in vain for in troth he held a contrarie way to that Marcomyr had taken knowing not what to resolue on whether to returne to the court or to goe on still to séeke his man it chanced he pâ—ssed hard by a fortresse ioining to a little cittie albeit very strong and defensible belonging to the countesse of Iseland a very faire and gratious damsell This countesse was a widdow and had béene but two yeares without her husband who in the end of his daies for that he had no children and loued his wife with a singular affection made her the inheretrix of all his estate and siegnorie whereat was greatly wroth a brother of the earls called Diolas a fierce and hardy knight who as a yonger brother was little the better by succession of his father but for a small farme being al he could pretend for his part and willingly would he haue made warre vpon his sister had he not séene her well beloued of all her vassals By reason whereof he feared to loose his labour and all the time he should employ therein thinking to get more another way caused her daily to be sollicited and aduertised if she did not forsake quickly that possession shée held vniustly surrendring it willingly into his hands he would cast her out by force and violence as he who next after the death of the deceased earle his brother ought by right and reason to inherit The countesse was in a great perplecity through these threatning spéeches yet determined to defend her selfe if he went about to molest her and by good fortune the same day Rifaran came that way when Diolas went the round without the fortresse with fiue other knights well appointed to espie the féeblest part where they might scale and surprise it The countesse thereof aduertised presented her selfe presently vpon the battlements of the wall where leaning ouer the top of a rampire iust at the arriuall of Rifaran she began these pittifull and sorrowful lamentations Alas why will you thus ruine me What hath moned you to be so angrie and furious against a poor damsel a widow to dishonour her to outrage her vassals and best friends who neuer committed against you the least offence which in any thing might exasperate the choller of a maÌ„ were he neuer so malitious or mutinous to take so austere and rigourous vengance as you séeke to offer me I pray you in the fauour and for the deuoire of that honest and vertuous amitie you haue alwaies séene in me towards you you permit me to liue in peace suffering me to enioy without disturbance during my life that little which it pleased him to inuest me with by the ordinance of his last wil I promise to render it you vndoubtedly at the end of my daies for now to depart with it were to me a heartsgriefe vnspeakeable Diolas returned her a thousand villanous spéeches to terrifie her saying she had empoisoned her husband and that he would otherwise haue dispossessed her of all that she did wrongfully possesse by the law of the twelue tables TheÌ„ Rifaran who staid there to heare those alterications betwéene them perceiued well what the cauill meant Wherefore moued with pittie towards the damsell could not containe to reprehend Diolas for his discourtesie in outraging with such vile spéeches the ladie who shewed farre more modestie and wisdome then he counselling him if by her he found himselfe wronged to take his way to the emperor who would minister good iustice to him for his right The explorator was in a rage and ful of indignation hearing Rifaran speake to him in this sort who in great choller cut him of thus You who speake before you be bidden will you take vpon you to maintaine the right of this ladie surely I wil quoth he and albeit I know not the cause whence procéedeth this quarrel yet I vnderstand you offer her violence wherein for as much as I haue taken vpon me the order of knighthood with intention to aid to my power those whom I sée iniuried without cause I cannot nor I ought not to faile but succour her And if herevpon thou wilt enter the combat with me I hope by the helpe of God in whose hand are all victories to make thée repent this villanie offred her I will neuer be accounted knight quoth Diolas if I doe not make thée pay too deare for this thy foolish rashnes and to the end thou maiest be an example to all other presumptuous and witles fooles such as thou art to defie a gentleman whom thou knowst not resolue now to defend thy selfe well for I cannot thinke otherwise but thâ—u art of the faction and one of those who with this disloiall and accursed woman hast murderously slaine my brother Knight you surmise too great a lie quoth Rifaran séeing that I know not this ladie nor haue I euer séene her in my life but now no more then you which I will make good in any forme of combat which you like best Upon condition notwithstanding that for any accident which may befall you none of your complices shal once stir in your behalfe to offend me more then your selfe alone No sooner had he spoke these wordes but he commaunded all his companions to withdraw themselues from the place and that none of them should bée so hardie as to come to his aid whereat the countesse greatly meruelled because she knew not the knight who vndertooke her defence Meane while the two knights who had great desire to grapple encountred with such courage and furie that breaking their lances to their gauntlets they brusht one another so puissantly with their shieldes and bodies that Diolas was dangerously wounded in one of his shoulders and turning bridle incontinently began to hew on another fiercely with their swords all the time of this recharge the countesse who wel knew how valiant a knight her enemie was estéemed in these countries praied God deuoutly for her champion wondering much how without great cause his heart serued him to enter this combat But Rifaran being valerous and a perfect warrior shewed within a little space he would quickly carie away the victorie for he made his fight with meruellous dexterity neuer profered blow but hurt his aduersarie so as in lesse then halfe an hower he tamed him so well that with a stroake which he lighted aloft on the creast of his helmet he made him fal from his horse to the ground Then Rifaran alighted from his and running hastely vpon him cut a two the laces of his helmet and withall his head from his shoulders saying to the countesse who looked on thorow the loopeholes of the platform Madame now are you secure from the vexation which this peasant did worke you so that from henceforth you néed not feare him any more The ladie was much abashed at his suddaine spectacle and much more affraid were Diolas fiue knights who séeing their maister alreadie dead came like mad dogs to charge vpon Rifaran crying to
all ye will be glad in heart to heare me make the discourse therof God graunt it may be so and may he fortunatly direct him in his courses and so well prosper the generous forwardnesse that all men may beholde shining in him that hée maie winne thereby honour and aduauncement such as his heart desireth Surely this act of Belcarin did well please them except Tiraquâ—l who wâ—s greatly offended because he imparteâ— to him no part of his entent for he would glâ—dly haue kepâ— him companie so that he resolued immediatly to put himselfe in quest after him as soone after it fell out In the mean time Belcarin made such expedition in his iournies that without any let by the way he got out oâ— the boâ—ds of the Empire in a small tiâ—e and being entered the frontiers of the kingdome of Macedonie he lodged the first night in an old knights castle who very affable and courteous séeing him passe before his gate because it was alreadie late geÌ„tly desired him to take his rest that night with him which offer he willingly accepted at the instant request of the venerable old father who tooke great pleasure in beholding Belcarin after he had disarmed himself as well for his goodly stature and proportion of members as for his eloquence and affability wherewith he much enriched and graced his language which was occasion that they conferred long time together and falling from one matter into another in the end the old man discouered that this knight was one of the chiefest fauorites of the Emperour Cleodomyr But the Gentleman had three sonnes very vngratious â—mpes and of a wicked natâ—re who were veâ—y much offended at the courtesie and liberall hospetallitie their father vsed toward strangers wherefore he who knew well their mallice went to méet them in the way homeward for at that present they were hunting abroad to admonish them how they should welcome and entreat this new guest Know my children quoth hee we hâ—ue this night in our house a knight descended of the Emperours house whose physiognomie bewraieth him to come ofsome great and high linage for which cause I pray you do him all the honor you can in the best sort deuise and feasting him with all chéere and gladnesse speake nothing before him which may not beseeme his honourable estate Father answered they we shall doe all your commandements But assoone as he was gone they conspired to assaile this knight on the morrow at the entraunce into a forrestnot farre distant from the castle to proue if he were so braue a man as their fâ—ther had signified vnto them Therefore came not thâ—y to supper as they promised but on the morrow morning betime salied out of the castle all three wel mounted and in armes The honourable and good knight séeing the ingratitude and disobedience of his childeren did his best to do all the honour he could to Belcarin who returning him many thanks the next day departed and tooke his leaue of him to put himselfe againe into his way wherein hee had rode little more then two miles but he met the thrée brethren lying in ambush for him at the side of a wood the eldest hauing his launce vanced vpon his thigh stept before him and thus began to play the champion Faire knight you must ioust with me otherwise you can passe no further for now I will try whether you be so hardie and valiant as your report is or no. Belcarin who doubted a greater ambuscado tooke a lance out of his esquiers hand and speaking very courteously made him this answer Knight ye offer great wrong to assaile thus the Emperours gentlemen perhaps you may quickly find one who will giue you both your hands full and little leisure to repent your hast Trouble not your self therfore replied the eldest brother haue don and prepare your selfe to breake a launce This said they retired from ech other the length of a good carrier then setting spurs to their horses they came to encounter with such a violent â—ury that the assailants staffe flying in shiuers could not stir neuer so little Belcarin out of the saddle who on the other side for that he was strong and puissant hit him so soundly with the first blow oâ—his launce that piercing his shield and armour he ran him more then a foot and halâ—e thorow the body with his sword so that there was no néed to send for a Chirurgion to cure his wound The two other brethren which beheld this piteous spectacle supposing truely their elder brother had his deaths wouÌ„d came in a great rage galloping towards him called to him aloud Ha knight in a curled hour didst thou strike that blow for thou shalt presently receiue thy death So they can boâ—h full at him but the one misâ— his blow and the other lighted vpon his slanke where he made a little wound wherof when Belcarin felt the smart he began to stir himselfe couragiously in his owne defence And albeit these two brethren dâ—d trouble him sore yet the bickering lasâ—ed but a while for this yong prince being very resolute and experâ— in armes did deliuer such a full blow vpon the massard of one of them that hée set him tumbling to the ground to beare his brother companie And to make briefe with his falchion doubled his blowes so thicke against the other that hee was faine to fall from his horse al amased to the earth where he lest them all three thus vanquished and betooke himselfe to his voiâ—ge againe The squier who came with the brethren hauing séene the end of the skirmish rode backe presently towards the castle and finding their father in his chamber certified him of this heauie news Alas sir quoth he man vnlucky houre did you lodge yesternight the strange knight who euen now hath made an end of sâ—aieng your three sonnes Thâ—â— hâ— began to rehearse the whole discourse of the combat whâ—â—e sorâ—â—wfull issue drew vp the fludgates of a stream of tears which distilled froÌ„ the miserable fathers eies who bewailing their so great disaster called them many times fellonious and prowd children His vassals vnderstanding afterward the occasion of his gréeuous lamentation went incontinent to the place where their young lords were discomfited Two wherof they found stone dead and the third in danger of his life if he had not present succour Whom they put into a litter and the other two they laid vpon a Béere couered ouer with dolefull black and so did they conuey them with much sorrow and mourning into the castle where was their wéeping mother powring forth a sea of salt teares wringing her hands with pittifull and lamentable complaints sâ—réeching vp to the heaueÌ„s with continuall yelling and crying that you would haue iudged her rather to haue resembled some senceles thing then a woman in any thing partaking humaine wit and reason The like did her daughter also who after she came againe to her best senses did protest and déepely sweare before
on the one side on the other side washeth and watereth it a floud which dischargeth it selfe in the salt water very néere the castle at the foot whereof is built a bridge by meruellous architecture whilome accessible to all wandering knights But since Celestina was there shut vp and enclosed within the great dungeon no stranger might euer enter in there those of the Isle only doe goe and come all other not Upon this bridge are placed thrée litle turrets one in the middest the other two at both the ends In the first is a knight surpassing the common measure and proportion of men so fierce hardy and valiant that since the beginning of this enchauntment hath not any one looked him in face who could euer take any aduantage vpon his Prowesse except onely the lord of the Isle Liquie his sonne whom the emperour Marcomyr vanquished at the Iust when he conquered the Sagittarie He being called Linedes by name was so magnanimious and laborous that hée fought against the knight of the bridge from morning to night and albeit the battell were rough and cruell yet was there neuer perceiued any want of courage or fear at all in him which happened not to him of the bridge for that the bloud which he lost did make him so féeble that his heart began to faile him But a crumpshouldered and ilfauoured dwarfe who stood sentinell in the top of the first towre to discouer the knights who came a farre off along the fields winding then swéetly his enchanted horn which he weareth at his necke in a skarfe did so restore him all his force that he séemed euen then to haue entred fresh into the combat In this manner held he out till the sun setting when Linedes his enemie beganne to be weakened in his strength by meanes whereof before the dwarfe returned to sound his horne he gaue the knight of the towre such a girde that he made him saue himselfe on the ground with his hands Then running swiftly along the bridge got quickly to the middle turret the gates wherof standing before wide open shut themselues at his comming with so fearefull â—reaking and trembling of the wholâ— bâ—â—lding that Linedes fell to ground in a sound yet for all thâ—t hâ—e was quickly vp againe A good part of the night was already slipt away before he came to himself out of his sound whereby his Squiers thinking verily he was dead did make the most gréeuous complaints that might be when he was come again to his former senses he â—ound himselfe so giddy and frushed that he remained more then â—oure houres before he could recouer his spéech In the meane while he was borne into a bed which his squiers had set vp for him in a tent where he soiorned thrée daies and neuer went abroad the fourth day féeling himselfe strong inough to endure horâ—eback for that he sâ—w there was no way for him to returne once more to prâ—â—e this aduenture hée departed thence sad and in greaâ—â—holler And I tell you Sir for a certaine that when the dwarâ—e who sâ—ood sentinell in the top of the fâ—â—st â—urret saw the knight of the bridge waxe faint and to haue the worst of the battell sounding but his horn he put him again into his former strength whereby it commeth to passe that no man can stand out long time against him séeing then such an enterprise bringeth great danger and sometimes death with it mine aduise should be that no man henceforward would come to aduenture it any more You count me meruelous things then quoth Belcarin sure the Fairies were very wel learned y t deuised this enchantment wherefore I thinke they haue not shut in the damsel there without great occasion being assured some Knight must exploit this aduenture towards the which euery one presuming a little of himself may march couragiously with a hope that it is he for whom it hath ben reserued Wherevpon I do not wonder if many fall into this errour séeing that for my part I wil not refuse to go for any thing whatsoeuer may befall me Iâ— peraduentuâ—e I die in the conflict I shall augment only the number of those who cannot attaine the purpose of their enterprises without receiuing any 〈◊〉 â—â—shonour thereby Lipâ—â— intreated him of all loues to forbear the voiage and so did his sisters in like maner in the swéet acquaintance good fâ—uor of whom he was entred very far already especially of the yonger very faire and courteous aboue the other but little auailed them al their persuasiue reasons propounded to turne him for that Belcarin being come expresly frâ—m a far country would not for any thing in the world haue failed to make some assay of his prowesse and valour in thaâ— so famous aduenture When Lipeâ— saw him so resolute in his opinioÌ„ he offred to bear him company were it but to shew him the way which courtesy Bâ—lcâ—rin accepted most willingly by this good occasion getting to horsebacke the morrow morning very early they were in the isle about noon For that day y e yong prince pleased to rest himselfe a little within a rich tent which thrée squiers had already reared there who were sent thether before by Lipeâ— sisters with necessary prouisioÌ„s for such a purpose so soon as they vnderstood the resolution When it grew late Belcarin went to vew the isle and beholding the towre wherein Celestina was he praied vnto God in his mind to giue him so much force that he might deliuer hâ—r out of that place and purchase aboue al others the honour to haue happily atchieued such an aduenture So déepely wâ—s his mind occupied in that thought that of all the night hée could not put it away but said often in himselfe Ah Belcarin God forbid thou shouldest suffer thy heart to abase it selfe delay not to plonge thy selfe manly in the execution of this enterprise for albeit courage and strength fit for so worthie Prowesse should faile thée yet ought onely to pricke thée forward the renowne and generositie of thine auncestors being the sonne of one of the best knights who is this day vnder the Zodiake and nephew to that great Emperour with whom none can euer make compare Thus discoursed hée in his mind ouercome with amourous fancie tâ—â—l the breâ—â—e of day when he began to arme himselfe leisurely at all points then went he towards the bridge where in a little place right before the first Turret waited for him the knight of â—he guard so huge and fierce that although Belcarin were hardie and valiant he was notwithstanding somewhat afraid albeit he shewed no signe thereof outwardly but couering himselfe brauely with his sheild hardie past wonder marched on forward to enter the bridge when the garder came to debar him saying very proudly Stand backe knight if you will not haue the combat against me for this step I forbid all those that are like you For none other end am I come hether quoth Belcarin but to â—ight with
liue one houre Great matters are these which you tell me quoth the yong prince the Emperor then knoweth not that he hath had any children by you No surely replied the Quéene nor would I he should for any thing in the world That can not be long so quoth Marcomyr for néeds must I one day goe to sée him but beléeue me Madam I shall not be long away for that I haue fully determined neuer to leaue you nor to abandon by my will the kingdome that God hath giuen me to gouerne Thus communed together of many things the mother and the son who from thence forwarde shewed himselfe to his vassals verie pleasant and well pleased in mind so that resoluing spéedily to bée knighted he caused to be made for himselfe an armour perfect red and another white for Ozalias whom he loued as his brother And after they had watched in the chappell they had both the sword girded to them and the long spur put on by the father of Ozalias who was one of the best knights in all those countries Hauing then both of them receiued of him the accollado order was giuen for the solâ—mnising of a great feast for y e same effect During which feast Marcomyr bestowed many rich presents vpon diuers But hee could neuer forget Celestina nor put out of his mind the words of the old beldame for that he had them so liuely imprinted therein that they tormented him more than might do any mortall martirdome Wherfore he concluded to passe into Gréece to the end to visit the Emperor his father and to learne some newes of this ladie for well déemed hee not without cause had the enchauntresse vsed such vile spéeches to him so that one day after dinner finding the Quéene his mother at conuenient leisure and in a place fit for the purpose in very modest sort hee kissed her cheeke And as many discourses had passed betwéene them Marcomyr besought her humbly she would grant him one â—oone which the Quéene who loued him as dearly as her owne person little déeming his affection would carry him to that which he had already deâ—eigned willinglydid grant him I would madame quoth he then you take no displeasure if I make shortly a voyage to Constantinople to sée the emperor my father the braue knights of his court for I féel dayly augment in me the desire which euer since you assured me to be his son commeth euery houre into mine imagination but I promise you by the inuiolable sincere faith which the child aboue all things oweth the mother to returne with as great speed as shall be possible Alas my sonne cried out the Queene and sighed your wordes haue so farre wounded and pierced my heart that I behold plainlie Atropos alreadie cutting off the thread of my sorrowful life yet if to auoid the extremitie into which I see my selfe now reduced I feared alwaies to manifest to you my ruine seeing I cannot now preuent it nor with honestie denie that whereunto I haue so rashlie consented it is good reason I suffer patiently my misfortune One onely thing I will entreate you if maternall zeale and loue may so farre mooue you to haue compassion on mee it would please you to returne with all speede possible to the place of your natiuitie to the ende once before I die that these mine eyes beholding you my soule maie passe with better comfort into the other worlde The Gods forbid replied Marcomyr I should contrarie the least of your commaundements or in anie wise frustrate the good hope which you may conceyue of my returne My deare child then quoth the Queene seeng you vndertake so farre a voiage I should aduice that you accompanie your selfe with some number of knights to the end the Emperour may entertaine you with greater honour Madame answered he I am certaine my Lord the Emperour will esteeme nothing the more of me for séeing me well accompanied because he shall well know I am king of Tharsus wherein consisteth not the true point of mine honour neither but rather in the continuall trauels which I hope hereaâ—â—â—â— tâ— endure in faire feates of armes which I hope he shall heare resound of me through the world For as you are not ignorant the time hath béen when he himselfe hath gone alone thorow the world by his magnanimious courage exposing himselfe to thousandes of maruellous aduentures which are at this day blowne abroad of hiâ— and neuertheles the diuine goodnes hath alwayes preserued him from death in all the perils that euer he was in and as well as hee a number more of other renowmed princes What aduenture can a man name more hazardous than that of Iason the Argonaut when he woon the golden fâ—éece in the Isâ—e of Colches Or that of Theseus the gallant champion when hee vanquished the Mâ—â—otaur in the Labyrinth of Créete and yet the gods deliuered them both from all daunger Truely in my time I haue sometimes behold shiâ—s with poore equippage singling in the déepe sâ—a in great â—ortuâ—e of weather and storme who in the end hauâ—â—râ—iued rich and cast anker in the safe hauen Many others 〈◊〉 I seen also whâ—â—ithful sail nauigating in a calme â—ea 〈…〉 oâ— wil who haue afterward béen caâ—◠〈◊〉 â—nd 〈◊〉 néer the shore side and in the hâ—uens mouth I should not â—hâ—n feare to commit my self to the peril of the sea fortune séeing we are all predestinate Therfore hâ—ue I determined to carry along with me no more companie but Ozalias onely two squires as simple gentlemen Desiring to proue my selfe against y e knights of Europe before the emperor know me The Queene resolued to striue no longer against the determinatioÌ„ her son had secretly coÌ„cluded in his mind but rather endeuored to shew him the fairest countenance although her sorowful hart did hardly consent therto Wherfore Marcomyr on a day causing all y e principal of his kingdom to assemble togither declared to theÌ„ his full intention with expresse commandement that none of them should transgresse the ordinance and will of his mother nor of his oâ—ncle whom he lest behind him for gouernour and lieutenant generall ouer all the prouince in his absence Allof them were very sorry for so suddaine a departure but seeing they could not stay him they all promised with one accord to accomplish all that which he had giuen them in charge to do wishing him all in their hearts a prosperous and happie voiage Then the quéene retired her selfe into her closet where her hand imitating the office of her tongue she couched quickly in writing a letter direâ—â—ed to the Emperour with which letter she was to send a ring like vnto one which she presented him when she was in the countries of Asia to the end by means of this ring Marcomyr should bée the sooner recognished of him whilst these things were in doing there was rigging â— very tall ship thorowly equipped with all store of nourishing victuals and whatsoeuer els was
necessarie for â—o long â— voiage he tooke his congie honestly of all his vassals and 〈◊〉 after of the Quéene his mother who felt a great heartbreaking at this departure then came she directly into the hauen with the ring and letâ—â—r whose tenâ—â—r ensueth The queene of Tarsus letter to the Emperour Cleodomyr The Superscription was this To the most illustrious and generous Cleodomyr Emperour of Constantinople the most loiall of louers the most accomplished of knights and the most high of princes who inhabite the Center of the world the queene of Tarsus his entire and perpetuall louer kissing the hands of his Imperiall maiestie sendeth salutation IF the heauens had ben in my behalfe so happy and liberall distributours of the gifts and perfections requisite to an accomplished ladie as fortune was to me afterward fauourable and genâ—â—e adorning my head with the roiall crowne of Tarsus I had neuer had no recourse to charms nor Magicke my deare louer and most fortunate Prince when I sought to haue your acquaintaunce in the kingdome of Pasmerie But for as much as with the neuer so little of these so highly estéemed graces of nature as I possesse the fatall destinies made me bow to your loue after I saw you in the towne of Alfarin my former vertue could not so preuaile against the ardent desire which the renowne of your praise had before liuely imprinted in my spirit but my chastitie in the end there remained without recouerie defiled Neuerthelesse I neuer accounted that any disaster nor mishap in my behalfe séeing the celestiall bodies were so mercifull as they suffered to deriue of that act Marcomyr our common sonne to whom albeit I had euer concealed you were his father neuerthelesse by Deuine Oracle not long since he hath béene aduertised thereof and since hath so cunninglie wrought his matters that he hath constrained me not without mine extreame griefe and vtter mistrust euer to sée him againe to giue him leaue to go to visit you Wherevnto verie hardlie had I condescended were it not the confidence I haue that you will send him me againe so soone as you shall haue séene and recognished him for your sonne And of this accident I assured my selfe you would not be displeased if you consider how you haue aided to bring into this world a young man the beginning of whose towardnesse good manners and honest behauiours doth presage hope of his laudable and future valiauncie I send you him then thus accompanied onely with one of his cosins for that herein such was his aduise shewing mée in all resolute sort how when you trauelled the world it was for the most part alone and as a simple wandering knight And to the end you make no doubt to recognish him for your sonne besiâ—â—s the coniectures that his Phisiognomie proportion of members and the proper hâ—w of his bloud may naturally enforme you I send you by him a ring like vnto that which I gaue you the very day you departed from the towne of Alfarin mine Admirall in which the night going before you begate this child of mée the which if you compare together you shal find the words I spake to you in taking leaue one of another not to haue béene vaine nor lying Praying you once more by the honour and reuerence of the firme and loiall amitie which you haue alwaies had in so-great and singular accompt towards the only mistresse of your heart it would please you to sende our sonne backe againe to vs as soone as may bée To the end we may passe together ioifullie the rest of this short life wherewith it shall please our Gods to enrich vs with hereafter in this base region wherein wée liue The most humble of your louers The queene of Tarsus CHAP. VI. How Marcomyr was by tempest of weather driuen into the isle of Delphos where after he had vnderstood of the aduenture of the temple he determined to take harbor how afterward he vanquished the son of the giant Baledon who kept this isle then by force SO soone as Marcomyr was come to the hauen where he should embarke with many iewels and many other things necessarie for such a voiage he was the fourth man who went aboord And causing them to set saile commanded his pilots to stéere towards the coasts of Thrace where he had hope to learne some newes of Celestin â—herfor whoÌ„ yet could not he tell any cause he felt his hâ—rt before cruelly wouÌ„ded plonged in a most passionat agâ—â—y Scant had he put out froÌ„ shore when began to blow a contrary flaw of wind which altred his course pretended for Constantinople for there fell so terriâ—le a storm that he abode thrée daies and three nights fâ—oating among the waues where his marriners themselues knew not on what coast they were At last the tempest being ceased he commaunded the maister to cast the plummet to the bottome of the sea to know in what countrie they were He knew strait they were sailing in Europe and in the Mediteranean sea very néer the 〈◊〉 of Dâ—lphos by meanes whereof Marcomyr purposed to make in with the island to refresh himselfe a little But into this island were the Pagans weent to come very often in ancient time to visit the temple of Apollo and to consult w t his Oracle wherein at this time was Lord a giant called BaledoÌ„ the most cruell greatest tyrant who then liued in all the thrée parts of the world This giant who had a son no lesse valerous in armes then himselfe after by force he had ceized this isle caused a strong castell to be built vpon a little promontorie which reached far into the sea where it was diuided into two maine rockes hidden within the waues And would not permit any other port in all the isle but that which he appointed betwéene these two rockes at the end and extremitie of either wherof he commaunded to make â—ast a great chaine of yron to run a crosse which lay commonly very low within the water But when any vessell was come in to come to an Anker in the hauen two meÌ„ who waâ—thed for the purpose vpon the top of a towre néere hand did hoise it vp in sucâ— sort that he might not put out againe without the good will of the giant Who pillaged in this manner and greatly domaged all those who arriued there and if peraduenture he found any knight that did resist or would not obey his will he ouercame them by force of armes and then commanded to thrust them into a stinking and darke prison The marchants and others traffaking by sea spoiled of all they caried he caused them cruelly to be put to death so that all who had notise of this tyrannie did shun this road as a daungerous quicksand or gulf In this Isle was there moreouer a greater aduenture for in the time of the Gentiles there was a rich priest a great Magitian and a searcher out of secret things high priest of
the sanctuarie of the Temple and beside chief of the Economicall and politicall gouernment of this prouince who hauing one very faire daughter chast and adorned with all vertues requisit in a virgin did consecrat her to the seruice of the Oracle It fell out the duke of Fera a verie comly and gallant yong gentleman fell in loue with her onely by report hee heard of her for he had manie times heard tell that in beautie and comelinesse shee did excell the most properest of all those parts therfore did he send to the prelate to demand her for his wife but many times as he sent he had his labor for his trauell because her father would neuer be farre from her And euen as the messenger which is sent twice or thrice into one place to obtaine something of a man would saine haue séeketh by all meanes possible to satisfie his desire who requesteth it rather to auoide the paine and shame to be alwaies talking about the matter then for any zeale good deuotion which he hath towards him euen so fell it out with the bearer of this embassage being vexed to goe and come so often without doing any good did bring at last to passe that he talked one day with the maiden whom hée gaue so swéete a lesson and set such a glosse vpon his reasons to make a priuie marriage that shée was rauished in loue of the Duke and promised him if his master would come to take her away secretly from her fathers house she would go willingly with him The duke vnderstanding this embassage made hast presently to the isle where being arriued he aduertised the Damsell who sent him word backe he should goe stay for her in a certaine place néere her fathers pallace where she would not misse to méet him so soone as his people should be asléepe But the preist who by meanes of his Magicke had preuented all these practises knowing the place where the lord of Fera attended for his daughter caused from the mountaine to descend two fierce lions enchaunted These cruell beasts rushing in with a hideous roaring vpon the miserable Duke who by no meane knew how to preuent such ambuskadoes began to fawne on him in pittifull manner meane while this young prince losing at that instant all power to defend himselfe against the rage and furie of these infernall beastes was quickly torne in pieces Which his Squier beholding too pittifull and lamentable a spectacle who was come alone to accompanie him exclaimed with such a fearefull crie as the Damsell who had her eares most attentiue to listen heard it easely so also did some other of the house who running forth with burning torches to know what was the matter found the Duke alreadie dead Whereof the maiden being aduertised she ran out of the pallace as a body possessed with a spirit or mad to goe to finish vp the sacrifice So vnsufferable was the griefe and sorrow she had to sée her future spouse lie so cruelly massacred that taking his very sword set the pommell against the ground and the point right vnder her breast then cast her selfe with a great stresse of bodie vpon it thinking to pierce right vpon her heart to which she would not giue one onely moment of life after the death of her louer For all that she was frustrate of her attempt for the sword passing thorow the right side she fell vpon the dead bodie still full of life where making many complaints with sighes and sobs as fast as one could follow another she wrot with her owne bloud vpon a paper which she found in her bosome twelue lamentable verses in forme of an Epitaph To the which knowing her death drew néere shée adioined onely these last words If it be so O choice paragon of courtesâ—e that for my sake you haue endured the shipwracke of this life it should be for euer to mée too great a remourse of conscience if the very houre I had not done as much to make the expiation of your funerals so much the more accomplished And to the end my father may know the more then sodaine rashnesse of his counsaile I wil now leaue him such relikes he shall haue certaine testimonie thereof Wherein for that his repentance shall come too late I pray him in recompence to burie our two bodies togither in one tombe commanding for a perpetuall memorie of our sorrowful tragedie this Epitaph to be engrauen ouer vs Cease weeping tears for his death be not sorie Whose fame for euershall suruiue in glorie Detest his stony diamantine heart Who caus'd his only daughters deadly smart O furious planet O thou angry fate What cruell mischeife could ye meditate More inhumaine then bodies twaine to kill Ah I mistake surely it is none ill For death which all liuing creatures seaseth Our louing bodies of all anguish easeth And linkes our soules in perfect knots of loue Which did on earth such bitter sorrows proue Hauing written this Epitaph she paid the humane tribute vnto nature for neuer afterward her passible bodie receiued any motion of the vitall spirits and it is no fable to die of loue-sicknesse if with the auncient histories wée will conferre a million of moderne and late writers But to returne to the highpriest when hée heard that his daughter was ranne towards that clamour hée followed her incontinent for feare least shée should make awaie her selfe and finding her alreadie dead with her Epitaph as yet in her hand hée was in great daunger to haue made the third person in this pitiful tragedie So vehement was the anguish which seased his sorrowfull soule that he remained long time without speaking worde as a man forlorne and sure the sorrow and indignation that he endured had made him die in the place if for all comfort he had not broken his silence with an imperfect spéech in this sort Alas miserable and wretched man if thy knowledge did serue thée to act and effect the death of the duke of Fera why was it not sufficient to preuent that of thine owne daughter Ah in a cursed houre was I counsailed euer to take that deadly oportunitie Manie other gréeuous complaints poured hee out ouer those two dead bodies who might be truly coÌ„pared to Piramus Thisbe notwithstanding after that he had shed ouer them many teares accompanied with innumerable sighs he gaue order that a faire and rich tombe of brasse should be erected in which after he had embaulmed them according to the ancient ceremonie of funerall rites pomps he caused both their bodies to be buried togither with a great conuoy of mourners and the Epitaph aforesaid to be engrauen round about the same Some few daies after thorow the griefe and melancholie he tooke séeing himselfe depriued of his lawful heire and in that behalfe the order of nature peruerted he also lest this mortal life but first did he shut vp make fast the treasures of the temple by such enchantment and with so fearefull a
him from it all he might besought him he would not hazard himselfe into that perill wherein many braue knights had most vnfortunately ended their daies Which made him the more eager to know wherein did most consist the danger wherevpon Guillador made this discourse vnto him My lord quoth he know ye that the temple wherein lieth the Priests rich treasure is enuironed round about with a heath full of bushes and shrubs for a long time no man hath euer come néere it Within this heath liueth a furious and cruell wild boare farre more terrible then that which Heâ—cules slue vpon the mountaine Erymanthus in Arcadia whose bristles on his back are so sharpe prickly and of so great and hideous forme that there is none in the world but feares the sight of him Such is his rage that so often as any offers himselfe to enter into the temple this beast rowseth himselfe from his thorney and wild leare shaking his head cracking his téeth and foming in fearefull sort then shaking his bristellie bodie hée launceth forth his bristles more sharpe then so manie rasors or arrowes with such a violence that they pierce quite thorow the best armor which may be borne by any that shall make head against him But most of all he torments them with his great tusks wherwith he committeth such carnage and slaughter vpon them who assaile him that he kils them as fast as they come néere him You tell me wonders quoth Marcomyr yet is there no so difficult aduenture in the world which may not and ought not to be by mâ—ns hand brought to an end whereof being well assured and trusting in the helpe the gods will giue me I will not â—ease for any obstacle to try my vttermost force and séeing this enchantment cannot be perpetuall I will be somewhat the more hardy hoping to prouide me a good target to receiue the boores bristles as oft as he shall shoot them Soone prouided he what was necessary for such a voiage for all his companie both knights marchants and others which he had deliuered out of the prisons before with whom they tooke some of the Isle to conduct them to the temple Now had Marcomyr caused to be made by subtill and meruellous cunning workemanship a coat of arms of many canuasses glued together with waxe sticking fast together with which he couered all his harnesse to the end the boores bristles being launced at him might not hurt him at all but sticke fast therein and with this his new gabardine did he march very merrie among the troupe towards the temple néere vnto which they were now come where he and Ozalias vewing the place round about as far as they could sée could perceiue nothing but thick briars brambles thornes and other prickly bushes so enuironing the temple on euery side that Marcomyr could find no way to enter in with his horse which gréeued him much wherefore he resolued to make abode there two daies to sée what might be done in the meane time came thither to him the people from all places néere hand who had before heard of his fame spread abroad for the victorie hée had obtained against the giant and his sonne The third day after he armed himselfe with all his harnesse and put on vppermost vpon his habergion his new iacket then taking in his hand a great mace of stéel wherwith he thought to aid himself in this passage he went coragiously towards the Temple commaunding all his followers to tarry behind wherat Ozalias and Rifaran were greatly grieued neuerthelesse not to contemne his commandement they remained behind fell to deuout praier that it would please the gods to preserue him from daunger of death Marcomyr began to enter the thickets making way with his great Mace when hee saw a knight winding a great base horn before him at the noice wherof the furious and fearefull boare rushed out of his den and setting his taile against the gate of the Temple staid there for Marcomyr with such a horrible crackling of his téeth that the verie sight would haue affrighted the best man liuing The Prince in the meane time had scant gotten a place large inough which was on the side of the Temple by which the brute animall spying him to come in amain shewed himselfe farre more fierce and cruell than before For then setting an ende his sharpe and ineuitable bristles he launced them so thick against him as you would haue thought a dozen Archers could not so soone haue discharged their arrows out of their bowes but for as much as they lost their force by the defensible streÌ„gth of his coat made of waxe for the nonst they did not pierce his armor as they had done to many other knights by means wereof the boare hauing shot away all his darts came furiouslie vpon him with an open mouth Then Marcomyr who stoode firme without stirring one way or other lifting vp valiantly his great Mace stroke him such a blow vpon the groyne that hée tooke away one iawe with part of his lower téeth The boare féeling such a deadly stroke would haue taken holde of him to haue pulled him to the ground But Marcomyr drawing out quickly his falchion saued him that labour by thrusting it déepe into his throate with all his force pushing it still further in The boare not able to endure the paine recoyled backeward more and more casting out so great abundance of gore blood at his mouth that the knight was alberaied therwith neuertheles holding still his falchion firm in his throat with his left hâ—nd with the right he redoubled such monstrous blows with his mace of stéel that he laid quickly along the infernal beast dead on the grouÌ„d And albeit this were a naturall boare yet hee was enchaunted by some diuelish arte for béeing come into this place by the exorcismes of the high priest as were the Lions which slue the Duke of Fera hée had afterwardes charmed him to garde his treasure locked fast within the Temple neuerthelesse hée was fatallie to die by Marcomyrs hand And euen as that of Calidonia which was sent thither to plague that Countrie died by the hand of Meleager who afterward sent his head in present to the faire Ladie Atalanta to shewe her the experience of his strength in like manner the Prince of Tarsus to make his valour appeare to all those who should come thither cut off the head of this and in signe of spoyle and trophée raysed it on the ende of a pole which he planted in the same place where he ouercame him Marcomyr hauing then dompted this terrible monster he thanked the gods for so great fauour and puld off his false iacke which he had put ouer his armour because the boares bristles sticking so thicke therein it did somewhat annoy him But hee had no sooner laid it downe when he sawe the knight of the horne making towardes him with a great club in his hand calling aloude to him with a horrible
streamed incessantly from his wound especially at the chafing and choller of his recharge he waxed instantly so weake and féeble that if the pitie and mercie of God had not succoured him he had ben verily cut off by the hands of this infidell Moore There did the soueraine dominator of this round Machine shew a most miraculous aduenture bringing thether iust at that hower Pernedin the duke of Peraes son one of those who had enterprised the quest of Marcomyr who as soone as he had recognished the two combattants all amazed to sée them two in fight together came betwéene them crying out with a lowd voice Eternall God what meaneth this Haue you thus sworne your owne death knight Then Arnedes who could no longer stand on his legs falling downe on the ground breathed out this complaint Alas Pernedin I beséech thée auenge me of this inhumane Moore who hath without any cause assailed me being before mortally wounded in a combat I lately had against the knight who woon the tourney and this cruel Moore not content to haue set vpon me vniustly hath beside slain the holy Hermit whom you sée lie stone dead by this hedge here because he would only haue shewed him how he had done amisse to assaile me being thus wounded as I am O what tirannie of a knight is this quoth Pernedin then I sweare my faith to you were it not the respect of the amitie which I beare vnto Riâ—aâ—an who brought him into the court with him I should make him nowin a cursed hower to end his daies but I promise you I shall make knowne this treason before the Emperor and all his Barons assuring me hée procéeded still speaking in great choller to Lechefin you would neuer haue dared for your ears to haue set on him if he had ben vnwounded so that auoid from hence quickly otherwise I shal make you die a shameful death These words made Lechefin so ashamed that being mounted quickly vpoÌ„ Arnedes horse he went away with a flée in his eare without any word saying as him who knew he had done great wrong to his honour and that night he retired himselfe into a Nunnerie where by reason of the wounds which he had receiued of Arnedes hée found himselfe very il at ease of his person But when the Nunnes knew he followed the Emperours court they did him all the honour they could deuise and one of them who was learned and wel experienced in the art of Phisicke and Chirurgerie tooke charge to tend him carefully vntil his perfect recouerie and there she remained some daies with him before she could recouer him to his former health Pernedin was very sorrowfull and displeased much séeing the good Hermit slaine and the knight most dangerously hurt notwithstanding with the helpe of a Nouice who helped daily the old Hermit to masse he brought Arnedes into the Hermitage where they buried their dead corpes after they had wrapped vp the knights wounds whom Pernedin counselled because there was no meane to looke vnto him there to go faire and softly to Constantinople There quoth he you shall quickly recouer because you shall find Phisitions Chirurgions drugs and all other necessaries at hand which you cannot come by in this solitarie place As for me as yet I cannot resolue to returne although I haue hetherto ben neuer the néere in that which caused me to depart the cittie I shall repute it a great shame for me quoth Arnedes to goe to the Emperour in this taking neuerthelesse doe as you shall thinke best for I sée it out of my power and possibilitie euer to satisfie or recompence the infinite merit and good you haue now shewed towards me being in so great danger as you sée me at this present CHAP. XVIII How Pernedin conducted Arnedes to CoÌ„stantinople where he was forthwith visited by the Emperour and on the morrow after by the Empresse with the infants Philocrista and Melissa and how Bruquel Arnedes dwarfe and Amenada Philocristaes dwarfesse had much prattle together and what was the issue thereof AFter that Pernedin had conueighed Arnedes into the Hermitage hée ceased not to run about in all places néere hand to get people and al things necessarie to transport him easily to Constantinople for he could not endure the paine to sit on horsebacke Wherefore he caused a mourning béere to be made litter fashion and vsed so great diligence that within two daies after he got him to the court where when the Emperour had heard what was befortuned him he was highly displeased against the Moore Of a troth quoth he Lechefin cannot resemble any one better then the Souldan of Persia his father who was neuer other but a receptacle and harbour offellony and I cannot deuise who hath moued him to outrage so honest a prince as is this knight of France then presenly he went to visit him and gaue his Phisitions charge hée should be carefully looked vnto and beside prouided of whatsoeuer should be necessarie for his spéedy recouery Then began Arnedes the discourse of his encounter with Marcomyr vpon the end whereof the Emperour answered him I maruell greatly this knight sheweth so ardent a desire to doe me seruice and yet will conceale himselfe in this manner and flie from me Undoubtedly he goeth to trie himselfe in the aduenture of Celestina séeing he followeth the rout you tel me and it may be by his great Prowesse he will bring it to an end If so it bée God kéepe my nephew Belcarin out of his hands herein many of the assistants were of the same opinion and from thence forward was Lechefin estéemed of al for a coward and a fellon The Emperour returned into his chamber and would that the Empresse should goe on the morrow to visit Arnedes which she did with a right good will accompanied with Philocrista and Melissa to whom this mischiefe and iniurie done to the French knight greatly displeased and pierced them to the verie heart but to Philocrista most of al albeit she was frée from all sinister thought for the amitie which she alreadie bore him procéeded of no other cause but of the gentility and vertue which she saw shining most apparant in him and moreouer there was nothing in this world which she had in more singular recommendation then the kéeping of her own chastity both in thought and déed incontaminated You may well iudge whether Arnedes were glad or not séeing before his eies her whom he loued so ardently to bée sorrowfull for his hurt to blame Lechefin as a traitor and disloiall for the sole obiect of her countenance and the féeblenes of her spéech did sufficiently bewray what an alteration the heat of the fatall fire had alreadie wrought in her These foure discoursed a long time together meane while Amenada the dwarfesse of Philocrista Risdena her nephew came to Bruquel Arnedes dwarfe whom they saw strangely lamenting for the mischance and disaster befalne his maister Amenada comforted him as well as she
could telling him it was nothing the worst was past and none of the wounds found to be mortall how the Emperour had sent him excellent Phisitions and Chirurgeons who promised to set him quicklie on foot againe Were it Gods will quoth Bruquel it were so and that my maister might once find the meane to sup vp the Antidote which alone might corrupt and annihilate the so penetrating force of the swéet poison which was lately giuen him and then leauing this circumstance of words he fetcht a déepe sigh almost from the ground for hée had very short legs and would vse no more circumelocution but followed this point in this sort Ah my lord Arnedes how dearely doe you buy her beautie for whose sake you departed out of your countries Where the only reputation of your high estate and illustrious linage whence you are extracted did suffice to obtaine her without euer comming so fâ—rre to expose your selfe to so many perils dangers Amâ—nada maruelled much at these spéeches and presently had a curious desire to know who this knight might be Wherefore she praied Bruquel of all fauours to tell her to the end they might shew her ladie Philocrista who had an extreame desire to vnderstand of what race he was descended I will doe willingly for you all things I may quoth the dwarâ—e except this which without his commandement I dare not enterprise for I should doe that I am forbidden I will make you this promise to speake to him hereof and according to his wil and intention will I satisfie your desires Melissa also who desired with a singular affection to know who Recindos her louer was hauing séene these two Myrmidons prate together and vnderstanding some inkeling of their talke in passing by them so soone as they were retired into their chambers demaunded Amenada what were the matters debated betwéene her and Arnedes dwarfe Wherevpon the dwarfesse made her a long discourse whereof Philocrista was wonderous glad hoping thereby to vnderstand something of the French prince And as she heard say he was departed out of his house for the loue of a Damsel imagined this imediately meant by her selfe for it falleth out alwaies euery one best fauours himselfe in iudgements relying vpon bare coÌ„iectures for this cause she bid Amenada that she should cal vpon Bruquel to performe his promise The dwarfe as soone as he had opportunitie to speake vnto his maister made him vnderstand at length all which had past betwéene himselfe and the dwarfest of Philocrista whereat he was the gladdest man in the world and gaue him now a great charge to be carefull to bring this practise to a good end The next day when the Emperour and Diocles dined together Amenada went to take Bruquel in his lodging who séeing her come began thus to prattle aloud madam I haue giuen order for that I promised you the last night Notwithstanding before I can satisfie you in your desire I must craue one thing at your hands demaund hardly whatsoeuer you please quoth the dwarfesse for of nothing which is honest shall you of me be denied I haue then obtained of you replied Bruquel you shall not manifest to any liuing creature but to Madame Philocrista that which I am now about to tell you it is that for the loue of her only my deare lord and maister the first borne son of the king of France is departed from his house for the fame of her vnspeakeable beautie which hath alreadie pierced beyond those countries did on a day so cruelly wound his heart that forthwith he resolued to make a voiage into the leuant sea to sée whether such bruit did egall or surpasse the fame spread abroad of her And hauing afterward well beheld it he found nature had so cunningly embellished this perfect piece of worke that she hath taken away the power from any humane tongue were it neuer so eloquent and fluent to accomplish euer the entire praise of her desert by means whereof he hath written by a post sent of purpose to the king his father that he would send Embassadours hâ—ther to the end to conclude the articles of mariage with the Emperour to whom vntill he sée the commissioners of this embassage appeare he will not make himselfe knowne nor to any other person liuing but to her only And requireth her in the humblest manner he may she would vse with some little courtesie and benignitie the heart that she hath so secretly rauished from him and if in the meane time she wil employ his bodie in any other then familiar and domesticall affaires it would please her to send backe his heart with some comfort accepting the offer which it hath now lately made her so shall he repute himselfe the most happie and fortunate champion that euer entered battell in the seruice of any ladie moreouer should find himself quicklie recouered and healed of all his wounds otherwise should not be able to liue foure twentie howers in this world which were a way to purchase the death of infinit others besides his especially that of Recindos his cousin sonne of the king of Castile who louing him as himselfe would néeds beare him companie in this voiage and be partaker of the same trauels and diseases he endured for the great amitie and néere parentage betwéene them So cunningly could this Pigme file his language to second his maisters intention that it reaped that fruit to these two yong princes as hereafter you shall heare which might well be compared in loiall and perfect amitie to the two pithagorean companions Orestes and Pilades or to Nisus and Eurialus who would die the one for the other Greatly wondred Amenada hearing him tell how so high and illustrious a prince had thrust himselfe into so many trauels and dangers for the accomplishment of this mariage which he might haue effected by his agents emploied therein Then she made this answere Assuredly if I had not promised to tell my ladie and mistresse this I should not dare for any thing in the world aduenture my selfe to discouer or manifest so great matters as these for I should neuer be able to shew her the one halfe but Melissa who neuer stirreth farre from her would vnderstand or presume something It skilleth not for Melissa quoth the dwarfe I care not if it were done in her presence for I estéeme her so modeste and sage a princesse that she will shew her selfe rather silent to disclose it then inconsiderate and giddie headed to reueale it to any and I assure my selfe she will but take all the matter in good part This spake he to the end she should be an act or in the comedie for the loue of Recindos and if peraduenture Philocrista were slacke and backward in her loues she might counsell her not to refuse this good fortune offered her breifely they should reciprocally take aduise the one of the other as hauing both their hearts pierced with one dart for it falleth out many times two
are and I beséech you pardon Belcarin for my sake if he hath in ought offended you for I hope he shall make you such amends and doe that penuance which you shall please to put him vnto and for my part I promise to shew you such courtesie as you shal one day haue occasion to thanke me for that it was my hap to moue you therein To that will I neuer consent while I liue qd the damsel for I had rather sée Belcarin die presently before my eyes then to haue the monarchie of the thrée parts of the world vnder my power considering the hainous and detestable treason whereby he hath so villanously abused my father and all his posteritie and lesse will I euer absolue my knight of the promise which he hath made me The king entreated her once more with great instancie and so did likewise all those who did accompanie him neuertheles it was all in vaine for she was so fixed in her most deadly grudge that she tooke no pleasure in any thing but in exaggerating the hainousnesse of the case When the quéene who felt her selfe in a great agonie through the perill wherein she saw Belcarin was vnderstood the refusall of this damsell vpon the truce and accord of the two knights she herselfe went to speake to her with the duches of Pontus and the princesse Alderine her daughter entreating altogether that she would acquite Recindos of his promise and the quéene would retain her for one of the ladies of honour of her house But all those entreatings auailed no more then those of the king to mooue that inexorable damsell to pittie whom when the quéene saw her so full of mutinie and crueltie she swore in great anger vnlesse she would pardon quickely both the knights she would make her die a shamefull death for there was a murmuring before that the accusation layd against Belcarin was false and malicious The Damsell hearing the quéene speake in so great a rage was greatly affeard and had also some compassion on the tears which she saw stream incessantly downe faire Alderins chéeks so that alighting from her palfrey she prostrated her selfe at the quéens â—éet crauing pardon for the great errour and offence she had committed against her maiestie by ingratitude refusing her a thing which was in her power to do and that she did with all her heart pardon the one and acquit the other of the knights Then the quéene embraced her in token of thanks and causing commâ—undement to be giuen Recindos should procéed no further in the battell tooke her along with her ladies into the palace the king taking the two knights in either of his hands one brought them into the great chamber where he caused them to be disarmed and beeing laid in two rich beds which he commaunded to bée made presently ready for them he caused his learned phisitions and chirurgiâ—ns to looke diligently vnto the healing of their wounds which were in no small number Whilest they were in cure he visited them both so continually that they were accorded and reconciled together likewise the quéene and the duchesse of Pontus and Alderine her daughter came euery day to passe the time away telling many merrie tales and pleasant discourses one to another to release and assuage their minds of that foyle they had so vnmerciâ—ully taken one oâ— another in their combat wherein hauing both made trial of one anothers prowesse and strength they much esteemed and commended ech other The quéene who retained with her the damsell married her aâ—terwards honourably and Belcarin so soone as he recouered footing made her confesse before the king the quéene Recindos and diuers others how she had alwaies accuâ—ed him falsâ—y because the same night he lodged in her fathers house he neuer 〈◊〉 nor knew at all any brethren she had CHAP. XXV How after Marcomyr Ozalias had embarked themselues to saile into Turkie they arriued in a hauen very neer the castell of Albase where the king of Thessalie was prisoner and how Marcomyr purposed to be at the â—ourney which was held for a daughter of the captain thereof and the sequel MArcomyr hauing left the quéene of Thessalie and Celestina her daughter trauelled hard till he came to the hauen where his pilots staied for him with his ship thinking vpon nothing still but the great beautie of his ladie and how he might deliuer the king her father to giue some release to his ardent and passionate desires It happened as his marriners arriued in the same place where he appointed them to cast anker they found vpon the sand a Turkish seaman very grieuously sicke where he was cast out of some Christian ship which had past that way the day before Those of Tarsus knowing him to bée a Moore tooke him vp and incontinently carried him into their ship to the end to recouer him vnto his former health who by that time the prince came aboord to them felt himselfe strong inough to endure labour at sea By means wherof vnderstanding Marcomyr would put ouer into Turkie besought most humbly to doe him the fauour to suffer him to go along with them in his ship thether for râ—quitall of such a benefit he would wheÌ„ he was ouer câ—â—duct him euery where thorow al parts whether it shoulâ— please hâ—m â—or he did perfectly know a rutter of all the crâ—â—kes and turnings which way they were to sail and knew moreouer all the seacoast of Turkie The knight was very glad of this good hap accepted of him for the master of the ship and not concluding any thing toward what coast they should first set saile at the last aduised to thrust into the néerest hauen to the cittie of Tubanta wherefore he demanded the Turke if there were any port there abouts which was a good and safe harbor Sir quoth he I will carrie you if you will into a créeke of y e sea very secret where very seldome come any great vessels for that on the shore there is none other then that of my father who fisheth there abouts this créeke lieth within one daies iourney of Tubanta and within another of the castel of Albase in which the great Turke holdeth at this present the king of Thessaly prisoner and al his treasur vnder the guard of a hardy knight who is captaine thereof And well can I assure you sir knight there is not any handfull of earth in all that country which I know not as well by night as by day as wel as the coasts of the hauen whereof I speake vnto you now Where you may remaine in safetie and doe whatsoeuer you shall please no man to say you nay in any thing for the benefit which I now receiue at your hands Marcomyr was still more ioiful séeing so good a beginning laid before hand for the execution of the matter hée went about therefore he praied his Turke that he would make a short cut of it All his equippage was soone in a readinesse
to me the extreame desire he hath to present to you his seruice so that vpon this hope I haue willingly brought him in here estéeming it a thing of very rare and great consequence the purchasing of such a personage to augment so much the more the forces of your guard Hée is then quoth the father very welcome hether in recompence of his good will he shal haue the best cheare we may prouide for him For all that his purpose was otherwise because the more his daughter commended them the more angry was he to see them within the castle their very presence striking into him a feare and suspition neuertheles to dissemble it and not to let them perceiue therof he procéeded thus with a pleasant countenance daughter goe you in to salute your mother in the meane time these knights well disarme them This he spake meaning to cause their armes to be lockt vp and kept safe from them till they were out of the castell But Marcomyr who heard those spéeches doubting some such euent cared not much to talke with him any further but went strait away with the page of Leifida who brought him vp into a very faire chamber where in stéed of disarming themselues they caused their squiers who carried their armes alwaies after them to lace their helmets quickly then betaking them to their shields with vnconquerable courage they salied out hauing their naked swords ready drawn in their hands Which the yong man séeing was more amased then if at the same instant he had lost his forme by some new metamorphosis began to crie out in strange maner O detestable and vile act of disloialtie running downe amaine to aduertise the gard wherein he was soone preuented for Marcomyr knowing he might not delay his enterprise any longer made spéedily down into the court where he saw the captain blaming and rebuking the porters for letting him in who made their excuse vpon Leifida that brought him in with her And perceiuing him to make furiously against him he cried alarme O my loiall and faithfull knights take armes slay me these vilaines who are come to betray vs in this rash manner then the prince hauing instructed Ozalias before to win the wicket and kéepe it against all those that would come in to succour or goe forth to flie remembring his lady Celestina that he must either die in the place or deliuer the king her father out of prison began to strike without pity those of the gard the captaine séeing his honor and life reduced to so pitiful an exigent laid suddainly hold on a pâ—leax which by chance he found at hand wherewith he went to giue Marcomyr such a knock vpon his morion that had not the creast thereof ben tempered with fine steele he had seperated his soule from his bodie This constrained the knight who would not haue stroke him otherwise for the loue of his daughter to strike againe so that he gaue the old man such an ataint with a blow returned to his head that he cleft his skull downe to his iawes giuing the like entertainment to thrée or foure other knights who let driue at him thinking to massacker him quickly but in a small space he made so cruell a slaughter of al those which came to encounter him that the most hardie and valiant remained in the place either dead or dangerously wounded And if peraduenture any coward made to the gate thinking to get out that waies to saue himselfe by flight he fell into Ozalias hands who shewed them but small courtesie so that in this skirmish there remained not one man of the castle aliue except the page which was master of the ship that brought the two cousins into this good hauen who ran imediatly to his mistres Leifida telling her thus Madame we are all traiterously betraied by the false and inhumane knight whom we haue brought in hether Therefore I know my selfe worthy of a thousand deaths if I might haue so many one after another for I was the cause that my lord your father and all his guard are put to the edge of the sword When the Damsell and her mother heard these piteous tidings they ranne forth almost out of their wits not knowing what to do séeing this horrible discomfiture they begaÌ„ to wring their hands and poure forth the most pitifull complaints that euer any liuing person heard Leifida who accused her selfe of all this blame fell downe halfe dead vpon her fathers corpes vttering a spéech in this sence Alas deare father pardon me who am the only cause of your death which séeing I haue aduanced innocently thorow the â—ained and cautelous circumuention of a Tyrant I will presently end my daies and to accomplish better the expiation and ceremonie of your obsequies and funerall pomps I will let this transitory life fréely offer vp my soule vnto the gods to accompany yours before their throne Pronouncing these words with a spent voice by reason of the continuall sighes which from her breast followed one another so thicke she would haue moued the most pitilesse and diamantine heart to compassion Marcomyr who reposed himselfe at the foot of a piller went directly to her where she made this mone who perceiuing him come ran vpon him as a lionnesse enraged when her whelpes are taken from her crying out amaine Ha cruell and fellonious knight séeing thou hast slaine my father all his guard and people why doest thou not make an end of me also How long wilt thou linger before thou send my woefull soule out of this languishing passion which it endureth in this my dying bodie Tell me Barbarian what moued thée to render this sorrowfull recompence for the extreame loue I bare thée now conuerted into all deadly hatred and more then mortall malice How durst thou deceiue a poore maiden thus trecherously considering the great familiarity into which I so soone admitted thée at the first sight Ha dissembler that hast thus surprised me through the false apparence of thy faire and sugred words saying thou wert a king a prince a great siegnior I thinke it wel but of théeues and murderers who camst hether but to pillage the treasure in this place O foolish more then miserable girle to credit so lightly thy cogging and deceitfull persuasion whose issue is but too tragicall and full of calamity Surely if all those who knew me euer haue reputed me a sage and an obedient daughter now they shall from henceforth account me for the most disloiall and wickeddest maiden that liues hauing thus wrought the death of mine owne father And although it be against my will shall I for that cease to exclaim of the inconstancie of fortune which by the only report of I know not what cloked and friuolous ostentation hath so easily chaunged my heart What will you my lord the great Turke say when you shall vnderstand the tidings of this massaker which hath ben so cautelously wrought to steale hence your treasor Alas why
I haue shâ—â—ne lesse then no Prowesse and magnamitie it must bée to you referred whence it is deriued and to the desire I haue therein to be known for your son Eternall God then brake the Emperor forth for ioy how happie haue I reputed my selfe recouering in so small time a son so perfect and accomplished Surely far more then any humane tongue is able to expresse for the vnspeakeable ioy wherewith I féele my heart ouercome surpasseth the capacitie of the most eloquent and learned clarke who euer for this effect might put pen to paper Ah Marcomyr my dearely begotten son vndoubtedly I beléeue that which you tell me considering you much resemble me by your complexion and many other gifts wherewith nature hath endued me and chiefly your martiall and heroicall courage whereof all those of my blood haue ben heretofore partakers and albeit this laudable and pretious fruition which I presently enioy of you redoundeth a litle to the dishonor of mine Empresse yet that doth a little pierce my heart assuring me her prudencie and modestie will not permit her to taxe nor disdaine me very much Now I perceiue how much I am bounden to loue the Quéene your mother séeing she hath taken such pains for me that of her so cunning deceit wrought on me by night there procéedeth so goodly and rare fruit At the end of these words he stroked him with his hands on both his chéeks and giuing him many swéet kisses with a more singular affection then can any father shew to his child hée prosecuted his spéech thus My sonne I pray deuoutlie the creator of all the world to accept you hereafter for his true and faithfull seruant to the end your Prowes and valiancie may shine and augment in you euery day more more by the communication of our Christian faith which you shal receiue in the fount of holy baptisme and albeit in doing so you forsake your own kingdome assure your selfe you shall find no lesse crowne herein beside that which I shal giue you during my life the future succession which you shal inherit after my death Marcomyr made humble obeissance down to the ground to thank him and to kisse his hand which he did with such humilitie that the teares distilled from the Emperors eies brought downe thorow the great ioy wherewith his heart felt it selfe rauished which being not able to abide so secretly shut in forced him to goe take the Empresse in her chamber whom at his first entrance he kissed in all most honest amitie telling her this I beléeue madam you haue heretofore held so good opinion of my firme lâ—ialty how cordially I haue al the time of my life loued you that hereafter ye will not séeke any better or more sufficient proof so that to speak this vnto you induceth a little scruple which is not long since crept into my brain fearing least you misdéem mine honest cariage wheÌ„ you shal vnderstaÌ„d y e discourse But not to suffer this fantasy to imprint it selfe further in your spirit I protest before God the only searcher of mens harts I swear vnto you again by al y e creatures which assist before his tribunal seat that neuer to my knowledge wil I haue not deâ—iled our mariage bed And lesse I haue infringed in word or déed the holy lawes of matrimonie nor polluted the inuiolable faith which I haue promised you But if I haue ben sometimes so vnfortunate that some other woman beside your selfe had of me by charmes and deceit that which to you only appertained you ought not now to be so seuere and rigorous but to pardon me séeing I confesse mine indiscreet offence and ouersight Albeit the fault did not procéed from me and that in that behalf I shal alwaies be sound innocent Madame you may well remember what heretofore I told you befortuned me with the quéene of Tarsus in her countries wherein the dreame that you dreamed was not altogether false and vaine for so much as by the acquaintance she had of me by meane of her sorcerie and sophisticated beuerage which shée commaunded the yeoman of her seller to giue me hath ben engendred Marcomyr the gentle knight My lord answered the Empresse with a smiling and very gracious countenance so soon as euer I saw Marcomyr I assured that to be true which you say he resembleth you so néerely in all lineatures of his person so that not only I haue pardoned you being ignorant of bringing into this world one so excellent and perfect creature but when wéetingly you had forgotten me in a thing whence procéedeth so rare and pretious treaâ—or being long since assured of your integritie that by your good will you will neuer worke me anger or displeasure As for Marcomyr I accept him most willingly for my son and I loue him alreadie with no lesse zeale then Diocles his brother beséeching you my lord to send him hether to me speediâ—ie for I will receiue him for no lesse and declaring mine affection to him giue him the maternall kisse and embracing which his good manners and commendable vertues do merit Glad was the Emperor without measure of this answer and sending for Diocles and Abenunq thether after they had heard the discourse of this good newes sent them for Marcomyr to bring him before the Empresse They went to fetch him with a maruellous gladnes and as far off as Diocles saw him he ran to him with open armes saying in this manner O the incomprehensible blisse that now bringeth me the neerenes of linage which would extract vs two out of one and the selfsame originall sourse O the inseperable brotherly amitie What two persons might you combine and vnite to hold better together with your affectionate hands then vs two Surely when you should wander ouer the bottome of this Hemispheare you should neuer â—ind the like couple more enclined to reuerence you especially I who therein féele my selfe aboue all other so much fauored by the diuine prouidence that I hope my deare brother and friend you shall neuer know in me any other will then your owne Ah deare brother answered Marcomyr then the felicitie which you say is the contentment of your spirit constraineth me to striue therein against you in this only that in any other thing I should crosse your desires God forbid wherein it pleaseth you to tearme your selfe the most affectionate whom fraternall amitie may at this day find on earth for when the extreame desire which I haue in this behalfe should be measured by the elle or poised in an euen ballance you should plainly sée it wey downe and surpasse yours by far the which for all that I estéeme to be no lesse then you say But for as much as mine hath excéeded the height of all measure and that it is impossible to mount aboue it I would faine giue you to know what did vrge me to assure you you shall alwaies find my body a prompt seruant of your soules desire