which came to giue the onset on the Painims with whom thei ioyned Battle in suche sort that many there died ¶ The xix Chapter FOrasmuche noble Lordes and Ladies as I am sure you are not ignoraunte that as there is no meate what sweete or delicate taste so euer it haue were it Ambrosia it self the foode of the Gods as Poetes faine which with too long vsage semeth not to vs yrkesom and vnsauerie In like maner beeleue I that there is no discourse or Historie bee it neuer so sweete or delectable but beeyng too longe continued without intermission or successe of some chaunge or other nouell chaunce which as it were a newe kind of meate may be agreable to the hearers eares or delite of the readers may be dulsome or pleasaunt vnto you For this cause knowyng that whiche I will recite vnto you in these Chapters followyng shall be no lesse delectable vnto you nor smell worse to your coÌ„tentations then the valiauncies of the Youth of the Fairies from whence we wander a little to bringe hym in hereafter with more pleasure delectation and astonishment of haughtie feates of Armes then you haue heretofore heard if you haue the pacieÌ„ce I deme you to haue hopyng that the generositie and singuler bountie of your sprites will not refuse to holde on to reade this myne Historie set forth and put in light both for greate pleasure and profite that you may haue therein I will as now therefore recompt vnto you albeit brieflie and succinctly as is possible that whiche chaunced and happened to the valiaunte and inuincible Kyng Floridamant of greate Brittaine and chieflie in the selfe same time that his Sonne the Youth of the Fairies was in Gréece in pursuit of the vnmatcheable and valiant vnknowen Knight accordyng to the veritie of the CoÌ„mentaries of our auncient Galarx whiche in the same maner also maketh therof mentioÌ„ You ought therefore to knowe that after the deliueraunce of this illustrious Lorde from the Traitor Minofols Enchaunted Prysons as in the Chapters precedente I haue moste brieflie declared vnto you after hee was ariued into his countrie as is aforesaied he went into the gréene I le with a greate Hoast of armed men and so dispeopled it and destroyed al the Townes and braue buildynges that there were not left aliue any of the race or house of the traitrous Enchaunter who beeyng apprehended was also putte to the point of the Sworde amongest whom also was slaine twoo Children of the Kynges of Cornewaile Vncle to the Traitour Minofoll the one of whom if ye marke it well was slaine by the Kyng Floridamant at the same time that the Damozell whiche afterwarde was hanged on a Tree led hym traiterously into the Prison of the red Castell as you haue heretofore heard and then when his Horse failed hym in the Forrest when hee had heard the crie of the Damozell complainyng he encountred hym by chaunce as he was goyng to London to woorke some Traison and this same was called Mawgard The other was then slain in the greene Ile where he was Lorde and Maister through the death of his Cosine by the Prince Hubart of Scotlande againste whom hee would haue defended hymselfe and this had to name Vaspazell the prowde whereat the Kinge of Cornewaile beyng vexed without measure hauyng heard so dolefull Newes and angrie at kinge Floridamant more then afore although he long had borne hym mortall hate determined resolued now to reuenge the death of his two Sonnes with the destruction of those of his kinne And to doe this as one that was riche both in substaunce and frendes of alliaunce to greate Lordes and Princes and who also was stout of person valiaunt as was possible he sent Ambassadours to his Frendes on all sides and chiefly to two Sonnes which he had yet lefte one of the which was king of Corse named Angrofolt the Cruel who failed not to come to reuenge the death of his Brethren and Parentes with a Nauie of a hundred and fower score Shippes and sixtie Galleis well furnished wherein he brought aboute thirty thousande footemen and tenne thousande horsemen braue and in good order and moreouer hee brought with these Syxe Giauntes the greatest and biggest that euer were seene since the memorye of man who onelie serued hym for men of Armes to garde his person yea with them was hee better guarded then any other Kynge although he had sixe hundred horsemen in his companie And for this cause was he of his Neighbours and borderers so renowmed feared that none were he neuer so puissaunte durst once offer to do hym the least iniury in the world although for his greate cruelty and tyrannie to his neighbours many had iust cause so to doe And besides this he was so valiaunt of his person that fewe there were at that tyme in the worlde which in corporall force dexteritie and skill in Armes might or could surpasse hym for through his valiauncie and prowesse he had with a small power brought vnder his obeisaunce the I le of Corse and hauing expelled kynge Pollinestor who had married Kinge Belligent his Sister of Gawle who was true possessor and owner of the said Iland he maried perforce a daughter of his so to couer his tyranny to insinuate hymself the better into the peoples grace and fauour of the most parte wherof as one fauoured and loued hee was Kinge peaceably as a Riche and Mightie lord Yet neuerthelesse not like his other youÌ„ger brother who by his graund force and extreeme prowesse was beecome King of the Iles Fortunate whiche are beyond the furthest partes of Mauritayne Westwarde and are at this daie called Canaries because they abound in Dogges of all sortes This same king called Brandissant who in valour and prowesse exceeded far all other knightes hauyng hard the pittifull tydinges whiche king Grandowyne his Father had sent hym of the death of his Brethren Mawgard and Vaspazel whiche were slaine by kyng Floridamant incited with an extreeme pricke of reuengement staied but a while after his brother but went with an Army of an hundred thousand footemen and fower twentie thousande horsemen to inuade great Britaine whith such a fury that in euery place where hee passed or came there was no Toune Castle nor House were it neuer so greate whiche was not by hym destroyed yea to the first foundation neither men women nor little Infauntes were there whatsoeuer that could escape the pearcing blades of his Gensdarmes and Souldiers who all the waie as they wente made both Earthe and Water tremble at there presence such hauocke made they deming all their owne alreadie For the saied Brandâ—ssant kinge of Canaries had with hym fower puyssaunte kynges Paynims his Vassalles which all were Brethren and the moste strong and monstrous that euer Nature bred For firste of all the youngest of theim whiche was kyng of Ombrione named Sallazart was so strong and puissaunte that in closse Campe he once slewe fower Huige Giauntes and
hauocke the Christians made of the Pagans hee was almost mad with rage and spite to see his people so disordred and slaine whom he met sléeing being chased by the knightes aboue named and with maine force entered into the Croude on foote as hee was being followed of his people who viewyng his manhoode tooke heart agrace laying about them with all their might in suche wise that if God had not taken compassion vpon the poore Christians there had not one escaped that day for he encountered nothing in that place whiche hee did not hewe in peeces next vnto hym the fierce Sarazin Micophron made such a terrible slaughter and spoyle of the poore Christians that none there were that durst withstand hym for feare lest they should be sente to their long homes And assuredly they had ouercome the whole Cittie if that the renoumed kynge Floridamant the valiaunt Ferrande of Norway and Don Murcibel of Denmarke whose strength by Gods diuine power I beleue was then redoubled had not in tyme hasted to the succour of their people But these noble Princes beholdyng this miserable spectacle vsed wonderfull diligence and celeritie and bare them selues so valiauntly that king Floridamant coaping with the king of Baccaleos Don Ferrand with Mycophron the strong and Murcibell among the other Pagans smytyng before and behinde and on both sides compelled them after an harde and sharpe conflict to tourne their backes and shewe their heeles For kyng Floridamant surprised with furie and chafed in fightyng raught kyng Guitard with all his force suche a violent stroake that he made his Helmet flee of his head and had slaine him without doubt if his people had not the more speedely succoured hym but perceiuing his head vnarmed hee retyred hastely to the place from whence hee came hauyng receiued no other hurte but that by the violence of the blowe his eyes so sparkeled that for a quarter of an hower after he could see verie little at all and it is to be coÌ„iectured that had it not bene for the goodnes of his Armour being that which Achilles did weare at the bataile of Troy when he slewe the valiaunt Hector doubtles he had not bene left aliue howbeit he was afterward much vexed yea ready to runne out of his wittes for that parte of the Armour whiche he had loste hauyng wonne them from the strong Bagellan king of Ithaca by Combate enduring thrée daies continually whiche Bagellan receiued them from his Auncestour Vlysses who after the death of Achilles was made owner of them But now to goe forward in the recitall of the rest of this hideous hurlie burlie betwene the Painims and the Christians you shall vnderstande that after kyng Guitard with the losse of his armour was so escaped out of the tumulte mightie Mycophron his cousin whom he had left behinde in the Briers with muche adoe and difficultie sustained the brunte of his enemies beyng welnigh ouercome by the assailers of hym for he was so roughly charged and pursued by the three Christian kynges that notwithstandyng his manfull and couragious defence hee was taken Prisoner For he had once before brought kyng Ferrand of Norwaie to so harde an exigent for all his excellent prowesse that he had not long endured against hym had not the kynges Floridamant and Murcibell afforded their aides who chargyng the Pagans as aforesaid forced hym to yelde himself prisoner in respect of his valiauncie slewe hym as they did his people who were entered into the citee of whoÌ„ he made suche hauocke that not one remained vnslaine to cary newes of the defeatyng of his fellowe souldiours Thus you maie perceiue how noblie the three Christian Kynges in those partes behaued them selues from middaie till the Sunne was welnigh sette It remaineth that we make rehearsal what was done on the other side against cruell Angrofolt and those monstrous Giantes Brisard and Rogemont by the residue of the twelue valiaunte knightes of Greate Britaigne who beeyng in other quarters of the Citee and hearyng the noise and Alarme of their enemies who had made enteraunce in greate multitudes vnder conducte of the same Angrofolt accompanied with these twoo Giauntes marched on in marueilous haste thetherwarde beeyng assisted by the more parte of the garrisons of the citee with suche diligence and dexteritie that the Pagans being not farre entered into the Citie were by them coÌ„pelled to recuyle vnto the very walles not without great losse and slaughter How as the Giauntes were entered with Angrofolt their Lorde be seeyng the resistaunce that they of the Citee made commaunded these twoo Butcherlie Giauntes to succour their menne hym self onely takyng ware to the kinges Pallace to seaze vpon his desired praie beyng the Lady Polydamie who as then kepte her self within her Chamber lamentyng and weepyng with noble Queene Belizenne her Mother who made pitifull moane meenyng her totall ruine to be at hand Now as that cruell Tiraunt of Corsica approched nere the Pallace to his misaduenture he was breasted by the kynges Floridamant Ferrand and Murcibell who hauyng happely dispatched them selues of Guitard bastened to other quarters of the Citee where thei knewe the Painims were entered For he was no soner espied but he was presently charged verie rudely by these three valiant Christian Champâ—ons with dinte of Sworde whiche although he receiued with greate assuraunce yet the matche vnegally made he could not endure long but was compelled to tourue his backe fliyng towardes the place where his menne fought but beeyng agaste with the violence of the strokes he had sustained in the encounter he missed of the right waie Foorthwith kyng Floridamant meanyng to pursue hym and to fighte with hym hande to hand commaunded the kynges Ferrand and Murcibell to haste theim to the aide of his knightes and in the pursuite of the Pagan as one that was more nimble and actiue demeaned hym self so well that in a narrowe Lane where the other rested to breath hymself he ouertooke him who seeyng none other to followe saue the kyng reioysed greately and takyng his Sworde in his hande and his Shield on his arme attended vaunting on foote to receiue the onsett howbeit to his no small preiudice For the kyng closely bucklyng with hym assailed hym with suche force and violence that had not his Enchaunted Armes serued hym at that pinch he should haue been soone dispatched but by the helpe of theim he continued the fight more then an hower and an halfe wherein suche manhoode was shewed by the assailant and defendant that it was harde to discerne who had the better or worse till at laste twoo howers after the Battaile begonne drawyng on the Pagan because of his feeblenesse and fainenesse beeyng vnable to endure any longer fell doune in a soune on the Earth the Kyng partly taking the aduauntage although hee was weried in the Combate set his foote vpon his breast and hauyng taken of his Helmet entended to haue slaine hym when the other who had recouered hym selfe cried O Noble Kyng
Gerileon doe aduaunce W. M. THE FIRST BOOKE of the Hystorie of Gerileon After the death of the most puissaunt and vertuous king Brandismell King of greate Britaine there succeeded hym in the gouernement of the said Realme a Sonne of his called Floridamant The whiche beyng in hys Pallace at London feastyng his Lordes and Barons and making preparatiō one afternoone to go course an Harte in the company of the Princes Huberte of Scotlande and Dorian Sonne to the Kyng of Spaigne which Harte he had seen in a wood neere to the Castle of Mirandoll There entered into the Hall a Damsell who hauyng recounted to hym a certaine aduenture had hym away with her The first Chapter THOSE whiche haue been curious in readyng of auncient Histories are nothing ignoraunte howe amongest those Realmes whiche for their fertilitie and worthinesse haue in tymes paste merited any Commendations Brittaine the Greate hath not only matched but also farre surpassed them all As well because of naturall beauty goodnes therof as in that it is the country vnder heauen which of all Antiquity hath bene more populous better stoared of strong and valiaunt Knightes then any other whatsoeuer thether drawen and allured partlie by the excellent and deuine beautie of the Ladies there inhabityng partly by the merueilous and straunge aduentures there accustomably found In so much that for this occasion it hath béen often called the Lande aduenturous Neither might any one of forraine Coastes or Countries name hym selfe a true and valiaunt knight if in it hee had not made proofe of his worthines there atchiuyng some straunge aduentures But especially in the tyme of the moste Puissaunt and vertuous king Brandismel whiche hauyng by his prowesse and valiauncy conquered many Realmes and Prouinces as Norwaie Swethlande and Denmarke instituted also the order of the twelue couragious knightes of greate Britaine beyng suche and endued with so greate force and valiauncie that fewe their likes were as then to bee founde in the whole worlde Amonge whom for moste valiaunt was the kinge Ferrande of Norwaie Dom Grandilaor and Dom Murcibel king of Denmarke The rest also because of their bounty dexteritie and bouldnesse in matters of Armes were greate praise worthy For this occasion was king Brandismel much feared and redoubted of his neighboures and borderers yet no lesse beloued of them for his courtesie liberalitie lenitie and humanitie with other vertues infinite whiche were resplendisaunt in hym And in suche forte that there was not hee whiche doyng hym the most toylesome and agreable seruice hee coulde did not yet estéeme himself most happy to be insinuated into his good grace and fauour so to gaine his gratious amitie But the fatall Sisters most impious and enuious of the good successe and felicitie of humaine kinde and of those especially whiche retaine a singular contentment and pleasure to bee in the fellowship and acquaintaunce of a Prince so vertuous and debonaire bereft them the shinyng gleames of noblenesse and myrour of Chiualry out of this worlde shreading a sonder the last thréede of this so vertuous a king the yere of grace after the death of our Sauiour Iesus Christ 418. the 66. yere of his age and 32. of his raigne Whervppon I can not rightly expresse the dolour sorrow that the couragious knightes his Subiectes receiued with his most priuate and best frendes In so muche that as recounteth vs the Historie there were suche of them as remained twoo or three Monethes without power to refraine themselues from weeping and lamenting most bitterlie when as it came to them in minde of the Bountie and Vertue of that noble Prince And chieflye the worthy olde Candior Duke of Normandy a Prince surelie amongest the Sage and hardy muche commendable Neuerthelesse as there is noe griefe so greate whiche in course of tyme a quite consumer of all thinges is not put foorthe of remembraunce So for iuste cause this good Lorde of Normandy together with the reste whiche were moste dolefull for the losse of a King so debonaire and vertuous at laste made ende of their plaintes and lamentations And for iuste cause saye I in that he lefte them for successour a Sonne of his begotten by his deere and loyall Spouse and Wife Florixe whiche not many yeres before had departed this life whiche saide sonne after the death of his Father was Heire not onely of his terreine Dominions and Possessions but also of his most rare and singuler vertues For besides that he was a good knight prudent and hardy past measure beeyng of a large stature his members well made formed and proportioned in equality the one with the others of sixe or seauen and twentie yeres of age ▪ or there aboutes he was also had in reputation for the most sage modest courteous Prince of his tyme In so much that to make briefe no man could require or wish any thing proper or conuenient for so great a personage as his whereof his valiauncie and inuincible prowesse was not beautified and adorned This same was called Floridamant the which did neuer finde man of what force or puissaūce soeuer he were who daring to Iust with hym hadde not geuen plainly to feele and vnderstande that he was peerelesse and not matcheable For this cause there was no knight in all Brittaigne the Greate whiche at his newe arriuall to the Crowne did not deliberate and determine to conuerte and tourne the lamentations and weepinges of his Fathers death into ioyes and gladnesse for hauing after the losse of a good Lorde and Master recouered and receaued a better kyng To whom there lacked so litle that he should degenerate from the bountie and goodnes of his predecessour that by his vertue whiche rather more then lesse did hym illustrate he did in suche sort striue and endeuour in equalitie of valiauncie and good behauiour to imitate and counteruale hym that his Knightes Princes and Barons with other of his Vassailes and Seruauntes thought in no wise to haue chaunged their Maister who vnwillyng to omit anye iote of his greate magnificence a while after his Coronemente made and gaue so many faire and Godly Giftes and Presentes not onely to the couragious knightes his Subiectes but also to such straungers as were come to visite him and to make offer to hym of their seruice beeyng nothyng ignoraunt that liberalitie rendreth men subiect and bounde towardes those whiche vse it that there was not he whiche pricked and prouoked with a desire to doe him agreable seruice so muche his lenity and liberality had charmed and enchaunted their affections would not willinglie haue put his life in hazarde for the maintenaunce conseruation of his honour And for that that a little afore the decease of the good king Brandismel his Father he had espoused the daughter of king Barrachen of Scotlande named Bellizenne a Princesse as sage and vertuous as faire and gracious for fewe there were who then for beauty good grace durste compare with her There were come to visite
there was one amongest theim in that Arte most excellent whiche accustomably did heale all those knightes whom the Giantes hauing wounded would not kill but famishe to death in Prison whiche person had one kinde of Oyntmente of suche vertue that there was neuer so greate a wound but therewith in three daies it would be well healed throughly cured as though it had neuer been And how is he called saide the Knighte he hath to name maister Rabalon aunswered they againe Then saide the Knight needes muste I haue hym for my seruaunt seeing he is so skilful is in case he will like thereof For against his will I meane not to constraine hym to doe any thing I thinke well said one of the companie that he would rather bee with you then with the Giantes for they tooke hym perforce from the Emperour beecause of his greate cunning and haue dealt with hym verie vncourteously And in so saiyng they arriued in the Rocke whiche was finely cut carued within like vnto a Pallace whereat the Youth was greatly astonied For there were Halles ChaÌ„bers Wardropes both hie lowe made by great skill and industrie whiche the Giantes had founded not longe afore when with their huyge force they had hollowed the Rocke which was meruellous hard to kéepe them in more safetie and therein none entred but by one onely Gate although within were more then sixtie as well of Chambers as prisons which all were shut vp with mighty keies The whiche the knight tooke as soone as he was entered hauyng found them vppon a Table tyed all together with an huyge Chaine of yron which the Porter had left there fearing that the knight asking for him and being informed of his wickednesse and crueltie towardes the Prisoners woulde rewarde hym according to his desertes like as his Maisters were and therefore hid he himself in a Vaste and darkesome caue vnder a Tunne where he was smothered and so hee ended his wicked life But hee soone founde the good Chirurgian Maister Rabalon who at the entrie of the doore crooched doune humbly on his knée to desire him of Pardon The Youth taking him by the hande made him stande vp saiyng I will not pardon thee for why thou neuer offendedst mee and therefore thou hast no neede to aske mercie but for this that I heare saie that thou hast appertained to the good Emperour of Constantinople towardes whom it is expedient that thou goe to impertrate that whiche thou requirest of mee for the offence that thou hast wrought in beeyng so long absent from his companie to serue suche mischiuous Tyrauntes as thou hast doen here and I will that from mee thou do present shew these dead Giauntes and knightes beyng layde vppon some Chariot to his Maiestie For I wotte well that knowing of their destruction he will be muche ioyous consideryng the manifolde annoyes whiche they haue still wrought hym in thy companie shall goe all the Prisoners whiche are within to thanke for their deliuerie the faire Princesse Porphyrie his Daughter after humble salutations to her done on my behalfe for she alone is the cause hereof And if she do enquire who hath done it tell thou her that it was the Youthe of the Fairies the leaste of her Seruitours if for one she will accepte hym though farre vnworthy of suche preferment Then gaue he him the keyes to go deliuer the prisoners but seeing hym to be somewhat wounded firste hee gaue him some of his Oyntmentes to his sore whiche had suche speedy operation because the wound was not greate that the next mornyng it was whole and sounde But whyles he was thus appliyng his Medicine hee sawe the Giantes whom he had pardoned and who stoode without enter fearefully tremblyng and quaking to hyde them selues here and there with greate diligence Whereat the Youth lacing his Helmet and taking his Shield and Swerde set forwarde out of the Gate to see what was happened and he apperceiued the Giaunte Ergoferant to come that waie for he had not quite killed hym as the others were but onelie amazed hym with a blow vppon his head who beyng come againe to hym selfe hauing cast awaie his Battell Axe and left of his Helmet Shield Iacke seeyng his brethren dead came and prostrated hymselfe at the Knightes feete whom he founde with Swerde and Target in hande readie crauing hym humbly of Pardon The Youth who was right mercifull seeyng hym contrary to those of his kind so meeke fréely pardoned hym conditionally notwithstandyng that he should goe with the rest of the Prisoners the morow followyng to aske Pardon of the Emperour for the harmes which he had done him and to thanke the Princesse Porphyria for his life so saued to presente to her his seruice doyng still what she should appoint hym wherto he gladly condiscended and thereupon hee commaunded hym to set free the Prisoners and to aske theim forgeuenes for the damage whiche hee had long done vnto theim whiche thing he did Immediatly he tooke the keyes whiche Maister Rabalon had in his hande and went to deliuer the Prisoners who seing him thought what he had come for some other purpose But much were they amerueiled when they saw hym kneele doune before them askyng theim forgiuenes praiyng that for the loue of hym which was cause of their deliueraunce and who had pardoned hym it would please them also to vse the like courtesie towardes hym whereto they willingly agreed for that this same Giant as it were quite contrarie in nature and disposition to his brethren had afore tyme bene cause that they were well vsed and entreated for he was full courteous and pitifull wherefore he ledde them towardes the Youthe whom they humbly thanked for suche a good tourne offering hym their seruice perpetually from that daie forwarde especially the Knight Pharisor who greatly requested hym that he would vouchesafe to take him into his company proteâ—ting that he would bee to hym a true and loyall frende and that nought but death should haue force to ende their amitie All whiche the Youth was well pleased of And for that night with the Giant Ergoferant who shewed him selfe full humble and diligent to doe hym honour and seruice and the Prisoners likewise he rested in the Rocke till the next morowe The Giant Ergoferant beyng departed from Rocke Alpine to accomplishe his promise towardes the Emperour of Constantinople mette by the waie the villaine whom the Youthe of the Faieries had caste into the Ditche whom he left there because he heard certaine Outlawes in the Forrest who would misuse the Damozell whom the Knight of the Fairies had deliuered out of the Sacke and cruelly did beate the Squire Geliaste both whoÌ„ he deliuered after he had slaine the Thieues And finally how after his arriual in Constantinople hee spake to the Emperour who courteously pardoned him of the faultes he had done to hym and made him promise to marry the Maiden Dinamia Sister to Pharisor and of the
Launce The Emperour knewe who the wilde menne were who then wanne the prise of the Iustynges the one of which that is to witte he that had ouerth owen the yong vnknowen Knight so spurred his Horse all the long daie that beeyng gone astraie from his mate whom he left in the Forest he ariued in the euenyng nere to a Castell whiche stoode vpon a plaine where hearyng the sounde of a Clarion and the melodious voice of a Ladie hee staied and was lodged there for that night where he had muche amorous talke with the louyng Ladie wantyng a Louer ¶ The. xiiij Chupiter YOV haue hearde heretofore how the good Giaunte Ergoferant deliuered the Squire Geliaste and the Damozell daughter to Floreâ—ges whom the outlawes would haue rauished who shortlie after as thei went toward Rock Alpine mette with tenne Sauage Knightes of whom one hauyng his Helmette vnâ—aced was knowen to the Squire who by his commaundement disguised hym self and wente on message to the Ladies as you haue heard afore tolde and to presente the Launces to the knightes to Iuste with all and so went with theim Now this Damozell after that eche one was retired so as thei were aâ— the Table and diuised of that whiche had passed at the Iustes the Emperour beeyng determined to sende after the Sauage menne to knowe what they were entered into the Hall whereof her gentle Father Florenges was moste ioyous and with a merie countenaunce and pleasaunte tonge recompted to all the compaignie that one of the Sauage knightes that is to witte he which conquered the Launce from the younge knight vnknowen was the Youthe of the Faieries and the other was the good knight Pharisor who were in suche habite come to Iuste and not to be knowen The whiche Youth required the Emperour by her that he would holde hym excused in that after the Iustes he so departed and was absent from his Courte because so greate and vrgente affaires pressed hym therevnto But assone as he had dispatched his businesse he would not faile to come and accomplishe his promise made to remaine fiftene dayes in his seruice Whereat the Emperour and the reste were muche amarueiled and scarre would haue beleued it had it not been for the good Giaunte Ergoferant who saied that he déemed therof no lesse in that the night afore he had marked Pharisor to patche sowe together a greate many of beastes skinnes as Beares wilde Bores Lions such like and therefore it might well be that they came so apparelled which thing commyng to the eares of the Princesse Porphyria who had enquired it aforehande of the Damozel who on the Youthes parte as he had commaunded her had dooen to her commendations I leaue you to thinke whether she were glad or sorie for these two coutrarieties gaue such assalutes so troubled her hart that she knewe not on what side to turne her neither could tell whether she should reioyce in that loue past al hope had so much fauoured her as to make her settle her affection mynde vppon Knight who euen in the beginnyng of his deedes made all them so astonished that heard speake of hym in so much that neuer hauing heard the like thei deemed and the Painims would firmelie haue beleued if thei had seen or heard of the like that he was either Mars or Bellona who had lefte Heauen and come doune by his worthie deedes to putte people in admiration Or whether she ought to bee sorrowfull and sadde in beeyng depriued of the presence of the thyng that in this worlde shee esteemed moste deare Restyng in doubt whether his Loue was fained or no. In this gladsome and sorrowfull perplexitie consisted she pondering still how she might beste knowe the truthe of a thyng so doubtfull And on the other parte the Youthe in trauailyng and endeuouring himself by his valiancy prowesse to acquire and get of her that which she would with all her hart honestly assigne vnto him to wit her grace good will fauour was secretly depatted without discoueryng hym self to th e'nde that the Emperour and the reste of the Knightes through their importunauncie should not staie nor allure hym to remaine so neere that fire whiche still flamed more and more not able by obliuion to quenche the heate thereof so sore kindeled by phansie in the fornace of his mynde beeyng thereby so distressed that as it were furious and halfe in a rage after his sodaine departure from the Iustes he so pricked forwarde without thinkyng of ought els all daie vpon his good Horse Licocephall that his frende Pharisor neither his Squire not able to accompaignie hym in beeyng not so well Horsed were constrained through the wearinesse and feblenesse of their Horses to remaine in the midwaie beeyng in a rough and thicke Forreste where thei of force did then take their reste the night commyng vppon theim And this Forreste was fiftene miles from CoÌ„stautinople at the ende thereof which stretched in length more then twentie miles where stoode a verie faire and pleasant Castle in the middest of a plaine neere to the whiche the Youthe of the Faieries ariued late in the Euenyng and would also haue passed it but that he heard within a Trumpette whiche founded right melodiouslie whiche caused hym to staie vpon the plaine ouer against the Castell wall to heare and conceiue the pleasaunte notes of the solemne Clarion but when he had so staied a while there his eares beyng rauished with the sweete soundyng Instrumente he heard a Damozell the Trumpette ceasyng who syngyng moste melodiouslie seemed to aunswere it in this sorte WHat more excessiue payne Then that whiche my poore hearte Doth daie by daie sustaine Of anguishe woe and smart Can one endure or pacientlie abyde But death must soone his threede of life decide Nor of what fire what flame Is neuer seen to cease But that whiche hath a game To make my woes encrease And boyles and burnes within my balefull hearte With languishing and still tormentyng smart That Thiefe Prometheus Although a greedie grype Fast chainde on Caucasus His fleshe did teare and byte And still thus painde was yet more blest then I Who in worse woes do wallowe still and crie For his ill had recure And fortune framde this hap That Hercules by power Did his anoyes vnwarp And that the gredy grype by him once slaine Prometheus was releasd from further paine But as for mee I feare My woes will nere take ende And that my care to cleare The fates do nere pretende Till that the course of lucklesse life doe passe And I retourne forworne to that I was For Atrops homicyde That playes a Butchers part Must be the sole Alcyde That well may with her Dart In mee this grype of loue to Mortifie Since els but death I see no remedie When shee had atchiued this lamentable Songe with note and voyce most pititifull she retyred from the top of a Turret whiche was at the one corner of the Castle moste faire
and holdeth the head roume and place so that shee was in her Chāber lamenting and complaining in sorte as followeth Alas Dynamia the moste lucklesse and desolate that is at this daie liuyng vnder Heauens yea no lesse then thou wast happie and fortunate to bee sister to the moste valiaunt and beste knight in perfections of all Greece what happe what blessednesse what reste what consolation or what supporte hopeste thou to haue from henceforwarde in this worlde wherein nought can bee durable or parmanente that in one daie is not founde vnstable Somewhiles when one is depriued of ioye by the successe of some lucklesse encomberaunce or chaunce somewhiles whē any grief most tormenteth vs ouerwhelmeth our stomackes by the hap of some good hower which neuerthelesse is lesse durable chiefly to me then the saied mischief and moste haplesse happe since that it is so that thou seest thy self depriued of a brother the most actiue and valiaunte that euer was seen in these coastes who beyng causer of all the felicitie and contentmente thou haddest in this life it can not bee that henceforwarde thou shouldest liue to see ought els to followe or enuiron thée but al sortes of ill hap and discomforte laboursome trauaile and discontentation if Death shewe not her selfe so courteous and extende not her clemencie so muche towardes thee as to vse vpon this thy miserable corps the same rigour that shee hath shewed to thy beloued Brother O murderer cruell inhumaine and detestable whiche haste slaine hym accursed bee the hower and iourney that euer thou madest to come into this Countrie to leaue vs so pittifull a patterne of thy wickednesse And accursed bee the Chymaera or cruell Lionesse whose pappes erst gaue thee sucke and that it had pleased God that thou hadst been vntymely borne or smouldered in her wombe O art not thou of more peruerse and naughty nature then a Tigre Beare or wilde Boare more fell and cruell then euer Afrique bredde or nourished So traiterouslie and villanouslie to haue murdered hym whiche neuer gaue occasion no not in the least of his thoughtes wrongfullie or without cause to damage or offende the least creature that euer GOD made on yearth at leastewise hungrie Wolffe glutted with humaine blood why was it that thou satisfied not thyne vnreasonable appetite vppon this poore and miserable Damozel Why hast thou not with the same murdryng glaue whiche so ended his daies and made me destitute of the thyng I helde moste deare in this worlde bemangled and killed the corps of her who how long so euer she liueth can not be but infortunate and distressed Ah noble King of Austria my Father I feare mee that the insupportable dolour which you shall receiue in hearyng these heauy dolorous nouelles of the death of hym which was the onely staie and vpholder of your old age shal not giue much aduauncemēt to the course of your long yeres who alredy haue whitened both your hoary head and beard And that ensewing shortly after the message whiche shall acertaine you of your daughter Dynamias Death who for loue of hym is resolued to dispatche her self with her owne proper handes I haue great feare and the feare I haue thereof maketh me vse this language to premeditate that mischief that with a headlong and swift hastenyng course you will bende your steppes towardes that parte where the Feriman Charon vseth all his trade But what seeing that the destenies haue of long time spunne vs this ill happe Is there any that can withstande it No no none be he neuer so strong or mightie can resist it It restes it restes that to make an ende of my miseries I goe to kéepe compaignie and visite hym on whom depended all my ioye and comforte Whiles she thus spake complainyng and tormentyng her self moste bitterly and dolorously the good Giaunt Ergoferant whiche hastened to arriue from Rocke Alpine beholdyng all those whiche were in the Emperours Hall assembled with intent to dispatche aunswere the Letters of the great Sophy of Persia to haue their faces chaunged with a certein greate kinde of sorrow and sadnes which much vexed them To know the occasion therof he tooke his way into the Chamber of his Lady and Mistresse Dinamya whō he sorowfully found in estate as is aforesaied wherevppon after he had employed some paines to pacifie her and shee consolatyng her selfe somewhat by his commyng he asked her from whence proceded these plaintes and lamentations which incited her to torment her selfe so to whom not able to cōceale her sorow she recompted although much fearefull to loose hym therby as in deede she did afterwarde the occasion of her great griefe Whereat it needes not to tell if the most noble and vertuous Giaunt that euer was were angrie aswell for the losse of his Ladies deere and louyng brother as for the loue of hym who onely saued his life and for that cause he was no lesse bounden then for her For in giuyng comforte consolation to this young and noble Princesse he armed hym selfe with his Harnesse and Club and mountyng vppon a good and mightie Horse whiche he had hee departed in the secretest wise hee could from the Courte in deliberation neuer to taste sound sleepe till hee had reencountred the knight murderer of those who in this world he esteemed most to be reuēged of their deathes els to go visite them where euer they were Where we let hym go and leaue the Ladies muche sadde and sorowfull to recompte vnto you how the knight whiche was slaine in the Forest by the knight vnknowne had stollen the Youthe of the Fairies his Horse and Harnesse whō me left in the Castel de la Plaine with the amourous Damozel louelesse and slaue to loue for euer daughter to the Duke of Chalcide and of that that chaunced him after he went thence chiefly also to speake of Pharisor and where he happened to be reuiued from his Traunce The Youth of the Fairies beeing lodged at the Castle de la Playne his Horse and Harnesse were stollen from him and going to seeke the Thiefe he encountred in a wood a marueilous Crocodile whiche after a long cōbate he slewe Then goyng somewhat forward he found the dead corps of the knight which had stollē his Harnesse and horse which he could not finde but those of the vnknowen Knightes he sawe whiche he tooke and armed him selfe and after encountred the Squire Geliaste whiche slept in the Forrest who led hym into the place where the Combate had beene betweene Pharisor and the vnknowen Knighte ¶ The xvij Chapter AFter the hard sharpe Combate which was bet wéene the good Knight Pharisor and the valiaunt vnknowen knight we haue afore declared that hee pricked with greate disdaine and dolour to bee so caste to grounde by the Youthe of the Fairies extended further the desire of his reuenge whiche blinded him in suche sorte that forgettyng all honest courtesie whiche naturally accompanieth the heartes that are
repleate with gentilitie and noblenes such as his and without any regarde thereto when he was reuiued from the Traunce sooner then Pharisor hee purposed in hym selfe to annoy and hurte the Squire Geliacte who to shun the daunger of death which he saw imminent tooke hymselfe to sodaine flight and his enemie the knight following him was staied by one who armed with the Harnesse mounted on the good horse of the Youth of the Fairies was by him slain as at large you may see in the sixtēth Chapter Wherevppon thinkyng he had put to death hym who had foyled him afore in the Iustes and his fellow whō he had left so faint and feeble for losse of his bloud through an innumer able forte of woundes whiche he had susteined he had vaunted hymself thereof in the Emperours Court thinking it a valiaunt Act as if it had beene true and thervppon caused that sorrow and sadnes to trouble the Court withall as afore you haue hearde in the Chapters precedent But to the ende the happe thereof may bee notified to euery one it is to be vnderstanded that the faire and gentle Youth of the Fairies beyng entered into the Castle de la Playne where he receiued the best entertainement that the amourous Damozell frendlesse perforce could deuise to make hym The knight which came to open hym the Gate seyng hym armed and horsed so well being desirous to be purueied of such like Horse Harnesse as his was premeditated with hym self by what meanes he might haue them And as one which was not the bouldest man of the world seeyng and knowing that if he presumed to haue them perforce the euent of Battell beeyng doubtfull and vncertaine fearyng lest the losse should light on his side consideryng the greate prowesse and valiauncie wherwith by his face and faire disposition he seemed to be adorned with whō hee in this case should haue to deale thought it better to his greate dishonour to obtaine them by disceite and trayson as he did For the Youth being brought abedde hauing afore spent a great parte of the night aswell in perpending the talke which he had had with the Damozel all Supper-while as in imagination of her beautie who deemyng her dead was nearer thereto hym selfe hee fell on sleape about midnight wherof the couetous knight being aduised which was in watche in a Chamber next to his adioyning which he had forgot to shut at his goyng to bedde entered easelie and secretlie into the same and findyng his Swerde and Harnesse tooke theim and went into the Stable where he mounted vppon his Horse and departed with full intent to do merueiles or els of so faire a gifte to make presentation to the Emperour of Constantinople so to winne his good grace and fauour But he was not farre past but they were taken from hym with losse of his life also by the vnknowen knight as you haue afore heard God who is the iuste reuenger and punisher of outragious Faultes and Traisons not suffering not onely w that a Robber and disceiuer should bee suffered to haue long or profitable enioynig of this so euelly gotten did punishe the offence both sore and shortly This notwithstandyng could not mittigate nor appease the bitternes of sorrowe whiche the Youthe of the Fairies had when as he in the morning arising found neither his Swerd nor Harnesse in the Chamber where ouer night hee had laide them neither his Horse in the Stable For of all his furniture the Thief had lest hym nought but the onely chaunted Launce whiche hee had wonne the daie before in the Iustes of the vnknowen Knight Whiche he taking and after hauing knowē certeinly that without the Damozelles consente of the Castle which of his misfortune was muche displeased the Knight who in the euenyng had opened hym the Gate had committed this disloyaltie and traison he tooke leaue of her who gaue him a horse the best she had whervpon vnarmed as he was he leapt and departed streight toward the Forrest to take and apprehend the disloyall Knight which had so disceiued him thinkyng that soonest that waies he would take his Iourney But whē he was farre entered into the same the Sunne then drawyng hie and castyng ardent heate he also going towardes the most thicke and rough places aswell in that he had some opinion that the Thiefe was hid there as to shun the parchyng heate of Sunne hee heard a verie lamentable and plaintieffe voyce whiche so moued hym to compassion that thinking it had béen some poore desolate person fallen into the handes of some Robbers and Villaines or rather some vnfortunate Damozell rauished by some Roysters he wente thetherwarde to succour her although with much difficultie for what blowes with spurres so euer he gaue to his horse he could not in any wise make hym goe forwarde yet pricked he hym so sore that Mawgre hymselfe he was constrained to go to the place where the voyce plaintiffe was néere whiche he scarse had come by sixe or seauē paces but that he espied the greatest dismeasured Crocodile that euer was séene commyng towardes hym with open throate and gapyng Iawes to deuour hym and with his twoo forepawes rampyng seased vppon the Horse by the Necke with such force and vigour wreathyng his Tayle of tenne or twelue foote long all aboute his Feete afore that he was forced to falle forward to the ground his Maister also who being light nimble as he was without semblaunce of any feare at al recouered himselfe straightwaies for afore his Horse fell he had prepared hym selfe for the Beastes commyng and was readie to alight and gryping the Launce whiche hee had in his right hand and his Mantell wrapped about his lefte Arme hee came towardes this furious and terrible Beast which did her best to take and deuour hym as beyng muche an hungred and not hauing eaten ought of long tofore he gaue her suche a forcible blowe vpon the belly with all his might that hee pearced quite through the same Then the Beast seeyng her selfe wounded to death approachyng hym before hee had leasure to redouble his stroake with one of her Pawes gaue hym suche a graspe that if he had not with great lightnes stept backe and cast his Mantell afore hym without doubt therewith hee had ended his daies For this horrible beast had the Nailes of his pawes more then a foote and a halfe long pearcyng and sharpe past measure wherewith in greate rage and despite perceiuing his death to be neere he tare and puld the Mantell aforesaide in peeces whiche was of Skarlet the fearest that could be seen edged and embrodered with Gold and greate Buttons of Pearle to wit those whiche the Fayrie Ozyris had giuen hym Thus whiles hee whiche had more care to spoyle and put her to death then to saue and take his Mantell from her smoate her on the backe and breast with such merueilous blowes albeit suche beastes haue commonlie Skales on their corps more hard then
any yron or Stele that at last he left her dead in the place Thē leaping on his Horse whiche pitifully was wounded vppon the Necke by the Crocodile he passed forward in a little pathway streight to the place where his Thiefe was slaine whose Carcasse he founde halfe deuoured with byrdes and wilde beastes whereat he was muche abashed and ameruelled chiefly because he founde not his Horse and Harnesse with hym but well he founde the Knightes Harnesse which had slain him whiche he knewe by and by to be his against whom-the day before he had Iusted Wherfore doubtyng that which was come to passe he tooke the same and armed hym selfe therewith the beste hee could and hauyng the shield aboute his necke and the Sworde at his side hee tooke his Speare and beeyng aboute to mount on his Horse and departe to searche after hym whiche nowe had his furniture beholde his horse fell starke dead to the ground because of the great quantitie of bloud whiche hee had shedde by his woundes Whereat the gentle Youth of the Fairies was much amazed because against custome he must now trudge on foote But with patience housdyng the same Pathe whiche had brought hym thether he had not gone farre but he espied a Horse whiche beyng well Sadled hauyng the Bridle hanging at the Sadle bowe fed faste on the Grasse whiche he knewe also to be the foresaide Knightes Horse of whom he had conquered the Launce in Iustes and now had his Harnesse neuerthelesse he staid not for that but after he had put the Bridle in his mouth hee mounted on his backe glad of so fauourable an happe And continuyng his queste accordyng as hee sawe the traces of the Horses before hym hee wente so farre that an hower or twoo after Noone at the foote of a shadye Trée hee apperceiued a young Squire a sleepe stretched along vpon the grasse hauyng an Horse fastened to his right Arme by the Bridle and his Face all besprent with Teares whose Visage seemed to see too moste sorowfull and sad whereof the Youth was right sorowfull and had muche pittie to see him in so poore an estate chiefly knowyng that it was his Squire Geliaste who awaked whiles the Youth of the Fairies al astonished of so straunge an aduenture staied hymself to behold hym in so much that his Horse perceiuing the other straūge Stéede would haue fled and so trailed the poore Squire after hym till his Maister takyng hym by the Bridle staied hym which done and Geliaste awaked it is no neede to tell if the poore slaue were amazed or noe seyng his shape there whō he thought was come for none other intention but to put him to death and would gladlye haue runne awaie but that the Bridle helde hym by the Arme. Whereat the Youthe muche marueilyng said what meanest thou Beast or vpon what occasion art thou so afraied lest I kill thee Alas sir saied hee I doe it beecause yesterdaie ye would haue kilde mee after ye had put to death my Maister the Youthe of the Fairies his frende fellow who willing to succour mee was therfore slaine not far hence by your handes The Youth more desirous then afore to knowe what made hym so to say and seeyng him still more and more astonished vnlaced his Helmet that then he might know him Who then remembring hym and commyng to hymselfe was surpryzed with suche extreeme ioye that it transported hym without respecte to runne and embrace his Maister saiyng Ha Maister what is it that hath raised you againe from dead Might it possiblie be the Fairie Ozyris your good Mother whiche hath by her arte reduced you again from death to life and giuen you these Armes like to those whiche the vncourteous and outragious knight had which yesterday would haue slaine mee to the ende to affraie me so as you haue done I assure you I am now thereof as glad as I was euen now sorrowfull thinking at your handes to haue receiued my deathes dint since you seemed another But tell me I praie thee Geliaste why thou thus speakest said the Youth or vpon what occasion for I can neuer remember that I was wounded of any person but of the Giaunt Ergoferant when I fought against hym muche lesse slayne then how can this be Also I meruell very greatly in that thou saiest my deare frende Pharisor is dead Then did the Squire recount vnto hym from point to point all the successe of the aduentures passed the day before as is aforesaied whereat the Youth was tossed with extreeme dolour hauyng intelligence of Pharisors death and cōmaunded the Squire to bring hym where he yet laie whereto they beyng both mounted on horse he failed not to obaie But when they were ariued to the place where the combat had bene atchiued they were much sorowfull that they could not finde his corps to bury Entombe it honourably as to the greatnes of his birth but chiefly to his great vertue and valiauncie apperteined They founde the place where he had laine long all bleedyng and bloudy which also was couered with many litle peeces of his Harnesse which moued the Youth to suche compassion that beyng attainted in harte with an insupportable dolour and distresse which sodainly at the sight thereof surprysed him it lacked little that hee had not then and there fullye sounded in the place and I thinke that if his magnanimitie and hartie valiauncie could haue giuen place in greatenes and force to his extreeme dolour hee had done it So sure already had he emprinted the vehement amitie that hee bare to that man in his hearte hauyng beene in his companie but thrée or fower daies aswell for the prowesse and vertue wherewith hee was enriched aboue all others as for the singuler courtesie and frendshippe which so shined in them both alike that they almost seemed both one body bente to one course of kinde But supportyng the most pacientlie he could his extreeme dole and sorowe he did as then nought els but weepe and bewayle hym so lamentablie that dole and sorow themselues could not surpasse hym in sighes and teares whiche ranne like rushyng Riuers doune his tender Chéekes which to declare I must take a briefer course tellyng only how assone as he could haue any staie of his lamētations he made vowe and sware neuer to rest in place clymat or countrie till he had found out the Knight which had slaine hym to reuenge his death although in deede hee were shortlie after as sounde and lustie as euer hee was As you shall heare in the Chapter followyng How the Giaunt Ergoferant who was gone to seeke the knight vnknowne to reuenge the death of Pharisor findyng hym in place where he was left in a Traunce after the Combate tooke and carried hym vnto the Emperours court where he was healed of his woundes by the excellente Chirurgian Maister Rabalon whereof the Damozelles Dynamia and Amydree were muche ioyous and the Lady Porphyria somewhat consolated And how the Youth of the
displeasure caused sixe or seauen greate shippes to be rigged for his speedy auoydyng out of the Realme of Mysia to the ende he might escape the reache of the kynges power beyng his Lorde against whom he would not for any thing in the world make resistaunce Then committyng hymselfe to the Surges of the Sea bearyng an Ocean of Passions in his mynde beefore his departure he tooke Congee of his Dame who in steede of Adieu vomityng out the venyme which she caried in her cankred stomacke she vpbraided him with a thousande iniuries and péeuishe slaunders whiche might haue apparauntly assured the Giant of the spitefulnes of his disloyall Lady Yet he making small accompt thereof and supposing that she had spoken the same in iest persuaded himselfe that such discourtesie and mischieuousnes findyng no place in the heart of so fayre and louely a Dame it could not be but that he was ardently beloued of her sauing that she would not haue it appeare for feare lest any should thereof certifie the king her father Wanderyng on the Sea and blinded with this false opinion by aduenture he discouered the faire I le whiche with the ayde of many of vs that were his especiall frendes who had accompanied hym in all that Iourny he conquered and established hymself in the seate Royall after that hee had chased hym that was in possession afore from thence although he was a puissaunte Prince and defeated the more parte of them that withstoode his attempte And in consideration of the beauty holsome site and plentifulnes of the same I le he determined to make the same a place of continuall aboade for hym during life Now for because it is a place where many vessels doe vse to lye at Ancre hee determined to spoyle as many as he could possibly catche whiche hee omitted not to doe accordingly so that by the Riches and Furniture whiche he hath purchased through such kynd of pilling he is become one of the most puissaunt and redoubted Princes that is in Gréece except the Emperour of Constantinople as sometymes I haue heard hym reporte vnto the knight slayne by you who had beene not long sithence in his seruice in the company of the Duke of Chalcide That knight fallyng extremely in loue with the Daughter of the same Duke had required sundry tymes her loue in lieu but the proude and disdainefull Damozell despising hym did set light by his suite wherat the knight takyng exceedyng indignation and thinkyng to be reuenged as he walked abroade on a certaine daye he met with a straunger who in his time had been so connyng in the arte of Magique that by his skill he had formed a Goblet of Gold wherin were set many fayre Precious stones of value inestimable endued with such vertue that who so dranke therin whatsoeuer the Potion were should bee enamoured on that person who had poured the drinke into the saied Goblet Which he refte froÌ„ the poore Magician who had bene an exile of Persia for that the greate Souldan of that region would haue had it to the ende he might purchase the loue of the Emperours daughter of Constantinople Thus hauyng recouered this enchaunted Cup he founde meanes that his cruell Dame dranke therein who was and is yet so entangled in the loue of a young Page whiche somtymes serued her that she shrinked not to prostitute her body to be abused by hym in Venus daliaunces and disportes but to the ende he might bereue her of the swete delightes whiche she had with her newe loue the knight slue hym and vpoÌ„ this occasion was forced to forsake his countrie lest he should be apprehended and punished As he was wanderyng on the sea entendyng to haue gone into Persia to sell the same cuppe to the greate Souldan hee was preuented in his Iourney by vs who vnder the conduct of our Maister Squamel seyng that there artued no other ship at our Ile by the spoile whereof wee might encrease our wealth as wee were accustomed wee beganne to roue along the Seas from Coaste to Coast to get some good booty And so this knight being taken as before is saied the Giaunt Squamel commaunded hym to be Closed vp into an euill fauoured and lothesome Prison in the companie of many others whom he had held there in miserable thraldome whoÌ„ at suche tymes as he entered any voyage on the Sea to apprehende some vesselles passyng by he caused them to be bounde very straitly to the maste So that the same knight beyng there placed among the rest and chauncyng to heare the Giant complaine of the crueltie and rigour of faire Lucinde his Dame tolde hym that if he would graunte hym libertie hee would so vse the matter that the Giant should be so muche beloued of her as now he is hated by the vertue of the golden Goblet wherof we baue made mention The Giaunt consented thereto willingly Afterwardes the knight hauyng deliuered it he trauailed into high Mysia where he found meanes to make his Dame secretly a Presente of the Inchaunted Goblet wherein he caused her to drinke saiyng that it retained the property that the Dame or gentlewoman which he should graunt to drinke in the same should become so faire that she should be seconde to none in perfection of beautie But the triall verified his woordes to bée vntrue for in steede of augmenting of her beauty she is contrariwise so withered wanne and disfigured that shee hath loste the principallest parte of her beautifulnes she hath euer since and is still so worne away by force of her amourous passion For our maister hath purposed to suffer her to languishe so long as he remained bouÌ„de vnder the seruile yoke of her loue Wherat he receiued suche contentation that for the recoÌ„pence of the gift offered vnto him by that knight he constituted hym Lieutenante generall and vicegenent in his absence of the kyngdome of the faire I le coÌ„mittyng vnto hym all charge to pill and robbe whatsoeuer he may by any possibilitie attaine vnto whiche he endeuouring to accomplish this misaduenture is happened vnto hym and to the other knight beyng his cosin and taken with hym whom your companion hath slaine whiche you knowe better then my selfe For â—aâ—yng discouered you hee left his Armie that is not farre hence â—o searche for that whiche he was no more able to demaunde then I or al they whose daies you haue cut of And assure your selfe my Lorde that if the reste of my compaignions should vnderstande of his death you shall hardely escape they happenyng to encounter you for they are more then sixe hundreth stoute and lusty Souldiers Behold my Lorde the occasion wherupon he was appointed to be our Capitaine and what he was according to your demaunde After that the Pirate had ended his tale in the order afore declared the Youthe who attentiuely gaue eare called to his remembraunce that this Knight was the persone wherof the Ladie enamoured lackyng her Louer spake euen as you heard reported afore when he was separated froÌ„ his faithfull fréende Pharisor Wherefore he reioyced not alittle for that he had reuenged her quarell in recompence of the intertainmeÌ„t which she had made hym in her Castle And coÌ„sideryng with hym self that the InchauÌ„ted Cup detained by the Giant Squamel should serue his turne passing well in the pursuite of his Loue determined therefore to winue it from the Giante either by faire meanes or force after that he had founde and fought with the vnknowen knight to wreake the death of Pharisor who on the other side aduentured to doe the like wherevpon suche chaunces befell hym as more fitly and pleasauntly I entende to recounte in the seconde Booke For now am I constrained to leaue the Youthe of the Fairies wandryng vpon the maine Seas in the compaignie of hym whom he pursued to whoÌ„ fortuned the moste straunge adueÌ„ture that euer was heard of because that reason requireth me to ende this first part for so muche as the same order is obserued by our auncient Chronicler Gallarx whose stile and maner of writing I doe imitate Wherfore my Lords Dames I humbly request you to holde me excused if any defecte happen to bee founde in this booke assuryng you to supplie all suche wantes in the nexte with more pleasure and contentmente if so bee it shall like you to bestowe your coÌ„uenient leasure in the readyng thereof and that with vsurie recityng vnto youthe dreadfull combate betwene the Youth of the Faieries and the Giant Squamel who withhelde his horse and Armour and of the moste couragious and puissaunte knight Nabot who had the good Sworde Duranzarde whiche he had coÌ„quered from the Giant Scaraferab and did cutte any thyng that it did light vppon likewise the enchaunted Armour whiche I perswade my self shall yelde no lesse delight vnto valiaunt knightes who receiue pleasure in hearyng of the worthy actes of our auncestours then the loue ful of bitter pleasures and swéete bitternes betweene the saide Youthe and the Lady Porphyrie wil be pleasureable to all beautiful and fauourable Dames For I will there describe many other accidentes no lesse delectable then wonderfull contained within the compasse of this Hystorie FINIS