for by ought I can perceiue there is no signe of life left in them They haue no more aunswered Manteleo then they worthily deserued ought they to misprise or detract strange Knightes cheefely such as are of one nation yet let vs see in what estate they are So comming to the Knight that was first dismounted and finding him dead by reason of the aboundance of blood he had lost as also because his Helmet hindered him from the aire Unhappy man said his Brother oftentimes haue I told thee that thy pride and ouer-wéening would one day cause thy death Be thou warned heereby sayd the enchaunted Knight and learne another time to vse more courtesie to Knightes how yong or old soeuer they be for thou and thy companions did imagine that beâ—cause these two yong Princes were no further entred iâ— yeeres that therefore they were vnprouided of couragâ—â— and vertue but by outward behauiour neuer iudge oâ— men heereafter Too well doo I perceiue your words arâ— true but I beseech ye looke if my Cosins haue accompanied my Brother in death or no. Palladine finding them to be aliue offered with his Sword to haue smitten off their heads Uillaines quoth he you are but dead men if you will redeeme your liues you shall promise me to go â—ubmit your selues to the King of Englands mercie recounting to him wherefore how and by whome you haue beene vanquished Sir answered one of them there is nothing that we will not gladly promise and perfourme for the â—aunsome of our 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 I sweare to yee that I will not faile 〈◊〉 you haue commaunded You must auouch the like quoth the Prince to the other Knight wherevpon he that was so sore hurt with his fall from his horsse could make no aunswere but by signes so that with many sad countenances he shewed his consenting Now may yee depart when ye please said Palladine and say that Englishmen are better Knightes then Spanyards So hauing buried the Knight that was slaine they departed not a little glad they were so well escaped but they tooke small care of perfourming their promise as you shall perceiue by the sequell of our historie CHAP. XI ¶ How Palladine and Manteleo with their company arriued in the Realme of Hungaria where the Gentleman remayned that stole the Lady from the enchaunted Knight and what fortuned to them by the way AFter the Princes had left the Spanyardes they rode on their iourney and comming to the port of Gorforte they tooke Shipping when the Seas were still and calme expecting a winde to passe into Holland which fitting their expectations crossing through Zeland they came to Triell where Palladine furnished himselfe with new Armour because his other was greatly battered in Iousting with the Knightes Hauing contented themselues with the sight of Hollâ—nd they passed the Rheme and entred Almayne where arriuing on the frontires of Bohemia they beheld a Lion comming toward them carying a yong Infant wrapped in swadling clothes in his mouth and a yong woman running after the beast with verie pitifull cries and acclamations Behold quoth Palladine how a sauadge beast hath gotten a yong Infant let vs alight to sée if we can force him forgoe his pray The poore woman seeing how readie they were to helpe her cryed aloude to them that they should get betwéene the Lion and his Caue least entring with the child there should remaine no hope of recouerie When the Lion saw he could not enter his denne he let fal the Infant and furiously assailed the Prince Manteleo who gaue the beast such a wound on the head as made him cry and rore very dreadfully At which noyse a Lionesse came foorth of the Caue from her yong ones and she likewise ranne on the noble Manteleo but Palladine and his Squires so valiantly assisted him as the beastes were in short time ouercome and slaine Then came the poore woman and tooke vp her child which when she beheld had escaped all daunger on her knées she humbly thanked the Princes for their good assistance One of the Damosels taking the child in her armes and séeing it both beautifull and comely said to the mother Great had béene the losse good woman that these cruell beastes should haue deuoured so swéete an Infant but why were you so negligent to endaunger it so much Madame aunswered the poore woman not by my fault did this inconuenience happen for I earning my liuing by dayly labour by binding faggots which my husband cuts in the wood left my child with one of my neighbours in kéeping How she suffered this mishap I know not but as I returned from the wood and méeting the Lion with my child which full well I knew by the swadling cloathes I made what haste I could after the beast hoping by some meanes to recouer my child which now I thanke God and you I haue done Nor is this the first time we haue béene thus serued for in this little Uillage béeing but tenne or twelue housholds in number three children haue béene lost within these sixe moneths the parents still thinking some Boores or peasants had stollen them but now in good time haue wee founde the Théefe And seeing these Gentlemen haue slaine the Lion and Lionesse it may be they haue some yong ones in this Caue which I gladly would haue destroyed likewise so shall we be in no further daunger heereafter That will I soone trie said Palladine go to your house and fetch me some fire and withall bring some sheaues of thrasshed corne for Lions cannot abide the sight of fire and by this meane shall we see what is in the darke Caue Right soone did the woman accomplish her charge bringing strawe and fire with her and sixe or seauen sturdy fellowes with staues flayles and pikeforkes when Palladine hauing set the strawe on fire with the couâ—trey peasants entred the Caue where he found thrée yong Lionesses like little dogs and the clothes of diuers children deuoured by the beasts To behold this strange sight he called the two Damosels and the poore woman into the Caue saying These beastes should haue dined with your child to day but God hath appointed his end in better sort and because you shall remaine in no further dread of these yong ones were I not so farre from England I would send them to the King who I am sure would accept them for our sakes My Lord quoth one of the poore countreymen I will vndertake to fulfill your mind in this and will carie them to England if you please to commaund me full well doo I knowe how to vse them for my Father nourished one like to these a long time and when it grew great he gaue it to our King who sent it as an especiall present to the King of Fraunce In sooth quoth the Prince if thou will perfourme what thou hast promised I will giue thee money to defray thy charges and theirs likewise whome thou wilt take with thee Letters will I also send
after he had saluted he requested to knowe whether he trauailed I go Sir answered the Knight to Bulgaria to make proofe of my fortune against a strong and puissant champion who maintaineth the Ioust against all that come for the loue of the Duchesse Brisalda estéemed the fairâ—st Princesse in the world being yet scant seuenteene yéeres of age I like well his attempt said Palladine whatsoeuer he be but knowe ye not how he is called Dardalon the prowd men name him quoth the Knight and fitly doth that surname agrée with him for he is one of the most vaineglorious men that euer was heard of beside excéeding in crueltie to Knightes that deale with him for if he vanquish any one he neuer pardons him no though he yéeld himselfe to his mercie Beleeue me said Palladine small commendation gets he thereby being rather esteemed a coward then valiant for he vseth such crueltie to terrify those as shall afterward deale with him But the enterprises of Tourneys for the loue of Ladyes should not extend to such extremitie but rather for honor and fame onely yea though to a mortall enemy mercy should be giuen him when he yéeldeth himselfe The brute beasts shew greater humanitie as we may reade in examples of Lyons Beares Dogs and diuers other who ceasse from rage and furie on a yéelding pray It is necessarie then answered the Knight that such men should haue such measure serued them and no greater mercie ought they to haue then themselues tofore haue shewed to other as for my selfe if fortune fauour me against him he shall find as little pittie as he hath giuen By my Sword quoth the Prince I so desire to see that cruell Knight as I will beare ye companie so you please to accept thereof for perhaps the great villaine is some Deuill and then it is necessarie he should be well coniured Great honor and pleasure quoth the Knight shall you héerein doo me for I desire nothing more then companie So leauing the marches of Dace they tooke Shipping on Danubium and coasting Valachia entred Bulgaria landing at the Citie of Varrâ— where Dardalon kept his Iousts and Triumphs But the Duchesse Brisalda tooke small pleasure in his labours for as he was a man of huge and monstrous stature so was he mishapen and of ougly countenance yet by his prowesse he imagined to gaine her loue wherein he was greatly deceiued albeit the feare of his mightie kinred chéefely of a Giant that was his Cousin made the poore Lady giue him good looks because by rigour he held the whole countrey in awe Palladine and the Knight being come on shore went presently to the place where the Ioustes were kept 〈◊〉 they entred the throng they sawe that Dardalon had euen then ouercome a Knight who knéeling on his knees cryed I confesse my selfe vanquished I yeeld I yeeld But Dardalon feigning he heard him not nor the Princesse who called to saue his life because the Knight was néere allyed to her smote his head from his shoulders shewing it in great brauerie to the Duchesse Palladine séeing the monstrous crueltie of this huge villaine could stay no longer but stepping to him sayd Dardalon I neuer saw thée before this instant when I beheld thée to shew horrible crueltie putting the Knight to death that yeelded himselfe vanquished had it béene but for the Ladyes sake 〈◊〉 called to thée to saue his life me thinks of dutie thou shouldest haue spared him and were it not I sée thée wounded thou shouldest perceiue I dare iustify my words Dardalon beholding Palladine without his helmet and so yong in yéeres scoffingly thus aunswered Alas good Gentleman didst thou neuer sée me before I thinke thou wilt say thou séest me too soone as for any wound I haue it cannot hinder me from correcting such a saucy companion Without any more words they mounted on horssebacke and Dardalon taking a verie strong Launce thought to giue the Prince an vnhappy welcome but he sate more sure then he expected and but that himselfe caught hold by his horsse mayne he had béene sent to fetch an errand on the ground A long and dangerous Combate was fought betwéene them the Prince many times in danger but worthely escaping and in the end so wearied his monstrous enemie as he got him downe vpon his backe Then taking off his helmet looked to the Duchesse Brisalda if she would haue his life preserued but séeing that neither she or any of the Ladyes made signe for it he tooke off his head to the great ioy of all the standers by except such as were allyed to Dardalon who presently drew their weapons to reuenge his death but other Knightes stept in to assist the Prince so that not one of them escaped aliue yet Palladine and his company receyued no wounds of danger The Duchesse noting the valiant prowesse of a Knight so yong and louely would faine knowe of whence he was wherefore causing the Ioustes to end for that day she sent to intreate him come lodge in her Pallace where her Chirurgions should haue care of his wounds Which courteous offer the Prince accepted not so much for the daunger of his hurts as for his desire to be fauoured of the Duchesse whome he imagined the fairest that euer he sawe Then was he conducted by two Gentlemen into one of the seemeliest Chambers in the Pallace where he was vnarmed and his wounds visited by the Chirurgions attending on the Duchesse who sent him a faire night mantle of blew Sattin embroidered with gold and furred with Martins for which most humbly he thanked her carying good opinion to enioy her loue so he could compasse the meane to speake with her For he imagined this to be the Lady or whome the wise Orbiconte had foretold him and for whose loue he should passe many dangers as now he had done against the prowde Dardalon CHAP. XVIII ¶ How the Duchesse Brisalda came to see Palladine what speeches they had together and how he slew the Gianâ— Brandidoll Cousin to Dardalon the prowde BRisalda the yong beautifull Duchesse to whom the inueigling God had giuen a liuely attaint of loue to the Prince Palladine determined to go see him in his chamber to vnderstand of his health and in such sort to perswade him as he should still remaine in her Court. So clothing her selfe in most sumptuous garments and being attended on by her wayting Ladyes she went to the Princes lodging and after two or three gracious courtesies passed betwéene them she said Sir Knight right welcome are ye to our Court commaund me or any thing else héere to your liking for so much doo I account my selfe indebted to you hauing slayne the cruell and proud Dardalon as while I liue I shall neuer returne sufficient recompence The Prince falling on his knée and killing her faire white hand thus answered If I haue done any thing Madame that contents you I am very glad thereof thanking the God of heauen that fauoured me in the attempt
Ship and taking his Squire Lycelio with him Many Cities Castels and Fortresses he séemed to see in the fire yet nothing did so much amaze him as the voyce and dollorous cryes hée heard in the middest of the flame Ah loue sayd one why doost thou still hold me in this miserable paine doth my offence committed against thy Maiestie deserue so gréeuous punishment as this how ill aduised then was I to set so light by thy religious lawes and soueraigne authoritie Pardon oh pardon him thaâ—â—epenteth and ceasse thy iust indignation against them who while they liue will continue thy faithfull subiects else graunt them death which they would endure with willing mindes Such was the complaint of this sorowfull creature which moued the Knight without rest to such pitie as the teares trickled downe his chéekes with remembrance of the words and then he called to minde his great discourtesie to the Duchesse Brisalda whome he had left without intent to sée againe by yéelding to the aduertisements of the wise Orbiconte and so was his minde caryed away with the conceite of this aduenture as he stoode a good while silent not able to speake one word which when Lycelio perceiued he sayd Let vs returne againe my Lord from hence for we are not able to passe any further by reason of the flame that still encreaseth as you see Lycelio aunswered the Knight without rest if thou doost feare or doubt any thing I pray thee goe backe againe to the Ship and leaue me to consider better on these meruailes I will not leaue my Lord quoth Lycelio rather will I die first but if you thinke to goe any further you must doo it on foote for your horsse can not endure the fire On foote will I goe then aunswered the Knight without rest for I neither see or feele any thing as yet that should hinder me from passing further With these words he alighted giuing Lycelio his horsse to leade but he was no sooner dismounted and had drawne his Sword and put on his Sheeld but he heard another voyce thus complayning Alas commeth he now that shall deliuer me from this torment or to giue me the death I haue long desired ah death death how swéete would thy stroke be now to me why doost thou deferre to exercise thy office on me I fréely yeeld thée my life and thou refusest or scornest to take it Then heard he another voyce alittle further from him saying How dooth my miserie excéed all that euer liued béeing desirous of death to liue in rest and yet by no meanes I can attaine it The Knight without rest greatly mooued at these spéeches thrust his Shéeld before him and would enter the flame but he had so many strokes with halbards and other weapons and yet not able to see who smote him as hardly could he passe any further But hauing long time fought with these shadowes at length he came to a Rocke of white Marble where he was suddenly smitten downe and the fire seeming to vanish away such a darkenesse couered him as he could sée neither heauen or earth but had innumerable strange visions presented him First he sawe a huge multitude of Harpies flying about him making offer to seaze vpon him with their tallants Then he beheld as many Serpents houering with their wings ouer him casting flame and fire out at their mouthes yet could not these and many other apparitions cause him to dismay but trusting onely in the God of his strength they vanished away and he falling in a sléepe the wise Orbiconte presented her selfe to him saying Knight without rest of whome the heauens haue care Abide not in this place so sad and full of woe But follow thy intent which doth more good prepare And shall on thee thine owne desires bestowe Another man must these aduentures end So fortune willes to whome I thee commend This sayd she presently departed leauing the Knight to finish his dreame whereat he meruailed when he awaked to see himselfe alone in that place not knowing which way to returne to his company and as he considered on the words of the wise Orbiconte he arose and looking on the Rocke beheld in the middest thereof a Statue of blacke Marble holding betwéene his armes a Table whereon these words were written in letters of golde When the inuincible Dragon shall be chased into this place by the faire Serpent he shall giue end to these enchauntments by passing the flame and those two â—â—all louers for whome the King Brandaliseo made these charmes shall bee then discouered Hauing read this prophecie long time he was thinking on the meaning thereof yet could he not by any meanes compasse it but true it is that he doubted according to the words of the wise Orbiconte that the ending of this aduenture was destenied to another and not to him yet if he could he would haue passed further to see if there had béene any more such matters of regard but as he made offer to goe the fire and flame appeared as it did before and many voices breathed foorth bitter complaints How happie is the man quoth he whose high good fortune shall finish these enchauntments and thereby deliuer the miserable soules whose cries are able to rent a hart of Adamant When he perceiued he might not passe further but that he was resisted by the flame and diuers that smote him he returned to the place where he left Lycelio and mounting on horssebacke came backe to the Ship Then recounted he to the Pilote what he had heard and séene in the Isle and how it greeued him that he could not end the enchauntments onely to release the poore soules that cried to him So setting Sayle they coasted along Dalmatia which then was vnder the Turkes gouernement and so rode merily toward Aquilea being then likewise in the Turkes obeysance but now subiect to the Venetians CHAP. XXVII ¶ How the Knight without rest arriued in Aquilea where he was deliuered from danger by a Knight named Broantine who brought him into the fauour of the Gouernour of Enna And of an aduenture that happened at dinner time which Broantine and Liboran the well aduised brought to end AFter long and dangerous sailing on the Sea at length they are come to the Realme of Aquilea where the Knight without rest landing with his companie left the Pilote directing their iourney vp into the countrey By the way the Knight without rest slew a hidious Serpent preseruing the life of a yong Damosâ—ll readie to be deuoured and comming to the Citie of Enna tooke vp his lodging where he might most conueniently The name of a Christian being highly hated among the men of this countrey the Knight without rest was carefull to kéepe himselfe vnknowne being able to speake the language and Lycelio likewise but Lyboran to preserue his life counterfeited himselfe to be dum accounting any shift good to escape daunger The Gouernour vnderstanding that strangers were entred the Citie sent one of his Captaines named
thou art Liboran the well aduised who with the ayde of Captaine Broantine deliuered a Knight and his Sonne from death therefore seeke not to hide thy selfe from me When Liboran heard what she sayd he imagined she was some Diuineresse or one that had a familiar spirit who acquainted her with matters of secrecie wherefore in the French toong he replied thanking her for 〈◊〉 excéeding courtesie and offering her his vttermost seruice For which she was not forgetfull to thanke him causing certaine of Gentlemen to conduct them to faire Chambers readie prepared for them and in the Chamber appointed for the Knight without rest was ingeniously wrought in Tapistrie of cloth of gold the adulterie of Venus with God Mars and how lame Vulcane came and found them with diuers other lasciuious Histories to prouoke the Prince to carnall delight After the Knight without rest was vnarmed he came and walked with the wise Orbiconte in her Garden wherin were many beawtifull fountaines and great aboundance of wholesome hearbes wherwith she made precious vnguents which she sent to Knightes errant especially such as defended the honor of Ladies She walked with them likewise into her Parke and shewed them what braue game she had there prouided with all other deuises incident to delight onely to allure the Knight without rest to stay there till she had perfourmed her intent for her Daughters which within few dayes after she cunningly compassed in this manner The wise Orbiconte calling her Daughters to her the first whereof being named Iunona the second Palladia and the third Veneria gaue them especiall charge to vse themselues in such sort to the Knight without rest that he might enter into that familiar acquaintance with them as each thing might sort according to her determination And one night while the Knightes and her Daughters were dauncing she walked into her Garden hauing in her hand a little Booke of parchment couered ouer with black veluet there framed she such spelles and charmes and with secret muttering to her selfe sent such a coniuration abroade as nothing should preuent what she had concluded Now doo the Knightes repaire to their chambers thinking to rest themselues as they did the nightes before and so in déede did Broantine Liboran and Licelio for their chambers were so charmed as they could not awake till the next day was verie farre spent but as for the Knight without rest while he soundly slept and thought no harme Iunona in her night mantâ—e came to visit him and so well it séemed they agréed together as the English Prince had the honor of her virginitie Palladia and Veneria folloâ—ed their Sister in fortune the issue whereof was such as when time came of natures appointment they were deliuered of three goodly Sonnes named Clariseo Clarisaâ—do and Clarisano These thrée children were carefully nourished and in their life time perfourmed Knightly deedes of armes whereof we will speake héereafter as occasion serueth By this time had the Knight without rest remayned héere seuen dayes when Orbiconte knowing by her arte that the King her Brother would bid his enemie battell within foure daies she came to the Prince in this manner Sir Palladine séeing your affection is so forward that you will assist my Brother in this warre against the King of Panonia it is now high time to thinke on your departure for I can assure ye that within foure dayes the fight will begin Nor can I entertaine any doubt or sorrow for the matter because I haue alreadie foreseene that our enemie will sustaine great detriment losse and destruction onely by your noble and worthie behauiour prepare yée therefore to set forward to morrow Madame answered the Knight without rest if it like you we will depart presently the sooner shall we come to our iourneyes end Not so quoth she you shall be ruled by my direction for you haue time enough to trauaile thither So taking him and his freends into her Cabinet she gaue the Prince a meruailous costly gréene Armour to Broantine she gaue one of Azure couller with a Shéeld wherein was portrayed how he deliuered the Knight and his Sonne from death and to Liboran she gaue a carnation Armour figuring in his Sheeld the Shepheards life he led by the Castell of Brulanfurior As for you Sir Palladine quoth she I will not giue you any Shéeld because that you haue alreadie is better then any one héere yea beyond all other in the world except one that is at London before your Fathers Pallace which is reserued for one as yet vnborne whose Father and Mother I knowe not or the place from whence he is discended After many other familiar spéeches the knight without rest thus spake to the wise Orbiconte Madame because I am loth to trouble your rest in the morning I and my freends will now take our leaue of you requesting you to dispose of me at your pleasure in that I haue dedicated my life to your seruice Sir Palladine answered Orbiconte I know that my longe desires are now sufficiently acquited and your readie good will I haue tried and found depart in the morning what time you please and still will I aduertise ye as concerning my affaires ayding you to my power in all places where you shall come especially to obtaine your destenied honor Thus went the Knight without rest and his fréends to their chambers where passing the night in some sleepes they arose earely in the morning and mounting on horssebacke they rode away merily But the Knight without rest remembred how this night he had not béene visited with his accustomed dreames nor could he forget the words of the wise Orbiconte at his departure when she said that her long desires were sufficiently acquited whereby he began to suspect that she by enchantment had caused him companie with her Daughters but not knowing certainely what to thinke he remoued his thoughts to matter of more valew CHAP. XXIX ¶ Of the cruell battell betweene the Kings of Aquilea and Panonia wherein the Knight without rest Broantine and Liboran shewed worthy and knightly deedes of Armes And what gracious entertaynement the King of Aquilea his Daughter Nonparelia and the Princes her Brethren made them afterward THE day béeing come that she encamped powers of Aquilea and Panoma should méete Akniden and Zorian Sonnes to the King of Aquilea accompanied with the Dukes of Sclauonia and Liburnia raunge their forces in order of battell the King their Father being not able to be present because he lay sicke in the Citie of Aquilea where he was carefully attended by the Quéene and her faire Daughter It was then concluded that the Prince Almiden should leade the auantgard the Duke of Sclauonia and the Prince Zorian the maine battell and the Duke of Liburnia the ariergard then were a legion of Dalmatians and Albanoyses appointed for the wings being expert warriours with their Darts aboue all other nations On the other side the King of Panonia his Sonne the Princes of Misia and
beside I will procéed no further but heere giue ouer all cause of quarrell And that your desire may be the more satisfyed I will bring ye to the man you imagined me to be and likewise you shall knowe with whome you haue now twise dealt without aduantage My name is Manteleo Sonne to the Duke of Millayne and Brother by marriage to the Prince Palladine of England But the accustomed humours among new married folkes had charmed Palladine in such sort as he sawe not when Manteleo thus ventured before him yet afterward séeing two enemies so louingly embrace he meruailed who the Knight of the Phenix should be at length these two pacefyed came toward the Prince and in offering to salute him this cause of stay hindered them While Palladine was fastening his Ladies Bracelet about his arme a Squire came before him who on his knees presented him a Letter saying Worthie Lord my Lady and Mistresse the Duchesse of the rich Isles whome you verie well knowe commending her selfe to your good grace hath sent you this Letter desiring as the latest good you will doo her to aunswere the same with all conuenient spéed This message chéefely the verie last words amazed the Prince and béeing assailed with diuers imaginations he brake open the Seale and opening the Letter read there these lines following The Letter from Brisalda Duchesse of the rich Islands to Palladine the Prince of England AT what time my Lord I was so happie as to sée you héere in the rich Islands I thought assuredly my good hap had taken such effect as death it selfe could no way bring to end Not so much iâ— knowing my selfe to be your beloued as to remember that my first freend was the Sonne of a King whose good partes I engraued so liuely in my hart as none but he was made Lord therof reseruing to my selfe this onely regard that loue had made me no more yours then dutie had confirmed you mine Considering héerewithall that as a gadge of my good will you being surprized with some part of my graces and passionate beyond measure as your selfe sayd if my liking did not consort with yours I gaue you that remedie for your sicknes which a Lady of such calling as I am would not haue bestowed on the greatest Pritice in the world Notwithstanding our desires had then such a Simpathie of affection as in all matters we were alike hauing each others honor in equall commendation our nobilitie parentage and what else beside combined together in a rich procall knot But so it is come to posse that of our first sight affection and familiaritie such a testimonie remaineth as may not be forgotten for since your vnkind departure leauing me in a laborinth of endlesse greef I am deliuered of a Sonne begotten by you whom I haue named Vnyon now aged twentie monethes who bearing the perfect image of his Fathers graces is the onely comfort his sorrowfull mother hath And heerein you may beléeue me that an hundred times he hath preserued my life hauing so weightie a burthen at my hart as is the small account you haue made of me since your departure and the wrong you doo mée in racing mée foorth of your remembrance not vouchsasing once to acquaint mée with the cause thereof Heerein is my hap so hard and regretable as death were more welcome to mee then life to asswage which insupportable burthen I haue no comfort but your little Sonne whome hourely I hold in mine armes meruailing so swéete a babe should haue so sowre a Father Yet beeing thus cast off and disdained the sorrow can not be so irkesome to me as the blame would to you were your discourtesie openly knowne but such is my loue to you that my nature vanquished none but your selfe shall knowe how you haue wronged me nor further reuenge will I seeke then with mine owne death to burie your shame What would your new loue Nonparelia say if she knew my bed abused by her husband and she wife to him who by flesh and blood is maried to mee she beeing the second might well thinke the first to be hardly intreated But let not any doubt héereof offend you for from her will I safely conceale it not in respect of any loue to her but by remayning euermore Your faithfull and immooueable freend Brisalda Duchesse of the rich Islands After he had read the Letter he was strooken into such â—umpe and oppressed with such remorse of conscience as scantly could he endure from falling beside his horsse the best meane to preuent the same was the arriuall of Caesar and Manteleo which made him quickly change his countenance when the Emperours Sonne thus spake to him Sir Palladine the courtesie showen me by the Prince of Millayne your Brother hath deliuered me from great trouble enforcing me to forbeare armes to entertaine him in stead of your selfe The happie Bridegrooâ—e are you to faire Nonparelia whose praises soare aboue the Eagle in height nor can I forget your famous chiualrie perfourmed in defence of her portrait when you conquered in Fraunce the prowd Zarcanell her vnworthie seruant that brought her figure thether I can not denie my Lord answered Palladine but the representation of my Ladies beawtie hath made me conquerour in diuers slender enterprises woon from such as had no abilitie to keepe them wherein if I haue deserued any reporte as freends are easily intreated to commend one another farre inferiour are they to the faire Rosamonde and those aduentures that noble Caesar hath accomplished for her I see well my Lord quoth Caesar that you will binde mée to you in such sort as I shall haue no meane to compasse y e least part of gratification but let vs end this needlesse talke and goe sée the rare creature whose vertues hath allured hither so many braue Gallants So walked they to the Pallace where the King entertained Caesar verie royally and all the Ladyes with excéeding courtesie Landastines and Zorian dooing the lyke nothing ashamed that the Emperours Sonne had the honor of the Tourney CHAP. XLII ¶ What answere Palladine sent to the Duchesse Brisalda and how Caesar returned to his faire Rosamonde Landastines and Manteleo likewise into their countreys and of the birth of Florano the Prince of England Sonne to Palladine and Nonparelia CAesar being thus welcommed in the Court of England both by the Lords and Ladyes especially Nonparelia Palladine feigning to goe vnarme himselfe tooke the messenger from the Duchesse Brisalda with him saying My freend you must néedes haue a little pacience and according to your Ladies request presently you shall haue a bréefe answere from me Then calling for meke and paper he went alone into the Warderobe because he would not be suspected by any and answered the Letter in this sort The Letter from Palladine to the Duchesse Brisalda MAdame matters hauing so strangely passed hitherto yet without any cause of offence you haue had some occasion to complaine being ignorant of my hinderance in trauaile but