Captaine Gyant came marching downe along the fielde against the Pagan this Gyant was king and Lord ouer them all the furie which they broght made the Greke feare the loosing of the Lady whom he intreated séeing her on foote to get vp to the toppe of the hil and hid her selfe among the trées whither hee would quickly followe her She did so kindly requesting the Gréeke to looke vnto the safetie of Abstrusio It gréeued him not to heare her tender spéech purposing to marrie them if he could Then like a thunderbolt hee turned on his enemies and with Abstrusio ranged vp and downe among them dyed to the chinne in aduerse blood and thogh the Pagan were somewhat wearie with the many battelles of that day yet the sight of the Gréekes braue déedes so animated his fainting heart that hee forgot his wounds and their paine Such miserable destruction on the hard rypened corne makes not the ouerflowing of an vnstayed current passing his limits as the two warriours on those coward knights giuing no blow in vaine but slew outright or for euer maimed which it behooued them so to do beeing onely two and their enemies so many Followe mee braue knight said the Gréeke for ere we part from hence I vow to be reuenged on these base villaines Do what you will most mightie warriour answered he for I le obey His shield he cast at his backe and tooke his sword twixt both handes beginning to execute such déedes as Mars would not attempt More feared was not Hercules among the Centaures then Rosabell of his enemies that beating them downe on euery side at length he metwith the Gyant that stole the Ladie whom he assailed with a terrible blowe and past on where the Pagan stayed him till he returned when with both handes hee discharged his sword on his thicke helme whereon the famous Troyans blade finding no resistance made his head a good way to skip from his neck This pleased him not so that aboue tenne lost their liues in the conflict for repairing thither it was as much as to be ledde to the slaughter house By this the Larke the mornings Herauld mounting into the loftie ayrie skies beganne to sing the daies approach welcomming bright Phoebus to the East when the two warriours like two firie meteors of heauens consuming wrath ranging about the battell encountred in the ende wearie of killing with the chiefe and sole suruyor of the Gyants who roring like a Lyon for his pray séeking them met and with them his death for stepping betwéene them with a heauie Iron mace thought to reuenge himselfe at two blowes It fell out otherwise for the furious Gréeke with one stroke cut away halfe his shield and sorely wounded him Heere did Abstrusio brauely second him though it cost him deare for thrusting himselfe vnder the Gyants armes although hee thrust a handfull of his sword in the side of his brest yet did the Gyant execute his blowe discharging it on the top of his helme so fearcely that sencelesse it strooke him along vppon his horse At the noyse the Gréeke turned about and thinking his companion dead no Hyrcanian furie may be compared to him With more eagernesse furiously flies not the lowring Eagle against the spoiler of his nest as the Gréeke to be reuenged Againe would the Gyant raise his Mace when with incomparable strength with one blowe did Rosabell throw downe his armes and club and with a thrust going to runne through the Gyant he turned aside making the Gréeke strike his head against his brest with more strength he embraced him then Hercules when twixt his hands he crusht to death two serpents yet it auailed him not wanting one arme for the Gréeke drawing foorth his dagger terminated that warre with two cruell stabbes Dead tumbled downe one of the mightiest Gyans of all those Isles whose father lost his life by the hand of the great Dardario the sonne procuring his iust reuenge sacrificed his blood with honour being bereft by the Gréek Prince who fearing to léese Abstrusio did execute more then humane deeds Better was not the Hesperian fruite kept before Alcydes spoyled it then Rosabell defended the sounded Pagan offending his enemies on all parts so lamentably that woe was to him that approached to trie the effect of his hands euen as one awaked from a déepe slumper so amazedly the Pagan raised himselfe and remembring the state wherein hee was and what the Gréeke had done for him said to himselfe Oh Iupiter let me liue that I may gratifie this knight what his déeds on my behalfe haue deserued The furious brauenesse wherewith he behaued himselfe so animated the stout Louer that as if but then the warre beganne he beganne to turne himselfe among them to the deare cost of many liues So Rosabell spurring his horse away said Follow me knight for our fighting now is to no more purpose the drawing of the mornings brightnesse comming on so fast may make vs loose the Ladie The Pagan followed him for whom the Gréeke hewed out such ample passage as he could reach to effect no blow They galloped through the thickest of the troupes leauing behinde them the cruellest slaughter that euer was done by two knights They arriued to the hill where the Lady was there they dismounted to speake to her who full of ioy guided by Loue embraced the Pagan thanking him for his kinde carefull rescue She on the instant perceiued her committed error but could not salue it for Lyrianas skilfull Louer straight iudged the cause and being glad thereof knowing the Pagans will and considering of the signes which the Ladie had showen of her affection towardes him saide to trie what would come of it Now is the time sir knight to end our former battell that I may right the Ladie which hath called me from so farre countries Both Louers were mooued by the Gréekes wordse but passing that fitte and waighing what he had done Abstrusio thus replied Oh Ioue forfende braue Knight that séeing you haue so often saued my life this day I should now imploy it against your seruice The glorie and victorie of the fight is yours and more then it deserues your valor which the heauens haue imparted you and though it bee more then hell for me to liue without this soueraigne Ladie so I may séeme gratefull to your deseruings my selfe shall force my selfe to forgoe this happinesse which is the onely nourisher of my forlorne life Woorthie the honour of your high merits excellent knight hath this your answere béene said Rosabell and I doe in heart wish my faint woorthes were now equal to my will that I might were it but in part pay the great bonds your liberall bountie hath bound me in and since this Ladie is now infranchised and frée I am readie as I promised her Damzell to conduct her to her kingdome or where else she please Whereto she spake Euer since sir knight my fortunes made mee néed your helpe I put my honour in your
He inquired of the Damzell the cause why with such spéede shee hasted his departure For none other sir knight replied the Damzell but to see one of the fairest Ladies in the greatest daunger in the world and knowing that onely in your presence rests her remedie and in the least delay the greatest death that euer befell to any is sure on her For know most valiant Knight that in the kingdome of Tentoria there is a Lady no lesse beautifull then adorned with all good quallities and graces of the minde Shee was and is beloued of all her subiects because they know that chastitie beautie holds in her one equall degrée of soueraigntie Through the onely fame of her perfections with her the mightie Dardario fell in loue who was said to be the valiantest Gyant in the vniuerse Hee with a puissant hoast came vnto her land though peaceably with him hee brought a sonne vnknighted for his yeares did not allow it who became farre mightier then his father He sent his Ambassadors to our Quéene to let her know of his comming and demaund which was to marrie her A thousand times was my Lady about to stay her selfe to auoyde a match so vnequall She called a Councell of her Nobilitie who resolued to withstand him with fierce warre by reason there were many valiant knights that would loose their liues to defend their Quéen and countries safetie for although they sawe the Gyant come with signes of peace yet doubttng the woorst had gathered a great armie of men because they would not be suddainly surprised There were many voyces among them that the Quéen should marrie him being Lord of al the Isles in the Adriaticke Sea But in the ende most part agréed they should rather die with honour in fielde then for feare suffer such a marriage Eight daies respite had the Gyants giuen them for their aunswere In which time the beauteous Syrinda commending her affaires vnto the Gods and her wit she resolued on the greatest déed that euer Ladie did imagine Shee acquainted it with her Captaines and Councell of warre which are the shiefest Lords in her land and this it was That she would séeme to consent to his desire and that she durst vndertake in the night of her wedding day to giue the Gyants head vnto her Knights who should be in readinesse to issue vpon their enemies whose vanquishment would be easie being with the Feasts carelesse and vnarmed Almost all the Councell approoued my Ladies deuise and praying the immortall Gods to giue her good successe therein they aduertised the Gyants thereof that with extreame ioy was almost besides himselfe All his subiects laying by their armes with gallant shewes welcommed her answere Two daies after the proude Dardaria entred the Cittie with his soonne Abstrusio whom hee begot on a strong Gyantesse and so issued like his Parents He onely carried his bigge Cemitor at his side accōpanied with two Knights richly adorned and himself in robes of inestimable valor with a triple crowne on his head woorth a kingdome with Princely brauerie was he entertained by the dissembling Syrinda whom the fierce pagan imbraced with the greatest content in the world thinking himselfe in heauen séeing the Ladies excéeding beautie who with a thousand fained loue toyes inueigled the disarmed Gyant The desired night being come which was eternall to the Pagan and supper ended hee was most sumptuously brought to his bedde where the Lady faining some modest shame to be séene naked so long deferred her going to bedde that the force of the many meates and wine forced him into a sound sléepe Hee neuer more awaked for the Lady seeing her aduantage drew foorth a sharpe two edged Dagger which she thrice stabbed in his brutish breast pearcing his heart therewith Now that the couragious Dame was assured of his death she brauely cut off his head and presently gaue it to those knights shée had appoynted to expect it They tooke it extreamely ouerioyed and conueyed the Quéene and Ladies out of the Pallace for feare of some danger that might happen the next day With great desire they expected his comming whereon scarce had the Sunne sent foorth his messengers of morne when an alarme was sounded through all the Citie they of the Campe without thinking it was in honour of the Nuptialls replyed with all their millitary Instruments In an instant were aboue fiftie thousand men Armed whereof fiue thousand assaulted the Pallace leauing none aliue that with Dardario came except his haughtie sonne that hearing the noyse ranne foorth with one of the bedde postes making such pittiful slaughter that none durst assault him He got some weapons of those that were slaine wherewith his déeds are incredible But being alone and by so many thousands assaulted his death was certaine which the sturdie youth perceiuing got vnto the Camp where being come he found it so disordered and so many sayle and the rest so affrighted that he could scant méete with any that might tell him the cause of so great euil in the ende hee came to knowe it with such great griefe as he was about to kil himselfe his fathers Armour he put on and the first he met guirded him his sword The fury that possest the youth when he sawe his fathers head pearched on a pole vppon the highest Turret of the Citie cannot most valiant Knight be credited Hée went foorth into the fielde roaring like a Bull and killing without mercy but his force was to small purpose for all his Army was discomfited and the Quéenes subiects behaued themselues so well that ere the day was halfe spent they had put the better thrée parts of their foes to the sword and gaue chase to the rest euen to their shippes wherein sore wounded as many as could imbarke themselues and among them the mightie Abstrutio purposing with newe powers to returne and with fire and sword to destroy our kingdome In his he arriued where his intent he presently put in execution not without griefe to sée that of fortie thousande men his father had carried with him he had returned backe againe scarce fiue thousand The Paganne spoyles left all our lande excéeding rich and our Quéene with the greatest Honour that euer Lady obtained Notwithstanding the great tryumphes made for so happie victorie yet would they not liue carelesse of their safetie but euery day mustred trained their souldiers and strengthning all their garrisons with the best men in the land because they would not loose what was obtained for want of diissipline béeing assured the sonne would come to reuenge the fathers death whose body was cast out for foode vnto the byrdes and beasts But now Magnanimious Knight returning to our purpose the murthered Gyant had in his owne Pallace my Ladies liuely counterfeite which he had caused to be made when hee first became enamoured of her This being left at home came to his sonnes hands which daily frequenting and the helpe of his tender yeares with continuall consideration
I rusht vpon him saying The time and place doeth now fit discourteous Prince that the death of one of vs shall testifie the vallor of the other I being alone and himselfe accompanied with two made them the bolder all thrée to assaile me I refused them not but valiantly put my selfe among them I mortally wounded one which gaue me way the sooner to méet with the vnhappie Prince who so litle liued to enioy his louing hopes for driuing him before me til he was vnder his Mistresse window with a strong thrust I ranne him through where the blinde Goddesse of Chaunce séemed yet to fauour him as to be stucke to his Ladies wall At the last grone wherewith he yéelded his soule I heard another the fearfullest that euer before or since I heard because it procéeded from Pollinarda It so daunted me that I had like to haue bene taken all the knights guard with others being thither come As secretly as I might I shrunke away til I had time to set my safetie on my féete getting to my Lodging saying nothing of what had happened vnto my friend yet had he questioned me about it he could not but haue perceiued it What else befel the next Chapter shall rehearse CHAP. XXVIII How the Prince of Apulia with much pitie continued the discourse of his life vnto the Greeke Princes TO proue how many daungers and perillous inconueniences the disordinate passion of inconsiderate Loue doth cause there shall néede no arguments nor preambles of large discourses to auerre it for the experience that euery one sustaines by paines and griefes thereof togither with the opinion of that famous Philosopher that said If this disordered Motiue of intemperate and furious motions had not bene indengered in the breasts of mortalls as some plague and scourge for euils infinit and Capitall deadly crimes had neuer bene committed nor imagined Well is this saying confirmed by the vnhappy death of the Calabrian prince at the hands of the Apulian Florisiano who with equal grace and griefe prosecuted the tenor of his woes thus The bitter exclamatios that sounded in the Pallace braue knights and the hurliburly of the Citie séemed no lesse then had it bene round begirt with enemies Dead as he was he was carried to the Lady so she gaue in charge for louing him so dearly in his life she would not in his death forsake him She did lamentably bewaile ouer the murthered Corpes when I disguised came thither for I could not but go and sée her of whose sorrow I had bene the causer Oh cruell heauens said the wofull Ladie with what barbarous immanitie haue you extended your rygorous power on me more then on any Ladie else Oh Sauadge and inhumane wretch murtherer of my soule may it be there shall want Iustice where such bloodie déedes haue abounded Ay me vnfortunate Prince how cruelly in thy tender yeares art thou by an vntimely death persecuted A thousand times did she sound vpon the deceased Truncke holding it in her lappe So extreame were my passions Syr knights that to sée him in that manner I almost became iealous iudging I had fauoured him by so sheading of his blood that in death were it not sencelesse to enioy so swéete a fauour Considering my great intyer loue my state for his I would haue chaunged By little and little I approached so neare her that lifting vp her eyes she met with him that was cause of all her sorrowe shée supposing it cried out aloude and saide Why doo you suffer the bloodie murtherer with such presumption to appeare thus before the murthered Oh Gods sufficient strength did I then desire sufficiently to be reuenged Some of the dead Princies Allyes did suddainly arise which forced me without farther regard to shewe my selfe guiltie of the fact by drawing my weapons Aboue fortie swords did presently flie about mine eares The Pillers of the yarde whither I was got following Pollinarda defended my backe whereby hauing slaine thrée or foure the rest with feare retired giuing me leaue to returne vnto the place where the Ladie continued her laments There I said I would yeelde both my selfe and my weapons into the Princesse hand So ioyfully I resolued to accompany the dead prince to please the Ladie and therevpon taking my sword by the point prostrated on my knées I said Most excellent Ladie if any offence hath bene committed it hath beene with this wherewith you may take what reuenge you will on mée that was the executioner thereof Beléeue me heroicke knights there is no crueltie like to that kindled within the breast of an angry woman peremptorily resolued for so she may haue her will no life she doth respect She tooke the sword and with inraged courage she offered to execute what I had accounted my happinesse so she were contented but her strength fayled her in the execution of the blow falling after the blade in a traunce whose point scratching my Front did let foorth my blood And though greater wounds then that I had not felt yet that I noted when the Lady returning to her selfe I spied my deare blood on her face as the spoyles of her intent A sufficient marke was that braue knights to asswage the greatest paine Millions of thankes gaue I Fortune for it attributing that hap to her for being so rare it could not but procéed from such a blinde distributresse of vnexpected benefits I had no power to defend me from those that assailed me being weaponlesse who had giuē me a thousand deaths much more one but that my friend and faithfull Lysander arriued at the instant who drawing his sword approued his friendship to be great by shielding me from a shamefull death though not from a rygorous prison where the King commaunded me that night to be cast in shewing himselfe to be most excéedingly angry and gréeued You may easily suppose woorthie Syrs what I might féele being in that sort imprisoned especially when the next day I was adiudged in the open place to bee beheaded I did not so much sorrowe to be ledde to die as to depart in my Ladies disgrace Who moste like an eager Tyger of Hyrcania stil cryed and yelled out for reuenge But it pleased my inconstant chance from whence I gather I was reserued to suffer greater paines that I should knowe my Iaylor being a knight both gentle and kinde whom by deserts I had bound to pleasure me for in former times I had no lesse saued him then his life defending it from them that would haue spilt it Hee much encouraged me saying he would for my sake vndertake any perill béeing thereto long since indebted His kindnesse did much comfort me although I neuer imagined to steale from prison for all he would haue set mee at libertie for I was resolued to die louing her by that meanes working my Ladies content that she might sée I suffered the deserued punishment on me inflicted for so displeasing her I onely intreated him by the amitie and loue I had
THE Eighth Booke of the Myrror of Knighthood Being the third of the third Part. Englished out of the Spanish tongue Pictoribus atque poetis Quidlicet audendi semper fuit aequa potestas VIRESSIT VVLNERE VERITAS LONDON Printed by Thomas Creede for Cuthbert Burbey and are to be sold at his shop neare the Royall Exchaunge 1599. TO THE RIGHT NOBLE MAGNIFICENT and euer honoured Syr Edward wootton Knight THe grateful remembrance right Noble Syr of your many fauors extended towards my deceased vncle nothing extenuated towards my liuing Aunte crauing a supreame commaund ouer my oblyged thoghts inforceth where satisfactiō cannot equally ballance those deserts an acknowledgement of an euerlasting thankfull mind If therefore the hopes of an vntried seruant may by future merites deserue any liking or the merits of your own Heroicke worths whose sole shadow inables my weaknesse may adde corage to a discoraged spirit thus to passe the limits of welbecomming dutie Oh then pardon the presumptiō that dares choose this means to expresse his true zeale vnto your seruice For though the matter nor the methode befits neither your wisedome nor authoritie yet let the innocency of my vnstained soule be made happie by your acceptance of these fewe sheetes of blotted paper And if my audacitie which I confesse haue offended impute it to proceede by motiue from the praises of your immortall vertues whose excellencies the shril voyce of fame hauing borrowed the mouths of those that they with adamantiue power haue attracted to your affectiō hath amply propagated through the worlds wide cōtinent Or if the matter be impleasing be that fault attributed mine in selecting so fabulous a subiect to be protected by so great a Patron But yet Magnanimous sir suffer the pleasing inuentiō for the original language sake excusing that error drown the memory of the offence in the black center of obliuion But for the rude stile harsh vnpollisht phrase oh there is no comfort can expel that discōsolated fear vnles the euer memorable noblenes of your grace thinking me to be what I am not shall lightning my darknesse make me seeme gratious in your all-gracing sight omitting and remitting what euer deserueth blame by smiling on so smal a talent not vtterly cōdemne my immaculate sinceritie to your neuer-dying worthines Whose perpetuitie togither with all your most happie desires may the omnipotent powers of that almightie maiestie whose breath commands both heauen earth and seas effectuate with eternall felicitie Euermore deuoted to your Worships seruice L. A. TO THE COVRTEous Reader BY confessing my owne many faultes iudge me kind Gentlemen worthy lesse blame But beleeue me by reposing too much confidence on the Presse hath not only aggrauated but most grosely added to my errors making mee hault downe right before your presence like an abortiue childe thrust into the world before his time VVhere you dislike vtterly dispise not but thinke I would bee what I am not and so for your sakes wishe I were twentie times farre better Neuerthelesse let not my offences staine the deserued praises which the sweete Poeticall inuentions of a speciall and my most deare friende hath intermixt with my rude prose doth merite For his sake my hopes are the stronger which intreate your gentle censures on my well-meaning intent amending where there is no cause of commending so shall I still remaine debtor for your courtesies vntill with larger satisfaction I may in part manifest my due thankfulnesse L. A. THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE THIRD PART OF THE Myrror of Knighthood Conteining the high and mighty deeds of the sonnes and Nephews of the Emperor Trebatio with the valiant acts of other Princes and Knights Togither with the excellent deeds of warlike Ladies with the end and dissolution of the three most famous Inchauntments of Lyriana Roselia of Rome and the Celebrated bewteous Linda Brydes Princesse of the Scythians CHAP. I. Who Brauorant was and why he left the Serpentarian Isle to passe into Grecia WHen the dreadfull report of cruell Armes and Warre mentioned in the third Booke of the first part of this Historie was noysed through all the Pagan Nations assembling and in one vniting their seuerall puissant Hostes vnder the conduct and commaund of Alicandro mightie Emperour of the Sythians marching vnder his Ensignes against the Grecians with intent of mortall reuenge vtterly to subuert that Monarchy leuelling Constantinople the seate of their Empyre with the earth with perpetuall desolation Thither then to these euer memorable Warres accompanied this Scythian Monarche one that for strength valour and high déeds held ouer all Pagan Knights and mightie Gyants chiefe soueraigntie in all military actions as being of the fearcest sole supreme Lord called the Gran Bradamante Campeon who procuring to eternize the memory of his linage desired to haue a sonne so absolute in all accomplishments that ioyfully he might passe this life with assurance that none but he should imperate all those Orient Isles in whose Conquest he had shead so much humane blood To effect which desire he begot the most mightie Bramarant of himselfe the onely homecide as Lirgandeo in the first Booke of the second part hath recorded With like intent as the Father departed the sonne for ere hee left his Countrey hée procured it being in loue with a Gyantesse whose fame for valour did penetrate the vaultie skies With this went hée wondrous gladly to spill so much Grecian blood where both Father and Sonne founde theyr Sepulchres in the Gréeke fields Now then dooth Galtener record that composed these two Parts howe the Gyantesse conceiued by the Famous Bramarante and at the expiration of her time of trauell was deliuered of a childe for strengthe moste admirable if not vnmatchable expectation For nourishing and bringing him vp as the proud father was not with humane milke but of Ounces Tygers and Lyonesses whereof that Island yéeldes infinite At twelue yeares of age he was as bigge and greate as any Knight of highest stature No wilde beaste coulde outrunne him howe swifte soeuer hée were For so admirable was the lightnesse of the sturdie youth that hée would ouertake them in their course and with his hands disioynt them péece by péece on whose fleshe hée fedde Being of fouretéene yeares hée caused an Armour to bee made of scales of Fish bredde in the Arthlanticke Sea whose strength equalled the finest Diamonde they were somewhat darke of colour but hée garnisht them with Pearles and other riche stones so excellently that they séemed naturally to haue growne there He was not of bodie disproportioned as other Gyants but composed of such orderly well knit members that onely in strength he was accounted Gyantiue The newes of his father and Grandsires death he receiued ere he receiued the order of knighthood which hee himselfe of himselfe did take saying None merited the honour to giue him that dignitie and so became both agent and patient to aduance his pride vnto the end of his desire which was so great that
halfe it tooke away making him shake like an Aspen leafe They were both most skilfull so turned they to second others and the Affricanian let flie a poynt which the youth surely felt who reacht him ere he could fetch home his arme with a crosse counterbuffe on the side of his helme that all that part he left disarmed ouerturning him more then hee willingly would on his left stirrope it was no occasion to be lost so assalting with his sword inwards before he could ward it did giue another no lesse dangerous on his sight so mightie that the blood gusht from his nose Neuer was troden Serpent more rigorous then now the Affrican returned that seeing himselfe so handled crushing one tooth with another with his blade mounted on high executed on his helme such a blowe that it almost strooke him sencelesse Hee well perceiued his alteration so tooke he the aduantage entring with a cruell thrust had not his armes béene as they were there had the battell ended but they were so strong that the sword could not enter them so sliding thence it lighted twixt the buckles of his brest cutting down his strong male and he was happie to shrinke his bodie to himselfe else hee had béene mortally wounded He past his carrier so swiftly that the Scythian could not strike him when he wold With such nimblenes returned the haughtie Affrican that his courage amazed the inuincible youth But now was hee at the vtmost of his rage and willing to make it known casting his shield at his backe let driue at him a most mightie blowe Ward it with his sword and the remnant of his shielde would the Affrican it was of no defence for from one to the other end it was clean diuided in two and méeting with his sword both made so cruell a stroke on his helme that though it contained two fingers in thicknesse he gaue him a perilous wound on his left side The Mauritanian would not deserre his payment for closing his sword firmly and séeing him without shield discharged the puissance of his armes on his sure helme it was it saued his life and his head from cleauing neuerthelesse it was so heauie that it strooke him along vpon his coursers backe redoubling another vppon his broad breast that it almost stopt the passage of his breath Admirable was the sight of the more then cruell fight for Apollo hauing made his course vnto the middest of the vaultie heauens there stayed to gaze vpon their warre glad to sée the warriours that without signe of aduantage had foure houres maintained their fierce combat Yet something better sped the Scythian by reason of his inpenitrable armes that kept his bodie from cutting Which was not so with the Mauritanian for in some places was he sore hurt but yet was no cause to make him shewe any faintnesse it rather increased his courage to sée his blood inamell the earth Amazed stood the gallant Ladie to viewe the Pagans battel iudging the worlds whole strength was twixt these two reparted Greatly she desired to giue order in parting them imagining that with the death of any Greece she lost one of the valiantest and greatest enemies she had This toucht her verie soule yet would she not séeme to disgrace the mightie Brauorant so shee againe regazed on the fight thinking in the end he would get the better seeming most Maister thereof He gaue the other a blowe ere she could terminate her presumption vppon his helme that in a trance hee strooke him on his horse crupper A while was he carried so about the field yet not so long that he might second another ere hee recouered himselfe Who like a Hercanian Tiger with his sword twixt both handes executed his rage vpon his shield so mightily did it ioyne with his head that it astonisht him and with another almost ouerthrewe him The raging mountain Lyonesse wanting her whelps is like a milde lambe compared with the puissant matchlesse Scythian that renouncing his Gods with execrable blasphemies spurd against the Moore and so eager was he in his carrier that he closed so neare hee could not execute his blowe more then cast his armes about him with such power that he snatcht him from his saddle whose waight forest him to leaue his stirropes leape after him falling both on the hard ground with more strength they imbraced then doth the tender Iuie incompasse about the sturdie Oake A good while tumbled they vp and downe the earth till séeing neither could so vanquish his aduersarie at once they parted repairing to their weapons whose sight once more might satisfie any minde of the like desire for if the Mauritanian be nimble the Scythian is a Roe in swiftnesse Here might Mars himselfe learne as in a schoole and with militarie principles gorge his sight For being a foote on ground it was admirable to note the dexteritie wherewith they assaulted and skilful manner of retires More noyse made they then Vulcans Cyclopean workemen Thrée houres of the afternoone were past and they without feare of any losse redoubled their blowes as in the beginning More vsed to armes was the Moore but the youth was borne with his stéeled coate finding ease amiddest the greatest warre so beganne hee to vaunt of his aduantage to the Mauritanians coste that beeing wounded beganne to faint yet not so plainly but would diuers times put his battell in hazard By this would Tytans shining beames obscure his splendor drenching it in the Spanish Ocean when the Ladie apparantly sawe the aduantage on Brauorants partie and iudged him sufficiently honored therewith leapt from her horse and stepping betwéene them said Apart apart braue warriours for it is no reason about a trifle of so small importance you should make the world Orphant of your persons Captiuated was the Pagan in the giues of his Ladies gallantnesse that he replied thus Heroicke Knight though in some respect I be herein wronged I wil not worke your discontent and do leaue the battle in this estate I take vpon me valiant knight said he the wrong offered you if it be any to leaue the fight and I doubt not but this knight wil take it well to cease it at this time Well perceiued the Mauritanian he might be fully perswaded now to haue the worst so he answered he was content and they should not want another time to ende it Thankfull vnto him for it was Floraliza and offering him her friendship the Moore departed bearing with him inough to talke off in his Citie of the Scythians courage They sat them downe and the youth tooke off his helme the like did the Ladie discoursing of Brufaldoros brauery This vertue among the rest greatly adorned Brauorant that he neuer tooke from any the merites that he thought him worthie of So was he first in giuing a beginning to Brufaldoros praises No better medicine could come to the lustie youth then the sight of that humane Goddesse whose bewtie had so inchaunted his sences that
in handling my affaires you make me your euerlasting friend I know not why I should not openly reueale my secrets to you though to my cost for it wil not discontent him who hath placed all felicitie so faithfully to loue And to this end it wil be good the Prince of Dacia should goe to the suspitious knights lodging that he may at large know what hereaway hath happened To morrow I wil send him one of my Damzels to shewe it him For it behoues the Gréeke Prince to returne to prison least he be mist Whereto the Dacian answered With whatsoeuer your soueraigne bewtie shall commaund will I rest most contented For here now we only wil procure yours although therein I hazard my life I hoped no lesse of such a knight said she for such as you in defending I receiue no wrong ought to shewe they be knights And hereupon they departed appointing that with his Page and Dwarffe he should go to the groue of Louers whither they would aduise him by Fausta the next day what shall be done and surely making the doore fast she tooke the Gréeke Prince by the hand saying I am sorie renowned Prince to haue put you in so many daungers in my behalfe but I trust in the diuine powers I shall one day shewe my selfe not vngratefull he answered Small is not the wrong I receiue by those words your soueraigne beautie being assured that if I haue or shall haue any content it is onely to procure yours and beléeue me of little desert is the hazard of my life in so necessarie daunger and so much the more knowing that in Venus seruice any perill is a pastime I le suffer my self to be flattered herein said she that my beautie hath obtained so good credit And because I thinke it is reason you returne to the Tower heere put off your armour for these will I kéepe with me to put me in remēbrance how much I am indebted to their Maister With such grace she disarmed him that she disgraced Cynthia in her pride though then she séemed more faire then when shee visited Endymion Hee tooke his leaue of the Ladie and going through the Caue they mounted the staires where in his chamber hee found his trustie Polisandro with the discréet Fausta that expected him with some feare of his long tarrying although they had not gréeued had he a little longer stayed for the damzels wittie chat had attracted the Pages affection and were they wise they had not deferde the execution of their desires since so good opportunitie the Gréeke had giuen them with his absence Galtenor doth not expresse it onely saith that when the Prince of Croacia went to ayde Greece and carried Venus and Fausta with him that she séeing Polisandro there knighted was contented to bee made a Ladie a manifest token for any suspected minde to thinke they had contracted it From thence went the damzell accompanied with Polisandro to Venus chamber and returned to the Prince closed the Caue after him of whom he vnderstood the Dacian was the knight that helpt him Who being out of the garden mounted on his swift Tirio and alighted in the Forrest he was appoynted whither he was directed as one that well knew it by the dwarffe that with him and his Page in pleasant chat past away most part of the night glad to haue occasion wherein he might helpe his cousin So the time to take some rest being come he stept aside from them and lying along the gréen grasse with his head on his helme he slept the greatest part of the night and taking his shield straight went towards that place and comming to a spacious plaine at the farther end thereof he could discerne some shepheards that attended their flockes They were talking of their common-wealth affaires entermingling them with matters of Loue. The haughtie Dacian arriued and assuring them from the feare they conceiued by his comming said Feare not gentle shepheards for my comming is not to discontent you saue onely throughly to heare your discourses of amorous cares One of them that séemed to commaund the rest aunswered Wee very much estéeme sir Knight of the good opinion you haue of the Esclauonian shepheards and beléeue me there is no reason to conceiue the contrarie especially of those that féede their flockes in the groue of Louers for here with most efficacie doth Loue manifest his power vnto vs because true loue should neuer bee wanting from among these spreading mirtles on whose leaues and growing barkes is the life of those Louers written to incourage him that languisheth séeing what they suffered whose deathes with their names named this Groue Great occasion gallant shepheards hath the hearing of this Groue béene replied the Dacian to bring me hither from my farre remoted countrie to knowe the aduenture thereof The shepheards did rest affected to him séeing his behauiour and some more precisely noting him hauing that day béene in the Cittie knew him to bee one of the Knights that had with such honour ended the battell so made aunswere To no place sir knight could you haue come to haue more truer information of the thing you desire then this for beeing so long since we haue kept our flockes heerein we haue learned of our elders why this valley is called of the Louers Whereto the Dacian saide Why then should I impute it a fauor if it bee no trouble to relate it me wherein you shall perpetually binde me In much more then this replied the discréet shepheard desire we to content yon for your déeds this day done in Alantho deserue farre much more So sat he downe among them where the shepheard began his storie in this manner When here arriued the Author and builder of this great Cittie and first King of this countrie there inhabited on the highest toppe of this mountaine a people whose quiet and pleasing dwelling through their excellent gouernment and care brought it to bee the gallantest most pleasantest Town in althis kingdom Lord of this soyle was a knight Celio by name the valiantest and of rarest constitution then knowne in all the vniuerse insomuch that he was called the Oracle of his age He had two brothers the second named Alcyno and the third Larsinio they had a sister yonger then thēselues but elder in beautie which was such that frō many places strangers came only to sée her perfeéeions on whom some lost their liues at the very first sight This Ladie called Laissa their Parents did consecrate to this Groue dedicated to Diana to administer to her rites in companie of her other vowesses they brought her there so young and she so much delighted in that solitude giuing her selfe solely to hunt that shee became so excéedingly obliuious of her Parents and kindred that she procured by all meanes possible to occult her selfe from them and all humane creatures it was easie to be done by reason of the thicknesse and intricate passages of the same which was no little ioy
deseruer of that courtesie But Fortune now alreadie wearie and angrie the earth should longer containe them ordained Alcino should sée the imbracement who not knowing his brother by reason he was armed set spurres to his horse being also in armes The Louer closed his Vizor séeing the other come in that manner and mounting on his horse stept to him saying What séeke you in such haste sir knight Onely replied the second brother to let you know the little reason you had to offer violence vnto that Ladie Inraged as well indéed he might became the vnwary youth and not supposing he was his brother turned about his Courser and saide Why then staie bolde knight for this shall chastise thy rude rashe intention Alcino cowched his Launce making their incounters with as much noyse as if two shippes had met Of mightie forces were the youthes and so they prosecuted their battle with as much strength as crueltie that the Ladie which beheld them could not but pittie the blowes which Larsinio receiued with some teares for the loue she bore his brother forced her to shead them The second brother closed with Larsinio striking away at one stroke the halfe of his shield wounding him sorely on the arme which was occasiō they cast eithers armes about the other with such power that both fell from their Saddles to the ground Striuing vp and downe they tumbled on the grasse bespringling the earth with their blood When the haughtie Celio arriued who séeing the battle not perceiuing the Ladie there lept from his horse and drawing forth his sword went towards them and said In courtesie sir knights cease a while your fights which causelesse séemes to be so fierce Either was so flesht against the other thinking the Lady offended by eithers action that vnwilling to obey their elder brother that being also in rich abillements of warre was not knowne Alcino made reply Doo not you sir knight séeke to part our Combat whose cause we haue adiudged too sufficient Notwithstanding said Celio for my sake and intreatie I hope you will leaue it It will be then answered the youngest to make you confesse you are discourteous in wishing peace where none is desired And so he being got betwéene them and they both angred togither they discharged two such blowes vpon him that he repented to haue vndertaken that demaund but being of incomparable strength quickly setled himselfe among them beginning one of the fiercest fights in the world Aboue two houres they continued hacking and without pittie cruelly cutting their armes and fleshe that euery one had aboue eight wounds The Ladie feared some vnhappie chaunce whose heart was so deliberated with feare to sée Larsinio so wounded for the others shée knew not that she could not rise nor with her voyce giue notice shée was there so we gaue occasion vnto the lamentablest and most vnluckie act that euer was acted For Celio weary of so long delay defending himselfe of the second brother with a cruell thrust to his thinking bereaft poore Larsinio of his life whose death so extreamly gréeued Alcino as if he had knowne him that dispairing of life did cast his shield to the ground and closed with his brother who doing the like so long wrasled that both fell to the earth where drawing foorth their daggers with equall blowes either stabbed in the others bodie togither at once loosing their vitall breathing to the Ladies so great sorrow that she thought to burst She rose bewayling that accursed happe and went to Larsinio tooke off his Helme and séeing him like one dead she became more then dead Néedes would shée know the others which was cause of greater euil for their Helmes being off and knowne who they were a thousande lamentations did shée breathe into the aire banning her misfortune Shée fell in a traunce and twise or thrise lost the motion of her mouing powers and at length recouering her selfe and seeing the thrée Princes for her sake with such remorselesse sauadgenesse slaine tearing the golden tramels of her amber haire whose bewtie eclipsed Apollos light thus she began her lament Oh cruel heauens wherein haue I deserued this mortal plague Or how haue I offended you should so much maligne my hopes to oppose your happie influences with such dire euent against the springing of my ioyes Had you suffered me to kéepe my life within the limits of my solitary walks these Princes had not séene me and so not viewing my ill bestowed bewtie they had not desired what soly was due to one Oh deare Princes you should haue bene contented to see your brother beloued and your selues for his sake affected to desist the procurement of your pleasure with his and your owne deaths Oh chaste Goddesse why didst thou suffer so execrable a fact hatefull abhorred and detestable were my life vnto the world should I desire to liue that sawe the timelesse end of your vnripe yeares For this oh this vaine momentary fading bewtie How oh how may she valiant Princes recompence this déed this deare and amorous déed but to immitate you in death that did Idolatrize me in life Reason had Tysbe to suffer for her Louer and Hero rather to taste of the bitter waters of death then of the actiue fire of loue that in her entrailes burned None had such reason to die as I and in speaking it to prolong my despised life I doo offend which though I might I will not enioy in absence of those thrée that did so dearly loue me Thrée liues wold I haue heroike Princes to bestow on either one being debter vnto you for thrée but since I cannot to thée swéete Celio my soule and heart I doo bequeath my good will and affection to Alcyno and Larsinio and my poore chaste life with my immaculate and vnspotted thoughts to thée most sacred Goddesse do I I sacrifice in extenuation of my fault Wherevpon with mortall fury she drew Celios sword and setting her brest to the sharpe point she offered her life to deaths tryumphing spoiles Which no sooner was effected but the blew heauens with thicke fogs and mysts was clowded with thundring and lightning and innumerable horrible voyces that strooke deadly terror in the harmelesse people who with their flockes and heards of cattle perished Their bodies were neuer found nor if is not knowne what is become of them more then that their liues and deaths with the maner and occasion was found carued in carrecters vpon some Okes there adioyning where some shepheards haue often séene a Caue from whence issues such flames and smoake that it consumed the Trées neare to it and it is many yeares since none dares through feare let their flocks féed thereabouts This is sir knight what you haue demaunded and of so many reports the truest where the shepheard ended Naturally was the Prince couragious and desirous of such aduentures and so very earnest did he inquire for the Caue determining to enter and see what it contained The shepheards shewed it him
who gaue him no longer time for this consideration for the two that on horsebacke remained returned to ouerthrow him Hee could not defend himself for the course was short and so headlong they ouerturned him Ere he could rise Celio stept to him with the greatest blow he had in al his life receiued for it had almost strooke him sencelesse laying him all along vpon the earth All this was no meanes to put the Dacian from his skilfull procéeding for ere he could second another like a furious Lyon he rose on his féet resolued to expect them Hee sawe himselfe in daunger of death for the two that remained on horsebacke with quicke and suddaine carriers so opprest him as he lost his hope with honour to issue out of that enterprise Among the horses he setled himselfe strongly A thing worthie his valour he did for his shield forwards he expected Larsinio that to incounter him had aduanced himselfe but no more he mooued him then if he had runne against a rock whom with his horse staggering back the Dacian forced to fall whereat the Prince was glad knowing that on foote he could better deale with them So he stept aside letting Alcino passe and as he went gaue him such a thrust which was it that assured him the victorie making him therewith maugre his strength to leaue his saddle For all this he had no cause to boast of the blowe for the inraged Celio ranne to him with both hands laying on his rich helme the temper gaue him his life else had his head downe to his necke béene diuided yet made he the blood in great abundance gush through his nose By this were the other two vp with their swords in hand It was a combat most worthie Cupids sight for the thrée are mightie and the Dacian the same he was woont and a foote stronger then Mars hée shewed himselfe like a cunning fencer setting forth at length his shield and sword to intice them to make offer Herein hee preuailed for most blowes he receiued on his shield which being inpenetrable they did not so much as race it In this manner a while he behaued himselfe but hee iudged it cowardise so to end the battell wherefore brauely he rusht among them well couering himselfe with his shield and as hee past he gaue the second brother such a counterbuffe on the helme striking away a great part of his vizor that it was aduenture he had not done so by his head Downe along the breast descended the sword making there a long daungerous wound with another he would haue ended that battell had the other two let him But the haughtie Celio with impoysoned rage entred so much inwards that at his pleasure hee could discharge his furie on the toppe of the inchaunted shield not able to cut it yet so waightie was the blow that thrée or foure steppes staggering backwards it forced him Larsinio was not ydle for with a strong point he thrust at his brest He felt the blow for it depriued him of his breaths passage The two brothers had not discharged their blowes when the wounded Alcyno returned and with both hands gaue him a most mightie stroke Rezound with Eccho did the gréene fields by the warriors sterne stupendious blowes And the angrie Iudge was astonished to sée with what crueltie they assayled each other Aduantage had the warrelike Dacian in his armour for though he was tired yet they had no scarre Otherwise was it with the brothers for the fielde was besprinkled with their blood Don Elenos celeritie much auailed him else he had not got the victorie so cheape but it and the surenesse of his armes makes it certaine Thrée houres haue they fought making no shewe of fainting in the end of which was the Dacian alreadie at the extreamest of his rage thinking he had the worst of the fight so casting his shield at his backe and with his sword twixt both hands began to brandish it among them quicker then the Cyclopian Smithes doo their crooked hammers and as he could not misse them he gaue no blowe but fetcht blood In the selfe same Coyne doo they paie him for the thrée more fiercer then Alcydes assayled him so brauely that if he giues he receiues and in greater quantitie with equall quallitie Now skill and dexteritie preuailes not with him all he remits to blowes wherewith he rents cuts and in péeces shiuers their armor priuy coates and shields He would first dispatch Celio which most troubled him so getting from the two entered to him and in his assault with a downright blowe he cut away his shield with al his vanbrace and a great péece of his shoulder Scarce had he done it whē with a point he turned against the second thrusting thrée parts of his sword vnder his arme pit where had he put foorth his arme as he mought for euer had he there laine Vpon Larsinos waste he discharged his furie so fiercely that it was a wonder he had not in two diuided him The heauens preserued him to paie his iealousie although against the Dacian Prince he lost thereby In his very soule was Celio vext to sée with what rygor that one knight handled them that taking his sword strongly in his fist aymed aloft giuing Alcyno time to giue him a dangerous blow on the thigh for falling betwéene a ioynt it made him a wound outwards so great was the paine as he could not stand on that legge which the brothers perceiuing and assuring themselues the victory began to oppresse him so vehemently as they depriued him of breathing Eager herein séemed the third brother and would make some shewe of his valour but it rezulted to his deare cost For Don Eleno noting his intent gaue back as fearing the rest and so let the third enter who being within his reach with incredible force laide him on the head he cut away most of his Helme with a great péece of his head tumbling him at his féete helping him thereto with another no lesse strong The other two closed with him lamenting the successe He could not refuse the wrasle He entred thereto aduisedly first drawing foorth his dagger quickly they fell on the ground where they tumbled a good while It was aduantage for the Dacian to be so for stretching foorth his arme in that place where before Alcyno was wounded on the front there againe Don Eleno strooke him making him loose his hold with the pangs of death Then he turned on the first whom for his valour he had affected but at that instant forgetting it let flie at his brest a most cruell stabbe wherewith he ended the brauest aduenture euer in that kingdome knowne The noyse which the haughtie edefice made vanishing away was heard through all the Citie of Xantho To Cupids Throne was the Ladie conueyed in that manner as she witnessed her brothers deaths whom the God of loue thanked for her amorous act in giuing her selfe the mortall stroke of death only mooued through zealous
giuing it the shadow and her heart the substance which being so tender and vnacquainted with change tooke such impression that neuer Lady yéelded more to loue then Eufronisa Now she desires to speake to him then feares she Already becomes she suspicious that neuer learned to loue Before she knew who he was she became so skilfull in the Art that she feared whether he loued whether he could loue or acknowledge anies soueraigntie Now she that staines the blushing of the mornings Sunne becomes enuious of her owne thoughts and doth distrust her owne worths séeking new deuises and inuented meanes to be beloued deseruing for her owne bewtie Ioues immortal worship Oh Cupids blind snares happinesse in misery a plague in pleasure and grief without remedy found vnsought for and yet a torment that contains a most swéete life By her amazednesse perceiued the damzel her Ladies maladie wherefore she merily said Let vs awake this knight and try whether his bewtie haue more force waking or sléeping Doo what you wil replied she although it be no modestie considering who we be Rather waighing that I thinke it best to do it said the wittie Selia to sée what he is that hath such power ouer Ladies for if his merits equals all other parts requisite in a good knight he may call himselfe one of the happiest in the world So long continued the Ladies in their amourous chat that the Prince awaked with these words Oh fortune how doest thou flatter my hopes for if thou giuest me any good t is only dreaming that when I wake to see it I finde it but an illusion He said no more for the Ladies sight staied him both from the publishing his woes as of the cause of them He rose admiring the Ladies bewtie who first spake thus You should séeme to haue fewe enemies sir knight séeing so carelesly you lye and sléepe in passages so open that any by you offended may at his pleasure right himselfe He answered So crosse and austere hath my fortune alwaies bene most bewteous Ladie that it did neuer let me knowe the state wherin I might say I had a friend for euen my owne thoughts doo most within my brest make warre against my rest wherefore hauing none to trust vnto forceth me to set my selfe in the hands of euery one that one in this generalitie would shewe the office of a friend by taking away my despised life then as such a one I should account him for by the déed giuing me one death he riddes me of a thousand that I suffer in continuall languishment and it might I wel call life for he liues well that féeles no more pain Great is your griefe answered the Ladie and of force to drawe commiseration from the hardest heart and greater it is séeing that none pities you were it but with a counterfeit remedie noting the waight of your complaints In faith faire Ladie said the Prince so mightie are my oppressions that although I know them and the paine I endure by them yet I must suffer them for if I liue it is by liuing in paine so that should I but neuer so litle ease this paine it would be séene in the want of my health If it doth so please you replied the Ladie vniustly you complaine and I thinke you greatly wrong your Ladie terming her cruel My complaints most soueraigne Ladie are not so much ment against my lifes directnesse as against my vnhappie starres that make me infortunate in fauours but not in my imployment for neuer was any better but in such a place where my griefs be scorned Some reason you haue said the Lady hauing this occasion to bewaile for where sorrow is not regarded there is a double griefe and gladly would I know who you are and where borne for you séeme a straunger in these parts I cannot but obey your soueraigne commaund most excellent Lady answered the Gréeke I was borne in the farthest Confines of great Tartaria and am called Corolano cast by fowle weather and tempest of the sea on this Countrey passing so many troubles that had I not receiued such vnexpected comfort with your faire sight no doubt but that my soule séeing the bodie drenched in misery and as vnworthie to containe it had it forsaken me but to enioy within it the view of your happie sight gaue life to her liuelesse habitation And that I may commit no error for it is impossible but I haue incurred some suffer my prayers by your admittance to make me deseruer to know the name of the land so happie in the possession of such admirable brauery Quickly doo you require a payment for the discouery of your name Sir knight replied Selia for the Princesse could not busied in her new and painfull businesse but because you shall not altogither iudge your selfe vnfortunate in your pretences know this land is called Sylepsia whereof this Lady is Princesse and going on hunting we lost our company and our selues yet wee haue not hunted ill hauing founde the amourousest knight in the world and so according to your showes none like you haue better assuraunce of the Louers Tent whose aduenture was newly brought into this Cittie and the proofe thereof shall within these foure daies be begunne and little shall you not please vs to hazard your person in the tryall I am so ill prouided of Armor and other necessaries faire damzell answered the tender Prince that though I were vnwilling to do it yet to content your bewties with them I would try it assured that for louing and being vnfortunate to me the glory is onely due This want shall not hinder you said Eufronisa for I will furnish you with the best armor that euer you saw earst belonging to the first king that raigned in this countrey named Tersio equall in soueraigntie of Fortitude and Wisedome strengthened by Art and skill wherewith he forged them and neuer were séene by any These I le send you by this damzell first swearing you shall not absent your selfe from this Kingdome without my leaue and in our Pallace shall you be cherished The amorous Lady spake so plainly as the Prince could perceiue Loues new wound There is none so destitute of iudgement but wold haue weighed what he obtained to be beloued of so faire a dame for if the Prince had euer séene pure bewtie she was the perfect stampe therof in whose creation Nature the olde Mars of liuing forme had shewed the vtmost of her skill modeling her liniaments more absolute then thought could wish Among so fewe yeares as they both had was neuer seene completer excellencies so he answered Who dares most soueraigne Lady shew himselfe so vngratefull to the fauours imparted by your rare bewty as to commit a fault so hainous to depart from you without your license I am so long since captiue to anothers wil as now to acknowledge it anew is no pain but rather chéefest happines knowing to whom I owe seruice Why then said she we may be gon
with many valiant straungers that about it were thither come As these two warriours passed through the stréetes al the peoples eies they drew after them admiring to sée them so well armed of so braue disposition Gallanter Knights were not in that Cittie séene of many yeares before As too and fro the streetes were crossed by passengers that went to the Court and they doing the like the sunnes splendent rayes reuerberated on their glittering armour as no sence could more desire The amorous Eufronisa lost not this sight for standing on a turret she sawe the maiesticke pacing of her gallant and said vnto her selfe shée had giuen him but litle to make him Lord only of her hart There is no. Ladie saide Loues newe Scholler that hath more reason to loue then I since in my opinion the Gods haue not reserued vnto themselues more grace more brauerie nor more woorth then they haue bestowed on this knight Somwhat did this deefied couple prick their horses and passing vnder the Ladies being the Gréek made his bend his knées to the ground and his head lower then his brest The Ladie séeing it raised her selfe to do him courtesie which as a fauor she bestowed not respecting how she might be noted for it Near her stood her wittie Selia that burst into these words I cannot blame you soueraigne Princesse for louing him that was borne to be beloued and if for him you suffer he hath with him a remedie for your greatest maladie and therefore doo not complaine for if you do I le sweare you do dissemble She answered If there wore any with him that would so well plead my deserts to him as hee hath here to read his merits to my beléefe it might bee I should bee able to dissemble my paine when it takes me yet can I not denie what thou alledgest for his gallant behauior is a comfort in middest of my greatest woes The two famous Knights alighted for the hall being one of the fairest in the world was full of knights that expected the proofe of the Louers Pauillion In the outward yarde they left their horses and as friends togither entred into the hall hauing round about an infinite of rich seates excepting a corner purposely hung and reserued for the Ladies that then entred whose beautie and brauerie delighted euerie heart The most beauteous Eufronisa would not differ in her colour of garments from the Brittains armor apparrelling her selfe al in white imbrodered with red roses that neuer to the Ladies sight it admitted no compare The Gréeke did note it well smiled at it This occasion expected Cupid to yoake the brest of warlike Astorildo that in scorne of him had long time led his life and so with the sight of the Ladies rare beautie he was beset with new desires féeling his heart subdued A wound was this he receiued that onely death cured for that solely had power to remedie it for the Ladie busied her eies gazing on the Gréek he thinking on Lyriana in whom his hopes life felicitie consisteth So that only Loue must please this third intruder for Astorildo alreadie loues his life depends on his alienation now he gréeues for appoynting combat with the Greeke séeing it toucheth what hee adores and with a word he hath euen now changed his opinion by beeing in loue and without hope euer to obtain any recompence for his distresse And yet the Ladie scorning the firmnesse wherewith he loues her placeth it in affecting him that laughes at her because he dotes vpon Lyriana So the Ladies sate them down being aboue a hundreth in number daughters to the chiefe Nobles of the Realme When all were silent an ancient graue man for so he was that brought the Tent did set it in middle of the hall A fairer péece was neuer séene it was all of blew Sattin imbroderad with Artechokes of golde set with so many stones that their splendor depriued the sight of it At the doore thereof appeared two knights richly armed that séemed to challenge the fight of euery one present within was séene a faire throne wheron sate a Lady of excéeding beautie holding in her hands a crowne of inestimable value Thus euery one expecting to knowe of the ancient knight the sum of the aduenture the Ladies and knights yéelding him gratefull audience he beganne to recite the cause of his comming whose relation deserues a new Chapter inferring mee to intreat of you faire wonders of natures beauties like attention for now haue I most néede thereof expressing a matter of it selfe so worthie to be knowne CHAP. XV. How the knight ending his relation of his aduenture his knights began to prooue it and what them befell MOst high and mightie King of Sylepsia began the ancient knight in the Southerne parts and regions of the world there sometimes dwelled a man in the hidden and secret misteries of Art and Nigromanticke spels the skilfullest of his time whose knowledge and great wisedome could not keepe him from the snares of deceitfull loue who intrapt him with the beautie of Belisa daughter to the king of Arabia the Felix one of the fairest Ladies on the earth who gouerned with higher thoughts admitted not the wise Nycostratos affection He atchiued many woorthie déeds in her seruice yet all would not preuaile to mooue the Ladies loue nor yet to shew him one counterfeited fauor which put him in such desperation as daily he neglected the estimation of his credit more more lost his health On this Ladie were also inamored two Princes alike in valour and deserts though one was more happie hauing the Ladies fauor who fedde him with those hopes that they are woont to giue their louers al which was woorse then death to the wise man as also to the other knight reiected So Nycostrato knowing it as also the approach of his liues fatall houre finding that Belisa was cause thereof purposed ere he lest the world to be reuenged so formed he this wondrous Tent where hée inchanted the Ladie bereauing her of iudgement for the litle respect she had made of his great loue Also he enchaunted the two louers to defend the entrance vntill there were a knight so amorous and valiant but as vnhappie as eyther that by vanquishing might restore them their lost libertie And Belisa by the Lady that without exception best deserued the tytle of constant Louer yet woorse rewarded for onely this to be fayrest must frée enchaunted Belisa In the estate they be they suffer many torments for so pleased it Nycostrato the more to satisfie his reuenge That knight that is fauoured by Fortune shall end the Combat must after leade the Lady that will prooue the aduenture In many courts of mightie kings haue we bene hoping to finde some knight to set a periode to our trauell but the Princes being valiant and the Lady very faire none hath preuailed no not so much as in the entrance Almost dispairing euer to finde remedie for these
thy helpe and for this requested thy good will But for all I am denied all I wil till death persist in this my pure loue and hope for no remedie euermore cōplaining alike of my self as of thy most inhumane barbarous cueltie And therwith flung out of the chāber bathing her chéekes in water of her eyes Shee sent him by Selia some Iuncates of her owne making to refresh him with for she knew he had eaten nothing all that day She intreated him to be answerable to the Princesse loue though it were but fained for according to the gréefe that hath possest her I doubt she will not liue till morning and consider what by her death wil be imputed to you when you shall bee called the murtherer of so faire a Lady I would to God gentle Damzel said he it were in my power to redresse the Princesse griefe but you know being heretofore sworne anothers it is impossible I should pleasure her without committing the greatest fault that euer knight hath none I wil no more importune you said the damzell for I shuld think my selfe much iniuried with your disdaine how much then a Princesse so faire and honourable That is it replied the Gréeke which hinders me for should I do what she requires it were but to satisfie her will against mine which were the greatest wrong that might bee done her for hauing pawned my faith vnto another I cannot violate it to pleasure her The damzel returned to her Ladie leauing the Prince the most perplexed in the world séeing himselfe in place where he could not vse his valor Selia found the beauteous Eufronisa tumbling on her bed drowned in teares What sayest thou my deare Selia said she to her to the tyrannie wherewith that cruel knight doth vse me what meanes may I vse I my selfe know it not nor doo thinke there is any and to desist to loue him thou séest is impossible for neither my affection will permit nor am I able to let it Shee spied neare her the Crownes shée had wonne and with a sigh that séemed to end her life said Oh glorious rewards to increase my harmes you were the sole cause of my vnhappinesse Now that she thought the Gréeke to bee in bed not able to bee quiet shee went alone vnto his chamber whose sight made the Prince offer quickly to rise shee stayed him saying I le not haue thée vse me with any of these ceremonious courtesies nor is my comming for them thou cruellest knight that euer the heauens did create but onely do I come not to intreat of thée what thou shouldest of thy selfe procure hadst thou thy perfect iudgement saue to demand of thée two things for with either of them shal I receiue some comfort and beléeue me they bee not to thy preiudice for were they I would not require them Most woorthie Princesse I nothing more desire of Fortune answered he then to haue that occasion offered wherein I might indanger my life in your seruice and would to God by loosing it I might cure your woes then should you sée with what willingnesse I would cast it on a squadron of deaths darts therefore demaund faire Ladie what you will for I wil at the instant accomplish it beeing with the conditions you propounded Without them most cruell Knight said she who durst require any thing of thee séeing thy straungenesse and barbarous disdaine so extreame against me The first thing therefore that for me thou must do is to tell me who thou art and the Ladies name to whom thou hast rendred that fréely will of thine The second thing I le demaund this being knowne for séeing I must be disdained and forlorne I wil know whom I loue and for whom I am not loued Your excellencie sacred Princesse so farre vrgeth this matter that I cannot thinke replied Rosabell why you wil know the thing that being knowne I am sure wil but augment your woes They cannot be greater then them I haue alreadie did she answere and therefore you must not breake with me vnlesse you wil be as disloyal as cruel I am content to do it said he though sure I am of your hate when you know me but that I may giue some ease vnto your gréefes I will kéepe promise Know therefore diuine Ladie I am Rosabel of Brittaine son to the Gréeke Prince Rosicle◠and his Princesse Oliuia espoused vnto Lyriana Princesse of Nyquea and he that in nothing wil take more felicitie then to procure your content But will you not excellent Princesse force mee beeing so inraged to breake that faith I vowed on her hands to be true Louer And now may you sée what reason mooued me to bee so obdurate finding that any remedie from me can but dishonour you And is it possible knight said she that you are sonne to the famous knight of Cupid whose woorthie déeds and loues haue with immortal fame filled all the world Wel had I no other cause but that you are sonne to such a father it were sufficient to make mee loue you till death I only intreat your leaue being alone opprest with these extream passions I may disburthen my cares by séeing the vnhappie Eufronisa is yours for so I shall receiue some rest Whereto he answered Most soueraigne Ladie Princesse of Sylepsia you sée what litle power is in me to graunt you that license for hauing no interest in my selfe I cannot without her will graunt any such thing Then saide shée tell mée where she kéepes for I le send to her for it So enuious hath fortune béene to my content that yet that I cannot say not knowing it because she rest her from my hands Well well replied the Ladie chopping her words in the middle and drowning them with teares because I aske I sée it is impossible I should knowe it least I might receiue some little comfort thereby And since the earth cannot affoord me any the second thing that you for me must do since you haue promised it and vowed by the faith of a knight is that with this dagger you bereaue me of my despised life séeing your sight gaue me so many deaths do not denie it for you haue promised it and if you do be sure I le trauell through the world proclaiming your disloyaltie And so she drew foorth a dagger from vnder her gowne and with manly courage she put it in his hands saying Through my breast hewe foorth a passage for my soule most cruell knight and yet I will not haue you make the wound vpon my heart least you should hurt your selfe modelde in the middest thereof The Gréeke tooke it so amazed that he knew not where he was But the resolute Ladie immediately discouered her brests the purest work that euer nature wroght Make an end thou fellon-stealer of my libertie to giue me som content by this expected death and stain with blood this constant obiect of thine eyes Oh rare force of loue faire Ladies whose power consisting on extreames makes all things
run at him and then with a swinge hee turned him against the horse brest who encountred him so strongly that he made him stumble backwards like to fall And more to helpe him downe he on foote thrust at him in his amaze two such strong points that Claridiano neuer did what he was now inforced vnto for neither courage nor valoure preuayling he fell downe But like Anteus towching on the earth he rose fresher and fiercer that he on horsbacke escaped not frée for his encounter for as he turned Claridiano as wrathfull as a hungrie Lyon let driue at him with so puissant a blowe that whether he would or no hee felde him from his Saddle downe to the grassie plaine where it added pleasure to content séeing the fortunate and vnconquered Gréeke enter and retire as he would Wearied he had them although himselfe was no lesse for they of the Castle were of the valiantest in the world and about that matter would not refuse Mars his challenge Crossing his sword inwards the one assaulted the Gréeke it was but an offer for going toward it he stayed his arme and bearing it lower strooke him on the legs and on the left thigh he gaue him the greatest blow that he had receiued in all that battle for though it did not wound him yet it put him in such paine that he could not stir that legge The good effect of the stroke perceiued they of the Castle and that they might take the aduantage before the paine left him they began to hammer him with more strength and spéede then the Cyclopes did when they forged Aeneas Armor The Prince much feared being so lame but séeing it concerned him no lesse then his life dragging that legge performed wonders The first Battle that euer Claramant had séene was this the which he iudged to himselfe would be the last so fierce and terrible it was He said more cunning skill nor vallour could not be wished in one knight thē what he in the yallow shewed It was a matter worthy the Prince for as he was he neuer suffered them to close within him though they nothing else procured stil kéeping them out with his vntollerable cruell blowes which made them kisse the earth sometimes with their hands and then with their knées And againe other times all at once In the ende he flung at him that had wounded him quicke he was but Archysiloras Champion was possessed with extreamest of his rage and therefore reached him on the toppe of his Helme in such manner that in despight of him he tumbled him on the gréene brest of his mother earth At him with a thrust ranne the other which Claridiano striking aside hée strooke him with both handes on his armes that he could no more vse his sword Hee closed with him and hoysing him from the ground flung him downe on his backe neare where his Companion was Vppon them with his naked Dagger busseled the Louer for hauing exceedingly incensed him he forgot the pitie and accustomed clemency which he vsed towards his vanquished Before him stept the bewteous Claramant saying To ende a Combat with death most valiant knight whose conquest is so manifest wil rather blemish the Victors victorie then dignifie his fame Wherefore I pray you giue me those Knights as by you are vanquished The haughtie Gréeke lifted vp his head to answere him for through the anger of the fight he had not noted the Donzell So looking on him now he was astonished thinking he sawe himselfe for were hée a litle elder none could haue distinguished them nor yet from the Emperour Alphebo for they resembled so much one another that in the beginning he verily iudged him to be his father which opinion his tender yeares frustrated And yet supposing him some kinsman of his did graunt it and would haue done had it bene farre more But that was inough had he bene any other then Claridiano to make him neuer returne to Greece For scarce had the Donzell raysed them with his hand when as freshe as in the beginning they let flie at him togither two such blowes that they made him knéele on the ground It extreamly gréeued him to be so mocked yet was not he angry against the Donzell imagining through lacke of iudgement he had done it He animated himselfe to this new Combat although with some doubt to sée his aduersaries nimbler and lustier then at the first and himself somewhat weary Clasping his sword strongly in his hand he went against them making them knowe nothing could bereaue him of his assured victorie So closing with the one with his shoulders he thrust him from him like a loosened arrow from a bowe And with a leape he turned on the second His spéed could not saue him for the furious Greeke cut away halfe his helme with part of his head This blow gladded him resoluing to deny the Donzell any thing he should aske within that place By this arriued the other but what auailes it for the Greeke Mars giues no blowe which they féele not within their fleshe They had kinde Ladies in this second fight lost the vertue of the Inchantment only helping themselues with their natural strength which was very great And yet it preuailes not against him that was borne a Conqueror End this cruel warre would the Gréeke calling himselfe coward to prolong it so long And auoyding one of their blowes he ran at him with the brauest thrust that in all his life he executed for piercing shield breast and backe hée tumbled him dead at his féete to Claramants great admiration The second incouraged himselfe for all he was alone and sore wounded it was but a little lengthning of his life to endure a more cruell death For the Prince hauing Fortune by the Front strooke at the top of his helme yet not with the strength he might but he yéelding backe his head couered it with the shielde whereat the Gréeke turning his arme discharged it on his thighes so mightily that almost he cut one cleane off Before he could setle himselfe he ran vpon him and with incredible haste least Claramant should interrupt him he reaft him of his life himselfe remaining so wearie that his legges could not then sustaine him All his life time he most estéemed this victorie for it cost more labor more blood and more trouble then any other of that quallitie He went towards the beauteous Donzell elder then him by sixe yeares but hauing suffered no cares nor paines nor loue passions made him séeme yonger then his cousin who tooke off his helme discouering that Mars his countenance of his Either reioyced to sée the other thinking they sawe one another in a glasse So Claridiano spake first saying I intreat you faire Donzell so the heauens make you happie in all attempts to tell me the cause of your being within so defended a place and also who you are for considering how dearly your sight hath cost me although I thinke it well bestowed you are bound
to tell me whereto Claramant replied Of neither sir knight may I resolue you vnlesse I receiue the order of Chiualrie and in faith it not a little gréeues mee that I cannot herein satisfie you Such desire had the Gréeke to know him as hée was determined to giue it him but remembring how hee was before mocked thus answered Nay sir if your knowledge must cost so much I will not more wish it for in not performing as yet your request I am sure I do you some seruice Why then said Claramant fare you well for I le returne vnto my Castle and in faith sorrie to bée denied in my first request I euer made to any knight Go with me from hence woorthie Donzell returned the Gréeke and you shall receiue it with such solemnitie as is due vnto your person The gallant youth answered not but in great haste returned to the Castle where had hee entred his cousin had not béene able to haue fetcht him thence for béeing with armes none of all his kinsmen did excell him But the wise Nabato knowing it concerned his sonne Don Eleno with his charmes and exorcismes clowded with mists and fogges all those shining buildings so astonishing the Donzel that thinking to enter the Castle hée mist his way and tooke it towardes the Fountaine of the thrée pypes where being a drie and hearing the waters running noyse he dranke But hee had scant toucht it when such horribible and hideous noyse was heard that Claramant was halfe afraide The ende of that aduenture consisted on Claramants arriuing to the fount to take downe the shield which his cousin had hung on the piller on condition of his passage So all that mightie edefice vanished away made by the great Magitian Lirgandeo as the second part related wherein hee had inchanted this valiant Prince when he tooke him from the barbarous Scythians that belonged to Bramarant who stole him from his mother in the woods of Grecia as in the third booke of the first part is expressed Alone did the Gréeke finde himselfe in a broad field and Palisandro by him with the horses So looking for the Donzel he spied him in great haste entring into a thicke wood of trées that stood in the valley He rose and went thither at such time as Claramant onely with his shield had thrust himselfe within whose sight he quickly lost Accompany him hee would but it was in vaine for a strong contrarie winde blew him out where he was forced to expect the successe of that aduenture reserued to the Donzel CHAP. XVIII How Claramant entred into Theseus walke where he wonne his armour and what else happened WIthin the intricate groue swéete Lady wee left the Donzel Claramant whose disinchauntment being excéedingly desired of euerie one made mée to please those desires a breuiate the presedent combats although Lyrgandeo doth not a little inlarge his discourse therin But my selfe wishing no lesse his inlargement then any other forced me to enter him with such breuitie within the way-confused wood wherein hauing lost himselfe Trebatios sonne wandred thrée daies alone onely with the Greekes shield This was that crooked intricable mancion in whose contriuing Dedalus at Minos petition king of Greece did shew the sharpnesse of his skill and witte wherein the famous Minotaure was inclosed whose originall sprung from she beastly blinde loue of Pasiphae the Quéene for the king béeing imployed in the Troyan warres she with inhumane appetite lusted after a white bull that was among her heards and not knowing how to accomplish so foule a déede shee recommended it to Dedalus who with his wit being the Oracle of his age contriued an artificiall Cowe of wood wherin he put the Queene couered with the hyde of another which the Bull most followed by which meanes she satisfied her lust ingendring the Minotaure which the Poets faine and yet Arsanio in the fourth of his Problemes approoues with wonderfull arguments the possibilitie of the act and saith that at the time of the monsters birth returned the king who would not althogh the Quéen died of the labour kil the beast but rather commanded him to be kept in a place most difficult to come foorth reseruing him there for what hée further intended For making cruell warre vpon the Athenians in reuenge of his sonne Androgeus death whom they flew hee compelled them in satisfaction thereof yearely to send him seuen men and as many maides to be deuoured by the Minotaure Whose forme was both of man and Bull and of proportionable bignesse For some few yeares lasted this cruell custome vntill Theseus comming whose strength was nothing inferior to Hercules in so much that some will haue him to be he Being young he ayded Hercules against the Amazones whom after they had conquered he married their Quéenes sister He slew the Tyrant of Thebes that would not burie his dead kinsmen And in the Marathonian fields hee slewe the wilde Bull that wasted all Attica This was hee that rauisht Helena the first time whose tender age might then well acquit her of the error Hee descended into hell with Perithons to steale Proserpyne where he lost his friend This by lot was sent to Creete as food vnto the Minotaure But the beauteous Ariadne affecting the youth gaue him a clue of thread which should after he had slaine the beast lead him out He ingratefully requited both her loue and life good turne leauing her alone in Niosia I le which act of vnthankfulnesse so gréeued the most wise Dedalus that he inchanted him in the laborinth in recompence of his ingratitude suffering eternall paines yet to fewe in respect of his deserts He more inlarged the mazed house that his libertie might be more difficulter The which he made so singuler as at the least it equalled that in Egypt and far excelling king Porsenas which he builded in Italie for his sepulchre which was so fearefull that hee commaunded before he dyed he should not being dead be there left without company and so euery yeare many being put therein were inforced finding no way out to associate him in his death In this inextricable wood did Dedalus place Theseus where the Gréeke youth had lost himselfe not knowing how nor which way he had got in there It gréeued him not for his inuincible heart incouraged him to greater matters The fourth day of his wandring through the wood hee came vnto a faire walke whose Couert of gréene Iuie reaching from trée to trée on eyther side was so thicke that neither sun nor starre could penetrate it at no time and therefore it was naturally most colde besides that Dedalus with his skill had made it more when there he left the ingratefull Thenian with fréezing colde to extinguish the burning heate wherewith he loued Phedra forsaking her sister that had giuen him no lesse then his life helping him to the bottome of the thréed by which he issued out of the Laborinth So he indured excéeding torments minding on nothing saue that none
shuld passe that way fearing that some one woulde vanquish the Minotaure that kept somewhat more within Scarce could the Gréeke Prince endure the coldnesse of the Lane and but that he iudged it base feare he had returned backe yet encouraging himselfe valiantly with his sheeld he passed on forwards till he met with the mightie Theseus clad al in most rich greene armor garnished of tawnie Lyons beset with many rich and vnualuable stones A foote stood the fierce Athenian leauing against a mightie stéele battle-axe with a sword girded at his side looking with such a sterne aspect as Mars had feared him But Trebatios sonne borne to maister him vndauntedly stept to him with such courtesie as he thought his person merited saying Most valiant knight I would gladly finde a passage from a place so yrkesome as this and if along this Lane be the way I intreate you suffer me fréely to passe With admiration of his gallant disposition did Hercules companion thus reply Most willingly faire Donzell I would pleasure you in this or any thing else but my ingratitude bringing me hither forceth mee to let none passe this way onely to haue more company being alone to associate me And so may you séeke an other way although I beléeue there is none but this Why then said our new Mars I shall be constrained to procure it and so rest nothing beholding to you for it Whereupon as if hée were better armed then the Athenian well couering himselfe with his shéeld paced towards him who became more fiercer then when he descended into the earthes blacke Center séeing the boldnesse of the youth so yoong and armorlesse presuming to win what onely was committed to his strength in so many dangers and haughtie enterprises approoued He raised aloft his axe thinking to haue cleft him in the middest But the gallant youth leaping aside meant not onely to make him loose his blowe but to close with him hauing an eye vnto his sword hoping that if he had it to assure his victorie therewith At this time he mist of his intent for Theseus was none of those that admitted any such brauados but in the middest of the stroke before his aduersarie could enter he stayed the axe discharging such a blowe on his shéeld with the point that he inforced him backe swifter then hee came with greater paine on his brest for the shéeld striking there made him almost breathlesse He had not effected this blowe when with the blade he offered an other He floorished it aboue his head so mightily that had not the Gréeke fallen on his he had bene cleane parted in two He saw himselfe within deathes clawes for the very wind the weapon yéelded in his passage was inough to strike downe an other lesse valianter then he He would not then ketch at his sword because the other ouerwharted him in it but rather with the nimble skill his tutors had taught him séemed to stay a blowe lifting his shéeld on high the Athenian beléeuing that he would and that therewith he should terminate that controuersie well setled on his left leg hee let fly at him a downe-right blowe It is credible that hitting him with the axe he had diuided not him alone but the strongest Rocke He that should liberate the Scythian Lady would not so trust to his shéeld for as the axe descended swifter then thought he closed with him thrusting himselfe vnder his armes and with his he astonished him with a blowe running his shéeld against his head whereat the other for feare of giuing backe resisted him with all his strength and so ayding his left leg outwards our new warrior met with the swords handle the which without more adoo he easily drew forth whose blade yéelded such splendor as the Prince was amazed It was many years since the Athenian had not séen his naked sword which now viewing in his enemies power there is no Lyon in fiercenesse comparable to him Néeds would the Gréeke youth trie his conquered weapon before he got from him discharging it with all his strength on that side it hung His armor it cut not for the world had none better but it so tormented his legge and thigh that he could not stand thereon So Claramant stepping from him saide Now shall thou know knight how much better it had béene for thée to haue let me fréely passe and kéepe thy weapons then to bée without them for they now shall make me way Why then stay said hee discourteous youth and thou shalt sée whether the hauing of my sword can defend thée from Theseus wrath at whose presence al Plutos kingdome trembled And so he strooke at him a most mightie blow He could not so defend it but it fell vpon one side of his shield cutting it away and made him thrice turne about But suddainly he recouered and firmed himselfe against his aduersarie that with his axe poynt came against him He turned away and scapt it discharging his sword vppon his helme It sounded like a bell making a displeasant musicke chattering of his téeth Ere Theseus could recouer himselfe he gaue him another it was it which gaue him the victorie by the passing with the poynt betwéene the closing of his armor Cutting his priuie coate of male the sharpe blade entred vnto his flesh had he not feared the axe and a little forwarder thrust his arme he had slaine the Athenian yet it was the first time that the ingratefull Louer sawe his owne blood whose sight added such furie to his furie that now hee will not procéede like a skilfull knight but let his blowes flie at randon which put the youth in more daunger and aduised care to shunne them assuring himselfe that blow which tooke him full would be his death and therefore he behaued himselfe with such dexteritie as his cousin had hee béene there could haue done no more Oh it was a spectacle woorthie the Gréeke Theater for the haughtie Athenian fiercer then when he slew the Tyrant Creon procured to giue him but one blowe the which with singuler agilitie the Gréeke shunned There is no Roe in swiftnesse like to him for entring and retiring at his pleasure sometimes hee wounded Theseus and euerie time he tooke him ful with his famous sword he made him tremble like the toppe of a high proude pyne shaken with the voyce of heauen Hée himselfe receiued some but they were on his shield the which in that daungerous battell saued his life Sixe houres they haue fought without rest They were in the end swéet Mistresse made of flesh blood and must feele the excessiue paine and trouble so at once without any word they withdrew to breath for although the Gréek was not wounded yet his much labour had ouer much wearied him Against himselfe bitterly exclaimed the Athenian séeing himselfe both matcht and wounded by one knight without armor The Gréeke had no cause yet to complaine for this was his first battell yet he incouraged himselfe to end it to
gallant Ladies beauties ornaments but that neither the excellencies of your perfections whose powerfull vertue can onely with the sight commaund the greatest heart nor yet the tender pittie attending on your sexe will not with timerous feare appall your gentle minds reading these fierce accidents of sterne Mars And then I hope you will not conceiue lesse pleasure with the bloodie battels wherein I am intangled then at Cupids amorous discourses But where they seem offensiue passe them ouer though loue haue ordained them and yet respecting the cause I know you will not condemne the effect For although now you sée the Gréeke Prince busied with cruell warres too soone he will be ledde where he shall confesse there is no good where the little blind God doth not raigne and this euen when ayded with nothing but his strength hee shall set frée the faire Princesse of the Scythians from her strong inchauntment But before that happens attend and you shall heare what him befell entring the blinde Laborinth His axe he carrid afore and with vnremoouing steppes hee entred the way-confused habitation where he so often turned and returned comming backe when as he thought himselfe to go forward and crossing such by-waies at euery second pace that when he iudged to be at the end he found himselfe at the doore Sometime he heard not without great amazement the noyse of voyces crying The rich armor thou haste wonne bolde knight shall not auaile thée to get from our dwelling in recompence of thy presumption to disquiet vs and then felt hée such mightie blowes that often made him set his hands and knées vppon the ground but considering how litle he had done by winning the armor and how the other valiant knight expected him so animated him to indure those huge strokes which none but he could haue suffered Wearie and tired he at last came where he sawe a little light that issued frō a high cranny of the wal It gladded him for by it he found a way that brought him vnto a faire large yard about whose wals were many pictures and stories so naturally drawne that they somewhat eased his paine By them he vnderstood Pasiphaes beastly accesse vnto the Bull. It so disliked him that he turned away his eyes being offended not with the pictures but with what it represented Hee sawe Theseus cladde in those armes he won of him enter the Laborinth with the thread tied to his arme and at the doore the two beautifull sisters that with feare did stay for him The cause was they loued and where that passion is none can liue secure fearing also the good it enioyeth A little beyond he sawe how ill repayed Ariadne was being left to the mercie of the windes among wilde beasts To such pittie was he mooued towards the Ladie that casting vp his eyes to heauen he said Oh cruell knight vnwoorthie the name of Theseus imploying so ill those partes the heauens hath adorned thee with but especially against a weake tender Ladie whom if reason had béen thy guide thou shouldest haue helped although thy life were hazarded A new battell were it possible would I haue with thée vppon this to make thée confesse thy crueltie and ingratitude He vowed to himselfe to helpe all Ladies though hee indaungered his life which he performed so well that many vnder that name onely durst trauell alone and euerie one called him the knight of the Ladies His owne image sawe hee a little further and his battell fought with Theseus togither with those which Claridiano made about his libertie He reioyced to see the haughtie déeds of his new friend Being about to go to the other side of the yard to view those pictures there as he turned he espied two knights all in armor comming towardes him with their shields and swords readie for the fight Their gallant semblance and brauerie much pleased the Gréeke beeing neare him one said Thou haste béene much ouerséene knight not acknowledging Loues soueraigntie to enter a place so prohibited where be sure thou shalt be called to strickt accounts They stayed for no answere but ere he could sway his axe about they gaue him two mightie blowes one on his shoulder and the other on his helme Both he greatly felt especially so cowardly to be assaulted With an Eagles swiftnes he got frō betwéen them into the middest of the broad yard the better to vse his daungerous axe He stretcht it out at length awaiting for his aduersaries that nothing fearing followed him With the poynt he hit one almost beheading him for with the blade he sorely wounded his throate hée drew backe his axe and winding it about layed on his shield the which he strooke to the ground and his Maister headlong at his féete His companion was not carelesse but comming behind gaue him so strong a blowe vppon his helme that though he cut it not yet hee bended it to his breast Like a furious Lyon turned the Gréeke against him whom hée found so neare that to hit him he was faine to draw back his armes and with a fierce incounter he ranne his shield through and wounded him on the breast making him stagger backwards and to helpe him downe hee raised his axe and discharging it on the side of his helme he cut away all that part with a great peece of his inchaunted gorget He felled him at his féete and was so eager to end with him that hee forgot his other aduersarie who assayling him at his backe gaue him so fierce a blowe vpon his middle that his companion executing ano ther in the same place they had almost felled him Neuer was Beare nor Tiger more fierce then now the Prince became against his enemies raising aloft his axe He could not misse his blowe for they were before him So with all his strength he hit one on the shoulders the blowe was so mightie that all the blade he hid within his breast splitting his heart in two Scarce had he finished this when he laide vppon his other enemie who was so skilful that ere the axe descended he got vnder his armes running at his breast with a thrust This blow much gréeued the Gréeke for it stopt the passage of his breath and hee seemed to awaite the axe but for all the haste he made to ward the blowe it first crowned him with death for falling on his head diuided in two he sent him to accompany his friend The hideous noyse which hee heard in the next roome would let him take no rest but rather leaning on his axe he stayed more warily to sée what it was When presently with admiration he was amazed seeing the feareful Minotaure so vgly and deformed His face was like a mans although farre bigger his eyes glowed like a furnace of kindled fire On his large front hee had two mightie hornes whose poynts were harder then any Diamond his necke short and thicke So big and broad a breast he had that the very fight witnessed his strength
Eagle with two crowned heads the selfesame they had In signe of peace and message the Tharsians hung out a white flagge So they were suffered to passe among their ships whose numbers of men and fierce Gyants amazed them They boorded the Admirall from whence two ancient Knights of Argentaria were in a Barge conducted to the royall Galleon where they deliuered their embassage vnto a mightie knight that little wanted of a Gyants heigth telling him how in their fléete were the kings of Tharsis and Argentaria from whom hauing séene their armes they came to know whether they were on the part of Grecia vnder whose standard they also fought These newes excéedingly gladded the gallant youth being no lesse then valiant Abstrusio who would néeds expresse his thankfulnesse for what Rosabell had done for him hauing through his valour and strength obtained his faire Syrinda who knowing that her Abstrusio went to Grecia would not stay without him dreading the want of his presence And so to conduct her with more safetie hee had mustered togither from both kingdomes and all the Ilands he had conquered by his valour 300. thousand Combattants the skilfullest in Nauigation in all the wide world besides and he himselfe excelling all others therein because with aduantage to giue a battell on the seas hée seemed to haue bene onely borne thereto hee brought with him 500. puissant giants his friends that to please him with many of their knights accompanied him in that voyage And in his ship to guard his deare lady were twentie proportioned like to plesse pynes Now séeing the Nauie he had reputed to be against him came on the â—ehalfe of his honoured Prince he declared who he was and how he reioyced to haue met such friends vnto the Gréekes and Rosabell Presently they sounded in signe of peace yet many of Abstrusios followers and Argentarians gréeued thereat because they first desired to haue made tryall of theyr persons but long was it not after that they had occasion to do it By this was it knowne to Lysart who his reputed enemie was and so to shew him extraordinarie courtesie he and his sonne with foâ—â—e Lords of estimation went to visit him whereof Abstrusio being aduertised expected their comming on the hatches of his Galleon commanding as they passed by they should be welcommed with a generall peale of Ordinance from all his ships which was performed in such good sort that the haughtie Lysart much commended their good entertainment who with all his company went aboordâ— of the Galleon and most kindly the two lustie warriers embraced one an other And so being knowne how they were all voyagers for one enterprise and eyther relating how much they were bound to Rosabell the mightie Abstrusio burst forth into these words Oh Ioue now I am fully assured how effectually thou dost impart thy fauours to the Gréekes and I nothing wonder at the lamentable desolation of ruined Troy since al the good aduentures of the world are soly reserued for theÌ„ as due to their worths And your Maiestie hath reason mightie king of Tharsis to shewe the office of a friend vnto so braue a Prince and as for me were I not he I am shuld I denie what I owe since through him I enioy my life possesse my kingdome and that which is more and I most estéeme is the happie fruition of my deare wife And then he told him all that hapned with him to Rosabels immortall glory So Lysarte requited his discourse with an other of his Loues and that therefore hee brought that Nauy to ayde them It is no more then due said Abstrusio to helpe him that helpes so many to obtaine their ioyes in whose pursute let vs spend our liues to make him happie in content And so ioyning both fléetes togither by the Tharsians direction they set forwards for Lysarte was best acquainted with those seas and knew where the enchauntment stood hauing bene at it when he freed Rosabell from it Who desirous to honor the Pagan with more then ordinarie courtesie commanded to be proclaimed throughout his Fléete that euery one should obey the mightie Abstrusio as their Captaine Generall Who taking some offence thereat said Since our amitie must be of such force and continuance I wold not mightie Prince you wold vse these ceremonies with me I do but what I know you deserue and is your due Braue Prince replyed Lysarte and therefore do but commaund and we will all obey for now and at all times we entend to be your souldiers and so hée intreated him to passe into his Galley but not able to obtaine it hee and his sonne were faine to stay in that Galleon With the noise of many instruments the two puissant Nauies began to shape their course towards Nyquea They had such faire weather and prosperous winde that on the fourth day of their Nauigation they discried the flames of fire that issued from the Tower Thither they turned their course sending forth sixe swift sayling Gallies to discouer their way The which were so neare the Tower that they sawe a most daungerous battell fought betwéene the Arches The reason was for that the mightie Brauorant making his abode there would suffer none to prooue the ascending vp Some about it had lost their liues and many their honors They so long tarried that from the South they discried before they went away such an infinit number of sayles that it amazed their iudgements déeming them to be aboue 4000. vesselles of Ships Barkes and Gallies Neuer did Xerses sée at once so many sayles togither This fléete was the mightie Soldans of Nyquea with whom all his friends beeing ioyned came thitherward couering all the sea of Greece In the Admirall was the two Soldanes of Nyquea and Egypt being a brother of his whom Rosabell slew Who séeing himselfe so mightie resolued with all his strength to reuenge his brothers death and his was the greatest part of that power With them ioyned the Prince of Syconia Venus Louer the Sophy the mightie King of Assyria with the Phenician who hoping there to sée their sonnes as Lupercio tolde them agreed to ayde the Souldan of Nyquea Also very strongly came braue Epirabio with proude Brufaldoro Brauoâ—â—…nts great enemie Many men brought not Bembo Prince of Achaya but without doubt the valiantest and most expert in warre Enuious Lupersio so well pleaded for this braue knight that he caused him to be created Lord Generall both by sea and land hee accepted the honor iudging his streÌ„gth to be sufficient to discharge a greater charge He named for his Lieftenant and Substitute by sea the discreet king of Assyria because he had rather fight by Land that he might order and dispose of the Shippes and gallies least their numbers breaking into disorder might hazard their victorie which otherwise they had assured Euery one highly estéemed him séeing his gallant behauiour and knowing how he was honoured throughout the world So many hundred thousands of men they brought that he
those of his Empire being very warlike people The left going somewhat foremost ledde Torismundo Prince of Spaine Before than all went Priams valiant heire backt with some Spanish Galleyes to succour those in most daunger On the Pagans side in no lesse good order had Bembo disposed his battel in forme of a halfe Moone an vsual custome to fight among them in which manner they approached our Nauie at the sound of many thousand militarie Instruments Beeing readie to giue the oâ—â—â—t the famous Generall from this Admiral spake thus Where valiant Knights there is so many Princes and such great experience in warre I should haue little néed to aduertise you that Fortune hath ministred vnto vs occasion foreuer to perpetuate our fame Sure may we account the victorie for beeing as valiant as our aduersaries we excéed them in numbers and may if me list two or thrée at once assayle euery one of his enemies As for my selfe loosing my life in the office you haue giuen me I satisfie the dutie of a knight and vow to be your generall friend till death And therevppon displayed a bloodie flaÌ„gge crossebarde with blacke a signe that none should take his foe prisoner but shut the doores against all mercie So closing his beauer lead after him the best soldiers in the Fléets and leaning vnder the arches the mightie Brauorant and Brusaldoro his competitor those two puissant Fléetes began to come within shot one of another Where oh Apollo who may without thy helpe relate such a famous conflict whose successe well deseruing a new Booke it cannot haue lesse then another Chapter CHAP. XXI How the most cruell fight betweene both the Nauies began and the admirable successes that in the processe thereof happened THis is the time béeing incompassed with so many enemies that I dare not faire diuine Ladie passe one foote further without your speciall fauor Blacke and fatall was the day to many tasting in it the sower cup of death But to those whom fortune was bent to please reseruing their liues to sée the dismall bloodie losse of others some comfort was it to them the hearing of so many drummes and trumpets eccho in the ayre resounding in the déepe reioycing a so many displayed flagges and bannerets as daunced with the winds the waighing of anchors and hoysting vp of sayles the noyse which the poore slaues haue on the waters beating them with their oares the clamorous cries of euery Captaine incouraging those whom feare had alreadie daunted the glistring shine of armour and the confounding numbers of braue Knights and fierce Gyants that on the hatches of euerie vessell did expect their enemies these and such like sights amazed and admired the beholders Neptune would not this day shew himselfe cruell nor Eolus let foorth more then one gentle breath that did with swelling pride blowe big the Pagans sayles Who taking aduantage of the good occasion with redoubled courage offered to grapple accounting the conquest theirs Oh who is he able to describe the manner of so many deaths that there were giuen So great was the smoke issuing from their shottes that they neither heard nor sawe one another which being past and the welking clearing ouer head Oh Mercury would thou wert in middest of this battell in apt eloquence to modell foorth the merits of euery particular woorth But first the hideous cries of slaughtered bodies the noyse of warriours the shrikes of the wounded could not but be a cruell spectacle for they were all betwéene two of the cruellest oppressed elements that were fire and water Quickly fomed the seas with bloodie froth and on it floated the dead carkasses of sometime liuing creatures Excéeding great was the slaughter that the Christians made with wilde fire and balles of burning pitch and rozen And as they vsed all possible celeritie in casting it and the winde that played with their running wings a little strong by that meanes was the destruction which they made infinit for neither striking of sayles remoouing cabbins and casting ouerboord all necessarie tackle auayled to auoyde the mercilesse deuouring fire which left neither mast nor sayle vnconsumed Oh cruell Soldan of Nyquea that doest delight to sée the thing that would haue moued Nero to some pittie Straunge waies for deathes were there séene for some flying the fire perished in the waters nor is there a friend that will helpe the other The father in such hurlebourly knowes not his deare sonne nor he remembers his sire to pay him the debt he owes him for life and nurture Only euery one procures to liue and when he cannot scape to die not to depart vnreuenged This satisfaction was the sole comfort to them that with cruell wounds flung at their enemies and stumbling on their owne guttes embraced a willing death togither with their aduersaries Some haÌ„ging by their strong hands ouerboord sawe the cruell axe descend and cut them from his holde and he reioyced with such a death rather then to be hewen in péeces by an Infidel Others embraced like good friends sought their endes in the lowest déepes glad to kill being killed The proper life is heere had but in equall estimation with his aduersaries death Others that to themselues complained towards the heauens against Fortune and their happes sawe their friends come stumbling without armes and legges vppon them Such was the confusion among them that no order could be obserued although therin the Greek got some aduantage because their vessels were lighter and better prouided The gallant Spanish Captaine with aduise of his Lieftenant generall Countie of Medyna appointed some small boates well furnished who with all necessarie diligence closely pearced through tenne of the Pagans greatest ships the which with such furie leaked that on the suddaine not knowing which way they were suncke with an infinit number of men chéefely Gyants whose waights did soonest ouerwhelme them Then preuailed not outcries of Pilots nor the hastie calling for boats because the Rowers fearing the fires which the Spaniards hurled rather striued to saue themselues then their friends whom they sawe smothered in those vnquenchable flames and beeing vp to the chin in water yet séemed to burne aliue Peace they iudged the two contrarie elements had made séeing the aboundance of water could not frée them from the fire nor the fire for feare of it kéepe the waters from ouerwhelming them From side to side some were thrust and these exclaimed not for beeing wounded but for want of company to comfort them in their funerall obsequies Well do the Gréekes defend themselues offending on this side where the Spaniards brauely cried S. Iames. And although they were confronted thrée to one they gallantly stucke to it seeing how victoriously the Thessalians had assayled their enemies Wonders performed the Troyan with his beloued Sarmatia against the Pagan but what auuales it when for one they kil there came twentie in his place and so on either side the battell was at one stay whose fiercenes may be forgot remembring what
On the shoulder the inchaunted shapelesse Picture seconded another which made him tumble on the grounde and as he went to thrust at him a furious poynt he got on his féete but so blinde with rage that forgetting what had befallen he tooke his sword in both hāds and with the vtmost of his strength he discharged it vpon his shoulder diuiding the Phantasmo cleane in two He had scarce executed the blow but the couragious Pagan repented him thereof for each part of the accursed Phantasmo turned to a mightie Lyon whose ferocitie could not but haue feared any other saue Brauorant It amated the Pagan yet not that he fainted but with more brauery then in the beginning held the point of his sword before him letting the beasts come whereof one thirsting for his praie ranne vpon his sword splitting his heart in two thereon The other assayled him on his left side where finding no resistance fastened his clawes on him and although his Armor was strong yet he pearst them renting his flesh within which but more kindled his fury séeing his blood there shead which til then had happened in no fight be fore Bramarants sonne would not immitate Sampson in that action because it should not be said he followed the example but rather performed an act no lesse memorable for letting his sword hang by the Chaine at his wrist he tooke the Lyon by the necke twixt his hands and with incomparable strength choaked him himself remaining both wounded and with his Armor rent There is no ioy like to his hauing ended that perillous Combat and although he was weary yet went he forward fearing his companions would be before him No lesse famous were Claridianos battles for vanquishing the kéepers of the first Castle like a whirlewinde he past on making staie at a litle narrow Lane séeming to haue no end on no side Amazed was Archysiloras gallant at the obscuritie thereof yet he went on and comming to the ende vnawares he did tread in a hollow place falling into a Vawte filled with nothing but Wormes and venemous Vermine It was but sixe yardes broade and eight long It yéelded no more light then what issued at a litle casement where he espied a verie olde man swarter then Chimnies soothe who with a hoarse voyce said In faith braue knight you haue got verie good company among those Wormes on them you may execute your reuenge but I feare they wil first take it on you with their venome and therfore your best way is not to strike them if you wil not be slaine for t is better to prorogue your life a litle then nothing to enioy it Excéeding great was the Princes wrath séeing himselfe so betraied into that pestilentiall Caue and hauing vnderstood the Magitians words blinde with rage he replied Small is the Conquest got by such treachery thus to betray any knight which assures me that he which made this Inchauntment was more inured to treasons then good déeds séeing without battles by vndesent stratagems he prosecutes his diuellish intent and purpose Why then that I may sée how thy words will agrée with your déeds said the infernal Coniurer there be within that place two beasts to whom all the rest acknowledge their obedience Now if thou beest so hardie as to incounter with them on their deaths depends thy libertie else art thou for euer there inclosed Although extreame wrathful yet glad in some respect Trebatios Nephew answered I am content to hazard my person in any daunger to issue hence and for an instance thereof shewe me the way I must goe foorth and then place the beasts there Be it so returned the Magitian and in yonder dark corner there is an iron King the which if thou doest pluck at thou shalt descry whence the beastes doo issue Slacke was not the Princely Gréeke to goe thither and getting holde of the King hée pluckt so hard that drawing a Plancke from the Wall hée fell backwardes with it almost vppon him but fearing the suddain comming of the beasts he quickly got on his féete when against him there came a Monster of straunge shape His bodie was proportioned like a Beare saue that he had a long Tayle and crooked téethe like Tuskes and on his head he had a horne neare a yarde long His armes were nothing differing from a mans being footed lyke a Lyon In one hand he beare a Bowe readie bended with a stéele Darte And in the other he had a Chaine which tyed a mightie Bazeliske Nothing daunted with the sight was Claridiano although a litle amated at theyr fiercenesse but hauing an eye at the Darte drawing his sword and couering himselfe wel with his shield he marched against the vgly mishapen Monster Who shooting his Darte did make it flie swifter then lightning The Prince warded himselfe receiuing it on his shield And then the Monster hauing so done he let loose his Companion marching both togither against the Prince He also incountred them and méeting first with the Monster he let flie at his head striking away halfe his horne with all his Iawes on that side Before he could second it the Bazeliske with his stéely Bill strooke him vnder his arme that it made him stagger thrée or foure steppes and stumbling on the wall saued himselfe from falling In manifest daunger of his life was the Gréeke for the wounded Monster roring with paine closed with the Prince ere he could recouer his last mischaunce and casting his armes about him would haue pluckt him backwards Here Alphebos sonne could no otherwise but doo the like and hauing greater strength and being more nimbler then the Monster slipt one arme betwéene his legges and hoysting him aloft he flung him to the earth on his backe and as he drew his Dagger to ende with him the furious Bazeliske fluttering his winges flewe on his shoulders where with infernal fury with his inchaunted Bill hée strooke the Prince on the head that it made him loose his blowe and that good occasion and with his helme clouen felde him a toside In whiche season the Monster rose spitting fire through his hellishe mouth Straight did Claridianas sonne rise but being halfe astonished of the blowe the Monster had time to runne at his breast with his broken horne which made him so recoyle backe that he had much adoo to saue himselfe from a fall But what auailes it all being for theyr worst for the Prince stifeled with rage tooke his Dagger in his one hand and not knowing what he did aimed it at the Bazeliske that came flying at him Straighter then the Monster shot his Darte he flung it and hitting him in the breast it staied not til it cleft his heart in two and flying out at his backe fel with the beast at once that with a hiddeous shrike stird no more This death greatly displeased the Monster who bellowing and spitting sulphure flames leapt to the Prince that set his swords point against him the which he tooke betwéene his
the knight hee saw him splitted on his owne rapyer for séeing himselfe deadly wounded and that hee could not escape with life chose rather to bee his owne executioner then the Prince should tryumphe ouer his death at his hands Ioying at the victorie of so daungerous a Combat hee prosecuted his way No aduantage had Claramant ouer Don Celindo who ended his fight as soone as he for hauing slaine the swaynes and passed the Garden hee came vnto a greene Meade where a knight gallantly mounted expected the battle not farre from him there stood a Piller whereto a luftie courser was tyed the which Alicandros Nephew imagining to be for him he did quickly back and taking a strong knottie Launce that he also there found eyther parted from the other to take his carreire and valiantly made their strong encounters In middest of the shéelde did Don Celindo hit the Knight and clearely piercing it thrust him so strongly that breaking his saddle gyrtes he tumbled him from his horse The knight strooke Don Celindo on his Beauer which so astonished him that he let goe his horse bridle who féeling his head at libertie eleuated himselfe so high that both fell downe yet Don Celindo perceiuing it before the fall did quickly leape from his backe With shields about their armes and swords on high the two braue warriors met With a furious thrust did Don Celindo first wound his aduersary which made him giue backe thrée steppes But he presently returned and gaue him such a blow on the helme that he thoght himselfe in heauen so many starres he sawe about his head and with a counterbuffe on the shoulder he had almost felde him Like a rauening Lyon became Floralindas sonne and offering to strike him on the head the knight repaired thither with his shield It was the cause of his ouerthrow for Don Celindo not minding it with a point wounded him mortally on the brest pearcing all his Armor and then with mightie strength turning his sword to the others head he cut away halfe his helme with a péece of his scull Howling and shriking with the wound the knight turned his backe and fled through a faire Gallery After him went Don Celindo ouertaking him in a great plaine where he sawe foure great Arches inchaste with precious stones held vp with eight mightie Christal Pillers There did Don Celindo assaile the knight euen when a bewteous Lady most richly attyred confronted him He was astonished at her sight thinking he sawe his deare Rosiluera Stay your hand braue knight said the Lady and doo not execute your wrath on him that yéelds you the victorie I cannot most soueraigne Princesse replied he amazed to sée her there but satisfie your content obeying what ere you shall impose on me as he only borne to do your seruice yet is my poore soule tormented with griefe that this commaund is no greater It is too much answered she for her that hath showne you no kindnesse and so the craftie Damzel taking him by the hande placed him vnder the last Arche leauing him there inchaunted without iudgement or vnderstanding sauing how to accomplish her wil who leauing him there said Here must you remaine Syr knight and defend the entrance gainst all the world if all the worlde shall come Be assured Lady I wil replied the inchaunted youth and first I le leaue to breathe then desist from defending the Arche Away went the Lady along the Arches when the furious Brauorant came thitherward hauing put on his Armour He stept backe as one in a traunce imagining he behelde his Floraliza into that shape she had transmuted her selfe The Pagan so admyred her sight as he was strooke dumbe but she reuiued him thus Come with me braue knight for we greatly néede your strength He did not refuse it saying Leade the way diuine Ladie replied he for it is my felicitie to loose my life for your bewtie Leading him by the hand the deceitfull Ladie left him inchaunted vnder the third Arche saying Courteous Knight this Arche must you defend with the vtmost of your vallor He made answer Leaue that care to me for wil at least shall not want if strength forsakes me not At another Gate by this appeared Archysiloras Louer to him she went representing the Quéen of Lyra. Whom to be short she also inchaunted in the second and in the first did the like by Claramant hauing on the presence and countenance of the famous Lyndabrides whom he by report alreadie began to fancie Then like the winde she vanisht away yet ere she went she commuunded them on their liues they should not go out of the Arches vnlesse they would imbrace theyr deaths And so leauing a scroll vpon a Piller she left them CHAP. XXVI How the Emperour Alphebo ended the famous Inchauntment of Roselia and what else happened SO great was the care that those wise men Lyrgandeo Artemidoro and Nabato had ouer the Gréekes and theyr Empire that by theyr Arte had reached to the knowledge how that memorable Monarchy would be brought to the point of an vtter ouerthrow and perpetuall desolation wherefore so entierly affecting her Princes as this great Historie hath amply mentioned for their Loues they reuolued their bookes to know the cause and causer of such bloodie warres which they found to be the two Princesses Lyriana of Nyquea and Roselia of Rome whereupon they resolued to Inchaunt them beginning first with Lyriana within the sea Tower as hath bene related And séeing that the Romane Princesse was left they ioyned themselues togither in the making of this Inchantment the strongest euer séene for while she was so kept her Father should not knowe what had happened betwéene her and Don Eleno of Dacia nor should she at his hands require reuenge against him As they did determine it so did the wise Magitians performe it making it far stronger then Lyrianas for they intended to kéepe her long time there vntil some good order were taken about the Gréekes affaires Againe they resolued to haue Lyriana disinchaunted and her Nuptialls with the Brytaine Prince solemnized hoping it wold be a means to reconcile the Souldan of Nyquea giuing him so great a Prince as Rosabel to be his sonne in lawe They would not do so by Roselia because she could not be wedded with whome she had imprinted in her heart But the peruerse Selagio by meanes of Lupercio hunting after reuenge for the death of Fangomadon whom Rosicler flew as in the first Chapter of the first booke of this third part is exprest would néeds procure the libertie of this Lady with Arbolinda of Scotland that accompanied her for which purpose in a Barke he drew Brauorant and Don Celindo from the Fléete doing the like by Alphebo directing also Claridiano and Claramant thither where all of them performed such déeds in armes as is specified and worthie of such great Princes slaying all the kéepers of the Castles But the wise men fearing the two Ladies libertie as the last refuge of
Court was then full of knights that serued her And in faith beleeue me that how far soeuer the report of her prayses excéeded beléefe so farre and more did I finde them to limp behinde her excellencies I noted In my opinion the heauens haue not created a more absoluter bewtie because Enuie it selfe hath found no meanes to seize thereon and therefore is become the Herauld of her worthes You may think Noble Sir these were new snares to intrap my captiue soule Asumptuous tryumphe was ordained in the Citie which in auncient times was called Frossa which in the Assyrian tongue signifieth happy It was so indéed and euen from the beginning for she neuer had a Quéene but was also in bewtie so This occasion did Fortune offer me oh she did further me to make my mishaps the greater placing me neare vnto a brother of hers by name Lysander a knight both young and valiant and in loue too with the Infant of Campania that in court accompanied the princesse Pollinarda high Solesia no lesse bewtifull then kinde who knowing how she was beloued wold not ill repay Lysanders faith and so the gallant liued in some respects assured of his hopes Oh yet neuer had any full assurance if he still will be amorous On the aduerse part was Leader the valiant Prince of Calabria Agesilao by name the happiest that I knew in that without the panges of passions and soules afflictions he obtained to be beloued of Pollinarda and in such open manner that the whole popularitie did know it It did not gréeue my Ladies father but rather it so pleased him that in open shew he exprest it which more animated the Lady to grace him with new fauours which were sharpe poynted daggers stucke in the heart of wofull Florisiano for so am I named Oh it could not be lesse beholding with my owne eyes my own sorrow At length the Iousts began wherein my starres vouchsafed a little to aduance me which did attract Lysanders affection with such true zeale that there cannot bee firmer friendship then that hee hath shewen me yea although against his sister The whole multitude turned their gazing eyes on my deuice which was blew armes crost with yeallow barres It accorded to the ill my iealous soule endured On my shéeld was portrayed suspition in her naturall colour as in auncient times she was paynted bearing a scrowle with this word Wisely who can her despise That onely doth employ her eyes To spie out Loues subtilties There was no Ladie in the place but noted my iealous colours and so as I after vnderstood some that were more pittifull prayed for my victorie which maketh me think their orizons and good will abode me the honour of the iousts So Lysander that greatly affected me and I cleared the place that none wold more aduenture and hauing don yet did I not disclose my selfe neither to him nor any other although the King himselfe was very importunate to know me onely this they got that I was called the iealous Knight Sure I am that my Ladie béeing so busied wtth Agesilao shee did not note my déeds but rather for it was told me she was displeased that I vnknown had vnhorsed her Louer in the Liftes Néedes would the Prince Lysander haue mee to his owne lodging professing himself so intier a friend that he hath wonne me to the death the which I will gladly receiue to procure his content In greater bonds did he tie me altogither expressing his much noblenesse by discouering vnto me the sinceritie of his loue towards Solefia Infant of Campania I could not but highly estéeme of the trust he reposed in me being but a Knight possessing nought but armour and horse He intreated me to accompanie him that night in a Maske because the king his father in honour of the iousts feasted all the Princes with shews and reuellings It pleased me in my soule in that I shuld behold her presence that gouerned my heart In two long robes of cloth of golde we issued masked yet would not I go so vnprouided but that I had on a priuie coate which in my wandring daies I vsed bearing armes In this manner we entered the Pallace when the reuels began Euery Ladie that had her gallant there fauoured him to daunce with him Of these was my deare friend Lysander one whose Mistresse was attired in the same colour that we were They daunced with such grace that Cupid himselfe could not but like it Next to him did Agesilao take Pollinarda Princesse of beautie by the hand I cannot denie what the heauens had imparted them for their grace and Maiestie admired all the Hall Many excellent changes and tricks they vsed yet the iealous passion of my gréeued soule stirred vp more in my face by comming and going of my running colour Had not my friende bene there rather then I would haue suffered it my heart vpon a two edged sword should haue bene split or I reuenged The beloued youth was famoused to be an excellent Musitian as indéed he was So his Lady or rather espouse for her father had agreed thereto gaue him a Lute to play thereon Hee accepted it for he was fully bent to performe her will and began to touch it with more swéeter musicke then hee that descended to the infernall Vaultes to fetch his wife Then with a cleare voice he warbled forth this Dittie the which my memorie carried away the more to increase my paine That brow which doth with faire all faires excell Those eyes that shining lends the world his light That gracious mouth where all the Graces dwell That dimpled chin the whetstone of delight Those two rare Mounts of Lillies and of Roses That in their swelling all content encloses That brow eye mouth chin and most daintie cheeke Doth call keepe hold bind and in giues restraine My heart eye eare my thought and iudgement eeke That no wise force can free me thence againe Yet do I loue my pleasing paine so well That boue all ioyes I prize my heauenly hell Let dunghill basenesse and the earthy mind His summum bonum place in what he list My soule which strange diuinitie doth find Within thy faces centure to consist Will not consent that any other bee My onely good but onely onely thee Thy brow shall be the dreadfull snowy Barre Where I will daylie for thy mercie plead Thy shyning eye my path-directing starre Thy mouth the Lawes which I must keepe shall read Thy chin and cheeke shall equall power beare The first to cheere the last to keepe in feare And thou thy selfe Goddesse of my desire In my Hearts temple dayly I le adore No other Deitie will I admire No other power diuine will I implore Great Goddesse keepe me in thy fauour shine My heart eye eare my thought and iudgements thine Thus did he runne vpon the treble with such heauenly melodie that had he not bene Agesilao that sung beléeue me braue knight I would haue liked it but being done by the
Knights I remembred the things she did most loue and hate she shewed no whit of alteration but returning my ponyard said Little néed had you Florisiano to alter your name for any such feare knowing that onely for it the first of the same had bene forgiuen Farther shee did not procéede nor more openly bewray her affection I dissembled my ioy sharing it with Iaroe whom now me thoght began to bee forgot I would therein recompence him for his former kindnesse towards Florisiano The time would no longer permit vs to chat for the houre of my departure being come I was constrained to tell her so She was content aduising me to be secret because shee would that way often visit me I imagine Sir Knights that you thinke both tongue and soule swore a solemne performance of her deare commaund and if you so thinke I assure you your thoughts deceiue you not for my soule that still hanged vpon her lips receiued her command with no lesse sentēce of the Delphian Oracle then rising with a pleasant smiling she said I pray Lord Florisiano let vs entreate your Turkeship Christianly to conduct vs to our lodging and then wée le license your departure All rauished with ioy not able to speake a word I went with her to her chamber doore and then falling on my knées and kissing her hand desiring her to account me hers I tooke my leaue leauing my soule in her bosome and returned to my Lords lodging where we prepared our selues for our walke He did an act that I iudged most kinde for he gaue me a garment that had bene mine saying Hold Iaroe for since Fortune robbed mee of his owner none hath better deserued it I put it on and greatly wondred how he knew me not Away we went arriuing to the window where his Lady expected him I stayed to guarde the passage with such resolution that all the world yea Florisiano of Apulia had not passed there with the first and with the fauoured last was Iaroe now in disgrace séeing the alteration of his fortunes So if with patience you will attend me the next Chapter shall vnfolde what else happened CHAP. XXIX How the Prince of Apulia ended the discourse of his amourous life to the Greeke Princes and how Claridiano pittying his estate departed with him WHat strong residence the power of Loues affection hath within an amorous brest faire Ladies the beawteous Pollinardas suddain and vnexpected change which Agesilao bought full dearely doth amply shew for not remembring how greatly she had loued him how bitterly she had taken his death and with what rigor she procured his reuenge she recanted and without consideration of her honours blemish doted on a slaue A iust guerdon that séeing she would not affect the Knight that with such firme proofes had approoued himselfe to be hers and by his déeds worthy of her estimate she now beheld the subiect of her ioyes with slauish markes and that her blinde and vaine passion might so far excéed as to say that for the second Florisianos sake the first had bene pardoned There is none that may safely build his assurance on such effects if once he haue opened his doores to Loues flatteries In pensiue imaginations had the Louer put the Gréekes with his amorous Historie that they would not so soone haue it end But the youth that aggrauated his woes with repetition of his former gréefes abreuiated saying There stayed I Heroicke knights gazing on the vesture that belonged to the Apulian till that my Lord Lysander hauing excused himselfe to his lady of certaine obiections layd against him I thinke it was but some iealous imagination they would assure all inconueniences by an espousall contraction especially befitting them both So hee came for me to be a witnesse thereto but ere he discouered himselfe he would néeds try the vygor of my armes comming an other way disguised for the purpose and being neare me he drew saying What madnesse hath brought thée to so suspitious a place where thy boldnesse shall reape no other againe then a remorcelesse death I was so carefull to let none passe nor to disclose who I was that without more ado or other answere I set vpon my dearest friend In faith I reioyced to sée how wel he behaued himselfe although I knew him not but I being throughly incensed I began to follow him in such sort that I droue him among the hedges of the Orchard faithfully discharging my dutie It behooued him to speake least some danger had happened so he raysed his voice miscalling me therewith which more gréeued me then if he had mortally wounded me for séeing me with eager furie presse to take aduantage at full to hit him he said Oh Turkish dog what doest thou I knew my Lord Lysanders voyce and beléeue me Noble warriors I was neuer more vexed but that I tendered him as my soule Iaore had surely kept him from enioying his loues yet I stayed my hand considering his friendship towards the Prince of Apulia So I tooke my sword by the poynt and intreated him to pardon me for my not knowing him had forced mee to commit that fault The faith answered he wherewith friend Iaroe thou backest thy Maister brings with it thy excuse for neuer had any knight a better seruant thē I But that thou mayest know how I estéeme thée come for I will haue thée be a witnesse to the faith I will plight vnto Solecia to bee her firme Louer Hee bounde mee eternally by the act And the Moone then shyning bright it shyned iust in the middest of the Ladies windowe where she stayed and credit mee shee séemed bewtifull Shee had so affected Florisiano Prince of Apulia that séeing mee with his owne garments shee could not but pittie him calling mee to memorie With my hatte in hand as a seruant ought I stood still but she called me saying Come thée hither friend Iaroe for I will haue this assurance passe in thy presence and my ioyes should I account compleate were the owner of thy apparell in thy place Oh if that were so my deare espouse sayde my tender-hearted fréende what greater content could wee more desire Towards whom might the blinde Goddesse shewe her selfe more fauourable then to vs had she now sent vs that valiant knight crost with so many troubles Some teares did I espie in their eyes which so greatly moued me that I could no longer dissemble and going more neare them I thus spake My very soule would ioy most soueraigne Princes although I lost this good to sée that knight here who is the happiest in the worlde to be beloued of such Princes for then should fortune neither bereaue Iaroe of this content oh Gods I could scarce make an end nor yet should the dispairing Knight be so persecuted by her as not to enioy your happie presence by experience sée with what faith he is affected And if you regard him behold me here for more troubles yet reserued And since I am eye
replied I knowing I will till death obey your commaund Shee answered Why then we shall not so ill disagrée as I thought the thing therefore I would knowe is thou must tell me if thy Lady be heere or no and her name withall without delay and circumstance for I shall thereby receiue the greatest pleasure in the world and with the contrary excéeding discontent which will bee immerited and no iust guerdon for what I meane to do for thée You may easily conceiue valiant Knights what conflicts I might indure of contrarious thoughts not knowing the successe that might ensue if by telling troth I did condiscend vnto her demaunde Somewhat amazed stoode I a while in so much that shee saide you must not deuise excuses for it will fall out woorse if you offend me so I answered None did I deuise diuine Pollinarda but I rather began to incourage my selfe to passe my life in your disgrace for nought else can redowne heereby but kindle your fléeping wrath Bee it what it will saide shee for I am pleased with the knowledge Why then replied I know soueraigne Princesse shée is in this Cittie and of the selfe same name that you are of in which repitition I offend her Shee procéeded further saying And haue you neuer spoken with her now did I tremble with feare and then imagined a thousand deuises yet in the end I replied Soueraigne Ladie your excellency so farre vrgeth this matter that I cannot steppe from hence fearing to méete with death vnlesse you seeke his lifes ouerthrow that was borne to serue you She replied I wil haue you tel me all for I wil take it as one that procures your good as you haue partly séene Whereto I answered falling on my knées Presuming on your Royall word and fauours sacred Ladie I cannot deny but I am yours imploring pardon for this fault if it be any worthie of worse punishment then death It did not gréeue her to heare me say she was the Quéene my heart had chosen to imperate ouer it and my soule but rather taking holde by my King the marke of my slauery which for my pleasure I often put on shée raised me saying Very plainely hast thou Florisiano exprest thou louest me and if thy constancie wherewith thou doest it be as thou saiest so I may enioy a heart so sincere and second to none I giue thée leaue to do so stil regarding the secrecy due to my honor vntil the heauens shall minister those meanes wherewith I may asswage thy griefes I required her hands I could doo no lesse to kisse them more glad then had I bene inuested sole Emperor of the wide world and yet that had not so pleased me She commanded me to take off my King séeing Fortune had now fauoured me wherto I replied Oh let not your excellency commaund me to put off that thing wherewith the heauens haue begun to worke my ioy lest Fortune enemy to all content séeing me no more a slaue should tryumph ouer my glory And though I be a king in louing and the most glorious and frée in being beloued let me kéepe this as a memoriall I am and wil be yours while my life shall endure the which loosing it in your seruice will be the happiest and richest losse in this terrene Orbe If it be so weare it replied the Mistresse of my life and yet the taking it off should nothing impaire my affection which now is only imployed in your Loue. Thus was the Soueraigne of my soule weauing this swéete webbe of my life on the delicate Loome of both our contents when blinde Fortune Mistresse of mischaunce being weary and angry that she had helped me that litle moment of time brought it about I know not by what meanes that our Loues till then became suspitious in Court nay further procéeds my woes Oh I cannot without teares say more it came to the Kings eares who desirous to be assured of so dishonourable a déede as to be beloued of the Princesse he had hidde himselfe in that roome vnknowne to me that very night and séeing by experience what he had suspected he issued forth inraged like a mad mā I yet was on my knées when he came forth and finding me in that manner he tooke me by the collor and drawing my ponyard said Oh infamous miscreant Turkish dogge hast thou thus wronged the trust reposed in thée The punishment inflicted on thée shall bee a sufficient example to all others such disloyall wretches as thy owne selfe I had no eyes to looke him in the face nor tongue to answere him though I wanted not hands to shead his blóod had not my Ladyes and my friend Lysanders displeasure and discontent thereby stayed me Hée snatched at her so furiously that shee almost fell vpon her face saying I had not thought Minion thy wanton boldnesse would so haue made thée passe the limits of shame and grace as to bestowe thy affection on a slaue He cried to those that awaighted without whereat foure knights rushed in who straight conueied me to prison where I thoght they would closely murther me the which I had gladly receiued so shee were not hardly handled that had so bountifully fauoured mee The king did commit her but knowing our affection had beene no other then he had séene hee straight for hee loued her dearely forgaue her turning all his rage vpon poore Florisiano Oh magnanimious Knights with how many millions of brinish teares did I bewayle that losse it was beléeue me the greatest in the world for none in so short time could bee so happie as I nor none againe so vnhappie Nothing I did but exclaime lamenting and with woes tormenting my afflicted selfe At length being so many some pierced the high heauens moouing the immortall Gods to pittie and comiseration appointing a meanes on earth to redéeme me for the Noble Lysander being mooued at my disgrace by pollicy procured my Gailors to release me of my Irons and boltes that I might escape through a window and saue my life I gréeued no lesse to depart from Pollinarda at that time though in her grace and fauour then at first when like an enemie I ran from her Yea more then this did my friend sollicit in my behalfe for hee went to his sister and discouered to her the whole secret of my affaires telling her I was the Knight in yealowe and hee that slewe her Agesilao then louing her more then now I neuer would tell any who else I was because I vowed it from the beginning onely to procure her fauour or disfauour without that regard and respect wherein I might bee hadde beeing knowne to bee Prince of Apulia and had not your valour and curtesies bound me thereto none should haue knowne it The Lady did not gréeue at this swéete complot of Loue but rather it kindled in her some new affection So was I visited in prison from her which reuiued my hopes and added new life to my dying powers To pleasure
the Prince Lysander my Gaylors tooke from me my gyues The Lady Mistresse of my life knew the night of my departure and hauing sometimes before written vnto me by her brother yet then she exprest the vtmost of her Loue for I was no sooner downe in the Garden ouer which the windowe was that I leaped through when among a certaine company of trées I heard a noyse Supposing it could be none that would do me such pleasure as I after receiued I drew my weapons and went towards that place where I was quickly pacified séeing a knight I well knew who with as much breuety as the case required tolde me that my Lady sent me a Letter with money and Iewels for my escape I tooke all not knowing how to deserue so much good as at her hands I had receiued and making my answere according to the merits of those déeds I tooke my leaue of the knight and went out of the Garden and trauelled till I thought I was out of daunger and hiding my selfe among certaine stéepie Mountaines I vnripped the Letters seale and by the clearenesse of the Moone that then shyned I read it thus Pollinardas Letter THe greefe kinde Florisiano to see thee so depart from her that had lodged thee in her brest is so great that it will not suffer me to be tedious although it bee my onely desire for seeing that going from mine with such affection it must rest in thy hands it were some comfort to me thus with thee to prattle longer But aye me for Fortune thinking we shuld enioy too great a happinesse thereby she doth bereaue me of my iudiciall sences and my bteath yet not so much but I haue strength to say though not libertie to auerre that I remaine thine till death which shall first attach me with his grim pawes then I will grant an other yea vnlesse it be to him that hath long since with such zeale and constant loue obtained and wonne my firme faith The Gods preserue thee me as they know I wish and thou deseruest Thine till death Pollinarda This Letter is it braue warriors that comforts me when my gréefe is at greatest and this is the foode vnto my fainting life whose tedious relation I am sure hath wearied you Wherto Claridiano said This knâ—â—â—â— and my selfe Noble Prince haue taken such pleasure at your Loues discourse that it cannot bee exprest insomuch it hath bound me to offer my life in your behalfe for I protest neuer to put on Armour more if I deliuer not that Lady into your hands in spight of all the world wherefore let vs straight bee gone although it gréeues my very soule to leaue this Knight but your necessitie forceth me thereto because her father to bee rid of that care may marrie her to the brother of the deceased Prince That onely is the thing which most tormenteth me answered the Apulian for doubtlesse it may happen as you Sir Knight haue imagined and may the heauens recompence what now and hereafter you shall do in my behoofe and I much desire to know who you are that I may venture with more securitie for all helpes will be necessarie to cope with so puissant a King and a knight so strong as Astrenio By the way you shall know that said the hastie Gréeke for daunger now awaites on our delay He tooke his leaue of his vncle with more loue then when Peâ—â—hous parted from Theseus he promised to séeke him if matters succéeded to his content They all rose the Gréeke Prince with Florisiano hasted to their ship wherein being imbarked they launched into the déepe Ocean where we must leaue them to bring Claramants to Constantinople CHAP. XXX What happened in the proofe of the Disamorous Tower and how Claramant arriued and prooued it WIth feare to bee condemned of too much prolixitie in the amorous discourse of the Prince of Apulias life being the thing I most dread and onely séeke to shunne and yet no small trouble did it cost mée to refuse it to so briefe a summarie as I haue the which I vrge for my excuse although it néed not if it be read by Cupids vassailes but whilest this is in question attend fairest of all faires most beauteous Ladies for the triall of the Tower is nothing but Loue. There was none left but went foorth to sée it because the fame therof drew them thither So many knights came from the shippes that the Cittie was not able to containe them all and euery one so richly armed that it delighted euery beholder The spacious yard was in a trice filled with people and the Ladies with their beauties made it more glorious then the heauenly Synode of the Gods For the trial there wanted no knights in that ere noone aboue two hundreth shields accompanied the others that were before hung vp yet none arriued so high as Brandimardo sonne to the great Affricano that died vppon the conquest of Lyra in Rosiclers presence as was declared in the second part of this Historie As the Emperours were about to withdraw to dinner there entred the place attended on with a maiesticke companie a cousin of Abstrusios no lesse valiant then he All in gréen armor hee was clad brauely garnished with halfe Moones the deuise on his shielde was a Griffion without head which in his countrie in battell he had slaine As nimble as a Roe he dismounted ascending the staires in such haste that euery one thought he would end the aduenture but arriuing where the deceased Pagan had done hoe was charged with so many strong blowes that Galtenor saith he could do no more then raise one legge to steppe higher which was the cause that with more rigor hee was thrust out and his shield placed according to his deserts next to Brandimardos Great honor wonne Salberno hereby so was he named and had in high estimation for his Cousin excepted that was borne for the seas whose Lieftenant hee was none could better order a Nauall battel then he as he shewed it in the warres of Grecia The Emperour to fauor the Captaine generall of his Fléetes inuited him which they much estéemed iudging the Gréeke Monarch the absolutest accomplished in all vertues of any in the whole vniuerse besides and themselues most happie to bee ioyned in amitie with such Princes Away they would go when a kinsman of Pollidolpho of Croatia shewed himselfe whose armes were of an Indian colour full of strawberries With gallant brauerie hee went towards the Tower where hee spedde not so ill as not to be accounted valiant for his shield was hung next to the Troyan Oristides To dinner went the Emperors glad to sée what happened in that triall where they were serued with such maiestie as their estates required By themselues sate all the Ladies so exceeding faire that Paris had doubted to which for beautie hee might giue the golden apple Nothing could please the beauteous Archysilora in absence of her Gréeke but rather gréeued to sée those feastiuals