bee alone to make frée the passage and not to leaue some of vs without libertie The Hollandesse did well vnderstand her meaning but she dissembled and answered cleane contrarie to the matter saying I pray God that he be sufficient to cause them to surrender their armour vnto our guarders They had made their defiance with swift running of their horses they came the one against the other and méeting in the middest of the way they gaue such an encounter that it séemed they had pearced one an other thorough The Moore lost his right stirrop and in â—â—ming of his foote because he would not fall he made a foule wauering which was séene of all but purposing to make amendes for the same he tooke another great speare and went against the Tartare and encountred him with so great force that the vexed Moore lost his Saddle and the Tartare his reines which was the occasion that his horse carried him verye nigh vnto the Chariot but in recouering them hee made him returne and did a thousand gallant trickes with him al the which were pleasing actions to the heart of the faire Grisanea who could not chuse but say This Knight faire Cosin seemeth much like vnto him that yesterday had the praise of the Iustes The like thought the other two Ladies but the Dutches broke it off saying it cannot be he for that he would not come without his companion neyther durst any of them come for the death of the Phrigian Prince The procéeding forwards on their talke was cut off by the cruell Iustes of the two knights for in the middest of their carréere they met in such sort that it séemed it had bin two great rocks the one passed by the other w t great vp rightnes the one being greatly amazed at the strength of the other and taking other great Launces with all the swiftnes possible they encountred and shiuered them all in péeces which whirling in the ayre declared the force of their rigorous armes The Moore did a little stagger on the one side but not in such sort to bee accompted notable neither so but they did all praise his great force but that of the Tartare was iudged in fauour amongst the Ladies and amongst the knights with enuy not onely vnto them but also to proud Mars if hee were there for giuing them so great force They returned with the great furie wherewith they were indued and encountred in the middest of their course shiuering their Launces in small péeces which was the occasion that it pearced not their armour but so oppressed the knights that the horse of the Tartare bore backward thrée or foure paces and settled his buttocks on the ground which made them that were present to thinke that all would haue come together but he séeing how much it stood him in hand and more there then in any other occasion it was néedful for him to profit himselfe of his strength and to hold him fast vnto the necke of hys inchaunted horse and pricked him so stiffe that hee made him to leap forwards which caused the Ladies to be verie desirous to know who he was The curteous Andronio returned and thought that the encounter had beene of small effect wherwith he saw that the fierce Moore lay along on the ground and by him his horse that did beare him companie who with the force of that strong encounter the one remained without life the other without sence Wherewith verie lightly hee leapt on foote and went vnto the yéelded pray and it grieued him for that he thought he had bin dead he lay in such sort and when hee came vnto him hee tooke his helme from his head to giue him freshe ayre so that he might come vnto himselfe who at his return séeing himself in the power of his enemie that willed him to yéeld he answered Ualiant knight it is not fit that you should demaund more than the honor which you haue got in ouerthrowing me in this sort it had béene greater content vnto me that you had ended my life and sustaining my honor then to leaue me so voide thereof The Louer Andronio was greatly affected vnto the discréet words of his aduersarie and without any more wordes hee gaue him his hand and helped him from the ground and craued pardon of him for the death of his horse Nigh vnto them there was a French Knight who was ashamed that hee was ouerthrowen by the Moore who hauing no respect vnto reason but vnto the passion which guided him said you haue not to receiue any griefe valiant knight of the Serpentes for this for that it was first ordained that he who lost his saddle should loose therwith his horse and it is rather a vantage and that hee should not inioy that which an other inioyeth not The Tartare could not but receiue griefe to sée the signes of sorrow that he made to receiue that shame which the French knight had vsed toward him but Fortune did quickly giue him his hands full of occasion for to be reuenged on all But the Moore vsing the licence and libertie which the Tartare gaue him without taking leaue of any tooke an other horse out of the Tent and with his companion entred the same forrest and left the tent for the knight to do therewith his pleasure who for that hee had surrendred it vnto the Ladies of the Chariot on foote as hee was for that they sent to call him he went vnto them And vsing great curtesie wherof they were worthy comforting his troubled brest he said vnto them Faire Ladies although I doe not know for whom I haue done this little seruice yet I come to aske my discharge with offer of my good will for any other matter of great importance Thankes vnto you gentle knight answered the affected Hollandesse for this newe offer with securitie that for so much as you imploy your selfe in shewing your strength in the fauour of Ladies there could not fal better occasion than is this wee haue séene to frée this passage els we should haue béene driuen to séeke others The louing French Knights did not let to blush at the words which the Princessâ— said but dissembling they made no answere for to heare what Grisalinda did say vn-the knight Worthy Knight of the Serpents said she you shal content these Ladies and me in declaring vnto vs your name and who you are With a gallant grace answered the heroycall Tartare I would willingly faire Ladies that as fortune hath put into my hands life for to imploy it for your seruice that it woulde giue mee strength and power for to doe a thing so iust as to leaue my name in your handes But fortune enuying the glory that should follow héerof forbiddeth me by a former charge to tell who I am for that in telling thereof it will bee more costly to my fame than vnto my life The Holland Lady with great content would haue answered him to the purpose but greatly fearing that
our welbeloued Lord. Some encountred with him and some threwe their speares at him so strongly that they almost heaued him out of his saddle but being settled he pulled out his sword and went against them striking the first such a blowe that he made him beare his master companie cleauing his head downe to the necke and from that time hee so dealt that heauie it was for him who durst abide him for that eyther without death or a lamentable life in being lame he went not from him The gentle Dacian and the mightie Tartare séeing the villanie of those knights went to ayde him but there had béen no néed if the king had not sent his guard to apprehend them knowing certainely that it was the prince of Phrigia that was slain vnto whom he did not beare so euil will but that he thought to haue bestowed his daughter on him but the thrée valiant warriers begaÌ„ so to vse themselues that verie few or none of the Phrigians remained but by reason that the number of Courtiers were great they were driuen to helpe themselues by the lightnes of their horse The Dacian was behinde and the other two before returning at fit times with such furie that still they ouerthrew two or thrée to the ground till such time as they got foorth into the plaine where pricking forwardes with their horses they were quickly a good way from them of the Citty leauing them matter to talke of for many daies So they put themselues in the thickest of the mountaine whereas they stayed to sée if they could discerne any body and finding themselues in securitie they alighted and the two Frends went and embraced the Tartarian Andronio to whome the Spaniard said I would sir knight that this fauor which fortune hath shewed vs in giuing vs your ayde might so continue that absence might not take it from vs. It is I that do gaine answered the curteous Tartare to inioy so good copanie I will not say frendship for that in me there is no deserte I is so great answered the Dacian that it is a vantage for vs to shut vp the perfect number of frends with so great and curteous a knight then they began to giue each other to vnderstand of their doings vniting betwéene them so great frendship that indured for euer Therewith their Pages tooke out victuals to eate vpon the gréene grasse such dainties as the discréet Alcisa had brought them and so passed away the little part of the euening that remained in swéete conuersation which is neuer more excellent that among vertuous Frendes So that some auncient writers put humane felicitie in hauing frends Alexander the great gaue great shewe of this content when it was demaunded of him whether he most reioyced in that he was Lord ouer all the world or to haue many frends He answered to haue frends for that with them hee had gotten the name to bee called great A saying worthy of such a Prince Now returning to the thée that remained in the Forrest hauing no other desire amongst them but the one to giue content vnto the other The Dacian said vnto the Tartare Tell vs gentle knight are you in loue for those that bee subiecte vnto the lawes of loue cannot possibly passe the night but in acknowledging where their heart is and if it bee in this Countrie you haue no better occasion to speake than now I am a stranger in this Countrie worthy Prince answered the Tartare and as yet I haue had no time to beholde the beautie which hath béene tolde mée is therein so that I thanke you there is no néede of this trouble If it be so answered the Spaniard it would bee a griefe to request you to goe with vs to the Citty to help a louer It shall not be gréeuous answered the curteous Andronio but rather a ioy to imploy my person in your content Well then said the Dacian wee may not stay and therewith they left their helmes and onely with their corselets couered with their Pages cloakes and their swoords they went vnto the Citie the which they found all in a vprore for the death of the Prince of Phrigia and his knightes and none could euer imagine who they were that should doe it so putting themselues amongst others they went into the Pallace where as they saw the king who commaunded that they should with great diligence séeke out the thrée knights that he might know who they were There they vnderstood how that the king to take some refreshing would the next daye with the Princesse goe foorth to a house of pleasure which was in the Forrest which gaue great content vnto the Princes thereby thinking to haue better opportunitie Thus they passed a great part of the night till it was time to goe toward the garden and when they were all thrée come thether the Prince of Dacia leapt vpon a wall and gaue his hand to the rest so they entred with great content vnto the Tartare that they would admit him in a busines of such import The two knights went softly towards the windows where they heard a noise by which they thought that Alcisa was tarrying for them and the Princes but it was nothing so for it was the Quéene of Holand and her daughter the faire Grisanea cosin vnto Grisalinda for that their mothers were sisters who were in swéet conuersation at the windows and to heare what they said they all drew nigh vnto a bush of Roses wheras they might heare what the French Lady said It had bin great glory for this Court faire cosin Grisalinda if this day you had béen héere to honor it with your beauty although the knights should haue receiued griefe at your sight Whereas your beautie was gentle princesse answered the frée Lady mine wold haue made small shew but onely increase yours the more This is good faire Grisanea said Orosia to sée howe you liue deceiued in the great quantitie which nature hath bestowed on you in making you the best and most estéemed and now you come to compare with vs that haue the least My Cousin and these Ladies of France are thankfull for your long stay for that your absence gaue place to them to be looked at yea and estéemed in drawing after them the eyes of those braue Aduenturers as well proportioned for loue as to ayd and succour Ladies Manie haue told mee said Grisanea that they haue shewed themselues both â—ightly and valiant but especially those two that came in together last Of that said Alcisa y e death of the Phrigian prince will giue testimâ—nie by y e hands of the most valiant in the world amongst Knights and faire amongst faire Ladies If with the like passion that you praise him faire Damsell he regard your beauty said Grisanea without all doubt he hath born away for reward the freedome of your will There is no néed to giue hym that said Alcisa that so long since hath béen put into hys hands as into the
your sake I am content if this knight be so pleased I am not pleased said the yong knight to haue the battell cease I will exclaime on you said the Damsell if you doo procéede to be a false knight and recreant of your word For you promised me when I guided you to the Caue of y e wise Artidon where you demaunded the ende of your loue and whose Sonne you were that you would neuer deny me a lawfull request and this is most iust for it requisite that betwéene you there be eternall frendship and héere I am certaine it must begin And in ending these words shee vanished away leauing them much amazed Both of the knights put vp their swords and the Grecian thus began Most valiant knight it séemeth this Damsell knoweth more of our estate than we our selues and séeing she saith we must be frends for my part I offer it you with most intire affection being likewise heretoo mooued with certain inward motions which I cannot expresse Inuincible knight answered the faire Youth great is my benefit to haue frendship with the best knight in the World and I may well say they told me true that certefied me my best good should méete me in Lacedemonia And heere looke I for as much good as I haue in Grecia thogh there remain my Souereigne Oliuia whom you for then had the yong Knight tooke off his helme so much represent as were it not that I know she is not giuen to armes I should beléeue it were her selfe therefore faire Sir resolue my suspitious heart of whence you are What my selfe knows I will acquaint you with replide the Youth The Soldan of Niquea brought mee vp in companie of Doriano hys Sonne and Liriana my diuine Mistres his matchlesse Daughter Till I was of age to beare armes I tooke the Soldan for my Father who then knighting me thus said Rosabel thy Parents are to me vnknowen for a lionesse brought thée to mée an infant and by a white Rose on thy breast thou hadst thy name a Scroll shee brought in her mouth which said thou shouldst be my greatest enemie till the Swan put peace betwéene vs. Though it somwhat gréeued me to be of vnknowen Parents yet my hope to enioy Liriana possessed me with ioy and she a little cherished my hope till on a sodaine shee forbad mee to sollâ—cite her with loue and with her coynesse banished me the Countrey So discontent I imbarked my selfe for Russia purposing there at the Caue of the wise Artidon to enquire touching my birth but I was driuen by tempest on this Coast where I was no sooner landed but I heard a voyce that said Welcome the glorie of Greece and honour of great Britaine the greatest Frend your Father hath sends you this armour and willeth you to leaue off that you weare And séeing no bodie this armour was laid by mée which you sée fitteth my bodie as it had béen made for me While I was arming mee therewith a Dwarffe came vnto me and said Take courage Rosabel for you shall in this armour méete one of the valiantest knights in the world and him shalt thou assaile with bitter hate beeing most bound to yéeld him loue After the Dwarffe departed came the Damsell that parted our battell saying to me Rosabel grant me a boon and I wil bring you to the wise Artidon This being the thing I most desired I promised her anie iust thing whereupon immediately shee brought me thether Being there the wise man vnto my demaund thus answered That it was not conuenient as yet to know my parents but he said they were such as in Grecia most flourished for armes that my loue should in the ende after manie sorrowes prooue succesfull And for a token of the truth hee said that I should méete in Lacedemonia the Knight that discouâ—red the Caue whom verily I gesse to be your selfe and desire thereof to be resolued for of my selfe I haue said all I know With great affâ—ction the Gréeke Prince answered Were the discouerie death faire Knight yet would I satisfie you in that yée aske Know then that I am Rosicleer Brother to Alphebo Emperour of Trapisond and he that discouered the Caue of Artidon when once I departed discontent out of Great Britaine from Oliuia the Princesse thereof now my beloued Wife The content that Rosabel receiued excéeded and in his ioyfull passion he brake out O that Fortune so fauoured me right worthie Prince that I might call you Father in the meane time let me honour ys as my Lord. And therewith would haue kissed his hands but Rosicleer kissing his chéek said Were I blessed with such a Sonne I would thinke the heauens on earth had giuen me all happines But I will intreat you to go into Greece with me where of Oliuia we shall be resolued and I will afterwards with all my Frends goe with you to Niquea whence if she consent we will bring the Ladie you so much loue Oh with what content remained Rosabel he could not but embrace his suspected Father who with like affection infolded him As they sate thus ioyously together Meridian and Oristides came to y e place who wondred to sée the Grecian so familiar with y e young Knight But Rosicleer resolued them of his suspitions began to perswade the Troyan that he should not offer to procéed with the battell in defence of frée life for sayth hée I perswade me this Knight will put the matter into my hands So will he too doubt ye not said Meridian for Oâ—istides is alreadie Loues sworne Champion Therewith alighting and all fitting together the gentle Scythian discoursed from poynt to poynt the whole manner of the Combat betwéene the changed Troyan and the faire Sarmacia whereat Rosicleer excéedingly laughed but Rosabel rose vp and embracing the Troyan said Being Frend to this worthie Gréeke Prince I am bound to you in dutie but being a true Conuertiâ—e in recanting the heresie you held yesterday and becomming Loues seruant my loue to you is more increased As the Troyan began to reply he was disturbed by the swift comming of a verie well proportioned Knight in blacke armour who being néere them said Worthie Knights by your armour I sée you are the same that yesterday in the Pallace of Lira wrought meruailes Farre off is my natiue Country where that I might iustly report I haue dealt with such a Knight my desire is to proue my self with him that made the last battell The Troyan stept foorth and said I am the Knight ye looke for It séemes you are indéed said the blacke Knight therefore mount you and defend this that you shall heare You did not in the Combat yesterday the part of a Defendant ye should haue forced your aduersarie to confesse the wrong done to the accused and not haue so delayed the time to make an end without victorie Doo you know sir Knight said the Troyan who was my contrarie A woman said the other Knight but that is not
Those that were present did verie much extoll the fortitude of the pagan in that he could so long indure against the Prince for that they knewe by experience how farre the strength of his armes extended And the Prince vnto himselfe sought by what meanes he might ouercome hys Enemie without killing him for that he séemed to be one of the most valiantest that euer he prooued and still hee thought that he excéeded the dexteritie of the mighty Gran Campeon that was slaine in the Warres of Greece by the hand of the said Prince Likewise he remembred the manie and great affaires hee had to doo in other Partes but that which gréeued him most was that so long time he had not heard of his beloued Oliuia The which thought kindled in him such cholar that like vnto lightening hee went to the Pagan first demaunding whether he would yéeld himselfe for ouercome and leaue the Battell in the state it was But this blasphemous King with a voyce that feared them all said Uile creature is it possible that the Gods will consent being armed in the fielde so poore a Knight as thou for pure sorrow and gréefe should desire to leaue off the battell and yet wish me to yéeld as ouercome I do now perceiue that all your deities are vile and that your power is but small that one alone Knight dare attempt to doe this Come downe you théeues from those celestial houses that you haue stolen and vsurped and I will giue you to vnderstand that I am Fangomadan And therwith raging like a Tiger hee assalted that warlike Prince and gaue him such a violent blow vpon his helme that he made him stoope and put his handes to the grounde and doubling the same he stroke him ouerthwart that it descended on his left shoulder which the Prince felt verie gréeuous séeing himselfe so intreated considering withall that the force of his aduersarie was increased he beganne to hammer blowes on him in such sorte that hee made him séeme all bathed in bloud puffing and blowing like a bayted bull The Pagan would haue giuen him a down right blow purposing therewith to conclude the battle But the Prince beeing warned by that which before had passed made shewe as though hee woulde abide it yet when it did descend with all the lightnes in the world he auoided and made him strike vppon the stones so furiouslie that when the swoorde fell it broke off a great péece This louer of Oliuia was not iole on so good occasion but stroke the Giant such a blow and with such good order on his shoulder that he did not onely disarme the place but also made therein a great wound out of which began to flowe a great quantitie of blacke bloud And this victorious Gréeke withdrew himself when he saw the wound he had giuen him It cannot be imagined what great anger possessed the Giant for like vnto a wounded Lyon although somewhat wearie hee assalted Rosicleer who had no care to strike him but to delay him with his lightnes for that he knew well it would shortly tyre him And so vsing his wonted dexterity he onely auoided the blowes of his enimy Those that were beholders hereof did well perceiue the intention of this baptised knight but yet he could not still so auoide it but that the giant seazed on him such a blowe that he made him somewhat to loose his memorie and to voide bloud out at his mouth the which Rosicleer tooke to be perilous and let flie thrée or foure blowes on high to amaze his contrary and therewith thrust at him with his sword in such sort that hee hit him on the thigh and the point passed to the bone The Moore did not thinke it to be great till such time as assaying to follow him he fell-downe vpon his handes but he was not so soone downe as with the quicknesse of his thought he was a foote againe florishing with his vnmeasurable sword This valiant brother to the Knight of the sunne could very well haue ouercome him in thus detaining him but he sodainely conceaued it to bee cowardise and therefore determined to put the state of the battell in one blow and as the giant was striking at him a mighty stroke he entered within him thinking to ouerthrow him but he found him like a rocke therefore being together he gaue place to the Moore to benefit himselfe of time and occasion But the giant leauing his greate fauchion seazed on the Prince with his heauie armes rescused him in such sort that it séemed he would breake all his members so that they must needs returne againe to a perilous wrastling in so much that with the heate of the battell and with wearinesse they fell both on the grounde and inforcing one to get the other vnder they both lacked breath and the giant bloud through which faintnesse they both sounded the vnhappy giant neuer againe reuiuing And this is alwaies to be looked for of those who liued as hée did making his owne content a God and worshipping his onely pleasure All that were aboue woulde haue descended to them but there was none that could forsake the place where as they were For that incontinent the heauen was couered with a thicke and blacke cloude with such thundrings and lightnings that it seemed that all the firmament would fall to the earth in the which was hearde the bleating of beastes and other heauy groanes in the saide courte for the space of one houre till such time as the storme was past and the heauens became cleare as they were before Nowe looking for the warriours they onely sawe the Prince as one amazed new come to himselfe and as though his aduersary had béen before him he gaue assault till such time as he was wholy in his remembrance and saw not the giant But that which grieued him most was that he lacked his good sword which he woon with so deare experience as was said in the first booke And looking about for the giant he sawe on the one side of the court a sumptuous edifice like to a sepulcher which was sustained with foure deformed Lyons made of alablaster the Sepulcher it selfe was all of Christall so cleare that all might be very well séene which was within and marking it well he knewe that it was the bodies of the giants and their mother who laie as though they had beene aliue with their eies open and euery one a very long scrole or writing in their handes which declared the cause of their deathes but that which made the inuincible Prince Rosicleer most to maruell was to sée his good sword sent from Quéene Iulia smitten quite through one of the foure pillers that sustayned the couering of the sepulcher which piller séemed to be of very fine Iaspar stone And hauing desire with great ioy to pull it out hee no sooner layd hand on it but there came foorth so great a flame that it séemed to haue burned him till such time
aduenture my life for your vnstayned honour Then said the Princesse if in yéelding mine agayne were a satisfaction assure ye Prince Arlando I would doo it But if you loue me you would not haue anie liking that with the price of my fame I should pay so great debt Touching the battel which you intend to attempt for my honours defence I appeale to your owne selfe that haue tried my vnspotted chastitie Yet I vrge not this in my owne behalfe but it is anie Knights dutie whatsoeuer to helpe a wronged Ladie that standeth in necessitie with his sword This couragious Youth was somewhat comforted although he little enioyed that comfort for the furie of that vntamed King required a greater resistance althogh the battell was verie well fought but in the ende he tooke away his life and loue at one instant wherwith the gréefe of our Princesse increased the more who from a high gallerie sorrowfully beheld the mortall contention betwéene the two louers Shee then well vnderstood that the Pagan would goe thorough with his businesse that so soone had cléered fréeed himselfe of the Prince in whose death she would haue béen a companion not for that she loued him but to ende her trouble and gréefe Now I would you should consider what the sorrowfull Princesse suffered who liuing in hope from the 18. daye on which wee sent out a Damsell to séeke her worthie Brother till this which is the 24. and yet she is not returned I know not anie so hard hearted but would take compassion of so vertuous ladie that so vniustly doth suffer affliction Therefore faire knight I séeing the oâ—her Damsell returned not imboldened my selfe in the right and iustice of this poore Princesse to put away all childish and womanly feare and come foorth into these solitarye wayes publishing my misaduenture And now séeing I haue no reason to doubt hauing met so gallant a Warrier as it séemes you are I will not loose my hope but sée how your worthie arme wil returne vengeance for the infamie of that poore ladie And hauing so great equitie on our behalfe there is no doubt it wil little auaile the vniust and proud accuser though his huge proportion strength were doubled Héere you vnderstand sir knight the assured cause of my lamentation which deserueth to be pittied the more in regard of the â—louds of tears which euerie day are shed in the wofull and afflicted Court of France And if as most constantly my minde perswadeth mee there bee in you the valor which appeareth by that worthie countenance Fortune can neuer offer you so good occasion as this to shew it Here the heauie Damsel stayed ending her talke with a thousand sighes accompanied with pearly teares that distilled downe her chéekes which caused great compassion in the frée breast of the Dacian Prince who answered Of a truth faire Damsell you haue reason to séeke punishment for so great an euil as this is for there is no credite to be giuen to so vnreasonable a Knight as that false Pagan especially against the Daughter of so great a King But sure it gréeueth me that she suffered the amorous yong Prince of Alexandria to enter into that deadly combat although not long since I did know a Knight that would haue enuied him for to haue ended wyth hys death a great number of griefes that by his meanes hee suffered But for the principal matter though I loose my life in séeking to defend your Ladie I doo accomplish no more than that which I am bound vnto and now séeing it is more than time that we were on our way let vs trauell forward for I hope to giue comfort vnto the Princâ—sse And therewith he called his Page Fabio to bring to them his horse and the Damsells palfray and leaping into their saddles they tooke the direct waye towardes Paris This furious Dacian trauelled on a better horse than anie of the stéedes of Titan who in their course doo compasse daily the circle of the Earth the French Damsell carried his helmeâ— as well to honour him as for the desire she had to behold his excellent beautie And as they rid she noted the Deuice vppon his armour and gessing him a discontented Louer with some gréefe at his sorrow she said In truth sir Knight if your Mistres bee the occasion that you beare this sad Deuice she is without reason in that she hath not attained to know the much loue which the proportion of your person deserueth Herein iudge I that she is in fault because it séemeth vnto mee that you lacke nothing to make you a perfect Louer but some experience to make you shew the strength that Loue requyreth and follow the fashion which courtly Ladies in that case expect At another time could this gallant Youth haue answered with more passion than now when as his liberty was in the handes of them that made a iest of it but finding himselfe more at ease he answered Of truth faire Damsell you had reason to say that it is more néedfull to haue strength than anie other thing against this furious frenzie of Loue for that I had a frend who while he thought to haue cure in loue found first the ouerthrow of reason inforcing his sense contrarie to that which he willed rather than vnto the good which was ordeined although I now can boldly say both for him my selfe we know not to what part of loues rules to incline our selues Then it appeareth that you are not amorous sayd the Damsell No verily answered the Prince for that I could neuer know what it was to bee beloued therefore as â— neuer enioyed the name of a beloued I hate longer to be called a Louer for that he is not equally to bee iudged wise that passeth his time celebrating alwaies with ioy y e euening of death but rather I account him that liueth in this sort a wilfull foole than a discréete louer For each man should indeuour to lessen his gréefe and chéere vp his fainting spirites scorning to hope for or couet that desired gold which onely couereth the bitter pilles that by their hatefull operation purge the sense of all reason and vnderstanding The Damsell spéedily to this thus replyed In another Schoole haue you learned this erronious doctrine not in Loues Uniuersitie at Paris which through all the world is so much estéemed I am sorrie that I carry with me a Knight which estéemeth not a Louer to be most discréete What creature haue you in the world that liueth without loue What picture doth giue contentment to the eye if by the beautie the beholder presume not that the painter was enamoured of his worke vsing affection as his pensill It is well séene that where loue dwelleth gentlenes and valor haue their habitation What hath béen the occasion that the Gréeke Princes haue filled the world with their worthie actes but that they haue been amorous Against these faire Damsels answered the frée Dacian my iudgement reasons
vnderstande the discontent that Floriana shoulde receiue by your death and the wrong you shall commit in not sustaining your life And therewith the page caused him to eate of such foode as he brought although it was with an euill will But yet the heauens did ordaine a remedie worthy to comfort this wofull Prince for by reason of his great wearines he fell a sléepe a while although it was not much for that with a sodaine anger he arose vp saying Ah my Goddesse and is it possible that there shall remaine no memorie of thy glorie and my torment this commeth not of the loue I beare vnto thée But I doe promise to solemnize thy feast returning into Spaine and giue the world to vnderstand with what affection Torismundo loued thée and in saying this hee went vnto a great and mightie Poppler trée on whose barke he fixed with his dagger these verses Ye Fawnes and Satyres seruants to great Pan. And olde Syluanus all assemble yee Ye lightfoote Nimphes assist a wofull man Of wood or water whether ere ye be Wilde Forrest beasts shall helpe you in your song And roare a base to thunder out my wrong Not one must sing a meane in my lament Except the still streame gliding on the pebble Thus will we carroll out my discontent My wofull selfe will sing or cry the treble Or if ye will confusion marre our song For we are all confounded by deathes wrong On the other side of the Fountaine there was a rough and knottie ashe whereas he descyphred the swéete name of his fayre mistresse and concluded with this Ode Floriana had not dyed Had not Fates her Loue enuyed Torismundo impartiall Fate With a deadly killing hate Sought to punish but could finde Nothing to torment his minde Till the fatall Sisters fell Worse than those three hags of hell Chancing to behold Cantabria And her Soueraigne Floriana Heard her praise the Prince of Spaine Heard her for his lacke complaine Heard her say she was his ioy Heard her sweare that no annoy Could to Torismund betyde If she liude to be his Bride Where withall from her liues clue Hastely the thred they drue And with speed they cut the same When they heard my hatefull name So because I was enuied Gentle Floriana dyed This worthy louer being somewhat quieted depared and comming to the Christaline water hee washed his blubbred face and handes and drunke of the vertuous Fountaine which so quicklie did worke his necessarie effect that before he departed from the water hee knew not what had passed with him but the amorous life that before séemed to be a dreame although he remembred all yet not in such sorte that the death of the faire Floriana should giue him any perticuler griefe but rather seemed that he did wrong vnto Spaine that so quickly left it for blind affection Being in this new frée estate hee saw comming out of the thickest of the mountaine a Damsell mounted on a mighty blacke horse with a Lyon before her who at her arriual with a gallant demeanor alighted and comming to the Prince she said in the Spanish tongue Ualardus Torismundo a wise man who desireth thy good as to himselfe commanded me to bring thée this armour and horse and although their coulours are now contrary to the new and pleasant time and frée state which thy destiny hath brought thée yet the troubles are so many that you must passe in tormenting your couragious hart that you may from this present beare a deâ—ice conformable vnto that griefe and in recompence he will desire no more but that your heart faile not but alwaies haue in memory the noble bloud from whence you descend till such time as the tame Lionesse nigh to the place whereas now you vnderstood of the death of Floriana méete thée then shalt thou know of the frée life that shal be admitted thée and then thou shalt leaue this blacke armour putting on with better reason this which thou nowe wearest the which shall remaine vpon that poplar till all be finished that I haue here rehearsed vnto thée for so it is ordayned This swift Damsell tarried for no answere but with the spéede of an Eagle she put her selfe into the Forrest presently this young Mars did put of his pretious gréene armour with the which he did incounter the mighty Alphebo and hung it on the poplar whereas he found this saying He that takes thy armour hence which thou leauest for this blacke Shall againe in recompence giue thee ioy which thou wilt lacke With great ioy did this worthy Spaniard leaue his pretious armour and armed himselfe in the blacke armour of truth for that there were few like vnto it The armes as I say were all blacks but onely in the middest of the shield was painted Hope and Fortune Fortune saying thus With the turning of my Wheele all estates of men doo change Greefe or ioy they vsde to feele on a sodaine seemeth strange Hee had not well concluded the perusing of the shield with the deuice when that somewhat a farre off he heard a great troope of horse and sometimes the noyse of Women which séemed that they were by force constrayned which was the occasion that he leapt vpon his inchaunted horse and went into the high way with all spéed possible But by reason it was night and the Moone went verye low he could not sée nor know what people they were til such time as cléere Day appeared from the East then from a little hill whereon he ascended for to learne what it should bee hee discouered a mightie waggon drawen with sixe swift horse being full of people and to the number of 30. Knights with them and two furious Giants by which he conceiued that those in the waggon were caried prisoners Wherewith he descended from that little mountaine like an arrow out of a bow and ran with hys horse after them till it was in the afternoone and then hée was constrained somewhat to rest his horse in which time the Giants got vantage of the way for that the horses in the waggen were verie good After he had a while refresht his horse this warlike Youth went from thence more swift than the stone out of the sling till such time as in trauelling he saw a gentle Knight with russet armour and his shield of the same and in it the deuice of Cupide with two faces different vnto that hee was wont to beare for that they were now both closed This was the frée Dacian if you doo remember in amorâ—â—us conference with the French Ladie on their iourney towards Paris the Prince by the vertuous Fountainâ— changed had on his shield this Embleme written by the wise Lyrgandeo Sith my libertie is gained Close those eyes my heart that pained The Prince receiued great contentment when he saw the shield with that posie and willed the Pages that they should follow him softly after and spurring his inchanted horse he ran with more swiftnes than
of my hart Sir Knight said Terismondo I giue you great thanks for that you haue said as for the rest it is very apparant my necessity néeded your strength and to both we may attribute the raunsome of those Ladies for my name I answer you as you do me it is not iustice to denie a thing to him that hath so much desire to make me pertaker who hee is Know then that I am Torosmondo Prince of Spayne whome fortune that neuer ceaseth to be mutable hath brought as vanished into this country being tormented with amorous fyre and there he declared vnto him all his life and amorous dealings wherewith the Dacian was bound to declare vnto him of his loues and the great troubles that he receiued At the which the Spaniard remained greatly contented and they were maruelous affectioned the one vnto the other and the friendship that was betwéene them did so farre extend that it indured to the death which was the alonely meane able to seperate their loue and not the rigorous battels which they performed as shall bee tolde you were not sufficient but that they were the greatest friendes in all the world for that in one age and in one Countrie and at one selfe time fortune had giuen them remedy of their griefe With this the Dacian told him the lamentable occasion wherefore he went to Paris at the which the Spanish Prince reioyced at the heart for that he should once again sée the gallant Dutchesse who was no lesse delighted with his great beautie thâ—n hee was rauished and enamoured with hers They passed all that night one declaring to the other their former Loues till such time as the Spaniard did tell him of the great affection he had to the Dutchesse but the Dacian séeing that it was not good for him shee béeing a married Ladie did cause him to leaue it off Which was no small matter for that a new passion if once it be grapled to the heart will sooner make an ende of one than leaue him but for that the remedie was at hand it was easie to be forgotten At which conceipt they did not a little laugh both of them knowing the wonderfull effect of the fountaine The Damsell that vnderheard some of their amorous discourses said vnto them Of truth faire knights it was no small gréefe which the wise man did to disdainefull Ladies which found so good a remedie against their strangenes Of my selfe I say that if I were beloued I would not vse as commonly it is séene now among Ladies to dissemble so much that it causeth wings to be added vnto knights thoughtes to séeke out so vnsauerie a Fountaine for that it feemeth to me by the knowen vertue of this place it will fall out that she shall remaine forsaken by her dissembling and her gallant knight shal liue content to see her iust paine gréefe a worthie reward for proud statelines For if a Ladie loue wherefore doth she dissemble and if she hate wherefore doth shee not make it knowne But wee women are so strange of condition that we thinke that it is sufficient to be women that all the world may serue vs. This is a thing too vsuall which ought not to bee accepted amongst discréet people although it may séeme that she onely is discréet who often doth vse this false dissimulation Considering that hee who loueth and is not dissembled with doth not deserue the name of a Louer This hath place with them that are strange and giue not part of ioy to mitigate the griefe of the heart which loueth them and I hold that Knight careles who may bee remedied if hee will vrge it and yet simply bearing wrong reioyceth in his griefe beeing content to bee dissembled with Oh faire Ladie answered the tender Spaniard how sweete should a Louers life bée if all were of your opinion and how manie gréefes might they daily auoyd for that Ladies doo dissemble the affection which they beare their Louers and vniustly intreate them to whome they haue giuen their hearts Hencefoorth let all Ladies deale with me so sayd the Dacian Peace Cynicke said the Spaniard let me goe forward It is good a Lady should be circumspectâ—â— yeilding her honour on any tearmes and to estéeme it when all the world doth know that she is faire but to vse it in such sort to make her Louer suffâ—r griefe she her selfe beeing passioned and yet makes rigorous showes Faire Damsell I take this to be one of the greatest tyranyes that may be vsed either to Knightes or against themselues considering Knights to gratefie their Ladies euery moment put their liues at deathes doore And should the Lady then be coye in his loue whome she loueth with all her heart if so shée deale who can condemne him truly that leaueth to know her for her owne frowardnes is cause of her forgetfulnes You haue great reason on your side answered the gracious Damsell but these so costly hopes I like not of that when they come they are with pure hope loathed for to my iudgement and I beléeue all those that try shall find that the best of all hope in loue is bought for more then it is worth In these reasoninges they passed away a great part of the night till such time as the two newe friendes being wearie they layed their heades vpon their helmets to take rest so likewise did the Damsell and their Pages The Iusting which Don Heleno and Torismundo had at their entring into Parris and what more chaunced vnto them Chap. 5. APollo had scarse shewed himselfe at his golden window beholding the large Circle that he had to runne when as the two valiant friends did arme themselues with their stronge and inchaunted armour and mounted vppon better horses then those which the amorous shepparde did shew and began to trauell towards Paris with great desire to be reuenged for the Infant Grisalinda In this sort they trauelled till after a little more then two miles they came vnto a great and faire bridge for to passe the mightie Riuer of Some nigh vnto the high walles which compassed the Citty There they saw many Knights staying for to haue passed and some of them were in battaile These furious friendes pricked forwardes for to sée the good Iusting that was there And asking of one wherefore those Iustes were it was tolde them that the valiant Alsino did make the Iustes defending the beautie of a Lady that a little before was come vnto the Court This was the Dutches of Sauoy and hee was the Nephew of the redoubted King Partomio that accused the Princesse who séeing that there lacked but one day did think to carry her away with him and the proude Alsino the Dutches. The Dacian whose bountie was well knowne did very earnestly require Torismundo that they would let him frée the bridge The Spaniard did it with a very euill will for that it gaue him great griefe whan as it was told him Alsino was in loue with the Sauoyan
put himselfe into his station There came after him that valiant and prowd Alsino all armed in yeolow armour full of precious stones and flower de luces amongst them In the middest of hys shield there was a Ladie painted with this posie Did I but grace his valor Mars should fall But he will win despite of mee and all The choler was so great that entred into our Spaniard when he saw that louing Posie vnderstanding vnto what ende it was written together with the wrong that was done to the faire Grisalinda without anie feare hee went to him and said Now is the time vncurteous knight that shal be séene whether I haue hands heere as I had a tongue in the pallace to defend mee and I will make thée vnsay the falshood which thou intendest in thys deuice thou bearest When hee was touched with that the amorous Moore could abide no more reasons but turning his horse about he put himselfe against his Enemie Now would I that I were inspired with some diuine fauour to declare the most furious Battell that euer was seene in the pallace of ancient Paris the weaknes of my Muse hath no power to expresse the worthines thereof If some excellent spirit now assisted me with what content should I prosecute the most heauie and amorous battel of these furious Warriours Who at the sounding of the trumpets parted with so great a noyse as though the vnder earth had trembled being oppressed with the furie of their couragious horses on whom they made their incounters in the middest of their course with no lesse violence than if two rockes remooued with the sea had rushed together The speare of the mightie Partomio tooke no holde on the Magicall shield but it was giuen with so great force strength that it made the Dacian double with his bodie and to loose one of his stirrops and the reynes of his horse out of his hand but not his memorie which in that extremitie did much helpe him so that at the staying of hys horse he had recouered al and returning with great swiftnes he drew out his sword and went against his Enemy with whom he had encountred so strongly although hee could not seaze on him a full blow in the middest of hys shield for that it was of magicall mixture that he stroke him such a violent blow vpon the brest which tooke away part of his breath by bending and brusing of his harnesse and his speare running forwards shiuered in péeces a splinter wounding him in the throate in such sort that if it had had a little more force it had cut his throate asunder yet notwithstanding he wounded him whereof hys issuing blood gaue testimonie and made him to embrace the necke of his great horse The wonder was great that they all receiued to sée so furious a blow and from that time forwards they did behold the Battell with more attention perceiuing by that beginning the Moore for all his brags wold surely haue the worst The gentle Spaniard and his Enemie made their incounter in the middest of the carréere with so great force that it séemed by the rumour of this course some great edifice had falne The incounter of our baptised Knight was somewhat low for that hee would not erre yet for all this his aduersaries shield and harnesse fayled him he gaue him a little wound which troubled him they rushed together with their shields and helmes and with their horses so furiously that the Moore fell out of all sense with his horse dead betwéene his legges vnto the ground Likewise the Christian being brused with that incounter was forced to doo the like but his horse escaped neuerthelesse he thought with the fall hee had broken hys bodie in péeces Yet for all this he began to bussell and make himselfe ready to goe against his enemy with an admirable quicknes saying it stood him in hand being before his Mistresse and in defence of so faire beautie All that were in the place did verie much reioyce at the good successe of him with the blacke armor but by and by he was troubled in that he sawe the third defied Knight come swiftly with his speare in his reste against the Louer This wrathfull youth did not feare him but before the Moore woulde passe séeing the Prince make shewe as though he would abide him he somwhat stayed his horse because he would not misse and comming néere him he bare his speare lowe intending to carrie him away at that thrust But the Spaniard commending himselfe to God at such time as he deliuered his Speare put himselfe on the one side laying holde thereon with so great quicknes and strength that he forced him to let it loose because els hee should haue fallen and so the Moore passed forwards caried with the furie of his horse This newe Louer hauing gotten his Speare in his hand and won it in such order would shewe some of the antiquitie and bloud whereof he came Therefore he did tosse and shake it before his faire Ladie that behelde him fixing her eye on the place where hee was and hee perceiuing that she did looke vpon him as indéed all the people did noting with what brauerie he did it euen as if he had béen vpon his good horse he went after him that then was returned comming to ouerrun him with his horse which caused great laughter and noyse in the place till such time as they were aduertised what was done Then they saw that the Spaniard firmed his féete on the ground and threwe the Speare with so great strength that he stroke him in the middest of his shield and made him fall ouer the crouper of his horse whereas against the ground his head receiued a greate and gréenous fall and besides he caried a tronchon of the speare in his brest whereout began to run much blood Presently amongst the people there arose a great noise saying Hee with the black armor doth begin to quaile the pride of the kinsmen The furie of this famous Prince of Spaine did not héere rest for when he saw him with the Lance ouerthrowen and that the other could not cléere himselfe from vnder his horse he went vnto the last and tooke him by the legges drawing him vnto the place whereas the proude Alsino lay blaspheming his Gods that had giuen such force to one Knight at two blowes to bring them into that estate And when he came to Alsino hee said Nowe beast thou maist sée that it is better to put more hands to the battaile than so much pride I will not helpe thée from vnder thy horse till such time as this champion doth come to himselfe that shall beare thée companie in death so he layde him by him and left them in that sorte causing greate laughter among them all and pleasing the innocent Princesse who then began to féele some new alterations iudging with some passion that which all men publiquely spake of the valiantnes of the Spaniard
for them and the gallant Flora. The heroycal Tharsian was imagining what to doo doubted he had done litle in her seruice that night in that he had left him aliue that iudged himselfe worthie to deserue her yet for al this he encouraged himselfe and purposed not to be knowne till hee had ouercome that furious Giant and presented his head to his Ladie The King receiued them with great thankes for that in al respects he was a good Knight and frendly to honor such as came vnto him and verie thankfully gratulated the succor they offered had made to him and vnto his daughter yet would not they suffer themselues to be knowen although the Princesse did desire them verie much There was appointed for them a lodging where they should take theyr rest where they were serued with manie dainties which the Princesse sent them who imagined that her Prince was amongst them These foure Companions supped with great contentment and for to please the Moore all the supper time they talked of Flora declaring the reason he had to loue her for that she was so faire And they were not deceiued for she was one of the comeliest in the vniuersall world and for her sake the Tharsian put himselfe in great daungers as shal be told you When they had done they went to rest but sent that night order vnto the Kings that early in the morning all his people should be armed By and by it was noysed abroad in the Citie what aid and succour there was come for the which all the night great fier lights were made for ioy and accompted the warres to be ended hauing those foure Knights The ende of the Battell betweene the Tharsian and his Companions against their aduersaries Chap. VII THe Louer of Daphne had begun to renue his light ouer the world with his hote presence when as those foure Frends mounted and armed went vnto the pallace leading after them all the people of the Cittie voluntarily who séeing them so gracious said The Gods haue well ordained that for foure Diuells haue sent vs foure Angels to deliuer vs from their hands Then they came vnto the Pallace wheras the kings and the princesse were tarrying for them verie ioyfull to sée their gallant demeanor Whereas foorthwith because they would loose no time they agreed that the Grecian Prince of Tharsus should goe foorth into the Campe and that the rest should be aloofe off to yéeld their helpe when néed required They all reioyced at the agréement wherewith the common people began to place themselues vpon the wals of the Cittie the better for to sée what these knightes did The like did the princesse her damosells from that part of the pallace that looked towards the Campe there they tarried the comming of the two Frends her heart working with excéeding ioy and desire to behold the battell as one that had no small interest in the action These two passed through the stréetes so pleasantlye that which way soeuer they went the Ladies gaue them a thousand blessings and the people with high voices gaue testimonie of that they desired The Tharsian was moūted on his mightie horse and at the pommell of his saddle did hang that bloodie Mace that he won the night before with a speare that séemed to be a beame of an oake trée a gallant horne at his necke that became him well They all meruailed at the furious countenance they both shewed for although the Grecian was not so great beeing about thrée fingers lesse than the prince of Tharsus yet he was altogether as well set and rid in such sort that all did estéeme him for a stout knight when they saw his gallant disposition Foorthwith they went foorth into the Campe when they had passed the bridge a bow shot the Tharsian lift vp his visor and began to blow his horne with so great force that he made it to be heard throughout all the Camp and said O furious and fierce Pagan is it possible that hee who would haue the faire Flora for wife should be so carelesse his enemy being in the field Come if thou wilt haue the weapon that thou didst loose yesternight and bee reuenged for héere I doe tarry for thée The Princesse did verie well from the place whereas shee was heare what the Knight said being very ioyous that so good help was come vnto her The Tharsian séeing that he came not blewe his horne againe and said O vile Moore wherefore dost thou stay and not come foorth into the field thy Lady being there Come come for it is now time for to make shew that thou dost loue and the effect of all thy force The Pagan tarried not long but put himselfe at the doore of his Tent mounted on a proud and mightie horse armed in blacke armour full of red knots which caused feare to them that did behold them There were two Giants that would not agrée that he should goe forth and for that they were armed and mounted vpon great beastes they sayd to him stay mighty Arlante for wée will goe and bring vnto thée those vncurteous knights disturbers of our quietnes for it is no right to giue them so honorable a death as to die by your hands So pulling downe their visors they went without company from the bridge whereas they caused more to bee in a readines when it was néedful It did not gréeue these two frends to sée them come in that sorte being so big that they séemed great Pine trées At their comming the biggest of them who was called Fermonte said what is it that you would haue Knights that so early haue risen for to disquiet the King Arlante our Lord if you come to séeke your death for the offence which you committed yesternight hee doth not come to giue it you for that he will not giue you so much honor The Tharsian tooke in hand to answere him and said thou vncurteous beast if the tyrant haue anie anger against vs and so much delighteth to make warre wyth them that neuer did him wrong it were better for him to take reuenge himselfe or else peraduenture he meaneth to take vengeance of his wrath and your deaths together So without anie more words they turned their horses made their incounter in the middest of their carréere with such a noyse that it séemed foure furious rockes had met together their incounters were such The valiant Tharsian séeing that it was the first lance that he ran with in all his life and beeing also before hys faire Mistres hee commended himselfe to Mahomet for helpe and incountred the fierce Giant with such a blow that with a truncheon of the launce in his breast he made him fall to the ground so that hee mooued neither hand or foote with so great wonder vnto them that were present that they forgot the wondrous blowe that was giuen by the warlike Grecian who as though the faire Oliuia had béen present encountred the Giant
were a fault not to defend her to y e death for there is no better loue than that which is confirmed with déedes And for that both of you are such Louers I shall receaue great content that you dâ—o confirme true frendship with him and I will sweare the sinne vnto his Ladie till such time as my fortune grants that I may sée her to confirme it and on this condition I doo girt ye with this sword not to offend but defend so meritorius a knight So taking him vp shee caused them all foure to imbrace vniting vndeuided frendship as Lisarte and hâ—s people expressed in the great warres at Constantinople where hee shewed his loue to the Troyan who with the rest greatly thanked the Princesse for confirming that league The Princes would foorthwith haue departed about the Damsells busines but at the request of the betrothed Ladie they taried ten dayes In which time the Troyan maintained a gallant Iust. The new betrothed princes in this time vsed such cunning although but yong beginners in Louers in wished delights y t then was begotten one of the mightiest knights among the Pagans proouing so valiant that he was held for one of the Gréeke Princes with whom he had great frendship but especially with Claramante as shal be declared in the second Booke of this third Part. The ten dayes ended the Princes vndertooke theyr iourney with great gréefe vnto the faire Flora who affected them greatly The new married Lisarte did greatly desire them to let him goe in their companie but they would not consent thereunto At their parting the braue Gréeke did declare vnto them who he was whereat they much gréeued séeing they had not done him â—he honour hee deserued In recompente whereof Lisarte promised to visite him in the Empire of Grecia although hee could not performe it so soone as he intended but when he went it was in companie with his Sunne and they were called the Knights of the Sunne vnder which name they dyd wondrous déeds Manie rich gifts being bestowed on the thrée Princes they tooke their way with the Damsell in Rosicleers inchanted Boate towards the famous Cittie of Lyra in the Kingdome of Lacedemonia where we will leaue them and returne into France to sée what amorous aduentures there hapned What chanced to Torismundo Prince of Spaine in the Kingdome of France the ende of his loue with the departure of Don Heleno Prince of Dacia WE left the faire Princesse Grisalinda amorously passionated with meditation onely on the Knight in the blacke armour which thought had so possessed her hart that her chast desires could no longer resist for this amorous fier where it findeth resistance burneth with more furie In such sort it troubled this tender Ladie that the conuersation of the Ladies was nothing pleasant vnto her all her content is now to conferre with her cousin the Duchesse and Alcisa for so was the Damsell called about her vnknown beloued Alcisa comforted her with manie examples of Ladies who merely hid their amorous gréefe and obtained a quiet and honourable end as the faire Oliuia the worthie Claridiana for saith she in the sea of Loue they alone can tell how to saile in faire weather that patiently endure the tempests knowing that in the end they shall attaine the desired port I my Alcisa said the Princesse if there were anie hope of obtaining it were somwhat like but for a Ladie to loue and take delight in her owne affection the beloued not knowing her faith what comfort can sustaine her or expressing first her affection how can it be but she erreth against y e modest order of Ladies who know by experience they are beloued before they make anie show of thankfulnes This said the Damsell is the greatest errour that is made in Loues warre for some in setting before them the simple poynt of honour haue conuerted their ioy into lamenting and dyed solitarie for that they would not liue companie How much more doth the royall priuiledge of loue stretch farther than this not iudging it dishonour to put backe a little honorable fame for the content which loue bringeth Leaue off then Madam this wayward nicenes and be not ashamed to vtter what your heart féeles If you will assure me to comfort this worthie Knight and honour him with your loue I will goe séeke him in the Forrest and make him the happiest among men Doo good Alcisa said the Princesse and binde me euer to be thine but I pray thée be not too lauish to vtter my affection yet bring him to the Court and sée how I will reward thée nay rather say my selfe will be his reward than he should be slacke in comming Alcisa promised to goe wherewith the amorous Ladie was somwhat comforted and dissembled the gréefe that she suffred for his absence and receiued content to sée the Iustes and Tornayes that were made for her sake Then flourished Knighthood in that Court more than in anie in all the world the occasion was that the King did intreate Strangers verie well in giuing honour vnto those that deserued lodging them within his Pallace insomuch that all the Court was full of Knightes who came at the fame and report of those Triumphs and to behold the faire Grisalinda They who shewed themselues most excellent were the Princes of Geneua and of Claramonte the last being a rough youth and verie amorous of the Geneua princes sister that was in companie with Grisalinda also the Duke of Pera all valiant Knights But aboue all for brauerie was the couragious Duke of Soma a yong Knight and a valiant who serued the Daughter of Armineo the Kings Brother She was verie faire and called Liciana nothing agréeued to be beloued of such a Knight making shew of her affection vpon all occasions To this great Court did the prince of Phrigia come being a yong knight of great strength who trauelling to séeke aduentures heard of triumphs and purposed to shew his Knighthood Thether came also the King of Carthage called Pontenio a valiant Youth and of the race of Giants The prince Riendarte of Phrygia when hee saw the great beautie of the princesse affected her entyrely but dissembled it till he had made shew of his person The Challengers were the Dukes of Soma and Pera and great prizes were ordained by the King to be giuen to the best Deseruer The Iustes were ordained to begin the first of May and end at Midsummer by which time they expected the prince Clauerindoes comming When the appointed time was come it séemed that Paris was a celestiall Cittie so much and so excelent musike was heard therein The same daye early the King banquetted all the princes that they might haue time for the Iustes which banquet ended the Challengers armed themselues and came foorth conformable to their estates Both had gréene armour full of Flower de Luces manie precious stones amongst them with their capparisons of the same each had to attend them fiftie pages
him in péeces but he arose againe brused with the fal he gaue him on his backe and was striking at the Giant but the Grecian put the poynt of his sword betwéene and stayed the execution thereof And for that the Sonne oâ— Trebatio would not haue of them anie vantage he again said take your armour furious beasts for therewith you shall haue enough to doo to deliuer your selues out of our hands Yet ceased they not to strike and they with great lightnes auoyded till one of the Giaunts with a hoarce voyce said Stay foolish Knights and you shal sée me stay longer in arming my self thaÌ„ in taking away your liues So they descended the staires making a great noyse and at their comming into the Court they met foure or fiue of the Tartarians knights and slew them offring as much to the princes at the gates who letting slip their blowes entred within them and with their armed fists feld them to the ground wold haue cut off their heads At which the Grecian came downe hauing left the Tartarian aboue to keepe the tower and would in no case let them be smitten vnarmed commaunding a Page of the Castle to fetch their armour and in the meane time they came to themselues And considering they were by two knights ouerthrowne they blasphemed their Gods and hasting to arme one another the eldest said Tarrie a little ye captiue people and you shall sée how déere I will make you buy this treason When they were armed shaking their bright fawchions they came against them all Rosicleer was a Knight of great patience but the prowd words of the Giant had so earnestly angred him that it made him say thus For that you shal vnderstand how I estéeme ye come both ioyntly to me and you shall finde my déeds differ from my words and therwith he let flye thrée or foure blowes aloft which made them séeke defence for theyr heads When he saw them looke aside he gaue the yonger Giant such an ouerthwart blow on his thigh that hee cut him to the boane but the other Giaunt reached hym with the poynt of his fawchion vpon his shoulder that it made him stoop with his hands to the ground The principall hall was toward the court so that from thence the Tartarian and his Wife saw the valour of the Grecian who at this time was more couraâ—ius thaÌ„ if he had fought with one alone Knight The Tartarian being amazed to sée his valiantnes could not chuse but say Uerely it séemeth all the Gods did ioyne together at the birth of thys inuincible Warrier and put in him more strength than remaineth in them all A happie country is it y e eniâ—â—th such Lords happie Zoylo that amongst such frends hast found a sepulcher and happie Andronio that hath séene with his eyes what els he would not haue beléeued Of truth worthy husband said Grisanea I would gladlye some of those Knights would helpe the Grecian Prince not that his valor hath néed thereof but that we should be the sooner rid of thâ—se people for I am not yet frée of the feare I receiued Oristides had no néed to be intreated for with a light leape hee stept in receiued on his shield the second blow that the Giant Tembloso stroke at the Grecian which made him bow to the ground As he arose to reuenge it the Grecian said vnto him Stand away Oristides and staine not your sword in so euill blood And in so saying he gaue a thrust at the furious Tembloso and returned vnto the other Giant striking him so mightie a blow vpon the helme that hee made him almost senslesse At the same time had the Troyan stroke such a blowe at his hands that almost he had parted them asunder which made him giue a fearfull shréeke where with his Brother stroke the Gréeke Prince such a blow on the helme that if Artemidoroes vertue had not béâ—n therein his lyfe had béen in great perill The Giant was nimble and would not loose any occasion therefore hee entred desirous for to strike him another blow but the Troyan did breake the execution thereof which gaue the Grecian time to recouer himselfe The other Giant by reason of the first wound Rosicleer gaue him fell vppon his knées blaspheming hys Goâ—s The Ladies of the Princesse receiued great content to sée him fall and said It séemeth to vs that one of them doth come by little and little to the ground The gentle Troyan did verie well heare those words went against the hurt Giant but comming nigh him the Gâ—ant with his left hand laid hold on the skirt of his habâ—reâ—on and drew him within his armes The Troyan knew well in what perill he was and to be more at libertie and the better to helpe himselfe he let his shield fall from hys arme The Giant séeing that so crushed him that â—e verely thought his armour would haue entred into his flâ—sh his gréefe was so much yet for all that hee did not forgâ—t his dagger which he thrice stabbed into the Giant and as often drew it foorth with his blood and the fourth time he thrust it in vnder the skirt of his habergion vpwards with so much force that the murdring blade came to his heart Which caused the Giant with y e pangs of death to squéeze him so strongly that if it should long haue indured it had not béen possible but hee should haue béen in great perill but his breath failing him he opened his armes and committed his soule to the diuell and his bodie to the senslesse earth the Troyan being so faint and wearie that he was forced in great hast to pull off his helme to take the benefite of the coole ayre and sate him downe vppon the dead bodie of the Giant with great contentment vnto them al. And being a little refresht hee busied his eyâ—s in beholding the battell betwéene the inuincible Rosicleer and the furious Tembloso which séemed but then to begin Yet the Giant shewed himselfe to be somwhat â—eaâ—â—e by reason of the weight of his strong armour the great lightnes of the Prince who entring in and out made him verie wearie which was the occasion that the Prince assaulted him the oftner wounding him so on the legs that all the Court was stained with his brutall blood Our valiant Grecian séeing his aduersarie began to faint layd hold vâ—on his shield with so great strength that he pulled him perforce vnto the ground with so great a fall that hée was almost without sense or moouing and before hee had anie memorâ—e to recouer himself he stept to him with his left hand pulled off his helme and cloaue his head to the necke Then he sat down to rest himselfe and asked the Troyan how he fared Well said he though almost out of breath but let vs méete the Tartarian and his Wife who are comming to visit vs. With that the faire Princesse came and said Thus farre worthie Princes extendeth the
came to the head or sping of a gallant Christall Fountaine which was vnder certaine myrtle trées and there they alighted and let their horses taste of the water of that swéet and cléere spring and the gréen grasse that was there Then did their Pages bring forth such victuall as they brought from the doubtfull Castle making on the gréene grasse a more daintie Table than they had in Grecia and they passed Dinner with as great content if that Meridian had not disturbed it with the remembrance of the losse of his wife although he was somwhat eased with the confidence in Brandafidell and they all no lesse reioyced at the swéet musike which the birds made in the shadow than of that which they were wont to haue in the Royall Pallaces but the one and the other they did leaue for to heare a delicate voice which at the sound of a Harpe they did heare not far off and considering what it should be they heard that it began with a prosound sygh in this sort Though I be scornd yet will I not disdaine But bend my thoughts faire beauty to adore What though she smile when I sigh and complaine It is I know to try my faith the more For she is faire and fairenes is regarded And I am firme firme loue will be rewarded Suppose I loue and languish to my end And she my plaints my sighes my prayers dispise O t is enough when Fates for me doe send If she vouchsafe to close my dying eyes Which if she doe and chance to drop a teare From life to death that balme will me vpreare With an other sygh no lesse than the first did the wofull voice conclude which gaue occasion to the frée Troyan to arise and taking his shield he desired them to tarie for that hee would know who hee was that with so great griefe did publish his sorrow and went directly thether whereas the voice was and vnder a high and great pine trée he saw lying along a knight armed in armor all plated siluer like ful of gréen Roses without his helm which lay by him and a shield of the colour of his armor in the middest of the field in place of the flower was this Posie Nor frownes nor scornes preuaile Resolued loue to quaile The knight was very yong one of the fairest that euer he saw his eyes were swollen with wéeping The Troyan had great desire to know who he should be but stayed for that he saw he would return to his doleful song in this manner Let heauen and earth let Gods and men conspire To adde more griefe vnto my greeued minde So my faire Saint doe know my true desire I haue enough content therein I finde Loues bonds are heauen dull freedome is a hell Come all worlds woe yet loue can make it well This louing Youth intended onely to make the ayre pertaker of his gréefe so turning himself vpon the gréen grasse he said Oh Loue why in the beginning of my â—eÌ„der yeres hast thou made me place my felicitie in a person that hates mée Ah swéete Mistres I doo acknowledge your desert and giue my gréefe to witnes it yet if I may say it without offence as you are rare in beautie so I am a Phoenix in loue Oh that it pleased the heauens I might shew you my louing heart there should you sée how faith sustaineth the same against the extremitie of all your crueltie This afflicted Youth could procéed no further for that he was disturbed by the Troyan who desirous to know what he was in this sort saluted him I would fain faire Knight know what hath brought you into this estate if you stand in néed of my person I will imploy it in your helpe I néed not your companie said this disturbed Louer much lesse your helpe depart I pray you for your presence doth me wrong Thou art vncurteous answered the Kinsman of Hector so to reply vnto my Knightly offer Nay then I perceiue said the Youth you are ignorant what pleasure solitarines bringeth to the passionated Louer I answered the Troyan and hope euer to be ignorant of such pleasing sorrow O heauens how hast thou liued said the Youth art not amorous Now God defend me said Oristides from that madnes O generous thoughts of mine replied the Youth is it possible that Rosabel should liue and heare Loue slandered tarrie thou false Knight for with thy blood I trust to write vpon these trées the glorie of them that be Louers And therewith like a viper trodden on he arose vp to lace on his helme sodainly cast a thrust at y e Troian that hee made him retire backe thrée or foure paces almost past memorie Ere hee recouered the Youth strooke him so on the Uisor that hee made him sée starres in his darke helme and doubled another vpoÌ„ his shoulder that shrewdly pained him By this the Troyan did plainly sée that the Knight with whom hée dealt was aswell Mars his sonne as Cupids seruant and therefore rowsing himselfe he smit him such a blow vpon the shield that he made him put one knée vpon the ground The Youth was cunning and at the discharge of y e blow hurt the Troyan so on the legs that his red blood distained the gréene meadow With excéeding furie tooke Oristides his sword in both his hands and doubled two such extreame blowes that the young Knight knew not where he was but quickly recouering himselfe he retourned a double paiment A thousand thoughts came vnto the Troian in imagining who this valiant Youth might bée yet so he dealt with him that he made him sweat drops of blood At the noyse of this rigorous battell came the two Princes at which instant the Youth had feld the Troyan to the ground whence quickly recouering and with his sword seeking to reuenge the Princes stept betwéene them saying Part Knights it is not iust to permit this battell to come to an end without knowing the cause It is sayd the Youth because this Knight counteth a Louers life vnhappie which occasion is not so small but if I liue with his life he shall answere it Sir Knight said Meridian let not this flight quarrell hinder our important busines the matter being no more but you thinke Loues bondage swéet and he in libertie findes his content But that you shall perceiue doubt of his ablenes is no cause of this I will warrant that within these ten dayes either here or where els soeuer you will appoint this Knight shall ende the battell I am content aunswered the yong Knight for that your gentle disposition doth more binde mee than this Knights arrogancie therefore let the battell be here where onely accompanied with my solitarie thoughts I will attend you Stand aside said the valiant Troyan in cases that concerne my owne honour I am more bound than to wait on strangers therefore there is no reason to disturbe vs till the battell be ended It cannot be said Rosicleer
the skirt that she disarmed all that part yet for all this the Troyan did nothing but breake her blows and put a side his body by the lightnes of his horse The minds of some that were present were in doubt although the Prince of Laodicea was secure Contrarie thoughts were in the rigorous Damsell who made so great hast that sometimes it tooke away her breath The Troyan did beare her a mightie blow and in crossing his swoord for that it was of better mettle than the Ladies it cut hers asunder in the middest whereat he receiued great discontent for that which his Goddesse shuld receiue but loue wroght so in that small time that it forced him to shewe a gentle tricke and gaue great suspition to all that did behold it Which was he seperated himselfe a little and tooke hys swoord by the point and offered it vnto his Ladie saying Let your highnes pardon mee in that you haue lost your swoord by my occasion with this you may conclude the battaile in taking away my life which is the most readiest in all the world to serue you I haue no néed of other weapons answered the valorous Damsel hauing a dagger wherwith to succour me you haue not any thing to do but with your swoord to doe your best It is not vsed goddesse of my life said hee in our Country to make any battaile with weapon of aduantage and therwith he put it vp into the sheath wherat they all maruelled and also the king who could not refraine but say This knight doth much estéeme of women for that he hath no power against them not attributing it vnto her new affection Now doth the Troyan fully vnderstand the letter which the wise Gelasio did send when they were vpon departure from the Iland of Fangomadan that he should sée his head in the hands of hys most cruell enemy And for that it might the sooner ve accomplished he closed with the Infant and laid his amorous armes on her but hee found a contrary answere in the angry Lady blaming her owne ouersight she did wound him cruelly with her dagger betwéene the ioynts of the vambrace that it made him giue a pittifull grone which caused the Lady the more to respect him as though be had done al the seruice possible And it could not be but that the gentle Sarmacia when she saw the bloud of him that loued her vpon her dagger â—ut that she took some new compassion and although it was but a litle it increased so much that it endured to the death The amorous Troyan séeing himselfe hurt tooke hold of her dagger by the hylt with so great force that hee wrung it out of her hands and left her without and offered his vnto her saying it doth not profit gentle Lady the procuring of reuengement with your weapons for if you wil it must be with mine although vnworthy for that they are dedicated to your seruice In this contention and amorous wrastling they continued till Sunne set which gaue him occasion for to leaue his Lady a lighâ—ing from his horse went whereas the Iudges were who gaue him the glory of the victory at the sound of an infinite number of instrumentes but séeing that with reason his Lady might be greened he would not leaue her so but went whereas she was knéeling down gaue her his weapons for to do with them and himself her pleasure I for this time said the somwhat affectioned Sarmacia wil none of your weapons neither accept you till such time as with mine own I take reuengment to your cost For the rest the Prince of Laodicea is frée the heauens hath ordained it my sister wife to him that I loued more than my soule but I will first pul it out with my own hands than loue him that doth not consider my desert Neither doe I thinke to put on any more harnes if I doe not let him vnderstand the euill he hath vsed toward me And therewith so fast as hir horse could run she went foorth the same way which the Grecian went and none was able to stay her although the King cryed out that they should doe it for she rid threatning of them that did offer it knowing her will they did let her passe where as the Prince within a litle while did sée her enter into the Forrest that was so nigh vnto the Cittie The worthy Lady being departed out of the place leauing the Louer in obscure darknes with the absence of his Sunne hee went vnto the King requesting that foorthwith they might be married hauing confidence that Liuio the prince of Laodicea had committed no offence There néeded no great perswasions for the king greatly loued the Youth Euery one requested him to pull off his helme and to tell them who he was but he séeing that Rosicleer was lacking and that it would be troublesome to stay he excused it as wel as he could remitting it vnto the Damsell of whoÌ„ he tooke his leaue and said that she shuld tel them whom he was the next day for that he wold not méet with them She did promise him not with a few teares to sée her selfe absent from so valiant and worthy Princes but for that she could doe no otherwise she forth with made them to be knowen vnto her mistresse Thomiriana that accepted it with great content requesting her not to make it known vnto any til that day was past All reioyced with the new Prince for he was of all welbeloued remained greatly bound vnto the princes when as he knew who they were where as we a while will leaue them Of the great battaile that Rosicleer the Prince of Grecia had with the knight of the Forrest what hapned Cha. 13 WIth new and carefull thoughts went the GreciaÌ„ Prince forth of the Court of Lira could not tell who that faire and tender Youth should bee that was so valiant He knew not whether his horse did carrie him neither what he did he was so trobled in his imagination till such time as hee heard a rusling amongst the bushes and looking with more attension then before he did he heard a voyce which said vnto him Worthy Sonne of Trebatio wherefore dost thou hasten to seeke the Knight for the blowes thou smitest on his body thou giuest to Oliuias soule The obscure wordes did cause him more to suspect and he could not imagine from whom it was spoken but not reckning of them he pricked forwards his horse with more hafte directly whether as he thought he had left the knight but he had not ridden many paces when he heard the same voyce which said Knight of Cupid is this the loue thou hast vnto thy Oliuia behold if thou dost this thou goest against her will Although I loose my life and all the Grecian estate answered somewhat alowd the angry Prince I will goe forwards to sée who this Knight might be The voice said O euill knight that for so many fauours
you what thing is there that can giue you any griefe being fully certified that you are beloued and they who sent you this figure doo liue by your affection Ah Artimio my wel beloued brother answered the afflicted Prince how is it that I know not my selfe neither can I giue my selfe any testimonie with this new change I feele it will end me and I know not to whom I shall acquaint my griefe neither know I who is the occasion and if I do perseuer herein according to the force wherewith it is begun there is no doubt but the griefe will afflict mee in such sort that I shall dye with the most gréeuous passion that euer louer suffered The amorous Arbolinda with her eyes full of water answered saying Let passe this griefe and to assure ye shall haue comfort of your Lady weare this iewell which hath many yéeres hung about your Ladies necke And therewith she tooke from her neck a worthy and estéemed Diamant and put it on the Princes necke which gaue him the greatest content that might be imagined Being in this swéet conuersation the Pilot of the Barke entred and said that he had discouered a faire aduenture at the Sea where with they armed themselues with their rich and shining armor and went forth to the Barkes side to sée what it should be And they saw a thing that made them not a little maruell for that not farre from their barke they sawe a Tower so bright that it séemed to be of Christall it was seated vpon foure Pillers more firm then if it had bin on the land with great desire they hastened on their iourney til abouâ— the third houre they drew nigh vnto the Pillers who séeing the great richnes and workemanship did iudge thaâ— deuine hands had done it and not humane They wenâ— round about it to sée if there were any way to mount into it but they found none but comming nigher vnto it they might sée certaine letters grauen in gold on one of the pillers which the valiant Lisarte read in this manner If any hath a desire to giue libertie to the flower of great Brittaine doing greater seruice vnto Grecia putting a side all feare let him blow this horne he shal finde the entrie easie but the comming forth dangerous There néeded no more for the valiant Lisarte to indanger his life vnderstanding that it redounded for content vnto Grecia So putting on his helme he blew the horne with so great noise as doth Eolus when out of his darke iawes hee issueth to giue battell against all the world He had not well taken it from his mouth commending himselfe vnto the God that Rosicleer did worship when as hee laid hold on a Ladder that was throwen from the top of the Castle by which hee mounted more swifter then a bird Hee had not well put his féete on the Christaline flower when thrée furious Giants fiercely assalted him the first he cut a sunder in the wast when much to his amazement the two parts sodainly became two Giants and pittilesly assailed him till his good chaunce suffered him to wring froÌ„ one Giant that had the inchanted life a heauy mace with which hee so bestirred himselfe that he made that cursed company flye from him amaiâ—â— But when he thought the victory sure there came forth a goodly knight saying Thou shalt not slay my kind keepers and take me from my pleasant dwelling and ther with doubled so many blows vpon Lisarte that he left him on the floore almost without life and the inchanted knight tooke the prince in his armes purposing to throw him out at the window but Lisarte being recouered and closed in that sort pulled off the inchaunted knights helme whose face when he saw he guest it to be Rosicleer and said Alas my Lord Rosicleer what hath the Prince of Tharsus deserued that you should vse him so vngently When the Knights helmes was off the inchauntment ceased And he said Knight your valor hath deliuered me from this inchantment for which I rest bound vnto you I am suspected indéed to be the Princes son you name but my weaknes approoues me vnworthy of so excellent a Father Lisarte remembring the words on the piller and beholding his countenance assured him he was the Sonne of Rosicleer and there they imbraced Lisarte discoursing what hapned to them in Argentaria and Rosabel what chaunced in Lacedemonia So a while we will leaue them and follow the gallant Brandafidell and the Princesse Floralinda What hapned in Greece to the gentle Brandafidell and Floralinda Chap. 20. WIth many milde perswasions did Floralinda mittigate the rage of Brandafidell beeing parted by the tempest from Lisarte and in short time they both landed in Grecia where Brandafidel expected store of aduentures so causing the Princesse to bee mounted on a milke white Palfrey hee himselfe bestrid his huge Alfana being a beast bred in the mountaines of Barbarie with a huge Launce in his hand his dreadfull mace at his saddle bow On the tenth day as they iourneyed towards Constantinople they met a mighty great Knight and with him twenty knights in troop and comming néere them the great Knight said I can hardly bée perswaded Giant that this Lady goeth with thée willingly but if she doo she is vnfit for thée therefore deliuer her vnto mée and this horse which séemeth to be good You ask much said Brandafidell but would yee not bee content to leaue the Lady so I gaue you the horse No said the great Knight and therwith one of his troop laid hold on Floralinda which made her giue a great shréeke Not the violeÌ„t lightning with more swiftnes breaketh out of the cloudes than the rage of Brandafidel sent death to that presumptuous knight and thrée of his companions for with his lance cast violently from his hand he ouerthrew foure dead that sate in ranke and with foure bullets of his dreadfull maâ—e made foure more at one blow to beare them companie But the great Knight entred within him and stroke so dangerous a blow that the Giant wel perceiued he had a strong aduersarie but with the ende of his mace on his brest-plate Brandafidell gaue such a foyne that hee ouerthrew him senselesse to the earth By this the other twelue Knightes had round incoÌ„passed him but like the Cyclops hammers fell his heauy bullets on the weake anuyles of their heades that héere some brainlesse there others senselesse lay dead on the ground When he thought all had béen ended the great Knight recouered and betwéene theÌ„ continued a battaile no lesse furious than the dreadful contention betwéene Anteus and Hercules On foote they fought for Brandafidell would haue no aduantage and in the courage of his enemy hee tooke pride but remembring his presumption against the Princesse hee whirled his dreadfull mace and parted with two bullets his head in péeces At the knightes fall Floralinda ioyed but Brandafidel left not till hee had slaine all the wounded Knightes but one
against their likings we haue attempted with these knights at the Turney to take theÌ„ away hauing to that end twentie thousand more knights in readines at Sea and in the tumult also to bring away our sister and to haue sought you through the world Rosabel was so glad to heare that Liriana loued him so thankful to the Princes y e his inward affection to all appeared in his silent embracing And while hee was preparing fit words to gratulate such fauour a Page came riding to them from a goodly proportioned knight whose armour was very precious and two Lyons in his shield and chalenged them all to the Iustes The yonger brother of Celandia would néeds begin but was ouerthrowen in the encounter Salernio had the like successe Lisarte lost his saddle and the strange knight his stirrops and Florisarte and he passed each by other like two inuincible rockes Then Rosabel prepared himselfe but the knight lifting vp hys Beuer said Farre be it from Oristoldo sonne of Sacridiro king of Thessaly to runne against any that so much resembleth his fathers déerest frend For know Sir knight in my other encouÌ„ters I marked your beauteous face while the visor of your helme was vp and sawe you to be so like the picture of Rosicleer Prince of Gréece that I offer my small abilities to your seruice beséeching pardon for Iusting against your frends O heauens how happy am I said Rosabel to be couÌ„ted the son of a father so much loued And therwith they al embraced Oristoldo acquainting him with their busines he vowed the aduenture of his life Then spake Lisarte who had most experience thus aduised them We wil take shields like vnto Rosabels whose deuise was iealozy leaning vpon faith and wee sixe will onely enter the Iustes taking with vs one Page to certifie this hoast of knightes that shall attend vs somewhat néere the Citty of our procéedings At the turney we wil be against the Soldan of Egipt whom about Sun set we will finde occasion to kill then when the tumult is greatest ascend the gallerie for in some gallerie it is like the Ladies shall stand and bring away the Ladies which to effect if we want help the page shal certifie these two thousand knights who being fresh and couragious wil assure our enterprize Al liked this Counsel so leauing Artimio and Roselio with the two thousand knights they tooke Alirio Rosabels page and entred Niquea when the Turnayes were ready to begin It pleased the Soldan of Egipt for so requested the Soldan of Niquea that the Egiptian knights and the Giants hee brought shuld ioyne with his courtiers and the Captains of the knights strangers should bee the Kings of Media of Garamancia and Armenia The king of Garamancia was all in Lyon coloured armour and on his shield a knight mouing a Globe with this posie I feare not strength but Fortune The other two kings were in armour full of pearced hearts and on their shâ—ews the same deuice with this posie Forgetfulnes of loue is cause of death They had following them ten thousand knightes and some Gyants among whom our fiue princes put themselues TheÌ„ entred on the other side the knights Courtiers beeing so magnificent that it shewed manifestly the great maiestie of their Prince After theÌ„ followed the Soldan of Egipt all his furniture being red set with a number of precious stones his deuise was a Lady apparrelled in the colour of his armour and a knight holding her by the hand hauing at his féete Loue and Fortune with this Posie Commaunding these this is mine owne His Nephewes were armed in siluer coloured armour Loue smiling beeing painted in their shields Then came the Soldan of Niquea and after him diuine Liriana with her Cosins and the Princesse of Celandia with such admirable beautie and excellent sound of instruments as if they had béene Angels and the place celestiall But the Soldan of Niquea the Ladies and other aged Princes vnfit for fight were no sooner placed but the dreaâ—full trumpets sounded the encounter Against the Soldan of Egipt and his Nephews â—an the kings of Garamanâ—ia Media and Armenia and at the first encounter tumbled their proude bodies on the earth which so enraged the Soldan that he â—â—fied them to mortall battel where 30 sierce Giants rushed in on his part and ouerthrew many of the knights strangers putting the king of Garamantia in great distresse being vnhorsed then stepped Rosabel vnto him and lighting from his horse perforce mounted him thereon which the king and all his knights tooke very gently but especially when they sawe his manner of mounting Rosabel went to a huge Giant and pulled him to the earth mounting in his saddle and dooing such wonders that on him and his fellowes who by this time at thrée encounters had ouerthrowen twelue Giants all the beholders eyes were â—ixed The Soldan of Egipt grew to impacient that neglecting the duety of armes hee turned the ioyfull Turneyes to a battaile most dangerous and calling for a huge and mightie Giant named Penastrol that entred like a mighty Pine hauing also in his hand a speare bigger than an Argosies maine mast ouerthrewe an infinite number of the knights strangers But Rosabel beholding Liriana put himselfe before this furie and as he had been a warrier sent from the clouds pearced the bosome of this deformed Penastrol that he fel vpon the ground couering a great part thereof with his vnproportionable bugenesse All the beholders shouted at the fall and câ—yed Inuincible are the knights of iealozie and the great Gods blesse theÌ„ w t â—auours the power of stends cannot stand against theÌ„ The Princesse of Celandia and her sad neeces being neere her Liriana said vnto them My minde giues mee you knight that ouerthrâ—w Penastrol with the dâ—uice of iealozie is Rosabel for stil his eye is on this place As they were answering her they were disturbed by the noise of the old Soldan of Niquea who cryed froÌ„ his seate saying knight saue his life for it is my Sonne And looking what it was they saw Rosabel hauing vnarmed the Soldan of Egipts head and making himselfe deafe at the old Soldans crying cut off hâ—s head and vaunting afore Liriana 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sée how thy forced Loue spéedeth And at the same inâ—tant Oristaldo and Florisarte had dispatched his two neâ—hewes When Lisarte like wise rescued the two brethren 〈◊〉 Celandia from two furious Giants that had vnhorsed â—hem at two strokes dispatched their 〈◊〉 The furious Soldan séeing the death of him hee meant to make his Sonne in law came downe in his armour and sent to raise all his Knights Lisarte perceiuing rage to grow vnreasonable and glimmering twilight readie to draw the obscure curtaines of night whereby their purpose might be shadowed he with the yongest of the Celandian Princes his sonne and Oristoldo following them mounted in to the gallerie and seazed on the Princesses who sounding through feare had no vse of speach to call
for rescue nor if they had cried could they haue béen heard the noyse and tumult was so great for the Ladies that waited on them sent out shrill cryes able to haue pierced the clowds but the heauie groanes of dying men deadly brayings of wounded horses so filled the place that â—ootlesse were all their lamentations For now Rosabel was mounted and Liriana before him the two Bretheren had her two Kinswomen and Lisarte their Sister Before them rid Oristoldo and Florisarte filling the iawes of death wyth heapes of dying men that fondly sought to hinder theyr swift escape For Marcello had commanded the chaynes that serued for pales to the place of Tornay to bee taken downe that all the Cittie being armed might enter and inclose the Knights strangers to reuenge the death of the Egyptian SoldaÌ„ the gates indéed it was folly to close because a great wal was ouerthrowne to ioyne the field adioyning to the Pallace gréene that the Court for Tornay might be more spacious Through this place passed our sixe Princes all men making meanes to giue them way but not one so mad to follow them And quickly comming to the place where they left their knights and pages there they set downe their amazed Ladies who began lamentably to complaine But when they knew what Knights they were their feare was turned vnto ioy and Liriana aboue the rest reioyced in her Rosabel Neuerthelesse considering the danger wherein the Souldan her Father was it was thought necessarie that Rosabel Florisarte Oristoldo should returne to the battaile whereuppon determining they changed their horses helmes and shéelds because they would not be knowen and posted to Niquea with all spéed In the meane time the pleasant Celandian princesse to chéere vp Liarana that drooped for the absence of Rosabel carrolled out this swéete dittie in praise of Fortune When Tyrants will had neere constraind Our Virgins state to haplesse stay And in our hearts we all were paind With thinking on the wedding day Then Fortune turned our distresse To endlesse ioy and happinesse The hatefull obiects of our harts Plumde in their pride did threat the skie And them we liked for deserts As exiles forced were to flie Yet Fortune that our griefes did see Prouided vs of remedie She sent our frends that quaild our foes She gaue vs life when death was nigh To ioy she turned all our woes Downe cast with greefe she raisd vs high Her Godhead therefore we adore And praise sweet Fortune euermore By this the thrée princes entred the Battell finding the Soldan vnhorsed defending himselfe against two giants whom Rosabel at two strokes cut in sunder With this y e King of Garamantia approched saying Soldan retyre thy knights and if I or my fellow kings bee guiltie of this daies tumult or thy daughters rape let vs die He speaketh reason said Rosabel heare him great prince For your desert I will said the Soldan on that condition and therewith he caused retreat to be sounded And so the kings submitting themselues to bee tryed that they were innocent of conuaying the Princesses away they were deliuered vnto an aged Prince to kéep and the thrée Princes with swift spéed returned to their Loues where in the middest of their delight a crosse accident barred their pleasure as shall bee expressed in the next Chapter How the Princesse Liriana and her companions sweetly conuersing with their loues and brethren were sodainly surprized by the wise Lupercio and inchaunted Chap. 22. THis vaine world wherein pleasures are gotten with much paine giueth no certaine continuance of the good wee toyle for but rather an houres storme of euil snatcheth from vs all the content that in a whole age with care we haue gathered Experience of this these Princes sodaine griefes shal be who had scarcely obtained a breathing time of ioy but a world of sorrow was heaped on their heads If you be remembred in the beginning of this historie where Brandafidel described the estate of FangomadaÌ„ and the cause of the inchauntment to Rosicleer Meridian and Oristides after y e death of his Brother he telleth theÌ„ of one Lupercio a wise man in Egipt that was master of his Unkle Gelasio and taught him his deuilish Artes. This Lupercio being acquainted with the successe of all things at Niquea by his Arte and knowing also where the Princes and Princesses were put himselfe into an inchanted Chariot drawen with foure furious Griffons and departing from his deuilish habitation came néere the pleasant place where these Princes fearelesse of such execrable euil were delighting themselues with amorous conuersation Neither did this Lupercio hate them for any other thing than because his scholler Gelasio was by them so crossed imprisoned It was about the houre of twelue at midnight when after long toyle the Knights intended to take rest the Ladies offering to watch be their kéepers Liriana begun a ditty to bring them all a sléep in whose vndersong Roselia Arbolinda the Soldans néeces and the Princesse of Celandia assisted her with voice and musique Sleep while we sit and be your Guard Your tyred lims rest in our laps Your endlesse faith be our reward Then care we not for after haps Lyke you lay Mars on Venus knee While she did sing her Lullabee Lullaby Lulla Lullaby So sweetly Warre with Loue doth lye Thou wert the substance of my griefe But art the ground worke of my ioy Thy absence causd my sorrow cheefe But now thy sight exiles annoy I mournd for thee thou weptst for mee Yet sing I now ioyes Lullabee Lullaby Lulla Lullaby So sweetly Warre with Loue doth lye The Knights had not closed their eyes nor the musique fully closed in due straines with the conclusion of the Ladies song when sodainly a fierie chariot drawen by â—oure Griffons descended and out of the chariot issued two fearfull Centaures that snatching vnder either arme a Lady carried away to the Chariot Liriana her two Cosins and the Princesse of Celandia with such swiftnes that the Princes were not able to rise ere the Chariot was mounted in the ayre the Ladies making such lamentation as the senselesse trees assisted by the whistling of the winde among their leaues séemed to sigh for their sorrow Liriana being heard alowd to cry Oh Rosabel why am I taken from thée when in thée was all my ioy And with this the chariot and Ladies were out of sight O tragicke Sister that beutifiest thy writings with griefe-discoursing lines a little lend me thy all able help that in concluding this booke I may straine teares from the pittying eyes of the Readers when they shal conceiue the sorrow that the princes conceiued at this sodaine accident All of them so gréeued as the dull earth drunke with their teares sent foorth from her pierced bosome salt and brackish springs that yet remaine in the forrests of Niquea as endlesse testimonies of that sad midnights misaduenture the chast Moone clouded her bright countenance and swéet Venus in her spheare lookt more discoloured than when the son of Mirrha was murdred by a sauage Boare and the Day-Starre refused to lead backe the hoast of heauen to giue way to the next daies morning but mourned in the skies euen as when Ceyx his sonne was drenched in the Seas But if all these Planets Earth Springes and Princes sorrowed y e grief and rage of Rosabel so much excéeded all as neither the fortunelesse Mother of those fourtéene Sons and Daughters slaine by the son and Daughter of Latona could with her griefe equall his sorrow nor the wrath of Alcides wheÌ„ he sacrificed himselfe on the mountaine of Oeta be compared to this yong princes rage And surely had not the wisedome of Lisarte preuailed he had desperatly ended his life who perswading him and the other princes that by the words on the Christaline piller which supported the tower where Rosabel was inchanted it was very likely they were borne thether and therwith combining themselues neuer to cease trauel til they had found them out both Rosabel and the other princes were somewhat quiet So parting themselues two and two Rosabel Oristoldo went backe to Niquea to answere for the imprisoned kings and there to hearken if they might heare of the Ladies the two princes of Celandia sent home their ships and knights and onely with two pages followed this aduenture so did Lisarte his son another way accompanied onely with the two disguised Ladies their pages And séeing their heauy parting hath tyred my wearied spirits I wil end this book after that for your better memory I haue collected the places together where we left our knights and Ladies The gallant Torismundo prince of Spaine we left reioycing with Grisalinda the princesse of France his yong son the valiant Tartarian with Grisanea princesse of Holland and their sonne trauelling to his country from the doubtfull Iland where Rosicleer made Lord after the death of Bruncaldo the Rouer and his brethren the Giants the discreet knight Briano giuing him to wife the imprisoned Damsel daughter to Rosicleers old frends the Lord Lady of the valley of the mouÌ„taines Rosicleer Meridian and the new Louer Oristides we leaue going to Sea from Lacedemonia ful of sorrow for the losse of Rosabel The faire Sarmacia ful of iealous passion we left in y e forrests of Grecia and not farre off Brandafidel and Floralinda in the Castle they had gotten from Friston the inchanter Gelasio inprisoned by Lyrgandeo Liriana her Cousins and the Celandian princesse borne away in the Chariot How Rosabel and his frends parted you heard before onely wee haue not béen copious enough in expressing Roselias sorrow for the Dacians absence whom she last saw passing by Lisartes ship in his inchanted boat where also wee last left him And heere will wee leaue off intending with him to begin our next Booke FINIS