Caverns Recesses and Valleys and o're all the high Mountains for Olivaires One time fearing he might be fallen into a swoon another lest some wild Beast might have devoured him sometime thinking that Highway-men might have lighted on him and slain him At length not getting any news of him they gave themselves up wholly to Grief and Lamentations and those that had seen Helena would rather have thought her a wild Beast than a Woman whilst she pluck'd off her Hair scratch'd her Face rent her Garments screek'd out aloud and would not take either any Meat or Rest The King was astonished and struck almost dead with this Accident and all Fashion and good Order neglected the Court became a melancholy heedless and confused Crew for every one much feared the life both of Helena and the King so excessive was their Affliction and the dolors and sighs that proceeded from their breasts did so affect and trouble the Lords and Knights as almost to break their hearts He who had heard the praises Olivaires had given him of the King and seen what a blow of discontent this Accident had given the Crown would have been very sensible his Majesty had felt both the utmost extremities of happiness and misery But leaving Helena the King and the whole Court to their Sorrows let us now proceed to look for Arthur who so long saw the water clear but of a sudden beheld it turn'd cloudy and understanding what it meant hastily sets forward in search after Olivaires being fully resolved to find him out and on the one hand hurried away with a violent desire of seeing him and on the other stimulated with grief knowing some great peril had behapned him he as it were flew with Wings CHAP. LIII Arthur prepares to go in search after Olivaires by signal of the Water which shews his Calamity I Related before the manner of Olivaires's departure from Castile and the grief that it caused his Father the Court and the Queen the principal occasion of so great an Evil But the King's Affliction was the heaviest and in a short time cost him his life Upon his death then Arthur was made Ruler of the Kingdom by those Dukes Barons and Knights and had the Government until they should hear of King Olivaires And Arthur willingly accepted of it for the love he bore to his Brother and every day he looked on the Vial of Water At length One morning a while after he had rise he was for going out a Hunting but would before see the Water which he found troubled and of a bloudy colour Whereupon he cry'd out O noble and virtuous Cavalier my faithful Brother where shall I find thee to free me from so great dangers Whither shall I go which way must I steer to succour thee O that I knew the Province the Kingdom the City nay that Heaven that could inform me of thee And instead of going a Hunting unless in another kind he appointed his Vicegerent and on a brisk Courser with a Sum of Money and Jewels with all possible dispatch he is mounted for his Journey Having to all his Barons deliver'd up the Government and beseeched them to administer all things for the best in as much as he hoped that they might shortly have Olivaires with them and desir'd them they would not marvail at his departure since it was of great importance for the good of the whole State Accompanied then with those few he had a mind to he first takes his way thorough his own Kingdom and so orders the Affairs of the Government declaring all along he was going about a matter of grand concern as indeed it was Arthur's going away was a great trouble to the Lords of Castile first and after to those of Dalgarve for his behaviour and carriage to them were such that every one was in love with his noble and generous Temper and his Vertues made him the Darling of Mankind So all lamented his departure CHAP. LIV. Arthur 's Voyage through divers Countries in search of Olivaires ARrthur being got out of his Kingdom recommends himself unto God and his good Providence And first he makes search through all the Kingdom of Portugal in all the Cities and in all places of the Realm nor desists his inquest till he goes into the remotest Woods Now in his busy inquiry that way he hears tell that not far off a fierce Lyon haunted a Mountain and whoever went into those places was sure either to be kill'd or at least be wofully shatter'd by the savage and that many Knights for proof of their Prowess and to oblige the Country with a publick benefit had made attempts upon him but with the loss of their lives Arthur hearing this deliberated with himself whether Olivaires might not perhaps have gone on this enterprize And having fitted his Armour he makes for the Mountain and when he had got half way he meets the Lion who had come far was lean humble and by chance lame of a Paw Arthur seeing him wondered he was so gentle thinking with himself it was easy to kill him and for that end without fear goes toward him The Lion reaches out himself a length as Dogs are wont to do and with a lamentable Roine expressed that he recommended himself to his favour and shew'd him his Paw which was swell'd and had rotted because a piece of the Splinter of a Spear remained in it Arthur then drew him the Shiver out and forth run a great deal of corrupt matter Whereupon the Lion perceiving it to be better with him with many more Caresses and wantoner play than a Dog can make gratefully fawns upon him Arthur goes for the Mountain and the Lion follows him and having sought but not found any humane footsteps he returns to his own Road accompanied by the Lion all the Country fled before them beholding the Animal But Arthur put them out of fear making 'em to see how tame the Lion was and he gave him a piece of fat Veal and it refreshed him and in a short time by attending on him the Animal became sound and hearty and went continually at Arthur's Stirrup as a Page when he rode and when he slept a-nights lay Centinel at his Chamber-door like a Mastiff Arthur accompanied of this Lion made search thorough many and many Realms Catalonia Languedoc Spain Normandy France Piccardy Burgundy and spent many a day in travail yet could never hear any news at all of Olivaires One night melancholly and fatigu'd with his Journy having arrived at the Port of Cales he argued to himself and having no other in company with him in his Chamber but the Lion only he thus complained Oh! why may not my dolors have an end as well as thine most loving Animal Ah! that at the least I could inform thee how excelling a Knight he is I wander in quest of how noble how admirable and how he bears away and easily deserves the Palm of all the valiant Knights of Chivalry The Lion
many Caresses freely bestowing on him all he had got So the two Brothers continued together every day feasting making merry Hunting Justing and diverting themselves with other noble Exercises CHAP. LXV Of an Infirmity which hapned to Arthur and how by some Dreams they see the remedy for his Cure AMong these Sweets Fortune must needs be mixing her Bitters and so severe she was as to bring upon Arthur an incurable Disease and 't was after this sort Arthur's Body was all corrupted within whence proceeded out of all parts of it an infinity of Vermin and they would certainly have devoured him but that he ever hastened to kill them Not a Physician but disgusted the sight nor a Servant that could indure the stench He had half lost the sight of his Eyes and his Speech falter'd and he was become a perfect Skeleton Yet his Body was inwardly swell'd all the ligaments of his Joints were dissolved and lax like a Paralitick he could not raise his Head from his Pillow nor turn him in his Bed whatever he eat gave him no nourishment and in a word so strange was his Malady that the Doctors could not find any remedy for it None but Olivaires had courage to look on him and he continually attended him And when Arthur wish'd and begg'd for death a thousand times in an hour he comforted him and pray'd him to bear his condition patiently telling him He did not think it the least trouble to wait on him but did it freely and with great satisfaction One night Arthur dream'd he saw Olivaires's Daughter breathe a Vein and that she sprinkling some of the Blood issued from it on his Visage and giving him more to drink he was cured by the virtue of it Whereupon he waken'd for joy but then finding it only a Dream he said nothing of it to Olivatres The Virgin was of competent stature and she also dream'd the same night she saw Arthur drinking of Blood out of a Bowl and to be cur'd thereby and she told it to her Mother Olivaires one morning 'bout break of day see in a Dream a Lady drawing blood out of her Vein and with it bathing Arthur and also giving him of it to drink and that he was cur'd thereby The sight whereof wonderfully rejovc'd him and the same morning told the Vision to Arthur Helena from her Soul loving Arthur as if he had been her own Brother declareed also her Daughters Dream Arthur though secretly had made his Vision known to the Doctor who did assure him that Blood was his only remedy CHAP. LXVI The Consult of the King Olivaires Helena and the Physicians upon Arthur 's Infirmity WHen the King heard of every one's Dream he knew for certain that Clarisa's Blood was to be the Medicine whereby Arthur must have relief On the one hand he was dubious on the other he was resolv'd and having called Olivaires Helena and the Physicians desirous he should recover he enquired of them which was the most facil way to perform the Operation On the one part Olivaires consented to the doing of it for that he was his Brother but was afflicted on the other fearing it might endanger his Daughter's Life Helena lamented the mishap Arthur would rather have dy'd than any hand should spill the least drop of his Neece's Blood the Physicians knew not any way to take Blood from her without great hazard and fear of harm to the Damsel The King was sorry he could not shed his own to serve him Olivaires likewise would freely have bled and Helena was troubled extreamly Under these Difficulties his Royal Friends labour'd a whole day and earnestly recommended with Prayers themselves and their Case unto God At night when Helena was about going to bed she with all humility kneel'd down on the Floor and with a most sincere heart made her application unto God begging of him to instruct them how without danger or pain to extract Blood from her young Daughter inasmuch as they were resolved to free him of his Disease by that Remedy Lo in the night a Lady arrayed all in pure white Silk with a Crown of Gold upon her head appear'd to the Royal Damsel and with saying things that delighted her and with winning Smiles and sweetness made gentle application and lanced a vein of her right arm and having saved the blood in a bason of Alabaster and healed the little orifice said to her you shall give this to Arthur to drink and bathe also his Face with it In the morning the thing being understood the King and they all render'd thanks unto God and published the Miracle and Solemn Sacrifice was appointed The Damsel in the morning accompanied of her Mother and also her Father with all the Ladies went unto Arthur and bathed him with that same blood and gave him thereof to drink whereby in a moment he was seen to admiration to recover and in a short time was perfectly cured CHAP. LXVII After the restoring of Arthur to his health Cavaliers came out of Spain to compliment Olivaires as their Sovereign WHen Arthur was well again the rejoicing was no less than if he had strictly risen from the dead and the world kept a Jubilee his Subjects of Ireland came to compliment him upon and with great joy congratulate his recovery The same time also many Embassadors arrived from the Kingdom of Spain to make demonstration of their mighty gladness for having found again their King but withal expressing sorrow for the Queen's death so that there was a necessity of declarations of sadness for Arthur's sake but when the Court was out of mourning there came many Dukes Lords and Knights and begged of their Sovereign King Olivaires that he would be pleased to make happy with his presence his own Dominions wherefore they all supplicated the King of England to give consent that Olivaires Helena and Arthur might go for some days to their Realm The King was pleased and proffer'd to accompany them also himself and having order'd the Carriages Attendance Treasure and all other things to be in readiness they took their progress for Spain He who could relate the number of the Guards those three Kings had the Pages Knights and infinite Train that attended them and also the Ladies would be able to make the most stupendious Narrative that was ever heard Only the Queen and her Daughter had two Courts of Knights and Ladies that equall'd the Stars of Heaven both for their number and their brightness Castile having notice of the coming of so belov'd a Sovereign and of his People so much desired made great Jubilee and Exultation and the more for that they understood they had for their Queen the Daughter of England and that she had also a Son and Daughter The Feasts the Pomps the Rejoicings the Triumphs the Justings and Turnaments were infinite every where as they passed were such great Feasts and Entertainments made for them as was possible to be prepared among such hurry of joy and rapture
That after the Valiant Emperour Charlemain King of France returned from Spain into his own Kingdom within a short while Heaven put an end to his days at which time a Prince rul'd in Castile who for his excellent Virtues and winning Behaviour both of his Nobles and Commonalty was much Beloved and Rever'd He Married the King of Galitia's Daughter a Virtuous and Beautiful Lady But having no Issue by her this made her very Melancholy and the whole Kingdom was much Discontented seeing one Realm remain destitute of an Heir and other deprived of their Lawful Sovereign which must needs in time produce many Troubles Disorders and Wars The Queen therefore hearing oft of these things and by some words which fell from the King perceiving that he was much dissatisfi'd made her Application by Prayer unto God who never fails those who rightly put confidence in him And beginning with Alms Endowing of Orphan Maids Redemption of Slaves and other good Christian offices she implor'd Mercy and Favour of our Lord and his Virgin Mother intreating them to grant her a Son for the preservation of the Kingdom And for that her request was equitable and her Prayers issued from a sincere heart it pleased God in pity to hear their Cry and she conceived and brought forth a most beautiful Boy which caused great Exultation Triumph and Festivity throughout the whole Kingdom But she had not lived four days when 't was the Will of the Almighty that she should render up her devout Soul unto him that gave it which caused a Lamentation as general as had been the Joy But the King was the principal Mourner who bore an extream affection to her knowing so well her Beauty Prudence Chastity Compassionateness unto men Piety towards God and how in all things to his will and pleasure she was conform and agreeable CHAP. II. Of the Baptism of Olivaires and the Obsequies of the Queen his Mother and some procedures toward the King 's Marrying again for the Kingdoms Welfare AFter all things were prepared for the Funeral they carried the deceased Queen to her Burial and it was ordered that her Child should at the same time be brought to his Baptism so both were in the Church together The Queen was lamented with floods of Tears and the young Infant was Baptized with fitting Solemnities and to him they gave the Name of Olivaires As soon as the Funeral and Baptism were over the King returned to his Palace and every one to their own homes This so sudden Death caused the King extremely to lament and so infinite was his sorrow that his Life begun to be much despaired of Wherefore his Nobles used all endeavours to divert his Melancholy by whatever they conceived might be most likely to give him any pleasing Entertainment And for this end among others they brought unto him his little Son Olivaires whom taking and Embracing in his Arms with heavy Sighs he mixed these Words bearing a kind of delight even in their dolorousness O my little Son all my remaining Comfort and the Crown of my Kingdom thy Birth hath raised me to Heaven and sunk me to Hell for by giving me an Heir it has lifted me up on high but by robbing me of my Queen it has cast me down as low again And addressing himself unto God he begged of him that he would assume into Heaven the Mother's happy Soul And on the little Babe looking in his Face said he may it please him to bestow such Grace that thou mayest live in constant Obedience to all his Holy Commandments After this manner the Afflicted King spent his time day by day and would receive no Consolation Therefore the chief Lords of his Court seeing his Griefs rather increase than abate met together in private to consult which might be the best means to bring their Sovereign out of his heavy Melancholy for that if he persisted in this condition he must of necessity very shortly put an end to his days which would prove a grand publick detriment and therefore they concluded on what would be every way better than that he should do so viz. the Matching him with Queen Dalgarve Dowager agreeable enough for years Fair and of good and gentle Disposition wherefore if he were so inclin'd it might turn to good effect So they were determined to make the Proposal to him Coming then into his presence and having first paid those respects due to Sovereignty they communicated unto him the issue of their Consultation shewing him what good would follow and how much to their own and the general satisfaction and advantage his Marrying would be and particularly displayed before him the excellent Qualities and rare Virtues of Queen Dalgarve so that this Match as was said before would be fortunate and happy for himself content to them and cause the publick rejoycing of the whole Kingdom The King giving ear to them and remaining a little in suspence and considering withal the reasonableness of the thing and that it was his Subjects Affection to him that urged them so to speak returns them answer after this manner My own Temper and Inclination for certain is not to marry any more nor ever to know Woman again Notwithstanding I shall declare unto you that since in what you move you seek the publick welfare and yours and mine and do so tenderly and affectionately request this of me I am willing to forsake the Path I had with resolution made choice of and follow the duct of your Desires and Counsels and yield unto you to pitch upon what will be for the best and may tend to your happiness the Kingdom 's and my own When the Lords saw such generosity in their Prince and had received so gracious an Answer from him they were much pleased and gave him infinite Thanks for such Goodness And now Honourable Ambassadors were quickly dispatch'd away to make their Complements to Queen Dalgarve who upon their Arrival were entertain'd with great kindness and respect although the Occasion of their Embassy was not at all known The next day they made their Ascent into her Palace where they delivered unto her the Mind and Inclinations of their King And their Discourse did not offend her Majesty's Ear and so by her Courtiers were honourably accompanied to their Apartments CHAP. III. The Treaty about the Marriage of Queen Dalgarve to the King of Castile THE Day following about Three the Queen sent to convene all the Grandees Sages and most Noble Barons of her Kingdom with whom she discoursed and declar'd the King of Castile's mind And as for her Answer and the whole Affair she referr'd it to them yielding up her self intirely to what they should advise and to their disposal That whether they thought it fit she should marry or no she would wholly be at their devoire and most willingly comply with their Resolutions The matter being discuss'd they determin'd to speak in short that she should not reject the motion telling her That she could not
match into a nobler or better State and that her Son Arthur was too young for Government Thus they counsell'd her to accept of the King of Castile for her Husband To which she repli'd I told you before and now repeat it That your pleasure shall be mine And therefore to you I leave it to form an Answer to the Ambassadors in what manner you shall best approve of After then they had returned the Queen thanks Six Barons were appointed to go and inform the King's Ambassadors their Pleasure and that it was also their Queen's who had Authoriz'd them so to say and these also told them That they questioned not but from such an Auspicious Conjunction happy Effects and universal good Influences and Advantages would proceed So the Affinity was lest to the Liberty of the King of Castile for his Proposal she was not altogether averse from Go then and tell your Master to order the Marriage as shall please him and in this Point we only request one Favour of him That he would please to come himself for her since all the Coasts are clear and safe for this will look more decent and come also with as little Retinue and Pomp as an Affair of that kind and quality may possibly allow CHAP. IV. The Espousals of the King of Castile and Queen Dalgarve and how he conducted her into his Kingdom with her little Son Arthur THE Ambassadors having dispatch'd their Business and received noble Presents from the Queen and Court returned back to their own Country where the King with great impatience was expecting them and Answer Who having heard it and how she was inclin'd prepared for his Journey and gave his Courtiers a Month's space for fitting themselves to attend him And when that was expired he with his Court departed and in a little time finished their Journey and upon their arrival were received with great civility and respect and then they ordered all things for the Marriage which with great dispatch was nobly consummated So they passed many days in feasting and then prepared for a departure The King could never have his Eye off Arthur who bore so extream resemblance to his Son Olivaires that many were mistaken in thinking him the same After the Feasting was over the King appointed his Deputy to whom he committed the care of the Kingdom and within few days returned with the Queen to his own Dominions with her little Son Arthur who was equally loved and caressed as Olivaires Now when they were arrived at the Kingdom and come to the City of their Residence the Feastings were renewed with all expressions of Joy and Merriment and the two young Sons immediately contracted extream affection and kindness one for the other and were never asunder who were so perfectly alike that not any difference could be perceived as we shall find in the sequel CHAP. V. Olivaires and Arthur were taught the Art of and exercised in Arms by a Valiant Cavalier and had noble Discipline and Education WHEN Olivaires and Arthur were come to years which they arrived at sooner than ordinary that fitted them to bear Arms they were by the King committed to the Education and management of a Noble and Valorous Knight who instructed them in Virtue and exercised them in Arms So that as they advanced in stature their love likewise to each other increased and as much as was possible every way grew greater insomuch that besides the tye of Alliance they enter'd into an Obligation That nothing but Death if even that had a power to do it should separate their Affection and Friendship The sight of which mutual kindness betwixt them caused wonderful satisfaction and joy in the Breasts of the King and Queen and of the whole Court especially as they beheld them diligent in accomplishing themselves in every laudable Acquirement Nor did any shine with any sort of Vertues and Excellencies whose lustre they did not transmit on themselves by imitation if not improve to a greater splendor by exceeding and out-acting those whom first they made their Examples Whether these were intellectual or moral Indowments or Feats of activity of Body as the playing of Tennis Dancing Justing Throwing the Bar Wrestling and such like Exercises in which they never came behind any but often outstript others The King and Queen having observed and being well assured of their Valour and Stoutheartedness as well as Skill at Arms had a mind to appoint a publick Turnament and try them thereat though but Youths Wherefore they proclaimed a Feast unto which at the day assigned repaired many Knights and Barons from divers places all of honourable Repute and famous for Chivalry many Scaffolds and Balconies were made about the Piazza and Seats for the Judges well scituated for fair view that they might justly bestow the Prize In Eminent Stations were also made Triumphal Seats for the King and Queen And now the appointed day being come they took their Places as also the Ladies and Nobility to behold so brave and valorous Combat Then the Trumpets begun to sound at which appeared forth three Knights Errant with their Targets of Scarlet Sable and Purple Colour and having enter'd the Lists they stood in expectation of any would come to oppose them And combating couragiously they broke many Lances to their great honour until Olivaires and Arthur shewed themselves in the Field And now one of the Knights Errant had with a brisk push thrown out of the Saddle and cast to the ground a Courtier a very Valourous Knight and stood ready in expectation of a New Combatant The Valiant Young Olivaires seeing this takes a Massy Lance and turns his Horse opposite to the stout Cavalier who accepting the Challenge runs full against Olivaires and broke his Lance but so great was the blow that he received from the Valiant Youth Olivaires that it brought both himself and 's Horse to the ground And when he had got another Lance the second Knight Errant comes against him in revenge of bis foil'd Companion but with the touch of Olivaires Lance the Knight tumbles back out of his Saddle and in a woful condition lies stretched on the ground and he traverst about from place to place with such air and Gallantry that he seemed to be every-where in an instant The like proof of his Valour made Arthur also So that it was judged that these two Companions carried away the Honour of that day Going off then to rest themselves till the next they returned to the Feast and likewise on the following day as on the first they were much admired and the Third bore the whole Applause away And the Judges conferring together gave judgment of their Valour the two Brothers above all the rest were extoll'd yet to Olivaires as the Principal Victor the Prize was adjudged then with many forts of Musical Instruments they marched to the Palace and there Olivaires spent some time in talk with the King and Queen who also made him a Present which
pursue his own Journey I am Master John Talbot and this is my Country in that City I have a good Estate my admirable Friend and therefore be pleased to let me be carried thither since it is not far off and I will repay you whatever charges you shall be at for I perceive my strength to waste every day more and more and if it had not been for your virtue and goodness I had certainly perished in the Water or here on the Land if not before Olivaires comforted him up and told him he had hopes of his recovery however for the other he needed not trouble himself and he made him a promise but when he saw there were no hopes of his life he order'd him to be carried because he was too weak to sit on Horseback and having bought for himself an excellent good Palfrey he went along with him and Men bearing by turns from place to place brought him at length into his own City where the Cavalier being arrived and heartily receiv'd by his Friends and Acquaintance he suddenly became speechless and after a few days changed this life for a better It happened that a Citizen many years before was to have received a Sum of Monies of the Cavalier that was dead and he made a distrain in his House and would not suffer his Body to be interr'd till he was paid of which he could maintain by Writings and he had stood excommunicate many years This bad News troubled his Parents for that it would oblige them to sell their Goods and Estate neither could the price of them reach it therefore they resolved rather to let him remain excommunicate than satisfy the Debt but the generous Prince Olivaires would no less be his Friend in death than Brother in life as you shall hear CHAP. XVIII Olivaires causes the Cavalier to be buried and discharges the Debt and of some Justings proclaimed in the Court of the King of England OLivaires seeing the great Covetousness of the Knight's Parents was much offended at it and used all the endeavour he could to accord the matter betwixt the Parties At length being neither able to persuade the one nor bring the other to a composition-agreement he demanded of the Creditor how much the total Sum came to and when he was answer'd 2000 Nobles he like a Prince and Mirror of Princes paid with Gold and Jewels the Debt for his deceased Friend retaining their late friendship fresh in his memory and so procured for him Christian Burial After few days he heard a Report that the King of England had given command for proclaiming a Turnament to continue three days and that he who should get the victory should have for reward his Daughter to Wife and the Kingdom for her Dowry and this Royal Maid was the most beautiful and admirable young Creature that ever was born or ever appear'd on the Earth Nor would her Father bestow her in marriage on any King or any other unless he was the most valiant and bravest of the Age to the end that by Arms he might maintain her in her Dominions and the State in peace There were 400 Knights appointed to maintain the Justing and Combat against whatever Cavalier had a mind to present himself on the Field for Encounter and now Nine Months had passed since the Feast and Turnament were published and the allotted term was to expire within 15 days The Valiant Olivaires made it his business to understand well the Fashion and Customs there and by a very Experienc'd Cavalier got Instructions as to every thing and that which delighted him most he was credibly informed that the King's Daughter did much exceed the high Character and Fame that went abroad of her therefore Olivaires fell in love with the very Idea he had conceived from report thinking with himself that if he should come off Victor at such a Turnament the Prize would be an abundant reward of all his Fatigues and Affliction And now he is on his way for going to the Justing and London for the Court resided at that City and there was the place appointed for this famous Turnament CHAP. XIX What Fortune Olivaires has by the way leaving Canterbury to go for the Tilting THE time being now but short before the Feast was to begin the Valiant Knight is on his Journey ever having in his mind the delightful thoughts of Victory and of seeing so many Kings Dukes and great Lords make proof of their Valour thus thinking he went on till he came to a Wood not far from the City of London when lo from one corner of it sallied out 15 High-way men Assassinates of Travellers one whereof with Lance in hand advanced up putting himself in the front of the rest and with villanous words said Lay down your Arms Knight Errant if you desire to live Olivaires before he made answer put up a secret Prayer unto God and his Answer to the Assassinate was immediately to draw his Sword and sencing off the thrusts of his Spear and making his Horse give back he brings him down and kills him and taking his Lance he turns himself against the other Robbers who made very gallant defence but in little time the Valorous Olivaires slew the greater part of them whereupon the rest fled away wounded and as fast as they could recover'd the Wood amazed at the mighty valour they beheld in him and if they had been double or treble the number I truly believe he would have conquer'd and kill'd them all Olivaires having free'd himself of them paid his gratitude to God and riding forward he spies a Spring as clear as Chrystal to which he makes and alights from his Horse to refresh himself with its water being extream thirsty and hot and also to wash some Ripples he had got in the Assassinates Assault wherefore being intent upon these his Horse had step by step wandered a good way off and being now at liberty began to run and caper about before Olivaires was aware and with great haste he goes with design to catch him when out of the thick Wood came one of those villanous Highway-men and prevents him seizes on the Bridle mounts him and flies away with the Mail was fastned to the Saddle-bow What Mortal can imagine Olivaires's grief at this Accident finding himself deprived of his Horse and Jewels which were of great value but his chief trouble of all was that he could not go to the Tilting being void of all hope and means both for the Combat and Attire Whereupon he begins a Complaint able to rend the Rocks and soften them into tenderness and compassion O! was not my Mother's Death enough to satiate the spight of Fortune was not enough my Father's Grief was not enough the Affliction of my Kingdom Not content to have hurried me into infinite perils of life when in the height of my desire to recover my Losses she brings a Cloud over my little glimsing Joy and dawning Happiness But thou Lord whose
as Victor of the Field took his Stand before the fair Helena and ravish'd with the splendor of her beauteous Eyes as much as was sufficient to continue him Victor made a Challenge with motion of his Lance to combat whatever Champion would come against him Suddenly the Trumpet and Military Instruments began to sound which caused the highest Heavens to re-eccho King Maquenor would be the first to make proof of his Lance because he hated Olivaires for that he had got the better of him the day before and spurring on his Horse he came furiously up to smite him but Olivaires struck him into the Breast and having past his Armour stabb'd him to the Heart so that down he falls dead on the ground and also two other Cavaliers came to incounter him in polish'd shining Armour he dealt like hasty Death or laid them wounded flat on the Plain so the Fray was spread from one part to the other and Olivaires appeared like a Lion among so many Herds wounding and tearing Heads Limbs Bones Flesh and Nerves dismounting many and breaking the Horses Necks or dashing their Brains out against the ground by a rapid overthrowing them And when it came afresh into his mind that for a divine Lady he was acting all this it inspir'd double strength and gave increase to his daring hardiness His Sword was dy'd red with Blood and his Arm was bath to his Elbow and his Gantlet was full of and all steep'd in Blood his blows were more violent at the latter end than in the beginning of the Battel he cours'd about the Field from one side to the other smiting and laying prostrate all that offer'd to oppose him so he made such way before him by his Valour that he could easily gain the Standard without Blood all scampering away wherefore with great vigor and fierce aspect he spurs forward and press'd into the midst of the Sixty Knights alone without aid from any part and laying hold on the shaft wrests it out of the hand of the strongest man amongst them This brave Exploit did above all the rest please the Judges the King and Helena who was troubled at so much Blood being shed upon her account but with great difficulty he broke forth from the crowd of the Horses and Men holding fast the Standard in his Hand and well commanding his Horse and defending himself and repulsing the Knights came on him to redeem their Honour then not being able to make any defence and seeing the Standard born away all the Knights fled and the Combatants as worsted and overcome retired Now Olivaires's Knight came to salute him with all his Train and embrac'd him and gave him much joy and honour of his Conquest CHAP. XXVII After his Victory at the Turnament the Valiant Olivaires returns to the Hermit and of Helena 's compassion towards the slain and wounded Cavaliers OLivaires was the last went out of the Piazza for all the Cavaliers were gone to their Quarters as was said and the Dead were carried forth to be buried and Helena offering to go away with the Judges and Ladies Olivaires call'd for another Horse and having mounted him he perform'd such Feats that the Judges thought him some infernal Daemon and not a Man and every one admir'd how the Saddle could keep on much more the Rider Then said the King If the Turnament had continued three days longer he would have extinguished our whole State and also those of his Encounterers and he had a very peculiar kindness for him He staying his Horse with a reverend bow took leave and then went off and return'd to his Hermit and his Cavalier vanish'd and went to make provision for the next day At Evening Helena had a mind to sup with the King and at Table began to say to him after this manner My Soveraign and Father whom above all things I love stand in awe of and venerate I beseech you that you would put a period to so great Cruelty and no further give leave that such brave and honourable Cavaliers should be slain as we have seen to day wherefore if your Majesty has any affection for me be pleased to end the Turnament or so order it that the Combatants may not die for if I had imagined I should have occasion'd so much blood-shedding I would rather have made a most solemn Vow never to have married and if it lay in my power to hinder it I would not consent to any further Contest The King very kindly thus return'd answer Daughter the true Retainer and Upholder of my Blood do not think that I have past the time of this Festival with its Appendages without great trouble and that the death of so many Knights and Kings does not yet continue to afflict me but in such Encounters it cannot be help'd and it is customary and ordinary for them to be slain as in all other Combats 't is wont to happen However to morrow I will so order it that they shall not so easily hurt one another and a safer way and method shall be given them and this I do promise you upon my Royal Word Helena with this took leave the Repast ended and retir'd with her Ladies into her Chamber and would not stay the Ball being a little indispos'd and weary CHAP. XXVIII Olivaires is Victor at the Torney the third day and is conducted by the King's Order and by the Grandees of the Court is lookt upon as a wonder and prodigy THE King the next morning had a desire to know the number of the Slain and the Qualities and Ranks both of the Cavaliers and Kings and having known too much he was exceedingly grieved for on each side infinite numbers were kill'd Then he order'd some of his Kingdom and Court to succeed in the places of those Champions who were wounded and dead but if his Majesty had been rightly sensible what duty he put them upon he would rather have sent them on any other Adventure than this whither they would have gone with much greater alacrity and willingness for the dread of Olivaires Blows struck terror into the very gods much more into Mortal Compositions The hour being now come and the Combatants marching up in their Ranks as was the custom they order'd a Battel on foot and Olivaires appear'd all in White in his upper Vesture which was beautiful and amazing then suddenly procalamation was made That every one should alight from his Horse and lay down his Sword and arm himself defensively as he pleased and for offensive Weapons Arms were given to every one such as might not so easily kill and every one that broke his Weapon or chanc'd to fall was to have no advantage taken of him all this was so ordered for the Lady's sake and after that the Reward should be render'd to the Victor the Trumpets then sounding Flutes playing Drums beating the Combat begun Olivaires was quickly discover'd by his strewing the ground with men shattering of Helmets tearing Coats of Mail
and it doubled his Court Retinue and Riches and it appeared to him so August that he himself bow'd to it Therefore seeing Fortune had been so extraordinary kind unto him to send him such a Cavalier for his Son he was mightily overjoy'd and the transport awak'd him and revolving this Vision in his mind he was imagining with himself what it might signify And musing earnestly he fell asleep again and other Kings appeared to come upon him with design to take that Crown from off his head saying It was not fit he should wear two Crowns but he being moved at their Presumption seemed by force to bind their Hands behind them and to take the Crown off the Head of every one of them to whom after they had humbled themselves unto him Olivaires gave every one their own again and at this he awaken'd The King did admire at the Vision and assur'd himself 't was a Divine one and no natural play of Fancy and happy Mystery in it so he treasur'd it up in his memory and was fill'd with great joy When the Morning was further advanc'd he went to visit his Daughter Helena whom he found more than ordinary pleasant and delighted and inquiring the occasion of it she said she had had about break of day a most pleasing Dream which was That she seemed to be walking in a Garden of fine Flowers whence were many gay delightful and odoriferous ones cast as if they had flown into her Bosom and Lap and that a Cavalier whom she knew not clad all in white pluck'd one and gave it into her Hand that smelling to it she thought she never scented a more ravishing flavour and having a mind to put it into her Bosom it turn'd to a Ring the most curious one that ever she beheld and the Cavalier vanish'd with telling her that was the Spanish King 's Whereupon she awak'd out of her sleep and found the Ring in truth in her hand and she shewed it to her Father the King being stupify'd at so amazing a thing said Certainly some grand Effect will follow upon our new Alliance and taking it into his hand he was more astonished still knowing it to be of inestimable value and said that a more precious thing he never saw She subjoin'd The Cavalier who gave it me said that it was a King's but I cannot remember the rest I was so over-master'd with transport that moment the King with her leave put it on his Finger and injoin'd her to speak nothing at all of it and parted from her CHAP. XXXVI How Olivaires seeing the Ring on the King's Finger knew it to be his Father's and marvelled extreamly but for that it was not known he made as if he saw it not and was ignorant of the Matter THE King being at Table and having the Ring on his Finger every one cast their Eyes upon it for that from the Stone was in it issued out Rays so bright that they resembled a Flame so that the sight could not long sustain the dazzle When Olivaries saw it he quickly knew it to be his Fathers and often dubious in his Mind and revolving things to and fro he at last concluded to be silent The King enter'd into various Discourses with Olivaires and in inoffensive manner enquired after his Name and Blood who replied my Name is Olivaires and for my Blood it is as noble as your Majesty shall please to make it The King proceeded no further for that time and was well satisfy'd and so likewise was Helena The King sought not after his Nation for his Speech manifestly enough declared that After Dinner the King of Ireland the King of Scotland's Son and other Dukes Lords Counts and Knights came to take leave of the King And kindly embracing every one of them he made them many Royal Presents and doing them the Honour to accompany them a little way he dismiss'd them When these Potentates were gone they enter'd into a Combination by Oath to bring a vast Army against England to destroy it thinking the King had put an affront on their Crowns in preferring before them an unknown Knight Also they further discours'd among themselves whence Olivaires might have such honorable Attendance with Cloaths Arms Horses and Pages One said he was the King of England in disguise other that he was a Spanish Cavalier whom Love had drawn thither which they judg'd by his Speech and for that his Dress and Garb were after the Fashion of that Province other that the King by Art Magic had made him prostrate and kill without any their ill Management Wherefore they were all unanimously resolved to have Revenge taking to Heart the Death of so many of their Cavaliers And with this Disposition they returned to their Cantons States and Kingdoms CHAP. XXXVII The King of England sends secretly into diverse parts of his Kingdom for the interpretation of his Dream and he has it THE Dream was interpreted after this manner That the King that should by him be Crown'd King of the Realm should also be King of another and wear a greater Crown than his and that he should pay him Reverence Then the Second Dream signify'd That those other Kings would attempt to extort from him the Realm of England that the Second Crown would take away their State and Kingdom and after courteously restore them again His Daughter's Dream was likewise expounded That she should be espous'd to a King the Son as it were among other Princes as that Ring intimated and if she could tell from what part the Ring came the King of that State should be her Husband By the White Cavalier who gave the Ring could be understood no other than that Cavalier who was Victor at the Turnament was clad the third Day in White and who would give her again the Ring The King was pleased with the interpretation and kept it secret in his Breast and the rather because the Effects of all would quickly appear as he was assured by those who opened to him the Vision CHAP. XXXVIII A sad Accident befalling Olivaires who was brought to himself only by the means of Helena OLivaires having remained some time in the Court and being in continual expectation of the King's Promise that he would give him the fair Helena to Wife pass'd Nights and Days in imagining to himself the Hour the Moment the Manner the Joy and his intire Happiness But yet for all his ruminating he could not see any effect answer his Thoughts nor could perceive any act or sign of Love express'd to him so that on the other hand he was afflicted and tormented incessantly and could get no rest nor comfort At length a violent amorous Accident befel him For being in a deep and fixed Musing in Presence of the King with many Nobles he fainted and fell down as dead Whereupon he was immediately carried to his Chamber and the Physicians were brought and many Remedies prepared but they could not with any recover him out of
his Swoon This dire Accident of Olivaires came to Helena's Ear and she as knowing his Malady and who secretly loved him with various contrivances and great caution convey'd her self where her Olivaires lay in this Deliquium and calling loud to him for she would try all means she approached near unto him and laid her hand upon his Forehead which he begun to be sensible of and look'd up as one awak'd out of sleep And truly I think he would never have come to himself and life again had not Helena's Spirits revived his whose very touch did emit enough to cure him Wherefore being recover'd of this Accident he was very thankful to the King and Helena for the care they had taken of him And leaving him to rest the King and Helena departed At Night in the beginning of her sleep the White Cavalier appeared to Helena and begg'd of her to tamper with the King to give her to Olivaires for his Consort in as much as she would have for a Husband the bravest Hero in the World telling her that for this cause he had given her the Ring which quickly she should see on Olivaires Hand And so vanish'd Helena keeping the Vision in her Mind in the Morning deck'd her self in the richest Cloaths and Dresses that she had and design'd to reveal the Matter to the King her Father in the presence of Olivaires So she procured of the King to go and dine with Olivaires in his Chamber who after invited him to come and eat with him Thus having got her End as they were at Table many pleasant Discourses passed between them At length in the height of the King's Mirth two Couriers came to interrupt it accompanying some Ambassadors from the Kings of Ireland and Scotland with the following Speech CHAP. XXXIX The Challenge made by the Irish Kings to the King of England and the King's Answer and that of Olivaires AFter they had pay'd their due Obeisance to the King they made a surprising Oration of the Motives their Sovereigns had to wage War against his Majesty And after this manner was their Speech That Great Sovereign of Sovereigns the all Wise Creator of Heaven and Earth protect and prosper the Potent Kings of Ireland who challenge to battel the sacred Crown of England and say you are not worthy of it wherefore they are prepared to take from you your State and Kingdom and will come with Arms to shed your Blood and with Fire to destroy your Palaces And thus much I am Commissioned to say of my Sovereigns the Kings of Ireland worthy of all Power and Empire When the King of England had heard these proud Words conscious of his Innocency and the good will he always bore their Royal Majesties he took it in so high disdain that it stopt his Speech that he could not get a word out And suddenly he call'd to mind his Dream and the interpretation of it and turning his Eyes this way and that way on his Nobles Dukes and Knights and seeing none answer any thing or say a word nor himself being able to speak as he had a desire he rises on his Feet with intention to commit the task to Olivaires and at the same time make him espouse his Daughter Upon which Olivaires rising from his Seat spoke these words Puissant Prince with all Reverence and Humility I beg of your sacred Majesty to do me the favour to let me be the Man who shall return answer to the Ambassadors of the unworthy Kings of Ireland At this the King spies his Ring on Olivaire's Finger and much marvelled Wherefore the answer the King gave him was Thou art my Son And taking Helena's hand and his and joyning 'em together he said This is your Consort and in token thereof he kiss'd them both and made him kiss Helena which fill'd all the Court with exceeding Joy and they were much delighted to hear the News of a War Now said the King to Olivaires Take upon you to give answer and to fight for and defend your Kingdom Olivaires after he had apply'd himself to the King and spoke what he thought suitable on such an occasion turn'd to the Ambassadors and said Tell your Masters that Olivaires of Castile the humblest of the King of England's Servants and legitimate King of Spain and the Crown'd Successor of the Realm of England will come and make them sensible of the Error they are in and give them cause to repent of their Insolence When the King and Helena understood that Olivaires was the King of Spain they were so filled with Amazement and Joy as the like was never heard or can be conceiv'd Wherefore they began to entertain for him a vast respect and the whole Court for this great News was transported triumphed and looked big CHAP. XL. The departure of the Ambassadors and what Olivaires said to them OLivaires did much Compliment and Caress the Ambassadors and retain'd them a Day longer than they design'd to stay Then spoke thus to them at their departure Our most Christian Sovereign and Virtuous Father has been pleased of his bounteous Goodness to accomplish his Promise upon me Therefore acquaint your Masters how I have sworn not to return back from this Enterprize to my Father's Court until I have taken from them all their Cities and made every one of them Prisoners to manifest to the World what Tyrants they are and Usurpers of their undeserved Thrones So having presented 'em with fine Horses he dismissed them Olivaires had made plain discovery of himself to the King and Helena had understood a great part of his Secrets and had seen the Visions were come to pass and that the matter of the Ring was clearly apparent Wherefore the King judging by what had already happened also of that which was to come and hopefully foreseeing all would prosperously succeed ordered a mighty Army to be made ready of more than Ten thousand well armed Horsemen and bravely mounted and Infantry innumerable with Pikes Javelins and other Weapons suitable to those times and made Olivaires Generalissimo of all Who having accepted of so honourable Preferment and Command said I do not intend till I return again to make Helena may Wife till by my Valour in Exploits at Arms I may in some degree have shown my self not altogether unworthy of her Favour The Affection Helena bore Olivaires was so great that his departure was death to her the separation of him the Soul from her the Body But being well assured of his Courage she bore her Grief moderately through good hopes of Conquest and comforted her self with the Visions In few Days he with his well-armed Forces were on their march And the Kings were arrived for the overthrow of England with a vast Army Valorous and Strong so they went on ruinating and burning the Villages and ravaging the Countrey At Olivaire's departure his Spouse Helena put a rich Necklace about his Arm which she had always worn about her Neck and for his Neck
making also Ornaments She utter'd these Votes May he who delivered Jonas from out of the Deep of his Mercy and Goodness preserve my noble Spouse and worthy of universal Reign Olivaires in all Perils which may happen unto him and may he be pleased to give him Victory as he did to David against the Giant Goliah Then she embracing kissed him and also the King embraced him and with the blessing of God he left the Palace and went to his Army CHAP. XLI Of the Battel Olivaires had with the Kings of Ireland and of their Army THE Irish Kings were incamped round a City containing Ten thousand Families and in five Days journey Olivaires arrived within half a League of them and Marshalling his Army in right order he made them to understand he was come to give them Battel The Sight and Presence of Olivaires struck mighty Terror into the Kings nor did they think of so sudden Engagement Wherefore they raised the Siege from before the Town and drew out their Camp into more convenient Method for fight Olivaires had got good Intelligence of the Enemy's Forces was informed of their Number which a third part exceeded his knew the places of the Countrey the Enemy might fly to and save themselves Wherefore having accommodated and provided every thing and given all his Soldiers Arms and ranked 'em in fit posture for Combat he made unto them this short Oration Valorous Lords worthy Knights my Brethren and Companions I believe you are well satisfi'd of the good Nature of our Sovereign the King of England my Father and King of England my Father and of the great Liberality he hath expressed toward you in Gifts Presents and fair Promises And I believe that you have a Courage lodged in your Breasts ready to requite as much as you are capable what he has deserved of you But this I am most sure of as a shining Truth that the Glory of an honourable Death is far rather to be elected than the living with more ease and perhaps not so even to the most faint-hearted under the brand of Cowardise and consequently the disgrace of Scorn and Affronts This Day therefore offers a fair Opportunity to make honourable Proof of our Valours and to dilate the Soul of our King to harbour still greater Kindness and Affection if it be possible for us all And I can plainly behold in all your looks Hardiness and a rising Courage and a longing after Battel and Fame and for the rendering more honourable and noble your Blood Summon up then all your Strength and Vigour and contract them into a stout Heart to expel out of your Dominions such arrogant haughty and proud Invaders and spread abroad their Infamy and Disgrace whilst you procure to your selves a happy Memory and leave the inheritance of a valorous Name upon your Families and whosoever is of another temper is a reproach and shame to his native Countrey Here they all with one consent cry'd aloud We are ready to undergo a thousand Deaths for our King for your Highness and for our own Honour and we will follow you wheresoever you shall lead and we will give such demonstrations both of our Fidelity and Courage as to make you plainly understand how much we think our selves engaged to our Sovereign and how mindful we are of our Allegiance Olivaires having drawn out his Men divided them into three Parts on the right Wing he set 3000 Horse and 4000 Foot under the Command of Edward the noble English Cavalier on the left he gave to Robert his Lieutenant the Command of 6000. Horse and 2000 Foot ordering him not to assault the Enemy's Army before Edward had joyn'd his Battalions In the Night with all the silence possible he approach'd the Camp and in the Morning he bid the Drums beat and the Trumpets sound and heading the main Body himself he gave the Adversary Battel The first that advanced to encounter Olivaires was a fierce Irish Captain Stout and Gallant and engaging with him two such grand Blows were given that the very Earth shook both their Horses fell and their thick Launces were broken into a thousand splinters Olivaires quickly without any harm received rose up on his Feet But the dismay'd Captain with a piece of Launce sticking in his Breast remain'd on the ground half dead And suddenly did begin a sharp and terrible Fight every one valiantly labouring his Sword and slashing round about him mean time Edward on the right Wing made but a bad Encounter of it Whereupon he begun to square his Ranks And they of the City beholding an Army favourable to 'em did great damage to their Reer putting them in mighty Confusion This Assault being made in little time Robert during it was in the Flank and so violent was the Onset and so briskly did they bear up to them that the Enemy constrained by Olivaires's Valour who having remounted like a Lion made a vast Shammels and fresh Assistances coming in from all Parts being able to make small Opposition to their Fury fled Whereupon the Kings ran to catch their Bridles and having obtained a Port enter'd a Ship for sail Great was the Mortality of that day's Action about Four thousand English having been slain and we may venture to affirm it near Twenty thousand of the Irish King's Forces So Olivaires after Victory dispos'd himself to resettle the Army to take care of the Wounded to bury the Dead and to celebrate with Encomiums and Triumphs the valorous Deceased acknowledging himself eternally obliged to the Living for their admirable Fortitude and Courage and in a word for the Victory CHAP. XLII Of the News which the King receiv'd of the Victory and of Olivaires who resolves to pursue the Enemy COuriers were quickly dispatch'd away to Court with Olivaires's Letters signifying the Victory unto the King and having in a short time arrived at the Palace and the News presented the City and Kingdom were fill'd with great rejoycing and with Bonefires Feasts and Triumphs they gave mighty demonstrations of their gladness Helena was much comforted and a thousand times read over her dear Olivaires's Letter whom she lodged in her heart day and night And another thousand by day discours'd with her Father of him in that respectful and decent manner as was agreeable repeating to one another their Dreams and had great satisfaction betwixt themselves On the other part Olivaires seemed not to himself to have performed any thing in putting the Enemy to flight and was resolved to make a total destruction of and perfect conquest over them Wherefore considering the slaughter he had made among them he perceived they could not readily recruit their Army fortify their Cities act defensively and offensively and so he resolved to follow them His Soldiers therefore being refreshed he caus'd them with quick dispatch to make a great many Ships and having set his Army all in Order in a large Campaign he went on Horseback into the midst of 'em and thus spake
and the Lord was most gracious unto them so that from that time at other nine months end she was in travel again and brought forth a Daughter whom they named Claritia who when come to years was not her admired Mother's inferior either for corporeal shape and beauty or endowments of mind Olivaires enjoy'd a quiet state and liv'd in all manner of peace ever together with his fair vertuous Consort praising thanking and adoring the infinite Goodness of Almighty God for his so great and inestimable Benefits And his Recreation-hours he spent in the Chace Gunning Hawking and other Princely Diversions When one day Envious Fortune watch'd an opportunity to disturb his happiness and obtain'd it as you shall read in the sequel of our Story CHAP. LI. Helena Dreams a Melancholy Dream her Lord being out at the Chace and sends him notice of it WITH what kind eyes Olivaires was look'd on and how much beloved of the Court and the whole Kingdom tongue cannot utter And all his pass-time he spent in finding out wild Beasts in chacing and taking them Wherefore some of his Subjects neighbours to a rough and craggy Mountain about Two days Journey distant came to give him notice how Two most fierce and overgrown old wild Boars did much destroy and lay waste their Country so that they obtain'd but little Fruits or good from their ground At the hearing of which news Olivaires upon his own account and also in prospect of their future advantage was hugely pleased and also gave them presents for the same and immediately he ordered his Hunters to make themselves ready their Toils and all things else that were necessaty for such sort of Game So after Dinner Olivaires mounts his Horse and goes for the place and lodged that night at a homely Village the night following Helena lying alone saw in a Dream the White Knight appear to her that gave her the Ring who presented to her fancy a fierce Lioness Assaulting Olivaires in the Chace and so hurting him that he remained Wounded on the spot then vanished Whereupon suddenly with shrill screeches she awak'd and waken'd also the Ladies that lay by her and having told them her Dream she also after related it to the King assuring her self it was over-true some sinister Accident would befal Olivaires and therefore dispatched Couriers away to give Olivaires intelligence of it that he might proceed no further toward the Chace who quickly as swift as the wind went after him to overtake him and overjoy'd they were when they found him safe and cheerful and the whole account they gave him both by Letters and word of Mouth The advice pleased Olivaires who yet went on for the Chace as one who feared not any thing being within his own Realm and among People that loved and were observant of him Then he dismiss'd the Messengers and bid them let Helena know That he would be with her the following Evening So she rested well content for that he would take care of himself and was at present in safe condition CHAP. LII One of the Irish Kings coming to pay Tribute to the King of England finds Olivaires alone in a dismal grove who transported with desire of catching his Prey is severed from his Company and taken Prisoner THE Hunters by break of day went with Olivaires to the place where were shewed them the lodges of those great and fierce Boars and the Hunters as need required being separated to their particular stands and passes the Dogs went into the thick of the Grove to fetch them forth from their Dens Olivaires stood in a more common and trodden path in expectation of the Boar and Fortune which took a pleasure in exercising and putting on hardships the bravest Knight of the world sent the Savage his way and he smiting him and that flying and he pursuing it happened that the other Boar sallied out of the Grove and took a contrary rode wherefore the Hunters having not spied that which Olivaires Chac'd all went after the other and although some followed their Master so swift a race the wild Animal led them and Olivaires was much the foremost in pursuit they lost their way but lighting on a track they returned back having lost that of their Master by reason of the large fallen leaves that had strew'd the ground Olivaires still pursued the Savage and so far got engag'd in the Grove that he quite lost his way not knowing in what place what ground or whereabout he was here then comes to his mind Helena's Dream and he knew not what to think but night hasting on he traverses this way and that way and at length frees himself of the Grove but far enough he was from any dwellings and he saw coming far off a great many Horse which much cheer'd him thinking they were his own company but when they came near for 't was beginning to be dark he found it to be one of the Irish Kings King Maquenor's Son who was slain at the Tilting and knowing Olivaires he cry'd Lo this is he who kill'd the King my Father wherefore let him be seiz'd since Fortune has offer'd me so fair an opportunity Olivaires having only his Javelin puts himself yet weary in posture of defence but it breaking after he had slain some of them he was taken and bound and under a strong Guard conducted all the night toward the Realm of Ireland and in a well-fortified and lofty Tower was committed to the Governor's custody having charge to keep him strict Prisoner till the King's return neither suffering to talk with nor see any body and the Irish King held on his Journey to the King of England's Court and having done his Homage he stayed a little for that he saw the Court in mighty Affliction on and Grief because Olivaires could no where be found and then he returned home Olivaires was in a bottom room of a most high Tower and much afflicted he prayed unto God that he would consolate his Lady and the King and also aid him in his miserable condition One time the Governor of the Fortress carrying him Meat himself took great notice of him and was amazed at his admirable Aspect and moved with Compassion said Sir you be some noble Cavalier I am so replied Olivaires Then subjoin'd the other Make me Promise that you will not endeavour escape out of the Fortress and I will free you from this close Confinement Olivaires told him he would not on his Royal word for said he I am Olivaires then he brought him out and gave him the whole Castle for his spacious Prison with infinite Caresses Had I well Chastiz'd my Enemy said Fortune's harass'd Knight and been more severe with him for his Audacity I should not for life given have received a death but since it so pleases the grand disposer Lo I patiently bear it Mean while the King and Helena made search through the whole Kingdom through all the shady Groves and remote Woods among the obscure
on Horse-back after he enter'd a Garden where was the King and all his Nobles who seeing the fierce Animal were affrighted then Arthur laid his hand on his Sword and said Wicked King thou shalt not escape the just vengeance of Heaven At this all those Cavaliers were dismai'd and in so great fear that they could scarce draw their Swords in this juncture the white Knight with a great Army seiz'd the Piazza and gallop'd about the City as his own wherefore the King being depriv'd of his reli'd-on succor was all in despair and confusion CHAP. LX. Arthur takes the King Prisoner and sets Olivaires at Liberty THE Lion ran to make havock among those Cavaliers and slew many And Arthur smiting and making a large shammels of them opened himself a wide Lane and run after the King who endeavoured to get into the Fortress but Arthur overtook him with a cleaving stroke on his Head which would certainly have divided it had it hit fair but it glanced and brought him only to the Ground where he begs of Arthur for God's sake to save his Life Ah! unfaithful Man said Arthur Is this the reward of that Mercy and Generosity thou hadst shown thee by Olivaires to detain him in Prison And making him rise he pricks him on with the point of his Sword to trip to the Castle and open to Olivaires then lets him go knowing that he could not get out of the Yard The Lion having glutted himself with Slaughter not finding now any remaining followed Arthur and Arthur could not keep him from killing the Governour and the Soldiers that were in the Fort. Lo Olivaires coming out of the Prison all pallid meager and miserably afflicted who throwing himself at Arthur's Feet not knowing him but thinking he was one of the King's Servants said these words Wherefore does the King suffer me to languish thus Why does he not kill me What better revenge than to take his Life away whom thou holdst for thine Enemy I beseech thee that thou wouldst kill me or make some endeavours for me that I may no longer have so hard and cruel Usage Arthur seeing and hearing him speak these piteous words was inwardly extreamly afflicted and his Wrath glowed hot against the King I am thy Brother Arthur said he O my Olivaires At which voice his Spirits revived which were sadly sunk and dead before and they ran together and embrac'd one another And searching about the place they found Meat and also wherewith to recruit every way help and Royally habit Olivaires The mean time that they rook some Refreshment Discoursed and provided for themselves every body in the City locked themselves up in their Houses And the King could not find any to make him help wherefore oppressed with Grief and in fear of his Life he said 'T is the best for me to yield my self up into Olivaires's Hands for I know he is so Pitiful Courteous Noble Good and Gentle that he will give me my Life And returning all besmeered with Blood into the Fortress he found on the Stairs and in the Halls and Chambers all his Vassals slain which troubled him infinitely At length being come before Arthur and Olivaires he falls down on his Knees wofully lamenting and begging of Olivaires that for the sake of God he would pardon him and craved Mercy with hideous Sighings Here Arthur would have made an end of him but Olivaires holds his Arm and says to him Take heart for for the love of God a greater thing than this ought to be given and bidding him rise they caused some men they spied to come and help him who with great fear and trembling descended from high Places whither they had fled for refuge Here the King being made Prisoner and the fortifi'd Places taken he renounced the Kingdom to Olivaires who was by them acknowledged and accepted of for their Sovereign Words cannot express the Lamentations Olivaires and Arthur made betwixt each other the Moans and the Weeping also Rejoycings But to have told him the News of the Death of the King of Castile his Father and all the ill Accidents had happened those many Years they had been separated from one another would have been too too Melancholy a Theme and the hearing would almost have broke his Heart That Night the City was delivered up by means of the White Cavalier And many Days after they remained in the Town till Olivaires might recover more Cheerfulness and Strength he judging it equal Ballance either to return and see Helena the King and his Children or to have in his Sight and the Company of his Arthur alone CHAP. LXI The departure of Olivaires and Arthur from Ireland and how Olivaires would have slain Arthur IT appearing to Olivaires that he had done but small service for the sake of God therefore when he left the City he gave back and restored the Kingdom to the King telling him That he ought to become a Man more worthy of such a Crown and that he should learn to fear God so they departed with great Honour and Joy By the way Arthur began to tell of his Journey which he had undertaken for him he told him of his Lion's Malady of the danger he had scaped by the Monster 's Death and of all that Kindness shewed him of the White Cavalier for saving his Life by the Cure and how by his Counsel he went into England and was received as Olivaires and not as Arthur and that for Helena's Recovery and the saving her languishing Life he had slept together with her Here Olivaires as weak as he was suddenly drew out his Sword and smote Arthur on the Head hearing he had slept with Helena not expecting till he had told the remainder Whereupon he fell stounded to the Ground and he would have killed him out but that the White Cavalier appeared and restrained him Olivaires seeing his Knight of whom he had received so many Benefits cast himself from his Horse on the Ground and rever'd him as a Father and he told him all the Matter of Arthur and gave Olivaires a reprimand Wherefore grieving he begged Pardon of the swooning Arthur and desired of the Cavalier to forgive him who quickly applied his Hand for the Cure of Arthur and healed him And when he was come to himself he made them as good Friends as ever Then he took some certain Roots of Herbs and gave Olivaires them to feed upon by which means in a few Days he was recovered refreshed and brisk equal to and so like Arthur that every one believed that it was some design of Heaven that two should so strangely resemble each other The Knight after he had done all turning to Olivaires said Recollect your self I can no longer attend you and you will have no further need of me When will the time be for my Share according to your Promise and vanished Arthur hearing the Knight proceeded to tell Olivaires the whole Success and he found that every thing had fallen