he passed forwards and kept his saddle and for that he séemed to haue the vauntage on his aduersarie he dyd alight from his hose made his battaile on foote Then against Rosicleer for that he seemed to be the biggest and most valiantest of them all he was encountred by the two most valiantest and stoutest knight of the foure who was Carmelio Lord of the Albâ—â—â— and Anibard Lord of Marchomandia And for that neuer at any time before they met with their equalls they thought verely at that encounter to lessen the number of their aduersaries by one But it fell out vnto them contrarie for that 〈◊〉 of them brake their speares vppon Roâ—â—cleere without mouing him any thing in his saddle but he made his encounter vpon the stout Carmeliâ— in such sort that thrusting him out of his saddle he bare him to the ground ouer his horâ—e crouper and he had enough to doe afterwards to arise againe he was so tormented with the fall The king was wonderfully amazed and all those that dyd behâ—lde 〈◊〉 to see those gallant encounters betwixt them and could not 〈◊〉 that the 〈◊〉 of Lusiano were of so great force and strength that so lightly had ouerthrowen their aduersaries and from that time forwardes had a better hope of the victorie Then the Dutches who was as one halfe dead being comforted with those newes with a better good will then before put her selfe at the window for to behold the battaile Then the worthie Rosilceere finishing the furie of his swift course with great lightnesse he tourned his horse about retourned vpon Ambardo who remained on horsebacke and stroke at him such a blow with his sword that the shylde he lift vp for to ward the furie thereof although it was of fine and hard stéele hée cloue it in two péeces and from thence descended vpon his helme with so great furie that it made him to stoope with his head declyning it to his horse necke And this stout Ambardo when that he felt him selfe ouercharged with that mightie blow being greatly amazed he said within himselfe what is this mée thinketh I féele all the furie of the world against mée is this by fortune the sonne of Trebatio that passed this way when he slewe Aridon or else is that strong Achilles sonne vnto Peleo risen againe from death to life or that first begotten of Priamus for according as I doe féele the great force of this knight it is not possible but he must néedes be one of theÌ„ And in saying these wordes for that he was a valiant and couragious knight with all the furie of his armes he stroke such a blow at Rosicleere vpon the head that he gaue him well to vnderstand that he was a verie valiant and chosen knight All this time Liriamandro and Ricardo combatted together in such sort that the battaile was worth the beholding they were both stout and valiant knights and charged the one the other with so great power strength that it made them all to meruaile But he that was most oppressed and had greatest trauaile in this battaile was the prince Luâ—iano for that being in battaile with the Duke came also against him the stout Carmelio and although he was of great bountie yet had he enough to doe for to cleere himselfe from either of them and he had passed great euell betwixt them two if that at this instant had not chaunsed that the worthie Rosicleer being in battaile with Anibardo séeing himselfe before his graundfather his courage so increased in him that with the furie of all his force he stroke so mightie strong and furious a blow vpon his helme that he had clouen him downe vnto the wast if that his helme had not bene the finer and forged by art magicke which was the occasion that his fine cutting sworde could not enter nor cut it but yet by the great force of the valiant Anibardo cleane from himselfe fell from his horse to the ground not without great wondering vnto all them that saw that terrible and furious blow and looking on the one side he saw the Prince Lusiano how he was in fight against both the other knights who then with a trice leaped from his horse and went and put himselfe before the Duke and stroke his first blow at him in such sorte that he made him to stoope with both his hands to the ground Then the Duke who was of a valiant and stout courage let Lusiano in battaile with Carmelio and began to charge Rosicleer with such mightie and strong blowes that he made him to vnderstand that he was a valiant and worthie knight And it gréeued Rosicleer verie much to thincke that in the Duke should remaine so great treasoÌ„ he being a knight of so great bountie and valour in armes And being verie desirous that the truth thereof might be knowne he forced himselfe all that euer he could for to ouercome the Duke who for a while did defend himselfe very valiantly being greatly amazed at the strange bountie and force of his aduersarie and could not immagine who it should be except he were sent from heauen for to punish the great treason which hée had done against the Dutches as one worthie thereoff All this time the prince Liriamandro séeing himselfe in the presence of his father and mother and desirous to get honour before them dyd so ouercharge his aduersarie that in a smal time he abated the courage of Ricardo y â— the vauntage was on Liriamandros part Likewise y â— gentle Lusiano the stout Carmelio who were almost equall in bountie with great force charged the one y â— other with such blowes y â— they semed to be all on fire with the great quantitie of sparkes that flew out of their armour and although for a good while there was knowen no aduauntage betwixt them yet in the end the couragious force of the Prince endured longest and he did so intreate his aduersarie that he would haue giuen a great part of his estate so that he might haue béene cléered of that battaile with honour The which grieued nothing at all the faire Polisena who séeing her knight so stout and light in the battaile receiued great ioye and pleasure and with shedding of many teares praieâ— vnto God for to deliuer him cleere from that battaile as one that made no reckning to liue anie longer than the sawe him aliue but quicklie she was brought out of that care for that the inclite and worthie Gréeke that dyd combat with the Duke â— charged him so fast with his terrible and furious blowes that hée made him all astonied and amazed that he knew not whether he went nor where he stroke his blowes and â—éeing him in that perplexitie with his right hand hée tooke him fast by the goriet and pulled him with so greate strength that hée ouerthrew him at his féete and before he could arise again he put his knée vpon his breast and pulled his healme from his head and
thing â—he which he cannot obtain to put from him that which is impossible to leaue All creatures borne as wel as those that are to be borne although there be a great 〈◊〉 of liuing of their deaths yet to die is naturall vnto them all What do you thinke to flie from that which your fathers grandfathers their predecessors yâ—â— Emperours kings could neuer escape let vs turne our backes all that euer we can froÌ„ death auoide the perils thereof yet in the end it shall happen vnto vs as vnto hint thâ—â— sâ—utteth his â—ies at the blow of his enimie suffering the griefe thereof because hée would not sée it And whereas you saie that it is good for mée to liue longer and not to procure my death before my time I 〈◊〉 vnto you that there is none that dieth before his time for that all men dieth not at one time and as wise men saie euerie one hath his time appointed the which béeing accomplished hée concludeth his fine and for that wée haue not so much lisence to call time backe againe neither to staie of necessitie wée must procéede forwards No man ran die but at his time appointed sauing 〈◊〉 hee take the time for him that himselfe hath assigned and not by him that dooth assigne nature and fortune It is a small matter touching the immortalitie of the soule some to liue foure score â—éeres and other to liâ—e eight yéeres the time being past it séemeth the one to bée no 〈◊〉 than the other Men do deceiue themselues in many thinges but in especiall concerning their death not for that all men doe thinke to die but because they hope the time will bée long séeming to be farre of that which one waie by the briefnesse of life and swiftnesse of time and another waie by the force of fortune and by the diuersities of humane chaunces béeing alwaies at hand Death vnto a young man should neuer seeme grieuous although he made reckoning of no other goodnesse for abiding the time of auncient yéeres there procéedeth thereof nothing but sadnesse and miseries The young man doth well-knowe what he hath passed in his time but yet he knoweth not what he shall passe if that he endure long In this cruell and inconstant kingdome of Fortune hée that first dyeth doeth deceiue and mocke his fellowe You will now saie vnto me that séeing that death is necessarie and of force it were better to abide the time of naturall death than to goe and receiue it of that diuellish Fauno Then you might well saie if that I were certaine thereof that the death that I shoulde die shoulde bée more happie than fortunate but whosoeuer doth knowe it for that many a one haue hoped to die in their beddes when that afterward they were hanged and some throwne from the toppe of a mountaine some torne with Lions and some eaten with wilde Bores yea that Euripides the light of al great pollicy next vnto Homer was cruellie â—â—rne in péeces with dogges Likewise Luâ—recio Prince of Poets by drinkes that were giuen him by his concubine did raue in such sort that he thought it the best remedie to kill himselfe with a knife with what great good will would the Emperour Adriano suffered himselfe to haue bene torne in péeces of a furious Lion if his people would haue suffered him rather then haue abidden that terrible sicknesse whereof he dyed Many other mo as is well knowen did hope to die of their naturall deathes and yet in the ende they died of verie desperate and cruell deathes and possible before they eschewed farre worse And you who doth giue couÌ„sell for to flie from death I would you would tell mée how farre you are from it your selfe of trueth if you doe consider verie well you shall finde that there is but a thin borde betwixt you and death and not yet two daies past when that you thought the houre was come Oh false and folish world of men that flyeth with great diligence from one little perill on the land in resisting wherof there is no honour to be gotten yet putteth not doubt to put themselues vnto these déepe seas wheras their liues is at the courtesie of the windes to ouerthrow them and of the terrible waues to drowne them they flie from one follie on the land and putteth their liues in foure farre worse vppon the seas in a shippe that is alwaies mouing the mariners neuer in one accord the water that neuer staÌ„deth still and the winde that neuer resteth What Dragon or furie is vpon the land that doth feare vs more then vpon the â—ea whereas it is well knowen an innumerable sort of men hath bene drowned There is no furie nor wilde beast vpon the lande but that it is possible by the force and strength of man to make defence and resistance but vpon y â— sea if you ioyne together all y â— strengthes of the most valiantest men in all the worlde yet are they not able to make any resistaÌ„ce against one storme or teÌ„pest but if they please they may make thrusts with their speares into the water and strike with their swordes against the windes And now séeing that ther is all these perills on the sea wherefore my good friend doe you not take the counsel for your selfe the which you doe giue vnto mée What doe you thinke that it is not more possible for mée for to ouercome the diuelish Eauno then you to haue y â— victorie of two so terrible Elements as is the water and winde Finallie to conclude when that man thinketh himselfe most farthest from death it is then nighest at hande therefore barons that be stout and couragious in nothing they should feare the death wheras they doe venter themselues to get honor and not to apart themselues from perills and dangers for that they be alwaies readie at hand and in the ende when that it shal please God that they shal die it is no other thing but a cléering of the soule out of this miserable captiuitieâ— prison and to leaue this troublesome wearie world where in I doe sée that there is no pleasure without sodaine misthiâ—ousnesse no peace without discord no loue without suspition no ease without feare no aboundance without lacke nor no estate without complaints all doth wéepe all doeth sigh all doth complaine all doth shrike and sobbe and all things doth ende I sée none that liueth content I sée nothing that is firme and stable I sée all in confusion tossed vpside downe as wel in things liuing as insensible as wel the brute beastes as reasonable creatures the high mightie towers be torne and rent with thunderboults walles be ouerthrowen with Canon shot great flouds doth carrie away Cities and townes Trées be eaten with wormes the gréene corne with the Grassehoppers Timber doth rot and moulder away the brute and wilde beastes doth fight 〈◊〉 with an other betwéene the Ownce and the Lion there is great
yet more famous was that valiant and worthie Febatio who with one hundreth Gallies and thirtie great shippes was serued by all the kings of the Leuant and was feared of all them that dwelt towards the Ponients yet in the ende he was taken prisoner by king Cirus and in one houre he had his reward for all the euills that he had done in all his time The rouer Militas with Curreo which were both in y â— time of the first Dionisius the Siracusian the one destroyed Sicilia and thâ— other did rob spoyle all Asia but after y â— they had vsed this trade y â— space of xxx yéeres by sea in y â— end the rouer Militas was taken prisoner by them of the Rodes and when that he was brought into the place of execution he did aduaunce and reioyce in himselfe for that with his owne proper hands he hadde cut of the heads of fiue hundreth men and threw fortie into the Sea and thirtie thousande were slaine in battaile with his Galliâ—s and in the ende was executed by them of the Rodes according vnto his deserts This and many other moe which I could rehearse were famous rouers yet when their houâ—e was come of their sorowfull destinie they were rewarded for their sinne and wickednesse and neuer inioyed the ritches that they had stollen Therefore I doe beleeue Cleonidas that thou in all thy actions being so conformable that the Iustice which happened vnto them cannot be lacking vnto thée Consider from whence thou commest and what thou hast bene and then I hope in God that thou wilt leaue of to be a rouer or else thou wilt goe to receiue the reward of all the harmes which thou hast done in this world vnto the diuel of hell who is author and guide of such as thou art Then Clâ—onidas hearing y â— princes Claâ—idiana vtter these wordes with so great boldnesse and courage burst out in a great laughter and saide Now of my faith knight I tell thée that I neuer knew a more foolish man then thou arte that in this sort doest threaten Cleonidas and telleth him Histories of Rouers as though that he were lesse in force and strength then Dionedes and thy selfe of more power then euer was Alexander Stay a while and I will make thée to vnderstand and know who I am and likewise will teach thée to know to whome thou speakest and in saying these words he drew out his swoord went against Claridiana then there began betwéene them a very fierce cruel battaile they layed the one vpon the other such strong heauie blowes that in short space their shields were hewed broken in péeces all those that beheld theÌ„ were greatly amazed at their great force stoutnesse and it séemed vnto them that they were two of y â— brauest strongest knights that euer before they had séene This battaile was so rigorous that in a short space Cleonides began to féele know the high bountie of his aduersarie as he that neuer in all his life met with anie that did charge him so strongly neither brought him into the like extremitie and the more he strined against her the more he felte the waight and furie of her blowes This battaile endured betwixte them more then a whole houre from the beginning at which time the royall Empresse Claridiana was more fresher fought more stronger then at the beginning and Cleonidas began to wax werie and faint and would very faine haue had the ayde succour of his knighte but the Empresse perceiuing it fearing all that might happen did so inforce her selfe y â— striking thrée mightie blowes at him on his healme all in one place in great hast the one after the other she made him to fall forward vpon his hands to the ground and before that he had any time to recouer himselfe againe she stroke him so terrible a blow betwéene the gorget and his helme that she stroke cut of his head cleane from the bodie so that they fell boâ—h together downe to the ground Then the knights of Cleonidas which were to the number of ten when they sawe their Captaine headlesse they altogether assaulted Claridiana charging her with thicke and strong blowes but she receiued them in so gallant and valiant sort that in a short space she slew â—iue of them and the other séeing her mortall blowes dyd yéeld themselues and craued pardon for their liues In this sort did this famous rouer end his daies God permitting that he should be without the aide and succour of the rest of thâ— Nauie for that hée whom all the coasts of the sea feared shuld receiue his death and be slaine by the handes of a Damsell Thus he being dead and his knightes yéelded straight waies Claridiana commaunded to be set at libertie all those prisoners that hée had taken the which being done there came before her presenting themselues a damsel who was very faire brought by a principall knight that was taken prisoner at that instant by Cleonidas and both of them gaue her great thankes for the worthinesse the vsed in â—laying of their enimie and meruailed verie much at her great bountie and valiantnes The Empresse receiued them verie curteouslie and asked of them who they were and of what Countrie Wherevnto the damsell answered saying You shall vnderstand worthie knight that this Knight and I are both of the confines of Sarmasia and I am Ladie ouer sixe Castles of mine owne the which be verie strong and good all scituated in one great and fresh valley and this knight is Lord ouer other thrée Castles round about mine and being ouercome with my beautie fell in loue with mée and would haue taken me for his wife I liked wel of him but there was one thing that did disturbe me and hindered the accomplishing of his desire which was that I had some suspition that he bare great good wil and loue vnto a Damsell that is verie faire and Ladie ouer another little valley which is verie faire and pleasant and till such time as I was fullie certefied of this doubt I wold neuer consent vnto his request for the which séeing that there was no order howe and which waie I might entirelie satisâ—â—te my selfe There was a conclusion conserted betwixt vs both that we should goe together into the kingdome of Rusia vnto the caue of the wise Artidon who doth answere a full conclusion vnto all that is demanded of him and doth knowe the secret of all heartes and what they doe desire although they doe dissemble and kéepe it neuer so secret So this séeming vnto vs the best remedie wée straight waies gaue order for the same the which being in a readinesse wée embarked our selues in this shippe and departed bringing with vs to the number of twelue knightes to bears vs companie and béeing by fortune put into this port our mishappe woulde that wée shoulde méete with this rouer Cleonidas who straight waies with his knights
the seas couered with so great and innumerable companie of shippes and it séemed vnto them that there could not remaine any more people in all Asia that was of any accompt but that they were come in that fléete and with the great ioye and contentment that they receiued for the discouerie of the lande there was so great a noyse of diuers kindes of instruments that it séemed all the world to ioyne together as at the daye of the vniuersall iudgement They that came formost and first to the lande was the king of Media the king of the Partos who with an infinit number of small Piâ—ises and boates made for the purpose began to put a land a great multitude of their people y â— came in their great shippes wherein they vsed great diligence and made all hast possible because they would not disturbe but giue place vnto them that followed after Being a land and not yet put in good order neither had they taken a shore their horse and munition when that by the commaundement of the Emperour Trebatio there issued out of the mightie citie of Constantinople the prince Rodomarte armed with very good and sure armour and in his company ten thousand knights likewise very well armed and went towards the sea side who with so valiant courage and furious force did put themselues in the middest amongst the Pagans that were landed a shore that they flew many of them many they ouerthrew to the ground very sore wounded so that there were very fewe of them but were sorie that they were the first that came a lande but by reason that they were verye manie in number and continually they did disembarke more and more they returned vpon the Gréekes so that betwixt them there began a mightie and terrible battaile for that the Medianes and Partes were stoute and valiant men and were all well armed and defended well themselues Likewise the Greekes were all chosen knights and the great courage the which they receiued by the hearing of their valiant captaine dyd cause them to put the Pagans in so great extremitie that of force they retyred towards the sea in which time there was so great hast in that mightie fléete for to disembarke themselues a land that all was in an vprore and so great a noyse that the one could neither heare nor vnderstand the other till such time as the Emperour Alicandro with great anger for that he could not with his people goe and ayde them that were a land commaunded that they should all retire back and that euerie nation in his order as he ariued should disembarke themselues the wich being obayed straight waies there went a land the Sâ—sas Arianos and the Gandaros who when they ioyned with the other that were before a land were so many in number y â— the Grâ—â—kes began to loose ground and to retire towards the citie The Emperour séeing that commaunded to issue foorth y â— Prince of Dalmacia and y â— Prince of the Rodes with fiftene thousand knights who entred into the battaile with so furious yre that in killing slaying many of y â— Pagans they made them to loose that which before they had gotten of the field and to retire backe vnto the sea side There might you see thesâ— Princes do so great actes that they were all embrued with bloud of their enimies Likewise the king of Media of the Partes other kings princes captaines of the pagans were all a great defence vnto their knights for that they were of great high stature of their persons verie valiant strong and stoute which caused great destruction amongst the Christians In all this time was Bradaman and Bramarant his sonne so angrie furious outragious y â— there was no one that belonged vnto them that dâ—rst abide their presence for that they were appointed for to come in y â— middest of all that great fléete in the garde companie of the Emperour Alicandro and they séeing so many shippes before them the which should first vâ—sembarke and they so farre from y â— those whereto they could not by anie meanes send anie of their men for to aide helpe the Pagans that were in battaile and oppressed by the Christians were readie to teare themselues in péeces with anger and griefe and commanded the marriners that they should with all sailes bearing rush through the thickest of all the fleete with all spéede possible for to come first to the shore and for that the passage was verie perilous for to passe through where as to manie shippes were at an anker in the port the pylot did withdraw himselfe in all y â— euer he could not to passe forwards the which being perceiued by the stout Bramarant his anger was so great that he had against the pylot that he tooke him by the héeles and threw him headlong into the sea and said goe thy waies whereas thou shalt lose all the feare and dread that thou hast of the Sea for that marriners ought not to haue anie more feare at the Sea then knights on the land and therevpon he tooke the gouernement of the shippe to himselfe who with stretched sailes thrust himselfe amongst the thickest of the fléet with so great furie that all pylots procured to let slip their cables for to giue waie vnto him that he might passe and by reason of his first course there were some shippes that had not so much time receiued the wracke and sunke into the Sea Thus by force hasting to the shoreward launching out the shippe boate both the father and sonne went to gether and there were so great a number of them and their barkes at the sea side discharging of souldiers that they could not gette to the shore and they not minding to staye for anie turnes or degrées made no more a doe but leapt from one â—oate vnto an other for to recouer the lande and yet were they forced for to leape into the water vp to the knées before they could get a shore who when they found themselues vpon the firme lande against them a number of Gréekes that dyd disturbe their disembarking they did in suche sort beginne to besturre themselues amongst them that in a shorte time with their wonderfull and terrible blowes they dyd so intreate them that of very force they were constrained to retire for that they neuer stroke blow but that they slew or ouerthrew a knight to the ground that by their mightie force they had place for to diseÌ„barke the rest a land And in this sort being a foote as they were they put themselues into the middest of the battaile by whose comming many Gréekes lost their liues and they carryed the flower of the victorie for that whereas they went there was not one that saw their terrible blowes but did flye away before them as from the death so that by reason hereof y â— Gréekes lost a great parte of the field and retyred themselues towards
slashing and cutting all that euer they could reach and some they cloue from the head downe vnto the girdell with the which their aduersaries receiued so great feare that they fled before them as sheepe before wolues on the contrarie part the two brethren dyd such maruailes and wonders vpon the Paganes that their déedes were to be noted that day therewithal the first two battailes were ioyned together which was as gallant a sight to be séene as euer was the brauerie of the knightes was such for that in the forefront came the twelue kinges Giantes with the two thousand that came with them from their Ilands against whome there went to receiue them twelue knights of the Godos who séeing them so great and huge vpon the Elephants made their encounter in such sort that the one and the other were ouerthrowen to the ground likewise all y e rest made their encounters so that in a moment there were more then ten thousand ouerthrowen and their horses roming about the fielde fighting one with an other so that betwixt them there was a new battaile begunne here in this conflict did the knights of Spaine show their great valour for that there was none that did make their resistance with so great force against those Gyants killing some of them and recâ—uing their owne deathes with great courage In this battaile Don Claros slew one of the twelue knights of Bradaman with a speare that he thrust through and through his bodie with a forcible and strong encounter And Arcalus slewe an other with the strength of his arme in tormenting him with his terrible blowes vppon the head which was the occasion that they were in great perill of death if that the valiaunt knights of Spaine had not come in time to haue succored them for that a great number of those monsters had compassed them about who were mightie and verie strong so that those two valiant bretheren should euill haue escaped their hands but being ioyned together their battaile was more equall then before and better fought yet all dyd profit verye little the Christians for the getting of the field for that the bushment of those Orientall Gyants made so great slaughter amongst them that they were not able to make any resistance but to receiue cruel death On the other side was those infernal pagans father sonne Bradaman and Bramarant killing and slaying with great crueltie all that euer they could reach with their swords they made so great destruction that it séemed there were not people enough in y e campe for to hold them play that daye which was the occasion that within halfe an houre after that the battaile was begon the Christians began to lose ground and to retyre towards their armie and in some place they were not content to retyre little and little but turned their backes and ranne away all that euer they could in especial there whereas was Bradaman and Bramarant and the rest of the other Gyants who were sufficient for to destroy a whole armie Then when that Don Siluario sawe that the Christians lost ground he straight waies commaunded y â— all those of his charge should march forwards who straight waies with great fiercenesse put themselues into the battaile at whose entre many of the Pagans lost their liues and the Christians began to get ground againe but straight waies that mightie knight Rodaran and the king of Media and the other kings that were with him put themselues â—orwards with their people and when they came vnto the battaile by reason that they were so many and their captaines so valiant they did make great slaughter vpon their came in the enimies and to conclude the power of their enimies was so great that they made the Christians to runne awaye almost round about the fielde in such sort that the valiant knights of spaine could not succour them for that they were enclosed in battailing with the Gyants and had enough to doe to defende themselues from them Then straight vpon that came in the knig hts of Hungaria at whose entrie the battale was renewed and began to get ground and had put them to the foyle if that the third armie of the Pagans had not stepped forwards in the which came that worthie prince Meridian and the stout knight Brandimardo who entred into y e battaile with so great furie that that day was wonderfull vnto the Christians and knew not how and in what sort the Emperour Trebatio should haue so great a power of knights and gyants except they should come out of Persia for that they knew and vnderstoode that all that countrie were in great friendship with the knight of the Sunne and manie there were that repented themselues of their comming into Grecia in especiall Don Siluerio when he saw so great destruction amongst his men and the field so full of dead bodies the teares fell from his eyes with the great sorow griefe which he receiued at his heart and accused himselfe of the euill counsell which he gaue vnto the king Oliuero When that two howers was passed since the beginning of the battaile all the people of his part began to retire for that they could not suffer the great furie of the Pagans so that of verie force and necessitie it did accomplish the king Oliuerio to enter into battaile with all those knights that remained on his charge who were manie in number and verie good And although the Pagans were Lordes of the field yet at their comming they lost all that euer they had got before and the battaile renewed and better fought and the field so full of dead bodies that the liuing could scarce passe for them Here was to be noted the diuelishnesse of Bramarant and his father and the high knighthood of Meridian and of Brandimardo and of that stout knight Rodaran and of the king of Media that it might be saide they were sepulchres vnto the Christians which was not a litle griefe vnto Rosicleer who from that little hill did behold all that passed for to sée so much Christian bloud so spilt and shed with those heathenish Pagans although he thought all might be well suffered for to eschue a greater inconuenience that vnto the contrarie might happen vnto Christendome To conclude the day passed awaie and there remained no more but one houre of the Sunne setting when that the battaile was in equall sorte and the one got no ground of the other but followed their entresse the one killing the other without all pittie at which time the fourth armie of the Pagans entred which were many in number and entred with so great furie into the battaile that those of the king Oliuerio not being able to suffer their force began to loose ground The which being perceiued by Rosicleer that by no meanes they could not but be ouercome and dispersed as one that was a good knight verie pittifull would vse charitie with them for that the king Oliuerio was Father vnto the princesse Oliuia
as also for to saue the liues of so many Christians which looked for no other but death that daie and hauing before sent aduice of all that had passed vnto the Emperour Trebatio by his page he then descended from that hill and so fast as his horse could runne he went vnto Constantinople whereas he sound the Emperour his father with all his knights in a readinesse to goe foorth if néed should require And at his comming thether he declared vnto him in what point and estate the battaile remained and in the ende he saide that considering in how much he was bound vnto the king Oliuerio and the great loue that he bare vnto those christians that came with him dyd constraine him that with all the power possible that he could make for to goe and succour him for to saue the king Oliuerio from death and a great number of valiant and worthie knights that were at the point to be slaine Then the Emperour who was no lesse endued with excelent vertues then his sonne aunswered him as followeth That he should ordaine and doe all at his owne will and pleasure for that therein he should receiue great contentment At which words Lâ—iamandro Bargandel and the King Alamades were verie glad ioyful for whatsoeuer damage or harme should happen vnto king Oliuerio should be great sorow and griefe vnto him and they dyd all praise greatly alow the great courage of Rosicleer Then straight waies and in great hast issued out of the citie the Emperour Trebatio and carryed in his companie all that valiant crue of knights with thirtie thousand other knights all Gréekes galopping with their horses keping very good aray and order they came into the fielde whereas the battaile was and when they saw that all the campe of the king Oliuerio wer dispersed and out of all order and aray running some one way and some an other way and all those worthy princes of the whole hoast were compassed round about with theyr enimies and put in great ieoperdie and at the point for to lose their liues without any hope of ayde and succour for to deliuer them At which time the Emperour Trebatio all those valiant knights that came with him with great furie and force put themselues in the middest amongst the Pagans that again the whole field was couered with dead bodies and it séemed that all the furie of the world came there together for on the one part went Rosicleer the king Sacridoro the Tartarian Zoylo Bargandel Liriamandro and other valiant and worthie knights that all they found before them they slew and ouerthrew to the ground and on the other side went the good Emperour Trebatio and with him the stout Florion the Prince Brandizel Clauerindo and the valiant and strong Oristedes and the good knight Flamides making so great slaughter on their enimies that they were all dyed in bloud And the desire which the good knight Rosicleer had to kill Pagans that they which were with him were not able to kepe him companie but all alone he pressed forwards and put himselfe amongst his enimies doing such wonders that ther was not one that could resist him And as he pressed thus forwards he came where as he saw a great number of Pagan knights gathered together in maner of a ring and had in the middest amongst them fiue knights all on foote verie valiantly defending themselues with their swords in their hands but their aduersaries were so manie that charged them that before his face thrée of those knights fell downe vnto the ground as though they had bene dead and the other two were so wearie that their deathes were at hand And as he â—rew nigh vnto them he saw that one of the two knights that defended themselues was the king Oliuerio and the other Don Siluerio whome he might very wel know by their armour and tokens which they had when he saw them first enter into the battaile and those who had compassed them about was the king of Bartos and the king of the Arrianos and had crownes of golde vpon their healmes with more then fiftie knights that were about those two knights and none nigh for to succour and take their parts The which being seene by Rosicleer with great furie he put himselfe amongst those companie of Pagans killing and ouerthrowing all that was in his waye and with his sword in his hand hée came whereas the two kings were and stroke one of them such a blowe vppon his righte shoulder that the whole arme with part of his backe he ouerthrew to the ground and stroke the other such an other blow vpon the head that cleauing the Crowne of gold and the Healme he cut him downe to the throate so that these two kings fell downe dead to the ground and their horses which were verie good remained without maisters And for that the king Oliuerio and y â— Prince might haue leasure to mount vpon those horses Rosicleer began to charge them with so many terrible blowes that the most part of them that were there together he slew with his owne handes and the rest which remained for feare of death ranne away but the king and the prince were so wearie that they had no power to mount vpon those horses for the which Rosicleer alighted with a trice and tooke the king in his armes with so great ease as if he had bene a childe and set him vpon his owne horse saying take and receiue this seruice of Rosicleer in token of a great deale more that he doth desire to serue you the which being saide he retourned vnto Don Siluerio and in the same order as he did vnto the king he set him vpon 〈◊〉 of the horses of the Pagan kings and he with a trice mounted vpon y â— other striking mortal blowes vpon his enimies he departed from that place leauing the king Oliuerio and Don Siluerio verie greatly amazed at that which he hadde done for them and how he shewed himselfe to be on their part Also they were verie glad and ioyful to sée themselues deliuered from the death which they thought verelie there to haue receiued At that time the king Oliuerio remembred the wordes which the wise Artemidoro had sayd vnto him when that in London he carryed vnto him the gentleman Rosicleer for to be an armed knight at his hands which was that the time should come that he should more estéeme to haue him by his side then any thing in all y â— who le world the which wordes were there accomplished in that he cléerely deliuered him from death From that place the king the prince Don Siluerio did behold the battaile and were verie much amazed to sée how the Christians had the better hand of the battaile and that ther were so many and so good knights in their fauour ayde and succour At this time the battaile was so ioyned and knit together that if the night had not bene so nigh at hand it semed that
Rosicleer Against the prince Meridian the valiant prince of Fransia Against the stout Brandimardo the mightie Troyan Oâ—stedes Against the stoute Rodaran king of Arabia the Emperour Trebatio Against the king of Media the couragious Floâ—â—on for that it was giuen 0him to vnderstand that he was a valiant knight Against Zoroastes king of Trprobana was placed Bargandel Against the prince of Cambray Liriamandro Against the king of the Gandaros Don Siluerio Against the prince of Aegipt Rodomaâ—te Against the sixe most valiant Gyants sonnes vnto the gâ—an Tâ—iteon was placed the prince Brandizel the king Saâ—ridoro the Tartaria Zoylo the stout knight Flamides with the valiant knights of Spaine Don Claros and Arcalus who according vnto the great strength and power that was in the Giants had néede of no small courage and valour for to counteruaile with them And of trueth you may be leeâ—e 〈◊〉 before that the battaile was 〈◊〉 there was not two amongst that great number of thousand of Pagans that was in the whole Campe but thought surely the victorie to be on their part for that the fifitene PagaÌ„ knights next vnto Bramarande was the whole 〈◊〉 and strength of all the Paganâ— Being all in a readinesse and the people in quiet the Iudges commaunded the Trumpets to â—ound in sâ—gne and token of battaile and all these knights sette spurres vnto their light horses who ranne with so great force and furie that all the earth whereas they were séemed to tremble when they came to make their encounter the noyse was so great of their sheuered speares as though they had shot of great ordinance and surely in many dayes before in that countrie was there not seene the like encounter of so many worthie and valiant knights the good Emperour Trebatio made his encounter against that valiant Pagan Rodaran whose encounter was such that they sheuered their speares in small péeces and passed the one by the other but by the force thereof Rodaran lost his stirrups and the raynes of his bridle fell out of his hand and complained very much of that encounter The like dyd the two most valiant Princes Meridian and Brandimardo making their encounters with their two strong and stout aduersaries Clauerindo and Oristedes they passed all foure the one by the other in gallant maner sheuering their speares into small péeces but no vauntage perceiued of the one part nor of the other in this their encounter Then the sixe sonnes of the gran Titheon made their encounter againste those sixe valiant knights that came against them and the strength was so great which they vsed in their encounters that if their armour had not bene verie good all twâ—lue together had bene thrust through and through but by reason that the force of their armour was a deâ—ence against the sharpnesse of theyr speare poynts there was no more harme done but the one and the other with their horse betwixt their leggs foundred backwards to the ground but straight wayes they recouered againe and began their battaile with their swords The like dyd the stout king Florion and the king of Media and the foure princes Bargandel and Liriamandra Don Siluerio and Rodamarte who made their encounter against their aduersaries in such sort that without mouing in their saddels they passed the one by the other with a gallant demeanâ—r and stout courage But now hearken and be attendant howe that the gran Campion as bigge as a tower vpon his Elephant â—ade his encounter with that strong and mightie knight Resicleer who lyke vnto a whirle winde with all the furiâ— of his mightie horse Rondarte came against him and in the middest of his course made so strong an encounter that although their Speares could not pearce their fine armouys yet the stout Rosicleer béeing astonied by the forcâ— of that encounter lost the raines of his bridle out of his hande and if hée had not well staied himselfe by the pommell of the saddle it could not haue béene otherwise but of force hée must haue fallen vnto the ground but firming and staying himselfe verie stronglie hée passed forwardes on greatlie tormented therewith but this gran Campion receiued so strong an encounter of Rosicleer that his mightie force was not sufficient for to holde him but doubled his backe in such sorte that hée fell ouer the crouper of his Elephant vnto the ground If the fayre Princesse Oliuia who dyd sée and beholde all that passed from the windowes of the Pallace receiued anie ioy and pleasure at that gallant and stronge encounter I reporte â—ée vnto your iudgement and on the contrarie the griefe and anger which his sonne Bramaranâ— susteined to sée his mightie and valyant Father by the encounter of one alone knight to bée ouerthrowen vnto the ground and hauing no patunce in himselfe neyther coulde his couragious hear◠〈◊〉 him to bée silent but in a rage he â—urst out and said It is not possiblâ— but that the Gods béeing 〈◊〉 against vs and our great strength 〈◊〉 ioyne 〈…〉 in a conclusion and sheâ— forth 〈◊〉 strengths against vs in this stout and valiant knight for otherwisâ— to the contrarie therâ— is no humane force that is able to 〈◊〉 the strength of my Father Bâ—adaâ—â—â—â— but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 séeing it is so that they will shewe themselues so contrarie against vs from this time forwardes I doe renounce them and blaspheme them and 〈…〉 to take mee 〈…〉 enimie and if so bée that this knight maye fall into my handes there shall be no sufficiencie in his greate force bée it either humane or diuine for to withdraw me to giue him the death Then the Father with no lesse furie and brauenesse than his sonne arose vp from the ground proclaiming no lesse iniuries against their false Gods for that in such sorte they shewed themselues so contrarie against them and therewith hée drew out a mightie greate and heauie fauchon which hée hadde and with a hastie pace hée went against Rosicleer thinking in a short space to hew him to péeces with his variable and mortall blowes but there was thrée thinges in this battaile cleane contrarie which was the occasion that hée coulde not execute his furious and angrie desire the one the great lightnesse that Rosicleer had that béeing on foote his Brother the knight of the Sunne had no aduauntage on him so that it was a great meruaile for the gran Campion to fasten a blowe vppon him in anie respect the other was the finenesse of his armour which was made by the wise Artemidoro of so great valour that no humane force nor edge of anie sword was sufficient for to cut or buckle them the third was the great dexteritie and strength wherewith Rosicleer did strike him and so thicke that he did not let him rest one minute of an houre neyther gaue him anie aduauntage for to profit himselfe of his great strength and although that Rosicleer had these thrée things on his parte for to make his defence against his aduersarie yet could
with him who went forth and met with them a good mile off The manner which they vsed for to giue his sepulchre with more honour according vnto the vse of their Countrie was that they laide the dead corse vpon a verie broade and smooth marble stone all white whereas they burned and consumed the bodie all to ashes and in the meane time that hée was a burning all the principallest of the whole armie were placed round about the fire all couered with robes of Sackcloth so long that it trailed vppon the ground and made great sorrow and lamentation and praied vnto their Gods to receiue him into their companie in which time all the praiers which his sonne Bramarant made was no other but blaspheming against all the Elements and against nature for that they had power for to consume and burne the bodie of the Gran Campion his Father Thus when that the bodie was all consuned and burned the ashes remaining vpon the Marble stone the which was taken and put in verie rich vessells of golde wherevnto they put water and stirred it together and put the vessells vpon a faire Table Then the Emperour Alycandro the more to honour the Gran Campion beganne first for to drinke of the same mixture and after him Bramarant and after them in order all those Kings Princes and worthie Knightes that were in the Campe till such time as they left no mention of the water and ashes so the mightiest Lords that were in all the Paganisine made their bodies the sepulchre of that mighty Pagan and this they had amongst them for the most honorablest burying that could be With these and many other thinges moe which the Emperour Alycandro commaunded to bee done for the Gran Campion making great lamentation for his death Bramarant was somewhat appeased and lost great part of that outragious furie and wrath which he had conceiued and vnderstoode and procured no other thing but onelie how and by what meanes he might make terrible and cruell reuengement for the death of his welbeloued Father Then after certaine daies were past of the truce which was taken with the Gréekes they beganne of all partes to prepare and make themselues in a readinesse against the battaile that was determined and was thought to be of both partes the brauest and most cruellest and bloudie that euer was séene vpon the earth for that the Emperour Alycandro had commaunded that the first daie that the Gréekes should come forth for to giue them battaile that all the people of their Campe shoulde procéede against them for that they wold at once conclude that enterprise and not to leaue their aduersaries anie force and strength at all for to return againe vnto the fielde for although there were many battailes betwixt them as the Hystorie hath shewed you yet there went not forth the third parte of the people that was there with them which were so many in number that there might well bée made of them thrée mightie armies and of truth there was neuer séene in all Asia nor buropa so many and so valyant stout and worthie knightes gathered together as were at that present in the fields of Constantinople Now let vs leaue the Pagans in readinesse for the battaile to come and let vs veturne vnto the Gréeks that were in the mightie Citie of Constantinople What the Greekes did and how the king Liseo and the faire Queene Radamira came to aide the Emperour Trebatio and what happened besides Chap. 37. IT was a thing of great wonder vnto the Gréekes to sée themselues closed within the Citie and so compassed about in their owne fields for their enimies were so great and infinit a number of Pagans that it might well be sayd that they had against them all the whole force of the world for there were in the field an infinite number of barbarous people of different and diuerse Nations and the most part proude and terrible Gyants that the like were neuer seene in all the world but God of his goodnesse created such heartes in that mightie Emperour Trebatio and in his worthie proicnie as also in those high Princes and stout worthie valiant knights that were in his companie that not onelie they were without all feare and dreade but also had great force and courage for to destroie and ouercome all those that had compassed them about and there were few or none amongst them but receiued great contentment to be there at that present for that the Emperour Trebatio séeing with him his sons and so many worthie Princes knights receiued so great ioy and pleasure that he thought himselfe to be the most happiest and fortunatest Prince in all the world And of the knight of the Sun of the faire and soueraigne Empresse of Trapisonda it may wel be said that ther was neuer sâ—â—ne two hearts with so great contentment for that hauing one the other in presence either of them thought themselues in paradise although you must vnderstand that in all this time the knight of the Sun could neuer bring to effect his desire with the roiall Princesse for she was of so high a courage y â— the knight of the Sun neuer durst in heart cause her to receiue anie anger neither woulde shée consent to anie thing that was against her honour the which she had alwaies before her eies more than anie damsell in her time With no lesse ioy than they liued those two faithfull and perfect louers the faire Princesse Oliâ—ia and Rosicleer who being in presence together thought themselues cléere of all sorrowes and griefes the which the one had sustained for the other whereat the king Oliuerio receiued no small glorie and contentment for y â— it séemed vnto him y â— with no other Prince in all the world he could not haue married his Daughter so highlie and worthilie as he had married her neither coulde she haue bene exalted to no higher estate So that he all those that came with him from great Britaine were wonderfullie amazed to sée the mightinesse of the Emperor Trebatio the highnesse of his Court so furnished with a greate number of worthie Princes and valiant knightes as also with so many faire and precious damsells that of truth it might be spoken that there was neuer seene so great highnesse and maiestie in the court of anie Prince before y â— time And the Pagans that came forth of Persia with the king Florion meruailed greatlie to see the orders of the Court of Grecia for by the sacrifices ceremonies of the Christians for that they did see and behold them euerie daie to be done with great iumptuousnesse reuerence they were partlie inclined to thinke well of the lawe and faith of Iesu Christ true God and man and trucâ—â—e although there were many that died for this loue which the knight of the Sunne had wich the 〈◊〉 Lyndabâ—â—les yet grew there not so little effect 〈◊〉 of these famous wars but that by occasion of 〈…〉
that ranne out of their wounds but by reason that they were so boistrous and so stout they so doubled their blowes with so great furie vpon Rosicleer that it had bene sufficient to haue hewen a rocke in péeces so that in a short time they made him verie faint and wearie brusing his flesh and bones although their swordes could not enter nor cut his inchanted armor And of truth if that this battaile had endured long hée had béene brought into the greatest perill that euer he saw himselfe in in all his life for that these two Gyants were young-men and the most strongest that were to be found amongst all Gyants But yet at this instant Acorante was so weak and féeble by the losse of much bloud that he coulde not stand on his féete but fell downe to the ground as though he had béene dead Then he finding himselfe alone with Rubero the battaile was more indifferent the one did charge the other verie stronglie striking whereas they thought they should doe most harme each to his aduersarie but Rubero for the death of his brother was so full of wrath and ire that he made little account of the blowes that Rosicleer did strike him although his â—ine cutting sworde had so sore wounded him in many partes that his death could not bée long dilated by reason of the great quantitie of bloud that ranne out of them These Gyantes had certaine knightes which alwayes went with them who at this verie instant came vnto the same place whereas they made their battaile but yet in anie manner of wise they durst not helpe their Lordes for that many times before they had plagued them and giuen them warning that whensoeuer they were in battaile with equall knightes that none of them shoulde aide or succour them for which occasion they stoode still and were in quiet till such time as they sawe one of their Lordes lie along vpon the ground as though he had bene dead and the other so sore wounded that he could not long indure neither could they anie longer refraine themselues but all together who were more than fifteene all wel armed went against Rosicleer and began to charge him with verie thicke and strong blowes but Rubero when he sawe this did put himselfe before them and cried out that they should departe and let him alone but they would not retire but still pressed on all that euer they coulde Then he returned against them with his sword and did so much that against their will hee made them to retire Then would he haue returned againe vnto the battaile but Rosicleer liâ—t vp the vizor of his heâ—me and sayd God forbid that I should be ouercome at thy hands more than at one time for this which at this time thou hast vsed with me hath rendered mee so much that I will put my selfe wholie into thy power â—or to doe with mée according to thy pleasure vpon this condition that you giue vnto this Damsell free and whole libertie who was the occasion of this battaile which hath béen begun and continued betwixt vs. You shall vnderstand that all the sonnes of Roboan were by nature well conditioned and this Rubero the third sonne was the best of them all who acknowledging the greate vantage that Rosicleer had of him although all the knights had hâ—lpen him and how that his wordes which hee hadde spoken proceeded of great vertue hée then vnlaced his healme and sayd Let not my fortune permit that against him who hath so great vauntage on me as well in vertue as in strength that I make anie more contention or farther 〈◊〉 for that in the ende both in the one and in the other I cannot choose but néedes must bée ouercome and loose the victorie This damsell is thine and thou hast wonne her and nowe looke what is thy pleasure to be done with vs for that all shall be accomplished as you wil command Then Rosicleer did embrace him with great loue and both of them together went to helpe vp Acorante who was so féeble that he could not moue himselfe but when that they had pulled off his healme and giuen him aire hée began to come better vnto himselfe and gather some strength Then the Quéene Iulia with a péece of a vaile which she had bound vp his wounds and stanched the bloud by vertue of a stone which she had in a ring as one that in all things was a damsell verie wise and of great discretion When all this was done the Quéene sayd vnto Rosicleer Happie and fortunate knight if you doe well remember the condition wherewith you got this sword that you now possesse in great Britaine it was that you should combat with two Gyants together for the deliuerie of a Damsell When Rosicleer heard these wordes being greatlie amazed how she should come to the knowledge thereof he said I doe well remember the same Well then said she now may you well vnderstand and sée how that the condition is well accomplished for that you haue had the battaile with these two Gyants for to deliuer me that am the Quéene Iulia she who with her owne handes did forge the sword that you now haue at your girdle hauing experience before how much it should profit you in this battaile for my deliuerie Good Ladie saide Rosicleer what fortune hath brought so wise and high a Damsell in this sorte into this Countrie That fortune sayd the Quéene that could ouerthrowe the mightie Alycandro from the high throne wherevnto he was exalted and bring him to bée prisoner â—oyntlie with the Princesse Lyndabrides his daughter in the power of two Gyants who carryed them yesterdaie vnto the high Castle that standeth vppon yonder mountaine This is shée that no force nor humane wisedome is able for to deliuer from the subiection of her tumbling and tourning whéele And as I came with the Princesse thinking for to escape from the prison whether as they carryed her I ran away secretly and put my selfe amongst these Rocks but yet in the ende I chaunced to fall into a daunger no lesse perillous then that out of the which I thought to haue escaped At which words Rosicleer was greatly amazed and saide is it possible to be true that the Emperour Alicandro and the Princesse Lindabrides are prisoners It is of trueth sayde the Quéene for that two Gyants did carrie them vnto yonder castell Well then let vs goe thether out of hand sayd Rosicleer for with a verie good will I will aduenture my life for to â—et at libertie so high personages It shall not be nedefull said Rubero for that those two who did carrie theÌ„ be our bretheren and sonnes vnto Roboan our Father therefore let vs go straight waies thether for by your intercession they and all those that be prisoners in the castell shal be set at libertie Rosicleer receiued great contentment at that which Rubero had sayde and gratifying him they all together went towards the castell and their knights did carrie Acorante
THE THIRD PART of the first booke OF THE MIRROVR of Knighthood vvherein is set forth the WORTHIE DEEDES OF THE knight of the Sunne and his brother Rosicleer both sonnes vnto the Emperour of Grecia with the valiant deedes of armes of sundry worthie knights Verie delightfull to the reader Newly translated out of Spanish into English by R. P. Imprinted at London by Thomas East To the right courteous Gentleman my especiall good friend Maister Richard Morris health c. THE famous Philosopher Aristotle being demaunded what benefit he hadde obtained by the studie and practise of Philosophie answered This that vncommanded I can doe that I ought and auoide the doing of that I should not For saith he the ignorant and ruder sort abstain from euill compelled for feare of punishment but the wise and learned doe shun the same of their owne accord because it is euill A worthie saying and well beseeming the excellencie of so noble a Philosopher For what is there that can more effectually expresse the benefit that ariseth by the studie of any thing then to shew the effects that it worketh in them that applie themselues therevnto And what effect is there equall vnto this when a man vncommaunded can conforme his iudgement frame his will and order his actions according to the rule of reason and auoide whatsoeuer is contrarie to the same And as the studie of Philosophie worketh this in the followers thereof so doth the studie of other laudable things also bring foorth verie commendable effectes eche one in their owne kinde For which cause sundrie men in times past haue penned with great labour the laudable workes of antiquitie and some also in these our daies imitating the painefull diligence of those auncient writers haue with no lesse trauaile written Histories of later yeeres which by the reading of theÌ„ might be aswell profitable to repell other vaine delights as pleasant to passe away the tediousnesse of the time Among which I haue caused this Third part of the first booke of the Mirrour of knighthood to be translated out of the Spanish tongue moued thereunto with the earnest request of sundry persons as also being willing of my selfe to further so worthie a worke adorned with all good examples of honour magnanimitie that may serue to the exalting of vertue and weldoing and to the repressing of vice Which being done I aduised with my selfe where I might finde out an English Patron of conformable qualitie hauing heard of your vertuous and euerie way Gentlemanlike disposition by others as also had tryall of your great singular curtesie in my selfe I thought good to Dedicate this woorke vnto you Maister Richard Morris in lieu of better to testifie my thankfull remembrance of your great good will shewed vnto mee desiring you to accept in woorth the presentation hereof if not for the worthinesse of the thing offered and yet I trust you shall not finde it altogether vnworthie of the good fauour and acceptaunce yet as a testification of my affection which by this I here present vnto you declareth what I would if I had better to giue Thus hoping that you will friendly accept of this my doing I take my leaue Yours to vse Thomas East TO THE READER GEntle and friendlie Reader I haue caused to be translated according to my promise this worke entituled The third part of the first booke of the Mirrour of Knighthood which I doubt not will be delightfull vnto thée for that it concludeth the Hystories of these thrée partes of the first booke following orderlie one after another after which thrée partes before mentioned foloweth the second part of the Mirror of Knighthood which booke is diuided into two partes so that now is extant in the English tongue fiue bookes Desiring thée to accept my labour in good part which I present vnto thée wherein thou shalt finde the strange and wonderfull prowesse of the worthie Emperour Trebatio and his two sonnes with sundrie other couragious knights mixed with many lamentable sorrowfull Hystories Thine T. E. WHat hapned with the knight of the Sun the night before he should be married vnto the Princesse Lindabrides Chap. 1. Fol. 1. What hapned in the court of the Emperour Alicandro when they vnderstood of the departure of the knight of the Sunne Chap. 2. 4 How the Princesse Claridiana departed from Constantinople returned vnto the Empire of Trapisond for certaine newes which were brought her Chap. 3. 7 What happened to the knight of the Sun and Oristedes trauailing through Tartaria Chap. 4. 9 How the Empresse Claridiana being in Trapisond there aâ—iued her damsell Arcania and declared vnto her news of the knight of the Sun which brought her almost to the point of death Chap. 5. 11. How Rosideer caried the Princesse Oliuia by sea wher they met with a great storme were in perill and how meruailouslie they were succoured Chap. 6. 17 How the knight of the Sun Rosicleer the rest went a land and wer meruailoustie receiued by the Emperâ—â— Trebatio c. chap. 7. 25 How the Prince Don Siluerio without all hope of recouerie of the Princes Oliuia her returne what happened in the court of the king Oliuerio Chap. 8. 31 How the Princes Lindabrides did craue of her father reuengemenâ— of the knight of the Sun how the Emperor at her request did call a Parliament and what happened in the same Chap. 9. 32 How the Emperor AlycaÌ„dro did consult with his Nobles about his iourney into Grecia what Bramarant did concerning the same Chap. 10. 36 How there came to the Court of the Emperor Trebatio a strange knight did defie the knight of the Sun and of the stout battaile fought betwixt them chap. 11. 42 How the knight of the Sun came againe vnto himselfe as one desperate for the battel he had with Claridiana departed the Court Chap. 12. 49. How the knight of the Sun was found lacking in the court being all verie sorowful there came Letters from the wise Lirgandeo which amazed them all cha 13. 54 How the knight of the Sun came forth of the wildernesse of Grecia and sailing by sea was by a storme caried into the solitarie IlaÌ„d wher the diuellish Fauno was ch 14. 57 How the knight of the Sun ariued at the Iland of the possessed Fauno of the perillous battaile that he had with him chap. 15. 79 What the Empresse Claridiana did after the knight of the Sunne was departed froÌ„ Const. cha 16. 78 How the great armie of the Emperor AlicaÌ„dro ioyned in the port of Tenedon and of diuerse sorts that went into Grecia chap. 17. 84 How the Emperor Trebatio had newes of the comming of the Pagans of his preparatioÌ„ ca. 18. 85 Of the mightie armie the king Oliuerio prepared to goe into Grecia Chap. 19. 86 How the great fleet of the Emperor Alicandro came to Constantinople forcing to go a land the Pagans had with the Christians a great eucounter
all that the knight of the Sun had said vnto them his griefe was such that he tore the haire froÌ„ his head and beard and smote himselfe vpon the face that it was great pittie to behold how the great loue that before he bare vnto him is now charged into mortall hate swore by his high Gods that he would vtterlie renounce and denie them if he might not bée reuenged of that iniurie which was done vnto him by the Knight of the Sunne in which rage hée straight waies called together all those mightie kings and noble men of his Court vnto whom he did declare all which had passed and made manifest vnto them the great anger the which he receiuâ—d and sayd that his honour conformable vnto his 〈…〉 not receiue iust satifaction except the knight of the Sunne be taken prisoner and punished according vnto his desert and for the accomplishing thereof hée knew no other remedie but to ioyne together a great hoast and number of people and with them to passe into Grecia and to destrâ—ie all that Empire full such time as they haue taken prisoner the knight of the Sunne and the mightie Emperour his Father vpon whom he might execute his wrath and take reuengement on their persons for the iniurie done vnto him And as amongst friends and such as bée priuate vnto noble men there neuer lacketh one or other that will rather be conformable vnto their wills and aide and helpe them in the executing of their wrath sooner with anie reason to make resistance to auoide inconueniences euen so it fell out in this assemblie although there were some there present that did not like well of the Emperours words yet ther were many other y â— did coÌ„mend his pretence in saying y â— it was well done to the contrarie if the Emperour did not séeke reuengement of the knight of the Sun that for euer after he should remain iniured infamous Also there was added therevnto by certaine young braines and grâ—ene heads who were verie desirous to get honour that vnto the Gods they should doe great honour and seruice for to destroie that Emperour of Grecia for that they were Christians and enimies vnto their lawe and the better for to accomplish the same they did offer themselues iâ— person with their goods and vassals with pretence to ioyne together the greatest armie that euer was made in all the world and for that these young Knights tooke the vantage in speaking first others y â— wer ther present who had other things in their thoughts held their peace almost perforce did consent vnto all y â— which the Emperour would doe who being somewhat comforted in that he sawe how euerie one receiued part of his anger he forthwith commanded that it should be proclaimed throughout all the Court that all noble men principall gouernours in all his Realmes dominions should assemble together in his great Citie before the end of two moneths pronouncing great penalties vpon them y â— did not performe the same So for y â— the newes of the departure of the knight of the Sun was throughlie knowen amongst the people it could not be hidden from the faire Princes Lindabrides who hauing an inkling of the same commanded to call before her the Prince of Cambray and declared all that passed with the knight of the Sun in his presence but when the Princesse had well heard vnderstood the effect of his tale she straight waie suspected what was the occasion thereof vnderstoode verie well y â— the remembrance of the Princesse Claridiana was the cause of his departure more than anie other thing which was the reason that her sorrow increased so much y â— there was no euill in all the world that might be compared vnto hers which was in such sort y â— after she had remained in a trance for the space of more than one houre in comming againe vnto her selfe she gaue such terrible shrikes y â— it séemed to penetrate the heauens tearing in péeres her kerchers head attire which was verie fine pulling her golden rubicond haire vttering words of so great dolour griefe y â— all those that heard them were moued with great compassion to wéep ther was not one that could giue her anie comfort for that they were all oppressed with sorrow and could not speak vnto her one word but the passioned princesse amongst other lamentations said O high immortall Gods let my sorowfull complaints ascend vnto your diuine maiesties let your eares be pertakers of these my passions let these my griefs be manifest before you y â— with sodain death I may be taken out of this world let not your soueraigne prouidence consent that I liue anie longer for to suffer so strong repuise of fortune Oh disgrace so vnhappie and fortune so terrible I would I had died a thousand deaths before I had knowen so great â—isaster and who would not first desire to die rather than to liue sée so great euill oh destinie signes planets vnder whom I was borne and subiect with none could you dse your crueltie so much as you do with me it had ben better that I had neuer ben borne than vnder so cruell constellations to maintain life but what do I saie vnhappy that I am for according vnto my misfortune and the greatnesse of my griefe and sorrow the high Gods who doth excéede the operations celestialls did make the knight of the Sunne of so great valour that my misfortune shoulde excéede the influence of the signes and planets celestialls and in saying these wordes the faire Princesse fel into a sound and was so farre out of all remembrance that her Ladies and Gentlewomen did thinke verilie that she was dead yet had thy great care tooke great paines for to comfort her but all did profit verie little for that she suffered a long time and neuer entered into her breast any ioy or comfort but many times to the point of death she was brought she grew to be verie heauie and sad alwaies hoping of the reuengement which her Father did promise to take of him which was the whole occasion thereof Whom the Hystorie doth leaue at this present for to tell you of the Princesse Claridiana who remained in the Court of the Emperour Trebatio How the Princesse Claridiana departed from Constantineple and returned vnto the Empire of Trapisond for certaine newes which were brought her Chap. 3. YOu haue vnderstood by the History how that the Princesse Claridiana at such time as the knight of the Sun departed from her remained in the Citie of Constantinople with determinatioÌ„ not to depart thence til such time as he should returne from the gran Catayo Now saith the Historie that she being in the Court of the Emperor Trebatio with great ioye for the high honour and good entertainmeÌ„t which she receiued of al persons although with much griefe for the absence of her knight Upon a
daie it hapried that there came vnto her twelue ancient knights and of great honour from the Empire of Trapisonda all apparelled in blacke which did signifie great heauinesse who with sorrowful countenance did humble themselues on their knées before her and did kisse her hands as their Ladie and mistres and they gaue her to vnderstand how that the Emperour her Father and Empresse her Mother were both departed the world vpon a sicknesse that tooke them both together and so ended their daies how that all the nobilitie of her Empire did request her y â— out of hand the should depart to put in quietnesse and set in good order her high estate for her absence being without Lord might be the occasion of some great peril When that this dolefull newes was heard by the Princesse she receiued great sorrow at her heart for the death of her parents whom she loued verie much considering of her departure froÌ„ Grecia which was of compulsion her sorow did double increase yet was she somwhat coÌ„forted by the parents of the knight of the Sun who did honour her in all respects then she séeing y â— of necessitie she must depart out of hand she went vnto the Emperor Empresse Briana gaue them to vnderstand therof crauing lisence for her departure promising theÌ„ to returne againe as soone as she had put in order her estate set it in quiet The Emperor the empresse receiued great griefe at those dolefull newes also that the departure of the Princesse was of pure necessitie for that the loue which shée had recouered amongst them in the smal time y â— she was there was very much but séeing the iust reason that she had to 〈◊〉 in lamenting the death of her parents they saide that it was in her choice to vse her pleasure as she should thinke best and how that they were all at her commandement in anie thing she would imploie them This good Emperour did not alonelie offer vnto her knights of great renewin for to beare her companie into her Countrie but also did contend that himselfe in person would do the like This roiall Princesse surrendering great thanks for the same would not consent that the Emperor neither anie of his knights should go with her but alonelie her owne Ladies Gentlewomen in companie with those knights y e came froÌ„ Trapisonda So taking hir leaue of them all where amongst theÌ„ was shed many teares the roiall Princesse departed out of the great mightie citie of Constantinople accoÌ„panied with the Emperor the most principal knights of his court they did conduct her vnto y â— sea side whereas they did embrace her commend her vnto God She straight waies did embarke her selfe with all her companie began to saile towards the Empire of Trapisonda and the Emperor with all his knights returned againe vnto the Citie whereas he feit great griefe for the lack of his sons of the good knights that were absent for their respects from the court Now doth the Historie returne vnto the Princesse Claridiana saith that they found the wind so prosperous that in a short time they ariued at the mightie Empire of Trapisond whereas she was receiued of her nobles vassolls with great ioy and pleasure vnto theÌ„ all who receiued great content for y â— they had so noble faire a gouernesse y â— in all the world they beléeued was not her equall as truth is she was as well in beautie as in customes comlie grace that she had not her péere in her time So after y â— the funerall was concluded for the Emperor Empresse as did appertaine vnto their high estates the roiall Princesse was crowned for Empresse in the time y â— she remained her gouernment was such y â— in y â— as wel as in all other things appeared y â— God did vse great bountie in her behalfe aboue all other who with great care did pâ—sse the time many daies alwaies awaiting when she should heare newes of the knight of y â— Sun whose long absence was cocasioÌ„ of her great sorrow griefe in such sort y â— whatsoeuer pastimes pleasures her subiectes did ordaine to giue her conteÌ„t yet could she not receiue anie comfort or ioy neither could she put him out of her remembraunce a moment for that she was not in quiet neither could she not refraine from the great oppressions of her thoughts suspecting the great perill wherein the knight of the Sunne was with the continuall presence and conuersation that he hadde with the faire Princesse Lindabrides which séemed vnto her such that according vnto the great valour and desert of the knight of the Sunne with the soueraigne beautie and grace of the Princesse it were a thing impossible but that the one must néedes lone the other So with thiâ— great care and troubles of minde the storie doth leaue her for to tell you of the knight of the Sunne who in companie with the valiant Oristedes was trauailing through the gran Tartaria What happened vnto the knight of the Sunne and Oristedes trauailing through the gran Tartaria Chap. 4. WIth great trauaile and hast did these two great friends the knight of the Sunne the troian Oristedes make their iourneies ouer the mightie féedes of the mounre Tauro which was verie fresh and delightfull and polished with manie Castells and faire houses in which trauaile for the space of manie daies they did sundry feates of armes by reason that the inhabitants ther were verie barbarous so that euerie daie they were driuen to armore and to make their defence And in al places wheresoeuer they became they hadde contention with the dwellers there aboutes and although all that mountaine was replenished with Castiles and houses somwhat apart the one from the other yet did they passe the greatest part thereof with little daunger till vppon a night it happened being verie darke and they in the field where as they could not discouer neither castle nor house whether they might go to lodge themselues being in such a constillation as was very colde so that the first part of the night they passed with great trouble till such time as from far of they discouered a light of fier which séemed to be in a great and déeps valley they thinking that it was made by some shepherds that kept their shéepe there being very glad went thether wards And when they came nigh vnto the place they saw that it was a companie of more then thirtie barbarous people of y â— countrie being of a high and large stature and either of them had but one eye and that was in their foreheads as big as a smal looking glasse They were al apparailed with the skins of beares and of other beastes sitting round about a great fier which they had made and some of them were rosting of certaine Uenison and of other beastes which they had taken vpon spits of wood Their
gran Cataio y â— knight of y â— Sun neuer left y â— princes Lindabrides insomuch y â— her great beautie coÌ„tinual coÌ„uersatioÌ„ wrought such effect within his heart that you were cleane blotted out of his remembraunce and the promise that he made vnto you cleane forgotten so y â— in the way of our trauaile he did offer himselfe whollie vnto her intreating of loue and made her prontise that so soone as they should come vnto the Gran Cataia he would marrie her the which promise she did accept by reason whereof she did make her defence till such time as they came vnto the court of the Emperour Alicandro where as they were with great pompe and maiestie receued So the daie of the marriage being appointed all the nobles of the land were called and assembled together and for the space of twentie daies that I was there they gaue themselues to no other thing but to bankets and feasting for the marriage of the Princesse whereas the knight of the Sunne did so high and wonderfull feates of armes that his fame will neuer be forgotten in that countrie To conclude I séeing that the time was short and at hande for the celebrating of the marriage with great sorow and griefe I departed from thence and made so great haste as possible I could for to come hether to giue you to vnderstand thereof So wheÌ„ that y â— Empresse Claridiana had heard these newes of so great dolour and griefe and vnderstoode the whole effect thereof there was no paine torment griefe that might be compared vnto hers at that present neither was there any sufficiencie in her heroicall and baliant courage wherewith she did quaile ouercome those terrible guards of the Princesse Elisea for to suffer and to dissemble so cruel contrarie and peruerst fortune but that losing the vse of her remembraunce as one past all hope she fell in a sownd in the armes of her Damsell Arcanie whereas she remained more then one whole houre before she came againe vnto her selfe in such sorte that Arcania who did helpe her thought verelie that she was dead altogether and did repent her selfe that euer she did declare vnto her those heauie newes In the ende the Princes came againe somewhat vnto her selfe who in mortall anguish did yeald out from her troubled breast such cruell sighes as though her life would follow after then she began to saie as followeth Oh high and soueraigne maiestie how is it that your diuine maiestie doth permit and suffer that your Empresse Claridiana should receiue so great treason and especiallie of him whom in al the world she best loued Oh false and traiterous knight now am I fullie certified or y â— occasion of thy long tarrying and thy dispitefull wordes and promises are manifest vnto me as also who doth detaine thée Oh knight of the Sunne what mist of darknesse hath daseled thy eyes that the sight of the princesse Lindabrides could so bleare and blot out of thy memorie the figure of Claridiana Be these the effect of thy amorous words which thou vtteredst vnto me comming by sea from Lidia and the fained teares that thou diddest impart with me How oftentimes diddest thou desire me for to receue thée to be mine after y â— I offered my selfe to be thine consider of thy promise made vnto mée the which now thou hast vtterlie falsified and broken If thou haddest well considered O thou traitor who I was how that my desert is without comparison thou wouldest neuer haue changed me for anie other and that which séemeth vnto me to be without reason is that thou hast matched with one that is not of thy lawe and faith What was become of thy wits and where was thy vnderstanding that thou diddest not see and consider how much thou hast offended the soueraigne creator with that marriage and how worthie thou art of punishment in committing of such wretched sin I doe not now much meruaile that thou hast not kept thy word and faith with me when thou hast not kept thy faith with the liuing God neither doe I meruaile at the committing of so great sinne for that not long since thou fainedlie diddest take the name to be a Christian the which I doe suspect thou hast reiected and denied And the better to bring thy pupose to effect thou doest publish thy selfe to be a Pagan Oh that the wrath of the diuine iustice might now descend vpon thée and the burning lightnings and thunder engendered in the high clowves might make reuengement on thée for thy great tniurie shewed Oh that thy misfortune had beâ—e such that thou haddest fallen into some of those perills and dangers that I suspected to chaunce to thée or else that thou hadst died with some sodaine vnlooked for death What cruell death punishment or euill fortune might bée conformable vnto thy desert in committing so great an error There is nothing that grieueth me so much as y â— thou wert the floure of all knights and being gone there is not in all the world that is worthie of my excellencie although I am not married yet doe I remaine a widow the greater my griefe to sée him y e which I thought should haue ben my husband in the power of another Oh fortune how contrarie haue you bene vnto me in that you haue giuen me so great beautie and soueraigne dignitie If thou haddest created me foule euill fauoured and of base birth then had not the one bene occasion of my pardition neither the other had reason for to destroie me If that my singuler beautie highnesse were not I might put remedie in my great griefe as Ariadne that was left of Theseus and Medea forgotten of Iason But who is there now in all the world with whom I may make change of so faithfull loue What woman is there in all the world that euer felt so great griefe for loue Trulie there is no comparison to be made vnto mine no not that of Deyamirâ— whom Hercules changed for Yo le nor that of Penelope for Vlysses nor of Phillis for Demophoon Let not that be spoken of Io that was conuerted by Iupiter to a cowe and presented vnto Iuno and that of Biblis that followed that cruell Cadmo Neither may be compared that of Tisbe and Prâ—amus nor of the Queene Dido that built Carthage for Aeneas Great reason had Gero for to bewaile her welbeloued Leander when she sawe him drowned and laie vpon the sandes of the huge riuer but yet comfort thy selfe with mée for that thy great dolour and griefe should I receiue for glorie if that I did sée the knight of the Sunne to die for my loue and with a great deale more spéede than Gero would I beare him companie in death Comfort thy selfe with me than Gofreda which was the occasion of his death that loued her best And if that File and Laudonia were comforted with their sodaine deathes Comâ—ort your selfe with me by y â— euil
fortunes of locasta whose misfortunes were such as was not in the whole worlde to be compared yet may it not be compared vnto mine Oh fortunate Eucuba and soueraigne Quéene who alonely remained for to sée the sorowfull sight of the destruction of Troy and the death of thy husband and valiant sonnes and faiâ—e daughters and after for the same cause thou wert of thy enimies stoned to death Comfort thy selfe with my misfortune for that it is not lesse dolorous then thine Oh Sophonis be Queene of Numidia who being with thy husbande prisoners in the power of thy enimie and being comforted to marrie with him first before that thy marriage was selebrated thou wert slaine by poision I consider with great griefe thine not to be equall vnto mine for that thou diddest lack time to acknowledge thy hurt in me it remaines for to suffer so great griefe Oh Cornelia wise vnto Crasso of that mightie Pompey of Rome banished with thy husband lette our sorowes be ioyned together when that with great hope for to sée thy Pompey thou wert lost and wert comforted by Cato Vticense Happie werte thou Cleopatâ—a Quéene of Aegipt séeing that thou werte forgotten by Caesar in so short space thou diddest quench so great a fire thy faire breasts béeing drawen or sucked by Snakes till such time as they sucked thy bloud which made an ende of thée Oh how pleasant should thy death be vnto mée if that in the seruice of God so great crueltie might be permitted I should thinke my selfe happie if that the bloud of my brestes with those cruell Snakes were drawen out so that ioyntly therewith the furious anguish of my heart should be expelled Oh pittifull tears of Licurgus for thy Arquimoro and those of Atalante for her Partenopio how farre doe mine excéede yours and with much more iust cause I doe shedde them Oh falce and disloyall knight what reason coulde constraine thée to falsifie and break thy worde promise giuen to be whollie mine It appeareth that thou dost follow the law Gentilica of the god Mercurio that doth not obserue kéepe their woord they say that it is more polesie then disceit Oh how I doe know now to be true that there is nothing so difficil to be vnderstoode as the humaine heart Who would euer haue thought that so great crueltie and disloyaltie might be compreheÌ„ded in a knight that doth surpas all other knights in the worlde What man hath bene in the world so cruell and peruerst as thou traitour hast bene vnto mée of truth none no not Iupiter god of y â— Gentiles whome thou dost worship that banished out of his kingdome his Father the king Saturno Neither that Ptolomeo king of Egipt that slewe his owne father brother and in the ende his wife Euridice onely for the loue of his friendes Orestes was not so cruel that slew his mother Clitemnestra nor Nero for Agripina nor Antipater for Thesalonica nor Theseus for Hipolito nor Phelipo for Demetrius nor Constantine Emperour of y â— Romances for his son Chrisippo nor Marco Caâ—taginense that did crucifie his sonne Cartalon neither that Phaces king of Parcia the most peruerst of all kings who slew Herodes his olde and afflicted father with thirtie of his bretheren and his onely sonne nor any whatsoeuer that hath bene cruell in the world so cruel as y â— knight of the Sunne hath bene vnto Claridiana for vnto them was giuen the death and afterward they felt nothing so that their crueltie was but in slaying of them but this is more crueltie vnto mée then the death for that from hence forth I shall wish to die because I deserue not to liue for to féele so cruell griefe and paine How can I liuing suffer one moment so great dolour to sée the knight of the Sunne in the power of an other Ladie Oh that he were now in this countrie surely I would be slaine in battaile with him or else his great disloyaltie should be reuenged by mée In saying these words the Empresse Claridiana her sorow was so great that she receued that many times she fell in a sound in the armes of Arcaâ—sia and all the comfortable wordes which she spoke vnto her were not sufficient in anie point to appease her great griefe and certaintie guish dolour was so great that it cannot be imagined that the griefe of anie woman whom she haue named might be compared vnto hers for as in wisedome reason and discretion with soueraigne bountie and highnesse she doth exceede all other in the world euen so is her griefe the more and the greater reason she hath to complaine for that she knowing to be without comparison in beautie estate with all other excellent gifts that should be in a noble Ladie and hauing set her minde vpon the knight of the Sun as one that alonlie did deserue her and now to sée her selfe forgotten changed for another not leauing in all the worlde anie conformable vnto her highnesse with whom she might marrie so that she desired no other thing but to die the death for to euitate the suffering of so great euill and from that daie forwards her life was cleane changed ouer that it was before neither did she exercise her selfe in armour nor 〈◊〉 hunâ—ing as at other times but as one that was past all hope euer to be marrried and as a widowe she spent her time in her closet all alone occupying her selfe alwaies in praier leading the lyfe more of a religious woman than of so high a Ladie as shée was alwaies waiting the comming of the knight of the Sun for to be reuenged on him Whereas the Historie doth leaue her for to tell you of Rosicleer that was sailing by sea with the Princesse Oliuia How Rosicleer carried the Princesse Oliuia by sea whereas they met with a great storme wherewith they were in 〈◊〉 how meruailouslie they were succoured Chap. 6. THe Historie hath declared vnto you how in what sort Rosicleâ—r in companie with his good friend Sacridoro did carrie the Princes Oliuia but of England how that they sailed on the sea with prosperous winde in the 〈…〉 in béeing so much before the other Fléete All the diligence of the Marriners nor the greate desire of the Prince was sufficient for to ouertake them for that they were a great waie before which was the occasion that with great anger be cursed the windes because they did blow stiffer lifting vp his eies vnto heaven shedding many teares he sayd Oh diuine maiestie how doe you permit that so greate force and iniurie shuld be done vnto me and that my louing spouse should bée carried awaie from me in this sort How is it that thou dost not execute thy iustice and let thy wrath to fall vpon this robberâ— Oh that thy diuine maiestie were so pleased that the same ship might strike vpon some rocke or else that that little 〈◊〉 called Remora in climbing vnto the ship might stay the furie of
their sailing that I might reuenge this my great wrath and ire vpon him that hath offered me this iniure So in vttering these and other wordes of great griefe sailed Don Siluero making so great â—â—mentation that his knights by no meanes could giue him anie comfort And to the contrarie sailed Rosicleer as one from himselfe with great pleasure hauing in his armes her whom he so much loued with so great glorie that it was wonder and alwaies thought to be worthie of so excellent 〈◊〉 well Likewise the Princesse Oliuia although she was not as yet in quiet of the great trouble in the which she was brought but yet séeing that she was cléere from the 〈◊〉 of Don Siluerio in the companie of him whom shée loued more than her selfe shée was satisfied of all those troubles and griefes past and receiued great contentments thought it better to be drowned in that déepe sea in the companie of Rosicleer than to liue vpon the land with so great importunances of her father and Don Siluero And as these two faithful louers were together with great contentment making manifest by words the great glorie that they receiued in their hearts Then fortune who neuer is content that men should remaine in one manner but mingling sorrow with pleasure like vnto the whéele of Amyl she turned about in such sort y â— she did shew her selfe enimie vnto Rosicleer in the midst of all his pleasures y â— in a small time he was driuen without repentance of his sins to yeeld vnto death For that being his ship with all the whole fléete of the Prince entered into the Tirreno sea at such time as the one after the other sailed with prosperous windes Out of the partes of the Leuant there arose vpon a sodaine so mightie a winde and with so great force that 〈…〉 not onelie against them in staying the swifte course of the shippes but also did moue the waters in such sorte forcing the waues to swell and to rise of so greate height that it did signifie vnto them great danger and perill thâ— which 〈◊〉 a little time did so much increase that the déepe waues did shew themselues cruelâ— and 〈◊〉 against the 〈…〉 beating their sailes to the â—asts tearing them in péeces with so great force that they could not take them in but tumbling 〈◊〉 ships from one part to another 〈◊〉 towards that place wheras the force of that outragious winde would carrie them This tempest endured with them one whole daie and a night in the end whereof all that were in the shippes committed themselues vnto the fâ—rie of the sea and imploied themselues in no other thing but in pâ—aying vnto God to deliuer them from that great perill In this sort they passed all that daie and the next night till in the morning at the breake of the daie the tempest ceased and the ship of Rosicleer and the Fléete of Don Siluerio were all together driuen into the porte of Cerdenia be whole Nauie of the Prince were twelue great ships besides other small Princes whereof foure of them with the tempest were driuen into some other partes and were not there present And for that there were in the eight ships more than foure thousand knights Don Siluerio receiued so great ioy for to sée by him the shippe of Rosicleer as though he had bene made Lord ouer all the world commanded straight waies that all the whole Fléete should bée put in order the which was done and began to assault the ship on euerie side with so great alarum that it had ben sufficient to haue terrified a great many of more ships than they were But when Rosicleer sawe himselfe compassed round about and assalted with so many ships he left the Princesse Oliuia in a cabine in the poope being the highest part of all the ship in so great confusion that he thought she wold haue died and he with more courage to die in the defence of his praie than anie feare that he had of that great multitude of his enimies tooke vnto him his armour and descenâ—â—d into the wast of the shipps whereas hée found the good king Sacridoro all armedâ— with his swoorde in his hands in a readinesse to make his defence but when that he sawe him his hart was ready to break with the great griefe he receiued and the water ranne downe his chéekes calling to remembrance how many times that good knight had put his lyfe in aduenture for him and how that he neuer came vnto that estate whereby he might haue made him some parte of recompence for the same He went vnto him and embracing him with great loue he said Oh my good and perfect friend how peruerse and contrarie hath fortune shewed her selfe vnto me that so manye times my friendship hath put you in daunger of your life God doth know whether we shal be slaine or no in this conflict yet iurelie your death shall be more grieuous vnto me than mine owne To whom this good king Sacridoro with a valiant courage did aunswere saying My verie good friend this is the greatest glorie that I can receiue and the thing that I haue in most estimation and séeing that death is ordained for all mortall creatures wherein may I better emploie the same than in your seruice Come on let vs goe and make defence that our enimies enter not vpon vs let vs venture our liues and offer it as a sacrifice for to accomplish that which is due and doth appertaine to our honours and high estate This good king had not so soone spoken these wordes but the knightes of the Prince had grapled their ships together and boording the one the other in such sorte that they might well leape out of the one into the other Don Siluerio accompained with the most valiant knightes that were with him with his sword in his hand his shéeld on his arme he put himselfe formost of them all to the ship side and with a loude voice he saide O Rosicleer yéeld thy selfe straight waies vnto my curtesie surrender the prise that thou hast in thy power for that fortune cannot so much fauour thee for to escape out of my handes But Rosicloer being readie for to receiue them at the shippe side with his sword in his hand answered neuer a 〈◊〉 but yéelded him selfe vnto fortune At that time the Princesse Oliuia by the importunitie and good dicretion of her damsell Fidelia put her selfe vpon the poope of the ship in such sort that she might be séene of all that were there in the Fléete with a naked sword in her hand and with a high voice that it might bée heard of all the people she sayd O all you knights that appertaineth to the king Oliuerio my father if there be anie in these shippes doe not shew your selues at this present so contrarie vnto me but to fauour and helpe the Gâ—éeke Prince for that many daies past I haue chosen him to be my naturall
spouse and husband and doe you not consent vnto his death for if you doe I doe héere make a vow vnto God that at the very instant that he shall receiue his death with this sword I will cleaue mine owne heart asunder At which words Don Silueâ—io made no account although it was a griefe vnto him to vnderstand the great loue that she bore vnto Rosicleer by her outward semblance yet notwithstanding there were in that companie knights of the king Oliuerio that did reioyce to heare those wordes for to haue the better occasion to helpe Rosicleer without anie colour to attempt anie thing against the king their Lord amongst whom was the valiant Zoylo Bargandâ—l Lyriamandro and Almades of Cornwaile all which did beare good will vnto Rosicleer and were in the fore part of the ship readie to giue the first assault vnto the expectation of the rest At this time was Don Siluerio with thirtie of his knights entering into the ship of Rosicleer who receiued them with such mortal blowes that quicklie they ouerthrew sixe of them dead into the water and Don Siluerio had ben one of them if that his inchaunted armour had not defended him but yet for all that with his terrible blows he was so terriâ—â—ed that he withdrew himselfe backe and put his knights forwards and by reason that there were so many of them and euerie one did procure to enter into the shippe of the two knightes there was such a noise amongst them that they could not one heare another All this time was the Princesse Oliuia beholding the â—â—ttaile lamenting verie much to sée her Rosicleer in so great perill in such grieuous wise that it would haue moued anie man to compassion to haue séene her and with verie anguish she had vâ—ed there if that her damsell Fidelia had not béen who did comfort her in the best wise she could But this valiâ—nt and worthie Rosicleer séeing that they did in great hast compasse his shippe round about for to enter in with so great strength and courage as euer was séene in Knight hee besturred himselfe from the one part vnto the other defending the enterie of his enimies with such mortall blowes that hée might account himselfe vnhappie that was within the reach of his sword which was that of the Quéene Iulia and so noble a cutter and he so valiant who flourished therwith about him with so couragious a streÌ„gth as one which next vnto God hoped to set his lyfe at libertie for that hée neuer stroke blowe but that either hée slew or ouerthrew a knight so that all his aduersaries were wonderfullie amazed at him and not one amongst them all that was so hardie that dursâ— come nigh the place whereas hée was Likewise that good king on the other side did meruailouslie defend the enterie and gaue them wel to vnderstand by his terrible blowes the great good will that he bare vnto Rosicleer who dyd not estéeme to venâ—ure his liâ—e for his good friend and did so behaue himselfe amongst his enimies dealing such mortall blowes that hée slew and ouerthrew a great number of them in such sorte that all those which dyd beholde him by reason they knew him not were greatlie amazed At this time the thrée worthie Princes with the King Alamades séeing that it was high time for to succour and fauour Rosicleer with great lightnesse they leaped into his ship and returned against Don Silueâ—io with their swordes drawen in their hands and sayd Enforce and courage thy selfe valiant knight â—or wée that be heere are 〈◊〉 friendes And all together with a â—oude voice sayd â—aâ—taria Tartaria Hungaria Hungaria Bohemia Bohemia Cormualâ—a Cornualia So when Rosicleer by the naming of their Countries did know them he receiued great comfort and not hauing space for to answere them he did no â—ore but humble himselfe and for that his shéelde at that time was shieuered and broken all to péeces with the mightie blowes he had receiued he tooke his sword in both his hands and put himself amongst his aduersaries and did so great meruailes that all that did beholde him wondered greatlie and they which did not sée them afterward did thinke it a thing impossible and in declaring of it verie hard to be beleeued The thrée Princes with the king Alamades all foure together did defend the entrie of the shippe killing and wounding many of the knights of Lusitania and likewise receiued many blowes on euerie side The number of their aduersaries were so many that they were driuen into a meruailous exsegent But when that Don Siluerio sawe that the foure knights were on his contrarie part he receiued great dolour and anguish at his heart and with the great desire that hée had to take reuengement of them all together he encouraged and enforced his knights all that euer he could for to enter the ship and vanquish them and by reason that there were so many and verie valiant knights and continuallie entered in a fresh although that Rosicleer and his friends did incredible wonders yet in the space of one houre after that the battaile was begun they were put in a great extremitie for that Don Siluerio was verie wise and his knight valiant and experimented in the warres and battailes and did assalt their ship on eueriâ— side with great strength so that there was not one so soone slaine but another entered into his roome straight waies in such sorte that the other valiant knightes had no time for to ease themselues which was the occasion that in the end of two houres after that the battaile was begun all the water round about the shippes was dyed red with the bloud of the dead knights â—f Lusitania and the strong armes of Rosicleer and his friends as of mortall men beganne to ware wearie and their force and strength did abate and they could endure no longer yet their valiaunt and couragious heartes were prompt and readie for to receiue the death and neuer moued counteance thereat but determined there to die all together like valiant knightes without yéelding or surrendering in anie point but amplisying their forces with their valiant hearts making their defence in such sort that their aduersaries did not perceiue that anie wearinesse were in them so that the battaile at that instant was verie cruell and wonderfull and the noise verie great which they made in such sort that the inhabitants of Cerdenia came forth and did beholde that cruell and well foughten battaile dreadâ—ullie beholding the sea how it was stained with bloud could not beléeue thâ—y should be humane knightes that did defend themselues in 〈◊〉 ship alone against so many At this time were the good friends of Rosicleer verie wearie with the oppressing of so great a multitude of their contraries in such sort that they could not lift vp their swords at which time many knights of the Prince Don Siluerio beganne to enter their ship of the which Bramides was the first with a great number of other
valiant knights who with great furie and shouts began to laie vpon their aduersaries and saying Upon them vpon them for they be ouercome But wheÌ„ Rosicleer hearâ— those wordes and sawe no other thing but perdition he began greater to lament y â— death of his friends more than his owne but that which did grieue him most was that after so many troubles sorrows the which he had passed for the Princesse Oliuia and had her in his power alwaiâ—s hoping at her hands to receiue reward for the same he should now be constrained therefore to die and to leaue her in the power of another hauing this in his remembraunce lifting vp his eies vnto heauen to aske mercie of God for his sinnes he sawe his welbeloued mistres in a sound in the armes of Fidelia as she which made no other reckoning but to die the which did cause vnto him so great dolour griefe that it kindled in him mortall wrath and ire determined to sell his life verie déere vnto them that so much desired his death wherewith hée tooke his sword in both his handes and stroke so terrible a blowe at the Captaine Bramides vppon the wast that cutting him in two péeces he ouerthrew him dead to the ground and therewith at other sixe blowes he slew other sixe knightes behauing himselfe so amongest them that they fled from him as from the death But hée as one that had his death certaine without anie care of his life all alone he maintained the battaile against the knightes of Don Siluerio for that his friends could not doe anie thing in his defence they weare so wearie And although the knights of Lusitania were valiant and did charge him with many heauie blowes that had bene sufficient to haue cloue amanfield in péeces yet did he defend the entrie of the ship alone for the space of halfe an houre against all the companie and had about him on euery side a great number of dead bodies shewing so great wonders among his aduersaries that it was scarce credible to the beholders Whereat Don Siluerio receiued great griefe to sée so many of his knights slain but yet he durst not come nigh him himselfe but forced his knights forwards with reproch that it was a shame to him that one alone knight shoulde make his defence so long against so many Who hearing those wordes made no more a doe but put their liues in aduenture for to accomplish that which was their deaths and therewith they leaped into the ship of Rosicleer and charged him so much with so many terrible and heauie blowes that it had not bene possible for him to haue indured long if that by the wonderfull myracle of God he had not bene succoured You shall vnderstand that fortune did serue him so wel that the ship wherein was that valiant and worthie knight of the Sunne and that stout Oristedes was constrained by the force of the storme and tempest past to enter into thâ— same port of Cerdenia and entering in thereat they straight waies did sée the execution of that cruell battaile and were greatlie amased to sée all the water so stained with bloud and how that one alone ship did make his defence against all the rest but when they sawe so few knightes did maintaine themselues against so great a multitude of their enimies their meruaile was the more and remained astonied for a great space to sée the incredible acts that Rosicleer dyd as one that was desperate of his own life which was with so great courage that if he had séene it with his owne eyes he could not haue beléeued that any humane creature could haue done it And as he was with great attention beholding them with great good will for to aide and helpe them The knight of the Sunne did know him by the deuice of his armour although that they were all to be raiâ—d with bloud as also by the comelie proportion of his bodie therewith vpon a sodaine with a loude voice he said O good God it séemeth vnto me that yonder knight should be Rosicleer my brother or els my sight doth deceiue me Oh my good friend now shew forth your great bountie to defend and saue the life of the person of him that I loue best in all the worlde Come on let vs go sayd Oristedes forâ—with verie good will I wil offer my selfe in anie thing that doth appertaine vnto you or to your brother And inâ—saying these words these two good friends did cause their ship to be grapled vnto the ship of Rosicleer and with their swordes drawen in their hands they leapt into the sayd ship and sayd Courage courage good knight and take a good heart héere is come vnto thée thy brother the knight of the Sunne And therewithall turned against his aduersaries and made so great a slaughter amongst them that in a short space al the hatches of the ship laie full of dead bodies and the knights of Lusitania béeing greatlie amased at such sodaine and strâ—â—ge succour they fled before them with all the speede they could into their owne ships and in making such hast many of them leaped short fell into the water so that by this meanes their shippe was quicklie ridde of their enimies But when that Rosicleer heard those comfortable words of his worthie brother and knew him as well by his wonderfull blowes giuen as by the deuice of his armour what ioy and pleasure might bée equall vnto his I saie vnto you it was much more than it was at that time when that he was succoured by him in the Iland of Canâ—â—marte for that his death at that time shoulde not haue béene so grieuous vnto him as at this presâ—nt the death of his good and perfect friends and hauing in his power the fayre Princesse Oliuia And as one who by the aide and succour of his Brother was in good hope to be set frée and at libertie of so rigorous and cruell a traunce with a new and vnlooked for ioye did so hearter and incourage himselfe recouering so great force and strength that hée began to make so great a destruction among his enimies as though the battaile were but as then begun and comming nigh vnto the knight of the Sunne he sayde Oh my Lorde and welbeloued brother what great benefit is this that God hath shewed vnto me that it hath pleased him that I am succoured by your great power and strength and now that I find my selfe in your companie if that all the whole world were against me I should not haue anie feare At this time the knight of the Sunne could not make him anie answere for that he was so occupied amongst his enimies where hée did so great slaughter that there was none that durst tarrieâ— before him Likewise the Troian did so defend his partie that it was wonderfull to beholde at whom Rosicleer was greatlie amazed not knowing who that valiant and worthie knight should be Then the king Sacridoro and the
other Princes when they sawe that sodain and soueraigne fauour which was come vnto them how that their enimies were brought into a greater straight than they were before although they were verie wearie and ouercome with labour yet the ioy which they receiued did renue in them so great strength that they returned vpon their enimies and slewe many of them with their terrible blowes the feare which the knights of Don Siluerio receiued by the great prowesse of the knight of the Sunne and the Troyan was such that there was not one that durst giue anie attempt but withdrew themselues all that euer they could for which cause Oristedes in companie with the king Sacridoro and the other Princes remained in the ship as sufficient for to defend the same and the two brethren leapt into the ship of their enimies as in 〈◊〉 and contention the one of the other they began to wound and to slaie their enimies and kept such a stur amongst them in killing some and making other some to fal into the water and other some to run away for to saue themselues that in a small time there remained in the ships none for to make anie defence Then Don Siluerio who did beholde all this that passed with great sorrowe and griefe of heart he complained against fortune for that she was so contrarie vnto him and for that hee knew not the knight of the Sunne but sawe with his eies the great wonders and valiant deedes done by him he thought verilie that it was some diuell of hell that was come to aide and succour Rosicleer in séeing the feare that his knights had of him y â— there was not one that durst appeare before him but ran awaie so that he was without all hope of the victorie which caused him with déepe sighs to saie Ah Oliuia now I see that it is not Gods will that thou shalt be mine At which time Fidelia had her in her armes in a sound and séeing the good successe which happened vnto them and how that fortune dyd shew her selfe fauourable with such diligence as she ministred vnto her she brought her againe vnto her selfe and sayde What is this my Ladie and mistres arise and comfort your selfe and beholde the great succour which God hauing compassion on vs hath sent vs in such sort that the victorie is verie certaine on your knights behalfe Then the Princesse who was as one halfe dead beholding the battaile when she sawe that there was none so hardie that durst abide before Rosicleer and his companions but ranne awaie from them as from their deaths she receiued therewith great consolation and comfort and had great hope of the victorie and being greatlie amazed at the high bountie of the Knight of the Sunne she asked of her damsell Fidelia who that valiant knight should be Ah my good Ladie and mistres sayde Fidelia in this thing onelie may you consider of the good fortune of Rosicleer for according vnto the wordes which hée sayd at his comming he should be his brother the knight of the Sunne who as I haue heard many times is the knight that in all the worlde is not his like but the other that is come with him I know not but his valiant demeanour doth shew that he is one of the best knights that I haue séene At which words the Princesse receiued great ioy and pleasure and with better comfort than she had at anie time before she arose vp and put her selfe to beholde the battayle â—he which did not endure long for that after that the two brethren had entered into their ship they almost did yéeld vnto them finding not one that durst abide their furie for the which Don Siluerio fearing â—he encounter and séeming a thing impossible for his knights to haue the victorie he determined to depart without all hope of good fortune finding her at that time so contrarie in all points So with great sorrow and griefe he commanded his ship to be vngrapled froÌ„ the ship of Rosicleer and the Pilots to hoise vp sailes and to depart the which was nothing grieuous vnto his knightes 〈…〉 greatlie at the mightie valiantnesse and 〈◊〉 blowes of their aduersaries The ship wherein was the knight of the Sun and Rosicleer remained but the other seauen departed with such people as were lost there were slaine more than halfe of them that came in companie with the Prince Don Siluerio So when these two brethâ—â— saw thâ—mselâ—eâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of their oâ—imies they did embracâ— one another with great loue and their ioy was such that they could scare speake At this time came vnto him Oristedes the knight of the Sun declared vnto Rosicleer who he was by whoÌ„ he was embraced with great ioy pleasure but the good Troyan was greatlie amazed at the great beautie of Rosicleer and how boistrous and stout he séemed when that hée was beholding the great wonders the which he did alone in the ship which caused him to saie within himselfe that not without great mysterie were these two brethren borne and created with such high bountie resembling another so much Then straight waies came vnto them the thrée Princes and y â— king of cornualia who were verie desirous to sée Rosicleer as those who sustained great trauaile in his demand he receiued theÌ„ with great ioy embraced them yéelding thanks for the great pleasure which they had done for him at that present Then came vnto them the good king Sacridoâ—o whoÌ„ they did embrace with great ioy amongst them all to méete together at that present whereas they gaue one another to vnderstand what they had passed and by what aduenture they came thether but when the knight of the Sun vnderstood all that was done passed with his brother Rosicleer and the Princesse Oliuia he gaue great thankes vnto God for that it was his will to bring him thether at that instant and hauing great desire for to see and know her he sayd that if it were their pleasures he would go speak with her So therewith they went vnto the cabin whereas the Princesse Oliuia her damsell Fidelia were who receiued no lesse ioy to sée her knight frée and at liberâ—e of that great perill and danger than if she had ben made Ladie ouer all the world And the knight of the Sun and Oristedes verie much meruailed at the great bountie beautie of the Princesse who séemed vnto them to be one of the fairest Damsels that was to be found in all the world Then the knight of the Sunne wold haue kissed her hands but she wold not consent thervnto but did embrace him with as great loue as though hée had ben her owne naturall brother the Prince Edward and thâ— gaue vnto him great thanks for that which he did in her succour To whom the knight of the Sun answered that not he alone doth owe that dutie but also all the world in consideration who she was ano that he gaue great thankes vnto
maiestie went forth of the Citie with so great a troupe that all those wide and broade fieldes were full of people for that when the comming of these two princes were published knowen there were few or none that remained but all went forth for to receue theÌ„ The Emperour went in the middest of all those Princes and knightes and by him the good King Sacridoro with so graue and seuere countenance that he dyd very well manifest his high estate So when that they came vnto the sea port at the sound of Trumpets other kinds of instruments these princes did disembarke themselues a land Rosicleer brought by the hand his welbeloued princesse Oliuia who was of so great beautie that all that did behold her were greatly amazed so that there grew betwixt diuers great contention whether that the beautie of the Princes Claridiana did excéede the beautie of the princesse Lindabrides but all in generall said that Rosicleer had great reason to put himselfe in such perill for the loue of so faire a ladie Then straight waies came forth the faire Lindaraza whose beautie did worke no lesse admiration in the beholders then the princesse and was lead by that worthie knight of the Sunne her brother accoÌ„panied with those renowmed princes Clauarindo Bargandel and Liriamandro likewise with the Tartarian Zoylo and the good Troyan Oristedes and the valiant king Alamades of Cornewaile all the which came foorth so séemely and richly aryed that it put in great admiration all them that did behold them So when they all came before the Emperour who receued great ioy and pleasure to sée his two worthie sonnes those two so excelent Princesses he went embraced them with great pleasure delight but in especial the two faire Ladies saying I am much more bound vnto God then any other man in the world and to giue him greater thanks for that he hath not alone brought mée to the sight and knowledging of my two so valiant sonnes but also by them I haue recouered and obtained for my daughters two so worthie Princesses as the like are not to be founde in all the world How is it that by my desert I am worthie to sée in mine Empire of Grecia so high and soueraigne beauties as these worthie peeres are Then they did huÌ„ble theÌ„selues vpon their knées before the Emperour and would haue kissed his handes but the Emperour would not consent therevnto but returned and dyd embrace them a new caused them to arise froÌ„ the ground and then with excéeding ioy and pleasure he gaue entertainment vnto his sonnes and vnto those high Princes and Knights saying vnto Bargandel Lyriamandro Zoilo now my verie good friends am I satisfied séeing that with so ioyfull comming you wil requite me the euill newes the which you gaue mée in Constantinople of the death of my sonne Rosicleer In this shall your highnesse sée said Zoylo how far your good fortune doth extend the more to estéeme the acknowledging of your sonne Fortune wold first present before you those so sodaine and heauie newes of great dolour that after when it should be found vnto the contrarie the ioy and pleasure might be the more Then the Emperour did embrace them all one after another receiued so great contentment to sée those so worthie knights that brought his sonnes that he neuer rested nor could not bée satisfied in giuing thankes vnto almightie God for exalting him vnto so high estate Likewise they were no lesse amazed at the surpassing and gentle disposition of the Emperour and the great maiestie that hée dyd represent in his person they dyd beholde him with great attention and sayde within themselues that hée was worthie to bée Father of those two Myrrors of knighthoode throughout all the worlde And the Princesses Oliuia and Lindaraza receiued meruailous greate contentment to sée what great loue and humanitie he shewed vnto all people and what great ioye and pleasure he receiued of their comming So after that ther had passed much coÌ„munication in this their first méeting then the other Princes Rodamarte and Rodofeo and other noble men that came in the companie of y â— Emperour went welcâ—mmed their noble Princes who dyd embrace and receiue them with great ioy and loue This being done the Emperour and all the rest mounted vpon their horses and the two princesses vpon their palfraies which were brought thether for theÌ„ wel garnished tooke their waie towards the mightie Citie of Constantinople accompanied with so many knightes and Citizens that all the mightie wide and broade fields seemed to be couered with them In this sort they entered into the Citie with great maiestie pompe whereas was so meruailous sweet noise of all kindes of instruments and musicke that it was thought that the entring of Caesar into Rome afâ—er his great victorie was not equall vnto this and passing through the stréetes of the Citie the windowes were furnished with Ladies and damsels who greatlie meruailed at the strange and excellent beauties of Oliuia and Lindaraza and praised God of all partes for séeing that daie in the which the Emperour receiued his so worthie sonnes who brought so great ioy contentment honour and pleasure vnto that mightie Court So when they came vnto the mightie pallace Lindaraza was alighted from her Palsraie in the armes of the knight of the Sunne her brother and the faire Oliuia in the armes of the Emperour who would not consent that anie other should doe it and at their ascending vp into the greate hall there the Empresse Briana accompanied with al her Ladies and Gentlewomen came â—orth and did receiue the two Ladies embracing them with so great loue as though they had bene her owne naturall dauhters But when she sawe the great beautie and soueraigne grace of the Princesse Oliuia she receiued within her selfe a meruailous great contentment and thanked God for the good fortune that Rosicleer had obtained for the recouering of her Then the Princesses both of them did knéele downe before the Empresse would haue kissed her hands but she would not consent vn-the same but caused them to arise and with great loue shée sayde Ah precious and déere daughters what great pleasure doth my heart receiue and how ioyfull vnto me is this your comming into this Countrie and turning vnto Oliuia shee sayd How much am I bound vnto God that in loosing the name of a sister in lawe I doe inioy you for my Daughter So passing betwixt them many amorous and louing communications came vnto her the knight of the Sunne and Rosicleer to kisse her hands but she dyd embrace them with so great loue as vnto so noble worthie persons did appertaine TheÌ„ gaue she entertainment vnto all the other Princes knights with so gallant grace demeanor that al were contented therwith said that of so high worthy parents reason is that they should bring forth so worthie sunnes So after that they had spent a good
coulour and the earth shal séeme as though it had rained much bloud The huge and mightie riuers shall burst out of their course and the wide and broade seas shall chaunge the coulour of their profound waters shewing the great earthquake that shall come Then afterward the daie shall come that the Sunne at noone tide shal be 〈◊〉 loosing the greater part of his light and brightnesse aâ— which verie instant the migâ—tie shepheard shall be in great care and perplexitie and all his slock dispearsed abroade and at the point to be lost but straight waies the San shal 〈◊〉 his whole brightnes the Lion brought by the stout Lions by her immortat déeds shall recouer his lost name and by his comming the mightie shopheard shall gather together his good â—locke and with â—o great courage shall returne vpon those hungrie Waluâ—s 〈◊〉 Tygers that they 〈◊〉 kil the most part of them and those withshall remaine shall slie and leauâ— the Countrie desolate And héere the Griffins that came 〈◊〉 the new world against the mightie shepheard shal lose their furious wrath and betwixt them and those of his â—lock shal be made great friendship and very profitable The she beare with the mightie he beare shal be taken prisoners by new enimies being deliuered by the stout Lion shal be made friends with the mightie shepheard And at the request of the Lyon and Lionesse they shall come together and of that societie shall proceede one that the deedes past shall make all mortalitie â—e forgotten Beare this in your minde for as I haue saide so it shall come to passe This Prophesie béeing written by the wise Artemidoro the Emperour and all those worthie Princes and Knights did behold it And as they vnderstoode verie little what it did signifie they were greatly amazed at the great vnderstanding of the wise man and desired him to declare somewhat the meaning thereof but he excused himselfe saying that it was not giuen vnto him for to declare that which was to come but to make manifest vnto them by figures for that if it should fall out to proue to the contrarie it would be the occasion of great daunger harme perill But yet notwithstanding all shal come to passe in such sort that the time shal declare it and make it most manifest These many other things did this wise Artemidoro declare vnto them that if they had not bene of noble courage his prophesies had put them in great wonder feare So they being in great ioye pastimes and pleasures in the mightie Citie of Constantinople although to the contrarie great sorow griefe vnto the knight of the Sunne for that the Empresse Claridiana his mistresse was not there present this Historie doth leaue them till time doe serue for to tell you what Don Siluerio dyd that returned vnto great Britaine How the Prince Don Siluerio without all hope of the recouery of the Princes Oliuia her returne vnto great Britaine and of all that was determined in the court of the King Oliuerio Chap. 8. THE wrath and anger was very great that Don Siluerio receued in that he was past all hope of recouerie of the princesse Oliuia by reason that the most part of his knights were slaine and she remaining in the power of Rosicleer the thing that he most loued in all the world without any hope of recouerie And againe séeing that the princes his friends with the king Alamades that went in his companie became his enimies and likewise remembring the great furie and stoutnesse of them with whome he had the battaile with great complaints wepings and lamentations he bewayled his misfortune which was vnto him so contrarie and so fauourable vnto his enimies So in the ende of certaine daies after his departure he ariued in great Britaine and going a land he sent the king word of his ariuall appareling himselfe and all such knights as came with him in black and mourning apparell and so entered into the mightie Citie of London whereas the king did receue him to whome with great sorow and griefe he gaue the King to vnderstande of all that had happened vnto him at the sea And because at that present the rancour and mallice which he had against the Emperour Trebatio was great in him for the death of prince Edward his sonne he was very glad that he had so good occasion and oportunitie to arme himselfe against him therefore did not onely comfort y â— prince Don Siluerio to folow his poysoned enterprise to take reuengement against him but did rather procure to kindle his wrath the more in saying that vnto them both it should be a perpetuall dishonour if they did not procure the reuengement the iniurie offered was so great and that it were better for them to dye in the quarrell then to liue in so great dishonour for euer Then the Prince who desired no other thing but verie ioyfull to see that the king was wholly of his minde and determination made a great Othe that he would neuer take to him wife in marriage till such time as that great iniurie done by Rosicleer were reuenged So that straight 〈◊〉 it was agréed betwixt them both that it should be 〈◊〉 praâ—â—ise to take reuengement The King commaunded all the nobles of his Court to come together to a parle being come together he put them in remembraunce of the death of his sonne prince Edward how he was slaine by the Emperour Trebaâ—â—o and then of the spoyling and carying away of the Princesse Oliuia donâ— by his sonne Rosicleer shewing and perswading them by many reasons how much they were bound to procure reuengement of that great iniurie And although that there were some to whome the determination of the king semed nothing good yet in the ende they all concluded and agréed that all should be done as he thought best and that out of hand they should begin to muster and procure souldiers and men of war to be made in a readinesse for to passe the seas and to enter into Grecia And although Don Siluerio had there with him manie knights of Lusitania yet did he promise to retourne into his countrie and to bring from that kingedome and also oâ—t of Spaine a great number for that he that was Kingâ— of Spaine at that present was a verie great friend vnto his father and he was verie certaine that he would not denie to helpe and ayde him with all the force and strength he could possible He béeing willing to put all things in effect tooke his leaue of the King and departed straightwaies from great Britaine and put himselfe vnto the rough and boysterous Seas taking his voyage towards Lusitania In the meane time King Oliuerio did ordaine and made in a redinesse all the people that possible he could and writ his letters vnto all kinges that were his friends as well Christians as Pagans geuing them to vnderstande of the great iniurie and wrong done vnto him in murthering his
onely sonne and heire of his kingdome and then his daughter to be stolen and caried away requesting of them all fauour possible to helpe him to take reuengement for the same 〈◊〉 that to conclude some there were that for verie friendâ—â—ip and loue did ayde him And other some for the ill will they bare vnto the Gréekes of very enuie of their prosperiâ—iâ—es dyd ayde and help hâ—m and not onely with their people but with their owne proper persons 〈◊〉 vnto the King Oliuerio and there was so great hast and diligence made in the executing thereof that many daies was not past whan that in great Britaine there was ioyned together more then â—ne hundred and fiftie thousand knights where as the Historie doth leaâ—e them putting all things in good order as appertained vnto so valiant an enterprise for to tell you of other things that happened in the meane time How that the Princesse Lindabrides did craue of her father the Emperour Alicandro reuengement of the knight of the Sunne and how the Emperour at her request did call a Parliament and what happened in the same Chap. 9. IN great confusion and alteration remained the whole Court of the Emperour Alicandro for so sodaine departure of the knight of the Sunne but aboue all the rest was the fayre Princes Lindabrides whose lyfe was so full of sorow and griefe that manie times she was at the point of death And there was nothing that could comfort her in séeing that y â— knight of the Sunne was departed and returned to his owne countrie and was verie certaine that if once he came into the presence of the princes Claridiana it were past all remedie for him to haue her any more in his remembraunce so that she might vâ—rie well abandon her selfe of all hope euer to sée him any more the which was more bitter grieuous vnto her then death And coÌ„sidering with her selfe by reason of the great loue she bare vnto him that it should be great comfort vnto her and remedie for her griefe if that she did once againe returne inâ—â— Grecia by what maner of meanes so euer it was she cared not thinking by that meanes for to disturbe the knight of the Sunne that he shoulde not haue aâ—ie time nor space for to serue the Princesse Claridiana neither for to marrie with her for the which to put in effect the 〈◊〉 nothing so good as for to craue reuengement of the Emperour her â—ather for the iniurie done by the knight of the Sunne which might be the occasion that he with all his power should passe into Grecia and to tarrie her with him thether to be crowned Empres of Grecia séeming by those meanes the knight of the Sunne shall be constrained to doe perforce y â— before he wold not by his frée will the which she put in vre according vnto her thought And as many times the Emperour her father came into her closet to visit comfort her whereas she continuallie remained and neuer went abroâ—e vpon a daie when that hée was fullest of griefe comforting her whose sorrow pricked him to the verie heart for the greate loue hée bare vnto her The Princesse shedding many teares from her christaline eies said It is lost labour my Lord and Father for to comfort or giue anie consolation vnto this vnhappie and vnfortunate Damsell your Daughter for that thers is nothing that can remedie nor helpe mée but onelie the death the which if the high Gods were so pleased were so high â—ee that I could not make an end of this my speaking for that death were a great deale better vnto mee than to liue for to feele and suffer so great an iniurie as thaâ— which the â—nighâ— of the Sunne hath done against you and mee for if you my Lord would consider thereof as is right and reason you woulde leaue off comâ—orting of your Daughter and 〈◊〉 by all meanes that this our reproch may bée 〈◊〉 wherewith if pâ—esencâ—ie I should depart out of this world I should gâ—e with comfort but of the 〈…〉 that from their high Throâ—e they â—ill yeelâ—e 〈…〉 seeing that you doe so little esteâ—me it 〈◊〉 should other Damselles of base birth looke for 〈◊〉 that a Damsell of so high estate as I am 〈◊〉 oweth participate with the diuine 〈◊〉 of the hâ—gh Gods and being 〈◊〉 by one alone 〈…〉 griefe of her great wrong nor anie that will take vpon him to aunswere the quarrell With great reason therefore from this daie forwardes may your vassalles and subiectes take heart at grasse and bée bolde to rise vp against you seeing that you will put vp such an iniurie and euill proffer done against you by one alone Knight and an enimie vnto your lawe and will suffer mée that am your Daughter to liue without reuengement My Lord and Father I praie you beholde and consider your high estate which is such that all the kinges and Lordes of the Orient are obedient at your commandement and seruice and doeth honour and reuerence you as a parent and kinsman vnto the immortall Gods and if now you doe dissemble this great iniurie which vnto you and mée hath béene committed without making cruell reuengement you shall neither bée feared nor estéemed but had in lesse reputation than héeretofore you haue béene and your honour ouerthrowne from the throne which your predecessours vntill this present daie hath maintained and vpholden And that which séemeth to bée worst of all is that the diuine prouidence will féele and acknowledge part of this great iniurie the which I do most earnestlie praie and desire that they doe not execute against you their wrath in that you haue neglected to take reuengement For this cause onelie hath the diuine Gods giuen vnto you this high estate exalting and placing you aboue all other that are in the world because you should execute iustlie héere vpon the earth as they haue ordained in their diuine Consistorie This faire Damsell had not so soone concluded these her wordes when that the Emperour her Father vnderstanding the effect of her â—omplaint with great griefe and sorrowe vnto his heart béeing full of anger and wrath arose vp and laide his hand vpon his head as vpon a precious relike and said these wordes following Héere I doe sweare vnto thée by this sacred head and by the diuine Deitie that I doe participate of the immortall Gods for to goe with all my power into Grecia and in reuengement of this great iniurie to mée done I will destroie the Emperour Trebatio and giue a cruell and dishonoured death vnto his wife and children and crowne thée my daughter for Empresse of that Empire So with this conclusion without speaking anie moe words hee went forth of her Closet and calling together certaine of his counsaile he concluded that a Parliament shoulde bée proclaimed throughout all his kingdomes and dominions commaunding all Kinges Princes and Nobles of the same to come vnto the sayd Parliament in paine of death Lykewise hée
of them and other some for 〈…〉 thereof In the ende they did conclude that the 〈◊〉 should go forwards Then after certaine daies that they remaiâ—â—d in that Court all those kings and mightie Lords 〈…〉 owne Countries for to ordaine and 〈…〉 all such people as they would carrie with 〈…〉 warres But first before their departure it was concluded amongst them that at a certaine day 〈…〉 all meete with their people at the port of 〈◊〉 whereas the Emperour hadde commaunded for 〈…〉 to be made in a readinesse a mightie great and 〈…〉 of Shippes for to carrie their 〈…〉 and beâ—ng all occupâ—ed in these 〈◊〉 the Historie doâ—th leaue them till tyme 〈…〉 to tell you of other things that passed in the Court of the Emperour Trebatio How that there came to the court of the Emperour Trebatio a strange knight did defie the knight of the Sunne and of the stout and well foughten battaile that was betwixt them Chap. 11. VVIth great content ioye did this Historie leaue the Emperour Trebatio and the Empresse Buana for that they had with them their exelent worthie sonnes accompanied with those high worthie Princes who were no lesse glad and ioyful for that they were in that Court as well for the great friendship which they had with the Gréekes as for the affable conuersation that they had with the good Emperour Trebatio who séemed vnto them to be the most exelentest noblest Lord that euer they had sene or knowen But yet aboue all the rest the ioye and pleasure that those â—oyall louers Rosicleer and Oliuia receiued did far surmount who being at quiet resting themselues of those great troubles mortall anguishes the which the one for the other receiued that verelie they did séeme to recreate theÌ„selues with all soueraine glorie and vnspeakeable ioye The princesse Oliuia receiued so great contentment for that she had with her Rosicleer her loue and also to sée the great maiestie highnesse of the Emperour with the great loue and good will which he bare vnto her that in a short time she had cleane forgotten great Britaine and the court of the king Oliuerio her father and was neuer satisfied in giuing thankes vnto almightie God for that he had brought her vnto so high estate The knight of the Sunne was he alone that liued not to his contentment neither receiued any ioye nor pleasure in seeing himselfe absent from his Ladie the Empresse Claridiana all pastimes pleasures that were there ordeined were vnto him great anguish and griefe thinking himselfe to be alwaies in darknesse pensiue and imagining when the daye should be that he might reioyce and comfort himselfe with her precious sight but yet calling to remembrance his disloialtie past it seemed vnto him that hee was voide of all desert and coulde not imagine howe â—ee might excuse himselfe to come into her presence So all 〈…〉 Court béeing in their contrarietie of thoughtes and dispositions vpon a daie béeing all together in a faire hall of the mightie pallace after that dinner was done they sawe entering in at the gate a knight all armed with blacke Steele which was of so greate finenesse that it seemed to bée christaline glasse he was of a gallant stature and well made and of so gentle disposition that it caused great admiration in all them that beheld him his helme was on his head and the beauer down so y â— none could sée his face he brought leading by the hand a verie faire Ladie with a rich crowne vpon her head and after them came other two Damâ—ells the one of them bare the traine of the Ladie and the other brought the shéeld of the Knight which was â—â—wise of blacke steele all apparailed in blacke séeming to bée mourners So when they entered into the hall there was great silence then the Ladie which had the Crowne vpon her head without doing anie reuerence saide Who is hée amongest you that is called the Knight of the Sunne Hée béeing there present arose vp and said Faire Ladie what is your demaund Heere I am he that you do aske for In good time sayd the Ladie and I am verie gladde that I haue found you héere although our comming can turne no goodnesse vnto thée Thou shalt vnderstand that I am Media daughter vnto that Raiartes whom thou traiterouslie and falselie didst kill in Babilonia whose strength as thou doest well know was no lesse than diuine nor could not be slaine by humane hands exâ—â—pt it were by great trason and falsehood I remained a damsell and of tender yéeres at the time of his death and by reason that my beautie was such as thou doest sée there dyd not lacke many Princes and Knightes that dyd request mee in marryage from whence I did defend and excuse my selfe 〈◊〉 that straight waies vppon the death of my Father I made a solempne oath and vowe neuer to marrie with anie knight but with him that first of all shal make me reuengement â—or the death of my father And for that the fame of thy greate bountie is so blowne throughout the world I haue found none y â— is desirous to marrie with me with so great a charge but this alone knight who by fortune ariued at the Iland of Zardo whereas I am gouernesse who falling in loue with my great beautie did binde himselfe to come and make battaile with thée and giue mée reuengement for the death of my Father the which I do so much desire and I seeing with my owne eies the great bountie and valour of this knight in a certaine contention which hée had with certaine knights of mine receiued great contentment for to come with him and according vnto the great wonders that I haue séene him doe I suppose that there is not a knight in all the world that is equall vnto him so that the reuengement of the death of my Father I haue it so certaine as though it were alreadie done This is our demaund Knight of the Sunne and the occasion of our comming hether and to knowe why this my Knight doth not speake vnto you is for that hée is a straunger verie farre from this Countrie and cannot speake nor vnderstand anie Gréeke And in concludâ—ng these wordes the Ladie helde her peace and the straunge knight who was verie attentiue vnto that which was sayde beholding the knight of the Sunne dyd decline his head downewardes in signe that hee dyd graunt vnto all that which the Ladie had saide So this demaund béeing vnderstoode by the knight of the Sunne without anie chaunge of countenaunce but with a seuere semblaunce aunswered and sayde Ladie Medea I woulde that your demaund were some other than this which you doe bring not for that I woulde excuse the battaile that this knight will make with me for as I am cléere and without fault of the death of Raiartes your father as is wel knowen so do I litle estéeme the great bountâ—e of this knight hauing right and iustice on my
â—â—at We 〈◊〉 take you for our Lord all the daies of our 〈…〉 of any other reward but to learne of you good maners and conditions and new séeing it is so we doe 〈…〉 praye and desirs you that you would not leaue vs 〈◊〉 tute of your campanie with this excuse y â— you haue told vs for that we had rather die with you in what place soeuer it be then to haue all that the Emperour our Lord can giue vs and we shall haue great reason to complaine of you if that in the ende of so long time that we haue bene in your séruice you will leaue vs for surely our father will think no other occasion which driueth you to leaue vs but onely that we are not for to serue you With no lesse 〈◊〉 then Aurelio his brother Biniano said as much vnto the knight of the Sunne desiring him that he would think well of them and to take them with him in his companie who when he saw their great â—â—portunatie without speaking any word he mounted vpon his Horse and departed out of the pallace and his squires followed him and being foorth of the Citie they made so great haste in their trauaile that when the daie did breake they were a great waie of from Constantinople and fearing that some would follow after them they left the high waie and put themselues into a faire gréene fresh forest meruaâ—lously full of trées and in a part of the wildernesse of Grecia verie famous and notaâ—â—â— as well for the mightinesse thereof as to be verie plaine for that in one huÌ„dreth myles trauailing you could not finde anie one mountaine or hill the which was verie fresh and delightfull full of orchards and gardines and thick trées that few times they that doth enter into the same can finde the way out againe And trauailing in the same this valiant knight with his heart so furious and full of sorow griefe and anger that he thought it would breake within his bodie His squires séeing him so full of anguish and griefe they kept themselues a good waie behinde him for feare of his wrath and displeasure but he was so peâ—sâ—ue and heauie in his heart and minde that his Horse carryed him at his pleasure for that he made no accompt to rule him to the one side nor vnto the other and as he rode all alone in these pensine cogitations as you before haue heard they heard him saie as followeth OH traytor and false knight whether doest thou goe and what dost thou â—éeke how is it thâ—at thou doest now liue in the world hauing committed so great treason Oâ— earth why doest thou not open and swallow me vp into thy profoundnesse for that such a traitor as I am doth not delexue other sepulchre Oh if it were Gods will that thou diddest now open and that all the foure Glements might fall together vpon me as the fire did against Aleâ—bâ—atlâ—s the good Captaine of Grecia and the aire and water as against Pompeyo being drowned in the deep seas of Aegypt Alexander horne in Epiro and drowned in the â—iuer Lucano Likewise that the earth might bée against me as it was against him who with a great and mightie armie was drowned â—n the sants Oh high and coniealed cloudes how swéete and in peaceable sorte shoulde â—ound in my eares the timerous noise of your wonderfull and sodaine thunders if that from them might descend vpon me the beames of burning fire as they did descend vpon Carro Emperor of Rome in the wars of Tigre and vpon Hostiâ—â—o king of the Romanes who béeing in his pallace was slaine by two sodaine lightninges Oh that my force and strength were so contrarie now vnto me as was the force of Milo and that this my horse might drawe mée through this forrest or that by some other occasion I might end my life so that I dyd it not my selfe for the safegard of my soule and when that all these disasters dooth faile mée then doe I desire God that my wittes may faile me and my vnderstanding as did Hercules and Aiax Telamon the Gréeke for y â— I being mad furious as they were might not féele my misfortune and vnhappie lot What is he in all the world that euer felt anie anguish sorrow and griefe that may be compared vnto mine What shall I doo and whether shall I goe Why should I liue anie longer vpon the earth for that I haue not alonelie bene a traitour vnto my Ladie and mistres but also as a mortall enimie I haue laid vpon her with my sword What misfortune may happen worse vnto me than this to sée her desire my death in whome standeth all the state of my life yet haue I committed against her so great euill and errour that shée hath iust cause to procure my death and I lacke of reason for to excuse me but now séeing that it is so that I am abhorred of my Ladie I will not kill my selfe for the safegard of my soule lyke a faithfull Christian but I will thether whereas none shall know nor heare anie newes of me whether I hée aliâ—ie or dead yea there whereas the brute beasts cannot liue for that so false and distoiall a man as I am deserueth not to liue whereas they do receiue comfort of the Sun and the swéetnesse of the aire So saying these and many other things this good knight trauailed being verie furious not desiring anie other thing but wherein it might cost him his life And as he trauailed a space in this sort and being entered a good waie into the wildernesse looking before him that waie which his horse carried him he sawe come forth out of a narrow path from amongst a bushment of thicke trées a mightie bigge knight mounted vpon a mightie horse all armed in blacke armour so bigge membred that he lacked little to be a Gyant and as hée drew nigh vnto him hée sawe that hée carryed his â—eauer lift vp and that he was of so furious semblaunce and braue countenaunce and by his bigge stature and well proportioned members hée séemed to bée verie valiant and séeing him come in this manner he sayde within himselfe Oh that my fortune were such that this whom I now méete were that Milo or that mightie Hercules or some other of no lesse force strength and valiantnesse than they that might so â—orment my strength in such sorte that this my bodie so disâ—oial might remaine in these fieldes for â—oode vnto the brute beasts but my soule into the place of ease in eternall glorie for whome it was created In saying these wordes this bigge knight merâ—ailing verie much at the braue and gentle disposition of the knight of the Sunne dyd staie his mightie horse and beholding him hée sayd Tell mée Knight art thou by fortune of the court of the Emperour â—rebatio I am sayde the knight of the Sunne Then tell me if thou commest from thence if there remaineth a knight that is called the
knight of the Sunne sayd this bigge knight Wherefore wouldest thou knowe this sayd the knight of the Sunne I would know this sayd â—he other for that I come from a farre Countrie in his demand for to kill him The knight of the Sun was so farre out of order and angrie that it grieued him nothing to heare him saie so therefore he said Tell mée who thou art and what is the occasion that thou wilt kil him for that I am he that in this world doth most desire the death of this knight and if thou doest tell mée this which I doe aske thée I wil tell thée where thou shalt finde this knight of the Sunne and not farre from this place thou shalt méete with him Then the great knight who was glad of these newes sayd Thou shalt vnderstand that I am called Brandimardo and sonne to Affricano that was king of Media hée that the knight of the Sunne slew in Babylon and I am come for no other thing into this Countrie but to reuenge the death of my Father and trauailing towardes the mightie Citie of Constantinople there were certaine Knights which did misvse mée and hauing battaile with them of seauen that were together I slew foure and the other thrée fled and harboured themselues in this wildernesse I following them lost my waie in such sort that I haue béene foure dayes wandering héerein without eating anie other thing than such wilde fruites as these trées doth yéeld This is the whole resolution of thy demaund therefore tell mée now that which thou promisedst vnto mée for that I shall receiue so greate pleasure as though I were made Lorde ouer all the world to méete with this knight so quicklie as thou hast sayde Then Brandimardo sayde hée thou shalt vnderstand that I am this knight of the Sunne whome thou doest seeke and truth it is that I slew Affricano in a valiant battael that we hadde in the mightie Citie of Babylon but I slewe him in equall battayle béeing defied by him first so that thou nor none other hath anie reason for to demaund his death at my handes Oh immortall Gods sayd Brandimardo what great curtesie is this that your diuine maiesties hath shewed vnto me this daie in that I haue met with this knight which is the thing that I haue most desired in this world And in saying these words he put downe his beauer and hauing neuer a speare for that he brake his with the seauen knights that before â—he did combat with hée drew out a verie heauie and 〈…〉 and layd 〈◊〉 the Knight of the Sun Come 〈◊〉 and let us begin the battaile for that I am determined not to depart from hence till such time as one of vs doth remaine héere dead in this wildernesse Then the kniâ—ht of the Sunne béeing determined not to make battayle with him with 〈◊〉 woord for that hée had stroken therewith the 〈◊〉 Claridiana his 〈◊〉 supposing that there was no knight worthie to receiue anie blowes therewith hée went vnto an ouer-growen Oke whose branches were very bigge he set both his handes vnto a branch thereof and dyd teare it as though it had bene a great willow and cutting off the â—â—al branchâ—s and reteining it with his hands he made 〈…〉 full of knots and of so great waight that sonie other knight had inough to doe to lift it from the ground But Brandimardo séeing that hée would enter with him in 〈◊〉 not knowing what should moue him therevnto hauing other weapon he sayd Knight of the Sunne wherfore haue you done this hauing at thy girdle a sword It séeâ—eth vnto me that thou haddest rather make thy batâ—aile with batâ—es like a base Countrie man than with thy sword as becommeth a good knight Then the knight of the Sunne sayd Thou shalt vnderstand Brandimardo that I do refuse to make battaile with my sword for no other thing â—ilt this for that few daiâ—s past without anie knowledge thereof I made battaile with a damsell who is of high estate 〈…〉 considering that I did strike and oppresse her â—here with there is no mortall knight that is worthie to 〈…〉 blowe therewith and héere I do tell thee that first I woulde consent to bée torne in peeces than to vnâ—heath it to strike thée This Brandimardo was a young knight 〈…〉 Affricano was slaine hee had not 〈◊〉 the order of Knighthoode and was one of the most valiantest strongest that was to bée found in all the Pagan Countrie as it seemed afterward vnto the 〈◊〉 of the Sunne he was of â—reater force and strength than his Father and wâ—s of more dexteritie in battaile Also with this he was verie furious and sâ—â—ut that at such time as he was angâ—ie there was none so hardie as durst abide before him although they were a thousand knightes yet hée feared not them for that he was so valiant and hardie who séeing that his aduersarie wold not make battaile with the sword because he would not haue that vaâ—ntage he sheaâ—hed his sword againe and went vnto that great Oke whereas thâ— knight of the Sun had rent off his branch hée set both his handes vnto another of no lesse greatnesse than his and renting it off with great facilitie as one of great sâ—rength after that hée had dressed and righted it in the best manner he could with great furie he went against the â—night of the Sunne who was abiding his comming at which meeting they did the one charge vpon the other with so 〈◊〉 furie that before hath not beene séene a battaile in such order and of so vnvsuall weapons so well foughten for y â— theâ—r blowes were verie thicke and stroke with outragious â—urie in such sorte that there was none that â—id behold them but had great feare and dreade onelie in the sight of their blowes In this sort they 〈◊〉 more than one houre and neuer 〈◊〉 charging one another that it was wonderfull to behold and no aduantage knowen of either part yet were they greatly amâ—zed eâ—â—â—er of them at the force and 〈…〉 in eâ—peciall Brandimardo for that before â—â—me hee had 〈◊〉 the force of many knightes and sâ—out 〈…〉 did he neuer proue the like in all points 〈…〉 in him which was before him that not without great reason he was so praised and eâ—alted amongest all the 〈◊〉 yet notwithstanding of his person he was 〈…〉 and furious that not one point of his courage dyd 〈◊〉 him in that battaile but he did in such sorte inforce 〈◊〉 and charge the knight of the Sunne that hee gaue him verie wel to vnderstand that it was conuenient to vse the vttermâ—st of his courage and the two Squires that were present dyd tremble for verie feare to see with what great furie these two dyd make their terrible combat but both these knightes béeing verie full of wrath and anger because the battaile endured so long betwixt them they stretched themselues vppon their stiroppes and tooke their knotted battes in both theyr
So hauing verie good entertainment by the knightes that were in the shippe one of them asked him of whence hée was and he sayde that hée was of Grecia and for that he sayde no more vnto them there was not one of them that asked him anie other questian although it séemed vnto them by his semblance that there was some thing that did trouble and grieue him verie much hée was so heauie Thus they trauailed two daies together with prosperous windes passing awaie the time in the best manner hée could but the third daie there arose a greate torment in so terrible sorte that the shippe wherein they were was in great perill to bée lost The windes dyd increase euerie moment more and more in such furious sort that all the cunning of the mariners did not serue for the gouernment of the ship but were driuen of necessitie for to yéelde her vnto the curtesie of the winde and seas driuing wheresoeuer it pleased them In this sort were they tumbled and tossed with that tempest all that daie and the night following without anie semblaunce of calmenesse and looked euerie minute for to bée cast awaie which put greate feare amongest them all sauing vnto the knight of the Sun who séeing the Sea so troubled and the mightie waues caused by those terrible windes fighting one with another he was not alonelie without all feare but also dyd lyke well thereof and it was agréeable vnto his minde as vnto one that was wearie of his owne lyfe but the next daie following at such time as they were without all hope to escape that danger fortune dyd so serue them that the storme beganne to asswage in such sorte that the Mariners might gouerne their shippe but they found that they were put a great waie leward from the place whether as they were determined to goe and sailing forwards on their iourney they discouered a farre off an Iland and out of the middest thereof they might perceiue ascend vp into the aire at times great flames and sparkes of fire with a terrible darke and thicke smoake as though they hadde béene burning of some drie things And when they came nigh vnto the same Ilande the knights were all desirous to goe there a land for to ease and refresh themselues for that they were out of quiet with the storme passed but the Marriners knowing the Iland haled iackes aboord and ran of from the land all that euer they could crying out saying they would not go thether for that it was the Iland of the diuell called the solitarie Iland and how that if they went thether they should all die the death When the knights of Candia heard these wordes they were all greatlie amazed for they hadde heard before time verie much of that Iland But the knight of the Sun who was inclined by his valiant heart to attempt high mightie things with great desire for to sée what it was that they so greatlie feared he asked of the Mariners wherefore they called that the Iland of the Diuell and why they feared so much the death if they should go thether And although all the knights that were there present had heard verie much of the great perill and daunger of that Iland yet there was none that could declare the certaintie thereof but an olde Pilot that came as passenger in the same shippe who had heard the whole truth thereof by certaine men which lefte the sayd Iland in respect of the great daunger and he séeing that the knight of the Sunne had great desire to knowe the mysterie therof in the presence of all the knights that were there present began to declare the same as followeth YOu shall vnderstand gentle Knight that this Ilande was called in times past the Ilande of Artimaga for that it was gouerned by a woman so called who was so abhominable and euill that neuer the lyke was séene nor heard of amongst women for that after she came vnto the age of fiftéene yéeres vntill the time of her death which was more than thirtie yéeres shée neuer beléeued in God but in the diuell and there was no daie that passed ouer her head but she sawe the diuell in the figure of a man and had talke and conuersation with her as though he had bene her husband and she did euerie daie twice humble her selfe vnto him and did worship him The father and mother of this Artimaga were verie euill and peruerse being Lords and gouernours of this Iland at their death they left this Artimaga of the age of ten yéeres little more or lesse and for that there was no heire male at their decease she was forthwith accepted for Ladie and gouernesse of the whole Iland who when she sawe that she was absolute of her selfe and all in her disposition she gaue her selfe so much vnto all the 〈◊〉 and viâ—es of this worlde that for her abhominable sinnes and wickednesse God dyd permit that when this Artimaga came vnto the age of fiftéene yéeres shée was deceiued with the diuell and would neuer consent vnto marriage for that shée would not submit her selfe vnder the obedience of her husband but yet she had more than thirtie gallants at her commaundement and had a great delight to chaunge euerie yéere so many more and with the greate conuersation that she had continuallie with the diuell she came to bée so wise and cunning in the art Magicke that there was none in all her time although hée were neuer so cunning that might bee compared vnto her Shée vsed so many and diuerse sortes of inchauntmentes that all those of the Iland dyd feare her verie much and although her abhominable and horrible liâ—e séemed verie euill vnto them all yet durst they doe no other thing but to obey her for their Ladie and gouernesse It so fell out that this cursed woman was neuer brought to bedde nor neuer was with childe although in consideration thereof many times shée woulde not for the space of two or thrée moneths together vse the companie but onelie of one man for the which shée receiued great sorrowe and griefe at her verye heart in séeing that shée coulde not haue anie issue of her bodie that might succéede her in the Lordshippe of that Ilande and many times when shée was in companie with the Diuell shee dyd complayne verie much thereof praying him earnestlie with greate deuotion to doe so much for her that she might haue a sonne with whom she might comfort her selfe and put some remedie vnto the great sorrowe which she receiued at her heart for lacke thereof Then the deceitfull diuell full of pollicie enimie vnto all humaine generatioÌ„ hauing great desire to bring vnto ende that euill fortuned woman the more surer to make his pray vpon her soule bethought himselfe of a meruailous euâ—ll and sayde that vnto that time he would not consent that she should haue any generation in consideration that she loued him so wel he wold not that she should conceiue by
all those y â— haue anie notice of this Iland doe not onelie refuse to land vppon it but also they dare not come nigh it with their ships for that many times this possessed Fauno hath ben séene enter into the sea a great stones cast when that anie ship or barke were nigh the shore and if that by misfortune those vnhappie trauailers doe fall into his hands there is none that escapeth with their lius for that with the horne that he hath in his forehead at one only blow he teareth a ship in péeces then after with his strong armes and vnmercifull téeth he rents teares in péeces all that is before him and there is no strength of man nor armour so strong that can withstand his â—urie for that his hoarie skin is of so great hardnes y â— it is not possible for anie weapon to enter it This is y â— occasion gentle knight y â— this Iland is so much spoken of and so feareful vnto all sailers that passeth this waie and why it is called the Iland of the diuell and that fire which we doe sée with that thicke smoake that ascendeth into the aire is all that which procéedeth out of the terrible and horrible mouth of that diuellish Fauno for that it is full of infernall diuells By this you may iudge what the monster should be that throweth from him such wonderfull and terrible infections This worthie knight of the Sun at this discourse of the olde Pilot was greatly amazed and so were all the knights of Candia that came in the same ship the which thing seemed vnto them to be one of the straungest that euer happened in all the world yet the straungenesse thereof was not so terrible vnto all the rest of the hearers as it gaue great desire vnto the valiant worthie knight of the Sun to go a land at that Iland and to goe and seeke out that possessed Fauno for that the hearing thereof did not cause anie feare or dread in his couragious heart as he who for such like attempts aboue all other stout knights was created did litle estéeme the venturing of his life whereas the honour and glorie of such worthinesse is put in aduenture and in especiall in that time abhorring himselfe in consideration of his fact he was so furious and desperate that he neither feared nor dreaded the entrie into hell much lesse the Iland Thus he béeing fullie determined to goe a land called vnto him Aurelio and Biniano his squires and calling them apart in shedding many salt teares which ranne down his graue countenance he sayd these wordes My good friends God doth know what great griefe it is vnto me for to declare this which I haue to saie and what sorrow I doe féele at my heart before I doe vtter it not so much for that it doth touch me although my misfortune aboue al other in the world is most strangest as it is for that I doe sée at such time as I should doe some thing for you to giue you reward for your great good seruice done vnto me I am constrained to abandon and leaue you alone without any hope euer to sée you more this is the thing that doth so grieue me ioyntlie to consider how my losse will bée lamented of my father and mother my brother and all my friends that to declare it my tongue doth faile mee Ah my good friends you shall vnderstand that my departure out of Constantinople was for no other intent but for to leaue the worlde and for to goe whereas I might shorten my daies and thether whereas it might not bée knowen vnto anie whether I be aliue or dead for that my euill fortune is such that it doeth not atcomplish mée for to liue anie longer héere amongest men and in consideration heereof I dyd at our departure so much request you that you should haue remained with the Emperour my Father for that he and my brother Rosicleer might reward you for the great seruice done vnto me for that I am not able to doe it and being at that time so much importuned by you that by anie meanes I could not leaue your companie but now the time is come that my sorrowfull destinie hath permitted that from this daie forwardes I am constrained to leaue you and to make reckoning that of you nor of my father and brother I was neuer knowen The occasion therof I will not declare vnto you for that alonelie my hart who doth suffer the inconuenience shal know it But thus much I will saie vnto you that if the perill in loosing of my soule did not disturbe me I haue sufficient cause to giue my selfe a thousand deaths with my owne handes and for that my life is so heauie and grieuous vnto mée and that my force strength is not sufficient for to suffer the same I am determined for to go a land on this Iland of y â— Fauno and there to end my vnhappie daies and if it so fall out fortune to be fauourable vnto me in that I do ouercome and kil the monster I shall doe great seruice vnto God in taking out of the world a thing so fierce and abhominable then afterwarde shall that Iland be verie solitarie and fit for my purpose where I meane to end my sorrowfull daies And if my fortune be such that I die in the power of the Fauno as sure I am that I owe a death then shall I there paie the death that is due vnto this my mortall bodie and the debt that is due vnto this vnhappie and troublesome world Therefore my good friends I doe most heartelie desire you for the great good loue which you dyd alwaies beare vnto me that at this present you will shew it to be more than héeretofore and to be conformable vnto my will and to thinke well of this my pretence and to haue patience and perswade with your selues in this my departure and to comfort your selues in that it is a great griefe vnto me for to leaue you and to conclude the lyfe of man is briefe and short and full of miserie and anguish and I praie and beséech the vniuersall creator that we may in the other world with more ioy quietquietnesse and pleasure So my will is that after I am departed you go with these knights vnto Transiluania and from thence to returne into Grecia and there to establysh your selues with the Emperour my father without giuing him to vnderstand of anie thing that hath happened vnto me since my departure out of the mightie Citie of Constantinople but saie that you lost me in the wildernesse of Grecia and remaine with him for that I am sure that hée and my brother Rosicleer will doe as much for you as though I were there my selfe and if at anie time by fortune you doe méete with the Empresse Claridiana you shall saye vnto her that at such time as I departed from you I left your companie for that I went out
of the worlde because that in liuing I shoulde not bée odious vnto her nor cause her anie more anger and of one thing she shall bée sure that so long as shée liueth shée shall neuer haue anie newes of mée When the knight of the Sunne had sayd these wordes these two his good Squires did weepe so bitterlie that they had no power to speak in a good space in the end they caught him by the armour and held him fast saying Oh our good Lord wherefore is it you pleasure for to leaue vs in so great sorrow and care and to cause your father and mother brethren and friendes alwaies to liue in great heauinesse and griefe What great griefe is this that you haue conceiued which is the occasion that you doe desire the death What greater euill may happen vnto the world than to haue the lacke sustaine the losse of such a knight as thou art Consider our good Lord that if you doe performe this which you saie you will you doe not alonelie loose your life but also your soule for in conclusion it is a desperate death For the loue of God our good Lord let not such things passe once into your thought for that no man in all the world can imagine a thing of a worser determination and héerein you shall also loose both bodie and soule and shall be the occasion of the death of the Emperour Trebatio your father and of the Empresse Briana your mother for as they doe loue you more than themselues they will die with verie anger and griefe when they shall heare of your perdition vnto none it wil be so griouous as vnto the Empresse Claridiana who is the occasion of all this your sorrow What shall we doe vnhappie as we are when that wée shall finde our selues all alone without your companie How can we returne vnto Grecia when that the subiects doth lacke their so greatâ— estéemed Prince With what semblance or countenance can we come in the presence of your Father not daring to declare the losse and death of his sonne Ought not we greatlie to be sorrowfull to thinke how our hearts must be hardned that when your brother and friends shall demaund of newes of you and we knowing the conclusion dare not be so hardie as to vtter it What is he that can suffer so great griefe or dissemble so great sorrow God forbid that euer anie such thing shoulde bée permitted wée will first consent to bée drowned in this déep sea than to returne into Grecia without your companie And if you doe still contend to goe a land on that Iland of the diuellish Fauno we will goe with you and beare you companie for that wée shall thinke our deaths happie to loose them with yours and had rather ioyntly to die with you than to liue one moment in this worlde for to lament and feele the griefe of your death These and many other thinges in effect sayd these good Squires shedding many salt teares for to withdrawe their Lord the knight of the Sunne from his determination but all did profit nothing for although it was great anguish and mortall griefe vnto him for to depart from them yet was he so firme in his determination to accomplish that which he had said that if all the whole world had bene there present for to disswade him yet had they not ben sufficient for to withdrawe him from the doing thereof And therewithall he requested the Mariners to launch out their skiffe on the water But when the Mariners and all those knightes of Candia did vnderstand his determination and sawe how pittiâ—ullie his Squires did wéepe for him they were greatly amazed thereat and thought him to be a desperate knight and one that was wearie of his life that wold giue attempt to so strange aduenture hauing heard the wonderfull thing that the olde Pilot had tolde them of that Iland who beeing there present saw with what determination he wold goe vnto the Iland and with what efficacie he dyd demand the skiffe for to goe a land before them all hée sayde these wordes I greatlie meruaile at you Sir knight hauing heard the wonderfull things that I haue tolde vnto you of this Iland of the diuell and yet you haue so great will to go thether of truth I cannot iudge that it doth procéede of anie strength or couragious heart but of some desperation that you haue with you whereby you doe abhorre your owne life for that stout and couragious Barons doe neuer put their liues in aduenture but whereas they haue hope to get honour and victorie but that man which doth put himselfe there wheras he doth aduenture no other honour but to die the death it may be wel said y â— it is more of desperatioÌ„ than of force or courage What account doe you make of your owne strength I saie if it be equall with that of Hercules that of Thebano yet were it not sufficient to escape from the hands of that possessed Fauno if once you goe a land and it is well knowen that all the people of the Iland coulde not make anie defence against him although there were amongst theÌ„ more than thrée thousand knights besides other common people verie stout and clubbish and yet will you take vpon you alone the enterprise surelie it is a plaine thing to vnderstand that you will kill your selfe for that you will put your selfe in that aduenture whereas it is impossible to saue your life the which is a thing most abhorred before God and this proceedeth onelie of the lacke of wisedome weaknesse and want of patience and to the contrarie each one where wisedome remaineth with equal hart and valiant courage doth suffer all humane troubles not for euerie little trouble doth straight waies abhorre themselues and so from a little euill fall into another far greater What other thing haue you in al this world that maketh a man more to abhore and hate himselfe and his owne life than afflictions and troubles And it is manifest vnto vs as it is spoken by the wise that troubles appertaineth onelie vnto men Likewise that holie and afflicted Iob saith that for trauailes and troubles man was borne but those which haue no patience nor strength for to suffer aduersities thinketh that al things that doth not fal out according vnto their desire and appetite that they haue iust occasion to desire and procure the death and vpon the sodaine they are in such a rage that for euerie light thing they doe not onelie anger themselues against fortune but also against themselues and that which is worst of all they are out of patience with God that dyd create them vsing against him wordes of greate abhomination as though that if God did not all things vnto their willes then doth he them great iniurie but vnto them that bée wise what state so euer God doth send them they accept it in good part if it bée with prosperitie and ioy they
accept it with a good will and if it bée sadde and sorrowfull they suffer it with suffer it with patience and when that with the occasions they cannot bée merrie then doe they comfort themselues with patience for that there is nothing so comfortable and pleasant as is patience therewith heauie and sorrowfull heartes are made glad and ioyfull wronges are brought to perfection it mollifieth hard hearts do mitigate difficultnesse aspar things it maketh plaine and ceaseth all quarrels and sodaine motions and finallie there is nothing of more quietnes and comfort than is the life of the patient These wéepinges these complaintes these clowdes and stormes that causeth the weake barke of our humane lyfe to bée dashed and broken in péeces against the rockes procéedeth of no other thing but of the follie and impatience of men So that gentle Knight if you dyd suffer with patience the troubles and afflictions of this life considering that in the end there cannot bée found a thing more common amongst men then shoulde no peruerse fortune although it dyd neuer so stronglie assault you bée able to cause you to be wearie abhorre your owne life neyther to goe and put your selfe into the handes of that diuellish Fauno whereas you doe aduenture no other thing but martirdome to your bodie and perpetual condemnation to your soule Let the Lord dispose of thy bodie according vnto his will séeing he made it there is no reason to the contrarie doe not procure to destroie the Castle whereas thou laiedâ—â— neither stone nor timber and no other thing is thine but onelie the compassion Doe not abridge God of that work whereas he did not onelie create the flesh but also bones bloud and spirit And it séemeth vnto me as it is most true that there is no other Lord ouer celestiall and terrestriall things but he that made all things Well then séeing that of our selues we are nothing but all is of God and commeth from him wherfore doe we humane creatures thinke that we may liberallie we all things vnto our 〈◊〉 Curteous Knight if you haue anie sorrowe and griefe possible God doth it to proue you the which although it bée now troublesome vnto you may yet so fall out that another time it will bée profitable and if it bee intollerable it cannot endure long tarrie the voice of the Lord for that hée will call you and make no aunswere before hée call you for that it is determined not onelie the daie but the houre of thy end the which thou oughtest not to abreuiate and cut off for that thou art not able to dilate it for it is impossible There hath béene some that hath taken it before their time thinking thereby to eschue a little briefe and momentarie trouble and drowned themselues in that which neuer shall haue end A mightie King or Lorde leaueth in a Castle or fortresse a lieuetenant to garde and kéepe the same who thinketh that hée doth commit great treason to depart from thence without lisence of his Lorde Why then shall wée not thinke that the treason is farre greater that the soule doth against the king of heauen for to depart from the bodie whereas he put it to be his liefetenant and gard We reade that there was neuer wise man y â— did so euil a fact as dyd Cato in killing of himselfe for that hée woulde not looke Caesaâ— in the face Let not so much bée spoken of you gentle knight it will séeme much worse because you are a Christian and it 〈◊〉 thing prohibited and forbidden by God wheras he saith Thou shalt not kill Why should wée then kill our selues Likewise hée doth bidde vs loue our neighbours as our owâ—e selues Therefore haue a good confidence and trust in all â—â—â—ng for that it is not the part of a 〈…〉 but to beare a good 〈◊〉 vnto the double face of 〈◊〉 and to the contrarie a womans heart that doth yéelde for feare Therefore touching this matter gentle knight I wil saie no more for that vnto them that hath a better vnderstanding than I haue I haue sayd nothing but to put in remembrance Likewise it is néedfull for that if you haue your wittâ—s occupied in passions the same doth blinde the vnderstanding in such sorte that you cannot discerne thinges at hand With this the olde Pilot concluded his talke and although the knight of the Sunne at that time was in better plight to â—ight against fiftie knightes than to take counsaile of one man yet for all that he dyd conceiue well of the wordes of the Patrone as of him that was indued with no lesse wisedome and vnderstanding than with force and strength and for that his determination was so firme to accomplish his desire and againe the knightes that were there present as also the Pilot shoulde not iudge him to be an impâ—tient man and one of â—â—â—all discretion hée said these words following If so bée that the life of man might bée perpetuall and indure for euer as immortall and the soule to die then with great reason ought we to cherish and make much of our bodies and â—â—ie from all such perills as might giue an occasion vnto death for that hée that should so die might certainâ—â—â— account himselfe vnhappie for wheras before hée was some thing he should be conuerted into nothing But as it is a thing naturall to be borne and to die as wise men saith that the entering into the worlde with life is the beginning of death and the same life is the path waie therevnto and wée ought to feare death more than to be borne and we ought to flie from the death yet both of them maketh nature perfect and nothing of necessitie doeth accompanie Nature which ought to be feared and he that doth abhorre and feaâ—â— things naturall it followeth that he should likewise fearâ— abhorre nature which was the occasion of life to be borne sauing if you thinke that in part you ought to praise and in part to despise and abhorre but all men of small discretion doe feare death and I doe not meruaile thereat for that all their felicities is in their bodies the which without al doubt doth end with death and with great reason they doe fearâ— that which they esteeme as their chiefe delight for that humane nature is such that it wil not refuse nor lacke their felicitie but that Baron which is wise couragious â—â—â—â—â—meth of his bodie no more thâ—n of 〈…〉 and hath all his desire set vppon the 〈◊〉 of the â—oule who when it departeth from the bodie maketh no more account but as one that in the morning departeth from an heauie combersome lodging where he remained all night If man dreade death feare is not to be 〈◊〉 for that thâ— soule is immortall cannot die but the bodie onelie is it not 〈◊〉 mans dutie to haue care of his 〈◊〉 and if he feare it procéedeth of follie but yet it is more foolishnesse for to desire the
contencion and the Rinoceront with the Crocadil the Egle with the Estridge the Elephant with the Minotauro and one man with an other and that which is worst women against men besides all these the continual wars and contencions that is amongst vs for that we haue the perills of death continuallie before our eyes What a number of things there is that doth put vs in great ieperdie threaten vs euerie moment vnto death the earth doeth open against vs the water doth drown vs y â— fier doth burne vs the aire doth disteÌ„per vs the winter doth runne through vs the suÌ„mer doth trouble vs with heate dogges doth bite vs Spiders doth poison vs Gnats doth pricke vs Flies doth ouerpresse vs Serpents doth â—eare vs and aboue all trauailes and cares doth ouer watch vs none can goe with securitie vpon y â— earth for y t euery pace men doth fiue stones to stumble at bridges wherof they fall brookâ—s wheras they are drowned hills froÌ„ whence they tuÌ„ble be ouerthrowne thunder cracks y â— maketh them afraide déepe 〈◊〉 that doth stay their passage thundeâ— bolts that both kill them And now séeing that both land and sea be all full of perâ—lls and whether so euer we doe flie death will ouertake 〈◊〉 I will say no more vnto you but that I am determined to goe a land on the Iland of the Fauno â—or I had rather die wheras I doe aduenture to get honor making my defence with my sword in my hand like a knight then to be drowned in the Sea or to kéepe my bed with sicknesse therefore my good friends I doe desire you to hoyse out your bote on y e water and procure no further to disturbe mée in this my pretence for that I will not let to accomplish this my desire â—or any thing that is in all the world and these my squires I pray you to carrie them with you and not to let them to folow mée neither to giue theÌ„ any ship or bote for y t their deathes shal be vnto mée much more greuous then mine owne Uerie autentiue were all the knights of Candia and the olde pilot vnto all that which the knight of the Sunne had said by the which they iudged him to be discreete wise by the vttering of his words as also in his semblance they iudged him to be valiant wherein he shewed so great grauitie of his person that ther was not one amongst them all that durst speak any more vnto him in y â— matter neither to disturbe him of his will determined purpose for that ther was not any that could say any thing vnto him but that he vnderstode it better thâ—n they yet they sâ—â—ing the perill he put himselfe in they all greued verie much thereat in such sorte that with their wéepings they coâ—ld scare speake but in especiall his two Squires who hauing heard all his speache and sawe the resolute determination of theyr Lord did beate their heads against the shippes sides and gaue such shrickes and cries as though they had bene cut of their wits and although the knight of the Sunne did comfort them with many swéete louing words yet all would not serue for the more he spake vnto them the more did increase their sorow and griefe Then he séeing that all which he did did little profit to goe with their good wills how y â— the longer he staied the worse it was he desired the mariners to hoise the boate into the sea who were not willing therevnto the which being by him perceiued as one which had as great forcâ— strength as anie man in all the world he tooke the boate in both his hands and without the helpe of anie other he hoised it into the sea and caused his horse to be put therein the which being done he would haue taken his leaue of theÌ„ all but his squires when they saw that he would depart they gaue such shrickes and cries that it séemed the noyse to reach vnto the heauens and fell downe at his féete shedding so manie teares that it was great compassion to behold theÌ„ desiring him that he would not leaue them in so great heauinesse and for that it was so manifest that he went to loose his life that he would take theÌ„ in his companie for to dye with him for y â— his life was no longer then he abode in their companie They complained verie much of him for paying theÌ„ with such reward after so long time that they had serued him but the griefe of this good knight was such for his two squires that with the great aboundance of teares that fell from his eyes he could scant speake vnto them one worde especiallie considering with what intencion he departed which was neuer to sée them againe in all his life neither returne anie more into Grecia for that he was determined if God did giue him victorie against the Fauno to remaine in that solitarie Ilande and there to ende his daies But for that he loued his squires verie well and likewise knowing the great loue that they bare vnto him his heart was readie to burst in péeces for to apart himselfe from them Likewise all those knights of Candia and y e olde pilot did labour all that euer they could for to breake him of his purpose but all would not serue and he séeing that his tarrying did him no profit he went vnto the shippes side and with a light heart he leapt into the boate and taking the oares in his handes he began to rowe towards the Ilande leauing so great sorow griefe amongst all them that were in the shippe that there was not one of them but wept bitterlie to see him depart in that sorte as one desperate to receiue a cruell death and being a knight that seemed vnto them all not to haue his lyke in all the world yet all the griefe which they receiued was nothing vnto that of his squires when they sawe their lorde depart who like desperate men would haue throwne themselues into the sea if those knights had not lette them and seemed vnto them to be true and loyal vnto their lord and of a good disposition so with the great care that they had of them they did kéepe them from destroying theÌ„selues After this good knight was departed within a shorte space he ariued at the Iland and those of the ship lost sight of him but there were some of the shippe that saide that it were good to tarrie ther a few daies for to sée what should become of him to whome the pilot saide that it was great follie so to doe for two causes the one for that he was certaine so soone as the knight should come a land with a trice he should be torne all to péeces by that diuelish Fauno so that it were lost labour to abyde anie more newes of him and the other for that all they should be in great perill of their liues if that
the Fauno should discouer the shippe and before that we could doe anie thing for to saile from him he would ouertake vs and giue vs all cruell deathes as he hath done to manie others heretofore In conclusion at these words the knights consented not to â—â—aie but to departe and according vnto the great feare which they receued they thought they tarried to long but the two squires when they saw that they departed and caryed them in their companie leauing their Lord in so great perill it cannot be declared the great complaints that they made requesting y â— knights and pylot for to carrie them vnto the Ilande wherewith they should receiue great contentment and be ioyfull but all their requestes were in vaine for that they would not consent that they should dye so desperate a death as also for the great peâ—ill which should be vnto them all they would not consent therevnto wherewith these good squires were so desperate that if time had serued them therevnto they would haue throwen themselues into the sea and by swimming as well as they could they would haue gon to the Iland of the Fauno but the knights caused them to be kept in the shippe and put into a cabin and locked the dore and caryed them in their companie till in the ende of certaine daies they ariued at Transiluania whereas they did disembarke themselues and went a â—and but the Squires were so leane so féeble for that they would not eate anie thing and againe by shedding of so manie teares that they could scarce stand vpon their féete And now to returne to the knight of the Sunne the Historie maketh no more mencion of them but when they came vnto Transiluania after that they had remained there two daies for to refresh and strengthen themselues they sought an other shippe where in they returned to seeke the Ilande of the diuelish Fauno with determined good will there to dye with their Lorde in which iourney they were taken prisoners so that they could not accomplish their desire as shal be declared vnto you in the processe of this Historie ¶ How the knight of the Sunne ariued at the Iland of the possessed Fauno and of the wonderfull and perillous battaile that he had with him Chap. 15. SO when the knight of the Sunne was departed from the knights of Candia he made such hast in rowing w t his great mightie strength that small bote that in a short space he ariued at the solitarie Iland and surelie it was a thing of great meruaile worthie to be put in memorie all that happened with this valiant and happie knight for one way the water stode in his eies and his heart was reâ—die to breake with soâ—â—w griefe and pittie to sée his Squirâ—s remaine so sorowâ—ull and without all comfort an other waie acknowledging in what peril he was of his life in that iourney and how he went to put himselfe in the greatest perplexitie that euer was man he remâ—mbred and armed himselfe with so great hardinesse courage that he thought the time long till he did sée that diuelish Fauno When that he came a lande he sawe that all the Iland was plaine and verie fragarant and fresh replenished with greene Trées although there appeared manie buildings the which were destroyed and fallen downe to the ground in such sorte that it well appeared that the people that there dwelled to be diuelish and abhoiminable And as he was beholding y e countrie which séemed to be verie good and fertill he straight waies discouered where the diuelish Fauno was yet was he not nigh him but a great waye of neither did he sée him but that which proceeded from him which was an infernall fier which seemed to reach vp vnto the Skies with so great a noyse as though it had thundred and as y â— wise Lirgandeo saith that there was no humane heart of so sufficient courage for to séeke out so terrible and wonderfull attempt as was this of that worthie valiant knight in whose heart neuer entred any feare but with so valiant and couragious a stomacke determined to seeke that mishapen and infernall beast â—ull of so manie legions of diuells And for that he would not that there should remaine any thing that might carrie him out from that Ilande hée drew the bâ—te that brought him thether a lande and with one of the oares with the which he rowed he broke it all to peeces and scattered them abroade alongst the water syde that the force of the waues might carrie awaie the péeces But before he departed from that place where he ariued he fell downe vppon his knées and with manie sorowful sighes triikling teares which ranne downe his chéekes in signe that he was a true and faithfull Christian he sayde as followeth OH soueraigne creator both of heauen and earth without whose good will there is no diuell that hath any power neither without it can men fowles nor brute beastes liue vpon the face of the earth nor be sustained nor gouerned without it the Elements would be confounded the heauens lose their course and naturall mouings The earth would quake and the high and mightie mountaines would fall The waters of the Seas would ouer flow the lande and no liuing thing should finde where to be sustained but thou by thy infinit goodnesse and mercie doest ordaine and sustaine all not for that it is to thée necessarie but for the profit of man Therefore séeing that thou doest vse so great pittie and mercie with them here Lorde I doe desire thée that in this perillous danger thou wouldest not leaue me and if I haue anie desire herein to gette the victory it is not for anie honor nor vaine glorie that I hope to maintaine thereby but onely to haue a little more time for to liue in this dispeopled and solitarie Ilande whereas I may fully repent mée for the life which hetherto I haue lead and for to doe some penance for the euills which I haue committed against thy diuine magestie But if it be thy will that I dye in this trance I doe most hartely desire thée not to looke vpon my sinnes and wickednesse but to haue mercie vpon this my soule which is immortal and by thée created to thy similitude and likenesse for eternal liâ—e and diddest redéeme it with thy most precious bloud the which I pray thée to pardon and to receiue at such time as it doth depart out of this wretched bodie my death doth not greue mée so much as that I haue not time enough to serue thée When this good kâ—â—ght had saide these wordes he arose vp vpon his féete and looking towards that part the which was toward Grecia with deepe profound sighes he saide OH Empresse Claridiana how ioyfull would it be vnto my heart if y â— I did know of certaintie that thou wert acquainted with this my daungerous attempt with the which I am bestead for that seeing that my
fortune hath not giuen place in my life time to doe you anie seruice it may be that the acknowledgeing of my death might do you good for that I am fullie certefied you take great pleasure therein Oh that my fortune and cruell destiâ—ie had permitted that in the battaile the which you made with me in Constantinople I had bene slaine sure it had ben a crowne of martyrdome vnto me for to haue receiued the death by your soueraigne hands But alasse in this doe I know that my misfortune is great and in the end cannot be denied of this glorie to knowe that you take pleasure in my death for that taking so great paines for to giue it mee with your owne handes I cannot beléeue that in so short space you haue repented you And séeing good Ladie that it is so that you desire so much my death let not god permit that against your will I liue anie longer in this world Oh Princesse Lindabrides how ioyfull will it be vnto you to heare of my death knowing that she alonly was the occasion for whom I forgot the great loue that I bare vnto you and verifie the sentence to be iust and according vnto my desert to be abhorred of her for whose sake I forgot you and worthie to receiue the punishment of her that was the occasion to leaue so high and soueraigne a Ladie But what doe I saie I did neither leaue her nor forget her and is no other thing but my fortune to be so base that I did not deserue to marrie with the one nor to serue the other Oh Emperour Trebatio my Lord my Ladie and mother the Empresse Briana I desire you to pardon me for the Lord doth know that the greatest griefe that I haue in this world is to consider of the great sorrowe that you will receiue when that the newes of my death shall come vnto your eares let this bée account of comfort vnto you to make â—eckoning that you neuer heard of me since the time that I was carried awaie in the barke by the force of the riuer when that I was a child and héere I beseech the almightie God and loueraigne creator to comfort you and put this aforesayd in your mindes Oh my good brother Rosicleer oh how much is the sorrow that I doe now feele for that I so quicklie do apart my selfe out of your companie and a great griefe to consider howe sorrowfull the newes will be vnto you when that you shall heare that I am out of this world Ah my good brother you that are the flower of all knighthood comfort our father and mother that are so mentioned amongest all Nations for whereas you are in person my presence will not be thought vpon Oh my verie good and perfect friends Oristedes Brandizel and Claueryndo the Lord doth knowe how much it doth grieue me to sée my selfe separated from your companie for euer but alasse what shall I doe séeing that fortune will that I shall shew my selfe vnto you and all the world in this condition And now I doe desire you neuer more to séeke mée for that in briefe I shall out of this worlde Take for your friend my Brother Rosicleer in my place as well for that of your owne persons is meritorious as for the great good will which alwaies I did beare vnto you hée I am sure will bée vnto you a verie good and perfect friend These and many other things spake this good knight in shedding so many teares and vttering so many sighes that whosoeuer had heard them although his heart had bene so hard as anie Diamond yet could he not haue refrained but wept ther at And as he would haue put himselfe in the way to goe toward that diuellish Fauno he bethought himselfe how and in what sort he might make battaile with him and it it séemed that if fortune shuld shew her selfe in anie thing fauourable vnto him it should be to make the battaile better on foot than on horsebacke now according vnto his determination whether he did liue or die he had no more néede of his horse Cornerino therfore he determined to let him loose go at his frée liberty in recompence of his good seruice done vnto him and because he might more at his plasure take his repast of the field go whether he list he pulled off his bridle and saddle and set him at libertie the which was done with shedding many teares saying Oh my good horse what a great griefe it it vnto mée â—or to leaue thée not for that I haue néed of thée from henceforth but onelie for that I would it were knowen the great good seruice which thou hast done vnto me that thou shouldest be intreated dressed cured as thou doest deserue If that Alexander of Macedon did make so gorgious a tombe for his horse to burie him when he was dead commanded a citie to be called after his name I should haue greater reason to honor thée being thou aliue his dead much better than euer his was Augustus made a graue for his horse being dead for y â— he would not that the soules of the aire shuld eate his flesh Dido Iulio did consecrate in the Temple of Venus the image of his horse made in marble stone Anthonio Vero made the image of his horse being aliue in goldâ— and now I hauing done nothing for thée being farre better than euer anie of those were what can I doe but set thée at libertie whereas thou maist take the pleasure of the fieldes as other beasts do therfore go thy waies good horse for thou art the last companie that I doe leaue in this world In saying these words he draue him from him for to departe but it was great meruaile to sée the nature of this horse for although he was loose and at libertie without anie incomberance yat wold he not depart but drew nigher and nigher his maister and trembled meruailouslie with all his bodie the more he did procure to driue him awaie y â— more he did approch vnto him trembling as with feare then the knight of the Sunne knew not what to do for one waie the great perill of his horse if that diuellish Fauno should sée him another waie he could by no meanes driue him away for anie thing he could do but in the end he bethought himselfe y â— if he left him there loose possible when he did sée the diuellish Eauno he would runne awaie and therewith hée left him and began to trauaile a foote into the Iland and as he passed through a companie of great and ouergrowen Okes he remembred himselfe of the battaile which hée had with Brandimardo in the wildernesse of Grecia how that he made the same with a club made of a branch he tore off from a trée for that he would not strike him with y â— sworde wherewith he dyd make the battaile with the Empresse Claridâ—ana and calling this to
another and did him no more harme but that which he receiued by the heat of the fire for as he carried him nigh vnto his mouth he thought verilie to haue bene burned but y â— which the knight of y â— Sun was most grieued at was that he helde him so fast betwixt his armes that he had no power to put forth his armes neither to vse his own strength In this sort the monster caried him vp down a good while till at the last the knight felt that he might firme his féet on the ground at which time he stretched his legs made so strong resistance against the Fauno that he made him somwhat to recoile whereat giuing a hastie strong turne hée wrong himselfe out of his clawes with great lightnesse tooke againe his club the which was fallen from him as the Fauno with great impetuositie returned vpon him hée was in a readinenesse with his bat in both his hands abiding his coÌ„ming but before he approched nigh him he stroke him so terrible a blow with his club vpon his head that although his scull was more harder than a stith yet he made him to tumble on the earth more than halfe amazed before he could recouer himselfe for to rise vp he redoubled another blow and stroke him in the same place that he made him to ioyne both head breast vnto the ground cleane out of remembrance at which time there was so timerous a noise of shrikings howlings which those infernall diuells made comming forth of his mouth shewing such ill fauoured figures mishapen visions that no humane creature y â— shuld behold it but would haue receiued great feare dreade but this knight the flower of all other if all hel had risen against him with the fauour of almightie God vpon whom he did call would not haue feared them so that he was not onelie without dreade but also with a greater force and strength than before he lift vp his heauie knotted club and at such time as this infernall Fauno would haue risen vp he with all his force dyd strike him such a blow vpon the head that by reason that before his scull was crazed he now did beate it into his braines and made them to runne abrode wherewith this diuellish Fauno fell altogether to the ground and shaked with all his bodie and scrawling with hands féetâ— he made the earth to flie from him a great waie with the pangs of death This monster was not so soone fallen down but all that infernall crue that were within his bellie began to come forth at his mouth with so great quantitie of fire that they séemed all to burne therewith and vpon a sodaine the Sunne which shined as then verie cléere was as though it had ben couered with a cloude and all the heauen was so darkned that throughout all that Iland it séemed as though it had ben night and therewithall it thundred and lightned in such terrible sort as though heauen and earth would haue sunke and ther appeared vnto this good knight many infernal visions in as horrible maner as might be all full of fire in such sort y â— although it was as darke as night yet there appeared a meruailous and an innumerable number of theÌ„ so light as firebrands that he thought verily that all the diuels of hell had ben there ioyned together In this sort they continued a while and then vpon a sodaine he saw together a mightie legion of diuells in a bushment who brought in the midst amoÌ„gst them a naked woman whom they tormented in as cruell sort as might bée imagined she gaue great and pittifull shrikes and complained in such sort that the knight well vnderstood she should be the wise Artimaga who was brought thether by those diuells whereas her sonne laie dead and as they carried her round about the place some of them did strike her with sâ—rebrandes that euerie blowe séemed to burne her vnto the guts and other some dyd whip her so cruellie that euerie gyrke dyd make the bloud to spring out of her bodie and she with greate shrikes and cryes that seemed to bée heard vnto the heauens sayd Oh Artimaga cursed be the daie hour that thy father 〈◊〉 begot thée and the day wherein thou wert borne cursed be that day wherein the diuel did deceiue thee and the day that first thou didst put thy trust and confideÌ„ce in him these be his promises and this infernal fruite is that which he promised thée this is he that I so much desired by whom I and all this Iland should be so much spoken of all hath fallen out to be true for that the sonne which was borne of mée did proue to be such that the remembraunce of him shall not be forgotten so long as the world endureth These and other such words vttered this Artimaga in the time that these diuells carryed her round about where as her sonne lay with continual torments of her that it moued the good knight that did beholde all this vnto great compassion So after a while that this endured it began to lighten and thunder much more then before in which terrible noyse all this infernal companie began to vanish away and all those diuells that brought Artimaga likewise returned neuer ceasing in tormenting hir one minute of an houre So when they were all vanished and departed the day began to cléere vp the Sunne to shine as bright as before and was nothing séene in all the Iland but this good knight standing by the Fauno who was altogether starke dead but Cornerino his good horse being scared with that great noyse of thunder ranne and put himselfe into the sea wheras he remained swimming vp and downe till all was past and gon and then he came a land againe after that all this was finished the knight of the Sunne knéeled downe vpon the ground and gaue great thankes vnto almightie God for the 〈◊〉 which he had giuen vnto him and finding himselfe all sowltering hot with the fire of the Fauno he pulled of his armour and with the water of the brooke he did refresh himselfe in drinking thereof and washing his bodie this being done he returned to behold the Fauno whereas he lay dead and in séeing him he began a new to meruaile at his wonderful and mishapen forme thought it a thing impossible that nature should bring foorth to monstrous a creature Then after that he had vewed him a while he went and vewed all the Iland and founde it to be solitarie and not one left in all the whole compasse wheras before it was meruailously replenished with all maner of beastes and as then not one remaining for that this infernall Fauno had eaten destroied them Likewise he found y â— all the edifices and buildings were ouâ—â—throwen with weather and broken downe which seemed before time to be meruailously well peopled where at he receiued great griefe and moued vnto great
she had left y â— knight of the Sunne this thought was not 〈◊〉 considered of but straight waies she put it in vre and departed from thence and tooke her iourney towards â—ropisionda comming 〈…〉 sea side she with her Damsells embarked themselues in a good shippe and made saile towards her owne Empire not without great sorrow and griefe to sée that her knight was departed fâ—om the court of the Emperour Trebatio there was no newes heard of him since the time that he made the battaile with her which gaue her to vnderstande that that should be the â—ust occasion of his departing as one desperate for that vnknowne he made that combat he would departe thether whereas they should neuer thâ—re heare any newes of him at this time was abated y â— great anger that she had against him and her selfe was determined to goe and séeke him if that her damsell Arcania did not fullie satisfie her of that confused hope that she had With these other like thoughts they sayled foure daies with faire winde and wether in the ende whereof there arose a gâ—eat and furious tempest by 〈◊〉 whereof the good ship was put in great hazard to be lost if God for his infinit mercie and goodnesse had not deliuered theiâ— and hauing no gouernement in the shippe by forâ—e of that great tempest they were driuen to sea a great 〈◊〉 distant from the place whereas they desired to goe and the storme endured thrée daies and thrée nights without any 〈◊〉 but caùsed the seas to arise vp in so furious sort that the marriners could doe no good therein but yéelded themselues and the shippe vnto the mercie of the wyndes seas and fortune who in the ende séemed to shew her selfe fauourable The fourth day théy were launched into the great and sure port of the kingedome of 〈◊〉 wherein they saw other two shippes y â— were driuon thâ—ther by force on the same storme and by the 〈◊〉 of the sanguine water she saw the conclusion of a great battaile that was béetwixt the people of the saide two shippes likewise she sawe in the shippes that there was dead knights and heard the shrikes and 〈…〉 of Ladies and Damsels the which being heard by Claridiana she commaunded her ship to be grapled vnto those two where by she might be fullie certified what it should be and she found that there was a knight of a verie bigge bodie and well armed and in his companie other tenne which séemed to be his vassalls subiects that came in one of the two shippes and by force made a conquest of the other shippe slew diuers that came therin and toke prisoner the principal that was amongst them with a very faire damsell other thrée ladies that were in her companie whome they had in their armes for to put them into their owne shippe And these ladies séeing themselues to be carryed in that forcible sort began to giue great shrikes and cryes lamenting in such sort shedding manie teares that it moued the Princesse Claridiana vnto great compassion And as she would haue demanded of that bigge knight who séemed to be the chiefest amongst them what should be the occasion of that their great lamentation he straight waies came against her putting him to the shippes side and willed her to yelde her selfe prisoner soft said the we are not yet come vnto that but tell mée wherefore dost thou apprehend them as thy prisoners Then the great knight aunswered with great wrath and anger the mightie Cleonidas should séeme to haue great space leasure if that at euery ones demaund he should staye for to giue him an accompt wherefore he doth apprehend and take his pray Thou shalt vnderstand that I am a sea â—ouer and I neuer as yet met with shippe that I could ouercome but I did take it and dyd apprehend all that were therein and if they be Christians I doe sell them vnto the Pagans and make them slaues and if they be Pagans I doe sell them vnto the Christians make them likewise slaues so that I am friend to none of them both and in all the ports and hauens of the Mediterraneo sea they are in confederasie league and friendship with mée and doe suffer mée in great quietnesse to make sale and the best of my marchandise And I doe tell thée that I doe more exteme and haue in greater price this damsell which this daye I haue taken then any prise that euer I made in all the dayes of my life for that I hope to make a present of her vnto a mightie pagan Lord who will giue me for her all that euer I wil demaund And now séeing I haue told thée that which thou diddest request to know doe now out of hand that which is my pleasure for that the ritchnesse of thy armour and thy gentle disposition doth giue mée to vnderstande that thou wilt be vnto mée as precious a prisoner as euer came to mée since I vsed the sea You shal vnderstand that all was trueth which in this Historie hath bene declared for that this â—ouer was called Cleonidas and with great reason he tooke to himselfe this name for that he was no lesse a rouer then that famous Cleonidas which was in the time of king Tolomeo who did take the king and commaunded him to be glystred or boxed with bagges of scalding oyle for that he dyd the lyke vnto all such as he dyd take This was called the second Cleonidas he continued more then fiftene yéeres vpon the Seas and neuer went a land but tooke and robbed all that euer he met with all and vsed no other office but as afore is declared He went not alone with one shippe as he was at that present but alwaies had with him more then twentie that were verie good and fortified with all necessaries and people but by fortune of a great tempest they were scattered abroade and seperated the one from the other into diuers parts and his ship alone chaunced into that porte whereas he met with the other shippe and made his prise as before hath bene tolde vnto you Then Claridiana when she heard of the euill lyfe of this rouer and how without all shame he did boast and aduance him selfe of his ill doing she was very glad and ioyfull for that it was her fortune to come thether at that time and drawing out her sword she sayde these words following CALL to remembraunce Cleonides that an other of thy name and aunswerable vnto thy conditions who had a greater power at the Sea then thou hast with a cruell and desperate death he receiued his paiment a lande for all his euill déedes done likewise that Dionides who was also a rouer in the Leuant seas of great power in the time of Alexander and Darius yet in the ende was taken prisoner and punished for his euill deedes by Alexander Also Eâ—tilcon was a famous rouer yet was he taken and put to death by king Demetrius But
their determination was all to be slaine at that instaÌ„t for that although on the part of the Emperour Trebatio there were so valiant and worthie knights that were able for to ouercome a mightie armie yet on the other part was those two Pagans Bradaman Campion and Bramarant that dyd so great destruction on their aduersaries that it semed that there remained not one before them whereas they went on the other parte went those furious and valiant knights Meridian and Brandimardo with the twelue Gyants in their gard and kéeping staying so many of their enimies that they were all stained in bloud and made great way whereas they went Likewise there was that stout knight Rodaran and the king of Media with other valiaÌ„t kings and knights Pagans which did great harme vppon their aduersaries and although those dyd so worthely on their parts so likewise did those valiant knights on y e part of the good Emperour Trebatio so much harme on their enimies that the Pagans bagan to lose ground by little and little And as the worthie Rosicleer went discouering and ranging throughout the battaile he by fortune met with the Gran Campion who was all alone slaying and killing all that euer was before him câ—mming vnto him he stroke him so cruell and strong a blow vpon the wast that he had parted him in two péeces if it had not bene for his good armour which was such that his good sword could not enter into it yet for all that the blow did so bruse and crush his bones and flesh in such sort that Bradaman felt that blow not to be like vnto the blowes giuen by other knightes which was the occasion that with great furie he turned himselfe about and repaide the same with an other like vppon his shoulder that he had ouerthrowen him to the ground if y â— he had not embrased himselfe about his horse necke then began these two to strike the one vpon y e other very strongly and the battaile betwixt them endured till the closing vp of the night when that they could not know the one from the other then the Pagans began to withdraw themselues a part and these two knights were constrained to part theÌ„selues but Bradaman went away with so great anger that one alone knight should make him so strong resistance that no one of all his men durst come into his presence At this time came more then one hundreth thousands Pagans which the Emperour Alicandro did send a fresh after that it was tolde him that much people had issued out of Constantinople but their comming was to little purpose for that it was night all the troupes of the Pagans were retyred and méeting the one with the other they returned vnto their trenches there to take their ease vntill the day following for that they ment to encounter with their enimies with a fresh supplie Then the Emperour Trebatio for to retire all his people dyd sound his horne the which he alwaies carryed with him like a good Captaine at the time of warre at which sound all the Gréekes assembled together and leauing a part the king Oliuerio aud all his people in good order he retourned vnto the Citie with all that noble crew of knighthood whereas they were receiued with great ioye and pleasure of the Empresse Briana and of the farie Oliuia who did not a little reioyce when that she vnderstood what Rosicleer had done for the king her father and it séemed vnto her that it was a good meane to obtaine friendship which was at that time the thing that the most desired and to the contrarie it was a great griefe corasiue vnto her heart that betwéene the king Oliuerio and her spouse Rosicleer should passe any contention or euil wil. Thus leauing them the Historie doth returne vnto the king Oliuerio who gathering his people together sound that he lacked more then the halfe of those he brought into Grecia likewise he commaunded great fiers to be made at the light whereof he pitched his tents and made his trenches verie nigh vnto the citie of Constantinople whereas it was giuen him to vnderstand that all the people with whome his armie had the battaile with were Pagans and were come into Grecia against the Emperour Trebatio and of the great power that the Emperour Alicandro had there and how for that he thought that they were come thether in fauour of the Gréekes he sent out his knights for to giue them battaile But when that king Oliuerio and Don Siluerio vnderstood the trueth thereof with verie anger and fretting they were ouercome and requested the death for that on the one part they saw the most part of their knights destroyed and the power of the Pagans deminished the which if that it had not so fallen out the reuengement of the Emperour Trebatio had bene verie certaine But that which greued them most was that which Rosicleer did for them and how much they were bound vnto him for deliuering of them from death and it seemed vnto them to be such a byt to withdraw them from their wills and desires to make their reuengement determined before they came foorth out of their owne countries who with great confusion and verie pensiue in thinking what was best to be done they passed away that night in their trenches and commaunded good watch to be kept till the next day wherein passed many things as shal be tolde you in the Chapter following ¶ What Rosicleer did the next day after the battaile and how by his meanes the king Oliuerio was reconciled to the Emperour Trebatio and the prince of Lusitania and he were made friends Chap. 25. THE Gréekes were verie glad and ioyfull for that which had passed with the host of the king Oliuerio and the Pagans and all people did allow the great polesie of Rosicleer which he vsed in causing theÌ„ to ioyne the one against the other in battaile which was not a little profit vnto them for by that meanes his enimies were lessened more then one hundreth thousand The next day following after the battaile when that both the hosts that of the Emperour Alicandro and that of the king Oliuerio were both in sight of the Citie of Constantinople being none tide past Rosicleer had a great desire to goe forwards with that which he had determined which was to procure friendship with the king Oliuerio onely for the great good will which he bare vnto his welbeloued princesse Oliuia also for that in the which he was bound vnto him for the great friendship receiued at such time as he was in great Britaine And with this determination he did apparell himselfe with the ritchest garments and robes that was possible likewise the princesse Oliuia the Quéene Arquirosa in the most gallantest maner that they could Then after that he had conference with the Emperour his father giueing him to vnderstand what was his determination to doe he straight waies caused the princesses to be mounted
Physicke You are wise and discréete therefore you shall vnderstand that all this which I haue said vnto you is onely to put you in remembraunce that the passioned minde can neither sée nor discerne things farre nor nigh hand And as concerning Don Siluerio I haue committed nothing against him wherin I am bound to make satisfaction neither hée to pardon me for if you haue promised vnto him the Princesse Oliuia for wife first before that she chose me for her husband God and my good fortune hath giuen her vnto mee so that hee hath not to complaine himselfe but of fortune that woulde not be fauourable vnto him for to recouer her so that I doe not take from him her that should haue bene his wife but I haue taken out of your and his power the same whome God did promise and ordaine to giue me for wife Notwithstanding for all this I euer hadde Don Siluerio for my friend and before that these things fell out in this order I beléeued that he had mée in the same profession I do greatlie desire that this friendshippe may procéede and goe forwards and if so be that anie lacke or fault hath béene of anie part let satisfaction be made for the which I for my part will make satisfaction vnto Don Siluerio in giuing vnto him for wife the most faire and precious Quéene Arquirosa Quéene of Thessalia and is this that is héere present with me who with all the power that shée could make came into Grecia to the aide and succour of the Emperor my Father it is in my power for I haue promised her to giue her a husband such a one as her estate beautie doth deserue therefore Don Siluerio consider sée if you can like of this 〈◊〉 for that there be few damsels or not one at this time â—o bée found in the world with whom you may be better married withall than her Now haue you vnderstood the effect of our comming and héere I doe desire you both straight waies to giue me your answere The king Oliuerio was verie attentiue vnto all y â— was spoken by Rosicleer and one waie he liked verie wel of their intent and it séemed vnto him that all things were placed in verie good order and another waie the gallant presence of Rosicleer with the faire Princesse Oliuia seemed to force constraine his heart to like verie well of the one to loue the other as his owne naturall children and seeing them with so great humilitie before him Rosicleer being so high a Prince hauing confidence y â— in his great bountie he came to aske him pardon forgiuenesse not mistrusting his highnesse the teares gushing out at his eies with the great loue he bare vnto either of them calling to remembrance that by him he was deliuered from death the daie before so that if it had not bene for him he had béen slaâ—â—e and all his people destroied and seeing the great clemencie that both Father and sonne vsed with him he comming to destroie them in his Countrie he found it great reason to vse the same with them and to forget the death of Prince Edward for that God had giuen vnto him in his place that valyaunt Prince and knight Thus hauing his minde occupied in these and other things hee remained a good while without 〈◊〉 wering them looking alwaies when Don Siluerio wold speake because the greatest part of y â— matter did touch him and till such time as he did knew his will he thought it not good to vtter his iudgement which was the occasion that he did importune him verie much to make the first answere as he thought best who after such time as the Quéene entered into the tent was continuallie with great attention beholding her whose beautie gaue him greater contentment than anie Ladies or Gentlewoman in the world next vnto the Princesse Oliuia And when he vnderstood the demand of Rosicleer in his life he neuer receiued greater ioy contentment in séeing that without anie demand or asking he offered vnto him so high a Ladie and damsell for wife had cleane forgotten all the anger and wrath that he had before conceiued and taken against Rosicleer with the friendship receiued of him the daie before in deliuering of them from death So perceiuing that the king would not answere in anie respect till such time as he had vittered his minde hée spake these wordes following HIgh and worthie Prince of Grecia of all that you haue héere so highlie declared as also of all other things that haue so prosperouslie fallen out on your part I do vnderstand no other thing but y â— God hath created you amongst all Princes the most highest amongst al knights the most noblest and in strength the most stoutest amongest men of vnderstanding the most wisest and aboue all fortune hath shewed her selfe fauourable and prosperous for whosoeuer doth consider the highnesse of your estate shall plainlie sée perceiue that there is none that commeth nigh vnto you for worthinesse none equall and to consider of your high knighthood they shall see that it is without comparison and almost aboue nature likewise considering how prosperous all things hath fallen out on your part they will not onelie saie that fortune is fauourable vnto you but also that you haue her at commandement to do al things at your pleasure and séeing that you haue so many and high things on your side what enimie is there that will resist you or friend that will loose your friendship The wise man saith that there are thrée things which ought to be feared the waues of the sea the thuÌ„derbolts of the heauens the furious wild beasts on the earth but yet aboue all things he saith ought to bée feared the enimie prosperous fortunable for that he which doth not nauigate at the Sea is out of all daunger of the waues and he that kéepeth his house is out of the danger of wilde beasts and the thunderbolts verie seldome strikath but from the prosperous enimie there is none that can apparte himselfe neither can he finde anie place whetherâ— to runne for whereas he thinketh himselfe most surest many times it falleth out that there is most perill and héere I say that fortune hath shewed her selfe more prosperous vnto you than vnto anie and vnto me more contrarie than vnto anie other for that she did not content her selfe in giuing you the victorie ouer me but the more to cralt you shée brought me into that extremitie that of necessitie I must be defended froÌ„ death and receiue life at your hands the which you gaue mée as a friend whereby you got of mee the greatest victorie that euer man had of his enimie Therefore God forbid that now I should haue anie enmitie with him who with the great force and strength of your arme dyd ouercome me and I doe yéeld my selfe vnto the strength of your worthinesse and this offer which you doe
and an other way with great sorow repenting her selfe of that which she hadde done against the most worthie knight of the Sunne and blamed her selfe verie much in that she sawe not any further proofe of his disloyaltie and giuing him so malicious and euill reward for the great good loue and often perills which he aduentured for her sake and dyd thinke the tyme very long till she departed for to haue remedie for his euill Moreouer she toke her leaue of the wise man he made the like in declining his 〈◊〉 at her departure this soueraigne Princes was not so sone departed out of the inchanted quadran but the swéete Musicke ceased and straight waies Elizea and her knight entred in and when they were mounted whereas the wise man was there they knew all that they desired The knight was her true and faithfull louer so that Elizea departed from thence with great contentment and satisfied of his loyaltie they were not so soone departed out of the inchaunted hall but the steele dores were shut with a great noyse So the princes and the rest went into the galaries and desended into the great court but staied not there long the ioye and contentment of the princesse was such but being forth of that wonderfull and miraculous caue they toke their iourney towards the port whereas they came a shore And at their comming thether the princes would haue informed her selfe where the ylande of the diuelish Eauno was she found many that did giue her to vnderstande of the wonderfull things of that Iland by reason of the great fame that was spread abroade thereof but not one that knew expressely where abouts it â—â—oode whereby she might take her direct course thether which caused a great desire in her heart to commit her selfe vnto fortune for execution of the which she tooke her leaue of Elizea and her knight accompanieng her selfe with alonelie two damsels with whome she ment to enter into the ship with determination not to come any more a shore till such time as she had found the place whereas her knight was and giueing Elizea to vnderstand hereof she was very sad and sorowfull so for to lose her companie for that they accounted themselues happie and fortunate to be in her companie but when they vnderstoode that it was her will and desire with many teares shed of her and her knight they toke their leaue of her alwaies hauing in minde in how much they were bound vnto her for that she deliuered them out of prison from that mightie and famous Rouer Cleonidas The princes being departed from them she commended her selfe vnto fortune began to make saile hauing no certaine way whether to goe but wheras the winde would driue the ship hauing their sailes all abroade for that they would that they might nauigate with the more force all the which she thought to be verie little her desire was so great for to sée the knight of the Sunne who for her sake had put himselfe in so straight a life Being in the cabbin of the shippe all alone she fell downe on her knées listing vp her eies and heart vnto heauen shedding great abundance of teares that ran downe her christalline chéekes she sayde as followeth OH Creator of all things both celestiall and terrestrial by whose will and power the heauens doth moue the starres doth giue their light the Sunne the and the Moone doth giue light vpon the earth and the earth doth sustane all beastes the waues of the déepe and proâ—ound seas doth swel and abate againe the wyndes doth rage and become calme and all things are obedient vnto thee here I doe desire and craue of thy diuine maiestie and great clemencie that the force of this inuisible windes being gouerned by thy will to direct the full course of this my shippe through these déepe seas in such sort that in a short time I may ariue at Iland of y â— diuelish Fauno wheras I may make satisfactioÌ„ and recompence of that great euill and wrong the which I haue committed against the knight of the Sunne Permiâ— O Lord that I may receiue the reward of this my great offence and not he that is without fault Oh good knight if that I had had the eyes of my vnderstanding open no occasion nor newes had bene sufficient for to haue perswaded mée that in a knight of so perfect excelencie more then in any other man should remaine so great treason how is it possible that in so noble and worthie a person should be broken the faith promise which he made vnto mee of trueth no for his amorous words and profound sighes the which he vttered vnto mee he neuer pretended to make so euill a conclusion of Oh vnfortunate that I am how was I deceiued and how lightly was I moued to doe that which I dyd what reason or cause was there to constraine mee to lay hands vpon my knight and to employ all my force vppon him striking him with my sword to procure his death Oh wonderfull case and horrible how am I worthie of great punishment the windes waters of this déepe seas with iust reason 〈◊〉 â—well and rise against mée Oh vnto this day how much â—ell haue I conceiued against my loyall friend and how euell and vniustly haue I condemned him in his absence surely those were smal things that so lightly I should giue credit vnto neither was it in that happie knight to doe them for if that I had considered of the great exelencie and of the high and fortunate destinie of my loyall friend then had it ben apparant to haue bene beléeued and no lacke of vnderstanding but that I alone was she that deserued to be his spouse and alone the whole conclusion of his triumphant ioye And if that I had well considered of all those things what great trauailes sighes sobbes and teares heates and coldes had I euitated and cut of But alas what shall I saye for that true louers in fewe things doe chaunce of the right but in a great number doth erre sodaine chaunces iealous thoughts may be compared vnto the water of this sea being tossed with the surging waues and blustering windes Louers doeth beléeue all things for that loue is full of bread and that which is contrarie vnto his desire he doth lightlie beléeue and vnto that which giueth ioye and pleasure he giueth slender credit and this happeneth most in women for that they are more light and moueable in their actions which causeth vs to giue sooner credit vnto variable and contrarie things Ah good knight although that there ought to be in mée great shame to come into thy presence yet the great and perfect loue which I doe beare vnto thée ought to be estemed in more my desire is to be in thy presence whereas thy sight shal be as ioyfull vnto mée and lightsome to my vnderstanding as the Sunne is vnto all mortall creatures whose light doth beautifie the Moone and the
neither was there any prince in all the whole world that had the like the sight whereof dyd so trouble and amaze her that she was in 〈◊〉 dumpe with great meruaile knew not what to saye neither whether she should reioyce or be sorowfull for that one way she saw plainely that to be the Ilande whereas the knight of the Sunne ariued and an other waye those tokens with the wonderfull things which she hadde heard of that diuelish Fauno did put her in great feare that he was slaine and it séemed vnto her a thing impossible that any humaine creature could bring in subiection so diuelish and misshapen a beast Being in this thought for feare and griefe of the worst she shed so manie teares that they ranne trickling downe her faire chéekes that she was all to be bathed in them so after a while that she had bene there she mounted againe vpon her horse and went forewards but she had not gone farre from that place when as she saw the good horse Cornerino who was loose anâ— at his libertie in the fielde who like a wilde beast came running towardes her like vnto a whirle winde leaping and frisking in the ayre and neighed as though he receiued great ioye and comfort at the companie of the other horse as one that manie dayes before had bene there all alone but when the Princes sawe him and knew him verie well she thought verilie that her heart would haue burst with sorrow where with her eyes burst out with teares and hauing no power to speake one word she sayde with in her selfe Oh good horse how is it that thy maister hath left thy companie surely it cannot be well with him séeing that he hath left thée for thou art so good a péece that thou art to be estéemed of all the Princâ—â— in the world and neither thy maister nor thy selfe doth â—eserue to dwell in deserts But alas what shall I saye I am she that hath bone the occasion of all this and I beséech the soueraigne creator of all the worlde that it fall not out that I am the occasion of his death for if it be so that I haue ben y â— author and chiefe instrument of his death I will also with these my handes be reuenged on my selfe with cruell death and neuer depart from out of this Ilande but make it my sepulture for that one countrie shall possesse the bones of vs bothe so shall we remaine in death together although that cruell Fortune and my euill destinies would not permit and suffer that in our liues we could enioye the one the other In saying these words to her selfe the Princes procured for to take the horse somewhat for to comfort her selfe with his companie for that the knight of the Sunne manie times dyd ryde him but by no meanes she could not doe it for that the horse was fierce and couragious and would not suffer himselfe to be taken of anie other but of his maister the knight of the Sunne whome he dyd visit manie times and fedde diuerse and sundrie times before him in the place whereas he abode This séeing the royall Princes all to be bathed with teares which for her knights sake she shedde passed forwards on her determined iourney but she hadde not trauailed farre when as she came vnto the craggie and hard Rocke that he hadde so cutte and sheuered to péeces but yet such was his force and strength of his arme and the goodnesse of his sworde and vppon the toppe of the same shee sawe where hunge the rich sword of the knight of the Sunne with the scabbard and the hangers which were wrought and embrodered with gold and set with precious stones and knowing it verie well she was at that present more astonied amazed then she was before and comming nigh vnto it she reade that which was written in a plaine place of the same stone but when she had well understoode the effect thereof it cannot be rehearsed what she felt at that time at her heart considering of â—hrée strange meruailous things that was represented there of the knight of the Sunne The one the great loyaltie and reuerence that he had vnto her insomuch that he had stroke her with his swoord yet in the time of that great necessitie he left the same because he would not defile it with any other bloud An other in the great and soueraigne force and courage which he had for to goe fight with that diuelish Fauno without any sword The third in the great and incredible strength which he had for to cut and cleane that cragged and hard Rock sheuering of such greate péeces as verie plainely it might be séene that euerie sheuer was a blow with the sword all the which béeing by her considered the great ioy and pleasure which she should receiue in acknowledging the great loyaltie of her knight was tourned into great anguish and griefe in seing the rewarde he receiued at her hands in recompence of the great loue fidelitie he had borne vnto her And the more greater his wonderfull and excelent déedes séemed to be so much more she waxed penitent and repented her selfe and with so great griefe that it séemâ—d her soule would depart her bodie she saide as followeth OH my verie good friend if you be a liue how dare I presume to come into your presence that in recompence of so great fidelitie and loue which your déedes doe make manifest you had vnto mée and I to haue showed my selfe so cruell and contrarie vnto you And if it be so that you be departed this world what reuenge may I take of my selfe to make it equall vnto the great errour which I haue committed of trueth no other but with this thy sword I will open my entrailes and take out myne owne heart that ioyntly it may remaine in this solitarie and vnfortunate Iland as a signe and token of thy great fidelitie and faithfull good will vnto mée and contrariewise my great crueltie towards thy guiltlesse person and yet this wilbâ— but a small reuenge for so great an euill committed for the death of so high and eâ—cellent a Prince cannot be reuenged by my death In saying these words and other more of great dolour griefe and in shedding great abundance of teares she ouerwept her selfe and was verie desirous to proceede forwards to knowe what was become of the knight of the Sunne leauing the sworde hanging whereas shee found it shée departed from thence and as she trauailed for a great space with a sodaine feare that came ouer her heart in such sorte that all her members shaked that shée coulde not almost go forwardes still misdoubting the successe of the knight of the Sunne Then after a while hauing not trauailed the full quantitie of a mile a great waie before shée came whereas the Fauno was slaine shée sawe from a farre off the great bulke of the monstrous and mis-shapen bodie which seemed to be a great house ouerthrowen
to moue himselfe and turned into another place and began to distill from his eies so greate abundaunce of teares that it was a griefe to beholde Then she because she woulde not wake him quicklie withdrew her selfe on the one side and stoode behinde a trée where she tarried to sée what he would doe but could not satisfie her selfe in beholding him and giuing thankes vnto almightie God for that she had found him aliue All this time the good knight was in a dreame and dreamed that the Princesse Clandiana his mistres was come into that Iland and how that she went round about in seeking him and could not finde him and he hauing a desire to goe vnto her procured himselfe to arise but by anie meanes he could not for his strength would not serue him and shee séeing that she could not finde him returned againe vnto the Sea side whereat he receiued so great sorrow and griefe that he wept and shed those teares which the Princesse had séene Likewise it séemed vnto him that she was departed which caused in him so great anguish and griefe that in the end he awaked as one scared and amazed but when he saw it was but a dreame his griefe increased the more tumbâ—ing himselfe from one part vnto another wiâ—h mortall griefe and raging anguish he said Oh loue how is it that thou art new become lesse pittifull and more cruell than anie furie and more stronger and terrible than anie of the elements All things created hath but one kinde of death but against mortal men thou hast so many and so different kinde of torments for to cause them to die as there is difference in the diuersitie of thy thoughts and desires but yet if God were so pleased that some of them might make anâ— end and separate this soule from this my sorrowfull and heauie bodie for that it might be cléere from this outragious and burning fire but this is thy order of crueltie to kill him that is liuing not him that hath time to bewaile his death Let it suffice thée Loue this great disfauour that I haue receiued at thy hands and let it content thée in that I was of the world and now thou hast banished me into this solitarie Iland and doe not now giue mee anie new kindes of tormet in making me beleeue in dreames that the Princesse Claridiana my mistres doeth come to seeke me and to set me at libertie of this exile to the which I am committed How is it possible that shee should haue anie care sorrow or griefe ouer me she lifting vp the sword with her rigorous arme for to kill me and againe so high and soueraigne a Ladie shoulde come and seeke a knight so vnfortunate and abased as I am It may well be said that it is a dreame being a thing so variable and out of all consert and I doe now well vnderstand that it is a new procuration of loue to call vnto my remembraunce setting before mine eies that high and soueraigne glory that after being deceiued and finding my selfe frustrate and not worthie thereof it may be the occasion that my sorrow and griefe maye the more augment But now Loue vse thy will against me and let fortune shew me as much crueltie as she can for that the crueltie of the one nor the tyrannie of the other is sufficient for to make me to leaue off and not for to loue the Empresse Claridiana my Ladie Mistres and louing her for to suffer abide anie kinde of torment whatsoeuer for her sake for that the daie will come that the life shall leaue this mortall bodie the burning fire which continuallie flameth shall cease his furie In saying these wordes the knight of the Sunne expressed so great sorrow throwing from him such profound sighs that the Princesse did verie well vnderstande the greate griefe that he had at his heart and thought it not at that time perillous to giue vpon a sodaine knowledge of her being there for that she could not suffer anie longer to hide her selfe but would put remedie to her euill but yet for that shée would that that pleasure should enter into him by little and little she pulled downe the beaueâ— of her helme in such sort that he could not know her and began to goe towards him making a noise with her going that the knight of the Sunne heard it and looking about to see what it was he was greatlie amazed to sée that knight there a foote and one of a gallant disposition and well armed wher withall he straight waies arose vp vpon his féete and did abide his comming then the Princesse changing her voice all that she could saluted him saying God defend and kéepe thée noble and famous knight for that as I vnderstand and according vnto the things which I haue séene in this Iland you should be the knight of the Sunne who hath slaine the diuellish Fauno So the Lorde increase in you gentilitie and worthinesse Sir Knight he answered truth it is that I am the knight whom you haue named and meruaile greatlie to see you in this place for that many daies past there hath not landed at this Ilande anie other person but I alone I doe verilie beléeue it sayde the Princesse for that this was not a Countrie that anie other should enter in of lesse bountie valiant force than y â— of yours for that there is none other in al the whole world amongst humane creatures but onelie you that was sufficient for to cléere and set at libertie the entrâ—e into this Iland And you shall vnderstand that by the force of a greate storme that wée had at the Sea we were driuen vnto this Ilande and being desirous for to knowe what Countrie it was I came ashore whereas I haue seene so many strange things that so long as I doe liue I shall haue inough to do to tell of the same and I giue great thankes vnto almightie God who hath brought mée hether as well for that I haue séene some parte of your worthinesse as also for to importune and desire you for to leaue this solitarie life which appertaineth vnto brute beasts and to departe from hence turning a new to vse and exercise your armour for that such a worthie Knight as you are shoulde not bée absent from the worlde and héerin you commit great offence against God for that hée hath employed in you so greate bountie and you not to vse it you shall vnderstand that God did not giue it vnto you for your selfe alone but also for to defend and succour all such as hath neede thereof Lykewise it cannot bée without grieuous offending of the almighte God to cause vnto your parents so great sorrow and griefe alonelie for your absence which is no lesse griefe vnto them than the death and for my parte heere I doe aduertise you that if you doe not out of hande departe from hence in my companie that I wil remaine héere with you
and beare you companie and will not departe from hence till that death doth conclude and make an ende of one of vs or both together The Knight of the Sunne was greatlie amazed as well at the gentle disposition of the Princesse as also at the great bountie and curtesie which shée offered vnto him and beléeued verilie as well in the riches of his armour as in all other thinges that hée shoulde bée some knight of highe estate and beeing verie desirous to gratifie his wordes hée sayde Sir Knight I doe giue you great thankes for this your curtesie and great good will which you doe offer vnto mée and I woulde if it were Gods will that my fortune might bée such that I were able to doe you anie seruice or pleasure but my fortune hath béene so contrarie and my euyll destinie hath brought me vnto this estate that I cannot affoorde my selfe to leade anie other lyfe than this which I doe now leade neither haue I remaining in mée so much power and libertie for to accomplish anie thing of this which you haue spoken vnto mée off for that according vnto the greate fire wherewith I am tormented I haue not anie more hope of my life neither haue I anie more certaine continuance than the flame that in hast consumeth a candle and he that hath his end so nigh at hande to what purpose I praie you should he goe and séeke his owne naturall Countrie for to die there for that it is death to leaue both both the one other and as wise men haue sayde That vnto man there is no Countrie proper but all the whole world is a common Inne touching this misâ—rable life and for that Grecia is my naturall Countrie in no part in all the world can the death be more grieuous vnto mée than there the lamentations of my parents the teares and wéepings of my brethren the complaints of my friends the cryings of my subiects all the which will be an occasion to me of greater torment and the griefe much more greater vnto them so that for to excuse all this I am determined to die there whereas nothing else but my sorrowful death shall be grieuous vnto me and there whereas I shall alwaies haue it in memorie and now séeing that my fortune will not suffer nor consent to anie other remedie I do most heartely desire you gentle knight to returne againe vnto the sea vnto your owne companie from whence you came and let mée remaine héere alone in this Iland and although it be solitarie yet am I accompanied with so many sorrowes griefes and tormentes that I haue no néede of anie other companie Héere the Princesse could not choose but féele at her hart verie grieuous the wordes of her knight but of his greate fidelitie she was verie glad and ioyfull and had great pittie of his sorrow and griefe and willing to proceede in farther talke with him she said Of truth worthie Prince I doe not knowe what euill this of yours should be so great and so stranâ—e that in this sort hath taken awaie your stâ—â—ngth that all the power you haue is not able to resist it if it bée not that the which could tame the mightie Samson the most strongest of all men and that Hercules that had so greate power and force against the Centauros which is Loue that did bring these in subiection and many others moe in the world if it be this which hath brought your life into this estate I knowe not what she shoulde bee that against you should shew her selfe so cruâ—ll except it be such as wâ—ll peruert the courses and naturall mouings for being as you are amonst Princes the most highest and amongst the most excellentest and inducd with all goodnesse of nature I doe beléeue that there is no damsell in the worlde of what estate and beautie so euer he be but would receiue great contentment and thinke her selfe happie to bée of you beloued knowing the loue that you beare vnto her to bée perfect and â—oiall and if it fall out not to be such beléeue mée for that I knowe thus much of women that first they will consent themselues to die burning in amorous fires than to make anie shew of loue vnto them that they thinke to haue their thoughtes occupied in other partes and so farre foorth as I can see they haue great reason for that the heart of a man being set vpon more than one there is none that hath anie parte in him neither can his loue with anie bée perfect the which you maye verie well iudge by your selfe in thinking of that which you would do if so bee that you did sée this to bée in her whome you at this present doe so earnestlie loue Ah good knight sayde the knight of the Sunne this is the hidden fire wherewith I am scorched and that wherewith the bones of this my mortall bodie doth consume This is that which hath me prisoner and hath inchaunted me and that to whom all my force and strength is yéelded without hauing anie other thing in mée to make anie resistance but to doe that which hée desired and suffer with a good will all such paines and tormentes as hée giueth mée estéeming much of the wound making poison to bée sauourie bitter swéete paine delectable torment ioy and pleasure and finallie death to bée verie swéete and easie And if that loue hath shewed her selfe so cruell against mée good knight doe not meruaile thereat for that that high and soueraine Damsell the which my fortune and destinie dyd permit mée to loue is of so greate valour and high desert that héere I doe confesse that I am not worthie of her for that fortune amongest humane creatures did exalt her most highest and nature did painte her in such sorte that putting a parte the power of God I am perswaded that there was to bée done no more on her This waie hath shée bene cruell vnto mée and not that waie Sir Knight which you haue giuen mée to vnderstand for that shée it is alone whom I loue and my heart is fixed vppon no other but onelie vpon her It is not néedfull that I saie anie more heerein for that my lyfe doth beare witnesse of my greate fidelitie for iâ— so be that I had my thought fixed in anie other place then should not my disfauour haue so much force and power ouer mée as to cause mée to receiue suche mortall griefe Then shée sayde of my faith Sir Knight according vnto your wordes and as you haue giuen mée to vnderstande by them it can bée no other for whome you doe suffer this sorrow and griefe but Claridiana the Empresse of Tâ—apisonda for that shée is a Damsell as well in highnesse as in beautie and gifts of nature that doth surpasse all other that be in the world and if this bée not true I tell you that you doe iniurie mée in this which you haue sayd for that I haue séene her and I doe beléeue that
laced on their helmes and came forth to the ship side and asked what they were that would take them prisoners Then straight waies more than ten knights of a gallant proportion and wel armed came forth vnto them and sayd That vnto two alone knights as they were there was no néede for to make that account but yet for that you shall vnderstand vnto whome you shall yéeld your selues prisoners know that we are all belonging vnto the gran Cleonidas and we doe pardon vnto none their liues except they doe yéeld vnto vs at the first to be our prisoners Of truth sayde the Princesse this cannot be that you should be belonging vnto that rouer Cleonidas for that he is not in this world neuerthelesse if that you be in your workes and deedes as hée was you shall quicklie be wheras he is and that is with the diuell How is this sayd they is our Lord Cleonidas dead It is not possible for that there is no humane power neither yet diuine that is of so much power for to kill him Then you shall vnderstand of a truth sayde the Princesse that I dyd sée him slaine onelie with one blow But these knights would not beléeue it but thought verilie that they sayd it because they woulde deliuer and cleere themselues from their hands and one of them would haue laide holde vpon her and sayd False Knight they mocking shal little profite thée for in spite of thy heart you shall goe with vs prisoners Then the knight of the Sunne who heard and sawe all that passed without drawing anie sword stroke him with his armed fist such a blowe vppon the head that he buckled his helme into his braines and ouerthrew him dead at his féet Then all the rest greatlie amazed at that blow drew their swords and leapt altogether into their ship and beganne to charge them with their blowes in the best wise they could but these two who in the like conflicts were verie well experimented drew out their fine and slashing swords and so besturred themselues that with a few blows they slew sixe of them the other which remained making a great noise leapt againe into their ships out of the which came straight waies forth more than thirtie other knights who séemed to be verie good and well armed and altogether began to leap into the other ship and charged the knight of the Sun and the Princesse with their blowes all that euer they coulde but it wel appeared that they did not know their great worthinesse in that they approched vnto them without order but in a short space they lost all their brauerie for that in the space of lesse than halfe a quarter of an houre that the battaile was begun they ouerthrew more than twentie of them to the ground with such mortall blowes that the rest which remained aliue being terrified and amazed retyred backe vnto their ships and the knight of the Sunne and the Princesse followed them whereas they found a new resistance with certain fresh knights and other people that were in the ships who began to charge them verie greatlie and laide vpon them many heauie blowes but the knight of the Sunne taking the foreward of his mistres setled himselfe in such sort that if there had ben a thousand knights before him he wold haue estéemed them little and being verie desirous to bée reuenged on the long time that he was idle in the solitarie Iland he put himselfe amongest his enimies and charged them with such mortall blowes and without all pittie that if the battaile had indured but a little longer he had not left one aliue of all that were in the ships Then those which remained seeing there was no resistance to bée made against the furie of those two knights 〈◊〉 downe before them and craued pardon for their liues Then they who were redie to accomplish their requests did grant them their desires and vnderstanding the truth how they were rouers how that they had many prisoners in their ships they commaunded them to bring them forth before them Then they obeying their commandement carried them into certaine bigge cabbines in their ships whereas they found many men and women with chaines and boltes of yron and amongst them the knight of the Sunne knew his good Pages Binnano and Aurelio and the twentie knightes of Candia that were in his companie Likewise the auncient Pilot that tolde vnto him the storie of the diuellish Fauno of the which he was not a little glad for that they were deliuered by his handes But when they knew him as well by his armour as by his face for that at that time his beauer was lifte vp it is not to be spoken how greatlie they meruailed and what ioy and pleasure they receiued and as amazed they looked the one vpon the other and could not beleeue that he should be aliue and his two Squires as from themselues came vnto him and knéeled downe before him and began to kisse his armed hands and the skirt of shirt of maile saying O Lord God how can we gratifie this great curtesie which thou hast done vnto vs in letting vs sée before our deaths this excellent and worthy prince our Lord. The knight of th◠Sunne receiued them with great loue and raised them from the ground saying My good friends those who haue had you in their powers did not loue you so much as I haue done and I giue thankes vnto almightie God that I doe now see you and I doe desire him to giue 〈◊〉 so much libertie that I may gratifie you these greafe troubles the which for my sake you haue sustained for surelie it was a great griefe vnto my heart for to leaue you alone in that case without all comfort when I thought to goe and leaue my life Goe and kisse the handes of my Ladie and mistres the Princesse Claridiana who next vnto God hath deliuered me from death They hearing the same meruailed verie much thereat and went and knéeled downe before her and would haue kissed her hands but the Princesse caused them to arise and receiued them verie curteouslie for that she knew the knight of the Sunne did beare them great loue and for that she would not be knowen of the other she did not raise vp her beauer but commaunded that it shoulde not be knowen who she was Then the knights of Candia and the auncient Pilot came and kissed the hands of the knight of the Sunne giuing him greate thankes for their libertie which at his handes they obtained who receiued them with great loue and commaunded their chaines and shakles to be pulled off Then they asked the knight of the Sun what had happened vnto him in the Iland of the diuellish Fauno My good friends sayd the knight of the Sunne God of his infinit goodnesse and mercie gaue me power for to cléere and deliuer my selfe from him and to kill him for that in that Iland he may be serued being peopled as he hath
Alicandro could not doe and according therevnto they answered and said Of truth Sir Knight your great bountie and courtesie is such that we should accompt our selues for happie for to know you and therby to serue you and to haue you in that estimation as your great worthinesse doth deserue and wée doe giue you great thankes for the trauaile and perill from the which you haue deliuered vs. Your bountie and worthinesse is such so farre forth as I haue seeme saide the knight of the Sunne that of your selues you are a sufficient securitie to deliuer you from all perill neuerthelesse if I haue done any thing it was nothing but by vertue of your great courtesie considering the great villanie vsed by that knight And in that you doe require for to know my name I doe most heartely desire you that for this present you would not request the same for that it is not in my power for to declare it vnto you till such time as I haue accomplished and perfourmed a promise the which I haue made vnto yonder knight who came with mée Then they séeing that he hadde no will for to declare who he was but to kéepe himselfe in secrete would not importâ—ne him anie more for the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 themselues that it could be 〈…〉 the knight of the Sunne and that constrained through some great occasion he would not suffer himselfe to be 〈◊〉 and the more to prouoke him therevnto they â—fted vp the beauers of their helmes in such sort that the knight of the Sâ—nne did knâ—w them and was verie glad thereof for that hée had them in great estimation although at that time he woulde not giue them â—o vnderstand in anie wise that he dyd knowe them In all this time the Princesse Claridiana receiued great contentment in that which the knight of the Sunne hadde done and all foure together did put themselues to beholde the cruell contention and rigorous battaile that was betwixt the valiant knight Rosicleer and the gran Campion who at the great noise of the last blowe that the knight of the Sunne gaue vnto Bramarant did aparte themselues from their battaile to sée what it shoulde bée and they sawe the mightie Pagan cleane voide of anie remembrance and his horse carrying him into the thickest of all that wildernesse Then Rosicleer meruailing greatlie at that knight for that he had so great power for to bring him into that perplexitie made no more a doe but retourned vnto his battaile whose blowes were so many and of great force and strength that it was a wonder to beholde and for that it was more than foure houres since the battaile was begun the graâ— Campion waâ—ed wearie and it séemed that Rosicleer had somewhat the vantage of him but yet with y â— exceding great griefe which he receiued to sée his sonne Bramarant carried by his hoâ—se in that sorte he waâ—ed therewithall so wrathfull and furious that he neither felt trauaile nor wearinesse and charged Rosicleer with such a multitude of blowes that many times he did astonish and amaze him but yet in the ende the cruell destinie of this Gran Campion was such and againe for that his cruell death was ordained from aboue the ire of that worthie and valiant Rosicleer so encreased in him that with a mortall furie he stroke so mightie a blow at Bradaman ouerthwart his wast that he made him decline on the other side almost from himselfe and being in this sorte almost out of his saddle his euill fortune was such that in his stouping he discouered a naked place vnder his arme whereas was no other defence but his shirt of mayle the which being séene by Rosicleer being very desirous to make an ende of that long contencion he thrust at him with the point of his good sword with so great force and strength that he made his sword to enter vp to the harde hiltes and pulling it out all blodied the Gran Campion fel from his Elephant downe to the ground and within a little while after he yelded his soule vnto the Diuell who had deceiued him in the blinde law of his false gods Oh false and weake foundation of man for that they which are most endewed with corporall force doth thinke their liues in most securitie without respecting that contrarie vnto the confidence which they haue in their great strengthes fortune doth double hers and that many tymes with great anger for that he doth finde no equall contemner And for to shew what a weake animall man is with an vnsemely weake and hidden euell be the mightie great Gyants ouerthrowen As he that slew Hercules was very little who was he that had the victorie in all things Likewise Milo the stoutest amongst men an Oke dyd staye him so that he was torne in péeces with wilde beastes so that wée may saye that that force the which was without comparison was lesse then a clouen Oke what doeth he think then to doe that is but of a meane strength what doth he think to haue his lyfe in more securitie and to be more aparted from the lyght and mouable whéele of Fortune then was this stout and fierce Bradaman Campion the most valiant and mightiest of all Gyants one that hadde force and strength for to bringe in subiection those fierce and indomable people of the whole compasse of the Orientall Ilandes and yet at this present he lacked strength for to defend himselfe from one alone knight of a great deale lesse stature than he was of who with one alonelie blow he slew him and dyd abate his pâ—ide the which many thousands of Gyants could 〈…〉 Likewise mortall men doe thinke and doe boast themselues more of vertue than of valiantnesse or strength for that alone the force of the soule in that which receiueth no strength cannot be ouercome neither hath fortune anie power against it and as it is placed in the soule it hath no néede of anie corporall strength and according vnto the saying of the wise Lyâ—gandeo and Artemidoro they were not so much moued by the high knighthood and mortall conflicts of these two so worthie Princes for to write this mightie Hystorie as they were by their great vertues and excellencie of courage and gallant demeanours the which in all their life times did shine in them for which cause saie they they were more esteemed and had greater fame than for the great force and strength which they had and alwaies they did estéeme themselues and delighted more in vertue than in their strength and therefore these wise men saie that if this mightie Hystorie be pleasant and delightfull vnto the readers so shall it be no lesse profitable vnto them that with great care and diligence will note and consider well how these knightes were giuen vnto vertue all their lyfe times Thus as it is verie profitable and necessarie for the taking out of anie worke to haue a patterne before him euen so likewise it is no lesse necessarie and
knight of the Sunne and the damsels did arme and raise vp their Tents somwhat what aparted from the tents of the armie the which béeing done and made close in such sorte that they coulde not bée séene and knowen they supped together with great ioy and pleasure whereas they passed a good parte of the night at such time as they were most in quiet they heard a greate noise and tumult in the Camp as shall be tolde you in this Hystorie who doth leaue them at this present for to tel you of the stout Pagan Bramarant who remained in the wildernesse of Grecia of other things that happened with him How the stout Pagan Bramarant after that he was come vnto himselfe returned againe to seeke the knightes and what hee did when he found his Father dead Chap. 34. WIthin a little while after that the foure knightes with the Princesse was departed from the place whereas the battaile was made with the gran Campion Bramarant who was astonied was come againe wholy vnto himselfe finding himselfe alone and aparted from the place whereas the battaile was made and besides that he himselfe was all to be raied with bloud that gushed out at his nose and mouth and without the halfe sword the which remained in his hand for that it was fallen away the fury and outragious wrath which he did take against himselfe was such considering in what estate hée was brought that many times he would haue slaine himselfe the which he would haue done in effect his desperation was such to see that one alone knight should bring him into that perplexitie but his great desire was such for to bée reuenged for the same that hée dyd as then withdrawe himselfe from the dooing thereof presupposing in his heart for to make the cruellest reuenge that euer was executed and with that rage puffing out great abundance of smoke hée went vnto a mightie Oake and renting off a greate branch from the same the made thereof a huge and knottiâ— clubbe and taking it in both his handes hâ—â—et spurres vnto his horse and with so great furie that it séemed a whirle winde hée returned vnto the place from whence hée came in the demaund and seeking out of the knightes that haddâ— made battaile with him swearing 〈◊〉 he would not leaue one of them aliue but when he came vnto the place whereas the battaile was made and found none other but the gran Campion his Father dead lying along vppon the ground all to bée rayed with his owne bloud there was no comparison to bée made with the wrath of so famished a Lion neither that of the firce Tyger when that they haue lost their whelpes as vnto the furie and wrath of that stout and diuellish Pagan when that he sawe his Father to lie in that sorte dead his wrath courage and furie was such that he séemed rather to bee an infernall diuell than a knight he might haue accounted himselfe vnhappie that should haue passed by him at that present for at that time he would haue combatted with all the legioâ—s of infernall diuells and not finding vppon whom he might execute his furious wrath he lifte vp his eies vnto heauen and sayde thus Oh false and traiterous Gods enimies vnto my generous and naturall bloud all you together haue beene confederate vnto the death of my diuine Father come downe all together vpon the earth with all the power of your impetuous and wonderfull thunderings and lightnings or else shewe mée some waie whereby I maye ascend into the celestiall Regions whereas you haue your habitations and dwelling places that I may take most cruell reuengement vppon you for the death of the Gran Campion my Father who was much better than all you Descend therefore and come downe O yée traiterous and false dogges and haue a courage to come before my presence for that I am now héere alone I 〈◊〉 that it is a great shame and reproch vnto you 〈◊〉 you dare not descend vnto one alone knight Héere I doe sweare aâ—d promise you that if you dare not come in my presence neither shew me which waie I maye ascend into the heauens that I will neuer take anie reste till such time as I haue gone throughout all the Paganisme and destroyed all the Idolles and Temples that be dedicated and consecrated vnto you neither will I not leaue one Pagan aliue that will not renounce and denie your alse and deceiueable lawe and I will make them all to turne Christiaâ—s for to scorne and burne your Idolles for that he séemeth to be a better God than all you that giueth so great strength vnto Christians Oh my good Father Bradaman who is hée that hath slaine you and so cleere deliuered from my handes Héere I doe promise you neuer to pull off this armour from my backe vntill such time as I haue torne him in péeces with my téeth and staunched my great thirst in his hot bloud But oh what ill fortune and mishap is this of mine What reuengement may Brainarant take although he destroie the whole worlde in recompence of this so great harme and iniurie which is done vnto me In saying these and many other wordes this furious Pagan did alight from his horse and tooke the broade and heauie sword of his Father and hung it at his girdle and mounted againe vpon his horse determining for to goe and séeke those knights that he left there or some other whereon he might reuenge his furious wrath and there withall hée set spurres vnto his great horse and lyke vnto a diuell he made him a runne throughout all the fieldes with so great furie that the earth séemed to tremble vnder him At this time it was darke night and Rosicleer was within the Citie and the other in their Tents at their ease but Bramarant not finding or méeting anie for to deteine him neuer staied till hée came into the Campe of the Christians whereas was more than one hundred thousand of knights and as many footmen some lying a long vppon the gréene grasse and other some in their tents and pauillions yet was there in the garde and watch of the hoast sittie thou◠〈◊〉 knights and so many footmen But when this surious Pagan sawe so many before him vpon whom he might reuenge his outragious wrath with more arrogancie pride and hardinesse than the hungrie and rauening Lion that thrusteth her selfe in the middest amongest the féeble and timerous flockes hée thrusteth himselfe in the middest amongst all those of the campe charging the footmen of the watch with terrible and cruell blowes killing and destroying so many of them that all the waie whereas he went was full of dead bodies and the rest who were greatlie amazed at that sodaine and mortall mischiefe beganne to crie out 〈◊〉 call to armour so that in a short time all the whole 〈◊〉 was in aâ— vproare and thinking that they were assaulted with many enimies they ranne from the one parte vnto the
other for to aide and help their companions and friends but when they saw there were no enimies they were worse amazed than they were before and knew not what to make oâ— that tumult but they were all quicklie put out of doubt and cerlefied what it was for that this fierce and diuellish Pagan not staying in anie one place 〈◊〉 himselfe from one part vnto the other all to be embrued in bloud and according vnto the great slaughter and destruct on the which he made he seemed rather to bée an infernall diuell than a mortal man But when they vnderstoode and knew that it was Bramarant there was but a verie sewe of them which with feare dyd not tremble â—or to sée him and with all the speede that euer they could make they dyd aparte and separate themselues from him thinking that thereby they shoulde haue their liues in farre greater securitie and safetie when that they are most farthest from his furious and mercilesse handes whereby hée haddâ— opportunitie and space for to doe what 〈◊〉 and mischiefe so euer it pleased him and none so bold for to put himself before him whereby to make anie resistance against his outragious furie except it were alonelie two knightes which were verie couragious and vatiant who were Captaines oner the rest the one was called 〈◊〉 Adriano and the other the Earls of â—edo vassalles vnto the Emperour 〈◊〉 who offering their liues as they were bound came both against him and made their encounter with their speares in such sort y â— they were shéeuered to peeces but yet their appeared no more mouing in him than if they had encountred against a strong tower 〈◊〉 at their passing by he stroke one of them such a blow that beeing verie fore hurt hée ouerthrow him off his horse vnto the ground at the second blowe his companion was constrained to beare him companie This béeing past the stout Pagan put himselfe into the thickest amongest the people and ouerthrew all that euer hée met before him and neuer stayed vntill hée came vnto the 〈◊〉 whereas hée beganne to cut the cordes and tyonbers wherewith they were armed in such sorte that in a little space he ouerthrew twentie Tents and as many Pauillions downe vnto the ground But all this was nothing vnto the furious and outragious wrath of Bramarant who thought it but a pastinâ—e in consideration of the bloud that hée determined for to shedde in recompence of his Father death There were some in the Campe which séeing the great destruction that hée made ranne vnto the Citie and gaue aduertisement vnto the Emperour Trebatio of all that passed who out of hande with all the other worthie Princes and knightes made themselues in a readinesse for to goe forth and make resistance against that proude Pagan At this time for that the great vproare and tumnlt that was in the Campe was verie well heard by the worthie knight of the Sunne and the Princesse Claridiana who were somewhat aparted and separated from the rest and verie desirous for to know what it should bée with a trice they caused themselues to be armed with their rich and strong armour and mounting vpon their horses they rode forthwith towardes the place whereas they heard the noise of the battaile but when they came whereas Bramarant was they were wonderfullie amazed at the great furie wrath of the Pagan and supposed that in anie humane man coulde not â—ée comprehended such excéeding force and strength and hauing greate griefe and compassion for the great quantitie of bloâ—d that was there shed the knight of the Sunne 〈…〉 and putting himselfe before him he said 〈…〉 and râ—uishing furie leaue off the shedding of innocent bloud for looke what thou doest heere so much the more will the horrible paines bée y â— thy soule shall indure in hell The night was verire cléere for the Moone did shine and was at the full and by the light thereof this proude Pagan dyd know the knight of the Sunne by his armour to be he with whom he did combat the daie before who with as greate pleasure as euer he receiued in all his life thinking at that time to haue opportunitie to bee reuenged of that was past sayd Art thou by fortune that knight that did combat with mée this daie past I am the same sayde the knight of the Sunne Then the Pagan said Heere I doe tell thee that all the whole power of the heauen and on the earth are not sufficient for to defend thâ—e from my fingers And in saying these words he lift vp his heuie and great cutting sword with it in both his hands he stroke this good knight such a blowe vpon his helme that it made him to 〈◊〉 his head downe to his breast and the fire flew out thereof as out of a 〈◊〉 stone but the knight of the Sunne required him that blow with both his hands and stroke him such a one vpon his shoulder that he had ouerthrowne him to the ground if he had not imbraced himselfe with his horse necke then began the one to laie vpon the other verie strenglie with so great charge that many thimes they were both astonied and the sparkes of fire were so many that flew out of their armours that if the Moone had not shined so bright by the light of the sparkes they might haue well seene how to combat at this time were all the people of the campe round about them for to sée that strong and well fought battayle and were all greatlie amazed at the high bountie strength of the knight of the Sunne and the noise was so great the which they made with their terrible blowes that it was as well heard within the Citie as in the campe whereas they did combat which was the occasion as well for that they were aduised thereof that the Emperour Trebatio and Roficleer with all those worthie Princes and knightes came straight waies forth of the Citie and with great hast came vnto the place whereas they heard the great noise of the battaile and thether whereas the most people were gathered together and when they came thether they sawe that fierce Pagan and the knight of the Sunne how they behaued themselues in their battaile and by reason that it was night and their blowes strong and great wherewith great abundance of fire flew out of their armours it was a strange and wonderfull thing to beholde so that the Emperour and all those that came with him meruailed greatlie at the strong and mightie force of them both Then when this stout Pagan sawe himselfe compassed rounde about with so many people and knew that the Emperour and all the rest of those precious and worthie knightes that came with him were there present he sawe that as then it was verie néedfull for him to vse all his whole force strength and béeing desirous in their presence to shew forth all his greate and mightie power hée charged the knight of the Sunne
the Princesse Claridiana and that her suspition fell out to be true she remained as one dead and knew not what to saie nor to doe but to complaine of her Gods and of fortune and it is to beléeued that her lyfe had not endured long if that shée had not béene wonderfullie succoured as shal bée declared vnto you héereafter in this Hystorie How the stout and furious Pagan Bramarant ouerthrew and destroyed all the Idolls in the Campe and how the Emperour Alycandro for to appeale him caused to be brought with great honor the bodie of the gran Campion that was in the wildemesse of Grecia and what happened ouer and aboue this Chap. 36. THe great wrath and furie was so excéeding of that proude and barbarous sonne of the gran Campion for the death of his Father that there was not roome inough for him in all that mightie campe of the Pagans but he ranne vp and downe from one place to another like vnto a mad man or one from himselfe crying out making a great and terrible noise casting vp his firie eies vnto the heauens blaspheming and deâ—ieng his Gods vttering wordes of great reproch and anger thinking thereby to prouoke them vnto wrath to cause them to descende vpon the earth against him where he might execute his wrath vpon them As he was wholie ignorant of the immortall paines which these false Gods in whom the Pagans do beleeue and worship hath in hell and for that in no place he could take anie rest or be in quiet hée went into all the Tents of the Campe whereas he found many Idolles verie rich and of great price whome hée ouerthrew and cut in peeces with his sword and left not one standing neither was there anie king or knight of so great hardinesse that durst make anie resistance against him but onelie those two mightie and valiant knightes the Prince Meridian and Brandimardo who with a verie good will woulde haue baunted the pride of that proude and insolent Pagan if the Emperour had not disturbed them in requesting them not to returne to renue anie more their contention and anger so that finding not one that durst make anie resistance against him the pride of this furious and fierce Pagan Bramarant encreased so much that he neuer stayed till that hée came into the Emperiall Tent of the Emperour Alycandro within the which was a verie greate and rich stature of golde full of precious stones dedicated vnto the God Iupiter the which was made by the diuells arte in such sort that the Diuell was within the same and spake by the mouth of that Idoll deceiuing those wicked and miserable Pagans who with great reuerence and dutie did prostrate themselues vnto the ground and worshipped him it was set vppon a verie rich Alter whereas none durst be so bold as come nigh vnto it except certaine Priestes which were consecrated for to doe sacrifice vnto him dailie Besides this the Emperour Alycandro had in many places round about his great Tent many other Idolles whome hée dyd worship and all his subiects and being that daie in his great Tent accompanied with all those mightie kings and Lords of his whole Campe ordaining for to giue battaile vnto the Emperour Trebatio this mightie Pagan armed with his strong armour mounted vpon his mightie horse entered into the Tent and when hée sawe the stature of the God Iupiter vppon the Alter as soone as he was entered in hée went towards the same and in drawing out his sword hée sayd Now will I sée if the power of that Christian Knight bée more than thine And in saying these wordes he stroke him such a right downe blowe that although it were made of massie golde yet hée cloue it downe to his breast and falling one peece from another there was sodainlie hearde a great and timerous thunder clappe wherewith it séemed that the heauens woulde haue rent a sunder and in the middest of the great Tent was séene a vestigell or spirite so dreadfull and horrible to beholde that it séemed to bée some infernall vision casting out fire at his nose and eyes and in both his handes he had a great mase of yron with the which he made a shewe as though he would haue stroken Bramarant vpon the head as those which had no more power but onelie for to put in feare with those his visages and semblances so that alone with the sight of him there was not one in all that Tent but dyd tremble ansd was afraide thinking verilie that they should be destroied for that which Bramarant had done But this proude Barbarian who feared not all that infernall companie with no more dreade than if it had bene a weake and féeble damsell he did abide his comming and as this vestigell or diuell did make a profer to strike him with his mase the Pagan stroke a terrible blow at him with his sword and thinking to haue clouen him a sunder in the middest hee stroke at nothing but at the aire for that the vestigell as a fancie consumed awaie and was no more séene in the Tent. But the Emperour and all those that were with him were verie sorrie for that which Bramarant had done mistrusted that there would happen vnto them great euill and misfortune for the same yet for all that there was not one amongest them all that durst retourne against him in the quarrell of their Gods but one Meridian and Brandmardo who because they would not anger the Emperour were in quiet wherewith Bramarant went out of the tent with great furie Then the Emperour thought within himselfe that it were good somwhat to appease his furie for to send for the bodie of the gran Campion which laie dead in the wildernesse of Grecia and to burie him with that honor and solempnitie as is vsed in their Countrie euen so as he thought he put it in vre and straight waies commaunded that thirtie crowned kings the most principallest of all the armie should put on mourning apparell and cause him to be laide vpon a béere and so brought vnto the Campe and commanded to accompanie them ten thousand armed knightes and all those Gyants that came from the Orientall Ilands that were subiect vnto Bramarant shoulde goe with them And in this sorte these thirtie kings with all their companie departed according vnto the vse and manner of their Countrie which was a strange thing to sée when they came into the wildernes they straight waies found the bodie of y â— gran Campion which was begun to bée eaten with the fowles and after that they all for a while had made great lamentation and bewailed his death those kings for to doe him more honour did balme him and then laid him vpon a Béere which they brought with them that was verie rich and couered with a faire cloth of Tissue and so carried him towards the Campe whereas he was receiued with great honour by the Emperour and all those mightie Princes that were
contrarie vnto that which they lookâ—â— for For if you doe call vnto your remembrance the knight of the Sunne where wée left him vpon a lyttle baâ—ke vnder the woode side beholding the battayle as hée cast his eie aside towardes that place hée sawe those people comming out of the Forestâ— whereat hée was greatlie amazed and if dyd not a little molest and grieue him for that hee sawe they were Pagans and in so great exeremitie for to enter into the battayle But committing himselfe vnto almightie God desiring him if it were his pleasure to graunt the victorie vnto the Christians And therewithall descended from the place whereas hee was and put himselfe in the plaine whereas that most dreadfull Organte with his people should passe and béeing there with his speare in his hande abiding his comming he sawe comming towards him a bigge knight and verie well made whose proportion dyd giue him great contentment hée was mounted vppon aâ—mightie great horse and was armed with armour brodered about with golde and precious stones so fresh and bright that it seemed thereby that it should be the first time that hee was armed with them and béeing verie much delyghted in his gallant disposition hée was desirous for to knowe who he was but hée hadde no time for to informe himselfe thereof for that at the same verie instant approched that dreadfull Organte who came a good space before his people and was mounted vppon a mightie and straunge beast not inferiour vnto the bignesse of an Elephant verie strong and as light and swift as anie horse and by reason that hée was so mightie and huge of his person béeing on horse backe hee séemed lyke vnto a Tower his countenaunce and expectation was so terrible and grim that it was sufficient for to put feare and dreade in anie knight how heroycall and valyant so euer hée were But this flower and mirrour of all Knighthood who neuer made anie other account but vnto that which reason and honour did binde him without anie feare and dreade came vnto him and sayd Gyant tell me whether thou doest goe with so great hast Then the Gyant verie wrathfull and angrie at that demand beholding him with a fierce countenance answered and said As thou art one if thou were one hundreth I would make the answere to be verie déere vnto thée but yet whether is it that I shoulde goe but to make mightie riuers of the Gréekish bloud bloud Then the knight of the Sunne sayde first before that thou doest attempt that enterprise thou must combat with mée for I doe tell thâ—e that before thou canst make great riuers thou must first make littâ—e brookes Then with great furie throwing out smoake from his â—ealme this dreadfull Organte tourneth about his mightie beast and sayd in this manner Oh Iupiter how hast thou giuen vnto one alone knight so great hardinesse that being armed in the field he durst challenge and dosâ—e the dreadfull Organte And when he had taken of the field so much as he thought sufficient for his course with his Speare in his hand which séemed to bee a high and mightie Puâ—e tree he came against the knight of the Sunne who so fast as his Cornerâ—no could â—unne came against him and according vnto the great furie that eyther of them brought it séemed that the earth dyd thunder and quake but whâ—n they ioyned to make their encounter the Speaâ—â— of the Gyant was 〈◊〉 all to pâ—â—es vppon the 〈…〉 of the knight of the Sunne and considering the 〈◊〉 thereof and with what force and furie it was broken it had beene sufficient to haue ouerthrowen a wall for that it made so great a noise as though a thunderbolt had fallen from heauen and yet for all this it made no more 〈…〉 that good knight than if it had ben but a small 〈…〉 but he made his encounter 〈…〉 in the middest of his 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 that he thriâ—â—â— through and through not spâ—â—â—ing his thicke and 〈◊〉 of make but with the force thereof he made the point of his Spears to 〈◊〉 all bloudâ— at 〈…〉 wherewith he ouerthrâ—w 〈◊〉 and his beastâ— the 〈…〉 that some Castle had 〈…〉 Lâ—kewise 〈◊〉 worthinâ—sse ofâ— that 〈…〉 was sufficâ—ent for 〈…〉 he was verie desirous to know who he was she came thether in that sort out of the Citie for to sée the estate of all the whole campe vpon that littâ—e mountaine whereas the knight of the Sunne was as he had done before whose generous heart hauing no power to kéepe her selfe in 〈◊〉 anie longer being in presence of him whom she so much â—â—ned and knowing him receiued great contentment 〈…〉 that worthie encounter â—he went vnto him and sayd 〈…〉 them vpon them my good friend and leaue not one of them a liue But when the knight of the Sun knew her it could not bée expressed the great ioy that he receiued But by reasâ—n that the people of Organte drow nigh vnto him he had no time to make her answere according vnto his 〈◊〉 desire but onelie he sayd My good Ladie hauing 〈◊〉 good 〈◊〉 and succour as I haue of you I haue no reason for to feare all these people although they were many more than they be Thus they both together went towards the battaile and gathered many people that were scattered abrode from the fight In the meane time that they were doing this the people of Organte came vnto the place whereas their Captain was slaine and were verie strangelie amazed for to sée him in that case with so terrible and mortall a thrust and could not imagine that anie mortall man could giue it and being all of them verie desirous for to be reuenged of his death they went towards the campe and with a great noise and shouting they put themselues into the middest of the battaile in such sort that by reason at that present thâ— battaile was in ballance and that to enter in a fresh was the occasion that the Gréekes receiued great damage and the whole battaile like to haue bene lost for that the Emperour and the rest of the principall knightes were detained and a foote as you haue heard But at this instant the knight of the Sunne and the most excellent and roiall Princesse Claridianâ— with more than thréeâ—thousand knightes such as were dispearsed and gone abroade and by them gathered together pressed themselues into the battaile with great fuâ—ie and force making great and mightie slaughter in such 〈…〉 was more filled with bloâ—d and all those of their parte recouered force and strength and to the contrarie parte the Pagans séeing so great slaughter and destruction of their people beganne to giue waie and to loose grounde Now at this time might bée séene verie well accomplished the Prophesie of the olde king of Gedrosis for that according vnto the great destruction that the knight of the Sun and the royall Princesse made on their enimies it séemed that there were not people inough in all the whole campe
their terrible blowes all that euer they could At which time Bramarant thought not that the Emperour Alycandro had bene spoiled and lost the victorie but rather suspected that the Greekes had lost the field but verie quicklie hée was put out of that doubt for that by reason of the great noise which they made in their battaile the Emperour Trebatio and all those worthie Princes that were on his part came thether whereas they were for as then they were all ioyned together put themselues round about these two warriours with determination for to part them from that contension but this valiant and worthie pagan when he saw them in that sort and knew them hee was greatly amazed and straight waies suspected that they had got the victorie who as then with a hoarse voyce and proude semblant sayd Oh fortune how is it that thou hast had so great power for to shew thy selfe so contrarie against the pagans who is that mightie and valiant prince that hath had so great force for to ouerthrow the mightie Alicandro and the gran Campion my father who was sufficient to set fier on all the whole worlde To whome Rosicleer answered and said if thou wilt know him it is easie to bee vnderstood for I doe giue thée to vnderstand that all which is here done commeth alonely of him that dyd create and make all things and hath power ouer all men and at his will is gouerned both nature and fortune And this is Iesus Christ true God and man in whome all christians doe beleeue and worship and it hath bene his pleasure to giue vs the victorie against so many thousands of Pagans by the which thou maist vnderstand how false and deceiuable be your Gods who were not able for to ayde and succour the Emperour Alicandro who presumeth to desend from the race and stocke Then this proude Pagan replyed and sayde I neuer beleeued in any gods neither am I now determined to beleeue in any for that both their gods thyne and all the rest I holde them for my enimies and I will spoyle them all where soeuer I may finde or méete with them And in saying these words he raysed himselfe in his stirrups and with his sword in both his hands he stroke so strong a blow at Rosicleer vppon his inchaunted healme that it séemed a Thunderbolt to haue fallen from heauen the noyse was so great which made him somewhat astonished But when this Pagan sawe that he was compassed about with so much people that it was night he thought it not good to abide there anie longer but set spurres vnto his horse and rushed thorough the thickest of them ouer threw to the ground all them that was in his way lyke a whirle winde he runneth through those fields and neuer stayed till he came into the wildernesse of Grecia with intension not to depart from thence till such time as he hadde very well and to his contentment reuenged the death of his father Rosicleer would verie faine haue followed him for that he hadde a great desire for to conclude and giue ende vnto that battaile but the Emperour his father and those that were with him dyd distrube him Then when they sawe themselues together and missed the knight of the Sunne they were greatly amazed and seperated themselues some one way and some an other waye and went into all places for to séeke him but when that in all the whole field they could not finde him they could not immagine where hée should bée for the which they were all very sad and sorrowfull but in especiall the royall princes Claridiana for that she thought euery hower a yéere till she hadde spoken with him and trauailed from one place to an other with great care in his demaund but could not finde him nor haue anie newes of him till in the ende of great enquirie it was tolde her by a souldier that he dyd sée him embarke himselfe in a shippe and all that he procured was for to know some newes of the Emperour Alicandro When she heard this she was somewhat quieted in her selfe and went and informed the Emperour Trebatio thereof who with all the rest of the other princes receued great ioye and began at that instant to celebrate and reioyce the laâ—e victorie wonne and in very good order retourned to the Citie of Constantinople where as they were in the armes of those Ladies with such ioye as the reader may iudge yet I must néedes say that if the absence of the knight of the Sunne had not mittigated somewhat the extremitie of their pleasure there had neuer bene in Grecia the like ioye and triumph Let vs now leaue them in all their pastimes for that I am sure this long chapter hath somewhat wearied you and let vs retourne to tell you of other thinges wherein you shall receiue pleasure and delight ¶ How that the Emperour Alicandro sayling by sea was through a tempest by the which he was driuen vnto the strong Iland whereas they were taken prisoners he and the princes Lindabrides with all her Ladies by the Gyant Roboan and his sonnes ¶ Chap. 39. WIth great sorrow and heauinesse of heart dyd the Emperour Alicandro nauigate the Sea with the faire and precious Princes Lindabrides in companie with a small number of Knightes that entred into the ship with him who when they considered with what great pomp and force they entred into the Empire of Grecia with what disgrace they departed from thence their hearts were readie to breake with sorrrw for that they saw no other thing of so great a number of thousands of people that they brought with them out of their countries but onely the water of the Sea couered with bloud and a few other shippes full of people that had escaped from the furie of the Gréekes some one way and some an other without any order but whether soeuer the wynde fortune would carrie them The night was very dark so that the ship of the Emperor was all alone fortune who would shew her selfe more contrarie for to giue â—im to 〈…〉 what small trust there was in her it happen that in the night there arose a great â—â—mpest that dyd not onelie hinder them of their iourney but also dyd put the shippe many times in great daunger to be drowned so that the marriners and such as were in the shippe had enough to doe for to voyde and cast out the water that was forced in by that tempest and the faire princesse Lindabrides with all her ladies and gentlewomen receiued so great feare that they all amased remained as dead persons although vnto this faire princesse the griefe was not so much in beholding before her eyes that great perill of death in the which they were brought as to sée her selfe in that sorte for to depart from Grecia where as remained the knight of the Sunne and againe to consider how euell her purpose and desire was brought to passe so
that she remained without all hope or remedie And prayed vnto her gods and fortune not to appease the torment but to be so contrarie vnto their iourney that they might retourne againe by the force thereof into Grecia either a liue or dead for that she thought in her heart that there was no death could be more crueller vnto her then to retourne into her owne countrie whereas she should lose all hope euer for to sée the knight of the Sunne In this sort vttering great and profound sighes which procéeded from the bottome of her heart she sayd as followeth Oh my soule depart and leaue this my sorowfull and afflicted bodie séeing that my fortune and cruel destinie wil that I shal leaue the land whereas the knight of the Sunne doth remaine Oh you wyndes and celestiall mouinges that doth carrie the shippes vpon the Seas here and there in all places carrie vs now into some parte whereas wée may be taken prisoners by some Grecian and carryed before the Emperour Trebatio for that it shall be vnto mée more comfortable to be prisoner and 〈◊〉 in his pallas then to be Quéene in the gran Scithia or Empresse in Tartâ—ria Oh you blouddie waues â—ossed vp and downe by the furiâ—â—s wyndes and forced into riuers show your selues so fauorable vnto mée that when by this torment and storme we shal be drowned you would dead as I shal be left carrie me vnto some part of Grecia for that possible the knight of the Sunne hearing of my death will not be so cruell but that he will giue sepulture vnto this my vnhappie bodie and at times remember mée and be sorrowfull for this my vntimely and cruell death Ah when that this shall lacke in him yet shall my sorrowfull bones take comfort in that they shall remaine in so glorious and happie a land In vttering of these and manie other things of great griefe did this sorrowfull princesse nauigate and with so great trouble of minde that I doe verelie beleeue if the knight of the Sunne had heard them he would haue hadde great compassion on her Likewise it was of no lesse sorow griefe to sée the demeanour of the Emperour Alicandro for that the day before he saw himselfe in the estate to bée lord ouer all the whole world and at this present for to be a land in his owne countrie he would haue bene content to haue had the gouernement and to be lorde of a poore castell an estate vnlooked for they that doe thinke to sléepe in great securitie whome fortune hath put in the highest part of her mouable and inconstant whéele they may well behold this Emperour for that possible he may be vnto theÌ„ a greater securitie and cause them to loose the condicion of hope that alwayes they had in her for that alwaies when that she dothe once beginne to frowne and to tourne her back vnto any she is not content to touch them with a little aduersitie but will so follow them as their fall shal be equal vnto their first triumph of exalting as by experience you shall sée in this Emperour who was not content to bring him into this estate of perplexitie but straight waies did ordaine a greater and crueller conclusion greatly to be considered of for that the next day in the morning at such time as the Sunne did arise the furious force of the windes and seas did carrie their ship into the port of any land with so great extremitie that it brake all to péeces and they with great trauaile escaped being all wet out of comfort and in a place vnknowen and for that you shal be certified of the comfort and ease that they found there You shall vnderstand that this was called the strong Ilande the most famous in all the Tirreno Sea it is called strong for that it is all compassed round about with the Sea on the parts towards the sea high and mightie Rockes and hath no entring into it but onely one part in the which the Emperor Alicandro and his companie were driuen by force of that great tempest at the entrie of the same sort was two great high and mightie towers and of great strength and at the foote of them into the Iland a great and large plaine in the which was manie gallant peaceable and freshe fountaines that dyd inuite all them that passed by to take their ease and repast and beyond the same plaine there was a beautifull mountaine vppon the which was edified a verie faire castell and strong compassed round about with a high wall and watch towers with a 〈◊〉 very broade déepe vpon the which was a drawen bridge of timber and before the same a gallant little plaine in maner of court The highest part of the tower was full of windowes and galleries some towards the Sea and others towards the entrie of the saide Castell so that for strength and beautie in all the whole Sea was not an Iland to be found equall vnto the same but onely that of Lindaraza the which was edified and made by arte of inchantment The Lord of this Iland was a Gyant called Roboan who by liniall dissent doth procéede from Nemroth he that built the high and statelie tower of Babel and from his time to that daye hath bene maintained and gouerned by that linage as appeared by olde and ancient writings which they had amongst them This Roboan was verie bigge of bodie and of strength more thâ—n anie other Gyant and he hadde foure sonnes all young men the most stoutest and grymmest that was to be found amongst all the Ilands of the Sea So that by the 〈◊〉 of them as also 〈◊〉 the great strength of the Ilande Roboan 〈…〉 all the whole world if they coem against him which was the occasion that he dyd great harmâ— and robberies at the Sea And dyd maintaine in his Iland an ill custome which was that euerie time at the wayne of the Moone he did sacrifice two damsells the most fairest that could be found and when that the Moone did increase he dyd sacrifice two knights the which they dyd by the encreasing of their great sinnes whereby his aâ—ncestours did fall into a great and abhominable Idolatrie to honour and worship the Moone without knowing any other God or Lord but onely her saying that with her brightnesse she dyd illuminate the earth and cause it to engender Gyants and that she waâ— the occasion that the earth dyd bring forth all maner of fruites and hearbes for the which occasion they hadde her for their Goddesse and Mother Also they sayd that when the Moone was in the waine she dyd hide her brightnesse for that she was angrie with men for which cause they did sacrifice vnto her two damsels because with their bloud as they saide her anger was appeased And at such time as she did beginne to increase they did sacrifice vnto her two knights in giuing to vnderstand that they did acknowledge her for their Goddesse
And for the executing of the same they hadde caused to be made betwixt the two towers in a verie faire plaine a rich and gorgeous throne of Alablaster nigh vnto a faire cleane and cléere fountaine whereas Roboan prostrate vppon his knées and apparailed with white garments and a towell vpon his shoulder did make this Sacrifice cutting of the heads of those damsels and knights with a broade sharpe knife This order and custome was maintained and kept in that Iland by the auncestors of Roboan euer since the time that they fell into that diuelish Idolatrie And this Roboan did kéepe and celebrate the same with greater care and diligence then all his auncesters had done before him in such sort that on a time at the waine of the Moone hauing in his custodie but one damsell for to Sacrifiâ—e because hée would not lacke the number of two hée dyd Sacrifice a daughter of his owne whome he loâ—ed verymuch â—he which extremitie afterwards was the occasion that he put such diligence to séeke out for 〈◊〉 and knights that alwaies after they had still great sorrow The sonnes of this Gyant were named the first Langereon the second Andricardo the third Rubero the fourth Acâ—orante all the which were very well spoken and of good conditions and had no other fault amongst thâ—m but blindenesse in that cursed law custome wherein they did so much estéeme them selues that all the world besides they made little accompt off as though they were of small valour as well in state of degrée as in obseruing their law with valiant force and strength And at such time as they dyd â—elebrate their sacrifice vnto the Moone whome they worshipped as their God the higher of bloud that those damsels knights were that they did sacrifice the more was their ioye and pleasure And they pardoned none although she were a Quéene Two of these his sonnes were alwaies in the two Towers at the 〈◊〉 side at the port with diuers other knights that dyd beare them companie when that any by fortune or other wise ariued in their port they dyd take apprehend them The other two were continually at the Sea apprehending and taking prisoners all that euer they dyd méete and hauing taken any pray they returned vnto the Iland Their father Roboan was in the castle with his wife who was lady Gyantesse and many times he would descend vnto his sonnes in the two towers they likewise vnto the castell when that it was their pleasure for to méete This was the Iland whereas the Emperour Alicandro with the Princesse Lindabrides and all her Ladies and gentlewomen ariued who were scarce out of the water a land wheÌ„ that they were beset and apprehended by the two gyants Langeâ—eon Andricardo who were in the towers with their knights And although some that came with the Emperour would put themselues in dâ—seâ—ce yet dyd it little profit them for that the two bretheren were such that they would not haue 〈◊〉 one of them aliue if they hadde not yéelded themselues prisoners Then the two brethren with as great ioy and pleasure as euer they receiued in their liues to sée themselues possessed with so rich a praie of damsels went vp into the Castle with them sauing one damsell of the Princesses for that she would not sée her selfe in the power of those Gyantes woulde put her lyfe in aduenture for to escape from them and ranne and put her selfe amongst a companie of Rockes whose fortune was so fauourable for that there was a great number of them that she was not séene so that she remained there all alone hidden amongest the Rockes And héere you shall vnderstand that this was the Quéene Iulia she that forged and made the sword that Rosicleer wonne in great Britaine of Candramarte who came in companie with the Princesse Lyndabrides out of the gran Tartaria Thus when the Emperour and all those damsels were carried into the Castle Roboan receiued great ioy and pleasure for the rich praie and it seemed vnto him that the Princesse Lyndabrides was the fairest creature that euer he had séene in all his life and he sayd that with the bloud of so high a Damsell their Goddes the Moone shoulde receiue great contentment and cause the fruits of their Countrie to bring forth in greater abundaunce than heeretofore it hath done and commanded straight waies that they should be put in holde and good assurance their prison was ordained in the highest part of all the Castle whereas were great galleries and battlements from whence they might discerne all the whole Iland and a great part of the Sea But when that the Emperour Alycandro sawe himselfe prisoner vnto such euill and vnmercifull people and well vnderstoode to what end they were prisoners you may well iudge the sorrow and griefe that he receiued at his heart who before was Lorde ouer so many Countries and of power more than anie one in all the whole worlde and now to bée prisoner in the custodie and power of them that at his first entrie heard the sentence of his death The Princesse Lyndabrides of this imprisonment receiued no great griefe for that shée was not farre parted from the Empire of Grecia but dyd comfort her selfe verie much for that shée hoped in some time for to sée the knight of the Sunne being in that place and not in the gran Tartaria whether as her Father dyd carrie her And she said within her selfe that forasmuch as in that land they dyd commit and vse so greate crueltie against Ladies and damsells it could not be but at one time or at another it should come vnto the eares and hearing of the knight of the Sunne who was of so valiant a courage and generositie that he would not let but to proue and force himselfe to take awaie that great crueltie and disobedience against God and had so great confidence in his worthinesse and valour that hauing him before her she estéemed all the world as nothing Let vs now leaue them in this their sorrow and griefe for that you doe well vnderstand héereby the small securitie that is in fortune how hurtfull a thing it is for to abandon wise counsaile and to leane so much vnto her whoâ—le as dyd this Emperour in the great and ouermuch confidence that he had in her for that she had put him in so high estate he did estéeme the wise counsaile of the olde king of Gedrosia as nothing and for that he woulde not vse thereof hée was brought into the estate whereas wée now lefte him Let vs now tell of such other thinges as happened in the meane time How Rosicleer departed out of Constantinople in the demand of the knight of the Sunne and how the knight of the Sunne in following the Emperour Alycandro ariued at the strong Iland and what happened about the same Chap. 40. THe next daie after the fierce and bloudie battaile which was the whole expedition of Constantinople all such Pagans
Sunne considering that if the battaile shold goe forwards it wold not be well with Roboan and againe for that he had him and his sonnes in respect of strong and valiant knights for such would estéeme them if that he might cause them to leaue this great errour the which they had maintained a long time he there with all withdrew himselfe aback and lifting vp the beauer of his healme he said Heare mée a little what I will say vnto thée Roboan first before that this our battaile be finished thou shalt vnderstand that I doe estéeme thee and thy sonnes verie much as wel for the great valiantnesse that is in you as also you doe séeme vnto mee to be good and courteous knights my will and desire is that this our battaile betwixt vs may cease and that remedie be put in the curing these thy wounds and the wounds of thy sonnes in case that thou wilt leaue this law Gentilica wherewith thou hast bene so much deceiued and from this day forwardes not to obserue nor maintaine the euell and most cruell custome as hetherto thou hast For that if thou wilt sée and behold with the eyes of thy vnderstanding and consider of the law in the which thou doest liue thou shalt cléerely sée and perceiue the great errour and deceit wherein thou art wrapped Tell mee I pray thee Roboan who ought to be honored and worshipped for God but he alonely that created and made all things both ceâ—estiall and terrestriall and hath power ouer all things for to punish the wicked and to gratifie and reward the good and iust Well then if he alone that hath all this power ought to be estéemed honoured and worshipped for God what reason is there for to beleue that the Moone is the Goddesse Thou shalt vnderstand for her to shine and giue light hath neede of the cléerenesse and brighnesse of the Sunne without the which of her selfe she is verie darke and obscure and cannot be séene God created the high couloured Rubies the gréene Emeralds the blew Saphires the white Pearles the shining beams of the Sunne that giueth light vnto the Moone the Starres the gréene trées on the earth and her Plants the quietnesse of the heauens the roundnesse of the world and the meruailous course of the celestial mouings not for that we should occupie our wits and vnderstandings in these things but by the great beautie and sight of them our spirits may be moued vnto the beautie and loue of the creator and maker of all them from whom like as from a fountaine procedeth all that is faire and delectable vnto the sight of man In the meane time that the knight of the Sunne was saying these words Roboan was very attentiue taking as great pleasure at that he sayde as at his great force and strength and looking vpon himselfe he sawe that he was berayed with bloud and his armour broken in many places and his aduersarie not to haue receiued any wound but rather was more stronger and lighter then at the beginning which was vnto him apparant either to be slaine or to loose the victorie Likewise he well vnderstood to what ende the knight of the Sunne had spoken those words which did procéede more of vertue good will towards them then for any feare or dread he had in the conclusion of the battaile but by reason that he saw his sonnes lying a long on the ground in the field the eyes of his vnderstanding were so blinded that he could not sée the great profit which might come vnto him in leauing of his law and custome And said vnto the knight of the Sun that he should not speake any thing more therof vnto him for that he was determined to follow and take his fortune whether it were good or bad against him or with him And therewith they both retourned againe vnto the battaile for that they had somewhat breathed rested themselues it was then a thing worthie to be seene the strong and terrible blowes which the one stroke at the other For as I haue said Roboan was a stout and strong giant and sufficient of himselfe to destroye and kill one hundreth knights that should contend against him altogether in battaile The knight of the Sunne had great desire quickly to conclude and make an ende of that contension to sée what the Emperour Alicandro and the Princesse Lindabrides dyd in the castell who being greatly amazed at his great force and strength could not immagine who it should be except it were the sonne of Trebatio he who had done great marnailes in his presence And he that should at this instant haue certified the faire princesse how that it was the knight of the Sunne you may well beleeue that he should haue caused her to receiue greater ioye and contentment then if they had giuen her all the whole world for a present as she who should not receiue so great griefe if her soule should depart from her bodie as she should receiue in departing from the countrie whereas doth remaine her knight of the Sunne who dyd so much against Roboan that in the ende of one houre that the battaele was begun he fell downe a long at his féete so séeble and weake by reason of the great quantitie of bloud that he had lost that till such time as the knight of the Sunne did pull of his healme and gaue him ayre he could not come againe vnto himselfe But when that he was in his remembraunce the knight of the Sunne florishing with his sworde aboue his head sayde with this sword will I seperate thy head and bodie a sunder if that thou wilt not amend thy lyfe and apart thy selfe from the law wherein thou hast liued hetherto The feare of death sayd Roboan shall not make mée to doe any thing that is against my honour but thy great vertue and force doth make mée to beléeue that thy law and faith is better then this the which I haue hetherto maintained in the which I doe confesse greatly to haue erred and bene deceiued And here I doe promise thée in the faith of whome I am and by the high bloud from whence I doe descend neuer to maintaine any longer this euill custome but will esteeme and worshippe for my God all the dayes of my life him whome thou hast tolde mée off who vniuersally did create all things Then the knight of the Sunne who was very glad and ioyfull for to heare him so say dyd healp him to arise from the ground and embrasing him with great loue they went both together vnto Andricardo and Langereon whom they found both a liue and without perill but that they were verie weake and féeble with the great quantitie of bloud the which they had lost but when the sonnes had vnderstood all that which had passed with their Father God had inspired his holy spirit within them in such sort that they were very well content therewith and premised him that from that day forwards
and heard And againe I being in my glorie with the Dutches in the garden should chance to bée discouered and bewraied to haue your helpe and succour as of my verie perfect and good friends When the Duke had concluded this his fained protestation the thrée knightes who were so much his friendes dyd promise vnto him for to accomplish all his request Then when the night was come about twelue of the clock at midnight at such time as the Dutchesse and all the rest were in their found sléepe the Duke with the thrée knights went vnto the garden and although the walls were verie high yet by Ladders they went vp to the top thereof the wall was somewhat broade aboue and on the inside towards the garden hard vnto the wall dyd growe a great number of thickâ— and high Cypres trées which shadowed all the wall in such sort that the thrée knightes might remaine vppon the wall and heare and sée all that should passe in the garden and they not to be séene and discouered of anie In that place did the three knightes remaine and the Duke descended downe by those trées into the garden whereas he remained till within a little while after he heard a little posâ—erne to be opened whereat came forth that false damsell who by reason that the Moone did shine so bright yea nigh hand shée did seeme to bée the Dutchesse for that shee was faire and of her owne stature and was apparelled with a gowne of gréene veluet set full of brouches of golde wherein was set many fine presious stones shée also had her haire hanging about her shoulders which reached downe to the ground and vpon her head a garland set full of Diamonds and rubies of great price with the which garment and garland the thrée knightes dyd sée the Dutchesse the daie before in certaine bankets and feasts that were made and by reason that it was night although the Moone did shine verie cléere yet because shee was somewhat a farre of they coulde not discerne anie other but that she was the Dutchesse Likewise shee had in her hand a bunch of feathers wherewith this Damsell did dissemble and hide her face in such sorte that shée could not bee knowen Then so soone as the Duke had spied her to come forth he straight wayes went knéeled downe before her and sayd Oh my Ladie Polisena what Prince or knight in all the worlde was euer worthie to receiue so great curtesie and fauour as this is Giue mée these your faire and white handes that I may kisse them as one vnworthie to receiue so great honour and glorie and yet I cannot thinke but that it is a dreame My Lord sayde the Damsell giue thanks vnto almightie God who hath done so much for you that you do deserue this at my hands the which I haue done for your sake arise vp from the ground for that your state 〈…〉 courtesie vento any damsell in all the the whole world much lesse vnto the Dutches of Austria who is altogether yours and in saying these wordes she tooke him by the hand and caused him to arise from the ground and the Duke straight waies began to embrace and kisse her and tooke their wayâ— towards a fresh fountaine there at hand compassed rounde about with Iasmires and Muske Roses And before that they could come thether the Damsell sayde My Lord you doe well know that I doe not come hether for any other thing but to plight vnto you my faith and troth to be your wyfe and you my husband and spouse and that to the contrarie I would not come for all the world into this place so much against my honour My desire is that this should bée done out of hand and that we might depart for that I feare to be discouered My good Ladie Dutches sayd the Duke this is that the which I so long haue looked and hoped for And now séeing that we are both agréed and conformable in our good wills now I doe saye that I doe receiue my Ladie the Dutches Polisena for my welbeloued spouse and wife and that I doe renounce all other and cleaue my selfe onely vnto her so long as we shall liue Well then my good Lord sayd the Damsell Héere your true and faithfull Polisena doe receiue and take Roberto Duke of Saxonia for her spouse and will that no other shal be her husband but you alone All this that passed betwixt them was very well heard by the thrée knightes that were in secret and surely they were out of all doubt to the contrarie but that should be the Dutches of Austria For if they had knowen otherwise or had any other thing in their thoughts they were such knights that they would not haue affirmed that which they had sayd for all the kingedome of Hungaria When that this communicacion of matrimonie was concluded betwixt them two the Duke went with the Damsell towardes the Fountaine and at their coâ—ming thether she making the matter somewhat strange so that it might be heard by the thrée knights although they could not sée any thing by reason of the thicknesse of the trées whereas they were there the Duke did accomplish his wil with the Damsell And when it was houre and time for to withdraw themselues they went hand in hand together vnto the posterne where she came forth and there the duke with many imbracings and kissings did take his leaue of her and she entred in and went to sléepe leauing the apparaile of the Dutches in the place whereas she tooke them and was not séene by any And the Duke retourned vnto the thrée knights and departed from thence It fell out within a while after happened all that this Historie hath declared vnto you the which fell out to be vnto the Prince Lusiano great sorrow and griefe for that hée dyd loue the Dutches so entirely and was so fully certified of the good will loue she bare vnto him that it brought him into a great alteration of minde and almost from him selfe to sée the witnesse that was brought against the Dutches by those thrée knights whome he had in estimation to be loyall faithfull and of great credit and beleeued verely that they would not but tell the trueth in that behalfe if that to either of them should be giuen a whole kingdome And to the contrarie he had so great a confidence in his ladie and mistresse that he was fully determined first â—o bée sâ—aine then to consent that any such shame should be offered vnto her But his great bountie did little profit for to deliuer him from the death for that euerie one of the foure were so strong and valiant knights that in all Hungaria was not to be found one that could match any of them But yet for that aboue al things Iustice is of greater force God dyd permit for that Lusiano had Iustice on his part that he should be succoured in this his great extremttie as shal be told you
would say no more till such time as the Emperour Trebatio who had him in reputation of a man of vnderstanding and greatly meruailed at those his words being spoken at that time asked of him wherefore he spake those wordes I doe speake them sayde the king for that the world doth â—se vs as children at sometimes singing at other times wéeping many times a faire and cléere morning is turned into a clowdie and sorowfull euening And there is no pleasure or pastime can be so great but that sorow and heauinesse doth disturbe iâ— we be like vnto the ayer that being so cleare and faire that we cannot almost discerne it from the firmament vpon a sodaine with a little wind that doâ—h arise is troubled and darkenot so likewise when that vnto our iudgements we are most ioyfull and merrieâ— vpon a sodaine not knowing from whence it commeth we finde our selues put in great sadnesse and teares This doth procéede for that all our felicitie and prosperitie we doe build vpon things that of themselues doe perish and decay We are also like vnto trauailer 〈…〉 Seas whose faire and calme wether is vpon the 〈◊〉 who of it selfe is moueable and of small foundation and looke so many times as they be assalted with the winde so many times their pleasure doe abate and their sorrowes double Euen so doe we put all our felieitie in thirgs wherein is no stabilitie but like vnto the loaâ—es that is caried away with euerie winde as it apeareth in high estates and dignities for the higher he is the greater is his fall In riches difficultie in the getting with care in the kéeping and sorow in the losing vnto manie it causeth death and depriueth all of their case The most fairest in a short time doth 〈◊〉 and fade a way like a flower and he that is of most force strength is ouerthrowen with a little Feauer When a friend doth dye or is lost in especiall of children then swéete mingled by-tternesse Honey mixt with gall miserable fortune rarefull pleasures and many times sorowfull successours of follie vnto them that alonely doth recreate themselues with the blossome of the trée we our selues doe it in that we doe reioyce and shew so much pleasure and pastimes vnto little children who are no lesse subiect vnto misfortunes then the delicate flower Of many things that I haue spoken of you haue had experience so likewise verie shortly you shall see the proofe of the rest that lacketh if that Nature or Fortune doth not disturbe or lette it I will saye no more vnto you for that it is not giuen vnto vs to affirme that which we doe deuine but to declare that which the order of Nature doth show vs to 〈◊〉 the inconâ—eniences which might happen â—f that peraduenture we should be deceiued Héerewith the olde king concluded his reasons for that all those Lords that were there present were wise of great vnderstanding they well vnderstood that his words did extend vnto some thing that should happen vnto that faire young child Claramante and could not let but receiue some trouble of minde but yet for that his Father and brethren were or noble and valiant hearts they did not onelie with equall and quiet minde abide that which the starres did permit but also referred all things vnto the determination of the soueraigne creator so that they answered nothing vnto that which the king had said but the wise Artemidoro that had more vnderstanding in the art Magicke than the king answered vnto his wordes and sayd By your word we do vnderstand wise king of Gedrosia that you would declare some things that should happen vnto this faire child Claramante as of truth it is so for that his parents shall sustaine great sorrow and griefe for him but according as his good fortune and destinie doth promise vnto him it shall be for a greater glorie and extolling of the Gréekish Empire and so much more ioyful shal his prosperitie good fortune be than his sorrowfull peruerse fortune which is ordained great reason hath his father to reioyce of such a son for the excellent frâ—it which shall procéed of so worthie a blossome yet there is no peruerse fortune that can be so contrarie vnto him to be compared in equalitie vnto that which happened vnto his brothren in their first age who hauing now passed all their misfortunes with more ioy and pleasure do inioy the time of their prosperitie So shall it bée of this faire Claramante for that his high and strange birth doth not prognosticate anie other thing When the wise Artemidoro had concluded these words it gaue great conteatment vnto them all whereas before the words of the king of Gedrosia did cause in them great sorrowe thinking that some euill hap and misfortune had béene ordained against that most singular and gracious childe Claramante but most especiallie the beautifull and exouisite Princesse Lindabrides who scarcelie dyd shed many teares as one that dyd â—ouâ— him more then her owne parents onely for the loue of that figure that he dyd represent And for that it is now time that the great griefe ouermuch sorrow of this precious Princesse should cease this Historie doth declare what the two wise men Artemidoro and Lirgandeo dyd for to put remedie in the same ¶ How the faire Lindabrides by arte of the two wise men Artimidoro and Lirgandeo was inchanted and the order of her inchantment Chapter 48. NOw saith the Historie the Emperour Alicandro remaining manie dayes in the Court of the Emperour Trebatio was the occasion that the griefe of the faire Princesse Lindabrides dyd euery daye increase more and more one waye for that the presence of the very faire and worthie Princes Claridiana dyd make her suspect that which her knight he of the Sunne had determined within his heart an other way in remembring that in the ende the Emperour her Father would 〈◊〉 into his countrie againe and that forseably she must 〈◊〉 with him all the which she could not suffer with pacience neither immagine that it should be possible for her to departe out of Gâ—ecla 〈◊〉 â— that in thinking hereof her dolour and griefe was such that many times it brought her â—o the point of death And for that all this was not hyd from the two wise men Liâ—gandeo and Arâ—einidoâ—o and vnto the Quéene 〈◊〉 her damsell many times hauing great compassion on this faire Princesse they dyd determine amongst themselues to put some remedie in the same in such sort that she might not liue in so great sorow and griefe Being fully persuaded in their determination and knowing what afterwards would happen and come to 〈…〉 together all those worthie Princes and knights Ladies and damsells in the emperiall pallace the daie being verie faire and the Sunne cléere and bright vpon a sodaine there came ouer the Citie a great cloude that was so blacke and darke that béeing together they could scarcelie sée one
did write Letters of greate loue vnto other Ilandes that were not subiect vnto him which were inhabited with Gyants and furious people requesting them to come vnto his Court of Parliament Among all hée wrote a Letter vnto Bradaman Campeon who was returned into his Countrie againe the effect thereof was as followeth GRan Campion Lorde of the Orientall Ilandes that are in the Octian Sea I doe beleeue that it is manifest vnto thée the iniurie done by the Gréeke Prince vnto our sacred estate and the great offence that hee did vnto thâ— immortall Gods therefore now thou shalt vnderstand that by the vertue of that part of the diuine deitie that is in vs it is concluded in our diuine Consistorie that order shoulde bée taken in such sorte that reuengement may be taken for the same in such ample wise that the whole Empire of Grecia may bée destroyed downe to the ground and not to leaue one stone vpon another as a iust punishment for the offendours and an example to all others howe they shall offende against the diuine maiestie For the 〈◊〉 end to the executing of the same wée doe desire 〈◊〉 in this enterprise thy fauour maye bée the first for that as the diuiâ—â— Gods haue created thee so strong and mightie ouer 〈…〉 all mortall creatures so lyâ—â—wise art thou 〈…〉 maintaine and defend their diuine honours 〈…〉 to make reuengement of this 〈…〉 Prince hath done vnto vs. Héerein I do inlarge no farther but abiding thy comming for to haue thy opinion what were best to be done héerein Written in our sacred Court c. When that Bradaman had receiued this Letter in all his life he was not so glad and ioyfull for that occasion dyd so â—erue that hée might execute that great anger and wrath that hée had conceiued against the knight of the Sunne because it was a great shame vnto him that hée was ouercome by him and hée could not forget that great iniarie receiued but had as much desire to bée reuenged for the same And you shall vnderstand that this Bradaman had at that time a sonne of twentie yéeres olde the most brauest and â—iercest creature that euer was séene by men of whome shall bee made more mencion in this Hystorie Bradaman had not this sonne by a faire Gentlewoman but of the cruellest and furious in condition amongest al women for that after y â— by the mightie power of his person he came to bée Lorde ouer the Orientall Ilands which was a kinde of people which for their fiercenesse neuer before could be brought in subiection he determined within himselfe for that he would not that that Segniorie should be lost after his death to procure to haue so valiant a sonne who for the worthinesse of his person should be sufficient to sustaine that estate as he did get it in his life time And with this determination and desire he made many sacrifices vnto the Gods desiring them to giue him such a sonne to bée his heire of no lesse force and strength than he was for the defence of those kingdomes At the same time there was in one of those Ilandes a woman of so stout and furious condition of so great strength that with her owne handes shée slew a great number of gyants and other terrible and dreadfull beasts Bradaman did know her in such sorte that nature working in her by the will of the high Gods shée was deliuered of that furious and fierce sonne and gaue him to name Bramarant At whose birth Bradaman his Father was verie ioyfull and caused him for to bée nourished with the milke of Lions and Tygers and other â—arious beasâ—es such as were to be found in those partes and would neuer consent that hée should proue of his mothers breasts for that he would his sonne should be the more fierce and strong In this sort hée was nourished so that afterward it appeareth that the double strength and fiercenesse of the Father and oâ— his mother was comprehended in him with the aide of the milke that he sucked which did worke such effect in him that when he came to twelue yéeres of age he would go alone into the deserts mountaines without anie armour more than certain sodden skins hardned in the Sun and would seeke out the strong Lions and fierce Tygers with other furious beasts and all that euer he could take he would teare them to peeces with his hands as though they had bene young and tender Kids He would eate no other meate in all the time of his hunting but the milke of those she wild beasts that he met withall and sometimes of the flesh of the most fuâ—ious beâ—st that he killed and that should be rawe But when that hée grew vnto more yeres he left of his hunting of wild beasts and fell to exercising himselfe in armour feates of armes in such sort that his great force and strength was verie déere vnto a great number for that he would neuer heare reason in the triall of his strength as did become good and curteous knightes but without anie occasion in the woâ—lde â—ee would haue contention with all them that he met withall béeing armed without anie feare if they were two twentie or thirtie with them all hée woulde contend and kill them tearing them in péeces with so great câ—ueltâ—e that hée was feared of all could finde none that was able to make râ—sistance against him although all the 〈◊〉 of those Ilands were verie stout and couragious and almost all Gyants And â—or that Nature dyd shew her selfe â—uch â—auourable vnto Bramarant the Hystorie sayth that hee was not in stature of his bodie so 〈…〉 but hee was as bigge as anie knight might 〈…〉 Gyant and of so mightie huge and great members that whatsoeuer hée lacked in his height hée 〈◊〉 it comprehended in his bignesse and was of so great force and strength that there was no equalitie in that of Milo of whom they saie that there was not his lyke in all the whole world for that he dyd things that séemed to bée incredible to all that dyd sée them and besides his great strength he was so swiâ—t and light that he would ouertake Lions and other wilde beasts in the plaine running after them This young Bramarant séeing himselfe to bée so puâ—sant and mightie aboue all others was so stout and proude that at such time as he came to twentie yéeres of age there was not one if hée were displeased with him that durst come into his presence so y â— in all those Oriental Ilands he was feared more estéemed thaÌ„ his Father and was not content that they had him for their Lord but also would bée worshipped of his as their principall God and said that al the Gods the which they did worshippe had no power ouer him neither were they equall in valour And Bradaman his Father séeing him so feared and reuerenced of all and how great and mightie his strength fiercenesse was was