bée laide in seuerall beds which was in two quadrans very richly hanged ioyning the one vnto the other Then were called together the best Hhisitions and Surgions that were in all the whole citie of Constantinople who did béehold and peruse them very well tolde vnto the Emperour that they were not dead although they were in great peril of their liues Who being somwhat comforted therby commaunded that foorth-with theyr faces should be washed and made cleane that were all to bée rayed with boold and swollen and did not a little meruaile in their mindes when they saw the great beautie of the Knight of Cupid and the small quantitie of yeeres which hée séemed to haue And how that hee resembled very much the Knight of the Sunne and hée had so great loue vnto both those Knights that hée would haue giuen halfe his estate to haue seene them out of that great perill So after the Phisicions and Surgions had well perused them they found that the greatest euill which they had was wearinesse of theyr bodies and all their bones and flesh brused by the mightie force of theyr terrible blowes So they ministered vnto them very swéet and comfortable ointments and all that was necessay for them and most conuenient and commaunded that euerie man should depart from thence and lette them alone that they might sléepe and take theyr rest with onely two Pages which were in another chamber ther by with great silence that whensoeuer these knights should come vnto themselues they should call the Phisitions and Surgions In this time there was not a knight in y e citie of Constantinople neither in that great place nor in their Tents in the field as well straungers and Countrie men that did occupie themselues in any other communication but in the wonderfull and timerous battaile of these two Knights and of their mightie blowes perticularly euery thing as it was and sayde that there was neuer seene in all the world such lyke contention béetwixt two knights with so great strength force and perill neyther was any Damsell or Gentlewoman that saw the perill of these two Knights but dyd verie much lament the same and sayde that if these two Knights dyd die that the flower of all knighthood in the world was finished and ended But in this time what dyd those two Princes Brandizel and Claueryndo and his verie friend Florinaldus Surely no other thing all that night but lament for theyr very friend the Knight of the Sunne and making so great sorrow that it would haue mooued anie to haue had compassion that should haue heard them But what shall I say of that valyaunt and worthy King Sacridoro his perfect friend that when the night was come hée found himselfe all alone in that great place without the companie of his very friend the Knight of Cupid and not knowing where to lodge himselfe surely his sorrow and griefe was such that if hée thought to finde his friend the Knight of Cupid in the profound depth of the sea hée would haue throwen himselfe therin as hée did into the déepe fountaine of the sauage people for to take reuengement on that monster who carryed his friend away So hée went foorth of the Citie and béeing in the fields hee dyd alight from his horse laid himselfe downe vpon the gréene grasse whereas hee passed away all that night with great lamentation béewayling y e misfortune of his perfect friend The history doth not declare any thing of the faire Princesse Lindabrides but that shée passed all that night in sorrow and griefe But hée saith that the princesse Claridiana when she was alone in hir chamber there was no sufficiencie in the highnesse of hir estate neither in the generositie of hir couragious hart for to draw hir froÌ„ the lamenting of y e misfortune of hir knight in such sort that all the night she did no other thing but shed abundaunce of teares which ranne downe by hir Christall chéekes and spake such lamentable and sorrowfull words that it séemed hir life could not haue endured till the next day if it had not pleased God to haue giuen remedy therin as in the next Chapter shall bée declared How the knight of the Sunne and the knight of Cupid were come againe vnto themselues how they were knowen to bee bretheren by a meruaylous meanes Chapter 36. NOw was the time come that the vniuersall creator and maker of all this would that these straunge meruayles should bée manifest vnto all men and that the great trauailes and biter complaints of the Empresse Briana should come to an ende his diuine prouidence doth so ordaine all things that at such time as the losse of the Gréeke Princes was very certaine vnto them and that there was great suspition and doubt in the liues of the two worthie Knights of the Sunne and of Cupid at that time were the lost princes found againe and these famous knights cléere of their perill and knowen to be sons vnto their royall fathers for that with more honour they might celebrate the triumphes and feasts of theyr naturall Princes So after that this rigorous furious battaile was ended about midnight the knight of the Sun came vnto himselfe and awaked out of his long and heauie place And when he was well setled in his remembrance hée called so minde the passed battell but séeing himselfe naked alone in that bed with a torch burning in the quadran â—…e straight way suspected what it should be and thought verily that the knight of Cupid had got the victorie hee ouercome Wherat he reciued so great sorrow and griefe that hée though it better to bée dead then to remaine with life and was the occasion that hée fell againe in a sound and so remained more then one houre at which time hée returned againe vnto him selfe with mortall anguish and inward griefe hée sayd Oh false and deceiuable Gods how much haue you béene by mée honoured and worshipped now I dooe béeleeue that your sect is false euil and all we which doo beléeue therin wée doo erre and are out of the right way How could your diuine prouidence if you haue any aboue men permit
suffer that he who in this world was no lesse estéemed theÌ„ you in the heauens to bée by one Christian béefore so high and mightte Princes knights brought to bée ouercome Wherfore hath it béen sayd that your high and diuine power was very much extended vpon the knight of the Sunne and now by one enimie of your law is come to be destroyed Wherefore dyd you put into him more higher estate and prowesse then euer was in any other Knight now so soone to come vnto reproch and shame Oh how conuenient it is that I die or else to goe whereas I shall neuer more bée seene rather then with so great reproch to come vnto the Court of the Emperour Trebatio Oh Princesse Claridiana wherefore would you by the rigorous force of your arme that the Knight of the Chariot was knowen to bée the knight of the Sunne that now in so short time the high renowne and fame of his great valiantnesse is lost Oh how much better it had béene for mée to haue béene flame béeing the knight of the Chariot then now béeing knowen to bée the Knight of the Sun to bée ouercome and loose the victorie for that whatsoeuer had chanced vnder this name of the Chariot should not with so great reason haue receiued the reproch Oh how much better and more acceptable had it béene for mée to haue béene some base and towardly Knight and not by so high and mighty déedes by mée done which caused in mee so much pride for to put my minde vpon the most highest damsels in al the world From this day forwards it doth not béehooue mée to come in theyr presence but procure my death or else to goe whereas they shall heere after neuer heare of my name And in saying these words hée receiued so great courage that hée blasphemed against his Gods calling them false diceiuers making an oath to destroye all such Idolls and Temples of theyrs as were in that Countrie And with great fury hée arose out of his bed and went séeking of his armour round about the Chamber with determination for to depart from thence whereas they should neuer heare any newes of him So when hée saw that in all that Quadran hee could not finde his armour for that the Emperour had commanded them to bée layde vp and kept by the light of a Torch that was in another Quadran hée went thether to looke for his armour but at such time as hée would haue entered in therat he heard a Knight which did greatly complaine himselfe which lay in another bed and for to heare his â—…orrowful complaint he stayid himselfe without at the doore This was the Knight of Cupid who béeing come againe â—…nto himselfe with great griefe and sorrow was readie â—…o burst to sée himselfe alone and vnarmed in that place béeléeuing that the knight of the Chariot had ouercome him and the Emperour had commanded him to bee brought thether to bée cured and amongst many other things hée sayde thus Oh heauie and vncomfortable Knight of Cupid what misfortune did mooue thy desire to come and séeke the Court of the Emperour Trebatio for to sée the great meruailes of the Knight of the Chariot for that therin thou hast béene so feeble faint so that it doth not béehooue thee by no meanes to acknowledge thy selfe vnto the one to bee his son neither to goe seeke the other to acknowledge him to bée thy brother How dare I bee so bold as to say that I am son vnto the Emperour Trebatio who is the highest mightiest Emperour in all the world or for to say that I am brother vnto the knight of the Sun hée being the flower of all knighthood in the world and to bée ouercome by another not by him Oh sorrowfull Rosicleer how much doth it profit thée to goe whereas thou maist neuer more bee séene and not to come any more in the company of men seeing at such time as thy fame was most spread in the world fortune hath giuen thee so great a fall Oh Princes and Knights of the world how many of you hath béene by mée ouercome from this day forwards you néede not to speake any more of the Knight of Cupid for that all his honour victorie is transported vnto the Knight of the Chariot Oh Princesse of England my hart is not now so sad as yours may reioyce and bée glad And if you haue forgotten Rosicleer I haue no reason to complayne for you béeing the most precious Damsell in the world you haue no reason to haue in estimation a Knight that so quickly is ouercome and shamed What reuengement can I take now of the Prince Don Siluerio of whom the Princesse Oliuia hoped for to frustrate and make satisfaction of hir errour Where is now all hir confidence seeing that first I am ouercome what hope shall I haue of any victorie Oh valiant and worthie Knight of the Sunne what is béecome of your soueraigne bountie that you hauâ— not met with this knight of the Chariot Certainly I doe beleeue y t it should haue gon otherwise with you theÌ„ with this sorrowfull Knight of Cupid your brother Oh haw from this day forwards may you be without all good hope for to know your royall parents for that ther is none that doth know who they are but I alone It doth accomplish me first to die then for to discouer it so greatly vnto my shame In saying these many other words this sorrowfull knight would haue rysen vp from his bed to haue departed from thence But when the knight of the Sun had well vnderstood all that was said he was the most ioyfullest man in all the world so naked as he was he entred into the quadran with his armes abroad went towards him said Oh my Lord and perfect friend Rosicleer what fortune is this vnto me that without knowing you I haue ben by your rigorous blowes so ill intreated in such sort that without any remembrance I was almost at the point of death Béehold héere your friend the knight of the Sun the same who in the Iland of the false gyant before that I did know you I got the battaile for to succour that faire damsell Behold me héere I am the knight of the Chariot with whom yester day you made the stout perillous battaile who according vnto the entertainment that he had of you it had ben better that you had first knowen him to be the Knight of the Sun so should I not haue receyued so much damage And héere I doe desire you that if you â—…oe know any thing of my progeny to let me vnderstand thereof for behold I am the Knight of the Sun And for that you shall the better beleeue that I doe say behold héere the marke that I haue vpon my body for being borne with the â—…ame I was called by this name of the Sun at which time â—…s I was found at the sea in a small
so great will determined mind as though he had ben a long time before instructed therin for hée had alwaies before his eyes could not be fully satisfied that it should be good that law in the which he had liued hether to which was the occasion that with the more ease he did attaine to the perfection of the law of god In which hée continued his life time like a true faithfull Christian. At the which the precious Princesse Lindabrides did receiue so great sorrow and griefe that she séemed to prognosticate vnto hir selfe that the Knight of the Sunne was not ordained for hir neyther for to be Lord and raigne ouer the great Empire of the Seythians And to the contrarie the princesse Claridiana was so glad ioyfull for that she was wholy perswaded of hir securitie therby also void of the feare y t she had of y e great beauty of the faire Princesse Lindabrides although time did serue that shee could haue had a much greater in effect So the diuine seruice was ended euery one of them in such order as they went forth returned backe againe vnto the royall pallace whereas they dined together in the one part of the pallace more then two thousand Knights in the other part in a faire great quadran which opened vpon a very fresh odiferous gréene garden wheras the Empresse dined with all hir Ladies Damsels gentlewomen in the meane time while they wer at dinner ther was so great melody musicke with strange inâ—…entions of mirth the grear abundance that ther was of all thinges for their seruice that with great reason all the straungers in generall did say that it was the most highest and royallest Court that was in all the world the emperour to be y e most worthiest prince for y t in ample maner hée did know how to honour all good worthy knights And to sée the Emperour Princes with all other Knights so gallantly apparalled with cloth of golde and silke adorned full of precious stones ond pearles with their faces proporsions of so exquisit beautie And on the other part the Empresse with the Princesse Lindabrides and the princesse Claridiana with all their Damsels and Gentlewoman the Knights being serued with Squires and Pages excéeding gallantly apparailed and the Ladies were serued at their Table with very faire Gentlewomen and well apparailed that surelye it séemed ther was comprehended all the bounty and beautye in the world And there were many Knightes at the boorde that did forget to eat and were as halfe amazed or astonied in beeholding the mighty and strange thinges that were done in that great hall all the dinner time which séemed vnto them to be the straungest that euer they had séene So being in this order all together as you haue heard and dinner being done all the tables taken vp they saw entering in at the doore of the great hall a gentlewoman who did very much digresse from all those that were in the quadran as well in apparell as in hir person disposition in such sort that all which were ther present did beholde hir for that she was very faire of face and so high of person that she did surmount all the knights that were ther foure fingers shée came apparailed with a large roabe which couered all hir body downe to hir féet was wrought with so many diuersities of silke full of precious stones pearles from the top vnto the lower part was made fast before with gold precious stones of great price which did become hir very well the haire of hir head was very yeolow curled knit behind hir eares in such sort that being seperated in the midst they were brought ouer hir shoulders and hung ouer hir breasts downe to his knées and at the endes of the partition of hir haire she had hanging two precious stones either of them as big as a reasonable apple the which did augment hir beauty the more This Gentlewoman brought leading by the hand a knight of a very big body and members resembled very much the prince Brandizel who was ther present but that he was higher then he was by a fingers breadth was armed with armour that was very well guilt that it séemed to be of very fine gold was wrought by meruailous cunning garnished so full of precious stones that it did manyfest vnto them all to be a Knight of great estimation his shéeld was all of fine Stéele in the golden field therof ther was grauen two Lyons of Siluer and a knight with a bloudie sword in his hands who at two blowes did part them both a sunder in the midst he had the beauer of his healme lifted vp in such sort that they might discouer sée his face to bee swartish and boystrous and his countenaunce very fierce that it gaue them all to vnderstand that he should be very proud arrogant after them came two dwarfes very little of so ill fauoured semblaunce that it made all them that were in the hall greatly to laugh The one of them caried vp the traine of the damsell the other dwarffe caried the knights shéeld which was a great deale heauier higher then he was for that béeing at his backe ther was nothing seene of the dwarfe but seemed that the shield was caried in the aire without helpe of any person When this Knight y t gentlewoman were in y e midst of the great hall euery one held his peace ther was great silence to heare what their demand should be knowing the Emperour for that he was set at the vpper end of the Table and againe be the Emperiall armes that was ouer wheras he sate they turned themselues towards him And the gentlewoman began with a loud voice that all that wer ther present might heare hir and said The high mighty power the diuine prouidence of the high Gods kéepe increase the mighty estate of thée emperour Trebatio of all the worthy valiant Knights of this thy Court for that they being ouercome the victory of the Arabicall prince may be the more extolled the better to obtaine deserue the loue of the quéene of Carmania You shall vnderstand emperour Trebatio that this knight who is héere present is called Rodaran prince lord of Arabia the great of that which is called Felix for that it is a country of great abundance wheras the influences of the same all the celestiall operations doth most reioyce themselues And I am called Carmania for that I am quéene of Carmania the occasion that wée are come hether into these far Countries is for that this being a young man and a Knight doubtfull to finde such another in all the worlde for his valiauntnesse and force being very desirous to get honour hée departed out of his owne Country after that hée had done meruailous and incredible feates of armes
knight that in y â— battaile which thou hadst in this field thou diddest not meete any enemie so valiant as I am for if thou hadâ—…t yesterday proued and felt the force of my blowes thou wouldest not haue returned this day to deâ—…ie vs with so great boldnes Well said the knight of the Sun if thou hast thy selfe in so great estimation and that there is not a knight in all the campe that is thy equall Wherefore diddest thou not yesterday come forth and make resistance seeing I made so great slaughter amongst thy companions and in resisting therof thou maist well vnderstand and know that ther 〈◊〉 no more in thée then in any of them for it seemed vnto 〈◊〉 great villanie to be so many against thée alone sayde 〈◊〉 berro but now that wée are alone together I will 〈◊〉 thee to vnderstand that it is true all that I haue said And in saying these words both of them turned about theyr horses with their speares in their hands made their encounter the one against the other with so great swiftnes of their horses that they which did beehold them could scarce â—…ary the sight of their eies after them their encounter was with so great force strength that this valiant pagan very much against his will was thrust out of his saddle and the knight of the Sun passed forwards on lost one of his stirrops but the force of that stronge encounter gréeued him very much and he was not well setled againe in his saddle when there came foorth to iust against him another valiant pagan called Pirro brother vnto Alberâ—…o no lesse valiant prouâ—… then he was who did encounter him very strongly for that he came vpon him on a sodaine and stroke him vnawares iâ—… lacâ—…ed very little to haue ouerthrowen him from his horse out of his 〈◊〉 but this couragious knight framing himselfe very strongly with his swoord in his hand stroke him such a blow vpon his helme that all amazed hée 〈◊〉 him fall forwards vpon the sadâ—…le pommell as hée would haue stroken another blow hée heard behind him a great noise of horses turning him about to sée what it shuld be he saw that it was a knight that came to encounter him with a big speare in his hand behind him being well aduised at such time as he should strike him with his speare hée put himselfe with great lightnes on the one side cut his speare a sunder in the middest with his sword the knight passed forwards on without dooing any more harme this was a valiant Moore called Gruto and borne in Africa and beeing a wandering Knight hée came in that countrye in the company of the â—…ing of Arcadia for one of the stoutest and most valiantest knightes in all the whole army whom the â—…ing sent out against the knight of the Sunne béeléeuing that with the ayde and helpe of the others they should ouercome take him So strayght wayes after him â—…ame another knight called Breo brothers soâ—…ne vnto the 〈◊〉 and no lesse valiaunt then the others who likewise broke his speare vpon the knight of the Sun who mooued no more in his saddle then if he had made his encounter against a strong tower At this time the valiant Alberro was mouÌ„ted againe on horseback and Pirro was come againe vnto himselfe so that they two in company with Gruto Breo all foure together with their swords drawen in their hands assalted the knight of the Sun began to charge him with so many hard blowes that it had ben sufficient to haue cut broken an anfield of stéele into péeces and there was neuer Knight in the world at one time so assaulted as the knight of the Sun was for that he made battaile resistance against foure of the most valiauntest knightes that were in all the country of the pagans such that either of them were sufficient to fight against twentye knightes but this was that knight of the Sun he whom all Persia Hungaria and all the whole Empire of Greece with the greatest part of all the world did tremble when they heard him named and he who with his great bounty did bring in subiection the terrible fearefull keepers of the castle of Lindaraza he whose high and mighty knighthood is such as neuer was heard of who did strike charge these foure knights with so terrible and mightie blowes all together that the wide fields valleyes with the sumptuous workes of the great citie with the timerous noyse of that cruell battayle was full with y e sound because their armour was of so great excellency that no sword being neuer so sharp could pearce cut them all the whole state of the battaile remayned in their great mightie strengths ouercharging of their terrible blowes vpon one another Then the stout valiant Alberro who shewed himselfe very rigorous in the battaile when hée saw that the king of Arcadia all the whole army stoode did behold them seemed to bee a great shame rebuke that on alone knight should so defend maintaine himselfe against foure knights such as they were with his sword in both his hands he stroke him such a blow ouerthwart the visor of his helme and because his mighty cutting sword could not enter ther in yet it tooke away the sight of his eies ther flew so many sparks of fire out therat that it séemed the whole helme to burne ther with but yet for all that this valiant warriour was nothing amazed or astonied thereat but procuring to giue him his payment for the same stroke him so terrible a blow that out of all remembrance he made him fall backewards vpon his horse crouper his horse caried him round about the field voiding at his mouth nose great abundance of blood But when his brother Pirro saw that beléeuing y t he had ben slaine hée stroke such a blow at the knight of the Sun that he made him to loose the raines of his horse bridle was therwith som what astonied béeing not fully cleere from the fury thereof when that the stout Breo stroke him another blow vpon his hard healme that the noise sound therof was heard a good way the knight of the Sun so ouercharged therwith that he declined with his head downe to his horse neck as Gruto came vnto him to strike him an other blow thinking therby to ouerthrow him out of his saddle with great lightnes he raised himselfe againe with the great ire the which hee had hee stroke such an ouerthwart blow at Alberro with both his hands in the midst of all his body that be all to brused his armour with the great force therof he broke his ribs his gall within his body in such sort that hée fell from his horse downe to the ground Oh how much was the great sorow griefe which the king
vassalls and in such sort that if his hart had not beene set fully satisfied in another place in all the world hée could not finde himselfe so well as in that countrie for that all the Princes knights that were came â—…hether to celebrate the great feasts triumphs dyd still remaine thâ—…r in the court for that the Emperour riceiued great pleasure of their companie for which occasion ther were none of them departed but the old sore of loue of the Princesse Oliuia did feaster a new by reason of his great idlenesse there was nothing that was sufficient to giue him any delight but continually hée was very sad pensiue and full of care so that the Emperour Empresse with all the other Princes and Knights his friends beeléeued that hée had some secret inâ—…irmity which was the occasion of his sorrowfull demeanour and was a very griefe vnto them all and by reason that this sorrowful and amorous passion did dayly inâ—…erase more and more in him and made him so carefull that hée could not take any kinde of rest nor quietnesse in the Court of the Emperour his father hée fully determined to depart from thence and considering the great obligation in which the King Sacridoro was bound vnto him hée could not choose but with great reason request to haue his companie So one day finding himselfe all alone with him hee tould him what hée was determined to dooe and how that his wâ—…ll was to goe vnto England and there to certifie him selfe fully and wholly of all that had past with the princesse Oliuia And although it did not séeme well vnto the King Sacridoro that Rosicleer should leaue the Emperour his father and his mother at such time as they cannot but receiue great sorrow griese for his departure yet seeinâ—… his determined purpose therein and the small contentment which hee receiued in that court hee could not but néeds must consent vnto all that he requested and offer him selfe in person to beare him 〈◊〉 whether so euer his pleasure was So béetwéene these two friends was concâ—…uded when they â—…ould depart and in great secret for that they would not bée disturbed by any And so in a night they two all alone â—…nd one page they departed And Rosicleer left a Letier written for the Emperour his Father 〈◊〉 hee gaue him to vnderstand how that hée and the King Sacridoro went vpon a iourney the which did import theÌ„ very much And desire him of pardâ—…n for that they were deyarâ—…ed without his lisence and that their returne should bee in as short time as was possible So the next day after theyr departure they were found lacking the Emperour asked for them and strayght way was brought vnto him the letter which Rosicleer left beehinde him by the which hée vnderstood his departure for the which he and the Empresse Briana and all the rest of the Princes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Court were very sorrowfull But for that he 〈◊〉 in his letter that his returne â—…ould bee with 〈◊〉 they did comfort themselues with that hope praying vnto God to prospâ—…r him in his iourney and to returne with health So these two perfâ—…ct and faithfull friends trauailed with so great spéede all that night that the next day in the morning they found themselues a great way departed from that mightie Citie of Constantinople And beeing certayne that none in the beehalfe of the Emperour would â—…ollow them somwhat for to ease their horse of the great trauaylâ—… they had al that night they alighted at the house of a foster or keeper of a Forrest somwhat out of the broad way And after that they had well refreshed themselues and their Horse they returned vnto their trauaile wherein they endewred many daies in the which they dyd meruailous and wonderfull deedes all the which this historie doth leaue of the telling for if that all things which was done should bée made mencion heere there would bée no â—…nde of this booke To conclude of necessitie they must needes passe through all the whole Countrie of Grecia and the great Ocean Sea for to imbarke themselues for England whereas hée thought the time long till hee came thether and not taking the right way in the ende of many dayes they 〈◊〉 in the borders of the great Empire of Russia on that part which falleth toward high Almaine And trauayling therein certaine 〈◊〉 at such time as they had passed the greater part thereof vppon a day in the same way wherein they trauailed they saw comming towards them a great bushment of more then twâ—…ntie Knights And when they came nigh vnto them they saw one in the middest of them that dyd surmount all the rest of the companie two spans in height and so big of all his members that it did appeare hée should bee of mightie great force of armes They brought also with them three Damsels with their hands bound and vpon their palfraies who made meruailous great and pittifull lamentation and with great shrikes they did giue to vnderstand that they were carried away by force So when these two vaâ—…iant Knights came nigâ—… vnto them they were mooâ—…ed vnto great compassion in such sort that theyr couragious stomackes could not suffer that before them any damsell should hée perforced and Rosicleer comming nigh vnto that great knight who appeared by the riches of his armor to bée Lord ouer all the rest hee sayde vnto him in this manner Tâ—…ll mée if it please you for Godâ—… loue what great euill â—…ath these Damsels committed that they doo deserue to bée â—…arried thus prisoners Then the knight who had his beaâ—…er lift vp with a fierce countenance hee did beehold them â—…nd as though hee were very angry at that demaund with â—…reat prâ—…de hee answered him and sayde From whence hast thou had so great hardinesse thou foolish and simple Knight that thou darest to aske of the mightie Fulmineo the occasion wherefore hée dooth apprehend Damsels It dooth well appeare that thou art a stranger in this Countrie then thou hast not heard of my great fame And for that thou mayst tell newes of my great wonders when thou art in thy Countrie thou shalt vnderstand that I am called Eulmineo as I haue tould thée And I am sonne vnto the mightie Gyant Brumaleon Lord ouer seuen castels that I haue in this Countrie and of so great strength that they are sufficient to make theyr defence against all the whole world It is now ten yéeres since my father died and since that time hetherto I haue it for a custome to leaue neither Ladies nor damsels that séemeth faire in mine eies but that I doo take them parforce and doo carrie them vnto my Castels and dooe solas my selfe with them And when I doo finde others that dooth better content mee I doo take them and let the other goe so that I haue in my Castels great store of them And although the Emperour of Russia being very angry and wrathfull of
went vnto the prince Don Siluerio touched his shéeld with his speare straight waies the prince came foorth mounted vpon his mightie horse very gallant couragious ioyning in their encounter although the french king was very valiant yet the prince was of far greater strength by reason wherof he gaue him and his horse a great fall vnto the ground Wherat the king all those that did behold it receiued meruailous great contentment of the prince Don Siluerio So y e most part of the day was passed away wherein the knights of Lusitania had ouerthrowen vnto the ground more theâ—… fiue hundreth other knights the prince Don Siluerio in alâ—… that time receiued no foile that was any thing to his reproch for the which he was very glad ioyfull thought that iâ—… all the world at that present there was not one like vntâ—… him who imagined that the princesse Oliuia receiued greaâ—… contentment therat who had hir vnderstanding occupied iâ—… other matters and had hir mind so occupied vpon Rosicleeâ—… that she had no regard vnto any thing that was done in 〈◊〉 the great court and hauing continually before hir eyes thâ—… great reproch which should be done vnto hir that night shâ—… was so full of feare that many times hir hart did faile hiâ—… but by reason of hir shamefastnes for that all people verâ—… much beheld hir great beautie she did couer hide a 〈◊〉 part of hir sorrow At this time because the knights of 〈◊〉 had ouerthrowen so many in the field ther was not knight in all the court séene to proue their aduentures of the which Don Siluerio with great pleasure said vnto the king I beleeue that for the knights of England this day the knights of Lusitania cannot loose their custome to haue the better in feats of armes At which words of the prince Don Siluerio ther were diuers knights in company with the king that receiued great griefe especially two ancient knights kinsmen vnto the king Oliuerio who in their time were valiaunt knights because age would not agrée that they should put on armour they were like to burst with anger in séeing how the knights of Lusitania would disgrace the knights of England Then vpon a sodaine ther were amongst the country-men of the country a great rumor which seemed to bée of some sodaine ioy looking what it should be they saw entering on the one side of the great place a knight of a very big stature armed with rich armour mounted vpon a great horse who by his gallant disposition séemed they knew to be Brandamarte the best knight which at that time was in all the court he was borne in England a yong man verye valiant since the small time that he was an armed knight by his mightie prowesse he hath got very much honour And all those of the country had great hope in him that he wold defend the honour of his Country against those knights of Lusitania The King likewise was very desirous that his Knights might not receyue any reproch When Brandamarte came vnto the Tents he touched one of the shields with his speare and straight waies the owner therof came forth mounted vpon a mightie horse and comming vnto the iust because the knight of Lusitania was very valiaunt yet Brandamarte was much more and ouerthrew the other vnto the ground and without any farther delay hée touched other sixe sheeldes and at the first encounters he ouerthrew the owners of them to the ground which gave great contentment vnto the king Oliuerio and vnto all those of the Country for that hee defended so valianutlie the honour of their country But their ioy endured not long for that after that Brandamarte had touched the shield of Bramides of Lusitania with his speare he came straight wayes foorth for that they were both of them very good valiant knights they made their encounter very strongly in such sort that Bramides of Lusitania lost his stirrups and passed his course forwardes on without receiuing any other harme And Brandamarte with his horse who was somewhat weary was constrained of very â—…orce to fall vnto the ground at which fall ther was few in all that great place but was very sorie the wore for that after that he was euerthrowen for the space of a good houre there was not one Knight y t durst enter into the great court And the knights of Lusitania with great prid was aduansing praising themselues But in especiall Bramides who with a loude voice that all the people might heare him he said Come foorth come foorth you knights of England that you may vnderstand and know how valiant of great strength the knights of Lusitania are TheÌ„ the prince Don Siluerio who was in his tent hard by the place wheras the king was with great pride contentment that he had of the honour which his knights had got he said vnto the king Now mightie king you shall vnderstand that not without great cause the knights of Lusitania are estéemed for the best knightes in all the world for that in any place whersoeuer they beecome they neuer loose but alwaies get honor And I doo beléeue haue it for a certainty that with these first thousand knights that I haue heere with mee of Lusitania that I am not able alone to make war against the emperour Trebatio but also to conquer the most part of all the world At these wordes of the prince vnto the king not one which was with him receiued any contentment But in especial those two ancient knights the one of them was called Adriano who could not suffer to heare y e great reproch but with very anger he said My Lord prince of truth I may speake it that the bountie force of all the world doth not consist in the knights of Lusitania for that I haue seene in this country such that if they were héere now at this present that all your knights would get by them but litle honor Then the prince said I would that god were so pleased that those knights were héere now at this time for that I my knights would very quickly bring you out of this doubt So at this time some of the knights of Lusitania were very ioyfull for the honour victory which they had receiued other some as sad sorrowfull for the reproch shame happened vnto them by the knights of the country at which time vpon a sodaine vnlooked for they saw two knights which entred into that mightie place of so gallant gentle disposition well armed as euer they saw in all their liues of the which one of them vpon his mightie horse did put himselfe right ouer against the great pallas the other went vnto the tents of the knights of Lusitania and touched one of the knights shields with his speare and straight way the owner therof came foorth And this strange venterous knight
people doth permit many continuall persecucions done by the vnbeléeuers vpon the Christians to make them the better to know him to leaue all their euill wickednesse 〈◊〉 to returne vnto him Yet for all that hée neuer doth so abhorre leaue them for to bring the Christians vnto vtter confusion end as it hath apeared in the old and ancient times amongst the lawes customes of men nor neuer will so long as this world shall endure You doe well remember how that in this history hath â—…en told you that at such time as the worthy knight of the Sunne did first sée the Princesse Lindabrides hee did partly vnderstand of the mighty power of the emperour Alicandro hir father how that he was king ouer the Scithians emperour ouer the Tartarians Lord ouer all the Indians Regions orientals from whence it grew that he was had in reputation of the greatest mightiest prince in all the world Likewise he was lord of the great Cataya wheras is that mighty citie which is of one hundreth miles compasse of all the rest that is in the Orientall India in that part wheras amongst all his subiects he was called the mightye king of kings Emperour of the Tartarians the Lord of the Orientall Indians son heirs vnto the high Gods This title they gaue vnto him because the people of these countries had it for a law custome amongst them alwaies had in reuerence his predecessours which were Emperours before the emperour Alicandro to be sons heires of their false gods in whom they did all beléeue worship Besides all this this mighty emperour had in his subiection all the kings lords that were in the orientall part of the Indians vnto the meridionall which are nine kingdomes all very great mighty and full of great riches so that with great reason they might say that he was the mightiest emperour king in all the worâ—…h Heere the History saith that many â—…e deceiued to thinke that this mightie empire should be christians for although they haue amongst them some part of the law which God gaue vnto that great Captayne Moses yet theyr law doeth differ very farre from the true and perfect law of Iesus Christ for that they bee all Idolaters and euery one of these kings doeth béeléeue in that which seemeth vnto him best for that there is no law nor commaundement to make them incline to anye kinde of goodnesse for the sauegarde of their owne soules So it happened on a time as this mightie Emperour Alicandro was in his great city of Neptaya which is in Cataya the great very pensiue sad for that hee could héere no newes of the children y e Prince Meridian the Princesse Lindabrides reprehending himselfe very much for hee had so sent them foorth into the world One day béeing accompanied with all his mightye Knights lords his subiects he receiued so great sorrow and griefe in the remembring of his children that it caused him to wéepe And leaning his chéeke vpon one of his hands hée shed forth many salt teares which ran down vpon his white face The which being séene by those péeres his subiects they were all very much amazed what should bee the occasion that the Emperour should wéepe So before that any did arise vp to demaund of him the occasion ther arose vp amongst them a king who was king of Gedrosia an old man of more then one hundreth yeares who amongst all the rest present was estéemed to be the wisest in Astrologie deuination that could be found in all Asia And all they did giue so great credit vnto that which he did tell them should happen as though it had ben all ready accomplished the which king dyd wéepe very bitterly with so great sorrow that almost he could not speake but yet he said Oh high mighty king of the Scythians Emperour of the Tartarians if you had as good iudgement of the knowledge of things to come héere after as now to conceiue in matters present then woâ—…ld you leue of this great wéepings for your children who are very well in health in place whereas they are very much honored and had in estimacion as they doe deserue For that the time will come y t thou shalt wéepe and bewaile thine owne losse and desteâ—…ction of all thy vassalles and subiectes with whose blood all the féeldes of the mightie Empire of Greece I doe see be sprinkled and yet I cannot atchiue to know how nor the occasion therof but onely I doe sée by great signes and notable tokens of the colestiall influences and my knowledge doth so farre extend that I doe know that my daies doth draw vnto an end and I cannot endure long In the grecian Empire he that is the most mightiest king Emperor greatest Lord in all the world shall loose his great strength haâ—…ing lost his owne liberty the most valiantest worthyest knights that shall be ther at that present shall loose their liues and the quantitie shall be so great that the waters of Inno shall loose their christallyne colour and shall be changed into red blood which shall giue testimony of the greatest destruction of Knights that euer hath bene in the world The which I cannot by my knowledge atchieue nor thinke to fall vpon any other but vpon thée for that at this present thou art the most mightiest Emperour in all the world And if it bée so that vnto my words you or any of yours do giue any credit procure out of hand with great wisdome to seeke remedy to preuent the same and to cut off so great an euill as is prognosticated against vs. And if vnto these my words you will giue no credite the time it selfe will giue a perfect testimonie of this that I haue said when that you shall haue no time nor space for to giue any remedy at all vnto the same Without saying any more this old king of Gedrosia did set himselfe downe againe in his place leauing this mighty emperour all the other kings and Knights that were in that great hall very much amazed at the words which hee had spoken knew not what to say but being amazed they did looke one vpon another spake neuer a word But this mighty Emperour who alwaies found the prognosticating deuining of this old king to be true yet he thought this to bée a thing impossible not to giue any credit thervnto but yet to heare farther what he would say after a certaine space that he had bethought himselfe he said The great wisedome which I doe know to bée in you good king of Gedrosia and the truth which you haue sayd that the cause of my wéeping was the remembraunce and talâ—…ing to minde my louing children and the great sorrow and griefe which I doe receiue by their absence is a sufficient peswasion that I all that be heere present should giue wholy credit
to bee with that Pagan Rodaran with so valiant a courage that hée thought more of the time that hée should bée absent from the sight and companie of his Ladies theÌ„ of the braue and 〈◊〉 battayle which hée should haue with Rodaran and although tenne of the most brauest and valyaunâ—… Knights in all the world did abide his comming for to haue contention with him yet for all that it should not bee any occasion to put from him his amorous thought and great care neither cause him to receiue any feare in his valiant couragious stomacke And being inguâ—…sed with these his amorous passions his horse caried him whether he wold And calling to remembraunce the Princesse Claridiana and the fatre Princesse Lindabrides the absence of them was the occasion that he thought verily his hart wold haue parted a sunder in two péeces In this sort hee trauailed towards the bridge the first day and the second day that he departed out of Constantinople trauailing in a great broade vsed way he saw a far of comming towards him a knight of a big stature and mounted vpon a mighty couser and armed with verie rich and precious armour and brought in his company a ladie of great beautie meruaylouslie well apparaâ—…led and mounted vppon a Palfray And when hée approched nigh vnto them hauing a great pleasure to beehould the Knight he stayed his horse and saluting them with great curtesie hee asked of them if they were of that Countrie and whether they trauayled Then the Knight who was greatlie amazed at the singular disposition of the Knight of the Sunne and the straungenesse of his armour and horse dyd answere him and sayde that they were not of that Countrie but straungers And what should bée the occasion to mooue him to aske that question The Knight of the Sunne replyed agayne saying for no other intent but to doo vnto you all the pleasure that in mée dooth lye for your gentle disposition caused mée to demaund this question I pray God that I may gratifie your great courtesie sayde the straunge Knight And héere I doo giue you great thanks for your good will offered vnto mée beeing as I am You shall vnderstand sir knight that I am of a Countrie very straunge and far from this land and I am come hether in the demaund of a knight who is called the Knight of the Sunne whose fame is such that I am come foorth of my Countrie to séeke him Therefore sir Knight if you canâ—…e giue me any newes of him and â—…ell where I shal finde him you shall doo mée great pleasure and curtesie therein At which words the Knight of the Sunne was very much amazed hearing that a knight of a strange countrie should come in his demaund and beeing very desirous to know his Embassage hée answered and sayd Of a truth sir Knight you could not haue met with one that better could haue giuen you newes of this knight then with mee for I can giue you to vnderstand where you shall finde him before one houre bee past but yet first before I doo tell you where he is I shall receiue great curtesie if you do tell mee what the occasion is that you doo come in this sort to séeke him The knight was very glad and ioyfull when he heard that newes for that it was the thing that at that time hée most desired and thinking the time long to know where hee might finde him hee sayd Of a truth sir Knight although there had béene no occasion of your part to binde mée to declare vnto you the occasion of my comming your great curtesie and gentle disposition is sufficient to cause mée to declare vnto you that which you doo demaund and to binde mee to doo in your seruice any other thing whatsoeuer your pleasure is to commaund mée And now you shall vnderstand that I am King Lyseo of Lydia and this Lady whom I bring with mée is my wyfe and our euill hap and misfortune hath beene such that at such time as wée were most prosperous and receiued greatest ioy and contentment in our Kingdomes and most at our ease a cruell tyrant and King of Arcadia in respect of certaine contentions which chanced beetwixt vs two being trauayling knights hée is now risen vp against mée and as a mortall enimie dooth inuade my kingdome with so great puissâ—…nce of Knights and Gyaunts and hath entered into the same and hath spoyled and taken all sauing one alonâ—… Citie called Lydia whereas I haue defended my selfe for the space of two mooneths with those small companie of knights which remayned with great trauayle and euerie day is presented vnto vs death béefore our eyes So in the ende of this time I seeing that the strength and power of the king dyd dayly increase and that mine did still diminish and that I had no remedie to defend and deliuer that Citie which is the principall force and strength of all my Kingdome the remnant of my knights called a counsell together and commaund what was best to bee done therein and they all with one consent thought it best that I should goe and séeke some aide and succour wherewith wee might defend our selues from our enimies and giue mee theyr words that they would defend the Cittie till such time as I returned And I séeing that it was the thing that dyd â—…éehoooue mée very much I fell at a consent with them that they should make their defence abide my retourne for the space of two moneths and ie it so fell out that in that space I did not returne againe that they should conclude a truse with y e king of Arcadia for a certaine space as they thought best This béeing agréed vpon in great secrecie I and my wise departed out of the Citie with determination to seeke out some aide and succour wherewith I may defend the Citie of Lydia for in making defence thereof almost the whole Kingdome is defended And that béeing lost it is without all hope euer to recouer the same againe And béeâ—…hinking my selfe vnto what king or Emperor I were best â—…o goe to procure succour I could not imagine any place wherein so short time I might accomplish my desire as to â—…éeke out that valyaunt Knight of the Sunne whose fame is â—…o much spread abroad throughout all Asia after the great â—…arres of Persia so that the great confidence which I haue 〈◊〉 him hath brought mée into this Countrie and I am fulâ—…y perswaded that if I dooe carrie him in my companie to â—…idia that hée alone is sufficient for to raise the siege from â—…he Citie for that all the force and strength of that warre â—…nd great power dooth consist in the death of the king of Arcadia and if that the Knight of the Sunne doo giue vnto â—…im the death it is sufficient to conclude and end the wars â—…r when all the rest of his armie shall finde themselues â—…ithout their king and Lord they will returne agayne inâ—… theyr owne
night with much more care then any of the rest How the Knight of the Sunne and the King Lyseo went out into the camp of their enemies of the cruell battaile that thy had with them Chapter 45. THe next day very earlye in the morning the good king Lyseo and the valiant knight of the Sunne after that they had committed themselues to God and broken theyr fastes they armed themselues with theyr strong and rich armour and went out into the great court of the Pallaice whereas were ioyned together before the king all the knights of the citie who did exhort them to be valiant to put their liues in aduenture fighting seeing that the goodnesse of God had brought him back againe in his company so valiant worthy a knight who did offer themselues vnto death in whatsoeuer it pleased the king to command them The king gaue them great thanks for their great loyaltie did animate their couragious harts in the best wise he could saying My good friends and loyall subiects I haue alwaies had before mine eies the great loue which you do beare me now you doe shew it more amply that you haue kept defended this my citie in the time that I haue ben from you in procuring this aid succour God for his infinit goodnesse mercy sake graunt vs victory ouer our enemies that I may haue opportunitie to gratifie you for this your great loyalty trauaile And I haue good hope in my Lord Iesus Christ that it will so fall out onely for that I haue this happy worthy knight in my company whose fame doth sound throughout all the whole world all you together ought to haue him in greater estimacion then if I had brought a meruallous huge mighty army of knights And in saying these words he commanded to number the people that were in the citie they found that ther was to the number of one thousand of very good knights valiant two thousand other that might wel beare armour turning towards the knight of the Sun héâ—… said Ualiant worthy knight my very friend your pleasure is to command what is best to be done for all we will obey you as our principall captaine and defender Then the knight of the Sun humbling himselfe very much said Worthie King I am not come hether into this Country but to serue you with my person therefore I pray you commaund what wée shall doe for I purpose to bée the first that shall obey it and for my part I giue you to vnderstand that forasmuch as all these your knights are very wearyâ—… of the battayles past I my selfe alone this day will goe foorth into the camp and there to procure all that is in my power agaynst your enimies for that principally with the fauour of almightie God I will doo so much that they shall receiue damage and griefe But when the King Lyseo and all his Knights heard those woords they meruayled greatlie at the mightie stomake and courage of the Knight of the Sunne and with great admiration did béeâ—…olde him and it dyd seeme vnto them a thing impossible that in a Knight of so few yéeres should remaine so great force and strength that hée alone should offer to put himselfe into the â—…field against more then twentie thousand Knights and as many more souldiers that were in the camp of the King of Arcadia whereas was amongst them the brauest Knights and Gyants that were in the Pagan Countrie Then the good king Lyseo who could not by any meanes abide to remaine in the Cittie sayde that hée might doo all that his pleasure was to commaund but hée would not in any manner of wise remaine béehinde in the Citie but that hee would also goe out in his companie Then doo what your pleasure is my Lord sayde the knight of the Sunne for hauing you in my companie I will not feare all these our enimies And so contrarie vnto the wills of all the other Knights they prepared for to go forth they two alone together and before the time that the Sunne had mounted to mid day these two valiant worthie warriours béeing armed with theyr strong and rich armour and mounted vpon theyr mightie and furious courses they commaunded the gates of the Citie to bée opened and at such time as the Quéene and all the rest of the Ladies Knights and people were vpon the towâ—…rs and battlements of the Citâ—…ie for to béehoulde all that should passe they went foorth of the Citie and when they â—…ad passed a mightie long broade bridge which was nigh â—…nto the walls vnder the which ranne a great and déepe â—…ater and putting themselues a little out of the way for â—…o view the Camp whereas they remained a while and béeâ—…ors they entered into the armie the knight of the Sunne tooke from his neck a very fayre and rich Bugle and blew it with so great strength that it made all the hearers therof in the campe for to tremble And béeing discouered by theyr enimies the King of Arcadia dyd strayght wayes vnderstand that it should bée the Knight that so troubled them the night past and therewith commaunded that the best of all his Knights should bée armed and that they should goe foorth for to know what was their demaund The first amongst all those Knights that went foorth was Brother vnto the King called Momfriero a valiant Knight and stout of his person and worthie in feates of armes and such a one that in all the Pagan Countrie there was found verie few so gallant and so liuelie in any kinde of exercise and meruailous presumptious who béeing mounted vppon a great and furious courser whet out of the camp and with great threatnings and oaths hée swore that with the first encounter that hee should make with his speare for to bring him prisoner vnto the King When hée came vnto the place whereas the Knight of the Sunne was with great pride and arrogancie hée sayde Tell mée thou simple and captiue Knight what great boldnesse and folly is this of thine that thou béeing but one alone darest for to sound thy horne against so great an armie as this is wheras ther be knights sufficient for to conquer the whole world and héere I dooe sweare vnto thee by the high Gods that béefore it bée long I will giue thée thy reward for this thy great follie béecause thou shalt not aduaunce thy selfe héere after how that before Momfriero thou diddest this or that And in saying those woords hée drew nigh vnto him reseruing that which was requisit for the course of his horse and with his speare in his hand he came against the Knight of the Sunne who wished and desired no other thing and with the force of his horse Cornerino hée made against him and although the course was very long yet with a trice they met together with so great fury that the earth seemed to tremble vnder them they
shewing hir selfe pleasant many times they asked of hir the occasion offering to doe all that was possible whereby she might receiue ioy And she answered them with great dissâ—…mulatton saying that ther was nothing that caused hir to be so sad but onely because shee could neuer heare any newes of hir brother the prince Meridian since his departure from hir Then the Emperour beleeuing it to be as she had told him presently sent abroad knights into all parts to seeke him dailye did comfort the princesse 〈◊〉 that beefore long hir brother Meridian would come thether Likewise at this time the good knight Rosicleer was not altogether at his ease for that idlenesse and eass was the occasion that he called to remembrance things passed in such sort that the old wound of his loue began to renue feaster againe so that within few daiâ—…ee that he had remained in Constantinople his owne naturall country habitation waxed 〈◊〉 vnto him the â—…onuersation of his father mother brother for that he could not receiue any pleasure or delight did cause vnto him great 〈◊〉 griefe did abâ—…orre their companie all his delight â—…as to be alone to any place wher mirth pastime was â—…e could not abide All the which increased in him so much that in the end he determined with himselfe to doe that as â—…eereafter shall bée told you ¶ How the Empresse Briana was deliuered of a sonne and of the great feasts that were made at his birth Chapter 52 IT is said in this famous history that the mightie emperour Trebatio had another and the third son by the faire empresse Briana of whom is made great mencion in the second part of this history for that was one of the most mightiest famous knights in all the world that next vnto his singuled bretheren the knight of the Sun Rosicleer ther was none equall vnto him many times combatting with his bretheren vnknowen he put theÌ„ in great hazard with either of them he hath maintayned battaile almost a whole day in the end it was very small the vantage they had of him so that this valiant knight did finish so many mortall déedes that they deserue to be spoken of to be put in the number of his bretheren in all other things as in body stature he was conformable equal vnto them did resemble so much the knight of the Sun in his face that many times he was taken for him if it were not that he was of fewer yéeres with great difficulty might you know the one from the other This valiant fortunat prince as the wise Artemidoro saith was borne straight after the emperour and all his company came from the kingdome of Lidia for that when that stout Pagan Rodaran came into Greece the empresse was very big with child It doth apéere that the wise Lirgandeo doth make difference for hée doth make no mencion of this yong gentleman till the conclusion of the great battailes which they passed betwéene the emperour Alicandro of Tartaria and the Emperour Trebatio of Greece from which time he doth declare meruailous wonderfull things done by him I doe beléeue that the occasion of this is because that the wise Lirgandeo did not sée him till such time as he came into Greece made no mention of him till all the battaile was finished at such time as the emperour all the rest tooke their rest with great ioy pleasure after the great trauaile which they receiued in the wars past for that at this time the young gentleman was verye tender of yeares passed not sixe yéeres of age so that till that time ther is no more mention made of him then is in this chapter but afterwards these two wise men doe begin to writ of him meruailous great wonderfull déeds doo both agrée in their writings When the time was come that this royall empresse should be deliuered ther chaunced a thing of great admiration meruaile which did shew declare a very high and great mistery in the birth of this â—…hild which was that night and very moment that he was borne the Moone did shine so bright cleere threw from hir such glistering beames of light that it seemed to bee the Sun the most part of all the earth was so cléere as commonly it is in the morning when the Sunne doth spred hir beames abroad This was seene iust at midnight did endure for the space of halfe a quarter of an houre iâ—… it put all those that saw it in great admiration those which afterwards heard tell thereof greatly meruailing thereat they demaunded of the wise men what that strange token might singnifie ther was none that could declare the signification therof but onely the wise Artemidore who was at that present in Constantinople who did tell them plainly that it did proâ—…nosticat shew that the features deedes of that yong prince should so cléerely shine in the obscure dark regions of the barbarous people as the moone did shew hir shining light in the obsure darknesse of the night And time did come that it was perfectly seene proued to be true all that this wise man had told them for that by his occasion the most part of the orientall regions were turned into the christian faith and true beléefe in Iesus Christ. After this which the wise man had told him as also for that the child was borne very faire The Emperour and the empresse his sons were very glad ioyfull all the knights of the court the citizens began to make great feasts and pastimes for the birth of the new prince the which endured in the Citie for the space of one moonth afterwards as the child did increase in yeeres so did he increase in bounty and bignesse of body in such sort that all men meruailed greatly ther at and said that according vnto the wonderfull tokens séene at the birth of that child it could not be but that hee should recouer as great fame be as singuler in bounty as his bretheren And many times the princesse Claridiana the faire princesse Lindabrides did take him in their armes and shewes him great ioy loue for that he was brother vnto the knight of the Sun said that neuer in all their 〈◊〉 they saw a childe of so great perfection but this was nothing to that which they would haue done if they had knowen how that be should quench the fury perillous discord that was betwéene them for certaintie if it had not ben done by him neither the oue nor the other should haue liued in security and for that this history shall make perfect relation in his time at this time ther shall be no more said till such time as the wise men in their writing of this happy prince shall agree in one be conformable which shall be at
pray you whether I doo sléepe or dreame and whether it bee true this which I doo sée The King did not meruayle much at all this which passed béecause hée dyd very well vnderstand the operation of loue but embracing him he tooke him by the hand and sayde Oh my Lord Rosicleer and perfect friend now I doo sée the great wonders of God and how great his mercie is for that hée dooth forget none that doth put their trust in him for when I was very prosperous in riches high 〈◊〉 estate and accompanied with all my vassalls and subiects and in soueraigne hope for to ouercome and haue that which I most desired straight waies I found my selfe very far from the easement of my griefe and the ende of al my desire separated for that I was ouerthrowen from my estate and all my kingdome destroyed my people ouercome and left desolate without my vassalls and bannished out of mine owne Countrie and throwen out into the world sunke into a lake whereas I found all that which I desire remedie for my sorrow and recouered againe my Kingdome and restored vnto mine owne estate and aboue all things I recouered a good perfect friend of you therefore all affâ—…iction and tribulation in the world God dooth permit it vnto them that hée doth not forget and when they dooe thincke themselues most afflicted and troubled ouerthrowen and brought most low and most without all hope and voyde of all goodnesse at such time with a trise and in a moment they are brought into more higher estate then they were béefore with ioy and prosperitie giuing them occasion for to estéeme and haue in more honour the thing that they most desire and so hath it happened vnto you my good friend Rosicleer for that at such time as thou didst abhorre thy owne lyfe and when thy sorrow and griefe had most gouernement ouer thée and when that all hope of remedie was past and farthest off from thee vppon a sodaine hath come vnto you remedie for all things and in so high order that you your selfe cannot bée léeue it and you doo thinke your selfe vnworthie of that which God hath ordained for you therefore surrender vnto god thanks for the same and gratifie this Damsell for hir great trauaile which shee hath taken for you and doo not â—…ay that it is a dreame or mockage that which wée doo all sée with our eyes At which words of the King Rosicleer came wholie to himselfe and hauing no hart to speake with the great ioy hée receiued hée embraced the King and Fidilia many times and by exteriour tokens and signes hée dyd communicate his pleasure and ioye vnto them Then afterwards Rosicleer demaunded of Fidelia all what had 〈◊〉 by whome hée vnderstoode all that euer shee dyd know of the Princesse Oliuia for there shee made manifest vnto him hir lyfe hir passions and hir cares and all that euer had passed in the Letters and how by them shee vnderstood him to bée Sonne vnto the Princesse Briana and afterward it was published that hée was sonne vnto the Emperour Trebatio Likewise shee toulde him the occasion of the writing of the first Letter and the great repentance which she had for the same the great anguish and griefe shee had for Don Siluerio the great good will of the king hir father and the great importance hee vsed also the great 〈◊〉 of the Princesse Oliuia all which when Rosicleer heard hee was as you may iudge of all them that faitfully and truely dooe loue at such time as they are giuen to vnderstand any thing of their best beeloued the which things vnto such as are free from all loue are counted but trâ—…fles and childrens toyes whereas to the contrarie vnto them they are pearles and precious stones Then the King séeing them in this profound and déepe rehearsall tooke him by the hands and sayd My good Lord let all these matters passe for this time and let vs vnderstand that which dooth most accomplish you which is to goe into England whereas you shall vnderstand and know all these matters of the Princesse Oliuia for that I doo perceiue by the long trauayle in the which Fidelia hath gone in seeking of you that you delay the time very long Then Rosicleer as thouâ—…h hée did awake out of a sound sléepe came vnto himselfe and savd Oâ—… high and soueraine Lord and God héere I doo giue infinite thanckes vnto thy holy name for that it hath pleased you to put remedy in the life of this your Knight with this vnlooked for remedie And vnto you my very good friend Fidelia I doo giue great thanks for the great trauaile the which you haue passed and taken in seeking of mée that I may goe comfort and recreate my selfe in the sight and countenance of my Lady and Mistresse And I doo desire of God to graunt mée lyfe that I may gratifie your large pilgrimage which you haue passed â—…n seeking mee And tourning himselfe vnto the King hee sayde Pardon mee I pray you my good Lord these my amorous passions and let vs goe whether your pleasure is to command vs without tarrying any longer So straight wayes they commaunded the knâ—…ghts of Fulmineo to bring before them all the Ladies and damsels that were in all the Castels And béeing brought béefore them they were more then thirtie all very faire and full of sorrow All the which Rosicleer dyd commaund that they should goe and present â—…hemselues béefore the Emperour of Russia in saying that â—…wo 〈◊〉 Knights hath slaine Fulmineo and that they doo â—…urrender and yeeâ—…d vnto him all his Countrie and lands â—…or that Fulmineo hath left no heire And vnto the Damsels â—…ée did giue all such riches as hee found within the Castells â—…nd for to set order in this and in all 〈◊〉 things they tarâ—…ed there that day and that night and for that his desire â—…as so great for to goe into England the night séemed so 〈◊〉 that hee thought the day would neuer haue apeared So the next day at such time as the Sunne did scarce appeare when they were armed with their rich bright armour and mounted vpon their good horses these two valyant knights and perfect friends went forth of the castle and in their company the damsell Fidelia leauing a good Knight which was Fulmineos in the gard and kéeping of the Castle and all the rest till such time as the Emperour of Russia dyd commaund his pleasure to bée done with them So all they together tooke their right way towards the sea whereas they might embarke themselues for England where the historie dooth leaue them til time dooth serue So the Ladies and damsels of Fulmineo went béefore the Emperour declared vnto him the embassage of the knights of all that euer had passed for the which hée receiued great ioy pleasure meruailed greatly that one alone knight had slayne Fulmineo was very sorrowfull for the departure of those two knights
will Sâ—… with these other such words in effect did Fidelia perswadâ—… the princesse Oliuia in such sort that shée did not estéeme anâ—… perill that should happen vnto hir with the great hope thaâ—… shée had for to sée Rosicleer although other wayes the greaâ—… loue which she did beare vnto him did make hir to fear more then his great bounty did make hir securitie So all that same day they passed with great confusion tarrying till the next day did come that the great triumphs feasts shuld be made that the prinâ—…sse should be taken out of the tower for that the next day following should be the day of the marriage How the great triumphs and feasts of the marriage of the Princesse Oliuia were celebrated and of all that happened therein Chapter 59. WHen the day was come that the marriage of the Princesse Oliuia with the prince don Siluerio should bée celebrated the great Citie of London was so ful of people as well straungers as those borne in the Countrie that the streets could scarce hold them all the streets were full with the military knighthood of Lusitania y e which did publish set foorth the great power mightinesse of the prince don Siluerio who was that day apparailed with very â—…ich apparelâ—… of cloth of Affrica full of meruailous precious â—…tones of the Indias Orientals accompanied with many vaâ—…iant knights of his owne and also borne in the countrie of â—…ngland and in company with the king they went vnto the â—…hurch and in the midst amongst them the thrée precious â—…nd estéemed Princes Bargandel Liriamandro and 〈◊〉 Zoylo vnto whom the Prince Don Siluerio dyd offer 〈◊〉 friendship Then when seruice was done the King 〈◊〉 inuite to dinner with him all the most estéemed â—…nights that were in the Court as well straungers as â—…ose of the Countrie and there was so great a number of 〈◊〉 that they could scarce be placed in the mightie pallace And after that with great maiestie pomp they had ended their dinner they together did accompany the king vnto the tower for to take out the princesse Oliuia who being aduertised by Fidelia what shée should doo was meruaylous richly apparayled abiding they time that the should come to take hir out of the tower and dissembling with hir selfe cleane contrarie vnto that which was in hir stomacke So when the gates of the tower were opened shée descended downe from hir closet accompanied with hir damsells and Brandizel Lyriamandro did take hir and set hir vppon a white Palfraye which was ordayned for hir meruaylous richly traped and béeing accompanied with the most principallest Knights in all the court they carried hir vnto hir pallace and put hir in a royall estate that was appoynted whereas shée might sée all the feasts and triumphs When don Siluerio saw hir to bee so fayre and of so great beauty that in all the whole world was not hir péere at that presenâ—… hée was as ioyfull as euer hee was in all his lyfe and was so gallant and mercie as though they had giuen vnto him all the whole world and did pretend to doo such things that day that the Princesse should haue him in estimation for a very valyant Knight Their triumphs and feasts they had ordayned in this sort fiftie of those knights and oâ—… the principallest that hee brought with him out of Lusitania dyd hang theyr shéeldes round about the Tents which were pitched in the midst of the great court of the pallace and theyr names written vppon theyr shéeldes and all thâ—… knights were within their tents abiding all other Knightâ—… that would come and combat with them as well with theiâ—… swords as with theyr speares and whatsoeuer Knight dyâ—… come and touch any of those sheelds presenâ—…ly should com-foorth hee whose nâ—…me was written therevpon to combâ—… with him and on the other part of the great court was doâ—… Siluerio in another Tent very richly wrought with gold and silke anâ—… was ordayned that all such ventrous Knight as had in Iust or combat ouercome any of his Knights should afterwards Combat with him one after another and he had his shield likewise hanged vpon his tent as the others had setting himself in a chaire at the tent doore wheras he might very well at his pleasure sée all that euer was done by his knights And the king was set in his roiall place appointed hauing in his company those three worthy princes Bargandell Lyriamandro the tartarian Zoylo who because they were so great friends vnto the prince Don Siluerio they would not as that day iust but did beare the king company Likewise many other princes and knights which came thether to see the triumphs feasts being all set in order the â—…usts began for ther was come forth into the court an english knight called Amberto very valiant couragious famous in all that country who straight waies at his cuâ—…ring in she wing a valiant mind he went vnto the tents and with his speare he touched the shields of the knights of Lusitania whose owner straight waies came foorth who was one of the stoutest that was amongst them all whose name was Bramides being mounted vppon a strong and great horse with his speare in his hand he put himselfe into the field Amberto doing the like with so great fury and force as their horses could run they made their encounter which was in such sort that the english knight was pushed out of his saddle downe to the ground Bramides of Lusitauia procéeded forwards on his course without any mouing and as though he had done nothing for the which he was estéemed of the king Oliuerio of all those that beeheld him to bée a worthy knight presently after the foile of Amberto came foorth into y e court a strange knight who was very desirous to get honor but at the first encounter Bramides of Lusitania â—…uerthrew him without staying he ouerthrew sixe or seaâ—…en that came forth to iust with him this being done hée went into his tent wher the prince Don Siluerio receiued so great pleasure that he did not let but say vnto the king who was in his roiall estate hard by wheras he was how doth â—…our maiestie like the knight of Lusitania that can so wel behaue themselues and maintaine the field It séemeth vnto mée said the king that if all they be conformeble vnto this knight they ought to be had in great estimation At this time entred another valiant knight into the field and was naturally borne in Fraunce called Reno who touching with his speare one of the shéelds ther came straight waies another knight of Lusitania who although he was a very valiant knight yet the French knight was of so great force that at the first encounter he ouerthrew him to the ground passed on his course as though he had done nothing at all presently taking another speare in his hand he