Fieldes enuironed with the Riuer Nilus or rather with more number and shew thā there is Sandes vpon the banckes of eche running Riuer that make their courses with furious force vomit their fomie floods into the wyde Ocean Sea and if I should saie more then the number of Starres in the heauen when in a cleare frostie night they seme most to appeare I should not lye So was the number infinite wherewith this infortunate Dame bathed as though she had been plunged in a depe runnyng Riuer the corps of this vncomparable faire desolate Princesse Who in fine felyng her so bewette and hearyng the scrichyng and lamentable cries tedious to tell as wel of the Empresse as of her coufine Harderine Marcella and all the other Damozelles shee beganne to reuiue and by little and little recoueryng in castyng for the a pittifull and profounde sighe she opened her eyes a little then seeyng and vnderstanding their cries lamentations whiche were aboute her enforcyng them selues to lifte her vp and carie her into her Chamber to repose her self vpon her bedde she fell doune againe worse then afore this puttyng her a newe in remembraunce of her vehemente and late dolour Then should ye haue heard a fearfull redou blyng of Teares and lamentable cries on all partes who then thinkyng verely that she was paste recouerie seeyng that neither with colde water with rubbyng her pulses ne ought els they could not woorke but that she was a whole longe hower in this extasie without either stirryng hande or foote They wailed piteouslie and made a stirre yea greater then the Troians Cassandra and Hecuba seeyng their Infantes Brothers and Nephues slaine and murdered by the reuengyng blades of the Greekes and their noble Citee putte to sacke by Fire and Sworde whiche sone consumed it Neuerthelesse not knowyng what remedie to vse thei conuaighed her straight into her Chamber and laied her vpon her bedde departyng all sauyng Harderine and Marcella who vpon the corps ceased not to waile and speake thereto as if it had vnderstode theim the others goyng towardes the Empresse Who on the other side was sounded in Amidrees Chambers thinking at the seconde crie of the Damozelles that verilie her daughter had beene dead who after a while beeyng somewhat reuiued was then layed in her bedde by the Damozelles Harderine and Marcella who to their power did striue to comfort her but all in vaine For she not able to giue neuer so little release to her dolour consideryng her selfe quite destitute of meane whereby she might euer recure her ragyng loue which still flamyng and encreasing in her caused and made that her griefe was farre greater then death it self chaffed in her mind a great while against loue for wounding her so sodenly yea so sharply and surely with his venomous Shaftes then againe excusing hym for so muche fauouring and blessing her as to bende and set her beste likyng in a place so digne and worthy of her who vnder heauen found none her matche but hym onely then breathed she forth her yre anger against death for taking from her a gift so rare and precious whom Venns Infant of mere bounty had bestowed vpō her Beséechyng her that in middest of so many miseries sorowes she would in like wise strike her with the same Darte wherewith her deere frend was so wounded and murdred to the ende that where hee was either in the Celestiall or Infernall Mansion shee might goe and accompaignie hym so to open vnto hym the summe of her dolorous distresses Then considering that Death hauing no puissance on her as it which is nothing els but the dissolution and separation of the Soule from the bodie through the defaute of some of the fower Elementes whereof the diuine prouidence hath created man she made her humble and hartie Praier vnto the soueraine Creatour of all thinges most inslauntlie requiring him to cut asunder the Thride of her life if it were his pleasure therby to rid her from the vnsupportable dolours distresses which most impaciently she endured But GOD who had not ordeined to ende and finish her daies in suche hastie forte not lettyng her to wit that as he can tourne the moste cleare and bright daies into obscure and darkesome nightes and the same againe into daies more shining and radiant then the resplendaunt beames of Phoebus euen so also hath he power shewyng her the seuere Visage of a Fortune more propitious and fauourable then it could then seeme or appeare imploying her back to the burden of an infinite number of anguishes and dollours couered with a cloudy Veile of cares distresses to take her at her owne desire out of the middest of the Labyrinth of so manie mischieues which oppressed her on all sides would not heare her Praier albeit hee well permitted that through mere griefe she nerehand had approached the Porte Acheronticall by the excesse and vehemence of a greeuous Maladie which caused in her a continuall Feuer which surpryzyng her handled her in suche sorte that through the tremblyng fittes commonlie accompanying suche like payned pacientes she made the bed to daunce wheron shee laie whiche neuerthelesse ceasing a slumbering Sleepe surpryzed her whiche coueryng her cogitations with a dreamyng obliniousnes suffered her to take some rest For vnlesse the naturall order of all thinges bee peruerted as one seeth not alwaies the hoat skaldyng Planet to drie vp the floatyng streames of flouddes and Riuers nor the colde Northe in Winter to make destitute the pleasaunt Forestes of their greene couloured garmētes which the sprouting Springtyme hath bestowed vppon them So is it also vnpossible that without release a cōtinuall grief should haue place in a humaine corps not adnichillating totally ruinating the same No lesse neither can an extreeme ioye remaine without some intermission of his contrarie And therefore Nature beyng then so fauourable to this anguishe and miserable Princesse that to encounter her aduerse Fortune shee permitted her the hauyng of some little reste her Damozelles drawyng the Courteines of her Bed and shutting in the chamber windowes departed towardes the Empresse To whom not long afore reuiued from sound thei recompted to consolate her withall that her Daughter slepte soundly at her ease which thyng she could not beleue afore she sawe it but when she had tried it true she enforced her selfe to giue truce to her pitiful plaintes and teares But if she liued thē in dollour for the loue of her daughter and her daughter likewise for the death of her late frend the Youth of the Fayries the young and faire Maiden Dynamia who by the Emperours consente was louer and beloued also of the good valiaunt Giant Ergoferant was oppressed with noe lesse griefe then they for the death of her good and louyng brother Pharisor not able without incessant wéeping and lamentyng to supporte and endure the remembrance of so luckles a chaunce through the vehemencie of fraternall amitie which in all honest and naturall loues hath
or to beare Scepter Neuerthelesse ponderyng vppon the vehemente Passion and iuste occasion whiche had moued him thereunto he chaunged opinion and then again blamed his Meynie for being so bold in this attempt On thus wise assailed with these two cōtrarieties which in greate furie made hym walke vp and doune fretting and fuming none daryng to presume presently to comforte or counsell hym there entered into the Hall a Page who certified hym that a greate Lorde of Persia was ariued who greatly desired to speake with hym and had brought hym Letters on the behalfe of the greate Sophy whereupon the Emperour chaungyng and dying his countenaunce with a certaine feined coulour of gladnesse and ioye caused hym to be brought in to heare his Message and so to aunswere hym where wee leaue them for a certaine tyme ere we tell you any further The pitifull and dolorous complaintes whiche the Lady Porphyria made when she heard of the death of her louer the Youth of the Fairies and the Maidens Dynamia and Amidree also heard that Pharisor was slayne whiche thing beeyng knowen by the Giaunt Ergoferant hee put hym selfe in queste of the vnknowen Knight to reuenge their deathes ¶ The. xvi Chapiter WHiles the Emperour was much enraged towardes the vnknowen knight as you haue heard in the Chapter precedent the Empresse with other great Dames and Damozelles were at Dinner in her Chamber and the Lady Porphyria with her Cosin Harderine were in theirs to prate and parlee of the Personage prowesse of the Youth of the Fairies whom they deemed to haue bene at Dinner with her father the Emperour the Lady Porphyria was purposed to haue spoken to hym after Dinner and giue hym some certaine secret signe and testimonie of the amorous alterations whiche with an infinite number of griefes and dolours still distressed her poore hearte But the Empresse hearing into her Chamber the prefull woordes of the Emperour who cried and spake lowde and also the sound of Swerdes and Harnesse in the Hall when as the Emperours folkes would haue slaine the knight vnknowen desirous to vnderstande the cause of this tumult she had sent one of her Damozelles doune expressely to knowe the newes and to bryng her word therof who hauyng learned the matter came againe all amased and sorrowfull to tell her of the pitifull death of her Neuew Pharisor whom she so much loued and of the valiaunt Youth of the Fairies whō she no lesse estemed for the great good tournes which he had doone them in deliueryng them from the continuall care that clogged them all whiles the Giauntes Ferclaste and Androfort were aliue and vnslaine of hym The Empresse and her Damozelles hearyng so piteous a styrre and disorder cast foorth a most lamentable crie accompanied with a floud of Teares distilling from their radiant eies along their most amiable faces and so quite dispossessed with newe distresses ceassed not to weepe and lament some for the loue of Pharisor who to many of theim was frende and Parent other some per compagnio to see their fellowcs weepe so extremely tooke thereat so greate compassion that as women are alwaies most enclinable to the chaunge of affections as I saied to beare their frendes companie more then for grief they had they made such accordaunt moane and dose that neuer hearte was so harde whom it would not haue moued to pittie and compassion especially if he had heard the cōplaintes lamentations of the Damozell Dinamya sister to Pharisor and Amidree who though he were in no wise amourous of her yet burning in loue towardes hym she made suche lamentations that as it were halfe mad shee ranne awaie shritching and criyng into her Chamber whiche was adioyning to that where faire Lady Porphyria was not knowing ought of all this with her Cosin Harderine who hearyng the lamentable moanes of Amidree went presently into her Chamber where thei found her dead sounded in the place Whom after they had with cold water and other suche like thinges recouered to her former sences they asked and praied her deepely to declare vnto theim the cause of her dolour and greate lamentations whiche she not able to keepe it couered any longer confessed and with a lowe and troubled order of voyce saied thus Alas and wellawaie Ladies myne Ah my deere frende Pharisor is dead what saied the Ladie Porphyria may that be and is he dead in deede O my deere Cosin But tell mée Amidree in veritie who hath reported these newes For I can not persuade my self that it is so seing he had in his cōpaigny a Knight by whose safconduite as well of his valiauncie hath experience béen shewed he was sufficiente to discomfite a whole armie but I beleue it is some one who to make a kinde of proofe of your loue toward hym hath dashte you out of countenaunce with this craftie cloaked tale Ah Madame saied Amidree would GOD you now saied true but there is nothing more certaine as well his murderer is lately come to vaunte hym self thereof within armed with the Armes and mounted on the same Horse whiche was once that gentle Knightes that ouercame the Giauntes whom he hath also slaine and spoiled thereof And hereat the Emperour is so enraged that he hath ignominiouslie chaced hym out of his Court although the Caitiffe was he a thyng whiche makes me rather to beleue it whiche lastlie bare hym self so valiaunt in the Iustes that none could resiste the poise of his puissaunce but to death he went were he neuer so well Armed At these last wordes was the Ladie Porphyria so surprised with a sodaine shiueryng of dolesome feare that she could not speake a word more her hart mouth beyng as it were closed vp rounde with a sodaine passion of those pitifull newes in so muche that she fell doune flatte in the place rather as one deade then in a sounde as she was and became so pale and wanne that it was wounderfull not moouyng nor stirryng more then a corps quighte destitute of vitall breath Where of the Maidens Harderine and Amidree had so greate feare that tremblyng for sorrowe thei ranne redoublyng still their complaintes with speede to recompte to the other mournyng Maidens whom thei founde although quite drouned in teares yet enforcyng them selues the beste thei could to cōfort the desolate Dinamya this second mischief and mournefull hap of the death of the yong Princesse Wherat they all leauyng Dynamya ran sodainly to see her and firste of all the Empresse who firste enteryng into Amidrees Chamber where she was she sawe the corps of her miserable childe liyng flatte in the place for dead and running to imbrace it it is impossible to expresse and muche lesse to write the dolorous complaintes bitter cries which she cast foorthe bedewyng her I beleue with greater aboundaunce of teares tricklyng from her tender eyes then the gaie spryng tyme is wonte to shewe of Flowers and Plantes in quantitie and quality bothe to decke and illustrate the greene fertile
Fayries arriued in a village where he had tydinges of the vnknowen Knight who bare his Armes and had his Horse ¶ The. xviij Chapiter THe slow ariual of the Youth of the Fairies towardes the place where the cruell and daungerous Combate had bene betweene the twoo good Knightes vnknowen and Pharisor was occasion and let that hee founde hym not as hee had thought to haue done and that because it was very loÌ„g ere he could ariue at the place where hee was lefte for dead through the aboundaunce of bloud whiche he had lost beyng so wounded in the Combate For a while afore the good Giaunt Ergoferant who was gone to séeke for the vnknowen knight to reuenge his death goyng through the Forest heard hym who reuiued froÌ„ sound and yet liyng on the Grasse not able to arise complained and lamented right dolourously for his deare frend and fellow the Youth of the Fairies and going where he was yet not thinking it to haue bene hym hee found hym in so pitifull miserable an estate that if then presentlie hee had not had succour he must haue yelded vp the Ghost not so much for the grieuousnes of his woundes whiche were not mortall as for the yrke somnes hee had of his frendes absence whom he thought to haue fled of purpose to leaue hym as dispising his companie But the good Giaunt not without great maruell of so good a reencouÌ„ter tooke hym vp softly betweene his armes and as one wonderous strong caried hym easely towardes the Towne of Constantinople not without telling hym along by the way the sorrow and dole wherein he had lefte his sister Dinamya with the Empresse and her Damozelles and consequently all the Emperours Courte because of his death which they had heard by the selfe same Knight who so had wounded hym demaunding hym in like maner the cause of their combatyng whiche he tould vnto hym at large vntill suche tyme as approachyng néere to a certaine village whiche was but fiue or fixe Furlonges froÌ„ the Citty the night also approaching they were constrained to retire into a certeine Inne where the were honestlie and honourably entertained by the Hoste of the house who knewe the Giaunt and the Knight also to be of the Emperours Court and there were some Salues and Plaisters laide to the woundes of Pharisor by a certaine Chirurgian whiche dwelt in that Towne whiche notwithstandyng when they ariued the Morowe after at Constantinople were taken awaie by Maister Rabalon who puttyng in their place precious Oyntementes wherof he had alwaies store he did so well that to the great contentment of the Emperour Empresse and Dynamia with all the other Knightes Dames and Damozelles hee recetued his perfecte health in the space of fiue daies And for this cause though the renouation of an vnspeakable ioye the thicke Myste of forepassed sorowes whiche afore had holden their heartes with infinite number of Anguishes and Teares remained as vanished and dissolued especially with Dynamia Who hauyng recouered the obiect of her griefe was reduced into her pristine forme of ioye and felicitie contrary to the Lady Prrphyria who seeyng her selfe depriued of hym who on her had fatally fixed his fancie not able to giue any releasement to her Passions and grieuous mallady what comforte or consolation soeuer either the Emperour or Empresse gaue vnto her bringyng her in mynde of her Cosines retourne the feare and suspition of whose death was cause of her Mallady as they deemed and therefore should now cause their opinion beyng false and vain her sinall recouery of health But beyng wholy ignoraunt where the Thorne pricked her they could no ways worke but that she waxyng still worse and worse hastened still towardes the blacke Stygian Lake had it not beene for the comforte whiche the Damozelles Marcella and Harderine who knowyng the full occasion thereof recomforted her with the hope they had that his Death was noe lesse true then Pharisors and that the vnknowen knight whiche had caused those Nouelles had not done it but onlie to bragge and boaste hym selfe thereof or els to couer the dishonour he had gotten at the Iustes whereat she was somewhat released of payne yet not able altogether to leaue her Feuer and become whole and sounde In this wise remained the poore languishyng Princesse full of sorowe and paine for the loue of hym who beeyng noe lesse greeued through the equalitie of their Disease if hee had knowen their affections and alterations of the Spirite to bee reciprocate rather then to liue in continual thought and anguish as afterwardes he did he would otherwise and sooner haue put hym selfe in endeuour to salue and pacisie this amourous wouÌ„d which so pained them But as one who thought hymselfe so vnfortunate and smally fauoured of loue that he thought hym to haue made their woundes quite contrarie and otherwise then they were could neuer bee in anye place but that thinking on his estate and newe loue hee entered into deadlye dispaire of hope euer to attaine the Typpe of his desire In suche wise that where he then was to wit in the Forest where we lefte hym seekyng the vnknowen Knight to reuenge the deathe of his deare frende Pharisor accompanied with his Squire Geliaste he so conuerted the care he had of findyng hym into cogitations and contemplations of her passing beautie whom aboue all others he praised and esteemed that in steede of holdyng the right waie out of the Forrest to finde a place to embarcke hym selfe and go into some straunge Countrie he came towardes Constantinople which he thought to be most farre of whereof the Squire aduised who was somwhat more ioconde then the day before asked hym whether he would or if he thought to finde his Enemye in the Cittie from whence the daie before he had sworne to separate hym selfe a farre of so to shunne the daungerous heate of the Fyre â—…gence to ouertake hym as ye saye ye will I am sure that betweene this and that place you may doe it easely But seyng it is now late I counsaile you to go and take your rest for this Night that to Morrowe you maye bryng to passe your pretended purpose as luckelie as I would wishe you After the man of the House had made this promise to the Youth to set hym in the ready waie wherein he might ouertake the knight of whom he thought himself more iniuried theÌ„ he was to thintent he might arise betymes in the Mornyng he went therupoÌ„ straightwaies to slepe in a faire bed whiche the Host had purposely prepared for hym where we let hym rest for chaunge of matter till the next morrowe How Grandowyne Kyng of Hybernia and Cornewaile Vncle to the Nigromantian Mynofoll addressed a greate and puissaunt Armie ro reuenge the death of his two Children Mawgarde and Vaspazell whom King Floridamant had slain And how goyng towardes LoÌ„don he was encouÌ„tred by a little Flete of christians the Captayne whereof were the Princes Ferrand of Norwaie Grandilaor of Swethland
owne courtesie but straitly constrained thereto take themselues thus to their Gardes Yea would GOD it had coste mée the halfe of mine Empire that some good knight had ridde these Costes of hym For I doubt me that at the Iustes to morowe he wil doe vs some mischief seyng he cometh not to daie for his wonted hower is past Care ye not my Leige saide the Youthe of the Fairies when the Emperour had done speaking For God who leaueth not anie wicked Act vnpunished will deliuer you well of the damages that thei haue dooen you through his grace guerdonyng theim accordyng to desertes If he sette not hande thereto said the Emperour I feare me it is vnpossible for any humain wight to vanquishe thē For this Ferclaste who is the strongest of them all findeth not so hard yron that with his ij handes he easelie pulleth not in peeces soner then one of vs a Braunche or Sprig of a Tree and carieth a Club so bigge and mōstruous that foure strong men cannot lift it vp from the grounde with whiche I beleeue there is not so sure an Armour nor so stiffe a shielde but hee will with one stroake breake it to Pouder And his brethren Ergoferant and Androfort haue some whiles a battle Axe so sharpe and pearcing that there is neither Yron nor Steele of what hardnes soeuer whiche flieth not in peeces at the attaiute therof otherwhiles they carie eche of them the Clapers of twoo Belles whiche they had brought into their Caue from Sainte Peters Steeple of this Towne the greatest thinges that euer were seene whiche they handle and weild as well as one of vs would doe his Swerde Briefly that is the moste hideous thing to beholde and horrible to heare that euer was toulde or related So with suche and other like talke they passed away the tyme vntill the Table was taken vp and then after dinner the Youth seperated hym selfe so well as he could from the other knightes with whom he could haue beene content to haue talked more of the Grantes of whom although they coulde hym marueilles yet hee went to see his Squire at the Stable where his Horse and Geliaste was whom hee founde both readie Sadled and Bridled Beeyng harnised with the good Armour whiche the Fairie had giuen hym bee mounted vppon the good Steede Lycocephal and Geliaste vppon his and so demaundyng the waie to Rocke Alpine thei tooke on that waie whiche was taught theim leauyng them astonished at their hardines of whom they had demaunded the waie ech one iudging that thei ment to trie some maistries with the Giantes But Geliaste whom this game pleased not best had no delite to give and ieste as he was wont but rather trembled for feare seeing his maister and hym drawe neere to the Denne of suche Giantes saiyng to hym Alas Maister why purpose you to go spill your selfe whither is it that you goe or what will ye doe woe is me haue you no regarde of your selfe what meane you to cast your self into the fire which wil assuredly hurne you you haus heard that in this Rocke Alpine are suche monstruous Giantes as wil soone rente teare you in peeces and yet goe you thither But what thinke you to doe there when as you well know that thei haue destroyed and put to death an infinite number of so valiaunt Knightes whiche thither went and neuer retourned Hold thy tongue Beast saide the Youth for if they kill mee as thou saiest I shall bee deliuered from the moste miserable tormente that euer poore wretch endured and if I chaunce to vanquish them I shal get both great renoume also the Emperous fauour possibly moreouer which most I desire the good will of the Princesse Porphyria And so I shal be exempte from my Passion or at least wise somewhat eased supposing by this little seruice which I shall do her herein that she shall haue some occasion to fauour mée and to make more accompt of me then euer she yet did And if thou bee so affraide as thou makest semblant to be thou maist hyde thee in some part of the Rocke vntil such time that thou seest me either vanquisher or vāquished of the Giantes The deuill take me if I hide me in their Rockes said Geliaste for if these monsters finde mee there they will eate mée all vp at a Morsell wherefore thinke not that I will euer leaue you Doe therein as thou wilt said the Youth And with such talke passed they the time all the long waie till they ariued in a certaine wood which was not farre from the Rocke Alpine Where in when they were entred a litle they heard the voice of a Damozel who complained sorowfully They staiyng their Horses to vnderstande what it was apperceiued the foulest villayn that euer was seen not so diffigured but farre worse apparelled For his cloathing was so rent and torne that it shewed the one halfe of his fleshe more filthy and blacke then anie Colliar or Chimneisweper of the Citie which felow caried on his shoulders a sacke ful of somwhat Whom the Youth espiyng remained more coy as well in that he heard again the former voice as that he would also sée whither the Paisaunt went whō at length he sawe to rest hymself neere to a greate Ditche whiche was aboute the wood and there casting his sacke on the ground he heard hym speake in this wise counterfaytyng his voyce Madame had you not rather bee beloued of a braue and valiaunt Knight and Gentleman who will take you to his spowse and wife if so you be pleased then to suffer your self perishe and die this rashly For here now is the ditche wherin you must be drouned Then heard he a voyce frō out of the sacke whiche said yes willyngly But I would faine see hym Then the Villaine vnbindyng his Sacke whiche was of Tanned Leather plucked out the headde of a braue Damozell whiche was there within who looking all about her demaunded of him where the gentleman was that spake of her Beholde here Wenche saied the Ruffian by hym self settyng his handes on his side brauely and marchyng gallantly fiue or sixe tymes aboute the Sacke goe wicked Villaine saied the Damozell I had rather bee dismembred by peicemeale then that thy filthy fleshe should toutche myne Scarse had she saied so but the Villaine angrilie shut her againe in the Sacke and was aboute to caste her into the Ditche when as the Youth hauyng seen all the matter ranne to hym and staied his purpose saiyng Rascall what is this that thou hast in this Sacke Sir. saied he it is the Bolster of an olde bed whiche my Maister Ferclaste hath bidden me to cast into this ditch because it is rottē Thou liest saied the Youth for me thought I sawe a Damosell who because she would not condiscēde to thy filthy lust thou wouldest cast into this Ditche But sir you shall supply her rowme and in steede of her ende your vnhappie daies and so takyng hym
thousande suche as thou arte Oh woe is mee that the subiect thereof is no greater And if I knewe that thou werte in seruice with that wicked Emperour of Constantinople and that he had sent thee hither to doe this that thou haste done I should thereat be somewhat more comforted in that I could extende the reuengement of the death of my Brother vpon hym by to morowe for as soone as I haue slaine thee with this my Club I will assemble sixe hundred men to goe kill hym yea euen in his Pallace and all his folkes also which shal be easie for me to do whiles they apply them selues to feastyng and drunkennesse as their custome is Wherefore tell mee if thou bee one of his to the ende that then I may dispatche thee the sooner otherwise I will make thee die the cruellest death that euer was spoken of Verely I am of the Emperours traine saide the Raight but thou arte not yet preste and readie to doe as thou preachest for I will quickly God willing seale thée a Quittance for any such matter The Giant hearyng hym so saie came angerlie with his Clubbe to discharge so greate a stroake vpon his Helmet and so to haue killed hym that the same quite vnbuckled and vnlaced and fell to the grounde together with the Giantes Clubbe whiche also fell out of his fistes whiche so were wrinched that he felt them not Then the other Giaunte Ergoferant seyng his heade bare came of purpose to haue cutte it in twaine but the blowe light vpoÌ„ the shield whiche was so violent that he fell backeward on the grounde his Cimetere fallyng out of his fistes as the Clubbe did from his brother whiche whiles he sought for the Knight beeyng actiue and nimble starte vp lightlie and went disarmed as his heade was towardes Ferclaste who had gotten his Clubbe into his handes wherewith he had brained hym if by his agilitie he had not sleightlie stepped a side to shunne the stroke whiche was so vehemente and horrible that the Giaunte could not recouer againe his Club beyng entred more then twoo foote into the ground Which caused that whiles he striued to pull it out to strike the Knight againe withall he came and gaue hym suche a blowe ouer the armes that he fell doune flatte vppon the stumpes his armes beeyng cutte of by the elbowes This doen the other Giant seeyng his brother so maymed came towardes the Knight with his Clubbe in his hand whiche he had gotten out of the grounde and all enraged leaueled suche a blowe at his head that if it had not light partly vppon his shield he had been dispatched Notwithstandyng the blow was so greate that it dashed the shield full against his bare heade in suche sorte that it made a deepe wounde prouided still that the Clubbe fell out of the Giantes handes againe whiche when he wente to recouer the Knight féelyng his blood whiche he neuer before had seen to runne a long his tender face was so enraged that he had rather haue been deade then not to bee reuenged of that outrage And therevpon he ranne sodainlie vnto Farclaste to whom as he was holdyng his Clubbe in his lefte hande to haue wounded hym he raught suche a rappe that he cutte of the other arme Clubbe and all Whereat the Giaunte beeyng madde and enraged ranne vppon hym and gaue hym suche a blowe with his foote that he smote hym to the grounde neuerthelesse he sone rose vp againe and eftsones encounteryng the other Giaunte whiche came afreshe towardes hym he lente hym suche a blowe on the croune leapyng â—â—stelie into the ayre for otherwise he could not haue doen it dashed it so sore that with the greate paine he felte thereby he fell doune and souned in the fielde Then seeyng hym self as he thought dispatched of this fellowe he came towardes the other who with greate blowes of his feete still assailed hym but hee whiche well knewe howe muche they weighed startyng somewhat aside cutte of one of his legges iuste in the gartering place whereat the Giaunt fell to the grounde wherevpon the Knight approchyng vnto hym cutte of the other also Then he seeyng hymselfe in so piteous estate beganne to howle and crie like a Wolfe reyling and blaspemyng all his Gods in this sort bathing himself in his owne bloud hee ended his miserable life The Knight seeyng hym selfe in so short space to haue atchiued so great a victorie in vanquishyng thrée so monstruous Giantes and bringing their whole Crewe to suche extremitie that they durst not once open their mouthes to speake one worde for that their gouernours were thus slaine after most deuou thankes geuen to God without whose grace he wel knewe that he neuer could haue quelled those Monsters Hee tooke vp his Helmet whiche lay on the grounde and went towardes the rest of the Giantes Crewe and folkes that were yet aliue with full purpose to destroye them all because of the greeuous wound whiche hee had receiued in his head But they seing hym come fiercely and furiously towardes them kneled all doune and humbly besought hym of Pardon pretending for them selues that sith it is a Seruauntes duetie to obeye his Maister they being seruauntes to the Giantes at whose charges and costes thei were kept and nourished could do no lesse but accomplish to their powers their Hestes and Commaundementes and that it would please him to pardoÌ„ them as persons beyng without fault for that sauyng onely for their Maisters willes they would neuer haue endamaged him Noe noe said the knight al enraged one must not obaye their Maister to doe euill and muche lesse to take hyre of any to suche ende but you your selues beyng as ill as they tooke pleasure to be in their company therby to enriche your selues with the spoyle of poore passengers wherefore as Ministers of their wickednesse I will cause you all to die at whiche word he slewe one which was hiest because of a stuborne minde he would not knele downe But seeyng all the others so humble that they neither fledde nor made other defence consideryng that it was noe lesse vertue for a man to vanquish and moderate his affections and anger in shewyng hym selfe piteous and mercifull towardes the vanquished then to shewe himselfe hardie and couragious to ouercome theim as hee whiche was both courteous and kinde of nature And knowyng that it were no praise worthy to destroye those which resisted not allaying as they saye his wine with water hee pardoned tooke them to mercie louinglie vpon condition that thei should after that tyme still be at his coÌ„maundement which thing with common accord they promised him to fulfill This doen he sent to seeke his Horse and mountyng vppon hym he went to wardes the Rocke aswell to deliuer the Prisoners therein as to applie some Plaister or medicine to the wound in his head For the doing whereof he asked if there were any amongest them that was skilled in Chirurgerie whereto it was aunswered that
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
Europe had fallen to his share And the Giaunt hauing left him to goe to Constantinople they departed the one with the Damozell that is to wit the Squire to goe finde his Master And the other whiche was Ergoferant to goe to Constantinople where hee was not so soone ariued but he founde Maister Rabalon whoÌ„ in the Forrest he left pursuing the Outlawes who told to the Emperour intentiuely listening vnto him vnto his Baro as in the great Hall of the Pallace beyng all armed froÌ„ head to foote how the Youth of the Fairies a young Knight to whom he had giuen his Knighthoode not long afore had by his force and valiauncie vanquished the Gardes of Rocke Alpine parte of whom he had thither brought for better assurance of the same whose dead Carkasses with the twoo Giantes Ferclaste and Androfort were come in Chariotes and also how he had brought the prisoners which they had perforce long tyme helde to doe therewith at his pleasure The other parte remainyng with hym aliue at Rocke Alpine and how he had ouercome and brought to his subiection the Giant Ergoferant who while this other was thus tellyng his tale entered into the Hall and castyng his Battle Are doune in the place and then villacing his Helmet whiche he layed doune at his feete he addressed his speache to the Emperour on this wise Mightie Emperour I assure my selfe that if you haue regarce to the infinite damages and displeasures which I my brethren haue daily doen vnto you I merite to be punished more gréeuously worse then euer yet was any But puttyng my confidence in your courtesie bountie aboundant I haue presumed accordyng to promise to presence my selfe personally before your Imperiall Maiestie beyng so enioyned to doe by the faire and gentle Youthe of the Fairies the Flower although as yet yong and tender of all the Knightes that nowe liue that you may doe and dispose with mee at your owne good will and pleasure Beeseeching you in his name and for the great good wil which he beareth you to graunt mee mercie and pardon of all the faultes whiche I haue euer committed against you whiche with true repentance and vowing to you my seruice henceforwarde as hee hath expresselie commaunded I humbly require and obtest The Emperour who in benignitie and clemencie was second to none in the worlde as well for the good newes brought hym as for the loue of the Youthe whom he deemed sent from heauen to helpe his calamitie concernyng the Giantes pardoned hym with good harte beeyng ioyfull of so good fortune â–ª knowyng further this Giaunt by his sookes and countenaunce coutrarie to the kind of such to be very mecke and gentle and also hauyng heard saie that through his clemencie and courteous nature in his brothers life hee had released and let goe many prisoners if at any tyme they chaunced to be absone Wherfore he praied hym to vouchesafe to tarie in his seruice for whiche hee would well recompence hym whereto the Giaunt humbly thankyng hym aunswered that euer whises life lasted hym he would not faile nor bee faithlesse to hym Whereat the Emperour exceedyng ioyous saied that hee would marry hym to his Neece Dinamâ—â— sister to Pharisor whiche offer because the Damozell was merueilous faire and grattous he willingly accepted thereupon he made them to promise the one to the other 〈◊〉 the of marriage which done the Emperour and all his Barons and Knightes arose and went to see the dead Knightes and Giauntes liyng vppon the Chariotes without whereat they muche meruened how one onely person could by his valiauncie without other aide at all put to death and dispatch so many puissauÌ„t Personages who in their life had troubled whole Arnues and they also marueiled at the mightie blowes and woundes whiche they had For some were riuen doune to the Belly other some quite clouen with one blowe of the Swerde and others as the Giaunt Ferclaste had their Armes and Legges cut of and they saide one to another that aforetyme they had seen men slaine but neuer did they ne neuer should thei sée men so mangled and martyred as these were Whereupon they largely praised the Youthe of the Fairies for his valoure saiyng that if he continued as hee had begonne hee would bee the beste Knight that euer the world fostered or had brought foorth This dooen the Emperour commaunded to hange all those deade bodies in a Woodde not farre distaunte from the Citie whiche was doen incontinentlie Then he caused the best Painter in al his Empire to come vnto him and to depaint the History as a matter worthy of aye lasting remeÌ„braunce in the greate Hall of his Pallaice with the moste riche and costlie splendizant coullers that could bee found And for the greate desire he had to see the Youth he dispatched three or fower knightes to goe searche hym spedilie at Rocke Alpine whiche doen he commenced the Iustynges and Tourneis without further feare whereat were present vpon skaffoldes sette vp for that intent the Empresse the Princes Porphyrie and the Ladie Harderine with the sage Marcella and the gentle Amidree with many mo Ladies and Damozelles right richly attired adorned with chaines of gold gounes of Veluet of all coullers clothe of Golde and Siluer and other Iewelles whereof thei had lefte none that daie behinde in their Chambers whiche might helpe to enhaunce their beauties or perfectnesse in any pointe whiche standyng againste the shinyng Sunne shewed as thei had bene thinges diuine rather theÌ„ humain which thing gaue such hartenyng encouragement to the knightes that should Iuste that thei takyng loftie stomackes vnto them eche one semed to bee farre more valiaunte then in prooffe hee was those whiche were preste and renged for the Iustes brake and strained theim selues with suche force on the course that at the dashyng and stroke of their Launces whiche in shiuers flewe vp into the ayre some of them beyng caste out of the Saddles fell doune to the grounde the reste more expert and valiaunte without breache of staffe atchiued their course gallauntlie Whiche thyng a certaine yong knight seeyng who seemed in countenaunce and shewe to bee of greate vertue and valiauncie who that same Mornyng was come to assiste at the Iustes aduaunced hymself came so fiercely with his Speare towards one of them which had not bene dishorsed who seemed to him the sloutest Iuster of all called Anthenor who had caste adoune the gentle knight Florenges and stroke hym so roughly vppon the shielde that at the first blowe the launce passed through his body more theÌ„ a yarde in length whereat the Emperour was muche agreeued and likewise all his Barons and Knightes for nexte his nephewe Pharisor he was the valiauntest and wisest of all his Empire and specially Gyllant of Cartage who was his great frende and compaignion who to reuenge his death came towardes hym but he receiued hym so brauelie that after his Launce was broken he tooke suche a leape
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
conquered the Romaine Empire as well for that he longed to vnderstand what he was as also what fortune had brought hym into that distresse Whereof hauyng demaunded the other that was so enféebled and weried by turmoyling in the water that hee could not easely fetche breathe requested hym instauntly that he would vouchsafe hym some restyng place out of hand and that after he were reposed a while he would recount vnto him his whole case Then the Youthe knowyng that hee needed the same and that hee vttered his woordes with muche difficultie commaunded his Esquier that he should leade him to his chamber and laye him in his owne Bed whervnto he obeyed incontinently but he was scarse entered when as the knight seeyng the Armes of the Youthe and likewise the Speare that laye by his bed side staied for a certain season without speaking one worde he was surprised with suche astonishment afterward touruyng hym towardes the Esquier regarded hym heedefully and remembred that hee had seene him not long afore forthwith called to mind who he was howheit without makyng semblaunte of any suche thyng be began tovnaraie hymselfe and his apparaile whiles he prepared hymselfe to Bed the Esquier bare into the open ayre to drie who failed not to rehearse vnto his Maister touchyng the countenance and behauour of the man when as be behelde his Armour Who beyng therefore more desirous then he was afore to knowe what he was hyed hym into the Chamber to common with the Straunger whyles that the shippe without anie Sterneman did runne at randon but at the first entrance ▪ finding hym fast a sléepe he would not awake him as then vntill midnight came when he had rested hymselfe a long season the Youth who in the euening was layde doune by hm noti disposed to cloase his eyes all that parte of the night by reason of the vnquietnes of his thoughtes heard hym speake in his sleepe thus Ah Madame saied he and what will you saye when ye vnderstande of the death of your Knight After wallowyng from one side to another and wauyng his Feete and Handes as though he would haue swimmed he muttred in his dreame sundry like speeches and complaintes whereby the Youth who gaue good eare perceiued that he was dedicate to the Hestes of the Patronesse of Paphos therfore both for that bee supposed the man to be troubled in mynde through the fearefull obiectes whiche were presented to his inwarde sences as hee dreamed and bicause his longyng to knowe what person hee was did still augmente iogging the man harde with his Elbowe till bee was awaked saied Ho ho Companion what ayles you you are further from the water then you were yesterday God bee thanked The man in his awakyng geuyng a leape as it were one halfe agast was recomforted when he founde hymself in so safe a place for in his sleepe hee imagined that hee was yet in the Sea. Wherefore reuokyng to memorie the daungerous hazard from which by the Youthes aide then lying by hym he was recouered hee shewed not hymselfe displeased for his late thrustyng of hym but shrouding hymselfe againe vnder the couerte of the Bedclothes began to speake to hym on this sorte Syr Knight saied hee if it seemed not offensiue to you I would instauntly request you to vouchsafe mee one benefite assuryng you that I will in any matter concernyng you auoyde the crime of ingratitude as well in respect thereof as also in that you haue bene the onely refuge and rescue of my liefe out of those apparant perilles wherin hopelesse I was enuironed whiche causeth mee to accompte my selfe so muche bounde and beholdyng to your gentlenes for your vnspeakeable and exceedyng merites that vnfainedly I doe acknowledge my owne power farre vnable to recompence the slenderest parte of those youre so high desertes yea though I doe aduenture my life in the hazarde of innumerable daungers for the defence and conseruation of youres vowyng furthermore that you shall require nothyng at my handes whiche gladly I will not occomplishe for your sake not onely bicause you haue recouered mee from presente death but also for that youre liniamentes and countenaunce alone doe seeme worthy that so great a Prince as I am should employe hymselfe for you Wherfore as you estéeme my wordes true my promise to proceede from a faithfull constaunt heart I praye you to graunt vnto my first request which I neuer seemed to deny to any creature liuyng Verily Syr said the Youth of the Fairies you séeme vnto mee so courteous and well spoken that albeit you were but a meane Knight and not descenden from any royall house as you haue vttered here yet would I not once offer to conceale any thing whereof ye should demaunde mee alwaies foreseene that it resteth in my power to doe reposing suche confidence in youre good nature and courtesie that you will not forbeare ne disdaine to shewe the like at myne instaunce after that I haue so satiffied your desire whiche I request you not to differre geuyng you my woorde in faith of a knight that you shall require no thing of mee which mine honour reserued I wil not attempte with my whole might I beseech you then quoth the other that it would please you to discouer vnto mee who you are and what Fortune hath forced you beyng of so young yeres to wander thus alone amids the Seas and likewise where you conquered the Harnesse and faire Speare whiche yesterdaie at my entrie into this Chamber I did beholde wherewith as I be leue you arme your selfe when occasion offereth or necessitie constraineth so to doe and the reason which moueth me to be desirous to vnderstand the first of these three thinges is to the ende that I may know the person certainely vnto whom I stande so deepely endebted that if I may possibly haue a thousande liues to ieoperde in his defence when neede shall require they may in noe wise be spared wherefore I am againe to desire you to disclose the same to mee I promise you saied the Youth that since it is so that you haue preuented mee by demaundyng that whiche els I had enquired of you I will not gainesaie your demaunde hauyng a sure truste that you will vse the like courtesie to mee It remaines therefore that you knowe that I was borne in greate Britaine and beyng very young was nursed and trained vp in the Fairie of the Nimphe Ozyris it may be that you haue hearde reporte of her who not long sithence sente me to Constantinople to bee dubbed Knight by the Emperour there who of his gracious inclination refused not to doe it but misfortune who lay in waite euerywhere to surprise mee wolde alas syr Knight I praie you to holde mee excused If I vtter no further of my mishappe saied hee sighyng déepely that in performance of the promise whiche I haue made vnto you this shorte declaration may suffice for if you vnderstande any further of my calamities I doe beleue
that you will scarsely refraine youre eyes from Teares and your hearte from bewailyng of my lamētable case The man who was more desirous to know where he had recouered those Armes whiche hee had seene the euenyng before in the Chamber then to heare of anie thyng els ceassed not verie importunatelie to charge hym with his promise alledgyng many vehement persuasions to encourage hym thereto saiyng as though he had coniectured somewhat of the passions of the Youthe by his gesture and maner of pronouncyog that if the original of his mishap and grief procéeded of loue in discouering it to him as without inconuenience he mought assuredly doe as to his especiall frende hee should receiue suche comforte as should yelde hym singuler solace and if it did aryse of any offence namely against him he promised with al his power to assist hym in the execution of the reuengemente thereof Wherupon the Youth the passages of whose voyce by the sourse of his sorowes were burste open reuiued at the remembrrunce of his Dames beautie rather heauenly then humaine discoursed to hym a large processe of the aduentures befallyng hym mentioned afore not concealing any Iote vntolde and he had not as yet attained to the ende of his rehearsall when the dawnyng of the daie bade them to forsake their beds so that leasure sailed the Youth ere hee could declare where he had recouered the Armour But settyng themselues vppon the Puppe of their ship as obiectes to the glitteryng beames of Dan Phoebus as hée was addressyng his tongue to finishe his rehearsall by fortune they kenned a Vessell that skmimed the Seas with wonderfull swiftnes wherin as the same approached neere thei mought espie two knightes armed at al pointes who flourishing with their naked swerdes in their handes and their shieldes vppon their Armes manaced them more and more Whereof the Youthe who was vnarmed at the first blushe abashed and mistrustyng that they came to enterprise vppon them at suche aduauntage descended in all hast to his Chamber where hauyng taken of his Armour the Shield and Sworde onely leauyng to his companion whom he had found in the Sea the rest to witte the Corselet the headpeece and the Speare mounted vp vppon the Hatches where they met with the twoo Archepyrates who already had to their owne mischief borded their Ship. For the former of them both beyng confronted by the Youth of the Fairies receiued vppon his Headpeece suche a stroke that his Head and Bodie was cleaued doune to the Breast notwithstaddyng the defence he made with his Shield his Helmet and other his Harnesse whiche preuented not that fatall blowe not muche vnlike was the mischaunce of his Copesmate who by his Speare pearced the bodie so violently that doune fell he into the water starke dead at sight whereof the two Knightes stoode a certaine space as men amazed eache one at the prowesse of the other but especially he who had beene preserued from death beholdyng the Youth of the Fairies with exceading admiration to reach that miserable Rouer whom he had slaine with wonderfull force the mightiest stroke that euer hee did sée with his eyes whose Companions but smallie dismaied at the slaughter of their Companions runnyng out of their Forte in heapes assailed these two worthy Knightes furtously who receiuyng their charge with greate assuraunce made suche hauocke that of thirty of them in halfe a quarter of an hower there remained not past twentie the halfe of whom beeyng greeuously wounded they were by fine force compelled to geue ground parte of whom leapte into the water to saue themselues the reste that either thought the water ouer colde or peraduenture vnable to swimme fledde to their Ship addressyng their Sailes to retourne thether from whence thei came but omittyng the expedition requisite in so vrgent necessitie they were all hewen in peeces one except beeyng reserued to vtter what people they were For these two excellent Knightes whom I may truely terme the most valiaunt redoubted wightes vnder the Coape of Heauen as their deedes hereafter namely in the seconde and third parte of this Historie doe clearely witnesse after that they were become Maisters of the shippe wherein the Pirates had assailed theym entered therein meanyng to take Lande with all possible speede for that the same was furnished with all necessarie thinges for a Voyage whereas on the contrarie parte their other was not by reason of the violente tempest and outrage before declared whiche they did accordingly where they lighted vppon marueilous aduentures whiche hereafter you may vnderstande How the Pyrate whose lyfe was saued by the Youth of the Fayries recounted vnto hym the Pedegrewe of the Giaunte Squamell and of the mightie Nabot together with the loue betweene the same Squamell and the Lady Lucinde daughter to the King of high Mysia of whom the Giaunt findyng hymselfe to be despised did happen vpon a Knight who bare an enchaunted Cuppe within whiche who so dranke whatsoeuer the drinke were should become extremely amorous of the person that offered the same likewise in this last chapter are many notable aduentures comprised ¶ The. xxij Chapiter AS the varietie of matters heretofore handled haue yelded occasion to you my Lordes and Dames of no slender solace recreatiō so I doubt not but that the residue of this woorke which hereafter shall be set to open vewe cōcerning this Historie wil suspend your intētiue mindes with the expectation of rarer delightes delightfuller discourses and by performance of that which is pretended satisfie youre conceites with surplusage of pleasaunte inuentions And now to prosecute our purpose vnderstande ye that assone as the Youth of the Fairies had left his ship which wandred upon the Sea without any gouernement and was entred into that whiche bee had conguered of the Pirates who had attempted to assaile him to their damage and vtter confusion with the aide of the man whose life he had deliuered from the daunger of death obiectyng hymselfe to perilous hazardes for the others safegarde for the selfe same person was he whom he sought for to the ende that hee might reuenge the supposed death of his faithfull frende Pharisor whom he thought to haue beene slaine by hym beyng I saie sailyng vpon the Sea in his verie company and makyng great speede to ouertake hym who was no other where but in that Sippe both to knowe if the Rouer whom he had taken could tell any tidinges of hym and also to vnderstande who were those Sea Robbers whom he had slaine hee did the meane while commaunde that the same Pirate should bee brought vnto his presence and hauyng questioned with hym concernyng those newes and shewed the cognisaunces which the knight whom he pursued bare in his armes in the hearyng of the same knight wherat he stoode muche amazed and astonished perceiuing that he enquired for hym the Pirate spake and aunswered in this wise My Lorde saide he as touchyng the Knight of whom you spake I am to certifie you
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
the other so muche that the Vermilion red whiche retired from the middle of their visages gaue coniecture to some of the Damozelles who were more skilled and conuersaunt in the case then others of that whiche was happened For there wanted not much but that the Youth transported with a beautie vnmatchable and neuer hauing felt suche impressions of loue in his phantasie afore had almost fallen doune in a slumber but takyng harte to him he dissembled his dolour the best he could But the ladie were it that she was charged with more matter of this Marrowe then he or that she was lesse couragious and able to beare out these bruntes bestowed by the little God on thē whom he inwrappeth in his nettes was through phansie forced to fall in a soūde sodainly in the place where she stoode Wherof wée neede not doubte if the Empresse her Damozels who sawe her fall were afraied and marueiled for thei thinkyng that she was deade with an infinite number of cries and lamentations moste pitifull ran speedely on this side and on that to lifte and raise her vp stil tremblyng astonished for feare which thei had leaste she were deade But after thei had felte her poulces findyng her yet a liue thei appeised and moderated the vehemencie of their dolours to recomforte the Empresse who hauyng her harte cloied with distresse could not speake a woorde saiyng one to an other that some defaulte of harte had surprised her or els that not hauyng eaten any meate that Mornyng her senses and stomacke failed her some other saied that possiblie it was her goune beeyng to straight for her And thus these women Philosophatyng vpon her sodaine sounynges thei tooke and caried her charelie into her chamber where beyng laied vpon her bedde thei caste certaine droppes of colde water in her visage and then she beganne to reuerte and come again to her self and openyng her eyes she was altogether amazed to se so many people busied about her and chieflie to heare her cousine Harderine wéepyng so bitterly that kissyng her she watred her cheekes with teares to call her with a loude voyce Wherefore with a feeble and lowe voyce the Ladie badde her that she should shutte all the windowes of the chamber and then cause all the rest of the Damozelles to depart because she had great desire to slepe Then the ladie Harderine asked her saiyng Will you not that I tary here with you Madame that if in case any necessitie perturbe you I maie preuent it to my power That is as it shall please you cousin saied she and incontinently all the Damozelles wēt out and made reporte to the Empresse how her daughter was somwhat better amended then afore and that this sounyng proceeded not of any other cause then of the quaisinesse of her stomacke whiche had surprised her in that she had not rested the Nighte before because of the Alarmes whiche the Giaunte Ferclaste and his twoo brethren made nightly to the Citie wherewith the Empresse was somewhat satisfied and ceassed her teares The Ladie Harderine who remainyng solie in the Lady Porphyria her Chamber willyng to knowe the cause of her dolour beganne to fetche her in with these woordes I am greately astonished and abashed Madame whence or how you should haue this greate default of harte that so sodain lie you should fall doune soundyng before the Empresse doe you feele your self euill Is there any interiour maladie or secrete sorrowe within your corps whiche through his violence hath caused this auoydance of senses I praie you not to conceale it but rather to communicate it fréelie to me so that it maie be amēded For if you secretly shroude and shadowe it I assure you your self shall bee the speedie procurer and seker of your owne decaie whiche if it should once chaunce I should not long after liue Wherefore I praie you once again my swete Mistres saied she in kissing her vouchsafe to make me knowe your maladie Ah cosine saied she to her thinke you me so sottishe vndiscrete and suche an enemie to my self that if I felte any euill to anoye me whereto the Phisicions might apply the order of amendement that I would conceale it from you hauyng heretofore manifested to you all the motions of my mynde and secret thoughtes that I euer suffred The Ladie Harderine hearyng her so speake had at the firste greate feare least she had felte some corporall maladie within her self daungerous and incurable but hauyng pondered somewhat apart vpon her speaches she doubted sodainly that perchaunce she was pricked with the perillous darte of Loue whiche onely is vncurable either with Hearbes or Siropes Wherefore to lighten her doubte she thought good to trie the watche further saiyng on this sorte And how then Madame doeth the cause of your doloure and sounyng procede from any maladie whiche the Phisicions by no meanes can cure I can not rightly deeme what desease paineth you seyng there is no sicknesse so sore that Sir Sagibell your father the Emperours Phisicion who is the moste skilfull and tried man in his Arte can not by his medicines giue some recure and helpe vnto Cosin replied the faire Ladie you knowe well that I neuer concealed from you any of my secretes though verie priuate were thei neuer of so greate importaunce And therefore I will not now hide from you my langour seeyng you are so destrous to knowe it and that whiche I aunswere proceedeth not from ought els but of the greate desire I haue to slepe Wherfore since ye knowe it presently I praie you no more to disquiet me but do so muche as depart the chamber that then I maie slepe the more at my ease And an hower hence you maie returne to awake me at what tyme you shall perceiue my maladie muche amended I se wel said Harderine doubtyng more now then asore of an eele vnder the stone that the case standeth not so that you maye hide it well enough For the Fire was neuer yet in a place so secrete neither hid in a denne so déepe but that some smoke thereof appeared and was seen at whiche woordes she went for the of the chāber shuttyng the doore after her and feining to goe along the Gallerie correspondente to the issue of the same she went not farre but retourned softely againe to harken at the doore if in any pointe she could heare the distressed Ladie complain who as sone as she sawe her departed had begonne her plotte to this purpose drawyng moste sorowfull sighes from the bottome of her harte Woe is me what passiō of mynde might this be that I fele O miserable and desolate that I am what straunge dolour what vnknowen alteration dde I feele to martire and crucifie my hart with suche outrage that I attende nought els but the arriuall of that cruell and inhumain death to ende my doleful daies and to deliuer me from the passions and anguishes wherewith like friyng fire I now still feele my bowels to burne Beholde
O thou Serpentine Youth replete with poyson how lucklesse and vnfortunate for me the daie was wherin thou diddest here arriue and come in presence for since first I sawe thee I knowe not how nor whither myne affectioÌ„ is transported I know not where my teÌ„der hart is become I know not what rage what furie hath surprised and holdeÌ„ my sencés raison so captiuated that I caÌ„not alas I cannot see nor knowe how nor by what meanes I may deliuer my self from this mischaunce and miserie without greate losse and blemish of mine honour Ah cruellâ—â—â— felonious pitilesse Is it possible that as well it appeareth thou art come to this Coast for no other occasion then to cause me to pine in this dolour distresse by thy beauty and behauour whiche I well beléeue thou haste bought or borrowed by Charmes and Enchauntementes of some skilfull Fairie yea rather Sorceresse whiche hath sente thee expressely hither so to captiuate and depriue mée of my pristinate and auncient liberties â–ª But alas sot sencelesse foole that I am sufficeth it not mee enough to be vexed tormented but that therevppon I must also curse hym who neuer in his life either wrought or thought my displeasure and who perchaunce if I required hym thereto would not seme to denie mée his seruice For if he knewe that for his loue I languished as I doe I am ascertained by the affabilitie bountie courtesie wherewith as I surely coniecture he is complete and furnished that he would be muche vexed and agreeued at mine infortunate encombraunce not hauyng as I suppose giuen any attempt either in thought woorde or deede to procure or worke neuer so little woe or displeasure whereof I may iustlie accuse hym I can not therefore imagine from whence it is that this traunce now troublyng my Soule proceedeth if it be not from the fountaine of frettyng loue The which beyng naturall as ofteÌ„ I haue heard say now in some parte haue proued it is great iniurie that I should blame hym so yea rather I ought to reprehend mine owne nature or the cruell desteny guider of my yeres which yea and possiblie for my prefermente hath ordeined that hee shall one daie be the Lorde and true Maister of my hart and bodie likewise For the which cause I will enforce my selfe yet still cloakyng the coulour of myne ill chaunce the beste that I can to bring hym if he yet be not so muche to obaye me as I am at his commaundemente in that hee can not chuse but that I may loue hym hauyng his perfections imprinted in me with so sure a Seale that the processe of time is in no wise able to deface it Seyng that the loue whiche I entende to vse is a thing holy and constituted of God on hie And thereon let come what will let the Emperour my Father fret and fume hereat at his pleasure let all thinges herein tourne vpsidedoune if it may chaunce that in anie wise I maie vnderstande that hee is atteinted and caught with the same sicknesse that I am But seeyng that I my selfe can not bryng this to passe and because also that my Maladie whiche proceedeth from loue hath this particularitie in it selfe that it may receiue no redresse if it bee conceiled and kept secret I am in mynde to discouer and make it knowen to my Cosin Harderine and to the Ladie Marcella who not bewraiyng mee shall gene mee counsaile in this myne harde affaire When she had ended her speach to this purpose the Maiden Harderine whiche was at the scoute watch hearyng this resolution went awaie thence making the smallest noise she could so passed through the Gallerie into the Empresses chamber where hauyng found the lady Marcella who was a woman right wise and honest widow to the late Duke of Chalcyde to whom because of her modestie and demeaner was giuen the custodie of the young ladie Porpharia she recompted to her all the complaintes whiche of her Cousin she had lately heard Whereat she not greately marueiled as one whiche doubted by the countenaunces behauors of louers in doyng the duetie of courtesie of that whiche was veritable true in deede Wherefore â–ª she and Harderine hande in hande went into the young ladies chamber whoÌ„ thei found sadly walkyng vp doune who discriyng them died her face with a more ioyfull hewe and showe then her harte had of contentment and adressyng her speache to Harderine she saied My swéete cosin is it not true that wheÌ„ I told you I had slept I should be better Aha said the other whiche knewe the greatest secretes of her harte you haue not as yet the meane to bee so whole as to vs ye make semblance for the desease whereof I heard you not long since coÌ„plaine receiueth not so soone recure without apliyng of an other remedy theÌ„ you haue yet had What Cousine saied the yong Ladie of what Maladie haue you heard me make my moane whereof I am not yet ridde and deliuered of Of the feuer whiche proceedeth of the heate of Cupids burnyng infections saied she Porphirie seeyng that her Pot was discouered and her Secretes knowne caused them both to sit by her and saide Although it should bee so that you had in no wise knowne my misfortune yet in no wise could it so continue that you beyng the persons onely in whom I haue confidence more then in any others whatsoeuer I would haue hiddeÌ„ from you any of my sinister fortunes and distresses knowyng you euer to haue continued loyall faithfull towardes me and so that I haue no cause to complaine my self sith I haue neuer concealed and couered from your so laudable taciturnitie all that although of greate importauÌ„ce whiche I haue stil made you partakers of whiche maketh me hope that not to purchase my anoyaunce or displeasure but rather to succour me in this my so vrgente affaire you would not beginne at this tyme consideryng the consequence of the deede from whence the question cometh and what dauÌ„ger I haue vsed at the first to discouer it vnto you I praie you deere Cosin be not thereat displeased For though I was loath to make you priuie of it yet it is not good so to doe thinges rashely without premeditatyng what issue it may haue and consultyng therof which was the chief cause that assured of your loyaltie which neuer yet failed me I was of purpose to imparte my secretes to you bothe I knowe it well saied Harderine for if I had not heard your resolution whiche did manifest vnto vs the cause of your Maladie whereof wee neede not now to trouble you with talke seeing we are sufficiently enformed of the matter it self I would haue had regarde not to haue so manifested it to Maistres Marcella and to bryng her hither for feare of doyng a thyng displeasaunte vnto you But intendyng that wherof you were tailkng and the confideÌ„ce whiche you haue in her beyng to me not vnknowen I pray you take no